City Council Greenlights $45M Waterfront Revitalization Master Plan
After months of contentious public hearings, the Panama City Beach City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve a sweeping $45 million master plan that would fundamentally reshape the city's signature beachfront corridor, with construction slated to begin next fall.
The project includes underground utility relocation, new stormwater infrastructure, and the controversial "Gulf Promenade" — a half-mile elevated boardwalk stretching above the dunes — which drew both enthusiastic support and fierce opposition from coastal conservation advocates.
Bay County Looks to Expand Desalination Capacity Amid Record Tourism Growth
Water management officials warn that population surges during peak season are straining the county's aging infrastructure...
PCB Fire Rescue Launches Rip Current Awareness Campaign Ahead of Summer Season
With drowning incidents up 22% statewide last year, local fire-rescue teams are embedding lifeguard training directly into elementary school curricula...
Marriott Files Permits for 320-Room Beachfront Resort Near Pier Park Corridor
The proposed $180 million development would include rooftop dining, a beach club, and direct dune walkover access on a currently vacant 4.2-acre parcel...
Sea Turtle Nesting Season Opens Early as Gulf Water Temperatures Soar
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports a 31% increase in loggerhead turtle nests on Bay County beaches compared to last year's record-setting season.
Bay District Schools Launches $2.3M STEM Initiative at Three PCB Campuses
Funded through a combination of state grants and private partnerships, the program will bring marine science labs, robotics centers, and advanced coding curricula to local students.
🏈 Sports
Full Sports Coverage →
Arnold Marlins Advance to Regional Semifinals with Dominant 38-14 Victory
Quarterback Jake Torrance completed 22 of 28 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns as the Marlins shut down rival Mosley in a rainy Friday night thriller at Tommy Oliver Stadium.
Cobia Run Peaks — Gulf Fleet Reports Near-Limit Catches
Rohnert Classic at Shark's Tooth Attracts 280 Pros This Weekend
The annual charity pro-am tournament returns with a $250,000 purse, raising funds for Bay County youth athletics programs.
PCB Surf Club Sends 4 Competitors to Florida State Championship
Local surfers impressed judges at qualifying rounds held off Pier Park last weekend.
🏛️ Politics & Government
Full Coverage →
Bay County collected a record $48 million in tourist development taxes last fiscal year, and commissioners are now debating whether to prioritize beach infrastructure, affordable housing, or economic diversification.
Florida Lawmakers Push New Vacation Rental Preemption Bill — PCB Officials Push Back Hard
City officials warn a proposed state law would strip municipalities of authority to regulate short-term rentals, threatening enforcement of existing noise and occupancy standards.
Two Challengers File to Unseat Incumbent Bay County Commissioner in August Primary
PCB Council Considers New Ordinance Restricting Single-Use Plastics on Public Beaches
✍️ Opinion & Commentary
Submit a Letter →The Waterfront Plan Is Bold — But Only If the City Actually Sticks to Its Promises
We've seen ambitious master plans before. What Panama City Beach has never seen is one actually executed on time and within budget. The council has taken the first right step. Now comes the harder part...
The Snapper Are Back — And So Is My Faith in Gulf Conservation
After two decades of watching red snapper populations collapse under overfishing pressure, this season has been a revelation. Sustainable limits work. Politics doesn't have to kill science...
PCB's Housing Crisis Is Pushing Out the Very Workers Who Make Tourism Possible
The irony is sharp: the hospitality industry that drives Bay County's economy cannot attract and retain workers because those workers can't afford to live here. Market forces alone won't solve this...
🍽️ Dining & Food
Restaurant Guide →
Saltwater Grille
Chef Marcus Webb's new menu is a masterclass in Gulf-to-table cooking. The seared red snapper is alone worth the reservation...
Baja Breeze Kitchen
The team behind Pineapple Willy's is opening a fast-casual coastal-Mexican concept with fresh-caught fish tacos and Gulf shrimp burritos...
Flounder's Taproom
The summer seasonal lineup is out — including a refreshing Gulf Wheat and a tropical mango IPA that's already flying off the taps...
The Sunrise Table
Voted Best Brunch in Bay County three consecutive years. Get there early — the line at 9AM wraps around the block...
📅 Events & Things To Do
Full Event Calendar →PCB Spring Craft Brew Festival
Over 30 Florida breweries, live music, and Gulf Coast food trucks. Family & pet friendly before 5PM.
Gulf Coast Jazz & Oyster Festival
Three stages, six bands, and all the Gulf oysters you can eat.
Bay County Earth Day Beach Cleanup
Arnold Marlins Varsity Baseball Home Game
💼 Business & Economy
Business Directory →
PCB Visitor Spending Surges to $3.4B, Shattering All Previous Records
The Bay County Tourism Development Council reports that spending by visitors hit a new all-time high last year, driven by longer average stays, higher nightly rates, and a record number of first-time visitors.
Hilton to Break Ground on $220M Convention-Attached Hotel This Fall
The 450-room tower will connect directly to the Bay County Convention Center via enclosed sky bridge, targeting the lucrative conference market...
PCB Marina Expansion Adds 120 New Wet Slips, Opens to Transient Boaters
The $8M expansion positions the marina to accommodate megayachts up to 120 feet, a growing segment of Gulf Coast boating tourism...
Pier Park Announces 6 New Retail Tenants Ahead of Summer Season Opening
The popular open-air shopping center will welcome a Sephora, a regional surf brand flagship, and four local dining concepts this month...
Remote Work Economy Boom: 2,400 New Bay County Residents Work Fully Remote
A new county demographic study reveals a surge in high-earning remote workers choosing PCB as a permanent relocation destination...
