DFS Police Arrest
After an extensive investigation into the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, just before midnight Wednesday, the Office of the City Marshal (DFSP) executed a search warrant at an apartment on South 19th Street. A search of the premises revealed a working clandestine laboratory. Two firearms, prescription narcotics, a quantity of methamphetamine, and methamphetamine oil were seized.
Arrested were: 28-year-old Jason Allen Rhodes charged with possession of firearm in the commission of a felony, manufacture of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a child day care facility, and possession with intent to sell methamphetamine; 27-year-old Amanda Michelle Smith, charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a child day care facility, and possession with intent to sell methamphetamine; 37-year-old Lynn Edward Banks, charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a child day care facility, and possession with intent to sell methamphetamine, and possession of a controlled substance. 25-year-old David Eugene Clayton, charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, manufacture of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a child day care facility, and possession with intent to sell methamphetamine, and possession of a con``trolled substance.
Two children ages seven and two were removed from the apartment and were unharmed. The investigation is on-going.
WCSO Burglary Suspect
Wednesday afternoon the Walton County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a female living on Sibelius Drive off of Oak Ridge Road in the DeFuniak Springs area, saying her home had been broke into. She told the deputies that she had been gone from her residence and when she returned around 1:20pm she noticed that the window shade to the den window was messed up. She also noticed a window on the deck next to the sliding glass doors appeared to have been broken out. As she went inside she noticed the blinds to the sliding doors were shaking, causing her to pause. A male subject came running out of the guest bathroom and ran past her out the back door.
She was able to give the deputies a description of the male subject and exactly what he was wearing. A perimeter was set up and the K-9 unit’s from Walton Correctional Facility were called in to assist with the search.
Deputies through information from the public were able to locate the suspect at a residence on North Davis Lane in DeFuniak Springs. The suspect is 20-year-old David Earl Cotton of DeFuniak Springs. He was arrested and charged with two counts of Burglary and transported to the Walton County Jail Facility.
Canaan Recovery Foundation
Canaan Recovery Foundation announces the Path of Grace Home, a women’s
long-term sober living facility opened and received it’s first residents on May
4th. They will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication at the
Home at 4PM on Monday, May 12th. The home is located at 4156 Hwy 20
East, 3.2 miles east of Freeport, FL.
Rabies In
Walton The Walton County Health Department has been
notified of 2 rabid raccoons near Highway 83 in DeFuniak Springs at the north
end of Walton County. Individuals who have been
bitten or scratched by a wild animal should contact the Walton County Health
Department. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be
prevented but not cured. The virus is spread through saliva and can be passed to
another animal or a person, usually through a bite. Infection may also occur if
the saliva enters open wounds, the mouth, or eyes of another animal or
person. Animals with rabies may show strange
behaviors- docile animals may appear aggressive and attack for no known reason,
while wild animals may appear very tame. Rabid animals may not be able to eat,
drink, or swallow. Drooling may occur due to this
inability. Please report abnormal behavior in animals to
Animal Control. If an animal is suspected of having rabies, or has bitten or
scratched a human, do not shoot the animal in the head. The animal’s
brain must be maintained in good condition in order for the animal to be tested
for rabies.
What should you do if an
animal bites you? Seek
care promptly after any animal bites you. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap
and running water for five to ten minutes. Go to your family doctor or hospital
for medical attention immediately. All animal bites should also be reported to
the Walton County Health Department at 892-8021. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention offer the following suggestions for preventing exposure to
potentially rabid animals: For more information, visit the DOH website
at www.doh.state.fl.us
or the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies. Jackson Found Guilt of
Death The Northwest Florida Daily News
reports a jury found Baheejah T. Jackson guilty for the death of a Panama City
woman in a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 98 last year. The paper says the jury deliberated for
nearly three hours before convicting Jackson of DUI manslaughter, vehicular
homicide and possession of marijuana. Election
Update Here
is the latest from Walton Supervisor of Elections Bobby Beasley. The
Walton Sheriff's race field of candidates continues to grow. The candidates will
face each other in the primary election, meaning one republican and one democrat
will be chosen to face each other in November. The candidates for Walton Sheriff
running as republicans include: Michael A. Adkinson, Jr.; Richard S. Brown,
Thomas M. "Tom" Cooper; Tony Cornman; Ralph L. Johnson; Jimmy L. Macon; and
Dennis Wise. The candidate for Walton Sheriff running as a democrat is: Danny
Griffith. Running for Sheriff as an No Party Affiliation is Grant D.
Parris. The
school board race for Seat 1 includes Robert Nelson, Mildred Wilkerson and Tim
Yandell. Running for school board seat 4 is Mark D. Davis and Marsha S.
Winegarner. School board seats are all non-partisan. Superintendent Carlene
Anderson has also prefiled as a republican to return to her office. Other constitutional prefiled
but unchallenged are Clerk of Courts Martha Ingle, Tax Collector Rhonda Skipper
and Property Appraiser Patrick Pilcher. All are republicans. Larry Jones, Terry L. Crosby
and Johnny Smith have all prefiled for Walton County Commissioner District 3 as
republicans. Scott Brannon and Anthony J. Vallee have prefiled for District 1;
both are republicans. Four people have pre-filed for Walton Commissioners
District 5. All are listed as republicans. Gregory C. "Charlie" Burke, Robert L.
Hudson, Cindy Meadows and George Wallace Smith are seeking the commissioner
spot. Current District 5 commissioner
Cindy Meadows will not be running. While Meadows has prefiled and is on the
list, earlier this week she changed her mind and decided no to run for the
office.
Jackson will only be sentenced on
either DUI manslaughter or vehicular homicide, but not both. It is common in
Florida to try to get a conviction on both felony charges in case a jury chooses
one over the other.
Jackson’s sentencing is scheduled for July 8 on
either felony charge along with the marijuana possession, which is a
misdemeanor. According to the state’s attorney, she faces a maximum of 15 years
in prison.
Testimony showed that Jackson had marijuana in her system
Feb. 2, 2007, when she was drove west in the inside eastbound lane on U.S. 98
and collided with 74-year-old Ruth J. Lakey near Prophets Parkway in Inlet
Beach. Lakey died at the scene and
emergency workers flew Jackson to a Pensacola hospital
The Northwest Florida
Daily News 29th Annual Marvin DeBolt Junior Golf Classic will be held
Wednesday, July 9th, and Thursday, July 10th, at
the Fort Walton Beach Golf Club. All proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls
Clubs of the Emerald Coast. The cost is $80 for ages 12-18 and $60 for youth
ages 8-11. Youth ages 12 and up will be playing 18 holes each day. The 8-11
division will be playing 9 holes each day. If you need any information or would
like to register, call 862-1616.
Softball teams, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers are needed for an upcoming May Day Festival on Saturday, May 17th. Call Marcus at 368-5455 or Willie at 305-6601 for information. All fees are due by Saturday, May 10th.
Hear local sports at 6:50 am, 7:20 am and 12:20 pm and FRN sports at 7:50am & 3:45 pm.
On Saturdays at 6:45 & 7:45 am, 12:15 & 4:06 pm.
And on Sundays at 6:45 am, 1:06 & 4:06 pm.
Please feel free to forward and use WZEP AM 1460 First News, but always include a mention of WZEP AM 1460 First News as the source.