News from MadisonJournalTODAY

News from MadisonJournalTODAY - Topics from November, 2008

McGhee ready to be rid of voucher discussion

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Thursday, November 20. 2008

Madison County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mitch McGhee recently warned the county school board that voucher talk could be on the rise again at the state level. There’s been a push the last four to five years from the state capital during the legislative session to approve a voucher system that would allow taxpayer money to be spent on sending ... [Full Story »]

Tax assessors mull county digest approval

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Wednesday, November 19. 2008

Projected county property values down slightly in 2008 The Madison County Board of Tax Assessors could render a ruling on the county’s long-awaited tax digest Thursday. Madison County chief appraiser James Flynt submitted the digest numbers Monday, but the five-person board opted to postpone a vote to further review the figures. “I ... [Full Story »]

Colbert men arrested for theft by receiving

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Wednesday, November 19. 2008

Three Colbert men were arrested last week after items valued at more than $1,300 were allegedly taken from a car parked on Alberta Drive. Tyrus Letron Allen, 25, P.O. Box 158, Sylvester Obrian Shiflet, 19, 15 Reed Drive, and Quincy Lee Daniels, 21, 260 Alberta Drive, were all charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property. Daniels ... [Full Story »]

Madison Co. BOE approves personnel actions

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Wednesday, November 19. 2008

The Madison County Board of Education (BOE) made the following personnel moves at its Nov. 11 business meeting. •Colbert Elementary School — approved leave without pay for paraprofessional Donna Compton. •Comer Elementary School — accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Danielle Andrews; granted the transfer of Felisha Fitzpatrick ... [Full Story »]

OPINION: Broun had a very good point

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Wednesday, November 19. 2008

I am not sure what President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed “Civilian National Security force” is supposed to be. It appears to have emerged during a speech he made in the heat of the presidential campaign. Like Congressman Paul Broun, I find the idea to be disturbing. Unlike Congressman Broun, I do not think it rises to the level of the ... [Full Story »]

Plantation fined for ’03 petroleum spill in county

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Sunday, November 16. 2008

Plantation Pipe Line has been fined $725,000 for a 2003 petroleum spill in Madison County, along with spills in North Carolina and Virginia. The company has also agreed to make $1.3 million in safety improvements. While a Plantation representative said last year that the company has done everything it can to clean up the Madison County spill, a ... [Full Story »]

Actions filed in Superior Court

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Sunday, November 16. 2008

Actions filed recently in the office of the Clerk of Superior Court include: •McKenely Ray Hendrix, 31, Hull, was sentenced to one year probation and fined $607 for simple battery. •Bonnie Dee Reeve, 63, Danielsville, was sentenced to one year probation and fined $830 for reckless driving (reduced from DUI drugs). A charge of failure to ... [Full Story »]

BOA reviews ‘scathing’ state report while considering accuracy of 2008 tax digest

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Sunday, November 16. 2008

Will 2008 tax bills go out before the end of this year, or any time in the near future, for that matter? That’s a question largely up to the board of tax assessors (BOA) as they decide whether or not to approve the 2008 property tax digest (a compilation of values of all county tax parcels) next week. The long-awaited digest will be presented ... [Full Story »]

OPINION: Mickey, Jesus and Jimmy Buffet at the Madison County polls

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Sunday, November 16. 2008

One Madison County voter wants “Jimmy Buffett” to serve as District Attorney of the Northern Judicial Circuit. Of course, “Wasted Away Again in Margaritaville” would have quite a different feel coming in the sober voice of a prosecutor. “Can anyone confirm that on the afternoon of July 20, you were indeed nibblin’ on sponge cake? ... [Full Story »]

New sheriff expects some personnel changes

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MadisonJournalTODAY

Saturday, November 15. 2008

...but says he will be even handed in assessing staff Kip Thomas says he will make some personnel moves as Madison County’s new sheriff, but the newly elected head of county law enforcement said he’s heard rumors about his plans and he wants to assure the county that he will fairly assess each employee under his authority. “Most will be ... [Full Story »]

Entries from November 2008