By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Three Madison County High School underclassmen were arrested on felony counts after confessing to planting notes on campus, which caused the school to go into lockdown on Friday, February 15.
   The three students have been identified as Nicholas Edward Leslein, 17; Jessica Mae Noe, 16; and Rey Anna McGuire, 15.
   The notes, which were found in several locations around the school, indicated that there would be a shooting that would take place during sixth period.
   Noe and Leslein were charged with written threats and conspiracy to write threats, which are both felonies.
   McGuire was charged with conspiracy to write threats.
   All three of the students were charged with disruption of a school function, which is a misdemeanor.
   According to School Resource Officer Sgt. Charlie Dickey, after discussion and encouragement among the three students, they decided to go through with the plan.
   Dickey said that through interviews with students on campus and with the aide of the school’s security surveillance video, they found enough cause to arrest the three.
   All three students were arrested and booked. They were released to their parents due to not having enough points to be jailed at the time.
   Law officers informed students and parents at that time that they had been suspended from school by the administration. They were instructed not to return until they contact the administrators. The suspension is for 10 days, plus expulsion has been recommended.
   Killingsworth and the administration were interviewing the parents of the students, who were arrested. He also indicated that parents of students, who were suspended for having weapons their cars, were also being interviewed.
   Killingsworth said that all parents and students have the right to appeal any decision to the School Board.

Law Looks For Truck Involved In Hit And Run

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The Live Oak Police Department is asking for help in locating a white Ford F250 with dark-tinted windows and a dent in the left front side.
   The truck was reportedly involved in an accident, where its driver hit a small girl in Live Oak on Monday, February 18. The accident took place at 11:50 a.m. that morning at the intersection of Piedmont Street and Union Avenue. The girl was approaching the intersection and went out into the street ahead of the truck.
   The girl had to have surgery on her leg and she had a concussion. She was unconscious for approximately two days.
   Witnesses to the accident reported that the truck was driven by a male driver. No other physical description was given.
   If you have any information on the accident, please call the Live Oak Police Department at (386) 362-7463 or call the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 973-4001. Any information on the truck and driver and their location is appreciated.

Flu Season Strikes Madison

By Tyrra B Meserve
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   All around Madison the sounds of coughs, sniffles and sneezes can be heard heralding in the flu season. Babies with drippy noses are being strolled down grocery store aisles by mommies with scratchy eyes and throats. Daycares and classrooms are turning into breeding pools of virus mutations, passed on toys by little hands that were taught to share. Doctors’ office waiting rooms are filling up with people who want the flu shot or want to know why the one they had isn’t working. Happily multiplying, the flu marches on, with not so much as a passing glance back at the snuffling sufferers it has left in its wake. Constantly changing, each new year brings new challenges for finding a way to beat the bug.
   The influenza virus, or more commonly called the flu, has two main types. It is these two main types, Type A and B, and their sub-types that circulate each year, causing illness. Peak flu season falls between November and April, where each year, all across the U.S., as many as 60 million people come down with the flu. Although children are more prone to it, any age group can catch the flu virus.
   The flu virus is extremely contagious`. Passed from one person to another through the air by sneezing, coughing, or speaking, it can also be spread by touching objects an infected person has touched. A person carrying the flu virus is contagious from 1 day before to 5 days after symptoms appear, meaning the virus can be passed before an individual realizes they are ill. Flu epidemics are often started in schools, moving quickly throughout the community as children then spread the virus to parents and family members, who in turn give it to the people around them. A bad outbreak can mean as many as 20 to 50 percent of the people in any given area become ill.
   Flu symptoms include headache, fever, chills, muscle aches, dry coughing, and congestion. The fever and achiness usually disappears within 2 to 3 days, however the stuffy nose, sore throat, cough and fatigue can last up to a week or more. Though the flu does sometimes include abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, if these symptoms are present without any other flu symptoms, most likely the individual is suffering from gastroenteritis.
   Because the influenza virus mutates yearly and undergoes a major change every ten years, recipes for new vaccines are being reformulated each year as well. Normally from 70 to 90 percent effective, in some cases the flu vaccine for a particular year is ineffective against certain strains. Each year the flu infects up to 20 percent of the population, hospitalizes 200,000 and causes death in 36,000. Finding vaccine components that will be a good match to the viruses circulating is a challenge for the nation’s influenza experts, who try to predict which strains will be the most damaging each year.
   It is recommended that the vulnerable to get vaccinated early on to hopefully prevent serious outbreaks. For children between 6 to 59 months of age, persons 50 and over and anyone with medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease or sickle cell, doctors recommend getting the flu shot as soon as possible.
   “We are still offering  flu shots,” said Nicki Macarages, Interview Specialist at the Madison County Health Clinic “ We highly suggest them. People can come in Monday through Friday, anytime from 8a.m. to 10a.m. or 1p.m. to 3:30p.m.”
   If already suffering from the flu, the best care a body can get is lots of bed-rest. Clear liquids, especially water, helps the body flush its system of impurities and also help keep the body hydrated. Staying home and getting some rest can speed the body’s ability to recuperate. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with certain symptoms, however aspirin or any products containing aspirin should be avoided, particularly with small children as it has been shown to put young people at a greater risk of developing Reye syndrome.
   If it is the flu being passed around the household, a call to the doctor probably isn’t necessary unless complications develop or the sufferer already has a preexisting medical condition. To avoid getting sick altogether, these simple practices can serve well on the fight to stay well. Wash hands frequently, avoid sharing cups, utensils and other eating implements, and do not use other people towels. When sneezing or coughing, use a tissue or a shirtsleeve if nothing else is available. When sneezing. always cover the mouth with cloth as it catches the germs. Discard any tissues immediately and once again wash hands with hot, soapy water. A quick clean of doorknobs, telephones and handles will also but a dent in the flu bugs progression.
   With all the sniffs and snuffs out there, it pays to take a little extra caution when coming in contact with the public.  Some simple flu preventing practices could end up being what stands between Madison County and 2008’s big bad bug.
   Staff writer Tyrra B Meserve can be reached at tyrra@greenepublishing.com.

Paul Pitts To Perform In Madison

By Tyrra B Meserve
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Paul Pitts, oft called the “Pavarotti of Christian music” will be visiting Madison to perform a concert at the Church of the Nazarene on March 2, at 7:30 p.m. A reknowned singer who is passionate in his faith, Pitts is expected to sing his personal favorite “Jesus Loves Me.” Using his voice to reach out to others, Pitts has traveled the world spreading the message of his love of Jesus Christ.
   Only four years old when he first started singing, Pitts was very young when he first realized that Jesus loved him. He started to sing in church and then began to sing professionally when he was just 17. Performing in over 5,000 concerts he has reached people around the globe by lifting souls with tenor.
   “My message is a message of comfort,” Pitts said “The people that I reach out to are sick, or have lost loved ones, or are dealing with bitterness in their life, people that hurt. That’s what God has laid upon my heart and he has given me hat purpose.”
   As Pitts’ engaging voice stretches to more of his fellow man, the stronger his calling becomes. With his career taking off, he has now had his third callback with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and has been asked to sing at the Vatican.
   “That’s the whole purpose of my life,” says Pitts “That’s why I live and breathe. If you can make a difference in somebody’s life, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
   Staff writer Tyrra B Meserve can be reached at tyrra@greenepublishing.com.