Latest news with #JohnTate
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Possible tornado sweeps through Holmes County causing widespread damage
HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A possible tornado touched down in several areas of northeast Holmes County. It has caused widespread damage to homes and property, leading to multiple roadways becoming impassable. First responders from Holmes, Washington, Walton, and Jackson counties are actively checking roads and residences to ensure the safety of residents. Thousands are also without power and left to clean up debris. News13 checked in with Holmes County Sheriff John Tate Saturday afternoon, who shared details and photos of impacted areas. Sheriff Tate said there are dozens of trees down and a significant amount of structural damage. Around 2 p.m., Tate estimated between 10 to 15 structures had been damaged. Man arrested for DUI manslaughter following fatal Callaway crash, investigation ongoing Sheriff Tate said that there have been no fatalities at this time, however, a few residents suffered injuries. He told us that the Norma, Bethlehem, Esto, and Winterville areas were impacted. Our newspaper partners, the Washington County News and Holmes County Advertiser, also reported several power lines being down. Authorities said sections of Hwy 79, Hwy 2, Hwy 177, and Hwy 160 are closed due to downed trees and debris. Tate encourages that the best thing you can do is stay home and stay off the roadways if you can. Authorities strongly urge the public to avoid those impacted areas to allow emergency personnel to perform their duties safely and efficiently. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Injuries, damage reported around Holmes County after possible tornado
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Damage reports are coming in after a possible tornado hit Holmes County Saturday morning. Sheriff John Tate told WDHN's sister station in Panama City that there have been some injuries and homes damaged in the Bethlehem, Esto, and Winterville areas. No deaths have been reported. In a social media post, the Holmes County Sheriff's Office said downed trees and debris from a tornado are blocking Highway 79, Highway 2, Highway 177, and Highway 160. Portions of these highways around Bethlehem and Esto are closed while crews work to clear the roadway. 'Residents out 'sightseeing' are putting themselves and our first responders in additional, unnecessary danger. Please stay home,' the HCSO said in a Facebook post. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Holmes County Jail seeks funds for expansion project
HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Holmes County Jail was built in 2001. At the time, it was a huge improvement, housing up to 25 inmates. That's grown to 125 inmates now. But as the population has grown, so has the need for more jail space. Holmes County Sheriff's Office takes charge of Emergency Medical Services 'It was built with the intentions of adding on at a future date. And we've come to that date now,' Holmes County Sheriff John Tate said. Tate says the jail is at its capacity, 130 inmates. 'We're usually run in overcapacity most of the time. We just add beds in there and, you know, to put them on the floor, you have to accommodate. That's the best way we can,' Tate said. Sheriff Tate says an expansion would also support the jail's faith-based and drug recovery programs. 'With the programs we got going on down there trying to help people get their lives back together and stuff, it's going to help out a lot with the more space we get,' Tate added. Tate wants to add an additional housing wing, creating space for 64 more they need to find the money first. Kiwanis Club's 65th Pancake Days to benefit Bay County youth 'We're a poor county, so we have to rely on outside revenue for us through the state legislators appropriation and different grants and different things, if possible, even federal grants to be able to, you know, to get the money to add on,' Tate said. Holmes County commissioners met with state lawmakers last month to ask for a state appropriation for expansion. If they received funding in July, they'll begin the project's design phase. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Erik Estrada joins Panhandle Crime Stoppers in celebrating new service areas
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Two new counties are now included in the 'Crime Stoppers' tip line, solving crime services. 'I'm extremely proud. Crime Stoppers has been in Bay County for 42 years. We have never had a tipster identified and we have a very close knit working network with all the law enforcement. We have just expanded Crime Stoppers to include Washington and Holmes County,' Crime Stoppers Media Director Debra Peel said. 'The more you can push it out, more and more information you get back to the citizens, the better off we all are. You know, that's what it's all about. Is getting information out to the people who can get the information back to you,' Holmes County Sheriff John Tate said. Sheriff Tate and Sheriff Crews are pleased to further the collaboration between neighboring law enforcement agencies. Highway 90 closed in Mossy Head due to active incident at Dollar General 'The program is proven, the program works in each one of these communities. To generate those calls and to help involve the communities and for those people to, you know, to remain anonymous, you know, and to help clean those communities up and help catch the bad guys. So we're happy to be a part of it,' Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews said. Volunteers highlighted the success story of Jameela, a human trafficking victim who was rescued, after a citizen in another state called them with a tip. Washington and Holmes County sheriffs weren't the only special guests at Wednesday's crime stoppers event. 'That's why I got involved, because of the things that I was exposed to as a police man in Indiana. And that's why I'm involved in 'Internet Crimes against Children.' But the crime stoppers organization here in Panama City, it's a wonderful, wonderful organization. And they do the job, they do the thing,' Actor Erik Estrada said. Estrada shared his unique background with the audience recounting his transition from playing a cop to being a real cop. And while many snagged a selfie with the 'CHiPs' star, it wasn't the only exciting part of the day. 'We were able to donate $10,000 to Crime Stoppers today to help them pay for tips. And the ironic thing about that is that money came from seized drug proceeds, so the drug dealers are paying for tips on themselves that we get,' Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said. Crime Stoppers relies on diligent volunteers and donations. To learn more or to make a donation, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Yahoo
The gift of justice; Holmes County sheriff looking for warrants on Valentine's Day
HOLMES COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Holmes County Sheriff's Office is asking residents to turn in their ex-partners with warrants this Valentine's Day. Roses are red, violets are blue. Love is in the air and warrants are too. Two Bay High School teachers love story began at Bay High If you're looking for a way to give back to your former Valentine and to the community, Holmes County Sheriff John Tate suggests turning them in if they have stolen (more than just hearts), owe child support, or have any outstanding warrants. 'Over the years the warrant drawer gets kind of full and you need to try to serve some of them. We just thought this was a good opportunity to stick something out there to see if we could just generate any activity…it also gives people, that may know somebody who has a warrant that may be on the outs, ex-boyfriend, ex-ex-husband, ex-ex-girlfriend or whatever, to make a phone call. You never know until you ask.' Tate said. He says it's a great way to involve the community, do proactive police work, and poke some fun at the holiday. 'In this job, a little bit of humor goes a long way because you deal with so much violence and so much stuff. And in law enforcement, when you can add a little humor into it, it kind of breaks up the monotony and makes them laugh and puts a smile on their face,' Tate said. The Sheriff's office is active on social media year-round; often posting about community events, recent arrests, and more. Tate says keeping the content light sometimes helps create a connection with the community they serve. As for those who think they have gotten away…at least in Holmes County, they may want to think again. Bay County Sheriff's Office warns against romance scams 'You never really get away with anything. I mean, at the end of the day, you've got a warrant on you. It's never going to go away. So one day someone's going to call or you're going to get stopped or you're going to get run into and you're going to have to answer that warrant,' Tate said. If you would like to contact the Holmes County Sheriff's Office, you can reach them at 850-547-3681. You can find more information on their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
