THE POLITICS OF CERTAINTY NATION | A4 OFFICE HOURS READERS ARE PANAMA CITY INVITED TO COME ASK QUESTIONS AT 9 A.M. AT SPRINGFIELD CITY HALL Monday, April 1, 2019 www.newsherald.com @The_News_Herald facebook.com/panamacitynewsherald 75¢ 500-acres burn in Callaway as wind whips up wildfi re By Eryn Dion |@PCNHErynDion | [email protected] LOCAL | B1 CALLAWAY — Amy Carter woke up Sunday to a AIRBOARD firefighter pounding on her door. 2.0 FINALIST Coming back from Talla- hassee the day before, where IN TECH her and her husband had gone out for his birthday, CONTEST Carter thought it was neat, how the clouds in the area looked like smoke. That is, until her hus- band pointed out that what she was seeing was actually How the smoke. Coming right from their neighborhood. tax relief At the time, the 15-acre fire made them nervous, bill could but wasn’t a cause for alarm. But at about 7 p.m., impact the wind kicked up what’s called a “pop up” - or a new your taxes area of fire off the contained section caused by blown embers - that quickly raced The bill is still out of control, growing to working its way 100-acres and burning over- through Congress night. By the morning, the smoke was creeping up to the treeline around Carter’ By Katie Landeck house. | @PCNHKatieL “Our house was destroyed | [email protected] in Hurricane Michael, and now this,” Carter said, PANAMA CITY — To file or adding that her car was not to file? already packed with senti- That’s becoming the big mental items and documents question of the 2018 tax in case they had to flee. season in areas impacted Helped by a brisk wind and by Hurricane Michael, as a literal tons of fuel already tax relief bill has stuttered on the ground, the wildfire its way through Congress. quickly swelled to 500-acres It’s coming, leaders say, but by Sunday afternoon, at one likely not in time for the April point growing at a rate of 15 filing deadline about 200-acres-an-hour So what does that mean for until firefighters, helped the disaster victims — who out by a spot of wet weather, unlike Congress — are on a wrangled it through fire- deadline? breaks and two Florida A 500 acre wildfi re burned throughout the heavily wooded area in Sandy Creek on Sunday. [PATTI Should they file now, with Forest Service helicopters BLAKE/THE NEWS HERALD] plans to amend later in this continuously dropping hun- tax season which technically dreds of gallons of water By 4 p.m. Sunday, the fire after it’s contained and con- visible all the way from ends Oct. 15? Should they along the edges. The fire was 40 percent contained, trolled, and FFS personnel the west end of the Beach, wait? The answer, as with so was particularly difficult to though Melanie Banton, will work in the area to “mop threatened 35 structures and many things, depends. The fight at first, officials said, spokesperson for the Flor- up” and monitor for pop ups. prompted the evacuation News Herald sat down with because it was burning in a ida Forest Service’s Chipola As of 7:30 p.m., it was still of 20 homes, mostly from local CPA Ann Marie Sale, swampy area that was dif- office, said the fire will likely at 40 percent containment. the Sandy Creek Air Park, who has become a strong ficult to access with heavy continue to smoulder for The fire, which sent up equipment. several days, or even weeks, billows of black smoke See FIRE, A5 See TAX, A5 Biden says he never acted inappropriately Former vice president assemblywoman who was handshakes, hugs, expres- strongly denies claims Nevada’s 2014 Democratic sions of affection, support made by Nevada nominee for lieutenant gov- and comfort” during his years Democrat in essay ernor, said Friday in an essay in public life, “and not once published by the Cut that - never - did I believe I acted By Felicia Sonmez Biden touched and kissed her inappropriately.” The Washington Post without her consent before “If it is suggested I did so, a rally to support her cam- I will listen respectfully. But Former Vice President Joe paign. She said the experience it was never my intention,” Biden defended himself on mortified, embarrassed and Biden said in a statement. “I Sunday after a Nevada Demo- confused her. may not recall these moments crat accused him of unwanted Biden is expected to the same way, and I may be touching and kissing in 2014, announce soon whether he surprised at what I hear. But saying in a statement that he will pursue a 2020 presiden- we have arrived at an impor- does not believe he has ever tial bid. tant time when women feel In this March 12 photo, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks to acted inappropriately. On Sunday, he said he the International Association of Firefi ghters at the Hyatt Regency on Lucy Flores, a former had offered “countless See BIDEN, A5 Capitol Hill in Washington. [ANDREW HARNIK/ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO] Panama City News Herald Nation & World ............. A4 Diversions ...................... B7 TODAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Want to subscribe? Local & State ............... B1-5 Sports........................ C1-4 Mostly cloudy Turning sunny Mostly sunny Call 850-747-5050 Obituaries ...................... B3 TV Listings ..................... C5 63° / 48° 69° / 50° 72° / 56° * ** A2 Monday, April 1, 2019 | The News Herald GO & DO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY TODAY IN HISTORY Tuesday, April 2 PICTURE PERFECT Today is Monday, April 1, BEACH KIDS - TOWER the 91st day of 2019. There CHALLENGE: 3:30 p.m. at the Hurricane are 274 days left in the Panama City Beach Library. Michael weed year. Geared for elementary is seen in Today's Highlight in students (5 years and older) Marshall and History: to work on a STE(A)M proj- Charlene’s St. On April 1, 2003, American ect. Registration required. Andrews yard. troops entered a hospital Details at 850-233-5055 in Nasiriyah, Iraq, and MELODY MAGIC: 6 p.m. We want your rescued Army Pfc. Jessica at North Barrett Square in photos: Post Lynch, who had been held Rosemary Beach. Stylish your photos prisoner since her unit was and elegant classic stage to the News ambushed on March 23. magic and illusions paired Herald Face- On this date: with light-hearted come- book page with In 1789, the U.S. House of dic interaction with the your name, city Representatives held its audience. Free fun for all of residence fi rst full meeting in New ages. (Move to Town Hall if and informa- York; Frederick Muhlen- there’s rain.) tion about the berg of Pennsylvania was THE BAILSMEN: 6:30 p.m. photo. You can elected the fi rst House at Alice’s on Bayview, 1000 email photos to speaker. Bayview Ave., St. Andrews. yourpix@pcnh. In 1933, Nazi Germany Jazz quartet performance com. staged a daylong national sponsored by Gulf Jazz Soci- boycott of Jewish-owned ety (GJS). Admission: $12; businesses. $10 for GJS members; pay at In 1945, American forces the door. Reservations: Amy launched the amphibious or Larry at 850-784-2106 invasion of Okinawa during World War II. (U.S. forces Wednesday, April 3 succeeded in capturing the Japanese island on June ‘CLAYTON’S RIVER ADVEN- 22.) TURE’: 10 a.m. at Sundog In 1954, the United States Books, 89 Central Square in Air Force Academy was Seaside. Meet the authors established by President of the series of children’s Dwight D. Eisenhower. books. Details at Sundog- In 1970, President Richard Books.com M. Nixon signed a measure BEACH BOOK CLUB: 10:30 banning cigarette advertis- a.m. at the Panama City ing on radio and television, Beach Library. “A Wrinkle in to take effect after Jan. 1, Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. 1971. Details at NWRLS.com In 1972, the fi rst Major WALKING TOUR OF League Baseball players' HISTORIC ST. ANDREWS: strike began; it lasted 12 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednes- days. days and Fridays. Free In 1976, Apple Computer guided tour leaves from was founded by Steve Jobs, the Publishing Museum, TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS Steve Wozniak and Ronald 1134 Beck Ave. Come to Wayne. the museum at 1:30 p.m. or Actress Jane Powell is 90. Actor director Barry Sonnenfeld is 66. is 43. Actor JJ Field is 41. Singer In 1983, tens of thousands call and schedule another Don Hastings is 85. Baseball Singer Susan Boyle is 58. Actor Bijou Phillips is 39. Actor Sam of anti-nuclear demonstra- time if you can’t make the Hall of Famer Phil Niekro is Jose Zuniga is 57. Country singer Huntington is 37. Comedian- tors linked arms in a 14-mile regularly scheduled tour. 80. Actress Ali MacGraw is Woody Lee is 51. Actress Jes- actor Taran Killam is 37. Actor human chain spanning three ‘JACK AND THE 80. Rhythm-and-blues singer sica Collins is 48. Rapper-actor Matt Lanter is 36. Actor Josh defense installations in BEANSTALK’: 6 p.m. at North Rudolph Isley is 80. Reggae Method Man is 48. Movie direc- Zuckerman is 34. Country singer rural England, including the Barrett Square in Rosemary singer Jimmy Cliff is 71. tors Albert and Allen Hughes Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum) Greenham Common U.S. Air Beach. Free to the public. Supreme Court Justice Samuel are 47. Political commentator is 33. Rock drummer Arejay Hale Base. SPRING REELS - ‘DISNEY’S Alito is 69. Rock musician Billy Rachel Maddow is 46. Former (Halestorm) is 32. Actor Asa But- In 1984, Marvin Gaye was CHRISTOPHER ROBIN’: 7:30 Currie (Ultravox) is 69.