🌱 Street Sweeper + Panama City Tourism Leads To Airport Expansion

Good morning, neighbors. I'm here with your Saturday edition of the Panama City Patch newsletter, filled with all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A thunderstorm in spots. High: 86 Low: 75.
• Sunday: An afternoon t-storm or two. High: 86 Low: 76.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top three stories in Panama City today:

1. In case you missed it - Panama City is reaching out to the community for help in choosing a name for its recently introduced street sweeper, which made its debut this past Spring. Inspired by Pensacola's successful approach, Panama City aims to engage its citizens in a delightful and imaginative manner by involving them in the process of naming the street-cleaning machine responsible for keeping the city's roads tidy. Entries will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Jun. 21, you can submit names here. (My Panhandle)
2. Panama City is seeing increased tourism, leading to the need for airport expansion. The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is actively pursuing more airlines and projects like parking expansion. The goal is to accommodate the growing economy and serve a larger population. (WJHG)
3. Rolling Cones Ice Cream provides sweet relief on a hot summer day and is beginning to make a name for itself in Bay County. Owner Misty Vanhoose started this franchise as a way to spend more time with her daughters. Rolling Cones provides a variety of flavor/topic combinations and floats for different events from parties to even weddings. (WJHG)

Today and tomorrow in Panama City:

Saturday, June 17

• Thai Yoga Workshop With Patty At Balance Yoga & Lifestyle (11:00 AM)
• Silhouette Artist Edward Casey At Dillard's (1:00 PM)
• Comedy Saturdays At Lie’Brary On Beck (8:00 PM

Sunday, June 18

• Sunday Brunch At Dat Cajun Place Cafe (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The Panama City Beach Fire Rescue wants to extend its thoughts and condolences to its brothers and sisters with Bank County Fire & EMS as they lost one of their loved ones earlier this week. Firefighter Richie Alford sadly lost his life rescuing two swimmers that were caught in a riptide, Richie served his community until the end. (Panama City Beach Fire Rescue via Facebook)
• With the Salute to Freedom event less than a month away the Panama City Marina is reopening the t-dock ahead of the event. You can learn more here. (City of Panama City - Government via Facebook)
• Bay District Schools (BDS) would like to introduce Hiland Park Elementary Principal Ilea Faircloth in the second installment of "The Faces of BDS." An alumnus of BDS, Ilea has climbed the employment ranks in her time with the district and is motivated by the smiling faces of students and the desire to mold the future of the county. (Bay District Schools via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Saturday! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with a new 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.