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Steve Broker

District Teacher of the Year could be fired over allegations of misconduct

By Carrie A. Mizell
Gilchrist County’s 2012-13 District Teacher of the Year is facing unemployment after Superintendent Robert Rankin announced plans to recommend Steve Broker be fired.
In an administrative complaint filed against Broker, the superintendent pointed to several witnesses’ accounts of inappropriate behavior by the agriculture teacher towards a 16-year-old female student that could be considered “conduct unbecoming of a teacher.”
Broker’s conduct was initially called into question on March 19, 2013, when Sherry Hayes-Luzader contacted the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office and asked that an officer meet her at the American Legion on US 129. Once there, Ms. Hayes-Luzader told GCSO Investigator Windy Snodgrass that Wendy Polk, who is the mother of a Trenton High School student, had told her, there was unnecessary or inappropriate behavior going on between Broker and a female student.

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County to consider reduction of speed limit on county grades

By John M. Ayers
The Gilchrist County Commission discussed the safe speed of traffic on graded roads in Gilchrist County during their Monday, May 6, 2013 meeting. Commissioner John Rance Thomas reported to his fellow board members that 55 miles per hour is not a safe speed to travel on many of the limerock and dirt graded roads in the unincorporated areas of Gilchrist County. He added the speed limit could be changed to 35 to 40 miles per hour and our roads would be safer.

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Tigers advance to state tournament

By Todd Bryant
Last week was one of the biggest weeks in Trenton Tiger baseball history!
On Tuesday, May 7th, the Tigers hosted Hamilton County, the runner up in District 5. Hamilton had lost to Melody Christian in their district championship. Melody Christian was hosting Bronson. Hamilton started Kaleb Sadler on the mound. Sadler is a lefty sophomore that has tremendous potential. The Tigers got started in the first inning, when Stephen Smith led off with a walk, stole second, and Clif Bryant singled. Hunter Parrish then drove in Smith, for the first run of the night and the only run the Tiger defense would need.


Trenton’s Jon Ward slides into home Friday night as the Tigers defeated Bronson 13-1 for the
Region 2 Class 1A baseball title. The Tigers played Holmes County in the
Class 1A semi-final game Wednesday evening.

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2 arrested in Bell on drug charges

John Austin Thomas
Katie Faye Steele

On May 5, 2013, Sergeant Stephen Stalvey of the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, received a call for assistance and during his investigation was able to arrest two people on drug related charges.
Sergeant Stalvey arrested John Austin Thomas, 28, of Bell, and Katie Faye Steele, 21, of Bell, both were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Oxycodone) without a prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Legend Drug.
Thomas and Steele are both being held at the Gilchrist County Jail.

Memorial Day program planned at Gilchrist Agriculture Complex

By John M. Ayers
The Gilchrist County Commission approved the request of Veteran Service Officer, Jim Mash to have the Memorial Day Service to be held at the Gilchrist County Agriculture Complex on US 129 north of Trenton.
The Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 27, 2013, will begin with the laying of the wreaths at the Veterans Memorial Park at 9 a.m. The Memorial Day program at the Ag Complex will begin at 11 a.m., with the honoring of veterans who have served their country and given the ultimate sacrifice in their service.
A luncheon for the veterans attending will be held in the American Legion Hall following the Memorial Day program.
In other news, Gilchrist County Commissioners thanked Gilchrist County Code Enforcement Officer Diane Rondolet for doing such a good job in her work as Code Enforcement officer, during the Monday, May 6 Commission meeting.
The board members praised Mrs. Rondolet for working with the people of Gilchrist County to have their property meet the county’s level of code compliance.