Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 23rd of September.
Good morning, Pensacola.
🏘️ Community
SYSA broke ground on the new Rafferty Center today near Theophalis May Community Center on West Gregory Street, using a $1M donation from Troy and Ashley Rafferty and state funding secured by Rep. Alex Andrade to support programs for 1,600 youth annually.
The 10,000-square-foot facility will include a basketball court for 800 people, meeting rooms, and other amenities + Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves praised the project as a community-driven solution.
Santa Rosa County has received a record survey showing that over 90% of about 5,000 residents want a community pool.
Commissioners are weighing a $40M project to build two pools—one Olympic-size facility at the south end and a smaller pool near the center—and are exploring public and private partnerships to support both competitive and recreational swimming.
🎓 Education
University of West Florida is exploring a tuition-free K-3 charter school on campus and sent an email on Friday asking faculty and community to fill out a survey—faculty overseeing the School of Education had not been consulted.
Interim President Manny Diaz toured the campus with a group of visitors and the school may launch in January with 50 students.
The University of West Florida celebrated Warren Averett's lifetime giving at the Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business today—his gifts of over $250K have funded scholarships and programs for accounting and finance students.
The event also showcased Mort O’Sullivan’s journey from a struggling student to a successful CPA, underscoring the firm’s ongoing support for future business leaders.
Gulf Breeze High School student Matthew Thorn was named Escambia and Santa Rosa student of the week for Sept.
15-19 after earning 62.19 percent of the vote — voting for the next set of winners starts on Sept. 23.
🌲 Environment
Pensacola oyster habitats have shrunk from 980 acres in 2010 to 480 acres in 2021 and even less now due to dredging, overharvesting & poor water quality, which affects local wildlife and restaurants.
The Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program will start a 10-year, multi-million dollar restoration project in 2027 to help bring back the oysters.
Baby rhino Kipenzi was born on July 24 at Gulf Breeze Zoo as the third white rhinoceros calf from Zoofari Parks and the first second-generation calf (she weighed more than 200 pounds at birth).
Her mother Khaleesi (born at Virginia Safari Park in 2015) cared well for her first calf, and Zoofari Parks will continue its conservation program with more calves expected later.
🏛️ Government
Florida Senator Don Gaetz has introduced a bill that would let houses of worship use in-house armed security teams with volunteers following a sheriff-approved plan and passing background checks.
He said the bill will be voted on at the next legislative session in January—aiming to give churches a clearer way to secure their spaces.
🏈 Sports
Pensacola-area girls volleyball midseason power rankings show Gulf Breeze leads at 17-1 after a 3-0 loss to Chiles on Aug.
27 and is set to face them on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.—district tournaments are less than a month away as teams from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties fine-tune their play.
🎉 Pensacola Events
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Rose Bud Ramblers Concert
8 PM – 12 AM — Moonshine Saloon — Ticketed event — Enjoy the heartfelt sounds of traditional country and honky-tonk music from the Rose Bud Ramblers.
Pensacola Oktoberfest 2025
4-10 p.m. — Garden & Grain — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer, food, and live music at the ultimate bar crawl experience.
Pensacola Seafood Festival
5-11 PM — Seville Square — Free entry — Savor delicious seafood and enjoy live music in historic downtown Pensacola.
Enthronement Concert
6-9 p.m. — Handlebar — Cover charge applies — Rock out with Pensacola's local trio as they unveil their latest creations.
Blippi: Join the Band Tour
5-6:30 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Pensacola — Tickets available — Make music with Blippi and friends in a lively live performance for kids.
JAMES ADKINS: RadioLive Performance
12-4 p.m. — Radio Live! — Free entry — Experience an intimate live performance in a cozy downtown venue with exceptional acoustics.
Afterdusk Live at The Handlebar
7-11 p.m. — The Handlebar — Ticket info unavailable — Experience live music with Afterdusk and local acts in a vibrant atmosphere.
Black Jacket Symphony - The Era of Yacht Rock
6:30-8 p.m. — Saenger Theatre Pensacola — Musical celebration — Experience the smooth sounds of Yacht Rock brought to life by talented musicians.
Kristian Stanfill: Grace & Glory Tour
7-11 p.m. — Pensacola Bay Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience uplifting worship music with Kristian Stanfill from Passion City Church.
D. Scott Riggs Live Performance
7-11 p.m. — Seville Quarter — Free entry — Experience the soulful Panhandle Blues with Gulf Coast songwriter D. Scott Riggs.
🏠 Pensacola Real Estate
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📣 Pensacola Announcements
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