The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has set up a fund at the Madison County Community Bank to defray the cost of Marcus Jones’ funeral.
Any one can walk into the bank and make a donation to the fund.
Jones was a 40-year-old deputy, who died suddenly on Sunday, April 10.
LAKE CITY: The following is a list of roadwork underway by the FDOT that may impact traffic.
MADISON COUNTY:
Interstate 10 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines from the Suwannee County to Jefferson County lines.
State Road 145 Daytime lane closures after 8 a.m. to pave the side street intersections between US 90 in Madison and Hanson. Crews will also be installing fence alongside the new bike trail.
US 19 Possible daytime lane closures between the Jefferson and Taylor county lines for drainage work and guardrail replacement.
US 221 Daytime lane closures from the Taylor County line to Greenville for ditch cleaning.
ALACHUA COUNTY:
Archer Road (State Road 24) Nighttime lane closures Sunday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Interstate 75 and Southwest 34th Street (State Road 121) for work on the medians. Also, daytime lane closures from the Levy County line to Southwest 13th Street (US 441) to repaint the roadway markings (except between I-75 and Southwest 34th Street).
Northwest 13th Street (US 441) Daytime lane closures just south of Northwest 39th Avenue (State Road 222) at Shores Animal Hospital for driveway modifications.
Northwest 13th Street (US 441) Nighttime lane closures for northbound traffic Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the overpass over Northwest Eighth Avenue for routine bridge maintenance.
Northwest 39th Avenue (State Road 222) Daytime lane closures from Northwest 13th Street to North Main Street for utility work by the City of Gainesville.
South Main Street (State Road 329) Traffic is detoured from University Avenue to South First Avenue for reconstruction of the roadway. Southbound through traffic is detoured to University Avenue, Southwest Sixth Street and Southwest Fourth Avenue. Northbound through traffic is detoured to Southeast Fourth Avenue, Southeast Third Street and University Avenue. Local traffic has access and all businesses in the area are open and accessible. The on-street parking along Southeast and Southwest First Avenue is open, but traffic may only enter from those streets and a turn-around area is provided. Traffic traveling on University Avenue will not be allowed to turn south onto Main Street due to the construction.
Southwest 13th Street (US 441) Daytime lane closures at the intersection with Williston Road (State Road 331) to repair drainage structures.
State Road 26 Possible daytime lane closures east and west of US 301 for shoulder work. Traffic is now using the new overpass over US 301 and the CSX Railroad.
University Avenue (State Road 26) Daytime lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Main Street to work on underground utilities and construct new curb. Also, daytime lane closures east of West Sixth Street to repair the drainage structures.
US 301 Daytime lane closures from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Orange Heights and Waldo for paving.
Waldo Road (State Road 24) Daytime lane closures south of Northwest 23rd Avenue to repair drainage structures.
BAKER COUNTY:
US 90 Nighttime lane closures between Lowder Street and East Street in downtown Macclenny to finish paving the final layer of asphalt. Also, daytime lane closures in the same area to pave the side streets at the intersections and working on punch list items throughout the project from Sanderson to the Nassau County line.
BRADFORD COUNTY:
State Road 100 Daytime lane closures from the Clay County to the Union County line to repaint the roadway markings.
CLAY COUNTY:
State Road 100 Daytime lane closures from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from east of Keystone Heights to the Putnam County line to work on side streets and shoulders.
COLUMBIA COUNTY:
Baya Drive (State Road 10A) Daytime lane closures while inmate crews repaint the roadway markings between US 90 East and US 90 West.
County Road 245 (Price Creek Road) The road is closed at the Olustee Creek Bridge about a mile north of State Road 238 through May. Northbound traffic is detoured to State Road 238 to US 441 to CR 349 and back to CR 245. Southbound traffic is detoured to CR 349 to US 441 to SR 238 and back to CR 245.
State Road 47 Daytime lane closures between Interstate 75 and US 41 while inmate crews repaint the roadway markings.
US 90 Daytime lane closures between State Road 100/County Road 100A and just east of Florida Gateway College for work on sidewalks and drainage in preparation for resurfacing.
DIXIE COUNTY:
State Road 349 Daytime lane closures after 8 a.m. between US 19 at Old Town and the Lafayette County line to place the final layer of asphalt.
HAMILTON COUNTY:
Interstate 75 Nighttime lane closures for northbound traffic with two lanes closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly Sunday night through Thursday night from US 129 (Exit 451) to State Road 6 (Exit 460) for paving and bridge work. Also, daytime lane closures with one lane closed for paving. No lane closures allowed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
US 41 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines from State Road 6 in Jasper to the Suwannee River/Columbia County line.
US 129 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines from US 41 to the Georgia line.
LEVY COUNTY:
Alternate 27 (US 27A) Possible daytime lane closures from Southeast 10th Street in Williston to the Marion County line for sidewalk repairs and to work on drainage pipes in preparation for resurfacing.
SUWANNEE COUNTY:
US 129 Daytime lane closure Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. between Ohio Avenue and Marymac Street to repair the asphalt.
TAYLOR COUNTY:
US 19 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines from County Road 30 to US 221.
US 27 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines from US 221 to US 19 in Perry.
US 27 Daytime lane closures at Center Street in Perry for videotaping the storm sewer system.
US 221 Daytime lane closures from Shady Grove to the Madison County line for ditch cleaning.
UNION COUNTY:
State Road 121 Daytime lane closures in Worthington Springs for driveway work to a new Dollar General Store.
By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The upcoming county-wide 40 Days of Prayer project will be the central theme for the monthly meeting of the 55 Plus Club on Wednesday, March 9. Kay Harris will present details following the noon luncheon at the Cooperative Ministries Center on Highway 145 near Hanson.
Harris is coordinating the project under the auspices of the Madison County Ministerial Association. As well as information about the project which will begin on March 9 and continue through April 18, Harris and Association members will offer background about the history of intense prayer and how it has shaped America.
Members of the Hanson United Methodist Church will host the luncheon, and plan to serve a green-salad bar along with a variety of sandwiches and homemade desserts.
The 55 Plus Club is open without charge to all senior citizens in Madison County.
JerriAnn Gray, third from left, was chosen Madison County's Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with her husband, Matt, to her right; her father, Jerry Gray, far left; and her mother, Ginger Gray, far right.
Thursday evening, February 3, the Madison County Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc., (MCFEE) in conjunction with the Madison County District Schools, sponsored the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year banquet. The highlight of the banquet was the announcement that Jerri Ann Webb representing Madison County High was selected as the District Teacher of the Year.
Last fall, each school selected a Golden Apple Teacher of the Year for that school. Madison County Central School had two teachers, one for the elementary grades and one for the middle grades. These teachers completed the appropriate paperwork, made a video and were interviewed by five community people. Their selection was announced as the District Teacher of the Year at the banquet. The district teacher of the year will compete in the Florida Teacher of the Year event this summer.
The cafeteria of the High School was festively decorated to celebrate the golden apple teachers. Dinner music was provided by the MCHS Jazz Band, Geoff Hill, Director. Mr. Hill is a previous Golden Apple District Teacher of the Year. Assisting with the dinner were members of Madison County High’s FCCLA, Monteze Walker and Robin Smith sponsors.
About 130 people were welcomed by Faye Browning, President of MCFEE. MCFEE has three main projects: the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year, the Take Stock in Children Scholarship program, and the mini-grants for teachers.
After dinner, Jo Willis, coordinator of the Take Stock in Children program, told the audience that 67 Madison County students had received tuition scholarships upon graduation from high school. In addition, 60 more students are in line to receive a scholarship when they complete high school.
Yolanda Haynes, last year’s District Teacher of the Year, then introduced the seven teachers vying for District Teacher of the Year. Each teacher was introduced by her principal and by a student. Teachers and students included
Emily Dickey of Greenville Elementary introduced by Nigeria Reddick
Celeste Fleming of Madison County Central introduced by Ke’juan Irvine
Linda McFarland of Madison County Excel introduced by Nathaniel Lee
Susan Maultsby of Lee Elementary introduced by Rinna Anderson
Christi Minor of Pinetta Elementary introduced by Kylie Greenlee
Charla Walker of Madison County Central introduced by Cheyann Yohe
Jerri Ann Webb of Madison County High introduced by Ryan Kornegay
These seven teachers raise the spirits of their teachers, their co-walkers and the community. Mark Branham serenaded them appropriately with the song, “You Raise Me Up” After the song, Yolanda Haynes announced the new District Teacher of the Year: Jerri Ann Webb.
MCFEE wishes to thank the banquet benefactors who helped make this event possible: Delta Kappa Gamma, Bank of America, Superior Trees, Madison County Community Bank, North Florida Community College and Citizens State Bank.
MCFEE would also like to thank Progress Energy for funding the Energy Grant allowing a match from the Florida Consortium of Educational Foundations. These funds make possible the Mini-Grant program of MCFEE.
On the evening of December 16, 2010, the employees and guests of the Madison County Clerk’s Office were guests of Tim and Mary Ann Sanders at then- annual Christmas Party held at the Fellowship Mall of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Madison.
Clerk of the Court Sanders presented a plaque to Deputy Clerk Judy Webb in recognition of her 25 years of dedicated and outstanding service to the citizens of Madison County. Mrs. Webb began her employment in the Extension Office before transferring to the Clerk’s Office in 2004. Judy serves in the Clerk’s County Finance and Accounting Division.
Sanders also recognized and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Deputy Clerk Angela Rodgers in tribute to her ten years of dedicated and outstanding service in the Clerk’s Office. Angela serves in the County Criminal Division.
Sanders stated he is very thankful and especially appreciative of his entire staff and the wide range of duties they perform serving the citizens of Madison County in the judicial system and county government. Fie also reported the annual get-together was filled with lots of fun, great food and good fellowship.
Judy Webb and Tim Sanders
Angela Rodgers and Tim Sanders
By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
With help from Jean McWilliams
Many years ago, 176 to be exact, two men began what was known then as Hickstown Baptist Church. Presently this church is known as the First Baptist Church of Madison and it stands as a monument of the history of Madison County.
The two men responsible for this historic church were Alexander Mosley and Richard Johnson Mays. The church was named after an Indian Chief Tokose Emathala; his English name was John Hicks, in honor of his kindness to the white settlers. The Indian chief was driven out of Leon County and came to an area between Madison and Greenville, which became known as Hickstown. Hickstown Baptist was founded in 1835.
The earliest known pastor of Hickstown Baptist was W.B. Cooper in 1838. Cooper traveled to Florida from South Carolina in search of a cure for health problems. During Cooper’s term as pastor, Hickstown Baptist built their first formal meetinghouse. This occurred in 1840. Along with placing the formal meetinghouse, there was also a small cemetery built on the property. According the Jean McWilliams historical presentation on First Baptist and local legend, some of the gravesites would have been located under what is presently the baptistery, pulpit and choir area of the church.
When the county seat was moved to Madison the county commissioners decided that the three main Protestant denominations, Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian, should be set aside their own full block. This block was and remains named Meeting Street. Though First Baptist is the only one of these churches that is still located on it’s original property.
Following the leave of W.B. Cooper, Elder Henry Z. Ardis became the pastor of Hickstown. He served as pastor from 1843-1867, the longest pastoral term in First Baptist history. It is also believed that, since his time served was during the Civil War, he along with many other members of the church probably aided wounded soldiers from the battle of Olustee. In 1850 the name of the church was changed to The Madison Baptist Church.
In 1895, Rev. Stephen Crockett came to Madison. It was during his time as pastor, in 1898, a beautiful and well-designed building replaced the older and simpler meetinghouse. Today this building is known as the 1898 Sanctuary. Also during his time as pastor church that membership grew over fifty percent, Madison Baptist Church hosted the annual Florida Baptist Convention and he also helped design the 1898 sanctuary.
In 1953, Pastor James T. Barber came to Madison Baptist Church and helped to lead to the building of the new 1956 Building. It was also during his time as pastor that the name was changed to First Baptist Church, Madison, Fla.
The history of the First Baptist church of Madison stretches on and on. Each beautiful stained glass window is in honor of families and individuals whom were important to the formation of the church. The 1898 Sanctuary still remains on the church’s property. Though, on multiple occasions there has been talk of selling or demolishing it. According to McWilliams’s studies, Disney World even thought about purchasing the building at one time.
But through the test of time, First Baptist Church of Madison remains a monument in the city of Madison. In the center of town, it is often referred to as The Heart of Madison. When one enters into the 1898 Sanctuary or even the 1956 present Sanctuary, they will be overcome by the history found within the walls. Every painting, piano, pew, crack in the pew and light has a story behind it. Everything within the walls of the First Baptist Church of Madison has some form of historical value.
Florida, February 7- Average retail gasoline prices in Florida have risen 1.5 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.10/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 2.9 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.11/g, according to gasoline price website FloridaStateGasPrices.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Florida during the past week, prices yesterday were 44.1 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 1.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 5.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 45.4 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.
About FloridaStateGasPrices.com
GasBuddy operates GasBuddy.com, FloridaStateGasPrices.com, and over 225 other local gasoline price-tracking websites that follow prices at over 125,000 gasoline stations in the United States and Canada. GasBuddy also uses Facebook (facebook.com/gasbuddy) Twitter (twitter.com/gasbuddy), and phone apps to keep motorists ahead of changing gasoline prices. GasBuddy.com was named one of Time magazine’s 50 best websites and to PC World’s 100 most useful websites of 2008.
How much does Greene Publishing, Inc. receive in money for legal advertising from Madison County? The answer below is from each different department in Madison County:
Tax Collector: Tax Collector Frances Ginn paid $112.50 for one legal ad. The ad was to advertise the opening of tax rolls. Her office also collected $70,640 for delinquent taxes. These were NOT paid for by her office or by Madison County. According to Ginn, these were paid for by the taxpayers at who were late in paying their property taxes at the time they did pay the taxes. She also collected $187.20 in late charges for personal property taxes.
Sheriff’s Office: $1,143.30
Supervisor of Elections: $3,147.30
Property Appraiser: $50
Road Department: $1,161.41
Clerk of the Court: $1,148.57
Board of County Commissioners: $2,652.93
The total that Madison County paid for legal advertising last year was $9,416.01.
These numbers only reflect dollars received for legal advertising and do not reflect the amount received for non-legal advertising.
LAKE CITY: The following is a list of roadwork underway by the FDOT that may impact traffic.
ALACHUA COUNTY:
Archer Road (State Road 24) Nighttime lane closures Monday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Interstate 75 and Southwest 34th Street (State Road 121) for work on the medians. Also, crews may be working in the medians during daytime hours but no lane closures allowed.
Interstate 75 Daytime lane closures for southbound traffic and the exit ramp for Northwest 39th Avenue (State Road 222) (exit 390) Tuesday and Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. while crews work on highway lighting.
Newberry Road (State Road 26) Daytime lane closures at Southwest 131st Street while crews work on modifying the signal at the Town of Tioga.
Northeast and Northwest 39th Avenue (State Road 222) Daytime lane closures from Interstate 75 to west of State Road 26 to allow inmate crews to repaint the roadway markings.
South Main Street (State Road 329) A detour is in place to reconstruct the intersection with Second Avenue (by the Courthouse). Southbound through traffic is detoured to University Avenue, Southwest Sixth Street and Southwest Fourth Avenue. Northbound through traffic is detoured to Southeast Fourth Avenue, Southeast Third Street and University Avenue. Local traffic has access and all businesses in the area are open and accessible.
Southwest 16th Avenue (State Road 226) Daytime lane closures at the VA Medical Center while crews work on driveway and turn lane modifications.
Southwest 34th Street (State Road 121) Daytime lane closures Sunday between Archer Road (State Road 24) and Windmeadows Boulevard while Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) adjust water valves.
State Road 26 Daytime lane closures from US 301 to the Putnam County line to allow inmate crews to repaint the roadway markings. Traffic is now using the new overpass over US 301 and the CSX Railroad.
State Road 121 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines from US 441 by the FHP station to the Union County line.
State Road 235 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines from County Road 340 to the Bradford County line.
US 301 Daytime lane closures from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Orange Heights and Waldo for work on drainage structures in the median as part of the resurfacing project.
Waldo Road (State Road 24) Daytime lane closures from Williston Road to US 301 to allow inmate crews to repaint the roadway markings.
BAKER COUNTY:
US 90 Daytime lane closures after 8:30 a.m. beginning at the Nassau County line on Monday headed westbound for placing the final layer of asphalt and working on the sidewalks and the traffic signal at State Road 121 in Macclenny.
CLAY COUNTY:
State Road 100 Daytime lane closures from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. including this weekend for resurfacing from the Bradford County line to the Putnam County line and working on sidewalks in the Keystone Heights area.
COLUMBIA COUNTY:
Branford Highway (State Road 247) Daytime lane closures from US 90 to the Suwannee County line to allow inmate crews to repaint the roadway markings.
County Road 245 (Price Creek Road) The road is closed at the Olustee Creek Bridge about a mile north of State Road 238 through September. Northbound traffic is detoured to State Road 238 to US 441 to CR 349 and back to CR 245. Southbound traffic is detoured to CR 349 to US 441 to SR 238 and back to CR 245.
DIXIE COUNTY:
State Road 349 Daytime lane closures after 8 a.m. from US 19 at Old Town to the Lafayette County line to work on the roadway shoulders.
HAMILTON COUNTY:
Interstate 75 Daytime lane closures for southbound traffic from State Road 6 (Exit 460) to north of US 129 (Exit 451) for resurfacing. Also, lane closures to remove some trees that are in the designated recovery zones.
Interstate 75 Daytime lane closures for southbound traffic at the State Road 6 (Exit 460) overpass on Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
LEVY COUNTY:
Alternate 27 (US 27A) Possible daytime lane closures from Southeast 10th Street in Williston to the Marion County line for sidewalk repairs and to work on drainage pipes in preparation for resurfacing.
MADISON COUNTY:
State Road 145 Daytime lane closures after 8 a.m. to work on the 2-foot wide paved shoulders and to replace guardrail between Madison and Hanson. Also, crews will be placing old asphalt removed from the travel lanes onto the bike trail being built between US 90 in Madison and Hanson.
US 19 There will be a 24-hour lane closure Monday through Friday to resurface from the Taylor County line to the Jefferson County line. One lane in each direction will remain open at all times.
US 221 Daytime lane closures from the Taylor County line to Greenville for ditch cleaning.
SUWANNEE COUNTY:
County Road 252 Daytime lane closures between County Road 137 and US 129 for paving and work on the road shoulders. Motorists should expect delays and allow extra time to reach their destination.
US 129 Possible shoulder closures on the west side of the road between US 27 east of Branford and the Santa Fe River Bridge to build a bike path.
TAYLOR COUNTY:
US 221 Daytime lane closures from Shady Grove to the Madison County line for ditch cleaning.
UNION COUNTY:
State Road 121 Crews will be repainting the roadway lines between the Alachua and Baker County lines.
Tyler Burnett won the overall spelling bee held at Madison County High School on Friday, Jan. 21. She is pictured with Dianne Phillips, center, and Ceridwyn Griffis, who finished second.
Tyler Burnett, left, won the overall spelling bee. She is pictured with Ceridwyn Griffis, right, who finished second, and Dianne Phillips, who was the moderator.
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Three Rivers Legal Services will be at the new Madison County Senior Center, located at the corner of Highway 14 and Harvey Greene Drive, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, to offer free civil legal services. The services are available to low-income and other eligible citizens.
Staff members from Three Rivers will be available from 9:30-11 a.m. Their areas of practice include landlord/tenant disputes; foreclosures; Social Security; living and legal wills; unfair sales practices; contracts; Medicaid/Medicare; and family law (limited).
Those wishing to make an appointment to speak with someone from Three Rivers Legal Services should call 1-800-495-0039.
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Planning and Zoning Board will broach the subject of defining exactly what the definition of “intensive agriculture” should be at their Thursday, Jan. 13, meeting.
The subject was discussed at length in the board’s December meeting. An overwhelming majority in the room was against changing any classification where farm land was involved.
Also on the agenda will discuss allowable vs. special exception requirements for recreational uses in all land use categories.
New items on the agenda will include the election of a chair and vice-chair for 2011 and the approval of the 2011 meeting schedule for the board.
The P&Z Board will also consider scheduling a visit to Full Circle Dairy, which is located south of Lee. The purpose of the visit is so that board members can gain knowledge of dairies.
A discussion family homestead lot splits on unplatted subdivisions is also on the agenda.
The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the county commissioners meeting room in the Courthouse Annex.
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Citizens of Madison County who want to take a pro-active role in their government may apply for seats that are vacant on three different boards.
An at-large seat is available on the Madison County Planning and Zoning Board.
Responsibilities on the P&Z Board include planning and land use issues, review of the Madison County Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on requests and applications submitted for approval.
P&Z Board meetings are on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Madison County Courthouse Annex.
The Madison County Design Review Board is seeking individuals who have a special interest, experience or education in history, architecture or the preservation of historic resources.
The Design Review Board usually holds meetings the first Monday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at the Madison County Courthouse Annex.
Three members are being sought for the Madison County Code Enforcement Board. Positions that need to be filled are Member-Realtor; Altnernate-Architect; and Alternate-Business Person.
The Code Enforcement Board has the authority to impose “administrative fines and other non-criminal penalties to provide an equitable,, expeditious, effective and inexpensive method of enforcing any codes and ordinances in force in the County and municipalities, where a pending or repeated violation continues to exist.” The Board is governed by Florida State Statute 162 and Madison County Ordinance 98-95.
Anyone interested in filling these non-paid vacancies should send their name and contact information, including a brief resumé and the board that they wish to serve on, to Allen Cherry, Madison County Coordinator, Madison, FL 32341 or email the information to madisonbocc@embarqmail.com.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 26 at 4 p.m.
