🌱 Community Development Districts Approved + City Manager Resigns

Good morning. I'm back with your new copy of the Panama City Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Abundant sunshine and breezy. High: 84 Low: 62.
• Friday: Sunny, breezy and pleasant. High: 85 Low: 57.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Panama City Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Panama City Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top three stories in Panama City today:

1. Panama City commissioners have approved the establishment of nine community development districts (CDDs) in the underdeveloped SweetBay area, aimed at facilitating its rapid development. The CDDs will provide infrastructure, maintenance, and services to residents and businesses within the districts, including stormwater management, water or sewer developments, and the construction of parks, roads, and other facilities. The funding for these projects will primarily come from additional taxes levied on those living in the affected CDDs, with separate boards of supervisors overseeing each district. (The News Herald)
2. Mark McQueen, the current city manager of Panama City, will be resigning from his position effective Sep. 30. McQueen, who took on the role shortly before Hurricane Michael devastated the area in 2018, expressed confidence in the city's future and commended the community's resilience during challenging times. Local officials will soon start the process of hiring a new city manager to fill the vacancy left by McQueen's departure. (The News Herald)
3. Panama City police have arrested Rexavion Stanley, a local man, for robbing a food truck at gunpoint and pointing the firearm at two children present in the truck. Stanley fled on foot with $40 before being tracked through surveillance cameras. Detectives were able to identify him through witness statements and his social media posts where he wore the same clothes as during the robbery. He is now facing charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and child abuse, with a bond set at $245,000. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)

🏠 If you're a real estate agent in Panama City, of course you're looking for a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. We can help you do that with an exclusive sponsorship in the Panama City Patch newsletter. Click here to learn more.

Today and tomorrow in Panama City:

Thursday, May 25

• Thursday Night Networking Social At Dave & Buster's Panama City Beach (6:00 PM)

Friday, May 26

• It's All Happening Book Release Party & Fundraiser At Bay Arts Alliance (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Thinking of dipping your toes into the housing market? Check out the list of open houses happening this week in the Panama City area at the link. (Panama City Patch)
• Happy 100th Birthday to Maxine Mann! Mann, a former Navy flight instructor who currently resides in Bay County, turned 100 years old on Monday. (WJHG)
• 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)

That's it for today. See you all soon for 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.