New Orleans (AP) — Environmentalists, recreational fishermen and people who make their living on the Gulf of Mexico are hailing a federal judge’s ruling that could mean $18 billion in additional fines for BP over the nation’s worst offshore oil spill.
Gulf Breeze mayor Beverly Zimmern and Mayor Pro Tem J.B. Schluter announced to city staff on Friday that they would not be seeking another term in office. Friday was also the last day for Gulf Breeze candidates to file their intentions to seek a city office.
Leaders in local workforce training and development on Monday made presentations to the Santa Rosa County RESTORE Council, gearing up for the anticipated availability of funding in early 2015. Representatives from Santa Rosa County District Schools, Pensacola State College and CareerSource Escarosa were invited to share information about ongoing and proposed programs.
Santa Rosa County is planning on a bigger budget for fiscal year 2015 – the second year in a row for an increase after years of declining revenue. The total budget is expected to top $103.7 million. Although that amount includes more than a $2.2 million increase in proposed property taxes, commissioners are not expected to reduce property taxes.
Santa Rosa County Commissioners plan to seek a legal opinion from Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi prior to lowering Navarre Beach lease fees to $1 per year. The board had planned to proceed with the reduction while awaiting federal legislation aimed to eliminate beach leases fees by providing Santa Rosa Island leaseholders with fee simple ownership.
Santa Rosa County Commissioners have been asked to spend around $750,000 to construct additional parking spaces on county-owned property adjacent to a facility in Santa Rosa Industrial Park (SRIP). Commissioners will vote on the matter at today’s meeting, and construction could be complete within 90 days.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) implemented conservation measures in an effort to help the Apalachicola Bay oyster population recover from the effects of low river flow. Apalachicola Bay oyster populations have significantly declined in recent years due to lack of sufficient fresh water flows in the Apalachicola River. This new suite of conservation measures enhances those the FWC put into place for the 2013 winter and 2014 summer seasons. The FWC will continue to assess the health of the bay to make sure this critical natural resource is protected.
The club promotes firearm safety, familiarity and marksmanship among its patrons.
“Our policy is to provide a safe and family friendly place,” said William Walter, Air Force Special Operations Command program analyst, club chairman of membership advisory council and a 30-year member.”
Hurlburt Field, Fla. — “Air Commandos, we are one component of a very powerful joint special operations team,” said Lt. Gen. Brad Heithold, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. “We want to ensure that our teammates can always depend on us.”
