County, cities must decide who will handle trolley money

PANAMA CITY — Bay County’s public transportation system is in transition mode, and a question looms: What government entity will handle its money?   The Bay County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) board no longer wants the Pensacola-based West Florida Regional Planning Council (WFRPC) handling the trolley system’s financials. Last week, the board approved a contract with a new…

Then & Now: Reynolds and Evers streets in downtown Plant City, 1925 and 2013

Plant City’s historic downtown district remains one of the area’s most popular and picturesque attractions. Many businesses have come to the area and gone throughout the decades. During the 1920s, several businesses occupied the northeast corner of Reynolds and Evers streets downtown, including the Guy O. Parker Electric Shop, Burch-Jenkins Realtors and the Sports Shop.…

CRA shifts focus to economic development

Live Oak — The Live Oak Community Redevelopment Agency board members agreed recently to include CRA funding for economic development at a budget workshop. Although the budget planning is not complete, the board anticipates reserving $20,000 for economic development initiatives. “Folks, we’re in a competition (with surrounding counties) and we’re losing,” CRA board member and…

Miami City Commission votes to declare Brickell’s St. Jude church historic

After listening to more than six hours of passionate pleas from feuding parishioners, preservationists, architects, school graduates and Operation Pedro Pan alumni, the Miami City Commission unanimously approved the historic designation of St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church off Brickell Avenue. The 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones absent, came at 2:38 a.m. Friday. The decision…