Chipley Council considers possibility of hiring CRA clerk
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Chipley Council considers possibility of hiring CRA clerk

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Currently, Chipley Redevelopment Agency and Washington County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michael Maxwell tends to be busy.  Some members of the Chipley City Council said they were open to the possibility of hiring a front-office clerk–possibly part-time–to greet people at the CRA and Chamber office at 672 5th Street and generally help out….

FDOT solicits public input on SR 79 resurfacing project
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FDOT solicits public input on SR 79 resurfacing project

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The Florida Department of Transportation is gearing up to resurface a portion of State Road 79 in Washington and Bay counties–and welcoming public feedback on the project before it gets underway. FDOT plans to resurface travel lanes and auxiliary lanes, median crossovers, and paved shoulders on SR 79 from West Bay Bridge to south…

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Burn ban issued in Washington County

As dry, windy conditions persist and the region continues to see no rain, a burn ban has been issued in Washington County. County commissioners issued the ban, effective immediately, on Nov. 2. It is in place until further notice. Residents are not allowed to improperly dispose of cigarettes or have open fires of any type,…

Washington County Commissioners approve land use changes for requested properties
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Washington County Commissioners approve land use changes for requested properties

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The Washington County Board of County Commissioners signed off on a trio of land use changes–one allowing several residential units on property in Caryville–on Thursday, Oct. 19. One of the land use changes was requested for 6594 Highway 77 in Chipley by property owners Ryan and Tabitha Williams, who sought approval for agriculture and…

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Washington County officials discuss possible credit line extension

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Washington County Attorney Matt Fuqua said he recently spoke with First Federal Bank of Florida about extending the county’s line of credit and making a portion “of that line, more than likely, a continuing bond obligation with an extended payment period.† Discussion of a potential credit line extension came up during a Washington County…

Washington County officials look to continue fixing up Williams Road bridge
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Washington County officials look to continue fixing up Williams Road bridge

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Discussion on bids for replacing the wooden bridge on Williams Road–a remote dirt road–came up during a Washington County Board of County Commissioners workshop on Thursday, Oct. 12. Jon Sims with Dewberry Engineers–one of the emergency management contractors with the county–said the lowest bidder for the project is “over budget by a couple hundred…

Chipley Council looks to create downtown entertainment district
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Chipley Council looks to create downtown entertainment district

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz  A downtown entertainment district is expected to be officially codified in Chipley. The Chipley City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance approving such a district during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10. The ordinance will become official after a second reading on Nov. 14. City officials have established rules for outside consumption…

Governor appoints Deidre Pettis as Supervisor of Elections in Washington County
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Governor appoints Deidre Pettis as Supervisor of Elections in Washington County

Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Deidra Pettis as the new Washington County Supervisor of Elections on Friday, October 6. Pettis is an E911 Assistant for the Washington County Board of County Commissioners. She has been employed in public service for more than 15 years. Pettis attended Northwest Florida State College. The position became vacant when Carol…

Sen. Trumbull, Rep. Abbott hold delegation meeting in Washington County
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Sen. Trumbull, Rep. Abbott hold delegation meeting in Washington County

Sen. Jay Trumbull and State Rep. Shane Abbott held their Washington County Legislative Delegation meeting Tuesday, Oct. 3, in the Board of County Commissioners board room. Held before the beginning of the new legislative session, the meeting gives municipalities and other local agencies the opportunity to request support or funding for specific projects through state…

Wausau wraps up budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 
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Wausau wraps up budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 

NAN THOMPSONnthompson@kentsmith.biz The Wausau City Council adopted an ordinance on Thursday, Sept. 21, closing the final budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.  Throughout the month of September, the council held public hearings regarding the proposed budget where residents could talk about and view the tentative budget amount. “Final numbers had not changed since they had…