MadisonJournalTODAY

Two arrested following high-speed chase in Hull

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:45:33 -0500

Two men were apprehended by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department after a high-speed chase in Hull Tuesday afternoon.
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Lady Raiders put away pesky Stephens

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:31:32 -0500

Madison County survived its Hart County holiday tournament finale, downing Stephens County 51-44 last Tuesday.

The Lady Raiders watched a 15-point second half lead dwindle but were able to hold off the Lady Indians late for their 10th win of the year.

Courtney Freeman scored 16 points and Lauren Smith added 11 to make sure Madison County didn’t go winless in the Hart County tournament.

After a 29-point drubbing by Dillard High School of Florida the night before, Madison County came out sluggish against Stephens County, a state tournament team in Class AAA last year. The Lady Raiders trailed 11-10 in the first quarter before surging ahead before halftime, 27-16.

Madison County appeared ready to put Stephens County away in the second half, producing six straight defensive stops to start the third quarter and building a 31-16 edge.

But Stephens County hung around.

The Lady Indians, who had just two losses on the year, chopped the lead to 45-39 with two minutes left and 48-44 with 28 second remaining.

However, Madison County hit three of four three throws down the stretch to hang on for the victory.
Kayla Freeman added nine points in the win and Haley Peeples threw in eight.

Raiders’ Davis scores 21, but Elbert wins

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:26:09 -0500

Reterrium Davis hit four three pointers and scored 21 points, but his performance wasn’t enough to carry Madison County past Elbert County last Tuesday.

The Raiders fell 64-57 on the final day of the Hart County holiday tournament, their sixth loss in seventh games.
Patrick McCrary added 16 points and Bradley Raines scored 13.

Though the Raiders had three scorers reach double figures, the rest of the team accounted for just seven points as Madison County missed an opportunity to climb back above the .500 mark.

Thanks in part to three early three-pointers from Davis, Madison County led for most of the first half before Elbert County rallied to tie the game at 28 at intermission.

Back-to-back three-pointers from Raines put the Raiders back on top 42-35 with four minutes left in the third quarter, but Madison County scored just five points over the next six and a half minutes. That offensive lapse allowed Elbert County to surge ahead for good.

The Raiders were out-rebounded 51-40 and left too many point on the floor, missing all but four of their free throw attempts (4-of-18).

Danielsville council approves raises

nospam@example.com (Margie Richards) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:20:00 -0500

The Danielsville City Council passed its 2009 budget 3-1 Monday night, which includes a 5.8-percent increase for city employees. Councilwoman Junne Temple provided the “no” vote.
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Two sentenced to prison for molestation

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:36:00 -0500

Two men were sentenced recently in Madison County Superior Court to prison for child molestation.
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BOC approves budget, tax rates

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:38:00 -0500

Madison County commissioners officially adopted the $14.2 million county budget for 2009, down $850,000, or 5.6 percent, from the 2008 budget of $15 million.
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OPINION: Return of dog in criminal case was puzzling

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:21:00 -0500

A male pit bull seized from a Madison County man in a dog fighting bust this summer was recently returned to that man. This seems sad and doesn’t make much sense to me. I can’t imagine Michael Vick getting one of his dogs back as he awaited his day in court.
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Unemployment rate increases to 25-year high

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:20:00 -0500

The Georgia Department of Labor says that the unemployment rate in the Northeast Georgia area rose to a preliminary unadjusted rate of 7.3 percent in November, up 3.2 percentage points over the year from November of 2007.
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New sheriff takes office, talks of plans

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:19:00 -0500

For incoming Sheriff Kip Thomas, this New Year’s Eve was no time for a party, not on a work night. Once the clock struck midnight, the change of administrations was official. The transition came on the biggest “party night” of the year, when the flashing blue lights are out in force. And with calls coming in, Thomas would have to be on hand to see the office locks changed and to swear in deputies.
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OPINION: The kitten who came for Christmas

nospam@example.com (Margie Richards) — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:19:00 -0500

I write this column with some trepidation, since many times after I write a something of this sort, I am “gifted” with a new pet, or pets, something which I now, more than ever, don’t need.
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Lady Raiders lose to out-of-state juggernaut

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:53:49 -0500

Prior to his team’s game with Dillard High School Monday, Lady Raider coach Dan Lampe had heard reports that this Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., team possibly ranked as high as no. 3 nationally.

After the Lady Raiders played these out-of-state foes, he said that could very well be the case.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they were the no. 3 team in the nation,” Lampe said.

Madison County suffered its most lopsided loss in the past few years, falling 80-51 to the talented Florida team in Hart County’s holiday tournament.

The loss dropped Madison County to 9-4 heading into the tournament finale against Stephens County Tuesday. Results of that game weren’t available at press time due to early holiday deadlines.

Madison County trailed Dillard 23-9 after a quarter and couldn’t recover.

Lampe said the team reminded him — somewhat — of one of Madison County’s subregion rivals.

“I kind of thought of them kind of like Clarke Central on steroids,” Lampe said. “They were bigger, faster, stronger than Clarke Central but played the exact same style.”

Lampe said Dillard possessed several Division I players, including an outstanding guard.

“What it does, it shows us how much work we have left to do,” Lampe said. “I like playing teams like this.”

Though the outcome was lopsided, Lampe saw some merit in the game. He said this loss was probably more beneficial than some of its blow-out wins.

“It’s kind of weird to say, but I’d much rather play like this and have the outcome than us play a game where we beat a team by 30 or 40 points,” he said. “You only get better by playing teams that are better.”

Not that he wasn’t concerned about the loss.

Madison County missed a ton of lay-ups. In fact, Lampe noted an interesting stat. Had the Lady Raiders converted all their lay-up chances, they would have been tied with Dillard heading into the fourth quarter.

Instead, Madison County trailed 59-37.

Lampe also said the team is lacking a certain flow on offense that it possessed last year.

“I right now I’m just focused on getting everything cohesive,” Lampe said.

COLUMN: Georgia fans -- To heck with conference loyalty

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:30:00 -0500

A bit of advice to Georgia fans: Learn the words to “Boomer Sooner.”
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Raiders celebrate holidays with 35-point rout

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:00:00 -0500

Madison County might have scored plenty of points Monday night, but the Raider defense was the real catalyst in a 71-36 thumping of Stephens County in Hart County High School’s holiday tournament.

“We came out and played great defense and we challenged our guys after not playing defense Saturday night against Hart County,” head coach Steve Crouse said.

The victory snapped a five-game Raider losing skid and evened Madison County’s record at 6-6 on the year.

“We had a lot of intensity, a lot of energy on defense,” Crouse said of his team’s first win since Dec. 6.

The Raiders played their final game of the tournament Tuesday against Elbert County, but results weren’t available at press time due to early holiday deadlines.

Offensively, Patrick McCrary sparked the victory over Stephens County, leading Madison County with 16 points, eight rebounds, six blocks and four assists.

“Pat had a great game,” Crouse said.

However, he benefited from a Raider team that shared the ball well Monday night. The most impressive offensive statistic — 23 assists.

Crouse said his team set out to work the ball down low to McCrary.

“That’s what we wanted to try and do — set the tone with Pat on the inside and then just play great defense … and the result was the scoreboard.”

The victory was the reverse of a loss to Hart County two days earlier in which Madison County lacked energy and passion, Crouse said. The Raiders fell to the tournament hosts, 71-62, in their first game since Dec. 16.

“We got outworked,” Crouse said. “That’s what I told the guys and I can’t live with that.”

But the Raiders responded with suffocating defense Monday.
After taking a 34-23 halftime lead, Madison County allowed just 13 points in the second half as it the game turned into a rout.

Madison County still turned the ball over and surrendered too many offensive rebounds, Crouse said, but the Raider defense made the difference.

“Our defense was keeping them from getting open looks at the basketball and our defense was keeping them from getting easy shot opportunities,” Crouse said.

Meanwhile, the offense flourished.

Bradley Raines added 13 points and nine rebounds. Reterrium Davis finished 11 points and seven boards.

“We were very unselfish,” Crouse said. “We found the open guys at the right times for the right shots.”

Jeremy Smith also threw in nine points and six assists.

“He came off the bench and gave us a great game,” Crouse said.

OPINIONS: Our national wealth is being shipped abroad

nospam@example.com (Frank Gillispie) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:18:07 -0500

Pundits and business news people are pointing to the home mortgage crises as the source of our economic woes. But there is another factor that, in my opinion, is much more serious. It is now almost impossible to find American made goods. We have lost nearly all our manufacturing capacity. Just go to any store and check the origins of most of the products on the shelves. Only occasionally will you find an American-made product.
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Pick up stolen on Wilson-Williams Road

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:14:18 -0500

A man on Wilson-Williams Road reported that his 1993 Chevrolet pick up truck had been stolen from his yard on Christmas Eve. The truck, valued at $3,000, was recovered on Dec. 26.
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Freedom Bank enters cease and desist order

nospam@example.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:12:39 -0500

Freedom Bank of Georgia based in Commerce has entered into a “cease and desist order” with state and federal regulators to overhaul the bank’s operations. The bank agreed Dec. 17 to the order and it became effective Dec. 27.
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A new day in county politics

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:09:08 -0500

Dove sworn in Monday; only third Madison Co. commission chairman in past quarter century

His family held the Bible. Anthony Dove held up his right hand. And a new head of the Madison County government was officially sworn into office Monday night.
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LETTER: Even now, Bush can hurt our nation

nospam@example.com (Letter to the Editor) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:56:00 -0500

Dear Editor:

As the nation looks forward to the Obama administration’s promise of Guantanamo’s closure, it is important not to underestimate the damage this lame duck president can still inflict on our nation’s human rights record.

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Economy has many Madison Countians reluctantly asking for government aid

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:40:00 -0500

Dire economic straits have forced many Madison Countians to swallow their pride and ask for government help for the first time.
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LETTER: Departing lieutenant issues farewell

nospam@example.com (Letter to the Editor) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:54:00 -0500

Dear Editor:

This is an open letter to the good citizens of Madison County.

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BOC approves 10-acre minimum on conservation use

nospam@example.com (Zach Mitcham) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 04:36:00 -0500

Madison County set a 10-acre minimum for conservation use tax breaks in the county Monday, but the change won’t affect property owners with less than 10 acres, who currently enjoy the exemption, until 2012.
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School board passes bond mill rate

nospam@example.com (Ben Munro) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:34:00 -0500

The Madison County school board listened to requests Monday not to levy a school bond tax, but voted to do so unanimously in a called meeting to set the millage rate.
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LETTER: Please seek help if you can’t afford pets anymore

nospam@example.com (Letter to the Editor) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:53:00 -0500

Dear Editor:

Today my husband called, he’d run to Sam’s for a little shopping, when he came back there was a small dog in front of our mailbox and would not move, he had to swerve to keep from hitting her. He asked me to meet him at the gate and I figured he needed help with groceries. Nope, he had the dog on a leash and needed help getting her in our yard and into the house. Our dogs went nuts at the gate so I had to keep them off the frightened doggie while he guided her in. We put her in our washroom with food and water and left her alone so she could calm down.

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MCHS wrestlers take bronze in own tourney

nospam@example.com (MainStreetNewsSports) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0500

Not only were the mat Raiders good hosts over the weekend, they defended their home floor quite well, too.

Madison County placed third out of 11 teams in its own Raider Duals in Danielsville, finishing behind Commerce and Athens Christian.

Coach Richie Houston again praised his young team’s efforts.
“I think it was good,” Houston said. “For us to have such a young team, I think it was really good. The kids were excited and I think that nobody expected us to do that well …”

The Raiders went 4-1, with their only loss coming to the first-place Tigers, 42-27.

“(We’re) not where we want to be, but we’re doing good. Can’t complain,” Houston said.

Madison County defeated Stephens County, 42-41, in the third-place match, despite having to forfeit the final match in that dual. With the victory, the Raiders redeemed themselves for a loss earlier this year to the Indians.

“So that was positive, because they had beat us earlier,” Houston said.

The other victories came in more decisive fashion. Madison County whipped Elbert County, 62-15; Greenbrier, 50-20; and Cedar Shoals, 72-6.

A host of Raider wrestlers also went unbeaten in Saturday’s event. Cody Phillips, Colton Phillips, Kyle Bates, Michael Kilpatrick and Tyler Adams all finished with 5-0 records, according to Houston.
Madison County will now make its annual post-Christmas trek to the mountains to take part in the Cherokee, N.C., tournament being held Monday and Tuesday.

There, the Raiders will compete against teams from North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.

Madison County finished fifth in last year’s event.

Houston both grew up and went to college in North Carolina and has ties to the Cherokee area.

“My first coaching job was in Cherokee, so I still got a lot of people that I coached with there so it’s good to go back,” Houston said.

The way Houston describes it, Madison County’s wrestlers view the trip almost like a little vacation.

“We get a break,” Houston said. “They get to stay in a hotel over Christmas (holidays). The last couple years we had snow up there … It’s not too far from home,” Houston said.

NOTES: It was a big weekend for the entire wrestling program in Madison County. The county’s youth wrestling team held a beginners tournament Friday that Houston called, “very beneficial.” Then, on the Saturday, the high school program enjoyed a strong gate from its 11-team tournament. “We definitely made a couple thousand dollars profit, so that’s a good deal,” Houston said.