12th Annual Worm Fiddlin’ Festival draws large crowd … two worms
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12th Annual Worm Fiddlin’ Festival draws large crowd … two worms

The topsoil was a bit parched or maybe the earthworms have wised up to what it meant when the ground started vibrating and that signature grunting noise filled the air at Caryville’s 12th Annual Worm Fiddlin’ Festival May 6. There is certainly a technique to worm grunting, the old school method of charming earthworms out…

National Minority Health Month: Health departments tackling diabetes in minority population
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National Minority Health Month: Health departments tackling diabetes in minority population

Diabetes is the health disparity that’s most prevalent among the minority population in Holmes and Washington Counties and something the local health departments are working to combat during National Minority Health Month.  Washington County Health Department hosted April Fest on April 14 at Campbell Park in Vernon to reach those most affected by diabetes and…

Pinned driver rescued from fiery crash on Interstate 10
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Pinned driver rescued from fiery crash on Interstate 10

A single-vehicle crash erupted into flames late Tuesday night on Interstate 10 in Washington County.  Bonifay Fire Department and Five Points Fire Department responded at mile marker 106 around 11 p.m. after a white Dodge Dakota collided with a tree, according to BFD. Upon arriving, firefighters located the pickup truck in the eastbound median tree…

Local farmers mull current industry challenges at Washington County Farm Bureau meeting
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Local farmers mull current industry challenges at Washington County Farm Bureau meeting

The Washington County Farm Bureau held an annual meeting dinner banquet March 28 for the first time in a few years. Farm Bureau members and special guests were happy to see one another over a dinner of filet mignon, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and banana pudding for dessert served up by Chipley High Culinary….

Washington County Chamber of Commerce celebrates 55th annual awards banquet
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Washington County Chamber of Commerce celebrates 55th annual awards banquet

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce celebrated a night under the stars at Majestic Oaks in Vernon for its 55th annual awards banquet March 16. Everyone was dressed to impress at the semi-formal event featuring a silent auction mixer, dinner, keynote speaker and awards ceremony in which the Chamber’s biggest honors were given to those…

Washington County voters sign petition to legalize recreational marijuana
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Washington County voters sign petition to legalize recreational marijuana

The legalization of recreational marijuana use in Florida is gaining momentum as a petition campaign by the political committee Smart & Safe Florida strives to collect the 891,589 verified signatures needed to get the “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana†proposal on the ballot in 2024. According to the Florida Division of Elections, the state has…

Volunteers make Arc multi-sensory room a reality
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Volunteers make Arc multi-sensory room a reality

In a day and age of neurotypical people living in an overstimulated world, it’s even more important to safeguard those without the normal defenses from stress-inducing sensory environments.  Just in time for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Arc of Washington-Holmes Counties, Inc. hosted an open house March 4 to showcase the newly minted multi-sensory room…

From cadet to commander, Destiny Gregory shows transformative power of JROTC
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From cadet to commander, Destiny Gregory shows transformative power of JROTC

For 18-year-old cadet Major Destiny Dawn Gregory, climbing the ranks of leadership in Vernon High School’s JROTC program has the junior on a path she hopes will lead to her dream career in the U.S. Navy. JROTC – the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps – is a program that instills leadership, self-discipline and personal accountability…