winners & losers winners losers
EMAN EL-SHEIKH The Global Council for Responsible Artificial Intelligence has selected Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity associate vice president, as a Global Ambassador for the United States. The Global Council for Responsible AI is an international governing body working to foster AI technology that is ethical, secure and beneficial for humanity. As a Global Ambassador, El-Sheikh will advocate for secure AI development and responsible AI adoption that benefits society globally. She will help guide the ethical integration of AI into critical sectors, ensuring its alignment with societal well-being.
TRISTAN DE LUNA MURAL The Pensacola Architectural Review Board approved a mural to be placed on the side of the Adams Homes building on Garden Street. The largest image on the mural was assumed to be Tristan De Luna during the meeting. The News Journal later reported that the image wasn't the Spanish conquistador who established the first European settlement in North America—Pensacola—in 1559. The image is of Luis De Velasco, the second viceroy of New Spain, who sent De Luna to establish a settlement. No historical portraits of De Luna exist, but does it really matter? The Jefferson Street Garage was painted to include what many considered De Luna, so what?
JOHN ERAR Escambia County has selected Erar as Chief Information Officer, overseeing the Information Technology department. He brings two decades of senior information technology executive experience and achievements to Escambia County. During his career, he has served as the IT Director for the United States District Court, Probation/Pretrial Services Office in Minneapolis, Minn., and the Chief Information Officer for the Minnesota Fourth Judicial Circuit. Erar joined Escambia County in October 2022 as the senior budget analyst in the Office of Management and Budget.
JAMAL AND JAMARI SHARP The twin brothers are bringing their superhero-themed dessert venture, BAM! Snoballs, to Charlotte, N.C. What began as a mobile unit in Pensacola quickly gained popularity and expanded to a storefront on Michigan Avenue. BAM! Snoballs offers ice treats in a variety of flavors that can be topped with candy or stuffed with cheesecake or ice cream. The Sharps plan to start with a mobile unit in Charlotte this month and plan to open a permanent brick-and-mortar store there within the next three years.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS The East Coast Technical Assistance Center honored five Escambia County public elementary schools with its "Rising Star" status: Bellview, L.D. McArthur, Reinhardt Holm, Warrington and Global Learning Academy. These schools are above the 2024 state poverty average of 71.6% and increased two letter grades from 2023 to 2024.
PUBLIX A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Lakeland-based grocery chain with nearly 1,400 stores in six states. Publix's pricing system for meat, cheese and produce is at the heart of the lawsuit. The litigation alleges Publix overcharged customers for weighed items by inflating the weight at self-checkout, claiming the grocer's system automatically adjusts the weight to match the original price even when a sale price is advertised. It also accuses Publix of leaving expired sale signs up and misleading customers about product prices. The federal lawsuit asks for damages for Wendy Koutouzis, the Florida resident who filed the litigation in Miami, and all Publix shoppers similarly overcharged at checkout.
FLORIDA
COMMISSION ON ETHICS
A three-judge panel of the First District Court of Appeal overturned the Florida Commission on Ethics' decision that former Escambia County Commissioner Doug Underhill should pay a $35,000 fine. The panel found that the ethics commission "erred" in the interpretation of the law and instructed it to enter the Administrative Law Judge's order, which found Underhill had knowingly accepted a contribution to his legal defense fund from a vendor of the county, Fred Hemmer, and failed to disclose the contributions. He also did not report the gift of legal services from a Pensacola law firm, Clark Partington. He remains subject to the penalties of public censure, reprimand and a $5,000 fine, which was not tied to any particular violation.
Eman El-Sheikh / Photo Courtesy of uwf.edu
Tristan De Luna Mural / Photo Courtesy of cityofpensacola.com
outtakes
By Rick Outzen
DOGE NEEDS ANOTHER D
Governor Ron DeSantis has established his own version of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) through executive order, drawing both skepticism and criticism.
The Florida DOGE will operate from within the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget and will focus primarily on identifying wasteful spending in local governments, state universities and colleges. However, the Governor's office itself appears to be exempt from this efficiency review. The correct acronym should be DODGE.
The executive order requires each state agency to create its own DOGE team, utilizing artificial intelligence to identify unnecessary expenditures and programs. These teams will report monthly to the Executive Office DOGE team, which will compile legislative recommendations by September 30 for the Governor, CFO, Senate President and House Speaker.
The DOGE teams are also tasked with identifying federal grants that conflict with state policies and could be returned to the federal government, aligning with President Trump's broader efficiency efforts at the national level.
State Representative Alex Andrade expressed confusion about the new initiative, pointing out that Florida already has a constitutionally mandated Government Efficiency Task Force.
"The irony there is not lost on me," Andrade said in an interview. "You're creating a board in the name of removing boards, and the board you're creating is identical to one that already exists in the constitution."
Rep. Andrade makes a good point. DeSantis has not hesitated to use tax dollars for his political gain, especially when he was seen as a viable presidential candidate.
Two years ago, after winning his second term, DeSantis announced that he would invest in transforming the New College of Florida (NCF) into a more conservative institution. He approved $52.7 million in total funding for NCF, which included $25 million for operational enhancements and student scholarships.
The new trustees appointed Richard Corcoran, the governor's former education commissioner, and set his annual salary at $699,000. Last year, Corcoran received a $200,000 bonus. His predecessor, Patricia Okker, earned significantly less—$305,000. NCF had fewer than 700 students at the time, less than most public middle schools in the state.
Gov. Ron DeSantis loves to fly around the state almost daily to hold themed media events under the guise of press conferences. Last week, he traveled to Tampa, Ocala, Homestead, Starke and Miami. The Florida Legislature approved millions to purchase a Cessna Citation Latitude for the governor's use around the state after DeSantis was first elected in 2018. The private jet cost the taxpayers between $16.5 and $17 million to acquire.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been slow to respond to record requests showing when and where the state plane has been dispatched. In May 2023, Florida passed a law shielding DeSantis' travel records from public view, making it more challenging to determine the exact costs of his in-state travel.
State Sen. Randy Fine (R-Palm Bay) called out DeSantis for his travel when Fine drove to Brevard County for a press event where DeSantis bashed lawmakers.
"I can't just jet across Florida in a private plane," Fine said. "I wonder how much this little trip to Titusville costs—$20,000? I think it's time for conservatives to teach this liberal what it's like to be a conservative."
When DeSantis reactivated the Florida State Guard in 2022, the initial allocation was only $3.5 million as part of a broader National Guard budget. Its budget quickly increased to $10 million to establish a 400-member force. In the 20232024 budget cycle, funding surged to over $100 million. For 2025-2026, DeSantis has requested an additional $62 million to put toward maritime vessels, vehicles, debris removal resources and training facilities.
In 2022, the Florida Department of Transportation paid $615,000 to fly 48 migrants to Martha's Vineyard from San Antonio, Texas. DeSantis' DOGE will review none of these expenditures.
The Florida Democratic Party Chair, Nikki Fried, called out DeSantis for the DOGE stunt: "Republicans have been in total control of Florida's government for nearly 30 years, and he wants to talk about government waste?"
Andrade suggested DeSantis should focus on governing rather than copying national figures: "I think the best thing right now for the governor to do is focus on managing the state, not kind of mimicking Elon Musk and Donald Trump." {in} rick@inweekly.net
form Save UWF. Their slogan is "No Place for Bigotry in Higher Education."
The grassroots effort opposes Boise State professor Scott Yenor's proposed appointment as UWF board chair due to his misogynist and antisemitic rhetoric, including his claim that working women are "more medicated, meddlesome and quarrelsome than women need to be." The group believes his leadership threatens UWF's reputation and Pensacola's $1.1 billion economic impact. Critics warn of decreased enrollment, faculty departures, lost alumni donations and potential lawsuits.
Save UWF has a petition available on change. org. A town hall has been set for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, at the Studer Community Institute, 200 W. Garden St. The meeting is to raise awareness and garner support against the takeover of UWF's Board of Trustees by individuals who are disconnected from our local community.
"These board members do not support key values such as providing access to higher education for women, supporting the GI Bill for veterans and fostering an environment of education and learning for all disciplines," said Save UWF leaders on their Facebook page. "Together, we will stand up for the future of UWF and ensure that decisions made about our university and our community are driven by those who understand and care about our local needs. Your voice is crucial—don't miss out on this chance to make a difference."
Visit saveuwf.com to learn more.
LITTLE IMPACT
The UWF Haas Center's analysis of the economic impact of the design, construction and installation of the Chappie James Monument found a direct impact of $2,293,890 on the $2,322,886 expenditure. The indirect and induced economic impact totaled $1,269,955 combined.
Last month, with the blessing of Escambia County Clerk Pam Childers, the Board of County Commissioners relabeled the statue of Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James and its plaza as an "open-air" museum, which would make it Florida's only completely open-air museum built with Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue. Florida's first completely open-air museum is Maurice A. Ferré Park in Miami. The Omni
development, environmental remediation and construction. The park covers 23 acres, while the Chappie James Monument may not cover even an acre.
Based on Childers' statements, the commissioners voted unanimously to give the Gen. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr. Memorial Foundation $750,000 in Tourist Development (TDT) funds, $100,000 from the county's general fund and $25,000 from Commissioner Mike Kohler's discretionary fund.
Deputy County Attorney Kristin Hual said the commissioners needed to make a legislative finding that the project promotes tourism to allocate TDT funds. The finding must have "an independent economic analysis to support a finding that this, in fact, does promote tourism as it's defined in the statute."
The Haas Center's assessment found that the memorial's design, construction and installation would only generate 24 short-term jobs. The county clerk needs to research where else in Florida TDT funds have been used to build open-air museums and how they compare to the Chappie James project, then report back to commissioners.
MORE HOUSING COMING
At his weekly press conference, Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves reported that the sale of the western half of the former ECUA site in the Tanyard area closed on Feb. 20. The development along Clubbs Street will have 282 residential units.
"Adding 280 units anywhere in our city is always a good thing, considering the housing crisis we're in," said the mayor.
Quint Studer, the site's former owner, told Inweekly that the project would be a $70 to $80 million investment in downtown Pensacola without any tax incentives from local governments.
Another project is planned for the eastern edge of the old ECUA site, along De Villiers Street, for 324 units. Reeves said, "You won't see as much activity there, but foundation permits are under review, and no building permits have been submitted. If both of these come to fruition, you're talking about injecting over 600 residential units in our community, and so we're certainly excited about that."
Mayor Reeves also gave an update on the Hard Rock/Reverb project planned for Parcel Five at the Maritime Park. "The planning board's conceptual review will happen on March 11, and they still intend to apply for Live Local Act for administrative exceptions."
The Live Local Act provides property tax exemptions if the project includes at least 40% of its residential units as affordable housing for at least 30 years.
2026 GOVERNOR'S RACE Last week, Florida
Congressman U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds announced his candidacy for Florida Governor in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity.
"I'm here to announce my candidacy to be the next Governor of the great state of Florida," he said. "I think now is the time to now take the mantle and lead our state into the future."
Donalds followed up with an email blast: "I stand shoulder to shoulder with President Trump who's ushering in the golden age of America and that effort starts in the states. Florida must continue to lead the way in education reform, economic opportunity, lowering costs for families, protecting public safety and in defending our God-given rights and freedoms. We will create a stronger, safer and more prosperous Florida with the freedom to live without liberal policies destroying our way of life."
On Feb. 20., President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: "Donalds would be a truly great and powerful governor for Florida and, should he decide to run, will have my complete and total endorsement. Run, Byron, Run!"
Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it clear that he wants his wife, Casey, to be his successor. During an appearance on Feb. 24 in Tampa, DeSantis said, "The reality is, we've achieved victories in Florida. We need to start achieving those victories up there. So I think people look at it and say, 'You know you got a guy like Byron; he just hasn't been a part of any of the victories that we've had here over the Left over these last years.' He's just not been a part of it. He's been in other states campaigning, doing that, and that's fine. But deliver results up there."
Then the governor turned the focus onto himself, stating that "there's no question" the first lady would have outperformed DeSantis in the 2022 gubernatorial election, where "I won by the largest margin any Republican has ever won a governor's race here in Florida."
KUDOS The Pensacola Police Department has been re-accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation.
During his weekly press conference, Mayor Reeves stated, "The reaccreditation of the Pensacola Police Department is a testament to the dedication, professionalism and integrity of our officers. This achievement reflects their unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our community at the highest standards. The accreditation process requires a thorough review of every aspect of the agency's organization, management, operations and administration."
JAZZ PENSACOLA UPDATE Last month, Jazz Pensacola announced that it had to cancel the 2025 Pensacola Jazz Festival due to Gov. DeSantis's veto of cultural grants last summer.
The nonprofit announced the Sunset Cruise Live Music Series, a project that will not only help fulfill its mission of "supporting education and local talent and providing social forums for the community to enjoy music," but also provide necessary funds to help sustain Jazz Pensacola.
In partnership with the Pensacola Ferry, Jazz Pensacola will host six live music sunset cruises, one each month, starting May 1. The events will feature appetizers, live music and free parking.
They are seeking sponsors to help cover overhead costs. The sponsorship levels are Premier Sunset Sponsor ($5,000), Sounds at Sea Music Sponsor ($3,600) and Sunset Toast Sponsor ($2,000). Proceeds will benefit Jazz Pensacola, a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Sponsorship donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Visit jazzpensacola.com for more information.
FORK CANCER GALA The GenNow Network Pensacola chapter of the American Cancer Society (ACS) announced its second Fork Cancer Gala, scheduled for Friday, April 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Supposey Warehouse and Gardens.
Fork Cancer Pensacola is building on its inaugural event in 2024, which raised $85,000—surpassing the initial goal of $65,000. This year, organizers have set a $125,000 fundraising goal with all proceeds benefiting ACS's Road to Recovery program, which offers free rides to treatments for patients without other means of transportation.
The Fork Cancer Pensacola Gala will feature gourmet small plates from 11 local restaurants, an open bar, a silent auction and three live auction prizes. Attendees will experience entertainment from caricaturist Tim Banfell and live music by Mirage and Ben Loftin & The Family.
Tickets are $100 per person (21 and older), and there is limited seating for 500 guests. High-scale cocktail attire is encouraged. The event seeks sponsors and silent auction donations. Those interested in donating can contact Melanie Orr at (850) 407-4735 or by email at melanie.orr@cancer.org.
CARE REMINDER
The Escambia Children's Trust has launched Community, Access, Resilience and Empowerment (CARE) Micro-Grants, offering funding to local organizations that provide services to at-risk youth.
The CARE Micro-Grants program will award up to $50,000 in one-time funding for existing programs toward advocacy efforts, training initiatives and community engagement activities. The project period runs up to 12 months, starting on or after May 1 and ending no later than April 30, 2026.
Interested organizations can access RFP #2025-01 details at escambiachildrenstrust.org under the RFP/ITB tab. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on March 7. {in}
The Northwest Florida delegation made their presence known in Tallahassee before the legislative session opened on March 4. State Sen. Don Gaetz, Rep. Alex Andrade and Rep. Michelle Salzman filed bills that seek to ease restrictions on marijuana, enforce safeguards for children using social media and turn up the heat on utility companies to lower costs.
Gaetz being back in the fold should strengthen the influence of the Northwest Florida contingent. Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis slashed about $60 million in funding requests for Escambia and Santa Rosa County initiatives.
TEAM GAETZ-ANDRADE
For this legislative session, Andade aligned with a powerful ally in Gaetz. They teamed up on bills for education, the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, property insurance and the Public Service Commission.
"I find him to be a very, very bright guy to work with. He shares the same concerns that I do about property insurance, housing and utility costs," Gaetz said of Andrade. "If you want to find a sponsor in the other chamber, first you must find somebody who cares about the issue."
He continued, "Then you have to find somebody up for the fight, willing to take on strong opposition. And then you've got to find somebody with political juice in the other chamber. Alex has three of those."
SB 312 and House Bill (HB) 179 provide the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) with autonomy similar to that of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. The legislation empowers the IHMC board of directors to establish subsidiaries independently from the Board of Governors, and it allows IHMC to assume responsibility for the annual certification of its compliance instead of the University of West Florida Board of Trustees.
"This would allow IHMC to break out of its cocoon and spread its butterfly wings and fly," Andrade said. "Moffitt stands alone in the same way I think IHMC should be able to stand alone."
Media outlets across the state took notice when Gaetz and Andrade introduced SB 554 and HB 451. The proposed legislation calls for property insurance companies to speed up payments to businesses and families who suffer losses, streamline the adjustment process to eliminate delays and reach fair settlements, reveal their financials if asking for rate increases
By Rick Outzen
and require both sides to pay attorney fees during the claims process.
Senate Bill (SB) 140 filed by Gaetz plus Andrade's companion bill (House Bill 123) call for revising who applies for a conversion charter school, authorizes a municipality to apply for a job engine charter under certain conditions and requires a school board to submit a five-year plan to the Department of Education before occupying purchased or acquired property.
GAETZ'S BILLS
Gaetz chairs the Ethics and Elections Committee and serves on eight others, including the Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education. He said addressing school funding based on student enrollment would be a priority during the session.
Gaetz mentioned a school district that projected 1,800 students for the school year but wound up with only 1,500 due to students enrolling in private, charter and public schools outside the district. Financial challenges arise for schools absorbing those students.
"They had already gotten their teachers and arranged for their hard costs," Gaetz said. "They knew how many classrooms they needed. Now, all of a sudden, they have a hundred, 200, 300 fewer kids on the first day of school … In the short term, we have to redo how schools are financed in Florida by the state government to ensure that the money follows the student so that those who are truly educating the students get the money."
Gaetz has partnered with Sen. Jennifer Bradley, Chair of the Regulated Industries Committee, to introduce SB 354—legislation aimed at transforming how Florida's Public Service Commission (PSC) operates and makes decisions about utility rates.
The bill addresses what Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz in December called a "black hole"—the process by which the PSC approves utility rate increases that affect millions of Floridians. According to Gaetz, if the Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice can't understand the PSC's decision-making process, how can average citizens be expected to know why their utility bills keep rising?
The bill would require more transparency for utility companies, requiring them to disclose the cost drivers behind proposed rate increases. In Florida, utility companies operate as government-granted monopolies. Floridians
cannot simply switch providers if they're dissatisfied with service or rates.
This monopoly status, Gaetz argues, calls for greater transparency, particularly regarding executive compensation at utility companies. "If you're asking for a rate increase, if you're asking for the government to mandate a rate increase about which the customers have nothing to say… then if executive compensation is a cost driver, the Public Service Commission needs to know what those costs are."
SB 354 also proposes utilities provide a return-on-investment analysis to ensure ratepayers understand the benefits they receive for their investment. Gaetz noted, "Not every dollar pumped into resilience produces a dollar's worth of results."
Gaetz filed SB 184 to address some affordable housing issues. The bill requires local governments to adopt an ordinance allowing accessory dwelling units in certain areas. It authorizes a density bonus incentive to landowners who donate property for affordable housing for military families. The bill further requires the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to evaluate using mezzanine finance and possibly tiny homes for specified purposes.
"I know we have a housing problem when people can't afford to live where they work, and that pushes people far out into the rural communities around our area; nice places to live, but a real burden on people who live 40 minutes from where they work," Gaetz said.
Last week, the senator filed SB 1180, which would prohibit the creation of lewd imagery or depictions involving a child and the creation of nude photos involving identifiable persons. The bill is a reaction to how a male Pensacola high school student used an artificial intelligence app last fall to create fake nude images of several female students. The male student wasn't arrested because he didn't distribute the photos. SB 1180 would close that loophole.
ANDRADE'S BILLS
Andrade has taken a pragmatic approach to marijuana legislation by sponsoring HB 555. His motivation stems from the clear message Floridians sent via last year's Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana. Though 5,934,139 Floridians voted "yes," the ballot initiative fell short of the 60% threshold.
"Last year, we saw well over 50% of the
state support recreational use," Andrade said. "[HB 555] just highlights the fact that the majority of Floridians want some type of movement on the topic."
HB 555 eases the requirements for medical marijuana cards and allows cardholders 21 and older to grow up to two cannabis plants for personal use. The bill allows patients to obtain medical marijuana cards through telehealth appointments as opposed to requiring an in-person appointment for the first visit. The bill further extends the renewal of cards to every two years instead of the current six months.
Another bill filed by Andrade addresses the withholding of funds from the return of cash bonds. HB 243 requires the Clerk of Courts to pay any fines, court costs and fees from the cash bond posted by a criminal defendant or spouse rather than withhold the funds from someone else who paid the bond and ensured the criminal defendant showed up to their court dates.
"If I bail a friend out and make sure they show up to their court dates, I should get my money back," Andrade said. "Well, what most folks don't realize is even if you make sure your friend shows up to all of their court dates for the case, [the money] you bailed them out on might still be stolen by the clerk to pay for your buddy's debts. I think that's wrong."
Andrade continued, "Unfortunately, some clerks and some bail bondsmen don't like the idea of either losing out on a cash cow or having more competition for their protectionist market. It's been like, a weird uphill battle for a very simple concept."
Andrade chairs the Health Care Budget Subcommittee, and the oversight of managed care for the Medicaid-insured population will be a hot topic this session. He said private companies, such as Humana, operate without accountability. State legislators essentially take their word on Medicaid costs.
"If someone asked me right now if the state of Florida is paying for all of Louisiana's Medicaid health care administration, I couldn't tell you yes or no," Andrade said. "The Agency for Healthcare Administration [ACHA], our state agency, couldn't tell you yes or no because we don't do any administrative audits of these Medicaid plans. Humana and Centene Sunshine Health do managed care in other states. And we, as a state, have been very lax with our oversight."
SALZMAN'S BILLS
The Cantonment lawmaker has addressed issues near and dear to her constituents' hearts, including mental health issues for children who use social media. HB 743 seeks to amend the Florida Statutes by adding new regulations to safeguard minors using social media platforms.
"Any tool in the toolbox that helps parents engage with their kids, I fully support," Salzman said.
The bill grants parents or legal guardians access to all messages sent and received by children under the age of 16 and restricts social media companies from allowing children to use encrypted messages. The bill also allows law enforcement access to messages involving minors for felony criminal investigations.
"There's Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and all these different platforms that parents don't have access to," Salzman said. "Law enforcement doesn't have access, and they have to subpoena the records, which is a lot of work. Unencrypted for underage is just simple and necessary."
Salzman addressed another hot-button issue with HB 75, which would repeal the current gun age law that prevents anyone under the age of 21 from buying a firearm.
"If you're old enough to fight for your own country, you should be old enough to fight for your own home," Salzman said.
The bill sets the minimum age to 18. The House approved a similar bill last year, but the bill died in the Senate. The Legislature and former Gov. Rick Scott raised the age to buy a firearm to 21 after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. Then, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz used a semiautomatic rifle to kill 17 students and faculty members.
Salzman and Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) filed identical bills (HB 679 and HB 802) that propose amendments to the Florida Constitution to provide term limits for county commissioners and school board members. If approved by the Legislature, voters will determine its fate in 2026. Lawmakers already approved an eight-year term limit for school board members in 2023, but a constitutional amendment would make it more difficult to change the limits.
Committee assignments will keep Salzman busy this session. She chairs the Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee, manages the Combined Workgroup on Hemp and serves on five other committees.
OTHER BILLS OF INTEREST
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) introduced legislation to raise Florida's homestead exemption limit. Currently, residents can qualify for up to a $50,000 reduction in the assessed value of their homes, helping to lower property taxes. The measures filed by Ingoglia (SB 1018, Senate Joint Resolution 1016) would increase the limit to $75,000, pending voters approving a constitutional amendment. If enacted, this change would impact local governments' budgets by cutting ad valorem tax revenue by $2.6 billion.
PROPERTY TAXES
Sen. Jonathan Martin (RFort Myers) filed SB 852, calling for the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to conduct a study and establish a framework to eliminate property taxes and replace property tax revenues through budget reductions, salesbased consumption taxes and locally determined consumption taxes (authorized by the Legislature). Last month, Gov. DeSantis voiced his support for the abolition of property taxes in the state.
SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY
Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) filed HB 301 to overhaul Florida's sovereign immunity statutes. Sovereign immunity in Florida is a legal principle that protects the state government and its agencies from lawsuits without their consent. Currently, damages that can be recovered are limited to $200,000 against one government agency or $300,000 against multiple government agencies. The sum payable for a claim or judgment by one person would be changed to $1 million. Multiple claims or judgments that arise out of one incidence would total $3 million.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES
Rep. Shane Abbott (R-DeFuniak Springs) has filed HB 657 requiring drug manufacturers to sell certain medications to Medicaid pharmacies at discounts available under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. If passed, the measure would reduce costs for the state by lowering the cost of drugs purchased for Medicaid patients.
SIX-WEEK BAN
Rep. Fentrice Driskell (DTampa) and Sen. Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) have filed legislation (HB 1139 and SB 870) to repeal Florida's six-week abortion ban. The bills would strike "six weeks" from the existing
language for termination of pregnancy in Florida and allow abortion up until the time the fetus is viable outside the womb.
MENTAL HEALTH
Sen. Jennifer Bradley (RFleming Island) filed the Tristin Murphy Act (SB 168). Tristin Murphy committed suicide in a Florida prison in 2021. The measure would establish a series of processes that would divert defendants being held in custody to mental health treatment if it is determined they need such treatment.
SEWAGE SPILLS Sen. Lori Berman (D-Boynton Beach) and Rep. Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg) filed companion bills (SB 978 and HB 861) that would direct the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to compile a comprehensive list of wastewater treatment facilities, where those facilities are located in relation to storm surge or flood zones, treatment levels at the facilities, whether they have spilled sewage in the past and the health of surrounding water bodies. The list would allow the state to develop priority rankings of facility needs.
FOSTER CARE Sen. Ileana Garcia (R-Miami) filed SB 584 to help young adults successfully transition from foster care to independent living, providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive. The bill would require institutions within the Florida College System and state universities to prioritize housing and work-study opportunities for students who are or were experiencing homelessness or have spent time in foster care.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR House Majority Leader Tyler Sirois (R-Merritt Island) and Rep. John Snyder (R-Stuart) propose a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Lieutenant Governor position through HJR (House Joint Resolution) 1325 and create a Commissioner of Government Efficiency as an elected Cabinet officer.
GULF OF AMERICA Sen. Nick DiCeglie (RIndian Rocks Beach) filed SB608 that would require the state to comb through state laws and would replace references to the "Gulf of Mexico" with the "Gulf of America."
For more information on bills for the 2025 session, visit flsenate.gov and flhouse.gov.
We included Facebook pages so you can see what our lawmakers are posting. We also listed their email and phone numbers for their Pensacola and Tallahassee offices if you want to contact them about specific bills and votes during the session.
SEN. DON GAETZ facebook.com/donjgaetz gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov
Pensacola: (850) 595-1036
Tallahassee: (850) 487-5001
REP. ALEX ANDRADE facebook.com/votealexandrade alex.andrade@myfloridahouse.gov
Pensacola: (850) 462-4776
Tallahassee: (850) 717-5002
REP. MICHELLE SALZMAN facebook.com/michellesalzmanforcongress michelle.salzman@myfloridahouse.gov
Pensacola: (850) 471-6024
Tallahassee: (850) 717-5001
WAYS TO KEEP UP
Politico's Florida Playbook politico.com/newsletters/floridaplaybook
Coverage of Sunshine State politics by Kimberly Leonard.
Gary Fineout on X (formerly Twitter) @fineout Politico's reporter covering Florida politics.
Florida Politics floridapolitics.com
A statewide media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy and lobbying.
League of Women Voters of Florida lwvfl.org
A nonpartisan political organization that publishes regular "Capitol Reports."
Equality Florida eqfl.org
The largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida's LGBTQ community. {in}
SHOUT OUT
Celebrating the Wins That Lift Us All
Strengthening Mental Health Care Local Task Force Drives Lasting Change
The Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida is a volunteer group of community leaders convened by Representative Salzman to address gaps in mental health care in Northwest Florida. The Task Force was formed after Representative Salzman sent out a call to action to agencies with a vested interest in community-based healthcare solutions in Northwest Florida.
The Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida has been meeting for over 3 years and has been a catalyst for collaboration across health care organizations and providers.
This far-reaching collaboration has brought about groundbreaking changes in policy, procedures, access to care, and creating new partnerships across the health care sector.
Since the Task Force’s Inaugural meeting on August 30th, 2021, they have made significant advancements in mental health care in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County. Their strategic plan was launched in June 2023 along with a commitment from NWF Health Network, the region’s mental health managing entity, to fund a part-time position to help with implementation
After being hired for that role in October 2023, Rachelle Burns has kept the Task Force on track towards reaching their goals. Copied below are explanations of some of these achievements.
In January of 2024, the Escambia County Sheriff’s office, in partnership with Lakeview Center, launched their Co-Responder Unit. This unique program combines sworn law enforcement deputies with mental health clinicians to respond to calls involving mental health complaints and offer immediate care and resources to community members in need.
These milestones highlight the Task Force’s role in identifying and addressing critical mental health needs, creating lasting improvements for the community.
Key Achievements
CO-RESPONDER UNIT
In January 2024, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and Lakeview Center launched a team pairing deputies with mental health clinicians to handle mental health crisis calls, offering immediate care and resources.
CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT
A $15 million project funded by Representative Salzman opened a Behavioral Health Crisis Center at Lakeview Center in April 2024, providing much-needed services for the region.
SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION
The NWF SafePath Network started in April 2024, creating an online resource to connect people with substance use prevention services.
PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAM
HCA Florida West began offering a new program for intensive mental health care—five hours a day, five days a week—bridging the gap between outpatient and inpatient care.
Our task force was founded on the belief that no one should struggle alone. Thanks to dedicated partners and tireless efforts, we’ve made meaningful strides in tackling the mental health crisis.
— Michelle Salzman, Florida State Representative
for District 1
More Accomplishments
INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES
Expanded mobile medical services and added a Behavioral Health wing at Health & Hope Clinic.
ENHANCED MENTAL HEALTH TEAMS
Growth in Community Action Treatment (CAT) teams and Mobile Response Teams.
PSYCHIATRY GRADUATE PROGRAM
Local training programs for mental health p rofessionals launched by HCA Florida West.
PEER SUPPORT SERVICES
NAMI Emerald Coast trained over 130 Certified Recovery Peer Specialists.
SCHOOL COLLABORATION
Improved communication between schools and behavioral health providers, including Baker Act training.
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
A workgroup merged with the Homelessness Task Force to create a strategic housing plan.
MEDICAID NAVIGATION
New specialists help people sign up for health coverage, with services provided at no cost.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Expanded internships and training for mental health professionals in partnership with local schools and providers.
Arts & Entertainment
Do-Or-Die
By Savannah Evanoff
Composed of Blair, Trevor Bell (guitar), John Wickman (bass guitar), Hudson Shelfer (guitar) and Troy Nadjowski (drums), the group was born in November 2024 on a whim when they hung
"All of my band members are extremely skilled musicians, so it didn't really take long to follow."
Pensacola will mark Dear Cincinnati's first performance outside their hometown. But it's just the start; they've got a six-song EP dropping in
April, are collaborating on a split EP with the band Almost and partaking in two tours this summer.
Musically, they pull from a Midwest emo background but still include elements of pop punk and heavier sounds, Blair said. If you bring it up, they'll give you an entire round robin of musical inspirations; Bell just got a band appreciation tattoo for the emo group Hot Mulligan.
"[Our music] is stuff a vast majority of people who really listen to emo music are going to mess with, and a lot of stuff that people who don't listen to emo are going to mess with," Blair said.
Lyrics are inspired by everything from life events to Blair's family to letting go of relationships, he said, referencing a song Bell wrote called "You're Gonna Have to Break My Arm."
The first single from the EP, "Voyage on the Terry Cruise," is definitely about a girl, Blair said. He's been working on it alone in his bedroom for a while—not in a sad way, though.
"It's just about not getting the apology that you feel like you deserve, and trying to move past that," Blair explained. "But when you are walking around everywhere, and you're sitting in a restaurant or something, and that person walks in and you just wish you could go up and be like, 'Hey, I feel like you owe me something.' I guess 'Terry Cruise' is just about accepting that you're not going to get it. I just hope that person forgets my goddamn name."
Some of their songs get an unhinged introduction on stage.
"When we perform the song 'Rot Girl Summer' … before that song, I go into a little spiel … and in just the funniest, almost nonchalant way possible, I'm like, 'Oh, this song is about my dead mom.' And then just kicks into it. At our most recent show, I had a group of like 10 people who, as I was saying it, started saying it.
[Nadjowski] showed me the video, and it was super surreal."
Tallahassee has been very supportive, they said.
"We always want to give back to Tallahassee, because this is the place we got our start," Blair said. "I think the biggest feel for community I've ever gotten was at one of our first shows. We played at The Bark, and there's probably 60 something people in there, which is a lot for The Bark. We get into 'Piss Nuke [Tutorial],' and I start singing it, and we get into the chorus and almost all 60 of those people are just screaming the lyrics back out at me. It's one of the most like, euphoric feelings I've ever felt."
Dear Cincinnati has a penchant for silly song names and is composed of members who love to goof off before practice (and are known to burst into laughter even in the middle of a serious set run), but they take music seriously.
"We would love to make this a career," Nadjowski said.
"[Nadjowski] and I have always wanted to be musicians, and that's kind of one of our do-or-die things," Blair said. "Now that we're a band, I know everyone does take it insanely serious. This is something we want to do. We want to play music and have fun." {in}
DEAR CINCINNATI
WHAT: Dear Cincinnati live with Degenerate State, Tirra Lirra and Rat Daughter
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, March 7
WHERE: Betty's on Belmont, 506 W. Belmont St.
COST: $5
DETAILS: @dearcincinnati, @bettys_on_belmont
Dear Cincinnati / Courtesy Photo
NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS ANNUAL LUNCHEON The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Northwest Florida Unit will host its annual luncheon 11 a.m. Friday, March 7 at the University of West Florida, 11000 University Parkway, Bldg. 22 Room 230. Tickets are $25. Tables are $150. Details available at naswfl.org/northwest-unit.html.
KITES ON THE COAST Council on Aging of West Florida is bringing high-flying, intergenerational fun back to Pensacola's Casino Beach Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 16 for its fourth annual kite festival. This free, threeday celebration brings together spectators of all ages to experience the magic of kite flying while supporting vital services for local seniors. Visit coawfla.org for details.
SILENT AUCTION FOR SAVE OUR SHELTERS Bid on a variety of items and support spay and neuter services through March 18. A "Lucky Dog" (St Patrick's celebration) fundraiser will take place at the Happy Dog Resort at 1401 W. Cervantes St. For more information, contact sossaveourshelters@gmail.com.
ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Scenic Hills Country Club, 8891 Burning Tree Road. The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. Food and drinks are also available for purchase. The full bar and restaurant offer special adult beverages just for bingo nights. You must be 18 or older to play. For more information, visit facebook.com/animalalliesflorida.
ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOP -
TION Visit Pet Supermarket 11 a.m.-3 p.m. every first and third Saturday of the month at 6857 N. Ninth Ave. to meet your furever friend. Visit aaflorida.org for details.
CARING & SHARING MINISTRY FOOD
DRIVE The Gloria Green Caring & Sharing Ministry is attached to the Historic St. Joseph Catholic Church, 140 W. Government St. The ministry feeds the homeless 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. The ministry's food pantry opens 10 a.m. and also has clothing. Food donations needed are
sausage, potted meat, cans of tuna and chicken and soups. Clothing donations needed include tennis shoes for men and women, as well as sweatshirts and new underwear for men in sizes small, medium and large. Call DeeDee Green at (850) 723-3390 for details.
ARTS & CULTURE
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Pensacola Little Theatre production with showtimes 7:30 p.m. Fridays March 7 and 15, Saturdays March 8 and 15 and 2:30 p.m. Sundays March 9 and 16. PLT is located at 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets and information available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.
HOT GLASS COLD BREW: SOCK HOP! Fill your cup with a hand-blown glass mug and enjoy art and entertainment 5-9 p.m. Thursday, March 7 at First City Art Center, 1060 N. Guillemard St. Tickets are $30-$40 and available on Eventbrite.
CHEERS & CHARMED Visit Rusted Arrow Mercantile, 130 S. Palafox St., for a sip and shop event 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 7. Spring wine tasting from Curious Wine Shop and pop-up charm bar from ALK Designs.
2025 PENSACOLA FILM FESTIVAL Pensacola
Cinema Art is hosting a weekend of screenings featuring the Oscar-nominated short films as well Oscar-nominated and winning films. Showtimes are 1 p.m. Friday, March 7, 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8 and 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Pensacola Cinema Art, 220 W. Garden St. All screenings are $10 cash per person, per film. Free snacks and one free beverage included. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for details.
SCREENPRINTING WORKSHOP AT THE
GARDEN 309 Punk House will host a screenprinting workshop at From the Ground Up Community Garden, 501 N. Hayne St. Saturday, March 8 from 1-3 p.m. Tickets are $40. Link to purchase available at facebook.com/309punkproject.
8TH ANNUAL BLACK BEAUTY EXPO
RWRLive 365 presents the 8th Annual Black Beauty Expo with panel discussions, beauty industries 1-on-1 session, live performances and a vendor marketplace Saturday, March 8 at 2148 Delano St. For details, visit rwrlive365.com/bbe.
GALLERY TALKS: PAGLIACCI Enjoy a short performance from Pensacola Opera and lecture highlighting opera's relationship with visual art, history and music. The talk is 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Details at pensacolamuseum.org.
BLUE MORNING GALLERY: SPRING FLING
The latest Blue Morning Gallery exhibit is Spring Fling with featured artists Jan Hoffman, Mark Schmitt and Kathy Stewart. The gallery is located at 21 S. Palafox St. Join the artists for a reception 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.
309 FLASH TATTOO FUNDRAISER Tattoo
artist Famous Gabe will hold a flash tattoo benefit for 309 with $50 tattoos starting at 12 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Electric Robot Tattoo, 2505 W. Cervantes St.
SEEN PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION Celebrate 309's chosen birthday (March 9) with an exhibit from local photographers Coy Glass and Talera Moeller 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at 309 N. Sixth Ave. with live performance by Rashawn Stallworth. More information at facebook.com/309punkproject.
OUR MOVEMENT STARTS HERE FILM SCREENING
The film "Our Movement Starts Here" (82 mins, 2024) documents the history and global urgency of environmental justice. This free film screening event is presented by 309 Punk Project in partnership with Earth Ethics and the Kukua Institute. Screening is 6 p.m. Monday, March 10 at 309 N. Sixth Ave. Details at facebook. com/309punkproject.
PENSACOLA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY FREE LECTURE Faculty from UWF's Dept. of Anthropology will present some results of recent fieldwork, including new excavations of EPIII, the third shipwreck of Tristan De Luna's 1559 settlement of Pensacola. Lecture is 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3400 Bayou Blvd. Visit pasfl.org for details.
WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP WITH MAL WEST Workshop is 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel, 400 Bayfront Parkway. Cost is $80 and includes all materials. Details at stayoysterbay.com/events.
PENARTS OPEN MIC
Share your art and support other local talent at this open mic 7-10 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at The Gordon, 306 N. De Villiers St. Free admission.
CINEMAS IN THE SAND: SPACE JAM
Watch the 1996 film "Space Jam" under the stars Friday, March 14 at the Gulfside Pavilion stage on Casino Beach. Movies start at sunset. For more information, visit facebook.com/visitpensacolabeach.
PENSACOLA MESS HALL CELEBRATES PI
DAY Celebrate Pi Day with pies (both pizza and dessert) from area restaurants 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 14. Pensacola MESS Hall is located at 418 E. Wright St. Tickets are $30. Details at pensacolamesshall.org.
PENSACOLA OPERA PRESENTS: LEONCAVALLO'S PAGLIACCI Performance dates are 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14 and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at pensacolaopera.com.
BOOK READING WITH LOCAL AUTHOR
Local author Christine Kapanga will read her children's book "Conner's Adventure: Finding Friends at the Zoo" 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Barnes & Noble, 1200 Airport Blvd. Event is free and open to readers of all ages.
JOHN LENNON PHOTO EXHIBIT BY MAY
PANG See a collection of private photographs from May Pang taken during her relationship with John Lennon during late 1973-1975. The exhibit will be on view Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 16 at Artel Gallery, 223 S. Palafox St. Admission is free.
THE ANCIENT ART OF PIT FIRING This immersive workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore one of the oldest and most communal methods of ceramic firing, transforming clay into art with earth, fire and natural elements. Event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at Native Plant Company, 1190 Christmas Tree Road. Sliding scale suggested payment is $80. Limited to 30 participants. Visit enikoujj.com/workshop/ or email pitfiredceramics@gmail.com for more information and to register.
RISING TIDE: PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEN DEPP This exhibition is part of Ben Depp's ongoing project documenting the rapidly shifting landscape of Southern Louisiana. Depp has been flying above the bayous and wetlands of Southern Louisiana in a powered paraglider for 10 years, photographing the visual clues that tell the story of this place and its destruction. Exhibit on view through Friday, April 4 at Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. Visit pensacolamuseum.org for hours.
KINGS AND QUEENS OPEN MIC COMEDY
Try your hand at stand-up comedy or watch others perform 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Tuesdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 Cervantes St. Details are at sirrichardslounge.com.
SILENT BOOK CLUB AT BODACIOUS
Sundays are for quietly reading at Bodacious Bookstore & Café, 110 E. Intendencia St. Join the Silent Book Club 10-11 a.m. Sundays. Details are at facebook.com/bodaciousbookstore.
THE BRENT LOFTS ART EXHIBIT Exhibit of Sally T. Miller, abstract painter, and Erica Dukes, travel photographer inside The Brent Lofts, 17 S. Palafox St. Exhibit will be on display through March 30. Details at facebook.com/thebrentlofts.
PENSACOLA ROSE SOCIETY Monthly meetings are normally 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Pensacola Garden Center, 1850 N. Ninth Ave. Visit pensacolarosesociety.org for more information.
BTB COMEDY Watch live standup comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.
partygirl / Photo by Lauren Baliscao
a&e happenings
COMEDY SHOWCASE AT SUBCULTURE
BTB Comedy presents a comedy showcase the first Thursday monthly at Subculture Art Gallery, 701 N. V St. Follow facebook.com/pensacolasubculture for updates.
SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.
PALAFOX MARKET Enjoy Palafox Market 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/downtownpensacola.
CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Cabaret Drag Showcase every second and fourth Saturday at the American Legion Post #193, 2708 N. 12th Ave. Doors open 8 p.m. Showtime is 10 p.m. For more information, contact show director Taize Sinclair-Santi at taizesinclairsanti@gmail.com.
SPIRITS OF SEVILLE QUARTER GHOST TOUR AND LUNCHEON Dine inside Pensacola's oldest and most haunted restaurant and investigate the spirits with actual paranormal equipment at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Tickets are $12 and include a voucher toward Seville Quarter's menu. Tours are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. Sundays. Make an appointment by calling (850) 941-4321.
AFTER DARK: SEVILLE QUARTER GHOSTS, MURDER, MAYHEM AND MYSTERY TOUR AND DINNER After Dark Paranormal Investigation and Dinner happens inside one of Pensacola's most haunted restaurants with real ghost-hunting equipment 6-8 p.m. Sundays. Listen as your guide weaves tales of ghosts, debauchery, murder, mayhem, paranormal activities, history and more related to Seville Quarter and downtown Historic Pensacola. After your ghost tour, enjoy dinner at Seville Quarter Palace Café, 130 E. Government St. Reservations are required. Call (850) 941-4321. Tickets are available at pensacolaghostevents.com.
FOOD + DRINKS
ATLAS BEVERAGE CLASS Sip samples from Asesinato Tequila. Classes are 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 Barracks St. Tickets are $30 per person. Limited seating. Reservations required. Call (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com for reservations.
CRAVIN ASIAN: KOREAN FLAVORS Cooking class is 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 7 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Unit C. Cost is $60 per person (adults only). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/classes-and-events.
CCB ST. PATRICK'S PARTY Visit Coastal County Brewing Co., 3041 E. Olive Road., for a St. Patrick's Day event with specialty brews, Irish foods and live music 12-10 p.m. Saturday, March 8.
SUSHI SKILLS Cooking class is 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051
Barrancas Ave., Unit C. Cost is $50 per person (adults only). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/ classes-and-events.
FLORA-BAMA BOOZY BEE A spelling bee for ages 21and up. Event is 5-6 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. Details at florabama.com/boozy-bee.
KITCHEN 101: KNIFE SKILLS Class is 3-6 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave., Unit C. Cost is $60 per person (adults only). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/ classes-and-events.
VINO MAGNIFICO Wine tasting event is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at V. Paul's, 29 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20 per person and available at vpauls.com. RSVP online for limited seating.
BLIND WINE TASTING Event us 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $45 and available through Eventbrite. Details at facebook.com/ bodaciousshops.
FARM FRESH PASTA COOKING CLASS
Class is 6-9 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at Bodacious, 407-D S. Palafox St. Tickets are $80 and available through Eventbrite.
THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER WITH EXECUTIVE CHEF JASON HUGHES With special guests Grayson Beer Oyster Co. and Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program 5 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. Cost is $50 per person and includes five courses and four beverages. Seating is limited. Make your reservation by calling (850) 287-0200 or email taylor@goodgrits.com.
SAUCY SKILLS Cooking class is 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 14 at Pensacola Cooks, 4051 Barrancas Ave. Unit C. Cost is $60 per student (adults only). Sign up at pensacolacooks.com/classes-and-events.
ANNUAL CRAWFISH & BLUEGRASS
JAMBOREE AT ODD COLONY Enjoy Cub's Crawfish served with sides from 12-5 p.m. or until sold out Sunday, March 16 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Live music from The String Farm Band from 1-4 p.m.
MEN'S NIGHT AT WISTERIA From 3 p.m. to close Mondays, guys can play free darts and enjoy $6 craft tallboys. There are more than 150 craft beers to choose from. Wisteria is located at 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Gamers unite 5 p.m.-close Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SIN NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S SIN Night is 11 p.m. to close Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
TRIVIA NIGHT AND SIN Trivia is 9-10:30 p.m. Mondays, and SIN is 11 p.m.-3 a.m. at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
a&e happenings
BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play a game (or two) of bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
DOUBLE MONDAYS AND SIN NIGHT Enjoy Double Mondays 8 p.m.-midnight and SIN Night 11 p.m. to close at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
75-CENT OYSTERS AT ATLAS Enjoy 75-cent oysters 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. For more information, visit greatsouthernrestaurants.com.
MUSIC BINGO Test your music knowledge 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at Wisteria, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Take part in half-price bottles of wine and $5 canned cocktails. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
POKER NIGHT AND BINGO AT O'RILEY'S Visit O'Riley's Irish Pub for poker at 6:30 p.m. and bar bingo 8-10 p.m. Tuesdays at 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
LUNCH AT THE DISTRICT The District Steakhouse, 130 E. Government St., is open for special lunch seatings the third Friday of the month. Enjoy a $5 martini or house wine. Seatings are 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are accepted but not necessary. Details are available at districtsteaks.com.
DOLLAR NIGHT Enjoy Dollar Night 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
TUESDAY TRIVIA AT PERFECT PLAIN Visit Perfect Plain Brewing Co. for trivia nights 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays at 50 E. Garden St. Visit perfectplain. com/upcoming-events for details.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night is 8 p.m.-midnight Wednesdays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
TRIVIA AT O'RILEY'S Test your trivia knowledge 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SIN NIGHT AND KARAOKE Karaoke is 9 p.m.1 a.m. and SIN specials are 11 p.m.-3 a.m. at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
TRIVIA AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS
Take part in trivia nights 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.
SIPPIN' IN SUNDRESSES LADIES' NIGHT
AT FELIX'S Pop-up shops, pink drink specials and live music is 5-8 p.m. Thursdays at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar, 400 Quietwater Beach Drive.
PITCHERS AND TAVERN TRIVIA Get deals on pitchers 8 p.m.-midnight at O'Riley's Tavern. Trivia is 9-11 p.m. Thursdays at 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN
BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
DOLLAR NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Dollar Night with a DJ starts 8 p.m. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
TRIVIA UNDER THE TREES Trivia is 6 p.m. Thursdays at Wisteria Tavern, 3808 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.
THURSDAY BIERGARTEN TRIVIA NIGHT
Gary's Brewery Trivia Night is back by popular demand 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at 208 Newman Ave. Test your trivia skills with a glass of beer or wine. Arrive early to grab a spot. For more information, visit facebook.com/garysbrew.
FEISTY FRIDAY NIGHTS Drink specials start 8 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
TGI FIREBALL FRIDAY Drink specials are all day Fridays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
WEEKLY SATURDAY BRUNCH Brunch is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SHAMROCK SATURDAY Shamrock Saturday is 9 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool all day and play bar bingo 9-11 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT CAFÉ SINGLE
FIN Partake in brunch specials, full café menu,espressos and bottomless mimosas until 1 p.m. Sundays at Café Single Fin, 380 N. Ninth Ave. Live music begins at 10 a.m. Visit cafesinglefin.com for details.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AND KARAOKE O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St., hosts brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. Karaoke begins at 8 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ATLAS OYSTER HOUSE Sunday Brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at Atlas Oyster House, 600 S. Barracks St. View menus at atlasoysterhouse.com.
LIVE MUSIC
RADIOLIVE WUWF Presents RadioLive with Amy Speace, Jeff Black, and the Brock, Lanzetti, Ogawa Trio. Show starts at 6 p.m. Thursday,
happenings
March 6 at the Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St. Tickets are $10. Available at radiolive.org.
GIMME GIMME DISCO Disco dance party is 8 p.m. Friday, March 7 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets and information at thehandlebar850.com.
NIRVANNA: TRIBUTE TO NIRVANA Show is 7 p.m. Friday, March 7 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information at vinylmusichall.com.
SALVO, NIK FLAGSTAR & HIS DIRTY MANGY DOGS Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Details at thehandlebar850.com.
THE AMITY AFFLICTION Show is 6 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information at vinylmusichall.com.
PENSACOLA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR Show is 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8 featuring the UWF singers. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. Dress rehearsal is 1:30 p.m. and tickets are $10, available at pensacolasymphony.com.
PARTYGIRL, MOURNING GLORIES, BASICALLY NANCY, RAT PALACE Show is 6 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10-$15 and available at thehandlebar850.com.
RECONCILER, PAUPER'S GRAVE, LUNCH BREAK Show is 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Tickets are $10 and available at thehandlebar850.com.
THE ELOVATERS Show is 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 12 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusicahall.com.
TOBYMAC Performance is 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at Pensacola Bay Center, 201 E. Gregory St. Tickets and information at pensacolabaycenter.com.
THE MOVEMENT Show is 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 14 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.
PENSACOLA HARDCORE SHOWCASE
Show is 7 p.m. Friday, March 14 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Cost is $15. Tickets are available at thehandlebar850.com.
THE FOUR HORSEMAN Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.
BEN LOFTIN & THE FAMILY, JOHN HART
PROJECT Show is 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Cost is $15$20. Tickets are available at thehandlebar850.com.
MILLY, GARAGE SALE, KAIRO, PALMMEADOW, GARDEN DWELLER Show is 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Cost is $12-$15. Tickets are available at thehandlebar850.com.
MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAGE Visit
Five Sisters Blues Café, 421 W. Belmont St., for live music.
•6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 6: John Wheeler
•6-10 p.m. Friday, March 7: Cat Daddy Blues Band
•6-10 p.m. Saturday, March 8: Glen Parker
•11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, March 9: Curt Bol
•6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 11: John Wheeler
•6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 13: Forrest Higgins
•The Curt Bol Quintet plays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.
PENSACOLA PICK NIGHT AT ODD COLONY
Music pickers of all levels are invited to play 7-9 p.m. every last Monday of the month at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Bring your acoustic instrument and jam. Visit facebook.com/oddcolony for details.
TUESDAY NIGHT JAZZ AT SEVILLE
QUARTER Enjoy smooth jazz with Melodious Allen and The Funk Heads on Tuesday nights at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.
KARAOKE AT O'RILEY'S UPTOWN Sing your heart out 8 p.m.-midnight Tuesdays at O'Riley's Uptown, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY
Open mic night is hosted by Renee Amelia 6 p.m. every other Wednesday at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Visit facebook.com/garysbrew for details.
KARAOKE AT THE HANDLEBAR Karaoke is 9 p.m. Wednesdays at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Visit thehandlebar850.com for details.
KARAOKE AT WISTERIA Wisteria Tavern hosts karaoke 7 p.m. Wednesdays at 3808 N. 12th Ave. Details are at wisteriatavern.com.
WHISKEY WEDNESDAY KARAOKE Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN
BREWING CO. Take part in musical bingo 7 p.m. Thursdays at Perfect Plain, 50 E. Garden St. Free admission. Details at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.
KARAOKE NIGHTS AT SIR RICHARD'S
Bring your singing talents Monday and Thursday nights at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Festivities are 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.
HAPPY HOUR LIVE MUSIC AT O'RILEY'S Drink specials and live music are 4-7 p.m. Fridays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.
SUNDAY KARAOKE AT MUGS AND JUGS
Karaoke starts 9 p.m. Sunday at Mugs and Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.
free will astrology
WEEK OF MARCH 6
ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): The world's darkest material is Vantablack. This super-black coating absorbs 99.96% of visible light, creating a visual void. It has many practical applications, like improving the operation of telescopes, infrared cameras, and solar panels. I propose we make Vantablack your symbol of power in the coming weeks. It will signify that an apparent void or absence in your life might actually be a fertile opportunity. An ostensible emptiness may be full of potential.
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): Among their many sensational qualities, rivers have the power to create through demolition and revision. Over the centuries, they erode rock and earth, making canyons and valleys. Their slow and steady transformative energy can be an inspiration to you in the coming months, Taurus. You, too, will be able to accomplish wonders through the strength of your relentless persistence—and through your resolute insistence that some old approaches will need to be eliminated to make way for new dispensations.
Subtleties
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): Centuries before European sailors ventured across the seas, Polynesians were making wide-ranging voyages around the South Pacific. Their navigations didn't use compasses or sextants, but relied on analyzing ocean swells, star configurations, cloud formations, bird movements and wind patterns. I bring their genius to your attention, Gemini, because I believe you are gaining access to new ways to read and understand your environment. Subtleties that weren't previously clear to you are becoming so. Your perceptual powers seem to be growing, and so is your sensitivity to clues from below the visible surface of things. Your intuition is synergizing with your logical mind.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): The Maeslant Barrier is a gigantic, movable barricade designed to prevent the flooding of the Dutch
By Rob Brezsny
port of Rotterdam. It's deployed when storms generate surges that need to be repelled. I think we all need metaphorical versions of this protective fortification, with its balance of unstinting vigilance and timely flexibility. Do you have such psychic structures in place, Cancerian? Now would be a good time to ensure that you have them and they're working properly. A key factor, as you mull over the prospect I'm suggesting, is knowing that you don't need to keep all your defenses raised to the max at all times. Rather, you need to sense when it's crucial to assert limits and boundaries—and when it's safe and right to allow the flow of connection and opportunity.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): The authentic alchemists of medieval times were not foolishly hoping to transmute literal lead and other cheap metals into literal gold. In fact, their goal was to change the wounded, ignorant, unripe qualities of their psyches into beautiful, radiant aspects. The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to do such magic. Life will provide you with help and inspiration as you try to brighten your shadows. We all need to do this challenging work, Leo! Now is one of your periodic chances to do it really well.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): Cosmic rhythms are authorizing you to be extra demanding in the coming days—as long as you are not frivolous, rude, or unreasonable. You have permission to ask for bigger and better privileges that you have previously felt were beyond your grasp. You should assume you have finally earned rights you had not fully earned before now. My advice is to be discerning about how you wield this extra power. Don't waste it on trivial or petty matters. Use it to generate significant adjustments that will change your life for the better.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): In North America, starlings are an invasive species introduced from Europe in the 19th century. They are problematic, competing with native species for resources. They can damage crops and spread diseases that affect livestock. Yet starlings also create the breathtakingly beautiful marvel known as a murmuration. They make mesmerizing, ever-shifting patterns in the sky while moving as one cohesive unit. We all have starling-
like phenomena in our lives—people, situations, and experiences that arouse deeply paradoxical responses, that we both enjoy and disapprove of. According to my analysis, the coming weeks will be prime time to transform and evolve your relationships with these things. It's unwise to sustain the status quo. I'm not necessarily advising you to banish them—simply to change your connection.
lamic art" is still a major tourist attraction. In the spirit of Shah Jahan's adoration, I invite you to dream and scheme about expressing your devotion to what you love. What stirs your heart and nourishes your soul? Find tangible ways to celebrate and fortify your deepest passions.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): Buildings and walls in the old Incan city of Machu Picchu feature monumental stone blocks that fit together precisely. You can't slip a piece of paper between them. Most are irregularly shaped and weigh many tons. Whoever constructed these prodigious structures benefited from massive amounts of ingenuity and patience. I invite you to summon some of the same blend of diligence and brilliance as you work on your growing masterpiece in the coming weeks and months. My prediction: What you create in 2025 will last a very long time.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Bioluminescence is light emitted from living creatures. They don't reflect the light of the sun or moon, but produce it themselves. Fireflies do it, and so do glow-worms and certain fungi. If you go to Puerto Rico's Mosquito Bay, you may also spy the glimmer of marine plankton known as dinoflagellates. The best time to see them show what they can do is on a cloudy night during a new moon, when the deep murk reveals their full power. I believe their glory is a good metaphor for you in the coming days. Your beauty will be most visible and your illumination most valuable when the darkness is at a peak.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Capricorn-born Shah Jahan I was the Emperor of Hindustan from 1628 to 1658. During his reign, he commissioned the Taj Mahal, a magnificent garden and building complex to honor his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This spectacular "jewel of Is-
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): Over 2,100 years ago, Greek scientists created an analog computer that could track astronomical movements and events decades in advance. Referred to now as the Antikythera mechanism, it was a unique, groundbreaking invention. Similar machines didn't appear again until Europe in the 14th century. If it's OK with you, I will compare you with the Antikythera mechanism. Why? You are often ahead of your time with your innovative approaches. People may regard you as complex, inscrutable, or unusual, when in fact you are simply alert for and homing in on future developments. These qualities of yours will be especially needed in the coming weeks and months.
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): No cars drove through London's streets in 1868. That invention was still years away. But the roads were crammed with pedestrians and horses. To improve safety amidst the heavy traffic, a mechanical traffic light was installed—the first in the world. But it had a breakdown a month later, injured a police officer, and was discontinued. Traffic lights didn't become common for 50 years after that. I believe your imminent innovations will have better luck and good timing, Pisces. Unlike the premature traffic signal, your creations and improvements will have the right context to succeed. Don't be shy about pushing your good ideas! They could revamp the daily routine.
HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: What's a need you have that you shouldn't be embarrassed about but are? {in}
freewillastrology.com newsletter.freewillastrology.com freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com © 2025 Rob Brezsny
news of the weird
WAIT, WHAT? The owner of a Brazilian restaurant in Altrincham, England, was stumped on Feb. 20 after a sink worth 150 British pounds disappeared from the women's restroom, The Manchester Evening News reported. The theft was noted during a routine restroom inspection, said Robert Melman, and when staff reviewed the CCTV, they saw a woman come into the restaurant and head straight for the bathroom. Moments later, she walked out with something big in her bag. "I've had people steal lots of things over the years," Melman said, "but never something like this. This is quite unusual. All we could do was laugh."
WHAT'S IN A NAME? When Nontra Null, 41, of Burbank, California, tried to apply for a visa to attend a friend's wedding in India, she kept getting the same response: The computer couldn't process the application. Turns out "null" is a troublesome name when it comes to filling out online forms. Yahoo! News reported on Feb. 23 that when "null" is entered in a field, it essentially means, well, nothing. Jan Null, a 75-year-old meteorologist, learned to reserve hotel rooms adding his first initial to his last name, and security auditor Joseph Tartaro, whose vanity license plate reads NULL, keeps getting random traffic tickets from all over the United States. Modern software has addressed the problem, but not everyone has upgraded, one tech researcher noted.
•Jason Kilburn of Omaha, Nebraska, learned about his daughter, Caroline, only after she was born, he told NBC News on Feb. 24. At her birth in November 2022, her mother had her placed with a foster family, but before that could happen, the baby received a certificate of live birth with a bizarre name: Unakite Thirteen Hotel. Kilburn was told it was a "computer-generated name." Now, as Kilburn raises Caroline and tries to get a birth certificate with her given name, he's stuck in a "circuitous, bureaucratic loop." Without the birth certificate and a Social Security number, he can't secure health insurance or child care. Just to get a routine checkup, Kilburn has to pay about $700 out of pocket. "It's not like I'm trying to pull something here," he said. "This is stuff she's entitled to as any American is." The Social Security Administration has issued a Social Security number, albeit with the original unusual name, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is working with Kilburn to straighten out Caroline's mess.
UPDATE Last week, News of the Weird reported about mysterious QR code stickers appearing on gravestones in Munich, Germany. The denouement is much less interesting than the mystery: The New York Times reported on Feb. 20 that a local business had been contracted to clean and maintain certain graves, and workers had used the stickers to help them keep track of which graves they had worked on. "We are a large company," said Alfred Zanker, a senior manager at the unnamed company. "Everything has to happen in an orderly manner."
PHOBIA REPORT Leigh Woodman, 32, of Bristol, England, suffers from a crippling fear of a com-
By the Editors at Andrews McMeel
mon condiment: mortuusequusphobia, or fear of ketchup. The New York Post reported on Feb. 20 that Woodman likens seeing ketchup with "being held at gunpoint" on the trauma scale. "I can't even look at a bottle or have it anywhere near me," she said. "It makes me feel panicky." While her mother claims Woodman liked ketchup as a child, she can't remember a time when the popular condiment didn't upset her.
RECENT ALARMING HEADLINE Mitchell Ring and his wife, Jennifer Colin, were flying from Melbourne, Australia, to Doha, Qatar, in mid-February when another passenger on their flight collapsed and died, The New York Times reported. The crew tried to revive the woman, but eventually opted to put her body in a wheelchair and try to move it to business class, Ring said—but the chair wouldn't fit up the aisle. That's when Ring, who was sharing a four-seat row with Colin, was asked to move over so they could place the deceased woman in the seat next to him. Colin ended up moving to a different row: "I'm not a great flyer at the best of times," she said. Ring endured the four remaining hours of the flight sitting next to the corpse, which was covered by a blanket. The International Air Transport Association confirmed that the flight attendants did the right thing; the deceased should be covered and strapped in with a seatbelt.
LEAST COMPETENT CRIMINALS Some people just can't shut up. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Feb. 25 that it had settled a case of illegal possession of remains of an endangered species, KCRA-TV reported. The investigation began in late 2023 when two plainclothes CDFW officers were on a flight and struck up a conversation with a couple seated near them. The couple admitted to having a green sea turtle skull in their luggage—a species that is endangered and illegal to possess and transport in the U.S. The couple went on to brag about having taken a mountain lion, protected in California, and a family member's possession of multiple taxidermied mountain lions, a wolverine and wolves. After landing, the officers filed search warrants on the couple's home in Chico, as well as the family member's home in Napa. The searches turned up more illegal species. All three defendants reached plea deals and were convicted of various violations.
•Evelina Fabianski, 18, was looking for revenge (and the return of $700 she said she was owed) on Feb. 26 when she "decided to spray-paint and throw eggs at what she thought was (her ex-boyfriend's) car," said Volusia County (Florida) Sheriff's deputies. Unfortunately, ClickOrlando. com reported, the car she and a minor friend covered with bright yellow paint belonged to a neighbor. Damage to the car amounted to about $5,000; Fabianski was charged with criminal mischief, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, possession of alcohol under age 21 and DUI. {in}
