PC KICKOFF MEETING ATTRACTS HUNDREDS LOCAL | B1 PANAMA CITY LOCAL & STATE | B1 KITTEN ON MEND AFTER 60-FOOT FALL Tuesday, May 7, 2019 www.newsherald.com @The_News_Herald facebook.com/panamacitynewsherald 75¢ State OKs $240M in hurricane aid Derrick Thompson, left, listens to opening arguments during his murder trial on May 1 at the Bay County Courthouse. Thompson was subsequently convicted of fi rst-degree murder in the killing of Allen Johnson in 2014. [PATTI BLAKE/THE NEWS HERALD] Thompson’s sentence in jury’s hands Triple killer could get niece, cried when reading death penalty for a statement about how her 2014 slaying of friend uncle was kind and generous, Allen Johnson including helping with her horse-riding hobby when By Collin Breaux she was young. [email protected] “It’s about what he still @PCNHCollinB means to us and has done for all of us. Uncle Allen was PANAMA CITY — A jury present throughout all of my will decide whether Der- childhood,” Limmer said. rick Thompson will get life “He made games for each kid without parole or the death because he knew we were all penalty for the 2014 murder different but his to love. ... of Allen Johnson. I won’t be able to call him Thompson was found anymore and tell him how guilty Friday of first-degree thankful I am.” murder and robbery with Carolyn Thompson, a firearm for the killing of Thompson’s mother, was Johnson, a friend, to get called to the stand to talk The words “Keep your head up Panama City” are spray-painted on a cabinet near the former Grocery money to finance an addic- about her son. Photos of Outlet off Beck Avenue in Panama City. [PATTI BLAKE/THE NEWS HERALD] tion to prescription pills. The Thompson from his child- penalty phase began Monday hood, service in the Army and continues Tuesday. National Guard and with $115 million earmarked to address housing shortage Witnesses were called by family were shown. in Bay County that is crippling recovery eff orts the prosecution and defense. Jordan Limmer, Johnson’s See THOMPSON, A6 By Katie Landeck @PCNHKatieL [email protected] SPORTS | C1 PANAMA CITY — Hur- GC HIRES ricane Michael might not have dominated the head- GEORGIA lines during the Florida legislative session, but HIGHLANDS local lawmakers came away with a big haul. COACH A little more than $240 million was secured for GAFFNEY hurricane-ravaged coun- ties in the state’s $90.1 billion budget, including $115 million to address the housing shortage in Bay County that is crippling Dems set to hold recovery efforts. “The state has been Hurricane debris, shattered glass and various food items remain on Barr in contempt very good to us and we the ground near the former Grocery Outlet off Beck Avenue in Panama appreciate it,” County City. [PATTI BLAKE/THE NEWS HERALD] Commission Chairman Nadler schedules of Congress — the open- Philip “Griff” Griffitts area. A large number of Trumbull ecstatic a Wednesday vote ing salvo in what could be said at a press conference those original funding aft er attorney general a lengthy, acrimonious Monday morning. requests, such as money What was delivered in the state misses deadline court battle between House “We’ve had lots of for the repair work for the budget by the area’s represen- Democrats and President support from around the schools, was nixed early tatives, including Sen. George By Mary Clare Jalonick Donald Trump’s adminis- state.” on, as state funding would Gainer, Sen. Bill Montford, Rep. and Lisa Mascaro tration over special counsel Going into the ses- make the district ineligible Brad Drake and Rep. Jay Trum- The Associated Press Robert Mueller’s report. sion, Rep. Jay Trumbull for reimbursement from bull, should provide the area with House Judiciary requested more than the Federal Emergency some much-needed relief.“We WASHINGTON — A Committee Chairman $600 million in appropri- Management Agency. knew we needed to step up to House committee is poised Jerrold Nadler scheduled ations based on requests the plate,” Trumbull said. “I think to hold Attorney General made from around the See HURRICANE, A6 we hit a home run.” William Barr in contempt See BARR, A6 Panama City News Herald Busines ......................... A9 Obituaries ...................... B3 TODAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Want to subscribe? Diversions ...................... B7 Sports.........................C1-4 Mostly sunny Partly sunny Mostly sunny Call 850-747-5050 Local & State ...............B1-6 Viewpoints .....................A8 86° / 68° 84° / 71° 83° / 68° * ** A2 Tuesday, May 7, 2019 | The News Herald GO & DO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY TODAY IN HISTORY Tuesday, May 14 4TH ANNUAL JEEP BEACH PICTURE PERFECT Today is Tuesday, May JAM: May 14-18 at Frank 7, the 127th day of 2019. Brown Park in Panama City We want your There are 238 days left in Beach. More than 2,000 photos: Post the year. Jeeps coming from over 17 your photos states. Events scheduled to the News Today’s Highlight daily. Details at JeepBeach- Herald Face- in History: Jam.com book page On May 7, 1945, Germany PAINTING WITH VICTO- with your signed an unconditional RIA BUSH: 4-7 p.m. at the name, city surrender at Allied head- Panama City Center for the of residence quarters in Rheims, France, Arts, 19 E. Fourth St., Panama and informa- ending its role in World City. For ages 16 and older. tion about War II. Cost: $25 members ($30 non- the photo. members), easels provided; You can On this date: space is limited. Details at email photos In 1763, Pontiac, chief PCCenterForTheArts.com/ to yourpix@ of the Ottawa Indians, education pcnh.com. attempted to lead a sneak attack on British-held Fort Wednesday, May 15 Rudolph Detroit, but was foiled WHEEL THROWING MORN- Giles emailed because the British had INGS: 10 a.m. Wednesdays this photo been tipped off in advance. May 15-June 19 at Panama and said, In 1789, America’s fi rst City Center for the Arts, 19 “This little inaugural ball was held in E. Fourth St. Ages 15 and buddy New York in honor of Presi- older. Cost: $200 members, wanted dent George Washington, $240 nonmembers. Details to play.” who had taken the oath of and registration at PCCen- [CONTRIBUTED offi ce a week earlier. terForTheArts.com or call PHOTO] In 1915, a German U-boat 850-640-3670 torpedoed and sank the ‘ENOUGH ALREADY! LET’S British liner RMS Lusitania LAUGH!’: 6-7:30 p.m. at the off the southern coast of Bay County Public Library, Ireland, killing 1,198 people, 898 W. 11th St., Panama City. including 128 Americans, The St. Andrews Readers out of the nearly 2,000 on Theatre troupe will pres- board. ent snippets from Mark In 1945, the 1944 Pulitzer Twain, Dr. Seuss and original Prizes were awarded; humorous works. winners included John Hersey for his novel “A Bell Thursday, May 16 for Adano,” Mary Chase PAINTING CLASSES FOR for her play “Harvey,” and KIDS: 3:45-5:15 p.m. each Associated Press photog- Thursday at the Panama TODAY'S BIRTHAYS rapher Joe Rosenthal for City Center for the Arts, his picture of the Iwo Jima 19 E. Fourth St., Panama Dawn Knoepfler of Panama writer-director Amy Hecker- Breckin Meyer is 45. Rock fl ag-raising. City. Cost: $10 members, City is celebrating her birth- ling is 67. Actor Michael E. musician Matt Helders (Arctic In 1975, President Gerald $15 non-members. Ages day today. Rhythm-and-blues Knight is 60. Rock musician Monkeys) is 33. Actress- R. Ford formally declared 7-11. Supplies included. singer Thelma Houston is Phil Campbell (Motorhead) comedian Aidy Bryant is 32. an end to the “Vietnam Instructors Nikki Brooks and 76. Actress Robin Strasser is 58. Country musician Rick Actor Taylor Abrahamse is 28. era.” In Ho Chi Minh City Breanna WIlliams. Details at is 74. Singer-songwriter Bill Schell is 56. Rock singer- Actor Alexander Ludwig is 27. — formerly Saigon — the PCCenterForTheArts.com/ Danoff is 73. Rock musician musician Chris O'Connor Actress Dylan Gelula is 25. Viet Cong celebrated its education Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful (Primitive Radio Gods) is 54. Send your birthday informa- takeover. Dead) is 73. Utah Gov. Gary Actress Traci Lords is 51. Actor tion and photo to pcnhnews@ In 1984, a $180 million out- Friday, May 17 Herbert is 72. Rock musician Morocco Omari is 49. Singer pcnh.com. of-court settlement was DOH-BAY FARMERS Prairie Prince is 69. Movie Eagle-Eye Cherry is 48. Actor announced in the Agent MARKET: 8 a.m. to noon Orange class-action suit Monday-Friday in the front brought by Vietnam veter- parking lot of the Depart- ans who said they’d been ment of Health, 597 W. 11th injured by exposure to the St., Panama City. The market defoliant. will accept WIC and Seniors Farmers’ Market Coupons as Thought for Today: “Be a well as cash. philosopher but, amid all WALKING TOUR OF HIS- your philosophy be still TORIC ST. ANDREWS: a man.” — David Hume, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays Scottish philosopher and Fridays. Free guided (1711-1776). tour leaves from the Publish- ing Museum, 1134 Beck Ave. The Associated Press Come to the museum at 1:30 p.m. or call and schedule CATCH OF THE DAY another time if you can’t make the regularly sched- Amy Mitchell uled tour. shared this YOUNG ARTIST LYNN HAVEN SPRING photo in CONCERT SERIES: 6 p.m. the Panama at Sharon Sheffi eld Park in City Fishing Lynn Haven. Free admission. Facebook group and Saturday, May 18 said, “Proud ST. ANDREWS PUTTING PUB Momma CRAWL: 10:30 a.m.