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BREAKING NEWS - Two Burglary Ring Suspects Being Held; Others Sought
Authorities in Chattahoochee have apprehended two suspects in a burglary ring that recently hit homes in Calhoun, Liberty and Jackson counties. Task Force members are in Gadsden County now where the pair were taken into custody at the Chattahoochee BP. The search continues for two more suspects, as well as the location where the loot from these burglaries is being stashed. The County Record will post more details as they become available.
NEWS ALERT - Another New Candidate
Madison County businessman, Mike Williams, has announced that he will seek the Republican nomination to represent ten North Florida counties in the Florida House of Representatives, District 7 seat. The post is currently held by Marti Coley.
Calhoun & Liberty Sheriff's Log - Feb. 7 to Feb. 13
CALHOUN COUNTY
Feb. 6: Shane Goff, state VOP; Ronnie Taylor, state VOP, non-support; Clayton Earl Harris, violation of community control, contempt; John Derek Sangster, disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, aggravated battery, assault
Feb. 7: Crystal Landrum, state VOP; Kevin Hansford, violation of community control; Charles Barbee, failure to appear
Feb. 8: Zachary Willis, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; James Travis Lane, driving while license suspended or revoked, sale of crack cocaine within 1000 ft. of a school
Feb. 9: Otis Pennywell, failure to appear
Feb. 10: Lavon Holland, state VOP; Shane Coburn, manufacture of meth, possession of listed chemicals
Feb. 11: Christia Clinney, manufacture of meth, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of listed chemicals; Joseph McDonald, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; Christopher Butler, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of listed chemicals, manufacture of meth, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; Frederick McCormick, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana
LIBERTY COUNTY
Feb. 4: Stephen Hanf, possession of less than 20 grams, poss. of controlled substance, poss. prescription drug without prescription
Feb. 6: Charlie Drew, sentenced to DOC; Shawn Goff, housing for CCSO
Feb. 7: Vicki Bailey, DWLSR, DUI refusal
Feb. 8: Crystal Landrum, housing for CCSO; Ronnie Taylor, state VOP
Feb. 9: Tina Marie Andrews, holding for Gulf Co.; Travis Allen, Liberty Co. warrant, Franklin Co. warrant, Travis Johnson, state VOP, out of county warrant
Feb. 10: Gary Miley, grand theft, trespassing
Feb. 11: Christia Clinney, hold for Calhoun
The above individuals were booked into the Calhoun or Liberty County Jail over the past week. Although they have been charged with a crime, they are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Feb. 6: Shane Goff, state VOP; Ronnie Taylor, state VOP, non-support; Clayton Earl Harris, violation of community control, contempt; John Derek Sangster, disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, aggravated battery, assault
Feb. 7: Crystal Landrum, state VOP; Kevin Hansford, violation of community control; Charles Barbee, failure to appear
Feb. 8: Zachary Willis, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; James Travis Lane, driving while license suspended or revoked, sale of crack cocaine within 1000 ft. of a school
Feb. 9: Otis Pennywell, failure to appear
Feb. 10: Lavon Holland, state VOP; Shane Coburn, manufacture of meth, possession of listed chemicals
Feb. 11: Christia Clinney, manufacture of meth, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of listed chemicals; Joseph McDonald, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; Christopher Butler, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of listed chemicals, manufacture of meth, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana; Frederick McCormick, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana
LIBERTY COUNTY
Feb. 4: Stephen Hanf, possession of less than 20 grams, poss. of controlled substance, poss. prescription drug without prescription
Feb. 6: Charlie Drew, sentenced to DOC; Shawn Goff, housing for CCSO
Feb. 7: Vicki Bailey, DWLSR, DUI refusal
Feb. 8: Crystal Landrum, housing for CCSO; Ronnie Taylor, state VOP
Feb. 9: Tina Marie Andrews, holding for Gulf Co.; Travis Allen, Liberty Co. warrant, Franklin Co. warrant, Travis Johnson, state VOP, out of county warrant
Feb. 10: Gary Miley, grand theft, trespassing
Feb. 11: Christia Clinney, hold for Calhoun
The above individuals were booked into the Calhoun or Liberty County Jail over the past week. Although they have been charged with a crime, they are considered innocent until proven guilty.
NEWS ALERT - Update on Air Commandos In Blountstown, Bristol
As reported last week, 16 Air Commandos from Hurlburt Field are ruck marching to honor our fallen Special Operations warriors and to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. They will be coming through Blountstown this afternoon, then proceeding into Bristol. Updated information is the group will REACH Magnolia Square around 3 p.m. (coming in on Hwy. 20 from the west). The group will set up at Magnolia Square for anyone wishing to purchase t-shirts, etc. to support the cause. Once they finish the visit in Blountstown, the Air Commandos will proceed into Bristol. The march began Feb. 12 at Hurlburt Field and will continue all the way to Tampa.
NEWS ALERT - School Superintendent Candidate Announces
Ralph Yoder has filed his letter of intent to run for Calhoun County Superintendent of Schools. This seat is currently held by Tommy McClellan who has not yet announced. Logan Barbee has also entered this race.
NEWS ALERT - School Board Candidate Announces
District 1 School Board member Danny Ryals has announced plans to seek re-election. No other candidates have stepped forward at this time for that post.
NEWS ALERT - Supervisor of Elections Candidate Announces
Election season continues to heat up in Calhoun County with another candidate stepping forward. Sky Scott has announced plans to run for Supervisor of Elections. The seat is currently held by Margie Laramore who says she does plan to seek re-election.
NEWS ALERT - New Candidate To Seek Commission Seat
A new candidate has stepped forward to seek the Calhoun County Commission seat for district 3. Nick Stone filed his letter of intent last week to run for this office. The seat is currently held by Don Miller. Also running is Jeral Hall, who previously served in this post.
NEWS ALERT: Corrections Officer, Quincy Man Charged With Tax Fraud
TALLAHASSEE -- Kimberly Nakia Lewis, 31, of Sneads, Florida, and Christopher Lamont Shorter, 33, of Quincy, were arrested today on an indictment charging them with conspiracy to defraud the United States in the filing of false 2008 and 2009 income tax returns.
The indictment alleges that, while employed with the Florida Department of Corrections, Lewis used the department’s database to obtain the names and social security numbers of inmates for use in a scheme to file fraudulent federal income tax returns. According to the indictment, Lewis gave the information to Shorter, who used it, without the inmates’ knowledge or consent, to file fraudulent income tax returns in the inmates’ names. Shorter then arranged for the refunds issued on the returns to be deposited at credit unions throughout Tallahassee, in accounts opened in the name of “Complete Solutions Tax Services,” a business Shorter established in 2008.
The indictment also charges Shorter with 25 counts of filing false claims against the United States, seven counts of wire fraud, 18 counts of mail fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft, in connection with the scheme. Lewis is charged with four counts of false claims, seven counts of wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences of ten years in prison for conspiracy, five years’ imprisonment on each count of false claims, and twenty years for each count of wire and mail fraud. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, the defendants face a mandatory minimum term of two years’ imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence.
Trial is scheduled for April 2, 2012.
Pamela C. Marsh, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, whose joint investigation led to the indictment in this case.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Winifred Acosta NeSmith.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The indictment alleges that, while employed with the Florida Department of Corrections, Lewis used the department’s database to obtain the names and social security numbers of inmates for use in a scheme to file fraudulent federal income tax returns. According to the indictment, Lewis gave the information to Shorter, who used it, without the inmates’ knowledge or consent, to file fraudulent income tax returns in the inmates’ names. Shorter then arranged for the refunds issued on the returns to be deposited at credit unions throughout Tallahassee, in accounts opened in the name of “Complete Solutions Tax Services,” a business Shorter established in 2008.
The indictment also charges Shorter with 25 counts of filing false claims against the United States, seven counts of wire fraud, 18 counts of mail fraud, and four counts of aggravated identity theft, in connection with the scheme. Lewis is charged with four counts of false claims, seven counts of wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
If convicted, the defendants face maximum sentences of ten years in prison for conspiracy, five years’ imprisonment on each count of false claims, and twenty years for each count of wire and mail fraud. If convicted of aggravated identity theft, the defendants face a mandatory minimum term of two years’ imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence.
Trial is scheduled for April 2, 2012.
Pamela C. Marsh, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, praised the work of the Internal Revenue Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, whose joint investigation led to the indictment in this case.
The government’s case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Winifred Acosta NeSmith.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
NEWS ALERT - Citizens Urged to Line Hwy. 20 Monday to Cheer On Air Commandos!
Sixteen Air Commandos from Hurlburt Field are ruck marching to honor our fallen Special Operations warriors and to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Calhoun and Liberty countians are urged to line State Road 20 Monday afternoon to cheer them on!
The march will begin Sunday at Hurlburt Field, FL, home of Air Force Special Operations Command. The route will go along Hwy. 20 through Niceville, Freeport, Blountstown, Bristol, and Hosford. They plan to pass through Calhoun and Liberty counties on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 13.
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce invites the community to support the march by lining the streets and making signs that show support. The Commandos will enter Calhoun County just before noon, reach Hungry Howie's by 3 p.m., then march through downtown Blountstown and on into Liberty.
Go to the Chamber’s Facebook page for more details.
The march will begin Sunday at Hurlburt Field, FL, home of Air Force Special Operations Command. The route will go along Hwy. 20 through Niceville, Freeport, Blountstown, Bristol, and Hosford. They plan to pass through Calhoun and Liberty counties on the afternoon of Monday, Feb. 13.
The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce invites the community to support the march by lining the streets and making signs that show support. The Commandos will enter Calhoun County just before noon, reach Hungry Howie's by 3 p.m., then march through downtown Blountstown and on into Liberty.
Go to the Chamber’s Facebook page for more details.

Renee Wallace Named Teacher of the Year; Heather Leonard is School Related Employee of the Year
The best of the best in the Calhoun County School System were recognized at a luncheon held last Thursday at Blountstown High School.
[Full Story »]
The Weekend Guide - Feb. 3-5
GAME NIGHT: The Altha Wildcats host the Liberty County Bulldogs in basketball Friday night. Game time is 6 p.m. for J.V., followed by varsity at 7:30.
ROMANTIC EVENING: The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement invites you to an elegant evening of scrumptious confections and classical chamber music and romantic favorites on Saturday, February 4, at 6:30 pm. CST. Enjoy a delicious buffet with live music. Cost for the event is $20 per couple and $15 per individual. Call 850-674-2777 for ticket reservations.
SELL YOUR GOODS: The River Valley Marketplace is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the greenspace next to Centennial Bank. Booth spaces are free and open to artists, crafters, farmers, gardeners, bakers, and business vendors. No flea market items permitted. Just show up and choose your own space, first come, first serve.
PREACH ON: A Black History Preaching Tournament will be held at Prayer Chainer's Church Feb. 3 & 4 beginning at 6:00 p.m. nightly with Evangelist Peterson. Contact Pastor G.B. Sheard at 674-8623, Le'Tonya Reed, 850-272-2482, Marjorie Peterson, 674-3449, or the Prayer Chainer's Mission of God Church, 674-5548 for more details.
ROMANTIC EVENING: The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement invites you to an elegant evening of scrumptious confections and classical chamber music and romantic favorites on Saturday, February 4, at 6:30 pm. CST. Enjoy a delicious buffet with live music. Cost for the event is $20 per couple and $15 per individual. Call 850-674-2777 for ticket reservations.
SELL YOUR GOODS: The River Valley Marketplace is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the greenspace next to Centennial Bank. Booth spaces are free and open to artists, crafters, farmers, gardeners, bakers, and business vendors. No flea market items permitted. Just show up and choose your own space, first come, first serve.
PREACH ON: A Black History Preaching Tournament will be held at Prayer Chainer's Church Feb. 3 & 4 beginning at 6:00 p.m. nightly with Evangelist Peterson. Contact Pastor G.B. Sheard at 674-8623, Le'Tonya Reed, 850-272-2482, Marjorie Peterson, 674-3449, or the Prayer Chainer's Mission of God Church, 674-5548 for more details.
NEWS ALERT - Car Slams Into Mobile Home in Altha
BY KELLI PEACOCK DUNN
News Editor
A single vehicle crash in Altha Thursday night sent two people to the hospital.
Ethan W. Noblin, 20, of Marianna, and Chelsea A. Walker, 17, of Altha, were transported to Calhoun-Liberty Hospital with minor injuries following the accident.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just before 10 p.m. on Chipola Street in Altha. Noblin was reportedly behind the wheel of a 2008 Nissan Altima traveling east on CR 274. He allegedly ran a stop sign at the intersection of SR 71 and entered Chipola Street. The vehicle traveled one block east, drifted left, and entered the north shoulder, striking a utility pole and fence at 25590 NE
Pennington Street. The car crossed Pennington Street, then collided with a mobile home at 15860 NE Chipola Street. The vehicle was totaled.
Trooper R. Cox investigated and noted alcohol was a factor in the crash. However, the only charges filed at this time are for reckless driving.
News Editor
A single vehicle crash in Altha Thursday night sent two people to the hospital.
Ethan W. Noblin, 20, of Marianna, and Chelsea A. Walker, 17, of Altha, were transported to Calhoun-Liberty Hospital with minor injuries following the accident.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred just before 10 p.m. on Chipola Street in Altha. Noblin was reportedly behind the wheel of a 2008 Nissan Altima traveling east on CR 274. He allegedly ran a stop sign at the intersection of SR 71 and entered Chipola Street. The vehicle traveled one block east, drifted left, and entered the north shoulder, striking a utility pole and fence at 25590 NE
Pennington Street. The car crossed Pennington Street, then collided with a mobile home at 15860 NE Chipola Street. The vehicle was totaled.
Trooper R. Cox investigated and noted alcohol was a factor in the crash. However, the only charges filed at this time are for reckless driving.

Hoops For Hope Tigers put on pink to fight breast cancer
Blountstown Tiger fans, basketball players, cheerleaders and even some aspiring little cheerleaders put on their favorite pink outfits Friday night for the Hoops for Hope game to benefit the fight against breast cancer.
[Full Story »]
NEWS ALERT - Romney Wins Florida; Gingrich Favored in Calhoun County
Election results are in with Mitt Romney being declared Florida's winner in the Republican Presidential Preference Primary. However, in Calhoun County, Newt Gingrich was the forerunner with 41.63 percent of the votes. The totals for Calhoun County are as follows:
1776 Registered Republicans
687 Casting Ballots
38.68 percent voter turnout
Michele Bachmann - 2
Herman Cain - 5
Newt Gingrich - 286
Jon Huntsman - 5
Gary Johnson - 0
Ron Paul - 49
Rick Perry - 7
Mitt Romney - 180
Rick Santorum - 153
1776 Registered Republicans
687 Casting Ballots
38.68 percent voter turnout
Michele Bachmann - 2
Herman Cain - 5
Newt Gingrich - 286
Jon Huntsman - 5
Gary Johnson - 0
Ron Paul - 49
Rick Perry - 7
Mitt Romney - 180
Rick Santorum - 153
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