Portal:Current events/2007 August

August 2007

August 29 - James Ross, a Junior ROTC instructor and coach at Northview High School and occasional host of WEBY program "Your Turn," is killed in a motorcycle accident. August 28 - The Escambia County School Board votes 4-1 to reject about $2.5 million of state money for teacher bonuses, hoping to find a solution that will better reward teachers based on merit. Former Bellview Middle School teacher John William McNair is ordered to remain detained while awaiting his trial on child pornography charges. August 24 - The Harry G. Gowens Memorial Park on is dedicated on Pensacola Beach. August 23 - Escambia County Commissioners cancel the planned purchase of a $1.4 million property following disclosures of a relationship between the sellers and County Administrator George Touart. August 21 - Rinker Materials withdraws a proposal to lease 3.5 acres at the Port of Pensacola following a 3-2 vote by the Enterprise Operations Committee to reject the lease, but before it could be considered again by the 10-member Pensacola City Council. August 21 - The Pensacola News Journal reports an undisclosed business and social relationship between Escambia County Administrator George Touart and developer Neal Nash, from whose company the county plans to purchase a large tract of land near Bauer Road. August 20 - The Pensacola City Council agrees to review a proposal for a "strong mayor" government, while the Enterprise Operations Committee votes 3-2 not to grant an additional industrial lease at the Port of Pensacola. August 20 - Escambia County School District classes begin for the first time since the completion of the reorganization plan that closed Woodham High School and four other middle schools. August 18 - Lee Shortt dies from apparent decompression sickness while diving at the USS Oriskany artificial reef. August 17 - Disbarred attorney Vince Whibbs, Jr. is sentenced to four years in state prison for stealing from clients' trust accounts to fund his private investments. August 17 - Equipment used in the construction on the Interstate 10 bridge falls, injuring five Tidewater Skanska Flatiron workers. August 16 - The Escambia County Commission votes to take over full control of the West Florida Public Library system, while shifting the Escambia County Area Transit bus system to the City of Pensacola, which has not yet approved the deal. August 10 - Reverend Hugh King's attorney, Barry Beroset, argues to have evidence of King's cocaine possession suppressed, claiming the police search that led to its discovery was illegal. August 2 - The Escambia County Commission votes 4-0 to purchase a 217-acre property on Bauer Road from Martine's Corporation, despite business ties (undisclosed at the time) between the seller and Escambia County Administrator George Touart. August 2 - Patrick Nobles is found guilty of violating the terms of his probation related to the August 20, 2003 crash that killed his passenger Todd Currie.