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Firefighters demonstrating equipment at school event.

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Chipley wraps up Homecoming Week with 35-0 victory over Yellowjackets

ByAMBER PATINO 10/27/202610/27/2026

School spirit was on full display throughout Chipley High School’s 2026 Homecoming Week, culminating in a downtown parade, special ceremonies honoring two Tiger legends, and a 35-0 victory over Vernon on Friday, October 23. Homecoming festivities on Friday started with a parade through downtown Chipley that drew students, families and community members together in celebration. […]

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Commissioners honor Pettis, address road project concerns

ByAMBER PATINO 10/27/202610/27/2026

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners on October 22 recognized Chairman David Pettis for his service to the county before approving a series of routine and administrative matters, addressing concerns about the Dumajack Road project, and hearing updates on economic development. Commissioners presented Pettis with an award recognizing his service to Washington County from […]

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Holmes County and Washington County communities gear up for fall fun

ByAMBER PATINO 10/22/202610/22/2026

Communities across Holmes and Washington counties are preparing for fall fun with a full slate of family-friendly festivals, trunk-or-treats, costume contests, and downtown celebrations. The festivities begin Saturday, October 24, with the annual Wausau Community Development Club Fall Festival at the Possum Palace in Wausau, located at 3121 Possum Palace Drive. The free event will […]

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Lady Tigers claim district volleyball championship

ByAMBER PATINO 10/16/202610/16/2026

The Chipley High School Lady Tigers volleyball team claimed the district championship with a 3-2 victory over Bethlehem High School on Thursday, October 15, at Holmes County High School. Earlier in the week, the Lady Tigers defeated Holmes County High School 3-1 to advance to the championship match before ultimately securing the district crown.

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DeSantis reappoints Clark to Public Service Commission

ByStaff Report 10/15/202610/15/2026

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the reappointment of Chipley resident Gary Clark to the Florida Public Service Commission. As required under Chapter 350, Florida Statutes, the appointments were made from a list provided by the Public Service Commission Nominating Council within the statutory timeframe. Clark was reappointed along with Gabriella Passidomo-Smith of Tallahassee. Clark has […]

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Washington County School Board recognizes student achievement, community service

ByAMBER PATINO 10/15/202610/15/2026

The Washington County School Board recognized academic achievement, student leadership, and community partnerships during its regular meeting Tuesday, October 13. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Saunders honored six students from Chipley High School and Vernon High School who earned College Board National Recognition awards. The recognition is awarded to students who score in the […]

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Crime

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Deadlocked jury leads to mistrial in McFatter Case

ByGARRETT VALCOURT 10/27/202610/27/2026

A Washington County jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict Wednesday, October 21, in the sexual battery trial of former Grace Fellowship Christian Academy principal Aaron Michael McFatter, prompting Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson to declare a mistrial. The development comes more than two years after McFatter was arrested following allegations of inappropriate sexual contact […]

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Crime | News

Cottondale man arrested after traffic stop leads to discovery of meth, firearms

ByStaff Report 10/07/202610/07/2026

A Cottondale man was arrested Monday evening after a traffic stop in Washington County led deputies to the discovery of multiple firearms, suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. At approximately 7:30 p.m. October 6, WCSO deputies conducted a traffic stop near Rock Hill Church Road and Rock Circle. The […]

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Chipley man sentenced to 30 years for 2024 manslaughter

ByGARRETT VALCOURT 10/06/202610/06/2026

A Chipley man convicted of manslaughter with a firearm in connection with a 2024 fatal shooting was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in state prison. Kyle Michael Porter, 26, appeared in Washington County court Tuesday, October 6, where Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Christopher Patterson imposed the 30-year sentence. Porter was found guilty of manslaughter with […]

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Panama City man facing multiple drug charges following Vernon traffic stop

ByStaff Report 10/01/202610/01/2026

A Panama City man is facing multiple drug-related charges in Washington County following a traffic stop on Dawkins Street in Vernon on the evening of Wednesday, September 30. At approximately 6:17 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop on Dawkins Street. The vehicle pulled into a residence and continued moving slowly before […]

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Hawkins found guilty in child sexual abuse case

ByStaff Report 09/25/202609/25/2026

Ronald Gene Hawkins, 69, has been found guilty of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a victim less than 12 years old following a trial held this week in Washington County. Hawkins was originally arrested in January 2025 following an investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office into allegations of sexual abuse that occurred over a […]

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Chipley man found guilty in 2024 fatal shooting at Diamond Head Lake

ByStaff Report 09/24/202609/24/2026

A 26-year-old Chipley man has been found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm following a trial this week in Washington County. Kyle Michael Porter was arrested in June 2024 following an extensive investigation into the death of Randy Joseph Lynn, a Panama City man who was fatally shot at Diamond Head Lake on April 27, […]

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State News

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Florida redesigns driver’s licenses

ByStaff Report 10/01/202610/01/2026

Florida has redesigned its driver’s license and identification card with new security features and state symbols incorporated into the design. The first redesign in nearly a decade, changes became available Wednesday, Sept. 30 including a background image of the St. Augustine-based Castillo de San Marcos, an orange in the “O” of Florida and a manatee […]

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New laws, final $1 minimum wage hike arrive with October

ByStaff Report 09/27/202609/27/2026

Among the new laws taking effect Oct. 1 are changes to how law enforcement identifies criminal gang members, a new penalty for adults who involve minors in animal fighting and clarification of rules involving license plate frames. The final $1 increase in the state’s voter-approved minimum wage will also take effect Sept. 30, raising it […]

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Community & Faith

Community | Faith | Faith Columns | Opinion

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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