Esto plans to hold Two-Toed Tom Festival in 2024
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Esto plans to hold Two-Toed Tom Festival in 2024

  COLLIN BREAUX cbreaux@kentsmith.biz A signature event in Esto is gearing up to return next year. The small Holmes County town will hold the Two-Toed Tom Festival again on September 14 in 2024 at John Clark Park. The event recognizes Two-Toed Tom, a legendary alligator in Esto folklore who is said to have terrorized citizens in…

JROTC program recognizes cadets during award ceremony
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JROTC program recognizes cadets during award ceremony

  By Randy Burlew On Sept. 7, the Holmes County High School JROTC program held an award/promotion ceremony to recognize key leadership positions. Cadets were also recognized for being on extracurricular teams, promoted cadets that graduated JCLC, promoted cadets that passed their rank test to private, and rewarded cadets with new staff positions.   In the…

Collin Breaux to lead News, Advertiser as editor
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Collin Breaux to lead News, Advertiser as editor

News veteran Collin Breaux has returned to the Florida Panhandle to oversee news coverage in Holmes and Washington counties.  Breaux was named the new editor for the Washington County News and Holmes County Advertiser in an announcement from parent company Kent Smith Group earlier today. Born and raised in the suburbs of New Orleans, Breaux…

Holmes, Washington issue local states of emergency
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Holmes, Washington issue local states of emergency

Holmes and Washington counties are under local states of emergency this morning.   While Governor Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency in 46 of the state’s 67 counties regarding Tropical Storm Idalia, Holmes and Washington counties are not included.   The most recent updates have Tropical Storm Idalia staying east of Holmes and…

Ponce de Leon to revive ‘Collard Festival’ traditions
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Ponce de Leon to revive ‘Collard Festival’ traditions

    The long-dormant Collard Festival will soon return to Ponce de Leon. Created with the help of then-resident Mary Martin and Holmes County’s own E. W. ‘Judge’ Carswell, the event was meant to help bring tourism Ponce De Leon. Martin saw how other small towns held festivals that attracted people from all areas during…

HCPL earns ‘Safe Place’ designation
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HCPL earns ‘Safe Place’ designation

  The public library is no stranger to children, but the Holmes County Public Library (HCPL) recently decided to take that thought one step further to help local children. The library has been designated a ‘Safe Place’ after its staff completed training through Anchorage Children’s Home. Safe Place sites are businesses or public locations where…