By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   A Madison woman was seriously injured in an accident with a phantom vehicle on Saturday, January 26, on Highway 145.
   According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Jannie L. Hodge, 32, of Madison, was traveling southbound on State Road 145 and had entered a curve in the roadway. According to the driver and witnesses, the car was traveling northbound in the southbound lane or had stopped on the west grass shoulder, pointing to the north with the headlights on.
   The headlights of the phantom vehicle caused a glare and Hodge took evasive action to prevent a head-on collision with the car and steered her 1993 Ford Ranger pickup to the left.
   The Ranger traveled onto the east grass shoulder, rotated in a counterclockwise direction and collided with its right side into a wooden telephone pole and a small group of trees.
   Hodge was transported to the hospital by Madison County EMS.
   Units from the Madison Fire Department and Madison County Sheriff’s Office also assisted on the scene.
   FHP Trooper Berry Crews was the investigating officer.

Newspaper Bandit Busted

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   According to Madison Police Department reports, Gregory Cecil Player, 44, of Madison, was charged with felony grand theft, having stolen, robbed and discarded a Tallahassee Democrat newspaper box he picked up from the Winn-Dixie Plaza.  Player was actually in the process of doing the same to a Madison Enterprise Recorder newspaper box at the CVS Pharmacy located on US 90 when MPD Sgt. William Greene spotted and apprehended him.
   A newspaper route driver from the Democrat initially called MPD regarding the Winn-Dixie theft.  Arriving to stock her morning papers early on January 30, Betty Green saw the newspaper box was missing. 
At 2:22 a.m., Greene responded to the call and was en route to Winn-Dixie when he adeptly observed Player attempting the second theft, seeing Player trying to pry open the Enterprise Recorder newspaper box at the CVS.  Player attempted to flee, but was immediately apprehended by Greene who found the tire tool Player had just been using to perpetrate the theft.
   Madison County Sheriff Deputy Sgt. David Harper and Deputy Tim Nagy assisted the investigation, finding the destroyed Democrat newspaper box in a nearby industrial park.  MPD Investigator, Ben Ebberson, picked up the investigation and began plaster casting to match tire tracks from Player’s vehicle.  The felony grand theft resulted from the destruction of the newspaper boxes valued at $700, as only $3.50 was taken from the newspaper boxes themselves, which are collected regularly.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

JAKES Event Great Fun For Kids

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The JAKES division of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is holding its very popular annual get-together on February 2 at the home of Wally and Vonnie Davis. “If you are 17 years old or younger and you like hunting, fishing, hiking, camping or just being outside with your family, JAKES is the program for you.”
   There is no charge for the event and lunch will be provided.  Solo Archery of Valdosta, Ga. will be giving an awesome demonstration.  There will be BB guns, rifles and shotguns available for target practice, including clay pigeons, also at no charge. 
   One of the highlights from previous JAKES events, the incredible tracking dogs of the Gaming Commission, are scheduled to perform as well.  JAKES day will be located at 5757 Rocky Ford Road, approximately six miles north of Madison, and will run from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  Please call Wally Davis at (850) 973-6260 or (850) 673-6630 for additional details, although no reservation is required.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached by email at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Sirmans VFD Receives $199,500 From FEMA

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded a $199,500 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to the Sirmans Volunteer Fire Department Inc.  According to President George Blevins, who heads the corporation, under which the fire department operates, and is also assistant to Chief Patrick Hodges, the money will be used to buy a much needed tanker truck. 
   There are a variety of challenges facing rural volunteer fire departments.  One is money and, surprising to some, the other is water.  “This tanker truck will allow us to get water into fires that might be otherwise unavailable, or at least not in sufficient quantities,” Blevins noted, who was chiefly responsible for acquiring the grant.
   FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison explains, “The Assistance to Firefighters Grants program has been instrumental in building capacity and providing needed resources for our nation’s firefighters.  From the purchase of equipment to first responder training, the AFG program has helped improve response capabilities and saved lives and property in communities throughout the United States.”  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Madison Votes No But Tax Cut Still Passes State

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Florida’s northern rural counties, including Madison, as well as Leon County, decidedly voted “No” to the Property Tax Amendment on January 29.  But the vastly more populace central, southern and coastal counties voted an overwhelming “Yes” to the legislation, which consequently passed with a 64 percent approval.
   Madison County Property Appraiser, Leigh Barfield confirmed the state results.  She and her staff have been committed to ensuring voters understood the details and effects of the legislation.  To that end, Barfield made numerous presentations to civic organizations over the past month.  “We just wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to ask questions and understood the tax amendment,” Barfield often noted.
   Madison County also had a few disparities regarding Presidential preferences as well.  The most popular candidates for Madison County were Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.  For the state as a whole, Republican John McCain still carried the lead with 36 percent of the vote but the state’s Democratic nomination went to Hillary Clinton. 
            “We had a comparatively good voter turnout at 38 percent, although we may have lost some voters to the confusion regarding how Democratic delegate votes were being handled at their national convention.  Our office received numerous calls from registered Democrats asking if their vote counted.  All in all though, we’re pleased with voter participation,” Supervisor of Elections, Jada Williams, explained.  “I also want to thank all the volunteers that worked at the polling places, and especially my great staff,” she added.
            Williams’ reference to the Democratic delegate votes came from a recent statement by the Democratic National Committee stating their “plans to penalize Florida Democrats for holding an early primary by stripping the state party of all its delegates to the national convention.”  This action caused considerable confusion as voters confused delegates with electors, the latter being the group that executes the vote for President.  All voters are reminded that the electoral process has not been interrupted at all.
            By the numbers, Madison County has 11,860 registered voters.  4,523 voted.  Of those that voted, 3,438 were registered as Democrats and 851 as Republicans.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.