Tom Lewis

News Director at WMBB-TV (Panama City, FL)

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Articles

Jamaican woman charged with voter fraud in Bay County

4 days ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Delaney Vega

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Jamaican woman is facing a number of federal charges, including voter fraud in Bay County. ICE agents say 52-year-old Jacqueline Dianne Wallace overstayed her visa and was in the country illegally. Wallace was apparently living in Panama City Beach in January 2024 when she registered online to vote. Authorities say she then voted in the August 2024 Presidential Primary. Bay County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Wallace on May 1.
Washington County murder suspect pleads not-guilty

4 days ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Delaney Vega

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The man suspected of murdering a Washington County woman in April is pleading not-guilty. 40-year-old David Earl Gipson was back in court Monday morning, June 2, for his arraignment. He pleaded not-guilty to all charges against him, including murder, kidnapping and sexual assault. The judge also assigned Gipson a public defender.
House fire investigation underway in South Walton County

4 days ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Delaney Vega

SOUTH WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Authorities are trying to find the cause of a late Sunday, June 1, house fire in South Walton County. According to a news release, South Walton Fire District firefighters responded to the fire at a home located on Baytowne Avenue East in Sandestin around 10 p.m.Authorities say the fire started in the attic. Crews spent several hours ventilating the roof and ceiling, searching for the fire’s source. The home suffered moderate damage, and no injuries were reported.
Panama City woman charged with child neglect and animal cruelty

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Melanie Mitchell |Tom Lewis

by: Melanie Mitchell, Tom Lewis Posted: May 29, 2025 / 05:47 PM CDT Updated: May 29, 2025 / 06:09 PM CDT BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Bay County Sheriff’s deputies are charging a Panama City woman with several counts of child neglect and animal cruelty. According to the BCSO, 28-year-old Amber Denise Baucom was arrested on Tuesday for her alleged behavior over the Memorial Day weekend.
Senator Jay Trumbull confirms the death of another dolphin at Gulf World Marine Park

1 week ago | wkrg.com | Melanie Mitchell |Tom Lewis

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – State Senator Jay Trumbull has confirmed that another dolphin has died at Gulf World Marine Park on Wednesday. The post claims this is the second dolphin to die at the park since March and the fifth since last October. Trumbull called it part of a disturbing and unacceptable pattern. The park also closed unexpectedly and will remain closed until June 3rd. The problems began at the park around the same time the first two dolphins died in October.
Senator Jay Trumbull confirms the death of another dolphin at Gulf World Marine Park

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Melanie Mitchell |Tom Lewis

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – State Senator Jay Trumbull has confirmed that another dolphin has died at Gulf World Marine Park on Wednesday. Trumbull posted the news on his Facebook page on Wednesday. The post claims this is the second dolphin to die at the park since March and the fifth since last October. Trumbull called it part of a disturbing and unacceptable pattern. The park also closed unexpectedly and will remain closed until June 3rd.
Lynn Haven City Commissioners pass new RV parking regulations

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Stephanie E Pitts

LYNN HAVEN, Fla. (WMBB) – Lynn Haven has made life a bit easier for residents who own recreational vehicles. City commissioners amended the land development code to modify parking standards for RVs.The new ordinance would allow owners to park the RVs in their front yard, back yard, side yard, or driveway, as long as it is not on the city right-of-way. They said there are 300 RVs currently parked in driveways, some of which may be on city right-of-way.
Panhandle students prepare for summer break as school year ends

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Stephanie E Pitts

FLORIDA (WMBB) – Panhandle students are making plans for the summer and can’t wait to get out of school. For most, their last day will be sometime this week. But a few local districts got a bit of a head start. The last day of classes in Jackson and Washington County school districts was last Friday, May 23. On Wednesday, May 28, is the last day for students in Bay, Calhoun and Holmes counties. The final day for the Gulf and Okaloosa school districts is on Thursday, May 29.
Gov. Ron DeSantis to decide on customary use bill

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Stephanie E Pitts

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The customary use bill that passed both the Florida House and Senate a month ago is still not law. Sen. Jay Trumbull, who sponsored the bill, said it went to Gov. Ron DeSantis last week. He expects the governor will sign it into law within the next two weeks. The bill would repeal a 2018 law allowing private beaches in Walton County. Trumbull said he introduced the repeal bill to restore total beach access to the public.
Local students deploy artificial reefs after three month challenge

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Stephanie E Pitts

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On Thursday, local students saw all their hard work come to fruition. On May 8, a program sponsored by the Bay County Artificial Reef Association, the University of Florida IFAS Extension, Eastern Shipbuilding Group and some local schools with welding programs. Students at Wewahitchka and Port St. Joe high schools, Haney Technical College and Chipola College participated in the second annual Eastern Shipbuilding Group Coastline Initiative.