winners & losers winners losers

PELBRETON C. BALFOUR JR. The cardiologist with the Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute has been named a Fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, earned Level III competence in cardiovascular magnetic resonance and board certification in cardiac MRI from the Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. He has been recognized as a fellow with the American College of Cardiology and joined Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute in 2017.

DELARIAN WIGGINS

The city council president has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2023 Public Safety and Crime Prevention (PSCP) federal advocacy committee by NLC President Mayor Victoria Woodards of Tacoma, Wash. Wiggins will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC's federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on public safety issues, including law enforcement, municipal fire prevention, natural disaster preparedness and homeland security. In the press release, NLC President Mayor Woodards said, "I am excited to have Council President Wiggins serve on the NLC PSCP committee and look forward to working with him to ensure every city, town and village in this nation has the resources they need to thrive."

COX COMMUNICATIONS

Last year, Cox gave over $1.6 million in cash and in-kind donations to Gulf Coast charities and nonprofits. In addition to the annual corporate giving, Cox Charities, a grant program 100% funded by local Cox Gulf Coast employees, awarded Innovation in Education grants to Beulah Elementary School, Bob Sikes Elementary School, Escambia Westgate School, Exceptional Student Educational Department in Escambia County, Plew Elementary School, Shalimar Elementary School, Shoal River Middle School and West Florida High School. Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation, Lutheran Services of Florida, Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Northwest Florida Guardian ad Litem, Pensacola Little Theatre and the USO each received a Cox Charities Community Investment Grant.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

The agency has fined TV station WESH in Orlando $10,000 for barring a Republican candidate and a staffer from a debate because of the station's COVID-19 vaccine requirement. GOP congressional candidate Scotty Moore and a campaign staffer were denied entry by the television station last September because they did not show proof of vaccination. The debate was canceled. The Republican Party of Florida praised the fine, writing, "This is a victory for freedom. Florida has made clear that unscientific and discriminatory COVID vaccine mandates will not stand in the Free State of Florida." We remember when Republicans were against government interference with businesses.

UF GATORS While the University of Florida athletic department's year-end NCAA report shows a significant financial rebound following $36 million in losses during the pandemic, the program forked out a ton of money to get rid of its coaches, according to the annual report obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. Former head football coach Dan Mullen and his staff were paid $15.26 million to leave. Former women's basketball coach Cam Newsome got $374,644 after he was terminated in the summer of 2021. Soccer Coach Tony Amato and his staff were paid $1.16 million after being fired after one season.

ORANGES The forecast of Florida's orange production dropped again last week when the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a revised forecast, stating Florida growers would only fill 16 million 90-pound boxes of oranges during the current season. That is down from a January forecast of 18 million boxes and would be the lowest amount since 15.9 million boxes were filled in the 1935-1936 season. The revised forecast did not change projections for grapefruit and specialty citrus fruits.

TOWN OF CENTURY NorthEscambia.com reports that the town has failed to correctly bill its garbage service to its 550 customers, who are paying $12-$24 monthly, not the approved rate of $25.34. The error is costing Century $5,000 a month.