By Jessica Higginbotham
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Hilary Kathryn Allen was arrested on October 24 after using a stolen credit card number to commit fraud. 
   Corporal Josh Harris contacted Allen in reference to fraudulent use of credit cards and grand theft.  In his report, Harris stated that Allen did unlawfully and with intent to defraud use a credit card obtained or retained in violation of the State Credit Card Crime Act. 
   Harris also stated that Allen used the card to obtain money, goods, or services equal to $596.07.  The credit card was used three or more times in six months.
-- Allen was arrested for fraudulent use of credit cards and grand theft.  She was transported to the county jail.

Taking Care Of A Precious Resource

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Ranking the importance of resources from highest to lowest, arguably water, both in its availability and quality, is right at the top of the list.  For those not thinking about it, everyone should be reminded that the drought is still at hand.  In fact, over the last six months, at least three residential wells have gone dry in the area.
   “The water table is down, but I wouldn’t want people to worry.  It’s a very cyclical process.  But drought conditions still exist, so we do continue to urge conservation,” explained Jon Dinges, Director of Resource Management, Suwannee River Water Management District. 
---“There are groundwater monitoring wells throughout the district, including Madison, where we check water levels and quality.  Regarding these hydrologic conditions in September, three wells measured at historic lows, but again we believe it will definitely reverse,” Dinges added.  “The Floridan Aquifer is the main source of well water, and is a resource we must protect,” he went on to say.
---Local plumbing contractor, Carlton Burnette, agrees.  “I wouldn’t say there’s a crisis, but water levels are definitely down.  My plumbing work sometimes includes parts of the well, and I’ve gotten calls about dry wells.  There aren’t very many, but I haven’t seen this much before,” Burnette said.
---Tina Gaylord, from Gaylord Pump and Irrigation, shed additional light on the subject.  “All the reports we’re getting on dry wells are two-inch wells.  These wells have the pump above ground and are drilled shallower than four-inch wells,” she noted.
-- The Department of Environmental Protection governs the treatment and distribution of community water, however when it comes to residential wells, no public monitoring is conducted. 

Catholic Church Hosting Fundraiser For Newborns

    St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Madison and St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Monticello will be hosting a fundraiser for A Safe Haven For Newborns on the Madison courthouse lawn on Friday, November 2. They would like to invite the Christian Community to help make this endeavor a success.
   The Knights of Columbus will be cooking their delicious grilled chicken leg quarters, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert, and tea. The price will be $6.00.
   All proceeds will be given to A Safe Haven for Newborns, whose mission is to assist in saving the precious lives of newborns in danger of abandonment and to help preserve the health of their mothers and future of their mothers and fathers and to eliminate infant abandonment in Florida thru education, prevention and community involvement and to assist pregnant girls/women to realize a productive future. So far, 84 babies in Florida have been saved since the year 2000!
-- In addition to the dinner, raffle tickets are being sold for a $300 Visa gift card, and also for 2 afghans--just in time for the holidays. Tickets for the raffle are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. To purchase these, contact the church rectory.

Man Arrested For Carrying A Concealed Firearm

By Jessica Higginbotham
Greene Publishing, Inc. 
   According to the Madison Police Department, Michael Maurice Robinson was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on October 31. 
   Patrolman Joseph Agner stated that he was running moving radar when he clocked a white Chevrolet caprice traveling at 46 miles per hour in a 30 miles per house speed zone. 
   Agner conducted a routine traffic stop, and made contact with the driver of the vehicle.  While he was writing a citation, Deputy Mike Maurice responded in assistance.  Maurice asked for consent to search Robinson’s vehicle. 
   Agner asked Robinson twice if he had any weapons in the vehicle, and was told no, twice.  During the search, Dep. Maurice located a .32 Smith and Wesson revolver out of its case under the driver’s seat of the car.
   Robinson was arrested and transported to the county jail.

Madison Couple To Have Part In Production Of HBO Movie

---HBO will begin shooting Recount this weekend in Tallahassee and at least two Madison people will have part in the production.
    Randy Howe, who works at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee, will be on hand to help with maintenance for the film. Randy's wife, Jessi, is scheduled to be one of the extras in this weekend's shooting.
Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey (American Beauty, The Usual Suspects) leads the cast of HBO Films' Recount, a Spring Creek/Mirage production in association with Trigger Street Productions and Everyman Pictures.  Emmy winner Paula Weinstein (HBO's Truman), Oscar winner Sydney Pollack (Out of Africa), HBO Films senior vice president Len Amato (Blood Diamond) and Jay Roach (the "Austin Powers" films) executive produce.  Directed by Roach from a script by Danny Strong, the film revisits the 2000 election turmoil in Florida, one of the most dramatic events in U.S. history.  Bob Balaban (For Your Consideration), Ed Begley, Jr. (Living with Ed), Laura Dern (Inland Empire), John Hurt (The Elephant Man), Denis Leary (Rescue Me) and Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton) also star.
   Recount is currently in production, with filming taking place in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, and will debut on HBO in 2008.
   The film follows the Florida recount from Election Day in November 2000 through the Supreme Court's ruling in favor of George W. Bush over Al Gore five weeks later.  Recount pulls back the veil on the headlines and explores the human drama of characters involved in events that would determine the leadership of the country.
   Spacey portrays Ron Klain, Vice President Al Gore's chief of staff.  Balaban portrays Ben Ginsberg, lead attorney to the Bush-Cheney campaign in the 2000 election. Begley portrays attorney David Boies, who represented the Gore campaign before the Supreme Court.  Dern portrays Katherine Harris, Secretary of State of Florida.  Hurt plays Warren Christopher, Secretary of State to President Bill Clinton.  Leary plays Michael Whouley, a Democratic pollster.  Tom Wilkinson portrays James Baker III, who was previously Secretary of State to President George H. W. Bush.