Austin Maida

Duval

Reporter at WJHG-TV (Panama City Beach, FL)

Reporter @WJHG_TV. Duval native. UNF journalism grad. I love my family, my friends, good food and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Articles

Bay County Traffic Management Center aims to keep traffic flowing

1 day ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Have you ever sat at a traffic light that changed faster or slower than you expected? That’s no accident -- it’s part of how Bay County works to keep traffic moving. It all goes down in the Traffic Management Center at the Bay County offices. But 25 years ago, controlling the traffic flow in the county was much different. “Every intersection in the county was its own little island.
BCSO Youth Academy aims to get kids thinking about their future

2 days ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - When school lets out, summer camp season officially begins. At the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, their Youth Academy is a hybrid -- taking those traditional summer camp feels and combining them with experiences that students don’t get in other places. “We have 25 kids here this week, they’re with us Monday through Friday,” said Lt. Larry Grainger of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Students age 10 to 16 are learning unconventionally at the Youth Academy.
Bay County adopts “Safety Action Plan” to improve roadway safety

3 days ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - On Tuesday, the Bay County Commission adopted the “Bay County Safety Action Plan”, aiming to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The plan was developed under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant guidelines. “We’re looking at addressing what’s coming as well as addressing what has kind of fallen behind, and trying to catch up,” said Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore, District 4.
Bay County approves County Road 2321 resurfacing project

3 days ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - At Tuesday’s Commission Meeting, Bay County Commissioners approved a Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fund the resurfacing of County Road 2321 from US-231 to the bridge at Deer Point Lake Dam. The project also includes improvements such as turn lanes, guardrail installation, drainage upgrades, and more.
Cotton production on the decline in Jackson County and beyond

4 days ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - According to the National Cotton Council of America, United States cotton producers are planting 9.6 million acres of cotton this spring, down more than 14% from 2024. In Florida, the decline is even greater, at roughly 17%, and that is being felt in Jackson County. “Cotton made its comeback in Jackson County in the early ’80s.
Woman celebrates 107th birthday with golf-themed party

5 days ago | kktv.com | Austin Maida |Andrew Mcmunn

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/Gray News) - A woman in Florida celebrated her 107th birthday surrounded by everything she loves: her friends and family, and golf. Joan Wiley celebrated her milestone birthday on Thursday at The Blake in Miramar Beach. The party was attended by her friends and family. Wiley’s son, Tom Wiley, said his mother has lived through some big historical events. “She was born in 1918 when Woodrow Wilson was the President.
Holmes County continues tornado recovery as hurricane season approaches

1 week ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - On May 10, an EF-2 tornado rocked Holmes County, doing severe damage to 40 homes and businesses. Zero lives were lost and only one injury was sustained, and in the days since, the cleanup has been constant. “On May 19 we were able to fast-track our debris hauling and debris management. They just broke the 30,000 cubic yard mark. 526 loads in 11 days, which is pretty impressive,” said Lt. Barry Lee, Holmes County Emergency Management Director.
Walton County resident celebrates 107th birthday with golf-themed party

1 week ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - It’s not every day that you get to celebrate your birthday -- even rarer to celebrate it for a 107th time!Joan Wiley celebrated her 107th birthday on Thursday at The Blake in Miramar Beach. The party was attended by friends and family. “She was born in 1918 when Woodrow Wilson was the President. She survived the Spanish Flu, COVID, World War I and World War II, and she’s still going,” said Joan’s son Tom Wiley. Joan is part of an elite group.
Final preparations underway for Gulf Coast Jam, city eyeing tourism dollars

1 week ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Final preparations are underway at Frank Brown Park for the Gulf Coast Jam Music Festival. The event, which has been held in Panama City Beach since 2013, runs Thursday through Sunday, and city officials are looking forward to the influx of tourism dollars. “It’s a top-rated event in the nation, so, to have that here in our little town of Panama City Beach is a huge success for us,” said Michael Jarman, Vice Mayor of Panama City Beach.
Neighbors rallying behind grieving family following loss of loved one

1 week ago | wjhg.com | Austin Maida

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - 64-year-old Bill McArthur was driving for Lyft when he was shot and killed by a passenger. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office says 17-year-old Brayden Raul Gomez admitted to shooting McArthur early Saturday morning on Wildwood Road near Emerald Cove Street. BCSO says Gomez led deputies to the murder weapon following his confession. The BCSO says they are currently requesting any audio from inside the vehicle from Lyft, but are unclear if such recordings exist.