According to a release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), on Saturday, June 6, the Washington County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Orange Hill Road in Chipley, where the caller advised that Chris Gomelski had been shot and that the suspect was next door, allegedly armed and attempting to leave the property. […]
On Saturday, June 6, at approximately 12 a.m., deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation on Interstate 10 near Caryville. When a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver accelerated and fled, reaching speeds in excess of 120 mph. During the pursuit, the driver began discarding items through the […]
Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews recently recognized four emergency medical professionals for receiving awards from Ascension Sacred Heart Bay honoring exceptional patient care and service to the community. Kendra Hampton and Rob Aguado were honored with the Stroke Superhero Award for their rapid response and high‑quality care for stroke patients. WCSO praised them for their professionalism, clinical excellence, and commitment […]
On Tuesday, June 2, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting where Tony Daniels, Washington County Economic Development Director, announced a new addition to the City of Chipley’s industrial park. Evolution Welding, a leader in the manufacturing and fabrication of roll-off dumpsters and trailers, will be purchasing property off Mary Helen […]
The Washington County Tourist Development Council (TDC) in partnership with Dale Cox of DR Historic Preservation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, received a State of Florida, Division of Arts & Culture, America 250 grant to create a driving tour for the Revolution Road, the east west route used during the Revolutionary War to traverse the […]
Vernon City Council met on Monday, June 1, for a workshop to discuss charter revision proposals, early budget planning, and preliminary talks regarding security for the near-complete Vernon High School Tennis Complex. Council members reviewed the city’s 1926 charter alongside proposed updates, focusing on how city leadership is structured. One topic discussed was whether to […]
According to a release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO), on Saturday, June 6, the Washington County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a shooting on Orange Hill Road in Chipley, where the caller advised that Chris Gomelski had been shot and that the suspect was next door, allegedly armed and attempting to leave the property. […]
A Dothan man is dead after a vehicle accident in Washington County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, two men were traveling north on State Road 79 in a truck tractor when it veered off the roadway. After the vehicle left the roadway, it continued travelling north east before colliding with a culvert, and then […]
On Saturday, June 6, at approximately 12 a.m., deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation on Interstate 10 near Caryville. When a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver accelerated and fled, reaching speeds in excess of 120 mph. During the pursuit, the driver began discarding items through the […]
After ten and a half years, the Bonifay Police Department (BPD) has reopened its investigation into the November 2015 stabbing of Emily Carter at her residence in Bonifay. The case previously reached a standstill in 2017 under then‑Chief Chris Wells, but with the reopening by current department leadership, Carter, who now resides in Washington County, says she feels hopeful that […]
A Caryville woman accused of arranging a fentanyl‑related pill sale that led to a Holmes County woman’s death pleaded no contest on Wednesday, May 6, to a reduced charge of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance under Florida Statute 893.13. According to court records, Judge Russell Roberts sentenced Jamie Dawn Ewing to two years of community control followed […]
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 […]
Lawmakers on Tuesday approved a sweeping property tax proposal backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending the measure to Florida voters in November. The proposal would increase the current $50,000 homestead exemption to $150,000 beginning in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028. The expanded exemption would not apply to school taxes after lawmakers revised DeSantis’ original […]
On Friday, May 22, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 538 and Senate Bill 178, legislation aimed at expanding support for Florida’s K‑12 athletic coaches and student athletes. The measures allow school districts to offer more competitive compensation for coaches and align extracurricular eligibility across all school choice options, ensuring students can participate in high school athletics regardless of where they attend school. […]
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 […]
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 […]
AMBER PATINO
Ali Moreland
Staff Report