Easter egg hunts: YMCA launches Pre-K class See page 16 pilot program Glen Baptist bash targeting obesity See page 9 See page 6
75¢ April 8, 2010 Thursday ThE BakER COUNty PREss 80th Year, Vol. 48• Winner of 9 state awards for journalism excellence in 2008 7½ year Manager sentence Arrests for dog fighting residence for sales Two charged; others flee; dog fatally injured rule voided Deputies arrested two men into the woods and confronted at a north Sanderson address the suspect walking toward the of crack the evening of April 3 and truck covered with blood. by board A circuit court judge this charged them with fighting pit “It appeared to me at the week sentenced a Sanderson bulldogs, one of which was so time that the dog was a fighting Joel Addington man to seven and a half years in bloodied and severely injured dog that had just finished fight- News Editor prison for a series of undercover that it had to be put down on ing,” Deputy Clark noted in his [email protected] crack cocaine sales in February the scene. report. When questioned, Mr. and May of last year. “Every time his heart beat, Gaskins said he was in the area The Baker County Com- Bryan Paige, 30, pleaded no you could see the veins, blood because the dog had gotten mission on April 6 removed a contest to squirting out,” recalled Georgia loose and he had taken it there requirement in County Man- four counts Monfort, the county’s animal for breeding purposes. ager Joe Cone’s employment of sale and control director. “He was just He denied knowledge of contract that he reside within delivery, pumping out.” anyone fleeing into the woods. the county — a provision that and a sin- One of the men, Omar Al- The officer found a loaded 9 had been waived informally for gle count dridge, 29, of Starke was also mm automatic pistol in the about three years. of posses- charged with felony child ne- front seat of the pickup. An allegation by Glen St. sion. Three glect for fleeing into nearby Deputy Clark said he then Mary resident Sharon Padgett possession woods off Circle G Lane when went to a backyard where the that Mr. Cone was violating his charges police arrived, leaving his 4- other dogs he described as “agi- contract by living in Columbia were Bryan Paige year-old son seated on a picnic tated and vicious” were tied up. County, and further by buying dropped table in the midst of 14 other The young boy was taken from a property in St. Johns County as part of the plea agreement, fighting dogs — all but one of the table and placed into a pa- last December, prompted the and two of the sales were more them restrained by chains. trol car. action. serious felonies because they Ms. Monfort said some of Deputy Clark said the boy “If you’re not going to honor were within 1000 feet of the the chained up animals had to was seated alone and when your contract, you should rene- Sanderson community center be sedated before they could asked the whereabouts of his gotiate the contract,” she told on CR 229. be taken to the animal shelter parents, replied “My daddy ran the board, calling the latest pur- He must serve a minimum of on Steel Bridge Road north of into the woods with everybody chase, “a slap in the face.” three years. Macclenny. else.” Mr. Cone is one of at least Court records show that Cletus Gaskins, 37, of Mr. Aldridge came back four county administrators that sheriff’s investigators arranged Sanderson was charged to the scene panting and reside outside the county, but for stealth buys from Mr. Paige along with Mr. Aldridge sweating and was halted Ms. Padgett singled him out for on February 20 and 28, and on with fighting animals, a by the officers when he at- his leadership role. She called May 21 and 27. He was arrested third-degree felony, and tempted to enter the rear into question both Mr. Cone’s less than one month later. mutilating or killing them, seat of the police car. He integrity for not complying with first-degree misdemean- denied that he had fled, the contract and the board’s for In other sentencings by Photo by Joel Addington Judge Phyllis Rosier on April 5, ors. Deep cuts, scarring on the face and head of this and said he left his son not taking action sooner. a former Baker County resident Deputy Larry Clark pit, one of 14 taken to the county shelter. with Mr. Gaskins when he “I shouldn’t of had to check said he responded to a went “down the road.” the contract,” Ms. Padgett said was given three years for vio- with flashlights. residence off Circle G Deputy Clark said he after the meeting. “As a board, I lating probation on two grand He first found the wounded dog in a cage about 9:00 following a then asked the father why feel they failed.” theft cases dating back to 2006 in the rear of a pickup belonging to Mr. Gas- and early 2007. report that suspicious Omar Aldridge Cletus Gaskins kins, then heard “multiple people” running See page » See page » Charles Ferguson, 28, began persons were in the area in January serving a 20-year sentence for attempted sec- ond-degree murder in a Duval County case, and the Baker County sentence runs concur- ‘Grand’ opening for new farmers market rently. Judge Rosier revoked the early probation. Joel Addington for fresh vegetables, which will be coming • Co-defendants Larry Holt, News Editor in more as the year goes on. We hope to 22, of Glen St. Mary and Brad [email protected] be here every Saturday.” The farmers market, located on S. 6th Crawford, 18, of Jacksonville Annie Futch has enjoyed home-grown drew three year prison terms St. in the parking lot adjacent to Crystal produce for decades thanks to her hus- River Seafood and Peebles, is expected to followed by four years on pro- band Thomas Futch’s green thumb. And bation in return for no contest run through July, but could be extended though at 84 years old, he doesn’t grow if vendors continue to supply fresh pro- pleas to multiple counts of bur- much today, Mrs. Futch found suitable glary, grand theft and theft of duce, hand-made arts and crafts and replacements much closer to their Mac- other plants, said the nonprofit market’s firearms. clenny home last weekend at the Baker They were arrested for a co-chair Helene Guest. County Farmers Market. Three produce vendors who signed up November, 2009 theft of a resi- “It’s real handy,” she said during the dence near Cuyler during which for the market didn’t show, one due to a market’s first day April 3. “My husband family emergency. All three have com- six guns and a safe with $5000 isn’t able to garden anymore, but we used cash inside were taken. mitted to future participation, Ms. Guest to grow everything.” said. • The state is adding a fourth Mrs. Futch, 78, left the farmers market criminal charge against Mar- Six other vendors benefitted from with her arms full of onions, turnips and heavy foot traffic, however. shall Mann, 45, of Sanderson, greens. who was arrested last month on Sanderson farmers Eddie and Bett “All my husband’s got now is some Combs, for instance, sold two-thirds of one count of sexual battery on hot peppers. He plants them in a buck- a child between the ages of a 12 their vegetable plants by 10:00 am. et. That’s all he’s able to do,” said Mrs. “Our tomato plants have done re- and 16, and two counts of lewd Futch. and lascivious acts on young ally well, and the bell pepper,” said Mrs. The Madison County native Combs. girls. joined many others attending The sheriff’s department ar- The couple’s booth also contained the grand opening, which ac- okra, eggplant and watermelon plants rested Mr. Mann, 45, last week cording to organizers, patrons Photos by Joel Addington Above, visitors browse booths during the grown in their backyard greenhouse, See page » and vendors alike, was success- market’s first day in operation. At left, which she said helped insulate them dur- ful. Union County farmer Doug Wilkinson tends ing this year’s unusually long winter. “I think it started out real to customers Steve and Pam Gaylord. Patrons should expect a larger va- well,” said Jim Sharpe of Jack- vegetables, family farmer Doug Wilkin- riety of produce in coming weeks as sonville, whose son helped son of Union County, saw a steady later-than-usual harvests take place. Ms. supply the morning’s musical Police nab stream of customers. His tomatoes sold Guest, a gardener herself, said squash, entertainment as part of The out within the first half hour. cucumbers, peas and peaches should be Bluegrass Breeze band. “They “Here for the first day, we didn’t know forthcoming. got everything people like in the hit-and-run what to expect,” said Mr. Wilkinson Ms. Guest said additional vendors spring time, especially the flow- shortly before the market closed. “But selling crafts and home-made furniture ers.” everything is turning out really great. The As the only vendor selling driver in people are kind and friendly and looking See page » bakercountypress.com Covering Baker County since 1929 school bus The county’s most professional and extensive source for news, classified, display and real estate listings Online Poll Results Yes 66.7% crash Did you check out the 904.259.2400 •• 904.259.6502 Fax Baker County Farmers www.bakercountypress.com See page 5 Market on Saturday? No 33.3% Visit our website and vote each week in our online poll. [email protected] Page The Baker County Press Thursday, April 1, 2010 Manager residence rule voided by board Sentence for crack sales «From page following the first arrest. He for like the $95 per week Mr. Cone bed facility reach full capacity. the board’s goal of reducing sign «From page on a third count of lewd acts in- years has headed up the comput- receives for work-related travel. “The more [vehicle] trips, the clutter during election years, er and information technology Commissioners, however, volving a fourth girl. Judge Rosi- He does not have a county-owned more money we’re going to get,” Commissioners Mike Griffis and departments at the City of Mac- expressed support for the man- er set his bond at $300,000. vehicle. said Mr. Cone. “They owe us. The Gordon Crews said they favored clenny. ager, regardless of where he calls Mr. Mann had originally been Ms. Padgett wanted that taken sheriff knows they owe us the some of Mr. Foreman’s revi- released on a recognizance bond home. out, too; but a motion to elimi- money. The BCDC knows they sions. “If the general public knew nate only the residency require- owe us. It’s not like they’re going “It clears it up a little bit, and how much work Mr. Cone puts ment passed unanimously. to pick up and move to Switzer- 10 years from now it might keep into this county, they’d appreci- land. We need to have a jail.” you out of court with freedom of ate it,” said Commissioner Alex No impact fees paid for speech,” Mr. Crews said. R & B Automotive formerly Gateway Automotive Robinson. Baker County Sheriff’s Com- Campaign sign ordinance The board tabled the matter “I wouldn’t care if he bought plex undergoing legal review to allow Mr. Brown a chance to 10 houses in St. Johns County review the draft rules and pro- UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP or any other county. I person- Ms. Padgett also leveled criti- The effort to draft uniform vide his own legal opinion to the ally don’t have a problem with cism for the county not collecting rules restricting campaign signs it,” added Commissioner Michael impact fees from the Baker Cor- in Macclenny, Glen St. Mary and VALVOLINE Crews, who later praised Mr. rectional Development Corpo- the unincorporated areas of Bak- OIL CHANGE Cone’s recent efforts to secure Market... ration [BCDC], which owns the er County slowed down this week up to 5 quarts a travel trailer for a Margaretta sheriff’s complex and oversaw its when Mr. Brown saw changes to «From page family recovering from storm construction last year. a draft approved by the commis- registered on opening day and damage. Mr. Cone said that various sion last month, from Glen’s at- another half-dozen vendor appli- $27.99 “He treated those folks in types of development — com- torney Joel Foreman. cations had been submitted, but Expires April 7, 2010 Margaretta like he lived here,” mercial, residential or industrial Though most of the revisions not yet processed. WE FEATURE said Mr. Crews. Raymond Conner & Butch Harvill — have associated formulas used were minor, one requiring that Also on hand for the April 3 Though Ms. Padgett said she to calculate impact fees, but signs be spaced at least 15 feet opening were Sands Farms of doesn’t want Mr. Cone fired, she We repair `03-`06 Chevy instrument there’s no such formula for jails apart and 15 feet from neigh- Macclenny, Crawford Farms of criticized the board’s nonchalant clusters for $175. Call for details. or prisons, as they’ve always been boring properties, “may unrea- Lawtey, hair clips, bows and head reaction to the contract violation TRANSMISSION publicly owned. sonably impair a citizen’s First bands from Tina’s Boutique; hu- and questioned why some form of QUALITY WORKMANSHIP AT Due to changes in staffing, Amendment right of free speech,” morous yard art from Millers FLUID CHANGE punishment wasn’t considered. with Valvoline Max Life AFFORDABLE PRICES prisoner counts and associated wrote Mr. Foreman. Crafts of Lake City and flowers The board’s attorney Terry Dexron VI Synthetic ATF traffic at the facility during its He recommended limiting from Wendell and Janet Combs OVER 31 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Brown was not alarmed by the first year, Mr. Cone said he in- the 15-foot restriction to signs of Glen St. Mary. Many thanks to our customers for their support. commission’s arrangement with structed the building department from the same candidate or cam- “I think it’s a great thing for Mr. Cone either, and viewed his $89.99 to issue an occupancy permit and paign, which Glen Mayor Juanice the community,” said another lack of local ties as positive, par- up to 8 qts. 259-9946 collect the fees on the basis of a Padgett said the town council had attendee, Don Yonn. “The com- ticularly as a public servant who’s Expires April 7, 2010 future traffic study. endorsed. munity definitely needs to come On SR 121 by Pier 6 supposed to remain objective in Waiting to collect could benefit While Commissioner Robin- out and support this effort. That’s Call or stop by today! his duties. MV80400 the county, should the 500-plus son said Glen was wavering on why we’re here.” “There’s been no breach of contract because that implies im- propriety,” Mr. Brown said. “This was basically a waiver mutually agreed by both parties.” By removing the contract’s residency requirement, the attor- ney said the board amended the document and wasn’t renegotiat- ing other terms in the contract Arrests at 20% scene of dog fight «From page Bonus of he ran from the scene and left the boy unattended among the pack of dogs. Mr. Aldridge did not re- spond. Police then followed what was described as a well-worn path to a dog fighting ring equipped with FREE an overhead light that in turn was powered by an extension cord that had been connected back to a house occupied by a woman not connected to the case. The officer said the ground along the FURNITURE! path and ring area were blood- stained. Deputy Clark also noted bones, including dog bones, strewn about the path. 4 Days Only Among the items seized were a bottle of Blood Stop Powder com- monly sold as a coagulant when dehorning animals, two scales and what the officers described EXAMPLE: as devices for fighting and bait- Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Monday ing dogs. Three other vehicles were Buy $500 worth of furniture... parked on the premises with keys in the ignition. As of early this week, the sheriff’s depart- ment had not learned the identity You Get $100 worth of FREE FURNITURE of others who may have fled the scene that night. Mr. Gaskins was released Buy $1000 worth of furniture... from jail on $10,000 bond; Mr. Aldridge on $20,000 bond. The confiscated pit bulls re- You Get $200 worth of FREE FURNITURE mained at the animal shelter ear- ly this week, awaiting a veterinar- ian’s examination and treatment, Buy $2000 worth of furniture... which is typical in animal cruelty cases, Ms. Monfort said. She’d been in contact with the Alachua County Humane You Get $400 worth of FREE FURNITURE Society about a Gainesville-area rescue that rehabilitates pit bulls. Minimum purchase $200. Appliances & Electronics Excluded. Bonus must be used during sale event. Not applicable with any other sale offer or outside finance offer. However, the society’s associate director Eric Van Ness said it’s unlikely the rescue would take animals from outside the area, Get pre-approved! Apply for credit online at: www.gibsonmcdonald.com even if there’s room for more than a dozen additional dogs. “The problem is they are really WE SAVE YOU MONEY! difficult to rehabilitate and make adoptable,” he said. “It takes a huge commitment of time and effort and it’s never guaranteed.” GIBSON MCDONALD Once the county gains legal custody of the dogs, which could FURNITURE COMPANY happen with a judge’s order later this week, Ms. Monfort said at least one female puppy, though Baker Square Shopping Center skittish, could be suitable for 309 E. Main Street •Blackshear, Ga adoption. Others may need reha- bilitation. 259-5655 Many of the seized dogs are small and malnourished with old 449-5284 WE scars; all signs they were likely FINANCE used as bait for larger, healthier fighting dogs, she said. “We just take each day as it comes,” said Ms. Monfort. SURE! WE FINANCE RIGHT HERE IN OUR STORE! T B C P Page 3 OPINION APRIL 1, 2010 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CONTACT US Letters are welcome, but must contain the signature of the writer, a telephone number and city of residence. By phone at 904.259.2400 or by fax at 904.259.6502. You can stop by our o ce located at 104 S. Fifth Street, Letters must re ect opinions and statements on issues of current interest to the general public. Macclenny, FL or mail your submission to PO Box 598, Macclenny, FL 32063. The newspaper reserves the right to reject any material which in the newspaper’s judgement does not meet standards of publication. We are available online at www.bakercountypress.com GPS ‘voice’ just another critic of his driving skills I’m sitting in a hotel room of reasoning. “Are you going to watching the NCAA champion- turn on the cruise control?” she ship and spend- said, 10 minutes ing some qual- after I took over. ity time with my MY SIDE OF A few miles daughter, an later, after I still actress with a didn’t put it in regional profes- THE MATTER cruise, she said sional theatre in ROBERT GERARD it again. “Why Tennessee. don’t you put it It was an odd on cruise?” Easter at our house. I have been “I’m in traffic. I’ll put it on assured by our friends that we’re when I’m comfortable.” unusual because until this year Later she pulled out her pillow all of our family has been to- and curled up to nap. “Hey,” I gether for Easter and all major said, “Hand me those chips.” holidays. She looked up. “It’s late. You This year was different and don’t need those chips.” She went though we didn’t really talk about back to sleep. it, having one of the clan 500 I looked at Mandy. I kept ex- miles away put a damper on the pecting her to say, “She’s right, holiday. Usually, as soon as the you know. You need to watch crowd wakes up they sit around your waste line. And put on the the hearth and we take pictures cruise control. Oh, and stay on of them holding their baskets. the motorway.” Then they will root around in Sometimes you just can’t win. their baskets and trade for stuff I’m being double teamed by my they want. They have done this wife and a virtual Englishwom- since they have been old enough an. to walk and talk. We finally got to the hotel and Not this year. The boys didn’t daughter Sara met us there. We really even want to have a lot gave her the Easter basket that to do with Easter. It wasn’t the we brought and she looked at same without all of them there what the Easter Bunny had de- Willie Green-a late blues ‘bloomer’ together. I suppose that this is livered. what I have to look forward to “I feel a lot better now. This The singer’s mine. in the next few years. It doesn’t was my worst Easter ever. I was luck seems to “My fi rst time,” I replied. “I’ve thrill me in the least. so lonely. I didn’t get to sit with THE BACK have changed. been reading about you.” It’s a nine-hour drive to my my brothers and open our bas- His most re- He nodded, his expression un- daughter in Crossville. I bought kets. Spencer and Dylan called PORCH cent release, readable. He started to play. my first GPS, a little TomTom me and they felt the same way. Kelley Lannigan Cross Creek Song after song, the distinct har- named Mandy. Yeah, that’s right, It would have been better if Blues, attests to monic progressions in 4/4 time and the thing has a name. Mandy is the boys could have come along, The blues is a musical style I’ve that. Today he the fl attened third, fi fth and seventh English and keeps telling me to but they had college. The best I long been aware of but have never plays with the notes of the blues major scale fi lled turn onto the motorway. can hope for is that we’ll all be actively listened to. Willie Green the air around me. I fell easily into I’ve never had one of these together for Christmas. I’d read a little about this dis- Blues Band and the hypnotic “walking rhythms” things and they are a little ir- • Random jottings – The iPad tinctly American musical style from performs in that distinguish these songs as Wil- ritating. For one thing, Mandy came out on Saturday. It’s gotten time to time when I chanced upon various blues, lie alternately sang and blew on his folk and roots mouth harp. is a bit of a nag. When I got off great reviews and I’m a big Apple the subject in a magazine article. music festivals After a while he took a break. He the interstate for gas, she kept fan, but I can’t see myself buying From an academic perspective I knew it developed primarily within through the looked up from his guitar and our saying, “Take a legal U-turn and one. I’m not really sure what it year. eyes locked again. return to the motorway. Turn left does that the iPhone doesn’t. the black communities in the Deep South at the end of the 19th cen- My plate of “So,” he said. “You been readin’ (?) miles ahead and return to the Sara Beth posed an interesting tury. venison arrived about me, eh?” motorway.” question. What happens when It was characterized by an amal- and I busied “Yep. They said you are the “real I kept expecting her to get very somebody from Boston goes to gamation of spirituals, work songs, myself with deal.” I think they’re right.” forceful and scold me. “What? the Apple Store and wants an fi eld hollers, shouts and chants all eating. Across “I got started late,” he said. “But Are you some lame git? I told you iPod? “Hey, buddy, give me an characterized into simple narrative from me, Wil- I caught up.” to get back on the motorway. I iPahhd.” He walks out with an ballads. lie settled I fi nished my meal and started mean NOW!!” iPad and thinks, “that’s funny, I I’d read lyrics of blues songs and himself in his on dessert. Willie had disappeared. I’m not sure I like Mandy very thought they were smaller.” knew they often gave voice to hard chair, grasped The hostess sat a couple at the table much. I find myself watching the times: The burdens and vexations his well-worn next to me. The woman couldn’t screen, which has all sorts of in- of daily life, being broke and having PHOTO BY KELLEY LANNIGAN guitar with hide her disappointment at the Willie Green plays the blues. formation like speed, estimated nothing and quite often, love gone one hand and singer’s absence. arrival time and the like. It’s a wrong. They also fostered the gritty writes for The St. Petersburg Times, positioned “He’s just taking a break,” the little distracting. philosophy that it’s no use crying interviewed the singer, who was a harness holding a mouth harp hostess told her. “Don’t you worry. I don’t need Mandy to com- over spilled milk and laughing at once homeless, a number of years (harmonica) in front of his chin. His Willie will be playing all night.” ment on my driving. I have Kel- one’s predicament is often all you ago. lips formed into the barest hint of a The woman smiled and relaxed. ley. She drove to Macon and then can do. “I had some tough times,” Willie smile. He had noticed me studying Like me, she’d traveled there espe- I took over. Then, I read about Willie Green, told Mr. Klinkenberg, “but God has him. cially to hear the blues. Here’s the difference between a living, breathing, singing, playing led me here.” “You been here before?” he I knew she wouldn’t be disap- asked, his intense eyes locking on pointed. us. For four hours she drove and repository of this uniquely Ameri- not once did I mention anything can music and he was living and about her driving. I just let her performing practically in my neck drive. She was going the right of the woods. Facebook fans It was time for a road trip. way, why should I say anything? I made my way to The Yearling Kelley, perhaps emboldened restaurant in Cross Creek, about by Mandy, did not follow that line 20 miles below Gainesville where ‘What you had to say ...” Willie is the house musician from Check it out... Thursday through Sunday. The Baker County Press has a fan page on Facebook (that league baseball game, Braves vs. Cubs...not unusual but monu- bakercountypress.com I went for the food, of course, mental to him!” Angela Callahan. which I’d been hearing about for social networking site you always hear about) for our online a while, but I also went for Willie, readers to connect with us. It’s informal but e ective in help- “Going camping!” Julie Ellis. whose identity is now inextricably ing us nd out what they think. We asked our fans on Face- “My Granny will be 95 this weekend. Going to celebrate.” tied to the restaurant. The blues book April 5, “With the beautiful weather for spring break, Nancy Venturelli. T B C P singer has become an integral part usps 040-280 of The Yearling experience. how are you and your family going to spend the time o ”Physical therapy and Kingsley Lake to enjoy the water.” Don Post Offi ce Box 598 As luck would have it, I was seat- from school?” Here’s a look at the responses: Yonn. Macclenny, FL 32063 ed across from his small performing (904) 259-2400 ”My family and I went to a strawberry patch and picked huge platform in the main dining room. “Headed to the beach with some good friends.” Cale G. John- amounts of berries today...not exactly Spring Break material, but The Baker County Press is published each Thursday by Baker County Press, Inc. It was an intimate setting, my table son. we did have fun and now we have to gure out lots of recipes for Periodicals postage paid under permit issued April 12, 1929 at the post offi ce so close I could speak easily to the them!!!” Tami Jager. in Macclenny, Florida. man. “Camping at Laura Walker State Park, GA!” Amanda Nowlen. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Willie is slender of stature, gentle “Heading to Stephen Foster Memorial for a picnic, then Come join us on Facebook. Go to facebook.com and reg- $25.00 a year inside Baker County; $35.00 a year outside Baker County; and unassuming. He has the air of spending the rest of the week in Astor going to the Springs:-).” ister to create your own page. Then search for our fan deduct, $1.00 for persons 65 years of age or older, military personnel one who has lived the hard times his Laura Sta ord-Jacobs. songs portray, but also the resolute page and join the fun. You’ll be surprised who you find on acti ve dutyoutside Baker County, and college students living outside “Lake Lanier, Georgia. and my son is going to his rst major within the Facebook community. Baker County. POSTMASTER: send address changes to The Baker County dignity of having survived them. Press, P.O. Box 598, Macclenny, FL. 32063. Jeff Klinkenberg, a columnist who Publisher/Editor James C. McGauley - [email protected] Unplanned Pregnancy? NEWS EDITOR - Joel Addington - [email protected] MULCH ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION - Jessica Prevatt - adverti [email protected] Call e Adoption Authority at Cypress & Red Mulch FEATURES - Kelley Lannigan - [email protected] 1.800.747.5145 Delivery Cypress Saw Dust & Shavings FEATURES/COMMENT/SPORTS - Robert Gerard to discuss the best choice for you and your baby available Fill Dirt & Slag BUSINESS MANAGER - Karin Thomas - [email protected] We specialize in working with CLASSIFIEDS & TYPESETTING - Debbie Hansen - classifi [email protected] individuals and families in rural areas. Thrift Log Homes All calls are strictly confi dential 1.800.747.5145 This newspaper is printed on recycled paper. www.theadoptionauthority.com • Se Habla Español 259-2900 Page 4 T B C P ursday, April 1, 2010
COUNTRY FEDERAL COUNTRY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION CREDIT UNION invites you to join at their newest full-service branch in COUNTRY FEDERAL SANDERSON 9163 CR 229 • Sanderson, Fla. 32087 CREDIT UNION DRIVETHRU LOBBY HOURS: 602 S. Sixth Street, Macclenny • 259-6702 HOURS: Monday - ursday Monday - ursday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm US Hwy. 90 West, Glen St. Mary • 653-4401 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Friday 7:15 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm 100 S. Lima Street, Baldwin • 266-1041 2 Drive- ru Lanes ~ New ATM machine Saturday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm www.countryfcu.com Felony arrest for pot Twin also gets 20-year term Two defendants of the origi- for 266 days served in county jail 1. The twins had been out of pris- nal four arrested for the night since his arrest the morning of on a month when arrested for the Driver had four children in car burglary of the Macclenny Bad- July 14. Badcock burglary. A Crawfordville, FL man ques- possessing narcotics equipment while shouting at them. cock store in July, 2009 were He was also ordered to pay tioned by a county deputy the af- when they found a socket with • Terrence Guyden, 35, of sentenced during the past two $2600 restitution for damaged ternoon of April 3 after he pulled marijuana residue suggesting it High Springs, FL was jailed for weeks, one of them drawing the inventory. up behind a disabled vehicle on had been used as a pipe. disorderly conduct after he was identical prison time given ear- Mr. Dillon testified against Interstate 10 near Glen St. Mary In other arrests: found beside his disabled Dodge lier to his twin brother. both Justin and Jamel Wescott ended up jailed for felony posses- • Dawn Garvin, 20, of Jack- van at Ivey and Lowder St. in Justin Wescott, 21, of Jack- during their trials, refuting their sion of marijuana. sonville was arrested for misde- Macclenny early on April 4. sonville was given a 20-year term defense that they were either vic- Charles Randall, 20, was driv- meanor marijuana possession Deputy Kevin Jenkins said he in prison by Circuit Judge James tims of mistaken identity or were ing the Nissan about 5:25 that the evening of April 2 after she spotted the vehicle while on pa- Nilon on March 29 for burglary, not involved in the burglary. He pulled off the westbound lanes was caught shoplifting greeting trol about 5:50 am and noted it and a 10-year concurrent term convinced juries that all three of while Deputy Matt Sigers was cards from the Walmart Super- had two flat tires on the driver’s for grand theft of appliances and them, plus Dale Jones of Jack- waiting in the median to cross center. side and heavily damaged rims. other inventory that was being sonville, came to Macclenny that over to check the status of a ma- Deputy Randy Davis said he Mr. Guyden was unsteady on loaded onto a stolen rental truck night to burglarize the furniture roon van he noticed parked on found a small baggie of the drug his feet and disoriented, telling that morning when police re- store at South 5th and Jonathan the shoulder. in Ms. Garvin’s purse. Also ar- the officer he was going to his sponded to the store alarm. Sts. The officer detected an odor rested for shoplifting in the same sister’s house in Gainesville. He He will be on probation five Mr. Jones’ case has yet to be of marijuana when he inquired case was Etorial Plant, 22, of admitted to drinking and said he years following release from adjudicated and he remains in of Mr. Randall why he and an- Jacksonville. did not know how the tires and prison and, like his brother, was county jail. other vehicle stopped. The driver • James Hodges, 46, of Mac- wheels were damaged. adjudicated as an habitual of- Jamel Wescott was convicted consented to a vehicle search and clenny was arrested for disor- • Deputy Larry Clark said he fender. in January and sentenced March police found a total of 29 ounces derly intoxication the evening of questioned the occupants of a Mr. Wescott was convicted after representing himself at trial of pot under a passenger seat and April 4 after he yelled obscenities 1984 Oldsmobile parked off the ECONOMY SPECIAL! ECONOMY SPECIAL! ECONOMY SPECIAL! in a door pocket. to members of a church league road near US 90 and Cypress in in December. His first trial ended Four male juvenile passengers softball team at practice. Sanderson the evening of April 4 in a hung jury. ages four through 11 were pas- Witnesses told Deputy Rod- and ended up arresting a passen- In the second sentencing, Roy Starting At Only sengers in the Nissan, and Depu- ney Driggers that Mr. Hodges ger wanted in Columbia County. Dillon, 25, of Jacksonville was ½ OFF $ 50 Storage for the first 3 months ty Sigers said they were released stood in the roadway aside the A computer check revealed the given a five-year probation by per month NO CONTRACT REQUIRED to another adult traveling in the Knabb Sports Complex on W. warrant for Demareion Givens, Judge Phyllis Rosier on April 5 18 other vehicle. Ohio and repeatedly slammed a 23, of Glen St. Mary for failure to after entering no contest pleas All-Safe Mini Storage Police added a second count of baseball bat into the pavement appear in court on a drug case. to two counts of grand theft and 5'x10' • 10'x10' burglary. The state dropped a 10'x15' • 10'x20' 259-3565 charge of felony criminal mis- 190 S. Lowder St., Macclenny Check it out... 10'x30' www.all-safeministorage.com bakercountypress.com chief and gave Mr. Dillon credit Art, essays are sought ECONOMY SPECIAL! ECONOMY SPECIAL! ECONOMY SPECIAL! To celebrate 100 years of Baker County’s historic old jail, the Baker County Historical Society is sponsoring an art and essay contest. NOTICE Winning entries in both categories will be displayed during the is hereby given that the Baker County Housing Assis- Historic Jail Centennial Celebration July 2, 1010 at 42 West McIver Avenue. tance Program will be opening the application pro- All entries submitted are to be specifi c to the history of Baker Coun- cess for its Housing Choice Voucher Program (Sec- ty. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded to three catego- tion 8) as of Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Application ries: elementary, middle and high school. Entries from adults are also encouraged. packets are now available at the BCHAP office, 402 Essays can be printed by hand or typed and should be written in an E. Stansell Ave., Macclenny, FL. informative style with a minimum of fi ve paragraphs if hand-written and seven paragraphs if typed. If typed, please double space lines. AutoCrafters Collision Repair Entries will be accepted April 5 through June 4, 2010. Applications 180 S. Lowder St., Macclenny for submissions are available at the Emily Taber Library and at the el- WE ARE BAKER COUNTY’S ROOFING EXPERTS 259-3001 ementary, middle and high schools. Entries should be returned to the same locations. A submission form must be accompany each entry. COMBS BUILDERS, INC. For more information, call Sheldon Beasley at sbeasley@nefcom. • Lifetime Warranty on all repairs net. Re-Roofs • New Roofs • Leak Repairs • 10 Locations thru out Florida Torch Down Leaks • Roof Inspections • Free Computerized Estimates $ $ WE BUY TIMBER $ $ • State of the art equipment LOGS AND PULPWOOD • 1 ACRE OR LARGER We specialize in problem roofs • We are a Direct Repair Provider for most Satisfaction Guaranteed Major Insurance Companies Licensed & Insured • I-Car and ASE Certified
259-2563 Let Us Be Your DIAMOND TIMBER, INC. Commercial & Residential Collision Repair Specialist “FOR A QUALITY CUT” FREE Owner: Tim Combs Estimates Florida State Certified Roofing “It’s Our BusIness” CALL 282-5552 • KENT WILLIAMS Contractor Lic# CCC1325730 ursday, April 1, 2010 T B C P Page 5 Pickup, property stolen While owner was away two weeks A Sanderson woman returned 90 in Macclenny about 3:15 the Camp Tracey near Taylor was home after a two-week absence morning of March 30. arrested for entering the dorm to find that someone had re- The suspect, dressed in a dark room of a camp counselor about moved an old pickup truck and jacket with what appeared to be 4:00 am on March 29. The coun- $5500 worth of tools and other a round yellow emblem on the selor, Jessica Jones, 27, said she property. hood, took two boxes of cigars awoke to find the youth partially Carolyn Plemmon reported and damaged another surveil- clothed and standing by her bed. the thefts on March 31 and was lance camera with a 4X4 piece When she screamed and at- unable to give police any leads as of lumber he brought into the tempted to detain the boy, he fled to who may have been respon- store. the room. He was charged with sible. The missing property in- Deputy Rodney Driggers noted burglary. cluded a 1986 Ford Ranger that two large rocks on the floor that • Edward Hall reported to po- was not in running condition and may have been used to smash the lice that his water well and pump had not been registered for about front glass door valued at $800. were vandalized between 6:00- a decade. The cigars were valued at $18. 9:00 am on March 29. He lives Other items that had been re- • A wallet and contents belong- on Crews Rd. moved were a riding lawn mower, ing to Jeremiah Daniel of Mac- • Sarah Griffis of Sanderson tool chest, car dolly, an air tank, clenny were taken from his Ford said her vehicle was struck by welder and freezer. Explorer while it was parked the an object likely thrown by sub- In other recent theft reports: afternoon of April 4 in west Mac- jects standing near CR 127 near Rescue workers remove Ms. Wilson from scene of a three-vehicle collision on South Boulevard • Cheryl Cline called police clenny. Jonesville Park the evening of when she learned April 1 that a The wallet contained $100, March 29. lawn mower and air conditioner credit and debit cards and iden- A golf ball-size dent was evi- handler were taken from a resi- tification. dent on the passenger side door. Hit-run driver is arrested dence on Whippoorwill Rd. near • A 14-year-old resident of Sanderson. It didn’t take long for police to ing with an open container of Both the suspect and Ms. Wil- A neighbor had called the locate the driver of a truck that alcohol. son were treated for minor inju- owner, who lives in Jacksonville, hit Natalie Wilson’s 2002 Jeep as While attempting to overtake ries at Fraser Memorial. Neither to report an open door and bro- We pay cash $225 & up it idled behind a stopped school Ms. Wilson’s vehicle about 3:30 the school bus driver, nor seven ken window at the unoccupied bus unloading students the af- pm on South Boulevard near students on the bus at the time of residence. The same neighbor for junk vehicles ternoon of March 31, despite the Joan Street, Mr. Spatcher’s 2001 the crash were injured. told Ms. Cline of a black Nissan suspect fl eeing the scene on foot. Chevy pickup struck the rear Ms. Wilson’s SUV suffered an truck with a rear window missing Call JunkNo Joe title necessary | Licensed The suspect, Leroy Spatcher, of the Jeep, causing it to crash estimated $10,000 in damage. in the area two days earlier. 62, of Macclenny faces multiple into the back of the school bus, Estimates on the school bus and • A surveillance camera cap- Also remove any kind of scrap metal charges including DUI, leaving states a report from Trooper H.J. Mr. Spatcher’s truck were $1200 tured the image of a lone black the scene of an accident, driving Cichoski Jr. of the Florida High- and $5000, respectively. male smashing the front door of Free pick-up • 386-867-1396 with a revoked license and driv- way Patrol. the BP convenience store on US Student threatens another with a knife A 13-year-old male student at Another bus rider, a 15-year- boy is from the Sanderson area. old female student from Mac- the county’s Alternative School old female, reportedly then took Two other students were ar- clenny allegedly attacked another was arrested on April 2 for pulling the knife from the assailant and rested in the days leading up to girl outside the cafeteria. Deputy a pocket knife on another student gave it back to him before she got spring break this week, both fe- Riegel said the accused broke who refused to give up his seat on off the bus. males and both charged with bat- free of school administrators and a school bus that morning. The girl told Deputy Kevin tery on the Baker High campus had to be chased down and sub- Police were called to the Jenkins she did not see the actual about the same time on March dued when she tried to get at the school for disruptive students by confrontation, though other stu- 30. other girl, also 15 and from Mac- Principal John Staples, who was dents did, and that she witnessed • Kristie Alford, 18, of Sand- clenny. told of the incident shortly after the accused threatening other erson was arrested for accosting students arrived for classes. The students, “and telling them he a 16-year-old female about 9:00 accused allegedly held the knife was going to cut somebody.” am. The accused told campus Press Advertising briefly to the throat of the second The youth, from Glen St. deputy Matt Riegel she was angry Deadline student, also 13, who then sus- Mary, is charged with aggravated because she saw the younger girl tained a cut on his thumb when assault with a deadly weapon, a talking to her boyfriend. Monday 5:00 PM he deflected the knife. third-degree felony. The other • Minutes earlier, a 15-year-
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