PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — Two individuals have been charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred nearly one year ago, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday. On July 21, 2024, deputies responded to a Grand Harbor Drive residence after a 911 call reported a possible overdose. The 29-year-old victim … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — A Panama City man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose that occurred in December, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday. The investigation began on December 3, 2024, when deputies responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive 39-year-old victim at a residence on … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – January 10, 2024 – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of six individuals on charges of burglary in the storm-damaged Treasure Circle area of Panama City Beach. The area recently suffered significant damage due to strong storms and tornadoes. A curfew from 9 pm to 6 am … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Houston Street in Panama City Beach yesterday, January 2, 2022, in reference to a stabbing. Deputies arrived and found the victim with a stab wound to the left side of his abdomen. The victim told deputies a man he knew … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – On November 3, 2021, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to a stabbing at a residence on Clarence Street on Panama City Beach. Deputies arrived to find a woman with multiple injuries. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment. She is in stable condition. BCSO Criminal investigators determined … Read more
On September 13, 2021, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy at Arnold High School was notified of a threatening phone call received by an Arnold employee. This threat caused the closure of the school, The Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Panama City Beach Police helped coordinate the evacuation and the securing of … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – Bay County deputies have arrested a man operating a Jamaican lottery scam. According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the arrest of a Panama City Beach man involved a Jamaican Lottery scam and the recovery of $10,000 in US currency for one of his victims. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced today the arrest of Quantavious Dion Burns, age 18, of Verona St., Panama City Beach. Burns was arrested on January 29, 2021, in connection to the double homicide on Delmar Drive, Panama City Beach. Burns was a close associate of Ruez Hicks, Jr., who … Read more
PANAMA CITY, FL – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Medical Emergency call at a home on Delmar Drive, Panama City Beach, at approximately 11:06 PM January 26, 2021. The 911 call was made when a couple passing by the residence noticed a man lying on the front porch. They checked on him … Read more
The nation’s largest Italian QSR brand is set to make mid-May debut near Bay City Point shopping center Panama City, FL (-) The Sunshine State can’t get enough of Fazoli’s Fast. Fresh. Italian., which is why the renowned brand is expanding into Panama City! Fazoli’s first Panama City restaurant is currently under construction at 2219 … Read more
The nation’s largest Italian QSR brand is set to make debut near Bay City Point shopping center on Aug. 2, its fifth Florida location Panama City, FL (-) Fazoli’s is ready to bring more of its iconic Italian flavors to the Sunshine State! On Tuesday, Aug. 2, Fazoli’s first Panama City restaurant will open its … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – On December 17, 2021, at approximately 9:16 am, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an individual discovering a body in a residence at 19607 Bonita Drive, Panama City Beach. Deputies responded and discovered the body of a female inside a bedroom of the residence. It was determined … Read more
BAY COUNTY, FL – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in a Criminal Mischief case today involving damaged broadcasting equipment at WJHG-TV, Channel 7 on Panama City Beach. The damage was done on October 31, 2021, when a WJHG employee discovered a white male outside near the damaged equipment. The station had just … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a local couple after a complaint was made they made contact with a juvenile online and later engaged in sexual activity with that juvenile. On the evening of March 8, 2021, the BCSO responded to a report of a sexual assault involving a … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – After high winds swept through the Florida panhandle on Tuesday, damage at Frank Brown Park was assessed and the park and baseball field have been closed. Police say high winds on the beach tossed a lifeguard stand and damaged bleachers and fencing at Frank Brown Park. City officials have officially … Read more
LYNN HAVEN, FL – A 37-year-old Panama City man has been charged for forcing himself on a female and engaging in sexual intercourse. Lynn Haven Police have arrested a thirty-seven-year-old Panama City man on felony charges of Sexual Battery. Joshua Richard Hicks was charged in connection with a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred … Read more
Former judge arrested for threatening wife and friend
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — John Cris Helton, a former city judge in East Ridge, Tennessee, was arrested on Sept. 28 after allegedly sending a threatening text message to his wife and her friend. Police reported that Helton, 63, sent the message shortly after midnight on the same day.
The text included a photo of a “large black and silver kitchen knife” along with a message that read, “I take that back I will kill both of you first.” Helton reportedly sent the message in a group text that included his wife and her friend.
Helton’s wife informed police that she feared for her life after receiving the threat and stated she did not want to be near Helton. The complaint did not provide details regarding the context of the message or any prior history of threats or violence involving the couple.
When police interviewed Helton, he admitted to sending both the photo and the accompanying message. Authorities noted that the image showed the kitchen knife on Helton’s lap, and he was dressed in the same clothing during the interview as he was in the photo.
Helton has been charged with making a written threat to kill or do bodily harm. He was booked into jail on a $50,000 bond, which he posted on Sept. 30. A judge ordered that Helton not contact his wife, and he is set for arraignment on Nov. 3.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding domestic violence and threats, emphasizing vigilance and support for victims.
A former judge faces serious charges after allegedly threatening his wife and a friend in a chilling text message.
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 17, 2023 SAN DIEGO – Christopher Toups, who at the time of his crimes was a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, was sentenced in federal court to 30 months in prison after admitting that he and others defrauded an insurance program meant to compensate service members who suffer … Read more
Assistant U. S. Attorneys Peter Ko (619) 546-7359 and Mark Conover (619) 546-6763 NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 27, 2022 SAN DIEGO – Christopher Toups, who at the time of his crimes was a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he and others participated in a … Read more
Grants will provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to first responders of Florida Dallas, TX (-) The Dickey Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, awards grants to provide first responders with critical protective equipment and safety gear they need to help make their job easier and, more importantly, safer. On Tuesday, November 30 at … Read more
Louisville, KY (-) The Peach Cobbler Factory CEO Greg George recently announced the signing of a 12 multi-unit franchise agreement. PCF Franchise LLC Co-Founder Greg George announced that Peachy Keen LLC has signed agreements for stores located in the following markets. Birmingham/Mountainbrook, AL Tuscaloosa, AL Panama City Beach,FL Auburn, AL Bloomington, IN Starkville, MS Naples, … Read more
(Reuters) – Hurricane Ian is expected to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast later this week, possibly as a Category 3 storm, prompting residents to prepare for life-threatening conditions. As Florida braces for Hurricane Ian, here are the five of the most deadly and destructive hurricanes to hit the state in recent years, listed in chronological order. … Read more
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Pensacola has convicted Kenneth Ingram, 62, and Kadeem Ingram, 32, both of DeFuniak Springs, Florida for the offenses of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of cocaine base and possession with intent to distribute … Read more
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – A federal jury in Tallahassee convicted Jason Earl Kirkland, 44, of Cottonwood, Alabama of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The guilty verdict, returned yesterday, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, was announced by Jason R. … Read more
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of FWC and the United States Coast Guard, recovered the body of a white male earlier this week from the rocks at the jetties inside St. Andrew State Park. The body has been identified as that of Jonathan Lee Sampson, age 30. Sampson had been reported to … Read more
WALTON COUNTY, Fla— The man responsible for the fatal February traffic crash on Highway 98 in Walton County has turned himself in on felony charges. Tuesday, June 22nd Lawrence Breton Cowart, 32, of Panama City Beach was booked into the Walton County Jail on charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter. Cowart was driving his … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – Walton County Sheriff’s Deputies and officers from surrounding agencies spent the night monitoring the area of Walton County between County Highway 395 and Inlet Beach along the Highway 98 corridor searching for a man wanted for a carjacking. There is still a large presence of law enforcement in the area. … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – Police were called to the Surfside Middle School in Panama Beach on Wednesday in reference to a call of a student inside the building with a gun. The department received that call shortly after 2 p.m. today, reporting that a child at Surfside Middle School was in possession of a … Read more
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fl. – A spring breaker in Panama City Beach is dead after jumping from the balcony of the 14th floor of his beach resort hotel. WMBB reported that last night, the Panama City Beach Police Department confirmed that the spring breaker was attempting a base jump off of the balcony with a … Read more
BAY COUNTY, FL – Thirty-eight people were arrested in a week-long online operation in Bay County Florida. Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford announced today the details of Operation Watchdog, a week-long undercover operation targeting registered Sex Offenders and Predators, those traveling to procure sex from a minor, and those in possession of indecent child photographs, … Read more
BAY COUNTY, FL – Today at a press conference, Sheriff Tommy Ford outlined the details of an investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office which resulted in the arrest of Ruez Hicks, age 19, a transient, on Friday, January 29, 2021, for the homicides of two men visiting Panama City Beach from Georgia. The BCSO … Read more
EBRO, FL – Gunmen stopped their cars in the middle of intersections, according to police to lure victims into their kill zone. The shooting began after midnight on Route 20 in Washington County, Florida when a call was received by the sheriff’s department regarding a man who said he had been shot at. Shortly after … Read more
TAMPA, FL – Four Florida men were charged in an indictment unsealed Thursday for their alleged participation in a compound pharmacy kickback scheme. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez of the Middle District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Cyndy Bruce of the Defense Criminal … Read more
By Laura Gottesdiener and Daina Beth Solomon MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Deep in the Panamanian jungle, Venezuelan migrant Franca Ramirez was scrambling to reach higher ground as a rushing river broke its banks, he said, when something caught his eye: a group of young men, snapping photos of the landscape. The former police officer, who … Read more
After two openings in 2021, Richard Maddox and Becky Rutherford continue to grow the better chicken concept with new location in Fort Walton Beach. Pensacola, FL (-) Slim Chickens, a leader in the “better chicken” segment of fast-casual restaurants, will continue expansion of its 100% all-natural, fresh chicken and unrivaled flavor in Florida with its … Read more
By Laura Sanicola (Reuters) -The U.S. Coast Guard is assessing damage at Port Tampa Bay after Hurricane Ian dropped more than 12 inches of rainfall in southern Florida, but the port said on Thursday that fuel can currently move from terminals onto trucks. Major Florida ports are expected to have avoided significant damage from one … Read more
A waterspout that formed in the Gulf of Mexico made landfall as a family initially watched it from their balcony. The waterspout rushed passed their building throwing debris is furniture from their balcony before passing into Panama City where it caused more severe damage. On Saturday morning, the tornado flipped campers and ripped off the … Read more
