Panama City In The News

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — A new restaurant named after one of the most prominent streets in Panama City will open in the fall. “Harrison’s”, owned by The St. Joe Company is being built next to Hotel Indigo on the Bay. “It’s important to us, for us to do our part to do our part in the revitalization,” St. Joe Company Corporate Director Matt Moore said. “We have a lot of small business, private business around here that we’ve seen grow, we’ve seen the streetscape grow.”

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Shaddai Shriners are cooking up some delicious barbecue for their Pig Roast Luau at the No Name Lounge in Panama City. This family-friendly event takes place May 14 at 1:00 p.m.. Those who attend will be treated to a pork plate and will have the opportunity to take part in the cornhole tournament or axe-throwing.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – There’s more visible signs of progress in the Harrison Avenue StreetScape project on Tuesday. City crews planted 20-foot tall Highrise Live Oak trees along Harrison, in conjunction with the ReTree PC program and National Arbor Day. 10 of the 49 trees are now in place.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)– Grab your lightsaber and prepare for a galactic-sized celebration! Downtown Panama City is set to host Star Wars Day on Wednesday, May 4th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is free. It will take place at the Center for the Arts parking lot, 19 E. Fourth St. and local businesses of the galaxies will come together with all things Star Wars for kids and their families. There will be popular Star Wars characters in attendance, including Jedi Knights, members of the Rebel Alliance and young Padawans. You’re encouraged to attend in your favorite costume!

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) — The first of three job fairs hosted by Bay District Schools is set to take place Monday afternoon at Rutherford High School. 55 employers will be onsite for part time, full time, summer and year round positions. Some of the businesses scheduled to participate include Walmart, Buffalo Rock, St. Joe Hospitality and Bay Correctional Facility.

BAY COUNTY Fla. (WMBB) –  A local restaurant owner has big plans for Panama City and Panama City Beach. Chris McMillan and his company, Panhandle Restaurant Group, plan to open a dozen new restaurants in the next two years.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — Hurricane Michael destroyed about 80 percent of the trees in Panama City, so National Arbor Day has more significance for locals.These days Florida celebrates twice a year. The state Arbor Day is the third Friday in January and The National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – National Tourism Week is taking place from May 1st through 7th. To celebrate Destination Panama City wants you to join them for Tourism Appreciation Day. The event will take place Friday, May 6, 2022 and be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Destination Panama City will have live music, food trucks, and beautiful bayside views.

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) –  A popular outdoor venue is changing locations. The Market at St. Andrews will be moving but they will not be going far. The current location is at the CSS Yacht Basin. But now they will be relocating to Oaks of the Bay Park on May 7. This will allow vendors and guests more space to shop and eat.

PANAMA CITY, FLA. (WMBB) — FedEx has chosen to build its new facility in Panama City. At a Thursday morning grand opening ceremony at the new FedEx Ground site on Commerce Boulevard local leaders said they are anticipating major job growth. “The initial phase, first phase, there’ll be over 200 jobs and as you see from the footprint of the building, there’s room for expansion,” Bay Economic Development Alliance President Becca Hardin said. “So as the company grows and continues to provide service to the customers in this area, they will continue to grow on this side as well.”

PANAMA CITY — Grab your lightsaber! Star Wars Day is nearing, and downtown Panama City is prepping for an evening packed with Star Wars fans.  Join galactic forces in downtown Panama City as local businesses collaborate to celebrate Star Wars Day from 5 to 8 p.m. May 4. The main event takes place at the Center for the Arts parking lot, 19 E. Fourth St., and creates a galactic environment of all things Star Wars with family-friendly entertainment and fun.

PANAMA CITY — The Panama City Center for the Arts will unveil three new galleries in May with displays of work from the Bay Annual Competition and two other exhibits.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Tears were shed, laughs were heard, and, of course, smiles were seen at Cedar Grove Elementary School in Panama City Monday morning. “Ms. Ehrhardt won the LifeChanger of the Year Award with Bay District with Cedar Grove Elementary,” Tim Myers, Value Teachers National Life Group, said. The LifeChanger of the Year Award celebrates those who make a big difference in the lives of students. “Who just goes above and beyond their job and who changes lives,” Myers said.

PANAMA CITY — You can get artsy and perfect your craft with the opportunity to create DIY wooden projects at one downtown creative studio. Board & Brush affords the opportunity for people to create personal projects through wooden art and doormats. Franchise location co-owners and instructors, Heather Risinger and Courtney Dickerson, hold craft workshops every week, hoping to empower their visitors to create anything and everything.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) — ReTreePC and the Panama City Quality of Life department are teaming up with Legacy Arborist Services for National Arbor Day. On Friday, they will be hosting a free tree care workshop and tree giveaway.