Springfield grant writer terminated
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield’s experiment with raising money by hiring a grant writer has ended. Commissioners voted last week to terminate the city’s contract with grant writer Kay Stripling effective...
View ArticleBody of 62-year-old man washes ashore in Florida
FORT PICKENS (AP) — Authorities say the body of a missing 62-year-old fisherman has washed ashore near Fort Pickens. The Pensacola News Journal reports the body of Todd W. Wooley Sr. was found by a...
View ArticleSidewalks planned near Merritt Brown school
PANAMA CITY — New sidewalks will be built on Merritt Brown Road to allow students to walk safely from home to a middle school in their neighborhood. The sidewalks leading to Merritt Brown Middle...
View ArticleCallaway says it's getting more for less with Sheriff’s Office contract
CALLAWAY — City Manager Michael Fuller and Mayor Thomas Abbott both marveled Callaway has not had the violent crimes — specifically murders — that have plagued other Bay County cities recently. “More...
View ArticleP.C. to consider affordable housing plan
PANAMA CITY — The Panama City Commission on Tuesday will have the final reading for ordinances changing zoning and land use for an affordable senior housing development. The location, at 1615 Florida...
View ArticleCallaway’s delinquent water bills top $539,000
Russ, WG Mug in People: Pelletier, Bob CALLAWAY — City Commissioner Bob Pelletier will call for an audit of the city’s water system after discovering the city reported $539,309 in accounts...
View ArticleMarried in WWII, local couple celebrates 70th anniversary
LYNN HAVEN — When they cut their wedding cake after they got married, Mary Butzke playfully smeared frosting on Ed Butzke's face. On Sunday, after 70 years, Ed saw an opportunity and seized it....
View ArticleTwitter campaign backfires on Florida State, Winston
TALLAHASSEE (AP) — A Florida State social media campaign turned ugly Sunday when the university's athletic department opened their Heisman-winning quarterback up to nationwide mockery. The department...
View ArticleChanges coming to Lynn Haven intersection
LYNN HAVEN — A busy intersection in Lynn Haven that has seen several rear-end collisions is getting a new turn lane. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has agreed to provide funding for...
View ArticleJudicial candidates to speak at roundtable
PANAMA CITY — The candidates for the 14th Judicial Circuit Judge race are expected to attend a Republican Roundtable Tuesday night. The Republican Roundtable’s “Get to Know” the candidates event is...
View ArticlePanama City ticket among 14 Fantasy 5 winners
PANAMA CITY — Fourteen “Fantasy 5” game players selected all five winning numbers to win a jackpot worth $12,705.19. The Florida Lottery said Monday one ticket was bought at the Exxon station on the...
View ArticleLynn Haven to consider Fuel Depot development agreement
LYNN HAVEN — City commissioners Tuesday will consider a development agreement with Bluewater Development Group for the former Air Force Fuel Depot. The Air Force still owns the 184-acre, waterfront...
View ArticleMan saved from burning car
MALONE — An unconscious driver was pulled from the flaming wreckage of a car Sunday night after a single-car collision, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Tameka Williams, 33, was driving a 2013...
View ArticleGateway to 30A: Building boom arrives in Inlet Beach
INLET BEACH — A development boom is underway just west of the Bay-Walton County line. “We definitely have a lot of building going on countywide,” said Walton County spokesman Louis Svehla. “Our...
View ArticleShipwreck Trail launched in Panhandle to boost tourism
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Panhandle divers soon will be adding “passport” to their equipment checklist as they descend upon the Panhandle Shipwreck Trail, a 12-wreck dive quest officially launched last week...
View ArticleGulf oyster harvest has nose-dived since BP spill
HOPEDALE, La. (AP) — Fisherman Randy Slavich drags a clunky metal net through an underwater oyster bed in Lake Machias, a brackish body opening into the Gulf of Mexico. For generations, this has been...
View ArticlePanama City man charged after hostage situation
PANAMA CITY — An armed man who allegedly sent harassing text messages to his daughter and former wife has been arrested after taking two of his wife’s coworkers hostage early Tuesday morning,...
View ArticleNo sign of Lynn Haven boa; experts on standby
LYNN HAVEN — With the serpent slithering away somewhere, experts are on standby to capture a boa constrictor thought to be lurking in Lynn Haven. “We’ve got a couple of people standing by that have...
View ArticlePanama City CRA director resigns
PANAMA CITY — Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Director William Whitson has resigned, the agency’s board was told Tuesday. In a resignation letter to City Manager Jeff Brown dated Aug. 10, Whitson...
View ArticlePack lunches: Put together meals children want to eat
PANAMA CITY — Back to school means back to pack lunches. Though some of us have been packing children’s lunches for summer camp, this only means they are even more likely to already be burned out on...
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