Free Pier Access for Local Residents the Last Two Sundays in December

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – Bay County and Panama City Beach are spreading holiday cheer with free pier access for local residents on the last two Sundays in December.

On December 22 and 29, Bay County residents can enjoy complimentary admission to the Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier. With a valid Bay County ID, locals can fish, stroll, or simply take in the stunning Gulf views.

“Partnering with Bay County on this initiative helps us give back and spread holiday cheer,” said Cheryl Joyner, Parks and Recreation Director.

Details:

• Dates: Sunday, December 22, and Sunday, December 29, 2024
• Locations:
  • Russell-Fields City Pier: 16201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
  • M.B. Miller County Pier: 12213 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
• Requirements: Valid Bay County ID

Take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the beach and make holiday memories with your family and friends.

VA and Veterans Yoga Project Partner To Enhance Veteran Well-Being

The VA has teamed up with Veterans Yoga Project, Inc. to offer free yoga and mindfulness classes to Veterans nationwide. Available both in-person and online through VA-approved telehealth platforms, these classes aim to improve Veterans’ mental, physical, and emotional health.

This partnership, supported by VA’s National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP), promotes the integration of yoga and mindfulness into Veterans’ healthcare routines. It also connects local VA medical centers with Veterans Yoga Project instructors for in-person or virtual classes.

The benefits are significant: 75% of participating Veterans report reduced distress, and 72% experience pain relief. The Veterans Yoga Project, a nonprofit organization, provides weekly yoga classes designed to help Veterans recover, build resilience, and reduce stress.

“Yoga and mindfulness offer valuable tools for Veterans to manage stress, improve health, and enhance resilience,” said Kimberly Pugh of VA’s HAP. The initiative aligns with VA’s Whole Health System of Care, emphasizing personalized, whole-person healthcare solutions.

Veterans can find free classes on the Veterans Yoga Project website.   Learn more about VA partnerships on the HAP website.

AAA Uses GPS Alerts to Reduce Roadside Deaths in Florida

Waze GPS mapping system now alerts drivers of AAA roadside vehicles ahead

TAMPA, FL – AAA – The Auto Club Group (ACG) has integrated its roadside assistance calls with the Waze GPS system, in hopes of preventing unnecessary roadside crashes and deaths. Drivers who use Waze or Google Maps for navigation in select states will receive an alert when they approach a AAA member and AAA technician on the roadside, allowing motorists to slow down or move over as they approach the scene.

Every year, AAA responds to over 30 million calls for roadside assistance across the country, which is one call every two seconds. Tragically, two emergency responders are killed every month. This includes AAA roadside technicians.

“Far too many deaths occur because drivers are either not paying attention or do not realize they’re approaching someone on the roadside,” said Scott VerBracken, Vice President of Automotive Services for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We are excited about this technological advancement and believe it will give drivers the warning they need to move over and save the lives of our members and employees.”

How it Works

1. When a AAA member has car trouble and requests roadside assistance, AAA’s automated technology will pinpoint their location within the Waze and Google Maps GPS mapping systems.
2. Approaching drivers who use the Waze or Google Maps GPS software will receive an alert that there’s a disabled vehicle ahead.
3. When the roadside technician arrives on-location, the alert automatically updates to warn approaching drivers that an ACG service technician is ahead. 

This GPS mapping enhancement is now active in The Auto Club Group’s 14 states, including: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and portions of Indiana and Minnesota.

Waze is a free community-based navigation app that provides drivers with real-time traffic alerts and spoken turn-by-turn directions. It alerts users of upcoming road hazards, including road construction, disabled vehicles, accidents, emergency responders on the roadside, to allow motorists ample time to adapt their driving to the current road situation. This information is also used by Google Maps.

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 64 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

GCSC Education Encore Starts Soon

~ No Tests! No Grades! No Stress! Just Fun! ~

Panama City, FL – Registration is open for Education Encore’s Spring semester and classes are beginning soon. Students can choose from a variety of personal enrichment and development courses offered in-person.

Education Encore is a non-credit enrichment program offered by Gulf Coast State College’s Continuing Education Department.

“So many great classes offered with very knowledgeable instructors. I can’t wait to start again in January,” states Encore student, Pat Spurlin.

Panama City Campus Spring 2025

· Six consecutive Fridays; Friday, January 24, to Friday, February 28.

· Fee to attend is $125. · For more information and to view the digital catalog, visit www.gulfcoast.edu/encore or call (850) 873-358

AAA: FLORIDA GAS PRICES ARE SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN LAST WEEK

TAMPA, FL — Florida drivers are paying slightly more at the pump than a week ago. Sunday’s state average was $3.12 per gallon. That’s 2 cents more than last week. 

“Despite the modest uptick, gas prices remain within the same range they’ve been in since early September,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “During the past three months, the state average has bounced between $2.99/g and $3.20/g. Oil prices have remained low during that time, which has prevented any significant jump at the pump.”

Last week, the state average started at $3.10/g, then dropped down to $3.03 per gallon on Friday, before rebounding to $3.12/g on Sunday. So far, December gas prices have averaged $3.07 per gallon. That’s 2 cents less than the monthly average in November, and 4 cents less than the average price in October. 

Visit GasPrices.AAA.com to view state and local average gas prices

Regional Prices

• Most expensive metro markets – West Palm Beach-Boca Raton ($3.27), Naples ($3.19), Homosassa Springs ($3.18)
• Least expensive metro markets – Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.72), Panama City ($2.75), Pensacola ($2.83)

Ways to Save on Gasoline

• Combine errands to limit driving time.
• Shop around for the best gas prices in your community. 
• Pay with cash. Some retailers charge extra per gallon for customers who pay with a credit card.
• Remove excess weight in your vehicle. Every 100 pounds taken out of the vehicle improves fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
• Drive conservatively. Aggressive acceleration and speeding reduces fuel economy.

AAA Resources for Drivers

• Enroll in savings programs. AAA Members who enroll in Shell’s Fuel Rewards program can save 30 cents per gallon on their first fill-up and 5 cents per gallon each additional trip to the pump. Click here for more information.
• Get a tune-up. Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained to optimize its fuel economy. Visit AAA.com/AutoRepair to find a certified repair shop.
• Find the lowest gas prices in your area by using the free AAA mobile app.
• Determine anticipated fuel costs for your trip by using the AAA’s Gas Cost Calculator.

Find Florida Gas Prices

• Daily gas price averages can be found at Gasprices.aaa.com 
• State and metro averages can be found here

	Sunday	Saturday	Week Ago	Month Ago	One Year Ago
National	$3.023	$3.023	$3.018	$3.084	$3.087
Florida	$3.119	$3.071	$3.102	$3.091	$2.886
Georgia	$2.913	$2.913	$2.903	$2.945	$2.979
Click here to view current gasoline price averages

Gas Price Survey Methodology
AAA updates fuel price averages daily at www.GasPrices.AAA.com. Every day up to 130,000 stations are surveyed based on credit card swipes and direct feeds in cooperation with the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) and Wright Express for unmatched statistical reliability. All average retail prices in this report are for a gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline.

About AAA – The Auto Club Group

The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 13 million members across 14 U.S. states and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 64 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

CELEBRATE THE SEASON BY GIVING BLOOD

Long-sleeved T-shirt for donating through Jan. 3

MOBILE, AL — December is a time to close out the year making new memories. With just two weeks left in 2024, the American Red Cross asks donors to give blood now to help those in need enjoy the rest of the holiday season with loved ones. Donors with type O negative blood are especially urged to give now so patients can continue to receive the care they count on in the coming weeks.

This is a busy time for many. In addition to travel, seasonal illness and the threat of winter weather can also lead to lower appointment numbers and decreased donor turnout, making it tougher to keep the blood supply stable. Those who give regularly and those looking to give for the first time are encouraged to take one hour this December to help save lives with a blood donation.

Those who come to give Dec. 16, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

To extend a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood, platelets and plasma during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-26, 2025, during National Blood Donor Month, will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Making and keeping donation appointments can help keep the national blood supply strong enough to weather winter challenges now and into the new year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Amplify your impact − volunteer!  

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.  

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

TRiO at Gulf Coast State College set to Host FAFSA Night

PANAMA CITY, FL – TRiO at Gulf Coast State College is hosting a FAFSA Night to provide current and prospective students with the guidance needed to complete their 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The event will take place on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 in the TRiO Office in Student Union West on the first floor from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST. 

The FAFSA is a crucial step in accessing financial aid for higher education. The TRiO team will offer one-on-one assistance to simplify the process, answer questions, and ensure applications are accurately completed and submitted. 

TRiO’s mission is to provide academic and personal development services to motivate individuals toward successful post-secondary education completion. Dedicated to enhancing college retention and graduation rates, TRiO focuses on supporting low-income and first-generation students in pursuing higher education through specially designed programs. FAFSA Night is one of the many services TRiO offers to ensure equitable opportunities for all students.   

Event Details: 

• Dates: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
• Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST
• Location: TRiO Office located in Student Union West, First Floor at Gulf Coast State College

For more information, please contact Kris Hatcher at khatcher1@gulfcoast.edu, (850) 873-3526. 

TRiO at Gulf Coast State College refers to a set of federally-funded programs designed to provide support and outreach services for students facing economic, social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. These programs are specifically aimed at individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those who are low-income and first-generation Americans. The ultimate goal is to increase college retention and graduation rates among the participants by addressing the unique challenges they may encounter on their educational journey.

Additional State Office Closures for the Holidays

TALLAHASSEE, FL —Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that—in addition to Christmas Day and New Years Day—state offices will also be closed on December 23rd, December 24th, and December 31st for the holidays.

“Florida is in great shape, and we want to reward our state employees,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “After a full year—including three costly hurricanes—we hope these extra days off allow for state workers to spend more time with their families and loved ones during this holiday season.”

The office closures on December 23rd, December 24th, and December 31st are in addition to regular office closures on December 25th and January 1st.

Record Number of Holiday Travelers Expected to Close Out 2024

AAA projects more than 119 million Americans will travel over the year-end holidays

WASHINGTON, D.C. – AAA is forecasting a record-breaking 119.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more over the year-end holiday period, from December 21 to January 1. This projection narrowly surpasses the previous record set in 2019 by 64,000 travelers. Compared to last year, this represents an increase of 3 million holiday travelers, highlighting the growing desire for connection and celebration. According to Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel, the unique timing of Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday is expected to result in heightened travel activity the weekends before and after the holiday.

“This is the time of year when lifelong memories are made with loved ones, and travel plays a big role in that,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “This year, with Christmas Day falling on a Wednesday, we’re anticipating record-breaking travel numbers the weekend before and the weekend after the holiday.” 

Travelers will take to the roads, skies, and seas in unprecedented numbers. Nearly 90% will opt for road trips, with gas prices slightly lower than last year, encouraging the flexibility and affordability of driving. Air travel is also set to reach new heights, with a record 7.85 million passengers. Meanwhile, alternative modes of transportation, such as buses, trains, and cruises, are seeing a resurgence, with cruise bookings rising by 37% compared to last year. AAA emphasizes the importance of safety, particularly on the roads, as the influx of travelers is expected to lead to significant congestion in major metro areas. With tropical and Southern destinations topping the travel list, the year-end holidays promise to be a time of joyful reunions and memorable journeys.

Read the complete story here.

 About AAA  

Started in 1902 by automotive enthusiasts who wanted to chart a path for better roads in America and advocate for safe mobility, AAA has transformed into one of North America’s largest membership organizations. Today, AAA delivers exceptional roadside assistance, helps travelers plan their dream vacations and adventures, offers exclusive member discounts and benefits, and provides trusted financial and insurance services – all to enhance the life journey of our 65+ million members across North America, including nearly 58 million in the United States. To learn more about all AAA offers or become a member, visit AAA.com. 

OneGenAway to Provide Free Groceries in Panama City

Drive-Thru Mobile Pantry Open to All on Dec. 14

PANAMA CITY, FL – OneGenAway, a Franklin-based nonprofit, is bringing its Mobile Pantry to Panama City to provide free groceries to anyone in need. The event will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, located at 3308 15th Street. Distribution begins at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until supplies run out, which is expected to be around 9:45 a.m. The Mobile Pantry will offer fresh produce, pantry staples, and other essential items at no cost. No registration is required, making it easy for anyone seeking food assistance to participate.

Volunteers are welcome to join this community effort and are encouraged to arrive at 7:30 a.m. to assist with the distribution process. OneGenAway operates its Mobile Pantry nearly every Saturday across its service areas, which include Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. Their mission is to eliminate food insecurity and foster a sense of community by ensuring that no one in need goes hungry. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals and families in the Panama City area to receive support and for volunteers to make a meaningful impact.

For more information, visit www.OneGenAway.com.

ABOUT ONEGENAWAY

One Generation Away is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has pursued its vision of wiping hunger off the face of America, growing its service capacity from 150,700 meals shared in its first full year, 2014, to just over 7.7 million meals in 2023. Founded by Chris and Elaine Whitney, OneGenAway rescues high-quality, surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, farms, and caterers and redistributes that food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.