Entries by Administrator

Mrs. Geraldine (Jeri) Cumbie, 87, of Altha, FL, passed away Monday, February 10, 2014, in Altha.

Jeri was born on July 17, 1926, in Marfa, TX, and had lived in our surrounding counties for most of her life. During Jeri’s working life, she was a farmer’s wife and homemaker, a waitress and a school bus driver for a number of years. She was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Blountstown.

Jeri was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Cumbie, and a daughter, Glenda Nichols.

Survivors include one son, Milton Cumbie, and his wife, Chris, of Altha; five grandchildren, Bryan, Bruce, Heather, Stephanie and Anna; and nine great-grandchildren, Johnathan, Britney, Zachary, Cheyanne, Mora, Logan, Zachary, Hanna and Nate.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 15, at 11:00 am (CST) at Peavy Funeral Home Chapel with Chaplain Jack Howell officiating. Interment will follow in Shady Grove Cemetery in Grand Ridge, FL. The family will receive friends Friday, February 14, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm (CST) at Peavy Funeral Home.

All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266). [Full Story »] 

The Calhoun County Sheriff's Office has released the names of the defendants in 16 drug cases handled by FDLE Chemist Joseph Graves.

As previously reported, Graves, of Pensacola, is suspected of replacing actual drug evidence with over the counter meds. He has been arrested for drug trafficking, tampering with evidence, and grand theft. Graves worked nearly 2600 cases for agencies in 35 counties including Calhoun.

Twenty-one defendants in 16 Calhoun County cases now under review include:

1. Pamela B. Mayo & Dewayne C.Arce
2. Willie Smith III
3. Joshua A. Savell
4. Lewis Dean Nickell
5. Sean Patrick Kelly & Jennifer Adams
6. Dante Ziggler
7. Robert Anthony Gutierrez, Edward Cale Pierce
8. Nicole Michelle O'Kelly, Matthew A. O'Kelly
9. Matthew Lemont Speights
10. Joseph Daniel Baker
11. Gregory D. Horn, Maurice Bell
12. Curtis T. Huie
13. Eddie Bartinaus Burkes
14. Dominique Cargile
15. Justin M. Black
16. Justin M. Black (two separate cases)

It is unclear how long it will take to review the evidence or whether any convictions will be automatically overturned. Stay tuned.

Mr. Charlie D. Young, 73, of Marianna, FL, passed away late Friday night February 7, 2014, in Marianna.
Charlie was born on December 26, 1940, in Marianna and was a lifelong resident of Jackson County. He was a businessman and along with his wife, Etta, owned and operated Young’s Mobile Homes. Charlie was a member of Hasty Pond Baptist Church and had served as a former deacon. He was a former member of the Marianna Lions Club.
Survivors include his wife, Etta D. Young, of Marianna; three sons, Charles Young and his wife, Marjorie, of Marianna, Chris Young and his wife, Ashley, of Panama City, and Sean Young and his wife, Starr, of Marianna; two brothers, Jimmy Young and his wife, Nell, of Marianna, and Reason Young of Marianna; five sisters, Frankie Edenfield and her husband, James, of Marianna, Betty Sue Thames of Marianna, Mary Lou Young of Marianna, Ann Young of Jacksonville, and Linda Keegans of Marianna; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Hunter, Mason, Taylor and Asher.
No services are planned at this time. Memorialization will be by cremation. The family has been receiving friends at their home, 731 Highway 71 South, Marianna, FL 32448. In Lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to Hasty Pond Baptist Church, 4895 Hasty Pond Road, Marianna, FL 32448.
All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (674-2266). [Full Story »] 

Authorities across the Florida panhandle have joined in the search for a man suspected of kidnapping and beating a woman.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Chipley, their office responded to a call in reference to a possible kidnapping and assault at approximately 12:56 p.m., February 6th. Officers arrived at a residence on Eloise Road and found the victim, who’s name is being withheld at this time, severely beaten. Washington County EMS responded and transported the victim to the Northwest Florida Community Hospital in Chipley. The victim is listed in critical condition at this time.

Following interviews with the victim, investigators were able to piece together a timeline and identify a suspect, Christopher Cruz Walley, 25 year old white male, 5’11”, 230 lbs, with brown hair and green eyes.

The victim had been in a vehicle with Walley the previous day, Wednesday, February 5th, when without warning, Walley stopped the vehicle and proceeded to attack the victim by physically assaulting her with his hands. Walley then struck the victim numerous times with an expandable police baton, known as an asp, until the victim lost consciousness. The victim regained consciousness and found she had been moved to the trunk of the vehicle. Walley continued to travel throughout the evening and into the next day, Thursday, February 6th, making several stops with the victim still trapped in the trunk. Walley came to a stop on Eloise Road and the victim was able to escape to a nearby residence where a neighbor reported the incident to law enforcement.

Officers with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office have currently organized an extensive search for Walley with the assistance of FHP and the US Marshals. Walley is believed to be traveling in a 1998 Ford Expedition, white in color, with the tag number B905MA.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Christopher Cruz Walley.

“We are actively employing all resources available to apprehend a suspect who violently attacked a resident of our community” states Sheriff Haddock. “We are all hands on deck until this case is resolved and we are asking the community to be vigilant in reporting anything that looks suspicious or that could be related to this case. Please contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with this information immediately. As always, you can remain anonymous by reporting through 638-TIPS (8477)."