By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
This Saturday, December 6, starting at 8 a.m., Fort Madison Storage will be sponsoring a yard sale and everyone is invited, including sellers. In fact, sellers will be allowed to set up their own tables at no charge, joining those bargain hunters that are already scheduled to attend.
In these tight times with everyone looking to stretch a dollar, this will be a great opportunity to buy what you need and sell what you don’t.
Fort Madison Storage is located just north of State Road 53 South just before Harvey Greene Drive, across the street from Greene Publishing. There is plenty of space and great parking. For further information, call Latrelle Palhoff at (850) 973-4141.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@gre-enepublishing.com.

?20-Year-Old Madison Man Indicted For Murdering His Father

?By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A grand jury returned a murder indictment on Monday, Dec. 1, against Ryan Crosby, a 20-year-old accused of murdering his father, David Crosby.
On October 23, Ryan Crosby allegedly shot David Crosby with a rifle, causing his death.
Crosby also reportedly fraudulently used a Military Star Credit Card issued in his father’s name.
Crosby was also indicted for grand theft.
According to a Madison Police Department report, on Friday, October 31, at approximately 10:20 a.m., the MPD received information from the victim’s mother (who resides in St. Augustine) that she Please See Indictment, Page 3A was worried about her son. She had not heard from her son in more than a week.
The son, David Crosby, 46, was living in Madison with his son, Ryan Crosby, 20, at 334 NE Shelby Street. The mother was concerned for David Crosby’s well-being, because he had been suffering from depression. She had talked with her grandson, who said that David Crosby left home on October 23 in the middle of the night and he had not seen him since. Ryan told his grandmother that he had already made a missing persons report to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, but no missing persons report could be found.
MPD Sgt. James Roebuck met with Ryan Crosby at approximately 11 a.m. at his residence to follow up on the report, and to begin a missing person investigation. During questioning, Ryan Crosby gave statements of David Crosby’s travel plans and other statements that were quickly proven untruthful. Roebuck left the residence, stressing to Ryan that the police department would continue looking for David Crosby until he was found.
On the same date at approximately 12:45 p.m., Ryan Crosby drove to the police department and met with Sgt. Roebuck. Ryan Crosby confessed to Inv. Ben Ebberson and Roebuck that he killed his father on the morning of October 23 and later disposed of the body in a wooded area south of Madison.
Chief Rick Davis notified the Sheriff, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.
Ryan Crosby led law enforcement to the site where he disposed of the body.
The FDLE Crime Lab Unit processed the crime scene at the disposal site and residence.

State Semifinal Game

?By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Cowboys are hosting The Bolles School (Jacksonville) at Boot Hill Friday night, kick-off at 7:30 p.m. The Cowboys are ranked No. 1 coming into this semi-final match-up, with the Bulldogs ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press 2-A Florida state ranking.
Everyone is urged to come out and support the Cowboys on their historic “Road to the Repeat.”
The Cowboys will miss running back Corey Akins, who suffered an untimely injury last week against Pensacola Catholic. This reporter joins the Cowboy community in wishing him a speedy recovery and huge kudos for his performance all year. On a bright note, Jordan Johnson is expected to return from his injury to step into the void.
Coaches, parents, players and boosters urge anyone who has never enjoyed a Cowboy game to bring the family and become part of the championship tradition.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

?New Board Considers Full Agenda

?By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The first regular meeting to include the two newly elected members of the Madison County Board of County Commissioners was held Dec. 3 at the Courthouse Annex. Chair Wayne Vickers presided over the meeting that included Commissioners Renetta Parrish and Justin Hamrick, both of whom were sworn in Nov. 17. The two officials had participated in a brief meeting held Nov. 26 regarding the alcohol petition, but the Dec. 3 meeting represented their first full agenda.
From the opening, both new members were evidently well prepared to hear and ask questions, as well as prepared to take a stand for constituents. This was especially apparent during a 3-2 declining vote to adopt a resolution regarding state funding to expand a bike trail that runs north through Pinetta to the Withlacochee River. Although the construction costs would have been covered with state funds, it was determined that the disruption to local residents outweighed the benefit.
Other county costs and benefits were also considered, as the board decided to bid out its drug testing and fire extinguisher system contracts. Inquiries were also made regarding $40,000 that remained from a Department of Community Affairs grant original Please See New Board, Page 3A ly earmarked for planning, but had been swept into a reserve account during the recent budget process. It was explained that the money was still earmarked for planning services currently being performed by Kimley-Horn of Tallahassee.
In other discussion, Property Appraiser Leigh Barfield told the board that widespread assessments were underway and valuations were down, noting that a complete report, including all aspects that affect the bottom line, would be forthcoming.
Lastly, Willie Gamalero of Madison County Community Bank gave a very compelling presentation to the board urging each to join in the closing days of the United Way Fund Drive with a personal donation. This year’s goal of $120,000, which is more than a ten percent increase over last year’s total and fifty percent higher than last year’s goal of $80,000, had almost been reached. All involved emphasized that every dollar generated in this worthwhile cause stays in Madison County.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

?Former Cowboy Player Receives College All-Conference Honors

?By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Billy Ray Reddick, a former Madison County blue chip football player, has been named first-team All-Conference at Bacone College in Oklahoma.
Bacone College participates in the Central States Football League (CSFL).
Reddick, a 5’9”, 205-pound linebacker recorded over 100 tackles this season as he led the CSFL.
In one game, he returned an interception 47 yards before “he ran out of gas” only 30 yards away from paydirt, according to Shane Wheeler, Bacone Warriors Defensive Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach.
Reddick is also a candidate for Division III All-American.
“I would be very disappointed if he doesn’t make All-American,” Wheeler said.
Reddick’s amazing stats include: 41 solo tackles, 55 assisted tackles, 96 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss. 31.5 yards during tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 fumble recoveries. 2 forced fumbles. 1 interception and 3 pass breakups
Reddick helped lead the Bacone Warriors defense, doing checks and making calls on the field.
“He plans to be a football coach,” Wheeler said. “He will make a heckuva coach. That’s what he has done on the field for us and it helps me out as a coach to have another coach on the field playing.”
Reddick is not only a talented athlete, he is an exceptional student, who will graduate in May with his B.S. degree in Business.
Reddick began his collegiate athletic career at Florida State University as a walk-on after he received a Bright Futures scholarship. He made the team, but never got to play, so with Cowboys’ Head Coach Frankie Carroll’s assistance and encouragement, he transferred to Bacone College.
Carroll called Wheeler, who had played for Suwannee High School in Live Oak in the 1990s, and told him about Reddick.
“I asked Coach Carroll about Reddick’s grades Please See Former Cowboy, Page 3A and he told me that Billy Ray was a smart kid,” Wheeler said. “It really paid off.”
The Bacone Warriors finished 7-4 on the year and 3-1 in their conference, barely missing the playoffs.
“Our 7-4 record was tied for the most wins in school history,” Wheeler said.

?Charmettes To Host Victory Celebration At Damascus M.B. Church For Obama

?By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County Chapter of the Charmettes will host a victory celebration at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church for President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday, December 13, at 6 p.m.
The speaker will be Rev. Freddie Glenn, pastor of Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church.
Everyone is invited to go out and share this historical celebration recognized President-Elect Obama, the first Afrrican-American elected to the highest office in the land.
For more information, please contact Charmette Lorraine J. Brown, Chairperson at (850) 973-4857 or (850) 673-1445. Any other Charmette can also be contacted.
Emily Dickey is the president of the Charmettes.
Rev. David Delaughter is the pastor of Damascus Missionary
Baptist Church.

?LES Asks
Community For New Mascot Ideas

?By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Years ago, Lee Elementary School (LES) was the “Rockets.” Along the way, they became the “Trailblazers.” Well, three will hopefully be a charm as the faculty of LES gratefully requests Lee and surrounding neighbors to submit their suggestions for a new mascot.
As the mighty Madison County Cowboys have proven, sometimes a mascot change can be just the thing to create a new team spirit and community connection. Therefore, as Principal Jack McClellan pointed out, it should be a community decision.
Between now and Christmas break, everyone is urged to contact the school by email if possible, or by phone if preferred, with all suggestions.
The email address is mcclelj@madison.k12.fl.us and the phone number is (850) 971-5030.
Since this is a public announcement and this reporter has two children at LES, here’s a suggestion: the “Lee Lions,” keeping in mind that it’s all about getting the children to take pride in everything they do, that is to show their “Lions Pride.” This is also a great complement to the town’s motto, “Little but Proud.” But the icing on the cake comes from the fact that a group of lions is also called a “pride.” Sometimes it just all comes together, doesn’t it?
Other notable Lee residents have recommended bringing the “Rockets” back, including this paper’s editor and previous Lee Citizen of the Year, Jacob Bembry, with the “Let’s re-launch the Rockets” campaign. So whether desiring to bring back, move forward or move sideways, in Lee, the first priority is to do it together. Let your opinion be known. GO, LEE ELEMENTARY!
Michael Curtis can be reached at Michael@greenepublishing.com.