Daily
Panama City
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025
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Good morning, Panama City. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 23rd of April.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Oxford Technologies Corporation, a Connecticut-based firm, will lease a facility on Highway 231 to manufacture abrasion strips for Black Hawk rotor blades—this project will bring 40 jobs and over $7.5 million in investment to Bay County. The company chose the location for its proximity to expanding engineering programs at FSU PC, GSCC, and Haney Technical College and will partner with FSU PC in a new inspire initiative. WJHG
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Wildfires broke out in Bay County and just outside its border on April 21 and 22 and continue to burn today as dry conditions persist. The Florida Forest Service (with Bay County Fire Rescue) is working to control the largest blaze, the Clayton Road fire (162 acres, 90% contained), while gusty winds and high temperatures heighten the risk. Panama City News Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Incumbent commissioner Josh Street won the Ward 4 seat with 69.7% of the vote against newcomer Demetrius Rease — he has long supported the pathway project in St. Andrews — and he now serves as a key local government representative. My Panhandle
- ➤ Allan Branch won the mayoral race in Panama City on Tuesday after unseating incumbent Michael Doc Rohan. A runoff will be held for commissioner ward 1 as no candidate reached 50 percent while incumbent Josh Street won in ward 4 and a non-binding referendum on Beach Drive passed with 52.8 percent yes votes. WJHG
- ➤ Allan Branch was elected mayor of Panama City after winning 69.16% of the vote against incumbent Michael Doc Rohan — his two-year term begins immediately. My Panhandle
- ➤ Local voters in Bay County cast ballots on April 22 in municipal elections that saw Panama City mayor Allan Branch defeat incumbent Michael Rohan—4,150 to 1,851 votes—and set up a runoff for Ward 1 commissioner where Robbie Hughes led with 1,130 votes while Daniel Schultz and Ed Young trailed. Incumbents won in Ward 4 commissioner and Lynn Haven Seat 3 races while a runoff is needed for Lynn Haven Seat 4 commissioner, and non-binding referenda had mixed outcomes—3,151 in favor of the Beach Drive measure, 570 for re-establishing the city library, 1,893 backing a regional library partnership, and 1,289 for a new zoning map—with 9,242 ballots cast out of 40,037 eligible voters. Panama City News Herald
- ➤ Polls closed at 7 p.m. on Municipal Super Tuesday as voters in Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach and Panama City chose candidates for key offices and advisory referenda. In Lynn Haven one commission seat was decided while another will go to a runoff—Mexico Beach elected a council member with no opposition and Panama City saw local businessman Allan Branch win the mayoral race with 69 percent as a commission race moves to a runoff along with a narrowly approved Beach Drive improvement measure. Bay County Coastal
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Arnold High School senior pitcher Eli Blair threw his first no-hitter in a 9-0 win over Fort Walton Beach on Monday night, striking out nine and walking two while adding two hits and two RBIs. The win marked head coach Chris Jones' 100th career victory in his fifth season—Blair, a Florida commit, has drawn interest from MLB scouts. Panama City News Herald
WELLNESS NEWS
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Redfish Film Festival
Thu-Sun — Destination Panama City — Ticket information available — Celebrate the art of documentary filmmaking in the heart of Panama City.
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Premier Events 7v7 Football Tournament
April 26-27 — Publix Sports Park — Registration fees apply — Compete in an exciting 7v7 football tournament for all skill levels.
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Comedy Open Mic Night
8-10 p.m. — St. Andy's Sports Pub — Free to attend — Showcase your comedic talent or enjoy a night of laughs hosted by Malcolm Xavier.
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Cinco de Derby Celebration
4-7 PM — 30Avenue — Tickets available — Experience the thrilling fusion of the Derby and a Cinco de Mayo fiesta with a Big Hat Contest and piñata-smash fun.
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20Th Century
Kaleidoscope Theatre - 207 E24th St, Lynn Haven - Ken Ludwig’s hilarious adaptation of the classic comedy by Ben Hecht and Charles McArthur. The stakes are simple: will Oscar Jaffe, the egomaniacal Broadway director, con his erstwhile and glamorous leading lady, Lily Garland, into signing up for his next Broadway show? It should be a piece of cake, except that Oscar is bankrupt and Lily is now a movie star. It all takes place aboard the Twentieth Century Limited from Chicago to New York, so the clock is ticking.
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Florida Hot Tub Expo
May 15-29 — Central Panhandle Fair in Bay County — Check pricing on various hot tubs and transform your backyard into a personal oasis.
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May the Cards Be With You!
6:30 PM - 10:30 PM — 4728 Bylsma Cir, Panama City, FL — Bring a dish to share — Enjoy a night of card games with friends and great food.
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Paint Night at House of Henry
6-8:30 p.m. — House of Henry Irish Pub and Restaurant — All materials included — Create strawberry vibes while sipping and painting in a fun atmosphere.
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Corey Hall Live Performance
6 PM – 12 AM — Burgunbarrel — Check website for ticket prices — Experience the soulful sound of Gulf Coast musician Corey Hall blending blues and folk elements.
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