MadisonJournalTODAY

Tax notices expected soon

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0400

All Madison County property owners will receive a property tax assessment notice this year. And those notices could come late this week or early next week.

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No evidence of foul play in fatal Colbert fire

nospam@example.com (Margie Richards) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0400

Officials say there is no evidence of foul play in a flash fire that killed a brother and sister in a block building in Colbert during the early hours of Sunday, June 21.

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OPINION: Painful reminders of past racism still remain

nospam@example.com (Frank Gillispie) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0400

An Athens landmark went up in flames last week. The old Georgia Theatre on Lumpkin Street in downtown Athens was heavily damaged by fire of an unknown origin. There was an immediate call for efforts to rebuild the old theatre. People were quick to point out the building’s historic value.

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Assessors discuss conservation exemptions

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:28:00 -0400

Madison County appraiser Stacey Rubio placed a stack of conservation use applications on the board of assessors’ table June 18, offering recommendations on what should qualify and what shouldn’t.
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School budget drops 4.5 percent from last year

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:23:00 -0400

The Madison County school board passed a $39.15 million budget Monday, down 4.5 percent from last year’s spending plan, after hearing from one unhappy citizen.
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OPINION: When I’m driving down the road

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:16:00 -0400

When I’m troubled, a good drive alone can help. It combines seclusion and roaming free. The road is a comfort at times, even though it holds dangers.
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Former Raider nabs Georgia PGA win

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:45:36 -0400

Seth McCain was no stranger to victories in the junior or prep golf ranks.
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The stars are out

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:39:53 -0400

Madison Co. all-star teams begin play

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Raiders finish summer strong

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:33:11 -0400

MCHS must replace 7 seniors in 2010

Madison County’s summer season ended with a smash, even if the games don’t really count.
The Raiders rallied from a 9-0 deficit last weekend in their summer ball season finale to beat Greenbrier, 12-10, finishing the exhibition season at 8-6.

The victory over Greenbrier came in the fourth and final game of the Brookwood tournament. Madison County went 3-1 in the event.

“A lot of guys got better, and played better defense,” Raider coach Charlie Griffeth said, who noted that his team might participate in a fall league.

The Raiders, who went 21-7 this past spring, run-ruled Apalachee and Gainesville in their other two victories.

Madison County’s only loss came to Dacula, 5-4, in the second game.

The Raiders entered the tournament with a 5-5 summer record, beating Franklin County four times, losing to Winder-Barrow three times, falling twice to Brookwood twice and beating Elbert County once.

This was an important summer in terms of transition.

The Raiders must rebuild their pitching staff and offensive lineup after the graduation of seven seniors. The summer schedule provided those younger players leaping from junior varsity to varsity with much-needed experience.

“They just kept getting reps and figuring out the speed of the game … They got better and better.”
That said, Griffeth said there’s much work left to do on the mound.

“It’s still got a long way to go — throwing more strikes and having command of more than one pitch … We’ve still got a ways to go on the hill,” Griffeth said.

Offensively, Griffeth noted that Bracken Turner — who will take over at catcher next year — carried a hot bat during the summer season, hitting “four or five” homeruns.

“Bracken had a great summer,” Griffeth said.

Hayden Martin, Kyle Dean and J. Ben Hardman also hit the ball well.

Madison County also fielded a second-tier summer ball team that consisted of younger players.
Griffeth said that team played well, and some of its players could push for varsity playing time come spring.

“It’s wide open,” he said. “You never know who might put on 20 lbs. (of muscle).

Even though summer ball is over, some Raiders aren’t taking summer off.

Griffeth noted four to five guys hitting in cages two days after summer ball ended.
“They’re hungry,” he said.

Softball team loses just twice in summer ball

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:05:20 -0400

The Madison County softball team rolled through its summer schedule, losing just twice while addressing its needs for next year.

The Raiders, 24-11 last year, wrapped-up their summer exhibition slate this past Thursday.

“We got to look at several different girls and hopefully answer some questions here in the summer so when we get (preseason practice) started Aug. 1,” 12th-year coach Doug Kesler said.

Madison County lost just once in the summer league schedule, which included games against North Oconee, Walnut Grove, Oglethorpe, Franklin, Stephens and Prince Avenue.

Madison County also played in a tournament in Greenbrier, going 5-1. Among the highlights were victories over Parkview, Cherokee County and Lakeside-Evans.

One area Madison County addressed this summer is shortstop. The team lost last year’s starter, Taylor Morgan, to graduation.

“We got to look at some different girls at that position, so we felt pretty good with what we got accomplished this summer,” Kesler said.

As far as pitching, Kesler said Erin Gibson enjoyed a strong summer.

“I thought Erin Gibson threw the ball well … I think she’s improved from last year,” Kesler said.

Summer work wasn’t limited to just the softball diamond.

Madison County got stronger as a team, literally, putting in time at the weight room.

“So hopefully, they got a little bit stronger, hopefully they gained a little confidence through that.”
Preseason practice starts Aug. 1, but Madison County will host a series of exhibition games the final week in July. North Oconee is the only confirmed opponent.

Sheriff’s office on look out for beer, pretzel thief

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:10:13 -0400

A Watkinsville man is suspected of trying to shoplift beer and pretzels from Ingles Grocery in Hull last week.

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Taxes: Pay with plastic

nospam@example.com (Margie Richards) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:14:10 -0400

Tax office will offer more payment options

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Man charged with pedestrian under the influence

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:31:00 -0400

A Comer man was arrested recently after a deputy found him lying in the middle of Hwy. 72.
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BOA termination hearing set

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:19:00 -0400

The date has finally been set to determine whether the county commissioners can fire the local board of assessors.
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County gov’t focuses on shaving expenses

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:41:00 -0400

County governments across the state face revenue shortages and Madison County is not immune to the hurt.
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Madison Co. BOC to meet Monday night

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:35:00 -0400

The Madison County Board of Commissioners will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the county government complex.
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Father, daughter face family violence charges

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:30:00 -0400

A father and daughter were arrested for family violence recently.
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OPINION: You cannot defend your rights unless you know what they are

nospam@example.com (Frank Gillispie) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:02:00 -0400

You often hear the claim that ours is a government of law. The idea is that government draws its rights to govern from a series of legal principles, and not from the will of some dictator or king. Those principles are established by three important documents, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And they base their authority on the will of the governed.
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OPINION: Final soundcheck for the Georgia Theatre

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:34:00 -0400

A gallery of bystanders gathered behind the yellow police tape on Lumpkin Street Friday in Athens, either paying their respects to the burning Georgia Theatre or watching firefighters smolder the flames.
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Florida man gets one year probation for battery

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:32:00 -0400

A Florida man was recently sentenced in Madison County Superior Court to one year probation for simple battery under the Family Violence Act.
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Hull homeowners let the dogs out

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:24:00 -0400

Leash law is in place, city warns

Homeowners in Hull need to rein in their four-legged friends, the city council says.
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Ila won’t participate in county map

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:19:00 -0400

Ila’s city council decided this month that the town will not participate in a county picture graphic map.
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OPINION: Why I respect the John Hancock

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:59:00 -0400

It’s always a joy to get a good letter to the editor, one by a local resident about a local issue, something bold enough to make someone mad, but respectful enough not to intend harm — something that is signed.
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River diving accident leaves man paralyzed

nospam@example.com (Margie Richards) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:26:00 -0400

A Danielsville man was seriously injured during a diving accident on the Hudson River June 17.
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