Inweekly July 9 2026 Issue

Independent News | July 9, 2026 | Volume 27 | Number 27

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winners & losers

outtakes

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5

news 6

We're in a very interesting time.

feature

buzz

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8 publisher Rick Outzen

graphic designer Tim Bednarczyk

editor & creative director Joani Delezen

contributing writers Joshua Encinias, Savannah Evanoff, Jennifer Leigh, Dakota Parks, C.S. Satterwhite, Tom St. Myer

contact us info@inweekly.net

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Independent News is published by Inweekly Media, Inc., P.O. Box 12082, Pensacola, FL 32591. (850)438-8115. All materials published in Independent News are copyrighted. © 2026 Inweekly Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

$50 million reasons why his last trial opponent hates him.

JOE ZARZAUR

BOARD CERTIFIED CIVIL TRIAL LAWYER* PENSACOLA, FL

SERIOUS INJURY • WRONGFUL DEATH 22

*Board Certification by the Florida Bar and the National Board Of Trial Advocacy.

Statistical information current as of November 2022.

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July 9, 2026

3

winners & losers

David Brinkley / Photo Courtesy of uwf.edu

winners ESCAMBIA COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The school district earned an "A" grade from the Florida Department of Education, marking a third consecutive year of growth in A and B schools. Of the district's 52 graded schools, 19 earned As, 16 earned Bs and 17 earned Cs, with no schools receiving D or F grades. Eighty-three percent of schools upheld or exceeded prior performance. Six schools jumped from B to A, including Tate High and Beulah and Ernest Ward middle schools. Montclair Elementary rose from an F to an A in just three years. Navy Point Elementary posted the largest point gain, climbing from D to B. Middle school algebra pass rates outpaced state gains by 6 percentage points, and the middle school acceleration rate rose to 89%, among Florida's highest.

MATT & TESSA RIPPON Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida has named Matt and Tessa Rippon its 2026 Big Duo of the Year. The couple has mentored Little Brothers Ja-Zavier, 8, and Ja'Zyin, 9, for two and a half years, sharing outings to Sky Zone, local parks and restaurants like Coffee Cup and Cracker Barrel. Even after welcoming a new baby, the Rippons have remained consistent presences in the boys' lives.

The agency surprised the couple with the award during its monthly Governing Board meeting, honoring their dedication to consistent, valuesdriven mentorship that has helped both boys feel supported and valued.

BEAR FAMILY FOUNDATION Ascension Sa-

cred Heart Pensacola has welcomed Curry, its eighth Sacred Paws facility dog and the first dedicated exclusively to adult outpatient oncology patients. Funded by the Bear Family Foundation, Curry began serving patients June 22 after training through Canine Assistants, offering comfort during radiation and infusion treatments at a Cancer Center that sees roughly 2,400 chemotherapy patients annually. Belle Bear of the Bear Family Foundation said cancer has touched their family personally, motivating their gift. She said, "We hope Curry brings comfort, hope and companionship to patients and their loved ones during some of their hardest days."

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losers WUWF The listener-supported public radio station licensed to the Board of Trustees of the University of West Florida has lost its executive director, David Brinkley, who resigned effective June 30 after heading the station since March 2025. Brinkley joined WUWF from Western Kentucky University, where he served as the executive director of public media and general manager of the WKU Public Radio network of stations for more than 10 years. He has joined his wife Jennifer in Dayton, Ohio. Jennifer also left UWF, where she was an assistant professor of legal studies. She is now on the faculty of the University of Dayton School of Law. INDUSTRIAL HELICOPTERS Florida Agricul-

ture Commissioner Wilton Simpson found that Industrial Helicopters, an aerial contractor working for Florida Power and Light (FPL), misused and misapplied pesticides during a May 20 herbicide spraying near East Milton in Santa Rosa County.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services investigation, launched after State Sen. Don Gaetz requested a probe, found the contractor violated state rules by allowing pesticide drift onto a non-target site, failing to follow label restrictions and mishandling organo-auxin herbicides. Simpson told Gaetz the contractor will face a $20,000 fine, the maximum allowed under state law. The spraying prompted complaints from property owners about damage to farm animals and land. Simpson has forwarded the findings to the FAA. Gaetz said he is notifying the Public Service Commission, which regulates FPL.

JAMES FISHBACK Lt. Gov. Jay Collins filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court arguing Republican gubernatorial rival James Fishback should be removed from the August primary ballot, claiming Fishback fails to meet the Florida Constitution's seven-year residency requirement.

The complaint says Fishback registered to vote in Washington, D.C., in November 2020 and holds a 2026 homestead exemption on D.C. property.

Fishback denied the allegations, posting his 2016 Florida driver's license and calling the suit "a desperate and illegal attempt to stop our momentum." With mail ballots going out within days, Collins seeks an expedited ruling. inweekly.net

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outtakes

By Rick Outzen

THANKING TEACHERS Escambia County Public Schools earned a district grade of "A." The politicians in Tallahassee rushed to take a bow. The teachers—those who actually did the work—barely got a mention.

The Florida Department of Education released school grades last month, and Escambia County Public Schools had 19 schools earning As, 16 earning Bs and not a single D or F in the district.

State officials couldn't take credit fast enough.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared that "Florida did not become the Education State by accident" and credited "our education reforms." Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas issued not one but two statements, praising the accomplishments achieved "during my tenure" and quoting Scripture about reaping what you sow. State Board of Education Chair Ryan Petty credited "Commissioner Kamoutsas' leadership." Vice Chair MaryLynn Magar praised "the accomplishments achieved this year" as a blueprint for excellence.

Somewhere in all that self-congratulation and the tributes to school choice expansion, teachers got a passing nod.

For years, we have seen Florida teachers be accused of indoctrinating children. Pensacola State College Trustee Richard Holzknecht harped on it during his unsuccessful campaign for Escambia County School Board in 2024. Those attacks stopped with the new grades.

TEACHERS LED TURNAROUNDS The turn-

arounds tell the story of how well our teachers have taught their students. Montclair Elementary went from an F to an A in three years. Navy Point Elementary jumped from a D to a B, the biggest point gain in the district. Scenic Heights Elementary leaped from a C to an A. Blue Angels, Lipscomb, Beulah Middle, Ernest Ward Middle and Tate High all climbed from Bs to As. No press release from the governor's office accomplished that. No commissioner's memo taught a struggling third-grader to read. The Escambia turnaround didn't happen because of a policy paper in Tallahassee. It happened because teachers showed up every morning and refused to give up on kids the state had already labeled failures.

July 9, 2026

Teachers arrived early for tutoring sessions and stayed long after the buses left. They spent their own money on supplies, snacks and books because budgets didn't stretch far enough.

Reading coaches worked one-on-one with children who carried burdens no test score can measure. Veteran teachers mentored rookies through the hardest first years of a profession that keeps losing people.

The numbers back up the classroom work.

Escambia's math gains outpaced the state's own celebrated increases. The middle school algebra pass rate now leads state average increases by 6%, and the district's middle school acceleration rate climbed from 87% to 89%. All nine middle schools increased or maintained their grades.

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THOSE WHO DID THE WORK To his credit,

Superintendent Keith Leonard pointed in the right direction. He publicly thanked students, teachers, administrators and support staff, and acknowledged that "achieving our goals requires the collective effort and collaboration of all stakeholders." It was brief, but it was aimed at the right people.

Contrast that with the state's messaging, where the word "teacher" appears mostly as a reluctant add-on. DeSantis touted his reforms.

Kamoutsas celebrated his one-year tenure. The State Board of Education celebrated Kamoutsas.

The press releases read less like education announcements and more like campaign mailers.

Kamoutsas' "unwavering focus" didn't calm a classroom of 22 fourth-graders the week before testing. Policies set conditions; teachers did the work.

We need to say to our teachers what DeSantis, Kamoutsas and their sycophants won't: thank you. These grades are yours. You earned it in a thousand moments nobody photographed, and no politician will ever put in a press release.

The governor says Florida didn't become the "Education State" by accident. He's correct on that point. Our state earned the moniker because teachers made positive change, often in spite of the people now taking the credit. {in} rick@inweekly.net 5

WORKING FAMILIES STILL STRUGGLE

By Rick Outzen The latest ALICE data shows what many of us already know: wages are failing to keep pace with the rising cost of living across Northwest Florida. Nearly half of all working households in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are still are falling short financially.

That is the central finding of the latest ALICE Report, released by United Way of West Florida, which tracks a population largely invisible in traditional poverty statistics—working adults and families who earn too much to qualify for government assistance but too little to reliably cover basic expenses. The report shows the share of ALICE households in the region has climbed from the previous year, now approaching 50%.

ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The ALICE framework was developed roughly a decade ago by the United Way of Northern New Jersey and has since been adopted by United Way affiliates across the country. The underlying data is drawn from U.S. Census figures and workforce development sources, giving 66

it a level of methodological consistency that allows for year-over-year comparisons and cross-county analysis.

Because the data collection and analysis process is time-intensive, local figures typically reflect conditions from the prior year. The numbers currently in circulation reflect 2024 conditions; 2025 data will not be available until next year's report cycle.

ALICE describes those who hold full-time jobs, sometimes multiple jobs, yet cannot consistently meet the cost of basic necessities: food, housing, transportation and childcare.

"Their ends may typically look at each other, so to speak, but they don't always meet," said Jessica Johnson, United Way's vice president of impact services. Johnson discussed the report in a recent interview on Inweekly's "Rick's Blog Live" BLAB-TV program. "They are trying their best to stay above water," she added.

The data arrives as local and national leaders are raising alarms about affordability. Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves, who serves on national municipal boards, recently identified affordability, not simply housing availability, as one of the defining pressures facing mid-sized American cities.

At his weekly press conference on June 24, the mayor said, "The No. 1 issue in this country four years ago was housing, which hasn't necessarily changed, but I would say it's evolved to affordability, period."

Reeves continued, "Now we're talking about ensuring that dinner is getting on the table, ensuring that the … power bill can be paid. Affordability as a whole has become, I really believe, the forefront of the minds of everyone in this country and certainly in this city."

losing their homes or having utilities shut off. And so they're looking for those last-ditch efforts to get them where they need to be."

Johnson pointed out the callers are not people who have disengaged from the economy or given up on self-sufficiency. They are working. They are trying. They have simply run out of margin.

ALICE HOUSEHOLDS

One of the most valuable and underused features of the ALICE Report is that the data can be broken down not only by county but also

by ZIP code and census tract, giving local leaders the ability to identify exactly which neighborhoods are carrying the heaviest burdens.

Johnson urged elected officials, employers and nonprofit organizations to engage actively with the report. She said, "Use it as a tool for conversation. Use it as a tool for change. Use that information to inform policy."

She noted that private employers can use ALICE data to evaluate their own workplace policies. A wage increase may not always be immediately feasible, she said, but adjustments in scheduling flexibility, childcare support or paid leave policies can reduce the financial pressure on employees who are otherwise one unexpected expense away from a crisis.

"Perhaps giving them more money is not feasible right now," Johnson said. "But is there something that we could put in your policy where it's a little bit more [flexible] for individuals that may have childcare concerns?"

She also emphasized the importance of bringing community members into the conversation directly, asking them where they are struggling and what kinds of support would actually help.

The ALICE population is distinct from households living below the federal poverty line. People in poverty are counted separately and typically qualify for a range of public supports, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, housing vouchers, Medicaid and other programs designed to provide a safety net.

ALICE households fall into a gap. They earn enough to be disqualified from most traditional assistance programs. They are paying out of pocket for most of their basic expenses, with little or no savings cushion.

"These are individuals who are not on your traditional governmental assistance," Johnson said. "They don't have SNAP; they don't have housing vouchers or things like that. They are paying out of pocket for the majority, if not all, of the things that they get."

The makeup of this population cuts across nearly every sector of the local workforce. Johnson described the ALICE population as "your teachers, your service professionals, your cashiers, your everyday person." She noted that students pursuing degrees, certifications or a GED to improve their long-term economic standing are also frequently ALICE, caught between where they are and where they're trying to go.

The increase in ALICE households locally is being driven by a familiar combination: inflation pushing the cost of necessities higher while wages have not kept pace. Johnson attributed the worsening numbers directly to that gap. She said, "Cost of living has gone up, and wages haven't really gone up very much."

"Cost of living has gone up, and wages haven't really gone up very much." Jessica Johnson The consequences show up most visibly in United Way's 211 hotline data. The 211 line connects callers with resources for housing, food, transportation, childcare, medication and other needs. Johnson said the agency has seen a significant increase in calls related to housing and utility assistance.

"We are seeing a huge uptick in our callers that are needing those housing-related financial assistance things," she said. "It could be rent; it could be utilities. Many of them are on the brink of

A POLICY TOOL, NOT JUST A STATISTIC

WHAT RESIDENTS CAN DO

For residents who are struggling or know someone who is, the most immediate resource is United Way's 211 hotline. The line connects callers with live representatives who can identify available assistance in a wide range of categories: housing, food, utilities, transportation, childcare, medication and more.

"If you don't remember anything that I've said," Johnson told "Rick's Blog Live" viewers, "just remember you can dial 211, seven days a week, 24/7, and talk to a real live representative about anything that you need resource-wise."

The ALICE Report is available through United Way of West Florida at uwwf.org. Inweekly has tracked the report annually since its introduction and views it as one of the most useful tools available for understanding the true economic condition of the region's working population—one that complicates the conventional narrative of a growing, prosperous Gulf Coast economy.

To reach United Way's 211 hotline, dial 2-1-1 from any phone. The line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. {in} inweekly.net

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7

street paving program will begin in late July or early August, funded by $1 million a year from local option sales tax revenue. Paving priorities are guided by a 2023 citywide pavement condition assessment, starting in southwest Pensacola and moving northeast.

Photo Courtesy of City of Pensacola

FRICKER CENTER WORK BEGINS Pensacola broke ground June 26 on a $9.5 million renovation of the Fricker Resource Center, funded by two grants as part of the city's nearly $22 million Direction 25 parks investment program.

The community center closed to the public in May to begin the project, which will add a career lab, senior center, STEM lab, upgraded restrooms, kitchen and social hall. Senior programs relocated to the Bayview Community Center on May 18, and after-school programs ended on May 22, with summer campers directed to the Cobb or Woodland Heights centers.

Site work began in early May with installation of a retention pond in the former baseball field area. Renovations are scheduled for completion in spring 2027.

"We're building more than just a facility— we're building a space that reflects the heart of this community," Mayor D.C. Reeves said in a press announcement. "Our goal is to maintain what we already have and make it resilient enough to endure for many more years to come."

Parks and Recreation Director Tonya Byrd called the project one of the department's most transformative initiatives, saying it represents an opportunity to strengthen the neighborhood through expanded services and programs.

More information is available at frcrenovation.com.

CITY UPDATE City Administrator David Staf-

ford stood in for Mayor D.C. Reeves at the city's weekly press conference on July 1, delivering updates on the Roger Scott Pool reopening, a $1 million federal grant and other city business.

Stafford opened with results from the annual Donut Strike for Manna fundraiser, a joint effort by the Pensacola Fire Department and Pensacola Police Department. This year's campaign raised enough money and food to provide 9,880 meals, bringing the county-wide campaign's overall total to 47,895 meals.

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The Roger Scott Pool, closed earlier this year, passed its formal inspection on June 30 and reopened on July 4. Hours will run from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. He credited the parks and recreation department, the YMCA, the Department of Health and Logan Boyett of Boyett's Septic Tank & Portable Toilets for helping secure a temporary facility that allowed the pool to open this season.

The Environmental Protection Agency awarded the city a $1 million Brownfields multipurpose grant, the city's first such grant, to fund environmental assessment and cleanup work at the Gibson School building and the Baptist Hospital Legacy Campus. The application, submitted in January, received the maximum award amount, Stafford said.

By early September, the Community Redevelopment Agency hopes to have completed a structural assessment of the former Gibson School building on North C Street. The limited assessment by Moran Consultants given to the City in May 2025 showed that the building, built in 1921, needed nearly $1.3 million in immediate and short-term repairs. The Baptist Legacy Campus is undergoing a revitalization effort that is currently focused on demolition of the existing, vacant buildings on the site at West Moreno Street.

On e-bike regulation, Stafford said the city is drafting a local ordinance after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed statewide e-bike legislation. The proposal would require riders of Class 3 e-bikes, which are capable of speeds up to 28 mph, to hold a valid driver's license or learner's permit. A draft is undergoing internal legal review, with a proposal potentially going before city council as soon as September.

Separately, $1.2 million in state funding for safety bollards along Palafox Street survived the state budget veto process, Stafford said. City staff are evaluating project plans and available funding for installation.

Stafford also confirmed the city's annual

MEET PENNY City Administrator David Stafford also announced Pensacola's 311 call center will soft launch an AI assistant named Penny.

Penny will handle overflow calls during business hours whenever the city's constituent services team is tied up, Stafford said. The AI is designed to manage routine requests, such as reporting a tree limb needing trimming or a pothole needing repair, during an initial 30-day trial period.

"We appreciate the feedback that she'll get," Stafford told reporters, calling the rollout a learning period before Penny is fully incorporated into the city's 311 operation.

Penny is built by Polimorphic, a New Yorkbased company that sells an AI customer-service platform designed specifically for local government. The platform includes voice agents, chatbots and workflow tools meant to answer resident questions, route calls and direct service requests across departments including public works, planning, finance and recreation. The company says its tools are meant to offer practical ways to apply AI to real service problems by working alongside existing city systems rather than replacing them.

The company's client list includes Newport, R.I., where officials say the platform expanded service hours to nights and weekends and added multilingual support, and Tooele County, Utah, where staff report response times have been cut in half. Other clients include Suisun City, Calif.; Littleton, Colo.; Passaic County, N.J.; and Polk County, N.C., where the tool helped coordinate disaster recovery after Hurricane Helene.

Polimorphic was named to the inaugural AI 50 list by the Center for Public Sector AI and closed an $18.6 million funding round led by General Catalyst, according to the company's website.

GOTCHA OR NOT MUCH Public records obtained by OpGovNews show Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler and FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance CEO Chris Platé helped arrange Feb. 2026 meetings with a company proposing a battery storage facility and a possible data center component, four months before both men made statements at a county commission meeting distancing themselves from any data center negotiations.

The emails, released by Pepper Wimer of OpGovNews, show that on Feb. 1, Nanda Bhagi of Tesla Group (which is not connected to Tesla, Inc.) contacted Congressman Jimmy Patronis to follow up on a December conversation and confirm a Feb. 17-18 visit to Pensacola for preliminary site visits and executive-level meetings. Bhagi described the proposal as a "Nikola Tesla Smart City initiative" that would include a Battery Energy Storage System Gigafactory and an AI data center.

Six minutes later, Kohler forwarded the email to County Administrator Wes Moreno, NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Chandra Newman and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody's staff, confirming Bhagi would visit on Feb. 16. Kohler wrote, "I appreciate the help and look forward to seeing if Saufley or another site will fit his interests."

At 9:37 a.m., Kohler emailed Platé and FloridaWest board member David Bear. "I have been in communication with Nanda on two projects," he wrote. "Chris, if Saufley doesn't work, we need to find a good site." He also suggested a small dinner at McGuire's or an Indian restaurant on Feb. 16.

The data center component appeared to be dropped by spring. On May 28, Platé told the Pensacola News Journal the company was "just in the very beginning stages." Then, at the June 17 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Platé told the board that FloridaWest had "never been in active negotiations to build a data center." Kohler told residents at the same meeting: "I don't want it in my neighborhood either."

Wimer contends the February emails tell a different story. She argues they show Kohler was actively inviting and facilitating the very type of project he later publicly opposed, and that Platé's June statement is inconsistent with the emails.

In a written response to Inweekly, Platé described the February activity as routine earlystage work. "When a prospect first makes contact, we know just the basics of their project," he wrote. He said the proposal's primary component quickly became clear: a battery energy storage system assembly facility, which FloridaWest internally named "Project Super Charger." The data center, he said, was one of several ancillary ideas, which also included a sports facility and community development projects, that were discussed briefly as the lead developed.

"The data center component self-eliminated based on lack of infrastructure," Platé wrote, "so there is no data center component to this project today." He added that other components of Project Super Charger remain under consideration.

FICKLED VETO PEN Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget, and the South Navy Boulevard revitalization project came out intact, despite State Rep. Michelle Salzman's reported effort to kill it. Two public safety budget items Salzman sponsored, however, did not survive the governor's veto pen.

DeSantis vetoed $1.35 million for a Hazardous Materials Regional Emergency Response Vehicle and $1.05 million for Fire Station Management

inweekly.net

Systems, both items tied to Escambia County public safety operations.

The South Navy Boulevard Project is a $13 million revitalization effort targeting a one-mile corridor from Barrancas Avenue to the Sam A. Lovelace Bridge. The project aims to reduce urban blight and modernize the main gateway to Naval Air Station Pensacola. Salzman reportedly pressured sponsor Rep. Pat Maney to pull his support for the funding.

The project became a flashpoint between Salzman and Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler, who clashed in a public Facebook exchange over the effort. Kohler has championed the project as a matter of community honor, noting that veterans laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery travel that road.

"Every veteran being laid to rest at Barrancas travels that road," Kohler said, "and it's important to me and our community to honor their sacrifice."

The Facebook dispute generated 15 ethics complaints against Kohler, all of which the Florida Commission on Ethics dismissed last month.

The vetoed public safety items carry an additional layer of political irony. At a May County Commissioners meeting, the same meeting at which Kohler publicly apologized for his Facebook comments, Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger defended Salzman, arguing she had funded and sup-

July 9, 2026

ported "every single public safety request." The two vetoed items were among Hofberger's own public safety requests.

Hofberger and Kohler have a tense relationship. Hofberger previously sided with Clerk of Courts Pam Childers in a dispute over discretionary funds and has been publicly critical of Kohler on other matters.

The survival of South Navy Boulevard funding is a significant win for Kohler. The loss of the $2.4 million in public safety funding, however, leaves gaps in Escambia County's emergency response and fire management infrastructure that county officials will need to address.

PSC CRYSTAL BALL Inweekly doesn't know

who Zack Smith, chair of the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees, will pick as the PSC's next president, but the last three Florida Education Commissioners have landed highpaying higher education jobs—Richard Corcoran (New College of Florida), Manny Diaz Jr. (University of West Florida) and Anastasios Kamoutsas (Polk State College).

The new Education Commissioner is Paul Burns. Does Zack Smith have him on speed dial?

At the board's monthly meeting on June 16, Chair Smith formally appointed himself and the rest of the board—George Atchison Jr., Rick Byars, Ed

Fleming, Richard Holzknecht, Todd Leonard, Oscar Locklin, Audrey McDonald and Brooke Snyder—as the college's Presidential Search Committee. Smith will chair it.

PARTY WITH A CAUSE A Pensacola nonprofit born out of grief four years ago is relaunching its signature fundraiser this month, aiming to rebuild momentum for a program that has put dozens of people through therapy.

Ryan Goldberg founded the Campfire Fund of Florida in 2021 after his close friend, a singersongwriter who grew up in the Pensacola area, died by suicide two weeks before his wedding.

Instead of holding the planned bachelor party, Goldberg and friends gathered to grieve and began discussing ways to help others avoid the same outcome.

"What do you guys think if we go to some local businesses and get some raffle items to try and raise some money and use that money to put people in therapy?" Goldberg recalled asking the friends who helped him start the effort.

The group staged its first backyard-style music festival in April 2022, raising $7,000 in a single day. Within a month, Goldberg had filed paperwork establishing the Campfire Fund of Florida as a 501(c)(3), and the organization has operated ever since as an all-volunteer effort in

which every dollar raised goes directly toward therapy costs.

The fund started as a men's mental health charity but has expanded to serve women, couples and minors, driven in part by insurance requirements that a diagnosis be in place before counseling is covered. Last year, the organization extended its reach into Alabama, connecting a client in Foley with a licensed counselor. Goldberg estimates the fund has put about 80 people through therapy over the past four to five years.

Goldberg said many of the young men the fund works with are facing addiction issues rooted in their upbringing or struggling with unrealistic comparisons fueled by social media.

After a quieter stretch and the addition of new board members this year, the Campfire Fund is relaunching with a fundraiser from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. The event will feature live music from Snake and the Rabbit, Nikki Forgione and The Victrolas; barbecue from the Campfire Fund crew and sides from Chef Alex at Iron; and raffle items including a fishing charter, a Montana Knife Company cleaver and signed bottles of Horse Soldier Bourbon. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or five for $20.

More information is available at thecampfirefund.org. {in}

9

By Tom St. Myer

Every time an Escambia County resident checks out a library book, drives down a newly widened road, watches firefighters respond to an emergency or visits a neighborhood park, their penny is at work.

That penny will be on the ballot for renewal this November.

Escambia County voters will decide whether to renew the county's one-cent local option sales tax, commonly known as LOST, extending a funding source that has financed more than $2 billion in public infrastructure projects since residents first approved it in 1992.

The one-cent tax is added to the 6% Florida sales tax and half-cent school district tax, so the total sales tax in Escambia County is 7.5%. That extra penny has become essential to building and maintaining the community's infrastructure while reducing pressure on property taxes and allowing millions of dollars in costs to be shared by out-of-town visitors.

This year's vote will take place under circumstances unlike any previous renewal.

Changes approved by the Florida Legislature in 2023 significantly reduced the flexibility counties have in scheduling renewal referendums.

The current LOST cycle lasts through 2028, but if the referendum fails in November, it won't re010 1

turn to the ballot until 2030 due to a 48-month window restriction. That would mean two years of the City operating without about $20 million and the County without $140 million.

Add in the possible loss of funds from the Florida property tax amendment that will also be on November's ballot, and the City and County governments can't afford for LOST renewal to fail.

"We're in a very interesting time," said District 2 Escambia County Commissioner Mike Kohler. "So, first we have to get through the property tax referendum, which would take $43 million out of our budget the following year, starting in '27, right? So this year's budget would be okay, but as we went into next year's budget, we would have to figure out how to cut $43 million. And if the LOST didn't pass, we would still have two more years of that coming in, but in '28 it would be catastrophic."

Your Pennies at Work

Unlike many government revenue sources that disappear into operating budgets, supporters say LOST is unusually visible. Nearly every dollar is spent on projects residents can see and use.

Bruce Vredenburg, a Hancock Whitney banker serving as chairman of the Penny for Es-

cambia campaign supporting renewal, said residents don't have to look far to find examples.

"If you go out and just take a drive around our community and really go from one end to the other, I would imagine you probably couldn't go a couple of miles without having a visible sign of how these dollars are getting put back in our community and improving our way of life," Vredenburg said.

Neighborhood libraries, community centers, fire stations, patrol vehicles, drainage improvements, stormwater ponds, parks, sidewalks and beach restoration are examples of projects funded by LOST dollars.

Vredenburg said those visible investments explain why the tax has consistently received voter approval for more than three decades.

The original referendum passed in 1992 with approximately 54% of the vote after voters rejected a similar proposal two years earlier. Since then, every renewal has received more than 60% approval.

If voters approve the measure again this November, officials estimate the next 10-year authorization would generate approximately $1 billion for infrastructure projects throughout the city and county.

State law tightly restricts how LOST money

can be spent. Unlike property taxes or general operating revenues, LOST dollars cannot be used to pay employee salaries, routine operating expenses or everyday government functions.

"It's all capital improvements—tangible, visible things that you can go out and participate in," Vredenburg said. "At the park, at the beach with beach renourishment, patrol cars you see … driving through your neighborhoods, they're all funded with LOST." Residents can easily track how LOST dollars are spent. The Pennies for Progress campaign has created an interactive online map highlighting completed projects throughout the county.

The map allows residents to search their own neighborhoods and identify roads, drainage projects, libraries, parks, public safety facilities and other improvements funded through the sales tax.

Campaign materials summarize the message with a simple slogan: "Built by 1¢. Approved

by You." The City and County will collect about $80 million in LOST dollars this year. The County will receive approximately $70 million while the City will receive nearly $10 million.

The money is divided under a state formula based primarily on population, although local inweekly.net

governments can negotiate alternative sharing agreements each time the tax comes up for renewal.

Growth in Escambia County has occurred largely outside Pensacola city limits, so the county's share has gradually increased over the years while the city's percentage has declined.

Both the City and County benefit tremendously from out-of-town visitors. According to a University of West Florida Haas Center study, roughly 28% of LOST revenue comes from visitors. That means tourists staying in local hotels, eating at restaurants and shopping throughout Escambia County help pay for infrastructure that remains long after they return home.

Challenges for Local Governments

Kohler said voters should understand how much of the county budget is already committed before commissioners begin making annual spending decisions.

The County operates with a nearly $900 million budget, but in reality, much of that spending is legally dedicated or otherwise committed.

"The county commission really only manages about $300 million of that," Kohler said. "So when you say, well, there's $900 million and there's all this waste, about two-thirds of that money is already committed that we don't really have the opportunity to manage."

That leaves relatively little discretionary money available, which is why Kohler fears losing $43 million in property tax revenues. Possibilities to make up for the lost revenue include hiring freezes, delaying employee raises and redirecting available revenues wherever possible.

"We've done some throwing the darts at the wall with the county administrator [Wes Moreno] and Stefan [Hall], our budgeting director, to get the $43 million," Kohler said. "It's maybe $15 million you could get with cutting, not having pay raises, freezing new hires, switching TIF money from CRAs, which isn't good because [CRAs help] the poorest people in the county."

But Kohler acknowledged those measures alone would likely fall well short of replacing tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue. He said, "There's a bazillion things we'd have to consider."

If both the property tax changes and the expiration of LOST were to occur, commissioners would face difficult choices.

"When I come into your door or you call me or I'm at your neighborhood meeting, instead of saying, 'Okay, I want to cut this,' come with me and say, 'I don't want my library. I'm okay if we sell the park. Let's go back to euthanizing animals,'" Kohler said. "What do you want to do? Because that's the decision I'm going to struggle with and my fellow county commissioners."

Although he believes state lawmakers could eventually revisit local government funding if property tax changes are approved, Kohler said local officials cannot base budgets on legislation that has not yet happened.

The jail is the clearest example of why LOST funding matters. The county financed construction of the jail through long-term bonds, dedicating approximately $4 million to 5 million in LOST revenue each year to debt payments.

Vredenburg said those payments remain legally required regardless of what voters decide. If the sales tax expires, the bond obligation would not disappear. Instead, county officials July 9, 2026

would have to shift millions of dollars into the general operating budget to continue making payments, impacting the same pot that funds day-to-day government services.

"There is no way that local governments can achieve what we expect as citizens, without having … these funds," Vredenburg said.

The jail illustrates how the sales tax has become embedded in long-term financial planning for major public infrastructure.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said residents interact with LOST-funded investments virtually every day, whether they realize it or not.

"We certainly would not be the fourth safest city in the United States or have a top 1% rated fire department without the decades of support from the taxpayers through local option sales tax," Reeves said.

Police vehicles, fire engines, recreation facilities, sidewalks, drainage projects and public buildings have all benefited from the tax.

"It's a request to maintain what's on the books," Reeves said. "Taxpayers for more than 30 years have been able to support those things. Every safety function, every vital function of the city—LOST plays some role."

"EVERY SAFETY FUNCTION, EVERY VITAL FUNCTION OF THE CITY—LOST PLAYS SOME ROLE." D.C. Reeves One recent example is the approximately $10 million Fricker Community Center, now under construction with LOST providing part of the funding.

Asked whether another revenue source could realistically replace the tax, Reeves painted a dire picture.

"I don't know that we could," he said. "This is much like the stereotype of the property tax initiative of just tightening one more notch on the belt, but that's not the case. Parks, public works, roads, sidewalks, all your interaction on a daily basis with our city is at least partially funded through LOST. There is no plan B. It's that vital to our organization."

Voters Decide

For more than three decades, Escambia County voters have repeatedly decided that a penny on every taxable purchase is worth the investment in roads, parks, public safety and other infrastructure that shapes daily life. This November, voters will determine its fate once more.

The referendum would not create a new tax, but could preserve one that has become a cornerstone of local government funding while allowing out-of-town visitors to help pay for facilities used by residents.

The outcome will influence how Escambia County and Pensacola fund major capital projects in 2029 and 2030, and whether officials must begin preparing for hundreds of millions of dollars in deferred infrastructure spending if the measure fails. Ultimately, the decision returns to the voters who first approved the penny in 1992—and who will decide whether the community it helped build is worth continuing to fund. {in} To track current and past LOST spending, including an interactive project map by neighborhood, visit pennyforescambia.com.

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inweekly.net

WEEK OF JULY 9-15

Arts & Entertainment art, film, music, stage, books and other signs of civilization...

Turning Censorship into Just-Opposed

By Dakota Parks

Photo by Damien Burbank

Pensacola is no stranger to censorship. With the local school district removing more than 1,600 books from library shelves, and even an independent bookstore pulling LGBTQ+ titles, Escambia County has repeatedly found itself at the center of national debates over free expression.

But when Pensacola State College students were informed just one week before their student magazine was set to print that any articles containing LGBTQ+ content were not fit for publication, they were surprised.

"I was shocked because I've covered LGBTQ+ stories for the student newspaper, The Corsair, and I didn't think that they would be able to censor us in that way," said Quincy Kirn, editor for Just-Opposed magazine. "And it turns out, they weren't able to censor us in that way."

Just-Opposed, an arts-and-culture magazine that began as a collaborative project between Pensacola State College's Reporting I and July 9, 2026

Graphic Design II classes, has been at the center of this dispute since April. Stakeholders include the college, its students and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonprofit dedicated to defending free speech.

According to a letter from FIRE, Pensacola State College had planned to fund the printing of Just-Opposed until PSC Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Brenda Kelly met with faculty on April 29. Citing the Stop WOKE Act, Kelly determined the college could not pay to print the magazine unless students removed or edited articles that "mention[ed] LGBTQ." The censored articles included a profile of student drag queen Vixen Valentine, a feature on Perfect Day Books and a story about Pensacola Poetry's regular open mic events.

"The whole premise of the magazine was to help get the community out there, off their phones," Kirn said. "It was my understanding that we were going to get this student magazine

dents learned it would not be printed as planned. in the hands of the community. Why else would Although her own work was not among the stories we write stories to promote being active in your targeted, she said the fight quickly became bigger community if the community wasn't going to than any individual article. read them in the first place? That's why I con"So many students had their work completely tacted FIRE." cut out," Lee said. "It stopped being about indiFIRE urged the college to reverse its decividual pages and became about the fact that so sion, arguing that suppressing the articles viomuch hard work and personal experience was belated the students' First Amendment rights. ing dismissed."

Students said they understood from the outset When the students decided to publish inthat the completed magazine would be profesdependently, Lee unexpectedly stepped into sionally printed, and the college had allocated the role of lead designer, helping turn an unfinroughly $800 to produce 100 copies. ished class assignment into a polished, comAlthough the college later agreed to print munity-funded magazine featuring 10 stories the magazine, the publication process had aland photo essays on Pensacola's arts and already unraveled. In a May 18 letter to FIRE, PSC ternative culture. With support from the comPresident Ed Meadows said the college would pay to print 100 copies of Just-Opposed for stu- munity, Just-Opposed went to print at the end of June. dents' personal use only, drawing a distinction "Designing Just-Opposed the second time between "publishing" the magazine and "printfelt much more intentional and urgent," Lee said. ing" copies solely for students' portfolios. By "The magazine became something bigger; it carthen, design work had stalled, articles went unried emotional weight and public attention. I hope finished, the semester had ended and the magpeople understand this story is about more than azine was ultimately sent to the printer without controversy. It's about students, creatives and real student involvement. people who wanted to tell honest stories. Beyond "The fact that PSC was suddenly telling us the headlines, there were countless hours of work, that we can only use our stories for personal collaboration and passion behind this publicause only in our portfolios just wasn't acceptable tion. I am most proud of all my fellow design classto us," Kirn said. "Not to mention, the school's mates and student journalists who helped this printed version was poorly executed with errors project along the way." and design issues."

The students will celebrate the public reDetermined to complete the project on lease of Just-Opposed on Friday, July 10 at 309 their own terms and get the magazine into the Punk Project. Open to the public, the free event hands of the community, a group of students will feature complimentary copies of the maglaunched a GoFundMe campaign that raised azine, a drag performance by Vixen Valentine more than $2,000 to independently print 500 and a vendor fair of community organizations copies of the magazine. Despite the controverand businesses featured in the publication, insy, the original name stuck. cluding Perfect Day Books, Pensacola Poetry, "The name 'Just-Opposed' was catchy Phantasma, PFLAG Pensacola, Emerald Waves at first when it was just a school project, but Squares and Upward Intuition. then it took on a new meaning," Kirn said. "The "I hope that readers take away the fact that school did oppose us. They didn't want our stoyou can make change—you can be the change ries in there, and they didn't want to represent us. So, we said, we'll do it ourselves. We'll be our you want to see in the world," Kirn concluded. "I own representatives, whether you want to stand hear so often that people don't speak out on injustice because they think it won't make a differwith us or not." ence, but it will. Everyone deserves to see themGraphic design student Rayzie Lee rememselves represented, whether that's in literature, bers the administration's shift from giving edimovies, magazines or in the real world." {in} torial feedback to singling out LGBTQ+ stories for removal.

"As designers and writers, we were creating a publication centered around arts and culture, and LGBTQ+ voices are part of that WHAT: A release party for the independently culture," Lee said. "It felt wrong to exclude published arts-and-culture magazine people's lived experiences simply because WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 10 they made someone 'uncomfortable.'"

WHERE: 309 Punk Project, 309 N. Sixth Ave. Lee had already completed layouts for DETAILS: @justopposedzine, @309punkproject the semester-long publication before stu-

JUST-OPPOSED RELEASE PARTY

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a&e happenings NONPROFITS & FUNDRAISERS

SAVE OUR SHELTERS SUMMER SALE Save Our Shelters (SOS) program is having its dog days of summer sale now through July 11. Purchase family-fun baskets, patriotic 250-year celebration baskets and much more. All proceeds go for spaying/neutering of community dogs. Sale is located at the Happy Dog Resort, 1401 W. Cervantes St. ANIMAL ALLIES FLORIDA BINGO Animal Allies Florida hosts bingo twice monthly at Beef 'O' Brady's, 1 New Market St., Cantonment (on Nine Mile Road near Pine Forest Road).

The cost is 10 rounds of bingo for $10, with cash prizes for winners. For more information, visit facebook.com/animalalliesflorida.

ANIMAL ALLIES CAT AND KITTEN ADOPTION 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 Min-

istry 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 pop-top canned goods, Beanie Weenies, Vienna 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 SHADOW MARKET Shop local crafts and vendor in East Hill 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Free General Admission. Located at 1905 E Cross St.

TANABATA STAR FESTIVAL Join the UWF

Office of Global Engagement for a day of Japanese traditions 12-4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at the UWF Japan House, 11000 University Parkway.

Free and open to the public. Details at events.uwf. edu/event/tanabata-star-festival-2026.

JULIO FEST Summer fiesta presented by Costa

Latina 2-9 p.m. Saturday, July 11. Details available at latinomediainc.com/juliofest.

BRIAN KILMEADE: THE HISTORY, LIBERTY & LAUGHS TOUR Comedy show is 8

p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. Tickets and information available at pensacolasaenger.com.

IMPROVABLE CAUSE Show is 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St. Tickets and information available at pensacolalittletheatre.com.

ROAD TO REVOLUTION EXHIBIT AT PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF HISTORY "Road to

Revolution: Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the American War for Independence" highlights how Pensacola helped shape the outcome of the American Revolution. Developed in partnership with America250, the exhibit explores

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how a Gulf Coast port played a pivotal role in a global conflict. The exhibit is on display through May 2027. The museum is located at 330 S. Jefferson St. For more information about the UWF Historic Trust, visit historicpensacola.org.

BLACK AND WHITE SHOW AT ARTEL GALLERY Currently on view at the Artel Gallery un-

til July 31. Exhibit also features works by Man Stanly at the Vault, Stephanie Nowlin at the Pandora Room, Kris Billhorn at the Backroom and Bruce Men Ne at the Award Alcove. Location is 223 S. Palafox St. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit facebook.com/artelpensacola.

THE POETICS OF PAINTING: A CELEBRATION OF THE LINEAGE AND LEGACY OF JOHN MARKOWITZ Pensacola Museum of Art

exhibit features more than 50 works of art created by Markowitz's mentors and students on view through Aug. 4. The Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 S. Jefferson St. For more information, visit pensacolamuseum.org.

THE ART OF ANIMATION Pensacola Museum of Art exhibit featuring illustrations from the Gerald and Vicki Adcox collection. On view through September 6. Visit the museum at 407 S. Jefferson St. Find more details and museum hours at pensacolamuseum.org.

HUMANISTS OF WEST FLORIDA MONTHLY MEETING The Humanists of West Florida

meet at the Ever'man Education Center, 351 W. Garden St. 10:15 a.m. every second Sunday of the month. For more information, visit facebook.com/ humanistsofwestflorida.

WEST GARDEN DISTRICT ARTISAN MARKET Shop local vendors and artisans 1-6

p.m. Fridays starting May 1 at Del Mar Plaza, 1617 W. Garden St. For more information, contact info@ub-pensacola.com.

FIRST FRIDAY AT BLUE MORNING GALLERY Visit Blue Morning Gallery, 21 S. Palafox St., 5:30 p.m. every first Friday of the month for a reception with wine, live music and occasional artist demonstrations. Visit bluemorninggallery.com for details.

MOVIE NIGHTS AT MUGS & JUGS Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway, hosts monthly movie nights. Watch their website for dates and movie announcements at mugsjugsbar.com. All movies are screened 9 p.m. on select Saturdays.

CLUB 27 COMEDY SHOW Visit Lili Marlene's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. on the first and third Sundays of the month for a night of comedy. Doors open at 6 p.m. show starts at 7 p.m. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

PENSACOLA HERITAGE FOUNDATION LECTURES Learn Pensacola and Northwest

Florida history through interesting, informal lectures every other Tuesday at The Wright Place, 80 E. Wright St. Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. The lecture starts at noon and lasts one hour. Lecture cost is $5 for nonmembers and is free to members. Lunches are $12. For reservations, call (850) 380-7759.

PENSACOLA CINEMA ART FILM SCREENINGS Pensacola Cinema Art will screen films

select weekends during the summer season at 220 W. Garden St. Tickets are $10, and payment is cash only. Visit pensacolacinemaart.com for their complete schedule.

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 stand-up comedy in open mic style 7 p.m. Mondays at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox St. Follow BTB Comedy on Facebook for updates.

SCRIPTEASERS Join writers at Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 S. Jefferson St., for Scripteasers every second Saturday of the month. Visit pensacolalittletheatre.com for details.

PALAFOX MARKET Palafox Market is 9 a.m.-

2 p.m. Saturdays. The event features local farmers, artists and crafters on North and South Palafox streets at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand. For updates, visit facebook.com/downtownpensacola.

SUNDAY MARKET ON PALAFOX Rain-or-

shine market is Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Located in downtown Pensacola, between Chase and Gregory Streets in the MLK Plaza.

Market features handmade crafts, art, baked goods, international cuisine and fresh produce.

Visit smopalafox.com for details.

CABARET DRAG SHOWCASE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST #193 Don't miss Caba-

ret 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 Pen-

sacola'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.

inweekly.net

a&e happenings LIVE MUSIC

BANDS ON THE BEACH The weekly con-

cert series takes place 7-9 p.m. every Tuesday through Oct. 27 at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Free to attend. Upcoming dates: Owen Finley Electric String Club Band on July 14 and On the Rod on July 21. For more information, call the SRIA at (850) 932-2257 or go to visitpensacolabeach.com for the latest updates.

LIVE MUSIC AT FIVE SISTERS BLUES CAFÉ

Enjoy live music Thursdays through Sundays at Five Sisters, 421 W. Belmont St. Upcoming dates: The Glenn Parker Band 6-10 p.m. Saturdays; Curt Bol Quintet 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays; and John Wheeler 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays.

WUWF'S RADIOLIVE The next RadioLive is

6 p.m. Thursday, July 9 at the Museum of Commerce, 201 E. Zaragoza St. with artists Emily Barnes, J.M. Clifford and Eric Erdman. Tickets are $10. Details at radiolive.org.

OFF CAMPUS NIGHT AT VINYL Show is 10

p.m. (For ages 18 and up) Friday, July 10 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets at vinylmusichall.com.

SHUTTLEPUNX ZINE RELEASE PARTY

Featuring live music from Rat Daughter, Tirra Lirra, Caca del Diablo and Cockfight. Doors open at 8 p.m. and music starts at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Betty's on Belmont, 506 W. Belmont St. Cost is $5-$10. Details available at instagram.com/shuttlepunx.

GIMME GIMME Show is 8 p.m. Saturday, July

11 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Details and tickets at thehandlebar850.com.

MARIACHI HERENCIA DE MÉXICO Show is

7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at Pensacola Saenger, 118 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at pensacolasaenger.com.

WOODY GUTHRIE BIRTHDAY GATHERING All ages show. Bring a Woody Guthrie song, a folk song or a song of your own. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Show at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 12 at 309 Punk House, 309 N. Sixth Ave. Details available at instagram.com/shuttlepunx.

the Rabbit every Monday night. Sign-ups start at 6 p.m. and music starts at 6:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Visit facebook.com/algabeerco for more details.

MONDAY NIGHT BLUES AT SEVILLE QUARTER The Blues Society of Northwest Florida brings blues to Florida 7 p.m. Mondays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Food and drink specials start at 8 p.m. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

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.

LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY AT THE DISTRICT

Enjoy music and fine dining at The District: Seville Steak & Seafood, 123 E. Government St., every Tuesday through Thursday starting at 6 p.m. Their regular weekly schedule is Tuesday Night Jazz with Love Brynnevere, Wednesdays with Platinum Bones and Thursdays Dan Lovelock on the piano. They also have live music on Fridays and Saturdays during happy hour starting at 4 p.m. Visit facebook.com/districtsteaks for details and updates.

MUSIC RX: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED Jazz Pensacola and Escambia County

Medical Society present free concerts on the first Wednesday of the month in the cafeteria of Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, 5151 N. Ninth Ave. from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For more information, visit jazzpensacola.com.

ROSIE O'GRADY'S DUELING PIANO SHOW Watch the famous dueling piano show 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at Rosie O' Grady's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Doors open at 7 p.m.

NOCHE TROPICAL: LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER Presented by Latin Flavor En-

Show is 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at The Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Details and tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.

Sundays at the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.

OVERSIGHT Show is 7 p.m. Friday, July 17 at The

LIVE MUSIC AT CALVERT'S Listen to live mu-

Handlebar, 319 N. Tarragona St. Details and tickets available at thehandlebar850.com.

sic 5-8 p.m. Sundays at Calvert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. Visit facebook.com/calvertsintheheights for details.

HOUSE PARTY: A SWEATY LOVE LETTER TO THE 2010S RAGER Show is 9 p.m. Friday,

FOOD + DRINKS

July 9, 2026

Make sure your registration information is current. To check your registration status, click “Am I Registered?” at EscambiaVotes.gov. You may update your signature on file with our office at any time using a Florida Voter Registration Application. You can simply call or email us with an address change, or use a signed, written notice.

NOT REGISTERED?

Use our online voter portal at EscambiaVotes.gov, or complete a Florida Voter Registration Application available in our office and other area locations. You must return it to the Supervisor of Elections on or before the registration deadline of July 20, 2026.

CHANGE YOUR PARTY

To change your name or party affiliation use the online voter portal at EscambiaVotes.gov/register-to-vote or submit it on a Florida voter registration application.

Phone: (850) 595-3900 Fax: (850) 595-3914 Email: soe@escambiavotes.gov

VIBE IRIE REGGAE: LIVE IN THE COURTYARD Enjoy Vibe Irie Reggae band 4-10 p.m.

Club is hosted by Brett Patterson of Snake and

VOTE BY MAIL

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT GARY'S BREWERY

MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER

OPEN MIC AT ALGA BEER CO. Country

CHECK VOTER STATUS/UPDATE INFORMATION

Robert D. Bender, Supervisor of Elections

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.

July 17 at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at vinylmusichall.com.

The Registration and Party Change Deadline for the August 18th Election is July 20, 2026

tertainment every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Visit sevillequarter.com for more information.

UNDEROATH Show is 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at

Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Details and tickets available at vinylmusichall.com.

BE READY TO VOTE ON AUG. 18!

Request a vote-by-mail ballot using the online form at EscambiaVotes.gov, or by calling our office. Requests must include your drivers license or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Vote-by-mail requests must be received by August 6, 2026.

FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION

Take a moment to confirm your polling location before voting. Every voter will be mailed a sample ballot, which will include their current polling location. Or use one of the contact methods below to see where you can cast your ballot.

VIEW YOUR SAMPLE BALLOT

Sample ballots for all voters are online at EscambiaVotes.gov/sample-ballots and will be mailed to voters prior to early voting. You can check EscambiaVotes.gov or call us at (850) 595-3900 for more information.

EscambiaVotes.gov

Stock Market Losses?

Hire a lawyer who is a former Merril Lynch stock broker.

CCB BELGIAN BEER FEST Coastal County

Brewing Company is celebrating Belgian beers all day Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12. Located at 3041 E. Olive Road. Details at coastalcountybrewing.com/events.

11 East Romana Street | Pensacola, Fl 32502

genemitchell.org

15

a&e happenings WATERMELON FESTIVAL Food trucks, pet-

ting zoo and more 4-9 p.m. Friday, July 10 and 12-7 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Gary's Brewery, 208 Newman Ave. Details at facebook.com/garysbrew.

PERFECT POUR BEER FEST Local beer fest

features local breweries, American cookout, live music and vendor market 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

BLUES, BBQ AND BEER Event is 2-10

p.m. Saturday, July 11 at Odd Colony, 260 N. Palafox. Proceeds benefit The Campfire Fund of Florida, which raises money for mental health counseling. Details available at facebook.com/oddcolony.

VINO MAGNIFICO Sample five wine and

mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 14 at V. Paul's 29 S. Palafox St. Tickets are $20. RSVP online at vpauls.com.

VIVA LA FRANCE 17th annual Bastille Day din-

ner at Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14. Make reservations at jacksonsrestaurant.com/reservations-page.

COOKING WITH CHEF JEREMIAH TAYLOR: SUMMER IS IN FULL SWING Cook-

ing classes are 5 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15 at Jackson's Steakhouse, 400 S. Palafox St. Cost is $55 per person and includes demonstration, tastings, wine pairings and take-home rec-

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ipe booklet. Reservations are required. Make yours by calling (850) 777-0412 or email marthaanne@goodgrits.com.

SAN MARZANO SUPPER CLUB Five-course food and wine event at Angelena's, 101 E. Intendencia St. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16. Cost is $150. Reservations can be made online at angelenaspensacola.com/reservations or by calling (850) 542-8398.

DOWNTOWN HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Drink specials and laid-back vibes

are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every weekday throughout the entire Seville Quarter complex with $2 off all liquor drinks and $1 off all beer and wine. Must be 21 or older. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

MARTINI MONDAYS AT DOROTHY'S

Martini menu with specialty prices at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

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 at Wisteria, 3803 N. 12th Ave. Visit wisteriatavern.com for details.

BAR BINGO AT SEVILLE QUARTER Bar

Bingo is 8 p.m. Mondays at Apple Annie's at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Bingo is free to play with prizes, giveaways and bar tabs up for grabs for winners. Visit sevillequarter.com for details.

FIGHTER GAME NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S

Gamers unite 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

BINGO NIGHT AT CALVERT'S IN THE HEIGHTS Play bingo 6-8 p.m. Mondays at Cal-

vert's in the Heights, 670 Scenic Highway. For more information, visit calvertsintheheights.com.

MONDAY NIGHT SPAGHETTI SESSIONS

Visit V. Paul's Italian Ristorante, 29 S. Palafox St., 5-9 p.m. Mondays for live music and spaghetti and meatballs from the Monday night menu.

MARTINI NIGHT AT THE KENNEDY Every

Tuesday, The Kennedy, 1 S. Palafox St., hosts Martini Night, featuring all martinis from the menu for $10 from open to close (4-11 p.m.).

TRIVIA AT DOROTHY'S Play trivia 8 p.m.

Tuesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. It's free to play, and prizes are up for grabs. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

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. Tacos are on special 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.

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.

SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT AT DOROTHY'S Reverse happy hour from 9 p.m.-mid-

night with other specials Wednesdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

LATIN NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER Get

on your feet with a social Latin dance—no partner required—and Latin music 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at Phineas Phogg's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Drink specials and music from DJ DavidC continue after the dancing. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

TRIVIA WITH JAY 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.

COLLEGE NIGHT AT O'RILEY'S Specials with your college ID and music from live DJs. 8 p.m.midnight. Thursdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

inweekly.net

a&e happenings KARAOKE THURSDAY AT SIR RICHARD'S Karaoke is 9 p.m. Thursdays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details. at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.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.

KARAOKE AT DOROTHY'S Karaoke begins

JAMESON SPECIAL Enjoy $5 Jameson Irish

Whiskey all night Saturdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St.

MEMBERSHIP APPRECIATION NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER From 8 p.m.-mid-

night Saturdays, members enjoy $3.50 Crown & Drown cocktails at Phineas Phogg's inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

WEEKLY SATURDAY BRUNCH Brunch is 10

8 p.m. Thursdays at Dorothy's, 309 S. Reus St. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Enjoy a $10 bottle of champagne with food purchase. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

COLLEGE NIGHT AT SEVILLE QUARTER

LIVE DJ AT O'RILEY'S Dance to live DJ 10

College night is 8 p.m. Thursdays at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Ages 18 and older are welcome. Free beer pong tournament begins at 10 p.m. Drink specials include $2 bar drinks, $3.50 Fireball shots for ages 21 and older. Cover is $5 for ages 21 and older and $10 for ages 18-20. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

TAVERN TRIVIA Trivia is 9 p.m. Thursdays at

O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Visit orileystavern.com for details.

WEEKLY SINGO AT PERFECT PLAIN BREWING CO. Music Bingo Thursdays is 7-9 p.m. at Perfect Plain Brewing Co., 50 E. Garden St. Details are at facebook.com/perfectplainbrewingco.

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.

THEMED DANCE PARTIES Visit Dorothy's,

309 S. Reus St. Fridays for themed dance parties with DJ Brody P 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Visit dorothyspensacola.com for details.

FRIDAY HAPPY HOUR AT SEVILLE QUARTER Visit Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., on Fridays for cold drinks, hot food and great vibes in the End O' the Alley Courtyard at Seville Quarter. Happy hour begins 11 a.m. Fridays with drink and food specials.

SEVILLE QUARTER'S FLIP MY QUARTER

Seville Quarter is flipping the script—and a few quarters—with its brand-new happy hour promotion, Flip My Quarter, 6-8 p.m. Fridays throughout the Seville Quarter entertainment complex. When you order a domestic draft beer, well liquor cocktail or house wine, tell the bartender to "flip my quarter." When they flip it, call it in the air. If you call it right, your drink is free.

FISH FRY FRIDAYS Fish and chips featured 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays at Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

July 9, 2026

p.m.-2 a.m. Saturdays at O'Riley's Irish Pub, 321 S. Palafox St. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

B.A.R.E. NIGHT (BAR AND RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE NIGHT) Sunday nights at Seville

A CRAFTY SOUTHERN PUB WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

Quarter belong to hospitality industry. Head to End O' the Alley at Seville Quarter 7 p.m. Sundays for B.A.R.E. Night. Not a member yet? Stop by and sign up for your B.A.R.E. Card, and start enjoying the benefits immediately.

MON-THUR 2-10 | FRI-SAT 11-11 HAPPY HOUR MON-THUR 2-4

FREE POOL AND BAR BINGO AT O'RILEY'S TAVERN Enjoy free pool all day and play bar

UNIONPENSACOLA.COM

bingo 8 p.m. Sundays at O'Riley's Tavern, 3728 Creighton Road. Details are at orileystavern.com.

36 E. GARDEN ST. | 850.607.6320

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.

SEVILLE SUNDAY BRUNCH Sunday brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Palace Café and Courtyard inside Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., with soup and a salad bar, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, mimosas and champagne specials. Details are at sevillequarter.com.

SUNDAY BILLIARDS Rack 'em up in Fast Eddie's Billiards Room at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., with drink specials and a laid-back, air-conditioned atmosphere.

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 9 p.m. Visit orileyspub.com for details.

LADIES NIGHT KARAOKE AT SIR RICHARD'S Ladies Night is 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Mondays at

Sir Richard's Public House, 2719 E. Cervantes St. Visit sirrichardslounge.com for details.

FREE POOL Free pool all day Mondays at Mugs & Jugs, 12080 Scenic Highway. Visit mugsjugsbar.com for details.

ON AIR LIVE BAND KARAOKE Live out your rockstar dreams 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Lili Marlene's in Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., hosted

by Craig Stahl. Details are at sevillequarter.com. for more listings visit inweekly.net 17

free will astrology WEEK OF JULY 9 ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19): There are only

two types of humans, right? Some of us serve beauty, truth and goodness, while the rest pledge their allegiance to illusions, lies and shadows.

Our planet is now caught in a colossal showdown between these two sides. And it's high time for you to align yourself with one or the other. JUST KIDDING! The truth is far messier and more interesting: every one of us is a blend of luminosity and ignorance. And now is a perfect moment to study how those two currents move within you. When you clearly see how you contribute to the murky jumble, your commitment to love, harmony and justice will soar.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20): You'll move with style and purpose if you take quick jaunts, dare gentle risks and make a few nimble leaps of faith. You'll go awry and astray if you wander too far afield, chase swaggering adventures, or try vaulting across yawning chasms. Keep it light, sharp and intuitive, Taurus. Refrain from lugging heavy emotional baggage or drifting into daydream limbo. It'll be wise to trust your sprightly impulses, but foolish to dissect them so ruthlessly that the magic leaks out. The color amber and the number three will be your allies. Somber gray and the number four will not. Align with sly visionaries and soulful realists but sidestep bitter contrarians and nostalgic clingers.

What you're missing might be precisely what enables you to see what others can't.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20): I swear I'm

smarter in some places than in others. My intelligence soars in Barcelona, Kyoto, Aix-enProvence, France and Florence, Italy. But I seem dull-witted in Munich, Moscow and Washington, D.C. Even in Northern California, my long-time home, some areas bring out the best in me. I feel mediocre on Valencia Street in San Francisco, for instance, whereas I'm extra wise in downtown Berkeley. Why is this? The branch of astrology known as astrocartography says that my strengths

Adoption • Paternity • Dependency/DCF Hearings Prenuptial Agreements • Postnuptial Agreements Divorce • Child Custody and Timesharing Child Support • Child Support Modifications Alimony • Collaborative Divorce • Divorce Mediation • Pre-Suit Family Law Mediation

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By Rob Brezsny

are more likely to shine in certain spots than others. In the coming weeks, Gemini, I urge you to experiment with the possibility that this may be true for you, as well. Wander far and wide. Find out where you feel most aligned with your deep, bright, genuine self.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22): Male hump-

back whales in the Pacific Ocean change their songs over the years. New phrases can spread across thousands of miles as other whales take up and transform them. Researchers don't know why, but the pattern is clear: The whales value novelty even in their ancient rituals. They create an evolving musical tradition. Consider what this practice might suggest for your own relationship with the past, Cancerian. The memories and patterns you're carrying don't have to remain frozen. You can honor your history while remixing it, adding new verses and changing the key. What needs to be preserved isn't the exact form but the living spirit.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22): Leo-born ocean-

ographer Marie Tharp created the first comprehensive maps of the ocean floor. Her work was pivotal in proving theories about plate tectonics.​She did much of this work in the 1950s, when women weren't even allowed aboard research vessels. She had to rely on data collected by others, never seeing the terrain she mapped.

But her limitation became her advantage; distance allowed her to perceive patterns that field researchers missed. I suspect that you, too, are working with incomplete information, Leo. Does this disqualify you from drawing conclusions?

No! I believe your inability to access certain details will compel you to see larger patterns.

What you're missing might be precisely what enables you to see what others can't.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22): The "problem" confronting you right now is unusual: your vision is too sharp, your thinking too precise and your words too unambiguous. This would usually be good news to celebrate, but at the moment it's blocking you from noticing the subtle openings life is presenting. Those portals may only reveal themselves if you soften your intense scrutiny and call on a creative, blurry logic. It's like how, at night, you sometimes see more clearly when you peer from the edges of your vision rather than staring straight ahead.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22): This is a perfect moment to express your own unique power more than ever before. I invite you to act with conviction, assert your influence and claim what you've earned. For best results, clarify your ambitions and assert your authority. Write down a formal vow or two. Don't wait for approval from anyone higher up, and don't waste time wondering whether destiny is on your side. The succulent opportunities aren't somewhere else or someday later. They're here and now.

Where do you search for your awakenings and salvations?

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21): I'm exultant when a vigorous bike ride up the trail of my local mountain leaves me so cleansed and energized that a flash of truth strikes and instantly dissipates the illusions I've been clinging to. I get a delightful shock when, while wandering through a city's maze of asphalt and litter, a sudden breeze carries the earthy aroma of a rebellious garden. I love it when the reckless choices of misguided leaders jolt my community into doubling down on our quest for audacious harmony, inventive affection and untamed wisdom. How about you, dear Scorpio? Where do you search for your awakenings and salvations? Keep your inner radar tuned; they're circling close.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21): Sagittarian physicist Freeman Dyson (1923–2020) proposed that advanced extraterrestrial civilizations might build megastructures around stars to capture their energy. These "Dyson spheres" would be detectable from Earth as unusual infrared signatures. We haven't found any yet, but his idea revolutionized how we think about looking for alien intelligence. Moral of the story: valuable contributions can come from inventing the framework for how to search for unknown things. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, you might not solve problems, but you could redesign the questions.

You may not find the answers, but you could create better tools for exploration.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19): Do you have a muse? If not, please find one. You

shouldn't go another day without a provocative, inspiring presence to stir your imagination and drive you deliciously wild. If you already have a muse and that genius has been faithfully fueling your creative fire, bestow a reward. Give a gift or blessing that provides a muse-like boost to your muse. And if your existing muse has grown quiet lately, go off on an adventure together. Dream up plans to stimulate the bursts of kaleidoscopic energy that you two are capable of generating.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18): In some monastic traditions, practitioners engage in "work prayer." They transform ordinary labor into spiritual practice not by thinking holy thoughts while working, but by bringing complete presence and fond attention to ordinary labors. Chopping vegetables becomes meditation. Sweeping floors becomes devotion. The sacredness arises from their wholehearted attitude. This would be an excellent experiment for you to try, Aquarius. Divine solace and inspiration will arrive as you perform your daily duties with verve and gratitude. Try this: for a few days or even two weeks, approach routine duties and familiar obligations with a ceremonial reverence. Be joyful for the privilege of being alive in the most ordinary ways.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20): You've en-

tered a phase when your magnetism and charisma will expand as you focus on ruminating deeply about what's most meaningful to you.

Seeking out new teachers and fresh lessons will bring lucky breaks and helpful influences into your sphere. Each fresh insight will polish your allure, and every surge of curiosity will add to your glow. Be extra sexy and ultra smart: cosmic energies will work in your favor as you weave your id and intellect together.

HERE'S THE HOMEWORK: Imagine I say to you, "Teach me the most important things you know." tinyurl.com/s44s44s44 {in}

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news of the weird TODDLERS, MAN Gracie, a 3-year-old giraffe who wandered from her enclosure in Texas Hill Country, has returned home safely, the Associated Press reported on June 26.

The 1,200-pound giraffe was missing for two weeks before being spotted about four miles south of her home, Cedar Hollow Ranch, in Real County. The area is so remote that parts of it cannot be reached by car, sparking searches conducted by helicopter and drones. Since Gracie was within half a mile of water and surrounded by vegetation, and found on uninhabited private property, her owner had a little time to formulate the best method for bringing her back. "We didn't bother her," owner Vick Jones said. "She's got water. She looked in really good shape." The rescue operation took some careful planning that included coordinating with veterinarians to safely sedate the giraffe before moving her to two different trailers to drive her back to the ranch. Jones believes Gracie left from an area of the ranch that didn't have a gate. The other giraffes at the ranch had never wandered over there, and there was no gate because installing one would have meant jackhammering through rock to put it up. After Grace's great escape, though, Jones has plans to build a fence. [AP, 6/26/26] WATER BABY On Saturday, June 27, a woman went into labor at the Wet 'N Wild Emerald Pointe Waterpark in Greensboro, North Carolina, People reported. According to one witness, the delivery happened in the women's bathroom. "Just casually leaving Wet 'N Wild today and they start bringing a lady out of the bathroom with a baby," he said on social media. "They delivered her baby in the bathroom.

The whole park clapped and she rolled off on the stretcher." A spokesperson for the Guilford County Emergency Medical Services said that both mother and baby are doing well. "Our Paramedics, advanced EMTs and EMTs are always ready to meet patients where they are, and sometimes that includes a water park on a hot summer day. Emergencies do not wait for ideal circumstances, and neither do we," Scott Muthersbaugh, the public information officer for Guilford County Emergency Services, said.

[People, 6/29/26] OOPS An unfortunate translation error raised some eyebrows in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. According to UPI, posters meant to reference "public squares" were posted in both English and France around the Centretown area to promote the city's "Uncommon Spaces" initiative. However, the French version of the signs— "Placettes Pubiques"—was missing a key letter in the second word, making it read as "pubic squares" instead. The signs were taken down, but not before making the rounds on social media. "This was an unintentional translation error that made its way into production," Sabrina Lemay, executive director of the Centretown Business Improvement Area, said. "As soon as we became aware of it, we took steps to have it corrected." City officials were not involved in

By the Editors at Andrews McMeel

the mistake, and city councilor Stephanie Plante expressed frustration over the ordeal. "We want to attract Francophones. We want people from Gatineau to come here and participate in our events," she said. "I think they'll think we're taking this a bit lightly when we make mistakes like 'publiques' without the 'l.'" [UPI, 6/29/26] ROAST BEEF WITH A SIDE OF HERPES Former Arby's manager Amanda Hendricks, 38, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, has been charged with poisoning food/medicine with intent to injure after spitting into a customer's sandwich, causing the customer to contract herpes. On June 22, The Smoking Gun reported that Jennica Church, 38, contracted oral herpes, with symptoms such as cold sores and painful lesions, after consuming one of her 4-for-$10 roast beef sandwiches. The remaining three were shared with family members, who did not get sick. When Church's daughter heard rumors of Hendricks bragging that she had spit in Church's food, Church contacted police, who served a warrant to Arby's for their surveillance tapes. In the affidavit, Officer Zane Mann described the video: "Amanda has the meat in her hands and lifts it to neck level and leans her head down and you can see the saliva leave her mouth and go into the sandwich."

When he contacted Hendricks about coming to the station for an interview, she told him she couldn't get there due to lack of transportation, but she confessed anyway. "While speaking with Amanda, she made the utterance that I have the footage, and she was not going to waste my time," Mann said. "Yes, she did it." Church has filed a lawsuit against Hendricks and Arby's. [The Smoking Gun, 6/22/26] SMOOTH CRIMINAL On June 24, Nadi Jabari, 46, was arrested in Hillsborough County, Florida, after he tried to impersonate law enforcement and conduct a traffic stop, complete with the familiar red and blue flashing lights, WKRN reported. Unluckily for him, the car he pulled over was an undercover vehicle that belonged to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

The detectives quickly turned the tables and conducted a traffic stop of their own on Jabari.

Their search of his black Chevrolet Suburban yielded an illegal emergency light installation, an emergency light bar and a firearm. Jabari has been charged with false impersonation, unlawful use of blue light, and possession of a firearm.

"When someone falsely presents themselves as law enforcement, they threaten the trust that exists between deputies and the community we serve," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "This individual's actions were dangerous, deliberate, and illegal. We will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to impersonate a deputy and use that deception to intimidate or endanger others."

[WKRN, 6/28/26] {in}

From Andrews McMeel Syndication News Of The Weird © 2026 Andrews McMeel

••••Dream. Inspire. Remember.••••

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NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION Museum • More than 150 beautifully resorted aircraft • Hangar Bay One with an expanded Apollo Space exhibit, Marine One helicopter and F/A-18 Hornet • Giant 4K Screen Digital Theater, cafe’, simulators, museum store and more!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: • Access to the museum is through the West Gate on Blue Angel Pkwy.

• A REAL ID or valid passport is required for base access • A clear bag policy is in effect.

See free Blue Angels practices most Tuesday and Wednesdays. Scan the QR code for all the details and premium seating options.

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Send your weird news items to WeirdNewsTips@amuniversal.com July 9, 2026

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Independent News | July 9, 2026 | inweekly.net