Renovation of historic St. Andrews School starts with roof repairs
ST. ANDREWS, Fla. (WMBB) – The first phase in the resurrection of the old St. Andrews School is now official.
BMR Roofing has signed a contract to begin roof repairs on what used to be St. Andrews School.
'It's been a long time since the hurricane that the school's been in disrepair,' said Destination Panama City President & CEO Jennifer Vigil. 'Working with the Historic Preservation Department and going through a grant process any time takes a little bit of time.'
The school first opened its doors to students in 1926.
Salty Dog Day fundraiser in Panama City aids local organizations
After Hurricane Michael, students and faculty moved over to the old Oakland Terrace School and took the name with them.
Since it's now St. Andrews School, the original needed a new name.
The Historic St. Andrews Waterfront Partnership came up with 'Drews Hall'.
It will be transformed into an arts, culture, and events venue.
City leaders say it's the best way to show off the rich history and culture of the area.
'It was the longest operating school for a while in the state of Florida,' said Panama City Ward IV Commissioner Josh Street. 'So for the residents that live here, it's a huge part, but also for people that come to visit. It's a way for us to showcase who we are, what we've been, what we've lived through and what we're continuing to do as a community.'
The resurrection project will benefit residents, visitors, and St. Andrews businesses.
'Having something that's a community hub this close to our Historic District of St Andrews, which is in St. Andrews, is just going to be a big boost for every business that's here and to come,' said Sunjammers Owner Brad Stephens.
Local agencies know that by going through with this project, they will be preserving a big part of St. Andrews' history.
Thrilling cowboy action awaits at Westonwood Ranch Rodeo
'One of the things that we have to do is lead with vision, but collaborate with heart. This building itself holds a lot of emotion and a lot of memories for a lot of our locals,' Vigil added. 'It's ingrained into the roots of their families, and it's important to them that we preserve their history while we're telling the story of the culture and character of this community.'
The next phase of the resurrection project will include adding additional architectural designs, then getting the project out to bid.
City staff hope to have the building complete by the fall of next year in time for the center's centennial celebration.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Relief offered to homeowners affected by Hurricane Sally & frequent flooding
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – Twelve Panama City property owners impacted by Hurricane Sally still experiencing frequent flooding, are receiving some relief. City officials are buying their homes. The city received a $5 million grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for the Voluntary Home Buyout Program. The 12 homes are appraised for a total of $2,680,500 and are spread around the city. Some of the owners on Cincinnati and Lake avenues missed out on the program after Hurricane Michael. A new Jackson County business approved for devlopment agreement The city buys the property, tears down the homes and converts the land into green space, recreational areas or floodplain and wetlands, reducing future flooding. 'It's a great program in helping people get out of a very difficult situation, as well as reducing the overall cost of infrastructure in the city, because a lot of these homes are turning into retention areas. Things that help alleviate flooding for other neighbors and other neighborhoods,' Commissioner Josh Street said. Officials said they are still accepting applications for the program. For more information, click . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
City approves task order for Lynn Haven stormwater project
LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) – Lynn Haven is making progress on stormwater drainage improvements. It's been a problem for decades, but worsened after Hurricane Michael, causing flooding even during moderate rains. City officials signed a task order today to finish the remainder of the project. In 2022, Lynn Haven received a $1 million legislative appropriation to address long-standing stormwater issues. With clogged pipes and blocked outflows choked by grass and sediment, flooding has been a persistent problem in the community for decades. Dolphin transport underway at Gulf World 'We want to prevent any structural flooding. We want to get water from standing in roadways so emergency vehicles can pass. And of course, you know, our residents to walk down the road if needed in an emergency or be able to leave their home without flooding their cars out,' said Public Works Director Chris Lightfoot. The city divided the project into phases, prioritizing repairs that didn't require permits from the Army Corps of Engineers or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. That allowed crews to start clearing and maintaining some systems immediately. Some of the work has occurred along 7th Street and Kentucky Avenue, and 13th and Missouri Avenue. Panama City approves new areas for golf cart safety 'The outfall construction that we're doing is basically excavating and armor forming the outfalls to provide a clear flow for the stormwater to get out. Currently, it's grass and sediment that builds up and constantly having to be maintained. It's difficult to maintain because they stay so wet. So we will just get these cleaned out. They will be a permanent structure, and they can flow freely,' Lightfoot added. The city has used about $700,000 so far. The remaining $300,000 will go to trouble spots like East 2nd Street and Illinois off 10th Street. 'That it will allow storm water to recede faster and hopefully not be in our streets and roadways,' Mayor Jesse Nelson said. The entire project is expected to take about 120 days to complete. That work will go out to bid in the near future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Indianapolis Star
Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc., Announces Michael C. Howe – With Decades of Experience at Leading and Building Brands in the Healthcare and Consumer Space – To Be Its New Chief Executive Officer
Michael's career spans nationally recognized brands such as MinuteClinic, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, CEO of Arby's, and as an early-stage investor/board member in healthcare and software businesses HUMACAO, PR AND NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 10, 2025 / Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASBP) ('Aspire' or the 'Company'), a developer of a multi-faceted patent-pending drug delivery technology, today announced that its Board of Directors has elected Michael C. Howe, as the Company's new chief executive officer. The Board selected Michael Howe to be CEO based on his proven track record of hands-on success during his more than four decades of experience with leading brands and early-stage companies, and his recognized leadership qualities. Kraig Higginson, who has stepped down as CEO and Chairman of the Board, will remain with the Company and serve as Executive Chairman of the Board. Michael Howe is a visionary C-level executive with a proven record of driving transformative success across diverse industries. With a deep understanding of market trends, consumer behavior, and innovative brand positioning, Howe has consistently demonstrated his ability to foresee and shape consumer trends, leading to the creation of groundbreaking operational strategies. His career has been marked by his ability to build and strengthen nationally recognized brands with companies such as MinuteClinic, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo and Arby's. His strategic leadership has consistently delivered significant growth and financial success, from start-ups to multinational corporations. His healthcare leadership and expertise in creating innovative consumer focused brands was most effectively demonstrated in his leadership of MinuteClinic, a network of board-certified health providers offering high-quality, team-based care services. Howe joined MinuteClinic in June 2005 with 19 clinics in two markets as the brand struggled to define a clear national expansion strategy. Within 15 months, Howe added more than 100 clinics in 13 markets and facilitated the sale of the company to CVS in September 2006, which delivered a nearly sixfold return for investors. He stayed with CVS as CEO of MinuteClinic for 2 additional years leading the national expansion to more than 530 clinics. Since 2022, Howe has served as a Co-founder and CEO of The Good Clinic (TGC), which offered a holistic care approach to primary healthcare services, integrating functional medicine, genetic testing, technology, alternative treatments, and nutrition. Howe is now leading the funding and expansion to relaunch the TGC concept under the newly formed First Choice Healthcare Solutions. Since 2021, he has also served as an independent director for P1 Dental Partners, an Indianapolis-based, PE-funded dental services organization. 'Michael is a seasoned strategist with a track record of driving sustainable growth through innovation, and we have every confidence in his ability to lead Aspire during this important time,' said Kraig Higginson, Executive Chairman of Aspire. 'He brings meaningful expertise in scaling differentiated platforms and has a deep understanding of the health and wellness sector – making him uniquely suited to serve as Aspire's next CEO. I have worked closely with Michael over the past six months as a fellow board member during which time his contributions and insights have confirmed the excellent qualities he brings to the role. Together with the entire Board, I look forward to working with him.' On his appointment, Howe said, 'I am honored to be named as CEO of Aspire. I am grateful to our Executive Chairman, Kraig Higginson for his commitment, leadership and passion, and to the members of our Board for their leadership, particularly in these recent months, and for the confidence they have placed in me to lead our business.' Howe continued 'Aspire has a powerful and differentiated drug delivery platform, is engaged in an important clinical trial which could support a submission to the FDA via the 505(b)(2) pathway, and has the opportunity to generate early revenue upon the launch of its novel pre-workout supplement, both of which are expected to occur in 2025. I am eager to build upon the work the entire Aspire team has been doing to position our business for the future and create value for our shareholders over the long-term.' Higginson added, 'It has been a privilege to lead Aspire. I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I want to express my thanks to the many team members who, through their hard work and commitment to the company, have made our success possible. From the going public process, to commencing the first FDA clinical trials of our high-dose aspirin, to preparing for the launch of our innovative pre-workout product, BUZZ BOMB™, now is the right time to transition the leadership of Aspire to Michael. I believe the Company and shareholders will benefit from his experience as a strategic thinker with a laser focus on capturing current market and operational opportunities.' About Michael C. Howe A successful growth-oriented CEO with 40+ years of consumer and healthcare experience. Howe has established a proven track record of leading and building successful consumer focused businesses across several different business sectors including consumer goods, fast food restaurants, SaaS products, and innovative healthcare companies. He began his career at Procter & Gamble with positions in sales and marketing. He then joined PepsiCo in their fast-food division with operational roles with the KFC brand. Five years later, he joined Arby's as a senior operational executive, subsequently rising to the position of President and CEO, growing the brand's revenue by 25% in just 3 years. After a successful term as CEO of Arby's, Howe joined MinuteClinic in June 2005 and within 15 months orchestrated the sale of the company to CVS in September 2006, where he remained for 2 additional years leading the national expansion. After leaving CVS in 2008, he founded Howe & Associates, which focused on supporting start up and early- stage companies in their expansion processes, as an angel investor, board member, and / or executive, leading 11 companies to a successful financial exit. Howe earned both his accounting and business degrees from the University of Minnesota, Duluth after serving 4 years in the U.S. Air Force. About the Aspire Targeted Oral Delivery Platform Aspire's sublingual delivery technology has been developed using our patent-pending methodology, and 'trade secret' process. The technology's new mechanism of action allows for rapid sublingual absorption and entry into the bloodstream of supplements and other substances. The benefits of 'rapid absorption' are to provide rapid impact in more precise quantities. About Aspire Biopharma, Inc. Headquartered in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Aspire Biopharma has developed a disruptive technology through a Novel Soluble Formulation which can deliver supplements and drugs rapidly and precisely. For more information, please visit Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements made in this communication are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as 'estimate,' 'projects,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'forecasts,' 'plans,' 'intends,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'may,' 'will,' 'would,' 'should,' 'future,' 'propose,' 'potential,' 'target,' 'goal,' 'objective,' 'outlook' and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, and on the current expectations of Aspire's management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the control of the parties, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. SOURCE: Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc.
