Latest news with #Marianna
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lady Bulldogs get ready for new head coach
MARIANNA, Fla. (WMBB) – Marianna High brings in new softball coach Frederick Lanphere to revive program after 1–17 season. The Marianna Bulldogs softball team faced an uphill battle this past season, fielding only five upperclassmen and finishing with a 1–17 record. Recognizing the need for new energy and leadership, the school brought in Coach Lanphere, a seasoned coach with experience across the Panhandle. Lanphere most recently coached at Taylor County, but his resume includes softball coaching stints at schools like Sneads and Malone. Now at the helm of the Marianna program, he's focused on rebuilding — and making sure his players know he's fully committed. 'I'm here for them,' Lanphere said. 'I expect them to give everything they have because I'm here to give all I have — to pour into them. If they're willing to take that advice, that tutoring, that teaching, then I feel like they can go far. Not just as athletes, but as people.' A key priority for Lanphere is strengthening the pipeline between middle school and high school programs to ensure a more promising future for Marianna softball. 'I'm going to try to get with the middle school and see how we can get those girls to keep playing in high school,' he said. 'A lot of kids drop off for various reasons, but if you can teach them, show them they're good, and get them to love the game, they'll stick with it.' Above all, Lanphere is proud to now call himself a Bulldog and is eager to help lead a turnaround for the program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Marianna alumnus returns to the court to coach
MARIANNA, Fla. (WMBB) – After four years coaching at Chipley High School, 2008 Marianna High School alumnus Brandon Gibson has returned to his alma mater to lead the boys basketball team. Gibson, who was part of Marianna's 2008 Final Four squad, knows firsthand what it means to be a Bulldog and felt this was an opportunity he could not pass up. 'It was a hard choice coming back, but it was the right choice,' Gibson said. 'I made great memories over at Chipley. They're great students, great players, great coaches. But I felt like it was the opportunity of a lifetime to come back home.' Gibson spoke passionately about the culture at Marianna. 'The grind, man, is the grind,' he said. 'We eat and sleep basketball here. This is a basketball school, man. We've got more banners up there for basketball than anything else — even football.' Coach Gibson is currently house-hunting with his family and is excited about building a future in Marianna. He has two daughters and hopes they'll eventually make their mark on the Marianna basketball court as well. 'The plan is to get the girls' program back on track,' he said. 'So once she gets to high school, she'll be ready to go' Above all, Coach Gibson is proud to be back home and is eager to return Marianna basketball to the heights he remembers — sold-out home games and a fired-up community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity hosts annual Women Build
JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The 2025 Habitat for Humanity Women Build provided a unique opportunity: houses built by women, for women. On Friday, women of Jackson and Washington counties came together to work on two houses for first-time female homeowners. The homes are part of Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity's new subdivision. It's the organization's first subdivision in Marianna in over 30 years. 'There's a shortage of housing of any kind. And so while we can't fix the entire problem, we can help move a few families forward and give them a decent place to live and help them have safe and affordable housing for the long term,' Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Kevin Yoder said. City of DeFuniak Springs announce new dates for LakeFest 2025 Women's Build volunteers are working on Chipola Habitats' 107th and 108th homes. Dozens of community members are serving alongside the future homeowner families to help make it a reality. 'It shows us that we do have other people out in the community that's willing to help us become the homeowners that we're soon to be,' future homeowner Lekeria Williams said. Groups from the panhandle and beyond take part in the event. 'It's really amazing to see the expansion of the impact beyond Alabama. So, to be able to come to these other states to be able to bring these homes to other communities is really valuable,' Auburn University Rural Studio Assistant Research Professor Mackenzie Stagg said. The annual Women Build event is meaningful to all involved. 'It is good to have a new beginning, something to offer for our family and our kids. To be a part of it from day one to see it built from the ground up is pretty exciting,' future homeowner Keshia Williams added. 'Chipola habitat is something big for this community. It's a blessing for some families here. And also, I think this has helped the community all get together, bind together,' Florida Public Utilities Marianna Manager of Electric Operations, Rhondon Gray said. The land for the Gillis Ridge seven-home subdivision was donated to Habitat back in the early 2000s. Around 2020, the local chapter received a low-interest loan from Habitat for Humanity International, partnership money from the city of Marianna, and donations from individuals and businesses to pay for the project. The first home is expected to be completed later this year. If you're interested in volunteering with Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Beloved restaurant suddenly closes after just one year as owners blame ‘challenging trading conditions'
shut up shop Beloved restaurant suddenly closes after just one year as owners blame 'challenging trading conditions' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE devastated owners of a popular restaurant have been forced to close after just one year. Marianna Browning and Craig Davies cited 'challenging trading conditions' as the reason for shutting The Lemon Tree Inn in Dorset. 2 The Lemon Tree Inn was abruptly closed after the owners struggled with 'challenging trading conditions' Credit: Facebook The business partners first took on the restaurant in Swyre, which was previously known as Bull Inn, in 2024. They transformed it into a Mediterranean restaurant, which was the venue for plenty of paella, taco, cocktails and sangria-themed nights. Diners have awarded The Lemon Tree five-star reviews on Google. In one glowing appraisal, a customer wrote: "We went to this place for lunch as we always drive past and say how lovely it looks. "Safe to say we couldn't be more impressed, we came for lunch and the food was outstanding. "Each of the three of us ordered a different meal yet each one was amazing, fantastic and kind staff, reasonably priced and as I said some of the best food I've eaten for lunch in a long time." Despite the eatery's popularity, it is now "permanently closed until further notice" Speaking of the closure Marianna, said: 'We are deeply saddened to announce the closure of The Lemon Tree Inn restaurant. "This has not been an easy decision, but due to a combination of challenging trading conditions and other circumstances beyond our control, we find ourselves with no other viable option. 'We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our loyal customers and supporters over the past year. Your warmth, enthusiasm and love for what we created at the Lemon Tree Inn has meant the world to us." Gok Wan opens table-less restaurant where diners are served their food from the floor Marianna encouraged diners to visit her other business venture - Cherries Cafe. 'Looking ahead, we will be focusing all our efforts on our sister-restaurant, Cherries at Abbey Farm, where we hope to welcome both familiar faces and new guests. 'Thank you once again to our customers for being part of the Lemon Tree Inn journey. We hope to see you soon at Cherries.' The 'challenging trading conditions' that The Lemon Tree owners alluded to could be the soaring bills, rising costs, and squeezed budgets that the restaurant industry is battling. More closures could be on the horizon due to upcoming hikes in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage. Many food and drink businesses have faced significant challenges recently, as the rising cost of living has led to a decline in dining out. After struggling to recover from the impact of the pandemic, many establishments were then hit with soaring energy bills and mounting inflationary pressures. This has forced several well-known chains to shut locations, with big brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's among those affected. 2 The Mediterranean style eatery had scored five star reviews on Google Credit: Facebook
