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Good morning, Panama City! In today’s edition: Salvation Army fundraiser surpasses goal, Alex King joins Space Florida board, First Friday lands on second Friday, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Charity campaign marks milestone: The 42nd Salvation Army Annual Empty Stocking Fund in Panama City surpassed its $200,000 goal, highlighting community generosity and wrapping up the holiday season on a high note — read the full story.
New voice in space leadership: Alex King, executive director of the Panama City Port Authority, was appointed to the Space Florida board by Gov. Ron DeSantis, bringing prior cargo operations and business development experience — learn about his background.
City leaders hit reset: Panama City officials said they want to go back to the drawing board on Truesdell Park renovations after recent updates, with next steps for the project still to be decided — read the full story.
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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*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
Holiday cleanup made safer: Bay County is offering free drop-off locations for real Christmas trees to lower home fire risk. The deadline is January 11. Artificial trees are not accepted. Make sure all lights, ornaments, and tinsel are removed. The NFPA estimates over 150 tree-related home fires each year. See what’s accepted and when.
Dinks by the bay: Four outdoor courts, bay breezes, and food-truck fuel make Papa Joe’s Bayside an ideal after-work reset. With open play, clinics, and a friendly local crowd, it’s easy to jump in whether your third shot is dialed or you’re still learning the kitchen.
Rainy-day sanity saver: Designed for kids 0–8, Mochas & Minis packs soft-play structures and interactive zones, so littles burn energy while you sip a solid coffee and catch the free Wi‑Fi… perfect for low-key playdates, easy meetups, or breaking up those midweek blahs.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🀄 Mahjong 101 – January @ The Portal Downtown | Tuesday (1/6) at 6:00 PM – Trade your Sudoku for tiles and learn American Mahjong from a guild-certified pro who actually knows what all those jokers are for. It is beginner-friendly, hands-on, and delightfully social, so you can stop nodding at game night, and start racking up real wins.
🧶 Intro to Crochet @ Panama City Center for the Arts | Thursday (1/8) at 5:00 PM – If you’ve been flirting with grandma-core or just want a calm, useful hobby, this four-week crochet series gets you from basics to granny squares, puff stitches, and reading patterns without swearing. Beginners welcome, supplies not included, bring yarn, a G or H hook, and patience.
📅 First Friday @ Bay County Chamber of Commerce | Friday (1/9) at 7:30 AM – First Friday lands on the second Friday, because Bay County thrives on collaboration, caffeine, and calendar flexibility. Expect Rhea Goff of St. Joe, Col. Bergholdt from Tyndall, and networking that actually moves the needle, with thanks to Coca Cola, iHeart Media, and RC Events.
👗 Justin Alexander Trunk Show @ Baytowne Bridal | Friday (1/9) at 10:00 AM – This is the weekend to play dress up with purpose. Baytowne Bridal hosts a Justin Alexander trunk show, three days of fresh-off-the-runway gowns to try before they hit anywhere else, appointments scarce, bubbles flowing, opinions welcome. Say yes to the one, then toast.
🎲 Bookish Bingo Night! @ Bookish Boutique | Friday (1/9) at 6:00 PM – Take a break from the usual trivia nights and try Bookish Bingo, where the squares are stacked with literary winks and the crowd is here for fun, not shushing. No RSVP, limited seats, so arrive early, claim a chair, and channel your inner librarian.
🎸 The Gr8ful Dad’s @ The Grocery Kitchen and Taproom | Friday (1/9) at 6:00 PM – New year, same great jams. The Gr8ful Dads are plugging in for a night of Dead classics, generous solos, and that friendly, dance-if-your-knees-allow groove. Think tie-dye with sensible footwear, good vibes, and a crowd that knows every lyric, and where to park.
🍷 Finer Visions: Paint & Sip @ The Den | Friday (1/9) at 7:00 PM – Theta Psi Zeta is hosting a classy paint and sip where you set intentions for 2026, clink your own bottle, and actually finish a canvas worth hanging. It is $20 at 311 N Tyndall Parkway, BYOB, and delightfully free of small talk you will regret.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Panama City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 65°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 4%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 8%
Patchy fog before 7am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
This house is wild
Brand-new construction in a convenient Panama City spot, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath contemporary pairs an airy open concept with crisp, modern finishes. Custom cabinetry, sleek countertops, and stainless appliances anchor the kitchen, while luxury vinyl plank underfoot and recessed lighting tie everything together. Fully tiled showers, matte black fixtures, and contemporary vanities add a designer edge. The primary suite leans spa-like with a generous layout and a polished ensuite.
Curb appeal pops on a spacious lot with easy access. Construction is nearing completion, and photos reflect a completed sister property, 1712 Foster Avenue, MLS #782978, featuring the same floor plan and finishes.
Take a peek inside →
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