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The Blountstown City Council voted 4-1 at Tuesday night's special session to retain Police Chief Mark "Kipper" Mallory for another year. Councilman Ronnie Williams, Sr. cast the only no vote. The standing room only crowd applauded the decision to keep Mallory as chief.

The special session was called after last week's regular council meeting. During the first meeting of the new year, the Council always votes on whether to retain the services of the city attorney, city manager and police chief. Both the attorney and manager were rehired, but a consensus was not reached on the chief's post. Mayor Tony Shoemake and Councilman James Griffin were in favor of keeping Mallory. Councilwoman Beverly Veress and Councilman Ronnie Williams, Sr. were opposed. Councilwoman Janie Boyd was the deciding vote and she said she would like to meet again and discuss some concerns with Chief Mallory.

Issues were clearly worked out during the week as Mayor Shoemake called for the vote at the start of the special meeting. Councilwoman Veress had a change of heart and was in favor of keeping Mallory. Councilwoman Boyd also cast a yes vote, making it 4-1 in favor.

Another four of the 16 suspects - the only men thus far - have been identified in the crystal meth trafficking ring bust that went down Thursday in Calhoun County. They include:

Anthony Wayne McClure, 30
Tyler Scott Elliott, 20
Clifton Larry Stevens II, 38
James Phillip Mayo, 53

All are charged with criminal conspiracy to purchase meth, possession of meth, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

Ten women were named yesterday in the bust, all on the same charges. They include:
Joann Lewis, 41
Chandra Victoria Goodman, 29
Angela Kay Tindall, 36
Amanda Hill Harris, 35
Cheri Ann Morris, 32
Catherine Jeanette Davis, 26
Laura December Wilson, 23
Victoria Lynn McClure, 31
Kelli Marie Odom, 51
Kristin Michelle Paul, 29

The final two arrested in the ring should be announced this morning.

BREAKING NEWS: A long term drug investigation by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has culminated in the arrest of 16 individuals. The charges are in connection to a Crystal Methamphetamine Trafficking Organization. The CCSO advises a press conference will be scheduled at a later date. No names have been released at this time, but The County Record is trying to get this information now. We will update as more details become available.