This week has had heads turned toward more national headlines, but there's still plenty going on right here at home. Here's a few of our best stories from the past week that are available to subscribers only.
Fentanyl deaths in Escambia County surged with a 354% increase from 2020 to 2021. In 2021, Escambia County paramedics administered 1,391 doses of Narcan. So what can we do about it?
In lighter news, a new horror film called "Savage" has started filming locally and features a cast full of actors and actresses local to Northwest Florida.
Just days before a town hall on the future restoration of Carpenter Creek, the Florida Department of Transportation is beginning a project that has environmental advocates outraged over the department's commitment to the health of the creek.
And last up, Pensacola is getting a Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux on Airport Boulevard with a target opening slated for June.
April restaurant inspections: Over 50 live roaches found in Pensacola eatery, forcing brief closure
Best burger?: Brown Bagger food truck reputation growing as best burger joint in Pensacola
New horror film 'Savage' features full Northwest Florida cast, crew
What goes bump in the night in the Pensacola area? It could be Eglin, or it could be the filming of a new horror movie called 'Savage,' which features a cast full of Northwest Florida natives.
Javan Garza grew up watching action and horror movies with his dad, and the trappings and clichés of horror classics like "Alien" and "The Exorcist" always intrigued him.
"Savage" is about a woman, Sky, who is on a quest to spread her father's ashes as she revisits her childhood lodge with her husband and brother, only to be stalked by a dangerous entity disguised as a park ranger.
Full story: Horror film 'Savage' will feature a full cast and crew of Northwest Florida natives
'How is that normal?' Surge in Escambia County fentanyl deaths raises alarms
Talk to local residents about issues that plague the county and you'll likely hear more than a few people mention the fentanyl problem. Drug issues aren't as easy to see as aging infrastructure or employment woes. So how big of a problem is fentanyl in Escambia County?
Well, as of Tuesday, Escambia County paramedics have responded to 675 overdose calls in 2022.
Most, if not all, of these calls are overdoses on opioid drugs, specifically fentanyl, according to Escambia County Emergency Medical Services Chief David Torsell.
Last year, Escambia County paramedics administered 1,391 doses of Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
Bowden Madden said the State Medical Examiner's Office, which serves Northwest Florida, reported 65 deaths caused by fentanyl overdose in 2020, and in 2021, that number increased by 354% to 295.
Full story: Northwest Florida sees 354% increase in fentanyl deaths
Pensacola's getting a Walk-On's on Airport Blvd. Here's what to expect