By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A fire engulfed a mobile home, belonging to Sarah Haynes, of Madison, at midnight on Saturday morning, January 17.
According to Madison Fire and Rescue, the department and the Cherry Lake Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the fire at 2378 St. Thomas Church Road at approximately 12:10 a.m.
The cause of the fire was a faulty electric heater.
The family was able to get out of the trailer before the blaze got out of control.
The family is in need of clothing in the following sizes:
Women’s size 18
Lady’s shoe size 11
Men’s pants, sizes 32 x 34, 36 x 32, 40 x 32
Men’s shoe size 10½
Shirts – 2XL and XL or Large
The family is also in need of gift certificates and cash.
To donate items to the family, please call (850) 973-6792.

New Legislative Office Opens In Madison

? State Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville) has announced the opening of a new office in Madison.
The district office will be located at 304 NW Crane Avenue in Madison. It will be in building 36 on the campus of North Florida Community College. The office will be a staffed by Mickie Salter as the full-time Legislative Aide representing Madison, Jefferson, Taylor and Hamilton counties.
“Having a district office in Madison will be great for our constituents in District 10”, said Rep. Bembry. “I am excited to have an office in my home county.”
Placing an office in Madison will provide easy access for constituents in Madison and the surrounding counties of Jefferson, Hamilton, and Taylor counties and will provide convenience for appointments and staff availability.
“I encourage all citizens with concerns to contact our office for assistance,” said Rep. Bembry.
Phone service for the office will be available in a few days. In the interim, constituents may call the Tallahassee office at (850) 488-7870.

Lee Day Looking For Memories

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Lee Day Committee is still looking for interesting memories residents may have of them or their families living in Lee. Pictures are also welcomed. Please send your stories and photos to mayorekinsey@embarqmail .com or leemanager@lee florida.org. Deadline for all entries has been extended until Feb. 15. Please help Lee have the biggest and best book they can of “Lee Memories.”
The Lee Homecoming Beauty Pageant registration is set for Jan. 25, from 2-4 p.m. at Lee City Hall. There will be a pageant for younger children, as well as a Miss Lee and Junior Miss Lee pageant. For more information, please call Charlene Rye at (850) 694-0814 or April Herring at 971-4414.

Open House Set For January 26 For Preperty Owners Affected By New Flood Maps

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Holly Stalvey, communications coordinator for the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Madison County officials, would like to remind all property owners affected by the new flood Maps – flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) – that an open house is being held on Jan. 26 at the Madison County Extension Office from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The open house will offer an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the proposed maps before they are finalized later this year.
The updated FIRMs have added, expanded or removed parcels in Madison County, providing local officials and residents a more accurate representation of where flooding risks can occur, which will assist the public in making more informed property decisions. Residents will have an opportunity to appeal or protest the proposed changes and obtain information at the open house.
Property owners who are affected should have received a letter informing them of the new maps and the open house. Those affected are strongly encouraged to attend, although those wishing to view the maps earlier may contact the county’s building and planning department at (850) 973-6785 or (850) 973-3179. One can also contact water management at (386) 362-1001 or visit www.
srwmdfloodmaps.com.
Michael Curtis can be contacted at michael@ greenepublishing.com.

Murder Investigation Continues

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Sheriff Ben Stewart said that the investigation into the murder of Marilyn Harris is continuing and people have been phoning in leads that the department is checking up on.
Harris’ body was found by hunters in a wooded area off Pettis Springs Road, south of Greenville on Thursday morning, January 15, at approximately 11 a.m. Following an autopsy on Friday, January 16, a fingerprint check confirmed her identity.
A person of interest, in the death of Marilyn Harris, was the driver of a black Ford truck seen in the Pettis Springs area of Madison County, on Wednesday, Jan. 14. He is approximatively 5’2,” 150 pounds, has a thin build, medium complexion, no accent, no facial hair, and is 40-50 years old. Last seen wearing a canvas type jacket, jeans, medium toned ball cap, and black work shoes.
The occupant of the same vehicle is approximately 25-30 years old 6’2”, 225 pounds, medium build black male, last seen wearing a black jogging suite possibly with red and white stripes down the side of the legs, and white athletic shoes.
Stewart said that the FDLE and the State Attorney’s office are assisting with the investigation. Stewart also noted that the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office had also been called, because of the proximity of Pettis Springs Road to Jefferson County.
FDLE crime scene investigators processed the scene where the body was found on Thursday.
Harris’ truck was found in western Jefferson County on Wednesday night, according to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Major Bill Bullock said. At the time, law enforcement had no report of Harris being missing.
The Sheriff’s Posse searched the wooded area where Harris’ body on Saturday, searching for more clues.
Captain Mark Joost is the chief investigator in the homicide investigation for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

Jordan Carroll Signs Baseball Scholarship

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Jordan Carroll continues the Carroll family athletic tradition by signing a baseball contract to play for Tallahassee Community College (TCC). In a chilly ceremony held Friday, Jan. 16, at home plate of the field where he established his notable baseball reputation, family and friends gathered to commemorate and celebrate the moment.
TCC Head Coach Mike McLeod was extremely pleased to sign Carroll, expressing his excitement not only at Carroll’s athletic skills, but also his exceptional character.
“After seeing Jordan showcase his skills, it was an easy choice to add him to our program. His fine character, and the quality family he comes from, are equally important to us though, and we welcome him to the TCC family,” McLeod noted.
TCC Recruiting Coordinator Brad Jackson, who played for North Florida Community College in 2004-05, agreed with the coach’s assessment of Carroll, adding, “Jordan is an exceptional athlete and person. It’s great to have him as a part of our team.”
Carroll’s friends and family came out in abundance to share the experience, leaving the young athlete with a reminder of the family and community support that helped carry him to the next level
where all believe he will continue winning on and off the field.

Judge Gregory S. Parker Praised As He Takes The Bench

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The recent retirement of Third Judicial Circuit Judge John W. Peach left a void in the Florida judiciary and Madison community few could replace, and although incoming Judge Gregory S. Parker might humbly state otherwise, those in attendance at his Investiture held Jan. 16 at the Madison Courthouse unanimously agreed that he was absolutely the right man for the job.
Madison County got an extra slice of good news when it was further stated that Parker intended to make his office in Madison, a situation that Clerk of the Court Tim Sanders noted had not existed in Madison County in 42 years. However, this connection to Madison was not a new one for Parker.
“As a child I would walk down the street with my grandmother right outside, and looking up at this great courthouse would say, ‘I’m going to be a lawyer in there one day,’ and now I’m a judge. This is more than a dream come true.”
As moving as these nostalgic memories, comments from Parker’s peers regarding his skill and experience as a jurist were equally impactful. County Judges Wetzel Blair of Madison and Stephen “Buddy” Murphy of Taylor set the tone that judicial officials echoed throughout the ceremony, including fellow Circuit Judge Leandra Johnson who has admired Parker’s legal contributions for several decades. Literally, one-by-one, each colleague took a few moments to express a common sentiment, and that is the excitement they share at Parker’s ascent to the bench, and their complete confidence in his ability to deliver sound judgments.
Following Parker’s Oath of Office, which Judge Peach was honored to perform; and the Presentation of the Robe, which Todd Hingson, president of the Third Judicial Circuit Bar Association was equally pleased to present; Parker made a few remarks to the room filled to standing-room only.
The newest circuit judge was extremely generous - and entertaining - with his remarks, taking an extra moment to express deep thanks to his wife Pam and all his family in attendance, unafraid to show a little emotion as he remembered his brother and warmly acknowledged his mother sitting tearfully in front of him.
Chief Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, E. Vernon Douglas, presided over the program, later adjourning everyone after a closing prayer by Rev. Marcus Hawkins. A reception was then held downstairs in the courthouse lobby where the congratulations and conversation continued throughout the afternoon.