🌱 FDOT Holds U.S. 98 Hearing + "Ace Of Spades" Banned In Bay School

Welcome back, Panama City! I'm here in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 85 Low: 71.
• Friday: Cloudy, a shower and t-storm. High: 83 Low: 67.

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Here are the top three stories today in Panama City:

1. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) held a public hearing on Tuesday to discuss the nearly completed U.S. 98 Public Development and Environment study. The project involves widening Back Beach Road, replacing the Phillip Inlet Bridge, and adding medians and a traffic light. The project's main goal is to improve safety and ensure roadways can handle traffic during a hurricane evacuation, with an estimated completion time of five to 10 years and a cost of $400 million. (WJHG)
2. Bay High School students have raised objections against the school board's decision to ban the book "Ace of Spades." The novel focuses on two black, queer teenagers who experience bullying and explore their sexual identity. The book's ban was upheld by the school board, prompting around 150 students to write letters asking them to reconsider. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
3. Bay County Sheriff's Office officials are seeking three individuals who are believed to have stolen and fraudulently used a debit card that belonged to a local youth sports group. The card was allegedly stolen from a local business in March and was subsequently used at multiple retail stores in the Panama City area. The suspects, a man and two women, were caught on store surveillance footage. (WJHG)

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Today and tomorrow in Panama City:

Thursday, May 11

• Live Music With Biscuit Miller At Pineapple Willy's Restuarant (6:00 PM)

Friday, May 12

• Red Jumpsuit Apparatus With Love The Hate At Salty Hobo (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• According to recent data, the state of Florida had the seventh-highest rate of U.S. teen driver fatalities in 2022. Bumper.com reports "young drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents." (Bumper.com)
• 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)
• Good news boaters: The boat ramps at St Andrews Marina and the Downtown Marina will remain open. (WJHG)

That's it for today. I'll catch up with you 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.