Tag Archive for madison county carrier

Read Your Newspapers Online

March 14, 2013 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

Just a reminder to everyone that you can read the actual Madison County Carrier and Madison Enterprise-Recorder newspapers online.
The online edition of the newspaper (called an e-edition) is available not only on computers, but also on iPads, Kindles, other tablets, iPhones and Android phones.
A one-year subscription to the e-edition is only $25 per year. The online e-editions become available for viewing every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.
If you would like to subscribe to the e-edition and the print edition, you simply need to add five dollars to the cost of the print subscription. Current print subscriptions are $35 in-county and $45 out-of-county.
To view a sample of the e-edition, go to online.greenepublishing.com.
To start your subscription today, or for more information, call (850) 973-4141 or email news@greenepublishing.com so we can get the information on how to get the online edition to you.

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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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Video: Amber Abbott Sings “Heads Carolina, Tails California” During Lee’s Independence Day Celebration

July 2, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off


Amber Lee Abbott sings “Heads Carolina, Tails California” during Lee’s Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 2.

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Video: Elee Storey Sings “Shut Up and Reel” During Lee’s Independence Day Celebration

July 2, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off


Elee Storey sings “Shut Up and Reel” during the Lee Community Volunteer Fire Department’s Independence Day celebration held Saturday, July 2.

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LARGE CABBAGE GROWN IN MADISON

July 1, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off
CabbageByDennis

Once again, Dennis DeHart of East Bunker Street in Madison has grown a giant vegetable. The photo shows a cabbage on a loveseat. DeHart says the cabbage head is the size of a basketball and with the leaves it measures about 42 inches in diameter. Mr. DeHart has grown other large vegetables in his residential area garden and the community waits to see what is next. What does your garden grow?!

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Madison County Commission Agenda for Wednesday, July 6

July 1, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

County Commission Agenda for July 6

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Sheriff’s Office Does Drug Round-up PDFs and Photos

July 1, 2011 Church, Front Page Comments Off
MCSO - Drug Arrest-07-01-2011

MCSO – Drug Arrest-07-01-2011

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FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL IS OUT IN FULL FORCE THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND

July 1, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page Comments Off

~ Efforts aim to reduce the number of crashes during the holiday ~

The Florida Highway Patrol will be out in full force during the Independence Day holiday weekend, which begins this afternoon and extends through midnight, July 4.

“The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to making Florida’s highways safer, and we plan to do that by bolstering our forces to reduce the number and severity of crashes,” said FHP Director, Col. David Brierton. “Our troopers will take appropriate enforcement action on those drivers who put themselves and others in danger. We want everyone to have a safe traveling experience in our state as they enjoy the holiday weekend. I encourage motorists to do their part by complying with all traffic laws and making sure everyone in their vehicle is buckled up.”

All uniformed FHP personnel, including those normally assigned to administrative duties, will patrol interstates and other major state roads throughout the four-day holiday period. FHP Auxiliary and Reserve troopers will volunteer to augment the Patrol’s forces during the holiday enforcement period, too. The strategy aims to increase the Patrol’s presence throughout Florida in an effort to deter traffic violations and to enhance services to motorists who break down while traveling or who need other assistance. Please remember to dial *FHP (*347) from your cell phone to contact FHP to report an aggressive driver or to request roadside assistance.

Driving long distances in the summer heat, especially here in the Sunshine State, can cause a vehicle tire to deteriorate, leading to blowouts and tread separation. That is why FHP would like to remind motorists to check your tires regularly, especially before a long trip. Remember to check tire pressure, including the spare. You should inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects or other signs of wear or trauma. Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects wedged in the tread and make sure your tire valves have valve caps. Additionally, it is important that you do not overload your vehicle. For more information about maintaining your tires and ensuring they are fit for the trip, visit www.safercar.gov.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The Department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol. To learn more about DHSMV and the services offered, visit www.flhsmv.gov or follow us on Twitter @FDHSMV. You can find us on Facebook, too.

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Five Arrested Thursday

June 30, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people on Thursday, June 30.

According to information obtained at the Madison County Jail:

Darrell Keith Adams, 28, of Madison, was arrested and charged with possession of drugs and possession of drug equipment.

Kevin Loranzo Brit, 41, of Perry, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a concealed firearm by a convicted felon.

Francine Antoinette Roberson, 42, of Madison, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance.

Joyce Maria Barnes, 37, of Madison, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and possession of a controlled substance.

James Benjamin Ware, 29, of Madison, was arrested and charged with possession of Ecstacy with intent to sell and possession of Ecstacy within 1,000 feet of public housing.

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School Grades Present Mixed Bag Of Blessings

June 30, 2011 Education, Front Page One comment

Pinetta Makes “A;” Lee Makes “AYP;” Central and Greenville Get D

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The school grades released Thursday, June 30, by the Florida Department of Education contained a mixed bag of blessings for Madison County.
On the up side of the grade scale, Pinetta Elementary School received another “A” and Lee Elementary School once again met Adequate Yearly Progress.
School Superintendent Lou Miller said that a low percentage making learning gains in math at Lee Elementary School caused it to receive a “B” instead of an “A.” She said that, with the size of Lee Elementary, that a low score by only a couple of students could have prevented the school from earning a coveted “A” grade.
Madison County Central and Greenville Elementary School both received “D” grades.
Eighty-five percent of students at Pinetta Elementary School met high standards n reading on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) while 78 percent met high standards in math; 85 percent met high standards in writing; and 42 percent met high standards in science. Eighty-eight percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 62 percent made learning gains in math.
Ninety-one percent of students at Lee Elementary School met high standards n reading while 84 percent met high standards in math; 77 percent met high standards in writing; and 61 percent met high standards in science. Seventy-seven percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 46 percent made learning gains in math.
Fifty-eight percent of students at Greenville Elementary School met high standards n reading while 67 percent met high standards in math; 54 percent met high standards in writing; and 30 percent met high standards in science. Fifty percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 48 percent made learning gains in math.
Forty-five percent of combined students from different grades at the Central School met high standards in reading while 37 percent met high standards in math; 61 percent met high standards in writing; and 20 percent met high standards in science. Sixty-six percent of the students made learning gains in reading and 59 percent made learning gains in math.
The grade has yet to be released for Madison County High School.

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Sheriff’s Office To Host Bike Rodeo July 23

June 30, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off
BIKE SAFETY

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Sheriff’s Office Issues Warnings About Solicitations from Fraternal Order of Police

June 30, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has received several complaints this week regarding telephone solicitations. The Majority of these complaints have been concerning calls from the Fraternal Order of Police, better known as FOP. As Sheriff of Madison County I wanted to advise our citizens that the Sheriff’s Office has not and will not authorize telephone solicitations from any organization. These most recent complaints included FOP solicitors advising that they purchase equipment for the Sheriff’s Office and Madison Police Department as well as help local children. The FOP does not assist the Sheriff’s Office or Police Department with anything nor does it help local children.
Most importantly, as Sheriff I will continue to advise our citizens to never never never give any credit card, bank account information, or personal information to anyone that calls you on the telephone. If you are interested in obtaining information from a caller then ask them to send you information in the mail. The only time that I would advise you to give any information over the phone is when you have initiated the call and you know for sure who you are speaking with.
Finally, fraud and identification theft are the fastest growing crimes in America, telephone solicitations are major players in these crimes. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office supports the Florida Sheriff’s Boy’s Ranch and The Florida Sheriff’s Association. Solicitations from these organizations will only be received in the mail and they will have my signature on them. Any other solicitations that name the Madison County Sheriff’s Office are not authorized.

Ben Stewart – Sheriff of Madison County

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Video: County Commission Passes Amendment to Small County Surtax to Give Funds to MCMH for Indigent Care

June 30, 2011 Front Page Comments Off


The first part of the video focuses on the bridge on Highway 150 (Lovett Road). The second part centers on the request from the hospital for help with the indigent care funds.

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County Commission Votes 3-2 To Give Half-Penny from Surtax to MCMH

June 29, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

The county commission voted 3-2 to give half a cent from the surtax originally enacted to build the new jail to the hospital for indigent care. Commissioners Ellis, Hamrick and Vickers voted for the measure. Commissioners Martin and Parrish cast the dissenting votes. Greene Publishing will have the video by Lynette Norris online tomorrow morning.

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Special Meeting Set To Discuss Indigent Care Funding For Hospital

June 29, 2011 Front Page Comments Off
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The Madison County Commission will hold a special meeting on Wednesday evening, June 29, at 6 p.m. to discuss an amendment to an interlocal agreement. The amendment would allow the Small County Surtax to help the hospital pay for indigent care.

Clerk of the Court Tim Sanders said that he had been approached by County Commissioner Roy Ellis, who wanted to know if there was any way that the hospital could be helped with the surtax.

The surtax is a one-cent sales tax that was originally designated for the jail, which was constructed in the early 1990s. Funds were then designated to pay for landfill closure. When the county received a grant to help with that, the funds were disbursed between Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and infrastructure within the county. Part of the infrastructure funds go to pay off two loans for wastewater and drinking water.

The amendment to the interlocal agreement would involving refinancing the current loan for infrastructure. This would free up $250,000 a year for the hospital.

The loan restructuring could end up with either a higher or lower interest rate. Sanders said that the county would probably let out the new loan for bids. Some people opposed to it, however, say that the loan would have to go an extra length of time actually increasing the interest that the county would pay.

Supporters of the hospital are urging the commission to pay this amendment. David Abercrombie, the hospital’s chief executive officer, said, “According to the State of Florida’s 2011 County Health Rankings, 23% of all Madison citizens under age 65 are without health insurance. This is a bad number. And it is one of several reasons that cause Madison County to rank Number 67 out of all 67 Florida counties in various health factors. Knowing this, it becomes clear that the people of Madison are in dire need of this amendment to the Interlocal Agreement. Now is the time for our leaders to show real leadership. This is what we pay them for. And this is the opportunity. If passed, this amendment will have major positive effects for us all; if the resources aren’t there, then Madison County could fall further and further behind Number 66.”

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Letter to the Editor: Tax Money Is Not a Public Slush Fund

June 29, 2011 Editorials, Letters To The Editor Comments Off

This can be taken anyway the reader wants. I’m MAD, mad as H—-, I just got my paper in the mail, while reading the paper about using the Madison extra tax money to pay for indigent care at the hospital, my wife was reading the mail, she said my Medical Insurance deductible is going up July 1st. to a thousand dollars. Yes, a thousand dollars,
I worked thirty years in law enforcement, my wife worked 20 years in Law Enforcement, we pay $720. a month for insurance. I’m on a fixed income, and while our President gives billions to foreign countries and none to Social security folks I’m suppose to give up more money over time. Call it like it is- which most people are afraid to say, those indigents, most likely haven’t worked an honest day in their life, most are second and third generation welfare recipients, many have two or three kids from different men, I’ve been in indigent peoples homes, over the 30 years I WORKED, they got their welfare checks and I’d see lotto tickets, dog track tickets, bolita tickets, they even traded food stamps for drugs.and wore $150. Nike shoes, with designer clothes, how do you do that when indigent? It’s bad enough we have a President, and a novice Governor, one trying to destroy our country and the other our State, and now these people want to use our tax dollars for a slush fund, Someone tell us where the hospital will go, when (a date) our hospital construction will start, they should also be required to publish at the end of each month, how much public tax money was taken in, how much public tax money was spent that month-on what and to whom! Don’t snow us with it’s a private matter, not public, etc. It is our money not a private slush fund.

Ken Sumner, Madison

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Jellystone Park Opry Set for July 9

June 28, 2011 Around Madison, Church Comments Off
JELLYSTONE OPRY july

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Madison Kids Go To Florida Music Institute Camp

June 28, 2011 Around Madison, Education Comments Off
Gale Blevins, of the Salvation Army is shown with the five students who attended the Florida Music Institute Camp in Starke. Pictured, left to right: Eli Curl, My ‘Asia Arnold, Brishauna Connor, Jordon Robinson and Jalisa Daniels

Gale Blevins, of the Salvation Army is shown with the five students who attended the Florida Music Institute Camp in Starke. Pictured, left to right: Eli Curl, My ‘Asia Arnold, Brishauna Connor, Jordon Robinson and Jalisa Daniels

Madison kids go to the Salvation Army’s “Florida Music Institute” FMI at Camp Keystone near Starke Florida. While many kids over the years have attended our community camp at Camp Keystone these are the first young people from Madison to attend the Florida Music Institute.
Each young person pictured is a recipitant of a scholarship awarded at last year’s Madison’s Salvation Army’s Music Camp, they continued their music interest/studies during the school year by either continuing with the Madison Music program and or their school band thereby continuing to demonstrate their interest in music. They will be joined by young people from all over the state attending the Music Institute to continue developing their God given talents in Music as well as in the dramatic arts. Our programs at Camp Keystone are staffed with the best instructors and are chosen from all over the USA for their talents in their respective field; The Salvation Army’s Florida Music Institute is one of the finest Salvation Army Music Camps in the USA.
We are very proud of this group of young people; each young person is a musician in their own right and will represent Madison County very well. They have studied hard and have earned the right to performed with the best and brightest that Florida has to offer.

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Goliath And BeBe’s World Needs Community’s Help

June 28, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Goliath and BeBe’s world has an urgent request for the community. The team at Goliath and BeBe’s uses, on average, 800 pounds of dry dog food each week. This means that they are spending hundreds of dollars each month to feed their dogs, and hundreds more to feeds the other animals that they care for. There is a serious need for dry dog food at Goliath and BeBe’s.
They can also use donations of canned dog food. This is what they use to give the dogs medication and also to feed to the older dogs who cannot chew hard food. Brands do not matter for the dog food. There are drop off points all across the city of Madison. They are Madison Veterinarian Hospital, the Country Store and Harveys.
There is also a huge need for hay. Due to the drought, Goliath and BeBe’s is feeding their horses and other grazing animals hay. These animals normally graze the 45-acre property that the shelter is located on, but since there has been minimal rain this season, there is little grass for them to eat. Donations of hay can be made to Upholds Feed.
If someone wants to purchase hay or dog food from Upholds Feed in honor of Goliath and BeBe’s, all that they need to do is call Upholds Feed, give them their credit card information and let them know that they are purchasing this in donation to Goliath and BeBe’s world. People can also go into Upholds to purchase the hay or dog food.
The team at Goliath and BeBe’s would like to thank the community for their past, present and future support of the shelter/sanctuary. For those who have not heard of Goliath and BeBe’s, they are a dedicated, true no-kill animal rescue, shelter and sanctuary located on 45 acres in Madison County. They are currently providing a safe haven for approximately 300 animals, ranging from horses to chinchillas and everything in between.
To learn more or to make a direct donation to Goliath and BeBe’s, please visit their website at http://www.goliathandbebe.com. Donations can be made via their PayPal account found on their website. Checks/cash can be mailed to their mailing address which can be found on their website.

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New Column: Hot Questions, Hot Topics

June 28, 2011 Editorials Comments Off

By David Abercrombie, MCMH CEO
WHY DOES THE HOSPITAL HAVE TWO BOARDS?
When I first came to Madison five years ago, I was informed that the hospital had two boards -a hospital district board and a hospital corporate board. I have to admit that it confused me. No doubt it confuses many of you too. Now that I understand the reason, let me pass that understanding on to you.
Just to get our bearings, the name of the hospital district board is: Madison County Health and Hospital District. The name of the hospital corporation is: Madison County Health Systems, Inc. For clarity sake, I’ll call one, “the District” and I’ll call the other, “the Corporation.”
Before April 7, 1983 there was only one hospital board – “the District” board. The hospital district is a sub-unit of state government and its board at that time, as it still is today, was appointed by the governor of the state.
The Corporation didn’t yet exist. At that time, all employees of the hospital were District employees and because the hospital was (and is) a subunit of State government, it was required by State law to participate in the State of Florida Retirement System. The State Retirement System contributed 100% of all contributions to each employee’s retirement fund. This cost the Hospital District about a million dollars every year. Looking at this long-range, that means that it cost the District about $10,000,000 over ten years! A million dollars each and every year could be saved by spinning off a non-profit corporation and allowing this non-profit corporation to lease the hospital building and equipment, employ all the hospital employees, and operate the hospital.
The District would then confine its scope of duty to owning and leasing the building and other such property, and ensuring that the healthcare was properly attended to by the non-profit corporation. It was decided back then that the same people the governor appointed to the District board would also serve on the Corporate board. Because it is so obvious, you’ll likely never ask this, but for the sake of completeness let me say that the board members that serve today are not the same people that served in 1983; nor, for that matter is the District’s lawyer the same. The passage of thirty years brings a lot of changes. So…here we are thirty years later and the hospital has still has the two boards.
The question has got to be asked: Okay, is it still necessary to have two boards? The answer is: “yes.” The non-profit hospital corporation (not the District) was issued the State license to operate the hospital. The District does not have a license to operate the hospital.
It would seem like an easy matter to transfer the license, but nothing is ever seems easy. There are a couple of very major hurdles to this. First, if the license to operate the hospital is ever turned back to the State, then there is no guarantee that the State would re-issue another license to a different owner. Certain criteria would have to be met and it would take time, lots of it. Secondly, Medicare has a long process when it stops paying one hospital owner and starts making those payments to another owner (different owners with different license numbers effectively mean a different hospital).

This can take up to an additional year AFTER the new owner has received its new license. All payments from Medicare (about 52% of all money coming into the hospital comes from Medicare) would probably cease for probably about a year, or longer. So, there would probably be no hospital in Madison County for at least a three year span, if everything went right. Obviously, the hospital, as a continuing entity, couldn’t survive such an experience. This doesn’t even take into account that the current 130 hospital employees and the medical staff would be scattered to the wind. The hospital would probably never open again. The hurdles are just too great.
Then why not get rid of the District board and keep the Corporate board? This can’t be done either. First off, as was mentioned earlier in this article, the district is a subunit of State government (a Special Act codified by Chapter 2003-333, Laws of Florida). These board members serve at the pleasure of the governor. The citizens of a county can’t arbitrarily shut down a subunit of State government. Secondly, and this is important – the loan to build a new hospital is made to the District, not the Corporation. So, regarding the two Boards – it is what it is… at least for several years into the future.
This existing two-board structure actual works pretty well. If there is a problem, it seems to be in the form of confusion and misunderstanding. It has been said that the corporation was implemented to hide information regarding the hospital’s operation. That is not so. As a matter of fact, the board meetings of both, the District and the Corporate boards are held at the same sitting, one immediately following the other. Both meetings are open to the public. It has always been that way.
Everyone reading this has a blanket invitation to attend either, or both, meetings. Meetings are held the fourth Thursdays each month at 12 noon. As a way to make these meetings even more accessible, one meeting each quarter is held in communities other than Madison. For example, the meeting of June 23rd was held at Lee. So check your public notice postings to be sure of the time, date, and locations. They are subject to change from time to time.

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