By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
---A seizure caused a traffic accident and a Dodge Charger and a Jeep Liberty to be damaged in an accident on Interstate 10 on Thursday, January 17.
---According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Donald B. Harrell, 28, of Jacksonville, was traveling east on I-10 in the Jeep in the inside lane, as Ryan E. McDonald, 23, of Jackson, Wyoming, was traveling east in the outside lane.
Both vehicles were approaching the 253-mile marker at approximately 1 p.m.
Harrell had a seizure while driving and blacked out.
---The right front of Harrell's Jeep collided with the left rear of the Charger.
Harrell's vehicle then traveled onto the south shoulder and came to rest in the grass, facing east.
---McDonald's vehicle traveled onto the south shoulder, traveling southeast.
The front of the Charger then collided with the barrier fence and continued through the fence and continued traveling southeast. The front of it then hit a tree. It came to a final rest, facing east.
---Harrell was treated for minor injuries at Shands of Live Oak.
---McDonald, nor any of his passengers, Secpral Mercado, 18, of Houston, Texas; Zaiveon Holland, 1, of Houston, Texas; and Imoir Bias, 1, of Houston, Texas, were injured in the wreck.
---FHP Trooper John Sleigher was the investigating officer.

Burglaries On The Rise In Madison

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   A rash of burglaries hit the City of Madison last week.
   The first burglary was reported on Wednesday, January 16.
   According to a report by Sgt. Jimbo Roebuck, he investigated a burglary and grand theft at the Joy Food Store, on 472 West Base Street.
   When Roebuck entered, he checked the inside of the store and did not observe anyone there, but he did see an asphalt rock lying inside the store.
   Roebuck processed the scene, which included a shattered window.
   The second burglary, reported January 17, happened at the Pure Gas Station, located at 296 East Base Street.
   Upon Officer Tiffany Travis’s arrival, she observed that the glass on the front door had been broken.
   No suspect was found at the scene.
   The owner of the store was presented and was able to identify all of the missing items.
   The third burglary occurred Friday night, January 18.
   Officers were dispatched to the business annex at the hospital. Upon their arrival, they discovered that the burglar had removed the windowpanes from the bathroom window to gain access. Once inside, the burglar had apparently rifled through drawers and knocked papers on the desks onto the floor.
   Two employees who arrived on the scene looked at everything and could not determine if anything was missing.
   Sgt. William Greene processed the scene.
   If you have any information on these burglaries, please call the Madison Police Department at 973-5077.

Sexual Predator, High Risk Sexual Offender Register

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Two sex offenders, including a high-risk offender who has just been released from prison, have registered with new addresses in Madison County.
   Thomas J. Griffin registered with an address at 15342 US Highway 19 North, IN Lamont.
   Griffin is a white male, who stands 6’2” tall and weighs 262 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. His date of birth is May 12, 1961.
   Griffin registered as an offender on January 16.
   Griffin’s qualifying offenses are two counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 16 and sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12.
   Griffin’s identifying marks include a scar on his right leg, two scars on his right kneee, a tattoo on his right arm, a rebel flag with skuls, bones and a cross and a tattoo of a hat at the bottom of the flag.
   Randell D. Scott, Jr. registered with a new address as a sexual predator. His new address is 3762 SW Jim Clark Road in Madison.
   Scott is a white male, whose date of birth is May 18, 1979. He stands 6’ tall and weighs 240 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes.
   Scott’s identifying marks include a tattoo on his left arm of a cross, a tattoo on his left leg of the word “Suicide” and a scar on his head.
   Scott’s qualifying offense is sexual battery by an adult on a victim under 12 years old.

Early Voting Picks Up

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Early voting in Madison County began January 14 and ends January 26.  According to Supervisor of Elections, Jada Williams, between 1600 and 2000 voters are expected to vote early.
   Hours for early voting are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.  Weekend hours for Saturday, January 19 are 8 a.m. until 12 noon and Sunday, January 20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Saturday, January 26 will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.  The location for early voting is the Supervisor of Elections' office in the County Annex Building, 229 SW Pinckney Street, Madison.
   Williams also wants to remind all voters that they are required to show photo identification prior to voting or to vote a provisional ballot. 
“We’re so pleased with the steady increase in voter registration and early voting.  The January 29 vote is so important to all residents and we just want to remind everyone to call the office or come by if they have any questions so we can help them immediately,” explained Williams.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

New Series To Examine Status Of Madison Schools

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Between testing and reporting, not to mention the demanding day-to-day, Madison County school leadership is often being told what is wrong quicker than resources can be amassed to make it right.  At best, these standardized reports are perceived as general measuring rods where the low end of the stick is especially problematical because elements get lumped together. 
   The bottom line is that there is a prevailing sentiment that state reports simply restate the obvious and do little for forming a foundation on which to build a strategic plan for change.
   For instance, among these challenges, success stories do consistently emerge.  Academic and athletic victories are achieved with mentors and protégés rising to the top.  So in an effort to bring these pieces together, to hopefully make the dry reports more practical and the success stories more easily duplicated, the Madison Carrier is pleased to offer a three-part series, “The Status of Madison Schools.”
Divided into the three school levels; elementary, middle and high, the series will give readers a look behind the curtain, as well as to be introduced to some local heroes working tirelessly to make a difference. 
   Therefore, in preparation for the series, everyone is urged to contact Staff Writer Michael Curtis at (850) 973-4141 to offer any names or issues that one feels should be included or investigated.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Town Meeting To Be Held February 19

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   On February 19, a town meeting is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Madison County High School cafeteria.  The purpose of the meeting is to give residents of the county the opportunity to exercise their central role in county planning.  There are several strategic planning guides that have been generated from previous community involvement, one being “Vision 2010.”  There are also elements of the process that have an association to the county’s “Comprehensive Plan.” 
   Vision 2010 began approximately ten years ago as a grass roots organization of concerned citizens working toward the development of Madison County.  Now, ten years later, the process has been refined and is due to be reviewed.  New views will be heard and incorporated and then a new guide issued.  The new guide is appropriately named,  “Vision 2020.” 
   As far as the Comprehensive Plan, according to the Planning and Zoning section of the county website, “the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in April, 1992 and has been amended 5 times.  The Land Development Regulations were adopted at the same time and are amended by Ordinance and approved by the Board when deemed in the best interest of the County.”
   The key words in these excerpts are “concerned citizens” and “deemed in the best interest of the County,” again pointing to the central role county residents are expected to play.  County Coordinator Allen Cherry, who also serves as Executive Director of the Madison County Development Council (MCDC), wants to ensure the maximum community participation possible.  County Planner Jeanne Bass and Administrative Office Manager Sherilyn Pickels, who is also Secretary of the MCDC, will therefore be facilitating the process.

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