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Washington, Holmes counties to offer free summer meals for children

ByAMBER PATINO 05/15/202605/15/2026

School districts in both Washington and Holmes counties will once again offer free summer meals to children while school is out, ensuring local students have access to nutritious food throughout the break. The Washington County School District Summer Meals Program will run June 8 through July 30, operating Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon. Free breakfast […]

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Washington County to host grand opening for new splash pad at Hunter Park

ByStaff Report 05/15/202605/15/2026

Washington County will celebrate the grand opening of its newest splash pad with a “Fun in the Sun” event at Hunter Park in Vernon on Saturday, May 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Located at 3193 Moss Hill Road in Vernon, the event marks the official opening of the new splash pad, designed to provide families with a […]

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Chipley City Council adopts new lien policy and receives summer meals program update

ByAli Moreland 05/14/202605/14/2026

Chipley City Council met for regular business on Tuesday, May 12, addressing policy actions, development approvals, and community program updates. Council voted to adopt Resolution No. 26-38, the Code Enforcement Lien Policy, which outlines the City’s approach to resolving long standing code enforcement liens. The policy was created to address a backlog of legacy liens […]

Read More Chipley City Council adopts new lien policy and receives summer meals program update
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KMS fourth graders recognized in 4‑H Public Speaking Contest

ByAMBER PATINO 05/14/202605/14/2026

Kate M. Smith Elementary School (KMS) recently announced its 4th Grade Florida 4‑H Public Speaking Contest winners. Mylon Henderson (center) earned first place, followed by Rylee Graham (left) in second and AlyAnne Brown (right) in third. The contest encourages students to build confidence and communication skills through public speaking. [CONTRIBUTED]

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Sunny Hills residents voice concerns over water system, MSBU, and fire safety at community meeting

BySKYLA CARTER 05/12/202605/12/2026

Sunny Hills residents gathered at the Sunny Hills Library and Community Center on Saturday, May 9, to discuss ongoing concerns involving U.S. Water, the Municipal Services Benefit Unit (MSBU), and fears surrounding fire protection within the community. The meeting was led by Larry Lomax and Ken Attard, with Washington County Commissioner David Corbin and County […]

Read More Sunny Hills residents voice concerns over water system, MSBU, and fire safety at community meeting
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County approves temporary funding for Sheriff’s Office to acquire biometric identification equipment

ByAMBER PATINO 05/12/202605/12/2026

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners voted during a Thursday, May 7 emergency special meeting to temporarily fund more than half a million dollars in biometric identification equipment for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). The purchase is tied to the state’s SBIE Immigration Grant Program, which will reimburse the county once the equipment […]

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Crime

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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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Six taken into custody by WCSO after altercation in Caryville

ByStaff Report 04/10/202604/10/2026

On Friday, April 10, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) responded to a report of a physical altercation at 3909 Greenwood Drive in Caryville, leading to the arrest of six individuals. According to a release from WCSO, deputies arrived and spoke with the victim, who stated that Cameron Williams and two other subjects had threatened […]

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State News

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Senate backs off funding requests for ‘Rural Renaissance’ programs

ByStaff Report 05/15/202605/15/2026

The Senate on Thursday dropped funding requests for a series of programs tied to Senate President Ben Albritton’s “rural renaissance” plan. As budget conference talks entered a third day during the ongoing special session, the Senate’s economic development offer removed funding requests for several initiatives linked to the proposal, including an Office of Rural Prosperity, […]

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Opioid overdose deaths drop in Florida

ByStaff Report 05/14/202605/14/2026

Florida’s drug overdose deaths continued to decline in 2025, according to state data released Wednesday. Opioid-caused deaths fell 42 percent from January through June, while fentanyl-related deaths dropped 46 percent, according to the interim 2025 Drugs in Deceased Persons Report released by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission. “That is a huge, huge success story, and […]

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Community & Faith

Community | Faith | Faith Columns | Opinion

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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