Here’s a roundup of our top stories from the past week. With a subscription to the Pensacola News Journal, you will receive full access to the work done by our journalists and photographers as they head out every day to help inform and explain the important issues affecting your community.
Effort to save ‘Fairnie Hall’ in East Hill appears dead on arrival Four days into a 60-day delay on demolishing “Fairnie Hall,” the first effort to save the home appears to be dead, increasing the chances it will be demolished. Nannette Chandler, owner of Chandler & Company Construction, told the News Journal on Feb. 23 that talks with George Sitton with Sitton Custom Homes had already broken down just two days after she toured the home. “To save it, it would take a philanthropist to come forward,” Chandler said. “No lender of any kind is going to lend on something that is upside down.” Property records show the 1.15-acre property, which includes two houses, was sold on Feb. 3 for $1.5 million to Fairnie Hill Estates LLC, with Sitton as the LLC’s controlling manager.
Plane lands without landing gear at Pensacola International Airport A small twin-engine plane that suffered landing gear problems during landing Thursday afternoon at the Pensacola International Airport. Pensacola Airport Director Matt Coughlin told the News Journal that the general aviation plane began having problems with the landing gear during its descent toward the airport on Feb. 26, but managed to land safely with the landing gear up.
Pattiwagon food truck opens outside Joe Patti’s, serving fresh seafood The world-famous Joe Patti’s Seafood Market is now making it easier than ever to try its coveted fresh seafood through a new food truck that will be stationed outside the seafood market. While the truck was purchased by the Patti family, it will be run by chef Amber Halverson, who formerly owned Alcaniz Kitchen & Tap.
Michelle Salzman slams Commissioner Kohler for ‘abhorrent’ sex abuse remark State representative Michelle Salzman is calling for an apology from Escambia County District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler and support from local and state Republican leaders in condemning what she says is an “abhorrent” and inexcusable comment that Kohler made on her social media post regarding Salzman’s experience with sexual assault and tying it to funding he is pursuing for a road improvement project in his district. Salzman shared a social media post on Feb. 21 that said, “A strong woman doesn’t seek revenge. She moves on and lets karma do her dirty work.” Kohler commented on her post saying: “That is so wrong! You claimed to be sexually assaulted in your military service. Men that abuse women should be prosecuted. Representative Salzman please let us support you in your fight. I will be the first to help. OBTW I will forgive you pushed to stop S Navy Blvd to beautify the veterans that served before they are buried. Shame politics should never become before what is right. President Lincoln should be your North Star.”
Escambia explores alternatives to customary use on Perdido Key beaches After another contentious debate over customary use of beaches on Perdido Key, Escambia County’s Board of County Commissioners is no closer to moving forward with an ordinance on the issue, but they decided to have staff explore alternative options to increase public beach access, including reducing entry fees at Rosamond Johnson Beach to make it more affordable. The board agreed to send a letter written by Commission Chair Ashlee Hofberger to the National Park Service requesting a waiver of the entrance fee for county residents or, alternatively, a daily rate option in addition to the standard and annual entrance fees. Commissioners say the fees are cost-prohibitive and “hinder beach access.”
[Context: The news article covers various recent events in the Pensacola area, including efforts to save a historic home, a plane incident at the local airport, the opening of a new food truck, a controversy involving a local commissioner, and debates over beach access policies on Perdido Key.] [Fact Check: The information presented in the news article is based on reported events and statements from individuals involved. Readers can refer to the Pensacola News Journal for more details and updates on these stories.]
