Community

A few months ago, Sheriff Tommy Ford decided to approach the problem of addiction and mental health from a different perspective. How could the BCSO offer help to those who suffer from addiction issues or mental health conditions that have caused them to come to the attention of law...

By Deniece Moss, Principal, West Bay Elementary School “Welcome to the West Side of the Bay, where we come to learn, and grow, and play!” Those are the lyrics you will hear on a Friday morning if you happen to pop into a West Bay Elementary School House Meeting, and...

By David Wesley Recently, the Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast was awarded the District Rotary Club of the Year award for 2020-21. Out of 50 clubs in the 25 counties of District 6940, this club earned the award by doing so many of the things that Rotary values in...

By Julie McConnell, UF/IFAS Extension Bay County Florida Arbor Day is Friday, January 21, 2022, which has me thinking about trees. Restoring the urban canopy that was severely impacted by Hurricane Michael has been a goal of this community for the last three years, but in addition to replacing trees...

Lakewood Lou may sound like a bass player’s name in a jazz band but he is one cool six-month old kitten living with 30A Cats. He came to us with his mom, dad and two brothers, found by 30A vacationers. Ken and Chrissy of North Carolina helped the local...

By Ed Offley Every year, beachfront resorts along the Gulf of Mexico entice prospective visitors with advertising campaigns that tout direct access to the sugar sand beach and emerald-green waters. Beginning in April, visitors to one PCB resort will find a unique addition to the list of amenities: enhanced beach safety. Boardwalk...

According to Google, the most searched term for 2021 was not coronavirus. It wasn’t quarantine, delta, or even antibodies, either. In fact, the most searched term was (drumroll please): NBA. Yes, though the pandemic is still with us, the focus of world-wide internet users has shifted from virus variants to...

By Brittany Kirke Navy Veteran and former Bay County Firefighter Michael Olson was left disabled after fighting a fire in Panama City Beach. He was able to return to work briefly after his spinal fusion, however, after undergoing several surgeries to alleviate the pain in his back, Michael still suffers...

By Bill Husfelt, Superintendent, Bay District Schools While we’re busy spending time with loved ones during the holidays, we’re also in the middle of our annual celebration of our more than 3,000 employees through our Excellence in Education Awards. Annually, our schools nominate one employee to represent them as Teacher of...

By By Glenda Nouskhajian, Principal, Hutchison Beach Elementary School After a Category 5 hurricane and a worldwide pandemic disrupted our learning, Hutchison Beach Elementary was ready to R.E.S.E.T. for the 2021-2022 school year. Our faculty and staff aspire to Reach Each Student Every Time. How do we do this? By...