Local
A2 | Washington County News
Saturday, July 13, 2013
ordinance from page A1 determined in 2006 at public hearings in Chipley. “This has not been funded,” Barfield said, “but it would be a good time to pick this back up and update the study on the alternatives.” The most popular alternative was identified as Alternative Route 5, which took Highway 77 west of downtown Chipley. “This route would include an overpass at the railroad which would be good for emergency vehicles,” Martin said. Martin noted that traffic in Chipley along Highway 77 will have doubled by 2030 compared to the 2005 study numbers. “Route 5 is the best alternative for our traffic,” the mayor said. Barfield said the next step was for the city to write the DOT a letter asking them to return to the study. Martin said the cost of a new study would be $1.5 to $2.5 million and would take about two
years to complete. “It is a substantial investment for the DOT to pick the study back up,” Barfield said, “but we are constantly looking at ways to make things better for our communities.” In other business, the council heard a request from residents Cheryl McCall and Suzan Gage to add stripes to the rest of 5th Street. Last month, after residents complained of speeding on 5th Street, especially along Shivers Park, the city had a contractor repaint the centerline and border stripes on 5th Street from Highway 90 to South Boulevard. “It is in the works,” Miner said of the rest of the street painting. “We have plans to stripe the rest of the road as soon as we can.” The city does not have the equipment to do the striping, so a contractor is needed for the painting, Miner said.
Resident Miles Anderson also asked the council to consider removing some abandoned tires on a property adjacent to his property, but the council took no action on the request. The council also approved a resolution requesting a waiver of local financial support and waiver of average wage requirements for Westpoint Home Inc. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ted Everett said the resolution would allow Westpoint Home to create more jobs and remain competitive. “This won’t cost the city anything,” Miner told the council. “This won’t hurt the people who are already working there or their wages?” the mayor asked. “Not at all,” Everett replied. He said the state requires new jobs in areas deemed a Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern are required to pay 115 percent of the state’s average wage.
Randal Seyler | The News
Blair Martin, left, points out segments on a map while District 3 Secretary Tommy Barfield of the Florida Department of Transportation updates the Chipley City Council on the fourlaning process of Highway 77 from Ebro to the county line north of Chipley. According to the resolution, West- average wage. point Home commits to pay an Washington County is considaverage wage of $10.36 per hour, ered a Rural Area of Critical Ecowhich is 70 percent of the state nomic Concern, Everett said.
stabbing from page A1 Shortly after they found Dwight Murphy, 25, of Marianna with several stab wounds and both victims were transported by the Washington County EMS to the Northwest Florida Community Hospital where they were both later air lifted to Bay Medical Center, according to the report. According to the report they were able to identify Reed as a suspect based on
the statements from Murphy and Jackson stating that Reed, Jackson’s believed ex-boyfriend, barged into the home and a fight broke out, leading to Reed stabbing both Murphy and Jackson several times. Chipley Police Department then requested the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s mobile crime scene lab from Pensacola,
according to the report. “We were assisted in this investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” said Jamie A. White, Administrative Assistant for the Chipley Police Department. “We were assisted in the search for Reed by the North West Florida Reception Center k-9 Tracking
Team and the Holloss of his own mes County Correcblood,” said White. tions K-9 Tracking “The home was Team.” surrounded by the At 3:24 a.m. on Washington County July 10 Reed was Swat Team where arrested after being they later breached found in a vacant the home taking Shaun home located across reed into custody.” Reed the street from his According to the house, according to report, Reed had the report. severe cuts to his hands “We were able to track leaving a trail of blood. AfReed into the home from ter Reed was transported to
FEMA from page A1
Community EVENTS Kolmetz Kousins Family Reunion VERNON — The Kolmetz Kousins Family Reunion will be held at 10 a.m. today, July 13, at the Hinson Crossroads Fire Station. For more information call Bertha Padgett at 535-2737.
Cobb-Worley Reunion slated BONIFAY — The descendants of Andrew and Rebecca Cobb Worley will hold their 23rd Annual Family Reunion at 9 a.m. on July 27 at the Bonifay Ag Center located on Highway 90 one mile east of Highway 79 in Bonifay. All
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Planning Commission of the City of Chipley, Florida, will conduct a Public Hearing in the City Hall Council Chambers, at 1442 Jackson Avenue, on Wednesday, July31, 2013 at3:30 p.m. The purpose of the hearing is to review and consider the following request: Request for Certificate of Appropriateness: Petitioner wishes to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness for the removal/demolition of two houses owned by petitioner. Location: 781 3rd Street & 791 3rd Street. Petitioner: First Baptist Church Request to Rescind designation of Historic Residential: Petitioner wishes to have the designation of Historic Residential rescinded for properties owned by petitioner. Location: PC # 00-1736-0000, 00-1737-0000 (781 3rd Street), 00-1738-0000, 00-1739-0000 (791 3rd Street), 00-1740-0000 Petitioner: First Baptist Church
family members and friends are invited to attend. Bring a well filled food basket and family pictures for a time of reminiscing and fellowship. Lots of entertainment is lined up for your enjoyment. For more information call D.B. Worley at 547-9282 or Teresa Bush at 263-4744 or 263-3072.
T.J. Roulhac High School Reunion CHIPLEY — The Lions will roar again at the Roulhac High School reunion, to be held July 19-21. This is the perfect time to reconnect with class mates and friends. A slate of fun activities is planned for alumni and the Washington County Community. Our theme is “An Ode to a Lifetime of Memories.” The opening program will be at 7 p.m. on July 19 in the Roulhac Auditorium. Classes will march in by ordered years. Helping celebrate will be out masters of ceremony, two of Roulhac’s many distinguished graduated, DR. and Mrs. Ira and Loretta (Wilson) Harmon, classes of 1961 and 1965 respectively.
Enrichment Center offers after-school program CHIPLEY — T.J. Roulhac Enrichment and Activity Center will offer a free after-school program beginning in September. The program will be from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday for children under the age of 18. The major purpose of the program is the improvement of academic skills, the reduction of juvenile delinquency and the elimination of youth violence. The program will be staffed by three contracted personnel — a program director, an educational coordinator and an activity coordinator. All positions require a high school diploma or GED and some basic computer knowledge. Job applicants should contact the school on Saturday mornings at 638-2115, or the following numbers during the week at 535-2587 or 867-1566.
850.244.9900 or 1.866.362.3224
2098267
The subject property is more specifically designated in the map reflected herein.
17 SE Eglin Parkway Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548
the hospital where he was treated for the cuts on his hands he was booked into the Washington County Jail on two counts of attempted murder charges, according to the report and the investigation continues with more charges are pending. “Both victims remain in critical, but stable condition,” said White. “Thank you to all agencies that assisted in this investigation.”
33 West Garden Street Pensacola, FL 32502
850.202.9900 or 1.877.962.3224
www.beachcommunitybank.com
Member FDIC
ton and Washington counties all are included in the damage assessment. “We think that between all of us we can come up to that amount,” Cook said. State officials were expected to begin inspecting Washington County on Tuesday to start estimating the amount of damage done by the flooding. “We’re still in the preliminary stages for funding to help with the flooding,” Cook said. “In the end it’s going to on the county as to if we get help.” Washington County and the city of Vernon are hoping to receive FEMA funding, and state officials were in the county on Tuesday surveying the damage to roads, businesses and homes. However, receiving federal assistance is a long-term endeavor, warned County Commissioner Charles Brock. “It’s a slow process,” he said, “and it could be 18 months or two years before you see any funds.” Flooding occurred at Vernon City Hall as well as citywide, City Clerk Dian Hendrix said on Monday, with rain coming in through the roof in her office and in the council chambers. No flooding damage was discussed at the Chipley City Council meeting on Tuesday, although a large oak tree in Shivers Park has toppled following the record rainfall. The council discussed whether or not to try and stand the tree back upright, but ultimately decided the cost would be too prohibitive. “We don’t know how much of the root is still in the ground,” Councilman Kevin Russell said. “We could spend $2,000 putting the tree
back up and it could still die or fall back over.” No flood damage was reported in Wausau, City Clerk Margaret Riley said on Thursday. “We were lucky, we only got about 10 inches of rain over here,” she said. Countywide, continued rains have hampered efforts to repair roads closed and damaged by last week’s floods, according to an announcement on the Washington County website. In Bay County, government buildings weathered the storm fine and likely no damage claims will be made against the county’s insurance policy for them, said Eve Tooley, county risk manager. Panama City is still tallying up the cost of the storm and has not decided if it will file a claim with its insurance, said Jeffrey Brown, assistant city manager. The decision will be a simple one, based on whether the storm’s costs exceed the city’s insurance policy deductibles, Brown said. The city will submit its overall damage assessment to the county’s emergency management division. The numbers then will be compared against its insurance policy and if anything rises above the level of the deductable, a claim may be filed, Brown said. “It’s tough to know” if any claims will be made right now, he said, noting a damage estimate would be ready by today. “I don’t even have a list of all the damage yet or how much overtime was worked by all the departments yet,” he said. Halifax Media’s Matthew Beaton contributed to this report.
All citizens and interested parties are encouraged to attend the public hearing. Any inquiries regarding the public hearing or any person requiring special accommodations due to disability or physical impairment, including speech or hearing impairments, should contact the city administrator’s office at (850) 638-6350 at least three (3) business days prior to the hearing.
2091549
5017233
1116855
David Pettis, Jr. Planning & Zoning Officer