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PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This week’s Golden Apple Award winner is helping her students reach success at Rutherford High School.
Heather Briscoe teaches IB Biology and IB Environmental Science to the Rams.
Mrs. Briscoe has been teaching for eleven years, eight of those at Rutherford.
She enjoys meeting different people while teaching and watching her students grow up right in front of her eyes. She feels thankful to be a part of many students’ lives.
“We work with really great people,” Mrs. Briscoe said. “The kids are phenomenal. Most of my kids I have as seniors I’ve had four years in a row, sometimes twice a day. It’s going to be hard to let this group go because it’s just an awesome group of kids.”
Mrs. Briscoe thanks her Rutherford family for the nomination and is excited for the rest of the school year. | 2022-04-23T07:52:37Z | www.wjhg.com | This week’s Golden Apple Award winner is... | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/21/this-weeks-golden-apple-award-winner-is/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/21/this-weeks-golden-apple-award-winner-is/ |
It’s a quiet start on radar despite a bank of clouds passing through this morning. We’ll see those clouds decrease throughout the day and more sunshine arrives by lunch.
Otherwise, it’s a more pleasantly cool start to the day today with temperatures in the upper 50s inland to low 60s on the coast. You should be just fine without the jackets for the morning drive today. In fact, roll down or crack the windows on the way in to work for some natural a/c.
We’ll warm up quickly throughout the morning. With more sunshine showing up in the midday and afternoon temperatures get a bit toasty. Inland highs reach the low 80s, while the onshore winds on the coast keep temperatures in the upper 70s.
Those onshore winds will also be responsible for driving in a bit more humidity over the next few days. We’re still very tolerable today in that regard. But by Friday afternoon and into the weekend we’ll start to feel a bit more warm and humid.
With high pressure in place our pattern remains quiet with plenty of sunshine to go along with the warmth right into the weekend.
For today, partly cloudy skies in the morning turn mostly sunny in the afternoon. Highs today top out in the upper 70s on the coast to low 80s inland. Your 7 Day Forecast has a wonderful stretch of cool mornings and warm afternoons under mostly sunny skies. | 2022-04-23T07:52:43Z | www.wjhg.com | Thursday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/21/thursday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/21/thursday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - As the temperatures start rising, it’s a good time to start incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. The NewsChannel 7 Today team is continuing their Summer Shape-up with nutrition tips from Registered Dietitian Marcia Pell.
Pell says eliminating entire food groups, as many fad diets suggest, is not healthy. Instead, she suggests getting the majority of your nutrition from plant-based foods. She says half of your plate should consist of fruits and vegetables. Incorporating healthy fats and lean protein is also key.
You can learn more by visiting Marcia’s website and clicking on the video attached to this article. | 2022-04-23T07:52:49Z | www.wjhg.com | Tips to incorporate healthier foods for a Summer Shape-Up | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/21/tips-incorporate-healthier-foods-summer-shape-up/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/21/tips-incorporate-healthier-foods-summer-shape-up/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - More trees will soon be growing in Bay County. The Friends of St. Andrews Bay gave away red maple trees at the Earth Day Bay County celebration. The event was held in Historic St. Andrews at Oaks by the Bay park on Saturday.
The Friends of St. Andrews Bay sponsored the event. Organizers said their mission is to maintain and restore a healthy St. Andrew Bay ecosystem that benefits the community.
“We don’t have to do a lot,” Friends of St. Andrews Bay member Stephanie Breeden said.
“Planting a tree, cleaning up the bay, and picking up trash from the beach... every little bit helps,” Breeden said.
Several vendors including the Native Plant Society and Tupelo Beekeepers Association were at the event.
If you would like to become a member or donate, visit Friends of St. Andrews Bay websiteCopyright 2022 WJHG. All rights reserved. | 2022-04-24T11:56:47Z | www.wjhg.com | People gather to celebrate Earth Day Bay County | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/24/people-gather-celebrate-earth-day-bay-county/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/24/people-gather-celebrate-earth-day-bay-county/ |
Members of the Chipola College State Champion Brain Bowl team were introduced at a press conference at the college on Tuesday, April 26. Pictured from left, are: Chipola College President, Dr. Sarah Clemmons; Ksenia Riegle; Kaleb Todd; Taylor Munroe; Head Coach, Stan Young; Jon Proctor; Taylor Young; Cheyenne Glass and Assistant Head Coach, Dr. Jennifer Bernatis.(Chipola Photo)
MARIANNA, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Chipola Brain Bowl team is celebrating a major championship after defeating its long-time rival and leading the state with wins.
Tuesday the team was celebrated at the college for their 2022 FCSAA State Championship. This is the college’s 10th championship win, more than any other Florida community college.
Chipola officials say Taylor Young and Taylor Munroe led the assault in the championship game with 17 total tossups, with Young nailing ten tossups, and Munroe landing seven tossups. Jon Proctor and Jack Connolly also had strong contributions by adding six more tossups between the two of them.
They say the team won all nine of the round-robin games along with the win in the championship game. | 2022-04-27T23:11:11Z | www.wjhg.com | Chipola Brain Bowl wins FCSAA State Championship | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/chipola-brain-bowl-wins-fcsaa-state-championship/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/chipola-brain-bowl-wins-fcsaa-state-championship/ |
Shawaun Dortch is charged with robbery with a firearm and grand theft.(Jackson County Sheriff's Office)
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A suspected armed robber is behind bars after a K9 with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office tracked him back to his home.
Around midnight Tuesday, deputies responded to a call about an armed robbery at a convenience store in Campbellton. Deputies say surveillance video showed the suspect wearing black pants, a black shirt, black tennis shoes, a black backpack, and a grey hoodie hiding his face.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Tracking Unit responded to the call. Deputies say the dog was able to establish a track and it led to the home of Shawaun Dortch.
Deputies say Dortch arrived at the home a short time later and began to share details of the robbery. Investigators say he had items used in the robbery as well as items taken from the store.
Dortch was arrested and charged with robbery with a firearm and grand theft. | 2022-04-27T23:11:50Z | www.wjhg.com | Jackson County Sheriff’s K9 tracks suspected armed robber back to house | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/jackson-county-sheriffs-k9-tracks-suspected-armed-robber-back-house/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/jackson-county-sheriffs-k9-tracks-suspected-armed-robber-back-house/ |
It’s an active morning with thick fog across NWFL. A Dense Fog Advisory will be in effect until 9am CDT. Give yourself a few extra minutes out the door this morning in anticipation of slower travels through the morning commute.
Otherwise, it’s mild and muggy with most getting started in the mid 60s. Dress comfortably for a warm day ahead and grab the umbrella as we’ll have a rain chance at the end of the day. As temperatures warm into the low to mid 80s this afternoon, the warm and moist air will pair perfectly with a weak passing cold front to spawn a few afternoon or early evening storms.
They’ll be a bit more likely inland, along and north of Hwy20, during the day than along the coast starting up after 3pm and moving in from west to east. A second batch into the early evening will pass along the coast from Destin to PCB. Once the sun sets into this evening, we’ll watch most of the storms fade away quickly.
The front will pass through tonight and bring in a less humid air mass for the midweek. Overnight lows tonight will cool off down into the 50s. Highs on Wednesday under mainly sunny skies will gradually warm up to near 80 degrees. We’ll keep this splendid air mass in place through Thursday and Friday as afternoon temperatures gradually warm in more sunshine.
Eventually some humidity returns into the weekend and we’ll reintroduce a small afternoon rain chance for areas away from the coast.
For today, mostly sunny skies after a foggy start with scattered storms developing into the late afternoon and evening. Highs today reach the low 80s on the coast to mid 80s inland. Your 7 Day Forecast has plenty of sunshine and a less humid midweek ahead! | 2022-04-28T02:38:16Z | www.wjhg.com | Tuesday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/26/tuesday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/26/tuesday-forecast/ |
LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Since Florida Power and Light rates went up earlier this year, people and businesses are adjusting. Earlier this month, Lynn Haven City Commissioners sent out letters to the Florida Public Service Commission, expressing their concerns about this increase.
Lynn Haven City Commissioner Judy Tinder is also a business owner.
Tinder’s restaurant, ‘Victoria’s Last Bite,’ is located on Florida Avenue. She said her FPL bill has almost tripled in price. Now, Tinder and her employees are adjusting.
“We unplug things, we turn the air conditioner off when we leave at the end of the day,” Tinder said.
Tinder says not only are businesses being impacted, but so are senior citizens.
“Senior citizens live on a very small budget and to have their electric bills double and triple, means they’re going without something to pay for it,” Tinder said.
“We believe that these FPL rate increases were prioritized to increase profits, rather than having a fair and reasonable rate,” Lynn Haven Commissioners said in a letter to the board.
“For a decade, Gulf Power customers have had among the highest bills in the state and FPL customers have had among the lowest. We are focused on bringing Northwest Florida customers into alignment with those lower bills, but it can’t happen overnight,” FPL said in a statement.
FPL officials also said they understand that some customers are experiencing higher power bills.
People can reach out to FPL, to discuss payment extensions or to connect them with programs that provide assistance.
Commissioners are also asking residents to sign a petition against FPL’s rate increase on change.org. | 2022-04-28T08:05:31Z | www.wjhg.com | Businesses are adjusting after FPL rates went up | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/businesses-are-adjusting-after-fpl-rates-went-up/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/businesses-are-adjusting-after-fpl-rates-went-up/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Can you hear the thunder?
Motorcycle enthusiasts all around are driving down to Panama City Beach.
The 24th Annual Spring Thunder Beach Rally begins Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Frank Brown Park.
They have tons of vendors, bikes all around, and fun events throughout the weekend.
One of those events is the special concert series.
“Saturday is our big one with Kid Rock and Jackyl with special guest Trey Lewis,” Chase Micheal, Owner of Thunder Beach, said. “Friday is Ted Nugent with Struggle Jennings. Thursday is Travis Tritt with the Kentucky Head Hunters. But tonight is a free open to the public concert with Whey Jennings at 6:00 p.m.”
These concerts will be taking place at Frank Brown Park.
The Rally will kick off Wednesday and goes through May 1st.
Tickets are are going fast, with only three-day passes left after the one-day passes sold out.
You can purchase tickets at the door or on the Thunder Beach website. | 2022-04-28T08:06:29Z | www.wjhg.com | Thunder Beach returns to Panama City Beach | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/thunder-beach-returns-panama-city-beach/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/27/thunder-beach-returns-panama-city-beach/ |
Humidity and rain chances are on the increase
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a quiet night tonight and almost as cool as it was this morning. Temps will be just a degree or two warmer. Expect mid to upper 50s inland w/low 60s at the coast. Skies will be mostly sunny w/highs in the 80s. There will be a 10% chance of a shower along the seabreeze. Winds will be E/SE at 5-10 mph. Rain chances increase to 20% Friday and 30% over the weekened. | 2022-04-28T08:08:40Z | www.wjhg.com | Wednesday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/28/wednesday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/28/wednesday-evening-forecast/ |
Rain chances are returning to the panhandle
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - As we head into the weekend we will see more clouds, more humidity, and better rain chances in the forecast. For tonight skies will be partly cloudy and lows will stay in the low to mid 60s. We will see the clouds on the increase Friday w/highs near 80 at the coast and low to mid 80s inland. Rain chances will be just 20-30%. On Saturday scattered storms will be in the forecast w/mostly cloudy skies and highs in the 80s. Rain chances will be 50%. We will see the rain chances decrease to 30% Sunday with a little more sunshine. | 2022-04-29T03:01:07Z | www.wjhg.com | Thursday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/28/thursday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/28/thursday-evening-forecast/ |
Congressman Dunn speaks on Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s recent contributions to economic opportunity
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (Florida-02) spoke with NewsChannel 7′s Jenna LeMair following the news that the U.S. Coast Guard modified its current contract with Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) to begin construction of the fourth offshore patrol cutter (OPC). | 2022-04-29T07:29:50Z | www.wjhg.com | Congressman Dunn speaks on Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s recent contributions to economic opportunity | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/congressman-dunn-speaks-eastern-shipbuilding-groups-recent-contributions-economic-opportunity/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/congressman-dunn-speaks-eastern-shipbuilding-groups-recent-contributions-economic-opportunity/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - CareerSource Gulf Coast and Bay County Officials held a job fair on Thursday at the government center from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
After the Panama City Paper Mill closes its doors in June, hundreds of employees will be losing their jobs. Now, the community is coming together to help those impacted.
“Our goal is really to get them back into employment as soon as possible,” CareerSource Gulf Coast Communications Manager Becky Samarripa said.
Multiple municipalities including the City of Lynn Haven and Panama City Beach are offering various jobs.
”The paper mill closing effects over 400 employees and they need to find a place to go, we’d love to keep them here in this community, in Bay County itself, it’s a great place to live,” Bay County Recruitment Manager Jeremy Jerrigan said.
Samarripa said CareerSource is offering many workshops for those impacted from the mill closure.
“We have one on one career counseling, we help with resume assistance, interview assistance,” Samarripa said.
A mobile career center is also available at the Paper Mill. Officials said they will be on site, two to three times a week.
Employers with job opportunities for WestRock employees and community agencies/organizations with resources and assistance for WestRock employees may visit the CareerSource website to complete a request to share their information. | 2022-04-29T07:30:16Z | www.wjhg.com | Job fair held for Paper Mill employees | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/job-fair-held-paper-mill-employees/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/job-fair-held-paper-mill-employees/ |
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Inflation and shortages are impacting a number of things including baby formula. These problems can leave many local families struggling to find food for their babies.
One Lynn Haven mother drove hours just to get formula for her nine-month-old son, Julian.
“Everything seems to be disappearing,” Mother Hanna Collier said. “The shelves are empty. I actually drove a total of four hours yesterday just to get this one can of formula and he has been out for a week before we got this and it’s been very hard.”
Collier said it’s frightening as a mom to not know if she can find formula for her baby.
“I, I don’t know what to do at this point as a mom,” Collier said. “I never thought I wouldn’t be able to feed my child.”
The sample can she got in Pensacola Wednesday is almost empty.
“He eats about four to five times a day, a bottle, six ounces,” Collier said.
The problem is hitting mothers nationwide, too.
A recent recall, inflation, and supply chain issues are a few things causing the shortage.
There are resources you can use if you can’t find formula or afford it for your baby.
“We encourage our parents to all call our pediatricians,” said Dr. Jacqueline Garavito, a pediatrician at Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart Pediatrics at Panama City.
Dr. Garavito said pediatricians even make calls to local providers and companies.
“We actually tap into a huge network,” Dr. Garavito said. “Panama City is great because our families come together to help one another, and so being able to be a resource in our community is fantastic.”
If you can’t find formula for your baby, Dr. Garavito said you shouldn’t use water to dilute it.
She also said using regular milk is not good for a baby’s digestive system.
“Watering it down can lead to differences in sodium and differences in potassium,” Dr. Garavito said. “Some of our babies can end up in the hospital because of the imbalances that take place.”
You are encouraged to call your local pediatrician if you need help. | 2022-04-29T07:30:56Z | www.wjhg.com | National baby formula shortage impacts local mothers | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/national-baby-formula-shortage-impacts-local-mothers/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/national-baby-formula-shortage-impacts-local-mothers/ |
Tips to protect your personal finances
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Crime and Safety Analyst Paul Vecker joined NewsChannel 7 in the studio Thursday to tell us how to give viewers some tips on know what is a scam online and what is not.
Vecker warns that a majority of online scams are conducted outside of the United States. He says there have been recent reports about a scam saying that an individual has “won” a trip or item.
Vecker said to always stay diligent, and contact your local law enforcement if you are suspicious or think you are the victim of a scam. He said that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
To learn more about what to look out for, watch the interview attached to this story. | 2022-04-29T07:31:40Z | www.wjhg.com | Tips to protect your personal finances | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/tips-protect-your-personal-finances/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/tips-protect-your-personal-finances/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Happy Friday everyone!
We started our Friday off with a few showers moving in from the Gulf bringing a quick shower to Bay and Gulf counties. We’ll continue to see a few showers move in from the Gulf this morning. However, this afternoon the few showers that pop up will mainly be inland due to the sea breeze. Basically, we have warm, moist air moving in from the east and as that air moves west it will rise and allow for a few showers to develop.
Temperatures this afternoon will be near normal with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. | 2022-04-29T14:50:26Z | www.wjhg.com | Friday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/22/friday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/22/friday-forecast/ |
A Friday morning car crash in Panama City has left a middle school without power.(WJHG/WECP)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A Panama City middle school is without power after a car crash at the intersection of Highway 231 and Cherokee Heights Road.
Florida Highway Patrol says the crash happened Friday morning, shutting down a portion of 231 and Cherokee Heights Road for some time.
All lanes of 231 are back open but Cherokee Heights is still shut down with power lines across the road.
As of 10:30 Friday morning, Merritt Brown Middle School and a few houses in the area are without power. Bay District Schools said “students are safe, supervised and are proceeding through their school day as normally as possible.” Florida Power and Light is on scene working to restore power.
Bayliner Railroad System has shut off its signals to keep the railway clear while crews work to investigate the scene.
There is no information at this time on how the crash happened or how long the road will be shut down.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office encourages drivers to use County Road 2321 and Titus Road to get through the area. | 2022-04-29T17:55:52Z | www.wjhg.com | Panama City middle school without power following car crash | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/panama-city-middle-school-without-power-following-car-crash/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/panama-city-middle-school-without-power-following-car-crash/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - When is the last time you busted a move?
If it’s been a while, today is your day.
International Dance Day may be today, but for a local studio dancing is a lifestyle.
“I became a full on dance studio in 2019,” Alissa McAndrew, Owner and Director of Studio A Dance Center. “And that was the first year of our competitive program as well.”
Dancing gives kids an opportunity to show off their moves, all while learning, competing, and building relationships.
“My favorite part about joining is how supportive everyone is,” McKinley, Dancer at Studio A Dance Center, said. “And how I’ve made so many new friends ever since i moved. And I love my teachers, they are very supportive. And they’re very well educated when it comes to dance.”
As the area grows, dance studios like this do too with something for everyone
“We offer from ballet, tap, jazz. we offer introductory level classes for all of those,” McAndrew said. “One of our staples is flexibility and body shaping which is like a Pilates based strengthening and stretch class.”
Put on those dancing shoes and celebrate International Dance Day. | 2022-04-29T23:05:53Z | www.wjhg.com | Get ready for International Dance Day | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/get-ready-international-dance-day/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/get-ready-international-dance-day/ |
Legacy Arborist Service Officials teaching Bay County residents how to properly plant and care for trees.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The City of Panama City teamed up with Legacy Arborist Services of Tallahassee for National Arbor Day. They hosted a free tree care workshop at the Oakland Terrace Clubhouse from 9 a.m. to noon Friday.
“What we’re trying to do for the citizens of Panama City is to provide them with some knowledge that they can use when they’re either planting or taking care of trees in their own properties,” Legacy Arbor Services Official Charlie Marcus said.
The three-hour workshop covered a wide range of topics from protecting tree roots to tree pruning. Officials said the goal is to help citizens not only plant their own trees but reestablish a tree canopy in Bay County.
“You lost 55 percent of your tree canopy, roughly about 80 percent of the tree population,” Marcus said.
Everyone who attended also received a free 7-gallon Winged Elm tree. | 2022-04-29T23:06:24Z | www.wjhg.com | Panama City celebrates National Arbor Day with a tree workshop | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/panama-city-celebrates-national-arbor-day-with-tree-workshop/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/panama-city-celebrates-national-arbor-day-with-tree-workshop/ |
L to R: Shea Jones, Natorian Hinson-Brown(Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office)
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two people are facing charges after a shooting near Fort Walton Beach.
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call on Newcastle Drive on April 13th.
The victim says Shea Jones, 21, of Fort Walton Beach, got out of an SUV and pointed a gun at her, a passenger, and an eleven-month-old while they were in another car. The victim told deputies she drove forward through the yard on Newcastle Drive trying to get away.
We’re told Jones and Natorian Hinson-Brown, 16, started shooting at the car and shattered the front passenger window. The victim drove to a local hospital where she was treated for cuts from the shattered window. The passenger and baby were not hurt.
Both Jones and Hinson-Brown are charged with attempted murder and firing a weapon into an occupied dwelling or conveyance. Deputies say Jones is a convicted felon with multiple felony charges in Illinois, Georgia, and Florida and is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The victim told deputies she had been in an ongoing argument with Jones before the shooting. | 2022-04-29T23:06:37Z | www.wjhg.com | Two charged with attempted murder after shooting near Fort Walton Beach | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/two-charged-with-attempted-murder-after-shooting-near-fort-walton-beach/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/two-charged-with-attempted-murder-after-shooting-near-fort-walton-beach/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A four-year-old local girl is now in stable condition after being officials say she was mauled by a Pitbull Mastiff mix earlier this week.
Amanda James was at work Wednesday when she got a phone call no parent wants to get. Her daughter, Victoria Stein, had been attacked by a dog.
She said Victoria was playing at a neighbor’s house in Panama City Beach when it happened.
“The kids were you know on the floor play wrestling and you know playing around,” James said. “And the dog had misinterpreted the situation and attacked her.”
According to the activity report from Bay County Animal Services, “her granddaughter and the bite victim were playing on the couch next to her, and the bite victim fell off the couch and onto the dog, which then bit her.”
The report also states the dog was a Pitbull Mastiff mix and is being quarantined to test for rabies.
Brave little Victoria was airlifted to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville where she’s recovering from aggressive bites.
“She smiles and she knows we’re there and she’s doing great,” James said. “She had one, two, three, I’m going to guess about six facial lacerations. She has a left index finger laceration. They had to stitch that up as well.”
Adding to that, a slightly fractured skull.
“If I had to give parents out there a message, I would say to be more aware. you know educate your kids and even adults a little bit more on how to act around dogs. You know whether it be big or small because you never know how they’ll react,” James said.
Heartland Rescue Ranch in Southport is raising money for the family. If you’d like to donate, there’s a link on its Facebook page. | 2022-04-30T01:20:47Z | www.wjhg.com | 4-year-old local girl recovering from dog attack | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/4-year-old-local-girl-recovering-dog-attack/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/29/4-year-old-local-girl-recovering-dog-attack/ |
Warm and humid weekend ahead
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a warm and humid night tonight w/mostly cloudy skies. Lows will fall into the 60s. On Saturday we will see scattered storms develop during the late AM/early PM. Rain chances will be lower at the coast (30%) and higher inland (50%). Highs will reach the upper 70s at the coast and low to mid 80s inland. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy. Winds will be SE/S at 10-15 mph. On Sunday we will see just a 20-30% chance of rain with more sunshine and highs in the 80s. Rain chances decrease more as we head into next week with the temperatures and humidity continue to increase.
Get the details on the forecast in the WJHG.com Weather Webcast. | 2022-04-30T01:21:24Z | www.wjhg.com | Weekend Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/weekend-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/weekend-forecast/ |
Two mobile homes catch fire in Panama City Beach on Laurie Ave.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Two mobile homes caught fire on Laurie Ave. in Panama City Beach Friday night, officials said nobody was inside the homes at the time of the fire.
Beach Fire officials tell NewsChannel 7 they got the call just before 9 p.m. Officials said the fire started at one mobile home and eventually spread to the one next to it. Beach Fire was able to extinguish both fires. Both homes were searched by Beach Fire and they said no victims were inside.
No word on how the fire started. The State Fire Marshal is now investigating. | 2022-04-30T03:31:10Z | www.wjhg.com | Two mobile homes catch fire in Panama City Beach | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/two-mobile-homes-catch-fire-panama-city-beach/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/two-mobile-homes-catch-fire-panama-city-beach/ |
There are no storms in sight, but the sound of thunder continues to be loud around Panama City Beach and with that, the sounds of sirens.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - There are no storms in sight, but the sound of thunder continues to be loud around Panama City Beach. But with that, so are the sounds of sirens.
“We have traffic already,” Panama City Beach Police Lieutenant Tommy Anderson said.
Traffic from Thunder Beach has been rolling in, leaving many attendees frustrated.
“It’s hard to manage, hard to ride in. Nobody pays attention to bikes. You have to look out for them,” Thunder Beach attendee Paden Brownlow said.
But others will tell you it’s a part of the ride.
“Anytime you have an event like this, there’s always more traffic. You know what I’m saying?” Thunder Beach attendee Dean Forrest said.
Traffic that Panama City Beach Police officials said usually leads to crashes.
“Anytime we have an influx of people in town, those kinds of things, traffic crashes go up. So I would say they’re probably up,” said Anderson.
But even with wreck numbers being up, officials said there’s been nothing major.
“There’s been fender benders, little wrecks out there, so forth and so on,” said Anderson.
Beach police are taking preventative measures by setting up traffic cone patterns at the entrance to Frank Brown Park.
“We’re kind of helping people enter and exit that venue off of Panama City Beach Parkway. We shut down the left turn lane. With this amount of traffic, it’s probably not the best idea to have car after car crossing three lanes of traffic,” said Anderson.
The city is also shutting down Pier Park Drive through the event.
“We kind of get stuck in that traffic as well, so take that out of the equation and we can kind of patrol the perimeter areas of Pier Park which helps us. It makes things a lot safer in that area,” said Anderson.
And that’s something these bikers can “rally” around.
“Well if it prevents crashes and people getting hurt or killed, then I agree with it. I agree with it.”
Beach Police officials are now asking people to just be smart.
“Don’t come to Panama City Beach and use the streets and highways around here as a racetrack or stunt course. We just want you to follow the rules just like if you were at home. Just be safe,” said Anderson. “Enjoy Panama City Beach, have a great time. The last thing we want you to do is get hurt, or worse. So, enjoy yourself, just follow all the traffic rules and everything should be fine.”
Officials said there will be increased patrol officers throughout the event. They also say to allow more time to get to where you’re going, don’t speed, and of course, don’t drink and drive.
Thunder Beach ends on Sunday. | 2022-04-30T05:31:38Z | www.wjhg.com | Measures put in place to prevent Thunder Beach traffic woes | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/preventative-measures-set-up-prevent-thunder-beach-traffic-woes/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/preventative-measures-set-up-prevent-thunder-beach-traffic-woes/ |
Joan Avenue motorcycle crash.(MGN)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -A motorcyclist was transported to a hospital after a crash on Joan Avenue Friday evening.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver of a motorcycle lost control after hitting a hole in the road. Troopers said the motorcyclist crossed the center line into the south lane and overturned the motorcycle.
A car didn’t see the motorcyclist and crashed into it according to Troopers.
FHP said the driver of the motorcycle was transported to a local hospital due to his injuries and the passenger in the car was also transported for minor injuries sustained from the crash. | 2022-04-30T22:23:12Z | www.wjhg.com | One seriously injured in Joan Avenue motorcycle crash | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/joan-avenue-motorcycle-crash/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/04/30/joan-avenue-motorcycle-crash/ |
9-year-old girl searching for her missing cat
9-year-old Mckynzee Caro holding her flyer for her missing cat, Mr. Smoosh.(WJHG)
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - 9-year-old Mckynzee Caro has many animals in her house. Although none of them helped her sleep until she got her cat, Mr. Smoosh, six months ago.
Mckynzee’s mother, Kristina, said her daughter suffers from mental health issues.
“She’s got anxiety, she’s got an oppositional defiant disorder, and she was just recently diagnosed with manic depressive disorder,” Kristina said.
Mckynzee would sleepwalk and couldn’t sleep in her own bed, so she slept on the sofa downstairs. Once Mr. Smoosh came into her life, she finally slept the whole night in her own room.
“She needs her cat to sleep and without her cat, she has to take medicine to sleep,” Kristina said.
On April 27th, the cat escaped and was nowhere to be found. The Caro family searched everywhere and were left disappointed.
“We walked around hollered his name, that night we threw food on the ground, we knocked on neighbors’ doors,” Mckynzee said.
Kristina is afraid someone might have taken Mr. Smoosh. She said her daughter needs him and hopes someone will come forward.
“Please give us our cat back, she has to have him back for her mental health,” Kristina said.
If you have any information on Mr. Smoosh’s whereabouts, call Kristina at 502-791-1157. | 2022-05-01T01:28:35Z | www.wjhg.com | 9-year-old girl searching for her missing cat | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/01/9-year-old-girl-searching-her-missing-cat/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/01/9-year-old-girl-searching-her-missing-cat/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Sunday night, Florida State University Panama City held its spring commencement to honor its 2021 and 2022 graduates.
Faculty, family, and staff gathered to celebrate over 140 students as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Panama City native and current ABC News President Kim Godwin was the address speaker for the commencement. | 2022-05-02T04:51:15Z | www.wjhg.com | Florida State University Panama City holds annual Spring Commencement | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/florida-state-university-panama-city-holds-annual-spring-commencement/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/florida-state-university-panama-city-holds-annual-spring-commencement/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The clock is ticking down if you’re looking for a gift for Mother’s Day, May 8.
One flower shop in Panama City said they’re trying to keep their prices down even if prices for flowers are going up.
“The prices of flowers have definitely gone up quite a bit,” said Harrison McElheney, the owner of Hallmark Flowers in Panama City. “We’re going to keep our prices pretty reasonable like we always do so we won’t have to pass it on to everybody else.”
McElheney said shopping at a local shop can help you save money.
He said online flower companies can sometimes take advantage of people by charging extra fees.
“They’ll take your money and they’ll send them to our flower shop but they’ll take a pretty big percentage out of what you paid for the arrangement that they send to us,” McElheney said.
McElheney said being money savvy is not the only thing to consider, though.
“It’s definitely better to order from a hometown flower shop because we have our designers who are actually from town who make them,” Harrison said. “They’ll make them just for you and it’s not just a bunch of arrangements put together and put in a box and shipped to you.”
McElheney said it’s always better to order your gift sooner rather than later when buying flowers for Mom.
“I would definitely rather have you order early so we can get it done so it can be great for your mother,” McElheney said.
Delivery fees are also something to consider when having your flowers delivered on time. | 2022-05-02T04:51:28Z | www.wjhg.com | Ways to save on Mother’s Day flowers | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/ways-save-mothers-day-flowers/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/ways-save-mothers-day-flowers/ |
It’s a quiet start on satellite and radar this morning with just a bit of clouds and fog developing. The fog will be more likely inland, but patchy and dense in spots.
Otherwise, we’re waking up warm and humid in the mid to upper 60s. Dress comfortably as the humidity will be on the higher side for today. Highs today top out in the 80s for all, lower 80s on the coast to upper 80s inland. We’ll be stuck in a warm and humid setup for most of the week ahead.
The storm track stays further to the north through much of this week. That will leave us fairly dry in the rain department. However, the hot and humid afternoons may lead toward a stray shower or storm developing, largely away from the coast. It’ll be a 10-20% chance each afternoon with otherwise mostly sunny skies until the end of the week.
A cold frontal system will sweep across the Southeast drumming up some rain chances for Friday. A few stray showers or storms will pass through on Friday and may string out a few more into the weekend.
For today, mostly sunny skies after a bit of patchy fog in the morning. Your 7 Day Forecast has us under a quiet, warm and humid, pattern for most of the week ahead. | 2022-05-02T13:58:53Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/monday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/monday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Local author and motivational speaker Willie Spears captures the heart of African American Boys in his latest book, “David’s Depression: A tale of mental illness.”
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Spears believes his new book is a gateway to healthy conversations about mental health. After losing yet another former student to suicide, Willie Spears decided to write a book to help adolescent boys with stress, anxiety, and depression.
NewsChannel 7′s Jenna LeMair sat down with Willie to learn more. | 2022-05-03T00:37:39Z | www.wjhg.com | “David’s Depression:” Panama City area author Willie Spears publishes 12th book | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/davids-depression-panama-city-area-author-willie-spears-publishes-12th-book/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/02/davids-depression-panama-city-area-author-willie-spears-publishes-12th-book/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a warm & humid night in the panhandle w/dense fog developing. Lows will be in the mid 60s inland and upper 60s at the coast. Skies will be mostly sunny on Tuesday w/highs in the low 80s at the coast and mid to upper 80s inland. Winds will be SE/SW at 5-10 mph. Rain chances remain minimal this weekend until we see scattered storms Friday and Saturday. | 2022-05-03T00:38:10Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/03/monday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/03/monday-evening-forecast/ |
It’s a quiet start on radar this morning despite a bit of clouds pushing out to the east and some developing fog. It’ll be patchy and dense in spots again, much like yesterday morning. We’ll see it last through about 7:30 or 8am before lifting out to mostly sunny skies for the rest of the Morning Commute.
Otherwise, it’s warm and humid as temperatures for most get started in the upper 60s with dew points in the humid upper 60s as well. Dress comfortably for another warm and humid day ahead. Highs today reach the low 80s on the coast to upper 80s near 90 degrees inland.
As peak daytime heating is reached around 2:30pm, we’ll see a few clouds begin to blossom into a few stray showers or brief thunderstorms. Models have been sticking with this for areas around the Tri-State, Jackson and Calhoun Counties. Anywhere from Marianna to Sneads and on down to Blountstown will have the best shot at picking up on a half hours worth of rain today. The rest of the Panhandle remains quiet in the rain department, especially the coast where we’ll see plenty of sunshine.
We’ll keep this 10-20% chance each afternoon for a random scattered storm or two to fire up inland with otherwise mostly sunny skies until the end of the week. A cold frontal system will sweep across the Southeast drumming up some rain chances for Friday. A few stray showers or storms will pass through on Friday and may string out a few more into the weekend.
For today, mostly sunny skies with warm and humid highs in the low 80s on the coast to near 90 inland. A stray shower will pop up inland this afternoon for only a few lucky communities. Your 7 Day Forecast keeps a similar pattern going until Friday where we see a frontal system draw up a more widely scattered passing shower or thunderstorm. | 2022-05-03T12:48:00Z | www.wjhg.com | Tuesday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/03/tuesday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/03/tuesday-forecast/ |
Bay head coach set to step down from that job(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Tuesday night’s game between Bay at Arnold is set to be the final game for Andrew Starr as the Tornadoes head coach. That game one of the semi’s of 4A District 1. Coach Starr telling us this week he’s handed in his resignation to Bay Principal Billy May, saying it’s time for him to move on. Coach Starr has led the Bay baseball program the last 7 seasons. Things started out well enough with winning records the first three seasons, and two state playoff appearances. Bay has had a sub .500 mark though in each of the last four seasons, and this year the team just 4-18 heading into tonight’s district semi with the 19-6 Marlins, who twice beat the Tornadoes this season by run-rule. | 2022-05-04T07:17:00Z | www.wjhg.com | Andrew Starr set to step down as Bay baseball coach | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/03/andrew-starr-set-step-down-bay-baseball-coach/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/03/andrew-starr-set-step-down-bay-baseball-coach/ |
Trees planted for Harrison Avenue Streetscape Project in Downtown Panama City
Panama City officials say it's a monumental day for the Harrison Avenue Streetscape Project downtown.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Panama City officials said it’s a monumental day for the Harrison Avenue Streetscape Project downtown.
City officials said the first ten of 49 total Highrise Live Oak Trees are being planted this week along Harrison Avenue as part of the first phase of the project. It includes reconstruction of Harrison Avenue from Government Street to 4th Street. The native trees are being placed in soil cells to support large tree growth and provide powerful on-site storm water management. The soil cells will help filter oils, gases, etc. from storm water before it is discharged. Officials said the trees range from 18 to 20 feet tall, and will also shade for those walking along Harrison avenue or dining outside on the sidewalks.
In addition to the soil cells and new trees, the project also includes replacing water and sewer infrastructure, laying pavers for the roadway, widening sidewalks as well as installing landscape, irrigation, lighting and signage.
City officials said the first phase is estimated to be completed at the end of the year. | 2022-05-04T07:21:15Z | www.wjhg.com | Trees planted for Harrison Avenue Streetscape Project in Downtown Panama City | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/04/trees-planted-harrison-avenue-streetscape-project-downtown-panama-city/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/04/trees-planted-harrison-avenue-streetscape-project-downtown-panama-city/ |
Warm & humid weather continues
Warm & humid weather continues in the panhandle with only small rain chances.
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a warm & humid night in the panhandle w/lows in the 60s inland and near 70 at the coast. Watch out for some patchy fog developing as well. Highs on Wednesday will reach into the low 80s at the coast with upper 80s inland. There will be a small 20% chance of some inland storms. The forecast remains generally dry through Thursday with rain chances returning Friday and Saturday. Right now Mother’s Day looks sunny, warm, and dry with highs in the 80s. | 2022-05-04T07:21:28Z | www.wjhg.com | Tuesday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/04/tuesday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/04/tuesday-evening-forecast/ |
It’s a quiet start on radar with once again a bit of cloud cover sliding out to the east and some fog developing underneath. The fog will be dense in spots like prior mornings, and more of an issue for inland communities as an onshore light wind keeps the beaches from seeing any. The fog lasts until about 8am before lifting and dispersing into a few clouds through the mid-morning. But plenty of sunshine lies ahead for the day, which will lead toward another warm and humid afternoon.
Dress comfortably out the door this morning. We’ll warm quickly into the 80s by lunch and on our way to highs in the mid 80s on the coast to near 90 inland.
The peak heating of the day will be enough of a trigger once again to develop a stray or isolated shower or rumble of thunder. Those who get the hottest in the afternoons will have the best chance at catching the stray shower.
As the winds increase in the afternoon off the coast bringing in the relatively cooler sea breeze off the Gulf waters, the coast will be free from any rain chance. Land heats up much more efficiently than water, and this time of year we tend to get our warmest temperatures for those further away from the coast.
So areas around or north of Hwy20 will get the hottest and have the best chance at a “lucky-weather-lotto-winning” shower. In other words, it’ll be a small probability that you’ll see the one or two isolated showers that develop across all of NWFL. This pattern continues into Thursday before rain chances rise into the end of the week and start of the weekend.
A frontal system will provide a better trigger for widespread scattered showers or thunderstorms both days. Any rain we do see shouldn’t be long lasting, however, with plenty of opportunity to still get outdoors. Skies shape up quickly to warm sunshine on Mother’s Day.
For today, mostly sunny skies after another foggy start for some. Highs today top out in the mid 80s on the coast to near 90 inland. A stray, or isolated, shower or two will pop up around or north of I-10 where only a lucky few catch it. Your 7 Day Forecast has another similar setup for Thursday before a more widespread scattered rain chance arrives Friday and Saturday. | 2022-05-04T20:27:56Z | www.wjhg.com | Wednesday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/04/wednesday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/04/wednesday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Lake Powell residents told NewsChannel 7 they are frustrated over recent water conditions.
“Everyone who lives along this lake has been up in arms about this and angry about it because we respect this property. St. Joe doesn’t,” Rich Jaffe, Walton County resident said.
Residents said runoff from a St. Joe Company construction site across the lake has tainted the waters of the largest dune lake in North America.
“This is at least the third and maybe the fourth that the runoff from the St. Joe development from across the way there has polluted and tainted this lake,” Jaffe said.
“The things I have witnessed every time I have gone up there have been lack of erosion control on the contractors part,” Chris Forman, Lake Powell Community Alliance, said.
“Something clearly happened as I came out on my porch I saw a gigantic plume of mud making its way to the west,” Chris Wilkinson, Walton County resident said.
Members of the Lake Powell Community Alliance said the water of the lake should look like iced tea and not chocolate milk.
“When you are looking at a dark water lake like Lake Powell which has tannins which are natural discoloration from the water from the vegetation. Iced tea you think about is dark but you can see through it. Chocolate milk is not.”
Jaffe said he knows he can’t stop development from happening near the lake, but he just wants good neighbors that care about the environment
“St. Joe has a choice they could be good neighbors but at this point, they do not choose to be. That is what we want. We want decent neighbors across that lake and people who care about this environment rather than they are just here to make a buck,” Jaffe said.
Residents said all they want is for their lake to be protected.
NewsChannel 7 reached out to St. Joe, and they said they have no comment. | 2022-05-05T07:08:36Z | www.wjhg.com | Lake Powell residents frustrated with water conditions | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/lake-powell-residents-frustrated-with-water-conditions/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/lake-powell-residents-frustrated-with-water-conditions/ |
Six different sports were represented at the ceremony.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -It was a big day at South Walton Wednesday. Athletic Director and head football coach, Phil Tisa, oversaw a signing ceremony that saw nine Seahawks putting pen to paper on their offers, the largest signing in school history.
Of those nine, Dailynn Jones, signed to FIU on a track scholarship.
Heidi Scali, is also headed to FIU to run track, so the two South Walton teammates will be track mates with the Panthers.
Austin Bonnette signed a soccer scholarship with Spring Hill college.
Remy Graham signed a basketball scholarship with Troy.
State champ, Max Brewster, will wrestle on at Arizona State University!
Olivia McLaughlin signed on to play basketball at L-B Wallace in Andalusia.
Dylan Billingsley signed a wrestling scholarship with Coker University in South Carolina.
Noah Ford is bound for the football program at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky, and Shane Lane will continue his football career at Midway University, also in Kentucky.
“Well I’m hoping this is just kind of a sign of the beginning,” said Tisa. “As we continue to grow as a school I hope that any athlete that wants the opportunity to continue their playing career gets that opportunity. But at the same time it takes a lot of dedication and hard work and making the grades. So I’m hoping this continues and we just continue to have more and more.” | 2022-05-05T07:09:14Z | www.wjhg.com | Nine South Walton student athletes put pen to paper | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/nine-south-walton-student-athletes-put-pen-paper/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/nine-south-walton-student-athletes-put-pen-paper/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a warm & humid night tonight w/lows in the 60s to near 70. Expect another round of patchy fog over our area. On Thursday skies will be mostly sunny with highs in the low 80s at the coast and upper 80s to near 90 inland. A cold front brings a chance of storms on Friday. The storms could be strong to our west with the storms weakening as they move to the east. Rain chances will be smaller on Saturday. Skies will be mostly sunny on Mother’s Day. | 2022-05-05T07:09:54Z | www.wjhg.com | Wednesday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/wednesday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/wednesday-evening-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - For the past few weeks, the NewsChannel 7 Today team has been bringing tips for healthy eating, fun workouts, and how to shape up for the summer.
The team is now taking it up a notch. Coach JT, a fitness coach in Bay County, is putting the team through an 8-week workout program.
To hear more about how the team’s first meeting went with Coach JT, you can watch the segment above. | 2022-05-05T16:03:05Z | www.wjhg.com | Taking it up a notch for a Summer Shape-Up | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/taking-it-up-notch-summer-shape-up/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/taking-it-up-notch-summer-shape-up/ |
LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This week’s Golden Apple Award winner is a 2nd-grade teacher at North Bay Haven Charter Academy.
Leah Holsombake is in her 14th year of teaching.
She said math is her favorite subject to teach to her young students and social studies is a close second.
Mrs. Holsombake said seeing her students smiling faces is her favorite part of every day.
“The kids, the kids,” Mrs. Holsombake said. “Interacting with the kids, they’re just a joy to work with every day. They just make my life a lot of fun.”
Mrs. Holsombake said it is an honor to have won this week’s Golden Apple Award and gives thanks to her Buccaneer family for the nomination. | 2022-05-05T16:03:11Z | www.wjhg.com | This week’s Golden Apple Award winner is... | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/this-weeks-golden-apple-award-winner-is/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/this-weeks-golden-apple-award-winner-is/ |
It’s another similar start with some upper level clouds cruising over top of developing fog at the surface. The fog will be particularly thick in spots this morning once again and last through about 8 or 9am. We’ll still see plenty of sunshine ahead by mid morning to late afternoon with minimal rain chances. Only a stray shower or two may pop up during the heat of the day in the afternoon.
Otherwise, we’re warm and humid with temperatures in the upper 60s. Dress comfortably as we’ll warm fast once the fog disperses. Temperatures return to the low to mid 80s this afternoon on the coast to near 90 inland.
Those who get the hottest in the afternoons will have the best chance at catching an isolated shower today. It’s a less than 10% chance inland. A frontal system will provide a better trigger for widespread scattered showers or thunderstorms heading into tomorrow, weakening and passing southeast into Saturday. Any rain we do see shouldn’t be long lasting, however, with plenty of opportunity to still get outdoors.
Skies shape up quickly to warm sunshine on Mother’s Day.
For today, mostly sunny skies after another foggy start for some. Highs today top out in the mid 80s on the coast to near 90 inland. A stray, or isolated, shower or two will pop up away from the beaches and further inland. Your 7 Day Forecast has a more widespread scattered rain chance arriving Friday. | 2022-05-05T16:03:18Z | www.wjhg.com | Thursday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/thursday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/thursday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Thunder Beach Spring Rally rode out last weekend, and it seems it could have been the biggest bike rally Panama City Beach has ever had.
Panama City Beach Police officers called for backup to handle the crowds.
“Panama City, Bay County, Lynn Haven, are some of the few that do come and help,” Lieutenant Tommy Anderson said.
With tens of thousands of bikers riding the roads, Anderson said they expected a few more wrecks than usual.
“We say it all the time but anytime there’s a large amount of people that come to town, you know the numbers of things that we investigate or all called to increase as well,” Anderson said.
According to PCBPD, officers responded to about 70 crashes over the weekend. That’s quite a few more than the 44 crashes they saw over the Fall Rally weekend, and the 36 they saw on a regular weekend in mid-April.
“We police paradise so yeah it’s worth it,” Anderson said. “People come here and have a good time and as long as they follow the rules and they’re safe then everybody wins.”
And the rules were enforced heavily this year.
“New chief, new strategies. We, you know, played around with deployment, manpower strategies, heavy traffic enforcement,” Anderson said.
Officers wrote more than 230 citations, which is triple what they wrote in the fall, and double what they wrote the weekend of April 15th.
Anderson said keeping people alert is key.
Officers said there were no fatalities on city roadways. But, there was one motorcycle fatal crash in the unincorporated area of the beach, near Thomas Drive. | 2022-05-06T05:38:35Z | www.wjhg.com | Crashes nearly doubled over Thunder Beach weekend | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/crashes-nearly-doubled-over-thunder-beach-weekend/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/05/crashes-nearly-doubled-over-thunder-beach-weekend/ |
Severe storms will be possible on Friday
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a warm & humid night in the panhandle w/lows in the upper 60s inland and low 70s at the coast. On Friday the clouds thicken and the humidity will be sky high. A line of strong to severe storms will move in from the west from lunch time into the afternoon. Some of the storms could be strong to severe. The highest risk of severe weather will be over GA/AL, but a broken line of severe storms will be possible here. The primary threats will be damaging wind and possibly tornadoes. Sunnier skies and a slight drop in the humidity is in the forecast for the weekend ahead.
Get all the details on the forecast in the WJHG.com Weather Webcast | 2022-05-06T05:40:36Z | www.wjhg.com | Thursday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/06/thursday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/06/thursday-evening-forecast/ |
It’s looking like an active morning on radar and satellite with a band of showers and thunderstorms on approach from the west. However, much of this line will weaken as it moves in from west to east. Those west of Hwy231 will have a good chance at a morning storm.
Otherwise, we’ll see another batch of scattered storms develop into the midday and afternoon. So safe to say, grab the umbrellas but it won’t be an all day rain fest in any one spot. You can expect to need that umbrella for about an hour of your day.
Dress comfortably as well with warm and humid conditions, yet a lack of sunshine and a passing storm will keep temperatures from getting as hot as days prior. Highs today still manage to reach the low to mid 80s in between batches of storms with breezy southwest winds of 10-20mph and gusts up to 30mph.
We’ll get the last of the rain to move out by late afternoon and into the evening. With the passage of the storms and the front sliding to our southeast tonight and into tomorrow, we’ll see some changes into the weekend!
Skies will clear out tonight and drier air will move in. We’ll have a much more comfortable air mass in place for weekend as dew points crash into the low to mid 60s, very much less humid for this time of year. Sunny skies will be prevalent this weekend with highs in the pleasantly warm low to mid 80s.
For today, mostly cloudy skies with a passing storm or two. Highs today reach the low to mid 80s in windy southwest winds at 10-20mph and gusts up to 30mph. Your 7 Day Forecast keeps us sunny and feeling warm but less humid all weekend. | 2022-05-06T15:28:38Z | www.wjhg.com | Friday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/06/friday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/06/friday-forecast/ |
BCSO arrests local attorney(WJHG/WECP)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Bay County Sheriff’s Office Deputies said they have arrested local attorney, Billy Joe “Hoot” Crawford, for interfering with a child sexual abuse investigation.
Investigators with BCSO, the Department of Children and Families, and the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center said they were continuing an investigation of sexual abuse involving a child.
BCSO officials said Crawford brought the child to the advocacy center. Officials said that he was there representing her and made unreasonable demands contrary to the standard protocols of child sexual abuse investigations.
According to BCSO, Crawford and the child’s parents stopped cooperating with the investigation and tried to leave. Officials said in the best interest and safety of the child, the Florida Department of Children and Families took the child into state custody.
The DCF investigator said they put the child in her car and Crawford got in the car saying she was not going without him. Officials said he then took the child from the DCF investigator’s vehicle and put her in his vehicle.
The investigator said she stood behind his vehicle attempting to prevent him from leaving until she could get assistance. She reported while she was on the phone standing behind his vehicle, Crawford backed into her.
BCSO Deputies said Crawford left the scene.
Investigators were able to conduct a traffic stop on Crawford in the 1000 block of Harrison Ave.
Investigators said Crawford locked his doors and refused to open them or let the child out. After approximately 1 hour, Crawford let the girl out and surrendered himself.
Crawford was detained at the Bay County Jail on charges of Interference with Child Custody, Willful, and Wanton Reckless Driving, and Leaving the scene of an accident with bodily injury.
Crawford will have his first appearance before a local judge. | 2022-05-07T22:27:17Z | www.wjhg.com | BCSO arrests local attorney | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/07/bcso-arrests-local-attorney/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/07/bcso-arrests-local-attorney/ |
Four year old kid receives surprise helicopter ride
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s not every day a kid gets to live out his dream of riding in a helicopter, but that was the case for one special boy.
Paxton Tucker is only four years old but has already faced challenges more than most kids or adults have to experience.
‘He’d been diagnosed with Leukemia nearly a year prior to the day,” Dustin Ross, National Float Flight Paramedic with Air Methods Medical Helicopters.
Just like any other kid, Tucker was playing around the house when things suddenly took a turn for the worst.
“He was running through his house like a regular four-year-old and hit his head on the corner of the wall and almost instantly started acting funny per mom. And ended up going unresponsive. When we got there, he was unresponsive and actively seizing on the right side of his body,” Tucker said.
Ross and his team with air methods medical helicopters jumped into action to help another paramedic with intubation.
“We came in we were able to do that. They made a great call, they activated us early. We got there really quick and we were able to put him to sleep and put the tube down his throat. We stopped the seizure activity,” Ross said.
After tending to Tucker, Ross and his team notified the nearby hospital, Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Ascension Sacred heart, where Paxton has been receiving treatments for his leukemia.
It was determined Paxton needed platelets.
Following a CT scan, it was discovered he had a traumatic stroke from a brain bleed.
Thanks to the fast-acting of Ross and his team, they were able to get Paxton to the hospital in time for treatment.
“Due to everything working out the way it did, he spent about a week in the hospital and fully recovered,” Ross said.
Through this entire experience, there was some silver lining.
“Prior to this, Paxton was a huge fan of aviation. His mom said he had a flight suit and had all kinds of toy airplanes and helicopters. So she actually took a picture of him while we were flying. Because she knew he wouldn’t believe he got to be in a helicopter and didn’t remember it. So she took a picture of it,” Ross said.
Ross says he and his team made it a goal to make sure that he could get a flight where he could remember.
Well, that opportunity came with his birthday only a few days away, Tucker was able to celebrate early and recover in style.
“Fly him around the island and let him see the beach. His second flight, but the first one that he remembers and he loved it and just seeing the smile on his face and the emotions the mom and the rest of the family had. It was wonderful and it makes doing the job worthwhile,” Ross said.
Paxton even got to see a few sharks while he was flying around.
Ross says Paxton has zero deficits from the stroke. | 2022-05-09T07:55:33Z | www.wjhg.com | Four-year-old kid receives surprise helicopter ride | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/four-year-old-kid-receives-surprise-helicopter-ride/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/four-year-old-kid-receives-surprise-helicopter-ride/ |
It’s a quiet start on satellite and radar this morning with mainly clear skies. We’ll see a few clouds around sunrise, but nothing to block out an otherwise mainly sunny start.
You’ll have a very comfortable and slightly cool start to the day as well. Early morning commuters will be treated to some natural air conditioning with temperatures starting out in the low 60s. Roll down the windows on the morning commute and soak it up!
We’ll warm quickly, but remain less humid today. Highs manage the low to mid 80s this afternoon. We’ll keep these wonderful conditions around for the early week forecast.
A low pressure system will wander the Western Atlantic through this period helping to draw in a northeasterly flow down the Eastern U.S. That will help keep our skies clear and our less humid air in place. Eventually this low wanders close to the East Coast of Florida by the end of the week and will try to stir up a couple stray showers for Friday and Saturday.
For today, mainly sunny skies with a comfortably warm high in the low to mid 80s. Your 7 Day Forecast has us staying less humid with cool mornings and pleasantly warm highs through much of the week ahead. | 2022-05-09T14:03:30Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/monday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/monday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Travel numbers across Florida are flying sky high. It’s easy to see if you’ve flown in or out of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport lately.
“In the month of March, we were up 10% over our previous year which was the first year of really being busy,” Parker McClellan, Executive Director of Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, said.
But it seems the popularity could be backing up the runway.
“Because when there is delay at one airport or one airline has to delay, it triggers throughout their system,” McClellan said. “So if your plane leaves late in the morning, that plane that entire day is going to be impacted.”
Delayed flights have become a regular thing for many fliers, especially those in the sunshine state.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the demand is soaring above 2019 levels.
“It’s important that the FAA is recognizing the need for a smooth and efficient summer operation,” McClellan said.
While frequent flying is a factor, it’s not the only cause for delays. FAA officials said staffing and weather play a part, but they’re working to make operations a little smoother.
The agency released a statement saying they’ll quote, “work with stakeholders to develop a playbook to keep aircraft moving safely when weather, space launches, or other events constrain capacity.”
The FAA has also been meeting with different users of Florida airspace to see what exactly needs tweaking for operations to run smoothly this summer.
“We applaud them for their efforts. And we will do whatever we can at the airport and I’m sure across the region to make sure we have smooth and successful summer,” McClellan said.
Looking at summer travel expectations, ECP airport officials said the sky is the limit. | 2022-05-10T00:48:52Z | www.wjhg.com | FAA looks to smooth out air traffic issues | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/faa-looks-smooth-out-air-traffic-issues/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/faa-looks-smooth-out-air-traffic-issues/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Monday morning, Chief Financial Officer & State Fire Marshall Jimmy Patronis presented fire chiefs in the area with $15,219 in cancer decontamination equipment funding.
“Fires happen every day,” CFO Patronis, said. “We are not going to be able to stop them from happening. But we can do everything that we can to make sure that our brave first responders have the necessary gear, and equipment to be able to do their jobs safely and live long healthy lives.”
The grant money will be used to purchase equipment like extractors where firefighters can wash their gear after coming back from a fire.
“It helps our firefighters live a more healthy lifestyle, and cuts down on the possibility of contracting cancer. So it’s a huge benefit for us and for our men and women that work for us, and relief on our budget,” Panama City Beach Fire Chief, Ray Morgan, said.
“We are very concerned about the safety of our employees, and the lifetime of their career. We want to protect them as much as we can,” Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Fire Chief, Jerry Swearingen, said.
“There is a lot of need out there and so we are going to keep lobbying to try to get additional help out here to try to help our first responders” South Walton Fire District Fire Chief, Ryan Crawford, said”
The three stations awarded grant funds included:
• Panama City Beach Fire Rescue - $5,951.40
• Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Fire Rescue - $5,613
• Lynn Haven Fire & Emergency Services - $3,655.31 | 2022-05-10T00:49:04Z | www.wjhg.com | Local fire stations awarded cancer prevention grants | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/local-fire-stations-awarded-cancer-prevention-grants/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/09/local-fire-stations-awarded-cancer-prevention-grants/ |
Warm and dry weather this week
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a warm and dry week in the panhandle. For tonight skies will be clear and lows will fall into the 50s inland w/60s at the coast. On Tuesday skies will remain sunny with a nice E/NE wind. Highs will reach the mid 80s. The sea breeze will kick up in the afternoon and increase the humidity a bit. The forecast remains warm and dry this weekend with tolerable humidity thanks to a NE flow. Small rain chances return to the panhandle by the end of the weekend. | 2022-05-10T02:20:10Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/monday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/monday-evening-forecast/ |
Cigarette Generic(MGN)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Florida Department of Health is trying to lower the number of people using tobacco.
May 8 through the 14 is “Tobacco Free Florida” week.
The theme this year is “mental health equals mental wealth: overcoming the influences of tobacco on the mind.”
Healthpoint Medical Group nurse practitioner Crystal McVay said smoking to relieve stress can only make your addiction worse.
“You get rebound stress and anxiety from smoking,” McVay said. “So you may feel better for the moment and then as soon as that gets out of your system you’re going to have worsening stress and anxiety after that.”
The CDC says about “40 million American adults smoke cigarettes and an estimated 2.55 million middle and high school students use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes.”
The consequences of using these products shouldn’t be taken lightly.
There are solutions, though.
“You can exercise, do deep breathing, yoga, and meditation,” McVay said.
Alternative outlets are also available if your doctor deems it necessary.
“There’s medication you can use but we obviously use that as a last line of treatment, McVay said.”
Breaking addiction doesn’t come easy for many folks, though.
McVay said everyone’s pathway to breaking addiction is different.
“That addiction is probably one of the hardest addictions there is to break,” McVay said.
McVay said people can cut back or quit cold turkey as possible solutions.
Contacting your doctor is a first line of defense in overcoming it.
You can find the Tobacco Free Florida link here. | 2022-05-10T03:47:49Z | www.wjhg.com | Tobacco Free Florida week focuses on mental health | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/tobacco-free-florida-week-focuses-mental-health/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/tobacco-free-florida-week-focuses-mental-health/ |
Bahamas Police Commissioner Paul Rolle identified one of the victims as Vincent Chiarella. His wife, Donnis, was airlifted to a hospital in Miami for serious conditions from the “mysterious incident.” Officials said they can not yet provide a cause of death.
Now, residents of the Bid-a-Wee Beach neighborhood and neighbors of the Chiarella’s are remembering the couple.
“Everybody talked about Vince and Donnis. “You got to meet Vince and Donnis, they’re the greatest people.” When I did, I understood exactly what they were talking about,” Neighbor Genice Moneyham said.
The Chiarella’s were described as a major part of the community.
“Vincent and Donnis are so outgoing and always welcoming all the neighbors for every occasion,” Neighbor Charlotte Greathouc said.
A home that neighbors said they felt welcome at until the unthinkable happened last week.
“They went to celebrate their anniversary and such tragic news, it’s just still unbelievable,” said Greathouc.
According to NBC News, the Chiarella’s were guests at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Great Exuma when they were found under “mysterious circumstances.”
“Of all the people in the Bahamas, why did Vince have to go?” said Moneyham.
Vincent was found dead and Donnis was hospitalized with serious conditions after the incident.
“To lose him because he was such a big life in this community, we all just don’t even know how to feel right now,” said Moneyham.
Though left shocked, the Chiarella’s neighbors continue to remember Vince for his big smile and compassion towards the community.
“It won’t be Vince and Donnis, you know? We’re so sad about that because he was bigger than life. He was life. He lived every moment like it was his last,” said Moneyham.
And even though it was his last, his memory will last a lifetime in Bid-a-Wee Beach.
Officials said samples extracted from the three tourists who died at the resort under “mysterious circumstances” have been sent to a lab in Philadelphia to expedite results and help authorities understand what happened. Officials add no foul play is suspected at this time. | 2022-05-10T05:20:55Z | www.wjhg.com | Bid-a-Wee Beach residents react to local man’s death, woman’s hospitalization under “mysterious circumstances” in Bahamas | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/bid-a-wee-beach-residents-react-local-mans-death-womans-hospitalization-under-mysterious-circumstances-bahamas/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/bid-a-wee-beach-residents-react-local-mans-death-womans-hospitalization-under-mysterious-circumstances-bahamas/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Have you ever wanted to help others by becoming a firefighter or emergency medical technician? Well, here is your chance!
There are openings for upcoming classes at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City. Kevin Granberg, the Coordinator of Fire Safety at GCSC, stopped by the NewsChannel 7 studio to tell us more about the classes.
Granberg said the courses are open to anyone who is interested, but spaces are limited. | 2022-05-10T19:14:33Z | www.wjhg.com | Firefighter and E.M.T. classes at GCSC | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/firefighter-emt-classes-gcsc/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/firefighter-emt-classes-gcsc/ |
The Panama City Commissioners met today at the Bay County Government Center in Panama City.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Panama City Commissioners met Tuesday at the Bay County Government Center in Panama City.
Commissioners approved Ordinance 3060 for Emergency Declarations and Nuisances.
Ordinance 3060 for Emergency Declarations and Nuisances gives the Panama City Chief of Police, City Manager, and Mayor power to prevent massive crowd chaos, such as what happened during spring break.
“This ordinance provides us with a tool to immediately address that event that is taking place,” Panama City Chief of Police Mark Smith said. “So that we can protect the citizens and the property here inside of our community.”
This is different than a state of emergency power which would shut down large sections of areas in the city. Ordinance 3060 will only shut down specific violators of the ordinance. | 2022-05-10T20:48:18Z | www.wjhg.com | Panama City Commissioners approve police chief, city manager, and mayor emergency power | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/panama-city-commissioners-approve-police-chief-city-manager-mayor-emergency-power/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/10/panama-city-commissioners-approve-police-chief-city-manager-mayor-emergency-power/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - We all love dogs, but dealing with them in large public gatherings can be ‘ruff.’
That’s why Lynn Haven commissioners worked to change the city’s code of ordinances regarding animals at Tuesday’s meeting.
The new rules include changing dog leash length from four feet to six feet at city events.
They said the added length will allow dogs to have more leeway while still being in control of their owners.
Commissioners also said voluntarily registering and micro-chipping your pet will allow animal control to find it more easily.
City Manager Vickie Gainer said they want to ensure the city is handling violent dogs appropriately, too.
“It was already something we had in place, but just in dealing with different situations where dogs have become dangerous or dogs have gotten out,” Gainer said. “Dogs have killed other animals. We’ve dealt with that. We’ve seen that in the past.”
Commissioners plan to vote on the ordinance at the next meeting on May 24. | 2022-05-11T15:12:02Z | www.wjhg.com | Lynn Haven commissioners will vote to update city’s animal ordinance | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/11/lynn-haven-commissioners-will-vote-update-citys-animal-ordinance/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/11/lynn-haven-commissioners-will-vote-update-citys-animal-ordinance/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s a sight that has not been seen in two years, grown adults racing around a pool on inflatable ducks!
Duck riders were back in the water at Laketown Wharf Tuesday night after the Annual Duck Race took a two-year hiatus because of COVID.
The NewsChannel 7 Today team represented WJHG-TV in the relay. Even though they didn’t win the race they did come home with the People’s Choice Award, beating out 15 other teams.
WJHG-TV Team with People's Choice Award.(WJHG/WECP)
The money raised at the Duck Race helps local non-profit Beach Care Services provide emergency funding to those needing assistance with things like rent, food, and clothing. | 2022-05-11T16:43:35Z | www.wjhg.com | WJHG-TV takes home People’s Choice Award at 2022 Duck Races | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/11/wjhg-tv-takes-home-peoples-choice-award-2022-duck-races/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/11/wjhg-tv-takes-home-peoples-choice-award-2022-duck-races/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - If you happen to see an influx of Jeeps this weekend, don’t worry.
“So far we are expecting about 3,000 Jeeps and 10,000 Jeepers,” Andrea Hess, marketing and social media coordinator for Jeep Jam, said. “There’s going to be quite a few of those on the road, so don’t be alarmed.”
The 7th annual Jeep Jam is back at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach.
Jeep Jam promises to offer many fun events.
“We have live music going on both Friday and Saturday,” Hess said. “We have a day at the beach. We have Jeep poker run. We have our glow-off party. Now that’s actually taking part at Aaron Bessant Park, but it’s music, light show, and Jeeps.”
The best event may just be a big Jeep obstacle course taking place Thursday night.
“This obstacle course is open, the Jeepers that have registered for Florida Jeep Jam,” Hess said. “They build this custom every year. It’s so cool.”
Jeepers can still register for this event, if they want to join in on the party.
The event began setting up early this week and will last until Saturday.
For more information, please visit the Florida Jeep Jam website. | 2022-05-11T18:14:47Z | www.wjhg.com | The Jeeps are coming | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/11/jeeps-are-coming/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/11/jeeps-are-coming/ |
The warm and dry weather continues
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The weather pattern will gradually get more humid and rain chances will creep back into the forecast in the days ahead. For tonight skies will be clear and lows will fall into the low to mid 60s. On Thursday expect more of the the same with sunny and warm conditions. Highs will reach the mid to upper 80s. Winds will be NE at 10-15 mph. On Friday an area of low pretty will be near the east coast of the SE U.S. and that could be enough to allow for some instability and a few spotty storms. Rain chances Friday will be 30% with 20% rain chances Saturday. Highs Friday will be in the 80s. Rain chances remain relatively low though through the weekend. | 2022-05-12T00:58:56Z | www.wjhg.com | Wednesday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/wednesday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/wednesday-evening-forecast/ |
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Kids seem to be growing up faster and faster with each passing year.
“The expectations now on your kindergarten and first graders are nothing like they used to be,” Superintendent Joseph Taylor said.
Many parents want to give their kids a head start on their education.
“Starting at Kindergarten is wonderful, you know, for reading and writing and arithmetic, ABC’s, 123′s,” Teacher on Special Assignment Linda Mincey said.
Officials say one way to do that is by enrolling kids in Voluntary Pre-K (VPK).
“Getting them earlier is helping to get them reading by 3rd grade,” Mincey said.
Many Washington County residents are enrolling their kids in VPK, and their limited classrooms are filling up.
“Currently we offer VPK in Chipley and in Vernon, so what we want to do is build separate buildings for them,” Taylor said. “It frees up space for us, and I think it’s a better utilization to be able to provide for the students.”
The new VPK center in Chipley will be built less than 100 yards from the current one. The one in Vernon will be built right next door to the elementary school.
We’re told the money for this project is coming from COVID relief funds. Even though the buildings won’t be ready by this coming school year, officials still encourage parents to sign their kids up for the current VPK programs.
“Not only is it social in nature, it’s actually starting the scaffolding for all the other grades,” Mincey said.
School District officials say they hope this program, and these new buildings, give students the head start they need.
To sign a child up for VPK in Washington County, visit www.elcnwf.org. | 2022-05-12T04:53:56Z | www.wjhg.com | Two new VPK buildings coming to Washington County | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/two-new-vpk-buildings-coming-washington-county/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/two-new-vpk-buildings-coming-washington-county/ |
It’s a quiet start once again on satellite and radar with clear skies overhead. Plenty of sunshine returns to our skies once again today!
Temperatures are a little more mild this morning than cool. We’ll get the daytime going in the 60s with a bit of a dewy start for most. But still, for May, we’ll take it! Especially as we’ll have drier air filtering in on northeasterly winds that pick up into the daytime to help with the afternoon heat. Highs today will top out in the upper 80s approaching 90 degrees for most inland to the mid 80s on the coast.
That northeasterly flow will get reinforced by an area of low pressure moving in from the Atlantic into the Georgia Coast. As this low moves in it’ll bring with it some Atlantic moisture from the surface to aloft. It’ll also erode away our ridge of high pressure which will allow for some rising motion to occur in our atmosphere.
Rising motion is unstable air in the atmosphere and in combination with daytime heating, as well as a weak sea breeze, we’ll be able to create some spotty afternoon showers or rumbles of thunder Friday afternoon. The northeasterly flow in the atmosphere will try to pin the sea breeze on the coast at first, bringing a rain chance to both the coast and eventually inland as the sea breeze gradually drifts inland. We’ll give it a 30% chance for a 30-45min shower or storm Friday afternoon.
Rain chances over the weekend will be possible in the afternoons again. But should be much more stray in nature at a 20% chance. Still plenty of dry time to get outdoors from Friday through the weekend.
For today, more sunshine with hot afternoon highs in the mid 80s on the coast to near 90 inland. Your 7 Day Forecast has chances for brief afternoon scattered storms ahead for the weekend with most of the day under mostly sunny skies. | 2022-05-12T12:39:13Z | www.wjhg.com | Thursday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/thursday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/thursday-forecast/ |
Golden Apple Award Winner: Karen Ledet
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This week’s Golden Apple Award winner has been teaching since 1998. Now, she spends her time teaching fifth graders at Vernon Elementary School.
Karen Ledet teaches all fifth grade subjects at Vernon Elementary. However, she’s taught other grades and subjects in the past.
Ledet said she enjoys using Avid strategies for success to prepare her students for the future, as well as teaching students about different cultures around the world, like her dad taught her.
“I love bringing things they haven’t seen before from other cultures or other countries,” Ledet said. “I bring food samples so they get to taste things, sometimes I’ve even ordered things online from overseas.”
Ledet said she enjoys spending time with her husband when she isn’t teaching or preparing to teach.
Karen Ledet Wins the Golden Apple
Summer Shape-Up Kickboxing | 2022-05-12T14:01:58Z | www.wjhg.com | Golden Apple Award Winner: Karen Ledet | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/golden-apple-award-winner-karen-ledet/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/golden-apple-award-winner-karen-ledet/ |
Johnny in fact setting the new competitive track record with a time of 3-point-91 seconds, which on that eight of a mile track translates to roughly 198 miles an hour. That’s the kind of thing your missing if you’re not getting up to the track in Fountain.
The good thing is there’s more racing set for this weekend with the gates opening at noon. More Pro-Mods and Jet Cars set to run, plus the continuation of the season long Monster Energy Bracket series. Also it’s Runday Sunday at the track starting at 11 if you want to run your street legal ride. | 2022-05-13T00:45:32Z | www.wjhg.com | New record set at North Florida Motorplex | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/new-record-set-north-florida-motorplex/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/12/new-record-set-north-florida-motorplex/ |
Dan Anderson poses with his sand castle at St. Andrews State Park.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - They say building a house on the sand isn’t ideal, so good thing Dan Anderson is only building castles.
”Enjoying the beach, playing in the sand,” said Anderson.
It’s Dan’s passing of the sands of time, building sand castles. This time he was at St. Andrews State Park working on a castle with “Spread Joy Like Glitter” carved in the middle.
Dan Anderson poses with his sand sculpture at St. Andrews State Park.(WJHG)
“When the sun is up I’m like itching to get out here, it’s such a beautiful day,” said Anderson.
He has built a business on sand. A one-man operation called “Dan Castles.”
“Everything is cheap and free,” said Anderson.
And cheap overhead is important when you’re as busy as Dan. He teaches sand castle building classes to the young and old. As well as building castles for events, birthdays, wedding proposals and more. Working on beaches from Pensacola all the way East to Panama City.
A marriage proposal sand sculpture created by Dan Anderson.(Dan Anderson)
“Every chance I got I was on the beach building for fun,” said Anderson. “Then it just kind of evolved into a career from there.”
But getting here took trading in the ice for sand, moving down from Michigan to Miramar Beach with his friend.
“And they had on Craig’s List called be a sand castle coach,” said Anderson.
So, he started with a local sand sculpting business.
“My first year there I actually made an eight-foot version of the Eiffel Tower,” said Anderson.
Dan Anderson's Eiffel Tower sand sculpture.(Dan Anderson)
Then he decided to carve his own path and sculptures.
“I do a lot of this on my own because I really love being personable in my business.”
It digs deep in his past, graduating to the beach from the sandbox.
“My neighbor still tags me in a post almost every year of me buried up to the ears in a sand box and saying more sand! So ever since I was a little kid I loved playing in the sand,” said Anderson.
Dan Anderson at home in Michigan as a child playing in the sand.(Dan Anderson)
But for a guy making a living off the sand, it’s about more.
“It’s nothing for me to come out here and play in the sand and spread this joy. You know how many families are going to come look at this and take pictures after we leave,” said Anderson.
Even if he doesn’t make a dime, it’s time well spent.
“Spreading more positivity honestly, that’s what it is all about for me is spreading that joy,” said Anderson.
So, even though it’s not advised, he’s building his foundation on the sand and it’s as good as any.
“Sand castles bring an amount of joy to people you really can’t get anywhere else,” said Anderson.
You can find more about Dan’s sand services at https://dancastles.com/ | 2022-05-13T02:21:09Z | www.wjhg.com | Sand sculptor spreads joy with castles across the Panhandle | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/sand-sculptor-spreads-joy-with-castles-across-panhandle/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/sand-sculptor-spreads-joy-with-castles-across-panhandle/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s called a jeep owners dream this week, as thousands of jeep owners and hundreds of jeep clubs invade Panama City Beach for the 7th annual Florida Jeep Jam.
Florida Jeep Jam is advertised as the top jeep beach destination location across the southeast. Marketing Director Andrea Hess said the event started as a small group of jeep enthusiasts and grew about 25% each year. She said the family-friendly fun event brings people from all over the nation, from Alaska all the way to Maine, with at least 18 states being represented this year. Hess adds it’s an economic boost with more people staying in the destination the entire week.
“You’re talking about heads in bed. Just think about in each jeep, there’s at least four, possibly five people. So you’ve got 3,000 jeeps and then you do the math, we know about 10,000 (people) and a lot of them already own places here or are renting, so we’re putting money back into the economy. Then they have to eat. We do have some food vendors here, but most of them are going to eat out. So, the restaurants are getting a benefit. Then they’re going to go shopping. There’s definitely benefits all around economically and on both sides of the bridge,” said Hess.
Hess said they held the jeep poker run Thursday to raise money for Toys for Kids Foundation. The event also includes an obstacle course, Dunes Day Off-Road Excursion, vendor village, live music, and junior jeepers zone. Jeep Jam started on Tuesday and ends on Saturday. for more information, visit Florida Jeep Jam. | 2022-05-13T03:52:46Z | www.wjhg.com | Florida Jeep Jam invades PCB for seventh year | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/florida-jeep-jam-invades-pcb-seventh-year/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/florida-jeep-jam-invades-pcb-seventh-year/ |
It’s a quiet start on satellite and radar this morning with somewhat clear skies overhead. A bit of Atlantic moisture is moving in across Northeast FL and GA. It’s associated with an area of low pressure which will help bring a rain chance to our afternoon and evening today. Until then, we’ll have plenty of sunshine in the morning and midday, and even outside of any scattered brief afternoon storms.
It’s a mild and muggy start today with temperatures getting going in the mid 60s. You’ll notice a bit more humidity throughout the day today and that will also contribute to the afternoon’s rain chance.
However, with our ridge of high pressure moving out, we won’t warm as much into the afternoon for inland areas as day’s prior. Plus the relatively cooler air moving in off the Gulf water, sea surface temperatures in the 70s, will act to prevent the coast from warming up too much today. Temperatures will only reach the low to mid 80s before the sea breeze starts to move in along the coast just after lunch.
As the sea breeze moves in it will also trigger lift in our skies creating scattered showers or thunderstorms. It’ll start first near coastal locations, before daytime heating and some gradual movement of the sea breeze inland will move storms up to highway 20 in the late afternoon and eventually to I-10 by the evening. If you catch one of the afternoon showers or storms, it’ll probably only last you about an hour at max before moving on to another location.
We’ll see a similar setup into the weekend. However, the low pressure system working to allow for some unsettled afternoons weakens and moves north. We’ll have to rely solely on daytime heating and the sea breeze to create a handful of afternoon scattered storms, several less than today. Most of our days over the weekend will see mostly to partly sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 80s.
For today, mostly sunny skies until a few widely scattered storms develop into the afternoon. Highs today reach the mid 80s. Your 7 Day Forecast has a few more of these afternoon, summery-type, storm chances for us into the weekend. | 2022-05-13T13:04:36Z | www.wjhg.com | Friday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/friday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/friday-forecast/ |
Anthony Griffin is charged with robbery.(Fort Walton Beach Police Department)
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A man wanted in connection with a bank robbery earlier this week has been arrested.
Fort Walton Beach Police say Wednesday a Regions bank on Beal Parkway NE was robbed. They say Anthony Griffin, 38, of Fort Walton Beach, was identified as the suspect within 24 hours of the initial crime thanks to the help of the public who saw surveillance photos from the bank.
Thursday, police responded to the Quality Inn at Miracle Strip Parkway SW after a report of a suspicious person. When they got there, the man refused to identify himself, but police recognized him as Griffin. Griffin was arrested on a charge of robbery. | 2022-05-13T16:07:36Z | www.wjhg.com | Fort Walton Beach bank robbery suspect arrested | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/fort-walton-beach-bank-robbery-suspect-arrested/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/fort-walton-beach-bank-robbery-suspect-arrested/ |
Michael Anthony Davis is charged with battery on law enforcement/EMT and resisting an officer with violence.(Washington County Sheriff's Office)
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A call that started out as a suspicious person ended with a man in jail accused of attacking a deputy.
Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies say Thursday they got a call about a suspicious person trespassing on private property near the Blue Lake area. When deputies arrived on scene, they say Michael Anthony Davis, 32, of Chipley, was acting consistently with someone who was under the influence of drugs.
The deputy questioning Davis thought detaining him for a medical intervention and hold was appropriate and attempted to restrain Davis. Deputies say that’s when Davis became violent and attacked the deputy. Davis allegedly tried to choke the deputy. The deputy was able to break the hold and take Davis to the ground.
Deputies say after a medical evaluation and clearance, Davis kept fighting them until he was in a cell at the Washington County Jail.
Davis is charged with battery on law enforcement/EMT and resisting an officer with violence. | 2022-05-13T17:38:42Z | www.wjhg.com | Man accused of choking deputy charged | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/man-accused-choking-deputy-charged/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/man-accused-choking-deputy-charged/ |
This is the 6th year for the Beach Krawl.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - You may have noticed something other than turtles crossing Panama City Beach Friday morning.
Instead of people, turtles, or seagulls, you many have seen Jeepers having a party.
“We literally have 1,000 Jeeps going one mile stretch along Panama City Beach,” Andrea Hess, who handles social media and marketing for Florida Jeep Jam, said. “It’s a special event.”
This is the 6th year the Beach Krawl has been going on for Jeep Jam. Not only do they have cool rides and nice weather, Jeepers also get to go Topless for Turtles.
“We give back to the community,” Hess said. “This money does go towards the turtle foundation and the off-road foundation.”
As Jeepers made their way all the way down to Pier Park, they enjoyed great views and a nice game of duck, duck, Jeep.
“If you see a Jeep you like, or a Jeeper you like, or you’re from the same town, you get ducked,” Hess said.
Getting “ducked” means another Jeeper gives you a custom-made rubber duck to show off.
Kids watched the event from the sidelines and passengers even went out of their way to toss them ducks.
Saving turtles, relaxing on cool rides, and getting ducked, all things to help you quack a smile. | 2022-05-13T22:12:54Z | www.wjhg.com | Florida Jeep Jam Beach Krawl | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/florida-jeep-jam-beach-krawl/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/florida-jeep-jam-beach-krawl/ |
Deane Bozeman Principal Ivan Beach gets $1,000 in prize money, to help fund project graduation.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Bay District Schools hit a record year for Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submissions. Deane Bozeman won this years FAFSA challenge with a double digit increase from last year.
“One of the main things that we focus on is helping students be prepared for after high school,” Deane Bozeman Principal Ivan Beach said.
The school had an increase of 23 percent. Beach said it’s all thanks to the faculty and staff, helping students with a plan for the future.
Bozeman also received $1,000 in additional prize money. The nonprofit organization Alignment Bay County helped fund it.
FAFSA provides aid for a student’s college funding. Alignment Bay County Executive Director Kelly Mustain said it’s important to encourage students to apply, so they can have more opportunities.
“We want them to think about life after high school, like what’s in store for them,” Mustain said.
After Hurricane Michael and the pandemic, families struggled financially. School officials said the amount of money students can get may increase due to this. Although, it depends on the household income.
Bay, Rutherford, and Arnold High Schools also had an increase in FAFSA submissions. | 2022-05-13T22:25:38Z | www.wjhg.com | Deane Bozeman wins the FAFSA challenge for Bay County | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/deane-bozeman-wins-fafsa-challenge-bay-county/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/deane-bozeman-wins-fafsa-challenge-bay-county/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Miller gallery will include a variety of Asian art pieces, ranging from textiles and scrolls of art to common household items to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander heritage.
Jeannie Millaway, a local writer and engineer, organized this heritage exhibition in collaboration with other families in Panama City, collecting family heirlooms and other staples in Asian art to educate and fascinate visitors.
NewsChannel 7′s Jenna LeMair spoke with Bay Arts Alliance Members about the exhibit. | 2022-05-13T23:56:58Z | www.wjhg.com | Celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/celebrating-asian-pacific-islander-heritage/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/13/celebrating-asian-pacific-islander-heritage/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -The 95th Sherman Invitational wrapped up on Sunday at Panama Country Club.
The Sherman is a three day, 54 hole amateur tournament with different flights for different skill sets in four divisions: Championship, Open, Senior, and Super senior.
175 players made their way out to Lynn Haven to compete, most of them local.
A few weather delays pushed play back on Friday and Sunday with Sunday’s final round ending in the dark with golf carts parked around hole 18 for vision.
Brian Barth is this year’s Sherman Champion. He finished out -10, shooting 71 in the final round.
Barth’s win was a long-time coming after losing in a playoff hole with Matt Johnson years ago.
“Overly excited right now,” said Barth. “This of course is a big tournament here. Everybody knows about it, and of course, being able to play well and even had a chance is great, and then to actually get it done is fantastic.”
The 96th Sherman Invitational is set for May 19-21, 2023.
For more scores, click here. | 2022-05-16T05:00:29Z | www.wjhg.com | 95th Sherman Invitational wraps up at Panama Country Club | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/16/95th-sherman-invitational-wraps-up-panama-country-club/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/16/95th-sherman-invitational-wraps-up-panama-country-club/ |
It’s a fairly quiet start on radar and satellite this morning with just a few stray showers off the Forgotten Coast. We’ll see a small possibility of a couple stray showers near the coast this morning. You’d be largely unlucky to see it. Same will go for the afternoon, but there will be a few more spotty showers that do pop up later today as well.
Otherwise, it’s a warm and humid start with temperatures in the upper 60s and dew points well into the mid to upper 60s. Dress comfortably out the door as we’ll see some heat come our way this morning and this week. We’ll warm quickly into the 80s by mid to late morning, with lunchtime temperatures into the mid 80s and afternoon highs topping the mid to upper 80s.
With the humidity in place, we’ll probably feel much more like the 90s this afternoon. Some of us will actually reach the 90s in the afternoons this week away from the coast!
That heat and humidity will try to bubble up into a stray shower or two, especially with help from a weak frontal boundary in place in the Southeast. However, any rain in the early week forecast appears to be few and far between.
Our troughing pattern in the atmosphere, which we had in place over the weekend helping to foster the scattered storms, weakens and moves out today. High pressure, which suppresses rain chances, moves in. That ridge will bring a mainly quiet week with rain chances, and also help to foster the daytime heating into the 90s for areas away from the coast.
For today, mostly to partly sunny skies with a slim chance of catching a stray shower. Highs today reach the mid 80s on the coast to upper 80s inland with feels like temperatures for most in the low 90s. Your 7 Day Forecast has us mainly quiet week with some serious heat developing in the afternoons by midweek. | 2022-05-16T12:37:30Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/16/monday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/16/monday-forecast/ |
Rain chances will increase by the weekend
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s going to be a warm and humid night tonight in the panhandle w/lows in the 60s (inland) and 70s (coast). On Tuesday skies will be mostly sunny w/a small rain chances of 10%. Highs will reach the mid 80s (coast) and low 90s (inland). The forecast remain hot & dry through Thursday. By Friday and through the weekend rain chances will increase to 50-60%. Highs will reach the mid 80s. | 2022-05-17T00:48:37Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/17/monday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/17/monday-evening-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -A pair of area high school baseball teams used Monday as travel day in advance of their respective 1A State Semifinal games Wednesday in Fort Myers.
Let’s start in Bonifay. Coach Jeromy Powell and his Holmes Blue Devils packing up the bus at their field around midday Monday. Holmes beating Jay and Northview in their two playoff games last week. That earning them a berth in the 1A State Semifinals, and a game against Fort White Wednesday night. This a second consecutive trip to Fort Myers for Powell and his team. That kind of success the coach tells us doesn’t happen by accident, it’s not luck. Just good old fashioned dedication and hard work!
“We’ve put in, we practice every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s rain or shine.” coach Powell told us before loading up the bus. “We practice every day, the guys swing the bat every day. And they put in extra work on the weekends, I come up here to mow grass and there’s guys in the cage hitting. And it says a lot about team when you see that. You know I don’t have to tell them you’ve got to be here, they’re here.”
“It feels good but the job’s not finished.” says Holmes senior pitcher and shortstop Colby Jones. “Of course it feels to get back down there after what happened last year. The one last year kind of stuck with us for a little bit. And now it’s kind of like a revenge tour if you know what I”m saying.” Last year Holmes lost to Chipley in the state semifinal. Holmes traveling with a 22-7 record, their opponent Fort White is 16-6. Their semifinal game Wednesday night at 7 eastern.
As for Bozeman, the Bucks doing it a little bit differently Monday, getting a bit of a later start. That after going through a full school day and then getting in one final practice at home this afternoon. Coach Patton and his team with playoff wins over Port St. Joe last Tuesday, and then Chipley Friday. Both those games coming on the road. So this the start of just another road trip you could say. Bozeman faces Dixie in a four o’clock game Wednesday at Hammond Stadium. After a team meal, the Bucks loaded up the bus around six Monday evening. So they won’t arrive in the hotel until the wee hours of Tuesday morning. They’ll sleep in and then head to Estero High School in Fort Myers for an early afternoon practice. Before this trip coach Patton talked about how ready his team seems to be for this shot at the program’s first state title! “Yeah, a couple of weeks back we talked about how we wanted to stay sharp. How we wanted to stay healthy and we wanted to stay rested. So we’re doing that. The boys have got a good focus. They played extremely well in two playoff games. Probably about as well as we’ve ever played in playoff games. And we’ve won a lot of them around here. I’m pretty happy with them, their focus is good and they’ve got their eye on the prize. They’ve got big goals and they know they have to play well Wednesday to have a shot. "
Julia will be in Fort Myers Tuesday and will have extensive coverage of both teams starting Tuesday night. | 2022-05-17T04:30:07Z | www.wjhg.com | Holmes, Bozeman head south Monday in advance of State Finals | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/17/holmes-bozeman-head-south-monday-advance-state-finals/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/17/holmes-bozeman-head-south-monday-advance-state-finals/ |
It’s a quiet start on satellite and radar this morning with just a few clouds passing through. Plenty of sunshine returns to our skies today with only a 10% chance for a rogue shower or rumble of thunder in the afternoon.
We’re off to a warm and humid start this morning as well. Temperatures are starting out near 70 degrees with dew points near 70 as well. Highs will warm into the upper 80s to low 90s. The heat index reaches the low to mid 90s.
A weak cold front slides through the region tonight, allowing for some to see humidity fall along I-10 and north. The coast remains fairly humid heading into the midweek.
High pressure builds into the region heading into tonight and tomorrow behind the front. That will further suppress rain chances for the midweek. But it will also drive the heat up higher!
Midweek temperatures will reach up to near 90 on the coast to mid 90s inland. Heat indices into the midweek forecast push mid to upper 90s.
Rain chances pick back up toward the end of the week and weekend as the ridge of high pressure slides out east.
For today, mostly sunny skies with hot temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s. Your 7 Day Forecast has us heating up through the midweek with the return of rain chances for the end of the week and weekend. | 2022-05-17T12:59:16Z | www.wjhg.com | Tuesday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/17/tuesday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/17/tuesday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Big box stores like Dillard’s offer tons of men’s and women’s clothing options, but the local stylists have a true connection with the customers.
At Dillard’s Pier Park, you can make an appointment with a stylist for all of the clothing help you need. You can call (850) 234-2417 to schedule.
Maria Cantrell styled Sam and Jessica this Wear it Wednesday, and Justin Adams styled Ryan and Alex.
To learn more details about the viewer-voted winning outfits for the NewsChannel 7 Today team, you can watch the full segment above. | 2022-05-18T13:20:45Z | www.wjhg.com | Wear it Wednesday styled by local stylists at Dillard’s Pier Park | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/18/wear-it-wednesday-styled-by-local-stylists-dillards-pier-park/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/18/wear-it-wednesday-styled-by-local-stylists-dillards-pier-park/ |
It’s a quiet start on radar despite a bank of clouds in our skies from our weak frontal boundary overhead. We’ll be rain free today, but it’ll take some time this morning to get rid of the clouds and some patchy fog.
The front has only dropped dew points inland into the sticky 60s, while the coast is waking up very humid with dew points in the 70s. Most will head out the door with a warm and humid feel as actual temperatures get started in the 70s. Be sure to dress comfortably for a toasty day ahead! Highs today easily reach the 90s inland to upper 80s on the beaches. Those around the bays will have a decent chance at topping the 90s.
High pressure builds into the region today and tomorrow behind the front. That will further suppress rain chances for the midweek. Rain chances pick back up toward the end of the week and weekend as the ridge of high pressure slides out east. | 2022-05-18T13:20:51Z | www.wjhg.com | Wednesday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/18/wednesday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/18/wednesday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Graduation season has arrived in Bay County for seniors graduating from Bay District Schools. The class of 2022 has had to face several challenges between COVID and Hurricane Michael.
“Our seniors this year are in a very unique situation because they have not had a quote-unquote normal school year since 8th grade,” Alana Simmons, BDS director of secondary and adult instructional services, said.
For the seniors who aren’t able to walk in the spring, do they have options to graduate this year? School officials said this year is a little different because there are no waivers from the state.
“This year the state has not offered any waivers for our seniors. So all seniors still have to have certain GPA requirements, all of their credits and they also have to meet all the state requirements in ELA and math,” Simmons said.
BDS does offer a summer program where seniors can fulfill their missing requirements. The school district also provides transportation and lunch and breakfast for the students that attend.
“We have our comprehensive summer learning recovery program which is actually available for all of our students,” Simmons said.
If you are a parent or guardian of a senior who isn’t eligible to graduate because they are missing credits, the time is now to fill out the form for summer school.
“If you haven’t done it already, do it today because we will be closing registration at the end of the school year,” Simmons said.
The seniors who complete their requirements over the summer will get to have graduation during a school board meeting. | 2022-05-18T23:59:50Z | www.wjhg.com | Bay District School seniors not walking in graduation have options | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/18/bay-district-school-seniors-not-walking-graduation-have-options/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/18/bay-district-school-seniors-not-walking-graduation-have-options/ |
It’s a quiet start on satellite and radar with just a few clouds in place. Not much has changed in the forecast from yesterday.
It’s a warm and humid start again with temperatures and dew points getting the day going in the 70s. We’ll want to dress comfortably for another toasty day ahead. Highs today easily reach the 90s inland to upper 80s on the beaches. Those around the bays will have a decent chance at topping the 90s.
High pressure is still in place for today. That will further suppress rain chances once again. We were only able to develop a couple quick showers yesterday, and it’s looking fewer even for today.
Rain chances pick back up toward the end of the week and weekend as the ridge of high pressure slides out east. A few quick storms develop by Friday afternoon.
Widely scattered, and periodic storms are expected on Saturday with some sticking around into Sunday as well. | 2022-05-19T12:49:47Z | www.wjhg.com | Thursday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/19/thursday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/19/thursday-forecast/ |
Visit South Walton Visitors Center.(WJHG)
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Walton County’s tourism demographics for 2021 is giving the community a positive impact. More than 47,700 jobs were supported by tourism in the area. Walton County Tourism Communications Director Matt Algarin said tourism truly is the number one economic driver.
“When you look at these numbers and you see the true impact of what that means to your neighbors and your colleagues, it’s incredible,” Algarin said.
The total economic impact for 2021 amounted to $7.1 billion. The demographics show visitors spent $1,040 every day on their trip. Algarin said residents and business owners faced a lot of uncertainty during the pandemic, but they showed true resiliency.
“To see that we could support more than 47,000 jobs in our community and put people to work is a true blessing,” Algarin said.
Officials said visitors account for 80.2 percent of all retail spending in Walton County.
The total economic impact for 2020 was $5.3 billion and 27,800 jobs were created by tourism. | 2022-05-19T21:58:35Z | www.wjhg.com | Walton County’s tourism rates in 2021 brings in billions of dollars for the economy | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/19/walton-countys-tourism-rates-2021-brings-billions-dollars-economy/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/19/walton-countys-tourism-rates-2021-brings-billions-dollars-economy/ |
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Tupelo honey is a southern favorite, and a honey processor and harvester -- Big River Honey -- is coming to Jackson County.
“So, they produce tupelo honey, raw tupelo honey, as well as other products you can create from honey like skin care products, etc.,” Vice President of Business Development Zach Gilmore said.
The company is originally from Wewahitchka, but will be making its way to Jackson County soon.
Big River Honey will be renting a building on the Endeavor Property from the county, and officials hope this will spur even more growth on the property.
“What we’re really excited about is they’re going to be the first place besides the autism center to be located out here on the north campus of Endeavor,” Gilmore said.
Since the building will need to be repaired before Big River Honey makes the move, Officials say they hope this will create a domino effect of more buildings on the property being repaired.
“It’s really making the county have to move forward with some of the repairs on the buildings around here,” Gilmore said.
Soon enough, the Endeavor Property will be buzzing with a new business.
It’s unknown when Big River Honey will get to work in Jackson County, but we’re told the county is out for bid on roof repairs to their building. | 2022-05-20T02:32:09Z | www.wjhg.com | Big River Honey coming to Endeavor Property in Jackson County | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/20/big-river-honey-coming-endeavor-property-jackson-county/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/20/big-river-honey-coming-endeavor-property-jackson-county/ |
HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Florida Highway Patrol says a woman was killed in multi-vehicle crash on I-10 in Holmes County.
Trooper say a small car was driving eastbound in a westbound lane near mile marker 110 on I-10 when it hit a semi-truck head on. Officials tell us the driver was ejected from the car when it went into the median. The semi-truck continued west to the north shoulder where it burst into flames.
I-10 westbound lanes have been shut down. Stay with NewsChannel 7 for any updates. | 2022-05-20T04:03:28Z | www.wjhg.com | Fort Walton Beach woman killed in Multi-vehicle crash on I-10 in Holmes Co. | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/20/fort-walton-beach-woman-killed-multi-vehicle-crash-i-10-holmes-co/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/20/fort-walton-beach-woman-killed-multi-vehicle-crash-i-10-holmes-co/ |
It’s a quiet start on radar but we do have some low level clouds passing through this morning and a small chance you’ll see some patchy fog. Neither of which will slow your morning commute down.
Temperatures are starting out warm and humid in the 70s for the coast with some upper 60s inland. Dress comfortably for another toasty and summery day ahead in NWFL. Temperatures warm quickly into the 80s by mid morning and mid to upper 80s for lunch today. We’ll see highs once again returning to the upper 80s to low 90s across the Panhandle this afternoon. Heat indices will span the lower 90s on the coast to mid 90s inland.
As we reach the midday, however, rain chances will move in from the Gulf. Scattered showers are anticipated to develop in the warm and moist southerly flow we have from the Gulf today. They’ll be hit or miss, and quick hitters at that, maybe only lasting about a half hour for thsoe that catch one. But due to the high concentration of moisture in our atmosphere, anyone who does catch a shower could catch a heavy downpour.
This pattern will continue into the weekend as well, except we are expecting a higher number of showers or thunderstorms to develop. Some storms could strengthen and become strong or slightly severe. Due to the moisture rich environment, if you get a storm it could amount to an inch or two of rain accumulation, more than one may lead toward several inches of rain.
For today, partly sunny skies with a few showers or thunderstorms developing into the midday and afternoon. Highs today top out in the upper 80s on the coast to low 90s inland. Your 7 Day Forecast has us with an unsettled setup into the weekend, but it shouldn’t be a complete washout all day long. | 2022-05-20T13:11:21Z | www.wjhg.com | Friday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/20/friday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/20/friday-forecast/ |
5th Annual Red Tie Ball(Allison Baker)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Saturday night was the night to grab your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor. Basic Northwest Florida hosted their 5th Annual Red Tie Ball.
The organization told NewsChannel 7 they have faced setbacks in the past few years due to Hurricane Michael and COVID but they were back this year.
The president and CEO said more than 250 tickets were sold.
“Tonight’s event is Basic’s main fundraiser. The funds raised from this event, not just with ticket sales but also have a silent auction go to provide services to people who live with HIV. As well as preventative support services,” Valerie Mincey, President, and CEO of Basic NWFL said.
All of the proceeds from Saturday’s event will go towards the organization assisting their five-county region. | 2022-05-22T04:46:05Z | www.wjhg.com | 5th Annual Red Tie Ball | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/22/5th-annual-red-tie-ball/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/22/5th-annual-red-tie-ball/ |
Families were able to ride, groom and paint horses at Saturday's event.(WJHG/WECP)
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - For soldiers, coming home from active duty can bring major challenges.
“I”m a retired Army Chaplain after 25 years, and did three years Iraq/Afghanistan, so I also have PTSD,” Founder of The Hope Project David Trogdon said.
For Trogdon, one way to cope was being around and handling horses. That’s why he started The Hope Project.
“We provide free equine therapy for military, veterans, first responders, children with special needs, also with abuse victims,” Trogdon said.
On Saturday The Hope Project teamed up with the exceptional family member program at Tyndall Air Force Base to hold an equine event. At the event, military families were able to paint, ride and groom horses, as well as learn more about how horse therapy can help with a variety of problems.
“Being that I use horses as my own therapy, I really like to incorporate them as much as I can into my program to let other people experience the benefits of it,” Exceptional Family Member Coordinator Shannon Scott said.
We’re told equine therapy can help with everything from PTSD to learning disabilities.
“This horse, and any horse, can hear your heartbeat from four feet away,” Trogdon said. “They know your emotions, they read your body language and your facial expressions, so we do equine therapy with them.”
More than just learning about the horses and all they can help with, we’re told there is a bigger hope for this event and events like it.
“It’s showing our EFMP families that they are supported and that there are activities they can participate in and feel welcome and comfortable,” Scott said.
So both adults and kids can get help and support where it is needed.
For more information on The Hope Project, visit https://hopeprojectinc.org.
For more information on the Tyndall EFMP program, visit https://www.facebook.com/TyndallEFMPFamilySupport/. | 2022-05-22T04:46:24Z | www.wjhg.com | Tyndall Air Force Base hosts equine therapy event | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/22/tyndall-air-force-base-hosts-equine-therapy-event/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/22/tyndall-air-force-base-hosts-equine-therapy-event/ |
Reaction to rising gas prices
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - All across the area gas prices are topping four dollars when it comes to filling up at the pump.
“It’s very hard to travel, it makes it very hard for us,” Bernita Johnson, visiting from Carrollton, Georgia said.
For many traveling nowadays, with the rise in gas prices, many say they are being ever so cautious with their trips.
“Just work and home pretty much,” Verlinquia Robinson, visiting from Elba, Alabama said.
“I try to go to work and like once a week when I take my day off and If I still got a lot of money left, I can afford to maneuver I might take one trip down to Panama, Marianna, or maybe up to Dothan,” Jason Jennings, visiting from Bonifay said.
One man says it costs him quite a pretty penny to fill up nowadays.
“Ninety-seven dollars, to fill up your entire truck....97 dollars,” Armond Lincoln, one local traveler said.
Now all across the area, there are a variety of gas prices. From $4.25 all the way to $4.69. I know I actually, just returned from out of town where I saw gas prices as low as $4.15 and even $4.37. So collectively across the nation, gas prices are up and people say they are really concerned.
“If it’s gone be one price in one city, I feel like it should be the same,” Sage Kelley, visiting from Elba, Alabama said.
Between the recent increase in food prices and gas prices, one lady says day-to-day life is becoming quite the challenge.
“It’s hard for people to live. It’s getting hard for people to live. It’s getting hard. I mean it’s a struggle for most people,” Johnson said.
Some say they even travel further out just to get cheaper gas options, but lately, it really hasn’t made much difference.
“If I got enough to make it to Alabama, I will go to Alabama. I went, my ma went a couple of weeks ago and still only got half a tank off of $20. So I’m like dang, now I don’t even know I’d as well get it in town,” Jennings said.
According to JPMorgan, gas prices could reach over six dollars this summer. many say if that happens, they may not travel much at all.
“People that do take a trip to the beach, you go six dollars ain’t nobody gone wanna go nowhere,” Robinson said.
“I wouldn’t be out that much no. I think I’ll lay low, start hanging around the house BBQ’n on the back porch,” Johnson said.
Collectively all agree they would like to see lower gas prices in the near future.
For those interested, according to AAA the gas average for the state of Florida is $4.481 compared to the $2.877 a year ago. | 2022-05-23T05:07:28Z | www.wjhg.com | Reactions to rising gas prices | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/reactions-rising-gas-prices/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/reactions-rising-gas-prices/ |
It’s another active day on radar with more scattered showers and thunderstorms to battle out the door. There’s not a whole lot of coverage over the Panhandle early on this morning. But more scattered storms develop throughout the day today.
Otherwise, it’s warm and humid with most getting the day started in the mid 70s. Wear something comfortable for the muggy conditions, but also reach for the rain gear. Boots, a light rain jacket, and/or an umbrella wouldn’t be bad choices this morning. We’ll only warm up to about 80 or the low 80s this afternoon with the clouds preventing too much warming.
An area of low pressure developed off the storminess in the Gulf of Mexico. Had it more time in the Gulf, it could’ve developed into our first tropical system of the year. However, a frontal boundary draped across the Southeast, and upper level troughing to our west, has scooped up this system and absorbed it.
The combination of the frontal system to our west and this low moving across the Southeast will lead toward an unsettled day today. The low helps to push the frontal boundary to our north heading into Tuesday and Wednesday where we’ll only see a few scattered showers or storms develop.
Another frontal system moves across the country and into the Southeast by Thursday drumming up another stormy day. We’ll see this front clear Thursday night into early Friday morning helping to clear us out for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.
For today, mainly cloudy skies with morning storms likely, rain chances drop into the afternoon but may return by the evening. Highs today only reach the low 80s. Your 7 Day Forecast has us dealing with an unsettled day today and only scattered rain chances for Tuesday and Wednesday before rain becomes likely again for all on Thursday. | 2022-05-23T14:58:28Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/monday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/monday-forecast/ |
SOUTHPORT, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - With an active hurricane season predicted this year, staying safe is important.
“We know that there’s about 19 storms predicted for this hurricane season,” Brad Monroe, Chief of Bay County Emergency Services, said. “That may be adjusted in the next few weeks.”
A go bag with essential items can help you survive the storm.
“Food, stable food, canned food, that sort of stuff,” Chief Monroe said. “If you’re going to relocate, have a travel kit with you. Cause you never know what traffic you’re going to get into. You may be stranded in locations for a period of time so it’s important to have that with you if you have to travel.”
You can purchase these kits at several stores like Walmart, Amazon, and others.
Keeping an emergency kit handy is key, but you can also stay prepared by paying attention to alert systems.
“I recommend that everybody goes to alertbay.org,” Frankie Lumm, the Emergency Management Division Chief for Bay County, said. “That gives you a chance to sign up for our alert system.”
Alert Bay can be customized to fit whatever warning you want to know about
“Alerts, warnings, make sure it’s for your municipality,” Division Chief Lumm said. “Whether it’s Callaway, Springfield, Parker; make it fit for you.”
Essentials are more than just food and water. You need to make sure your kids are prepared too.
“So we recommend, whatever their favorite stuffed animal is, make sure that you have that ready to go,” Division Chief Lumm said. “Have games in the bag that way you go back to the old school board games. We talk about coloring books, something as simple as a coloring book, reading materials, anything that would keep the kids entertained. Keep their minds off what exactly is happening.”
Hurricane season can be stressful, but one way to take the edge off is to be prepared. | 2022-05-23T21:56:55Z | www.wjhg.com | How to prepare for hurricane season | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/how-prepare-hurricane-season/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/how-prepare-hurricane-season/ |
Buc's A.D. and head baseball coach steps down from the latter role.(WJHG)
Rennspies led Buc’s baseball the last two seasons, 8-15 in year one, 10-14 this past season.
In that same email announcing his resignation as baseball coach, Rennspies announced the school is promoting assistant Cody Chizmar to the baseball head coaching job. . Chizmar spent last season as an assistant at North Bay Haven. Cody’s a Bay alum who played at Gulf Coast and Auburn-Montgomery. He was an assistant at Mosley and Bay before getting his first head coaching job at Rutherford, where he was head coach from 2017 to 19. His teams 34-48 in that span, though it’s fair to point out his program lost a lot of players in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael and was just 5-20 in 2019, skewing his overall record. We reached out to Rennspies to ask if he went through the normal advertising and search process, then landed on Chizmar, or did they just promote Cody? Were other coaches, like Jon Hudson, the former Mosley coach, allowed to apply or considered? No response yet to those questions! | 2022-05-23T23:33:00Z | www.wjhg.com | Buc’s make switch in baseball dugout | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/bucs-make-switch-baseball-dugout/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/bucs-make-switch-baseball-dugout/ |
The Lady Bulldogs will make their first appearance at the state tournament since 2013.(WJHG/WECP)
LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - As the Liberty County High School Lady Bulldogs prepared to make a trip to Clermont to compete in the State Tournament, the community came out in a big way to send them off.
“It’s really nice to see them coming out and supporting us, especially at pep rallies and our sendoff,” Junior Softball Player Riley Read said.
The softball team was honored at a pep rally Monday, as well as making stops at both Tolar and Hosford schools. Students and community members alike showed their support for the team.
“The community support here is just second to none,” Assistant Principal Tim Davis said.
We’re told many people even donated financially to the team’s trip to Clermont.
“Donations have been flooding in since we got that win against Wewa and we knew we were going to need those funds to go down there,” Davis said.
Officials say they hope those who support the team will travel to Clermont to watch the games.
“I expect them to travel very well, I expect us to have more fans than Jay will,” Davis said.
Read said the team is thankful for the small-town support.
“Everybody knows everybody so it’s either your aunt or your uncle giving to you, so it’s really nice,” she said.
Community members say no matter what happens, they’ll always be Bulldog fans. | 2022-05-23T23:33:06Z | www.wjhg.com | Community sends Liberty Co. High School Softball Team to State Tournament | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/community-sends-liberty-co-high-school-softball-team-state-tournament/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/23/community-sends-liberty-co-high-school-softball-team-state-tournament/ |
Rain chances will decrease for a few days
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Rain chances will decrease just a bit the next few days before a cold front moves in on Thursday with our best rain chances of the week (90%). For tonight rain chances will be 30% w/lows in the low 70s. On Tuesday and Wednesday Highs will be in the mid 80s with mostly cloudy skies and rain chances at 30-40%. A cold front brings our best chance of storms Thursday. By Friday the storms move out and for now the long Memorial Day weekend looks pretty good with mostly sunny skies and highs in the 80s to near 90 and lows in the 60s/70s. | 2022-05-24T01:10:15Z | www.wjhg.com | Monday Evening Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/24/monday-evening-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/24/monday-evening-forecast/ |
It’s a quiet start on radar but we do have quite a bit of cloud cover overhead to start the day. We’ll have some spotty rain chances developing into the midday and afternoon across NWFL today.
Otherwise, it’s a warm and humid start with temperatures and dew points both in our around the 70s. Be sure to dress comfortably again today. Temperatures will get warmer and more humid this afternoon compared to yesterday, despite the mostly cloudy skies today. Yesterday’s rain showers helped to cool us off quite a bit in the afternoon and evening, which was a nice treat. Today’s highs though return to the mid 80s and with high humidity, it’ll feel more like the low 90s for many inland.
That heat and humidity of the afternoon will lead toward some spotty showers developing. We’ll find just about all of the 30% chance for a rain shower today away from the coast. The spotty showers or storms that do develop will be more brief than yesterday’s storms as well.
The frontal boundary and low that produced the good storms yesterday has lifted to the north taking the focal point for showers and thunderstorms up into MS, AL, and GA for today. However, another upper level trough and surface cold front are on approach for the midweek. We’ll see this pattern take hold heading into Wednesday and Thursday.
As the trough digs into the Southeast tomorrow, we’ll be able to develop widely scattered showers or thunderstorms throughout the day. When the cold front arrives into Thursday, we’ll see more of a squall line feature or two able to develop and possibly bring some strong to severe storms.
The good news is it’ll all clear out after a few storms wrap up along the Forgotten Coast early Friday morning. The rest of Friday and into the Memorial Day weekend look great!
For today, mostly cloudy skies with only a few stray showers developing inland into the midday or afternoon. Highs today reach the mid 80s with feels like temperatures in the low 90s for some. Your 7 Day Forecast returns higher rain chances heading into Wednesday and Thursday before skies clear out on Friday and into the Memorial Day Weekend. | 2022-05-24T13:34:01Z | www.wjhg.com | Tuesday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/24/tuesday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/24/tuesday-forecast/ |
Liberty comes up one run short in state semifinal(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -Liberty played in the State Finals for just the time ever Tuesday, and came up just short in the 1A State Semifinal against Jay 3-2.
Coach Jennifer Sewell and her squad, without any seniors on the roster, giving the top ranked Royals a very good game. Liberty starter Kallan Mercer pitched well, but ran into some trouble in the bottom of the first. One run scored on an infield error, then another on the RBI single to right. So it was 2-0 Royals into the top of the third, the Bulldogs cut the lead in half there on the sacrifice fly to center by Gabrie Flowers, Elizabeth Arnold scored to make it 2-1. The Royals get an RBI double in the bottom half of that inning, stretching the lead back to two runs.
Then in the bottom of the fourth Mercer faced a bases loaded jam, but escaped without any runs scoring in that frame, ending the threat with a 1-3 putout. Then in the top of the fifth the Bulldogs again pulled to within a run, this time with an RBI single to left by Caleigh Peddie, again it’s Arnold crossing the plate, making it 3-2. But the Bulldogs would strand a runner a third in the 6th and then another baserunner in the 7th, the final out a grounder to first. So an incredible late season run for Liberty ends in the semi’s, 3-2 the final. I spoke with coach Sewell and asked her what she told the team afterwards?
“You know I told them it’s not the outcome that we wanted. They definitely came in and fought. You know going up against the number one team in the state, Jay is a great team. I mean heck, 3-2 you know ain’t too shabby of a battle right there. We gave it a run. I told them basically this year we knocked on the door, next year we kick it in.”
The coach continued, saying she was very proud of her team, again with no seniors on the roster, making it this far and playing the top ranked team to a one run game.
“You know I told them it’s a big stage to be on. You know down here at Clermont, it’s a nice facility. I basically told them it could have been easy to tuck our tails and not been able to compete today. I mean it can be a very intimidating environment. You know Liberty County came through, we had a huge cheering fan section, they were awesome throughout the whole game. Jay had a good fan section base. And we could have very easily let the emotions and nerves get us, but they did not. And next year if we are able to make it back I think this experience will help us.”
The team will head back to Bristol Wednesday morning. | 2022-05-25T03:19:36Z | www.wjhg.com | Liberty falls short in 1A State Semifinal | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/25/liberty-falls-short-1a-state-semifinal/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/25/liberty-falls-short-1a-state-semifinal/ |
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Civics literacy and financial literacy curriculum in Bay District Schools is going through some changes as a part of Governor Ron Desantis’ educational push in the state.
Desantis signed a bill in march requiring financial literacy class for high school students. District Director of Secondary Instruction Alana Simmons said financial literacy is already embedded in the economics program each senior goes through. However, the new bill makes financial literacy a stand alone course and graduation requirement. Last year, the state also revised the standards for civics education, adding slight changes to the district’s course. Simmons said civics is already a required course for all middle school students, and they’re required to pass an end of course assessment.
“We’re teaching our students how to be global engaged citizens. We want them to take government and have those civic standards so they can go out and vote, they can be active engaged citizens to improve our community,” said Simmons. “Financial literacy is part of being an active, engaged citizen. We want to make sure they know how to balance a checkbook, that they know about credit, they know how to take out a loan, and the impact of interest. It’s common sense skills we want every student to walk out of our high school knowing.”
Simmons expects the new financial literacy curriculum to be a junior or seniors class and applies to students who will be freshman this upcoming school. She adds new civics curriculum has to be adopted to the new state standards. The district will implement a new curriculum that includes the new civic standards in 2023. | 2022-05-25T04:48:20Z | www.wjhg.com | Financial, civics literacy curriculum in Bay District Schools is going through changes | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/25/financial-civics-literacy-curriculum-bay-district-schools-is-going-through-changes/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/25/financial-civics-literacy-curriculum-bay-district-schools-is-going-through-changes/ |
The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport board in Bay County talked about several expansion projects during its monthly meeting.(WJHG)
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Our local airport is expanding to meet a need after seeing so much growth.
The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport board in Bay County met Wednesday. They talked about several expansion projects.
Some of those expansion efforts include increased parking and a bigger TSA checkpoint.
The chairman of the ECP board says this will make going through the airport much easier.
“Everything that would make a passenger happier and give them more room and more opportunities in the terminal, we’re going to try to address,” Glen McDonald, Chairman of The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, said. “Both in the short term and the long term.”
The expansion projects are under construction right now. There is no timeline for when they will be finished. | 2022-05-25T21:44:57Z | www.wjhg.com | Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is expanding | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/25/northwest-florida-beaches-international-airport-is-expanding/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/25/northwest-florida-beaches-international-airport-is-expanding/ |
It’s an active morning on radar with yesterday’s band of showers still dropping rain over most of NWFL. It stalled out over our Eastern Counties toward the end of the day yesterday and southerly flow is spreading it back out across a good portion of the Panhandle. Most in NWFL saw 2-3″ of rain, but southeast of Hwy231 rain totals rise to over 8″, especially around Cape San Blas to Port St. Joe to White City in Gulf County.
We’ll need to rain gear up again today, and not only for this morning’s bout of rain. Another band of stronger storms is expected to move in for the daytime today. A rain jacket, umbrella, and rain boots would do you well today.
Otherwise, we’re getting the day started in the upper 60s to near 70 for most. Due to the clouds and anticipated showers and storms to move through, highs only top out in the upper 70s to near 80°.
It’s a cold front that’s generating another squall line feature that will move into the Panhandle today. Our first band will fade away through the early morning, but by the late morning and into the midday we’ll see the next batch move in. Some storms may be strong or severe with gusty winds our primary concerns and an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
The cold front and today’s band of storms slides out to the east tonight with maybe a stray shower on the Forgotten Coast by sunrise tomorrow morning. Skies will turn sunny throughout the day on Friday and we’ll keep that running right through the Memorial Day Weekend.
For today, mostly cloudy skies with showers and thunderstorms likely once again. Highs today reach up to near 80. Your 7 Day Forecast has skies clearing tomorrow and we’ll see sunny and warm conditions throughout our Memorial Day Weekend. | 2022-05-26T13:00:07Z | www.wjhg.com | Thursday Forecast | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/26/thursday-forecast/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/26/thursday-forecast/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - When you’re summoned for jury duty, it is important that you respond. However, it is also important to make sure the summoning is legitimate.
Crime and Safety Analyst Paul Vecker stopped by the NewsChannel 7 studio to warn viewers of a scam he claims is becoming more common. Vecker said scammers are now calling and telling individuals they missed jury duty and must pay a fine to avoid jail time.
Vecker said it is important that these claims are verified first, and to know the warning signs of a scam.
To learn more about how to protect your finances and personal information, watch the video attached to this story. | 2022-05-26T18:52:05Z | www.wjhg.com | Beware of jury duty scams | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/26/beware-jury-duty-scams/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/26/beware-jury-duty-scams/ |
Panama City Beach council members are asking for the public's input through a mail-in survey.(WJHG/WECP)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Taxi cab drivers in Panama City Beach are no longer dealing with the set rates established by the city back in 2014.
City commissioners decided to repeal Resolution No. 22-165 at Thursday’s meeting.
Those in favor of keeping the resolution asked for a 20 percent increase. Commissioners ultimately decided to do away with the resolution entirely.
Officials said a decade ago there were a lot of taxi companies in the city, but services like Uber changed that dynamic. | 2022-05-26T23:43:54Z | www.wjhg.com | Panama City Beach Commissioners go in different direction with taxi rates | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/26/panama-city-beach-commissioners-go-different-direction-with-taxi-rates/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/26/panama-city-beach-commissioners-go-different-direction-with-taxi-rates/ |
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) -The North Florida Motorplex has seen several weekends full of racing up there since the track opened in late March. Despite a couple of bouts with Mother Nature, they have been able to get in some great mano a mano drag races.
They’ve been able to run several times in the ongoing season long Monster Energy Points race, and with them they are taking the weekend off so folks can celebrate the long Holiday weekend with family and friends.
In terms of standings, it’s Tim Draughon leading the way, followed by Scott Crosby and Jimmy Dixion is third. As for the Pro Mods, Matt Nowling leads the way, Jerry Self second and Joey Branhoff is third.
The raceway is drawing competitors from seven to 10 hours away on a regular basis. The racing resumes next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. | 2022-05-27T04:23:13Z | www.wjhg.com | North Florida Motorplex to take the holiday weekend off | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/27/north-florida-motorplex-take-holiday-weekend-off/ | https://www.wjhg.com/2022/05/27/north-florida-motorplex-take-holiday-weekend-off/ |
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