WILDFIRES EVACUATE THOUSANDS NATION | A10 PANAMA CITY SPORTS | B1 BACK ON THE FIELD Cowboys build off ense around Ezekiel Elliot with drama behind him Tuesday, July 31, 2018 www.newsherald.com @The_News_Herald facebook.com/panamacitynewsherald 75¢ ‘In God We Trust’ mandated State requires omnibus education bill HB of Communications Sharon motto posted 7055 passed last legislative Michalik. at all schools session, requiring the display “It’s up to them to make of the Florida state motto, the decision,” said Michalik, By Eryn Dion which happens to be “In God adding that, in an email sent 747-5069 | @PCNHErynDion We Trust.” out to the principals, Super- [email protected] The statute comes intendent Bill Husfelt said with little direction, saying he knew the administrators PANAMA CITY — Start- simply the motto must be would make the right deci- ing on the first day of school, displayed in a “conspicuous” sion for their schools. all public schools and school location. Because the phrase is district buildings in the state There are more than 4,000 the Florida state motto, will be required to display the public schools in the state of Michalik said some princi- words “In God We Trust.” Florida. pals are finding that they’ve The directive comes as In Bay District, the deci- already fulfilled the require- part of a change to Florida sion of how and where to ment by displaying the state State Statute 1003.44 cov- display the motto will be seal. The Florida State Flag fl ies over the Bay County Government Center ering patriotic programs, left up to the school princi- on Monday. The Florida state motto “In God We Trust” is displayed part of the controversial pals, according to Director See GOD, A6 on the Florida State Flag. [PATTI BLAKE/THE NEWS HERALD] President Missing teen sends letter says he would meet with Rouhani By Jill Colvin The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Presi- dent Donald Trump said Monday that he’d “certainly meet” with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, and without preconditions, if the Iranian leader were willing. Speaking during a joint news conference with Italy’s premier, Trump said he would meet with the Iranians “any- time they want to.” “I’ll meet with anybody,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with meeting.” The overture comes as Trump and the Iranians have been escalating their rhetoric after Trump’s May with- drawal from the landmark nuclear accord. The United States has also vowed to boost sanctions until Iran changes its regional policies, including its support for regional mili- tant groups. It’s unclear whether Rou- hani has any interest in meeting with Trump. Rou- Pam Massimiani holds a photo of her daughter Emily Paul who has been missing since April 13, 2013. [FILE PHOTO] hani’s chief of staff claimed earlier this month in Iran’s state-owned newspaper that Mom, investigators five years. speaking to the Bay County that teach young people how Rouhani had rejected eight believe they have On Monday, Massimi- Sheriff’s Office about the to be successful runaways, requests from Trump for heard from Emily Paul ani confirmed that she had case and while she hopes to and she has followed the received a letter. hear more from her daugh- advice. See ROUHANI, A6 By Eryn Dion Though the family is keep- ter, “the ball is in her court She took the items she had 747-5069 | @PCNHErynDion ing the details private now, still.” used for online communica- [email protected] Massimiani said that based For now, the family asks tions, such as her Xbox, and on the contents of the for privacy as they navigate she has never been back on SOUTHPORT — After letter, they believe it came this difficult situation. her Facebook account. disappearing more than from her daughter. “There’s a lot of mixed Her cellphone powered on five years ago, the mother “I’m pretty sure it’s from emotions and a lot of feel- three times in the week after of missing teenager Emily her,” Massimiani said. ings,” Massimiani said. she left home, pinging once Wynell Paul believes she This is the first the family Bay County Sheriff each off towers in Callaway, has received a letter from has heard from the miss- Tommy Ford said he was near the port and not far her daughter. ing teen since April 2013, aware of the letter than from Southport Road, where Paul’s mother, Pam Mas- when the then 14-year-old that, while he would like Massimiani lives. simiani, posted on social packed up a suitcase and more confirmation, he feels That was the last of her BUSINESS | A9 media last Thursday that left her Southport home, “pretty good” that the let- cellphone activity. she had heard from her leaving behind only a note ters are from Paul. THE BIG MAC now 19-year-old daugh- stating her intention to flee. Investigators believe Zack McDonald con- ter for the first time in Massimiani said she will be Emily learned from websites tributed to this report. TURNS 50 Panama City News Herald Business .........................A9 Obituaries ...................... A5 TODAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Want to subscribe? Diversions ......................B6 Sports......................... B1-4 T-storms T-storms T-storms Call 850-747-5050 Local & State ...............A3-7 Viewpoints .....................A8 87° / 72° 82° / 73° 82° / 73° * ** A2 Tuesday, July 31, 2018 | The News Herald GO AND DO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY TODAY IN HISTORY Today Today is Tuesday, July 31, the PICTURE PERFECT 212th day of 2018. There are ‘GAZING THROUGH WIN- 153 days left in the year. DOWS, STARING AT CLOSED DOORS’: Exhibit on display Carla Smith Today’s Highlight in History through August 11. The Light emailed this Room, 306 Harrison Avenue, photo of On July 31, 1991, President Downtown Panama City. her father, George H.W. Bush and Soviet Photography exhibit by Houston President Mikhail S. Gorbachev Teressa Longo. Details: www. Taylor, of signed the Strategic Arms thelightroompc.com or Parker, who Reduction Treaty in Moscow. 850-818-0475. grew these ‘PAINT THE TOWN’ EXHIBIT: On pineapples. On this date display through Aug. 30 at The [CONTRIBUTED Artist Cove Studio Gallery, 36 PHOTO] In 1777, during the Revolu- W. Beach Drive, Panama City. tionary War, the Marquis Area artists document the de Lafayette, a 19-year-old historical and changing land- We want French nobleman, was made a scapes of the region through your photos: major-general in the American paintings of iconic buildings or Post your Continental Army. businesses, beaches, marinas, photos to In 1919, Germany’s Weimar parks and more. Details at the News Constitution was adopted by the 850-215-2080 Herald republic’s National Assembly. SUMMER SUNSET SERIES: Facebook In 1948, President Harry S. 6:30-8 p.m. at the St. Andrews page with Truman helped dedicate New Marina. Enjoy live music by KC your name, York International Airport (later Phelps, food trucks and family city of resi- John F. Kennedy International fun. Free admission. Bring cool- dence and Airport) at Idlewild Field. ers and lawn chairs to watch information In 1954, Pakistan’s K2 was the sun sink. about the conquered as two members of photo. You an Italian expedition, Achille Tomorrow can email Compagnoni and Lino Lacedelli, photos to reached the summit. ‘SENSORY OVERLOAD’ - ART yourpix@ In 1957, the Distant Early Warn- AND ILLUSTRATION BY E.S. pcnh.com. ing Line, a system of radar OLSEN: Exhibit open through stations designed to detect Aug. 30 at the Bay County Soviet bombers approach- Public Library, 898 W. 11th St., ing North America, went into Panama City. Free and open operation. to the public during regular In 1964, the American space library hours. probe Ranger 7 reached the ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’: moon, transmitting pictures 6:30 p.m. on North Barrett HAPPY BIRTHDAY back to Earth before impacting Square in Rosemary Beach. the lunar surface. Free admission to this live In 1970, “The Huntley-Brinkley show presented by the Seaside Rock musician Bill Berry is is 49. Actor Loren Dean is Blaire Stroud (3 of Hearts) Report” came to an end after Repertory Theatre. Details, 60. Actor Wally Kurth is 60. 49. Actress Eve Best is 47. is 35. Singer Shannon Curf- nearly 14 years as co-anchor LoveTheRep.com Actor Wesley Snipes is 56. Retired NFL quarterback man is 33. Hip-hop artist Lil Chet Huntley signed off for the Country singer Chad Brock Gus Frerotte is 47. Actress Uzi Vert is 24. Actor Reese last time; the broadcast was Thursday, Aug. 2 is 55. Musician Fatboy Slim Annie Parisse is 43. Actor Hartwig is 20. Actor Rico renamed “NBC Nightly News.” is 55. Rock musician Jim Robert Telfer is 41. Country Rodriguez is 20. In 1971, Apollo 15 crew mem- PAINT PARTY THURSDAYS: 5 to Corr is 54. Author J.K. Rowl- singer-musician Zac Brown bers David Scott and James 7 p.m. at Sheraton Bay Point, ing is 53. Actor Dean Cain is 40. Actor-producer-writer Send your birth- Irwin became the fi rst astro- 4114 Jan Cooley Drive. Cost is 52. Actor Jim True-Frost B.J. Novak is 39. Actor Eric day information to nauts to use a lunar rover on is $35 per person. All sup- is 52. Actor Ben Chaplin Lively is 37. Country singer [email protected]. the surface of the moon. plies provided. Details: www. In 1972, Democratic vice- beachartgroup.com presidential candidate Thomas ‘THE COPPERTONES’ CONCERT: Eagleton withdrew from the 7-9 p.m. at Aaron Bessant ticket with George McGovern Park, 500 West Park Drive, following disclosures that Panama City Beach. Part of CATCH OF THE DAY Eagleton had once undergone the PCB Parks and Recreation psychiatric treatment.