🌱 Downtown Intersection Closed + Bay County Courthouse Renovations

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

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, strong t-storms. High: 85 Low: 73.
• Friday: Sunshine with a thunderstorm. High: 89 Low: 66.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories today in Panama City:

1. The historic Bay County Courthouse - which is over 100 years old - in Panama City will undergo renovations. Bay County Commissioners have awarded a contract to BGN Contractors for a nearly $2 million project that will focus on the first and second floors of the building, including electrical upgrades, painting, and other improvements. Commissioner Robert Carroll expects the project to take approximately six months to complete and it will commence without delay. (WJHG)
2. The intersection of 4th Street and Harrison Avenue in downtown Panama City has been closed for the Harrison Streetscapes project, which aims to revitalize the area. The first phase of the project, costing around $7 million and funded by county infrastructure sales tax, involves replacing utilities, widening sidewalks, paving with cobblestones, and constructing a roundabout. Despite facing challenges due to aging infrastructure, city officials hope that the roundabout will become a focal point of downtown Panama City once completed. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
3. Henry Jiang, a local teenager, is taking the initiative to help his community prepare for hurricane season by collecting items to create at least 200 disaster preparedness kits. Inspired by the support he received from the United Way of Northwest Florida after his father's passing, Jiang is now giving back through volunteering and his own service project. Partnering with organizations like the United Way and Rebuild Bay County Inc., Jiang aims to prioritize elderly and physically challenged residents in providing preparedness kits. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Panama City:

Thursday, June 8

• Live Music With Jack & Gin At Pineapple Willy's Restaurant (7:00 PM)

Friday, June 9

• Live Music At Papa Joe's Bayside (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes have been listed for sale in the Panama City area! Get all the property details at the link. (Panama City Patch)
• The 17th annual Summer Concert Series at Aaron Bessant Park is set to begin today, Jun. 8, featuring a diverse lineup of talented musicians. The concerts, held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 10, offer a range of musical styles to cater to different preferences. (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! I'll see you around.

— 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.