Flu Taking A Toll This Season

?The Madison County Health Department urges residents to get vaccinated now!
By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Health Department urges residents to get vaccinated now, reminding everyone that flu can bring severe illness or in some cases death
“Each year in the United States, an average of more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and 36,000 people die from flu. A flu vaccine can protect you and your family, so I urge everyone to get vaccinated,” said Kim Barnhill, County Health Department administrator.
The department also wishes to remind residents to get vaccinated every year, beginning in September, or as soon as possible throughout the influenza season, which can extend well into January and beyond, as timing and duration vary. While influenza out-breaks can happen as ear-
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ly as October, most of the time influenza cases peak in January or later, so, again, now is a good time to get vaccinated.
The Madison County Health Department has sufficient vaccine on hand to accommodate local demand and the vaccine is offered at a reduced cost or at no cost for residents who are eligible. In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can and should get vaccinated. In fact, it is very important that certain people get vaccinated each year.
It is important to protect children age 6 months through 19 years, pregnant women, people 50 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions and people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu should get vaccinated as well. This includes health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age because these children are too young to be vaccinated.
Barnhill cautions, “However, there are some people who should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These are people who have severe allergy to chicken eggs, people who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination previously, people who have Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and children less than 6 months of age. People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.”
For more information or to get vaccinated, simply call for an appointment or visit the Madison County Health Department. The phone number is (850) 973-5000.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Man Arrested On Firearm, Drug Charges

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A Madison man was arrested on numerous charges, stemming from a traffic stop on Saturday, Dec. 13.
According to a Madison Police Department report, Patrolman Joey Smith conducted a traffic stop on Lee Street. During the driver was arrested for DUI.
The driver of the car gave law officers permission to search the vehicle.
During the search, Patrolman Eric Gilbert noticed a firearm inside the glove compartment. He and Smith also located a small bag containing marijuana.
Smith attempted to place Monlyn under arrest and Monlyn fled on foot but was eventually caught.
While inside the patrol vehicle, Officer Gilbert noticed that Monlyn broke the back door handle of the unit.
Monlyn was charged with escape, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of a stolen firearm and criminal mischief.

First Graders Comfort At Christmas

? It has become an annual event for the first grade class at Madison Academy to set aside a few days each winter to create a special gift for patients residing at or being served by the Hospice Center in Tallahassee. Last year, Mrs. Kim Whigham’s students collected scarves, mittens and hats for terminally ill patients.
This year, the students made rice neck rolls that can be warmed in the microwave or frozen to soothe aches and pains. Laurie Ward, the community outreach coordinator for Hospice in Tallahassee, expressed that the neck rolls would be beneficial. The children painted, decorated, and filled the neck rolls. Then they wrote notes of encouragement to attach to each gift.
The class was blessed to have a special helper to serve as their seamstress. Mrs. Robbie Coker, who is
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the grandmother to first grader, Gracie Galbraith, spent several days helping the class with their project. On December 5, the class delivered their gift to Mrs. Ward, the Hospice Staff, and the patients. Ms. Ward expressed that the Hospice staff needs encouragement from the community. Often, the caregivers suffer along with the ones they are caring for. The first graders felt that they had help show support in a very unique way!

Man Critically Injured In Crash

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A man was critically injured and a 1994 Buick Lesabre was totaled in a traffic accident on Interstate 10, near the 265-mile marker on Friday morning, Dec. 5.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Mario A. Melendez, 25, of Port St. Lucie, was traveling east on Interstate 10 in the outside lane. He said that the right side tires traveled onto the south shoulder.
Melendez then steered left and overcorrected. His car rotated one-quarter of a turn in a counterclockwise direction and traveled southeast across the paved shoulder and onto the grass.
The car continued to travel southeast.
Melendez’s right front passenger door collided with a tree before coming to a final rest at the point of impact facing north.
Melendez and his pas-
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Page 4A
senger, Joseph A. Torres, 22, of Stuart, suffered minor injuries. His other passenger, Jairon Martinez, 40, of Stuart, was critically injured.
FHP Trooper John Sleigher was the investigator officer.

$500 Reward

For Information Leading To The Discovery Of More Toxic Waste
By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Several months ago, the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a meeting to hear public input regarding the proposed clean up of the old ITT-Thompson industry site on Livingston, located just north of U.S. 90 near downtown Madison. Coincidentally, the city and county were simultaneously conducting workshops to discuss the failed decade-long clean up of the nearby landfill that received barrels of waste from the site.
Following those meetings to present, a number of residents have exchanged information and testimony about this countywide concern. A common belief was
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expressed that many local medical issues, including those severe enough to end in death, are potentially related to the environmental effects of this and other toxic waste that was disposed of improperly.
To assist in this ongoing effort, one that is intended to create additional intervention and correction on behalf of those responsible, several champions of the cause have decided to donate not only their time, but also financial resources, to advance this process to a level of urgency deserving of such neighborly crusades. After all, what is a baby’s health worth, or the physical breakdown or death of a loved one?
So, in this season of giving, concerned citizens are asking all involved to step up, if not for yourself, then for those who can’t step up for themselves.
A reward of up to $500 is respectfully offered for the confirmation of illegally buried barrels and/or other forms of illegal disposal. Of course, no names will be released, and this reporter will handle all initial information discretely.
Michael Curtis can be reached at Michael@greenepublishing.com or phone at (850) 973-4141.