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NEWS Washington County

Wednesday, JULY 24, 2013

For the latest breaking news, visit CHIPLEYPAPER.COM

IN BRIEF Possum Pageant WAUSAU — The 44th

annual Possum Festival kicks off Saturday, July 27, with the annual Wausau Miss Possum Festival Pageant at the Possum Palace. Gates open at 5 p.m. Entry for the pageant is 18 and under. Gate admission is $3 for adults, 12 and under free. Bring a chair.

w w w. c h i p l e y p a p e r. c o m

See our ‘Back To School’ special section inserted today! 50¢

Volume 90, Number 29

Vernon fireworks set for Aug. 31 By RANDAL SEYLER

638-0212 | @WCN_HCT rseyler@chipleypaper.com VERNON — Mayor Michelle Cook told the Vernon City Council that the postponed Fourth of July event is going to be on Aug. 31. The city council had its July meeting at City Hall on Monday. “We won’t have a parade this year, and the event will begin at 5 p.m.,” Cook said. “We still will have entertainment by

Gilley’s, and the fireworks will start at 9 p.m.” The event was postponed due to the flooding that occurred in Vernon on July 4 when the area received over 20 inches of rain in the matter of a couple of days. Several buildings and homes were damaged in Vernon — the cost of the damage to the community has been estimated at $2.1 million. Cook said she has continued to work to collect information for the city’s

effort to collect FEMA assistance, but asked if someone else on the council could help her since she is also busy planning the Aug. 31 event. Councilman Tray Hawkins volunteered to help. “If you can just bring me what you have so far I can take that on,” he said. The Washington County Tourist Development Council approved an adRANDAL SEYLER | The News ditional $100 for the city of Vernon during its meeting Vernon Garden Club member Rhonda Dickenson

See FIREWORKS A2

discusses changing venues for the monthly club meeting at the Vernon City Council meeting Monday.

‘FOOTLOOSE’

Planning commission to meet Aug. 6 CHIPLEY — The Washington County Planning Commission will have a public hearing and meeting at 5 p.m. Aug. 6 in the County Government Annex Meeting Room, 1331 South Blvd. The commission will accommodate handicapped and disabled persons who wish to attend. Call 415-5093 at least 48 hours before the meeting date to make arrangements.

First Presbyterian Art Day Camp CHIPLEY — Chipley First Presbyterian Church will have its annual Art Day Camp Bible School 9:3011:30 a.m. Aug. 5-9. This year’s theme is, “Faith, Hope and Charity!” Attendance will be limited to 20 students, ages 10-13. Registration must be completed before Aug. 1 by contacting the church at 658 5th St. Chipley. Attendees will be accepted on a firstcome, first-served basis.

INDEX

RANDAL SEYLER | The News

Blake Collins, left, and Malinda Locke, second from left, play Ren and Ariel, the star-crossed teenagers who fight to bring dancing to the rural Bomont in the Spanish Trail Playhouse production of “Footloose: The Musical.” The production was staged this weekend. For more photos, see Page B1 and visit chipleypaper.com.

Future grants to be paid Back to School Fair with advertising, not cash set for Aug. 13 By RANDAL SEYLER

Arrests ..................................A5 Opinion .................................A4 Outdoors ...............................A6 Sports ...................................A7 Extra.....................................B1 Faith .....................................B4 Obituaries .............................B3 Classifieds .............................B6

Phone: 850-638-0212 Web site: chipleypaper.com Fax: 850-638-4601

638-0212 | @WCN_HCT rseyler@chipleypaper.com CHIPLEY — The Washington County Tourist Development Council approved the new method of providing advertising, not cash, to local events during their workshop and meeting Monday at the Chamber Building in Chipley. The decision was not unanimous, with Mary Richmond voting against the change. “I don’t have enough information,” she said. Three council members, Richmond, Elizabeth Henderson and Mark Hess, joined the meeting via conference call so the TDC

would have a quorum. From now on, when events such as the Panhandle Watermelon Festival apply for TDC assistance with promotion, they will be awarded that assistance in pre-purchased bulk advertising, Administrative Assistant Heather Lopez said. “This will save the council money,” Member Ted Everett said. The switch from cash to advertising will also make the process simpler and more transparent, Everett said. “The event representatives will have radio and print advertising to choose from, and the TDC will be there to give them advice as to which station or media is more appropriate

for their event.” Richmond questioned the amount of money the TDC planned on spending for advertising. “I don’t think we should spend $80,000 on advertising,” she said. Everett said $80,000 would represent the entire annual budget of the TDC. “We’re talking about spending $10,000 a year on bulk advertising,” Everett said. This doesn’t mean the TDC will stop funding events, Everett said. The grant program only provided funds to be used for advertising and promotion, and that is still the mission of the TDC. “This will also allow us to

See GRANTS A2

By RANDAL SEYLER

638-0212 | @WCN_HCT rseyler@chipleypaper.com CHIPLEY — Washington County Chamber of Commerce is teaming with Northwest Florida Community Hospital again this year to bring the “We Can!” program to the annual Back To School Fair. The annual Back To School Fair, which is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 13. “We’re always looking for volunteers to help with the Back To School Fair,” said Ted Everett, chamber executive director. The fair also needs school

supplies to distribute to children. Last year 3,000 people attended the Back To School Fair, and not only school supplies were distributed. “There were three tractor-trailers of food, eggs and vegetables, that were handed out,” Everett said. “And it was all gone really quickly. We have some needy families in our county, and this event is a great thing.” Students also received free haircuts and even bicycle helmets at last year’s event.

See SCHOOL A2

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