Sheriff’s Office spotlights domestic violence
PANAMA CITY — No one seemed to see it coming before John Bowen, 46, shot and killed his long-time girlfriend Donna Merendino,44, twice with a short-barrel shotgun before turning the gun to end his own...
View ArticleRutherford High’s original Rams huddle one last time
PANAMA CITY — Rutherford High School’s first graduating class concluded its 50th and final reunion Saturday. Nostalgic tunes piped through Jim’s Hot Rod Shop as members of the Class of 1964 milled...
View ArticleParker to consider two franchise agreements
PARKER— The Parker City Council on Tuesday will consider a natural gas franchise agreement with Tampa Electric Company. The council had previously approved an agreement with TECO, which would amount...
View ArticleVoter registration deadline looms
PANAMA CITY — If you want to have a say in who represents Florida in Washington or Tallahassee, or whether sick people are allowed to use marijuana without being arrested, there's very little time...
View ArticleAll Bay bars may close early in March
PANAMA CITY — At Oasis Liquors in Panama City, business can be slow at the bar until 2 a.m., bartender Cassandra Steele said. “It could be dead from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m., and at 2, we have a house...
View ArticleCommission to vote on gun range plan
PANAMA CITY — The Bay County Commission on Tuesday is scheduled to vote on a comprehensive agreement with a state agency to operate a new gun range in Bay County. The commission will consider...
View ArticleBay County real estate sales up
PANAMA CITY — The Bay County real estate market has continued to climb this year, with the number of closed sales showing a steady uptick over 2013. Closed sales for the first quarter of 2014 showed a...
View ArticleHospitals, health department prepared for Ebola
PANAMA CITY — While an encounter with Ebola seems unlikely in Bay County, local health officials are preparing to contain the deadly virus, just in case. Mike Ralston, public information officer for...
View ArticlePedestrian dies in crash
WEWAHITCHKA — A woman standing in State Road 71 in Calhoun County was killed early Saturday when she was hit by vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Carlee J. Daniels, 43, of...
View ArticleKrewe of St. Andrews offers scholarship
PANAMA CITY — The Krewe of St. Andrews is seeking people who need financial help to pursue post-secondary education in Bay County. Applicants must be county residents over 23 years old who are...
View ArticlePioneer Settlement seeks volunteers
BLOUNTSTOWN — The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement is looking for volunteers and demonstrators of pioneer-era crafts for its Pioneer Day on Oct. 18. For more information, call 850-674-2777 or email...
View ArticleWho should really be No. 1 in college football?
There’s a common belief among “experts” that there shouldn’t be any college-football rankings until after Week 6 of the season. Well, we’re six weeks in and it’s time to parcel out the good from the...
View ArticleEDA to welcome new vice president
PANAMA CITY — Bay County will welcome a new face in economic development in the coming weeks. The Bay County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) recently hired a senior vice president to aid in its...
View ArticleMaintenance on Hathaway Bridge rescheduled
PANAMA CITY — Routine bridge maintenance work in the westbound travel lanes of U.S. 98 across the Hathaway Bridge in Bay County has been rescheduled to Oct. 13 through Oct. 17 due to weather...
View ArticleLaw firm claims medical pot already legal, citing Bay County case
TALLAHASSEE — A Jacksonville law firm has created a firestorm in the already heated debate about whether Floridians should allow doctors to order medical marijuana for sick patients. Lawyer Ian...
View ArticlePanama City Beach land owner appeals parking-in-back mandate
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Real estate agent Jason Oakes said common sense dictates parking should be in front of a beach bar and restaurant instead of the back, where people want to enjoy the scenic Gulf...
View ArticleFlower show an alternative art form
PANAMA CITY — Sandra McQuagge entered the Panama City Garden Club’s Fall Flower Show for the first time in 1972. “It’s been something we’ve been doing for years,” she said. McQuagge, this year’s...
View ArticlePCPD officer fired, charged with grand theft
PANAMA CITY — A Panama City Police officer has been arrested and fired after allegedly stealing an Apple iPad on its way to the police property holding room. Officer Brandon Mistric, 33, has been...
View ArticleAltha woman dies after crash
MARIANNA — An Altha woman has died from a single car collision that launched her car about 100 feet, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports. Betty Louise Grover, 72, was taken by helicopter to a...
View ArticleSpringfield endorses homeless shelter ordinance
SPRINGFIELD — A map unveiled Monday of the area included in a proposed ordinance limiting homeless shelters shows the restricted area covers nearly the entire city. If eventually approved, the...
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