Bonifay News

04/26/2024

ARREST MADE IN CHILD SEXUAL BATTERY CASE

Holmes County Investigators have arrested and charged Shawn Charlton with sexual battery on a child under 12 following an investigation initiated on the evening of April 19.

Late Friday evening, Holmes County Sheriff's Office received a report alleging that Shawn Charlton had inappropriately touched a four-year-old child within Holmes County. In response, investigators promptly launched an investigation.

Investigators traveled to Charlton's location in Okaloosa County to conduct an interview with him. During the interview, Charlton admitted to investigators that he sexually battered the child.

Subsequently, investigators diligently worked late into the night to obtain an arrest warrant for Charlton.

With the collaboration of Okaloosa County deputies, Charlton was immediately taken into custody and housed at Okaloosa County Jail.

He will be extradited back to Holmes County to face charges related to sexual battery on a child under 12.

04/13/2024

Doctors Memorial Hospital announced that Dr. Huy Nguyen decided to step down as chief executive officer effective April 1. “Dr. Nguyen is assisting the Board of Trustees with the transition process as he dedicates more time to his new venture at North Walton Doctors Hospital,” Doctors Memorial....

04/13/2024

03/04/2024

It's that time of year again when I beg y'all to help me assist children, teens, women and men who are faced with homelessness/displacement or families in shelter placement. Below are a few things needed but ANYTHING you are willing to donate would be great!
If you would like to donate monetarily message me and I’ll help you do that.

The link below will take you to the wish list of the items needed.

12/10/2023

09/10/2023

BONIFAY, Fla. (WMBB) – In Bonifay’s emergency city council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Emily McMann officially resigned, with Interim-Mayor Larry Cook taking her place. Cook announced in the…

09/08/2023

PUBLIC ADVISORY:

We are aware of the rumor of a firearm on the campus of Ponce de Leon High School. The campus has been thoroughly searched by both school administrators and school resource deputies, and no firearm was discovered.

Students and faculty are safe and secure. We will continue to be vigilant and trust in the efforts of our school resource deputies and school guardians to keep your children safe.

08/27/2023

A few notes about Tropical Depression Ten:

• While the cone of uncertainty is very wide, it does include Holmes County. More accurate predictions for landfall will come over the next day or so.

• Both the track and the strength could change significantly in the coming days. Now is the time to make preparations for any possible impact.

• Local news outlets, Holmes County Sheriff's Office / Emergency Management Division, and HCSO will provide updates as soon and as often as possible. Please check in often!

• Find a thorough preparedness checklist here to make sure you and your family are ready: https://www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/hurricane-supply-checklist/

• Don’t forget to have a plan and include pets, elderly family members, etc. in your preparations.

Check back here often. We’ll keep our page up to date as we know more, to help you stay informed and prepared.

08/26/2023

ALABAMA MAN ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING

On August 19, 2023, deputies with the Holmes County Sheriff's Office met with a victim at the Bonifay Police Department in reference to an incident that started in the City of Bonifay and continued through Holmes County and into Alabama.

The victim stated that Myniko Harrison of Samson, AL, entered her home uninvited and threatened another individual. He then hit her repeatedly and dragged her outside by her hair. The victim attempted to call 911, but Harrison took her phone before putting her in the backseat of a vehicle. Once in the vehicle, the victim saw Harrison take a handgun out of his pocket.

Harrison began driving north on Hwy 79. When they reached the intersection of Hwy 79 and Hwy 160, the victim jumped from the vehicle in an attempt to flee. Harrison caught her, hit her repeatedly, and dragged her back to the vehicle, at which point he threatened to kill her if she ran or screamed again.

The suspect drove to his home in Samson, AL, where the incident continued before he finally allowed the victim to leave.

Myniko Harrison was arrested in Alabama by the US Marshals Task Force. He faces charges of battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, depriving someone of making contact with law enforcement, and kidnapping with the intent to inflict bodily harm or terrorize the victim.

Additional charges are expected from the Bonifay Police Department and Samson (AL) Police Department.

Sheriff Tate would like to thank the Bonifay Police Department, Samson Police Department, and all agencies involved in the US Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force for their assistance and cooperation in apprehending Myniko Harrison.

08/26/2023

ALABAMA MAN LEADS DEPUTIES ON 140MPH PURSUIT, ENDS IN ARREST

On August 24, deputies with the Holmes County Sheriff's Office initiated a traffic stop on a motorcycle. The driver accelerated and refused to stop.

Deputies pursued the bike into Alabama, back into Florida, and through northern Holmes County on Hwys 79, 173, and 2. The bike continued to flee, reaching speeds up to 140 miles per hour. The pursuit continued to a residence on Gavin Rd., where the driver lost control of the motorcycle.

When the pursuit ended, the driver, identified as Kevin Frangopoolos of Vincent, AL, refused to follow deputies' commands. A department issued taser was deployed in order to take Frangopoolos into custody.

Kevin Frangopoolos was transported to the Holmes County Jail where he faces charges of fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving, and resisting an officer without violence.

08/22/2023

$4 MILLION Settlement: ✅

After 2 years of hard fought litigation and an 8-hour mediation on the eve of trial, our firm was recently able to secure a $4 million dollar settlement for a local family surrounding an accident that occurred in St. Augustine, Florida in July 2021. 

Through the course of litigation, we were able to discover that the driver of the commercial vehicle had been involved in multiple prior at fault accidents and there were also multiple complaints made to the company about the driver’s reckless driving behavior.  Despite this knowledge, the company took no action to remove him from the road, deciding to place profit over safety. 

His reckless driving resulted in a horrific accident where one of our clients suffered a traumatic brain injury, neck injury requiring surgery, and his wife suffered a crushed shoulder requiring surgery consisting of a plate and 12 screws. Based on the evidence we were able to uncover, we filed a motion with the circuit court asking to amend the complaint (lawsuit) to add a count for Punitive Damages. The motion was granted by the Circuit Court of St. Johns County, which placed tremendous pressure on the Defendant company and their insurance carrier to settle the case. 

This is just one of many success stories where our firm has helped local families find justice. If you, a family member, or friend have been injured because of the negligence of another …
call us today and let us put our knowledge, experience and resources to work for you!

📞: (850) 526-5535

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08/18/2023

08/11/2023

08/03/2023

CURTIS RAY HARRISON JR.

Mr. Curtis Ray Harrison Jr., age 59, of Bonifay, Florida passed away August 1, 2023, in Bonifay. He was born January 13, 1964, in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Ray was preceded in death by his father, Curtis Ray Harrison Sr. and one son, Shannon Ray Harrison.

Ray is survived by two sons, Nicholas S. Harrison and Codie R. Moran and wife Erin; his mother, Margaret Gilley and husband Bo; five siblings, Tangie Sanders and husband James, Scottie Harrison, Stacey Harrison and wife Lucinda, Eddie Harrison and wife Janice, and Felecia Barnes and husband Michael; seven grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 5, 2023, in the Peel Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Caryville City Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1 to 2 PM at Peel Funeral Home.

08/02/2023

AG Moody warns of hackers accessing personal info through smart tvs.
https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/ag-warns-of-hackers-accessing-information-through-smart-televisions/

08/02/2023

Hi my name is Jeremy Longmire and I am fundraising for my father’s cancer treatments. Anybod… Jeremy Longmire needs your support for Fathers cancer treatment

07/31/2023

ANDREW JACKSON DEAN, III

Mr. Andrew Jackson ‘Jack’ Dean, III, age 76, of Bonifay, Florida passed away July 30, 2023, at Bay Medical Center in Panama City, Florida. He was born April 3, 1947, in Bonifay, Florida to the late Andrew Charles Dean and Mildred Slay Dean.

Mr. Dean is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Dean of Bonifay, FL; one son, Michael Dean and wife Christa of Bonifay, FL; one daughter, Lisa Barton and husband Greg of Bonifay, FL; five grandchildren, Ryan & Amy Dean, Justin Barton, Brandon Dean, Jamie Dean, and Kacie Dean; one great-grandchild, Isabelle Dean.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, August 2, 2023, in the Peel Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the St. John Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1 to 2 PM at Peel Funeral Home.

07/29/2023

Here are the standings going into the final weekend of voting!
Monday at 12 noon EST, the voting ends and we crown the State with the “Best Looking Cruiser.”
Good luck to all in the last couple of days of voting.
Thank you to everyone for voting and making this a fantastic, fun and the best contest yet!
Reminder: One vote per device! Link Below
John J. Bagnardi, Major (Ret) Executive Director
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/bestlookingcruiser2023

07/26/2023

07/26/2023

DAPHIN BROWN HOLSOMBACH

Mrs. Daphin Urquhart Brown Holsombach, age 91, of Bonifay, Florida passed away July 24, 2023, at her home. She was born November 10, 1931, in Bonifay, Florida to the late Albert Urquhart and Linnie Elizabeth Messer Urquhart. In addition to her parents, Daphin was preceded in death by her former husband, George W. Brown, one son, George W. Brown, Jr., one granddaughter, Charity Wilkes, and three brothers, Vaughn Urquhart, Mack Douglas Urquhart, and Junior Urquhart.

Mrs. Holsombach is survived by her husband, Lewis Ray Holsombach of Bonifay, FL; two daughters, Dianne Polston and husband Larry of Bonifay, FL and Patricia Pitts and husband Harold of Donalsonville, GA; two sons, Todd Holsombach of Floral City, FL and Chad Holsombach and wife Jessica of Spring Hill, FL; two siblings, Pollie Stamis of Franklin Lakes, NJ and Jerry Urquhart of Nashville, TN; seven grandchildren, Chaddeus Pitts and wife Megan of Nampa, ID, Trista Jones and husband Anthony of Donalsonville, GA, Megan Holsombach, C.J. Holsombach, and Lindsey Holsombach all of Spring Hill, FL, Rayland Holsombach, and Wyatt Holsombach both of Floral City, FL; seven great-grandchildren, Tavis Wilkes, Kavan Wilkes, and Annaliese Wilkes all of Plano, TX, Kasen Pitts and Emily Pitts both of Nampa, ID, Kyler Jones and Averlee Jones both of Donalsonville, GA; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Peel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Friday, July 28, 2023, in the Peel Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Union Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with Peel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

07/22/2023

JOHN HAYWARD BRAXTON, SR.

Mr. John Hayward Braxton, Sr., age 86, of Westville, Florida passed away July 21, 2023, at Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley, Florida. He was born January 7, 1937, in Westville, Florida, to the late Walter Carl Braxton and Mamie Bradley Braxton. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by one daughter, Deborah Costa, four siblings, Hamp Braxton, Maxine Newton, Pauline Cullifer, and Bill Braxton and a granddaughter, Rachel Lynn Braxton.

Mr. Braxton is survived by one son, John H. Braxton, Jr. and wife Patty of Westville, FL; one daughter, Rebecca Dowling of Bronson, FL; two brothers, Junior Braxton and Ronnie Braxton both of Westville, FL; seven grandchildren, Tate, Tony, Paige, Kara, Michael, Dakota, and Stephanie and several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 PM Sunday, July 23, 2023, at Peel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Monday, July 24, 2023, in the Peel Funeral Home Chapel. A private family interment will be in the John Braxton Cemetery.

07/20/2023

It’s Wednesday, but Fry-Day is coming!!!!

07/07/2023

WESTVILLE WOMAN ARRESTED FOR TRAFFICKING M**H AFTER UNDERCOVER OPERATION

On July 6, 2023, investigators with the Holmes County Sheriff's Office conducted a narcotics investigation that led to the purchase of approximately 28 grams of m**hamphetamine and fentanyl pills from an individual identified as Vickie Nichols of Westville, FL.

Undercover investigators were able to meet with Nichols at her residence on Cypress Street in Westville where they purchased approximately one ounce of m**h and several suspected fentanyl pills from her.

Once Nichols was taken into custody a search of her residence produced a smaller amount of suspected m**h in a cigarette pack.

Nichols was charged with trafficking in m**hamphetamine and sale of controlled substance (fentanyl).