Archive for June 2011

Catch “Red, White and Tuna” This Weekend

June 24, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

Get into the spirit of Independence Day early this year when the hilarious hit “Red, White, and Tuna” opens at the RAT (Rural Area Theater) in downtown Madison. If you caught last summer’s smash hit, “Greater Tuna,” you’ll love this sequel where many of your favorite, or not so favorite, characters return to celebrate Tuna’s 10-year high school reunion. If you missed last year’s performance, you won’t be lost as newcomers arrive in Tuna (the third smallest town in Texas), and the action and fun pick up where last summer left off.

The fun kicks off when three Tuna locals compete for the coveted title of reunion queen. Vera Carp, the leader of the Smut Snatchers of the New Order, is currently leading the competition. But that won’t stop Didi Snavely, local used arms dealer, and Pearl Burras, local eccentric, from pulling out all the stops to ensure victory. The end result is a hilarious twist, as Vera, and all of Tuna, are stunned by the newly elected “queen.”

In the meantime, Stanley Bumiller comes back home to bask in the glory of his successful neo-taxidermy spray-paintings of road kill. Town drunk R.R. Snavely, who hasn’t been seen in a few years, mysteriously shows up, claiming to have been whisked away by a U.F.O. All the while local animal activist Petey Fisk is busy protesting the upcoming Varmint, Critter and Pest Fest.

And in the midst of all of this mayhem, romance has blossomed between local radio personality, Arles Struvie, and his dearest baby, Bertha Bumiller. Their marriage is imminent, if only they can quit arguing over where to spend their honeymoon.

Excellent acting, along with creative costuming, brings these characters, and many more, to life. Donn Smith and Justin Webb reprise their roles from the original “Tuna” hit and Alberto Rosario joins the cast this year. Each actor portrays multiple characters, playing both male and female roles.

This show is directed by Jessica Webb with costume design by Judie Baldwin (RATT pact co-founders). Dawn Renner will keep everything running backstage as stage manager, and Tim Dunn is coordinating lights and sound. Performance dates are Thursday, June 23 through Sunday, June 26. A Texas bar-b-q picnic, prepared by Cheryl Abercrombie, will be served during intermission. Reservations are recommended. For more information, or to reserve your seats, visit the theater’s website at www.rattpact.com or call 850-673-9585.

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Greenville Man Arrested For Stealing Checks in Lowndes County

June 23, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off

A Greenville man was arrested for stealing checks out of mailboxes in Lowndes County, Ga.
Lowndes County officials arrested 28-year-old David Gavin was arrested after he allegedly tried to pass a forged check at a bank. A chase ensued. When Gavin was caught, he reportedly had three stolen checks in his possession.

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Video: MCMH Hospital Board Holds Meeting in Lee

June 23, 2011 Front Page One comment

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Captured: Terrance Dobson

June 23, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off
wanted Dobson


Dobson was arrested on Wednesday morning, June 29, in Perry.

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Basketball Tournament Being Held To Help 17-Year-Old Needing Kidney Transplant

June 23, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Marcus Moore, Jr.

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Family and friends of Marcus Moore, Jr. will be hosting a basketball tournament for the 17-year-old who suffers from kidney disease.

“I was recently diagnosed with renal kidney disease,” Moore said. “Before this disease, I was a typical teenage boy. I played football for the Madison County Cowboys, which I love, and basketball with my friends and cousins.”

When he found out about the disease, he was devastated.
“I felt like my life was over,” Moore said. “I learned that I would have to be on dialysis for the rest of my life and I thought I didn’t have anything to live for anymore.”

Moore lost 90 percent of his kidney function and has to go to dialysis three times a week.
“I didn’t think I had the strength to go through this at such a young age,” he said. “I just wanted my life back.”

Moore drew power from a higher source, however.
“I realized shortly after that, I needed to call on God in order to be that typical teenager and play sports once again,” he said, “but most importantly, to be healthy and live a long life.”

For Moore to have a kidney transplant, it will be costly and he and his family are asking for donations to help with the medical expenses. Family and friends have many events planned to raise money for the transplant. The first will be on Saturday, June 25, as a basketball tournament will be held at North Florida Community College. Registration for teams begins at 9:30 a.m. with tip-off for the first game at 10 a.m.

A prize will be given to the winners of the tournament.
Donations can also be made to a special fund set up at Madison County Community Bank for Marcus Moore, Jr.

“I am also asking you to keep my family and I in your prayers with the hope that we continue to have strength throughout our journey. Thank you and may God bless you,” Moore said.
Marcus Moore, Jr. is the son of Nyra and Marcus Moore, Sr.

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The Good German

June 23, 2011 Editorials Comments Off
Jacob’s Ladder
Jacob Bembry – Columnist

During the closing days of World War II, as the Nazis faced sure defeat, they executed Dietrich Boenhoffer.

Boenhoffer was a theologian who realized, in times of war, certain actions must be taken. He knew that Adolf Hitler was evil and he engaged himself in a conspiracy to rid the world of the mustachioed dictator. Boenhoffer could not sit by passively, as many of his fellow Germans had done, and watch a madman take control of his beloved country and attempt to take control of the world. He knew that when Christians failed to act, they opened themselves up for many things.

If other Germans had acted earlier, there would have been no need for Bonhoeffer and his fellow conspirators to plot Hitler’s assassination. Hitler would never have risen to power if Christians had not sat by idlyand watched history which would mark Germany forever unfold before their blinded eyes.
In England, Prime Minister Winston Churchill had to unite the British against one common enemy. Instead of just saying that Great Britain was at war against the Nazis, he said they were at war against Germany. Soon, all Germans were counted in with the Nazis. The British became unable to discern between a good German and a Nazi.

Following the war, the scales began to fall slowly from their eyes. In London, a memorial service was held for Boenhoffer. English people realized he was both a good person and a German.

Christians today do not need to sit idly by and let our freedoms be taken away; neither do we need to engage in an assassination plot like Bonhoeffer did. Things do not need to proceed that far. We simply need to exercise our power to vote as Christians; we need to be involved in activities in the community; we need to control what our children watch on TV; we need to read our Bibles and pray, and we need to attend a Bible-believing church.

Don’t let evil control our city, county, state or country.

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FYI: Special County Commission Meeting Set For Next Wednesday

June 23, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MADISON COUNTY, FLORIDA

NOTICE IS GIVEN that the Board of County Commissioners of Madison County, Florida will hold a special public meeting, to which all persons are invited to attend, as follows:

Date: June 29, 2011

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: The Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room, Room No. 107
Madison County Courthouse Annex
229 S.W. Pinckney Street
Madison, Florida 32340

Purpose: To consider and possibly act upon the response from the Army Corp of Engineers regarding the permit application to replace the CR150 bridge at the Little Aucilla River and allow the construction of a temporary bypass road around such bridge during construction and replacement.

To consider a possible amendment to the present Interlocal Agreement between the County, the Town of Greenville, the Town of Lee and the City of Madison to allow a portion of the proceeds of the Small County Surtax to be expended for Indigent Care within the County.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in any of the above meetings is asked to advise the Board at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting Tim Sanders, Clerk, at Post Office Box 237, Madison, Florida 32341, telephone:(850) 973-1500. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Clerk by calling 711.

If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

Posted on June 23, 2011. Board of County Commissioners of
Madison County, Florida

By: /s/ Tim Sanders
Tim Sanders, Clerk

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Big Boys’ Railroad Toys

June 23, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off
Madison County Coordinator Allen Cherry, new rail car owner John Leynes, Jr., custom builder Paul Zaro and friend Jay Boggs pose beside “the finest two-seater rail car in North America.”

Madison County Coordinator Allen Cherry, new rail car owner John Leynes, Jr., custom builder Paul Zaro and friend Jay Boggs pose beside “the finest two-seater rail car in North America.”

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

When they outgrow toy trains and accessories, they graduate to the real thing.

John Leynes, Jr., the son of Avice and John Leynes., Sr., of Cherry Lake (descendants of the Wood and Sutley families of Madison), is also an avid railroad enthusiast.  He recently bought himself a custom-made track car and took it for a spin Friday morning, June 17, on a length of unused railroads tracks near the old Madison Welding sign off State Road 53.

Leynes, who now lives in Jacksonville, and his friend, Jay Boggs, met up with Paul Zaro of San Jose, Calif., to look over Leynes’ new prize possession, the bright orange Beaver Car, an exact replica of those manufactured by the Beaver Car Company of Canada.  Zaro, who usually builds hot-rod cars out in California, built the little orange Beaver Car, custom-machining everything for Leynes.  It was a $50,000 car, which he sold to Leynes for $17,000.

When asked about the strange company name, Boggs replied that Canadians were more apt to buy something named after a beaver, moose, or other native critter, so many companies in Canada name themselves accordingly.

The type of car Leynes purchased once zipped up and down tracks all over the country, inspecting tracks and signals, and transporting maintenance crews, but the they were rendered obsolete by the new hy-rail equipment, trucks with “drop-down” whe-els. The new hy-rail wheels could travel standard roads and highways to a section of railroad, and then “drop down” the rail wheels that allowed them to travel the railroad.  The hy-rails saved time, needing no other vehicles to transport or offload them, and they eventually replaced the track cars.  Companies stopped manufacturing them about a decade ago and many ended up rusting and disintegrating in junkyards and rail yards.

Leynes’ friend Boggs is also a rail car fan, and a fan in general of anything to do with railroads.  Originally from Dayton, Ohio, he grew up in railroading family with grandfathers and uncles who worked for the railroad companies.

Canadians were more apt to buy something named after a beaver, moose, or other native critter, so many companies in Canada name themselves accordingly.

He also owns a track car, having purchased and restored one when he was still in high school in 1962.  “That was at least a couple of years ago,” he joked.

Boggs and Leynes have traveled up and down the Eastern Seaboard in rail cars, and Leynes had been looking for a rail car for sale for years.  It was during a “stunning rail ride through Canada” in 2005 that he met Zaro, who would later build “the finest two-seater rail car in North America” for him.

Boggs, Leynes and Zaro are all members of NARCOA, the North American Rail Car Operators Association, an organization that coordinates information on unused rail lines and branch lines that track car enthusiasts use to travel all over the country.

“Anything to promote railroading,” said Boggs.  “One way to solve our fuel problems.  It’s a very efficient way to move.”

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Remembrance Of Things Past… Eartha Barfield

June 23, 2011 History Comments Off
Eartha Barfield

Eartha Barfield

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

To say that Madison has changed over the years would be an extreme understatement. The older generation once knew a Madison with movie theaters, dime stores and many other amenities that no longer grace this small town.

Eartha Barfield has lived in Madison for the majority of her life. She attended high school in Greenville and spent many of her afternoons at Suwannee River Junior College’s (now North Florida Community College) ball field.

Barfield played basketball for her high school and, after school, almost every day she and the team would practice at the college’s ball fields. “I also used to jump rope and play hop-scotch. There were a whole bunch of us who used to go out there,” explained Barfield.

Growing up, Barfield stayed busy helping around the house also. She helped to cook dinners for her and her family. She also cleaned around her house by dusting and mopping the floors every week.

Some of her hobbies included sewing, a hobby that she still holds today. “I want to learn to crotchet, too,” said Barfield. She enjoys sewing all sorts of things, so many in fact that she can’t list just one favorite. Sewing allowed her a chance growing up to have something to do when she wasn’t playing ball.

Another activity that Barfield enjoyed doing, and she even described it as her job, was planting flowers. She enjoyed working in the garden and planting all kinds of flowers.

Being outside was one of Barfield’s favorite things. Whether she was outside playing ball or working in the garden, a large portion of her time was spent outdoors.

Being outdoors played a large part in Madison’s past. Unlike present day, there was not much to do inside. There were no video games or computers to entertain children, so instead, they went outside to play with other children.

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NFCC Early Childhood Professional Graduate Named Assistant Childcare Teacher Of The Year

June 23, 2011 Education Comments Off
Jo Jo Romie is outside Daisies and Doodlebugs, next to her congratulatory sign.

Jo Jo Romie is outside Daisies and Doodlebugs, next to her congratulatory sign.

North Florida Community College Early Childhood Professional graduate, Jo Jo Romie, was recently named Assistant Childcare Teacher of the Year for the Florida Big Bend.

The award, given by the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region, is based on parent and community nominations that extend throughout the coalition’s seven county service area.

Romie resides in Madison County with her daughter. She recently completed the Early Childhood Professional Certificate program with honors at NFCC and is employed at Daisies and Doodlebugs Pre-School in Madison Fla. She is currently enrolled in NFCC’s Child Care Directors Certificate program,where she will learn many broad transferable skills geared toward directors and managers in the early childhood industry.

The classes that I enrolled in at NFCC were very beneficial and taught me how to be a successful teacher and an intelligent employee,” Romie said.  “Over the past year I have enjoyed working with the children, families and co-workers at Daisies and Doodlebugs Pre-School.”

NFCC offers an Associate in Arts degree with an emphasis in education and certificate programs in Early Childhood Professional and Child Care Director.  For program information contact Tara Orlowski at (850) 973-1789 or email Orlowskit@nfcc.edu.

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Kiwanis Club’s Support Of Take Stock In Children Scholarships

June 23, 2011 Education Comments Off
Kiwanis0443

Jessica Fralix, TSIC Scholar (right) and Lucile Day, Pres.-Elect, Kiwanis Club are helping in the Take Stock in Childlren program.

The Kiwanis Club of Madison recently presented a check to the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc. for another Take Stock in Children Scholarship. Through the years, the local Kiwanis Club has given more than $36,000 for Take Stock in Children Scholars.

This gift of over $36,000 has been a great investment in the students of Madison County as these dollars have been matched most years and even tripled some years by other partners and agencies. The membership of the local club and other Kiwanis Clubs across the state of Florida have noted that the Take Stock in Children Programs around the state have a student monitoring process which keeps students on a positive track toward high school graduation and entry into college or technical training. Kiwanis members know that they are truly taking stock in children and getting the most for their dollars through this outstanding program, which has the capability of generating additional funds.

The Kiwanis Club of Madison has sponsored 11 Take Stock in Children Scholars through the years. One of the students, Magenta Hall, graduated from FSU this spring with a degree in Nursing. Others are now working toward high school graduation or on their college degrees.

Our most recent high school graduate, Jessica Fralix, was a special guest at the club in May, along with her Mother, Vivian Fralix. Jessica, a recent honor graduate at Madison County High School, will enter NFCC in the fall and plans to pursue a degree in Psychology.

Also, members of the club have been very active in the mentoring facet of the program.

The Kiwanis Club has various fundraising events throughout the year to fund this important project with the annual Citrus Sale being a major one. When you purchase Citrus Fruit from the Kiwanis Club in December of each year, you are helping the youth of Madison County further their education, move into careers and professions with well-developed skills and to be productive citizens in our community.

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Farm Bureau Hosts County Legislative Session

June 23, 2011 Around Madison, Outdoors Comments Off
Rep. Leonard Bembry addresses local farmers, ranchers and business leaders.

Rep. Leonard Bembry addresses local farmers, ranchers and business leaders.

The local Madison County Farm Bureau recently sponsored a Post Session County Legislative Session at the local Ag Center, for local farmers and local business leaders and County leaders as well.  Rep. Leonard Bembry attended, as well as the Agricultural liaison from Congressman Steve Southerland.

Kevin Kelley of Branford, who works for Congressman Southerland, told the group of several key National issues facing farmers and ranchers this coming year.  Perhaps the most important issues facing Florida Farmers during the coming year, is passage of the National Farm Bill.   Even though Southerland does not represent Madison County, Kevin is a past employee of Farm Bureau and knows all about Washington politics.

Farm Bureau is truly the “Voice of Agriculture”,
and we are indeed proud of this designation, – Hamrick

The highlight of the evening was Rep. Leonard Bembry, who gave an update from this past Florida Legislative Session in Tallahassee.  Bembry has been a champion of all Farm Bureau legislative issues, and is a highly respected state legislator of all County Farm Bureaus all across Florida.  As a conservative Democrat, he took the lead on practically all Farm Bureau priority issues, and we are forever grateful for his leadership as well as his friendship.

This Madison County Farm Bureau Legislative Meeting has been sponsored by the local Young Farmer and Rancher Committee for nearly 10 years.  Chairman of this committee is Willie Agner, Jr. was absent this year due to having back ailments.  The meeting went on as planned with County President Jeffery Hamrick taking charge.  Jeffery is also a local Young Farmer.

Perhaps the most important aspect of Farm Bureau is being involved in the State and Federal Legislative Programs.  In May, Madison had two members attend the Annual Field to the Hill Meeting, along with over 80 other Farm Bureau members from all across the state of Florida.  Maria and Jennifer Greene attended and meet with Congressman Crenshaw, and both of the  area’s US Senators.

If anyone would like to be involved in the Farm Bureau Legislative process, all you need do is contact the local Farm Bureau.  Farm Bureau is truly the “Voice of Agriculture”, and we are indeed proud of this designation, added President Hamrick.

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SRWMD Urges Water Conservation As Drought Persists

June 23, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
The Suwannee River at Suwannee Springs at its lowest flow ever recorded. Several months of rainfall deficits have led to historical low flows on the upper Suwannee River.

The Suwannee River at Suwannee Springs at its lowest flow ever recorded. Several months of rainfall deficits have led to historical low flows on the upper Suwannee River.

As drought conditions continue to worsen, the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) urges all water users to eliminate non-essential uses of water.

“We had the ninth driest May since 1932, and the upper Aucilla, Suwannee and Santa Fe basins experienced rainfall deficits of nearly 25 inches compared to an average year,” said Megan Wetherington, District senior professional engineer.

Several months of below-average rainfall has led to record-breaking low flows on the upper Suwannee River, including the Suwannee River at White Springs with records going back to 1906. Gages on the upper Santa Fe reported that flow has ceased. Coastal rivers fell to much below normal after five months of near-normal flow, and all 16 District-monitored lakes were below their historical average level.

Groundwater levels fell in 92 percent of monitored wells. Levels in the Santa Fe Basin were near the 15th percentile for the period of record, meaning that almost 85 percent of the time they have been higher than they are now. In the Suwannee River basin, levels fell to the 22nd percentile.
According to the most recent drought report, the National Weather Service classified drought conditions in the Suwannee River basin as severe. The Florida Division of Forestry estimated the fire danger for most of the area as high or very high.

The District has taken the following actions to urge the public to cut back on water use:
Water Shortage Advisory: Declared by the District’s Governing Board in December 2010, the advisory asks all users to voluntarily reduce water consumption indoors and outdoors until further notice.
“The advisory simply calls upon all of us to take voluntary steps to reduce both indoor and outdoor water use during times of drought and until conditions recover,” said Jon Dinges, District director of water supply and resource management.

Once drought conditions improve and groundwater and surfacewater levels rebound, the governing board may cancel the Water Shortage Advisory. Should conditions worsen, however, the governing board may impose mandatory water-use restrictions.

Landscape Irrigation Rule: Adopted into Florida Administrative Code in January 2010, the rule requires homeowners, businesses, and others to limit lawn and landscape watering to two days during daylight savings time and one day per week during standard time. Irrigation should not occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The landscape irrigation rule is a year-round conservation measure aimed at stretching our water supplies for the long term,” Dinges said.

The advisory and irrigation rule applies to residents within the District’s boundaries, which means all of Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union counties, and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson, Levy and Putnam counties.
For more information, contact the District at 386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (FL only).

The District offers the following tips to conserve indoors and outdoors:

  • Fix leaky faucets and toilets, which can waste up to 100 gallons per day.
  • Replace older fixtures and appliances with low-flow, water-saving models.
  • Turn off tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.
  • Water lawns and landscapes only one day per week and not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Use Florida-Friendly Landscaping™.
  • Equip hoses with automatic shutoff nozzles.
  • Wash vehicles infrequently and only on porous surfaces.
  • Use a broom or blower – not a hose – to clean sidewalks, driveways, parking areas.
  • Take shorter showers; staying under 5 minutes can save 1,000 gallons per month.
  • Don’t use a toilet as a waste basket.

 

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Madison First Baptist VBS July 17-22

June 23, 2011 Church Comments Off
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Come one, come all to New York City; the city of lights, of love and now of Vacation Bible School. This year’s theme for Madison First Baptist is Big Apple Adventure. The students will be enveloped in the big city feel, all the while they will be learning about Jesus.

Everyone is invited to attend. Meals will be served each night to the students who participate. Classes range from Kindergarten through fifth grade. There will also be an adult class this year.

The dates for VBS are July 17-22. Supper will begin each night at 5:30 p.m. Come join Madison First Baptist as they take over the Big Apple with Christ’s word.

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DAILY WILDFIRE REPORT

June 23, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off

Submitted by Chelsea Parker, Division of Forestry
6/23/2011
__________________________________________________________

NOTE

- Yesterday, the Perry District had one small road-shoulder fire off I-10 in Madison County caused by a vehicular tire blow-out. This fire is contained at this time and will be checked again today. In total, the Perry District has 7 active wildfires that have burned over 150 acres.

- Presently, the Perry district is EXTREMELY limited on man power, having sent several personnel to assist in wildfire suppression efforts and operational activities out-of-district where there is a greater need. We are urging citizens to refrain from outdoor burning of any kind so that the limited local firefighting personnel can continue to be ready and available to fight unpreventable fires such as those caused by lightning.

- Firefighters need your help protecting your home. Keep your yard lean, clean and green! Use fire-proof and fire resistant building materials! Visit www.firewise.org for more information on how your home can become FIREWISE!

- If you see or hear of a wildfire, IMMEDIATELY call 911 or the Division of Forestry Perry District office at (850) 838-2299
__________________________________________________________

BURNING RESTRICTIONS:

- NO BURNING will be permitted today

- STRONGLY urging citizens to refrain from ALL burning of any kind until a substantial amount of rainfall is received.

- Governor Scott’s Declaration: http://www.flgov.com/2011/06/13/eo-11-128/

__________________________________________________________

FIRE DANGER INDEX:

The Division of Forestry uses the Wildland Fire Danger Index (FDI) for estimating the potential for a fire to start and require suppression action on any given day. It does not consider how quickly any fires that do start will grow, or how difficult they will be to suppress.

http://flame.fl-dof.com/fire_danger/wims-report.html

Madison- High
Taylor- Moderate
Lafayette- High
Dixie- High

__________________________________________________________

KEETCH-BYRAM DROUGHT INDEX (KBDI):

The Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers. The index increases for each day without rain (the amount of increase depends on the daily high temperature) and decreases when it rains.

The scale ranges from 0 to 800.

Madison- 685 (+8) Severe
Taylor- 649 (+9) Severe
Lafayette- 617 (+10) Moderate/Severe
Dixie- 684 (+7) Severe
.
__________________________________________________________

ACTIVE WILDFIRES: 7 (1 NEW)

1. Madison County (NEW)

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/22/2011 @ 1:52 pm

— LOCATION: Off I-10 near mile marker 256

— ACRES BURNED: 1/5 acre

— CAUSE: Vehicular Tire Blow-Out

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/22/2011 @ 2:23 pm

— Madison Co. Fire Department also responded to this wildfire

_____________________________________

2. Dixie County

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/19/2011 @ 6:40 pm

— LOCATION: SW Hwy 57/Shired Island Road near Horseshoe

— ACRES BURNED: 5 acre

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/19/2011 @ 7:39 pm

— Dixie Co. Fire Department also responded to this wildfire

— UPDATE 6/23/2011:
- Some smoke still visible on the fire
- Fire will be checked again today
- Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge will be monitoring and mopping up this fire from this point forward.

_____________________________________

3. Taylor County

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/17/2011 @ 11:08 pm

— LOCATION: off Beach Road on Dark Island

— ACRES BURNED: 33 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/18/2011 @ 4:11 am

— UPDATE 6/23/2011:
- 1,800 gallons of water were utilized to extinguish smoke on the fire yesterday.
- Also assisting with this fire, were the Dixie County Fire Department, the Beaches Volunteer Fire Department, Taylor County Fire Department, FWC, and the Jena/Steinhatchee Fire Department.

_____________________________________

4. Taylor County

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/16/2011 @ 11:36 am

— LOCATION: off Hwy 14 and Hwy 98, south of Old Cabbage Grove Fire Tower

— ACRES BURNED: 75.4 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/16/2011 @ 1:06 pm

— UPDATE 6/23/2011:
- No smoke visible on the fire yesterday
- Fire will be checked again today
- Foley Timber & Land Company also responded to this wildfire
_____________________________________

5. Dixie County:

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/7/2011 @ 5:20 pm

— LOCATION: Near the town of Suwannee, off of Hwy. 349

— ACRES BURNED: 10 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— Wildfire was contained by Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Personnel

— UPDATE 6/18/2011:
- Some smoke still visible, Fire line still secure
- Lower Suwannee NWR will continue to monitor this wildfire.

_____________________________________

6. Taylor County:

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/6/2011 @ 10:11 pm

— LOCATION: Cabbage Grove on the North side of Highway 98.

— ACRES BURNED: 5.5 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/7/2011 @ 12:58 am

— UPDATE 6/23/2011
- No smoke visible on the fire yesterday
- Fire will be checked again today
- Foley Timber & Land assisted with this fire again yesterday
_____________________________________

7. Dixie County:

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/6/2011 @ 3:18 pm

— LOCATION: County Road 353 NE, between #1 and #2 Road in Saw Hill Hunting Club.

— ACRES BURNED: 23.4 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/6/2011 @ 9:21 pm

—UPDATE 6/23/2011:
- No smoke visible on the fire yesterday
- Fire will be checked again today
- Dixie County Fire Department and the Campbell Group also responded to this wildfire.

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A.M. Wildfire Update

June 23, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
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Video: Heated Discussion at School Board Meeting

June 22, 2011 Front Page 4 comments

At the June 21, 2011 School Board meeting a heated discussion about cutting the principals’ salaries at Greenville, Lee and Pinetta Elementary Schools took place. The discussion can be viewed at approximately the 30 minute mark on the video.

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8U All-Star Baseball Team Headed To State

June 22, 2011 Front Page, Sports Comments Off
Pictured are: bottom row, left to right; #5 Rhett Rutherford, #6 Riley Borgert, #1 Brannon Tolar, BatBoy Wesley Borgert, #32 Tyrece Pryor , #4 Mitch Rutherford, #7 Brady Browning, back row, left to right; #2 Vinsont’a Allen, #3 Blaydon Plain,#12 Caleb Ginn, #25 Will Sullivan, #10 Zarion Preaster, #27 Jake Driggers, Coach-Jack Plain, Manager-Billy Tolar, Coach-Dan Rutherford.

Pictured are: bottom row, left to right; #5 Rhett Rutherford, #6 Riley Borgert, #1 Brannon Tolar, BatBoy Wesley Borgert, #32 Tyrece Pryor , #4 Mitch Rutherford, #7 Brady Browning, back row, left to right; #2 Vinsont’a Allen, #3 Blaydon Plain,#12 Caleb Ginn, #25 Will Sullivan, #10 Zarion Preaster, #27 Jake Driggers, Coach-Jack Plain, Manager-Billy Tolar, Coach-Dan Rutherford.Submitted by Gina Rutherford

The 8U All Star team traveled to Lake City this past weekend and competed in the Cal Ripken North Florida State Qualifier.
Madison’s first opponent in the tournament was Bradford, who they defeated 17-0 in 4 innings.
In the second game, Madison took the field against Suwannee’s All Stars and ended the game in three innings with an 18-0 score.
The third and final game had Madison paired with Branford. Our boys ended this game also in three innings, putting another 17 runs across the plate, while holding Branford to three scoreless innings.
When the dust had settled, Madison scored 52 runs in three games, while allowing no runs by their opponents.
By going undefeated and winning their bracket, Madison has qualified for a return trip to Palm Beach Gardens to represent the Madison County Babe Ruth League in the State Tournament. Last year, Madison finished second in the State and our boys are hoping to best that this year by winning the State Title.
To do this, the team needs the community’s continued support. To date, we have sold raffle tickets, watermelons and chicken and rice dinners in an effort to help cover the expenses of uniforms, tournament fees, traveling and lodging. Our team truly appreciates everything this community has done to support this team, but we need your continued support.
If you are interested in sponsoring our team, please call Billy Tolar or send your check, made payable to: Madison County Babe Ruth League, c/o Billy Tolar, 317 SW Osceola Way, Greenville, FL 32331. Please call 850.673.7957 if you have any questions or would like your donation picked up.
The team is made up of the following players and coaches; #1 Brannon Tolar, #2 Vinsonte Allen, #3 Blaydon Plain, #4 Mitch Rutherford, #5 Rhett Rutherford, #6 Riley Borgert, #7 Brady Browning, #10 Zarion Preaster, #12 Caleb Ginn, #25 Will Sullivan, #27 Jake Driggers, #32 Tyrece Pryor, Coaches are Billy Tolar, Dan Rutherford, and Jack Plain

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Daily Wildfire Report and Drought Index

June 22, 2011 Front Page, Outdoors Comments Off

Submitted by Chelsea Parker, Division of Forestry
NOTE

- Locally, we are supporting the Suwannee District staff as much as possible as they deal not only with their loss but also the ongoing wildfire situation. Yesterday morning we sent a strike team of 4 medium dozers and 1 brush truck (6 personnel total) to Live Oak. These resources will remain in Suwannee District for the next few days.

- Presently, the Perry district is extremely limited on man power, having sent several personnel to assist in wildfire suppression efforts and operational activities out-of-district. Fortunately, we currently have only 6 wildfires that have burned roughly 150 acres in the Perry District. Mop-up efforts continued yesterday with the help of FWC, Taylor County Fire and a Tallahassee DOF brush truck (thanks to all of them).

- We are urging citizens to refrain from outdoor burning of any kind so that the limited local firefighting personnel can continue to be ready and available to fight unpreventable fires such as those caused by lightning.

- If you see or hear of a wildfire, IMMEDIATELY call 911 or the Division of Forestry Perry District office at (850) 838-2299
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DAILY WILDFIRE REPORT
6/22/2011

BURNING RESTRICTIONS:

- NO BURNING will be permitted today

- STRONGLY urging citizens to refrain from ALL burning of any kind until a substantial amount of rainfall is received.

- Governor Scott’s Declaration: http://www.flgov.com/2011/06/13/eo-11-128/

__________________________________________________________

FIRE DANGER INDEX:

The Division of Forestry uses the Wildland Fire Danger Index (FDI) for estimating the potential for a fire to start and require suppression action on any given day. It does not consider how quickly any fires that do start will grow, or how difficult they will be to suppress.

http://flame.fl-dof.com/fire_danger/wims-report.html

Madison- Very High
Taylor- High
Lafayette- Very High
Dixie- High

__________________________________________________________

KEETCH-BYRAM DROUGHT INDEX (KBDI):

The Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers. The index increases for each day without rain (the amount of increase depends on the daily high temperature) and decreases when it rains.

The scale ranges from 0 to 800.

Madison- 678 (+7) Severe
Taylor- 640 (+8) Severe
Lafayette- 608 (+10) Moderate/Severe
Dixie- 677 (+7) Severe
.
__________________________________________________________

ACTIVE WILDFIRES: 6 (0 NEW)

1. Dixie County

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/19/2011 @ 6:40 pm

— LOCATION: SW Hwy 57/Shired Island Road near Horseshoe

— ACRES BURNED: 5 acre

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/19/2011 @ 7:39 pm

— Dixie Co. Fire Department also responded to this wildfire

— UPDATE 6/22/2011:
- Some smoke still visible on the fire
- Fire will be checked again today
- Dixie County Fire Department was also on scene

_____________________________________

2. Taylor County

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/17/2011 @ 11:08 pm

— LOCATION: off Beach Road on Dark Island

— ACRES BURNED: 33 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/18/2011 @ 4:11 am

— UPDATE 6/22/2011:
- 2,150 gallons of water were utilized to extinguish smoke on the fire yesterday.
- Also on-scene were the Dixie County Fire Department, the Beaches Volunteer Fire Department, Taylor County Fire Department, FWC, and the Jena/Steinhatchee Fire Department.

_____________________________________

3. Taylor County

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/16/2011 @ 11:36 am

— LOCATION: off Hwy 14 and Hwy 98, south of Old Cabbage Grove Fire Tower

— ACRES BURNED: 75.4 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/16/2011 @ 1:06 pm

— UPDATE 6/22/2011:
- No smoke visible on the fire yesterday
- Fire will be checked again today
- Foley Timber & Land Company also responded to this wildfire
_____________________________________

4. Dixie County:

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/7/2011 @ 5:20 pm

— LOCATION: Near the town of Suwannee, off of Hwy. 349

— ACRES BURNED: 10 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— Wildfire was contained by Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge Personnel

— UPDATE 6/18/2011:
- Some smoke still visible, Fire line still secure
- Lower Suwannee NWR will continue to monitor this wildfire.

_____________________________________

5. Taylor County:

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/6/2011 @ 10:11 pm

— LOCATION: Cabbage Grove on the North side of Highway 98.

— ACRES BURNED: 5.5 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/7/2011 @ 12:58 am

— UPDATE 6/22/2011
- No smoke visible on the fire yesterday
- Fire will be checked again today
- Foley Timber & Land assisted with this fire yesterday
_____________________________________

6. Dixie County:

— DATE/TIME REPORTED: 6/6/2011 @ 3:18 pm

— LOCATION: County Road 353 NE, between #1 and #2 Road in Saw Hill Hunting Club.

— ACRES BURNED: 23.4 acres

— CAUSE: Lightning

— 100% CONTAINTED ON 6/6/2011 @ 9:21 pm

—UPDATE 6/21/2011:
- No smoke visible on the interior of the fire
- Fire will be checked again today
- Dixie County Fire Department and the Campbell Group also responded to this wildfire.

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Wildfire Update June 22 a.m.

June 22, 2011 Front Page, Outdoors Comments Off

Submitted by the Division of Forestry
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