Man Arrested For Grand Theft Auto, Battery On A Law Officer And Escape

     By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
     A Madison man was arrested for grand theft, battery on a law enforcement officer and escape on Thursday, Feb. 12.
     According to a Madison Police Department report, Alvin Humphrey, Jr. was stopped by Patrolman Joey Agner on MLK Drive after a routine traffic stop. During the stop, Humphrey admitted that his drivers license had been suspended.
     As Agner attempted to place Humphrey under arrest, Humphrey shoved Agner into Patrolman Daniel McLeod. McLeod, who was assisting Agner, attempted to apprehend Humphrey who then fled on foot.
     Agner and McLeod chased Humphrey. Agner told McLeod to deploy his Taser, which McLeod did but missed. Humphrey was caught after Agner deployed his Taser and made contact.
     Later that evening, Agner contacted the owner of the Ford Crown Victoria that Humphrey had been driving. He said that he had never given Humphrey permission to drive it and wished to file charges.
     Humphrey was arrested and taken to the Madison County Jail. He was charged with grand theft of a vehicle, driving while license suspended (knowingly), escape, resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Pine Tree Quilters Show And Brunch Set For Saturday

The annual Pine Tree Quilters Show and Brunch will be held this coming Saturday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Cooperative Community Center. There will be many crafts and quilts for sale, and other quilts on display. Those attending will have an opportunity to judge the quilts, which will result in prizes for the winners. This event is a fund raiser, the proceeds will be used to buy supplies for the many quilts that the ladies make and give to needy organizations. The food is always delicious and plentiful. This is a don’t-miss event.

Madison Advances Plans For Walk Around Lake Francis

By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
     The Madison City Commissioners named a contractor to begin work on asidewalk around Lake Francis, a project which has been on the horizon for nearly a year.
     At their regular meeting on February 10, the board chose C. M. Brandies, Inc., to pave a walk almost three-fourths of the way around the lake.
     Madison’s Community Development Director, Chuck Hitchcock, said that hereceived three bids for the project, with Brandies offering to do the work for $21 persquare yard. The walk is funded by a state grant of $33,900, which will cover the cost of paving the west, south, and east portions of the lakeside. Hitchcock said that other funding may be available to pave the north area (near the Woman’s Club) at a later date.
     (The original grant of $50,000 would have funded the entire project; however the state reduced its grants due to shortfalls in state revenue.)
     In other business, the board selected Jones Edmonds Engineering and Madison Engineering as the recipients of continuing contracts with the city. These two firms will be assigned projects priced less than $1 million that are not required to go out for bids,
     Commissioners Sumpter James and Judy Townsend moved to approve the twofirms; the motion was approved unanimously.
Mark Webb, representing Madison Florists, requested that the board take someaction to prevent roadside vendors from competing with downtown businesses on major holidays. “We feel like it is imperative for the city to stand behind its vendors,” he said.
City Manager Harold Emrich said, “The city does not have an ordinance toaddress this situation.”
     After lengthy discussion, Mayor Myra Valentine appointed Emrich and CityClerk Lee Anne Hall to prepare an ordinance for presentation at the March meeting.

Burglary!

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
     The Madison Police Department is investigating the burglary of Madison Auto and Tractor Parts on Sunday evening, Feb. 15.
     According to an MPD report, Patrolman ? responded to the call at 253 South Duval Street. Investigation revealed that a concrete block had been thrown through a window for entry to be made.
     One of the store’s owners was contacted. When he arrived at the store, he looked to see if anything was missing.
     After surveying the store, the owner said all he could find missing was $100 in cash from a drawer.
     If anyone has any information on this burglary, they may call the Madison Police Department at (850) 973-5077.