Archive for December 2011

Fatality

December 7, 2011 Front Page One comment

By Jacob  Bembry

Greene Publishing, Inc.

A Lee man was killed Wednesday evening at approximately 8:40 p.m., when his car flipped on U.S. 90, about a half-mile east of NE Macedonia Church Road.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Carl Wayne Williams, 62, was traveling east in a 2008 Lincoln, when for unknown reasons, he traveled off the paved road onto the north grassy shoulder.

The Lincoln overturned numerous times, coming to a final rest facing north on the north shoulder of US 90.

Williams was ejected coming to final rest on the north  shoulder. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

FHP was assisted by Madison Sheriff’s Department, Madison EMS and Lee Rescue.

FHP Cpl. Donnie Pitts was the crash and homicide investigator.

 

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Tommy Hardee Appointed Supervisor of Elections

December 7, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Tommy Hardee has been appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to replace Jada Woods Williams, who was suspended from her post as Supervisor of Elections by Gov. Rick Scott following an arrest and charges made in a voter fraud investigation. He was interviewed by the governor and underwent a background check. A press release is expected shortly.

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Join NFCC for its final Christmas at the Mansion event

December 7, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page One comment

Enjoy “A Victorian Christmas” décor and “Cookies with Santa”

 

The North Florida Community College Foundation, Inc. and the Friends of the Mansion cordially invite the community to attend its final Christmas at the Mansion holiday open house now through Dec. 11 at the Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center in Madison, Fla.  The holiday open house, which began Wednesday, continues Friday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1-5 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Victorian Christmas at the Mansion.”

Visitors will see the historic Mansion transformed into a spectacular holiday extravaganza featuring Victorian style Christmas décor. NFCC also invites parents to bring their children to “Cookies with Santa” on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the WSG Conference Center. “Cookies with Santa” is sponsored by the Junior Auxiliary of Madison County. The public is invited to stop by anytime during the open house hours. For group tours, call in advance, (850) 973-9432.

“We have so many people who volunteer their time and talents to decorating the Mansion,” said Greene. “The Victorian Christmas décor is beautiful this year and I encourage everyone to stop by for a visit.”

Jackie Johnson coordinated the decorations with the following businesses, organizations and community members lending their support to transform the Mansion into “A Victorian Christmas:”

  • Downstairs hall—Junior Auxiliary of Madison County
  • Dining room—Madison Woman’s Club
  • Music Room—Madison Garden Club
  • Library—Wendy Bartlam
  • Parlor—Randy and Lydia Coody and family
  • Upstairs hall—Madison Community Bank and The Country Store
  • Breckinridge Room—The Madison Florist
  • Rose Room—Wells Fargo Bank
  • Childrens room—Madison Market and Antiques
  • Guest Room—Thelma Dehart and Rosalyn Jenkins
  • Outside decorations—Bali’s Florist

 

“This will be the last college sponsored Christmas at the Mansion open house,” said Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center coordinator Maria Greene. “We appreciate all the support from our Friends of the Mansion members and from the community. We want this to be the best Christmas at the Mansion to date, so please join us as we celebrate the holiday season and the beautiful Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center.”

Although this is the last NFCC sponsored Christmas at the Mansion event, the Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center will remain open following the holiday open house – “It will be business as usual with wedding rentals, tours and other events,” said Greene. “We will continue to run the Mansion and open it to the public for tours and events for as long as our current budget allows.” Since June 2011 The Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center has been operating as a self-supporting enterprise that no longer receives financial support from NFCC’s general operating budget.

For more information, contact Maria Greene at (850) 973-9432 or email greenem@nfcc.edu.

 

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Celebrate Your Loved Ones This Holiday Season With Covenant Hospice

December 7, 2011 Health Comments Off

Tallahassee, FL – During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is important to remember the people in our lives who fill each day with joy. Covenant Hospice’s Tree of Lights offers a time to reflect and celebrate our loved ones while giving a meaningful gift in their honor or memory. Covenant Hospice invites all members of the Tallahassee community to a celebration of life at Publix at Village Square, located at 3521 Thomasville Rd. Keepsake ornaments in memory of a loved one are available for a donation to Covenant Hospice and they may be taken home or displayed on the Tree of Lights during the holiday season. A remembrance ceremony with a message of renewal and hope will be held on Sunday, December 18th at 3:30 p.m. in Publix Apron’s Cooking School. Following the ceremony, Publix Apron’s will provide refreshments and guests are invited to socialize and share in the joy of the holiday season.

The annual tradition of Covenant Hospice’s Tree of Lights holds a special place in the hearts of families and friends of Covenant Hospice patients and supports the funding of our chaplains, bereavement services, indigent care, and other unfunded programs. Covenant Hospice is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate end-of-life care to our patients and their families in Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison,Taylor and Wakulla counties.

For more information call 850-701-0137 or email LydiaClaire.Brooks@CovenantHospice.org.

 

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First District Court of Appeals Nominating Commission To Meet Dec. 29 Via Teleconference

December 7, 2011 Uncategorized Comments Off

The First District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, via teleconference. The purpose of the call will be to determine the list of “most qualified” applicants that will be invited for interviews by the JNC. Pursuant to Art. V, Section 11(d), Fla. Const., this meeting will involve deliberations of the JNC and will not be open to the public.

The members of the Judicial Nominating Commission include the following: Michael J. Glazer, chair; Edward Fleming, vice-chair; Alan Bookman; Patricia Ann Conners; Barbara Johnston; Jerome Novey; Daryl D. Parks; Gary Rutledge; and Steven Yablonski.

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Deputies Seize $40,000

December 7, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off
Currecny Seizure 12-03-2011

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that On Sunday afternoon the 3rd day of December 2011 at approximately 4:00 PM, Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a 2008 Buick sport utility vehicle for a traffic infraction on interstate 10. The vehicle was traveling 90 miles per hours in a posted 70 mile per hour speed zone.

Deputies noted several discrepancies provided between the two occupants of the Buick and other suspicious activity regarding the driver not able to identify the passenger or from whom they had borrowed the vehicle from.

A Canine search of the exterior of the vehicle gave a positive alert by k-9 “Dare” which resulted in a “Probable cause” detailed search of the vehicle. The detailed search discovered a large sum of currency located in back pack. The currency was commonly packaged in a manner indicative of a drug couriers fashion for transporting currency. A count of the currency revealed the amount to be $40,000.00.  The occupants of the vehicle denied ownership of the currency or having any knowledge of the currency or mysteriously how it appeared with their belongings. A receipt for the seized currency was provided and the investigation continues. The occupants were from Huntington California and Tampa Florida.

 

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Sheriff’s Office Hires Victims Advocate

December 7, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off
Sheila Combs, Victims Advocate

Sheila Combs, Victims Advocate

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that it is with great pleasure to announce the newest member of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Shelia Combs. Mrs. Combs started her new position on December 5, 2011 as the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Victims Advocate. Shelia Combs was one of 35 applicants for the position and was evaluated by a five (5) member board before being offered the position.

 

The Sheriff’s Office Victims Advocate of Crime became reality after several years of pursuing the position and being awarded a grant from the Bureau of Advocacy & Grants Management, Office of the Attorney General.

 

Sheriff Stewart explains that even during a difficult budgetary climate it is his goal to continue to move forward with the services the Sheriff’s Office provides. This new position is not only a great asset for the Sheriff’s Office but a tremendous opportunity to provide a much needed service to the citizens of the community. Mrs. Combs comes aboard with a history of experience and will be reviewing incidents of persons that become victims of crime and assisting these victims with the many different types of victim’s compensation, counseling, crisis intervention to include injunctions against repeat violence and referrals to outside agencies for additional services.

 

Mrs. Combs will not be limited to the Sheriff’s Office but also assist the City of Madison Police Department with their victims of crime in accordance with the grant award. Mrs. Combs may be reached by contacting the Sheriff’s Office at 850-973-4001 Extension 236 during normal business hours of Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. If services are of need and require immediate attention please contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center at 850-973-4001 Extension 2.

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CristoFouri Holiday Concert Dec. 10 at NFCC

December 7, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off
Unknown

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Greenville Country Christmas Set For Saturday

December 7, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off
Greenville Country Christmas Calendar of Events

Greenville Country Christmas Calendar of Events

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Flags To Be Flown At Half-Staff On Pearl Harbor Day

December 7, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

Today is Pearl Harbor Day and all flags at public buildings should be flown at half-staff today in remembrance of that day in 1941 that FDR said was “a day that will live in infamy.” Thank God for all the brave men and women who have lost their lives serving our country and for all who have served or are still serving.

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