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Tag Archive for Madison County Florida
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday August 12-14
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
8U Girls Lose Second Round; To Play Again Friday
From Benjie Dyal: The 8U girls softball all-stars played a great game but fell to Ponte Vedra 9-6 in the second round of the state playoffs. They will be back in action on Friday. Let’s support them. Go, Madison!
Madison 8U Girls Win First Round of State Playoff
From Benjie Dyal: Madison 8U girls beat Winter Springs 8-3 in opening round of state softball tournament. Next game will be at 5:45 against Ponte Vedra
Concerned Citizens Of Madison Taking A Summer Break
Concerned Citizens of Madison will take a break for the summer will start back first Thursday in Sept.
Sheriff’s Office Issues Warning About Solicitation Calls From Fraternal Order Of Police
Submitted by Sheriff Ben Stewart
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
Video: Amber Abbott Sings “Heads Carolina, Tails California” During Lee’s Independence Day Celebration
Amber Lee Abbott sings “Heads Carolina, Tails California” during Lee’s Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 2.
LARGE CABBAGE GROWN IN MADISON
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?!
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL IS OUT IN FULL FORCE THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND
~ 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.
Five Arrested Thursday
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.
School Grades Present Mixed Bag Of Blessings
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.
Sheriff’s Office Issues Warnings About Solicitations from Fraternal Order of Police
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
Video: County Commission Passes Amendment to Small County Surtax to Give Funds to MCMH for Indigent Care
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.
