Bainbridge - John W. Mc- Broom, 65, a retired Bainbridge financial adviser, was found dead Tuesday morning in the waters of a marina in Panama City, FL.

Panama City Police Department Sgt. Jeff Becker said at approximately 7:40 a.m. EST, law enforcement was notified that a male was located in the water at Watson Bayou, a marina where McBroom had his sailboat moored.

John McBroom Jr., one of John and Raquel Mc- Broom’s three sons, said one of the sons discovered McBroom in the water.

Police said he was staying with family in Panama City.

Blakely - Local authorities assisted the Georgia State Patrol and Bainbridge Public Safety with a traffic check this past weekend on US 84 between Jakin and the Alabama state line.

With the help of Jake, a drug dog handled by GSP patrolman Jaa Tucker of Blakely, authorities recovered $161,509 in suspected drug money and several weapons.

Following an “alert” by Jake, the cash and weapons were discovered hidden in the truck’s dashboard. No drugs were found.

No arrests were made during the stop and seizure of the money and guns. Bainbridge Public Safety is continuing the investigation.

Blountstown - A Calhoun County grandmother will be spending the next three years in prison for allegedly abusing her two-year-old grandson.

Renee Luddington was charged with aggravated child abuse last November, but was sentenced last Wednesday on child neglect charges.

As reported last holiday season, Renee’s daughter left her two-year-old son and young daughter in her care for an overnight visit at her Altha home. When she called to check on them, her mom said they were napping and to call later. However, when her mom failed to answer repeated phone calls, she called her aunt, Luddington’s sister, who lives on the adjacent property and asked her to check on the children. The aunt walked over and found Luddington at the kitchen sink. She then noticed the two-year-old boy by the pantry without any clothes. When he turned around, she realized his eyes were swollen shut; he was severely bruised, and he had bleeding wounds. The aunt got the child and took him to her house where she called 911.

Luddington allegedly told investigators the child fell off the porch, but she felt he didn’t need medical attention.

She was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by 24 months probation and cannot have any contact with children.

Cairo - A Grady County man is behind bars after a search warrant at his home uncovered an alleged methamphetamine cooking operation.

Danny Ketter, 53, was home with two other people when law enforcement officers from the Grady County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Wednesday, December 16, around 7:30 p.m.

At Ketter’s home, officers say they found a quantity of methamphetamine, plus items used in the manufacturing of meth, including five liquid petroleum tanks containing anhydrous ammonia.

Ketter was charged with criminal attempt to manufacture meth, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of anhydrous ammonia, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of marijuana less than an ounce, and possession of ephedrine in an altered state.

The two other people at Ketter’s home at the time of the search were not charged.