04-05-2025
What you missed: New downtown development, UWF trustees confirmed
Here's a roundup of our top stories from the past week.
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A dispute between Pensacola and Escambia County over the county's pledge of $2 million for the demolition of the old Baptist Hospital appears to be brewing, another sign of tensions between the two local governments.
The dispute is arising as the city and county prepare to embark on another major partnership: the modernization of Pensacola Bay Center.
Rising tensions: Tensions rise between Pensacola and Escambia County over Baptist Hospital demolition
A controversial season surrounding appointments to the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College governing boards ended April 29 with the full Florida Senate confirming eight trustees.
Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moya, Ashley Ross and Chris Young were confirmed to serve on the UWF Board of Trustees. The terms for Matthews, who is board chair, and Ross will expire on Jan. 6, 2030. Bailey's term will end Jan. 6, 2026, and Young and Moya will serve through Jan. 6, 2028.
The five trustees were among eight appointments made to the university's board in January. The Florida Board of Governors nominated Matthews, Moya and Ross, with Gov. Ron DeSantis appointing Bailey, Young, Scott Yenor, Gates Garcia and Adam Kissel. Of DeSantis' appointments, only Bailey and Young made it to the full Senate.
UWF, PSC trustees confirmed: Florida Senate confirms UWF, PSC trustees, ending controversial saga
In a few weeks, Brylee Ponce and Amanda Edgar will reach two of life's major milestones.
Ponce, a Navarre High senior, and Edgar, a West Florida Tech senior, will earn their high school diplomas along with associate degrees in May. Because of Florida's Dual Enrollment Program, the two women will complete the first two years of college without any debt.
Dual enrollment – one of the Florida's best-kept secrets – allows public secondary, charter, homeschool and private school students to take college or university courses while earning credit toward a high school diploma, a career certificate or an associate or bachelor's degree at a state public or eligible private institution.
The program is free – Florida being one of the only states to fully fund dual enrollment. Funded through a state appropriation, the Dual Enrollment Scholarship Program reimburses eligible postsecondary institutions for students' tuition and instructional materials for fall and spring term courses.
Free college courses: One of Florida's best-kept secrets offers debt-free degree and a head start on life
A former Escambia County Public Schools substitute teacher has filed a lawsuit against the school district claiming they were discriminated against because of their gender identity.
Hane Cypress McLeaish, a transgender nonbinary individual, filed the lawsuit March 23 in U.S. District Court. The suit names current Superintendent Keith Leonard, former superintendent Tim Smith, principal Elizabeth Greenberg, school board members Kevin Adams and Paul H. Fetsko and former school board members Laura Edler, Patty Hightower and Bill Slayton in their official capacities – as parties in the litigation.
In the lawsuit, McLeaish seeks damages and prospective injunctive relief for the discriminatory and/or retaliatory suspension and termination of employment as an Escambia County schoolteacher − in violation of the sex discrimination and anti-retaliation provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Lawsuit: Fired transgender teacher files lawsuit against Escambia County Public Schools
Downtown Pensacola craft brewery, The 5 Barrel, is undergoing a significant renovation in collaboration with commercial investor Tracy Goodson, who owns the building at 121 S. Palafox St. If all goes to plan, the property could soon be transformed into an upscale restaurant on the bottom floor, and a boutique hotel on the upper levels.
Pensacola attorney Jason Mosley, co-founder of The 5 Barrel, will be taking over the former Casks & Flights space next door as part of the expansion for the roughly 125-seat upscale restaurant and six-lane duckpin bowling alley.
Downtown development: Boutique hotel with upscale restaurant and duckpin bowling planned for Palafox Street
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola news: New downtown development, UWF trustees confirmed
