KRIS HARRELL | Contributor Local public libraries are bracing for possible cuts to programs and services, as the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) elimination is felt across the state and country. On March 14, President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the elimination of non-statutory functions and reduction of statutory functions […]
HANNAH COLLINS | The News For patients recovering from surgery or illness, the transition from acute hospital care to home can be challenging. Northwest Florida Community Hospital (NFCH) aims to bridge this gap with its Swing Bed Program, a specialized inpatient rehabilitation service designed to provide short-term, intensive therapy before patients return home. As a […]
Washington County officially launched its Bicentennial celebrations on March 12 with a special event that honored the county’s rich history and bright future. Held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Washington County Ag Center, the event brought together local officials, community members, and history enthusiasts to commemorate 200 years of Washington County’s legacy. The […]
The Washington County Fire Department (WCFD) invited the community to a special “Push-In” ceremony celebrating the addition of their new engine this morning, March 10. The “Push-In” ceremony is a longstanding fire service tradition that dates to the 19th century. Before motorized fire engines, firefighters had to manually push their horse-drawn fire apparatus into the […]
A 33-year-old woman from Bonifay is in critical condition following a collision with a tractor-trailer on County Road 276 (Clayton Road) on Tuesday 25 February, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The crash occurred as the woman was traveling westbound on CR 276 while negotiating a left-hand curve. Simultaneously, a 71-year-old driver from Caryville […]
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the WCSO Barrel Race on Friday, February 21, at 5 pm at the Washington County Equestrian Center, located at 2574 Daniel’s Lake Road. This public event invites participants and spectators to enjoy an evening of barrel racing. Those interested in competing can register through https://saddlebook.com/events/9259. For residents seeking […]
Two people are dead and six others hospitalized following a shooting on Florida State University’s campus Thursday, officials confirmed. The suspected shooter, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, is also hospitalized. FSU Police reported that the two deceased individuals were not students. During a press conference Thursday afternoon, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil stated […]
HANNAH COLLINS | The News After months of searching, authorities have apprehended 39 year old Brian Patrick Rich, a fugitive wanted in connection with a December 2022 shooting in Washington County. Rich was originally arrested shortly after the incident on charges of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He later bonded […]
Lee, Bobby Earl
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), a search warrant was issued and executed by the WCSO SWAT and Drug Task Force on March 21st at approximately 8:15 p.m. The target of the investigation was 44-year-old Jaquelyn Amanda Adams who was not present at the time of the search. WCSO Investigators have been in contact […]
Details are still unraveling in a child sex abuse case from earlier this month. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), an investigation began once a report was filed alleging that 39 year old Michael Raymond Harper had coerced two children under the age of 15 into inappropriate sexual conduct and 32 year old […]
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) is warning residents in the Washington County area of a scam involving a phone call. In a press release on March 12, WCSO stated scammers are attempting to defraud Washington County residents by calling them and stating they are a WCSO deputy concerning a subpoena and requesting them to […]
TALLAHASSEE — A ballot proposal that would have enshrined abortion rights in the Florida Constitution failed Tuesday, giving a major political victory to Gov. Ron DeSantis — and dealing a huge blow to abortion-rights supporters. The measure, which appeared on the ballot as Amendment 4, received support from 57 percent of voters, short of the […]
A $150 million-plus effort to allow recreational use of marijuana in Florida fizzled out Tuesday, falling short of the needed 60 percent voter approval and delivering a major victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trulieve, the state’s largest medical-marijuana operator, pumped nearly $144.6 million into the proposed constitutional amendment. The Quincy-based company’s contributions made up more […]
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 […]
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 […]
Hannah Collins
Staff Report