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A trio is behind bars after a meth lab bust in Altha Wednesday.

Robert “Bob” Melton White, 49, of Altha, and Willie F. Yawn, 29, of both Altha and Arkansas, have each been charged with trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of listed chemicals. Charlotte Michelle Burch, 26, of Santa Rosa Beach and Arkansas, is charged with possession of listed chemicals.

According to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, members of the Calhoun-Liberty Drug Task Force served a search warrant on White’s Apache Road residence just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, leading to the arrests.

Check out next week's print edition for all the details.

It was an afternoon filled with food, fun and good ol’ politickin’ Saturday at the Kinard Community Center where the Kinard Volunteer Fire Department hosted a political rally and fish fry. Candidates had a chance to meet and greet, then three minutes at the podium. [Full Story »] 

BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor

A man wanted for an Easter morning murder in Pinellas County, Florida, was apprehended at a Blountstown residence Wednesday afternoon.

John Curry IV, 22, of St. Petersburg, is accused of killing Tamika Lashond Mack, 24, a mother of two, during a home invasion the morning of April 8.

According to an article in the Tampa Bay Tribune, Curry and another suspect burst into Mack's home and began shooting. Mack was struck by bullets, became unresponsive and later died at an area hospital. Her friend, Tore V. Holley, 29, managed to escape during the shooting. Holley reportedly fled to a neighbor's house and called authorities.

St. Petersburg Police announced last week a warrant for first-degree murder had been obtained for Curry and a reward was offered for information leading to his arrest. Capt. Mark Mallory of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office received a tip Wednesday that Curry was staying at the Boyd Street home of Dallas Muhammed. An arrest team, consisting of agents from the U.S. Marshal's Office, Calhoun County Sheriff's Office and Blountstown Police Department, successfully apprehended Curry at the Muhammed home without incident. Other occupants at the residence were questioned and advised Curry arrived in town a few days ago, claiming he was just there for a visit.

Curry is in custody at the Calhoun County Jail.

Check out all the details in next week's print edition of The County Record.

Courtney Thompson, a member of the U.S. Olympic volleyball team, will be taking to the court this weekend in London. The 28-year-old from Washington State has some cousins in Calhoun County cheering her on - Terry Neal and her daughter, Amanda.

"The day the U.S. team plays their first game is Leon's [Terry's late husband] birthday," Terry, who works at the Calhoun-Liberty Employees Credit Union, tells The County Record. "If the U.S. team goes all the way, the finals are on my mom's birthday. I told Courtney it's an omen - a good omen!"

Thompson, who stands only 5'8, is a setter for Team USA, known for her contagious enthusiasm.

The U.S. volleyball team will take on South Korea Saturday, July 28, at 2 p.m. CT. The match will be televised on WJHG Channel 7. Team USA goes up against Brazil Monday with game time at 10:30 a.m. CT and also aired on Channel 7. Watch for additional game listings in this week's print edition, along with details about the schedule for track star Justin Gatlin who also has local ties. Justin's first event is set for Saturday, Aug. 4.

Check out this article in The Seattle Times for more on Courtney Thompson, a remarkable young athlete with an inspiring story.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/olympics/2018750067_courtneythompson23.html?syndication=rss

The County Record has learned that a Liberty County man has confessed to being in a romantic relationship with Winter McLemore, including at the time of her husband's death.

As previously reported, Tranum McLemore, 35, a coach at Blountstown Middle School, died from three gunshot wounds April 4. The death was quickly determined to be a suicide. However, questions were raised about the circumstances surrounding his death, as well as the handling of the case by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. The case was then turned over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to investigate.

A source close to the case reports a Bristol man was interviewed by an FDLE investigator last week in Marianna after his number appeared repeatedly on Winter McLemore's cell phone records. The man allegedly confessed to entering into a romantic relationship with Winter McLemore in January that continued throughout this year. He reportedly denied any involvement in McLemore's death and provided an alibi for the night of April 4.

FDLE officials will only confirm that the investigation is "active" at this time.

Because the man is employed by a state agency, The County Record will make a public records request this week for his state-issued cell phone expenses, as well as travel vouchers, to determine if taxpayers contributed any dollars to this alleged affair.

The Smithsonian Institution’s traveling “Journey Stories” exhibit debuted this weekend at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement. [Full Story »] 

Today (Monday, July 16) is the last day to register to vote in time for the primary election. Stop by the Calhoun County Supervisor of Elections office in the basement of the courthouse today by 4 p.m. if you are not registered to vote.