By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
In a recent conversation regarding Madison County football, this reporter was told that, “Winning is contagious,” referring to the fact that all three district school football programs were undefeated. After witnessing the Florida Crown Conference Championship Game played October 28 at Boot Hill between Madison County Central School and Baker County Middle School, it is this reporter’s pleasure to report that the winning virus was unleashed in epidemic proportions, as the Broncos downed the Bobcats 24-8.
Coach Mike Ragans and his entire staff had the players ready for the game, which they controlled from whistle to whistle. In fact, were it not for an unlikely bomb that caught the Broncos off stride just before the half, the game would have been all Broncos.
The scoring opened up with a long run from scrimmage by Javarius Jones with 3:45 left in the first quarter. Following a two-point conversion, the Broncos led 8-0.
The Broncos maintained an exceptional rushing game all night with Chris O’Hara, J. R. Bass and Deonshay Wells keeping the Bobcats on their heels. O’Hara put up the second touchdown on a two-yard push late in the second quarter, taking the score to 16-8.
The Bobcats then snuck in the above referenced unlikely touchdown bomb less than a minute later with only 26 seconds left on the clock, although kudos go out to Bobcat Quarterback Corey Lawler and receiver Trey Moseley for the execution.
The third quarter began slowly, with neither team getting much from it for about six minutes of the eight-minute quarter. Then the cold night gave way to the Bronco fire again, as the defense kept the pressure high and the offense continued to get first downs.
The final score came with 2:05 left in the fourth when J. R. Bass intercepted a pass and returned it from mid-field to give the Broncos a 24-8 lead that would hold up until the final whistle blew leaving the Broncos the 2008 Florida Crown Conference Champions.
Principal Sam Stalnaker, along with his staff and hundreds of fans rushed to congratulate the team and coaching staff. In a very emotional ceremony a few minutes later, Stalnaker presented the winning trophy and conference plaque to Ragans, expressing his pride and praise for the undefeated season.
GO BRONCOS!

New DOH Data Reveals County Facing Health Challenges

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
During the Shared Services meeting held on October 29, which included an update on the Whole Child project that is entering its final phase leading to implementation, Health Officer Kim Barnhill introduced some startling data to the group. The 2008 County Health Status Summary has just been released and Madison County has dozens of danger signs.
In a six-page report divided into indicators ranging from physical activity to tobacco to various chronic diseases, Madison County ranked worse than the state across the board, and at the very worst level (Color Code Red or Level 4) on most common issues. Stroke, heart disease, obesity and breast cancer, for instance, were all red flagged.
Other dreaded killers like lung cancer, diabetes and AIDS also topped the list.
Barnhill further stated that the health department continues to launch programs to educate, and projects to address, most of the problem issues, although many of the source causes are volunteer behavior like smoking and overeating. According to the report, which is also available online at www.floridacharts.com, even crime stats were in the red zone, including criminal homicide and suicide. Motor vehicle deaths and unintentional injuries also ranked Level 4.
Due to the lower population of the county, numbers are age and population adjusted. Despite the dire nature of many of these numbers, many actually see these numbers as inevitable. As noted, some are aggravated by volunteer behavior and others have people simply saying, “Well, you’re going to die of something.”
Fortunately the DOH mission and staff don’t look at the current conditions as fate or destiny that can’t be changed. Instead, they see it as a controllable, reversible scenario; including the targeted clean up of environmental hazards.
The Madison County Department of Health is located just off MLK, a mile south of Base Street and can be reached at (850) 973-5000 for questions regarding services and referral. Residents throughout Madison County are also urged to look for the Whole Child information guide coming soon.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Blaze Destroys Mobile Home

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A blaze destroyed a mobile home, belonging to Jimmy Sanders of Madison, on Wednesday afternoon, October 29.
According to Madison Fire and Rescue Chief Alfred Martin, Sanders’ nephew was at home when the fire started at 135 SE Byrd Street. The fire department was toned out at approximately 12:21 p.m. and arrived at 12:24 p.m.
“The state fire marshal is investigating to see what caused the fire,” Martin said, “but we do know that it was an accidental fire.”
Martin said that his office has put Sanders in contact with the Red Cross and the United Methodist Thrift Store.
If you would like to donate to the Sanders family, you can contact them at the home of a relative by calling (850) 973-6984.

Semi Overturns To Avoid Collision

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol accident report dated October 24 at noon, Judith H. Williams, 60, of Neptune Beach was driving her 2003 Infiniti Coupe eastbound on I-10 near Greenville during very severe weather.
Eisan Espinosa, 34, of Tampa was driving a 2003 Peterbilt tractor/trailer in the adjacent inside lane, sending a large amount of tire spray onto Williams’ vehicle. In an effort to avoid the spray, she accelerated to pass the truck.
During the maneuver, Williams hit a large patch of water and lost control of her vehicle, veering sharply in front of Espinoza’s rig. Williams’ vehicle continued through the left land and struck the metal guardrail before spinning and coming to rest on the north side of the roadway among several small trees.
In an effort to avoid collision with the car, Espinoza attempted to move right and then back left, but in the process the semi locked up and overturned on its left side, causing both eastbound lanes of I-10 to be blocked.
Units from the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Emergency Medical Services, Madison County Fire Department and the Greenville Volunteer Fire Department assisted on the scene.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Aikens Family Needs Assistance Following Fire

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Travis and Katrina Akins lost the home they were living in to fire last Wednesday afternoon, October 23.
The couple and their four children lost everything in the fire.
The sizes for the family’s clothing is as follows:
Travis, size 40 waist pants, XXL pants
Katrina, size 16 dress, Large pants
Ke’yanna (who turned 12 on October 23), wears 10/12 and a size nine shoe
Tremon (age 9), wears 14-16 boys and a size 5 shoe
Tione (age 4), wears 6X-7 girls’ clothing and a size 11 children’s shoe
Ta’nia (three months old) wears clothing for a 6-9 month old girl.
The family has received some clothing, but is still in need of home furnishings.
The family is currently staying with relatives. If anyone has any houses available for rent, please call Katrinia at (850) 673-9472.
Cash assistance would also be appreciated and home furnishings, clothing and money can be dropped off at the First Baptist Church in Madison.
Your prayers are all appreciated.

Madison Resident Protests Proposed Park

By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A proposed park to help the community will do just the opposite, according to a Madison resident. Linda Jones told the Madison City Commissioners at their regular meeting October 14 that the park will only cause problems.
“I live next door to that lot, and I have to pick up trash in my yard every day” said Jones. She said young adults walk through her yard without permission. “When I put up no trespassing signs, they tore them down.” If I tell them to leave my yard, they curse at me.”
Jones cautioned the commissioners that the grown-ups would take over the park, leaving young children with no place to play. “Use the money for something else. I do not want this next door to my house,” she said.
Mayor Myra Valentine responded, “every intention is our hearts was to do something good for the community.” She assured Jones that the board will consider her viewpoint as they discuss the project. (The city has already used a grant and some general funds to purchase the lot at the intersection of Bunker and Martin Luther King.)
In other business, the board approved a system for announcements to be placed on the Community Information Channel on Comcast. Any county church, organization or agency can bring announcements to City Hall, and the information will be posted. Announcements should be submitted two weeks prior to the event.
Brent Whitman appeared before the board requesting that his engineering firm, Madison Engineering, be added to the list of contacts for projects which must be bid. The board consented.
Following a presentation by Deloris Jones and Michelle Brantley, the board approved a resolution recognizing November as Hospice month.
The board began plans for the annual Employee Appreciation Dinner and rescheduled their November meeting to November 18 at 5:30 p.m.
Attorney Clay Schnitker reported that the owners of Madison Heights Apartments have paid their city utilities bill to avoid a lawsuit. Valentine commented, “It is good that its all cleared up.”
The board announced that the Police Department downtown trick or treat will run from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 31.

Kathleen "Teenie" Welch Celebrates 100 Years Young

One Hundred Years have come and gone,
My, oh my, how my
family has grown,
From there to here,
from here to there,
Welch’s, Welch’s
everywhere
On Saturday, Nov-ember 8, let’s meet at Macedonia Baptist Church and have some coffee, tea and cake.
I’m looking forward to my birthday bash. Your presence is my present. Please, no gifts or cash.
Four children, twelve grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Perhaps, I think, we will need extra cake.
We will have pictures and memories to share and I would really enjoy it, if you were there.
Place:
Macedonia
Baptist Church
U.S. 90 East, Madison
Time:
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Date:
Saturday,
November 8, 2008

Alvera Rhoades, Alfred Welch, Wanda Hodnett, Dale Welch