Man charged with sex crime
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Police have arrested a 31-year-old man on charges he inappropriately touched a 7-year-old child, according to a Panama City Beach Police Department press release Robert E....
View ArticleMan charged with molestation
FOUNTAIN — A 50-year-old Fountain man has been arrested after allegedly telling investigators an 11-year-old asked to have sex with him, according to Bay County Sheriff’s Office records. John Patrick...
View ArticleWilson takes helm at Preble-Rish
PORT ST. JOE — Preble-Rish Consulting Engineers welcomed a new leader Monday, who brings both public and private-sector experience to the company. Cliff Wilson, who most recently served as interim...
View ArticleSexual battery victim driven across county line before escape
FOUNTAIN — Authorities are investigating a sexual battery and abduction after an alleged assailant drove a woman more than eight miles to a Fountain grocery store, officials confirmed Monday....
View ArticleWomen charged in drug bust
PANAMA CITY — Police have seized large quantities of controlled substances after receiving complaints from neighboring residents of an alleged drug house, the Panama City Police Department officials...
View ArticleCycling for a cause: Pot smoker on road to promote medical marijuana
PANAMA CITY — Ken Locke was nearly killed in November 2001 when a tree fell on him and caved in his skull, but it was nothing 12 screws and six metal plates couldn’t fix. Well, 12 screws, six plates...
View ArticleEmpty Stocking Fund tallies final donations
PANAMA CITY — The Empty Stocking Fund is used to support families in need at Christmas, but contributions did not stop on the big day. Last week, the final batch of donations brought in $1,902.09, led...
View ArticleSame-sex marriage licenses on horizon; local clerks no longer perform weddings
PANAMA CITY — While same-sex couples can legally obtain a marriage license starting Tuesday, they will not be able to get married in most Panhandle county courthouses. Bay County stopped performing...
View ArticleP.C. teen seriously injured while incarcerated in Okaloosa County
CRESTVIEW — An investigation is underway at the Department of Juvenile Justice’s Okaloosa Youth Academy after a Panama City teenager was seriously injured last week in an incident with an employee....
View ArticleGun in Ayers fatal shooting to be inspected
PANAMA CITY — A gun that discharged and killed a father the day he brought home his newborn child will undergo further inspection for defects as the accused shooter’s day in court approaches,...
View ArticleNew ZooWorld owners in PCB plan for new exhibits, animals
PANAMA CITY BEACH — New animals and exhibits may be on the way for ZooWorld in Panama City Beach, according to a news release issued Monday by the facility’s new owners. Kayte Wanko, a 15-year zoo...
View ArticleOur View: A beach view turned to mulch
We wonder if visitors to Bay County’s landfill will notice the Christmassy vibe. The county is once again collecting used Christmas trees and plans to turn them into mulch and cover for the landfill....
View ArticleGay marriage ban ends as couples wed throughout Florida
KISSIMMEE (AP) — Florida's ban on same-sex marriage ended statewide at the stroke of midnight Monday, and court clerks in some counties wasted no time, issuing marriage licenses and performing...
View ArticleSpringfield officials to examine water meter system in Alabama
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Commission on Monday approved a trip for City Clerk Lee Penton, Public Works Director Lee French and Budget Director Lauren Laramore to Bridgeport, Ala. to check out...
View ArticleDrake preparing for 2016 re-election bid
TALLAHASSEE — Newly elected state Rep. Brad Drake has taken the first formal step toward running again in 2016, according to the state Division of Elections website. Drake, a Eucheeanna Republican who...
View ArticlePatronis to take PSC oath Thursday
TALLAHASSEE — Incoming Commissioner Jimmy Patronis will take the oath of office Thursday following his appointment to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) by Gov. Rick Scott in September 2014....
View ArticleMajka offered Bay County manager job
PANAMA CITY — Cocoa Beach City Manager Bob Majka will be the next Bay County manager if he and the county can agree on a contract and pass a background check. Bay County Commissioners on Tuesday...
View ArticleSimple savings: Make easy, healthy recipes within budget
PANAMA CITY — Getting back into the school and work routine this week doesn’t have to mean breaking New Year’s healthy resolutions or your budget for quick meals. But coming up with meals to cook that...
View ArticleBCSO: Man charged after hit-and-run crash
CALLAWAY — A Callaway man has been arrested and charged after allegedly crashing into several obstacles along Tyndall Parkway and injuring his passengers before they escaped from the vehicle as he...
View ArticleCaryville woman dreams of building a home for special needs son
CARYVILLE — Sonya Christenson loves to watch her son, Jesse, play with his monster trucks outside in the dirt. Now that Jesse is 33, life with her special needs son has presented the devoted mom with...
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