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Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dr. Brunner Selected As Chief Surgeon for New Sacred Heart Hospital in Port St. Joe

Sacred Heart Health System announced today that Dr. Richard Brunner, a board-certified surgeon who has practiced in Marianna for more than 20 years, will become the chief surgeon at Sacred Heart’s new hospital in Port St. Joe.

Dr. Brunner and his nurse practitioner Wendy Corbin and his associate Dr. Val-Dee Sheffield, will continue to see patients at his office in Marianna, but as of June 1, Dr. Brunner will perform his surgeries at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf.

“We are very pleased to have a surgeon of Dr. Brunner’s experience and surgical expertise joining our medical staff at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf,” said hospital President Roger Hall. “It was very important to us that we provide the services of a surgeon with his training and record of success. It was a bonus to recruit a well-known surgeon who is very familiar with the area.”

Dr. Brunner obtained his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences and performed his residency training in surgery at the University of Florida Health Sciences Center in Jacksonville. He has broad experience in performing general surgery using minimally invasive, laparoscopic techniques. He also is trained in thoracic, vascular, gynecologic and trauma surgery. He has practiced in Marianna since 1989 and is an assistant professor of surgery for the rural track of Florida State University Medical School.

Dr. Brunner has deep roots in Marianna, where he has lived since he was in third grade. Brunner served one term as a City Commissioner for the City of Marianna. His father, Dr. William Brunner, is a retired surgeon who practiced in Marianna for more than 40 years.

“It was a very difficult decision to move my surgery practice out of my hometown,” he said. “But I am honored that Sacred Heart has selected me to join such a prestigious organization and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to start the surgery service at a beautiful new hospital.”

He noted that his fiancĂ©, Lisa Sowell, is from Port St. Joe and he has a home in Mexico Beach. The new 25-bed hospital opened on March 15. The new $38 million hospital has a 24-hour emergency department, inpatient services, surgical services, a full complement of diagnostic and laboratory services, and a helipad to be used by Sacred Heart’s regional air ambulance service to provide rapid transport for trauma or critically ill patients.

Dr. Brunner will be a part of Sacred Heart Medical Group, a large network of more than 100 primary care physicians and specialists at offices in Northwest Florida and South Alabama. For more information about Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf, visit online at www.sacredheartonthegulf.org or call 850-(850) 229-5600.

Kevin Wright Memorial Scholarship

The Kevin Wright Memorial Scholarship is designed to assist graduating seniors who attend Sneads High School or Jackson Alternative School and who are planning to further their academic career.

It is the goal of Kevin’s family, as the scholarship providers, to keep his love for children, Sneads High School, and Jackson Alternative School alive. We plan to honor Kevin’s memory through continued acts of kindness while providing others with an opportunity to gain higher education.



All Kevin Wright Memorial Scholarship Applicants Shall Meet the Following Criteria:

1) “C” average or above: student must include a signed and sealed high school transcript which demonstrates the student has an un-weighted grade point average of at least a 2.0.

2) Essay: Student must include a 300-500 word essay on “How will this scholarship assist with my educational and career plans.” The essay shall include information about you, your educational/career plans and any extenuating circumstances to be considered by the scholarship committee.

3) Demonstration of Financial Need: Applicant shall demonstrate financial need and explain why they need assistance to attend college. This may be done with a personal letter explaining current financial situation, tax documents, free/reduced lunch status, etc.

4) Letter of Recommendation: Student shall include a minimum of two letters of recommendation from school personnel and or community leaders.



Awarded Funds Guidelines:

1) Funds amounts should be determined each year by the scholarship providers.

2) Funds shall be used at an accredited college, state university, or junior college.

3) Funds shall be used for student fees including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, and books.

4) Scholarship recipients shall furnish receipts to the scholarship providers, upon request, validating proper use of funds.



Application Procedure:

1) Obtain an application from the high school guidance department.

2) Complete the application and include all requested information. Incomplete applications, applications that do not include the requested documents and information, and applications not received by the submittal deadline will not be considered for award.

3) Return the application to the high school guidance department. All applications shall be reviewed, awarded and presented by the scholarship providers.

4) Deadline for submitting is April 9, 2010. If application requirements are not met, the application will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered for the award.



THIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED TO HONOR KEVIN WRIGHT, OUR BELOVED SON, AND MADELINE’S PRECIOUS DADDY, WHOSE BIG SMILE, KIND HEART, LAUGH AND HUMOR TOUCHED MANY LIVES. THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST THOSE STUDENTS WHO ARE DETERMINED AND NEED ASSISTANCE IN FURTHERING THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS. KEVIN WAS A WONDERFUL SON AND DADDY, WITH SUCH A BIG HEART, WHO DEARLY LOVED GOD, HIS PRECIOUS DAUGHTER, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS. HE HELD A SPECIAL PLACE IN HIS HEART FOR CHILDREN. HE WAS LOYAL, KIND, AND A TRUE FRIEND TO ALL WHO KNEW HIM. HE NEVER MET A STRANGER. OUR HOPE IS TO SHARE HIS DETERMINATION, AND HIS OPTIMISM, THAT ANY CHILD CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING THEY DESIRE, WHILE HELPING OTHERS ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS.



BEST WISHES AND LOVE,

The Family and Daughter of Kevin Wright



For further information, please contact Mindy Howell at 482-9004 ext 245.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Flag Dedication

A new American and POW flag were dedicated and raised in Confederate Park in Marianna, Tuesday morning. Joining VFW Post Commander Bill Sellers and VFW members who donated the flags were WWII Veteran Al Mulder, Rev. Dr. Hank Malone, Mainstreet Marianna’s Charlotte Bruner, Fred Fitzgerald, Ernest McNeil, Liz Huber, Marianna Mayor Paul Donofro, Jr. and City Manager, Jim Dean.

Locals Responding to a Fellow Citizen in Need

Businesses and professionals donate of themselves to aid local woman

By Sid Riley

Once again the people of Jackson County are demonstrating their generosity and caring for their fellow man by coming to the aid of someone in need. A local woman, Brandi Pervis was recently diagnosed with a severe form of cancer, GIST, and will be incurring huge medical expenses as she fights for her life. She has no one to turn to for help, and has no health insurance.

As part of a community response, on Saturday morning at the Payne and Payne dental clinic on Jefferson Street, the clinic sponsored a “teeth cleaning” fund raising day for Brandi, named “Smiles for Brandi”. They cleaned the teeth of over thirty people, and raised approximately $1200 in charges and donations for the fund. Dr. Robert Payne, four hygienists and four assistants took part in the benefit.

Alford Shooting

On Saturday, March 13, 2010, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding an individual that had been shot. Deputies responded to 1733 Alabama Street in Alford, Florida and made contact with the victim, Justin Brown. Brown was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the left side of his head. Officers learned that the shooting had taken place at 2666B Freeman Road during a party he was attending.

Deputies then made contact with several individuals at the Freeman Road address. During the investigation it was determined that several individuals had become involved in a physical altercation during the party. The landlord, Theodore Sprankle, walked over to the residence armed with a handgun and attempted to break up the fight. Sprankle became involved in an argument with Brown during which time he struck Brown on the head with the firearm causing it to discharge.

Brown was transported to Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, Alabama for treatment and was later released. The investigation is still ongoing.

Drug Bust in Sneads

During the late evening hours of Wednesday, March 10, 2010, Investigators with the Jackson County Drug Task Force conducted a search warrant on a residence located at 4274 Thunder Road, Sneads, Florida. The residents at that address were Angie Marie Bolds, 32 and Richard Putnam Outlaw, 31. Outlaw and Bold have long been the targets of an ongoing investigation into the manufacture of methamphetamine in Jackson County. During a search of their residence an abundance of drug paraphernalia was located including homemade smoking pipes, straws used to ingest meth, hypodermic needles and razor blades used to prepare meth for use. Digital scales and plastic bags that are commonly used in the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics were also located. An abundance of pseudoephedrine cold medication was located that had been removed from the packaging in preparation to manufacture methamphetamine. Also in the residence were other items used in the “Shake ‘n’ Bake” method of manufacturing methamphetamine including camp fuel, acid and lithium batteries. A quantity of methamphetamine and marijuana were also located in the residence. Angie Bolds and Richard Outlaw were both placed under arrest and housed in the Jackson County Jail to await first appearance on their charges that include Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Listed Chemicals and Attempted Manufacture of Methamphetamine. Bolds and Outlaw are additionally being charged with Trafficking in pseudoephedrine due to the abundant amount that they were in possession of.

Richard Outlaw and Angie Bolds have long been considered substantial producers of methamphetamine in Jackson County.

The Jackson County Drug Task Force is the combined effort of the Cottondale Police Department, Graceville Police Department, Marianna Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Rotary Report

Meeting of March 10, at Jim’s Buffet and Grill

By Sid Riley

This week’s program was provided by member Jack Porterfield. Jack presented an interesting power point travel log of a recent trip he took via cruise ship down the coast of South America, to the Falkland Islands, and around the Cape of Good Hope. His pictures provided a revealing description of the life, culture, and geography of the many South American nations he visited. Although it was mid-summer when he visited the southern tip of the continent, it was apparent that part of the world is cold in the summer and unbelievable in the winter. Meanwhile, places such as Buenos Aires and Uruguay were shown to be world class resorts.

Gold Medal With A Special Meaning

At a recent Rotary meeting in Marianna, member Walter Spence introduced his grandsons, Steve and Parker Spence to the members. He then had Steve explain the special significance of a large Gold Medal which Parker wore around his neck.

The medal first appeared many years ago when it was won in a school contest by their Father, Dr. Steven Spence, when he was in grammar school. Years later, he gave the medal to his son Steve. Recently, Parker competed at Sunland in the local “Special Olympics” events. The evening before the event, he told the family he “wanted to win a gold medal, just like they win in the Olympics.”

The next day he won the 50 meter dash. In response to his younger brother’s desires, Steve, who is now in the 8th grade, found the medal and ceremoniously awarded it to his brother, Parker. The future Olympian now proudly wears the medal, which has become a family treasure.

Friday, March 12, 2010

The East Jackson Co. Relay for Life

Event will be held Fri./Sat., April 9th-10th at the Adam Tucker Wilson Park in Sneads, with opening ceremony and survivor lap at 6:00 PM CST.



Cancer Survivor Registration: Representatives of East Jackson Co. Relay for Life will be set up at McDaniel’s Grocery in Sneads on March 13th, from 8:00 AM until 12:00 Noon CST for cancer survivors to register for the Relay. In addition, luminaries will be available for a minimum donation of $5.00 each. WKAB, one of the relay teams, will also have relay bows available from $5.00 each. Bows are in the following colors: purple –survivor, purple/white – memory, purple/yellow –survivor, purple/pink –breast cancer. If prefer, may contact Kaye Brown, 592-2307 or Faye Walden, 593-6960 to register or obtain a luminary or bow.



Flea Market: Saturday, March 27th, at McDaniel’s Grocery Store in Sneads, beginning at 7:00 AM CST. Several of the Relay teams will be participating. The above mentioned survivor registration, luminaries, and bows will also be available on this date.

“Outside The Lines” Opens at New Location

Family members, civic leaders and chamber of commerce officials were in abundance at the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Outside the Lines Art Studio and Gallery in Marianna last Thursday.

The gallery is located in the triangle between Caledonia and McPherson Streets near the old Stone Hotel and across the street from the new Bistro Palms Jazz restaurant.

Owner Debra Pelc Menacof, a professional artist with more than 22 years of art teaching experience, will hold adult and children’s art classes year round. Marianna Mayor Paul Donofro Jr. welcomed the art store “for its culture which is very much needed here,” he said.

Debra says space is limited and prices vary so the time to sign up is now. Children’s classes, ages 5-17, will be held Monday and Tuesday evenings. Adult day and night classes will include “introduction to drawing” and “acrylic painting.” A summer camp is set for May.

For more info, call Debra at (850) 482-8289 or go online at debimenacof@embarqmail.com. The address is 2863 Caledonia Street.

CHIPOLA BRAIN BOWLERS HOSTED NATIONAL TOURNEY

A Team finishes tied for forth place out of 24 teams

The Chipola Brain Bowl A Team tied for fourth in the Community College National Championship held at Chipola College Feb. 26-27. The Chipola B Team finished tied for tenth.

The field consisted of 24 teams from around the nation. Chipola A now advances to the DII National Championship held in Chicago on April 10. The top six community college teams advance for the chance to win the DII championship.

Chipola will also compete for the FCCAA State Championship on March 18-20 at Brevard Community College in Cocoa Beach. Chipola is the two-time defending state champions.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

GET YOUR STRAWBERRIES TODAY!!!

March is here and brings with it so much excitement – spring break, warmer days, daylight savings time, and strawberries. Project Graduation 2010 is kicking off its last fundraiser with the sale of Wish Farm strawberries. This farm is located in Plant City, famous for its early crops of red, mouth-watering strawberries. This strawberry sale has been extremely popular in the past, so it is important to get your order in early. The strawberries will arrive fresh on March 19th, and MHS seniors will be delivering them. To order, you can contact any senior or parent for information, or you can call Anne Mathis at 209-1507 or Debbie Kelly at 209-2759.

Summer Camp Applications Being Accepted

Big Bend Area Health Education Center announces their Health Careers Summer Camp beginning July 19, 2010. Application deadline has been extended through March 31, 2010, for current tenth graders in Jackson County. Students interested in the health care profession are encouraged to apply through Big Bend AHEC or through their school counselors. This is not just for students interested in being a doctor or nurse, all aspects of the health care field will be discussed.

The week-long Day Camp will be held on the campus of Chipola College in Marianna, Florida, from July 19-24, 2010. The camp is for current 10th grade students and there is no charge to participate in the camp. Twenty (20) Jackson County students will be selected to participate. The camp will include an 8 hour ACT Review course, health careers overview, an entire day of shadowing the health professional of students’ choice, a medical research project, college admission and financial aid counseling, a fun day trip to either Panama City or Tallahassee, and much more.

As part of the Application Process, students are required to provide their High School transcript, two Teacher recommendations and evaluations, a personal essay with photograph, and parent signature.

Applications are available at Big Bend AHEC, 3094 Indian Circle, Bldg. Q, Room 119, Marianna, FL 32446, or through their school guidance counselors and 10th grade teachers. Call Brigitta Nuccio at (850) 482-6500 for more information.

Pre-K Registration for Jackson County Schools

Pre-K Registration for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year will be March 15th through 19th from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and on Wednesday afternoon from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Registration will be held at the Early Childhood Programs Office in Marianna located at 2950 Cherokee Street in front of Riverside Elementary School.

Applicants must be 3 or 4 years old on or before September 1, 2010.

Parents need to bring their child’s certified birth certificate, social security card and proof of all family income which may include 4 pay stubs, statement of child support, TANF, SSI, Social Security or Foster Care. Children do not need to accompany parents to registration, as space is limited. For questions, please call the Early Childhood Programs Office at 482-1266, ext. 224.