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Glenn Kimbrel, the former Blountstown Police Chief, has filed his letter of intent to run for Calhoun County Sheriff. He is running as a democrat. Kimbrel will face Roman Wood in the democratic primary. The winner will go up against James "Jimmy" Baggett, Ken Futch and Earl Hunt (all NPA) in the general election in November.

Get your pitching arm warmed up and come dunk-a-deputy tonight (Friday, April 6) at the Moonlight Market in downtown Blountstown! The festivities are from 5 to 8 p.m. with 70 vendors along North Pear Street from the redlight to the M & B Train, as well as on the greenspace next to Centennial Bank.

The dunking booth will be located on North Pear Street in front of the Blountstown Police Department and El Jalisco. First in the booth will be Calhoun County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Eddie Dalton scheduled for the 5 p.m. slot.

Come out for a night of free train rides, delicious food, all sorts of arts & crafts and music by DJ Britt Kent. The Easter bunny, Mr. Pig from the Piggly Wiggly, and Hot Spot the Fire Dog will be on hand to visit with the little ones. The Preble-Rish Art Gallery will be open, along with downtown restaurants, Main Street Station and El Jalisco.

North Pear Street will be closed, but parking is available behind Centennial Bank, Diamond Corner, El Jalisco, Magnolia Square, Preble-Rish, behind the gazebo park and Bank of America, as well as the downtown spaces.

Moonlight Market is sponsored by Blountstown Main Street.

BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor

A report released Friday morning on the death of Blountstown Middle School Coach Tranum McLemore leaves many questions that may not be answered for several weeks.

According to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), McLemore sustained gunshot "wounds" but the agency would not confirm how many or the location of the wounds until the autopsy report has been completed. The report from LCSO Sheriff Donnie Conyers reads as follows:

"At approximately 9:15 p.m. on April 4, 2012, Mrs. Winter McLemore of Bristol, Florida, came to the Sheriff's Office to report an incident of domestic violence. Personnel at the dispatch office reported that Mrs. McLemore showed signs of having been in a struggle. Deputies were dispatched to the home located at 14222 NW Hoecake Road in Bristol.

"After arriving at the residence, deputies entered the home and discovered Mr. Tranum McLemore dead on the floor of the bedroom. Laying under the left leg of Mr. McLemore was a Ruger 9MM semi-automatic pistol.

"Sheriff Conyers requested Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to assist in the investigation with their crime scene processing unit. The crime scene investigator arrived at the home at approximately 11:00 p.m. Initial findings of the investigation suggested that Mr. McLemore had shot himself after Mrs. McLemore had fled the home. A final report may take up to 8 weeks to complete.

"After the investigation at the home was completed, the body was transported to the Medical Examiner's Office in Tallahassee, Florida, where an autopsy was performed. Preliminary conclusions of the autopsy indicate that the wounds to the body of the deceased were consistent with self-inflicted wounds. A final report will take 6-8 weeks to complete."

Sheriff Conyers concluded the report by stating, "Domestic violence is a terrible thing to be inflicted upon a family. For that reason, my office has been very aggressive in dealing with domestic violence cases and we will continue to be aggressive in such cases. My heart goes out to the families involved in this case and to their three children."

Moonlight Market originally set to be held this evening has been rescheduled for tomorrow night (Friday, Apr. 6), from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Blountstown. Due to the unpredictable weather conditions and vendors from out of town not wishing to drive in the event of rain, Blountstown Main Street decided it is best to hold the festivities on Friday night when weather is expected to be beautiful. Please come join the celebration which will include over 70 vendors with arts, crafts, food and merchandise; visits with the Easter Bunny, Hot Spot the Fire Dog, and Mr. Pig from the Piggly Wiggly; music from DJ Britt Kent; dancers and strolling performers; train rides; a dunking booth with some local deputies & officers; and so much more!!

Ray Howell, owner of Calhoun-Liberty Abstract, has filed his letter of intent to run for Calhoun County Clerk of Court. Incumbent Ruth Attaway announced Tuesday she will not be seeking re-election. Howell will go up against Attaway's daughter, Renee Attaway Crawford, along with Danny Ray Wise. All are running as democrats with the primary set for Aug. 14.

Ron Mears, a former agriculture teacher at Blountstown High School, has filed his letter of intent to run for Calhoun County Superintendent of Schools. He is running as a democrat. Mears will face incumbent Tommy McClellan in the primary election Aug. 14. The winner of the democratic primary will go up against Logan Barbee, Julie Leonard Smith and Ralph Yoder, all running with no party affiliation, in the general election Nov. 6.

Danny Ray Wise, currently the county commissioner for district 1, has filed his letter of intent to run for Calhoun County Clerk of Court. He is running as a democrat.

Blountstown Middle School coach Tranum McLemore was found dead in his Hoecake Road home in Bristol Wednesday night.

According to the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, McLemore's wife, Winter, came to their office around 9 p.m. regarding a domestic disturbance. Deputies returned with her to their home and found McLemore deceased. The couple's three children were reportedly found safe inside the residence.

Authorities will not offer a specific cause of death until the investigation has been completed. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement Mobile Crime Lab arrived on scene around 11 p.m. and left early this morning. When a full report has been released, The County Record will post the updated information.

McLemore was well-loved by students and faculty at Blountstown Middle School. He recently coached the BMS baseball team in an undefeated regular season. The boys came in runners-up at the championship. McLemore has been described by parents as an outstanding coach and teacher who truly cared about the kids.

Here's a sneak peak at tomorrow's headlines...

-Announcements in Calhoun County Clerk of Court race

-Streaker high on mushrooms arrested in Liberty County

-Blountstown man jailed after being caught with 13-year-old girl

-BHS athlete brings home awards from football competition

-Moonlight Market set for Thursday night

All this and more in the April 4 edition of The County Record on news stands bright and early!

Charles "Chic" Wood has filed his letter of intent to run for county commissioner in district 5. He is running with no party affiliation. He will face incumbent Harold Pickron (D) in November.