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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.

Downtown Blountstown was the place to be on the Fourth of July! [Full Story »] 

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Friday that a licensed practical nurse at Florida State Hospital has been arrested and charged with one count of abuse of a disabled adult at the facility.

Melody A. Melton, of Blountstown, was arrested on a felony warrant by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

The investigation revealed that Melton, 45, struck a disabled woman at the mental health facility. Authorities say Melton attempted to forcibly administer medications to the victim by holding her nose closed in an attempt to force her mouth open, slapping her across the face, and pulling the victim’s hair.

Melton is charged with one count of abuse of a disabled adult, a third degree felony. If convicted she faces up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The case will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida.

Investigators with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received information regarding the alleged abuse from the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Adult Protective Services Program. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.