Latest news with #PanamaCityPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Two men charged with attempted murder for shooting outside a local adult night club
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Panama City Police Department and Springfield Police Department responded to the area of Bambi's Dollhouse regarding gunshots being heard on Saturday. Officers responded at about 2:45 a.m. However, they confirmed no injured parties were located. Officers said they found several vehicles had been struck by gunfire. Through the course of the investigation, detectives identified and interviewed witnesses, located surveillance footage, and collected evidence to determine the facts of the case. Investigators said they learned 25-year-old Chrishaun Dozier and 26-year-old Zacchaeus Lyles became involved in a dispute inside Bambi's Dollhouse before being escorted out by staff. Once outside, officials said the dispute continued to escalate with firearms being displayed and verbal threats made. Three arrested after armed burglary and kidnapping in Okaloosa County According to a news release, Dozier entered a blue Ford F-150 and, before leaving the area, pointed a firearm at Lyles. As the truck drove off with Dozier inside and no longer posing an immediate threat to him, Lyles fired approximately seven rounds from a 9mm handgun. The F-150 then changed directions, circling the block, and came back towards Lyles, with Dozier firing approximately 10 rounds at Lyles from a .40 caliber handgun, officials wrote. Detectives obtained arrest warrants for both subjects and searched diligently for the two suspects. On Tuesday, Dozier turned himself in to the Panama City Police Police Department. He was charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and firing a weapon from a vehicle. On Wednesday, detectives and Task Force members located Lyles at a residence in the 2400 block of E. 3rd St., where he was taken into custody without incident. Lyles has been charged with attempted murder, firing into a vehicle, and felon in possession of a firearm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Heavy hearts and immense gratitude: PCPD hosts annual memorial service
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On Thursday morning, the Panama City Police Department gathered in a solemn but spirited event. A memorial service was held to honor officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty. 'It's one of those traditions we never need to let die. It is something that we need to remember throughout history, these officers that have fallen in the line of duty, you know, gave their life to protect others. And they deserve that. They deserve the ability to know that their names will live on in history,' Panama City Police Chief Mark Smith said. The names of fallen officers in Florida were followed by the ringing of the bell. 'We ring the bell. And it is just an attention to the angels above.' Keynote speakers reflected on the 147 officers who died in the line of duty in this country in 2024, a shocking 25% increase from the year 2023. Dr. Irvin Clark moved those in attendance with an empowering speech. 'You stand between safety and chaos. You stand between peace and anarchy. You are the reason we can go to bed at night. confident that trained and dedicated armed forces officers are patrolling our streets while we sleep,' Keynote speaker Dr. Irvin Clark said. 'As you know, he preached up there of standing in the gap between, you know, peace and chaos. And it is so important that the officers realize the need that they fulfill. And, you know, a lot of these officers have participated in this year after year after year, for a lot of these officers it's the first time they've seen such a solemn event,' Smith said. Chief Smith says he's grateful for the turnout at Thursday's service. It's an event he's participated in for 44 years. Every year, the event precedes Law Enforcement Appreciation Week. That will be next Monday through Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Yahoo
PCPD hosts 5th annual bicycle rodeo
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Young riders in Panama City tested their two-wheel skills on Saturday while learning road safety tips along the way. The Panama City Police Department hosted its 5th annual bicycle rodeo at Oakland Terrace joined local law enforcement for a day full of education and fun. 'I think the most important thing is that we're able to educate the public. We're able to teach them proper bicycle mechanics as far as handling the bike safety on the roadway, you know, knowing that you should not riot against traffic but ride with traffic, you should wear a helmet in the state of Florida under the age of 16. So, it means a lot to me. It tremendously, to me, means that we're able to reach out into our community and to serve them in different capacities as law enforcement officers', PCPD Community Policing Captain Billy Carstarphen said. Panama City hosting Earth Day celebration at Oaks by the Bay Park PCPD gave out about 10 free bikes through a raffle drawing. They also had games, live music, snow cones, pizza, and bike obstacle courses. Leila came to the bike rodeo to ride her bike with friends. But since her almost two-year-old little brother received a new bike, she's looking forward to riding with him at home soon. 'He doesn't really know how to ride a bike, but I'm pretty sure he's going to start running over all of our toes. It was a good day, and I had fun. I'm pretty sure my brother, when he grows up, will be stoked to hear the story, too,' resident Leila said. Officials say the event is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. 'The kids, I was watching some of them as they received the bikes, they just lit up, you know, to see the big smile on their faces. And they were just shocked that, 'Hey, I didn't have to go and do anything. I didn't have to pay for this, you know, but these guys are actually just giving me a bike, and it's the bike that I like, 'Carstarphen said. The bikes were donated by Target and Walmart, and the pilot club provided helmets. Newk's Eatery and the City of Panama City provided free food. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bay County wraps up NRDA artificial reef project
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County deployed the last set of artificial reefs on Wednesday. 30 more Bay County artificial reefs are now sitting on the bottom of the Gulf. They were all part of a multi-part artificial reef program the county coordinated, using Restore Act money from the 2010 BP oil spill settlement. Join Panama City Police Department bicycle rodeo for fun and safety tips Crews deployed phase one on February 26th. Phase two was completed on March 12th. Crews set out bright and early Wednesday morning to deploy the last 10 structures. They are hoping these reefs will help offset the damages the oil spill caused to the fishing industry. 'There was documentation to the recreational fishery that they just weren't able to get out and have the normal lifestyle that they're accustomed to by living here in Bay County in Northwest Florida. So it's our hope that this will provide opportunities that they didn't have before,' Florida Sea Grant Bay County Extension Representative Scott Jackson said. But these aren't just any reefs. Everything from the material to the size of the windows is specifically designed to benefit the marine life long-term. 'The limestone that this vendor is using to manufacture these reefs kind of mimics what we see on the ocean floor as far as the limestone ledges that occur naturally. And so this gives it a jump start to the organisms that we see over time,' Jackson said. 'Often the sea turtles will get around these structures naturally… the hole at the top is plenty big enough for a turtle to go out. And then the windows at the bottom of them are larger. They're big enough for me to go in,' Sea Grant volunteer Bob Stapleton said. The location where the reefs are placed is also chosen carefully to encourage more fishing spots. 'The more and more structure we put out, the more places there are for fish to be and more places for fishermen to spread themselves out over. So it relieves the pressure on, you know, a major pool of fish at one place,' Stapleton said. Sweet Baby's Farm hosts first-ever Spring Fling event The county will go back out and add some additional reefs to current locations. They're also working on new artificial reefs, including a re-purposed tugboat. If you'd like to see a list of where the reefs have been placed, Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Rural Renaissance' bill to benefit counties in the Panhandle
LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Florida Senate leaders are pushing a revitalization of rural communities, and the Panhandle is set to be the main beneficiary. Senator Corey Simon's 'Rural Renaissance' bill passed Wednesday afternoon. The bill includes nearly $200 million in funding and would redirect nearly another $100 million from general revenue in the state budget. It aims to increase partnerships with rural communities, enhance rural transportation and broadband infrastructure, expand rural housing options, improve education opportunities, and make health care more accessible. Join Panama City Police Department bicycle rodeo for fun and safety tips Many local counties fit the bill's requirements. 'For a community like Liberty County and our surrounding counties, we need all the help we can get. You know, Florida is growing at a rapid pace, but up here in the panhandle, we're seeing a decline. And, with some of these bills that are coming out that could possibly help us grow our tax base and help our schools, help our law enforcement, help our emergency management, and EMS. We need it. We have to have it,' Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said. Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Walton, and Washington counties are set to benefit from this bill. On Thursday, representatives from each county will be in Tallahassee for 'Rural Counties Day' showcasing their communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
