Health Sciences Dual Enrollment Academy Hosts Open House This Week

PANAMA CITY, FL -🎓 High school students and their families, are you ready to take the first step toward a rewarding career in health sciences or nursing? Gulf Coast State College’s Health Sciences Dual Enrollment Academy invites you to an Open House on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CST.

📍 Location: Health Sciences Building, Panama City Campus

This exciting event offers a valuable opportunity for students in 8th–12th grades and their parents or guardians to explore how dual enrollment can provide a head start on essential prerequisites for health sciences and nursing programs.

What to Expect

• 🎉 Free Admission
• 🍴 Free Food and Giveaways
• 📚 Insightful sessions about dual enrollment benefits and how it can accelerate program completion and career entry.
• 🏫 Explore the state-of-the-art Health Sciences Building.

By taking prerequisite courses early, students can gain a competitive edge and potentially begin their programs sooner.

✨ Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future!

For more information, visit www.gulfcoast.edu/dual-enrollment.

Get Festive This Holiday with Gulf Coast’s VPA Holiday Concerts

PANAMA CITY, FL -The holiday season is right around the corner, and there’s no better way to embrace the festive spirit than attending Gulf Coast State College’s (GCSC) Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Holiday Concerts! These special performances promise an unforgettable musical experience, bringing together the talents of the Jazz Band, Singing Commodores, Concert Chorale, and Concert Band.

Mark your calendars and join us for two evenings of holiday cheer and exceptional artistry, all completely free and open to the public.

🎶 Concert Schedule

Concert Chorale and Concert Band
📅 Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024
🕝 Time: 2:30 p.m.
📍 Location: Amelia Center for the Arts, Panama City Campus

Celebrate the joy of the season with captivating performances that will lift your spirits and leave you humming all the way home. Whether you’re a fan of big band jazz, soaring choral harmonies, or the dynamic sounds of a concert band, these concerts are perfect for the whole family.

For additional information, visit Gulf Coast State College Visual and Performing Arts.

FDOT Traffic Advisory for Bay and Jackson Counties

CHIPLEY, FL – Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Bay and Jackson counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Bay County:

·       U.S. 98 Construction west of Tyndall Drive-Airey Avenue to east of Louisiana Avenue – U.S. 98 drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Tyndall Drive-Airey Avenue and Louisiana Avenue, through the end of December. In addition, Tyndall AFB has closed the Tyndall Drive gate through mid-January. During this time, personnel may use the commercial gate, the gate at Sabre Drive or the gate at Airey Avenue. Travel between the support side of the base and the flightline is temporarily restricted to the new Louisiana Avenue underpass.

·       U.S. 98 Widening from east of Nautilus Street to east of Richard Jackson Boulevard– The south side of Clara Avenue at the U.S. 98 intersection will remain closed through Monday, Nov. 25. Crews will be installing a pipe beneath Clara Avenue. The closure will not impact the U.S. 98 travel lanes, or the portion of Clara Avenue located north of the U.S. 98 intersection. U.S. 98 drivers requiring access to Clara Avenue should detour using Alf Coleman Road and Middle Beach Road.

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mandy Lane to east of Nautilus Street – U.S. 98 drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures from Mandy Lane to Powell Adams Road  through Thursday, Nov. 21 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be installing drainage crossings.
• Hutchison Boulevard Resurfacing from U.S. 98A (Front Beach Road) to U.S. 98A (Front Beach Road) – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures through Friday, Nov. 22 as crews perform sidewalk, drainage, and resurfacing activities throughout the project area. Advanced warning signs and traffic control devices will assist in directing motorists through the work area.
• State Road (S.R.) 390 Bridge Replacement over Mill Bayou – S.R. 390 drivers may experience brief travel delays near the Mill Bayou Bridge through Saturday, Nov. 23. Crews will be delivering materials needed for the reconstruction of the bridge.
• Gulf Coast Parkway Construction from U.S. 98 (Tyndall Parkway) to Star Avenue – U.S. 98 (Tyndall Parkway) drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane closures on U.S. 98 (Tyndall Parkway) from 11th Street to Tram Road beginning through Sunday, Nov. 24. The lane closure is necessary for crews to perform drainage structure, sidewalk, and curb and gutter installation and to allow oversized equipment to access the S.R. 370 (Gulf Coast Parkway) construction site. Advanced warning signs and traffic control devices will assist in directing motorists through the work area.

Jackson County:

·       U.S. 90 Resurfacing from Chipola River Bridge to east of S.R. 71 South – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures through Thursday, Nov. 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for construction activities.

All planned construction activities are weather dependent and may be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the reduced speed limit when traveling through the construction area, to watch for construction equipment entering and leaving the roadway, and to use caution when driving through the work zone. Speeding fines double when workers are present.

NWFLRoads.com | X: @MyFDOT_NWFL | Facebook: @MyFDOTNWFL

When a potential victim shows interest in purchasing an item and sends a message to the scammer, they are told that to make a purchase they must use a cash app. If the victim is unsure, they are urged to at least send a substantial deposit to “hold” the item, again, using the cash app. Sometimes the scammer reaches back out to warn the victim that there has been a lot of interest in the item and to continue to hold the item, the victim must show they are serious about the purchase and send another deposit by cash app.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD DROP-OFF LOCATIONS NOW OPEN

Panama City​​​​​​​, FL​​​​​​​ — Children in need are being blessed this Christmas season through the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child. Individuals, families and groups have the opportunity to pack a shoebox gift filled with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items and drop them off now during National Collection Week, Nov. 18 – 25. There are more than 4,700 drop-off locations open around the country. 

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades. In 2024, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 12 million children. The project of Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

“Samaritan’s Purse is committed to taking the Gospel to hard-to-reach places—whether its responding to a disaster or sharing God’s love through the power of a simple shoebox,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “You can show kids in need the true meaning of Christmas this year through a shoebox gift. Please prayerfully consider packing a shoebox this year.”

Participants can use the online lookup tool to find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. It is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop off.

For more information, call 407-273-6112, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

The Power of Gratitude in Panama City

PANAMA CITY, FL – As we soak up today’s sunny skies and perfect weather, it’s the ideal moment to reflect on the power of gratitude. 🌟

Research shows that practicing gratitude improves mental health, fosters stronger relationships, and even boosts physical well-being. In our fast-paced world, taking a moment to appreciate the little things—like today’s gorgeous weather or the kindness of a neighbor—can make a huge difference.

Here in Panama City, there are so many ways our community can embrace gratitude. Local coffee shops can start gratitude boards where patrons write down what they’re thankful for. Families can create “thankfulness jars” to share during the holidays. Students in schools can participate in activities like “Gratitude Week,” writing thank-you notes to teachers and peers.

Why not join the movement? 🌻 Today, we challenge you to write down three things you’re grateful for—big or small. Share them with a friend or family member to spread the joy!

Let’s make Panama City not just a place with sunny weather, but a community filled with sunny hearts. ❤️

U.S. 90 Resurfacing in Jackson County

CHIPLEY, FL – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin work in November to resurface U.S. 90 from east of State Road (S.R.) 71 to beginning of fourlane west of Grand Ridge in Jackson County.

Improvements along the 9.5-mile project include:
• Resurfacing existing travel lanes, auxiliary lanes, and paved shoulders.
• Improving roadway cross-slope to enhance driver safety by directing stormwater away from the roadway.
• Upgrading traffic signage throughout the project.

NWFLRoads.com | X: @MyFDOT_NWFL |Facebook: @MyFDOTNWFL

State Road (S.R.) 71 Resurfacing Begins in Jackson County

CHIPLEY, FL – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin work in November to resurface State Road (S.R.) 71 from north of County Road (C.R.) 165 (Basswood Road) to 5th Avenue in Jackson County.

Improvements along the 5.6-mile project include:
• Resurfacing existing travel lanes, auxiliary lanes, and paved shoulders.
• Improving pedestrian features to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
• Upgrading traffic signage throughout the project.

During construction no lane closures will occur within the Malone City Limits from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday during active school periods. Access to driveways and business entrances will be maintained at all times.

Work is scheduled to be completed early 2025. Construction activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway. Speeding fines are doubled when workers are present.

NWFLRoads.com | X: @MyFDOT_NWFL | Facebook: @MyFDOTNWFL

GCSC Health Sciences Dual Enrollment Academy Open House, November 21, 2024

Panama City, FL– The GCSC Health Sciences Dual Enrollment Academy is hosting an Open House on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm CST, on the Panama City Campus, Health Sciences Building.

Students in 8^th – 12^th grade and their parents or guardians are invited to join us for an informative session on how high school students can get a head start on the required courses (prerequisites) needed for GCSC’s health sciences and nursing programs.

• By taking these courses early, students have the opportunity to apply to their chosen program sooner, reducing their program completion times, and accelerating their entry into a desired health sciences or nursing career. The open house is free to attend. There will be free food and giveaways during the event.

Open House event details:

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024

Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Location: Panama City Campus, Health Sciences Building

Construction Updates for Bay and Jackson Counties, November 2024

CHIPLEY, FL – Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Bay and Jackson counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.

Bay County:

·         U.S. 98 Construction west of Tyndall Drive-Airey Avenue to east of Louisiana Avenue – U.S. 98 drivers may encounter intermittent lane closures, between Tyndall Drive-Airey Avenue and Louisiana Avenue, through the end of December. In addition, Tyndall AFB has closed the Tyndall Drive gate through mid-January. During this time, personnel may use the commercial gate, the gate at Sabre Drive or the gate at Airey Avenue. Travel between the support side of the base and the flightline is temporarily restricted to the new Louisiana Avenue underpass.

·         U.S. 98 Widening from east of Nautilus Street to east of Richard Jackson Boulevard– The south side of Clara Avenue at the U.S. 98 intersection will be closed through Thursday, Nov. 14. Crews will be installing a pipe beneath Clara Avenue. The closure will not impact the U.S. 98 travel lanes, or the portion of Clara Avenue located north of the U.S. 98 intersection. U.S. 98 drivers requiring access to Clara Avenue should detour using Alf Coleman Road and Middle Beach Road.

• U.S. 98 Widening from Mandy Lane to east of Nautilus Street – U.S. 98 drivers will encounter intermittent lane closures from Mandy Lane to Powell Adams Road through Thursday, Nov. 14 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Crews will be installing drainage crossings.
• Hutchison Boulevard Resurfacing from U.S. 98A (Front Beach Road) to U.S. 98A (Front Beach Road) – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime lane closures through Friday, Nov. 15 as crews perform sidewalk, drainage, and resurfacing activities throughout the project area. Advanced warning signs and traffic control devices will assist in directing motorists through the work area.
• State Road (S.R.) 390 Bridge Replacement over Mill Bayou – S.R. 390 drivers may experience brief travel delays near the Mill Bayou Bridge Sunday, Nov. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 16. Crews will be delivering materials needed for the reconstruction of the bridge.
• Gulf Coast Parkway Construction from U.S. 98 (Tyndall Parkway) to Star Avenue – U.S. 98 (Tyndall Parkway) drivers ma (Tyndall Parkway) from 11th Street to Tram Road through Sunday, Nov. 17. The lane closure is necessary for crews to perform drainage structure, sidewalk, and curb and gutter installation and to allow oversized equipment to access the S.R. 370 (Gulf Coast Parkway) construction site. Advanced warning signs and traffic control devices will assist in directing motorists through the work area.

Jackson County:

·         U.S. 90 Resurfacing from Chipola River Bridge to east of S.R. 71 South – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures through Thursday, Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for construction activities.

·         S.R. 71 Resurfacing from U.S. 90 to North of Basswood Road – Motorists will encounter intermittent shoulder closures through Thursday, Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for construction activities.

NWFLRoads.com | X: @MyFDOT_NWFL | Facebook: @MyFDOTNWFL