Community

By Ed Offley For Panama City Beach residents and tourists alike, relief is finally in sight for motorists struggling with chronic traffic congestion along U.S. 98. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has unveiled detailed plans for the long-awaited widening of the city’s primary east-west highway from four to six lanes,...

Bay County’s 58th annual Christmas Bird Count took place on December 18, 2021, where participants tallied 17,755 birds and 134 different species. The 134 on count day is a slight decrease from our 20-year average of 137. However, the number of species observed can be influenced by weather, observers, and...

We’re excited to announce the creation of “30A CATS” -- a non-profit organization -- formed to help manage the overpopulation of stray and feral cats and kittens in the region, primarily along Highway 30A and parts of Highway 98. Bridget Kornder, founder of 30-A CATS, has resided part time...

By Mary Capps Creating beautiful environments and helping in the community is a passion for Amanda Willingham. She is currently an Ambassador for the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, serves as Vice President of the Tyndall Air Force Association (AFA) and owns her own furniture store and interior design...

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...