UPDATE: Sony cancels 'The Interview' release
NEW YORK (AP) — Under the threat of terrorist attacks from hackers and with the nation's largest multiplex chains pulling the film from their screens, Sony Pictures Entertainment took the...
View ArticleMan charged in kidnapping
PANAMA CITY — Authorities have apprehended a Panama City man in connection with a broad daylight abduction of a woman at gunpoint, Panama City Police Department announced Wednesday. Freddy Lee Thomas,...
View ArticleBerg booms: Natural gas demand keeping Panama City plant busy
PANAMA CITY — Business is booming at Berg Steel Pipe Corp. After about a year of slow activity, things have turned around in a big way for the Panama City-based manufacturer, which now has an order...
View ArticleLocal gay couple relishes opportunity to marry
CHIPLEY — It is somewhat ironic Steve Schlairet and Ozzie Russ plan to wait at least a few months to get legally married, considering they fought the state in a lawsuit for the right to wed and now...
View ArticleWhat's Happening (Thursday-Sunday)
What's Happening in the area through the weekend: Thursday, Dec. 18 WINTER RESIDENTS PROGRAM:Monday through Friday at The Ark, 19208 Hibiscus St., Panama City Beach. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wood Shop. 10...
View ArticleBroken treetop hanging on wire gets holiday decor
INDIAN ISLAND, Wash. (AP) — Some Washington state residents are getting in the holiday spirit by decorating a Douglas fir that toppled onto an unused utility line in a recent windstorm and looks like...
View ArticleSchool Board may change clinic operator
PANAMA CITY — The School Board tentatively agreed Thursday to hire a new company to operate the health clinic for Bay District Schools employees at a cost of more than $1 million a year. In a special...
View ArticleLawmakers to consider greyhound injury bill
TALLAHASSEE — With the Senate expected to take up the issue during the first week of the legislative session, a South Florida House member filed a bill Thursday that would set reporting requirements...
View ArticleIt’s a ‘Wonderful’ live radio play at the Martin
PANAMA CITY — Just as the movie starring Jimmy Stewart harkens to a simpler time, the stage version presented this weekend at the Martin Theatre is reminiscent of the era when families gathered around...
View ArticleAirmen honor veterans in Lynn Haven
LYNN HAVEN — Master Sgt. Susan Hammond of Okaloosa County lost two teammates in Afghanistan. An IED explosion took them both out at once. She could not be at their graves Saturday but she felt like...
View ArticleYouth baseball league official arrested
APALACHICOLA — The secretary of Apalachicola’s Dixie Youth Baseball League has been arrested in connection with several thousands of dollars being taken from the league’s banking account, the Franklin...
View ArticleSchool grades drop in 3 of 7 local high schools
PANAMA CITY — Three of seven local high schools were given lower grades in school testing this year, but school officials say the marks are deceiving. The preliminary high school grades released...
View ArticleKiller sentenced to 45 years
PANAMA CITY — A disabled man who shot his wife and killed her lover was sentenced Thursday to 45 years in prison — a term that would amount to a life sentence, according to his defense attorney....
View ArticlePort Panama City looks toward Cuban trade
PANAMA CITY — As the U.S. government moves to ease trade restrictions with Cuba, officials at Port Panama City hope the action soon could help boost business at the facility. “We have been interested...
View ArticleUPDATE: Springfield police probe shooting death
SPRINGFIELD — Police are investigating the shooting of a man found dead in a car Thursday morning as a homicide. Cagney Aaron Benson, 29, was found in a 2009 Chevy Cobalt that was parked and not...
View ArticleOur View: Property rights should win out despite the cost
Did downtown Panama City lose when Joey Chapman, the owner of the Marie Hotel, won? We certainly hope not but the future is unclear. The plan to demolish the Marie Hotel and build a new structure with...
View ArticleCeltic Bank announces new hire
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Celtic Bank, a nationwide institution specializing in small business loans, recently announced Deborah Fowler as the new relationship coordinator for its Florida office. As...
View ArticleChristmas Lights to honor the life of Janene Melvin
CALLAWAY — Covenant Hospice has been chosen as the benefactor of the annual Christmas Lights Celebration hosted by Joe Melvin and family on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The celebration will be...
View ArticleBay unemployment rate remains flat
PANAMA CITY — Bay County's unemployment rate remained flat last month and the area's labor force declined, according to figures released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Friday....
View ArticleHanukkah still a low-key holiday
PANAMA CITY — Hanukkah started Tuesday and the local Jewish community is looking forward to a “joyful holiday.” While many Christians lament the commercialization of Christmas, Temple B’Nai Israel...
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