Archive for August 2011

Bembry Announces Legislative Delegation Hearing Dates

August 18, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Tallahassee – State Representative Leonard Bembry is pleased to announce the dates for the Legislative Delegation hearings that he is chairing. Because the 2012 Legislative Session will start early next year, beginning January 10th and ending March 9th, the hearings will be in September. Committee meetings begin mid-September through early December.

Representative Bembry stated, “I am convinced that delegation hearings present the general public and local government leadership with a tremendous opportunity to express their needs, and to allow an exchange of information. We can do more as your legislator if we better understand the local problems and concerns.”

Dixie County – Dixie County Commission Chambers located at 401 N. Cedar Street in Cross City, September 26, 2011 from 9:00 – 12:00am.

Levy County – Levy County Commission Chambers located at 355 South Court Street in Bronson, September 26, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:00pm.

Hamilton County – Hamilton County Commission Chambers at the Hamilton County Courthouse, located at 207 NE 1st Street, Jasper, September 28, 2011 from 10:00 – 12:00am.

Madison County – Madison County Courthouse Annex, Room 107, 29 SW Pinckney Street, Madison, September 28, 2011 from 3:00 – 5:00pm.

Franklin County – Franklin County Commission Room in the Franklin County Courthouse Annex Building, located at 34 Forbes Street, Apalachicola, September 29, 2011 from 4:00 – 6:00pm.

House District 10 is the largest geographical district in the state, and spans from Franklin County, east to Columbia County, and down the coastline to Levy County.

If any member of the public would like to address the delegation, please contact Teresa Watson in Representative Bembry’s office at (352) 493-6848 or teresa.watson@myfloridahouse.gov, to be placed on the agenda. Appearance cards will also be available at the hearing for anyone who wishes to be heard.

NOTICE REGARDING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD BEMBRY no later than seven (7) days prior to the proceeding at (352) 493-6848, Chiefland, Florida.

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Madison Has New Weapon In Its Firefighting Arsenal

August 18, 2011 Front Page One comment
Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo by Lynette Norris, August 17, 2011. Fire Inspector Juan Williams, City Manager Harold Emrich, and Training Officer Bruce Jordan stand beside the new aerial ladder truck recently acquired by cooperative effort of the City of Madison, the County of Madison, and North Florida Community College.

Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo by Lynette Norris, August 17, 2011. Fire Inspector Juan Williams, City Manager Harold Emrich, and Training Officer Bruce Jordan stand beside the new aerial ladder truck recently acquired by cooperative effort of the City of Madison, the County of Madison, and North Florida Community College.

By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

“This truck will not be used to get cats out of trees,” said Fire Inspector Juan Williamson of the brand new 25 ton, 75-foot aerial ladder truck recently acquired for the Madison Fire and Rescue Department.

The Rotary Club got its first look at the new truck at its Aug. 17 meeting when Williamson and Training Officer Bruce Jordan presented the new truck for members’ inspection.

The cost of the truck, $587,000, was 75 percent funded by a grant from the USDA that came through last year.  “We made a good impression on the USDA,” said City Manager Harold Emrich of a previous meeting with officials. “And now we’re reaping the benefits.”

The other 25 percent of the cost was covered through a cooperative agreement between the county of Madison, the city of Madison and North Florida Community College.  Even with the USDA grant, Emrich said, the city couldn’t have afforded the truck on its own.

The new truck requires 11 and a half feet of clearance with the ladder folded down, and is currently housed in a bay of the 911 station, the old Ford building.

It is “not magic,” said Emrich, but it does put another, superior tool in the hands of the Madison Firefighters for attacking a fire.  When fully extended, the ladder will reach the height of a five-story building;  however, as aerials go, it’s a small one.  There are aerial ladder trucks that reach heights of 105 to 135 feet.

However, he added, the primary component against any fire is having manned shifts 24/7 that can leave immediately in response.  The keys to success are early arrival and an interior attack, and the best work is done in the first five to seven minutes.  “After that, you’re at a disadvantage.”

The truck will likely see a good 15-20 year useful life, Emrich continued, however, in 10 years or less there will undoubtedly be new technology added.  It will also be a useful component in economic development, when prospective new businesses want to know what kind of fire protection Madison offers.

Williamson then added that October is traditionally Fire Safety Prevention Month, when he and Training Officer Bruce Jordan visit the schools and teach children the basics of fire prevention.  The National Fire Safety Council, a 501e(3) nonprofit, is helping out by supplying materials such as coloring books, crayons, pens, and other items which will help children remember the basic fire safety rules.  If anyone would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the National Fire Safety Council, they may do so at any fire station.  Madison Fire and Rescue is allowed to keep 98 percent of the contribution to go toward local fire safety programs.

 

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MPD Conducting Sobriety Checkpoint This Friday Evening

August 18, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off
Ben Ebberson

Ben Ebberson

The Madison Police Department will conduct a DUI Sobriety Checkpoint, beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, and ending at midnight Saturday morning, Aug. 20.

“As you know, drinking and driving is a large problem within our community,” MPD Sgt. Ben Ebberson said in a press release. “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 Zero Tolerance Safety Checkpoint and Safety Inspections will be located near W. Base Street and Madison Square Shopping Center

 

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Video: Madison County Commission Meeting Aug. 17, 2011

August 18, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

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Madison Police Come Home With Traffic Trophy

August 18, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Madison Police Chief Gary Calhoun (left) and Cpl. Jeff Rosenberg (center) show their pride in winning the second-place trophy in the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge July 27 in Orlando. They are accompanied by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Regional Administrator, Terrance Schiavonne (right).

Madison Police Chief Gary Calhoun (left) and Cpl. Jeff Rosenberg (center) show their pride in winning the second-place trophy in the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge July 27 in Orlando. They are accompanied by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Regional Administrator, Terrance Schiavonne (right).

By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Anyone wishing to see the Madison Police Department’s new trophy has only to visit the lobby of the Police Department Building. The eagle-shaped statue holds pride of place in the display case there.

Police Chief Gary Calhoun proudly explained that his officers won the second-place award in the Rookie Category at the Florida Law Enforcement Challenge in Orlando in late July. Calhoun said that about 100 law-enforcement agencies competed in the Rookie category — sheriff’s departments, police departments, and other groups competing for the first time.

Calhoun lauded Cpl. Jeff Rosenberg for heading up the competitive events, putting the reports together, and doing the required surveys. “He did the documentation for us, and put in some time standing on the street corners observing seat-belt use in passing vehicles,” he said. ”I’m very proud of Jeff for documenting and submitting. That was a great benefit. All our guys have participated to make it worthwhile.”

The competition was based on policies, guidelines, and effectiveness of traffic-related problems in the city. Each agency won points for every division, such as seat-belt use by officers, seat-belt use by the public, number of crashes with injuries, red light infractions, etc. For their second-place finish, Madison’s PD won 12,000 points to be used toward the purchase of traffic-safety equipment. Calhoun said the points translate almost evenly into an equal dollar amount.

The chief stated which he has already decided on some purchases. He plans to order re-usable reflective flares with lights and a couple of radar units with part of the funds. “The flares will be especially helpful at the scenes of night-time crashes,” he surmised.

Calhoun reported which the traffic-safety policies have worked effectively in the city. In 2009, the city had 68 crashes; in 2010, that number fell to 61. In 2009, crashes with injuries numbered 30; the 2010 tally was 25. Red-light infractions have also come down, and the city has had a reduced number of crashes at intersections. “Speeding violations have remained pretty steady,” he said.

In the documents submitted by Rosenberg, the city shows four DUI-related crashes in 2010,  safety-belt usage at 85 percent, and 261 seatbelt citations for the year.

(For our readers who might have interests in Taylor County, Perry won first place in the DUI competition, and got the right to turn a key to see if they won a vehicle. The key turned, and the Perry Police Department now owns a fully-equipped new Chevy Tahoe.)

Other winners in the Rookie class were Lake Hamilton Police Department (First Place) and Panama City Police Department (tied for second with Madison.)

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Semi Overturns

August 18, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
IMG_8180
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

A 2007 International semi tractor-trailer overturned Tuesday, Aug. 2, at approximately 4:30 p.m. The accident occurred at the eastbound on-ramp on Interstate 10 at State Road 53 South.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Cameron Durant, 35, of Charlotte, N.C., was southbound on SR 53. He attempted a left turn to go east on Interstate 10.

Durant’s semi overturned onto its right side onto the roadside and came to a final rest, blocking the northbound lane of State Road 53.

Madison County EMS, Madison Fire and Rescue and Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

There were no charges and no injuries in the mishap.

FHP Trooper Gus Smyrnios was the investigating officer.

 

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Sinking

August 18, 2011 Editorials Comments Off
Jacob’sLadder
Jacob Bembry – Columnist

Have you ever felt like you were on top of the world? Nothing could stop you? You could do anything and you did not need help at all? Who would need anyone else if you could walk on water?

I wonder how Simon Peter felt when he stepped out of that boat and began walking on the water. At least, he had his eyes focused where they should be – right on Jesus Christ. I wonder if he began to get pride in himself, though. When he turned away from Jesus, he sank and it was only because of Jesus that he was saved from the crashing waves around him.

It’s only when a person is sinking that they can be saved. They have to realize their helplessness without Jesus Christ. They have to realize that they cannot walk on water or deal, at times, with even the day-to-day stuff in their lives.

Christ is my strength. He is my best friend. He is my guide. He talks to me through the Holy Spirit and through His Word.

Don’t sink without Christ. Reach out your hand to Him and He will save you.

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Eloise Bronson Wade

August 18, 2011 Obituaries One comment

Eloise Bronson Wade, 97, passed away Monday, August 15, 2011 in Tallahassee.  A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 19, 2011 at Oakridge Cemetery in Madison and Memorial Services following at 2 p.m., at Westminster Oaks Maguire Center in Tallahassee.

Beggs Funeral Home, Apalachee Parkway Chapel, Tallahassee, Fl. (850) 942-2929, is in charge of arrangements.

A native of Madison, she resided in Tallahassee for the past 12 years. She was a member of the Woman’s Club, and Garden and Country Club in Madison. She was an avid Bridge player, enjoyed traveling and was of the Presbyterian faith.  She would have been married to her husband Jack Wade for 77 years in December.

She is survived by her husband, Jack Wade of Tallahassee; daughter, Eloise McCown and husband John of Attapulgas, Ga.; two grandchildren, John McCown, Jr. and wife Kate of Bentonville, Ark., and Eloise Johnson and husband David of Hawkinsville, Ga.; seven great-grandchildren, David James Johnson, Sarah Kate Johnson, Caroline Johnson, Gracie Johnson, Mary Ella McCown, Jack McCown, and Ashlyn McCown.

 

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Madison County Schools Welcome ADC Tutoring

August 18, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

As the school year draws closer, so grows the desires for students to succeed. While Madison schools have sometimes struggled to meet yearly goals, this year they have implemented a new tool to make reaching this goal easier. This new tool is the ADC Tutoring Program.

ADC Tutoring Corp. describes themselves on their website as, “a Florida-based tutoring company providing quality tutoring services to Title I schools through the Supplemental Educational Services (SES) program. ADC Tutoring, Corp. utilizes a research-based curricula for both reading and rath. The curriculum is designed for daily 20-30 minute activities providing children with meaningful practice in reading fluency, comprehension, word study as well as math skills and concepts. Tutoring services are provided after school two-three days a week for 60-90 minutes per session. Our services assist students in improving their academic achievement through additional instruction and review.”

ADC’s program has helped several counties across Florida assist their students in succeeding each year. The program is designed to help students make gains in FCAT as well as in school testing. Their website explains, “ADC has demonstrated considerable evidence of high academic achievement over the past four year of serving student through SES. In the 2009-10 school year (SY) the program student participation increased by 48%.”

ADC’s mission is, “ADC Tutoring is sensitive to individual student needs and is committed to helping each student meet specific academic goals that will promote confidence and success.” They also say of their program, “Instruction is based on norm-referenced, research based reading and math assessments which allows ADC Tutors to pinpoint individual student learning needs. ADC has demonstrated considerable evidence of high academic achievement over the past four years.”

“ADC personnel plan with parents and school districts to develop measurable achievement goals, Student Learning Plan (SLP), for each student via diagnostic test information, gathering district student data, i.e., IEP, 504 plans and meeting with the parent face to face. ADC tutors/instructors utilize the following pre-post assessment instruments in identifying areas of strengths and weakness: Florida Assessment for Instruction and Reading (FAIR), Group Reading Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (GRADE) and Group Mathematics Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (GMADE).”

This after-school tutoring program will be offered for grades K-12 in both math and reading. They will be serving all Madison County SES school sites. For more information you can visit their website at www.adctutoring.com or contact Denise Robinson at 464-1153, or email her at denise.robinson30@gmail.com.

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Baseball Tournament Set For This Weekend

August 18, 2011 Sports Comments Off
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

A Community Baseball League will be played Saturday, Aug. 20, and Sunday, Aug. 21, in Madison.

The weekend tournament will wrap up the North Florida Baseball League’s season as all teams gather to play a double elimination tournament.

The games will be played at Cantey Field at North Florida Community College and at the Madison County High School baseball field.

The first game begins at NFCC at 10:30 a.m. Madison’s first game will be at 1:30 p.m. at MCHS.

Sunday’s games begin at 2 p.m. at MCHS with a final game to follow at 4:30 p.m. with a possible 7 p.m. game, according to the tournament results.

Most players in the tournament range from 18-25 years old and others are as old as 40 years young.

Adult baseball has been active in North Florida and South Georgia for over five years.

The League will help support the local Second Harvest Food Bank and other organizations and individuals in need.

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Coach Nennstiel Gives Updates On ACA Cross Country Teams

August 18, 2011 Sports Comments Off
By Fran Hunt
Special from ECB Publishing, Inc.

With the fast approaching beginning of the new school year and young athletes preparing vigorously for a new season, Aucilla Christian Academy Cross Country Coach Dan Nennstiel has provided an update for the boys and girls cross country teams.

The preliminary rosters have been released for both teams. Running for the girls this year are ninth graders Sarah James and Caroline Yaun; eighth graders Taylor Copeland, Megan Giddens and Sarah Tharpe; seventh graders Skylar Dickey, Stephanie English and Sarah Riley; and sixth graders Camryn Grant and Ria Wheeler.

Running for the boys will be eleventh graders Jay Dickey, Jay Finlayson and Sammy Ritter; tenth grader Braden Mattingly; ninth graders Ricky Finlayson and Carson Nennstiel; eighth grader Sam Hogg; seventh graders Donnie Kinsey, Traynor Barker, Chaz Hamilton, JT Harp and Gatlin Nennstiel; and sixth graders Timothy Finlayson, Cannon Randal and Brandon Slaughter.

The season schedule will be released soon.

“We’re really excited about the season. We’re coming off of the best boys and girls team we have had in history from last year,” said Nennstiel. “The boys team is real strong and the girls are working on replacing three strong runners that we had last year. There’s going to be a lot of hard work ahead, but the outlook for the year is promising.”

In cross country-related news, the teams will be having a car wash in the parking lot of The Monticello News, Saturday, August 20 from 8 a.m. until noon. The cost of a quality car wash is a donation to the team.

All proceeds collected will go toward the costs that the team endures during the course of the season.

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Concord Baptist Hosts Mercy Mountain Boys

August 18, 2011 Church Comments Off
MERCY-MOUNTAIN-BOYS-PHOTO
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Concord Baptist Church will host the Mercy Mountain Boys Sunday, Aug. 21, at the church located at 829 NW Concord Church Road.

The Mercy Mountain Boys hail from Lake City and are composed of Earl Green, Jr., Mitch Sands and Donny Weatherford. Along with band members, Bill Jones (lead guitar) and Mitch Rogers (bass guitar), the Mercy Mountain Boys are a powerful country gospel band.

The gospel sing begins at 10:30 a.m. A lunch will be served following the performance.

Admission is free. A freewill offering will be accepted.

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Way Back When

August 18, 2011 History Comments Off

August 29, 1941

Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Wilson have returned to their home in Clearwater after a visit with Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Wilson.

Mr. Hunter Browning of this city and Rev. W.D. Keis of Greenville attended the American Legion district meeting held in Branford on Sunday.

We are having plenty of rain nowadays.

Mr. Curl Rude is attending summer school at the University of Florida.

August 24, 1951

Charles Gaskins, age six, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bullock Gaskins of Madison, was painfully and probably seriously injured when he exploded a dynamite cap in his hands about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Ed Howard, age 77, is still picking cotton in Cherry Lake. Ed made $6 in two days.

Benjamin and Waring Wyche, Jr., sons of Mr. and Mrs. Waring Wyche, were among the 534 students who received degrees from the University of Florida on Saturday, Aug. 18.

Dan Walker, Jr. is visiting his aunt, Mrs. McKenzie, in Lurinburg, N.C.

August 25, 1961

Members of the Hanson Methodist Sunday School class were on the Circle 6 TV program on Monday, Aug. 26. Mrs. Carl Smith and Mrs. W.J. Bennett accompanied the following children to WCTV: Carlene Smith, Faye Young, Gayle and Dale Cason, Linda and Brenda Pickles, Carl Rushing, Barbara Jean Townsend, Evelyn and Jerry Harris, Pat Taylor, Rusty Newsome and Peggy Newsome.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Moore returned Monday from Alabama, where he has been attending summer school.

Teachers at Lee Junior High for the 1961-62 school term are: 1st grade – Mrs. Mary Kent; 2nd grade, Mrs. Carolyn Rowe; 3rd grade – Mrs. Edith Stokes; 4th grade – Mrs. Cleo Hamrick; 5th grade – Mrs. Rita Phillips; 6th grade – Mrs. Ollie Kinsey. Junior high teachers are Mrs. Corine Henderson (English and Library); Mrs. Sue Quick (Social Studies and Physical Education); Mrs. Cordie Welch (Math); Mrs. Eda Bouland (Home Economics); Mr. Thomas L. Moore (Science and Physical Education); and Mr. Henry W. Reams (Vocational Agriculture).

Freddy Howard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Howard, has enlisted in the Navy in the Nuclear Electronics program.

August 27, 1971

Mr. and Mrs. George Townsend of Pinetta announce the engagement of their daughter, Barbara Jean Townsend, to Thomas Frederick Greiner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Greiner of Cherry Lake and Kissimmee.

John M. Wynn, an instructor in English at Alexander City Junior College, has been named an outstanding Educator of America for 1971.

Airman Ronnie L. Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Moore of Greenville, has completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Sgt. Wilbur A. Pulliam, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur A. Pulliam, has received the U.S. Air Force commendation medal for meritorious service in Vietnam.

 

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