There’s A New Sheriff In Town
By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Ben Stewart made his first official action as sheriff of Madison County soon after taking office on Jan. 6, when he announced that, effective immediately, the department is launching a Drug Task Force consisting of three investigators dedicated solely to combatting the growing drug trade in Madison County.
When asked about another pressing problem—that being the need for more deputies in Greenville—he responded, “I inherited a department without a full-time officer assigned strictly to Greenville. There used to be a four-man station located there. Just as soon as the budget can be reworked, I’m looking to get at least a part-time deputy assigned just to Greenville and we’ll go from there. It is certainly needed and justified.”
These priorities are among the strategic planning that accompany the enormous commitment Stewart brings to the office. Along with Chief Deputy Epp Richardson, the Sheriff is committed to finding a way, especially where drugs are concerned.
“The process of arresting and convicting drug dealers can be a drawn out legal process, so we will also be working closely with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other agencies with similar priorities. The Drug Task Force, however, is independent, and will operate on their own, having the latitude necessary to put together cases and make arrests,” Stewart added.
Stewart expressed enormous confidence in the department personnel he inherited as well, which he stated would remain unchanged.
“During my campaign, I promised to be accessible, to form the Drug Task Force and to solicit more community involvement. Each piece will come as soon as possible, and I am pleased and proud to serve Madison County as sheriff,” he went on to say.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greene
publishing.com.
McDaniel And Thompson Showcased At Under Armour All-America Game
By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing,Inc.
The 2009 Under Armour All-America Game was held Sunday night, Jan. 4, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Hundreds of scouts, coaches and media joined 30,000 fans in cheering for their favorites. The White Team took the Black Team 27–16, although the score meant very little, as all the participants were winners.
Among these talented standouts were Madison’s own, Jacobbi McDaniel and Chris Thompson.
Cowboy Offensive Coordinator Mike Coe accompanied the FSU-bound players to the game, where he joined collegiate insiders from around the nation in welcoming both players to the next level, a rare honor that few of the tens of thousands who play high school football each year ever experience. Both Madison County all-stars played for the Black Team, as both squads were made up of the very best from across the nation, including the top recruiting prospects as determined by Sports Illustrated and ESPN, among other media services. In fact, parts of the crowd and ESPN viewers literally exploded when several last-minute holdouts announced their college of choice.
Regarding the Madison players, one Sports Illustrated writer noted, “After watching McDaniel play against some of the nation’s best linemen Sunday, … he’s downright unblockable … It will take perfect technique to block McDaniel, and few linemen can maintain perfect technique every play. Expect McDaniel ... to play early and often for the Seminoles.”
The game was also an opportunity for McDaniel to finally lay to rest any lingering opinions about his height. Just ask Cowboy Head Coach Frankie Carroll and he will tell you that McDaniel Plays like a giant. Now, all agree, including McDaniel.
“People always say everything about my height,” McDaniel said. “Now, on national TV, they finally saw what I’m capable of doing.”
McDaniel was one of three captains for the Black Team, which he proudly justified with his play the entire evening. He was also exceptionally proud to be sharing the field with teammate Chris Thompson.
Thompson has been amazing Madison fans for years, turning 1,000-yard seasons with half a season to go. His explosive speed and great hands will no-doubt get him playing time at FSU. A Rivals.com recruiting analyst noted, “One of my favorite players in the entire (FSU) class, period, is Chris Thompson. Pound for pound, he is one of the best players … because he can do so many things ... [He is] a versatile, big-play guy.”
The game program also gave him a unique and very flattering assessment as a scat-back. It reads that he is “an excellent scat-back prospect and could develop into a great offensive weapon at the next level ... [He] is wiry and deceptively strong. What separates him from other talented scat-backs is his outstanding receiving skills out of the backfield and in the slot. [He] possesses great hands, concentration and knows how to high-point the football.”
Madison County High School is steadily building a heritage for football as McDaniel and Thompson join the founding fathers that have come before them. Of course, every generation has their favorites, and every fan has their fantasy. The glory days are far from over for these two, though. Actually, the real glory just got a game closer.
GO, COWBOYS!
Devoted Grandmother Offers Reward To Stop Graverobbers
By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
As a nearby resident, this reporter joins an outraged community and a devoted grandmother in her effort to catch the thief who stole from her grandson’s gravesite at Lee Memorial Cemetery.
For Betty Blair, the pain of losing 17-year-old grandson, Adam Hughes, in March 2004 is a memory never forgotten and a loss her family can never replace. Now, unbelievably, her sadness has been stirred by the unthinkable act of his grave being robbed of a keepsake she placed there in memory of his birthday, Nov. 5.
“Adam loved baseball, as his picture on his headstone shows. So, when I saw that baseball statuette with the character and expression Adam brought to the game, I bought it immediately and put it by his headstone. And now it’s gone. Someone actually stole it. It’s not the money, of course; it just meant so much. Everybody agreed, it captured Adam,” Blair explains.
She went on to say, “I don’t really know what to do, but the memory of my grandson means so much to the family. People that would rob a grave, or do anything like that, need to be stopped. So, I’m offering a $500 reward in the hopes we can catch the thief.”
Lee Memorial Cemetery is located at the corner of SE CR 255 and SE Benchmark, about halfway between US 90 and I-10.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the first time Blair noticed something missing from the grounds; but hopefully, with help from the community, this will be the last time, at least for this thief. Anyone with information is strongly urged to call Betty Blair at (850) 971-5737.
Michael Curtis can be reached by email at michael@ greenepublishing.com.
Counterfeit Money Reported
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A number of counterfeit bills have been reported in Madison County.
According to the Madison Police Department, Sgt. Chris Cooks was dispatched to a local store on Sunday, Jan. 4. At the store, the clerk told him that a black male had come into the store and attempted to pay using a counterfeit $20 bill.
The clerk told the man that the bill was counterfeit and he left the store.
The $20 bill bore a serial number of GJ78733930B.
If anyone has any information on the counterfeit bills or they have come into possession of counterfeit bills, please call the Madison Police Department at (850) 973-5077 or the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 973-4001.
Fundraising Lunch To Be Held For Cancer Patient
By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Hopewell Baptist Church will hold a fundraising dinner on Friday, Jan. 9, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. for Clint Minter, a cancer patient.
Clint, who is married to the former Kelli Fox, is in Stage 3B of lymphoma.
The lunch, which will be available for a $5 donation, will consist of chicken and rice, green beans, rolls and dessert.
A yard sale will also be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 8 a.m.–until at 135 SE Oak St. in Madison. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Minter family. For more information, please call (850) 973-2040.
A bank account has been set up at Madison County Community Bank for Clint Minter, who is suffering from lymphoma. Anyone wishing to make a donation to the bank account can do so by stopping by Madison County Community Bank.
All donations are tax deductible.
Bembry Files First Bill As Legislator
For the 2008–10 legislative term, new State Representative Leonard Bembry (D-Greenville), has been given committee assignments that he says will make him effective in protecting constituents of House District 10.
He will serve as a member on the Natural Resources Appropriations Committee, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy Committee, the Economic Development Policy Committee, and the State & Community Colleges & Workforce Policy Committee.
Bembry expressed his joy in the appointments and said, “I am excited that Speaker Sansom has placed this confidence in me. With my longtime background in farming and business, I feel I can effectively steer solid ideas by working with my colleagues to make good things happen for the state.”
Rep. Bembry has also filed his first House Bill for the 2009 Legislative Session. It is HB 109 and is titled Clinical, Counseling and Psychotherapy Services. The legislation will assist licensed clinical social workers to better monitor the mental health of their clients and be able to get additional help for their clients by waiving confidential communications under some circumstances.
Bembry commented, “Filing my first bill is very exciting. I am proud to be able to serve the citizens of Florida in this capacity where I believe I can make a difference.”
“In this time of economic hardship, our families are struggling. Such stress will oftentimes make someone think in a way that they would not under more normal conditions. Protecting our citizens is paramount,” continued Bembry.
The 2009 Legislative Session will begin on March 3, 2009; however, legislators are in Tallahassee Jan. 5–16, 2009 for a Special Session on the budget.
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