By Staff Report
2023 was certainly a year full of news in Washington County.
From political controversy to new businesses on the horizon, there has been no shortage of discussion topics for this rural area.
Chief among the year’s headlines was speculation about a potential FBI investigation into Wheeler Emergency Management Contractors, an emergency management contractor for the county. The details of the investigation are currently unknown but the investigation has been publicly alluded to by county officials during meetings.
Chipley saw the debut of a new event called the Blues and Brews Festival, which featured live outdoor blues music and alcohol for sale downtown. The day brought out plenty of people, who sat in lawn chairs and enjoyed the sounds and drinks.
On a related note, Chipley also sought to create a downtown entertainment district codifying when alcohol could be served and bought and attempting to boost recreational uses in the area to bring more people to the area.
Here’s our month-by-month recap:
January
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade was held in Downtown Chipley.
A Tennessee man died from injuries sustained during an officer-involved shooting in the parking of Walmart in Chipley.
Students at both Washington County middle schools participated in the National BETA Club’s Florida State Convention and many took home some of the event’s top awards.
February
The Washington County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed holding evening workshops so the public can participate easier.
A Wildstar Networks representative tells the BOCC Sunny Hills is completely online while Vernon, Wausau, and Mud Hill were nearly complete.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) investigates a shooting that occurred in the Fountain area.
March
The Arc of Washington-Holmes Counties hosted an open house to showcase a newly minted multi-sensory room and introduce such new curriculum.
A shooting that took place at a residence on 4th Street in Chipley was deemed self-defense by the State Attorney’s Office.
April
Jamison Shane Haskins, a former maintenance worker with the City of Vernon, pled guilty to two counts of felony battery.
The Chipley City Council voted 4-1 to approve parking spots in the city-owned parking lot of the old KC’s Pizza, contingent on the legal description of the property being submitted to the city.
William Lowell Rogers of Chipley was given a 20-year sentence after being found guilty of methamphetamine trafficking.
Firefighter equipment is purchased by the Orange Hill Fire Department and Washington County Fire Department (Sunny Hills) with grant funds. Specifically, they were upgraded air tanks and extrication equipment at a total cost close to $80,000.
May
County Director of Human Resources Wendy White tells the BOCC they are “tentatively” 60 days out from being able to live-stream BOCC meetings.
The BOCC votes 3-2 to extend Wheeler’s contract. Commissioners Wesley Griffin and David Pettis vote no.
WCSO K-9 Deputy Hannibal helped locate a child reported missing on the walking trails in Dogwood Acres.
June
Community members bring up concerns that a fire engine purchased by the County Oaks Fire Department several years ago could not pass state testing during a BOCC meeting.
The 67th annual Panhandle Watermelon Festival draws thousands.
Vernon Middle School’s Jr. Beta Club placed nine times in the National Beta Convention, while club member Kayson Hawkins ranked in the top three candidates running for National Vice President.
July
Washington County News is under new ownership by Kent Smith Group, comprised of locals Adam Smith and former editor and new publisher Carol Kent.
Washington County’s longest serving Supervisor of Elections Carol Finch Rudd retired from the position she held since 1996.
The Chipley City Council accepted the fair market value appraisal amount of $68,000 as the purchase price for the historical Mongoven Building. The site will be demolished and turned into a park area.
An incident at the Circle H gas station in Vernon led to the arrest of Ebro Fire Chief Jackie Wade Moon on felony battery charges.
Investigators with both the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office and Chipley Police Department dismantled an illegal gambling operation at the 77 Gas Mart at 604 Main Street.
August
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is announced as opening in Chipley in the near future at 1403 Main Street.
The 54th Wausau Fun Day and Possum Fest takes place.
September
Rather than one firm, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners selected three contractors to handle emergency management in case of a hurricane or similar disaster–Wheeler Emergency Management Contractors, Metric Engineering, and True North Emergency Management Services. County officials also acknowledge an FBI investigation into a contractor, though details are unknown.
Collin Breaux comes on as the new editor for Washington County News. He previously was a reporter for The News Herald in Panama City and covered Hurricane Michael.
Washington County is among the 483 designated census tracts eligible for increased federal support for resiliency to natural hazards.
The BOCC accepts a $2.5 million grant to pave Dumajack Road, a backroad off State Highway 77 that links to Deading Road.
The BOCC also considered an animal control ordinance amendment that would institute additional requirements for keeping a dog after the animal has been considered “dangerous.”
October
The first-ever Blues and Brews Festival is held in Downtown Chipley, featuring live outdoor music and alcohol for sale.
Hunter Aycock assumes the role of the new Chipley Fire Chief from his dad, Floyd Aycock.
Kenneth Conklin of Chipley claims a $5 million lottery prize, which was a one-time payment of $664,198.
The BOCC signed off on a trio of land use changes, one allowing several residents units on property in Caryville.
Discussion of a potential credit line extension for the county comes up during a BOCC meeting since the county tapped out its previous line of credit and saw a pause in FEMA reimbursement payments.
Chipley holds its annual homecoming parade downtown.
A Downtown Fall Block is held featuring live music, games, and vendors.
November
Washington County News and Holmes County Advertiser, previously and temporarily printed as one publication, return to being separate papers. The outlets also moved to a new office across the street from the old location, still in Downtown Chipley.
Martial artist Chris Casamassa, who played the character Scorpion in the 1995 “Mortal Kombat” film, holds an anti-bullying workshop at Believe Martial Arts in Chipley.
The Chipley City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance approving a downtown entertainment district establishing rules for outside consumption of alcoholic beverages in the district, allowing special events if permitted, and setting hours for music and entertainment. A second reading to make the ordinance official is held in December.
The BOCC approved having fire departments in Greenhead, Orange Hill, and Five Points come under the county’s purview.
The Chipley City Council approved a development order and certificate of appropriateness for a new Dollar General store at 1330 Jackson Avenue, as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Community members express frustration with the proliferation of dollar stores in the area on social media.
Playhouse President Kevin Russell spoke about desire for increased nighttime lighting and other safety concerns at the Spanish Trail Playhouse parking lot during a meeting of the Chipley Redevelopment Agency–which he sits on–at the request of the Playhouse Board of Directors. Russell later brought up the matter during a meeting of the Washington County School, which owns the property, the next month.
Retired Panama City firefighter Troy Cunningham proposed bringing a fire station and services back to Caryville during a Caryville City Council meeting. A fire station was defunct in Caryville for some time after the previous fire chief quit.
December
As part of a recent Christmas tradition, Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews personally handed donations of $1,500 each to representatives with The Arc of Washington-Holmes Counties and Council on Aging.
Due to a forecast of rain, the Chipley Christmas Festival originally scheduled for Dec. 1 was moved to Dec. 21.
COLLIN BREAUX