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Vernon council updates personnel policy and announces low cost rabies vaccine day

ByAli Moreland 05/20/202605/20/2026

The Vernon City Council met Monday, May 18, for a regular meeting where members approved an updated personnel policy and employment application, announced a low cost rabies vaccination and registration event for residents, and approved a temporary contract hire to assist with city operations. The council approved the city’s updated Personnel Policy Handbook and Employment […]

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Washington County 4-H hosts annual Public Speaking Contest

ByStaff Report 05/20/202605/20/2026

Washington County 4-H hosted its annual 4-H Public Speaking Contest on Thursday, May 14, showcasing the confidence, communication skills, and leadership development of local youth. The Florida 4-H Public Speaking Program is sponsored statewide by Florida Power & Light. Students representing Kate M. Smith Elementary School, Vernon Elementary School, Roulhac Middle School, Vernon Middle School, […]

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Washington County BOCC moves school referendum to ballot, sets hearing on Sunny Hills MSBU

ByAMBER PATINO 05/19/202605/19/2026

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners addressed several items during its regular meeting Thursday, May 14, including advancing the annual Sunny Hills/Oak Hill MSBU rate process and approving a School District request to place a tax‑neutral millage shift referendum on the November 2026 ballot. Commissioners passed a motion to approve the Washington County School […]

Read More Washington County BOCC moves school referendum to ballot, sets hearing on Sunny Hills MSBU
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Washington County encourages residents to improve address visibility for faster emergency response

ByStaff Report 05/19/202605/19/2026

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners is reminding residents that clearly visible address numbers can save valuable time during emergencies. With the county covering more than 600 square miles and serving over 25,000 residents—many in rural areas—first responders rely heavily on visible addresses to quickly locate homes when every second counts. Firefighters, EMS personnel, […]

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VHS’s Corissa Peterson signs track and field scholarship with Columbus State University

ByAMBER PATINO 05/19/202605/19/2026

Vernon High School (VHS) is celebrating senior Corissa Peterson (pictured center), who recently signed a track and field scholarship with Columbus State University. A four‑year member of the school’s track and field, cheerleading, and weightlifting programs, Peterson has been a two‑time state qualifier in track and field, earning a bronze medal in the 100‑meter hurdles […]

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Colorado arrest made in Washington County child exploitation investigation

ByStaff Report 05/19/202605/19/2026

A California man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a Washington County child exploitation investigation that began October 24, 2025, when the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a complaint after a parent discovered obscene images of their minor child on an iPad and cellular phone. Investigators immediately initiated an investigation into the incident, according […]

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Colorado arrest made in Washington County child exploitation investigation

ByStaff Report 05/19/202605/19/2026

A California man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a Washington County child exploitation investigation that began October 24, 2025, when the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a complaint after a parent discovered obscene images of their minor child on an iPad and cellular phone. Investigators immediately initiated an investigation into the incident, according […]

Read More Colorado arrest made in Washington County child exploitation investigation
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Former corrections officer sentenced to state prison

ByStaff Report 05/08/202605/08/2026

On Wednesday, April 29, Tina Marie Wallace, a former correctional officer at Northwest Florida Reception Center in Washington County, was sentenced to 48 months in the Florida Department of Corrections following her convictions for Unlawful Compensation or Reward for Official Behavior and Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communications Device, announced State Attorney Larry Basford. A […]

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Traffic stop leads to drug arrests

ByStaff Report 04/30/202604/30/2026

A deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop April 29 on a vehicle committing a violation on St. Mary’s Road in Caryville. The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Chad Bruce, and a passenger, identified as Natalie Hillis. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies located methamphetamine, […]

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Student in custody following reported threat at Roulhac Middle School; No ongoing danger, Officials say

ByStaff Report 04/22/202604/22/2026

A student is in custody and an investigation remains ongoing after a potential threat involving Roulhac Middle School was reported Wednesday, according to releases from the Washington County School District and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. School district officials said the situation came to light after a tip was submitted through the Fortify Florida app, […]

Read More Student in custody following reported threat at Roulhac Middle School; No ongoing danger, Officials say
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Chipley man arrested in sexual battery investigation

ByStaff Report 04/16/202604/16/2026

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Chipley man on Wednesday following an investigation into a reported sexual offense involving a minor. Deputies responded on April 15 after receiving notification of the possible offense. Following an on‑scene investigation, 56‑year‑old Scott Eli Cowell of Chipley was taken into custody on charges of Sexual Battery – Victim 12 years or older […]

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Brief pursuit on Highway 77 leads to meth arrest

ByStaff Report 04/14/202604/14/2026

On Sunday, April 12, a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation on Highway 77 near Finch Circle, leading to the arrest of a Chipley man. When the deputy activated emergency lights, the driver failed to yield, prompting a brief pursuit during which several baggies were thrown from […]

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State News

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Florida revamps red snapper fishing after court ruling

ByStaff Report 05/22/202605/22/2026

Florida wildlife officials modified recreational red snapper fishing rules set to begin Friday after a federal court halted expanded fishing in the South Atlantic. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced online that, while it opposes what it described as a “delay tactic,” it has rescinded an executive order that would have expanded red […]

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Armed guardian program expanded to colleges, universities

ByStaff Report 05/20/202605/20/2026

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday expanding Florida’s armed “school guardian” program to include colleges and universities. The law builds on changes made in the public-school system after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. DeSantis said the guardian program acts as a deterrent and will help make college […]

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Community & Faith

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Let’s ‘fall on our knees’ this Christmas

BySheryl Boldt 12/18/202312/18/2023

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 […]

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Community | Faith | Faith Columns | Opinion

Disagreeing without being disagreeable

ByWashington County News 12/18/202312/18/2023

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 […]

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