News Herald (Panama City, FL) articles from August 2007

News Herald (Panama City, FL) archives from August 2007

3 shootings leave 1 dead: Death is Panama City's sixth homicide this year.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Andy Meinen Aug. 12--PANAMA CITY -- It was a busy Saturday morning for the Panama City Police Department. Police are investigating three shootings -- two of them related -- in a 90-minute period that left one man dead and...

Klothes for Kids kicks off new year.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Donna Vavala Aug. 12--PANAMA CITY -- A 6-year-old boy tested his new shoes by bouncing up and down. "These really work good. I can really jump in these," he told a volunteer with an ear-to-ear grin. The boy is one of...

Legality of bingo halls questioned: Editor's note: This is the first of two articles on bingo halls.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Tony Bridges Aug. 12--Bingo is just about the closest thing Bay County has to legalized gambling -- only it turns out local bingo halls might not be so legal. By Florida law, nonprofit groups are allowed to hold bingo games...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 12, 2007... SETTING IT STRAIGHT A brief on page 4B Thursday headlined "School supplies" gave an incorrect date. The 10th annual Picnic and School Supply Give-A-Way, sponsored by Brothers United of Bay County and Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen,...

'Tax-free week' not so tax-free: Beach back-to-school shopping costs extra.
August 12, 2007... Byline: S. Brady Calhoun Aug. 12--PANAMA CITY BEACH -- Suspicious back-to-school shoppers who have inspected their receipts from Panama City Beach stores might have been surprised to find a 1-percent tax. In some cases, the tax,...

Development to boost Beach population: Breakfast Point would add residents, school.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Ed Offley Aug. 12--PANAMA CITY BEACH -- Without fanfare or ceremony, the St. Joe Company has initiated the largest mixed-use residential community in city history that, upon completion in 2018, will boost the current full-time...

How dreams can change the dreamers: Under Currents.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Tony Simmons Aug. 12--It has been a week of clashing realities, punctuated by a couple of memorable glimpses into the transformative power of the arts. And so, a couple of quick variations on a theme: Living the Dream:...

Art exposure: Summer classes bring creativity to day camp.
August 12, 2007... Byline: David Vest Aug. 12--Duality was the theme of the day at the C.C. Moore Boys & Girls Club on 19th Street. As the sounds of kids at play for summer soaked through the classroom walls, 10 young artists listened to instructions from...

Heat no problem for Gulf Power's grid.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Ryan Burr Aug. 12--Despite temperatures flirting with 100 degrees and Gulf Power Company setting new records for electricity use, company officials say they have plenty of backup power even if new all-time peaks are reached. ...

DOWN on the FARM: Area batters swing away.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Brad Milner Aug. 12--There's no quick way to the major leagues. However, a professional hitter can speed up the process with improvement at the plate. And they can make it even sooner by exhibiting major strides in their...

Autumn serenade starts early.
August 12, 2007... Byline: David Vest Aug. 12--There's no doubt it's August -- the temperature outside was 91 as this was typed on Friday afternoon. But you also can feel the pulse of autumn as schools, colleges and other places of learning gather momentum...

Comic book writer's debut novel opens a new vein in U.S. culture.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Tony Simmons Aug. 12--Mike McGill is a private eye who attracts the weird and the wrong. He's hired by the heroinaddicted power behind the presidency to find the lost, secret Constitution of the United States, which...

Sports Beat: Time to face the bigger question.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Pat Mccann Aug. 12--The sad saga of Barry Bonds' chase for immortality has concluded, and we are left divided, proponents lining one foul line and detractors the other, like baseball's version of Roe v. Wade, never to meet in...

Obituaries.(Obituary)
August 12, 2007... Aug. 12--The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Obituaries Alice McOuat Kendall, 87, of Bossier City, La., formerly of Panama City, Fla., entered into rest on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007. Several members of her loving family were at her side. ...

OPINION: With a little creativity, you, too, can be cool.
August 12, 2007... Byline: Mike Cazalas Aug. 12--It is a remarkable time of year here in Bay County, that period of about a month where heat, humidity and lack of cloud cover combine to bring misery upon us all. Air conditioners that usually bring...

West Nile kills Bay Countian: Case is Florida's first this year.
August 11, 2007... Byline: Donna Vavala Aug. 11--PANAMA CITY -- The mosquito-borne West Nile virus' first Florida victim this year was in Bay County, a health official confirmed Friday. "We just got the results back today," said Rick Davis, acting...

Obituaries.(Obituary)
August 11, 2007... Aug. 11--The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Obituaries Ivy Victoria Harper, 88, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. Memorial services will be held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 11, 2007. Mildred Cutter...

HOT SPOT: Nuna's: Beach spot to savor.
August 11, 2007... Byline: Jan Waddy Aug. 11--PANAMA CITY BEACH -- Allow plenty of time to savor the cuisine at Nuna's, because you'll want more than a taste. Nuna's Taste of Thailand has been around for more than 13 years, but Rod Umpuntong took over...

Court upholds killer's sentence.
August 11, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 11--PANAMA CITY -- The First District Court of Appeal affirmed Steven Fox's 15-year prison sentence Friday for violating probation in a manslaughter case. Fox was charged with first-degree murder in the...

PCPD axing $1 million from budget: Cuts part of citywide government rollback.
August 11, 2007... Byline: S. Brady Calhoun Aug. 11--PANAMA CITY -- The Panama City Police Department is going on financial Slim Fast. Its goal weight: a million dollars less than last year's budget. "The citizens have spoken and they want things tightened...

P.C. woman struck, killed on U.S. 98.
August 11, 2007... Byline: S. Brady Calhoun Aug. 11--PANAMA CITY -- A Panama City woman was killed while walking across U.S. 98 near Schlotzsky's Deli on Friday night. The woman left her home behind Schlotzsky's and was headed to Joe's Corner Pub on the...

ME post draws only 1 inquiry.
August 11, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 11--The search continues for a permanent medical examiner for the 14th Judicial Circuit, with just one person, so far, asking for an application. The Florida Medical Examiner's Commission voted in May to not...

Fleet freshman: Lakeland back one of fastest on Gators' team.
August 11, 2007... Byline: Josh Weinfuss Aug. 11--GAINESVILLE -- He's not big, but Chris Rainey is fast. Really fast. The freshman from Lakeland didn't shy away from talking about his speed Friday at the Florida Gators annual Media Day. "There ain't...

Fishers reel in Nelson for help: Meeting touches on insurance, health care.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Ryan Burr Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY -- Charter fishermen took center stage during U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's stop in Bay County on Thursday, pleading with the congressman to challenge new federal rules they argue are putting them out of...

Police: Killer did it for car: Pensacola man arrested, accused of slaying Marianna woman.
August 10, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 10--MARIANNA -- Jackson County investigators said Thursday a Pensacola man killed a Marianna woman after he ran out of gas and needed a vehicle. Sheriff's Office Maj. John Dennis said Escambia County...

Beach, Callaway joining forces: Cities will partner for storm insurance deal.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Ed Offley Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY BEACH -- The cities of Panama City Beach and Callaway are joining hands to protect area property owners if a future hurricane drives private insurance companies into bankruptcy. The City Council...

Port Authority approves larger budget.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Daniel Carson Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY -- Amid expected increased operating revenues aided by new wood pellet traffic, the Panama City Port Authority unanimously approved its fiscal year 2007-08 budget Thursday. Executive...

Feel good music from above.
August 10, 2007... Byline: John Mcdonald Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY -- hey are back by popular demand -- all the way from Japan. Elekibass, a pop band from Tokyo, returns to Panama City next week for another concert at the Gallery Above. The group, which has a...

Quick, avoid 'Flash Gordon'.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Will Glover Aug. 10--HE LATEST -- adaptation of the classic comic strip "Flash Gordon" crashes and burns. The 90-minute series premiere tonight starts off promising: Steven "Flash" Gordon (Eric Johnson,...

Old school is cool at St. Andrews gallery.
August 10, 2007... Byline: John Mcdonald Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY -- he has paintings on the wall, racks of vintage clothing and a garden out back. There are even a few vinyl records. Hence the name -- Hectic Eclectic. For business owner Joan Canal, the small...

FSU-PC freezes admissions.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Donna Vavala Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY -- Florida State University-Panama City has been mandated by the state Board of Governors and President T.K. Wetherell to place a freeze on enrollment. "We are having to restrict admission a...

Help with energy bills available for elderly.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Lauren Roberson Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY -- Elderly residents do not have to go without air conditioning or skip meals to be able to afford energy bills. The Area Agency on Aging for North Florida Inc. can assist. "We can help...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 10, 2007... SETTING IT STRAIGHT A story on page 1A Thursday headlined "Pit of despair" incorrectly reported the Lynn Haven Animal Shelter's policy on pit bull adoptions. The Lynn Haven shelter continues to adopt pit bulls they deem non-aggressive....

All but 3 wells cleared in Bayou George.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Donna Vavala Aug. 10--BAYOU GEORGE -- Bay County Health Department officials have cleared all but three of 17 wells sampled since Monday after some Bayou George residents reported samples they took on their wells tested positive...

Obituaries.
August 10, 2007... Aug. 10--The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Obituaries Ivy Victoria Harper, 88, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Mr....

Pier Park keeps adding.
August 10, 2007... Byline: Daniel Carson Aug. 10--PANAMA CITY BEACH -- Simon Property Group's updated list of new Pier Park stores is heavy on national clothing and accessory retailers, as the Indianapolis-based real estate announced its latest additions...

Pit of despair: Animal shelter is final stop for breed popular among dog-fighting suspects.
August 9, 2007... Byline: Jeremy Morrison Aug. 9--When a pit bull terrier arrives at the Bay County Animal Shelter with a thick, heavy chain around its neck, there's little doubt it's a fighter. "It's an indicator they're stretching the neck...

Red Sea, Blu reef: Historic label also OK'd for 1929 shipwreck.
August 9, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 9--The Red Sea tugboat is awaiting final clearance to become Bay County's newest artificial reef. Infinity Blu Development Group loaned a local group the final $30,000 on Wednesday to clean and sink the...

Jury: Taylor guilty in murder: Cottondale man faces life in prison.
August 9, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 9--MARIANNA -- Jurors took less than an hour Wednesday to convict a Cottondale man of firstdegree murder for shooting his wife to death. "This was not an accident," prosecutor Mark Sims told jurors in his...

PANHANDLE: Sunny Hills man killed in high-speed crash.
August 9, 2007... Byline: Andy Meinen Aug. 9--CHIPLEY -- A Sunny Hills man was killed Tuesday morning in a one-car crash. Willie R. Taylor, 49, was driving south in his Ford Crown Victoria on Deadening Road near Ada Road at a high rate of speed,...

Correction.(Correction notice)
August 9, 2007... Setting it straight A member of American Martial Arts in Panama City Beach who competed in the Tae Kwon Do Junior Olympics was omitted in a brief in Wednesday's paper. Tara Kelly won a gold medal in the 12-13 girls advanced...

Planned development near Lake Powell opens discovery center: Eventide gives PCB preview.
August 9, 2007... Byline: Daniel Carson Aug. 9--PANAMA CITY BEACH -- People associated with Eventide, a planned 22-acre Panama City Beach residential development near Lake Powell, talk about their desire to evoke a bygone 1950s and '60s atmosphere and...

Obituaries.
August 9, 2007... Aug. 9--The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Obituaries Ivy Victoria Harper, 88, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007. Ivy was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, William B. Harper. She...

School Board sets 3 public hearings on budget.
August 9, 2007... Byline: Donna Vavala Aug. 9--PANAMA CITY -- With budget deadlines looming, the School Board decided Wednesday to schedule three public hearings to give residents a chance to find out how the district will spend its money. Each School...

E. coli found in well water: Health Department running own tests in Bayou George.
August 9, 2007... Byline: Donna Vavala Aug. 9--BAYOU GEORGE -- Some Bayou George residents are concerned about the quality of their drinking water after privately financed tests conducted on samples from their wells showed a presence of E. coli. The...

'Noles out for season: Linebacker, tight end injured.
August 9, 2007... Byline: Brad Milner Aug. 9--TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State tight end D.J. Norris and linebacker Jae Thaxton have been medically disqualified and no longer are on the team, the school's sports information department confirmed Wednesday. ...

Judge to rule on axed condos: Developer who failed in City Living twin-towers bid suing Panama City.
August 9, 2007... Byline: S. Brady Calhoun Aug. 9--PANAMA CITY -- City Living Homes LLC is asking a judge to overrule the Panama City Commission. The company wanted to build two eight-story condominiums near the north end of Frankford Avenue, but the...

Scorching temperatures prompt weather advisory: The heat is on.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Tony Bridges Aug. 8--"It ain't the heat; it's the humidity," has been more than just a weather cliche this week -- it has been an uncomfortable fact of life. And today could be the worst. A combination of record-high...

Safety cited in mobile home ordinance.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Jeremy Morrison Aug. 8--PANAMA CITY -- A screen displaying an image of two mobile homes sat between Bay County commissioners and a collection of concerned beach residents. The mobile homes, reportedly purchased from the Federal...

MDA charity lockups begin today.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Lauren Roberson Aug. 8--PANAMA CITY -- The Muscular Dystrophy Association has issued arrest warrants for 650 members of the Panama City community who will be "locked up" to benefit MDA and Jerry's Kids today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m....

Huckelberry Creek talks to begin.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Daniel Carson Aug. 8--PANAMA CITY -- Miami-based developer Tony Cabrera said Tuesday that Northwest Florida always has been attractive for him as one of the state's future growth areas. Now he's coming to Panama City to...

kitchen campers: Students put cooking skills on front burner.
August 8, 2007... Byline: David Vest Aug. 8--Friday was the grand finale for eager young cooks. Instructions flew, knives chopped, pots bubbled and savory smells spread through the big room over the Bay High cafeteria. Normally, Bay High students...

'Noles open practice.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Milner Aug. 8--TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida State University football team opened preseason practice on Tuesday, with first- and second-stringers going in the morning and backups and freshmen later in the afternoon. The...

Hosts get kitchen time on 'Chefs'.
August 8, 2007... Byline: David Vest Aug. 8--"Emerald Coast Chefs" on Beach TV lets its hosts share the spotlight in its latest segment. Margit Bisztray and Tim Creehan get together for a sample of Creehan's fresh and simple style of cooking in shows...

Jackson voters reject tax: Money would have been used to build new hospital.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Andy Meinen Aug. 8--MARIANNA -- The votes are in, and Jackson County will not get a new hospital. County voters decided against ponying up an extra half-cent in sales tax to help build a new hospital. Fifty-two percent, or...

County OKs electric co-op purchase.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Jeremy Morrison Aug. 8--PANAMA CITY -- Looking ahead to future growth, the Bay County Commission moved ahead Tuesday with the purchase of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative's water and wastewater facilities. "It's probably the...

Elusive rainfall fuels area fish deaths.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Ed Offley Aug. 8--Bay County resident Buck Ethredge was standing in his backyard on Lake Riviera on Friday when he noticed several large fish floating belly-up. "Fish kills have been rare," Ethredge said of the...

Obituaries.
August 8, 2007... Aug. 8--The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Obituaries d Peter Zeno "PZ" Pickens, 87, of Panama City, Fla., died Sunday, Aug. 5, 2007. He retired as a driver's license supervisor after 31 years of service. He was a resident of...

Brewers head to regionals.
August 8, 2007... Byline: Brad Milner Aug. 8--PANAMA CITY -- Dexter Littlefield knows there's much more to baseball than drinking beer and swinging a bat. The former Mosley and Gulf Coast Community College player formed the Bay County Brewers adult...

Jury to debate murder charge.
August 8, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 8--MARIANNA -- Circuit Judge William Wright said Tuesday there was just enough evidence to allow a charge of firstdegree murder to go to a jury today in a Cottondale man's case. The state and defense rested...

Panama City Beach tourism pioneer dies.(Company overview)
August 8, 2007... Byline: Ed Offley Aug. 8--PANAMA CITY BEACH Guy Earl Churchwell, a prominent member of the Bay County family that founded Long Beach Resort and helped develop Panama City Beach from a quiet enclave into a million-plus visitor tourism...

'Noles aiming high.
August 7, 2007... Byline: Brad Milner Aug. 7--TALLAHASSEE -- Twenty-eight days. Twenty-two preseason practices. One goal. The Florida State University football team opens practice today at 8:20 a.m. CDT. The preseason practice schedule continues until...

Obituaries.
August 7, 2007... Aug. 7--The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Obituaries A "Celebration of Life Ceremony" will be held for Penny Fuller at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Aug. 7, 2007. Penny was employed at Sallie Mae in...

Remembering Peggy.
August 7, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 7--Candy said Monday she expects to wake from her dream any moment and find her friend on her porch. "My nerves are shattered," Candy, who asked that her last name not be used because she fears for her...

Commissioner hopes one day Cedar Grove will be no more: To dissolve or solve?
August 7, 2007... Byline: Jeremy Morrison Aug. 7--CEDAR GROVE -- If Commissioner Janet Beier prevails, her constituents one day could refer to their home as "the city formerly known as Cedar Grove." "So many things have happened in Cedar Grove that...

County closer to buying cooperative: Commissioners setting sights on growth in northern part of county.
August 7, 2007... Byline: Jeremy Morrison Aug. 7--SOUTHPORT -- Bay County is poised to move a step closer today to purchasing water and wastewater operations from the Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative. "It's a big step forward, a big step," said Michael...

Trial set to start in wife's slaying: Cottondale man could face life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.
August 7, 2007... Byline: David Angier Aug. 7--MARIANNA -- Leroy Taylor Jr.'s defense got a boost and a slap from prospective jurors Monday in his first-degree murder trial in Marianna. Taylor, 43, is accused of shooting to death his wife, Vanessa,...

Paving the way: Panama City Salvation Army gets new leadership team.
August 7, 2007... Byline: Lauren Roberson Aug. 7--It's that time of year again, when the Salvation Army starts "the moves." Leaders from divisional to international level are changing posts. The changes are based largely on specific needs of the army...

Funding in works for Tyndall, NSA-PC research.
August 7, 2007... Byline: Daniel Carson Aug. 7--There may be $14 million in congressional funds available for research projects at Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity-Panama City tenant commands if the U.S. Senate passes a U.S....

Hurricane shelters to accept animals.
August 6, 2007... Byline: Donna Vavala Aug. 6--When you have pets, there's more to planning for the arrival of a hurricane than buying flashlights, batteries and water. When Katrina hit New Orleans, many people stayed behind because the shelters...

Obituaries.
August 6, 2007... Aug. 6--The News Herald, Panama City, Fla., Obituaries Memorial services for Bruce L. Garner, 48, of Panama City, Fla., who passed away Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007, will be held at 3 p.m. today, Aug. 6, 2007, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home...

NWS to unveil warning system.
August 6, 2007... Byline: Nick Place Aug. 6--The National Weather Service is changing the way it warns the public of dangerous storms, moving from a county-based to a storm-based system. Under the current system, warnings are issued on a...

STOP ON RED: Police urge drivers to slow down for yellow.
August 6, 2007... Byline: Andy Meinen Aug. 6--PANAMA CITY -- Red light: stop. Green light: go. Yellow light: slow down, or you'll get a ticket. That is the message Florida law enforcement agencies want drivers to heed when approaching...

Crist signs patrol auxiliary package.
August 6, 2007... Byline: Ryan Burr Aug. 6--Gov. Charlie Crist has signed legislation to provide certain retirement benefits to members of the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary. Crist made the announcement last week. "Alongside our troopers, the brave...

Ready to go.
August 5, 2007... Byline: David Vest Aug. 5--When school begins again this month, it will be a lifechanging experience for kids who just arrived at school age. But the Northwest Regional Library System is there to help, say youth librarians. The...

Bridge safety clarified.
August 4, 2007... Byline: S. Brady Calhoun Aug. 4--State and county officials on Friday clarified what requires closures, repairs or business as usual for bridges in their respective jurisdictions. "It all depends on the state of the deterioration,"...