Undercurrents: Let us entertain you
PANAMA CITY — It’s been a good run. It’s about to get better. I’m talking about the big changes coming to this section of the Friday News Herald next week, Feb. 27. Regular readers will have seen the...
View ArticleGulf Power announces new manager in Panama City
PANAMA CITY — Gulf Power recently selected Sandy Sims to serve as the new general manager for customer service and sales operations in the company's eastern district, which includes Panama City,...
View ArticleCallaway applies for sidewalk projects
CALLAWAY — Callaway City Commissioners will consider grant applications with the Florida Department of Transportation for several sidewalk and bike lane projects at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The roads included...
View ArticlePanama City to take final vote on alcohol sales
PANAMA CITY — Panama City Commissioners on Tuesday will consider the second and final reading of an ordinance that would end the sale of alcohol at 4 a.m. daily year round. At its last meeting, the...
View ArticleJudge Smiley achieves success after humble beginning
PANAMA CITY — With about 10 years experience in the arena of justice, one local judge continues to stand on four childhood principles. “You can accomplish anything in your life if you: at first, set...
View ArticleUPDATE: Killer sentenced to 50 years
PANAMA CITY — A Gainesville man convicted of killing another man over a stolen bicycle has been sentenced to spend more than 50 years of his life in prison, according to court documents. Stephen...
View ArticleNASCAR suspends Kurt Busch after domestic violence details
DAYTONA BEACH (AP) — In a stunning move just two days before the season-opening Daytona 500, NASCAR suspended Kurt Busch indefinitely on Friday after a judge said the former champion almost surely...
View ArticleScout’s story: Canine goes from rescued puppy to rescue dog
PANAMA CITY — One 9-month-old dog has gone from being a rescued pup to saving lives in an unusually short amount of time. Scout was certified as a “scent-specific search dog” Wednesday during Bay...
View ArticleBig changes coming for Bay Point
PANAMA CITY BEACH — After changing hands last year, Bay Point Resort in Panama City Beach is undergoing a major facelift. Now closed for renovations, the resort is receiving a "top to bottom" makeover...
View ArticleBaldwin Road house destroyed, dog saved from blaze
HILAND PARK — Residents of a home that was completely engulfed in flames Friday afternoon narrowly escaped with the life of their blind dog. No injuries were reported from the scene of the house fire...
View ArticleRoad construction planned in Marianna
MARIANNA — Construction is slated to begin the week of Feb. 26 on U.S. 90 from west of the CSX Railroad to the Chipola River Bridge in Marianna. The project includes 2.8 miles of resurfacing, minor...
View ArticleBCSO arrest log (Feb. 11-17)
Information is provided by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office on people arrested on charges Feb 11-17. Those arrested can contact The News Herald if charges are dropped or if they are acquitted....
View ArticleBay County hires new animal services supervisor
PANAMA CITY — Katherine Beatson has a soft spot for animals in need, adopting two dogs and two cats from shelters. One is a pit bull who was previously abused and has only three feet; another is a cat...
View ArticlePrisons chief to seek revamp of health care contracts
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones announced Friday she intends to rebid contracts worth about $1.4 billion with private companies to provide health-care services to...
View ArticleCalhoun County police seeking escaped jail inmate
BLOUNTSTOWN — The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an escaped inmate on Saturday. William Lamar Mercer, a 49 year old white male, escaped from the Calhoun County Jail at 12:30 a.m....
View ArticleNew leases for gulf oil exploration proposed
PANAMA CITY BEACH — A federal agency plans to lease out an additional 657,905 acres of underwater property off the Gulf Coast of Florida for oil and natural gas exploration and possible drilling. The...
View ArticleSnake shooter: 'I'm from Wewahitchka, we don't miss'
PANAMA CITY — A woman who spent days in jail for shooting at a snake on school grounds said she wanted to clear her name following the dismissal of the charges. April Demarco, of Panama City, was...
View ArticleSeasonal survivors: Locals work to ‘make it’ in the service industry
PANAMA CITY BEACH — After enduring five years of seasonal layoffs from her Panama City Beach waitressing job, single mom Sheila Fuith decided she’d had enough. “Every October it closed; every March it...
View ArticlePanama City native serves aboard USS Mustin
YOKOSUKA, Japan — A 2007 A. Crawford Mosley High School graduate and Panama City native is serving aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89), living and working at the Navy’s forward-deployed...
View ArticleOur View: Wastewater hindsight
The Monday morning quarterback always wins the big game. That’s because hindsight gives him a clear view of what happened and easy access to a different play that would have turned things around. Just...
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