TimesHOLMES COUNTY School bands face off dvertiser B1 Wednesday,A SEPTEMBER 5, 2012 www.bonifaynow.com Volume 122, Number 17 50¢ For the latest HOLMES COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING breaking news, visit BONIFAYNOW.COM Bus drivers ‘just want a little respect’ IN BRIEF By CECILIA SPEARS that were concerning them. make our conditions a little second rate citizens,” Ellen- Education. Chamber hosts 547-9414 | @WCN_HCT One local bus driver of better. We have a problem burg said. “When you have She said that not only [email protected] over 15 years, Janet Ellen- communicating, and we just a problem with a child and had they not received Southerland burg, stood before the board want a little respect.” are only paid for three and proper information on the The Holmes County BONIFAY — Several bus with various concerns. She explained that a half hours a day, we’ve got children, but sometimes Chamber of Commerce drivers with family mem- “You got to have a love sometimes bus drivers to spend more time at the they weren’t even told that will hold a “Meet and bers were present at the for this job because there have questions, but no one schools — unpaid time.” a special needs child was Greet” with U.S. Rep. Holmes County School isn’t much money in it,” to turn to and there hasn’t Another issue was the being brought aboard for Steve Southerland II at Board’s regularly scheduled Ellenburg said. “We were been an outline of the rules new policy of transporting transport. 2 p.m. today, Sept. 5, meeting on Aug. 21 request- wondering if we can set up provided for them. 3-year-olds on the bus for at the Chamber offi ce ing to be heard about issues a meeting with the board to “Teachers treat us like the Exceptional Student See DRIVERS A5 in Bonifay. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call Julia Bullington at Holmes 547-6155. United Way touches lives welcomes 2012 Miss Graceville Harvest new AMIKids Festival GRACEVILLE — The 31st annual Harvest Festival program Pageant will be held at the Graceville Civic Special to the Times-Advertiser Center in Graceville at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 7 and Formerly West Flor- 8. All proceeds will go ida Wilderness School, to the Graceville Harvest a moderate risk pro- Day Celebration. gram holding up to 30 For more information, students, the school has call Teresa Bush at 263- now changed over to 4744 or 263-3072 or AMIKids West Florida Michelle Watkins at the — a foster care cen- City of Graceville at ter, working under the 263-3250. blanket of Department of Children and Family Picnic in The Park Services. This foster care cen- planned ter is designed for teen- PONCE de LEON SPRINGS age boys that require a — Holmes County Teen more structured envi- Court, Holmes County ronment to ensure that School Board, C.A.S.E they attend and receive Coalition, the Sheriffs mental health, sub- Department and the stance abuse, education, Florida Department of behavioral, medical and Environment Protection dental services. will be sponsoring a The home will work Picnic in The Park from 11 with boys that have a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 8 at SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-ADVERTISER demonstrated behav- Ponce de Leon Springs. iors, such as running Entry is free of charge, At the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce meeting in May, the United Way of Northwest Florida away and conduct dis- and there will be free distributed checks to local agencies. The United Way is beginning its fundraising drive for 2013, kicking off order, that are difficult hamburgers, free on Saturday with “Dine United.” to treat in their regular hotdogs, games and home setting. swimming. The school will house Come out and help Local agencies benefi t from donations 24 students with a one keep our youth drug and to six staff to child ra- crime free. tio. The 12-acre campus By RANDAL SEYLER serving Holmes County will basically remain 638-0212 | @WCN_HCT that are United Way agen- LOCAL UNITED WAY BOARD MEMBERS the same and operate [email protected] cies,” said Ron Sharpe, 24 hours a day all year INDEX director of resource devel- Holmes County round with supervision BONIFAY — It’s a mes- opment for United Way of Arrests ................................. A3 Julia Bullington: Holmes County Chamber of by trained staff. sage you’ve probably heard Northwest Florida. After Each youth will have Opinion ................................A4 before — Live United. But briefl y consulting a list of Commerce Outdoors ..............................A6 Brenda Blitch: Doctors Memorial Hospital a service plan developed what does it mean for the agencies, he adds, “and by a multi-disciplinary Melissa Bruner: Regions Bank Sports .................................. A7 residents of Holmes and there are 32 agencies treatment team that Extra ....................................B1 Washington counties? Fran Haithcoat: Wells Fargo Faith .................................... B4 “There are 30 agencies See UNITED WAY A2 See AMIKIDS A2 Obituaries ............................ B5 Classifi eds ............................ B7 HC BOCC approves new extension 4-H agent By CECILIA SPEARS Florida has completed the The board approved of that a resident of Holmes he found no recent county 547-9414 | @WCN_HCT interview process, and I Commissioner Kenneth County was experiencing activity that would cre- [email protected] would like to formally rec- William’s recommendation fl ooding at his residence ate fl ooding on the man’s Phone: 850-547-9414 ommend that the board that the county employees recently and was inquiring property. Web site: bonifaynow.com BONIFAY — Holmes approve Crawson as the go back to being paid for what recent activity done The next Holmes Coun- new Holmes County Ex- overtime instead of com- by the county could have ty Board of County Com- Fax: 850-547-9418 County Board of County Commissioners approved tension 4-H Agent,” wrote pensatory time. caused it. mission meeting is sched- of Nicole “Niki” Crawson HC CED and Extension Williams explained that Whitney Nelson of Mel- uled for 9 a.m. on Sept. as the new Holmes County Agent Shep Eubanks. workers were “taking the vin Engineering reported 11 at the Holmes County Extension 4-H Agent at “The University of Flor- time off almost as quick that he investigated the Board of County Commis- their regularly scheduled ida IFAS Extension would as they were acquiring it, area around the man’s res- sioners room, which is lo- meeting on Aug. 28. like for Crawson to begin causing a mess.” idence as far as could im- cated beside the Holmes “The University of work on Friday, Sept. 14.” The board also heard pact his property and said County Court House. Connect With Us 24/7 Get breaking news, videos, expanded stories, photo galleries, opinions and more... And Mobile Too bonifaynow.com @WCN_HCT A2 | Holmes County Times-Advertiser Local Wednesday, September 5, 2012 UNITED WAY from page A1 Chipola gets new Public serving Washington Coun- United Way touches lives and Policy Priorities re- ty. Those are all agencies across the spectrum.” cently invited Sharpe to FIRST CALL FOR Service Programs director that impact the people Sharpe said the attend a two-day tax credit who live right here.” strength of the United seminar on Sept. 19-20 in HELP vestigator for the 14th Ju- Sharp was in Bonifay Way is that the money col- Washington, D.C., based Special to the Times-Advertiser For assistance dicial Circuit of Florida. As Thursday for the August lected from the contribu- on the success the VITA from the United well, he previously served Holmes County Chamber tions throughout the year program had in North- —After an Way of Northwest MARIANNA as a Probation Supervi- of Commerce meeting as combines to help agencies west Florida last year. extensive search, Steve sor for the Court system businesses and organi- get matching funds. “For VITA is an IRS sanc- Florida, call 1-800- Anderson has been select- under Judge Woodrow W. zations throughout the every $1 United Way gives tioned program that 696-8740 ed as the new director of Hatcher. area begin their annual to the Meals On Wheels trains volunteers to pre- Public Service Programs He has taught numer- fundraising campaigns to program, the Council pare simple tax returns hope to bring fi nancial lit- at Chipola College. Public ous criminal justice classes benefi t the United Way of on Aging receives $9 in for individuals and fami- eracy education into the Service includes academies over his years of public Northwest Florida. matching funds.” lies with a low-to-moder- program in the future, in corrections, law enforce- service. “Fifty percent of the Employers who have ate income. In 2012, the and help people learn ment and fi refi ghting. For information about people in our area visit a campaigns in their work- local VITA program pro- about checking, savings Anderson has more Chipola’s Public Service United Way agency at one place allow employees to cessed 2,281 tax returns, and credit.” than 38 years of experience programs, visit www. time or another,” Sharpe make donations via pay- which brought approxi- Another new program in the Public Service fi eld. chipola.edu or phone said. “I usually say, ‘look roll deduction. “One dol- mately $2.7 million in re- the United Way of North- He has served as state in- 850-718-2394. to your left; now look to lar a week, $52 a year, that funds back into Bay Coun- west Florida is offering your right. You probably is a Coke a week. You’re ty. Many individuals who is a discount prescription see someone the United not going to miss it, but qualify for this service drug plan, which can save Bethel Baptist plans revival Way has helped.’” it is going to do a world are unaware of tax cred- members 20 percent on The annual fundraising of good right here in our its that are available to brand name drugs and Special to the Times-Advertiser provided by the Bethel program begins Saturday, communities.” them, such as the Earned 40 percent on generics, Choir at each service.