News Around Us

Bainbridge -A Florida man who pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine after sheriff's deputies found illegal drugs in his SUV last year has been sentenced to serve at least 15 years in prison, according to the sheriff's office.

Last week, Superior Court Judge Richard J. Porter III sentenced William Smith III, 35, of Sanford, FL, to a 30-year-sentence, at least 15 of which must be served in prison, Sheirff Wiley Griffin said.

Smith, who pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine, will also have to pay a $300,0000 fine, and his sentence cannot be probated or suspended, according to Sheriff Griffin.

Sheriff Griffin expressed satisfaction with the case's outcome, noting his investigators learned Smith intended to deliver the drugs into Decatur County and Thomas County for resale.

"Smith was a major drug trafficker with an extensive criminal history," Griffin said.

Blakely - Blakely's J.D. Murkerson won the third annual Sean Fister Classic in Little Rock, AK, last week pocketing the $20,000 first place prize money and notching another milestone on his way to becoming one of the top names among the world's longest drivers.

The event is a pro-am invitational benefit golf tournament featuring a long drive contest between the country's top long drive competitors. The proceeds from the events go to kids' charities in Tennessee, including the first tee program.

Murkerson's long drives began turning heads years ago as he became one of the area's top youth golfers. Several years ago he began competing in the Long Drivers of America competitions, competing the past two years in the world long drive championships in Mesquite, NV.

Murkerson's winning drive of 395 yards was good enough to hold off nine top competitors to follow.

Blountstown - A single vehicle crash in Gadsden County Monday claimed the life of a Hosford woman.

Tania S. Porter, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Potter was behind the wheel of a 1995 Ford SUV, traveling South on CR 1641, just 2.5 miles north of SR 12 in Bristol. Around 10:50 a.m., she lost control of her vehicle, and it traveled onto the east shoulder. Potter reportedly overcorrected, and the SUV rolled over, ejecting her. The vehicle came to rest in a ditch on the west shoulder. She was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Camilla -Suspects in burglaries and break-in attempts were chased by a Mitchell County deputy for several miles before crashing the car in Dougherty County.

The Holiday Market in Sale City was broken into at 12:04 a.m. Wednesday morning, August 15. The same auto revealed by the store's security camera was linked to a subsequent break-in attempt at Bob's Country Store in North Mitchell County later that morning.

Officer Martin Barnes spotted the car on Hwy. 112 on Friday night, turned around and gave chase to the car through Baconton and up Ga. Highway 3. The car crashed on Antioch Road in Dougherty County, and four or five people were reported to have left the car, scattering in different directions. All evaded capture, Lamb said.

However, a driver's license was found in the car which belonged to Amanda Brooks of Colquitt County. She attempted to report the car stolen on Saturday morning and was arrested for criminal intent for filing a false report.

A warrant has been issued for Jason Baird, also from Colquitt County, and reported to be the boyfriend of Ms. Brooks. His whereabouts were still unknown as of Monday afternoon.

Ms. Brooks was at work at the 911 center and not in the car when it crashed on Friday evening, Lamb said.

Shellman - Tragedy struck in Shellman this past Saturday morning. In the early hours, Casey Wade Head, 22, of Shellman, and Ashley Brooke Elton, 20, of Leesburg both lost their lives. Smoke inhalation incapacitated them, and they were unable to escape the house.

The call came about 3:07 p.m. with the fire being reported to the Randolph County Sheriff's Department in Shellman by a passerby. The Shellman Fire Department responded requesting backup by the Randolph County Fire and Rescue. Six fire trucks were used to extinguish the fire that was fully involved upon arrival by the firefighters.

The home was located on Highway 41 on Pearl Street in Shellman. Known as the Spann House, the home was a total loss. The actual cause of the fire has not been determined.

Sheriff Gay Yochum stated, "This is a tragic incident that has affected the entire community. All of the firefighters, emergency personnel and neighbors were devastated at the loss of the two young people whom many of them knew well.