Archive for June 2012

Water use restrictions go into effect June 13

June 13, 2012 Front Page, Outdoors One comment

Water restrictions for all users within the Suwannee River Water Management District (District) are in effect June 13 through Sept. 30. The District’s Governing Board voted on May 29 to adopt a Phase III Water Shortage Order in response to low water levels brought on by long-term drought.

Under the order, restrictions, and some exemptions, will apply to residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial users within the District’s boundaries. This includes all of Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Union counties, and portions of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Jefferson, Levy and Putnam counties.

The restrictions mostly target outdoor water use, particularly lawn and landscape irrigation which usually accounts for half of household use. Following is a list of some of the restrictions that apply:

Lawn & Landscape Irrigation:

Watering of existing lawns and landscapes is limited to one day per week and is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Designated watering days are determined according to an even-odd address numbering system as follows:

· House addresses ending in 0 or 1 may only irrigate on Monday.

· Addresses ending in 2 or 3 may only irrigate on Tuesday.

· Addresses ending in 4 or 5 may only irrigate on Wednesday.

· Addresses ending in 6 or 7 may only irrigate on Thursday.

· Addresses ending in 8 or 9 may only irrigate on Friday.

· Residences with no address (community common areas, etc.) may only irrigate on Friday.

While watering with sprinklers and irrigation systems is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., watering with a hand-held hose with nozzle is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For new lawns and landscapes irrigation is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and watering is limited to the minimum amount required for establishment of lawn. After the first 60 days following planting, the rules for established lawns and landscapes take effect.

Treated wastewater irrigation and irrigation for home vegetable gardens are exempt from the restrictions.

Agricultural Irrigation:

Overhead irrigation by high pressure/high volume systems is prohibited between noon and 9 p.m. No off-site application or irrigation water on non-targeted areas is allowed.
There are no restrictions on the use of treated wastewater for irrigation and on low pressure/low volume irrigation systems.

Many of the area’s farmers and producers implement water conservation plans and have retrofitted their irrigation systems to increase efficiency and reduce total water use. Systems that have been certified by an independent irrigation laboratory within the past five years prior to the effective date of a water shortage order to be as efficient as practicable or are compliant with applicable water conservation best management practices are not restricted.

Golf Courses & Recreational Uses:

Greens and tees may be watered any day but not between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Watering of fairways, roughs, and non-play areas on the front nine holes of the course is allowed on odd-numbered days but is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Watering of fairways, roughs, and non-play areas on the back nine holes of the course is on even-numbered days but is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Use of water for recreational purposes shall be reduced to the greatest extent practicable.

Other Outdoor/Indoor Uses:

Car washing is limited to once per week on the designated watering day for the location. Fundraising and commercial car washes and the washing of emergency and other first responder vehicles are exempt. Outside pressure cleaning is restricted to only low-volume methods. Outside aesthetic uses of water is prohibited (fountains, for example). Inside aesthetic uses of water is prohibited. Washing or cleaning streets, driveways, sidewalks, or other impervious areas with water is prohibited except to meet federal, state, or local health or safety standards.

Commercial/Industrial & Water Utilities:

Mining, manufacturing, processing plants, bottled water plants, and power companies must adhere to certain restrictions and are encouraged to reduce all non-essential uses of water. Water utilities must adhere to certain conservation measures.

To review the restrictions in their entirety, visit the water shortage page on the District’s website at www.mysuwanneeriver.com/watershortage. A variance form to request relief from one or more of these regulations is also available on the website.

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Students Invited To See Electric Car Designed By MINDDRIVE

June 12, 2012 Education Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Students are invited to Madison County Central School on Thursday, June 21, from 10-11 a.m. to see an electric car designed and built by students from MINDDRIVE.
MINDDRIVE is an educational program that teaches at-risk urban high school teens about automotive design and contemporary communication through hands-on work.
According to their website (www.minddrive.org): The automotive class works together to “build prototype high-efficiency alternative fuel plug-in electric vehicles designed to drive efficiently. The communication class teaches students how to write, present, photograph, video, construct and manage web pages and use social media channels.”
The class created an electric plug-in vehicle in August 2010. The car achieved between a 300 and 440-mile per gallon equivalent. Students have built three functioning cars over the last three years.
There are currently 18 students in MINDDRIVE from five urban high schools in Kansas City, Mo. They work on a one-to-one ratio with mentors who are engineers, designers, automotive specialists and other people from various vocations.
Currently, the class is conducting a coast-to-coast experiment, traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast. Their projected time in Madison to charge the batteries is expected to be from 10-11 a.m. on June 21.
The intent at this time, according to Sam Stalnaker, with the Madison County School District, is to be in Madison for one-and-a-half to two hours for a question and answer period. Students will gather around the car and learn about non-traditional energy.
“We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for youngsters in your community involved in math, science or various creative pursuits to share in a remarkable experience,” said Jim Huntington, with MINDDRIVE.

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St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church Holding Fundraiser

June 12, 2012 Church Comments Off

Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ:
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church will be hosting a fundraiser for the construction of a handicap ramp at our church. The event will take place on the Madison courthouse lawn on Friday, June 22, 2012 starting at 10:00 a.m. until ????. We would like to invite our Christian Community to help make this endeavor a success.

The Knights of Columbus will be cooking their delicious grilled chicken leg quarters, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert, and tea. The price will be $6.00. Take out or eat in.

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Obituary: Pauline Cone Crosby

June 11, 2012 Obituaries Comments Off
Pauline_CONE_Crosby

Pauline (CONE) Crosby, age 86, died June 6, 2012 in Columbus, Ga. Born at Vero Beach, October 21, 1925, she was the daughter of William Hubbard “Dock” Cone and Alice (HUDSON) Cone. The family was originally from Madison County and left the area for a time to reside in Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce until their return to the area in 1936. They re-settled first in Sirmans and lastly at Sundown Court south of Greenville.
Mrs. Crosby was the second of eight children. She attended Greenville High School. After graduation in 1943, she accepted a position with the Southern Bell Telephone Company in Jacksonville. That is where she met Herbert Eugene “Bing” Crosby. They were married July 3, 1947. Mr. Crosby was in the United States ARMY and having chosen it as his career, the couple lived in numerous locations, settling at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. in 1958.
Mrs. Crosby was a homemaker and a former member of Wynnbrook Baptist Church and an active member of Edgewood Baptist Church where she was in the Joy Sunday School Class. She was also a member of the Gallops Senior Citizens.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband (who died in 1981) and by her son-in-law Doug Gass. Siblings preceding her in death are: Delores Cone, Lucille Cone Hank, John H. “Johnnie” Cone, Sr. and Estelle Cone Bailey.
Survivors include her two daughters, Paulette Bragg (Michael) of Columbus, Ga. and Linda Gass of Kingston, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Emily Ferguson Little (Sean) of Columbus, Ga., Shannon Ferguson of Baton Rouge, La., Brian Gass of Vernon, Conn., and Andrea Gass of Chicago, Ill.
Mrs. Crosby’s surviving siblings are: Leola Mae Cone Sands of Greenville, Herbert Cone of Gainesville, and James Cone of Warner Robins, Ga. She has a number of nieces and nephews residing in Greenville.
Funeral services were held 3 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2012, at McMullen Funeral Home Chapel in Columbus, Ga., with Reverend Andy Merritt officiating. Interment was held 10:00 AM Monday, 11 June 2012 at Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery. She was laid to rest next to her husband.

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Obituary: Guldmar Jackson “Buck” Blair

June 11, 2012 Obituaries Comments Off

Guldmar Jackson Blair

Guldmar Jackson Blair, 83, passed away at his home in Wauchula Friday, June 8, 2012. Buck, as known by his friends, was born in Hickory Grove, Florida to Ed and Mae Blair on July 23, 1928. He was a farmer in Madison County before being called into the Ministry where he served as a Methodist Minister for over 40 years. Buck enjoyed gardening and whatever Helen, his wife for 56 years, asked him to do. In his retirement years, he spent most of his time listening to the southern wind “whistle” through the tall pines. He loved sitting on the porch with his beloved grandchildren, watching the pine trees dance in the wind. Buck was preceded in death by his wife Helen in 2009. He is survived by his loving family, sisters, Leona Gay, Madison, Florida, and Mary Frances Cantrell, Pinetta, FL; children, Donna Blair-Hernandez (Larry), Rhonda Blair Schrenk (Mitch), Melinda Blair Luce (Jean), Michael Edwin Blair (Angela), and Karen Blair Gordon (Kendall); grandchildren, Kendall Gordon II (Jackie), Nicholas Gordon, George Mitchell Schrenk (Denise), Jamie Blair Gordon, Shea Michael Luce (Kristyne), Blair Sims (Matt), Randall Schrenk (Suzannah), Ryan Blair, Rowland Blair, and McKenzie Blair; and great grandchildren, Blaine Jackson Gordon and Marie D’Nae Sims; and a host of of nieces and nephews that adored their Uncle Buck.

Memorial Service for Rev. Blair will be 4 PM Sunday, June 24, 2012 at Hickory Grove United Methodist Church, Pinetta, FL, with Rev. James Howes officiating. Buck’s final resting place will be in Hickory Grove.

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Obituary: Lois Sheffield McCullough

June 8, 2012 Obituaries Comments Off
Lois McCullough

Lois Sheffield McCullough, 82, of Valdosta, died on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at her home. Born and raised in Hamilton County, Florida on October 20, 1929, she was the daughter of the late, Mitchell Monroe and Pearlie Johns Sheffield. Lois McCullough was the best loving Christian wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She loved flowers and was an avid gardener. Mrs. McCullough was a long time member of Abundant Life Church of God, formerly Forrest Street Church of God.
Survivors include her husband, Raymond Franklin McCullough of Valdosta; sons, Terry M. (Marylyn) McCullough of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and Anthony R. McCullough of Valdosta; daughter in law, Lara Browning; grandchildren, Jason F. (Heather) McCullough, Damon K. (Dawn) McCullough, Curtis (Jessie) McCullough, Matthew J. (Madelaine) McCullough, Jordan A. McCullough, Shannon McCullough, Shelby McCullough, Nicole Pendleton and Jessica Peterson; great grandchildren, Devon F. McCullough, Ian McCullough, Kayla A. McCullough, Nicholas C. East, Cameron J. Dillinger, Sophia McCullough, William McCullough, Sarah McCullough, Steven McCullough, Kelton McCullough, Scarlette K. McCullough, and Violette E. McCullough; sisters, Inez (Allen) Bryant of White Springs, Florida, and Jeanette (Charles) Kirkland of Jacksonville, Florida; brother, Mitchell Sheffield of Hilliard, Florida; sister in law, Betty S. (James) Bowers of Inez, Kentucky. Mrs. McCullough was preceded in death by a son, Donald F. McCullough and a daughter in law, Mary E. McCullough.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Abundant Life Church of God. Reverend Wayne Hughes will officiate. Interment will be at Oakridge Cemetery in Madison, Florida at 5 p.m. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Abundant Life Church of God, 3419 Knights Academy Road, Valdosta, GA 31605. Carson McLane Funeral is serving the family of Mrs. McCullough. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com.

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Sue Chamblin Frederick To Sign Books

June 7, 2012 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Sue Chamblin Frederick will be at the Madison County Library on Saturday, June 9, to hold a meet the author/book signing party, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sue Frederick’s memories take her to her childhood. She remembers her Granddaddy Terry’s country store and hog farm in Pinetta. She envisions the hot, sandy Belleville Road and a wooden bridge that spanned the Withlacoochee River.
Years have passed since she was Sue Chamblin and she pulled out a Nehi grape soda from an ice-filled washtub and she watched her Granddaddy Terry slap his Poland China hog named Pony with a whip from a willow tree. Warning them that Pony would eat them alive and to be careful, that didn’t stop Sue and her siblings from jumping off an old wooden fence onto the back of Pony as he “rooted and snorted his way around the muddy hog pen.”
“I left the tobacco fields of Pinetta years ago and began a life in a big city, but my thoughts never strayed far from the sight of summer green watermelons dotting the farmland,” Sue said, “or the fear of outdoors toilets that housed the biggest spiders in the county. It will always be home.”
Today, Sue writes spy novels. Her current novel, The Unwilling Spy, is set in World War II.
Promotional material for the book reads, “One must beware of this sweet Southern belle, “whose eyelashes are longer than her fingers, her lips as red as a Georgia sunset. Yet, behind the feminine façade of a Scarlett-like ingénue, lies an absolute and utterly calculating mind – a mind that hints of genius – a genius she uses to write books that will leave you spellbound.”
Beneath those eyelashes, one will discover she is dangerous. According to the book’s press release: “Put a Walther PPK pistol in her hands and she will kill you. Her German is so precise she’d fool Hitler. Her amorous prowess? If you have a secret, she will discover it — one way or the other.”
Her upcoming novel set for this fall will be Madame Delflote, Impeccable Spy.”
She also has another novel completed and almost ready to be published. Called Sanctuary of the Heart, the book is about the struggles of a Georgia family during the Depression era.
Not bad for a country girl, who was born in Live Oak in a three-room tin-roofed house, where the Suwannee River lies in close proximity and “flows the color of warm caramel.”
Born one of seven children, she said that her brother, John Chamblin, who lives in Madison, was the most intelligent.
Currently, Sue and her husband live on 20 acres in the piney woods of Florida. Her biography reads that her two daughters “live their lives hiding from their mother, whose imagination keeps their lives in constant turmoil with stories of apple-rotten characters and plots that cause the devil to smile.”

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Jacob’s Ladder: The Hurricane

June 7, 2012 Editorials Comments Off
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I can feel your hurt, I know your pain,
You’re walking against the wind,
Walking in the hurricane.
You need someone to erase the stains
You can’t hide, you can’t pretend,
Walking in the hurricane.
So many nights you spend on bended knees,
Crying tears, saying, “Lord, help me please,”
Your broken heart you can’t explain
To anyone not walking in the hurricane.
And, your heart breaks like it never has before,
The rain keeps falling and you watch it pour,
No umbrella, no raincoat you walk through the storm,
With nothing there to keep you warm.
Looking to Heaven for answers, not knowing if there’s one,
You pray to God in the name of His Holy Son,
“Lord, help me please, come and take this pain,
I’m so tired of walking through the hurricane.”
As you tread through the streets, you see the toppled trees,
But through the power lines you hear a hum like a symphony,
You can make it, Jesus can conquer your pain
And send a dove to lift you out of the hurricane.
Keep walking on water, with your head held high,
Remember always God is there in the night,
He’s there in day, He’s there in the pain,
Helping you walk through the hurricane.

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Beware Of Utility Scam

June 5, 2012 Crime, Front Page Comments Off

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is warning consumers to be aware of a multi-state scam targeting utility customers. The scam claims that President Obama is providing credits or applying payments to utility bills. The scammers contact consumers through posted flyers, social media, texting and or visiting consumers in person. The scammers ask for the consumer’s social security number and then provide a phony federal reserve bank routing number to use to receive the credit or bill payment. The routing number is fake and no payments are posted to the consumer’s bill.
Consumers are warned not to provide personal information to strangers who come to your door or in response to unsolicited emails or social media posts. Question anyone who presents themselves as a representative of a utility company and ask for identification before allowing anyone inside your home or onto your property.
For additional information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at www.800helpfla.com or by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) within Florida, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) en Español or (850) 410-3800 from outside of Florida.

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Potential Hazardous Weather

June 4, 2012 Front Page Comments Off

From Leigh Webb at Madison County Emergency Management:
Showers and thunderstorms will impact portions of the forecast area starting this afternoon and continuing through Tuesday. Multiple waves of storms are expected with this weather pattern, with severe storms possible through at least Tuesday and possibly Wednesday.

This Afternoon/Evening:

A cluster of thunderstorms is expected to develop across central Georgia this afternoon. These thunderstorms will move rapidly to the southeast during the afternoon and evening hours, possibly impacting portions of southwest and south central Georgia. The primary threats are expected to be damaging winds (gusts of 58 MPH or higher) and large hail (quarter size or greater).

Tuesday:
Another round of thunderstorms is expected to impact the area on Tuesday. The primary threats are again expected to be damaging winds (gusts of 58 MPH or higher) and large hail (quarter size or greater).

**More information can be found at the National Weather Service website**

http://weather.gov/Tallahassee

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Spirit of Greenville To Host Fundraiser

June 4, 2012 Front Page Comments Off

The Spirit of Greenville will be selling chicken dinners in Haffye Hays Park on Saturday, June 9, from 10:00am to 2:00pm to raise funds for the fireworks show to be held on July 4th.

Dinner plates
½ Chicken
Potato salad
Baked beans
$6.00
or
Whole Chicken & 2 sides $10.00

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Contagious To Perform at Yogi Bear

June 1, 2012 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off
EDIT-3880

The boy band Contagious will perform at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Campground at the pool area on Wednesday, June 6, at 5 p.m. A pool party will start at 5 p.m. and the concert will start at 7 p.m. Admission is $6 a person.

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