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Hey Panama City, hope your week’s off to a good start! A spring break crackdown for teens, a centennial civil rights celebration, a luminary pottery class, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
From proposal to policy: Bay District Schools officially updated its dress code after community input, wrapping up revisions advertised in November. The changes affect students and families across Panama City — read the full story.
Remembrance strengthens local ties: Earlier this month, Panama City and the NAACP commemorated 100 years of Black history, honoring the community’s heritage and contributions with a celebration that highlighted stories, culture, and pride — read the full story.
Keeping survivors informed: Walton County Sheriff’s Office launched an enhanced victim notification system on Feb. 19, giving victims real-time updates from 9-1-1 to release. Sign-ups are available by phone, online, or mobile app — learn how to sign up.
Safety-centric beach updates arrive: Visit PCB is rolling out fresh, colorful signs at Panama City Beach access points, adding safety info and local flair, with more installations planned across the beach throughout the year — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
New limits for teen travelers: Panama City Beach approved tougher spring break rules aimed at high schoolers after seven shootings last year. Those under 21 cannot rent vacation homes, must leave alcohol serving venues after 10 p.m., and face an 8 p.m. curfew. The rules will be in effect March 28 through April 11. See the new restrictions.
Tourism bureau leadership search: Panama City Beach’s CVB is accepting applications for its next president and CEO through February 27. An evaluation committee of Reggie Johns, Jeff DiBenedictis, and Ethan Register will lead interviews and a public forum. The TDC board will pick a finalist, pending Bay County commissioners’ approval. Get the timeline and process.
Sweet tooth, sorted: Riviera Creamery piles on the good stuff: handcrafted gourmet chocolates, playful candy mix-ins, and watch-’em-make-it rolled ice creams. After work, it’s an easy treat without overthinking. Ideal for random Tuesday cravings or winning favor with the household sweet committee.
Upgrade your closet, guilt-free: Ragtime Consignment Boutique is your neighborhood source for rotating finds, from handbags and perfume to jewelry and new-with-tags pieces. They also buy or trade select items, so your cleanout can fund the glow-up. Skip the mall crawl and enjoy the treasure hunt here.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this week
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
🐺 Florida Fish & Wildlife Program on Coyotes @ Parker Public Library | Tuesday (2/24) at 11:00 AM – If you still think coyotes are a desert thing, this one’s for you. Florida Fish & Wildlife is breaking down coyote facts, myths, and what to do when one eyeballs your trash, perfect for homeschoolers, curious adults, and anyone with a small dog.
🎭 Write to Be Read @ Panama City Center for the Arts | Tuesday (2/24) at 6:00 PM – Panama City Center for the Arts is turning “RED” into a night of original monologues and short plays from local high school and college writers, staged by the Gulf Coast Players. Real voices, zero bots, free, refreshments, and donations welcome if you’ve got proud-aunt energy.
🖤 Black History Month Celebration 2026 @ Holley Academic Center | Wednesday (2/25) at 10:00 AM – FSU Panama City is hosting a Black History Month celebration with live performances, selected readings, and special community guests worth leaving the couch for. Keynote is Darrick McGhee, CEO of Strategic Inflection Point and COO of Johnson & Blanton, and it’s free to everyone.
This weekend
🏛 Founders’ Day @ Buddy McLemore Park | Saturday (2/28) at 10:00 AM – Springfield is celebrating its 91st birthday with live music from True Soul, kids activities, vendors, food trucks, and more. Think block party meets family reunion, with better snacks and fewer toasts. Come for the tunes, stay for bragging rights, and the food truck favorites.
✂ PCB Treasures Grand Opening @ PCB Treasures | Saturday (2/28) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’re hunting Pyrex, vinyl, or that oddly specific lamp you swear your aunt had, PCB Treasures is opening on N Arnold Rd with aisles of legit finds. Skip the kitschy shells, score real antiques, then gloat over coffee, like a proper local.
✊ BHM Festival 2026 @ Central Panhandle Fair in Bay County | Saturday (2/28) at 12:00 PM – Take a break from the usual errands and gather for the 100th year of Black History celebrations with music, food, speakers, art, and neighborhood pride. It’s part block party, part history lesson, all joy. Bring your people, your appetite, and your dancing shoes.
🏺 Earth & Ember: Luminary Pottery Class @ El Weirdo | Sunday (3/1) at 2:00 PM – Craving a creative detour that won’t resurrect your middle school art trauma? Handbuild a one-of-a-kind ceramic luminary with whimsical cutouts, no experience needed, they’ll kiln-fire it to glow at home, and your ticket includes a complimentary beer or nonalcoholic beverage.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Panama City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 55°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 55. North northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 48, with temperatures rising to around 58 overnight. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 68°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 13%
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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