Tag Archive for madison county

Ten Commandments Request Withdrawn

March 28, 2013 Front Page Comments Off

Five days after a Ten Commandments monument was approved to be placed on the courthouse lawn, the group making the request asked that the issue be removed from a meeting scheduled for Monday evening, March 25, and revisited at a later date.
Apparently, Tom Reeves, attorney for the Board of County Commissioners, had contacted the Liberty Counsel and asked if they would represent the county in case a lawsuit was filed. He was informed that, because of the way the matter had been handled without a plan where exactly the monument would be placed and how to deal with future requests, that Liberty would not represent the county.

The letter requesting the matter be withdrawn from consideration at the March 25 meeting was presented to the board by former County Judge Wetzel Blair, who had presented an appeal to the board to approve the measure at their Wednesday, March 20, meeting.

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Four From Greenville Enter Pleas In Drug Trafficking Case

March 6, 2013 Crime, Front Page Comments Off

Submitted by Taylor County Sheriff’s Office
In May 2011 the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Madison County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force began a joint investigation into a marijuana trafficking organization based in Madison and Taylor Counties.
Information obtained over time by the Madison and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office’s indicated large quantities of marijuana were being received by a group of family members residing in Greenville, FL and sold for distribution to numerous people, primarily in Taylor County.
Exhaustive efforts from all agencies involved using surveillance, controlled buys, search warrants, etc. led to federal indictments in the Northern District of Florida and state charges on four individuals who are residents of Madison County, nine individuals who are residents of Taylor County, and one individual who is a resident in Duval County. The investigation also resulted in federal charges being sought against multiple other individuals involved in the Marijuana trafficking conspiracy in the Middle District of Florida.
Of those charged locally, 10 have entered guilty pleas, including:
Gregory Thompson, Greenville Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Over 1000 kilograms of Marijuana in February, 2013 before U. S District Judge Mark Walker. 
Michelle Thompson, Greenville Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Over 1000 kilograms of Marijuana in February, 2013 before U. S District Judge Mark Walker. 
Robelia Thompson, Greenville Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Over 1000 kilograms of Marijuana in February, 2013 before U. S District Judge Mark Walker.
Jayson Messer, Greenville Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Less Than 50 kilograms of Marijuana in February, 2013 before U. S District Judge Mark Walker. 
Steven Mink, Perry, Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Over 100 kilograms of Marijuana in February, 2013 before U. S District Judge Mark Walker. 
James Kinsey, Perry, Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Over 100 kilograms of Marijuana in January, 2013 before U. S District Judge Robert Hinkle. 
Troy Gunter, Perry, Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Less Than 50 kilograms of Marijuana, and Distribution of Marijuana, in January, 2013 before U. S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. 
Jamie Gunter, Perry, Fl., who pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Less Than 50 kilograms of Marijuana, and Distribution of Marijuana, in January, 2013 before U. S. District Judge Robert Hinkle. 
Charles Williams, Perry, Fl., who pled guilty to Sale of Cannabis, Possession +20 grams of Cannabis in October 2012 in the 3rd Circuit Court of the State of Florida. 
Donald Parker, Perry, Fl., who pled guilty to Possession +20 grams of Cannabis, Possession of Cannabis With Intent to Sell in November 2012 in the 3rd Circuit Court of the State of Florida.
In the investigation there were 5 search warrants executed in Taylor County and 1 search warrant executed in Madison County. In the investigation law enforcement seized over $180,000.00 in cash, 14 vehicles, 2 trailers, 3 pieces of equipment, 23 firearms, and approximately 130 pounds of marijuana. In addition, law enforcement is seeking forfeiture on 15 pieces of real property.

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Way Back When

January 28, 2013 History Comments Off

January 29, 1943
Pvt. William F. Brooks of Lovett received his diploma and silver wings at the Aerial Gunnery School at Tyndall Field Jan. 12, 1943. He was given the rating of a sergeant.
Col. J.B. McClure, prominent young attorney of this city, and member of the law firm of Davis, Davis and McClure, was notified on Monday by Gov. Spessard Holland of his appointment as county prosecuting attorney.
Joe Hughey, of the US Naval Training School, Memphis, Tenn,, arrived home Wednesday morning on a seven-day leave.
Mr. C.J. English of our Navy was visiting his little daughter, Margaret, over the weekend.

January 23, 1953
Mrs. E.L. Flowers, chairman of the Mothers’ March for Polio for Lee, announces plans for the Mothers’ March on Jan. 29, from 7-8 p.m. The workers will meet at Whitty’s Store at 6:30 p.m. to receive instructions. At 7 p.m., people will “Turn on their porch lights.”
Mrs. Stanton Pepera and daughter, Connie, spent last weekend in Marianna visiting relatives and friends.
The Green Bay Food Company of Live Oak will again contract cucumbers in Madison County, along with Suwannee and adjoining counties.
Warrant Officer Junior Grade Howell E. Drawdy, Jr. is returning from Korea to the United States under the Army’s rotation program.

January 25, 1963
Beverage department officers and members of the Madison and Brooks County sheriff’s departments last Friday night destroyed a huge still system about a half mile south of Lovett.
William Rocky Leggett, who recently broke out of jail here and was caught Jan. 11 in Defuniak Springs broke out again last Friday about 9:15. Leggett twisted up a blanket and used it to stand on while he manipulated an opening in the top of his cell and crawled through to freedom. His liberty was short-lived, however, as officers caught him about an hour and a half later within two blocks of the jail and put him back in.
The Band Booster Club met Monday night in the band room with a good attendance of members.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Williams of Jacksonville came Thursday for a visit with his mother, Mrs. Ruby Williams.

January 26, 1973
Imported fire ants have been in Madison County for only three years but they are becoming more numerous and bothersome. They were first found near Greenville and that vicinity now has the worst infestation.
The North Florida Junior College Sentinels upset the University of Florida Baby Gators 108-90 in basketball action.
A total of 150 people employed at Scottish Inns plant in Greenville build motel room units.
The villagers in the suburbs spoke loudly and clearly Tuesday as they rejected overwhelmingly an invitation to be a part of the City of Madison. Those on the outside voted 346-62 in favor of staying on the outside. Those on the inside agreed grudgingly to let in the outsiders if they wanted to come, 292-256.

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Browning, Kendrick, Moore, Pickles Winners; Harper and Davis in Recount to See Who Faces Pickles in Runoff

August 14, 2012 Front Page 3 comments

Congratulations to Edwin B. “Bailey” Browning III new county judge-elect. Congratulations also go out to Doug Brown, Democratic nominee for School Superintendent. Ronnie Moore, Democratic primary winner for District 3 County Commissioner and ?, Democratic nominee for Supervisor of Elections. Congratulations to Amy Kendrick, Democratic nominee for Supervisor of Elections. In a squeaker, she slipped by Jada Woods Williams 1974-1940. Karen Pickles was the top vote getter for District 4 School Board member. She will have to face either Bobby Harper or Donnell Davis in a runoff in November. Right now, a recount will have to be done and provisional ballots counted before her opponent will be known.

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County Commission Declares State of Emergency

June 26, 2012 Front Page Comments Off

Madison to Help Neighboring Counties With Storm Waste
By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Noting that it was an emergency, that it would be temporary, and that Madison could find itself in a similar situation someday, the four Madison County Commissioners present at the special meeting Tuesday morning, June 26, voted to approve allowing neighboring Columbia and Suwannee Counties to use the Aucilla Landfill in Madison County to dispose of excess storm waste.
The two counties in question have been hard-hit by widespread flooding and asked to begin using the Aucilla site by the following morning, hoping to be able to revert to using their own sites by the next week.
Commissioners added that the counties would have to pay a “tipping fee,” i.e., their waste “would be weighed on the scale like everybody else,” and they would be charged accordingly.
The second item on the agenda was to declare a state of emergency in Madison County, allowing the county to make emergency requisitions and request assistance from the state in the form of sandbags, barricades, and reimbursements for storm-related costs such as a few extra chainsaws to clear away fallen trees where they impede traffic.
Tom Cisco, Director of Emergency Management Services for Madison County, said that by “just guessing,” he thought that there had probably been six eight inches of rain so far Tuesday, and that it might taper off to three or four inches by Wednesday.
Lonnie Thigpen Director of the Madison County Road Department, said that he expected to be able to start grading dirt roads in the county, when they had dried out enough. People might get a little impatient having to wait until then, he said, but as Commission Wayne Vickers pointed out, “You can’t grade mud.”

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Sheriff’s Office Arrests One Of America’s Most Wanted

April 30, 2012 Crime, Front Page 2 comments

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports on Friday the 27th day of April 2012 Madison County Sheriff’s Office Investigator William Sircy was conducting a joint Insurance Fraud investigation with agents from the Florida Department of Financial Services (a Division of Insurance Fraud). The Investigation lead to the attempted contact with a suspect (R M Healan) in the case. Previous contact with the suspect resulted in an inability to obtain accurate information and/or proper identity.
On this same date at approximately 12:57 PM, Investigators made contact with Healan and observed him driving a 2008 Toyota truck. Healan was asked by Investigators to provide a valid driver license, which he could not do. Healan was arrested for operating a vehicle with no valid driver license and was further requested to provide proper identification in an attempt to determine his exact identity. Healan refused to produce the requested information and was subsequently charged with Obstruction. Healan was held without bond until he could provide proper identification to prove his identity or Investigators confirmed an exact identity.
On Friday, April 27, 2012 at approximately 8:30 PM, utilizing fingerprint identification, Healan was identified as Charles Leon Parker Sr. a fugitive from the US Marshalls and listed on America’s Most Wanted. Parker also had outstanding warrant from Douglas County Georgia for Child Molestation and Incest. Parker has been “at-large” since 1983. Parker is still facing additional charges in Florida for Insurance Fraud.

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Water management staff to spread word on water supply strategies

February 13, 2012 Front Page, Outdoors Comments Off

Over the next two months, David Still and Hans Tanzler, the executive directors for the Suwannee River and St. Johns River water management districts respectively, and other senior staff will speak at county commission meetings within the Suwannee District’s (SRWMD) region to inform the public about water resource issues.

Jon Dinges, SRWMD director of Water Supply and Resource Management, provided a preview of those meetings when he spoke to the Suwannee County Commission on Jan. 17 about water supply planning.

“The District is actively addressing water resource impacts that are occurring across north Florida as a result of groundwater withdrawals,” Dinges said. “We believe the Alapaha River Basin, Upper Suwannee River Region, and Upper and Lower Santa Fe river basins may be short of groundwater within 20 years.”

“We’re working hard to find new water sources and ways to replenish the Floridan aquifer system to meet water demands in those areas,” he added.

Dinges noted that as far back as 1988, the United States Geological Survey has documented significant declines in the aquifer.

“Though these water levels go up and down, there is a long-term declining trend felt in some areas within our District, and these statistics are significant,” Dinges said. “Though we have been in a drought for some time, we don’t believe lack of rainfall is totally responsible for the trends we’re seeing. The only other possibility is pumping from the aquifer system.”

A schedule of upcoming meetings is available on the District’s calendar at www.mysuwanneeriver.com. For more information, call SRWMD at 386.362.1001 or 800.226.1066 (FL only).

Water Supply Presentation Schedule

Please be aware that the times and dates of these meetings are subject to change. Check the District’s calendar at www.mysuwanneeriver.com where any changes will be announced.

Madison County
February 15, at 4 p.m.
Madison County Courthouse Annex
229 SW Pinckney St.
Madison, FL 32340

Union County
February 20, at 7 p.m.
Union County Courthouse Annex
15 NE 1st St.
Lake Butler, FL 32054

Hamilton County
February 21, at 6 p.m.
207 NE First St.
Jasper, FL 32052

Lafayette County
February 27, at 5:30 p.m.
Lafayette County Courthouse
120 W Main St.
Mayo, FL 32066

Alachua County
February 28, 9 a.m.
Alachua County Administration Building, 2nd Floor
12 SE 1st St.
Gainesville, FL 32601

Jefferson County
March 1, at 9 a.m.
Jefferson County Courthouse Annex
435 W Walnut St.
Monticello, FL 32344

Columbia County
March 1, at 7 p.m.
Columbia County School Board Administration Complex
372 W Duval St.
Lake City, FL 32055

Gilchrist County
March 5, 1:30 p.m.
Gilchrist County Courthouse Annex
209 SE 1st St.
Trenton, FL 32693

Suwannee County
March 6, at 9 a.m.
Live Oak City Hall
101 SE White Ave.
Live Ok, FL 32064

Dixie County
March 15, at 6 p.m.
Dixie County Courthouse
214 NE Hwy 351
Cross City, FL 32628

Bradford County
March 15, at 6:30 p.m.
Bradford County Courthouse
945 N Temple Ave.
Starke, FL 32091

Baker County
March 19, at 5 p.m.
Baker County Administration Building
55 N 3rd St.
Macclenny, FL 32063

Levy County
March 20, at 9 a.m.
Levy County Courthouse
355 S Court St.
Bronson, FL 32621

Taylor County
TBA
Taylor County Administrative Complex
201 E Green St.
Perry, FL 32347

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Drug Task Force Seizes Firearm

February 13, 2012 Crime, Front Page Comments Off

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that On Thursday night February 10, 2012 at 11:58 PM Agents of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a 2011 Chevy 4 door sedan for unlawful speed. The vehicle was traveling westbound on interstate 10 in Madison County and was being operated by Norris Antonio Baker Jr.
While Agents were taking enforcement action for the speeding violation, they detected signs of possible criminal activity. Canine “Arko” was deployed and gave a positive alert for the presence of a narcotic odor. Agents then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and discovered a small amount of marijuana residue. The search further discovered a Taurus .45 caliber semi automatic hand gun concealed within the vehicle.
The driver, Antonio Baker, denied owning the handgun, how it got into his vehicle or to whom the gun may belong to. Agents seized the handgun for further investigation and to have analyzed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (F.D.L.E.) Crime Lab to verify that the gun has not been previously used in a crime.
Currently, No formal charges are being filed on Antonio Baker and he gladly relinquished possession of the firearm and was released. The investigation remains pending.

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Fugitive Wanted In Connection With Murder And Burglary Caught In Madison

November 30, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
Deaundros Blackshear

Deaundros Blackshear

U.S. Marshals arrested Deaundros Blackshear this morning in connection with a robbery and murder that occurred in Destin on Nov. 15. Blackshear was one of three men accused of the murder of Junior Christopher Ferguson, who was shot in a car on that date, along with another man. Blackshear had been released from prison in May. He was apprehended in a home on Anderson Pond Way. More details as they become available.

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Florida-born Author Publishes Unique Book

October 17, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

Kevin Jackson recently published his novel entitled Storytale. Even though Jackson remains busy working full time and raising his young family with his wife, he couldn’t let go of a dream driving him since his high school days: He has to write.

He wrote his first sonnet when he was 16. Two years later, he completed his first novel. By 22, he had a second novel under his belt. He’s recently passed the number of sonnets Shakespeare penned. Now, only a few years removed from college, he has completed and published his third novel, Storytale.

Storytale is not your typical novel. In fact, after searching widely, Jackson has not found any novel written the way he crafted Storytale.

The two main characters of Storytale speak in iambic pentameter—the meter used in lines of sonnets with alternating unstressed, stressed syllables—for the majority of the book. When the words of Jackson’s female character, Queen Bidellia, are pulled from the text, you’ll find a consistent rhyme scheme. Jackson uses the rhyme scheme popularized by Shakespeare for most of Storytale. However, you will find a different pattern at various points of this novel to reveal a different mood in his characters. This other rhyme scheme is one Jackson developed ten years ago and uses in his vast collection of sonnets.

Although Storytale is a fantasy novel originally intended for middle graders to young adults, Jackson feels this book should appeal to anybody if not for the sole purpose of curiosity. How did he incorporate poetry like that without skewing the flow of his story?

You can find out how Kevin Jackson accomplished this. Storytale is available as an ebook through Smashwords.com after October 11.

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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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Update: Two Wanted by Madison County Crime Stoppers

July 26, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off
Microsoft Word - wanted3.docx

Update: Crime Stoppers reports that Baynard has been in custody in a Fulton County, Ga. jail since April 2010.

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County Commission Approves Amendment To Interlocal Agreement With Hospital

July 21, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The County Commission approved an amendment to the interlocal agreement between Madison County and its incorporated municipalities to allow a portion of the proceeds form the local option sales tax to go to the Madison County Memorial Hospital to help defray the cost of indigent care provided by the Hospital.

County Attorney Tom Reeves explained the interlocal agreement process step by step as to how it was structured, and how it governed the use of monies collected through the local option sales tax, then explained the process by which the county had been able to refinance a loan for completed road infrastructure work, freeing up the money that was to go to the hospital.  Marianne Green asked for clarification and assurance that the money was to go only for indigent care and not for any other purpose, and that the indigent care thus paid for was only for Madison County residents.  County Court Clerk Tim Sanders assured all those present that the Clerk’s Office would be responsible for the money and any payments made to the hospital for indigent care, and that the hospital would provide invoices for such payments.

The board also approved allowing the hospital to lease part of the old EMS building for storage desperately needed for hospital records and to use as a staging area for when the hospital begins making the switch-over from the old to the new facility.  AHCA requires that the hospital run both the old and new facilities in parallel until the new facility is approved and permission is given to shut down the old facility.  During that time, rather than buy duplicates of needed equipment and extra beds, the hospital plans to borrow these items from other regional hospitals – a common practice among hospitals whenever a replacement facility has been built and is awaiting approval – and it needs a staging area both to receive the borrowed items and later to store them until they can be returned once the old facility is closed.

The question of security for the aging EMS building came up, and hospital CEO David Abercrombie agreed that the hospital would take responsibility for securing the building, whether it was by installing deadbolt locks or putting up chain-link fencing.

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PDF: School Board Agenda July 19

July 12, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

School Board Agenda July 19

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Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday August 12-14

July 12, 2011 Front Page One comment

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday August 12, Florida will begin their annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. The sale will last until midnight on Sunday August 14. During this holiday there will be no sales tax placed on clothing, footwear and some accessories that cost $75 or less. Some school supplies, costing under $15 will also be included in the sale. Some books will also be on sale as long as they are under $50.
According to www.stayathomemoms.about.com some of the clothing items eligible to be tax-free include: Baby clothes, belts, bibs, blouses, caps and hat, coats, diaper bags, diapers, dresses, gloves, formal clothing, jackets, jeans, rain coats, socks, sleepwear, sweat suits, sweaters, undergarments and uniforms. School supplies that will be exempt from Florida sales tax are: binders, calculators, colored pencils, compasses, composition books, construction paper, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, highlighters, legal pads, lunch boxes, markers, notebooks, paste, pencils, pens, poster board, rulers and scissors.
Books exempt from taxes on these days include Bibles, books with a publisher, foreign and old books, instruction manuals, music books and textbooks

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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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A.M. Wildfire Update

June 23, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
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Man Busted For Half A Pound Of Marijuana

May 31, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off
guthrie

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that on Tuesday morning May 24, 2011 at 5:15 am Investigators of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 10 that resulted in the arrest of Christopher Ben Guthrie, DOB: 02/05/1989 of Miami, FL.
During the stop Investigators observed signs of criminal activity and conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and the contents within. Investigators located over a half of pound of marijuana packaged for sell along with $1,411.00 in currency concealed in the same location and manor as the marijuana.
Guthrie was arrested without incident and charged with Possession of marijuana more than 20 grams with intent to sell and Possession of drug paraphernalia. The marijuana, currency and equipment used to package the marijuana was seized.

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Benefit Poker Run Set For Catherine Maultsby

May 17, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Calling all motorcycles, cars, jeeps, scooters…anything street legal! Please join us for a Benefit Charity Poker Run on Saturday, June 4th. This ride is in honor of Catherine Maultsby, an eight-year-old Madison, FL resident, recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Catherine is undergoing extensive chemotherapy treatments at SHANDS in Gainesville. All proceeds from this ride will go directly to the Maultsby Family. Registration for “Cat’s Ride” begins at 9 a,m. the Madison County Courthouse on US Hwy 90 in Madison, Florida; first bike out at 10 a.m., last bike out at 11:00am. Stops are scheduled in Perry, Mayo, and Live Oak before returning back to Madison. Live entertainment provided by Bryan McHargue at the final stop in Madison at the Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant. There will be a 50/50 drawing, raffle drawings, $100 best hand/$25 worst hand payouts. Cost is $10 one hand or 3 for $20. For more information, please contact Shawn or Jessica Webb at 850-464-1653, or Jamie Thomas at 850-464-1691.

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23 Years Ago Today: F3 Tornado Hits Madison County

April 19, 2011 History Comments Off

It was 23 years ago today (April 19, 1988) that Madison County experienced an F-3 tornado that was on the ground for 12 miles in the county. It hit the Community College, many businesses and about 23 homes were destroyed. Four people lost their lives and the damage was estimated by the National Weather Service at 30 million dollars. The destructive winds went through the city of Madison at 4:56 a.m. on that morning with the twister going on to the northeast to Hamilton County. Countless lives were changed that day.

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