Latest news with #TallahasseeDemocrat
Yahoo
3 days ago
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Linn Ann Griffin, co-owner at Strong & Jones Funeral Home, passes
Linn Ann Jones Griffin — longtime managing co-owner of Strong & Jones, the oldest Black-owned funeral home in Tallahassee — died Tuesday morning. She was 82. Jones Griffin — who was named one of "25 Women You Need to Know" in the Tallahassee Democrat's annual showcase of extraordinary women — was a fixture in the Tallahassee community. She was known for her care of grieving families and lived by a motto: "Let your light so shine that men shall see your good work that glorifies our Father which is in Heaven." Gary Goodwin, a friend and Sunday School teacher of the Patricia Proctor Bible Class 2 at Bethel AME Church, had nothing but kind words to say about the woman he said exhibited qualities that he wants to embody himself. He said Jones Griffin was a woman of faith who was dependable, reliable, generous and thoughtful. "She's really mothering and her compassion extends beyond the church as well," Goodwin said of Jones Griffin who faithfully attended his class. "I would say her compassion represents a good Christian woman and what a good Christian should be." Jones Griffin, who was born in Bainbridge, Georgia, graduated from Allen High School in Asheville, North Carolina. In 1965 she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethune-Cookman College and a Master of Education degree from Florida A&M University, a year later. She earned a Master of Library Science degree from Florida State University in 1977. She received a diploma in Funeral Services from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Services in 1981, according to her bio. Since that time, Jones Griffin has worked as a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc. According to the funeral home's website, Thomas Strong and his wife, Mamie Johnson Simmons Strong, met a "young funeral director in business in Quincy, Florida, named Elbert W. Jones." Strong and Jones became friends and would sometime assist each other with funerals. In 1947, Strong's sudden death left his wife to continue the business and she turned to Jones to serve as the funeral director. For a short stint, the business was named the Elbert W. Jones Funeral Home. In addition to her work at the funeral home, Jones Griffin also founded the Florida District V Ladies Auxiliary within the State of Florida Morticians Association. In memory of her mother, Inez Augusta Stevens Jones, a founder of the Strong & Jones Funeral Home, Inc. Jones Griffin supported an annual scholarship to a woman seeking a career in mortuary science — a field often dominated by men — in an effort to promote more gender diversity. Jones Griffin is survived by three sons: Thomas J. 'Tommy' Griffin, Jr., Elbert J. Griffin and Alfred S. Griffin, three grandsons, Thomas J. Griffin III, Tyler J. Griffin and Tristian Griffin and one granddaughter, Aliyah A. Griffin. The viewing will be from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Strong & Jones Funeral Home, 629 W. Brevard St. The funeral service will be at noon June 30 at Bethel AME Church, 501 W. Orange Ave., with burial at Southside Cemetery, 3484 Capital Circle SW, Tallahassee. Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@ and follow @TaMarynWaters on X. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Linn Ann Griffin, co-owner at Strong & Jones Funeral Home, passes
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
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Tallahassee police said they removed 57 illegal guns from city streets in May
The Tallahassee Police Department said it took 57 firearms off the streets in May. In a social media post, TPD says the guns were either surrendered, collected as evidence or otherwise seized from those who had them illegally. TPD's gun recoveries come at the same time that the Leon County Sheriff's Office seized several illegal guns, such as an AK-style pistol equipped with a 72-round drum magazine. At the same time, however, more than 50 firearms were stolen from vehicles, many of them unlocked, since the beginning of the year, the department said. So far in 2025, 10 people have died and at least 22 have been injured in 29 serious city and county shootings, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis of gun violence. Police urge residents to secure their weapons and make sure they aren't left in unlocked cars. More: National Urban League President in Tallahassee, endorses local anti-gun theft campaign Also: Stopping violence with keychains: Reminding Tallahasseeans to lock their guns in cars Arianna Otero is the trending and breaking news reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact her via email at AOtero@ and follow her on X: @ari_v_otero. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TPD removes 57 illegal guns from Tallahassee streets in May
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
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Legal threats may dim beloved Christmas tradition in Gadsden County
A beloved holiday tradition in Gadsden County may be going dark. After 18 years of lighting up Havana with their Christmas Spectacular at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm, the Allison family is facing legal threats from neighbors demanding they shut down their other popular display on Sandy Creek Road. Citing traffic and emergency access concerns, three nearby residents say they'll sue if the show goes on. "It's very concerning how this is all being handled," Thomas Daniel Allison told the Tallahassee Democrat in a June 2 phone interview. "We're definitely open to compromise… but it's been a difficult situation with the neighbors — a lot of verbal harassment, text messages, and social media threats." The show features seemingly endless strings of colorful lights set up in fashionable displays over homes and trees that twinkle and dance to the beat of Christmas music. Allison, the creator of the light show, said attendees are required to stay in their cars unless they are dropping off donations. The family works with the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office to makes sure traffic flows smoothly. Christmas is the family's favorite holiday and they consider the light show their outreach ministry. They have expressed excitement for the annual show in regular Facebook posts with countdowns, music debuts and other updates since January, when the 2024 light show ended. Cindy Piotrowski, another neighbor speaking on behalf of the those who oppose the holiday display, told the Allisons on May 31 there could be three separate lawsuits: One against the Allisons; another against neighbors who allow set up of the show in their yard; and still another against their grandmother, Frances Rushnock, who also lives on the street and allows use of her yard. A request for comment to Piotrowski on June 2 is pending. Allison said the family is looking to find a compromise with the neighbors for a shorter schedule or a different road safety plan. He hopes they can come to an agreement by June 15. If not, the show will be only be held at the Havana Christmas Tree Farm. "This is God's show, and we do it with him at the core of all that we do, so we're just praying for him to lead us in the next steps and if that means a transition off the street over the next few years, then it does," Allison said. "I don't think it would impact us one bit. It's just more of a matter of relocating. We're just grateful to have a backup location." Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@ Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Gadsden Christmas light show caught in legal crossfire with locals
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day shooting at Cascades Park was accidental, police say
Police have determined that the Memorial Day shooting that injured two teens in Cascades Park was an accident. Around 4:10 a.m., a group of three teenagers — 19, 18, and 17 years old — were at the park when the gun they were handling discharged, striking the 19-year-old man and grazing the 18-year-old man, according to the Tallahassee Police Department. From the weekend: Memorial Day morning shooting at Cascades Park in Tallahassee injures two "Initial reports indicate the firearm was discarded following the incident," TPD said in a statement. "It was later recovered at the scene and impounded as evidence." Officers initially responded to a call about a drive-by shooting near the city's crown jewel park, but it was quickly deemed an accidental shooting. TPD said the incident remains an open and active investigation. "No additional information is available for release at this time," TPD said. So far in 2025, 10 people have died and at least 22 have been injured in 29 serious city and county shootings, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis of gun violence. Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@ Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: TPD: Tallahassee shooting that left two injured was accidental
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Memorial Day morning shooting at Cascades Park in Tallahassee injures two
A Memorial Day early morning shooting at Cascades Park has left two people injured. Shortly after 4 a.m. on May 26, the Tallahassee Police Department responded to a call about a drive-by shooting near the city's crown jewel park in the 1000 block of South Gadsden Street. While the investigation is in its preliminary phases, a TPD Watch Commander told the Democrat that officers determined the incident was not a drive-by shooting. He was unable to provide other details about the circumstances of the case or the victims, because it remains an open and active case. He said, however, that investigators determined the public is not endangered. "At this time we have no reason to believe that a suspect is at large," he said. One person was reportedly grazed in the shooting, according to the Democrat's sources, but the other injury was more serious. The watch commander declined to comment on the extent of the injuries, but said both were transported to the hospital. "The injuries are believed to be non-life threatening at this time," he said. So far in 2025, 10 people have died and at least 22 have been injured in 29 serious city and county shootings, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis of gun violence. (This story has been updated with the latest count of the number of shootings). William Hatfield is editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. Email him at whatfield@ This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee shooting at Cascades Park leaves two injured
