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Hey Panama City, hope your week’s off to a good start!
In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Expanded Move Over law, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge returns, and final T-Rex races + lots of fun things to do for free.
Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Panama City protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.
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📰 In the news
Updated roadside safety rules: Florida’s expanded Move Over law covers vehicles stopped on the shoulder, including motorists with hazard lights. FHP is reminding Panhandle drivers after 205 crashes and over 17,500 citations in 2024 — see what’s changed for drivers.
Simpler ways to stay informed: Panama City’s MLK Jr. Recreation Center has launched a new notification system to share event alerts and program updates, letting residents choose activities to follow for faster, clearer communication — see how to sign up.
Anticipation surges for iconic spot: Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge is returning to Panama City Beach at the former Spinnaker Beach Club after a Feb. 15 hiring event, with opening planned for mid-March and live music expected — get all the details.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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.
Highlights this week:
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🏆 Gold and silver are heating up
Together with our sponsor American Hartford Gold
Gold just posted its strongest run in decades… and the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility.
While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning.
If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, AHG has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now.
It’s free and worth reading before the next move.
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🫶 We got your back
Weeknight pasta upgrade: When the craving hits, Ferrucci Ristorante delivers the classics, from Spaghetti alla Bolognese to silky Carbonara, plus a Penne Dello Chef that’s pure comfort. A rotating seasonal lineup keeps things fresh, making downtown feel like the right kind of night out.
Vintage vibes, local scores: Ragtime Consignment Boutique has curated consignment gems for 35 years, from purses, perfumes, and jewelry to new-with-tags finds and gently used clothing, keeping closet refreshes easy on the wallet. Ragtime Bob is known for helping shoppers uncover that next “how is this here?” piece.
Need a quick reset? When quads get grumpy and your midsection won’t budge, Coastal Cryotherapy delivers targeted cryo sculpting that feels like a full-body exhale. CO2-powered cold, low-drama sessions, and visible results. Sessions run about 30 minutes, so chill… literally.
Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn more about my favorite online options here.
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📆 Free events worth checking out
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.
🎻 Friends Annual Celebration @ Bay County Public Library | Thursday (3/5) at 6:00 PM – After hours at Bay County Public Library, the Panama City Youth Orchestra brings the good kind of noise, from classical to contemporary. It’s free, with light refreshments, and followed by a quick Friends update on 2025 wins and 2026 plans. Consider it culture with snacks.
🧘 Community Outdoor Yoga Classes @ Oaks By The Bay | Thursday (3/5) at 6:00 PM – Thursday evenings call for free outdoor yoga under the oaks at Oaks by the Bay, with Brooke Faust welcoming stiff beginners and seasoned stretchers. Expect gentle to energizing flows and neighbors, just bring a mat, water, and bug spray, because mosquitoes love gatherings.
🏷 The Panama City Sticker Show @ Out of the Box Art Studio | Friday (3/6) at 6:00 PM – FLUXE’s first night goes full sticker mode as Stickerbomb the Trap pops into Out of the Box Art Studio with thousands of stickers and label art from here and abroad. Grab freebies, bomb the wall, and join a hands-on workshop. Artists, bring your label art.
🎨 Sixth Annual Florida Luxe Arts Festival @ Panama City Center for the Arts | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – Stroll downtown Panama City for FLLUXE, where 3-D chalk art, live music, and a revived Fine Arts Market color the streets. It is three days now starting Friday night, free, family friendly, rain or shine, so bring curiosity, walking shoes, and selective shopping habits.
🤿 Jetty Cleanup @ St Andrews State Park | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Jetty cleanup dive at the Tidal Pool Pavilions, trading sightseeing for snipping line and hauling trash treasure. Bring cutting tools, net bags, and gloves, and let FSU PC’s channel boat grab the heavy haul. Props to Panama City Diving, and Panama City Dive Center.
💼 39th Annual Bay County Job Fair @ Gulf Coast State College | Saturday (3/7) at 8:30 AM – Polish the resume and head to Gulf Coast State College for the 39th Annual Bay County job fair. 35-plus employers, real paychecks, and zero admission. Veterans and military families get early priority, everyone else rolls in after, and pre-registering saves you the wait.
🚗 2nd Annual Scholarship Car Show @ AutoNation Ford Panama City | Sunday (3/8) at 10:00 AM – Shine up your ride and roll to AutoNation Ford for a car show honoring Marsha Allen where chrome pays it forward, funding scholarships for Haney Technical College. All makes welcome, with food truck, 50/50, trophies, and $100 AutoZone gift card. Spectators free, entrants $20.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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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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📻 Panama City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 72°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 1%
Sunny. High near 72, with temperatures falling to around 69 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 74°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 74. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Patchy fog between 9pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This 4-bed, 4.5-bath waterfront retreat spans three levels with an elevator on 2.3 secluded acres with 470 feet of shoreline, the only home in non-HOA East Bay Plantation. An 18-foot great room, crow’s nest bonus, and covered decks frame the views. Four hardwoods on floors and walls, granite, stainless with wine cooler, marble bath, 3-car garage, and a 2023 dock.
Take a peek inside →
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