Feature Stories

Investigation into inmate’s accusations inconclusive; Calhoun County booking officer turns in resignation

February 3, 2012
Investigation into inmate’s accusations inconclusive; Calhoun County booking officer turns in resignation

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor A booking officer with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office accused of inappropriate behavior by a female inmate will not be facing charges after a seven week internal investigation resulted in an inconclusive finding. Melissa Ann Terry, 34, was taken to the Calhoun County Jail to be booked in on methamphetamine charges following her Dec. 2 arrest. She remained at the jail for more than seven hours before being transported to the Liberty County Jail’s women’s dorm, which houses female inmates for Calhoun County. Three days later, Terry notified Liberty County Jail Correctional Officer Jenny...

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Blountstown native fulfills a dream and open bed & breakfast in Italy

January 27, 2012
Blountstown native fulfills a dream and open bed & breakfast in Italy

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor A couple of years ago, Rusty Wyrick said goodbye to his 25 year career as a computer programmer and consultant to fulfill a longtime dream of moving to Italy where he now owns and operates a bed and breakfast in the medieval village of Ghivizzano in Northern Tuscany. His discovery of the country that would one day become his adopted home came about due to a missed deadline. Following his 1981 graduation from Blountstown High School, Rusty continued his education at FSU where he applied for the college’s study abroad program in 1984. He...

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World War II pilot Terrell Yon will finally receive long-awaited French Combat Medal this Friday

November 4, 2011
World War II pilot Terrell Yon will finally receive long-awaited French Combat Medal this Friday

from Park Trammell After waiting 67 years, World War II fighter pilot Terrell E. Yon, age 92 of Blountstown, is about to receive a coveted French combat medal. In 1944, shortly after Yon returned to the States, the government of France announced that he had been awarded the Croix de Guerre medal for his aerial combat heroics in the Mediterranean. But he never actually received the medal – until now. French Brigadier General Bruno Caitucoli will formally present the medal to Yon in a special ceremony on Friday, November 4, at the Southwood Golf Club in Tallahassee. Family and...

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Agencies, DOT find ways to lessen environmental impact of S.R. 65 road resurfacing

September 9, 2011
Agencies, DOT find ways to lessen environmental impact of S.R. 65 road resurfacing

Plant Society and DOT work together to keep wildflowers thriving along construction area by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor For many local drivers, the 26-mile stretch of S.R. 65 that leads through the Apalachiola National Forest from Telogia to Sumatra is just another road that rolls past acres of pine trees and palmettos, like many others in Liberty County. But for members of the Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) in Tallahassee, it’s something special. “There’s no place in Florida with more biodiversity,” says Eleanor Dietrich, a FNPS board member who is quick to name several plants...

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Wilhoit Eubanks honored at Aug. 18 Liberty County Farm Bureau Banquet

September 9, 2011
Wilhoit Eubanks honored at Aug. 18 Liberty County Farm Bureau Banquet

Wilhoit “Fiddler” Eubanks was honored posthumously at the Liberty County Farm Bureau Annual Banquet in Bristol on Thursday, Aug. 18. He was recognized as being a long time Farm Bureau member as well as one of its directors. He was the oldest serving member of Liberty County Commission and his efforts contributed to Liberty County having the lowest unemployment in the state. Eubanks was also the longest serving member of the Liberty County Lions Club. His many accomplishments that benefited the county included: • Finding a permanent home for the Road Department • Reducing fuel prices by buying in...

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‘Lost’ hikers found in training drill at Torreya State Park

July 22, 2011
‘Lost’ hikers found in training drill at Torreya State Park

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor Emergency workers were put to the test last week when they were sent out on a mock call at Torreya State Park to find a missing hiker. The location of the training drill was chosen because of the challenges it offers, according to Liberty County Emergency Management Director Rhonda Lewis. The combination of hills and ravines provide many places for a park visitor to get lost. Radio and cell phone communication is spotty because of the park’s distance from the nearest cell phone tower. Despite the obstacles, searchers completed their task in approximately one...

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Former Liberty Co. Commissioner will be honored Saturday

July 15, 2011
Former Liberty Co. Commissioner will be honored Saturday

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor He only served one four-year term as a Liberty County Commissioner, but during that time he made his mark as he relentlessly sought ways to curtail careless spending of taxpayer dollars. And for that, the late J.W. “Fiddler” Eubanks is being honored with a plaque in his memory at the Liberty County Road Department on S.R. 20 Saturday morning at 10 a.m. “Fiddler was the biggest reason we got that maintenance department out there,” said Kenneth Green, who served as a commissioner during Eubanks’ 1996-2000 term. The two men contacted the St. Joe Company...

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Project Connect keeps kids from losing touch with their goals after completing treatment programs

July 2, 2011
Project Connect keeps kids from losing touch with their goals after completing treatment programs

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor If there’s one thing Donnie Read wants to avoid at his treatment centers for at-risk youth, it’s repeat business. The founder and CEO of Twin Oaks Juvenile Development Inc. has been working with troubled kids from around the state for nearly 13 years. He started in 1998 with 32 kids and 30 employees at Liberty Wilderness Crossroads Camp in the Apalachicola National Forest. Today, Twin Oaks operates eight different programs for troubled kids and has 585 employees. But the very thing that often leads them into trouble becomes a problem again after his clients...

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Visitors get a look at new workspace for CCSO deputies

June 17, 2011
Visitors get a look at new workspace for CCSO deputies

A recent remodel has transformed the old “blue building” behind the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office into a new workspace for Sheriff David Tatum’s patrol staff. Visitors toured the building during an open house last Thursday. Since 1971, the site has been used for storage as well as a work center for the county maintenance department. The refurbished building now has a training and meeting room, two interview rooms and a new evidence room and property room as well as some much-needed storage for the public records the CCSO is required to maintain, according to the sheriff. The updated exterior...

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Liberty County student takes part in National Spelling Bee

June 10, 2011
Liberty County student takes part in National Spelling Bee

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor Ann Marie Brown may only be 13 years old, but she’s already a veteran of spelling bees. She’s won the Liberty County Spelling Bee for the past three years and progressed onto the Regional Spelling Bee in Tallahassee. Her win in the regionals this year put in her in the national spotlight when she joined 274 of the country’s best spellers in the Scripts National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. last week. She made it into the Third Round before being disqualified, but was O.K. with how things turned out. “It was really fun....

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