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Vernon workshop discusses potential charter reform, budget, and tennis complex security

ByAli Moreland 06/02/202606/02/2026

Vernon City Council met on Monday, June 1, for a workshop to discuss charter revision proposals, early budget planning, and preliminary talks regarding security for the near-complete Vernon High School Tennis Complex. Council members reviewed the city’s 1926 charter alongside proposed updates, focusing on how city leadership is structured. One topic discussed was whether to […]

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Bonifay Police reopen 2015 stabbing case; survivor now hopeful for justice

BySKYLA CARTER 06/02/202606/02/2026

After ten and a half years, the Bonifay Police Department (BPD) has reopened its investigation into the November 2015 stabbing of Emily Carter at her residence in Bonifay. The case previously reached a standstill in 2017 under then‑Chief Chris Wells, but with the reopening by current department leadership, Carter, who now resides in Washington County, says she feels hopeful that […]

Read More Bonifay Police reopen 2015 stabbing case; survivor now hopeful for justice
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Fla Choppas Barbershop marks years of service with community celebration

ByAMBER PATINO 06/02/202606/02/2026

Fla Choppas Barbershop marked a milestone on Monday, June 1, with an official ribbon‑cutting ceremony at its Main Street location celebrating its membership in the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, 14 years in business, six years on Main Street, and one year under the ownership of Master Barber Jamar Franklin. Franklin was joined by family and friends, […]

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Volunteers lead cleanup effort at White Oak Cemetery over Memorial Day weekend

ByAMBER PATINO 05/29/202605/29/2026

Members of the Bay Area Jeep Association (BAJA), Boy Scout Troop 321, HLD Lawncare, and Bronco Brats Recovery teamed up over Memorial Day weekend to clean and landscape graves and headstones at White Oak Cemetery in Sunny Hills. Volunteers can be seen above working to clear the area around the gravesite. BAJA extended thanks to everyone who volunteered their time for the effort. […]

Read More Volunteers lead cleanup effort at White Oak Cemetery over Memorial Day weekend
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Caryville woman pleads no contest in Holmes County fentanyl death case

BySKYLA CARTER 05/28/202605/28/2026

A Caryville woman accused of arranging a fentanyl‑related pill sale that led to a Holmes County woman’s death pleaded no contest on Wednesday, May 6, to a reduced charge of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance under Florida Statute 893.13. According to court records, Judge Russell Roberts sentenced Jamie Dawn Ewing to two years of community control followed […]

Read More Caryville woman pleads no contest in Holmes County fentanyl death case
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Chipley Garden Club honored with multiple awards

ByStaff Report 05/27/202605/27/2026

The Chipley Garden Club joined fellow clubs from Wausau, Sneads, Panama City, Gulf Beach, Lynn Haven, and Port St. Joe for the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs District II Spring Meeting held Tuesday, May 19, in Panama City. During the meeting, District Director Sarah Darden announced award winners from the state convention. Club President Mike Hansen accepted several awards on behalf […]

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Crime

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Bonifay Police reopen 2015 stabbing case; survivor now hopeful for justice

BySKYLA CARTER 06/02/202606/02/2026

After ten and a half years, the Bonifay Police Department (BPD) has reopened its investigation into the November 2015 stabbing of Emily Carter at her residence in Bonifay. The case previously reached a standstill in 2017 under then‑Chief Chris Wells, but with the reopening by current department leadership, Carter, who now resides in Washington County, says she feels hopeful that […]

Read More Bonifay Police reopen 2015 stabbing case; survivor now hopeful for justice
Crime | Local News | News | Top Stories

Caryville woman pleads no contest in Holmes County fentanyl death case

BySKYLA CARTER 05/28/202605/28/2026

A Caryville woman accused of arranging a fentanyl‑related pill sale that led to a Holmes County woman’s death pleaded no contest on Wednesday, May 6, to a reduced charge of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance under Florida Statute 893.13. According to court records, Judge Russell Roberts sentenced Jamie Dawn Ewing to two years of community control followed […]

Read More Caryville woman pleads no contest in Holmes County fentanyl death case
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Colorado arrest made in Washington County child exploitation investigation

ByStaff Report 05/19/202605/19/2026

A California man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a Washington County child exploitation investigation that began October 24, 2025, when the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a complaint after a parent discovered obscene images of their minor child on an iPad and cellular phone. Investigators immediately initiated an investigation into the incident, according […]

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Former corrections officer sentenced to state prison

ByStaff Report 05/08/202605/08/2026

On Wednesday, April 29, Tina Marie Wallace, a former correctional officer at Northwest Florida Reception Center in Washington County, was sentenced to 48 months in the Florida Department of Corrections following her convictions for Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device, announced State Attorney Larry Basford. A […]

Read More Former corrections officer sentenced to state prison
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Traffic stop leads to drug arrests

ByStaff Report 04/30/202604/30/2026

A deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop April 29 on a vehicle committing a violation on St. Mary’s Road in Caryville. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Chad Bruce, and a passenger, identified as Natalie Hillis. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies located methamphetamine, […]

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Student in custody following reported threat at Roulhac Middle School; No ongoing danger, Officials say

ByStaff Report 04/22/202604/22/2026

A student is in custody and an investigation remains ongoing after a potential threat involving Roulhac Middle School was reported Wednesday, according to releases from the Washington County School District and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. School district officials said the situation came to light after a tip was submitted through the Fortify Florida app, […]

Read More Student in custody following reported threat at Roulhac Middle School; No ongoing danger, Officials say

State News

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Property tax overhaul headed to ballot

ByStaff Report 06/02/202606/02/2026

Lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping property tax proposal backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending the measure to Florida voters in November. The proposal would increase the current $50,000 homestead exemption to $150,000 beginning in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. The expanded exemption would not apply to school taxes after lawmakers revised DeSantis’ original […]

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DeSantis signs bills expanding support for school coaches and student athletes

ByStaff Report 05/29/202605/29/2026

On Friday, May 22, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 538 and Senate Bill 178, legislation aimed at expanding support for Florida’s K‑12 athletic coaches and student athletes. The measures allow school districts to offer more competitive compensation for coaches and align extracurricular eligibility across all school choice options, ensuring students can participate in high school athletics regardless of where they attend school. […]

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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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