NEWS Washington County
Wednesday, OCTOBER 2, 2013
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Volume 90, Number 49
Wausau bids farewell to clerk
City Council workshop Thursday CHIPLEY — The Chipley City Council will have its October workshop at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, at City Hall. The regular city council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at City Hall in the Council Chambers. Both meetings are open to the public.
Park honored for 20 years of service
Junior Beta Club yard sale
By RANDAL SEYLER
638-0212 | @WCN_HCT rseyler@chipleypaper.com
VERNON — Vernon Middle School’s National Junior BETA Club will have a yard sale from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5, in the school’s front parking lot to raise money for a trip to the state convention Dec. 2-3 in Orlando.
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Long Term Recovery Group seeks support CHIPLEY — The July rains caused considerable damage to about 100 homes in Washington County. Community leaders formed the Washington County Long Term Recovery Organization to organize response efforts locally. To donate to the LTRO, make checks payable to United Way of Northwest Florida, In Care of the Washington Co. LTRO, P.O. Box 182, Vernon, FL 32462. To donate labor, call Ben Tarpley, Hammers & Hearts, 478-258-7585; Josh Hipp, Hammers & Hearts, 330-4735644. To report home damage, call Catholic Charities at 763-0475, ext. 1032.
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Chipley barber Francis Hays spent Friday afternoon cutting hair and surrounded by family members — the only difference was this Friday was his last day at work. Hays Barber Shop has been in business for 60 years, and after several months of planning to retire, Friday, Sept. 27, was Hays’ last day. Friends and family stopped by for last haircuts and fond farewells, and Hays ended his day by cutting the hair of his son, George, above, who lives in Tallahassee. Below, Hays cuts the hair of Nathaniel Bowen, 12, on his last day at work while his son George holds his father’s barber pole sign. For more about Hays, see Perry Wells’ column on Page A4.
See WAUSAU A2
Woman tells of youth affected by domestic violence By CRYSTAL GERY
Opinion .................................A4 Sports ................................A6-7 Extra.....................................B1 Obituaries .............................B5 Classifieds .............................B7
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WAUSAU — Thursday’s Town Council meeting in Wausau was bittersweet with the council bidding farewell to longtime clerk Margaret Riley and honoring council member Charles Park Sr. for more than 20 years of service. Riley announced her plans to retire during the June 13 council meeting after 17 years of service as city clerk. “I appreciate every one of you, and I am going to miss you all,” Riley said to the council. In August, the council hired JoAnn Hayes to take Riley’s place as city clerk, but Riley stayed on to train her replacement and to help guide the city through the budgeting process, which was completed Thursday night with the council’s adoption of the 2013-14 budget. Former mayor Roger Hagan was on hand to present Riley with her plaque. “I really appreciate you all letting me be a part of this presentation,” Hagan said. “I can’t tell you how hard Margaret has worked for the city of Wausau over the years.” Also at Thursday’s meeting was Tom Conley of the Florida League of Cities, who presented a certificate of appreciation from the state to council member Charles Park Sr. for his 20-plus
Special to the News
Crystal Gery’s mother, Connie, was shot and killed by her husband in 1990. Gery told her story of growing up with domestic violence at the Washington County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting last week.
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Domestic Violence Awareness Editor’s Note: Crystal Gery told her stoWalk to be Oct. 11, Page A3 ry of domestic violence to the Washington County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday as the board declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. my mind forever. This, however, is not the way my story This is her story. begins. It begins with the birth of a beauMy name is Crystal Gery, I’m 26 years tiful, vibrant little girl on Sept. 10, 1963. old, and I’m a victim of domestic violence. Connie Annette Ormiston was born into a I’m not the typical DV victim in society’s loving family with one brother, one sister eyes, but I’m hoping to change your point and two amazing parents. The baby of the family, she was always the mischievous one of view today. Take a moment to think back to Oct. 27, getting into everything and always getting 1990. For most people, that date may not be away with it. While growing up, she was significant. You may not remember where always so strong and took up for herself you were, or what you were doing. For me, as well as others. She was always the one however, this is not the case. Saturday, Oct. 27, 1990, is a day that will be burned in See VIOLENCE A3
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