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10/03/2007 through 03/18/2009 archives
*Disclaimer: Online archives on this site do not fully represent the published newspaper.
You will find the front page news articles for each newspaper here.
December 31, 2010, Madison Enterprise Recorder
The Internet Is Forever: Part 1 In A SeriesDec. 31, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Reputations can be ruined with just a few simple clicks on a keyboard as some angry ex-spouse or ex-employee posts untruths about a person on the Internet. Business owners who go online and post negative comments about competitors can harm the reputations of other businesses. Students who may think it's funny to post those sexy photos of themselves or their friends may find the photos are not so funny once they apply for a job. Once posted, the false statements, the negative statements or the sexy photos can remain on the Internet forever and can be accessed by anyone savvy enough to search for them. The negative statements, usually posted by someone too cowardly to use his or her own name, are called cyber-slamming. In a San Francisco Chronicle story, one female Yale law student believed that it was negative statements, posted by people whose identity she did not know, that cost her potential employment at several law firms. Statements on the Internet about her had questioned her mental capacity, claimed she had sexually transmitted diseases and even threatened sexual violence against her. She said that she had asked Jarret Cohen, the owner of the website, AutoAdmit.com, where the statements had been posted to remove them. He had refused. Cohen sent an email to the Chronicle, which read, "It's a slippery slope once you start deciding what is and isn't to be said. Cohen admitted that the invasion of privacy on discussion boards was part of a growing social problem on the Internet. In the same article, one business owner sued and won $11.5 million because of libelous statements made about her by another woman. Court cases involving defamation on the Internet are extremely hard to fight, law professors say. While some people cry foul when their reputation is besmirched, others claim that it's their right to free speech to post whatever they want online. It tears away at a person's right to defend himself, because once it is online, it can stay in cyberspace forever. The words of 19th century poet Emily Dickinson never rang truer than they do today: "A word is dead, when it is said, some say. I say, it just begins to live that day." Samuel Warren and Louis Brandeis wrote an article entitled "The Right to Privacy" in the Harvard Law Review over 100 years ago. One of the passages from it reads, "Gossip is no longer the resource of the idle and of the vicious, but has become a trade, which is pursued with industry as well as effrontery." Up until a few years ago, people had to be politicians or movie stars for them to be gossiped about in public. It's no longer so, as people's reputations and their right to privacy are being ripped to shreds by the unforgiving glare of the computer monitor. Another person may not have posted some of the items that cause employers to turn away potential employees. It could be photos someone posted of themselves in provocative poses or dress or photos taken at parties, drinking or doing drugs or maybe just photos of them acting irresponsible or it could be statements they have posted themselves. Some employers have even asked jobseekers to open up their Facebook or MySpace pages so they can see what types of photos or statements that have put made on there. In Europe, the European Union has started a campaign called "Think B4 U post!", urging young people to consider what could happen if they post photos of themselves or photos of friends with the friends' permission. One company, which was started two years ago, will attempt to redeem personal and business reputations for a cost. ReputationDefender (www.reputationdefender.com) charges a one-time cost to protect a person's privacy or attempt to remove unwanted items about people from the Internet and a monthly fee to monitor and track the name of the person or the business and delete harmful information. "It's often said that we live in a permissive era, one with infinite second chances," Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor at George Washington University, said in a story written for The New York Times Magazine. "But the truth is that for a great many people, the permanent memory bank of the Web increasingly means there are no second chances — no opportunities to escape a scarlet letter in your digital past. Now the worst thing you've done is often the first thing everyone knows about you." Next Week: Guidelines For Protecting Children Online
Weight Limit To Be Enforced On Bridge On County Road 150 Dec. 31, 2010
Infrastructure Engineers, Inc., on behalf of the Florida Department of Transportation has issued a PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION ADVISORY concerning Madison County Bridge Number 350007, located on CR 150 over the Little Aucilla River. The weight limit for this bridge has been changed to FIVE (5) TONS, which means that no vehicles with a total weight over five tons (10,000 lbs.) shall be allowed to access this bridge. These new weight limits will be strictly enforced until which time structural repairs are made. A new bridge at this location is currently in the engineering and design stage of development, with the construction of this bridge planned for completion within the next year. If you should have any questions regarding this email, please contact this Madison County Road Department office at telephone number 850-973-2156.
Structure Fire Near Madison Fire DepartmentDec. 31, 2010
At approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29, a passerby saw smoke coming from a second floor apartment on Dade Street in downtown Madison. The Good Samaritan went to the local Fire Department, which was only 400 yards to the east of the fire. A quick response by fire personnel contained the smoldering fire to the wooden front porch. The Madison Police Department also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported at this incident.
MPD Reports Scam CallsDec. 31, 2010
On Wednesday, Dec. 29, the Madison Police Dept. received several complaints from citizens regarding phone soliciting for the Madison Police Dept. The Madison Police Dept. has not or does not solicit money by phone. If you receive a phone call from someone soliciting money for the MPD, simply hang up, record the incoming number and notify the Madison Police Department at 973-5077 or the Madison County Sheriff's Office at 973-4001. As with any phone transaction, never give out personal information over the phone.
INCREASED DUI ENFORCEMENT ON NEW YEAR'S EVEDec. 31, 2010
The Florida Highway Patrol will be conducting saturation patrols on Dec. 31, throughout the eight counties encompassing Troop H. The counties included are Taylor, Madison, Jefferson, Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, Franklin, and Liberty. Operations will begin at 7 p.m. New Year's Eve and conclude at 3 a.m. New Year's Morning. Other troops throughout the state are conducting similar operations during the New Year's Holiday period. The saturation patrols or "wolf-packs" will concentrate on impaired drivers. Realizing the dangers of impaired driving, the Florida Highway Patrol wants to educate the public, remove impaired drivers from the roadways of Florida and help ensure a safe driving environment for all of Florida's citizens. A DUI "wolf-pack" helps address all of the above mentioned needs. The Florida Highway Patrol is participating in the nationwide campaign, "Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest". The motoring public is reminded to call *FHP (*347) to report impaired drivers or any other hazard on the roadway. The Florida Highway Patrol would like to wish everyone a Happy & Safe New Year!
Newspaper Advertising WorksDec. 31, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Advertising experts say that while television helps promote brand and product recognition, the newspaper has the power to convince people to shop at the store or use the product being advertised. P.T. Barnum, the founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, who was probably the greatest salesman who ever lived, was a great proponent of newspaper advertising. In his book, The Art of Money Getting, Barnum encouraged people in business to advertise in newspapers. He pointed out that one ad in the newspaper would not be enough to draw attention to what is being sold. He advised people in the book that it takes at least three or four times for the ad to begin to draw its highest reader interest. The design of the advertisement also helps drive readers to buy the product or service. Advertisers can design their own ads or have one of Greene Publishing, Inc.'s salespeople help them. The finished product will be done by the newspaper's own award-winning graphic artist Stephen Bochnia. A number of advertisements designed by Bochnia and production manager Heather Bowen have won statewide awards from the Florida Press Association. The friendly sales staff will go over different options for advertising and will help the client decide on what is the best option for them. The advertising staff is composed of Mary Ellen Greene, Dorothy McKinney, Jeanette Dunn and Kimberly McLeod. Businesses, who have upcoming special events or who are new in town, may also ask for one of our writers to do a story on their event or new business with their advertisement. The Greene Publishing, Inc. advertising staff can be reached at (850) 973-4141. Make a New Year's resolution now to advertise in The Madison County Carrier and The Madison Enterprise-Recorder on a regular basis.
Crenshaw Rep To Be In MadisonDec. 31, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Congressman Ander Crenshaw has announced that he will have a representative at City Hall in Madison on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2010, from 10 a.m. until noon. The representative will be present to meet face to face with constituents about any issue that concerns them. Crenshaw said that he wants to hear the concerns of his constituents, so that he can help them out. Crenshaw's representatives will also meet with people in surrounding counties. The times and locations can be found at Crenshaw's website, www.crenshaw.house.govv. Crenshaw's Florida office is located at 1601 Riverside Avenue, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32204. The office can also be reached by telephone at (904) 598-0481.
Charlie Fulmer Chosen F4L Father Of The MonthDec. 31, 2010By Merv Mattair
The F4L (Father 4 Life) Father of the Month of January 2011 is Charlie Fulmer. Fulmer is being recognized because of his efforts to ensure that not only his children have a Healthy Start, but other children as well. He is a father of two young men and a husband to a wonderful wife. If you happen to see Charlie, please give him a handshake for being recognized as a Father 4 Life. All fathers are welcomed to come out and join others at the Healthy Start building on Jan. 16, 2011, from 3-4 p.m. We don't point fingers and we don't judge. We support one another on many levels. Our goal is to insure that all of us understand the importance of insuring that our youth are healthy from birth and on by utilizing supportive methods. If you have any questions in regards to this Huddle or fatherhood, feel free to contact Mr. Mattair @ 850-673-1003 or Mr. Wilson @ 973-0354.
Madison Police Station Receives Grant For RenovationDec. 31, 2010By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.Earlier this month, in plenty of time for Christmas, the Madison Police Department received a half-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development. Mayor Judy Townsend welcomed everyone to the award ceremony, which included the entire city commission of Madison, several other local officials, USDA Staff members, and State USDA Director Richard Machek. Director Machek personally presented the $500,000 check, along with a commemorative plaque. "We're all pretty excited about it," said Police Chief Gary Calhoun. At the moment, the upstairs floor of the building at 310 SW Rutledge Street is in dilapidated condition, unusable, except for general storage, but that will soon change. "Right now there's a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on with the architect and the city attorney that has to be done (before the project can start)." Afterwards, he hopes the demo work can start in a couple of months. Plans call for reconfiguring the floor plan from the current six or seven rooms into space for "some nice evidence storage," as well as a couple of classrooms and meeting/interview rooms. After the demo work is completed, the actual construction can begin and is expected to take most of the remaining year, Calhoun said. "If we're up and operational with it by this time next year, I'll be happy."
Microchipping Your PetsDec. 31, 2010By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.When you make your list of New Year's resolutions, what about microchipping your dog or cat? You keep a collar and tags on them, but what if these become damaged or lost? Every two seconds, a family pet is lost. Lassie Come-Home and The Incredible Journey aside, most pets who get lost without their identifying tags and collars have the odds stacked against them returning home safely. In the best-case scenario, someone recognizes a lost pet from a flyer or the owner checks the animal shelter in time. Sometimes, the missing animal may return home on its own after a few days, but often, the lost pet's fate remains a mystery. If the animal remains at large, it is in danger from starvation, predators and severe weather. If it winds up in a shelter, it will most likely be euthanized if it remains unclaimed or unadopted after a certain amount of time. According to the latest figures from the Humane Society of the United States, half of all shelter animals, about three million a year, are euthanized. Collars and tags are good, but, as all pet owners know, these can sometimes come off or break. Indoor pets, especially cats, are often good at finding a door left open just a few seconds too long or window not closed all the way. Dogs can sometimes escape the best-fenced yards. In 1995, the American Kennel Club adopted microchip technology for its Companion Animal Recovery Program as a new way to protect pets that get lost or separated from their families. In 2005, as Hurricane Katrina approached New Orleans, almost a million people evacuated the city but were forced to leave their pets behind. The aftermath of stranded and lost animals underscored the need for a permanent identification system for identifying and reuniting pets with their owners. Although there have been issues in the past with microchip companies being unable to read each other's chips with their scanners, the industry has been working to resolve those problems, with the goal of cross-compatibility and creating a national network of registry databases of all registered animals. Dr. John C. Lewis of the Madison Veterinary Clinic has been microchipping pets for the last twenty years, and although he has lost count of how many animals he has chipped, he says it is still a rather small percentage of his clients. "They're either very eager to have it done, or they're just not interested," he said, and there doesn't seem to be a middle ground. He has chipped dogs, cats, and even a few horses. "It's a great way to identify them. For instance, if you have two black horses, a microchip can easily tell you which one is which." The chip can also settle identification questions if multiple owners claim a particular shelter dog is theirs, and can help identify stolen animals. The microchip itself is a tiny transponder only a little bigger than a grain of rice. "What you'd think of as a really big grain of rice," said Lewis. He uses a large needle to implant the chip just under the animal's skin, between the shoulder blades, where it begins bonding with the soft connective tissues within a few hours. "It's like getting a shot. There's a little discomfort from the large needle, but after (the chip) is in, you can't even feel it." A handheld scanner can then read the animal's unique registration number and the phone number of the registry for this particular brand of chip. Once the animal is chipped, it still has to be registered. Lewis has had several lost dogs brought into the clinic that had microchips, but were not registered. To avoid this problem for his clients, he uses the pre-paid Friendchip from Avid. When the animal receives its chip, the owner fills out the forms and the clinic takes care of mailing them in. "With other microchips, you would pay for the chip, and then pay another fee for the registration. But the prepaid microchip takes care of all that," Lewis said. Lewis' clinic has also seen some happy reunions of lost pets and owners due to the microchip. Usually, the pets were from outside the Madison area, and a lot of times, the owners had just moved to a new location. The animals had become lost trying to find their way back to their original homes, said Lewis, because "pets need a few days to re-orient themselves to a new home." However, several pet advice websites emphasize that even if your pet has a microchip, don't neglect the collar and tags; using microchips and tags together provides a double layer of protection, and the Humane Society's website, www.humanesociety.org, advises owners to think of the chip as an invaluable backup to the traditional tags. Not all shelters and vet clinics have the scanners yet, so in case of an accidental separation, identification tags are your pet's first ticket home. Microchips provide an extra level of protection in case your pet loses his collar and tags. Providing your cat or dog with both tags and a microchip can help ensure a happy reunion if the unthinkable happens and your companion gets lost. December 29, 2010, Madison County Carrier
Former Cowboys Suit Up For Chick-Fil-A BowlDec. 29, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com When the Florida State Seminoles suit up to play the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, Ga., on New Year's Eve, three former Madison County High School Cowboys will also don the gear of their respective teams. Tony Straughter will don the garnet and black of the Gamecocks, while Jacobbi McDaniel and Chris Thompson will don the garnet and gold of the Seminoles. Straughter plays linebacker for the Gamecocks. Wearing number 44, he has racked up 17 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles for a total of 32. He has made an impact for the Gamecocks, getting an average of 2.46 tackles per game. Straughter also had two tackles for loss this season. Straughter is small for a linebacker, weighing only 201 pounds and standing six feet tall. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed and heart. Jacobbi McDaniel, a sophomore, plays defensive tackle for the Seminoles. Sporting number 99, he had 14 solo tackles and 15 assists for a total of 29 tackles. He also had one forced fumble, one interception and one blocked kick. The six-foot tall McDaniel weighs 287 pounds. Chris Thompson, another sophomore, plays running back for the Seminoles. During the 2010 season, Thompson rushed 108 times for 699 yards, or an average of 6.5 yards per carry. He had five rushing touchdowns, including a record-breaking 90-yard run against the Miami Hurricanes. It was the longest run from scrimmage ever against a University of Miami team. Thompson also caught 17 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 8.1 yards per reception. The Chick-Fil-A Bowl, formerly called the Peach Bowl (from 1968-2002) and then the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (from 2002-2005), became known by its current name in 2006. The bowl pays out approximately $3.25 million to its Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) participants and $2.4 million to other teams who participate. This year's ACC representative is FSU.
Gangs Threaten Not Only The U.S., But Madison CountyDec. 29, 2010By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
kristin@greenepublishing.com A gang is defined as "a group of three or more people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation." They come in many different sizes and are identified by several different factors. Some are identifiable by colors, others by numbers or certain types of clothing. There are over 900,000 gang members living in local communities throughout the United States. There are almost 150,000 gang members in federal prisons. Gangs fill our schools, our supermarkets, the streets of our town and any other place you could imagine. Madison County is no stranger to gangs. Bloods, Crips, Insane Clown Posse and several other neighborhood cliques are active in Madison County. "People need to be aware that they are here in Madison. The thing is, with our gangs here, they want to be like the big city gangs. They aren't as organized yet, but they are trying. Concerned citizens should definitely call in to us. Gangs are very dangerous," stated Sgt. Investigator, Jimbo Roebuck. Some different types of gangs include Crips, Bloods, Latin Kings and many others. Below are some different identifiers to these gangs and symbols that represent them. Crips are a gang consisting mostly of African-American males. Their identifiable color is often blue, though sometimes the color varies. They are often represented by a six-pointed star that stands for, "Life, Loyalty, Love, Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding." They usually "represent" to the right, meaning they will often roll up their right pants leg, tilt their hat to the right side and wear blue colored laces on their right shoe. Bloods originated on the west coast, but later became the United Blood Nation on the east coast. They are represented by a five-pointed star and their primary color is red. Graffiti art for Bloods can include "031," a crossed out "S," or the acronym M.O.B. Latin Kings are a gang organization that is found primarily in Chicago, Texas, New York and Florida. They consist predominately of Puerto Rican males, but have begun accepting members of other nationalities. Their identifiers include a five-pointed crown or a lion wearing a crown. Their identifying colors are yellow or gold. The 18th Street Gang is one of the largest gangs in the United States. This gang is often affiliated with those of Mexican descent. The group is found in 27 states across America. Their identifiers include the words "Dieciocho," "Sur" or the numbers "18," "666" and "XVIII." Their colors are often blue and white.
Snow In Downtown MadisonDec. 29, 2010
Between 8:07 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, December 26, small white granules fell in Madison. Frozen precipitation maybe snow, sleet, frozen rain? But we all like to call it snow. The air temperature was 34 degrees and there was a brisk breeze out of the northwest — ideal conditions for a wintry mix — big enough to be seen against a dark background but no accumulation. We just missed a white Christmas. Editor's Note: The frozen precipitation was confirmed as being snow.
Monroe Lee: Unique And AltruisticDec. 29, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Monroe Lee is a unique person. Originally from Madison, he is an architect who now lives in Gainesville. He makes several trips a year back to Madison, and he can easily be spotted with his Dodge Ram pickup, pulling a camper trailer. On the truck and camper are many pictures and slogans. The truck is like a moving cartoon; it captivates people who see it. During the Christmas holidays, he arrived at Greene Publishing, bearing gifts for the newspaper's founders, Tommy and Mary Ellen Greene. He also presented gifts to Tommy's secretary, LaTrelle Palhof and this newspaper editor. Each person received a beautiful green jacket from Lee. Lee has designed churches in the community, as well as doing the drafting work for what would become Miss Virginia's Café on North Range Street. Lee has also dabbled in politics. In 2004, the Gainesville resident sought a seat on the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners and in 2006, he launched a gubernatorial campaign. In 2008, he even sought the Democratic nod for President of the United States. Adding to Lee's impressive resumé, one will find the titles of inventor and traveler. He and his truck have traveled many places, including Mexico, all throughout the southeastern United States and down into the Florida Keys. The designs began on Lee's truck when he painted some Cherokee Indians on it. Later, a little boy drew a turtle and feather on it. Lee tried to design around it to fix it. The artwork began flowing. An idea for a movie entitled Volcano Man is also advertised on the side. To learn more about it or to invest, call (352) 256-1801. Lee has an altruistic heart and has set up the Monroe Lee Foundation which awards scholarships to deserving children. Among the fans that Lee has picked up are a Gainesville-based rock band who call themselves "Monroe Lee." Lee has been offered up to $40,000 for the purchase of his 1980 Dodge Ram pickup and camper trailer, but he quickly points out to prospective buyers that his memories are not for sale.
Feeling The Pain At The PumpDec. 29, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Madison Countians, along with the rest of the nation, are feeling pain at the pumps as gas prices have risen to over $3.00 in the last two weeks. The statewide average gasoline price was $3.05 per gallon on Monday, Dec. 27. Gas prices have risen an average of 7.3 cents per gallon statewide in the past week. The nationwide average price for a gallon of gas is $3.04 per gallon. It rose 4.3 cents per gallon in the past week. Prices nationwide averaged 43.8 cents per gallon than they were at this time a year ago and are 22.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. Experts are expecting gas to soar to $4 per gallon by April 2011.
Gusty Wind Downs Tree And Power LineDec. 29, 2010
On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 26, gusty cold winds brought down a tree on Turner Street just east of the Madison city limits. The tree fell on power lines and left customers without power and blocked the roadway. Madison City Police, Madison County Sheriff's Deputy, and the Madison Fire and Rescue responded to secure the scene and prevent injuries while waiting for the Progress Energy repair personnel. With an air temperature of 38 degrees, it was not a good time to lose power for heating.
Under The Hood Of Junior Smith's 1956 Chevy Bel AirDec. 29, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com The sleek black paint job and the chrome fenders evoke memories of penny loafers, bobby sox and Elvis Presley, but the engine under the hood may evoke memories of hair bands, parachute pants and Members Only jackets. The exterior of the car is a 1956 Chevy Bel Air but the running gear came out of a 1990 Trans Am. Junior Smith said that it took him three-and-a-half years to restore the car that he bought in Waynesville, N.C. The restoration process included putting a 350 TPI fork-tuned injection engine in it from the Trans Am. Smith also put electric windows, power steering and air conditioning in it. "It took a while," Smith said, "because I didn't have much money to work on it. I would work on it a month, run out of money, lock up the shop and wouldn't go down there for two to three weeks." Smith said that he did most of the work himself, but that Terry Barrs, Willie Williams and the late Gene James had also helped. "Homer Ether did the upholstery work," Smith said. "He used to live in Valdosta (Ga.), but now he's in California." Smith said that Coleburn's Automotive got one of their painting representatives to come in and do the gorgeous paint job. He used to take the car to auto shows in places like Valdosta, Ga., Dothan, Ala,, Live Oak and Monticello, but he said, "You can get burned out in a hurry." Nowadays, Smith said he mostly takes the car and rides it in parades and different things. "I'm trying to be a kid again," he said, jokingly. Smith said that he had also restored Jeeps and sold them to hunting plantations. He also restored a 1952 Ford convertible and sold it. "It was a nice car," he said. Junior and his wife, Beverly, have three sons, Ricky, Randy and Rusty, and five grandchildren. They will soon become great-grandparents when their granddaughter, Ashley (the daughter of Randy and Kathy Smith) gives birth.
Seniors Plan Activities To Blaze Into New YearDec. 29, 2010
Cooking and eating get plenty of attention this time of year. Cynthia Bonello, a caterer from New York who now lives in Madison, will demonstrate an easy Jamaican recipe to tickle everyone's taste buds on Wednesday, Dec. 29. Whether you're an experienced cook, or just like to explore new flavors, this class is the perfect introductory course to Jamaican cooking. Bonello was born in Jamaica and she often appears at festivals in Florida and Georgia with island-inspired foods through her company, B's Tropical Flavors. The introductory $10 sign up fee for the Jamaican Cooking class includes a delicious taste test. Class starts at 10 a.m. for 45 minutes at the Madison Senior Center, 1161 SW Harvey Greene Drive, at State Road 14. Call (850) 973-4241 to attend. For a fresh start in the New Year, the Madison Senior Center is bringing an outreach to the community from Three Rivers Legal Services on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, assisting with prevention of foreclosures, problems with Social Security Income (SSI) and other legal issues of personal concern. "You actually get to talk to an attorney. It doesn't matter that you have no money, or your age," said Staff Attorney Deborah Rivera of Three Rivers Legal Services, based in Lake City. "You get to talk to an attorney and have access to the courts." Appointments are now being scheduled for this complimentary service. Call the Madison Senior Center at (850) 973-4241.
Jim Stanley Achieves Shrine's Highest HonorDec. 29, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Jim Stanley has achieved the Shrine's greatest honor. On Nov. 11th, he was awarded the title of Ambassador Emeritus. To receive the designation, a person has to spend several of time in service to the Shrine and show extreme dedication. For the past 31 years, Stanley has served as the secretary for both the Masonic Lodge and the Shrine Club. To be a Shriner, one first has to be a Mason. Stanley said that he had instructed a total of 250 people through the Masonic Lodge. "Sometimes, it can take from four months to a year for a person to become a Mason," Stanley said. A week after Stanley received the designation, Doug Knowles, potentate of the Marzuq Shrine Temple, made the designation official when he came to the Madison Shrine Club to present the certificate to Stanley. December 24, 2010, Madison Enterprise-Recorder
Madison Native Featured On Glenn Beck ProgramDec. 24, 2010By Lynette Norris
Green Publishing, Inc.
It's not often that a church is recognized for its outreach on a national cable news network, but that's exactly what happened when a church pastored by a Madison native reached out to help homeless people in the metropolitan Atlanta, Ga. area. On the Glenn Beck Show on Fox News, Beck recounted how Randy Mickler, the son of the late Robert and Teddy Mickler, is the pastor of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, Ga., had taken a trip into Atlanta and discovered how bad the homeless problem really was. "Men were living under bridges and in tent cities, with maybe just a scrap of plastic to keep the rain off," Beck said. "Well, things were going to get bad and they had a big storm coming into Atlanta so yesterday (Sunday, Dec. 12), Pastor Randy had an idea. The church's gym, it has showers. They can open the church for the homeless. He didn't tell the congregation. He didn't suggest the congregation pay more in taxes. He instead stood up in front of his congregation and asked them this." Beck then played the clip from the church's service where Mickler made the proposal to the church. "I can't do this on my own," Mickler told his congregation. "I can't even say 'do it.' It's your church, but if you would be in support of a ministry like this, at these times of the year – winter nights, that would involve Mt. Bethel, would you stand?" Mickler made the same appeal in the two Sunday morning services and everyone stood for a total of almost 3,000 people. He also asked if anyone would volunteer and over 500 people agreed. The volunteers drove buses, they cleaned, they cooked and they donated items, such as mattresses, food, air mattresses, sleeping bags, toiletries and hundreds of blankets. "They didn't involve the government," Beck said. "Instead, they stood as Christians together and did it themselves." "We could have started our own Wal-Mart with the items donated," Mickler said during a phone interview with this writer on Wednesday morning, Dec. 22. Mickler said that Beck had seen the broadcast of the service on the church's websitce (www.mtbethel.org). Mickler said that Beck had called him and asked him if he could show the clip on his program. "I was surprised at how fast he got it on the program," Mickler said. The clip aired the same day that Beck called him. Mickler said that Mt. Bethel had probably come to Beck's attention since it had been in the news quite a bit lately, with the church's expanded growth and the building that it had been doing. The church has 9,000 members, with an average attendance of 3,100 weekly for five services. The church also has a recreation program that thousands of people participate in, as well as a daycare center, an elderly adult center and a gymnasium. "The homeless population in Atlanta is 20,000. We can put up 500 homeless people in the gym," Mickler said. "It's a good place. They can have a good bed to sleep in and warm food." The gym also has hot showers. Mickler said that the church has five buses, which go into Atlanta and picks up the homeless and brings them back to the church. He said that there are approximately 300 people currently staying at the gym at Mt. Bethel. Mickler is a 1966 graduate of Madison County High School. He attended North Florida Junior College and upon graduation from there, he attended the University of Georgia where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Master of Divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and his Doctor of Ministry from the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill. From 1993-1997, he served as the motivational speaker for the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team. Mickler met his wife, Diane, at the University of Georgia. They have two adult children, Rob and Ashley, and three grandchildren, with a fourth one on the way. When asked if the church's growth could be attributed to things like helping the homeless, he emphatically said that he did. "It's like the parting of the Red Sea," he told this writer about Mt. Bethel's latest initiative. "God did it and all we had to do was walk through." A link to the video from the Glenn Beck program can be seen at www.greenepublishing.com.
County Using Caution With Request From Proposed PlantDec. 24, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com A company, which is involved with the production of synthetic stone, asked Madison County for a letter of interest in deeding acreage off Dale Leslie Drive over to them to use for the construction of a plant to manufacture the materials in Madison County. The board agreed to give them the letter but asked that they return with the funding in hand before the county hands over the land. "We need the jobs in Madison County," County Coordinator Allen Cherry said, "but if we give them 45-47 acres and they never build, then we're just out of the land." Brent N. Campbell, managing member of Eccostone Industries, which lists its address at 2984 Wellington Circle West in Tallahassee, made the appeal for the letter at the Dec. 15 meeting of the county commission. They are hoping that the letter will help them secure the money they need to build the plant. Eccostone had earlier made a request to the Suwannee County Commission for land. Before the item was considered, Suwannee County Clerk Barry Baker had the Decker Law Firm send a five-page letter to Campbell requesting certain information. Information requested in the letter included: •Copies of the Articles of Formation for Eccostone, LLC •A copy of the operating agreement for Eccostone, LLC •Biographical data on all members and officers for Eccostone, LLC The letter also indicated that the course of a preliminary review, there were no records found in the Florida Secretary of State's office for an entity designated as "Eccostone, LLC." Andrew Decker also asked in the letter if Eccostone, LLC was a legal and validly formed entity in some other jurisdiction and, if so, would they provide the name and location of that jurisdiction. Decker said in the letter that they had noticed the recent formation of a Ecostone Industries in January of this year and asked what the relationship of Eccostone Industries to Ecostone Industries was. Decker also questioned in the letter if J. Eden, an individual designated chief operating officer (CEO) in the Ecostone filing was the same person as a Jennifer E. Campbell and asked if she was related to Brent Campbell by blood, marriage or business association. Decker also asked if J. Eden was the same person, why did she use a pseudonym instead of her actual legal name. Decker said that during a review of the Eccostone website, it indicated that Eccostone's contact address was 2984 Wellington Circle West, Tallahassee, FL 32309 and the statement that Eccostone has been in production for more than 17 years. Decker asked that Campbell provide the physical address for all the production sites Eccostone has utilized for the past 17 years, as well as a copy of the current lease agreements for all production sites Eccostone, LLC is using. Decker also asked that Campbell provide references for all vendors and suppliers who served the Eccostone for the past six months as sources for raw materials, equipment and machinery utilized by the company. Decker also asked Campbell for a list of names, addresses and prospective investors for Eccostone, as well as a prospectus if Eccostone had one available. Baker responded in an email to this writer that Eccostone had not answered the letter that had been sent to them and that the letter had been returned. He said that he believed the Suwannee County Coordinator and Suwannee County's Chamber of Commerce had contacted the company. Eccostone could potentially add 300 new jobs to Madison County's hurting economy but the county is moving with caution before making any agreements with the company.
11-Acre Wildfire In Madison CountyDec. 24, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com On Monday afternoon, personnel from the Florida Division of Forestry, City of Madison Fire Department, and Madison County Sheriff's Office responded to a wildfire off of Levy Road in Madison. The 11-acre wildfire was caused by an escaped yard trash burn. An abandoned mobile home was destroyed by the fire. Four residential structures and two outbuildings were also threatened but not damaged. Several weeks of dry weather have drastically increased the wildfire danger both within Madison County and across the state. Remember to be fire safe year-round and use caution when burning yard waste by following these guidelines: ¬… Burning yard waste does not require an authorization from the Division of Forestry, but you should check with your local city, county or Forestry officials to see if there are any restrictions in your area ¬… Your fire must be contained to an eight foot diameter pile or non-combustible barrel and must be at least 25 feet from forests, 25 feet from your house, 50 feet from a paved public road and 150 feet from other occupied buildings ¬… Don't burn on windy days or when the humidity is below 35 percent. ¬… Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is out before you leave ¬… Keep a shovel and water hose handy ¬… If your fire escapes, you may be held liable for suppression costs and damage to the property of others Contact your local Division of Forestry office for more information on fire prevention tips and burning rules and regulations, or visit the Division of Forestry website at www.fldof.comm.
Covey Washington Joins Extension ServiceDec. 24, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Covey Washington has joined the Madison County Extension Service and is working as its horticulture agent. Washington, who is originally from Tallahassee, also works with the Jefferson County Extension service in Monticello as a horticulture agent. Washington is a graduate of Florida A&M University and will be assisting Dan Fenneman a few days a week in Madison, helping free him to concentrate more on the farms in the county. Washington spearheads the Master Gardener program in Jefferson County, a 50-hour in-depth horticultural training in a variety of gardening topics. To contact Washington, call the local extension office at (850) 973-4138.
Representative Leonard Bembry Receives Significant Committee Assignments in the HouseDec. 24, 2010
State Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville) was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee that produces the House's proposed budget in conforming and implementing legislation. The committee provides legislative oversight regarding agency and judiciary implementation of the budget, and also reviews the Governors budget recommendations, agency legislative budget request, and analyzes trust funds. Additionally, legislation with a fiscal impact is typically heard by the House Appropriations Committee, or one of its respective subcommittees. Budgetary issues dealing with Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) and state employees pay, benefits and retirement issues are also in preview of the committee. Bembry was also appointed to the House State Affairs Committee that considers matters relating to the oversight and use of state resources, including issues relating to Florida's agriculture and citrus industries, environmental protection, conservation of Florida's natural resources, energy, utilities and telecommunications regulations, state agency governance, ethics and elections, and state/federal relations. The committee's oversight responsibilities cover the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Citrus, Department of Environmental Protection, the State's five Water Management Districts and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Rep. Bembry's other appointments include Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, Select Committee on Water Policy, and K-20 Innovation Education Subcommittee. "There are many serious issues that we must deal with in the legislature in these very difficult economic times, and we must protect our people and their livelihood to the greatest extent possible. I am honored to be appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee that will focus on legislation and issues of critical importance to the people of North Florida. I am pleased to have these opportunities that will allow me to continue to be a strong voice for local residents during these challenging times" Bembry stated. "I will be well positioned in the committee process to make maximum impact for our people in many areas that touch our lives in the 10 small counties and 24 small communities we serve. I am excited about the possibilities and I look forward to continuing to work for our people."
Senior Citizens Warned About Phone ScamsDec. 24, 2010
Within the last two weeks, at least one unsuspecting senior was called on the telephone by someone who said she was a direct service worker form the Madison Senior Center. The individual asked for money from the senior citizen. "Our workers are not allowed to call seniors on weekends or after hours," said case manager Valencia Johnson. "The case manager would never send a case worker without calling first or bringing the person out to introduce them to the senior." "Just hang up," advised Rosa Richardson, executive director of the Madison Senior Center. She said senior citizens should not talk to people they don't know on the phone or open their doors to strangers. The Madison Senior Center offers programs and services to enhance the lives of seniors age 60 and up to prevent premature institutional placement.
39er's Club Celebrates Christmas With SongDec. 24, 2010By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.As the 39er's gathered in the fellowship hall of Grace Presbyterian Church, pianist Faye Todd donned reindeer antlers and ran through a quick rehearsal with the singers who would provide the entertainment. Gail and George Blevins of the Salvation Army were also on hand, and Jan Ledsome's decorations of green garlands stood out cheerfully against the white windows and walls, while the holiday napkins and placemats made the tables festive enough to complement the Christmas meal. Rev. John Hopwood welcomed everyone and led the opening prayer. The fun, food and fellowship followed. As the meal wound down, the singers who were rehearsing with Faye Todd just before the meeting got up from the tables and assembled beside the piano, sporting Santa Clause hats and reindeer antlers with flashing lights. For some of them, seconds and dessert would have to wait as they regaled everyone with "Do You Hear What I Hear?" "Winter Wonderland" and "Holly Jolly Christmas." Everyone then joined in on "Silent Night." Rev. Hopwood spoke again, asking those present to share stories about Christmases that had been special to them. From Christmas Past came a heartwarming story of a woman who did not know her military husband had been given Christmas leave and was expecting to spend Christmas without him until he came walking up to the door on Christmas Eve; Rev. Hopwood shared his own story about a childhood Christmas wish for an amp to go with his electric guitar. However, his parents had not had a good year. He expected very little under the tree and was overjoyed when his father directed him to another room where his amp waited, along with a television for his sister. Knowing the kind of sacrifice his parents must have made gives that Christmas a special place in his heart. Nell Ring shared a story from Christmas Present, that this year she still had her 99-year-old mother with her, and that she was there at the meeting with everyone having a good time, smiling and waving as her daughter introduced her. For Christmas future, well, that remains to be seen, but there will probably be singing. As Debbie Pittman, one of the featured singers put it, "We have a good time and we sing for the Lord...for Him."
Volleyball Player Awarded ScholarshipDec. 24, 2010By Lynette Norris
Green Publishing, Inc.Alexis "Lexi" Weldon, granddaughter of Greenville residents Leonard and Susan Bembry, and daughter of Casey and Lori Weldon of Tallahassee, is headed for sunny Malibu, Calif., at the end of summer this year. A senior at Chiles High School in Tallahassee, where she has played competitive volleyball for the Chiles High Timberwolves for the last four years, she now has a full scholarship to play Division I volleyball for Pepperdine University. During her four years of playing for the Timberwolves, the team has competed in volleyball tournaments all over the country. Weldon believes it was while they were competing in a tournament in Las Vegas back in February that the Pepperdine recruiters first noticed her. She has also competed in horseback riding as a jumper and has three horses at her home in Tallahassee. Her favorite is a seven-year-old bay quarterhorse named Chance, who, unfortunately, will have to stay home when Weldon leaves for Pepperdine at the end of July. During the Christmas break, Weldon is visiting Australia with her family, touring the city of Sydney and taking a cruise to nearby New Zealand. But when she returns to Tallahassee, there is still the trip to Pepperdine waiting after she graduates. She has already visited the campus three times with her father, once before she committed and twice afterward. "It's gorgeous! Right off the Pacific Coast Highway...you can see the water from the campus!" One of the biggest factors in her decision to commit to Pepperdine was the coach, Nina Matthews, and the rest of the coaching staff at the University. The family athletic tradition continues. Lexi's father, Casey, was the first runner-up for the Heisman trophy in 1991 as a quarterback for Florida State University. December 22, 2010, Madison County Carrier
Lee Teenager Injured In WreckDec. 22, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com "We want to say thank you to all the family, friends and all the loved ones who prayers. They worked," Henry Terry said in a phone interview as he and his family were driving his son, William Henry Terry, Jr., home from Tallahassee Memorial Hospital on Monday afternoon. William Terry, of Lee, had been in the hospital since Wednesday, Dec. 15, after he was in a rollover in a 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, William Terry was traveling in the truck on SE Hart Avenue (a dirt road) in Lee and due to loose surface materials, the truck went out of control. The truck veered to the left and entered onto the west shoulder, overturning several times, ejecting William Terry from the truck. William suffered a broken left arm and received stitches on his forehead. On Sunday night, he had an operation where the surgeon wired his jaw shut. "Everybody's getting what they wanted for Christmas," Henry said, referring to his son being all right. "We're getting Bubba home safe."
Commission Votes for New Drug-Testing ServiceDec. 22, 2010By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.At last week's meeting, County Commissioners reviewed two bids they had received from drug-testing service providers for its county employees. The first was Airport Medical, Inc., out of Valdosta, and the other was Tax Doctor MD & More in Madison. Steve Graham spoke on behalf of Airport Medical, which is currently handling the county's drug testing needs. Urging the commission to continue with the company, Graham listed his company's resources, and cited years of experience and expertise in municipal situations – government entities must comply with extra rules and regulations that private companies don't have to worry about. Emphasizing his familiarity with these extra requirements, Graham said, "It's my job to keep you out of court," and added that his company had never lost a lawsuit. The competing bid came from Meshalene Love-Taylor, whose company, Tax Doctor MD & More, is based in Madison. Despite being fairly new to the field, Love-Taylor stated that she already had several accounts in the town of Greenville and the city of Madison and added that not only was she fully certified, she offered the convenience of being located in Madison rather than Valdosta. Commission Chair Renetta Parrish reminded everyone that they had bid out the contract to look at savings. "If we can shop at home, we need to shop at home," she said, with "people who live in Madison and pay taxes in Madison." The Board voted 3-2 to award the contract to Tax Doctor MD & More. Only the Sheriff's office will continue using Airport Medical.
Madison County Legislative Delegation Hearing Date AnnouncedDec. 22, 2010
State Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville) has announced the Madison County Legislative Delegation will hold its annual meeting on Monday, Jan. 10th at 6:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Madison County Commission Chambers at the Madison County Courthouse Annex, located at Room 107, 229 SW Pinckney Street in Madison. Representative Bembry stated "This is a prime opportunity for the citizens and public officials of Madison County to meet with their Legislators and inform them of what is important to their community." The Madison County Legislative Delegation includes Senator Charles Dean, Senator Bill Montford and Representative Leonard Bembry. If any member of the public would like to address the delegation, please contact Mickie Salter in Representative Bembry's office at (850) 973-5630 or Mickie.salter@myfloridahouse.gov, to be placed on the agenda. Appearance cards will also be available at the hearing for anyone who wishes to be heard. If you are presenting a handout to the delegation, please have at least six (6) copies available. NOTICE REGARDING THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the OFFICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD BEMBRY no later than seven (7) days prior to the proceeding at (850) 973-5630, Madison, Florida.
Madison Changes Rules For Pollution PreventionDec. 22, 2010By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc. To prevent pollution of the city water supply, Madison's city commissioners revised three ordinances affecting the installation, inspection and maintenance of backflow devices along water lines. The three new ordinances were approved unanimously. City Manager Harold Emrich explained that the former rules required customers to purchase and install backflow devices. The new ordinances mean that the city will purchase, install and inspect the devices at the customer's expense. Public Works Supervisor Chuck Hitchcock said that customers often met with difficulty finding the correct devices to purchase; the ordinances would remove that problem. The new laws require that the city inspect each device at least once annually; further inspections would follow if problems are detected. The customer is required to maintain the device in proper working order and pay for any necessary repairs; if the customer is in default of paying for these services, the city will disconnect that customer's water supply. Commissioner Jim Catron asked, "What if a customer finds the same device for a better price?" Emrich replied that the city would consider an exception in that case. The revised ordinances bring the city's rules into compliance with state requirements. Customers whose devices were installed previously and are operating correctly will not have to replace those devices. Hitchcock submitted a list of bids for demolition and removal of three dilapidated buildings. Sam McGhee offered the low bid of $3,375 for a property on Parramore Avenue and $1,876 for a site on Brooklyn Street, the Blanton Company offered a bid of $1,875 to clean a site on SE Bennett Street. The commissioners approved those bids unanimously. Hitchcock commented, "We have houses coming down now, leaving some very nice areas." Including the latest group, the city has clean 12 properties.
Sirmans VFD Presents Check To Salvation ArmyDec. 22, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.Partick Hodge Sirmans Volunteer Fire Department Chief, presents George Blevins ofThe Salvation Army a check for $1326.21 for use in their Christmas Assistance program for food, clothes and toys. George Blevins Local Salvation Army Director, Patrick Hodge Sirmans VFD Chief & Steve Wentz Sirmans VFD Captain and Training Officer. Shown also is the contents of just one of the one hundred food boxes distributed by The Salvation Army during Christmas thanks to the help of Sirmans Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Patrick Hodge states, Sirmans VFD has always tried to serve the community and show our appreciation for the support we received from the community by way of their tax dollars and donations. Being able to support The Salvation Army Christmas program allows us to help the entire community not just our own Fire District it makes the Blessing of Christmas just that much better. We appreciate George Blevins who is also my Assistant Chief for the work he does in The Salvation Army. We would also like to thank the patrons of the Auction House on Mosley Hall Road for their toy donations.
11 ACRE WILDFIRE IN MADISON COUNTYDec. 22, 2010
On Monday afternoon, personnel from the Florida Division of Forestry, City of Madison Fire Department, and Madison County Sheriff's Office responded to a wildfire off of Levy Road in Madison. The 11 acre wildfire was caused by an escaped yard trash burn. An abandoned mobile home was destroyed by the fire. Four residential structures and two outbuildings were also threatened but not damaged. Several weeks of dry weather have drastically increased the wildfire danger both within Madison County and across the state. Remember to be fire safe year-round and use caution when burning yard waste by following these guidelines: ¬… Burning yard waste does not require an authorization from the Division of Forestry, but you should check with your local city, county or Forestry officials to see if there are any restrictions in your area ¬… Your fire must be contained to an 8 foot diameter pile or non-combustible barrel and must be at least 25 feet from forests, 25 feet from your house, 50 feet from a paved public road and 150 feet from other occupied buildings ¬… Don't burn on windy days or when the humidity is below 35% ¬… Never leave a fire unattended, and make sure it is out before you leave ¬… Keep a shovel and water hose handy ¬… If your fire escapes, you may be held liable for suppression costs and damage to the property of others Contact your local Division of Forestry office for more information on fire prevention tips and burning rules and regulations, or visit the Division of Forestry website at www.fldof.comm.
Snowflakes From StudentsDec. 22, 2010
"The Legend of the Snowflake" was written and attached to each beautiful homemade ornament that the first graders from Madison Academy delivered to Hospice House in Tallahassee for their annual December service trip. Their teacher, Mrs. Kim Whigham, and their parents agreed that this particular trip is a difficult one to take sometimes, but it lends itself to teaching so many of life's lessons. The children sang songs with the music therapists and hung one of their ornaments on the special tree decorated for the patients. The remainder of the ornaments that were donated were distributed to the patients and their families. It was the prayer of the class during the making of the gifts, that each person who read them would be led closer to Christ this Christmas season.
Lee Christmas Lighting Contest Winners Announced Dec. 22, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Thelma Thompson won the Town of Lee Christmas lighting contest this year with her beautifully lit Christmas lights. Second place was the beautiful yard of Mr. and Mrs. Lex Webb, located across the street from Thompson's house on US Highway 90. Mr. and Mrs. Pat Doyle were honored with a third place award for their Christmas light display at their home on SE Corinth Church Road. Two honorable mentions were awarded. One of the honorable mentions went to Mr. and Mrs. Irineo Alegre. The second honorable mention went to Mrs. Cathy Richie. Both residences are in Pine Trace Acres. The Town of Lee also said they would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Davis, who bowed out of the contest several years ago. They always have a beautiful light display on Farm Road in the Town of Lee. This year, they set up a donation box and gave all proceeds to the Lee Community Volunteer Fire Department. Congratulations to all of the 2010winners.
Senior Citizens Center Hosting Outreach At CourthouseDec. 22, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Heather Vickers, who works as the Older American Act coordinator for the Madison County Senior Citizens Center, will be holding an outreach at the Madison County Courthouse on Monday, Dec. 27, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Vickers will talk to senior citizens who stop by to see her about services provided by the Senior Citizens Center and Council. These services can range from free computer classes to delivery of hot meals to help with housekeeping. For more information, please call the Senior Citizens Elder Help Hotline at (850) 973-4241. December 17, 2010, Madison Enterprise-Recorder
Early Morning McDonald's Crash Investigation Still PendingDec. 17, 2010By Lynette Norris
Green Publishing, Inc.The Madison Police Department now has a suspect in the Dec. 8 McDonald's crash, said Investigator James Roebuck. In the early morning hours, a vehicle hit the McDonald's building on Base Street and took out a front corner of the plate glass lobby windows. Witnesses, including a McDonald's employee, described the suspect as a white male driving a silver four-door Buick that struck the building and then backed away and fled. Fortunately,there were no customers in the lobby at the time of the crash and no one was injured. A few hours later, investigating officers had located a possible vehicle and suspect at a CR 360 residence. When Investigator James Roebuck spoke with the suspect and inspected the vehicle, a 1999 Buick four-door, he determined it was the same car that struck McDonald's. The Madison Police have filed charges with the State Attorney's Office in Live Oak, but have not made an arrest, nor are they releasing the suspect's name, pending a response from that office.
MCHS Basketball Christmas Tournament Will Be Dec. 20-22Dec. 17, 2010By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.The community is invited to attend a three-day basketball tournament to support some of the best basketball teams around. Madison County High School will be hosting the annual Christmas Tournament. Games will be played from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. all three days. The cost will be $8 per day or $20 to buy a Tournament Pass for all three days. Teams, both girls and boys, will be competing for three days. Girls' teams competing include Madison County, Bluffton, S.C., Lanier Co. Ga., Branford, Celebration, Godby, Santa Fe and University Christian. Boy's teams include, Admiral Farragut, Columbia Co., Bishop Moore, Creekside, Jefferson County, Oak Ridge and Seminole. Door prizes and half court shot prizes will be given out throughout the event. For more information please call either coach Marcus Hawkins at (850) 673-7928.
Cowboys' Baseball Team Raising FundsDec. 17, 2010
The Madison County High School Cowboys' baseball team, under new head coach Jim Ertzberger, is looking forward to the 2011 season. The Cowboy players have been working voluntarily on conditioning drills in preparation for official practices set to begin in January. The Cowboys open their season in February. Team members are also involved in fundraising efforts. Just in time for Christmas, the Cowboys are selling chances to win a 6-foot-by-8-foot playhouse. All materials for the playhouse were donated by Studstill Lumber Co., of Madison. The playhouse is available for close-up inspection at the lot across from Wachovia Bank. Tickets for the December 20th drawing are just one dollar, and can be purchased from any Cowboy baseball player. In addition to the playhouse drawing, the Cowboys will host a five-day baseball camp from December 27th through 31st. Former Cowboys and professional baseball players Lorenzo Cain and Jeremy Haynes will be on hand for portions of the camp. Current Cowboy players and coaches will provide instruction in the basic baseball skill areas. Cost for the camp is $50.
Madison Academy Gets An Early Christmas GiftDec. 17, 2010
On Tuesday, Dec. 7, while Madison Academy students and faculty were diligently preparing for their annual Christmas program, their Head of School, Janna Barrs, was accepting an unexpected, early Christmas gift on behalf of the school. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Spears graciously donated the facility that was home to Elmer's Genealogy Library since 1997 to Madison Academy. The spacious building is located next to Madison Sporting Goods in downtown Madison. The contents of the building are currently being transferred to the Huxford Genealogical Society's Library in Homerville, Ga. Cary Hardee, Kay Schnitker, and Phillip Combs, members of the Huxford Society's Board of Directors, were present for the transfer of the deed, along with Madison Academy's Board President, Mark Browning, Willa Branham and Jackie Johnson. The Spear's granddaughter, Katrina Jessup, was a member of Willa Branham's eighth grade class of 2006 and the Spears have been supporters of the Academy since that time. As of the date of this publication, it is unclear how the Academy will put this building to use; the members of their Board of Directors are currently exploring all of their options. An Open House will be scheduled in January to honor Mr. and Mrs. Spears for their contribution.
Freezing Temperatures Take Madison By Surprise: What's To Come?Dec. 17, 2010By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.While it may not be snowing in North Florida, it certainly feels as though it should be. Temperatures between the upper teens and the lower fifties have taken Madison residents by surprise, forcing many to stay indoors over the weekends. Sudden wind also shook the county Sunday night and Monday morning. The wind knocked over many of the Christmas trees up town, knocked over power lines, and even caused minor damage to some homes. While these extreme temperatures and weather conditions may come as a shock to many residents, they are not record setting. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly on Friday and Saturday, but there will be a possibility of rain as well. Sunday temperatures will be in the mid fifties but are expected to drop on Sunday night. No rain is expected for the beginning of next week. There are many dangers that come with these extreme temperatures. When leaving the house, make sure to warm your car up before leaving, ensuring that your engine is warm enough before driving. This could prevent damage to your car. It is important to remember to dress warmly and stay indoors when possible. Do not leave pets outside without a heat lamp or a large blanket to protect them from the cold.
United Way Celebrates Huge Success And Says "See You Later" To Dear FriendsDec. 17, 2010By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
kristin@greenepublishing.com The United Way of Madison's final meeting was both joyous and emotional. The group chatted happily over a delicious meal of turkey, dressing, rolls, and green beans, all made by Shelby's Restaurant. They also enjoyed delicious deserts including "death by chocolate" and "pig-pickin' cake," made by Ginger Jarvis. Topics of discussion ranged from the Heisman candidates and football teams, to holiday plans and families in need. After eating, tentative, final totals were announced. Madison County Community Bank got approval on a $3,000 corporate match. Madison County Schools donated a whopping $14,647. The United Way boot-drive raised $1,218. Nestle donated an astounding $47,302. There were several other businesses and individuals whodonated as well, including Corporate Graphics, Tri-County Electric, North Florida Community College, Progress Energy and many others. The final goal for Madison County United Way was $115,000. However, the United Way group not only met their goal, they surpassed it. So far the United Way of Madison has collected $118,173, a whopping 102.76% of their goal. This year, Madison's United Way will be, in a way, losing three of their members. Mary Carol Kaney, their Campaign Associate, will be retiring this year. She, however, plans to remain active in the Madison chapter of the United Way. Jackie Johnson will be leaving the United Way for a while, taking time off to be with her family. Finally, Willy Gamalero will be stepping down as chair this year, though he will still remain on the team. It was also announced at the meeting that Megan Earnhardt will be the new Campaign Associate. Upon this announcement, Earnahardt stated, "I know I have some big shoes to fill." Mary Carol tearfully told the team, "I can't thank each of you enough for the past 10 years. It has been a pleasure and a joy. I believe it was Thomas Wolfe who said, "You can't go home again," and he was wrong. I did come home again. I would also like to give a special thanks to Jackie Johnson and Ed Meggs, who have helped me since the very beginning. Thanks to everyone, the school system, Corporate Graphics, Greene Publishing, I love you all. It has been more than a job. It was a joy. I will be back." Jackie Johnson also stated, "Thank you all. You are each special and you are all a special part of this committee."
Mary Carol Kaney Retires From UWBBDec. 17, 2010By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.
kristin@greenepublishing.com Mary Carol Kaney has announced her retirement from United Way of the Big Bend (UWBB.) Kaney has been a part of UWBB for 10 years and will be dearly missed. She has taken Madison County's United Way to another level during her tenure. Mary Carol Kaney grew up in Madison County. She is the daughter of Ferd and Alba Naughton. Her father owned Morrow Insurance Agency. Kaney is a graduate of Madison High School and a graduate of Florida State University, majoring in Fashion Merchandising. Kaney joined UWBB after being hired as a Loan Executive. Kaney told this reporter, "That happened right after I moved to Tallahassee. Originally it was only supposed to be for six weeks, now here I am, ten years later." At UWBB Mary Carol Kaney shared two titles. She was the Secretary of the Board of Directors, as well as Campaign Associate for both Madison and Jefferson County. As Campaign Associate, it was her job to be the major liaison to the Madison UWBB campaign team, to serve in securing Madison Investment team volunteers, and to make sure that Madisonians were aware of what was happening at United Way of the Big Bend. As Secretary of the Board of Directors, she was responsible for keeping the board members' materials updated and making sure that all of their tasks were met. Kaney shared, "It has been such a joy working with all of these fabulous people. They are truly a blessing and have made my job a pleasure. Madison's United Way team represents such a varied group of outstanding individuals who are sincerely committed to improving the community and serving those in need." She also would like to share with the community, "Madison will always be a part of my life, from the beginning to the end." December 15, 2010, Madison County Carier
Three Injured In CrashDec. 15, 2010By Emerald Greene
Greene Publishing, Inc.Three people were injured; a two-year-old seriously injured, during a two-vehicle wreck on Sunday, December 12, at 2:40 p.m., south of Greenville. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Clayton Clark, 32, of Tallahassee, was traveling north on US 221, in a 2007 Chevrolet truck. For unknown reasons, Clark crossed the center line and side swiped a 2001 Chevrolet, driven by Shaquita Robinson, 24, of Perry. Robinson's car came to a final rest facing south, on the west shoulder of the road. Clark's truck continued north and came to a final rest facing north, partially in the north travel lane, and the east shoulder. Clark sustained no injuries in the crash; however, the damage to his vehicle was estimated at $8,000. Robinson and her two passengers were all transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital with injuries. Robinson suffered minor injuries; Michael Gant, 29, of Perry, sustained minor injuries; and L. Gant, 2, of Perry was transported with serious injuries. Her vehicle received $5,500 in damages. Madison County Sheriff's Department, Madison EMS, Greenville Fire and Rescue and Sirmons Volunteer Fire and Rescue all assisted at the scene. FHP Trooper William Ernst and Cpl. P. J. Shaw were the investigating officers.
Funeral Services For Clarence Donaldson Arranged For SaturdayDec. 15, 2010
Retired Sheriff's Deputy Clarence Donaldson, 68, of the Madison County Sheriff's Department, died early Wednesday morning, Dec. 9. Sheriff Ben Stewart announced the following arrangements for the 25-year MSO veteran: Visitation services will be held on Dec. 17 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. at Jeslamb AME Church, which is located at 185 NE Almond Ave. The funeral service will be held on Saturday Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. at Mt Zion AME Church, which is located at 576 West Dade Street. Graveside will be held following the funeral services. He will be laid to rest at Jeslamb AME Church. For further information please see obituary on Page 4A.
On the Agenda: Board Of County Commissioners Meeting This AfternoonDec. 15, 2010By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.
lynette@greenepublishing.com At this afternoon's meeting, the Board of County Commission will be signing a Community Covenant to Support Military Families, and discussing several other topics ranging from fees for the Southeast Regional Softball Tournament (normally held in Tallahassee, but now possibly moving to Madison) to the whether or not to seek new bids for the Old Jail on Pinckney Street. Also included on the meeting's agenda are: discussion of road work on NW Pickle Lane and Yellow Pine Subdivision, consideration of bids for drug testing services, a request for a letter of intent regarding donation of county property on Dale
Wind And FireDec. 15, 2010By Tommy Greene
Greene Publishing, Inc.In the northeast part of the county, and northeast of Mt. Horeb Church, strong winds were blamed as the culprit that brought down a power line, cutting off electricity and starting a woods fire. The Florida Forestry Service, Cherry Lake and Pinetta Volunteer Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene, surrounded the wind-fed fire, got the inferno under control and ousted the threat before any real damage was done. Tri-County Electric in short order had the power line fixed and the electricity back in the homes in the area.
Report Finds Groundwater Declining In Parts Of RegionDec. 15, 2010By Lazaro Aleman
Special from ECB PublishingA lengthy and comprehensive assessment conducted by the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) to determine the availability of its water supplies over the next 20 years points to significant increases in water consumption over the period, at the same time that water resources are already declining in portions of the region. The findings are part of an 89-page document titled 2010 Water Supply Assessment Report, a draft of which can be viewed online at www.srwmd.state.fl.us/, under the heading Water Supply Planning. The report projects that the district's total water use will undergo an increase of 10.3 million gallons per day by 2030, based on a low-range projection; and it will undergo an increase 62.8 million gallons daily by 2030, based on a high-range projection. The total water use is calculated on the consumption of all major water use categories, which the district identifies as including public supply, domestic self-supply, agriculture, industrial/commercial/institutional, thermo-electric power generation, and recreation. The report identifies specific areas of the district "where the use of groundwater to satisfy water demands for the (20-year) planning period will cause negative impacts to natural systems", underscoring the point that "nearly all water used in the district is supplied by groundwater from the Upper Foridan aquifer". The district staff used data from previous and ongoing hydrologic investigations, as well as the North Florida groundwater flow model, to determine the ability of the groundwater to meet the projected demands of the 20-year planning period. The report defines the North Florida groundwater model as "a predictive tool used to understand how current and projected groundwater withdrawals within the model area affect aquifer and lake levels and flow in springs and rivers". It identifies the model area as including "all of the district, as well as large areas of the St. John's River Water Management District, smaller areas in the Northwest and Southwest Florida Water Management Districts, and the State of Georgia." States the report: "The results of this analysis indicate that the water resources of the northeastern portion of the district are in decline. This trend is especially evident in groundwater levels of the Upper Floridan aquifer, which declined significantly during the past half century." The result of the decline, according to the report, translates into a decrease of more than 20 percent, or 1,900 square miles, in the size of the area contributing groundwater to the northeastern portion of the district. And the apparent cause for the significant decrease stems from groundwater withdrawals by the district itself, as well as the St. John's River and Georgia, according to the report. "The decline in groundwater levels in the northeastern district is suspected to have impacted a number of rivers and springs to the degree that they are not currently meeting their established minimum flows and levels or interim flow constraints, or they are predicted to fall below them during the planning period," the report states. The district, in fact, is recommending that certain of the affected areas be required to develop water supply plans that rely on conservation and alternative sources, other than groundwater, to meet their future demands; and that these areas also develop water recovery plans. Among the sources that the report evaluated as possible alternatives were river surface water, reclaimed water and brackish groundwater. The report concludes with a series of recommendations that identify ways the district can enhance its statutory responsibilities to meet water supply demand while protecting the natural systems. These recommendations include enhancing data collection and analysis efforts to gain a better understanding of hydrologic trends; continuing the district's modeling efforts to refine the understanding of the magnitude of existing and projected impacts to water resources; and coordinating with other water management districts, Georgia and the U.S. Geological Survey to develop cooperative strategies to enhance data collection and analysis efforts, identify current and future regional water resource impacts, and recover or avoid impacts. Among the more specific recommendations, the report advises the designation of the Upper Santa Fe River Basin as a Water Resource Caution Area, and the designation of the Lower Santa Fe River Basin, the Upper Suwannee River Region and the Atapaha River Basin as Water Supply Planning Regions. Meaning, among other possibilities, that within these designated areas, the district would restrict the duration of water use permits to no more than five years until recovery and prevention strategies were developed and implemented; would require all new applicants for water use permits and those renewing permits in excess of 100,000 gallons daily to meter their use; and would encourage new applicants for water use permits in excess of 500,000 gallons daily to use alternative sources of water, if the latter are technically, economically and environmentally feasible. The bottom line, as SRWMD Executive David Still put it, is that water is a finite resource, and the area can no longer take it for granted. "We're simply depleting it pretty fast," Still said. And once it was gone, it was gone forever, he said. Carlos Herd, a senior hydrology geologist with the SRWMD, essentially made the same point: conservation will more and more have to become a reality in the future. Herd noted that the projected and already existing water declines were most evident in the eastern parts of the district, largely because of the State of Georgia and the nine counties in northeast Florida that were drawing water from the aquifer. But although water was still relatively plentiful in the western parts of the district, including Jefferson County, it didn't mean it could be taken for granted, he said. "We need to keep an eye on Valdosta, which could impact the area there," Herd said. "These water issues are encroaching on our region. We have to be careful and manage our resources better. We're going to have to look more at conservation. We're all going to have to conserve and cut back more. We're becoming more aware that water's not an infinite resource." As for the eastern portions of the district where water declines are already evident, Herd said the SRWMD is trying to coordinate its remedial efforts with Georgia and the other water management districts, at the same time that he conceded the difficulty of the task. Creating the difficulty, he noted, were the economic, political, and other pressures bearing on the different players, and the fact that the aquifer extends beyond the boundaries of any one jurisdiction. What the SRWMD didn't want, Herd said, was to get in a situation as happened in the western part of the state and in other parts of the country, where the issue becomes mired in litigation.
It's Time For Santa LettersDec. 15, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.Santa's making a list and he's checking it twice. It's that time of year to show Santa who the good girls and boys have been and for them to write letters to Santa Claus. Greene Publishing, Inc. can save children the cost of postage to send letters to the North Pole. Children can instead send their letters to Greene Publishing, which will publish the letters in the newspaper. Santa will get a copy, so he can read it and check what each child wants. The deadline for entries is Dec. 17 and they will be published in the Dec. 24 Madison Enterprise-Recorder. Letters must be written in black ink to Santa in care of Greene Publishing, Inc., P.O. Drawer 772, Madison, FL 32340 or dropped off at Greene Publishing, on Highway 53 South in Madison. Teachers will also be collecting letters for publication so Santa can see them.
ROAD WARRIORS: Introducing the Madison County Road DepartmentDec. 15, 2010
Maintaining Madison's County's 227 miles of paved roads and 460 miles of unpaved roads takes a list of equipment that reads almost like the Twelve Days of Christmas: seven or eight crew cabs (for transporting crews to their work sites), six graders, three backhoes, three dump trucks, two tractor mowers, two flatbeds, one front-end loader, one bull dozer, one steam roller, a forklift, and a service truck with a boom. Oh, and two shop mechanics to keep all that heavy equipment running. In addition to the equipment above, Head Mechanic Lonnie Kesler and Assistant Mechanic Daniel Bass mentioned "about eight or ten other vehicles" – road scrapers, mixers and other equipment they couldn't think of right off-hand but knew they had out there. Whether it has tires or treads, Kessler and Bass are the ones who maintain it and keep all those specialized parts in working condition. Shortly before 8 a.m. on a 30-degree morning, they have already changed out the tires on one of the trucks and Kesler has another truck he has already taken apart for a brake job. "They told us not to get too dirty because we were having our picture taken!" One of them laughed. The shop is attached to the main Administration Building on Rocky Ford Road, in a structure that looks like part enormous garage and part small aircraft hangar. It is large enough to house the specialized tools and parts, hold several pieces of the heavy equipment the men are working on at any given time, and park an extra vehicle or two, yet still have plenty of work space and room to maneuver. In the middle of a large clear space on the cold concrete floor, a fire in a metal brazier takes some of the chill out of the air. Their day begins about six in the morning, when they arrive and see that all the crews get their equipment running properly as they head out to their work sites. Then, Kesler says, most of the day is spent "running around keeping things fixed." Sometimes when a crew needs an extra hand running the equipment, Bass heads out with them. At different times, he has operated the front-end loader, the backhoes, and the graders, to name a few. Other times, when a piece of equipment breaks down on-site, Kesler and Bass head out there on a service call to get it running again. They usually have at least one service call a day, but with the amount of road work and equipment out there, sometimes they can have as many as six or seven. Even so, they have not had a really major catastrophe as far as equipment. "I'm thankful for (County Coordinator) Allen Cherry and the Board of County Commissioners keeping good equipment for us." Said Bass. At its last meeting, the Board approved the purchase of a new current model wheel loader. As for the old equipment, it becomes surplus to be sold at auction. At the last auction earlier this month, an estimated 200-300 people showed up and the department sold every single item it had up for bids, including a dump truck, grader, loader, and tractor. "That was my top priority for two or three weeks, to get everything ready, get the parts ordered, get everything running and get it over there (to the auction site)." Said Kesler. Daniel Bass was born and raised in Madison County and was a full-time farmer before joining the Road Department, and says he has learned quite a lot from Kesler. He has been married for six years to Debara Sparks Bass; both have children of their own (Debara has three sons, he has two daughters) from previous marriages, and several grandchildren "on both sides." Lonnie Kesler, married for 32 years, lived in Naples and ran his own trucking firm before buying some acreage and settling in Madison seven years ago. Some of his children also settled here, while two of his daughters live in West Virginia; he has eight grandchildren. He originally moved here hoping to slow down a little, however, in the seven years he has been with the department, he is looking forward to his first vacation – meaning several days off in row instead of a day here and a day there. Both men agree there is never a dull moment, the thing they like best about their job. But even though things can get pretty hectic in the shop and out in the yard, "everybody jumps in to help. We've got some pretty good crews in this Department." Kesler said.
ROAD WARRIORS: Introducing the Madison County Road DepartmentDec. 15, 2010
Maintaining Madison's County's 227 miles of paved roads and 460 miles of unpaved roads takes a list of equipment that reads almost like the Twelve Days of Christmas: seven or eight crew cabs (for transporting crews to their work sites), six graders, three backhoes, three dump trucks, two tractor mowers, two flatbeds, one front-end loader, one bull dozer, one steam roller, a forklift, and a service truck with a boom. Oh, and two shop mechanics to keep all that heavy equipment running. In addition to the equipment above, Head Mechanic Lonnie Kesler and Assistant Mechanic Daniel Bass mentioned "about eight or ten other vehicles" – road scrapers, mixers and other equipment they couldn't think of right off-hand but knew they had out there. Whether it has tires or treads, Kessler and Bass are the ones who maintain it and keep all those specialized parts in working condition. Shortly before 8 a.m. on a 30-degree morning, they have already changed out the tires on one of the trucks and Kesler has another truck he has already taken apart for a brake job. "They told us not to get too dirty because we were having our picture taken!" One of them laughed. The shop is attached to the main Administration Building on Rocky Ford Road, in a structure that looks like part enormous garage and part small aircraft hangar. It is large enough to house the specialized tools and parts, hold several pieces of the heavy equipment the men are working on at any given time, and park an extra vehicle or two, yet still have plenty of work space and room to maneuver. In the middle of a large clear space on the cold concrete floor, a fire in a metal brazier takes some of the chill out of the air. Their day begins about six in the morning, when they arrive and see that all the crews get their equipment running properly as they head out to their work sites. Then, Kesler says, most of the day is spent "running around keeping things fixed." Sometimes when a crew needs an extra hand running the equipment, Bass heads out with them. At different times, he has operated the front-end loader, the backhoes, and the graders, to name a few. Other times, when a piece of equipment breaks down on-site, Kesler and Bass head out there on a service call to get it running again. They usually have at least one service call a day, but with the amount of road work and equipment out there, sometimes they can have as many as six or seven. Even so, they have not had a really major catastrophe as far as equipment. "I'm thankful for (County Coordinator) Allen Cherry and the Board of County Commissioners keeping good equipment for us." Said Bass. At its last meeting, the Board approved the purchase of a new current model wheel loader. As for the old equipment, it becomes surplus to be sold at auction. At the last auction earlier this month, an estimated 200-300 people showed up and the department sold every single item it had up for bids, including a dump truck, grader, loader, and tractor. "That was my top priority for two or three weeks, to get everything ready, get the parts ordered, get everything running and get it over there (to the auction site)." Said Kesler. Daniel Bass was born and raised in Madison County and was a full-time farmer before joining the Road Department, and says he has learned quite a lot from Kesler. He has been married for six years to Debara Sparks Bass; both have children of their own (Debara has three sons, he has two daughters) from previous marriages, and several grandchildren "on both sides." Lonnie Kesler, married for 32 years, lived in Naples and ran his own trucking firm before buying some acreage and settling in Madison seven years ago. Some of his children also settled here, while two of his daughters live in West Virginia; he has eight grandchildren. He originally moved here hoping to slow down a little, however, in the seven years he has been with the department, he is looking forward to his first vacation – meaning several days off in row instead of a day here and a day there. Both men agree there is never a dull moment, the thing they like best about their job. But even though things can get pretty hectic in the shop and out in the yard, "everybody jumps in to help. We've got some pretty good crews in this Department." Kesler said.
ROAD WARRIORS: Introducing the Madison County Road DepartmentDec. 15, 2010
Maintaining Madison's County's 227 miles of paved roads and 460 miles of unpaved roads takes a list of equipment that reads almost like the Twelve Days of Christmas: seven or eight crew cabs (for transporting crews to their work sites), six graders, three backhoes, three dump trucks, two tractor mowers, two flatbeds, one front-end loader, one bull dozer, one steam roller, a forklift, and a service truck with a boom. Oh, and two shop mechanics to keep all that heavy equipment running. In addition to the equipment above, Head Mechanic Lonnie Kesler and Assistant Mechanic Daniel Bass mentioned "about eight or ten other vehicles" – road scrapers, mixers and other equipment they couldn't think of right off-hand but knew they had out there. Whether it has tires or treads, Kessler and Bass are the ones who maintain it and keep all those specialized parts in working condition. Shortly before 8 a.m. on a 30-degree morning, they have already changed out the tires on one of the trucks and Kesler has another truck he has already taken apart for a brake job. "They told us not to get too dirty because we were having our picture taken!" One of them laughed. The shop is attached to the main Administration Building on Rocky Ford Road, in a structure that looks like part enormous garage and part small aircraft hangar. It is large enough to house the specialized tools and parts, hold several pieces of the heavy equipment the men are working on at any given time, and park an extra vehicle or two, yet still have plenty of work space and room to maneuver. In the middle of a large clear space on the cold concrete floor, a fire in a metal brazier takes some of the chill out of the air. Their day begins about six in the morning, when they arrive and see that all the crews get their equipment running properly as they head out to their work sites. Then, Kesler says, most of the day is spent "running around keeping things fixed." Sometimes when a crew needs an extra hand running the equipment, Bass heads out with them. At different times, he has operated the front-end loader, the backhoes, and the graders, to name a few. Other times, when a piece of equipment breaks down on-site, Kesler and Bass head out there on a service call to get it running again. They usually have at least one service call a day, but with the amount of road work and equipment out there, sometimes they can have as many as six or seven. Even so, they have not had a really major catastrophe as far as equipment. "I'm thankful for (County Coordinator) Allen Cherry and the Board of County Commissioners keeping good equipment for us." Said Bass. At its last meeting, the Board approved the purchase of a new current model wheel loader. As for the old equipment, it becomes surplus to be sold at auction. At the last auction earlier this month, an estimated 200-300 people showed up and the department sold every single item it had up for bids, including a dump truck, grader, loader, and tractor. "That was my top priority for two or three weeks, to get everything ready, get the parts ordered, get everything running and get it over there (to the auction site)." Said Kesler. Daniel Bass was born and raised in Madison County and was a full-time farmer before joining the Road Department, and says he has learned quite a lot from Kesler. He has been married for six years to Debara Sparks Bass; both have children of their own (Debara has three sons, he has two daughters) from previous marriages, and several grandchildren "on both sides." Lonnie Kesler, married for 32 years, lived in Naples and ran his own trucking firm before buying some acreage and settling in Madison seven years ago. Some of his children also settled here, while two of his daughters live in West Virginia; he has eight grandchildren. He originally moved here hoping to slow down a little, however, in the seven years he has been with the department, he is looking forward to his first vacation – meaning several days off in row instead of a day here and a day there. Both men agree there is never a dull moment, the thing they like best about their job. But even though things can get pretty hectic in the shop and out in the yard, "everybody jumps in to help. We've got some pretty good crews in this Department." Kesler said.
NFCC Honors Former Owner Of Wardlaw-Smith-Goza MansionDec. 15, 2010
North Florida Community College recently honored former Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Mansion resident Junanne "June" Baldwin Smith with a room dedication and portrait unveiling. June Smith resided at the WSG Mansion with her husband Alexander "Gee" Holmes Smith and their four children. After her husband's premature death, Smith and her four children continued to reside on the first floor of the historic Mansion. Understanding the mansion's historical significance and knowing the wishes of her husband, Smith fought and sacrificed to save the house. The portrait of Smith was painted by artist Jennifer Primm. It will hang in Smith's former bedroom and family room at the WSG mansion.
Live Oak Partnership Sponsors Annual Holiday Shopping CampaignDec. 15, 2010
The Twelve Days of Christmas has never been such fun! The Live Oak Partnership presents the first annual Twelve Days of Christmas Shopping Experience. Consumers are invited to take advantage of the many retail opportunities that Downtown Live Oak has to offer while assembling a folder of 14 free collectible Twelve Days of Christmas cards. The participating businesses may be visited in any order and at any time until December 23. Shoppers who complete the set will have up to three chances to win a prize package of over 20 wonderful prizes donated by participating businesses. "This campaign is designed to coincide with a new effort that we are making to 'fill the sidewalks'," says Randy Torrance, Live Oak Partnership chairman. "If we can get the consumer to come downtown and see what is here, then we have accomplished our goal." Participating businesses with these collector cards are Suzie's Flowers, Faye's Florist, Suwannee Antiques, Big Wheel Marketplace, Live Oak Jewelry, Downtown Café, McHale's Specialties, Melissa's Antiques & Gifts, Good Stuff, Maria Bonita Multi-services Store, Donut Time, Simplified Computer Services, Live Oak Health Food and Stitchin' Sisters. Magnetic Marketing is the site for the card folder, and the three sites for prize registration are PJ's Salon, Reflections Beauty & Barber and Seaman's Aqua Clean. For more information, visit www.historicliveoak.com. December 10, 2010, Madison Enterprise-Recorder
Madison County School District Encourages Parents To Try New Success Measures Application Dec. 10, 2010
The Madison County School District is offering a new web resource that will help parents learn of the changes to the courses and exams that will impact their students over the course of the next few years. Dubbed the "Success Measures Pathway," this online tool was created by the Florida Department of Education and is designed to provide parents and students with detailed information on what is being taught and tested in our classrooms. Superintendent Lou Miller stated, "It is important for parents and students to understand the changes that are taking place in state assessments, why these changes are occurring and how they will be impacted by these testing changes. The Success Measures Pathway tool is a resource to help parents research how these changes will affect their student." The Success Measures application will enable users to learn about the Florida standards, also referred to as the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, and the specific exams that will be testing that particular standard. Parents have the option to select information based on the anticipated school year, along with the grade level and the courses in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health or Physical Education. To utilize this new tool, visit the Florida Department of Education website for Success Measures at www.fldoe.org/SuccessMeasures.
Madison County High School Receives "C," Meets Adequate Yearly ProgressDec. 10, 2010
Madison County High School met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and earned a "C" on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) for 2009-2010. MCHS earned 172 points for the overall graduation rate, with 76 points for their graduation at-risk rate. The school earned 86 acceleration participation rates. MCHS scored 66 acceleration performance points. The high school earned 86 readiness reading points and 56 points for math readiness. On the FCAT, MCHS scored 400 points for FCAT component and 553 points for high school components. The weighting percentage of FCAT points to high school points was 50/50. A total of 953 points were earned to give MCHS an overall "C" grade.
Men Of Cherry Lake To Be Featured On CalendarDec. 10, 2010
Some of the men of Cherry Lake will soon be featured on a calendar, appropriately named "The Men of Cherry Lake." All revenues from the calendar will go to benefit the Madison County Central School Playground Fund. MCCS receiving the funds was coordinated through Doug Knight at the school. Dollie Meggs-Premorel, of Pit Stop Concessions and Super Bike Photos, donated the photography for the calendar. Debra Knox conceived the idea for the calendars as a fundraiser for the school. "This calendar signifies the unity and service of our men here in Cherry Lake," stated Knox. "From the young men up and coming, ready to fill the shoes of the previous generations, to the men who lead as businessmen and employ local people. It includes our elected officials who service our community and keep our streets and homes safe, as well as those men who suffer the tumultuous weather conditions to keep our homes lit through all seasons. Additionally, it includes our service men, both young and old, who have offered their lives to our country and keep us free. It includes our hunters who help maintain population control of our wildlife and support our local businesses with the supplies needed to hunt. It includes our diehard agriculture businessmen and our cattlemen continuing the traditional business this country was built upon. And last, but not least, it includes our men who work hard to support our school system by keeping the busses in good running condition and provide our children with safe transportation back and forth to school." The calendars, which will cost $8, will be available at the Cherry Lake General Store and at American Legion Post 224 in Cherry Lake. To pre-order, please call Debra Knox at (850) 929-4325 or the American Legion at (850) 929-2953.
Three MCHS Students Receive Free LaptopsDec. 10, 2010
As part of its partnership with the Able Trust High School/High Tech Program, the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology awarded three highly deserving Madison County High School students with laptops at a ceremony on Tuesday, December 8, at 10 a.m. at the new FAAST offices. The students were Chavario McQuay, Cassandra Newstead and Keishia Billington. The High School/High Tech Program (HS/HT) provides opportunities for students with all types of disabilities to explore exciting careers in science, mathematics, and technology. The program is one of several initiatives of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). Each of the students submitted an application and described how a lack of technology affects their lives and the goals they would be able to meet by having a new laptop – from completing homework assignments more efficiently to applying to college. Additionally, participating teachers will receive a FAAST Access to Go Flash Drive, containing open source software programs for computer accessibility. FAAST works to improve the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities through assistive services and technology. FAAST educates Floridians on assistive services and technology through trainings and outreach activities.
Disaster Loans Available For Madison County Businesses And OrganizationsDec. 10, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Madison County small businesses, agricultural cooperatives and private non-profit organizations are eligible for federal economic injury disaster loans. The loans are being made available because of the drought and excessive heat that began July 1. In addition to Madison County, the loans are also available in Jefferson, Hamilton, Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Leon, Jackson, and Nassau Counties. "These counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one of more primary counties in Georgia. The Small Business Association recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at county or state lines. For that reason, counties adjacent to primary counties named in the declaration are included," said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA'S Field Operations Center East. Skaggs noted that when the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to their crops, the SBA also issues a declaration to assist other entities affected by the disaster. Loan amounts can be issued up to $2,000,0000 at four percent interest for small businesses and three percent for non-profit organizations. Terms are for up to 30 years. Persons interested may call for disaster loan information and application forms at SBA's Customer Service Center, (800) 659-2955 or (800) 877-8339 for the hearing impaired, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. They may also send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or download the applications from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/serv-ices/disasterassistance. Completed applications must be returned to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Victim's Family Gives Impact Statement In Cruce, Thompkins CaseDec. 10, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com On December 6, Leroy Dennett Cruce and Jeanette Elaine Thompkins pled guilty to solicitation to commit murder charges. The victim, Mrs. Nita Cruce was in the courtroom for the sentencing with her brother and sister sitting with her for support. In an impact statement to the court, Juana Williams, sister to Mrs. Cruce, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Cruce, her sons who chose not to be in court and her extended family. The following is an abbreviated version as the full impact statement contained some very personal comments to the defendant. The family expressed to Mr. Cruce that he would never know the pain that he had caused, saying, "We know that God was watching over Nita on Jan. 28th and the weeks leading up to that day and we know that without God's grace that she would not be with us here today. We are here today to make it clear to those present in the courtroom that we are 100 percent sure of your involvement and that you had no intentions prior to being arrested in trying to stop this horrific plot. We have been asked over and over again why the court system would punish this crime with any less intensity than that of a murder case. In a solicitation to murder plot like this, the victim loses their life as they knew it either way. You must know, Dennett, that when confronted with the facts of this case. Nita was in shock as was this whole community. Unpaid IRS debts, loans from neighbors, friends and financial institutions have left her humiliated and broken. It has left her with a financial burden that should not be hers to bear. Without knowing it, she was working two jobs to support two households. The fact that you were a former law enforcement officer, school bus driver and pastor that would so recklessly cast his family aside, has caused members of this community to sit up, and look around at those they place their trust in. The very idea that you would not grant her a simple divorce was the final straw for anyone associated. The financial ruins you have caused Nita will probably never be overcome, but then there comes a much deeper would. The pain that you caused her emotionally and spiritually will take much longer to heal. But, heal she will... because this community recognizes her loss for they too feel cheated and broken by your deceit. She will heal because she is surrounded by a family that loves her beyond all measure and supports her, but more importantly, she is held up by a God that will never fail her." Mr. Cruce and Mrs. Thompkins both received brief prison times, plus ten years probation to include "no contact" with the victim directly or indirectly. The family asked the court to stress this point to both defendants. The family statement also included the following: "We would like to thank the State Attorney's office, Mr. Morphonios and his associates for their consideration and guidance these last eleven months. We are so thankful to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Madison County Sheriff's Office and Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for recognizing there was a threat and for pursing this case. To the Public Defender's office, do not think that yours is a thankless job. Even Mrs. Cruce can appreciate the job that you have had before you. You have served your client well and his children can walk away from this experience and know that their father had someone to help and advise him." The family wishes to thank those that have lifted Nita up in your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for her as she rebuilds her life in this small community.
Light Up Madison Creates Festive MoodDec. 10, 2010By Pat Lightcap
The annual "Light Up Madison" festivities brightened downtown Madison, Florida on Saturday, December 4. Local merchants decorated their display windows and the sidewalks out front. Local dancing groups performed and characters of all kinds could be found posing for photographs and entertaining the people as they walked Range Street. Vendors with a variety of food and hot drinks were a hit on this cool and clear evening celebrating the holidays. The children especially enjoyed the sites and sounds of the Christmas season. This event is sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and downtown businesses.
LATMA Christian Academy Celebrates Seven Years!Dec. 10, 2010By Pat Lightcap
On Saturday, December 11, at 6 p.m., LATMA Christian Academy will celebrate seven successful years! Since its opening in the fall of 2003, LATMA has paved the way for our future leaders. Following the motto "Training Leaders Excellently for His Excellency," LATMA has provided a curriculum that meets and exceeds the Florida Sunshine Standards. Annually, the school has seen an increase in reading scores, test scores, and grade levels in record time. LATMA has graduated 10 students since its beginning, seven of which went on to college, and four were first time graduates from their families! LATMA has participated in the last two Presidential Inaugurations and traveled to many historic sites and cities throughout the country. The school is committed to community service, volunteering in nursing homes and participating in many community events. Whether it is a local or national election, a countywide festival, or just being present in the neighborhoods offering services, you will see LATMA on every hand. Please join LATMA for this Gala event. There will be delicious food, presentations by the students, great entertainment, and a motivational speaker. The event is designed to be the school's largest fundraiser of the year. Tickets are $20.00. One goal of the event is to have 100 ministers present among those attending. Tickets may be purchased in advance from any LCA student or at the door. For more information and to RSVP, please call (850) 973-2359. December 3 & 8, 2010, Madison County Carrier & Enterprise-Recorder
Wife Gives Victim's Impact Statement In Cruce, Thompkins CaseDec. 09, 2010
On December 6, 2010 Leroy Dennett Cruce and Jeanette Elaine Thompkins plead guilty to solicitation to commit murder charges. The victim, Mrs. Nita Cruce was in the courtroom for the sentencing with her brother and sister sitting with her for support. In an impact statement to the court, Juana Williams, sister to Mrs. Cruce, spoke on behalf of Mrs. Cruce, her sons who chose not to be in court and her extended family. The following is an abbreviated version as the full impact statement contained some very personal comments to the defendant. The family expressed to Mr. Cruce that he would never know the pain that he had caused, saying, "We know that God was watching over Nita on Jan. 28th and the weeks leading up to that day and we know that without God's grace that she would not be with us here today. We are here today to make it clear to those present in the courtroom that we are 100 % sure of your involvement and that you had no intentions prior to being arrested in trying to stop this horrific plot. We have been asked over and over again why the court system would punish this crime with any less intensity than that of a murder case. In a "solicitation to murder" plot like this, the victim loses their life as they knew it either way. You must know Dennett that when confronted with the facts of this case Nita was in shock as was this whole community. Unpaid IRS debts, loans from neighbors, friends and financial institutions have left her humiliated and broken. It has left her with a financial burden that should not be hers to bear. Without knowing it, she was working two jobs to support two households. The fact that you were a former law enforcement officer, school bus driver and pastor that would so recklessly cast his family aside, has caused members of this community to sit up, and look around at those they place their trust in. The very idea that you would not grant her a simple divorce was the final straw for anyone associated. The financial ruins you have caused Nita will probably never be overcome but then, there comes a much deeper wound. The pain that you caused her emotionally and spiritually will take much longer to heal. But, heal she will... because this community recognizes her loss for they too feel cheated and broken by your deceit. She will heal because she is surrounded by a family that loves her beyond all measure and supports her, but more importantly, she is held up by a God that will never fail her." Mr. Cruce and Mrs. Thompkins both received brief prison times, plus ten years probation to include "no contact" with the victim directly or indirectly. The family asked the court to stress this point to both defendants. The family statement also included the following: "We would like to thank the State Attorney's office, Mr. Morphonios and his associates for their consideration and guidance these last eleven months. We are so thankful to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,
News Release (December 7, 2010)Dec. 08, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart reports that final judicial procedures on the arrest of Leroy Dennett Cruce and Jeanette Elaine Thompkins for the charge of Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder were completed on Monday the 6th day of December 2010. Cruce and Thompkins were arrested on Wednesday, January the 27th, 2010 after Madison County Sheriff's Office Investigators received information from confidential sources regarding Cruce and Thompkins soliciting to commit a murder. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and the Third Circuit State Attorney's Office assisted the Sheriff's Office in the investigation that led to the arrest. On Monday the 6th day of December 2010, Leroy Dennet Cruce entered a plea of guilty and received forty two (42) months in the Florida Department of Corrections and ten (10) years probation along with 1000 hours of community service, miscellaneous fines to include investigative fees and court cost. Jeanette Elaine Thompkins entered a plea of guilty and received twenty four (24) months in the Florida Department of Corrections and also ten (10) years probation with miscellaneous fines and court cost. Thompkins cooperated and assisted in the prosecution of the case.
William Buford Selman Passes Away At 100Dec. 07, 2010
William Buford Selman, 100, of Madison passed away Saturday, December 4, 2010. Selman lived in Madison since 1930, coming to Madison as a statistician printing cotton sales forecasts for the American Cotton Crop Service. He also worked as a bookkeeper for Van H. Priest, before he and his late wife, Lucile, opened Lucile's Dress Shop, which they operated from 1937-1997. He was a member of the Madison Lions Club for 58 years, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was the oldest living member of the Madison Masonic Lodge, where he had served for 78 years. He was a past Master of the Lodge. He is survived by two sons, Wiley (and his wife, Wanda) Selman, of Seagrove Beach and William Buford "Bill" Selman, Jr., of Gainesville; two daughters, Roberta L. Selman of Midland, Mich., and Mary Ellen Greene (and her husband, Tommy) of Madison; a brother, Gordon Selman (and his wife, Hettie) of Tallahassee; seven grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Lucile G. Selman; daughter, Susan Lee Selman; a grandson, Forest Selman Greene; and a great-grandson, James Noland Greene. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Beggs Funeral Home Chapel in Madison. Burial will follow in Oakridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at Beggs Funeral Home.
Election Controversy RevisitedDec. 03, 2010By Lynette Norris
Greene Publishing, Inc.It was a short County Commissioners' meeting, but the Madison County Road and Public Works Department got two requests approved, meaning they can move ahead with plans for them. The first request was a purchase request for a piece of heavy equipment for lifting and hauling road-building material – a new current model front wheel loader. After all bids were considered, Flint Equipment of Tallahassee, a John Deere Company, came in with the low bid of $150,000. The second item, for the Solid Waste Department, involved bids for loading, hauling and grading fill dirt for the Live Oak Bottom Collection Site. The low bid of $16,000 came from Pioneer Excavation, owned by Paul Kinsley. Also, earlier in the meeting, the Commission addressed the ongoing controversy of Henderson vs. Williams. Ricky Henderson contested the election results for Madison County School Board District One, filing a suit against Supervisor of Elections Jada Williams. The Commissioners approved a letter asking Young, Van Assenderp, P.A., to represent the Canvassing Board. Marianne Green, a member of the public present at the meeting, expressed concern that a county with Madison's tight budget should have to foot the bill for the ensuing costs; however, since not all parties had yet been served with papers at the time of the meeting, the commissioners could only say that any citizen had a right to file such a lawsuit, and could not comment much further when she asked if the cost could be shifted to Henderson if his suit failed.
Two Injured In WreckDec. 03, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.A two-vehicle accident on Monday, Nov. 29, ended with two people injured and taken to the local hospital. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Matthew O. Miller, 19, of Orlando was driving westbound in a 2000 Dodge coupe and Joy D. Kentish of Brandon was driving westbound in a 2003 Honda SUV. Both drivers were in the left lane. Miller approached the rear of Kentish's Honda and failed to observe that Kentish was traveling at a slower rate of speed than he was. The front of Miller's Dodge collided with the rear of Kentish's Honda. Kentish veered to the right and traveled onto the right shoulder, entering a wooded area and colliding with several trees. Kentish's Honda overturned onto its left side and came to a final rest. Miller's Dodge came to a final rest on the right shoulder. Units from the Madison County Sheriff's Office, Madison County EMS and Greenville Volunteer Fire Department all assisted at the scene. Kentish and her passenger, Julia Clemons, 19, of Tallahassee, were taken to the hospital by Madison County EMS, where they were treated for minor injuries. Miller was not injured in the wreck. FHP Trooper Berry Crews was the investigating officer.
Withlacoochee River At Record LowDec. 03, 2010By Pat Lightcap
The automated water level gage at the Withlacoochee River, south of Pinetta, recorded a record low for the river on November 29, at 9 a.m. The previous record low was established on August 8, 1955, when the river was at 53.48 feet. The new low recorded today was 53.40 feet. The same gage recorded a record high of 88.51 feet on April 8, 2009, during the deadly flooding that Madison County experienced. Joel Lanier, Senior Service Hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, said that the river flow rate as well as the water level needs to be watched to determine what the river is really doing. With drought conditions developing in southern Georgia and Alabama, the river could drop even more. The river gage readings are available on the National Weather Service Tallahasse website twenty-fours a day.
Four-Vehicle Wreck On I-10Dec. 03, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.Three were charged with careless driving in a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 10, at the 240-mile marker in Greenville on Sunday, Nov. 28. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, John Berendsen, 68, of Bay St. Louis, Miss., was traveling west on Interstate 10 in the inside lane, driving a 2003 Honda Accord. As Berendsen was traveling west, behind him were Gloria Riverera, 49, of Tallahassee, in a 2010 Mazda; Judith Chavis, 60, of Dothan, Ala., in a 2003 GMC truck; and Kathryn Farah, 18, of Tampa, in a 2001 Grand Am. Berendsen slowed quickly, due to another vehicle changing lanes. When he slowed, the front of Rivera's Mazda collided with the rear of Berendsen's Honda. This set off a chain reaction with the rear of Chavis' GMC truck striking the rear of Rivera's Mazda. The rear of Farah's Grand Am then hit the left rear of Chavis' truck. Farah suffered minor injuries in the wreck. She was taken to Madison County Memorial Hospital by Madison County EMS. The Greenville Volunteer Fire Department, Madison County EMS and the Madison County Sheriff's Office all assisted at the scene. FHP Trooper John Sleigher was the investigating officer.
Cheerleaders Collecting Socks For SeniorsDec. 03, 2010
The Madison County High School cheerleading squads are collecting "Socks for Seniors" at all the home basketball games for the Christmas holiday. The socks will be gift-wrapped and distributed to the area nursing homes just in time for Santa's arrival. Look for diabetic socks and socks for women and men that help improve leg circulation. It's the little things that make a big difference. Tami Brown-Wilson, cheerleading coach, thanks you in advance for your help. Donations may be dropped off to Wilson at the Madison County School Board Office. For more information, please call (850) 973-5022, ext. 243, or (850) 673-6702.
Pinetta Volunteer Fire Department Hosts AuctionDec. 03, 2010By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Pinetta Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting an estate auction. This auction will be held at the Pinetta Community Center and will help towards renovating the center. All proceeds will go to this cause. The auction will begin at 11 a.m. and there will be a preview at 10 a.m. To get to the Community Center, take Colin Kelly Highway to Pinetta. Once you enter the Pinetta city limits, turn right. Go to the stop sign and turn left. The building will be on the right. Hickory Hill Auctions will be helping auction off items. Some of the items being auctioned include tribal and Indian artifacts, currency, jewelry, military, wrought iron and furniture. To see pictures of the auction items, visit www.Hickoryhillauctions.com. All items have been donated from a local estate. Only cash and checks will be accepted and a valid picture ID will be required to register for the auction.
The Importance Of Seatbelt UseDec. 03, 2010By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.For those who aren't aware, that cloth strap in your car is made for more than looks. Seatbelts are vital to any driver's survival in case of an accident. Annually, there are over 130,000 injuries and over 5,000 deaths related to not using a seatbelt. Now, the use of seatbelts is not only encouraged, it is a law. Click It or Ticket is a campaign by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is aimed at young people with hopes of increasing the use of seat belts. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is a minimum of $30. The Florida Highway Patrol's website shares the laws on seat belts: All front seat occupants must buckle up, even if the vehicle is equipped with an air bag. It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Florida unless each passenger of the vehicle under the age of 18 years old is restrained by a safety belt or child restraint device, pursuant to Florida Statute 316.613. It is unlawful for any person 18 years of age or older to be a passenger in the front seat of a motor vehicle unless such person is restrained by a safety belt when the vehicle is in motion. The law applies to all cars, pickup trucks, and vans operated on Florida's roads. The cost to a violator will be a minimum of $30.00 plus $6.00 court costs. All passengers under the age of 18 must use a seat belt while riding anywhere in the vehicle. The Department of Motor Vehicles website explains, "The Florida safety belt laws apply at all times. Regardless if you are on a short trip in your neighborhood or driving hundreds of miles on the turnpike - always wear your seat belt." Shelby Witmer, a senior at Aucilla Christian Academy, and an avid seat belt user, told this reporter, "I wear my seat belt because seat belts protect you and can save your life if you get into a wreck." Desiree James, North Florida Community College Advancement, stated, "I think seatbelts are very important to wear. I've had friends and family that have been seriously injured from accidents and they weren't wearing seatbelts. Seatbelts prevent serious injuries and death." Kim Scarboro, Coordinator of NFCC College Advancement, shared, "I think seatbelts are a wonderful safety feature, but I do not think adults should be required by law to wear them."
25th Annual Greenville Country Christmas Schedule Of EventsDec. 03, 2010
Friday, December 10th • Bake-off Contest Judging - 5:00 p.m. - Senior Citizens Center • Invocation and Announcements - 6:00 p.m. - Haffye Hays Park • Community Caroling and Live Nativity Scene - 6:15 p.m. • Tree Lighting Ceremony - 6:45 p.m. • Refreshments and Slideshow - 7:00 p.m. - Senior Citizens Center Saturday, December 11th • Arts and Crafts - 9:00 a.m. • Opening Ceremony - 10:00 a.m. • Opening Prayer, National Anthem, Flag Salute, Recognize past Grand Marshals. • Parade - 11:00 a.m. • Announcements - 12:30 p.m. - 2010 Bake-off Contest and Gingerbread House Winners • Door Prizes - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. • The Andrews Family Band - 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. • Cake Auction - 2:00 p.m. • The Fried Turkeys - 2:30-4:00 p.m. • Greenville High School Reunion - 6:00 p.m. • All Classes of GHS - Greenville Baptist Fellowship Hall.
Local Women Open Base Street Barber Cuts And SalonDec. 03, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Janice Lookabill and Liz Haskell Clark have opened Base Street Barber Cuts and Salon, located just inside across from Searcy Realty and inside the same building that houses the New York Life Insurance (Mike Williams, agent) office in Madison. Both women worked at Roebuck's Barber and Beauty Shop, and when the owners decided to sell the building, Janice and Liz decided to rent space for their own shop. Janice has 28 years experience in the haircutting business and Liz is a newcomer to the field, graduating from cosmetology school in April. Both women do all kinds of cuts, including cuts, colors and perms. They also do children's cuts and men's haircuts. They will do any age and all styles of cuts. Janice is married to Marty Lookabill. They have one daughter, Monica, "and my wonderful grandson, Landon," Janice boasts of her grandchild, whom she is very proud of. Janice is the daughter of the late Al and Maxine LaValley. Liz is divorced and has three children, Tyler Barstow, Alexa Clark and Dexter Clark. She is the daughter of Bobby and Becky Haskell of Madison and the sister of Deputy Doug Haskell. Liz is dating Robbie Kaman, of Perry. "Walk-ins are very welcome," both Liz and Janice emphasized. Base Street Barber Cuts is open six days a week. If you wish, you can make an appointment by calling (850) 973-2200. December 1, 2010, Madison County Carrier
Greene Publishing, Inc. Employee Arrested For Grand TheftDec. 01, 2010
Madison County Sheriff Benjamin Stewart reports that on Tuesday, November 23, the Madison County Sheriff's Office received a complaint involving an employee taking money from an employer. Madison County Sheriff's Office Investigator Sharon Shadrick was assigned to conduct an investigation at Greene Publishing. The investigation concerned a certain employee taking money from another employee. The owner assisted the investigation with providing money to be marked and used in an undercover capacity. The employee, Laura Cook Little, did take the money from the purse of another employee. Investigator Shadrick recovered the taken money from Laura Cook Little's billfold inside her purse and further confirmed that is was in fact the marked currency utilized during the operation. Laura Cook Little, 34, was arrested and charged with grand theft and transported to the Madison County Jail without further incident.
Man Charged After Hitting Child BicyclistDec. 01, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com A child on a bicycle was injured when a driver, who was charged with driving under the influence (DUI), hit him on Thanksgiving night at approximately 6:15 p.m. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Roger P. Gaines, 45, of Madison was northbound on SE Ammons Avenue in a 1987 Ford. At the same time, Rashad B. Walker, 9, of Madison, was southbound on SE Ammons Avenue on a 2009 Quest bicycle. Gaines was driving on the wrong side of the road and was driving without lights. Walker swerved to miss the oncoming car, but couldn't and was struck by the Gaines' car. Gaines left the scene. Madison County Sheriff's Sgt. Dennis Pitts and Deputy Joey Knight assisted in the investigation and in locating the hit and run driver. Walker suffered minor injuries in the hit and run and was treated at the scene. Gaines was charged with DUI, leaving the scene of a crash, driving with a suspended license and careless driving. FHP Trooper Tom Roderick was the investigating officer.
B.F. Killingsworth Passes AwayDec. 01, 2010
Mr. Benjamin "B.F." Killinsgworth went to be with the lord early Monday morning at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Georgia. He was born on November 12, 1933 in Madison County, where he grew up and raised his family. He was employed at Madison Metal Plant. After retirement he was employed as a security guard at N.F.C.C from 1995-2008. B.F. was an active member at First United Methodist Church. He was the president of the Madison Gator Club. He also was an active member of the Madison Masonic Lodge #11, Madison County Shrine Club, and Sheriff Auxiliary from 1975-2002. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Geraldine Arnold Killingsworth of Madison; one daughter Cathy Killingsworth Turner ( Troy) of Pinetta; one son Benjamin F. Killingsworth II ( Christy) of Madison; one brother C.W. Killingsworth (Marion) of San Diego, California; and one sister Thelma Grant of Valdosta, Georgia. Additionally he leaves five grandchildren; Stefanie Ragans (Jamie) and Brooke Turner of Pinetta, Florida and Ashley, Taylor and Trey Killingsworth of Madison, Florida; all of whom he loved dearly. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 1, 2010 from 6-8 p.m. at Beggs Funeral Home in Madison. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 11:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Madison, Florida. Graveside will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, American Cancer Society or an organization of your choice.
Two Injured In Pickup vs. Pickup CrashDec. 01, 2010By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
jacob@greenepublishing.com Two people were injured in a wreck on Highway 90 near Pafford Hill between Madison and Lee on Friday, Nov. 26. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Amber Vickers, 20, of Cadiz, Ky., was traveling west on US Highway 90. At the same time, Maud Hodge, 50, of Lee, was traveling east on Highway 90. Vickers traveled across standing water in the road and her 1997 Ford truck rotated one-quarter of a turn in a counterclockwise direction. Vickers traveled southwest into the eastbound lane and the right side of the 1997 Ford collided with the front of Hodge's 1993 Ford truck. Vickers' truck rotated one-half of a turn in a clockwise direction and traveled south onto the grassy south shoulder Vickers' truck came to a final rest on the south shoulder facing north. Hodge's truck came to rest at the point of impact facing east. Vickers suffered minor injuries in the wreck and was transported to South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga. Hodge suffered minor injuries in the wreck. She was treated at the scene. FHP Trooper John Sleigher was the investigating officer.
Fraudulent Notification Deceives Consumers Out of Thousands of DollarsDec. 01, 2010
The IC3 continues to receive reports of letters and e-mails being distributed pursuant to prize sweepstakes or lottery schemes. These schemes use counterfeit checks that bear legitimate-looking logos of various financial institutions to fool victims into sending money to the fraudsters. Fraudsters tell victims they won a sweepstakes or lottery, but to receive a lump sum payout, they must pay the taxes and processing fees upfront. Fraudsters direct individuals to call a telephone number to initiate a letter of instructions. The letter alleges that the victim may elect to take an advance on the winnings to make the required upfront payment. The letter includes a check in the amount of the alleged taxes and fees, along with processing instructions. Ultimately, victims believe they are using the advance to make the required upfront payment, but in reality they are falling prey to the scheme. The victim deposits the check into their own bank, which credits the account for the amount of the check before the check clears. The victim immediately withdraws the money and wires it to the fraudsters. Afterwards, the check proves to be counterfeit and the bank pulls the respective funds from the victim's account, leaving the victim liable for the amount of the counterfeit check plus any additional fees the bank may charge. Persons may fall victim to this scheme due to the allure of easy money and the apparent legitimacy of the check the fraudsters include in the letter of instruction. The alleged cash prizes and locations of the financial institutions vary. Tips to avoid being scammed: A federal statute prohibits mailing lottery tickets, advertisements, or payments to purchase tickets in a foreign lottery. Be leery if you do not remember entering a lottery or sweepstakes. Beware of lotteries or sweepstakes that charge a fee prior to delivering your prize. Be wary of demands to send additional money as a requirement to be eligible for future winnings. If you have been a victim of this type of scam or any other cyber crime, you can report it to the IC3 at www.IC3.gov. The IC3 complaint database links complaints for potential referral to law enforcement for case consideration. Complaint information is also used to identify emerging trends and patterns to alert the public to new criminal schemes.
District 3 Annual Meeting At Local Woman's Club Dec. 01, 2010
The District 3 Annual meeting was held at the GFWC Madison Woman's Club on Oct. 23. Special guests attending the meeting were GFWC President-Elect Pat Zazzarino, GFWC Director of Jr. Clubs Jolie Frankfurth, and representatives from other clubs in District 3. The clubhouse was beautifully decorated with autumn flowers, leaves, mums and pumpkins. A delicious meal catered by Divine Events was enjoyed by all. Along with the Annual Meeting, Pat Zazzarino and Jolie Frankfurth conducted a mini L.E.A.D.S. workshops. Leadership, Eucation and Development Seminars are designed to inspire and provide club members with the knowledge, confidence, capability and commitment to become better leaders. Pat and Jolie, made a power point presentation using a cowgirl theme making this a fun time as well as an educational exercise. This meeting was enjoyed by 40 members of District 3 Clubs and many went home with door prizes of mums and other Fall flowers. It was a day of fun, food, education and fellowship enjoyed by all.
District 3 Annual Meeting At Local Woman's Club Dec. 01, 2010
The District 3 Annual meeting was held at the GFWC Madison Woman's Club on Oct. 23. Special guests attending the meeting were GFWC President-Elect Pat Zazzarino, GFWC Director of Jr. Clubs Jolie Frankfurth, and representatives from other clubs in District 3. The clubhouse was beautifully decorated with autumn flowers, leaves, mums and pumpkins. A delicious meal catered by Divine Events was enjoyed by all. Along with the Annual Meeting, Pat Zazzarino and Jolie Frankfurth conducted a mini L.E.A.D.S. workshops. Leadership, Eucation and Development Seminars are designed to inspire and provide club members with the knowledge, confidence, capability and commitment to become better leaders. Pat and Jolie, made a power point presentation using a cowgirl theme making this a fun time as well as an educational exercise. This meeting was enjoyed by 40 members of District 3 Clubs and many went home with door prizes of mums and other Fall flowers. It was a day of fun, food, education and fellowship enjoyed by all. |
