Escambia County District 4 Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger is partnering with Escambia EMS to host a free community CPR class, March 18.

Let’s roll!

Friday: Krewe of Lafitte, Saturday; Pensacola Mardi Gras and Sunday: is the 46th annual Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras parade on Pensacola Beach.

Colleges across the country schedule Spring Break from mid February to late April. Look to see who’s out when in our “Too Early to Talk Spring Break.”

Pensacola Beach’s favorite Tuesday night tradition, Bands on the Beach, returns for the 2026 season starting April 7. This year’s lineup features a diverse mix of musical styles and performers, including several bands and artists making their debut at Bands on the Beach

Pensacola Beach renourishment project: The start date is now anticipated during the week of February 16, but is subject to change due to weather and equipment. Some equipment is located in a roped off area at Park West. Pipeline landings #1 and #2 have been installed.

The Santa Rosa Island Authority at their January 28 full board meeting discussed renewal requests for leases which had just been renewed for a second 99 year term; and, approval of a pier that has the attention of DEP, neighbors.

Pensacola Beach Gateway Project brings lane closures to Pensacola Beach Blvd between the Bob Sikes Toll Facility and the water tanks.

North and Southbound, inside lanes temporary closure starts January 29.

The Escambia County Development Services Department has received reports of fraudulent emails claiming to represent the Escambia County Planning Board, requesting immediate payment to approve rezoning request applications.

According to the National Weather Service of Mobile, a cold front is expected to arrive in Escambia County Saturday evening, Jan. 17, bringing rain and cooler temperatures. Additionally, a low-pressure system will develop in the Gulf, bringing a low chance for snow late Saturday evening into early Sunday morning.

Comment period open until January 23 for New federal offshore drilling plan to open more oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf across the Gulf of Mexico and other sensitive waters across America.

Escambia, Santa Rosa counties and the Santa Rosa Island Authority have each passed resolutions in opposition.

Conde Nast Traveler’s readers picked Pensacola Beach as the Best Beach!

“Taking the top spot on this list, Pensacola is so much more than its beach…”

Sign Up for Classes Today

Escambia County EMS offers CPR and AED classes to the public. EMS employees teach the hands-on class, and students taking part in either course will gain a wealth of knowledge, learning the proper techniques of CPR and the use of an AED.

If you have a feeling you have read this story before, you are probably right. Since we reprint this fantasy every year at Christmastime, it slides comfortably into Beach lore. We believe it should be repeated every year, because it has good thoughts. It’s all about a devoted married couple, unbroken friendships, loving, sharing, and living life in the exotic lane. It also reveals the secret that thousands of people who visit Pensacola Beach never want to leave, but like Santa some insurmountable obstacle stands in their way. It teaches us that families all over the world are really just like us, Beach folks in their hearts. And all of us Beach dwellers know the lesson we learn from it - that no matter what issues are lapping at our shores, we will somehow protect our enchanted way of life.

We will prevail because every Christmas Eve we are blessed with a sprinkling of elfin dust when Santa stops by to check on his property.

Hey, Santa and Rosa, your island is alive and well.

Escambia County announced the Pensacola Beach Gateway Project will begin in January. Current toll booth will be demolished, overhead gantry will be installed. Read more for details about the $6,559,570 project.

Escambia County has released the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Board of County Commissioners' Annual Report, highlighting numerous county projects, programs, initiatives and accomplishments from the last fiscal year. The Annual Report is available to view online. Click here: escambia-county-annual-report-2024-2025.pdf

Pensacola’s Sister Cities International is ready to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday with a 2026 membership drive, their annual Galvez Essay Contest and a myriad of events in May.

It’s getting very merry on Pensacola Beach. Santa is everywhere and the parties and parades are wrapped, stacked and ready for you!

The Federal government is proposing an aggressive expansion of offshore drilling that would bring rigs  closer to Florida than ever before, threatening the state’s coastal economy and way of life. The new Five Year Plan opens 19.98 million acres of Florida waters to drilling.

The Pensacola Beach Community Church invites every to attend their Advent Series, “FInding Christ in Bedford Falls; The Reconciled Life of George Bailey.” Over three consecutive Wednesdays — December 3, 10, and 17, from Noon to 1:00, in Randle Hall, at The Beach Church (920 Panferio Drive)

The 2025 Jessica Bibza Partner of the Year Award is presented to Rick O’Connor. O’Connor is an Escambia County Extension and Sea Grant agent, who writes “Nature Notes” for Island Times.

His presence in the community is felt deeply because of his unwavering dedication and passion for environmental stewardship