20-Year-Old Confesses To Father's Murder

A 20-year-old Madison man was arrested on Friday, October 31, and charged with murder following his confession.
According to a Madison Police Department report, on Friday, October 31, at approximately 10:20 a.m., the MPD received information from the victim’s mother (who resides in St. Augustine) that she was worried about her son. She had not heard from her son in more than a week.
The son, David Crosby, 46, was living in Madison with his son, Ryan Crosby, 20, at 334 NE Shelby Street. The mother was concerned for David Crosby’s well-being, because he had been suffering from depression. She had talked with her grandson, who said that David Crosby left home on October 23 in the middle of the night and he had not seen him since. Ryan told his grandmother that he had already made a missing persons report to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, but no missing persons report could be found.
MPD Sgt. James Roebuck met with Ryan Crosby at approximately 11 a.m. at his residence to follow up on the report, and to begin a missing person investigation. During questioning, Ryan Crosby gave statements of David Crosby’s travel plans and other statements that were quickly proven untruthful. Roebuck left the residence, stressing to Ryan that the police department would continue looking for David Crosby until he was found.
On the same date at approximately 12:45 p.m., Ryan Crosby drove to the police department and met with Sgt. Roebuck. Ryan Crosby confessed to Inv. Ben Ebberson and Roebuck that he killed his father on the morning of October 23 and later disposed of the body in a wooded area south of Madison.
Chief Rick Davis notified the Sheriff, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.
Ryan Crosby led law enforcement to the site where he disposed of the body.
The FDLE Crime Lab Unit processed the crime scene at the disposal site and residence.
Ryan Crosby gave specific details of the crime and, as a result, was charged with murder and is being held at the Madison County Jail.



Pilgrim's Pride Responding To Challenges

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Although no statements have been made from local Pilgrim’s Pride management or the national headquarters, two North Florida regional newspapers recently released new articles detailing the financial challenges facing Pilgrim’s Pride.
According to one article, “Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., the nation’s largest chicken producer and Suwannee County’s biggest employer, will likely face bankruptcy in the coming months, an independent research firm reported Thursday. The research firm, CreditSights, called bankruptcy ‘highly probable’ for the Pittsburg, Texas-based company, according to widespread reports.”
The article went on to say, “On Thursday, Pilgrim’s stock was trading at $1.08 per share, down from a 52-week high of $29.59 in December 2007. The Pilgrim’s Pride processing plant in Suwannee County employs more than 1,300 workers. In addition, farmers and growers throughout North Florida and South Georgia depend on the plant for their livelihood.”
The second article was equally unpleasant. Discussing the challenges facing Tyson Foods, which is Pilgrim’s Pride’s largest competitor, the article stated, “Saddled with debt and facing the same high grain costs (as Tyson), Pilgrim’s Pride’s stock has lost nearly all its value this year and the company is facing an uncertain future.”
As members of the Lee community, this reporter and the paper’s editor have built strong relationships with both growers and employees of Pilgrim’s Pride that reside in Lee and do not want to suggest anything negative other than what is known. At this point, all that is known is that the company is trying to respond to the challenges noted above and that product continues to be produced and shipped.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greene-publishing.com.



"Fright Night At Boot Hill" Shirts Still Available"

Congratulations to the Madison County High School Cowboys for their big win last Friday night!
The Fright Night Halloween football game win turned out to be a success in another way as well. ARC / PDS designed a t-shirt for the big game between the un-defeated MCHS Cowboys and the un-defeated Godby Cougars as a potential fundraiser.
The idea was born less than 48 hours prior to the game. It was a risk to purchase six hundred shirts for this purpose but a calculated risk.
Thanks to the folks at MCHS, Principal Ben Killingsworth, the front office staff, the Varsity Cheerleaders, a special thank you to Ms. Judy Hill, Seena McCall, Catherine Murphy, Leatha and Temicko Gervin, Madison Community Bank, Capitol City Bank and everyone involved.
This fundraiser was a joint effort with the proceeds being shared with the MCHS Varsity Cheerleading Fund and the MCHS Girls Softball Team.
One thing we knew for sure was that the citizens of Madison County would support their team. It was especially nice to see all the Cowboy fans wearing the shirts for the big game on ESPNU. We do have about one hundred t-shirts left.
If you would like a special commemorative “Fright Night at Boot Hill Shirt,” please go by and see Jenna Bass or Tami Brown at the MCHS front office or call 973-5061 to secure one for yourself, friend or family member before they are all gone.



Man Charged With DUI Following Rollover

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A man was charged with DUI with property damage and personal injury and careless driving following a traffic crash on Old Blue Springs Road, north of Lee, on Monday evening, November 3.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Brian Keith Anderson, 47, was traveling north on Old Blue Springs Road when he lost control of his 1994 Dodge pickup, entering a curve in the roadway.
Anderson traveled onto the west shoulder at the intersection of NE Rutherford Road, striking a wooden pole and then a guide wire connected to a utility pole with the front of the truck.
Anderson continued in a northwest direction on the shoulder and the pickup overturned, coming to rest on its right side in a north direction on the west shoulder of Old Blue Springs Road.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Lee Volunteer Fire Department assisted with the crash.
FHP Sgt. Stewart Smith was the investigating officer.


Randell Rowe Dies

Randell H. Rowe, Jr., retired attorney of Madison, died on October 31, 2008.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m., on Monday, November 3, at Beggs Funeral Home in Madison. Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday,
November 4 at 11 a.m., at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Madison.
Randell, son of the late Judge and Mrs. Randell H. Rowe, Sr., was born in Thomaston, Ga., on August 13, 1927, and was reared in Madison. He was a 1945 graduate of Madison High School. He was awarded a degree in forestry from the University of Florida in 1951 and a degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Cumberland Law School in 1957. He served in the United States Navy in 1945 and later served as a First Lieutenant with the United States Army in Korea.
Randell was a 50-year member of the Florida Bar. In addition, he was a member of the Rotary Club, the Masonic Lodge, and the First United Methodist Church of Madison. He was on the Founding Board of Madison Academy. As one of Madison’s first Eagle Scouts, Randell developed a life-long love for the Boy Scouts of America, serving for several years as Scoutmaster.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn Mugge Rowe; a son, Judge Randell H. Rowe, III and wife Susan Ifshin Rowe; a daughter, Kathryn Rowe Chadwick and husband Craig Chadwick; and three grandchildren, Rick and Sarah Rowe and Christy Chadwick.
Randell had one brother, William J. Rowe, Sr., D.D.S, who died in April of 2008, and a sister-in-law, Betty Cobb Rowe; their son, William J. Rowe, Jr., D.D.S, wife Kristy Roberts Rowe, and their daughter Katherine Grace Rowe.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Big Bend Hospice at 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, Fl 32308; Madison Academy, P.O. Box 690, Madison, Fl 32340 or the Suwannee River Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, 2032 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, Fl 32308.

20-Year-Old Confesses To Murder Of Father
A 20-year-old Madison man was arrested on Friday, October 31, and charged with murder following his confession.
According to a Madison Police Department report, on Friday, October 31, at approximately 10:20 a.m., the MPD received information from the victim’s mother (who resides in St. Augustine) that she was worried about her son. She had not heard from her son in more than a week.
The son, David Crosby, 46, was living in Madison with his son, Ryan Crosby, 20, at 334 NE Shelby Street. The mother was concerned for David Crosby’s well-being, because he had been suffering from depression. She had talked with her grandson, who said that David Crosby left home on October 23 in the middle of the night and he had not seen him since. Ryan told his grandmother that he had already made a missing persons report to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, but no missing persons report could be found.
MPD Sgt. James Roebuck met with Ryan Crosby at approximately 11 a.m. at his residence to follow up on the report, and to begin a missing person investigation. During questioning, Ryan Crosby gave statements of David Crosby’s travel plans and other statements that were quickly proven untruthful. Roebuck left the residence, stressing to Ryan that the police department would continue looking for David Crosby until he was found.
On the same date at approximately 12:45 p.m., Ryan Crosby drove to the police department and met with Sgt. Roebuck. Ryan Crosby confessed to Inv. Ben Ebberson and Roebuck that he killed his father on the morning of October 23 and later disposed of the body in a wooded area south of Madison.
Chief Rick Davis notified the Sheriff, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office.
Ryan Crosby led law enforcement to the site where he disposed of the body.
The FDLE Crime Lab Unit processed the crime scene at the disposal site and residence.
Ryan Crosby gave specific details of the crime and, as a result, was charged with murder and is being held at the Madison County Jail.



Pilgrim's Pride Responding To Challenges

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
Although no statements have been made from local Pilgrim’s Pride management or the national headquarters, two North Florida regional newspapers recently released new articles detailing the financial challenges facing Pilgrim’s Pride.
According to one article, “Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., the nation’s largest chicken producer and Suwannee County’s biggest employer, will likely face bankruptcy in the coming months, an independent research firm reported Thursday. The research firm, CreditSights, called bankruptcy ‘highly probable’ for the Pittsburg, Texas-based company, according to widespread reports.”
The article went on to say, “On Thursday, Pilgrim’s stock was trading at $1.08 per share, down from a 52-week high of $29.59 in December 2007. The Pilgrim’s Pride processing plant in Suwannee County employs more than 1,300 workers. In addition, farmers and growers throughout North Florida and South Georgia depend on the plant for their livelihood.”
The second article was equally unpleasant. Discussing the challenges facing Tyson Foods, which is Pilgrim’s Pride’s largest competitor, the article stated, “Saddled with debt and facing the same high grain costs (as Tyson), Pilgrim’s Pride’s stock has lost nearly all its value this year and the company is facing an uncertain future.”
As members of the Lee community, this reporter and the paper’s editor have built strong relationships with both growers and employees of Pilgrim’s Pride that reside in Lee and do not want to suggest anything negative other than what is known. At this point, all that is known is that the company is trying to respond to the challenges noted above and that product continues to be produced and shipped.
Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greene-publishing.com.



"Fright Night At Boot Hill" Shirts Still Available"

Congratulations to the Madison County High School Cowboys for their big win last Friday night!
The Fright Night Halloween football game win turned out to be a success in another way as well. ARC / PDS designed a t-shirt for the big game between the un-defeated MCHS Cowboys and the un-defeated Godby Cougars as a potential fundraiser.
The idea was born less than 48 hours prior to the game. It was a risk to purchase six hundred shirts for this purpose but a calculated risk.
Thanks to the folks at MCHS, Principal Ben Killingsworth, the front office staff, the Varsity Cheerleaders, a special thank you to Ms. Judy Hill, Seena McCall, Catherine Murphy, Leatha and Temicko Gervin, Madison Community Bank, Capitol City Bank and everyone involved.
This fundraiser was a joint effort with the proceeds being shared with the MCHS Varsity Cheerleading Fund and the MCHS Girls Softball Team.
One thing we knew for sure was that the citizens of Madison County would support their team. It was especially nice to see all the Cowboy fans wearing the shirts for the big game on ESPNU. We do have about one hundred t-shirts left.
If you would like a special commemorative “Fright Night at Boot Hill Shirt,” please go by and see Jenna Bass or Tami Brown at the MCHS front office or call 973-5061 to secure one for yourself, friend or family member before they are all gone.



Man Charged With DUI Following Rollover

By Jacob Bembry
Greene Publishing, Inc.
A man was charged with DUI with property damage and personal injury and careless driving following a traffic crash on Old Blue Springs Road, north of Lee, on Monday evening, November 3.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Brian Keith Anderson, 47, was traveling north on Old Blue Springs Road when he lost control of his 1994 Dodge pickup, entering a curve in the roadway.
Anderson traveled onto the west shoulder at the intersection of NE Rutherford Road, striking a wooden pole and then a guide wire connected to a utility pole with the front of the truck.
Anderson continued in a northwest direction on the shoulder and the pickup overturned, coming to rest on its right side in a north direction on the west shoulder of Old Blue Springs Road.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the Lee Volunteer Fire Department assisted with the crash.
FHP Sgt. Stewart Smith was the investigating officer.


Randell Rowe Dies

Randell H. Rowe, Jr., retired attorney of Madison, died on October 31, 2008.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m., on Monday, November 3, at Beggs Funeral Home in Madison. Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday,
November 4 at 11 a.m., at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Madison.
Randell, son of the late Judge and Mrs. Randell H. Rowe, Sr., was born in Thomaston, Ga., on August 13, 1927, and was reared in Madison. He was a 1945 graduate of Madison High School. He was awarded a degree in forestry from the University of Florida in 1951 and a degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Cumberland Law School in 1957. He served in the United States Navy in 1945 and later served as a First Lieutenant with the United States Army in Korea.
Randell was a 50-year member of the Florida Bar. In addition, he was a member of the Rotary Club, the Masonic Lodge, and the First United Methodist Church of Madison. He was on the Founding Board of Madison Academy. As one of Madison’s first Eagle Scouts, Randell developed a life-long love for the Boy Scouts of America, serving for several years as Scoutmaster.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn Mugge Rowe; a son, Judge Randell H. Rowe, III and wife Susan Ifshin Rowe; a daughter, Kathryn Rowe Chadwick and husband Craig Chadwick; and three grandchildren, Rick and Sarah Rowe and Christy Chadwick.
Randell had one brother, William J. Rowe, Sr., D.D.S, who died in April of 2008, and a sister-in-law, Betty Cobb Rowe; their son, William J. Rowe, Jr., D.D.S, wife Kristy Roberts Rowe, and their daughter Katherine Grace Rowe.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Big Bend Hospice at 1723 Mahan Center Blvd, Tallahassee, Fl 32308; Madison Academy, P.O. Box 690, Madison, Fl 32340 or the Suwannee River Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, 2032 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, Fl 32308.