Tom Lewis, WMBB-TV (Panama City, FL) Journalist Profile

Articles

Liberty County teacher in top 5 for Fla. Teacher of the Year award

2 days ago | mypanhandle.com | Stephanie E Pitts |Tom Lewis

LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Liberty County’s teacher of the year is now one of Florida’s top five teachers of the year. The Florida Department of Education announced on Monday that Katy Jo Harrison has been chosen as one of five finalists for the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year award. Harrison is a first-grade teacher at Hosford Elementary and Junior High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education/exceptional student education from Flagler College.
Pacers return to rapid response mode in Game 4

4 days ago | indycornrows.com | Tom Lewis

The Pacers were reminded why the Cavs were the top team in the East on Friday, when the visitors quieted the Fieldhouse faithful with a 126-104 win in Game 3. While the Pacers rallied from an initial 11-0 deficit to start the game, to eventually end the first quarter tied at 32, there was no worthy response to similar runs in the second quarter.
Pacers back home and back to reality for Game 3 against the Cavs

6 days ago | indycornrows.com | Tom Lewis

The Pacers will be met with a raucous home crowd at the Fieldhouse on Friday, begging to go bananas during Game 3 against the Cavaliers. The Pacers are up 2-0 after surviving to win two games in Cleveland in two decidedly different ways. The desperation level from the Cavs will make earning that third win extremely difficult despite the favorable home court advantage. The Pacers jumped on the Cavs in Game 1 with an incredible shooting performance that was closer to sublime from behind the arc.
Woman in critical condition after head-on collision with semi-tractor

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

by: Stephanie Pitts, Tom Lewis Posted: May 5, 2025 / 10:15 PM CDT Updated: May 5, 2025 / 10:17 PM CDT GRAND RIDGE, Fla. (WMBB) – The last 24 hours have been deadly on Jackson County roadways. There have been three different traffic crashes, all involving extremely bad injuries or death. The most recent happened a little after 7 p.m. Monday on Highway 90 near Shadow Bay Drive in Grand Ridge.
Students may face charges after disturbance at middle school track meet

1 week ago | mypanhandle.com | Tom Lewis |Heather Bazley

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – At least one student, maybe more, are facing possible charges for their part in what is being described as a large disturbance. The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Monday at Tommy Oliver Stadium. According to school officials, the students were there as spectators for the countywide middle school track meet when a fight broke out. Police came in and broke up the fight.
Man who won lawsuit vs. CNN now sues more media companies

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

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The man who won a huge lawsuit against CNN, in a case that was tried here in Bay County, is suing more media companies. After a two-week trial in January, jurors found that CNN defamed Zachary Young and his company, Nemex Enterprises. The case stems from the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. CNN produced a story accusing Young of being a “black market” operator, profiteering off Afghans trying to flee the country, charging them huge fees.
Springfield issues boil water notice for residents

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

by: Stephanie Pitts, Tom Lewis Posted: May 1, 2025 / 05:24 PM CDT Updated: May 1, 2025 / 05:24 PM CDT SPRINGFIELD, Fla. (WMBB) – The city of Springfield has scheduled a boil water notice for residents. It’s for homes and residences between 3rd Street and Bayou Drive, as well as between Everitt Avenue and Bob Little Road.
Lawsuit aims to stop Okaloosa from sinking S.S. United States

2 weeks ago | wkrg.com | Stephanie E Pitts |Tom Lewis

OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Nobody said Okaloosa County’s voyage with the S.S. United States would be smooth sailing. A group out of Brooklyn, New York, has filed a lawsuit to prevent Okaloosa officials from sinking the ship. Last fall, Okaloosa County commissioners voted to buy the S.S. United States for $10 million, then sink 20 miles off the coast of Destin, creating the world’s largest artificial reef. The idea is to attract divers and fishermen, boosting tourism.
WWII veteran Brian Winspear, 104, gave his all to Australia

2 weeks ago | katherinetimes.com.au | Tom Lewis

One of the last veterans who experienced the first WWII air raid on Darwin has died. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue reading All articles from our websiteThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxAll articles from the other in your areaBrian Winspear, a Hobart resident, was 104. Brian signed up for the war from Tasmania in 1939.
Local woman gets 15-year sentence for attempting to murder boyfriend

2 weeks ago | mypanhandle.com | Stephanie E Pitts |Tom Lewis

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A local woman accepted a plea deal on Tuesday, just minutes before she was to stand trial for attempted second-degree murder. 46-year-old Sharmana Marie Garrett pled no contest to the charge and was immediately sentenced. Garrett shot her boyfriend of two years on January 23, 2021, after the two had fought. He got in his pick-up truck and drove away from the Everitt Avenue residence. Garrett grabbed a handgun, got into a car with her adult son, and followed the truck.