Good morning, Panama City.

The Bay County Genealogy Society will host four events this Fall at 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Bay County Public Library—Caroline Windham will discuss using AI and Ancestry Pro on Sept 20, Sanda Pierce will share her family stories on Oct 18, Nancy Hudson will talk about local cemeteries on Nov 15, and a Christmas program with a business meeting is planned for Dec 20.

Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday, which began on Aug.

1, will end on Aug. 31—shoppers can buy eligible school supplies and computer accessories tax free, and online orders are also exempt.

The Triumph Gulf Coast board approved grant agreements worth $61 million for projects in Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, and Wakulla counties that created 150 high-wage jobs and 10,656 industry certifications.

Bay County will use $3.75 million to renovate a building for Project Clear while other counties will launch new marketing, training, and workforce programs + boost local economic growth.

The Bay Education Foundation has launched the Candace Cole Literacy Fund in Bay County to honor late educator Candy Cole who helped improve reading at Springfield Elementary School.

The fund will support literacy programs in Bay District Schools — an initial donation from her family and friends will begin the effort and donations up to $5000 will be matched by a private donor.

Meteorologists say that even though we are in peak hurricane season, no dangerous hurricanes are headed our way—offering a tropical storm‐free Labor Day weekend for our area.

They note that more storms may form later in September, so residents should keep alert as conditions change.

Panama City Beach Fire Station 31 held its official grand opening ceremony on Thursday at the new facility on Panama City Beach Parkway — the $8 million project used leftover COVID funds to build a structure 2000 square feet larger than the old station and to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. The fire team had been working from a temporary station after the previous one was demolished in 2023.

Digital Literacy Class: Computer & Internet Basics

9:30-11:00 a.m. — Bay County Public Library — Free entry — Learn the essentials of using a PC and navigating the internet confidently.

K-Pop Crafts and Trading Event

4-5 p.m. — Bay County Public Library — Free entry — Connect with fellow K-Pop enthusiasts through crafts and trading fun.

Suicide Awareness Summit 2025

1:30-2:30 p.m. — Florida State University Panama City — Free entry — Participate in valuable suicide prevention training to make a positive impact in your community.