🌱 Children's Book Drive + Panama City PD Receives $225,500 Grant

Good morning, neighbors. It's Saturday in Panama City and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in the community.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Heavy afternoon thunderstorms. High: 76 Low: 65.
• Sunday: A few morning showers; breezy. High: 79 Low: 55.

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Here are the top three stories in Panama City today:

1. The Bay County Public Library Foundation is organizing a book drive from May 1-19 to collect new or gently used children’s book titles appropriate for preschool-age to eighth-grade students to restock the Free Library on Wheels (FLOW) and FLOW Book Boxes. Drop-off locations will be at several places around the community, as noted at the link. The goal of the book drive is to promote literacy and encourage the love of reading among Bay County children by collecting popular titles, which will then be distributed free of charge throughout the year. (WJHG)
2. The Panama City Police Department will receive a Community Outreach Recruitment & Engagement (CORE) trailer and truck to improve community engagement with local residents, especially children. The grant from the St. Joe Community Foundation is worth over $225,500, and the department plans to use the CORE trailer at community outreach events — such as visits to local schools and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bay County — to promote positive interaction with law enforcement officers by interacting with them, playing games, and learning about them. The CORE trailer will have a snack area, lounge area, basketball hoop, Wi-Fi hotspot, TVs, and video gaming station, and it will be ADA-compliant. (The News Herald)
3. Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach is set to undergo significant upgrades, including the addition of a new skate park, 10 pickleball courts, an expanded basketball court, additional parking, and a safe room for a short-term tornado shelter. The park's director of Parks and Recreation, Cheryl Joyner, believes the improvements will increase programming opportunities and offer something for everyone, including dog parks, fishing, tennis, and skating. However, the city is yet to receive construction bids, and there is no timeline for the completion of the project. (WJHG)

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Today and tomorrow in Panama City:

Saturday, April 29

• Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Event At Oaks By The Bay Park + McKenzie Park (9:00 AM)

Sunday, April 30

• David Auen At Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant (6:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

Do you know a Panama City student who’s making a difference in the community? We want to hear about them! Click here to nominate a student to be featured on Patch.

From my notebook:

• Seventy-five local athletes qualified for regionals in the Class 2A District 1 meet held on Wednesday afternoon. North Bay Haven and South Walton took top spots for girls and boys, respectively, with North Bay Haven's relay teams contributing to their success. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
• The 26th annual Kid Fest is being held by Early Education and Care Head Start officials featuring over 100 kids' activities with various trucks, simulators, and games provided by agencies at the Central Panhandle Fairgrounds in Panama City today, Apr. 29, and the event also includes photo ops with superheroes and ghostbusters, as well as a game vault featuring tons of video games. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
• Experience an immersive art exhibit called "The Four Queens" in Downtown Panama City today, Apr. 29, that explores the Sacred Archetypes of the Feminine through the work of a collaborative of multimedia artists and dream weavers. The exhibit is at 436 Harrison Ave.; tickets are $11. (Destination Panama City via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with another 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.