Bainbridge -A man talking on the phone at the Grocery Outlet on Scott Street was beaten and robbed of his cash at about 11 p.m. on Tuesday night.

Four punks walked up to the Hispanic male and demanded his cash. When he replied he had no money, they jumped on him and beat him.

One of the punks then reached into his pocket and took his cash. Three males took off one way, and the other ran behind the store.

The victim immediately called 911 from the pay phone. Public Safety officers were within blocks, and there were several cars on the scene within moments. Officer Dexter Sapp spotted three males in the area of Domino’s, called for backup and stopped to check them. He and Cpl. Brian Boyett detained the three. The mugged man did identify his three attackers.

The fourth male fled in the other direction, and a witness stated he ran down Monroe Street. Sgt. Jon Harrison searched the area with no luck for the punk with the stolen cash. Investigator Chris Jordan responded and took over the investigation.

The three punks arrested had their little red hankies hanging from their back pocket indicating they were gang members. EMS responded and treated the man at the scene.

The three punks arrested for strong armed robbery were 19-year-old Kendrick Caldwell of 927 Collier Street, 19-yearold Ricky Cook of 511 Columbia Street and a 16-year-old juvenile. Cook also had an outstanding arrest warrant from the Sheriff’s Office which was executed.

Blountstown - An Altha man has become the first Calhoun fatality from the H1NI “swine flu” virus.

Marcus Dale Whiddon, 25, passed away Friday at Bay Medical Center. According to the Calhoun County Health Department, he died of complication from the H1N1 virus.

According to Dr. Charbonneu, it is believed that Whiddon, who owned and operated Gulf Coast Construction, contracted the virus while in Duval County. “He came back and went to Jackson County Hospital and ended up on a ventilator about a month ago,” Dr. Charbonneau remarked. He was moved to Bay Medical after his kidneys failed.

Many people would think the elderly would be more susceptible to fatalities from the H1N1, but doctors say that is not true. Because in their long lives, they’ve probably acquired a virus similar to this and developed antibodies which help them fight it.

In a young healthy person who hasn’t encountered a similar virus, their immune system tries to attack H1N1 on its own and tries to kill the enemy but, in the process, wipes out a lot of good stuff.

The most at-risk for this virus is six months to 24 years of age.

Camilla - The Camilla Police Department was dispatched to an armed robbery in the early morning hours of November 13.

At 2:49 a.m. an armed robbery took place at the Kangaroo at 301 Hwy. 19 South in Camilla.

According to the store clerk, a black male approached her and asked her for a cigarette and to use the telephone. While using the phone, he went around the counter and pulled a pocket knife on the clerk grabbing her from behind and putting her in a head lock.

A small amount of cash from a cash box was taken as well as cigarettes that the robber grabbed on his way out.

According to authorities, after reviewing the store video, the robber was identified as 42-year-old Henry Bernard Spooner.

He is currently being held in the Mitchell County Jail charged with one count armed robbery, one count aggravated assault, and one count criminal attempt to commit kidnapping.

Donalsonville - On Friday, November 6, at approximately 10:45 p.m., sheriff’s deputies conducted a road check on St. Matthew St. John Church Road. A vehicle entered the checkpoint. Upon checking driver’s license status, it was confirmed that the driver had a suspended license.

After placing the driver under arrest, a search of the vehicle was conducted. Officers found a small plastic bag containing suspected marijuana, and also found a pill not in any container. The driver, Joshua Cabrera, age 19, of Donalsonville was charged with driving on suspended license, possession of marijuana and possession of hydrocodine.

Pelham - Though Tuesday, November 10, was a rainy day for many in southwest Georgia, it was bright and sunny for one Camilla resident as she got an unexpected visit from the Prize Patrol of Publishers Clearinghouse.

Two representatives from the company made their way to the residence of Nora M. Hurst to award the retiree a check for $10,000.00. However, when they arrived at her home, the senior citizen was nowhere to be found.

Undaunted by the winner’s absence and aided by the investigation work of one individual who accompanied them, the pair journeyed to the Pelham Senior Center to find and surprise Mrs. Hurst.

Hurst, an avid reader, said that she has been entering the contest for 40 years, beginning in 1969.

“You can’t win if you don’t enter,” Hurst told the other senior members.