Top stories of the week: Arcade bar, new restaurants, Perdido Bay pollution and more
This week saw a flurry of issues involving illegal pumping into Perdido Bay and more contractor violations.
There was good news as well with new restaurants and a new arcade bar coming to the Pensacola area.
Keep reading to see our best subscriber-only stories of the week.
Brunch: Looking for a great brunch in Pensacola? You can't go wrong with any of these 12 spots.
Subdivision developers caught polluting Perdido Bay
Full story: Illegal pumping at Emerald Heights subdivision pollutes Perdido Bay
Residents of the Halcyon Drive/Halcyon Circle neighborhood of Perdido Key reported last week that construction crews at the Emerald Heights subdivision project were pumping pollutants into Perdido Bay.
On Monday, they were infuriated to learn the pollution was still ongoing.
Last Thursday, the Northwest Florida Water Management District stepped in to stop workers at Emerald Heights who were releasing water and sediments from a stormwater pond into a wetland that feeds into the bay.
The retention pond was being emptied so that crews could somehow modify it, according to Water Management District spokesman Jim Lamar.
Constructors could face fines for polluting Perdido Bay
Full story: A contractor pumped muddy water into Perdido Bay, twice. What is the state doing about it?
Gulf Atlantic Constructors, a company identified as being responsible for pumping dirty water into Perdido Bay, is being investigated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for potential water quality violations.
Residents of Halcyon Circle reported last week that muddy water was being pumped out of a pond on the Emerald Heights subdivision construction site and into a creek feeding wetlands that empty into Perdido Bay. One report said the plume of turbid water extended more than 1,000 feet into the bay.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District ordered the pumping halted on Thursday as a violation of the terms of the project contractor's environmental resource permit, but on Monday muddy water was again observed entering the bay from the construction site.
Week 5 Preview: Following stroke, PHS' Tyson to call plays vs. Gulf Breeze
Full story: Week 5 Preview: Pensacola High's Cantrell Tyson to call plays days removed from a stroke
The last time the Pensacola High School football team faced an opponent, it did so in the midst of scary circumstances.
During the second half of the Tigers' loss at Pine Forest on Sept. 10, head coach Cantrell Tyson suffered a heat-related stroke on the sideline. He was later taken to the Intensive Care Unit at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital.
In the team’s first game since the incident, Tyson will have a headset on again when Pensacola is host to Gulf Breeze at 7 p.m. Thursday from Jim Scoggins Stadium.
Three new restaurants to join University Town Center on East Nine Mile
Full story: Three new restaurants coming to University Town Center on Nine Mile. See what they are:
University Town Center on Nine Mile Road is soon to get a new round of cuisine from all around the world with three new restaurants secured to enter the mix.
The new eateries have planted their signs on the shopping strip at 1741 East Nine Mile Road that is currently home to other popular restaurants in the area, such as VooDoo BBQ & Grill and Firehouse Subs. The bustling complex also hosts a Publix grocery store and a Target.
Construction is in the works for all three locations, though opening dates have yet to be released.
The Grid Arcade Bar brings old-fashioned fun to Pensacola's west side
Full story: The Grid Arcade Bar debuts in west Pensacola this month, restoring over 30 nostalgic games
The Grid Arcade Bar is bringing West Pensacola a blast from the past through its adult "bar-cade" hangout space that opened early this month.
The arcade, packed with over 30 nostalgic video games, also contains a package store setup of beer and wine with more alcohol offerings to come.
Guests are greeted by '80s-themed music videos playing on the big screen under the neon lights that illuminate the space.
The Grid owner Daniel Demeter said the project was motivated less by liking video games, and more by his fascination with the restoration process.
Contractor violations, state inaction leaves Navarre homeowner on hook for $35K in repairs
Full story: Contractor violations, state inaction leaves Navarre homeowner on hook for $35K in repairs
Amid increased scrutiny of Escambia County contractors and the organizational boards that oversee them, a Florida state agency seemingly took no disciplinary action on a contractor Santa Rosa County flagged for ordinance violations.
The agency's inaction may leave one of the contractor's clients on the hook for repairing tens of thousands of dollars worth of faulty construction.
Navarre resident Charles Frieders bought a home on Longview Street in August 2017 built by Grant Vanlandingham, a certified state contractor in Florida, who also built a retaining wall behind the residence.
But after Frieders learned the wall was failing, he discovered Vanlandingham never pulled a permit to construct it and never received final inspections.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola arcade bar, new restaurants, Perdido Bay pollution | Top stories
