AM 1180 Chattooga County Radio News reported the arrest of Howard Durham of Cloudland on theft by deception charges and has since spoke with Chattooga County Sheriff Ralph Kellett about the arrest of the former Tri State Volunteer Fire Department Cheif.  Kellett said the theft charges were brought against Durham following a GBI investigation into the finances of the Tri State Fire Department.  Durham is accused of using Fire Department funds for personal use.  Earlier this year when the investigation began, Durham showed investigators a receipt for an air conditioner that was supposedly purchased for the department.  The Tri State Fire Department is one of two fire departments located in the Cloudland area and is located close to the Alabama state line off Highway 48.  Since the investigation began the Tri State Fire Department has appointed a new board of directors to oversee the operation of the department.  Durham was arrested on Tuesday and booked into the Chattooga County Jail and later released on a $5,000 bond.