By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Two Dave Galbraith League teams will vie for the championships in their respective age divisions on Saturday, November 22, beginning at 10 a.m. at Boot Hill.
The Hall Tire and Muffler Saints will play against the Lake City Bears in the Junior Midget Division title tilt.
The Junior Midget division features players from 8-10 years old.
Terry Johnson coaches the Saints.
The Capital City Giants will play for the Midget Division title against the Lake City Wolves.
The Midget division is open to players from 10-13 years old.
Troy Mendheim coaches the Giants.
There will be a $2 admission charge.
Go out and support the Giants and the Saints!

Madison Sets Clean-Up For Saturday

By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Old furniture, rusted refrigerators, blown tires, and other junk are on the city clean-up agenda for Saturday, November 22.
At their regular meeting on November 18, the Madison City Commissioners gave final approval for the special clean-up day in conjunction with the Madison County Health Department and the Madison County Commissioners.
These three bodies will combine funding, manpower, and equipment for the clean-up that will include the area of Madison from Pinckney Street south to the railroad tracks and between Third Avenue and Mosley Street. City Manager Harold Emrich told the board that residents of that area can put tires, appliances, furniture, bedding, and any other items by the streets on that morning and crews will pick them up. “This is a one-time clean-up that we hope people will take advantage of,” he said.
Mayor Myra Valentine commented, “This leaves an impression that people can see.”
Emrich also reported to the board that, due to miscalculations on the state level, Madison is due to receive $316,023.53 in tax funds during the next several months. “I suggest that we keep this money in a separate account and not use it right away. It will provide some protection later in the budget year in case of shortfalls,” he said. The board agreed.
Police Chief Rick Davis announced that the Police Department has received $1,000 as part of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program. The grant must be used for one of seven federal purpose areas.
In other business, the board decided to make a special presentation of thanks to Circuit Court Judge John Peach at his retirement reception on January 8.

Cherry Lake Fire And Rescue Selling Smoked Boston Butts This Saturday

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Cherry Lake Fire and Rescue will hold its annual Thanksgiving Boston Butt sale Saturday, November 22.
The sale will take place at the Cherry Lake fire Station and pickup times will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
To order, please call the fire station at (850) 929-2354 and leave a message. Please leave your name, a phone number where you can be reached and the number of smoked butts that are desired or contact your favorite Cherry Lake Fire and Rescue firefighter.

Ministerial Association To Hold Thanksgiving Service

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Ministerial Association will hold its community-wide Thanksgiving service on Sunday evening, November 23, at 6 p.m. at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church.
Rev. Ferrell Morris, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Madison, will be the keynote speaker.
Other ministers will participate in the service. Everyone is invited to attend.
For more information, please contact Rev. Robert Agner, president of the Ministerial Association, at 973-4160.

Pinetta Fire Department To Host Christmas Auction Saturday

The Pinetta Volunteer Fire Department will host a HUGE Christmas Auction on Saturday, Nov. 22, starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be Christmas trees, Christmas lights, toys, tools (for the guys) and lots more.
Come join the fun of an auction.  You are promised to have a good time.
Location: Inside the fire house.  Light food and snacks served.
For more information call 850-929-4633 or 850-929-7574.

Pinetta Woman, Man Injured In Crash

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A Pinetta woman and man were seriously injured in a car wreck Wednesday evening, November 18.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Tammy F. Snyder, 41, was traveling south on Oak Hill Road, rounding a curve. Snyder drove off the roadway and onto the west grass shoulder. She came back onto the roadway, crossing it and going onto the east shoulder of Oak Hill Road.
Snyder continued out of control for 47 feet and struck a large oak tree.
Snyder’s 2008 Mercury bounced off the oak tree and struck another oak tree before coming to a final rest.
Snyder and her passenger, Thomas W. Davis, 19, of Pinetta were transported to South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, Ga. by Madison County EMS.
FHP Trooper Tom Roderick was the investigating officer.

Check Out Charities Before Giving

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is reminding consumers that they can check on the legitimacy of charities that seek donations and find out how registered charities spend their money. The reminder comes as charities launch their busiest time of the year, November and December. Many collect about half their annual donations in the short time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.
Most charities that do business in Florida are required to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services each year and provide financial information about income and expenses. There are more than 13,000 charitable organizations currently registered with the state, a number that increases every year.
“Unfortunately, as the number of charitable organizations grows, so does the number of con artists posing as legitimate charities to take people’s money," Bronson said. "I’m afraid the bad economy will likely result in even more instances of bogus charities trying to take advantage of people’s kindness.”
Consumers can find out if a charity is registered by calling the department's consumer helpline at 1-800-HELPFLA (1-800-435-7352) or by logging on to http://www.800helpfla.com. They can also check the complaint history of an organization.
However, even if a charity is properly registered, consumers should find out more about how a charity operates. The department does not endorse any charity, even those properly registered. But it does provide a breakdown of how much a charity spends on fundraising, administrative costs such as salaries and operating expenses and how much actually goes to the program services.
The department also provides the names of professional solicitors and consultant who are working on behalf of a charitable organization.
Everyone considering a donation
Please see Charity, Page 3A
should consider the following tips:

(1) Don’t judge an organization based on an impressive representative or a name that sounds impressive. Find out what it actually does.

(2) Be wary of emotional appeals and organizations that have only vague plans for spending the funds they collect.

(3) Never give cash. Write a check payable only to an organization, not an individual.

(4) Be wary of organizations that offer to send a “runner” to pick up your donation. Reputable charities are willing to wait for your contribution.

(5) You have the right to ask for an organization’s financial report and its federal tax identification number, the latter of which you’ll need to claim your contribution as a tax deduction.

(6) Ask the organization to send you written information about its activities.

(7) If an organization is not registered, contact the numbers given above.
This reporter urges everyone to be safe this holiday season, including being safe with that other precious family resource; one’s hard earned money.