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WCSD holds annual district spelling bee

ByAli Moreland 01/16/202601/16/2026

On Friday, January 16, the Washington County School District hosted the Annual District Spelling Bee in the WCSD School Boardroom, featuring thirty-two students in grades five through eight from Kate M. Smith Elementary School, Vernon Elementary School, Roulhac Middle School, and Vernon Middle School. Each year, district elementary and middle schools conduct grade-level spelling bees, […]

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Chamber approves 2026 Board of Directors

ByAli Moreland 01/16/202601/16/2026

During the Washington County Chamber of Commerce’s State of the County meeting on Thursday, January 15, Chamber members approved the 2026 Board of Directors and officer positions. Pictured from left to right are treasurer Cindy Birge, EDC Chair Liaison Tracy Andrews, board member Cindy Johnson Brown, board member Danny Exum (standing behind), board member Tamekia […]

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WCSD celebrates a year of excellence, honoring district employees of the year

ByAMBER PATINO 01/15/202601/15/2026

Educators, families, and community members joined the Washington County School Board (WCSB) at the Vernon High School auditorium on Wednesday, January 14, to honor the district’s Employees of the Year. The annual event recognized nominees from each school and celebrated the selection of the overall district winners for Teacher of the Year, Rookie Teacher of […]

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Caryville Council approves new security cameras, discusses upcoming events

ByAMBER PATINO 01/15/202601/15/2026

The Caryville Town Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 12, addressing plans for new surveillance cameras and setting the date for the annual Worm Fiddlin’ Festival. Town Clerk Betty Scott requested permission to install deer cameras to be used for security purposes at Sellers Park and the town’s maintenance shop in response to […]

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Local weightlifters compete at Rural State Championship

ByAli Moreland 01/15/202601/15/2026

Vernon High School (VHS) senior Corissa Peterson (pictured above) placed 1st in Traditional-style and 2nd in Olympic-style weightlifting at the Rural State Championship on Saturday, January 10. Peterson will continue to compete at the FHSAA Class 1A State Championships in her weight class, representing VHS. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO] Holmes County High School (HCHS) senior Jayla Robinson […]

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Chipley City Council recognizes community Christmas efforts

ByAli Moreland 01/14/202601/14/2026

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 13, the Chipley City Council recognized community members and groups for their contributions to the holiday season. The Council acknowledged those who participated in holiday house decorations, the Chipley Christmas Fest Parade float winners, and the Christmas Fest of Chipley, Inc. committee. Christmas house decoration recognitions went to […]

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Crime

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One in custody on charges of sexual battery on a minor

ByStaff Report 01/14/202601/15/2026

On Jan. 12, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible sex offense involving a minor. Following an investigation into the allegations, a warrant was issued for Branden D. Zimmerman, 30, of Chipley. On Jan. 13, Zimmerman was arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail. He was charged with sexual battery involving […]

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Vandalism incident reported at Wausau ballfield

ByAMBER PATINO 01/08/202601/08/2026

The Town of Wausau recently reported an act of vandalism in the bathrooms at the ballfield located next to the Possum Palace. While the exact timeline is unclear, town officials believe the damage occurred sometime around New Year’s Eve, as it was discovered on New Year’s Day. Along with damage to the toilets and a […]

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WCSO and FHP pursue armed suspect after high speed chase

ByStaff Report 01/07/202601/08/2026

According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), on the morning of January 7, a Florida State Trooper was conducting traffic enforcement on State Road 79 near County Road 279 (Moss Hill Road) when he observed a black Toyota Camry traveling southbound at more than 100 MPH in a 35 MPH zone in Vernon. As a result, […]

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Traffic stop near Quail Hollow Boulevard leads to drug arrests

ByStaff Report 12/31/202512/31/2025

According to a release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy on patrol near Quail Hollow Boulevard on December 30, observed a vehicle being driven by Matthew Stafford, who was known to have an active felony warrant in Washington County. The deputy activated emergency equipment in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop; however, […]

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Warrant arrest results in drug seizure, additional charges

ByStaff Report 12/30/202512/30/2025

On Dec. 29 a Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a white female, Ashley Simmons, outside a residence on Olie Road. Simmons was known to have active felony warrants out of Holmes County related to failure to appear in connection with a felony child abuse case. As the deputy approached, Simmons fled into the residence […]

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Crime | Mugshots | Staff Report | Top Stories

Pursuit leads to arrest on multiple charges

ByStaff Report 12/22/202512/22/2025

On December 21, 2025, a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation on Pipkin Road. The deputy pulled behind the vehicle and activated emergency lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle turned onto State Road 79 and accelerated, continuing south before turning into a […]

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State News

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Proposal backed to phase out property taxes

ByStaff Report 01/15/202601/15/2026

A House proposal that would ask voters to phase out non-school homestead property taxes moved forward Thursday as lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis continue trying to reach agreement on a November ballot measure. The Republican-controlled House State Affairs Committee voted along party lines to advance a proposed constitutional amendment, HJR 203, that would annually increase […]

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House expects single tax proposal

ByStaff Report 01/14/202601/14/2026

House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said Tuesday he expects the House to move forward with a single proposed constitutional amendment aimed at cutting property taxes, an issue that is a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I fully expect us to have something on the ballot for our constituents to eventually vote on,” Perez told reporters. […]

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Community & Faith

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Let’s ‘fall on our knees’ this Christmas

BySheryl Boldt 12/18/202312/18/2023

As a little girl, I spent delightful moments singing about the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. I gazed at our small nativity scene. I loved looking at all the characters gathered devotedly around the newborn child: Mary and Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men – even the animals. The scene was […]

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Community | Faith | Faith Columns | Opinion

Disagreeing without being disagreeable

ByWashington County News 12/18/202312/18/2023

Michael Brooks I was rendered speechless—highly unusual for a Baptist preacher. I was in college serving a church in the Birmingham area as interim pastor for what became an eight-month assignment. I enjoyed the experience immensely preaching three times a week, attending deacons meetings and visiting the sick. I learned a lot and had a […]

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