County Commission discusses salary, potential raise for County Project Director
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County Commission discusses salary, potential raise for County Project Director

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Currently, Holmes County Project Director David Corbin’s salary is $60,000. County Commissioner Brandon Newsom brought up the potential to give Corbin a raise during a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, though no such action was ultimately taken. County officials in general have frequently and publicly referenced the county’s overall tight…

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County Commission agrees to pay building inspector $105k salary

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has set a salary of $105,000 for a county building official, at the request of the person in the position.  The BOCC approved the salary–effective after a six-month probationary period–during a Nov. 28 meeting, which means the official is now also an official employee of the…

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County Commission rescinds Fire Department fees for vehicle crash responses

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Holmes County Emergency Medical Services Director Steve Connell initially proposed the Holmes County Fire Department be reimbursed for costs associated with responding to vehicle crashes–a proposal the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) initially approved on Nov. 28. However, that will no longer be so. The BOCC rescinded implementing the fees–which would be…

Brandon Newsom, Joe Rone continue war of words over Busy Bee project
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Brandon Newsom, Joe Rone continue war of words over Busy Bee project

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Holmes County Commissioner Brandon Newsom and Holmes County Development Commission Executive Director Joe Rone kept verbally sparring over the expected new Busy Bee location during a Holmes County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Newsom has taken issue with the changing terms of an agreement Busy Bee has for the coming…

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Esto Council gets new member, cancels election

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Two members will be sworn onto the Esto Town Council at their Jan. 16 meeting, one a new member. Longtime resident Maxie Yates is joining the decision-making board. He is filling Seat 4, which has been vacant after previous holder Casey Laycox had to resign in July after moving out Esto. Laycox was elected…

County Commissioner Brandon Newsom, Development Commission argue over charter, Busy Bee project
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County Commissioner Brandon Newsom, Development Commission argue over charter, Busy Bee project

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Following concerns raised by Holmes County Commissioner Brandon Newsom, the charter for the Holmes County Development Commission–enacted in 1959–will be reviewed to see if any changes are necessary. Newsom has called the charter and a project to develop a Busy Bee location at the southwest corner of Interstate-10 in Holmes County into question over…

Fire department sets vehicle crash response fees
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Fire department sets vehicle crash response fees

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz Update, Friday, Dec. 1: From Holmes County EMS Director Steve Connell: “After further research concerning the matter of Fire Department fees, it has been determined that Holmes County will not move forward concerning this matter. I will be presenting my findings to the BOCC on the December 5th meeting with a recommendation to retract…

Community organizations receive donations from Washington County Sheriff
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Community organizations receive donations from Washington County Sheriff

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz As part of a recent Christmas tradition, Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews personally handed donations of $1,500 each to representatives with The Arc of Washington-Holmes Counties and Council on Aging on Wednesday, Nov. 29. The donations were given at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Chipley and are part of Crews’ initiative to…

County Commission picks new chairman, vice chairman
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County Commission picks new chairman, vice chairman

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners held a leadership reorganization on Tuesday, Nov. 28, resulting in a new chairman and vice chairman. Commissioner Jeff Good is the new chairman. He took over from former Chairman Earl Stafford, who served in the role for three years. The vote to make Good the chairman was…

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County Commission keeps current bus stop distance limit for sex offenders

ByCOLLIN BREAUX

cbreaux@kentsmith.biz In Holmes County, convicted sex offenders are currently required to live at least 2,500 feet away from a school bus stop.  That will remain so. The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners decided to not change that limit during a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, after County Attorney Nate Nolin brought up the matter. …