News

Candidate Update

April 6, 2012

Two more candidates have joined the race for Calhoun County Sheriff. •Roman Wood, who is currently a major with the sheriff’s office, will run as a Democrat. •Former Calhoun County Commissioner Earl Hunt has also filed his intent to seek the county’s top law enforcement post. He is running with no party affiliation. Others in the race at this point include Altha Police Chief Jimmy Baggett and former sheriff’s office employee Kenneth B. Futch. Both are running with no party affiliation. In the race for the District 3 seat on the Calhoun County Commission, Incumbent Harold Pickron, a Democrat,...

Read more »

Broadband meeting set April 10 in Blountstown

April 6, 2012

BLOUNTSTOWN – Two centuries ago, this early town on the western bank of the Apalachicola River was a center for trade. Local Native Americans bartered goods to English and American trading companies and those goods flowed north to Columbus, Georgia and south to the Gulf of Mexico, for distribution throughout North America and Europe. Today, those rivers of commerce flow at speeds measured in “nanoseconds” rather than “knots” through worldwide broadband connections that can allow business and industry to flourish and public agencies to effectively operate in places like rural Florida. Blountstown will once again play a part in...

Read more »

Calhoun Clerk Attaway will not seek re-election; daughter files intent to run

April 6, 2012
Calhoun Clerk Attaway will not seek re-election; daughter files intent to run

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor After three terms in office as Calhoun County’s Clerk of Court, Ruth Attaway has decided it’s time to retire. She shared the news with the board of county commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. Attaway, who is 68, said she feels she’s met the challenges that came with the job and it’s time to focus her attention on other things – including family and her efforts as a volunteer, which includes serving on the board of Calhoun-Liberty Hospital. “The hospital is getting ready to move up to the next level,” she said, explaining that there are...

Read more »

Florida DOC launches new ALERT notification service

April 6, 2012

Tallahassee –The Florida Department of Corrections is launching a new automated system to alert residents living near a state correctional facility in the event of an emergency. The new ALERT Notification Service will keep residents informed of prison escapes, and can also be used in other emergency situations, such as when an Amber or Silver Alert is issued. Residents can call a toll-free hotline( 866) 358-5977 and register their phone or fax number and the facility’s zip code, which can be found below. Registrants will receive detailed information about an escapee including a physical description and the time of...

Read more »

Moonlight Market in downtown Blountstown Thursday night

April 6, 2012

Blountstown Main Street is hosting a Moonlight Market on Thursday, April 5, in downtown Blountstown, from 5-8 p.m. and we would love for you to join us. Booth spaces are completely free and the response has been overwhelming! So far 70 vendors have signed up to participate. Organizers welcome more artists, crafters, farmers, businesses, food vendors, organizations, churches, school clubs…anyone interested in setting up a space. (The only things not allowed are flea market items.) The downtown art gallery will be open, street performers will entertain, and artists will line the sidewalks working on their masterpieces. Anyone who would...

Read more »

Writer’s spiritual journey subject of April 28 Arts Series Event

April 6, 2012

BLOUNTSTOWN – The Blountstown Public Library announces the next Arts Series Event on April 28, “From Spiritual Awakenings to Musical Stories” located in the Heritage Room at the Library. The event is free and open to the public starting at 6:30 p.m. Author Peggy White Russ will share parts of a recently published book “Wake Up” that tells of her experiences as a pastor’s wife and her own spiritual journey of trials and triumphs. She became fascinated with storytelling during her youth and she is excited to come from her home in Cocoa to our community and spread the...

Read more »

Liberty County Included in National Solar Power Farm Projects

April 5, 2012

Melbourne– National Solar Power Partners has reached a major milestone in its plans to build solar energy facilities totaling 700 megawatts (MW) in Florida by completing an agreement to acquire several million advanced solar panels from SolarWorld, the largest solar-technology manufacturer in the Americas. The projects in Gadsden, Hardee and Liberty counties will showcase National Solar’s renewable-energy leadership by enabling institutions and investors to help establish U.S. renewable-energy infrastructure. In partnership with Hensel Phelps Construction Co., National Solar signed a purchase order with SolarWorld, a vertically integrated U.S. solar manufacturer for more than 35 years, following lengthy review that...

Read more »

Bristol man found dead at his home Wednesday night

April 5, 2012

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor The Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Bristol resident Tranum McLemore was found dead at his home on Hoecake Road Wednesday night. The sheriff’s office is currently at the scene and awaiting the arrival of the mobile crime lab from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Brigham Shuler confirmed that a weapon was involved. He said the sheriff’s office responded after receiving a call reporting a domestic dispute around 9:30 p.m. McLemore’s wife, Winter, and their children have left the home and are staying with family in Bristol, according...

Read more »

Technology “Geeks” to Convene in Florida Panhandle Town; Local public agencies to get glimpse of new Broadband Network

April 2, 2012

from Opportunity Florida BLOUNTSTOWN – Two centuries ago, this early town on the western bank of the Apalachicola River was a center for trade. Local Native Americans bartered goods to English and American trading companies and those goods flowed north to Columbus, Georgia and south to the Gulf of Mexico, for distribution throughout North America and Europe. Today, those rivers of commerce flow at speeds measured in “nanoseconds” rather than “knots” through worldwide broadband connections that can allow business and industry to flourish and public agencies to effectively operate in places like rural Florida. Blountstown will once again play...

Read more »

Five mailboxes hit, three vehicles damaged & two poles knocked down in mishap

March 30, 2012

by Teresa Eubanks, Journal Editor A Clarksville man backing up a log truck with an empty trailer set off a chain of events along SR 73 last week that left a trooper scratching his head trying to figure out what happened. Remarkably, no one was injured but there was a trail of debris after Thomas Charles Dawsey, 43, left home around 8:15 p.m. Thursday. According to the accident report, Dawsey was backing up when the rear of the trailer he was pulling slammed into a utility pole, causing the top of the pole and the transformer to fall and...

Read more »