Here’s a roundup of our top stories from the past week.
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Pensacola’s Old Confederate Monument Site May Fund Historical Tourism
The heart of Florida Square, where Pensacola’s Confederate monument once stood, could become the source of funding for a permanent trail to America’s First Settlement.
The A1S Trail Foundation is seeking permission to sell carved bricks on the grassy field where the Confederate monument stood before it was removed in 2020.
Michael Carro, a Pensacola commercial real estate agent and founder of A1S Trail, told the Pensacola Parks and Recreation Commission on Jan. 20 that the group is seeking to raise funds to build the entire 3-mile trail with bricks instead of red paint.
Old Confederate monument sites: Pensacola’s Old Confederate Monument Site May Fund Historical Tourism
Pensacola native’s advancement on ‘American Idol’ makes Luke Bryan cry
Pensacola-born and raised gospel singer Keyla Richardson has landed a coveted golden ticket to “American Idol” after an exciting audition on Monday night’s Season 24 premiere.
Richardson was able to audition in front of a panel of celebrities including Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, and her soulful rendition of P!nk’s “Glitter in the Air” even brought Bryan to tears. After three unanimous “yes” votes, the judges gave her the green light, clearing the way for her to participate in Hollywood Week.
American Idol: Pensacola native’s advancement on ‘American Idol’ makes Luke Bryan cry
Prime & Beyond is now open and turning heads with its tender Wagyu steaks
Prime & Beyond Wagyu Steakhouse is now open to the public at 650 E. Nine Mile Road.
Chef (and owner) Wayan Sumadi plans to slowly open the doors to this charming new Pensacola restaurant, but since its soft opening last week, customers have been flocking to get their first taste of Sumadi’s famously tender Wagyu steaks.
The service will initially be open for dinner only, but as the restaurant gets into its groove, the service will gradually offer the same quality lunch menu at lower prices.
Pensida Cola Wagyu Steakhouse: Prime & Beyond is now open and turning heads with its tender Wagyu steaks
Pensacola’s Project Maeve received an A rating and plans to create 2,000 jobs with an average income of $80,000. salary
Pensacola has taken a major first step toward securing a $76 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast that will allow it to expand the Port of Pensacola to welcome Burden’s southern headquarters as well as an advanced shipbuilding facility. On Jan. 28, the board voted unanimously to approve the project concept.
Economists at Triumph Gulf Coast gave the project, then known as “Project Maeve,” an “A” grade, concluding that for every $1 Triumph spent on the project, it would generate $33.60 in additional household income in Northwest Florida.
Maeve Project: Pensacola’s Project Maeve received an A rating and plans to create 2,000 jobs with an average income of $80,000. salary
Pensacola estimates that the Maeve project will bring up to 2,000 jobs to the Port of Pensacola, with 1,437 jobs with an average annual salary of $68,000 and 563 jobs with an average annual salary of $112,000.
Project Burden Pensacola Headquarters: Triumph approves first $76 million grant for Project Maeve. shipyard naming
Council on Aging stops dining at Cobb Center in Pensacola over ‘bullying’
Since August, elderly residents on Pensacola’s East Side have had to look for hot meals at community centers elsewhere.
The West Florida Council on Aging has been providing daily meals and other programs to seniors at the Cobb Resource Center in Pensacola for more than 20 years, with about 60 people regularly attending — the highest-attended senior meal site among city-owned centers, according to city officials. But in August, the nonprofit withdrew from the center, citing repeated and unaddressed “bullying” behavior by a city employee.
Earlier this month, Pensacola resident Rosa Johnson spoke at a City Council meeting calling for steps to bring the Council on Aging back to the Cobb Center.
Premium meal: Council on Aging stops dining at Cobb Center in Pensacola over ‘bullying’
This article originally appeared in the Pensacola News-Journal: Top Pensacola News American Idol, Wagyu Steakhouse and more