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Inside supplement: School Calendar Class Enrollments Buss Routes Open House Information Supplement in this week’s edition! & Much more 75¢ AUGUST 1, 2013 THURSDAY r In lle te e r m K e • d l i o a t o e h c ThE BakER CDS OUNty PREss 84th Year, Vol. 14 | Winner of 11 state awards for journalism excellence in 2012 Pot farm Keller slips to ‘D’; BCMS to a ‘B’ uprooted JOEL ADDINGtoN NEWS EDItor [email protected] in north The transition to more rigor- ous testing standards this year r In lle te has hit schools across the state e r Macclenny pretty hard. m K The number of F-rated e Sheriff’s drug investigators • schools in Florida more than r Cou d uncovered a marijuana grow- e n l t i o ing operation about midday on doubled this year while the k y a t a o e number of A-rated schools fell M h c DS July 23 at a residence on Blair B by 39 percent, according to pre- i • d St. in north Macclenny. l liminary school grades released d Investigators Matt Yarbor- o l e last week by the state. o h S Bc ough and Mike Hauge said they went to the address of Baker County schools didn’t Troy Allen King, 46, based on fare any better with the tough- an informant’s statement, and er standards, which were rolled out to better prepare students when the suspect answered the from 2011 last year, Keller In- received its first B-grade since for the move to national ”Com- worse. this month to limit all drops in door they detected what was termediate School reverted 2006, after holding its A-grade mon Core” standards in 2014- Both Keller and BCMS ben- school letter grades to one let- described as “the very strong back to that rating this year. for six straight years. 15. efited from the State Board of ter grade “to ensure stability odor of unburned marijua- Baker County Middle School But it could have been Education’s decision earlier See page 3 na emanating from the resi- After shedding its D-grade dence.” Mr. King replied “there are three or so plants in there” and consented to a premises o search, vowing to make no r C un e t more statements to the officers k y a without the presence of a law- B M Goal at UNC: 40 receptions yer. • i d JON SHUMAKE l The search turned up 46 d o l e o SPORTS EDItor h S plants along with ventilation Bc and irrigation equipment in [email protected] two bedrooms. A kitchen re- Former Wildcat football star frigerator yielded 340 grams Kendrick Singleton could be of pot in baggies, and officers poised to make a major impact seized scales and empty bag- at the collegiate level this year gies commonly used for pack- for the University of North Car- aging. olina Tar Heels. Investigator Yarborough He is entering training camp noted that Mr. King was not ar- as the starting slot receiver for rested due to poor health, and the team after playing primar- a criminal complaint for felony ily on special teams as a true growing and felony posses- freshman last year. He re- sion with intent to sell was filed corded 12 tackles last season, with the state attorney’s office. but his first year was more of In another felony posses- a learning experience, both on sion arrest, Fain Strickland, and off the field. 40, of Macclenny was charged “My freshmen year went re- with having four types of pre- ally really well,” Mr. Singleton scription medicine in an un- said. “It helped me grow up. marked pill bottle found in his My maturity level grew tremen- pocket the evening of July 24. dously.” Deputy Shawn Bishara said The new level of maturity police responded to a report will help him as he takes over that Mr. Strickland was lying the starting role after catching on a sidewalk on North Boule- two passes for 24 yards and a vard East about 7 pm. He had touchdown during the spring a strong odor of alcohol about game earlier this year. him and appeared disoriented. The 2012 second-team all- The suspect was arrested state player said he hopes to PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA when he refused to calm him- have at least 40 receptions to Kendrick Singleton on the field last year with the Tarheels, when he posted 12 tackles on special teams. self after waving wildly and help the team win the Atlantic shouting, said Sgt. Bishara. everybody can’t make it to Coast Conference, but he has The pills were found in a sub- NFL, so working hard in much higher personal goals for sequent body search. the classroom to prepare himself. Mr. Strickland was also himself for life is just as im- “I want to become a bigger charged with disorderly con- portant as working on the man and a better leader,” he duct. field. said. “I want to reach lost souls • Investigator Hauge arrest- “One of my goals is to be through the gift I’ve been giv- ed Brystall Stokes, 19, of Bax- a millionaire,” he said. “I en.” ter after she produced a small want to do everything I can Playing in the ACC will give amount of marijuana from un- to make sure I can take care him the platform to do just der her clothing the late morn- of my family.” that. The Tar Heels averaged ing of July 26. Mr. Singleton cred- more than 50,000 fans in front The officer said Ms. Stokes its Baker County High of a home crowd at Kenan Sta- School’s Sulkowski broth- See page 3 dium last year. ers for helping him become “I was spooked before my successful in college. first game,” Mr. Singleton said. “I wouldn’t be half the “But the crowds make you feel man I am today with- St. George good. People look up to you. It’s out the Sulkowski broth- a blessing.” ers,” Mr. Singleton said. His hard work hasn’t been “They taught me so much for him to do so. limited to the football field, ei- and helped prepare me on the “I just want the commu- man leaves ther. He’s also focused on aca- field.” nity to keep an eye on me,” demics. He is majoring in exer- He still tries to return home he said. “I love and am cise sports science. as often as possible, but foot- thankful for all the support puppy in Mr. Singleton said he knows ball and class makes it difficult everyone has given me.” vehicle for bakercountypress.com COVERING BAKER COUNTY SINCE 1929 % ONLINE POLL RESULts 50 Parents speak openly The county’s most professional and extensive source for news, classified, display and real estate listings more than about sex with children Which strategy would % 25 Sex Ed. including info 904.259.2400 •• 904.259.6502 Fax be most effective at on contraception reducing teen pregnancy % two hours 20 Teen moms speak www.bakercountypress.com in Baker County? to groups See page 6 Visit our website and vote each week in our online poll. [email protected] Page 2 The Baker County Press Thursday, August 1, 2013 Thursday, August 1, 2013 The Baker County Press Page 3 Got comments, complaints, suggestions, story ideas... Pot farm School grades: state If you have any information you think we need to know, uprooted rule limited the drop send it to: [email protected] in city... From page 1 est-performing students made Common Core. Have your wedding gown designed gains in reading and 35 percent The standards are designed to as a Keepsake. Coming From page 1 and fairness in Florida’s school into a family heirloom grading system,” reads a press in math at Keller last year. encourage more critical thinking soon to Baker County, a small business that will help you was a passenger in a 2007 Chev- The one-letter-grade drop and a deeper understanding of release from the Florida Depart- display your wedding gown into a uniquely designed keep- rolet pickup stopped on the pave- protection was recommended by subject areas. The goal of Com- ment of Education. sake. An heirloom that will be enjoyed and treasured by ment of CR 127 near Baxter about Tony Bennett, the state’s com- mon Core, officials say, is to bet- Keller would have received its you, your children, your grandchildren and family members 11:30. She was questioned when first-ever F-rating without the missioner of education, with ter prepare students for college the investigator noticed she was support from schools superin- and careers. for years to come. We will also be providing silk wedding one-grade-drop protection. fl owers, alterations and many other custom designs and ideas. Opening date acting nervous after the traffic “It’s certainly not for lack of tendents statewide. “By acknowledging where our and location will be announced soon. For more information, call 259-3653. stop. hard work, I know that,” said At BCMS, 61 percent of stu- challenges are currently, we can The pickup’s driver, Brian Keller principal Gail Griffis of her dents performed satisfactory or best prepare for a successful fu- Harris, 22, of Baxter was issued school’s latest ranking. better in reading, 63 percent did ture,” said Board of Education a verbal warning for stopping in She said the areas of most so in math, 42 percent did so in chairman Gary Chartrand of the roadway.