Bainbridge - Seven dogs held by heavy chains with less than a foot of lead, so thin and weak that they couldn’t stand to eat and left to fend for themselves for months were rescued Monday evening in what one official said was the second worst case of dog abuse she’s witnessed.

Beth Eck, director of the Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, said that Monday evening’s rescue of the seven pitbull-mixed dogs was the second worst case of dog abuse in her years witnessing this. “They looked like they had been there a long time,” Eck said.

The dogs were located in a wooded area where neighbors told officials that someone would come around to check on the dogs, but after about three months, Eck said the person who finally notified 911 said they didn’t see the dogs being checked on and that’s when they called 911.

Authorities are working on the case, attempting to locate the dogs’ owners. At the present time, it’s not known who owned the dogs or why they were being kept there.

Blakely - In the wake of last week’s events the question begs an answer...has Damascus become a city nobody wants?

Three council members announced their intentions to resign as they departed last week’s council meeting. And, Mayor Vivian Pounder officially submitted her resignation to city attorney Tommy Coleman Friday.

Pounder has been living in New Jersey for months and hasn’t attended any recent meetings.

With the resignations of Bridget Wells, Gwen Shuler and Tanya Williams Sol, the only remaining council member is Nathaniel Thompson, the mayor pro-tem.

Under the city charter, any vacant seats are appointed by the remaining members of the board. Only Wells has submitted a formal resignation letter. Assuming the others resign, Thompson would appoint two council members. The three of them will then choose a fourth member. The new council would then choose one of the four members as Mayor and pick a fifth person to fill out the council.

The city tried to hold an election several months ago, but nobody qualified. Seven people have been appointed to the council over the past 16 months, but they all have subsequently resigned.

Blountstown - A Marianna man is behind bars in Liberty County, accused of raping a teenage girl.

Zachary Ray “Red” Mc- Cormick, 19, has been charged with sexual battery on a juvenile 12 years of age or older in the case.

According to authorities, the girl was at a birthday party for a friend when she met McCormick. The two had reportedly been “hanging out” before the party started. At one point during the celebration, the girl said she and Mc- Cormick went outside with another couple. As she went to get a flavored water drink from her car, she alleged McCormick demanded she get in his truck, and they went for a ride. The girl reported McCormick raped her, and then they returned to the party.

The mother hosting the party noticed the girl was visibly upset and called authorities.

McCormick was asked to come into the sheriff’s office and give a sample of DNA. He refused and a warrant for his arrest was obtained. The DNA on the girl’s clothing matched McCormick. He was booked into the Liberty County Jail.

Havana - Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office operation “Sudden Impact” is starting to take a toll on local drug dealers.

Gregory Dupont, 42, Havana, was arrested after deputies served a search warrant for possession of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a dwelling where drugs are sold, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, selling of marijuana (more than 20 grams) and possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana with the intent to sell.

Five flat screen televisions were seized in the search of DuPont’s home.