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County commission officially approves loan documents for additional credit line

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz In a special meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners officially sealed the deal on taking an extra line of credit. Commissioners approved a resolution and loan documents for the credit line and had already agreed to the extra $6 million amount during a regular meeting Nov. 16. The…

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Greenhead, Orange Hill, Five Points fire departments enter into county system 

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved having fire departments in Greenhead, Orange Hill, and Five Points come under the county’s purview on Nov. 14. “It’s going to help with ISO ratings,” County Fire Coordinator Justin Leach said. “Technically, with ISO, for any structure fire within a certain district, you’ve got to have…

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Volunteer tutors needed for literacy program

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz A literacy aid program that helps illiterate adults learn to read and write is seeking volunteers to tutor students. The program will be held in Vernon at 2808 Yellow Jacket Drive.  “We are in the throes of trying to bring in younger blood, especially tutors,” program president Mary Ann Pelletier said.  The program has…

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School district releases student enrollment numbers

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Student enrollment numbers for the Washington County School District were published as part of a report for a Nov. 13 school board meeting. Overall enrollment numbers as of Nov. 8, 2023, are lower than the level recorded in 2015. However, enrollment has fluctuated over the years. Depending on the particular year you look at,…

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United Way looks to use Ag Center for tax preparation services

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz United Way of Northwest Florida has requested to use the Washington County Ag Center on Jackson Avenue for tax preparation services, a proposal under consideration by the County Board of County Commissioners. The potential use came up during a commission meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17, and will be further considered for possible approval during…

County commission has annual leadership reorganization
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County commission has annual leadership reorganization

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The Washington County Board of County Commissioners has a new chairman. David Pettis was selected to take over the position from former chairman Tray Hawkins on Thursday, Nov. 16, as part of an annual reorganization process. Pettis represents District 2 and was elected to the board in 2022.  “I’ve never done this before so…

Kids learn to stand against bullying during motivational seminar with ‘Mortal Kombat’ Scorpion actor
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Kids learn to stand against bullying during motivational seminar with ‘Mortal Kombat’ Scorpion actor

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The “Mortal Kombat” character Scorpion is a dark antihero but the actor and martial artist who played the character in the 1995 film adaptation, Chris Casamassa, is encouraging children to instead be superheroes. Casamassa is on a mission to teach kids to not be bullies and stand up to bullying. As part of that…

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Washington County rescinds outdoor burn ban

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Now that some rain has fallen, the outdoor burn ban issued in Washington County is no more–for now. The ban was rescinded on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the request of Fire Coordinator Justin Leach during a County Board of County Commissioners meeting based on the recommendation of forestry experts. It was initially issued on…

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County commission approves additional line of credit

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved an additional $6 million line of credit on Thursday, Nov. 16, bringing the new overall credit line to $12 million. The credit line from First Federal Bank of Florida is being extended for the county since the county used its original line.  “There were two draws,”…