Tag Archive for Madison County Florida

FHP Trooper Fired

April 10, 2013 Front Page Comments Off

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Swindle was terminated from FHP in March for a ticket that he wrote in Nov.2012 to state lawmaker Charles McBurney, a state representative from Jacksonville.

McBurney had been reportedly been traveling through Madison County at a high rate of speed when he was pulled over by Swindle. Swindle said that he would cut McBurney a break and write a $10 ticket for failure to show proof of insurance instead of the $280 ticket that McBurney would have normally have gotten for doing 87 in a 70 mile per hour zone.

Swindle’s attorney Sid Matthew said that Swindle had spoken with his sergeant Gary Dawson about doing this before he did it and Dawson told him to go ahead. Matthew said that Dawson is also prepared
to testify in court on the matter.

Matthew pointed out that Swindle was following a policy in FHP not to ticket legislators.

“How can you be fired for following a policy?” Matthew asked.

Matthew said that the unspoken policy he is referring to is something that is taught to the troopers at the FHP Academy.

The letter firing Swindle for “conduct unbecoming an officer” says that Swindle wrote the $10 ticket to McBurney in spite of not asking for the insurance information.

Matthew said that he believes McBurney went home and wrote the letter to the FHP on official stationery. He said McBurney was upset because he didn’t think he deserved a ticket at all.

Swindle and Matthew are appealing the firing and Swindle is seeking to be reinstated.

The date for the hearing on the appeal is set for April 29.

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Latest Episode of Madison Now

February 26, 2013 Video Comments Off

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Way Back When

February 7, 2013 History Comments Off

February 12, 1943
Prof. Carl E. Rude, principal of Madison High School, and the High School Athletic Association, generously donated to the Library Association $5.00, with the request that it be used for the purchase of new books or any other way that the Library Association sees fit.
Mrs. J.H. Sale of Cherry Lake brought to the newspaper last week a half dime minted in 1842.
Dr. E.D. Tharp spent the past 10 days as a business visitor to Defuniak Springs.
Col. C.B. Marshall was a visitor to the city last week, visiting his brother-in-law and sister, Dr. and Mrs. J.E. Ellis.

February 6. 1953
Prof. A.J. Hargrove is confined to his bed with illness this week.
The dental trailer from the State Board of Health stopped at the elementary school in Greenville. According to Dr. A.W. Peterson, dentist, 152 children had their teeth examined. This included in the first three grades.
Jimbo Bell is at home on a 35-day furlough. He has been stationed in Pensacola.
The District Seminar of the Methodist WSCS will be held in Monticello on Feb. 12.

February 8, 1963
The Florida Power Corporation in Madison County will have an outage of electricity Sunday, Feb. 10, between 2 and 4 p.m. for repairs to the sub-station.
Service will be interrupted to those Tri-County Electric Co-op members east of Madison, including the area around Pinetta, Lee and south of Lee, from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10.
Miss Toni Jean Wells of FSU was a visitor at her home here Sunday.
Alex H. Smith and sons, Jimmy and Zet, spent the weekend at their Fernandina Beach home.

February 9, 1973
Henry Fead is in the jailhouse on a murder charge and Emma Tucker, 19, is dead of a bullet to her brain as the result of a family squabble in Greenville Sunday.
Bob and Beanie Searcy spent an all-expenses paid weekend in Freeport in the Bahamas, guests of United Farm Agency. Mr. and Mrs. Searcy are members of the President’s Round Table, one of the top classifications of company salesmen.
Gay Swift, son of Mr. and Mrs. Red Swift, is being treated in the Key West Naval Hospital for a serious eye injury, caused when an electric drill struck him in the eye. He has lost virtually the entire sight of the eye, Mr. Swift reported. Young Swift will be given a medical discharge from the Coast Guard.
Two men, ages 20 and 22, were jailed and charged with murder in the shooting of Highway Patrol Trooper C.W. Parks, husband of the former Carolyn Davis of Madison. Parks was shot as he attempted to arrest the men in connection with the robbery of a Woodbine, Ga., loan office. He was left dead in the ditch alongside I-95. A passing motorist who witnessed the killing gave the alarm over the trooper’s radio and the two men were picked up shortly thereafter.

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Madison County E911 And EMS Awarded Grants

December 13, 2012 Front Page Comments Off

Madison County E911 Receives $420,996.78
Madison County E.M.S. Receives $187,159.00
• Madison County E911 has been awarded a grant to replace the existing 911 system with a state of the art Next Generation 911 system that will be placed into the new communications center which is currently being refurbished. The grant is a competitive grant awarded by the State 911 Board. Madison County came out on top and is being fully funded in the amount of $379,147.78. The grant was particularly challenging, since the time frame for submittal was about 3 weeks and competition from other counties was intense. The grant was prepared by Juan Botino with assistance from AK Associates, who designed the system. If the grant had failed, the county would have had to purchase a new system, since the end of life cycle of the current system has been reached. There are additional costs savings by not having to move the current system. In addition, another grant in the amount of $41,849 was awarded for current 911 maintenance items. The new system will give Madison County E911 the latest technology and will allow us to better serve the citizens and visitors of Madison County.
• Madison County E.M.S. applied for and received a matching grant in the amount of $176,698 that went towards the purchase of two generator powered ambulances and 3 Lifepak 15 defibrillator monitors. The ambulances replace two older units that have been remounted several times. The defibrillator monitors replace 10 year old Lifepak 12s. Madison County EMS was one of the first rural counties to participate in the LifeNet system, where the paramedics can transmit 12 lead ECGs, capnography, pulse oxymetry and other vital signs to T.M.H., Capital Regional, and South Georgia Medical Center from the scene or the ambulance. If the patient needs cardiac intervention, the cardiac team is waiting at the hospital and the patient is taken straight to the cath lab, saving precious time and lives. In addition, another grant in the amount of $11,161 was received to purchase two new stretchers and a stair chair.
• An unannounced state inspection of Madison County E.M.S. was conducted on October 30, 2012 and there were no deficiencies found, giving us exemplary service status. Since 1987, Madison County E.M.S. has passed all state inspections (conducted every two years) with no deficiencies.

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Video: Jacob Bembry Interviews Sheriff Ben Stewart

May 29, 2012 Front Page, Video Comments Off


Jacob Bembry interviews Sheriff Ben Stewart. Videography by Brooke Kinsley.

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Homicide Update

March 26, 2012 Front Page Comments Off

Lake City police are reporting that they found a pickup truck in the parking lot at Walmart on Sunday evening. They say that the driver of the truck or a passenger may have been involved in the death of James Edward “Ed” Campbell.

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Homicide Update: Victim Identified

March 26, 2012 Front Page 2 comments
James Campbell

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that On Saturday the 24th day of March 2012 at approximately 5:12 PM, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 389 SW Anderson Pond Way in Madison Florida concerning a welfare check on the owner of the residence. Upon arrival, Deputies discovered a deceased white male inside the residence and contacted investigators.
Investigators determined the death to be suspicious and requested additional assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab to process the scene.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office and The Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating this case that has now been determined to be a homicide of the 75 year old white male named James Edward “Ed” Campbell.

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STRUCTURE FIRE IN HANSEN AREA

February 20, 2012 Front Page Comments Off
StructureFireAloeAve 003f1

Submitted by Pat Lightcap
On Sunday, February 19, 2012 Madison 911 Center received an early evening report of a structure fire at 393 NE Aloe Avenue in the Hansen area off Hwy 145 North in northern Madison County. A large storage shed was fully involved as fire personnel from Pinetta Fire/Rescue, Cherry Lake Fire/Rescue, and Madison Fire/Rescue arrived at the scene. Because of winds gusting to approximately 30 mph the Florida Division of Forestry responded to help isolate the fire to the area around the structure. Madison County Sheriff’s Department and Madison County EMS also assisted. The cause of the fire was unkown at the time of this report (7:00 PM). No injuries were reported.

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Man Arrested On Cocaine Charges

February 13, 2012 Crime, Front Page Comments Off
Charles Lamar Kendrick

Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that On Tuesday the 7th day of February 2012 at approximately 1:07 AM, Agents with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop on a 2008 Chrysler 4 door sedan for a faulty equipment violation. The vehicle was being operated by Charles Lamar Kendrick and traveling Westbound on Interstate 10.
While Officers were taking enforcement action, they detected signs of possible criminal activity. Agents deployed canine “Dare” and a positive alert for the presence of narcotic odor was indicated. Agents conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located a black bag under the front passenger seat. The black bag contained powder and crack cocaine.
Charles Lamar Kendrick, B/M, DOB: 01/16/1972 of Tallahassee Florida was arrested and charged with the following:
1. Possession of cocaine
2. Possession of crack cocaine
At the time of this arrest Kendrick was currently on Federal Probation for narcotic offenses.

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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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Deputies Seize $40,000

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

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

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

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

 

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Sheriff’s Office Hires Victims Advocate

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

Sheila Combs, Victims Advocate

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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Make Plans Now For Church Christmas Programs

December 2, 2011 Church Comments Off

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

The holiday season has arrived, and with it comes many blessings. One blessing that many churches in the county choose to share are their Christmas Cantatas and plays. Below are the schedules of Christmas Canatas and plays at some of the churches in Madison.
Madison First Baptist will host their Christmas Cantata on December 11 at 6 p.m. followed by a church social. Their candlelight Christmas Eve service will begin at 5 p.m. and a special Christmas morning service on Christmas day at 11 a.m.
Midway Church of God will be hosting their Christmas play on December 18 at 6 p.m.
First United Methodist Church of Madison will be hosting their Christmas Cantata “Lead Me To Bethlehem” on December 11 at 11 a.m. They will be hosting a Christmas Eve candlelight and communion service at 6 p.m. and a Christmas morning service at 11 a.m. Christmas day.
Lee United Methodist will be hosting their children’s Christmas program on December 11 at 10 a.m.
Midway Baptist will have their Christmas program Wednesday evening, Dec. 21, beginning at 7 p.m. Following a meal at 7, the program will begin. Also, the church will host a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m.
Greenville Baptist will be having a special candlelight service at 6 p.m on Christmas Eve.
New Home Baptist will be having their Christmas program at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening, Dec. 18.
Lee First Baptist will be holding their Christmas cantata Sunday evening, Dec. 18, a 7 p.m.
Madison Church of God will hold a cantata entitled The Night Before Christmas directed by Wayne Diamond on Sunday morning, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m. and that evening at 6 p.m.
Anyone interested in getting the dates and times of their Christmas program in the newspaper can email them to Kristin@greenepublishing.com or call Kristin at (850) 973-4141.

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Emerald’s Gem Box: Shop Locally For Christmas

November 29, 2011 Editorials Comments Off
Emerald Greene, Publisher

Emerald Greene, Publisher

By Emerald Greene

Publisher

Christmas is less than four weeks away, and everyone is already buying and wrapping presents in preparation of the holidays.
I would like to take this time/space to encourage everyone to shop locally, as much as they can. I know, and understand, that by living in a small town there are some things that we have to go out of town for, in order to purchase. Things such as certain designer jeans, electronic games, iPhones and iPads, and certain children toys can only be found in some of the big, out-of-town businesses.
However, there are so many gift ideas that are available in our town: hunting and fishing   supplies, jewelry, purses, dinner plate sets, antique furniture and clothing, artwork, clothing, theme-related items, knick-knacks, tools, auto parts, lawn and garden items, and memorabilia.
Some “non-traditional” Ideas for the “hard to buy for” person on your list (or someone who already “has it all”) could be a facial or hair cut from a local salon; a plant or tree from a local florist; a home-made cake ; a gift card to a local restaurant, pharmacy, gas station; or a local “home-based” independent salesperson (such as Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, etc.)
Use your imagination; there are tons of ideas that can be thought up, all while staying within our small community. Go walk around and walk in our home-owned businesses; you might surprise yourself with the amount of gift ideas you will find.
Top reasons to shop locally:
Save Time, Gas and Energy – without having to drive long distances or spend countless hours on the road you will save money on gas and save your time and energy for fun this holiday season.
Boost Employment – more sales in our community means more people are needed.  That’s good for the economy and providing jobs for your family , friends, neighbors, and possibly you.
To Promote Economic Development – More local sales mean more money in circulation.  That means more businesses can grow and new businesses can start.  That improves the area for everyone.
To Get Personal Service – You know you can trust the person behind the counter to give you the best advice and value when you know them personally.
To Give To Your Community – When you shop locally, a portion of the money from your purchases pays the wages of your friends, family and neighbors who work at local businesses.
To Help Others – Owners and employees of local businesses support a wide range of community services and charitable projects with their time, talents and money.
So, get busy and get ready for Christmas.  Santa Claus will be coming down our chimney in a matter of weeks. Just make sure you check local shops before you bust off out of town.
But, most importantly – remember the true meaning of Christmas is NOT Santa Claus – it’s Jesus Christ.
And, no matter what you buy – be sure to throw in a one-year subscription to your local newspapers!

Your family/friends will thank you for it!
Until then….see you around the town.

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Video Link And Story: Madison County Students Finish 2nd In State Immunization PSA Contest

November 28, 2011 Education, Front Page Comments Off

Video on www.youcalltheshotsflorida.com

Youth PSA Contest Winners Announced
- Florida Youth Competed in Immunization Awareness PSA Contest -

November 28, 2011, Jacksonville, Fla. – Each year in the United States, we lose 1,070 people to meningitis and 4,590 people to cervical cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). In an effort to spread the word about these vaccine-preventable diseases and raise awareness among teens, Brunet-García Advertising sponsored the Florida Bureau of Immunization’s You Call the Shots public service announcement (PSA) contest; inviting youth ages 11 to 18 to produce and enter a 30-second PSA highlighting the importance of HPV and meningitis vaccinations.

Students at Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee, created the winning PSA, “It’s as simple as,” and will receive $1,500 in prize money. “Meningitis Vaccine,” submitted by students of Madison County, and “So you think you’re safe,” submitted by students at Grace Episcopal in Orange Park, came in second and third place and will receive $1,000 and $500 prizes respectively. These videos will be featured on www.youcalltheshotsflorida.com and will be submitted for broadcast.

The contest closed October 21, and 10 videos were posted for online public voting on November 7. In the call for votes, Brunet-García specifically targeted social media outlets frequented by teens. A large presence on social networking sites helped make the contest informative and motivational. Over 1,500 votes were recorded.

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Hanson United Methodist Church Christmas Bazaar

November 27, 2011 Church Comments Off

Submitted by Glendyle Littleton

Are you tired already fighting the holiday crowds? The Hanson United Methodist Church has the perfect solution. On Saturday, December 3, come out anytime between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm and shop at our Christmas Bazaar for exciting gifts, baked items, soups, Christmas decorations, and many more Christmas items while you enjoy a cup of coffee with us.

A sample of goodies for sale that day ~ a variety of cakes (including 10-layer cakes as long as they last) pies, cookies and candy. The kitchen will be filled with steaming hot crock pots all full of assorted soups for sale by the pints and quarts to take home with you or if you want to “brave the elements”, you can purchase a bowl to eat at the tables under the pavilion since the inside will be full of Christmas items.

Take all the time you need shopping and visiting with us. We’re “busy as bees” at our “Little Church in the Wildwood” but our greatest blessing is spending time with you-our friends. All proceeds from this holiday event will go torward the church’s Building Fund in Memory of Jim Newberry. See you all on the first Saturday in December.

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Amazing Christmas Lights Display On Highway 145 North

November 27, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off

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100 Years Ago Today In Madison County History

November 23, 2011 History Comments Off

Nov. 23, 1911: An inmate at the jail in Lee set the jail on fire about 1 a.m. or 1:30 a.m., burning the jail to the ground and cremating himself. (Source: The Enterprise-Recorder, Nov. 24, 1911)

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Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Goes Through Three Counties

November 22, 2011 Crime, Front Page Comments Off

Submitted by Madison Police Department
On Wednesday November 16, 2011 at 1143 am, Ptl. B. Marsh was dispatched to Wee Folks day care in ref. to a stolen vehicle. After arriving, Ptl. Marsh spoke with the complainant and gathered the information on the stolen vehicle. At this time, Marsh put a “bolo” (Be on the Lookout) out on a black 4d Toyota Yaris with a Georgia license plate. Immediately after the “bolo” was sent out, Inv. J. Roebuck observed the vehicle traveling on Parramore St. Inv. J. Roebuck followed the vehicle and called for assistance from a marked patrol unit to conduct a traffic stop. When approaching the intersection of Dade St. and Range Ave., Ptl. H. Sheffield arrived and activated her emergency lights attempting to stop the vehicle. At this time , the vehicle turned south on Range Ave and began to flee. Ptl. Sheffield pursued the vehicle south onto SR 360 out of the city limits until she was joined in the pursuit by Madison Co. Sheriff’s office and Florida Highway Patrol. After Mcso broke off from the pursuit, Florida Highway Patrol pursued the vehicle into Leon Co where the suspect was apprehended by Florida Highway Patrol. The suspect was Identified as Keevis Dobson b/m 24 yoa of Madison. Dopson is charged with Grand theft, Flee and eluding, reckless driving by Madison Police Dept. and additional charges by Florida Highway Patrol. Dopson is also a suspect in several ongoing investigations being conducted by the Madison Police Dept.

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Video: Madison County Community Thanksgiving Service, Part 2

November 21, 2011 Around Madison, Church, Video Comments Off

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