Archive for August 2011

Weather Alert

August 12, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…
CENTRAL JEFFERSON COUNTY IN FLORIDA…
WESTERN MADISON COUNTY IN FLORIDA…

* UNTIL 300 PM EDT

* AT 232 PM EDT…THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS DETECTED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING
WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR CAPPS…AND
MOVING EAST AT 15 MPH.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
LAMONT AND AUCILLA

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

IN ADDITION TO HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS…FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THIS STORM. MOVE INDOORS IMMEDIATELY!

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MPD To Do DUI Checkpoint Aug. 19

August 12, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

August 12th, 2011

To Whom It May Concern:

As you know, drinking and driving is a large problem within our community. In order to help make the community safe, the City of Madison Police Department will be hosting a DUI Sobriety Checkpoint and Safety Inspection within the city limits.

The Checkpoint will be at 8:00pm on Friday August 19, 2011 and will end at 12:00am on Friday August 19, 2011.

The Zero Tolerance Safety Checkpoint and Safety Inspections will be located near W. Base Street and Madison Square Shopping Center

Sgt. Benton S. Ebberson
City of Madison Police Department

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Madison County P&Z Board Agenda

August 12, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Microsoft Word - Agenda 8 17 11.doc

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Sheriff’s Office To Conduct DUI Checkpoint on Aug. 27

August 12, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that on Saturday the 27th day of August 2011 beginning at 7:30 PM and ending at 2:00 AM, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a DUI / Safety and Patrol Saturation check point in Madison County. This Zero Tolerance DUI Safety Check Point will be located in the city of Greenville at US Highway 90 and Haffye Street. The Sheriff’s Office will be joined by the City of Madison Police Department, the Florida Department of Transportation as well as Neighboring Sheriff’s Offices.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports annual statistics that indicate a continued involvement of motorist driving under the influence and multiple safety violations. It is the goal of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office to discourage motorist from driving under the influence and ensure they are keeping their vehicles in safe working order. This will further promote a safer environment for all motorists traveling the highways in Madison County. Violators identified at the check point and during the Patrol Saturation will be dealt with according to Florida Law.

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Machine Guns Fired – Five Arrested On Weapons Charges

August 11, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Brian Hallman

Brian Hallman

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that during the early morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 7, at 1:49 a.m., numerous 911 calls were received, reporting a large crowd gathering at 5806 NE Colin Kelly Drive (Divine Events) and multiple gunshots being fired from assault weapons. All available Sheriff’s Office units immediately responded and further requested mutual aid assistance was given from the City of Madison Police Department.

While responding units were en route to the scene, additional information was received regarding a description of the vehicle and the occupants responsible for the shooting who had fled the scene. City police officers and Sheriff’s Office deputies located the vehicle (dark maroon Chevrolet Impala or Malibu) traveling on South Duval Street approaching US 90. A felony traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and each occupant ordered from the vehicle.

Alexis Choice

Loronya Haynes was the driver of the vehicle and was secured in handcuffs without incident. A search incident to his arrest resulted in the discovery of less than 20 grams of marijuana and MDMA (Ecstasy). The passengers, Rueben Graham (back seat), Melissa Wilkins and Alexis Choice were further removed from the vehicle and arrested without incident. Officers located an “SKS” style .223 caliber assault rifle on the back seat and a 45 caliber auto “Mack-Ten” assault weapon on the front floor board. Both weapons were in plain view from the exterior of the vehicle and loaded with the safety in the fire position. A continued investigation into the incident discovered spent shell casings at the scene matching the ammo loaded in the weapons. A fifth suspect was positively identified as Brian Hallman, who was also wanted for shooting a firearm at the scene and warrants for his arrest were obtained and he was arrested and charged on Monday, Aug. 8, without incident.

Loronya Haynes

Sheriff Stewart commends his deputies and the city police officers involved in this excellent police work and the removing of these types of firearms and the people that choose to participate in such criminal activity from the communities in Madison County.

Arrested and Charged are the following:

1. Loronya Haynes, 31, Of Madison.

Discharging Machine Gun F.S. 790.16, Discharging Firearm From Vehicle F.S. 790.15(2), Possession Of Marijuana – 20 Grams F.S. 893.13(6)(B), Possession Of Mdma (Ecstasy) F.S. 893.13(6)(A), Driving While License Suspended F.S. 322.34(2) Florida Uniform Citation #9012-Fls, Driving While License Expired F.S. 322.03(5) Florida Uniform Citation #9013-Fls, Possession Of Firearm By Convicted Felon F.S. 790.23, Possession Of A Firearm During Commission Of A Felony F.S. 790.07, And Open Alcohol Container (Driver) F.S. 316.1936(2) Citation #9016-Fls.

2. Graham, Reuben Lee Jr., 20, Of Madison

Melissa Wilkins

Discharging Machine Gun F.S. 790.16, Discharging Firearm From Vehicle F.S. 790.15(2), Open Alcohol Container (Passenger) F.S. 316.1936(2) (Florida Uniform Citation #9015-Fls).

3. Wilkins, Melissa Lashae, 27, Of Madison

Discharging Machine Gun F.S. 790.16, Discharging Firearm From Vehicle F.S. 790.15(2), Allowing Unauthorized Person To Drive F.S. 322.36 (Florida Uniform Citation #9011-Fls), Open Alcohol Container (Passenger) F.S. 316.1936(2) Florida Uniform Citation # 9014-Fls).

4. Choice, Alexis Dionne, 24, Of Madison Florida.

Discharging Machine Gun F.S. 790.16, Discharging Firearm From Vehicle F.S. 790.15(2) Open Alcohol Container (Passenger) F.S. 316.1936(2) (Florida Uniform Citation #9017-Fls).

5. Hallman, Brian Antonio, 28

Discharging Firearm From Vehicle F.S. 790.15(2), Possession Of Firearm By Felon F.S. 790.23(1)(A), Violation Of Probation (Circuit) F.S. 948.06.

Rueben Graham

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Lee Girl Being Flown To Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

August 11, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Miley Mae Cline

Miley Mae Cline

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Miley Mae Cline, daughter of Tim and Emily Cline, of Lee, is being flown to the cancer wing at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Miley has had burns on her body since she was born and there is no circulation going to one of her feet. She has been staying in the pediatric unit at Shands Hospital in Gainesville the past two months. Tim Cline has not been able to work for quite some time, due to suffering a stroke several years ago. Emily was recently laid off from her job in Lake City.

An account has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank in Madison in Emily Cline’s name. Anyone with a donation can walk in and tell the cashier to deposit it in her account.

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Tutor Orientation Meeting Next Wednesday

August 11, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

For those who are interested in providing tutoring services in Madison County Schools for the 2011-2012 School Year, the Madison County School Board is holding a “Provider’s Orientation Meeting.”

The meeting will be held in the Madison County School Boardroom Aug. 17, beginning at 2:00 p.m.  All interested parties who would like to help with tutoring should plan to be present.  For directions to the school board office or more information about the meeting, call 850-973-5022, extension 225.

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Jail Report

August 11, 2011 Crime Comments Off

8/3

Kendrick Labarrian Richardson – Burglary of an occupied dwelling, battery

Jose Maldonado – VOP (county)

Shelton Decon Sanders – Disorderly intoxication

8/4

Pamela Felecia Hood – Battery (domestic)

Jerry David Combass, Jr. – VOP (circuit)

Lonnie Yates Hagan – Fleeing, VOP (out of county)

Terry Joe Langley, Jr. — DUI

8/5

Henry Clerance Johnson – Violation of probation

Gail Anderson Ford – VOP (county)

8/6

Matthew Kevin Thornton – Child endangerment, DUI, refusal to take a breath test, driving while license suspended with knowledge, out of county warrant

Salvador Andrade, Jr. – Driving while license suspended with knowledge

Justin Gregory Small – Drivers license

8/7

Patrick James McCarthy – DUI

Bradley Earl Bellamy – Dealing in stolen property, VOP (county)

Daniel Wells Jennings – Theft from a person over 65, out of county warrant

Cedric Eugene Williams – Grand theft, dealing in stolen property

Loronya Belafonte Haynes – Discharging a machine gun, discharging a weapon from a vehicle, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of MDMA, driving without a license with knowledge, expired driver’s license, possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a weapon in the commission of a felony

Reuben Lee Graham – Discharging a machine gun, discharging a weapon from a vehicle

Melissa Lashae Wilkins – Discharging a machine gun, discharging a weapon from a vehicle, no valid driver’s license

Alexis Dionne Choice – Discharging a machine gun, discharging a weapon from a vehicle

8/8

Melissa Wilkins – Discharging a machine gun, discharging a weapon from a vehicle, no drivers license

Larry Bernard Joseph – Criminal registration

Algier Vanshawn Bess – VOP (burglary of a structure and grand theft)

Wantanna Valencia Pickett – Unemployment compensation fraud

Patricia Ann Straws – Driving while license suspended

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Increased Value

August 11, 2011 Editorials Comments Off
Jacob’sLadder
Jacob Bembry – Columnist

I’m not a prize pig or a prize bull. There are not too many people who are but God doesn’t give us those designations as humans do with livestock.

When you think about it, unless it’s a thoroughbred horse or a workhorse (and a few other things), most livestock are worth more dead than alive. That statement may make the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) angry, but I grew up in a rural agriculture community and still live in one. People here know that livestock keeps us fed. Ranchers spend money to fatten up the calves so we can have steak and hamburgers. Hog farmers fatten up their pigs so that the pigs can be food later on.

As I said before, humans are not livestock. Though sometimes it’s hard to believe, a human life is worth more than an animal’s life, even those of dogs and cats. Believe me, I have had pets that I dearly loved before.

The laws that we follow prove the fact that humans have more worth than animals. If you kill a human, the punishment will (or should) be greater than if you run over a squirrel or a dog.

God gave man rule over the animals. He provided them for our food and, yes, for some to become domesticated and become our pets. We don’t slaughter humans and sell them off by the pound like we do cattle and pigs. The worth of humans is determined by how we live our lives, how we serve Christ and how we serve others. Let’s all increase our value.

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Lions Club Holds Candy Drive

August 11, 2011 Uncategorized Comments Off
Photo submitted Jimmy Sale, left, and Tim Dunn, right, were working at the booth during the candy drive.

Photo submitted Jimmy Sale, left, and Tim Dunn, right, were working at the booth during the candy drive.

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Members of the Madison Lions Club sold rolls of candy for a fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 6.

The candy drive was held from 10 a.m. until noon at Winn Dixie.

Tim Dunn and Wesley Reeves related to this reporter that the Lions Club will soon be holding the drives once a month.

The next Lions Club candy drive is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. until noon at Winn Dixie.

The Lions will also be accepting donations of old eyeglasses during the drive.

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13th Annual Four Freedoms Golf Challenge Set For Sept. 19

August 11, 2011 Around Madison, Sports Comments Off
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

“Foorrrrrreeee…” It’s that time of year again, that time when both men and women would rather be on the green than anywhere else.  That time when the smell of fresh cut grass and the fear of really bad drives keep people’s adrenaline rushing. And since it is that time of year, that can only mean one thing, time for the 13th annual Four Freedoms Golf Challenge, presented by Progress Energy.

This year’s tournament will be held on Sept. 19 at the Madison Country Club. The Chamber of Commerce is responsible for taking all applications and for hosting this event. There are several ways for people to get involved with the challenge. If someone is interested in golfing during the challenge, the cost is $100 for an individual player or $400 for a team of four. They can pick up registration forms at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

Businesses or individuals can sponsor a hole for $100 and will have their business name/logo displayed in a prominent location on a hold. They can also sponsor the Longest Putt, Longest Drive and Closest to Pin for $50 donations each. A business or individual can be a dinner donor for $25 and will be recognized during the luncheon.  Businesses can also sponsor a team. Businesses who chose to sponsor a team can also choose who they want to be on their team. Four mulligans will also be included in a team sponsorship.

Timberland Ford of Perry is also offering a grand prize this year. A golfer who makes a hole in one on a specific hole can win a brand new Ford Taurus, courtesy of Timberland Ford. The hole that the golfers have to attempt to make a hole in one in has yet to be determined.

For more information please contact the Greater Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Local: (850) 973-2788, Toll Free: (877) 272-3642 and Fax: (850) 973-8864. Payment and forms should be submitted to Madison County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 817, Madison, Fla. 32341. Please make all checks payable to the Madison County Chamber of Commerce.

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Remembrance Of Things Past: Evelyn Chancy

August 11, 2011 History Comments Off
P1010381
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Evelyn Chancy holds more experience working at the high school than almost any other teacher. She has dedicated nearly three-quarters of her life to Madison High Schools and has seen many changes occur over the years.

In total Chancy has worked for the Madison County School system for 42 years. She was there when the high school was located across town and named Madison High School, and she made the move with them 32 years ago to the current Madison County High School.

Chancy explained how she became a staff member at the high school, “When I graduated high school and went to college, I got offered to be a work study with the guidance counselor at the time, Lucille Cherry. After my work-study was done, they offered me a job. And I have been here ever since.”

When she first began working at the Madison High School, Chancy was the school secretary. Her job included being the bookkeeper and receptionist. She explained that she basically did a little of everything. Now her title is Principal’s Secretary, a title given to her by Lou Miller when she was principal. Her job now includes doing payroll and a little bit of everything else.

When she first started at the High School, the principal was Mac Primm. She has since seen eight principals come through. She recalls when they first made the move to the new high school thinking, “Wow! It’s so big.” Madison County High School is now 32 years old.

Big changes have occurred since she first began. The biggest, she would explain, is probably technology. “When I first started, we did everything by hand, “ she said. As for the students, Chancy believes that they have changed a lot since then. “They are a lot more outspoken now.”

Evelyn Chancy is married to Marion Chancy and they have two children; Jim Chancy and Cathy Brown. They also have seven grandchildren.

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Special Meeting

August 11, 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: August 17, 2011

Time: 1:30 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: Continuation of FY2011-2012 Budget Preparation.

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 August 11, 2011. Board of County Commissioners of
Madison County, Florida

By: /s/ Tim Sanders
Tim Sanders, Clerk

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Sunnie Sanderson Named All-American Cheerleader

August 9, 2011 Front Page, Sports Comments Off
StephanieSanderson
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

“It’s your job to see; it our job to make you deaf,” Stephanie “Sunnie” Sanderson says to referees about her duty as a cheerleader.

Sunnie has been named a National Cheerleading Association (NCA) All-American cheerleader.

Formerly from Madison, she lives in Frostproof with her parents, Price and Nikki (Arnold) Harris, both formerly of Madison. She is also the daughter of Clint and Charity Sanderson, of Brandon. Clint is also formerly from Madison. She has four brothers, Layne “Bo” Sanderson, Nate Sanderson, Trace McWaters and Justin Studstill.

Maternal grandparents include Jhan Fender, of Lake City, formerly of Madison; Phillip (formerly of Madison) and Marga Arnold; Shannon and Ann Lankford of Ft. White; and Rex and Jeri Heirs of North Carolina.

Paternal grandparents include Ben and Kay Harris of Madison; Billy Joe and Linda Bass of Lee; and Sandy Sanderson of Madison.

Price Harris, Sunnie’s stepfather, is the head football coach at Frostproof High School where she is the loudest cheerleader on the squad.

Sunnie is albino and has been diagnosed with oculocutaneous albinism. She has cheered since she was a youngster, following in her mother, Nikki’s, footsteps. She was one of four cheerleaders from Frostproof Middle High School that made All-American at the NCA camp she attended.

Sunnie will be a junior this year and may perform at Orlando during Dec. 1-3. The performance will be broadcast on ABC on Christmas Day.

 

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Storm Causes Downed Trees

August 9, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Madison County Sheriff’s Cpl. Jason Whitfield, left, and Reserve Deputy Dennis McLeod helped clear away trees that fell on Shrine Club Road during a fierce storm on Saturday, Aug. 6.

Madison County Sheriff’s Cpl. Jason Whitfield, left, and Reserve Deputy Dennis McLeod helped clear away trees that fell on Shrine Club Road during a fierce storm on Saturday, Aug. 6.

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Alcohol And Drug Coalition Hosting Focus Group

August 9, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

The Madison County Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Coalition will be hosting a focus group session for parents and students on August 11 at the coalition building located at 316 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, FL 32340, from 6-7:30 p.m.

The purpose of the focus group session is to address issues that impact family dynamics, seek to gather data and explore solutions in a neutral setting.

The session is primarily directed toward students in the age category of 11 to 14 years of age assigned to the Madison Central School.

Because of limited space, the session is open to first come, first served, but no more than 20 parents and 20 students. Parents will receive an incentive for attendance and students will be eligible for door prize drawings.

Pizza and sodas will be provided by the coalition. For more information contact Jerome Wyche at (850) 464-0196 to reserve your space.

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North Central Florida Regional Planning Council Awards Roy Ellis For Outstanding Attendance

August 9, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Roy Ellis was honored for outstanding attendance at the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council meeting. L to R:  Scott Koons, Executive Director of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Commissioner Roy Ellis, Madison County and Louie Davis, Chair of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

Roy Ellis was honored for outstanding attendance at the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council meeting. L to R: Scott Koons, Executive Director of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Commissioner Roy Ellis, Madison County and Louie Davis, Chair of the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

Madison County Commissioner Roy Ellis was awarded a Certificate of Outstanding Attendance at the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council meeting recently by Scott Koons, Executive Director of the Council.  The Certificate was awarded in recognition of his attendance at every scheduled Council meeting during Program Year 2010-11.  Ellis has served on the Council since 2001, representing Madison County as a local elected official.

The Council, whose members are local elected officials and gubernatorial appointees, administers a variety of state and federal programs for north central Florida including Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union Counties.  Programs include development of the Strategic Regional Policy Plan, technical assistance to local governments in development of comprehensive plans, land development regulations and grant management, and administration of developments of regional impact, local mitigation strategies, hazardous materials, homeland security and economic development programs.  In addition, the Council staffs the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization for the Gainesville Urbanized Area, the North Central Florida Local Emergency Planning Committee, the North Central Florida Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team and The Original Florida Tourism Task Force.

Ellis has been very active in the organization over the past several years.  He has served one term as Chairman and Vice-Chairman and two terms as Secretary-Treasurer.  He has also served as Chairman of the Finance, Nominating and Program Committees, and has been a member of the Board of Directors for nine terms.  He is currently serving as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

The Councils offices are located in Gainesville.  More information about the Council can be found at ncfrpc.org.

 

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Nominations Being Accepted For George Townsend Good Neighbor Award

August 9, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

The Madison County Farm Bureau is presently taking nominations for the Annual George Townsend Good Neighbor Award, which will be presented at the local Madison County Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, which will be held on Sept. 20.

This award has been presented annual for the last 11 years. The award is given to someone in the community who truly demonstrates was being a “Good Neighbor” is all about.

“Mr. Townsend fit into this category as being a good neighbor to everyone he came in contact with,” said Richard Terry, fBoard Member of Madison County Farm Bureau.

Townsend owned and operated the Madison Stockyards for years and years, and his son and daughter still operate Townsend Livestock Company in Madison.

“Mr. George always had a kind word for everyone he met, and especially, the younger generation. He supported every youth program held in Madison County, as well as surrounding counties. He never met a child he did not really love and have time for.

“That was what George Townsend was really about,” added Terry. “Farm Bureau is indeed proud to present this award every year to someone in the community who makes a difference in our world.”

If anyone has a nominee, who would qualify for the award, they need to get the name and a short one-page narrative about the person, which would include why the person deserves the award. This nomination must be delivered to the Madison County Farm Bureau office by Friday, Sept. 2.

A Madison County Farm Bureau committee will judge applicatons, and the presentation will be made at the Sept. 20 annual meeting.

 

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PDF and Booking Photos: Multiple Weapons Arrest

August 9, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off

Click on link MCSO – multiple weapons arrest-08-07-2011

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