Open in NewsBreak

Alford

See all locations
Customize your news
72°F
publisher avatar

Municipal

Panama City News Herald

partner publisher · 10.1K followers
article img

Panama City's building permit process ranked among nation's best

PANAMA CITY − Local efforts to streamline the building permit process have earned Panama City top-tier rankings across not only the state, but also the country. According to a Nov. 4 press release, Panama City's building permitting performance was ranked No. 2 in Florida and No. 26 in the U.S. by the Red Tape Index, which measures and ranks permitting efficiency and effectiveness in cities across the country. "Efficient permitting is about more than processing paperwork," City Manager Jonathan Hayes said in the release. "It's about creating an environment where businesses can invest, property owners can move forward with their plans and our community can continue to grow. "Being recognized among the nation's top-performing cities is an encouraging reflection of the work being done to support Panama City's future." The release notes that Panama City earned an overall score from Red Tape Index of 89 out of 100. According to the report, it takes the city on average a little more than 10 days to approve commercial building permits. This was the fastest turnaround among the state's 10 highest-ranked cities. Panama City also takes on almost 13 days on average to approve residential building permits. The release notes a typical

Panama City, FL · 4d

washingtoncounty.news

website

Chipley welcomes The UPS Store with ribbon-cutting ceremony

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce joined business owners Allison and Michael Hall on Friday, November 6, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony welcoming The UPS Store to Chipley. The event was held at the store’s location at 1695 Main Street and was attended by family, friends, local officials, chamber representatives, and community members. Also participating in the ceremony was the Halls’ niece, Montana Nickell of Chipley, who serves as general manager of the new location. The UPS Store offers a variety of services, including printing, packing, shipping, mailbox services, and other business solutions for both residents and businesses throughout the area. The store is now officially open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pictured above are owners Allison and Michael Hall, Montana Nickell, chamber representatives, local officials, family members, and community supporters during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. [AMBER PATINO | The News]

Chipley, FL · 4d
article img

WJHG-TV

website

Walton County shares update on Hurricane Isaias debris removal

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Debris removal crews are working throughout Walton County following Hurricane Isaias, but officials say the cleanup will take time and require multiple passes through neighborhoods. Walton County Emergency Management said some neighborhoods will be reached before others because of the amount of debris left by...

Walton County, FL · 4d
article img

the-triton.com

website

Historic SS United States Set to Become the World's Largest Artificial Reef

Florida is set to gain the world’s largest artificial reef on Nov. 12, when Okaloosa County plans to deploy the 990-foot SS United States to a new resting place in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 22 nautical miles southwest of Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida’s Panhandle. According to Visit Florida’s media release, the proposed deployment location is 30° 07.148' N, 86° 46.755' W.

Okaloosa County, FL · 4d
article img

WKRG News 5

partner publisher · 121.5K followers

Man finds late mother’s SS United States memorabilia from 1957 New York voyage

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — One man traveled from Georgia this week to see the sinking of SS United States off the coast of Destin, after he found memorabilia from his mother’s voyage in 1957, when she traveled from New York to Germany to visit his father in the Army. Documents Brian Heil found in […]

Destin, FL · 21h

WJHG-TV

website

From seed to semi-truck: Jackson County family details peanut harvest

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Peanuts go through planting, growing, and harvesting before they become products such as peanut butter and peanut oil. The Pittman family, peanut farmers in Jackson County, described that process from start to finish. The Pittman family said Florida soil has a sandy composition, which makes...

Jackson County, FL · 3d

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

Officials discuss options as Amendment 3 looms for Jackson County

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – During the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday event, some local officials used the podium as a chance to highlight projects taking place within their municipalities. But others used the time as a chance to address looming questions related to Amendment 3. “A lot of people keep asking, what’s […]

Jackson County, FL · 4d

getthecoast.com

website

Destin Chamber named Chamber of the Year by state association

The Destin Chamber of Commerce has been named Chamber of the Year in the mid-sized chamber category by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals. The award was presented Thursday, Nov. 5, during FACP’s 2026 Annual Conference, held Nov. 4-6 at the Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection in Sarasota. The...

Destin, FL · 1d

gcaptain.com

website

SS United States Set for Final Voyage Ahead of Historic Sinking Off Florida

The historic SS United States, once the fastest ocean liner in the world, is scheduled to leave Mobile, Alabama, on Monday for its final voyage before being intentionally sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week. The 990-foot vessel is scheduled to become the world’s largest artificial reef when...

Okaloosa County, FL · 1d

WJHG-TV

website

Harrison Avenue in downtown Panama City wins Florida people’s choice award

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Harrison Avenue in downtown Panama City has been named the winner of the 2026 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award, according to the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association. The downtown corridor received the most votes among four finalists in the program’s...

Panama City, FL · 4d

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

1976 time capsule unsealed in Panama City

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Back in 1976, workers at Southern Bell Phone Company buried a time capsule at their Downtown Panama City building, located on East 5th Street, between Luverne and Magnolia Avenues. Thursday, members of the Central Panhandle Pioneer Club dug up the capsule. “This capsule was buried in November 5, 1976 to […]

Panama City, FL · 4d

WJHG-TV

website

Florida Seafood Festival returns to Apalachicola for 63rd year

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Florida Seafood Festival kicked off Friday, bringing local food, entertainment, and a celebration of Franklin County’s culture to Apalachicola for its 63rd year. Located at Battery Park in downtown Apalachicola, visitors can enjoy seafood and other festival favorites while taking in a tradition...

Apalachicola, FL · 3d

WJHG-TV

website

Bay & Walton counties plan for revenue loss after Amendment 3 passes

Florida voters approved Amendment 3, a tax break for some homeowners, and Bay and Walton counties are preparing to operate with millions of dollars less in revenue.

Bay County, FL · 5d

Panama City News Herald

partner publisher · 10.1K followers

Amendment 3 might force millions in Bay County budget cuts

PANAMA CITY − Bay County Manager Joel Schubert said that while local officials support property tax reform, there's no denying Amendment 3 will spark significant budget adjustments for local governments. Amendment 3 was approved by Florida voters in the 2026 general election. Here's what we know about the amendment and how it could affect Bay County: What is Amendment 3? Amendment 3 was designed to reduce property taxes for many Florida homeowners by increasing the homestead exemption. It raises the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and then $250,000 in 2028. This means a larger portion of a primary residence's assessed value is exempt from taxes, lowering tax bills for homeowners with homesteaded properties. "The county's position is that we have absolutely responsible property tax reform, and that hasn't changed," Schubert said. "The voters across the state and particularly in Bay County obviously agreed with that. ... What does it mean for us? "It doesn't change the fact that we have a five-year strategic plan, and certainly the reductions in property taxes over the next two years ... need to be addressed." What was the voter breakdown? According to USA TODAY, more than 4.917 million Floridians, or about 62%, voted

Bay County, FL · 5d

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

FSU InSPIRE breaks ground on Bay County site

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Construction on 23 acres near Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport broke ground on Monday. It’s going to be the future home of FSU InSPIRE’s aerospace research and advanced manufacturing facility. The St. Joe Company donated the land just south of Northwest Florida Beaches Airport to InSPIRE for their new facility. […]

Bay County, FL · 5d

WJHG-TV

website

Bay County fifth graders reel in lessons at school fishing event

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Fifth graders at A. Gary Walsingham Academy traded the classroom for the school’s ponds during the first fishing event of the year. “Reel Learning the Wahoo Way” gave students a chance to learn outdoors while practicing how to cast a fishing line. They also put their math skills to use by measuring their catches.

Bay County, FL · 3d

washingtoncounty.news

website

Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Rallies Businesses Behind JB’s 100-Turkey Thanksgiving Gift as 61% of County Households Struggle to Cover the Basics

Drive-thru giveaway set for Saturday, Nov. 21, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Jackson County 1st Credit Union. Jackson County 1st Credit Union, Spanish Trail Farms, Perry & Young Attorneys at Law and Maranta Copy Co are the first to join, with $500 each. Chase and Joseph Besczezynski of JB’s...

Jackson County, FL · 4d

WJHG-TV

website

New FSU Health hospital under construction in Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A new hospital is under construction in Panama City Beach as development and growth continue in Bay County, along with the need for more access to health care. The hospital is set to open in 2028. The first phase will have up to 180...

Panama City Beach, FL · 5d

WMBB

partner publisher · 44.9K followers

Ironman Florida participants arrive in Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Athletes lined up Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s Ironman Florida race to see what’s available in Ironman Village. “This is the best part, that’s why I’m here so early, I can’t wait to get my bag, it’s my favorite part,” Ironman Participant Dana Leonard said. The village included an athlete […]

Panama City Beach, FL · 6d

Tallahassee Democrat

partner publisher · 40.7K followers

After California bombshell, Florida could have biggest death row in US

Yesterday, Florida had the second-most death row inmates after California, despite Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent push to execute prisoners who have been on death row for decades. However, hours before Florida is set to execute Jesse Guardado for the 2004 stabbing and beating death of 75-year-old community activist Jackie Malone in Walton County, California Gov. Gavin Newsom commuted all 548 California death sentences to life without the possibility of parole . "After nearly 30 years in public office, I have come to understand the limits of what government can justly accomplish," Newsom wrote in an open letter to Californians. "I take this action because I firmly believe that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us. "I know we cannot execute people in our imperfect legal system and remain true to our core values, first among them justice and human decency," he said. Newsom's term ends in January, but he is said to be considering a run for president in 2028. Newsom's move does not immediately commute all 529 men and 19 women in California. The California Supreme Court will have to decide whether to approve commutations for people

Florida · 5d