News Around Us

Blakely - Sixteen-year-old Milus Brackin of Arlington, who had been clinging to his life in the Augusta Burn Center with burns over most of his body, passed away last week.

Milus' uncle, Hank W. Brackins, was welding skids onto a fuel tank on the family farm just outside Arlington March 28 when the tank exploded.

Hank was killed by the blast. Milus' father, Jessie was nearby when the tank exploded and was able to pull Milus from the flames and rushed him to the hospital. Milus was flown to the Augusta Burn Center with burns over 90 percent of his body.

Milus' brother, Kentavious, 17, was also at the scene of the explosion, but was not injured.

Milus, a student at Calhoun County High School, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, May 1.

Blountstown - Trudie Alford, a third grader at Blountstown Elementary School, is recovering after being bitten by a Copperhead snake on campus last Friday.

School officials say eightyear old Alford and her class were at P.E. when she stepped on the snake.

"There were leaves and apparently the snake was just camouflaged up under there," says BES Principal Vicki Davis.

Trudie's mother, Juanita Alford, says the snake was very aggressive. "I think Trudie got in her space," Juanita remarks. "The snake had eight eggs with her. She bit her twice on the ankle. It stung her real light at first and she looked down, then she got her again. The snake went for a third time, and she jumped and started screaming.

Principal Davis says one of the P.E. coaches killed the snake, so they were able to identify it for medical officials. BES Vice Principal Debbie Williams and secretary Rosemary Swilley drove Alford to Calhoun- Liberty Hospital, and she was airlifted to Tallahassee Memorial.

"They had to put five doses of antivenin in her at $25,000 a dose," Juanita notes, adding, "I told them I didn't care if it was a million, put it in her."

Trudie was released from the hospital on Sunday, but still has a lot of leg pain.

Cairo - A Cairo man wanted for selling his uncle's car without permission last fall, has not been seen by law enforcement in recent months until Sunday night.

A Cairo police officer spotted Lionel Clayton Solomon, 23, Sunday evening driving a white pick-up truck on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Knowing Solomon was wanted, the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Solomon allegedly fled, driving out of the city limits.

The city officer was forced to discontinue the chase; however, a Grady County deputy in the area spotted Solomon on Highway 111 and picked up the chase. Solomon led the officer south into Florida, then back into Grady County where he lost control of his truck at the intersection of Highways 111 and 179. Solomon fled on foot, but was captured by the deputy, according to sheriff's officials. The deputy reports Solomon refused to follow instructions and was hit with the officer's Taser to bring him into custody.

Solomon was wanted for selling a Pontiac LeMans GTO belonging to his uncle to Rathel's towing & Recovery and Body Shop in Bainbridge last fall. After the uncle reported the car stolen, officers recovered it, and charges were lodged against Solomon who then allegedly fled the area.

Cuthbert - Several law enforcement agencies responded to a report of gun fire Thursday evening at Dismuke's Trailer Park.

An Edison man and a Florida man were arrested after police stopped a 2006 silver Dodge Charger. Cocaine, a 45 caliber handgun and a bulletproof vest were confiscated.

The driver, 44-year-old Freddie Cuff of Edison was charged with DUI. The passenger and owner of the car, Arthur Cuff, 37, is the nephew of Freddie.

Both men were charged with possession of cocaine with intent, reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm without concern for safety of others and possession of a firearm during a commission of a crime.

Bond was set at $16,000 for Freddie and $15,000 for Arthur.