PANAMA CITY LOCAL & STATE A3 CUTTING THE BACON Lucky’s Market sets opening day for Oct. 25 Thursday, September 28, 2017 www.newsherald.com @The_News_Herald facebook.com/panamacitynewsherald 75¢ Callaway mayor steps down ‘We’re not looking of Tuesday’s Herald, Pelletier said he funding. saying Callaway calls from at the big picture’ City Commis- already had planned to resign “I was disgusted with the 2015 to 2016 have increased on crime increase sion meeting in the next few months, but commission,” Pelletier said. by 7 percent, and more than 9 after a dis- the disagreement sped up “It’s sad when we look at the percent so far this year. BCSO By Collin Breaux agreement his decision. He favored set- big picture. We’re not looking currently provides Callaway 16 747-5081 | [email protected] over funding ting aside $70,000 to fund at the big picture.” deputies and one staff assistant, @PCNHCollinB Pelletier for an addi- an extra Bay County Sheriff’s Pelletier said police calls in who between July 2016 and June tional deputy Office (BCSO) deputy because the area have risen over the 2017 responded to 12,918 calls. CALLAWAY — Cal- to patrol the area. of increased crime in Calla- years, necessitating a patrol Seven percent of the calls came laway Mayor Bob Pelletier In a Wednesday phone way. Several commissioners, route there. Sheriff Tommy abruptly resigned at the end interview with The News however, were against the Ford confirmed the increase, See CALLAWAY, A11 VA running ‘Irreversible decline’ out of funds for private Iconic 4-headed pindo palm ‘likely’ will be cut down, city says health care program By Hope Yen The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Weeks after a veterans’ health ini- tiative received $2.1 billion in emergency funding, the Trump administration says the private-sector Veterans Choice health care program may need additional money as early as December to avoid a disruption of care for hundreds of thousands of veterans. The Department of Veter- ans Affairs said in a statement that it hoped to move quickly on a proposed long-term leg- islative fix that would give veterans even wider access to private doctors. The pro- posal, under review by the White House Office of Man- agement and Budget, would seek money to keep Choice running for much of next year as VA implements wider changes. On Capitol Hill, the House Veterans Affairs Commit- The four-headed palm at Oaks by the Bay Park is in “irreversible decline” and likely will be removed soon, city offi cials said. The unusual tee was already anticipating tree is about 100 years old. [JOSHUA BOUCHER/THE NEWS HERALD] that the emergency fund- ing approved in August may not last the full six months, By Katie Landeck keeps a picture of the tree according to spokespeople 522-5114 | @PCNHKatieL in his office, said the city for both Republican and [email protected] likely will have the tree Democratic members on the removed in the near future. panel. They cited the VA’s PANAMA CITY — The “Based on the information past problems in estimating four-headed palm tree is on we have right now, it’s likely Choice program cost. That life support, and the prog- it will be removed,” Jones committee and the Senate nosis isn’t good. said. “We’ve done every- Veterans Affairs Committee An expert study of the thing we can do to save it.” said they were closely moni- one-of-a-kind pindo palm Bartlett Tree Experts, toring the situation. has found the tree is in “irre- which counts Buckingham “It’s disheartening,” said versible decline” because of Palace among its clients, Carlos Fuentes, legislative old age, structural deformi- recommended three poten- director of Veterans of For- ties, long-term transplant tial courses of action to the eign Wars, citing his group’s stress, root death, poor soil city — chop off the dead continuing conversations nutrition and a likely light- head, leave the tree as is with with VA about Choice fund- ning strike. Much of the root continued treatments or ing. “Imagine if a veteran has system, as well as one of the remove the tree — but said in “Four-toed Pete,” the four-headed palm that originally grew near to cease chemotherapy treat- heads, already is dead. their report no matter what the Millville Wastewater Treatment Plant, was moved to Oaks by ment during Christmas.” Calling the prognosis the city does, “we should not the Bay Park in 1997 and given a metal support structure. The Garry Augustine, executive “abysmal,” Assistant City tree is partially dead and is expected to be removed soon. [NEWS director of Disabled Ameri- Manager Jared Jones, who See PALM, A11 HERALD FILE PHOTO] can Veterans’ Washington headquarters, said recent discussions with VA also gave him little confidence. “It’s always a concern,” LOCAL & STATE | A3 NATION & WORLD Augustine said. “Legisla- A10 tive action needs to be done DADS AND sooner rather than later.” HUGH HEFNER In its statement to The DOUGHNUTS Associated Press, VA said it Playboy magazine could not say for certain when Take Your Student founder dies at 91 to School Day a hit See VA, A11 Panama City News Herald Business ........................ A9 Obituaries ......................A5 TODAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Want to subscribe? Diversions ......................B7 Sports.........................B1-6 Mostly sunny Mostly sunny A shower Call 850-747-5050 Local & State .............. A3-6 Viewpoints .................... A8 90° / 73° 90° / 73° 89° / 69° * ** A2 Thursday, September 28, 2017 | The News Herald READER FEEDBACK CELEBRATE COMMUNITY TODAY IN HISTORY A duo accused of threat- Today is Thursday, Sept. 28, the ening a man’s life with PICTURE PERFECT 271st day of 2017. There are 94 a machete during an days left in the year. attempted corn chip, pickle We want your photos: Post your photos to the News Herald Facebook page with your name, city of and ketchup heist have residence and information about the photo. You can email photos to [email protected]. Today’s Highlight in History: had bonds set on serious charges, according to court On Sept. 28, 1892, the fi rst documents. nighttime football game took place in Mansfi eld, Pennsylva- Monica Myers: “They belong nia, as teams from Mansfi eld on an episode of TruTV’s State Normal and Wyoming ‘World’s Dumbest Criminals’! Seminary played under electric Say no to drugs, boys n lights to a scoreless tie. (The girls.” game was called after the fi rst half due to hazardous condi- Mike Ehrhardt: “Thank Christ tions caused by inadequate somebody hid the hot dogs.” illumination; it also didn’t help that a lighting pole was located A Bay County man accused in the middle of the fi eld.) of shooting his roommate in the throat with a shot- On this date: gun has been indicted by a grand jury for premeditated In 1066, William the Conqueror murder. invaded England to claim the English throne. Tierra Lynn Dawn: “Jonathan, In 1542, Portuguese navigator I love you bud! You’re family, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrived no matter what anyone says. at present-day San Diego. I’ll continue to pray that they In 1787, the Congress of the don’t give you the death Confederation voted to send sentence. Because I couldn’t the just-completed Constitu- bear to lose my cousin.” tion of the United States to state legislatures for their A Lynn Haven man who approval. faced the possibility of life In 1850, fl ogging was abolished in prison for robbing a bank Laura Vario as a form of punishment in the at gunpoint has received a sent us this U.S. Navy. short jail sentence after an picture, In 1914, the First Battle of admission to the crime and writing, the Aisne during World War I cellphone data were ruled “Peeking into ended inconclusively. out as evidence. Cape San In 1939, during World War II, Blas.” Nazi Germany and the Soviet Serena Rivera: “Just wow! I Union signed a treaty calling certainly hope the lady we for the partitioning of Poland, saw a few days ago who which the two countries had was arrested on felony drug invaded. charges for an attempted In 1958, voters in the African $60 pot charge gets such a GO AND DO country of Guinea overwhelm- small sentence. Probably ingly favored independence not!” “LOST IN SPACE”: Exhibit Panama City Beach Public FIGURE DRAWING: 6:30 from France. 1on display through Library, 12500 Hutchison 5p.m. with Heather Clem- In 1967, Walter E. Washing- Joseph Rogers: “It clearly Saturday at Floriopolis, 1125 Blvd. Features Ukulele ents at CityArts Cooperative, ton was sworn in as the fi rst states that the suspect fl ed Beck Ave., Panama City. Orchestra of St. Andrews, 318 Luverne Ave. Register by mayor-commissioner of the after a simple request to Free admission. Details: 850- food, beer and silent noon, Heather, 703-915-0615 District of Columbia following speak with him by law offi - 249-9295 or Facebook.com/ auctions. Tickets $30, ben- or [email protected] his appointment by President cials. The judge in this case Floriopolis efi ting the library. Details: DOWNTOWN THURS- Lyndon B. Johnson. should be disbarred. After LOBSTER FESTIVAL: Lob- 850-233-5055 or www.nwrls. 6DAY: Historical In 1989, deposed Philippine the suspect gets out and 2ster specials and live music com Downtown Panama City President Ferdinand E. Marcos kills someone, the blood will through Sunday at Schooners, SENIORS DANCE: 6:30 retailers, restaurants, died in exile in Hawaii at age be on their hands. Insane to 5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City 4 p.m. at Daffi n Park and cultural and political 72.