🌱 Sight For America Nonprofit + First Responder Crisis Training

Good morning, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Panama City Patch newsletter. Keep reading for the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: Showers; breezy in the a.m.. High: 55 Low: 43.
• Sunday: Breezy in the morning. High: 58 Low: 35.

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Here are the top three stories today in Panama City:

1. Nonprofit organization "Sight for America" delivers high-tech assistive technology to children with low vision or blindness in their homes and trains their families and teachers on how to use it, with eight residents in Bay and Walton County being the latest beneficiaries. Among them, 6-year-old Tyler Smith had struggled to keep up with his classmates at Tyndall Elementary due to his poor eyesight, but now with the new technology, he can write more independently and confidently, which will help improve his grades and his confidence in school. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
2. First responders in Bay County recently underwent active shooting training with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA-funded Active Shooter Incident Management program. The training aims to simulate real-world incidents in order to provide first responders with the necessary tools to handle emergencies and encourages responders from various divisions to work together in different scenarios. Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford, who brought the program to Bay County, hopes that this comprehensive training will ensure that their community is prepared to respond to active shooter situations and to establish contact teams and rescue task forces that can work effectively and efficiently in emergencies. During a recent scenario, the Bay County team reportedly broke a five-year nationwide response record. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
3. Bay County Supervisor of Elections Mark Andersen reminds residents to register to vote in the upcoming municipal elections, with Mar. 20 being the last day to register. Various positions are up for election across the local municipalities, including mayoral and city council positions. Andersen emphasizes the importance of registration, as those not registered will be unable to participate in the election. (Subscription: The News Herald)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Panama City:

Saturday, March 18

• Jay Moody Live At House Of Henry (6:00 PM)
• Leana Carter At Little Village & Finns (7:00 PM)

Sunday, March 19

• Live Music With Randy Watson At Pineapple Willy's Restaurant (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Panama City Comedy is hosting comedian Rory Scovel on Apr. 5 at the Captain Anderson's Event Center in Panama City Beach, with tickets priced at $30. Scovel has previously appeared in Apple TV+'s Physical and Paramount Picture's Babylon. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
• Eastern Shipbuilding partnered with local schools, including Chipola College, Haney Technical College, Wewahitchka, Port St. Joe, and Wakulla High schools, to build artificial reefs made of metal that meet specific qualifications such as size and diameter hole for marine life to freely swim in and out. The reefs were brought to Captain Anderson's Marina to be deployed in the Gulf, which is in need of new reefs. (WMBB - mypanhandle.com)
• Bayway is offering free rides to those in Bay County who need help getting their taxes filed through the VITA program at A.D. Harris Learning Village in Panama City, with buses running every Wednesday until Apr. 12. Relevant tax documents, a valid form of identification, social security card, and documentation needed for dependents are required. (WJHG)

You're officially in the loop 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.