Good morning, Pensacola.

Nicole Dibono, former director of Charis House at Ministry Village at Olive (a faith-based drug treatment program), was fired in Dec.

2025 for associating with a gay friend. She filed a discrimination complaint with the EEOC and the Florida Commission on Human Relations, potentially setting the stage for further legal action.

Pensacola is booming this week with development.

Dirt will move soon at Hollice T. Williams Park as Phase One construction begins, and the new 7 Brew drive-thru coffee shop opens today; work starts on a boardwalk at Graffiti Bridge around Sept. 21 while road projects continue to reshape key routes.

Pensacola pilot Emily Shelton flew with the Blue Angels on Sept.

11 following her emergency landing on I-10 (which earned her an award from the Escambia County Sheriff's Office), underscoring her skilled response to the incident.

Pensacola hosts a busy week of events including the Pensacola Senior Games (Sept.

11-25) and live concerts at local venues such as The Handlebar and Seville Quarter. Residents can also enjoy community gatherings at the Pensacola Brick Convention (Sept. 19-20) and other local festivities.

Pensacola gas prices hit a record $4.07 a gallon on Sept.

9 — a spike following Labor Day that has drivers encouraged to drive smoother, limit idling, and use apps to find lower prices. AAA Auto Club offers practical tips to help local motorists save money at the pump.

A Florida Department of Education report shows that nearly 600 books were removed from public schools in the 2025-26 academic year, with about 150 removed in Escambia County after the review shifted to library staff (prompted by parental flags), raising free speech concerns.

The city will plant 82 trees along 12 corridors this winter using $143,500 from its Tree Planting Trust Fund to replace 31 removed trees and add 51 new ones in heat island areas, with bids to be solicited soon.

City Council approved the project Sept. 10.