🌱 BDS Graduation Rates Expected To Decline + PCB Drone Proposal

Hey, friends. It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Patch newsletter. Follow along for the most important things going on in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 74 Low: 65.
• Friday: A passing morning shower. High: 80 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories in Panama City today:

1. Bay District Schools board members say the State Board of Education has increased the concordance score that students need to graduate, which will require seniors to meet a concordance score of 470. The increase in the concordance score after nearly 13 years due to the pandemic and hurricanes will result in an almost 11 percent decrease in the graduation rate as per the school authorities. The Bay District Schools board members have requested relief from the state board while providing additional resources such as Saturday sessions, test preps, and one-on-one meetings with graduation coaches to help students pass the newly required assessments. (WJHG)
2. The City of Panama City Beach is revamping a controversial ordinance that would have prohibited flying drones over private property after receiving many complaints from residents. The new ordinance aims to protect people's privacy, and lawyers are working on the language. The revised ordinance is expected to be presented at the Apr. 27 meeting. (WJHG)
3. Amateur MMA fighter, Ross Allen Johnson, 23, was arrested and charged with manslaughter for allegedly killing a man in the parking lot of a bar in Panama City Beach. The victim, 31-year-old Dayvon Larry, was hit behind the ear by Johnson, who was running towards a fight involving a friend. Despite knocking Larry out, Johnson never attempted to get him help, and instead left him in the parking lot and continued to engage in another fight. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Panama City:

Thursday, April 13

• Preschool Storytime At Bay County Public Library (10:30 AM)
• Free Class: Sunset Yoga At Oaks By The Bay Park (6:30 PM)

Friday, April 14

• Spring Concert Series At Sharon Sheffield Park, Lynn Haven (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• April is National Donate Life Month, and Ascension Sacred Heart Bay raised a flag outside its hospital to commemorate organ donors while addressing the need for more donors. One organ donor can save up to nine people and help countless others through medical breakthroughs related to research donation. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
• Full- and part-time job opportunities are available in the Panama City area. Available positions include administrative assistant, housekeeping supervisor, project engineer, program manager, and more. More details about companies hiring in the area are available at the link. (Panama City Patch)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Panama City area at the link! (Panama City Patch)

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Featured events:

• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (April 17)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.