JeffersoFnriday, N ovJember 3o0, 201u8 Vorl. 12 nnumbear 18 l county 75¢ +tax ECBPUBLISHING . COM Man gets five for felony battery Lazaro Aleman PRR,” Circuit Judge Dawn Additionally, Collins dysfunctional family ECB Publishing, Inc. Caloca-Johnson said, said, members of Dobson's background as causes for his following a lengthy recess family wanted to address the troubled past. A local man convicted during which she researched court on behalf of his client. “I ask you to help him last month of felony battery the law after hearing First to speak was get treatment and by a six-member jury was arguments from the defense Dobson's father, who said psychological help,” the handed a maximum prison and state as to what the that as a correctional officer girlfriend told the judge. “He sentence earlier this week, sentence should be. he well understood the needs to be with his kids.” despite the appeals of family PRR stands for prison effects of prison on inmates. Dobson himself asked members and a spirited releasee reoffender. Under The father expressed regret the court for a second argument by his defense Florida law, an individual that he hadn't been part of his chance, saying that he had attorney. who commits certain types Marquice Serial Dobson son's life when the latter was been doing well and making The court on Monday, of felonies within three years growing up. But he said he progress in getting his life Nov. 26, sentenced 27-year- of being released from prison having to impose the was now ready to step together until “this bump on old Marquice Serial Dobson qualifies as a prison releasee maximum sentence. forward and help provide the road” had occurred. to five years with the reoffender and the judge As part of his argument, direction to his son to help “I was taking my meds Department of Corrections must impose the maximum Collins introduced a make the right choices. and doing good but I still had (DOC), crediting him with possible sentence. document attesting to Dobson's girlfriend, with this thing hanging over me,” 31 days of jail-time served. It was Defense Attorney Dobson's mental health whom he has two children, he said, referring to the “I'm sympathetic to the David Collins' argument that history, information that the made an impassioned plea to charge of aggravated battery defense's argument but I find mitigating circumstances in former said he hadn't the court for mercy, citing his with a deadly weapon/ See DOBSON page 3 that Mr. Dobson qualifies for the case relieved the judge of received until after the trial. bipolar disorder and Senate Send bill Cotton-Picking Fire in looks your to ban Santa texting Letters and Ashley Hunter driving ECB Publishing, Inc. “Santa Claus is anyone Ashley Hunter who loves another and ECB Publishing, Inc. seeks to make them happy,” - Orson Osgood Grover. Already filed with the In the spirit of Florida Senate is a bill that Christmas and in the effort may impact texting and to keep the magic of the ECB driving in Florida. season alive, Publishing, Inc. Sen. Wilton Simpson, a will be Republican senator who th accepting Santa letters until represents the 10 Friday, December 14. Congressional District of ECB Publishing, Inc. Photo By Ashley Hunter, November 28, 2018 On Page 11 of this Florida (which includes Jefferson Jefferson and Monticello firefighters and EMS personnel responded to a fire in a cotton edition of the Citrus, Hernando, and part County Journal See BILL page 3 field off Ashville Hwy on Wednesday, Thursday 28. , a clip-out letter has been provided for Ashley Hunter black smoke that was boiling been put out, the operator of parents who want to help ECB Publishing, Inc. up into the sky. the machine stated that he assist their children in Lawmakers Prior to the arrival of had been harvesting cotton writing and sending out a On Wednesday, first responders, the owner, when he began smelling letter to Santa Claus (care ECB Publishing, Inc to hold November 28, the Jefferson Brandon Barnes of Boston, smoke. of ). County Fire Rescue, GA., had doused the cotton The operator had The letter form will run Jefferson County EMS and field in order to prevent the checked the equipment, and again in the December 5 hearing Monticello the Monticello Volunteer Fire spread of the fire. noticed fire on the machine. edition of the News Department responded to a The responding After observing the fire, the and the December 7 here Jefferson call regarding a fire in a firefighters were able to put operator dumped the cotton edition of the County Journal Monday cotton field located off of out the fire after using he had been harvesting and . Ashville Hwy. around 3,000 gallons of drove the cotton-picker All letters received will Upon arrival to the water and 20 gallons of foam closer to the road so that it be printed in the Friday, Lazaro Aleman scene, firefighters discovered on the flame-engulfed piece would be easier for first December 21 edition of the ECB Publishing, Inc. Jefferson County Journal a fully involved cotton- of farming equipment. responders to reach, as well , See FIRE page 3 See LETTERS page 3 picker that was on fire and After the flames had The Jefferson County Legislative Delegation will hold it pre-legislative session public hearing in Do we need special district taxes? Jefferson County on Monday evening, Dec. 3. Lazaro Aleman unincorporated areas. meeting. Barfield told her Parrish Barwick, who ECB Publishing, Inc. State Senator Bill Or when contemplating colleagues that a group of oversees the Road Montford and State bringing roads in private residents of Osprey Road Department, took exception Representative Halsey Municipal Service subdivisions up to standard, were unhappy with the road's to the request. He reminded Beshears will be on hand to Taxing Unit (MSTU): A as has often been the case in condition and wanted the the commission that private hear constituents' concerns taxing scheme that county the past and is presently. county to take it over or roads were not the county's and report on the likely officials contemplate This time it's residents of improve it. Barfield told her responsibility. Nor did the issues in the coming periodically when they are Osprey Road in District 4 colleagues not to be road department have the legislative session. trying to come up with ways who are wanting their road surprised if a group of the manpower, resources or The hearing will be to fund special projects, such improved. residents showed up at the funding to tackle such held at 6:30 p.m. in the as paving roads, providing Commissioner Betsy next meeting to demand projects even it wanted to do courthouse annex, 435 West broadband or other Barfield raised the issue at action. it, he said. See TAXES page 3 Walnut Street. extraordinary service in the Nov. 15 commission County Coordinator Did you know? INSIDE TV THIS WEEK 10 People who are genuinely happy in their VIEWPOINTS 2 FOOD, FUN & ENTERTAINMENT 11 relationships usually don't post about it on Weather social media. Studies show that someone COMMUNITY NEWS 4-6 HISTORY 12 who's secure spends time enjoying their for this SCHOOL 7 FARM & OUTDOORS 13 relationships instead of trying to convince DOWNTOWN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 8 CLASSIFIEDS & LEGALS 14 o t h e r p e o p l e ( a n d t h e m s elves) weekend how happy they are. 2 • JEFFERSON COUNTY JOURNAL • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2018 VIEWPOINTS Deb’s Notes Letters To The Editor Drop a note to: [email protected] Merry Christmas to Monticello Washington Street. The church Letters to the Editor are typed word for word, comma for Jefferson County Chamber of congregation has always graciously comma, as sent to this newspaper. Commerce members. There will be hosted this special time with delicious Please keep letter to 600 words or less. no December business meeting food and in a Christmas atmosphere. because its the holiday season and the The program will be presented by annual Chamber Susan Craig and Lee Condon, Christmas Party will regarding the community food be held instead. At 5 pantries. Plan to come and bring a p.m. on Tuesday, friend. Should you know of those in I wouldCalifornia like to introduce you to of her sincere fires caring she has cried December 4 the need of prayer please let Gary know a dear friend of mine. Her name is for ones she doesn’t even know, party festivities will by calling (850) 997-5705 or (850) April Haas. because of their sadness. begin with food, 933-5567 or add them to the prayer For the last several days she has So to you April, I give thumbs Debbie Snapp drink, good friends list at the food serving line before the taken her time to volunteer to help up. Columnist and Santa Clause. gathering. the fire victims in California on her We as individuals should have Chamber members are invited to come Josh Noland invites the th phone. She has been finding always the spirit of love, kindness, dressed in business attire or their community to the 12 annual Gods locations for displaced individuals and empathy for others in our holiday best. Country Live Concert at 6:30 p.m. and pets and livestock. Hearts. The Jefferson Senior Citizens on Sunday, December 2 at the Perry April has given many heartfelt April, you are number 1 in my Center (JSCC) is looking for a few First Church of God, 1915 North 221.