Herald & Tribune

1 week ago | heraldandtribune.com | Robert Houk

Washington County commissioners are expected to name an interim General Sessions Court judge on Monday. The appointment will fill a vacancy on the bench created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Robert Lincoln. The interim will serve out the remainder of Lincoln’s unexpired term until Washington County’s next scheduled general election on Aug. 6, 2026. Lincoln announced in March he will retire on June 30. The Republican has served as the county’s Sessions Court Part I judge since September 1998.

1 week ago | heraldandtribune.com | Robert Houk

Washington County is considering replacing night clerks, who have limited powers to sign arrest warrants and set bonds, with judicial commissioners wielding expanded authority. County commissioners are expected to take up the issue when they meet on Monday. Washington County Circuit Court Clerk Brenda Downes said it is a somewhat complicated topic that involves her office, the courts and the Washington County Sheriff Office.

1 week ago | heraldandtribune.com | Robert Houk

Officials with Washington County Schools say they have some difficult choices to make following passage of a new county budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. Washington County commissioners approved a new $68.8 million general fund budget on Wednesday that is balanced without a property tax increase. Commissioners also declined to earmark additional property tax dollars to help the school system close a $4 million deficit in its budget for the new fiscal year.

2 weeks ago | heraldandtribune.com | Brandon Paykamian

Washington County Schools officials recently launched an online survey to ask local families whether they think schools should install impact-resistant window film as an additional security measure against school shootings.

2 weeks ago | heraldandtribune.com | Robert Houk

Washington County officials want answers regarding the impact that a tax increment financing (TIF) request for the redevelopment of Burlington Mills will have on education funding. Commissioner Richard Tucker told colleagues on the county’s Budget Committee that uncertainly over the county’s funding obligations to city and county schools in the future was one of the reasons he voted against the request when it was heard by the county’s Commercial, Industrial and Agricultural Committee last week.