Archive for February 2011

NFCC offers NEW Basic Mathematics Redesign Course

February 25, 2011 Education, Front Page Comments Off

MADISON, FL –North Florida Community College is offering a new Basic Mathematics Redesign course, which is already becoming popular among NFCC students. The new computer-based course offers student’s self-paced learning through web-assisted software called MyMathLab. NFCC was one of five colleges in Florida to receive funding from the state through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to fund the redesign project.
NFCC’s Basic Mathematics course was redesigned using student-centered coursework, which incorporates new teaching strategies, technology, tutoring, and individual and group learning. Basic Mathematics is a refresher to refine and develop basic mathematical skills. The course provides instruction and practice in computation involving the following: arithmetic with whole numbers, fractions and decimals, ratio and proportion, operations with integers and percents and applications of all of the previous.
The goal of the redesign is to encourage students to take an active role in their own learning; giving them freedom to learn at their own pace through activities most suited to their particular learning styles. The redesign is based upon NCAT’s Emporium Model of instruction, replacing classroom lectures with a learning resource center model featuring interactive computer software and on-demand personal assistance from faculty and peer tutors. NFCC’s Learning Resource Center is available five days per week and staffed with peer tutors for a wide range of hours allowing students to work at their convenience.
Students looking to enroll in NFCC’s Basic Mathematics Redesign course must get the instructor’s approval prior to registration. For more information, contact NFCC Redesign Course Coordinator and Instructor Efrain Bonilla at (850) 973-1718 or bonillae@nfcc.edu.

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Madison County Commission Agenda

February 25, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Agenda 3.02.11 1

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NFCC Presents Community Production “A Plot of Murder”

February 25, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

NFCC presents the community theatre production, A Plot of Murder, March 4-5. A hilarious Murder Mystery by Lee Mueller featuring The Sentinel Upstage Players of North Florida Community College. It all begins at Fleur Estates Neighborhood Association meeting – featuring a conspiracy theorist, curious neighbors, & an Elvis impersonator among other hilarious characters. But before Elvis can leave the building, he turns up dead. Special Secret Agent McManshon is quick to arrive. It seems he knows a lot about this plot of murder, but unfortunately, it’s a secret. For now…
Help solve the mystery March 4-5 while enjoying an evening of community theatre at Van H. Priest Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, contact Denise Bell at (850) 973-9481 or belld@nfcc.edu.

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Livestock Show Highlights

February 25, 2011 Front Page One comment
Four-year-old Lexi Cook catches a pig during the Pee Wee Scramble at the North Florida Livestock Show on Tuesday night.

Four-year-old Lexi Cook catches a pig during the Pee Wee Scramble at the North Florida Livestock Show on Tuesday night.

Dillan Moore catches a steer in a headlock and prepares to put a halter on him to be declared the winner in his calf scramble division.

Steven Walden rolls a pig over during the pig scramble at the North Florida Livestock Show on Tuesday evening.

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The Internet Is Forever: Part 7 In A Series

February 25, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Technology Is Amazing

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Technology changes everyday. Last year, hardly anyone had heard of tablets but now they are everywhere, with iPads and book readers, such as the Kindle and the Nook. This writer had thought he would never love reading anything as good as a book until he purchased his Kindle. Technology has taken hold of us in its death grip. It affects everything, including education, the cars we ride and, yes, even the newspaper.
A few years ago, newspapers had to work hard to get editorial content, including written stories and photographs. They had to get it to the printer on time so that the next issue could be published. It was deadlines, deadlines, deadlines.
These days, journalists and their publishers have to worry not only about a print edition, but also their web site. There’s a demand for breaking news stories to be posted as soon (and in some cases, before) they are ever written. Blog sites used by newspapers, and TV news crews, such as WordPress and Blogger, allow a person to post a few words about what is happening at that very moment. Social networking sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, also allow reporters to print up-to-date information.
Newspapers now find themselves competing with not only print media, but with broadcast media as well. Smartphones and digital cameras now allow newspaper web sites to have the ability to broadcast live on the scene coverage, as well as archive footage for a later airing.
In the near future, newspapers will be able to put their websites on other media. Already, Greene Publishing’s website (www.greenepublishing.com) is enabled for mobile devices, such as cell phones. In the near future, folks will be able to scroll through their newspapers using the remote control on their TV set. Instead of photos accompanying the stories, many will have videos embedded in them.
The future of technology is brighter than ever and remember, the Internet is forever.
Right now, however, enjoy holding this newspaper in your hands and sitting back in your favorite chair to read it.

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MCFEE Holding “Sale-Ing” For Scholars

February 25, 2011 Education, Front Page Comments Off

Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education (MCFEE) is having its “Sale-ing for Scholars” event on March 5, 2011, at O’Neals, from 8 a.m. until noon. MCFEE is trying to raise additional funds to support its programs, such as Mentoring, Scholarships, and the Teacher of the Year awards program. They are stil looking for donations of saleable items. Christi Annett can be contacted @ 971-5433 to accept and arrange for pickup of donations (tax deductible).

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Third Annual Charity Bass Fishing Tourney Set

February 25, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Clint Minter’s Friends and Family team and the Hopewell Baptist Church team are hosting the Third Annual Charity Bass Fishing Tournament. Proceeds will benefit the Relay for Life of Madison.
Registration for the fishing tournament will begin on Saturday, March 12, at 6 a.m. at Cherry Lake. Registration cost is $30 per person. Lunch is included.
The launch for the fishermen and fisherwomen is set for 7 a.m.

The weigh-in will be held at 1 p.m.
There will be a 25 percent payout to all who win or place in the tournament and the American Cancer Society will receive 75 percent of the payout.
For more information, please call Adam Sampson at (813) 267-7510 or email him at asampson@aol.com.
Happy fishing!

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Four Injured In Greenville Crash

February 25, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Fran Hunt
Special to Greene Publishing, Inc.
Four Monticello residents, including two children, were injured in a two-vehicle crash west of Greenville Tuesday night.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Tametra Crumity, 28, of Monticello, was driving a 2003 Ford SUV, traveling west on US-90 west of Greenville, at 10:30 p.m. February 22. In the front seat as a passenger was Michael Crumity, 29, of Monticello and as passengers in the back were a three-year old and nine-year-old child, both from Monticello.
Terrivo Hobbs, 30, of Thomasville, Ga., was driving a 2000 Plymouth four-door, traveling east on US-90.
For unknown reasons, Crumity, ran off the roadway, entering the north shoulder. She aggressively steered to the left and the vehicle began a counterclockwise rotation as it crossed both lanes of travel. Terrivo’s vehicle struck Crumity’s vehicle with the front of the Plymouth.
The SUV was struck on its right side and Terrivo’s vehicle rotated in a clockwise direction, coming to a rest facing south, partially in the east travel lane and on the south grassy shouder.
Crumity’s vehicle rolled over Terrivo’s vehicle, coming to a rest on its right side, facing east in a ditch on the south side of the road.
The two adult Crumitys were seriously injured, as was the three-year old. The nine year old sustained minor injuries. All four were transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Terrivo was seriously injured and transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries.
All five involved were wearing seatbelts.
Crumity’s vehicle sustained $9,500 in damage and Terrivo’s vehicle sustained $4,800 in damage.
Charges in the crash are pending further investigation. FHP did not deem the crash to be alcohol-related.
Assisting FHP on the scene were Madison Fire and Rescue, Madison County EMS and deputies of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

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“Baggy Pants Bill” Passes Committee

February 25, 2011 Education, Front Page Comments Off

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Thanks to Senator Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, students wearing baggy or revealing pants could now face serious consequences. Sen. Siplin presented what is officially known as Bill 228, to the Senate on Monday, Feb. 21.
This bill states that first time offenses will result in the student being excluded from extracurricular activities. A second offense will result in not only exclusion from extracurricular activities, but also a meeting with a parent of  guardian. Third time offenders could face up to three days of in-school suspension and up to 30 days exclusion from extracurricular activities.
Bill 228 not only affects boys with saggy pants, but also girls with low-rise jeans. This bill will make it against the law for student’s underwear to be visible or for teenage girl’s bras to be visible.
This bill has been passed in the Senate several times, but is yet to be cleared by the House of Representatives.
While support for this bill is widespread, many question whether or not this is a valid way for the government to spend taxpayer’s dollars or the government’s time. According to WCTV, Siplin stated, “We teach them how to do arithmetic, reading and math, so I thought why not also teach them how to dress.”
The Senate PreK-12 Education Committee passed the “Baggy Pants Bill” 3-0 and will now be presented to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Lee Man Dies During Accident

February 25, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A Lee man died after running into two trees on Saturday, Feb. 19, on Baker Avenue, approximately one-third of a mile north of Dale Leslie Drive.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Steven Alan Harrelson, 50, was traveling south on Baker Avenue. Due to a possible medical condition suffered by Harrelson, he traveled onto the west shoulder of Baker Avenue and collided into two trees with the front bumper of his 2003 Chevy Silverado.
The trooper reported that the crash consisted of a low speed collision with two trees.
Harrelson was pronounced dead at Madison County Memorial Hospital.
FHP Trooper Gus Smyrnios was the crash investigator. FHP Cpl. Terrance M. Chukes was the homicide investigator.
Harrelson was born November 21, 1960, in Hollywood. He had lived in Madison for the past 21 years. He was a Methodist.
A memorial service was held Thursday, February 24, 2011, at Lee Methodist Church at 2 p.m.
He is survived by his wife, Leisa M. Harrelson of Lee; two sons, Steven Harrelson, Jr. and Jacob Harrelson, of Lee; two daughters, Stephanie Harrelson and Samantha Harrelson, of Lee; one brother, Billy Harrelson, of Lee; and a sister, Diane Thompson, also of Lee.

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Three MPD Patrolmen Being Promoted

February 25, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

The Madison Police Department is having a promotion ceremony on Monday, February 28, at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Chambers. We will recognize the three officers who will be promoted to the rank of Corporal. These officers are Reggie Alexander, Jeff Rosenberg and Eric Gilbert.

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