Maddox brings more than 33 years of experience in emergency medical services and
remembers when air transport was rarely available locally.
“There was a time when we didn’t have aircraft to support us,” he said. “It was once in a
blue moon you might get a military aircraft to help you.”
The growth of civilian air medical services changed that. Maddox said flight teams now
give rural emergency responders the ability to move critical patients to the appropriate
level of care quickly, improving the chances of saving lives.
“There’s not a week that goes by, and in a lot of cases not a day that goes by, where it
literally comes into play and helps the system out,” he said.
Shaynak said maintaining the latest training, medical equipment and aviation
technology is an important part of providing that care.
“You need to constantly be an innovator in the field that you’re in,” he said. “Whether it
be advanced training, advanced medical equipment or advanced aviation equipment, at
Air Methods we’re the industry leader in aviation and air medical services.”
With the new AirHeart 2 helicopter stationed in Marianna, emergency crews have a
modern aircraft and trained flight team positioned nearby when minutes matter most.

By: Shelia Mader

For those who lived through September 11, 2001, the memories remain vivid.
They remember where they were, what they were doing and the moment they realized
the United States had been attacked. Today’s students have no such memories. They
had not yet been born.
Sneads High School librarian and teacher Tracy Cloud believes that makes teaching the
history and meaning of September 11 more important than ever.
Cloud was one of only 33 educators selected from across the nation to attend the
weeklong 9/11 Memorial & Museum Institute for Educators in New York City this
summer.
She shared the experience with the Jackson County School Board on September 10,
one day before the nation observed the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
Superintendent Hunter Nolen introduced Cloud as an outstanding librarian and teacher
who has served the district for 31 years.
Cloud said she visits the 9/11 Memorial & Museum whenever she has an opportunity to
travel to New York. During a visit approximately a year and a half ago, she saw
information about the summer institute and decided to apply.
Her husband was not convinced she would be chosen.
“I thought, ‘I want to do that. I want to go,’” Cloud said. “My husband was, ‘Oh, Tracy,
come on. You think you’re really going to be chosen?’”
Cloud spent approximately two weeks completing the three-page, essay-style
application. As the selection period continued, applicants received emails explaining
that the institute had attracted a record number of submissions.
Shortly before school ended, Cloud learned she had been selected.
“You couldn’t tell me nothing,” she said with a laugh.
The 33 participants represented communities across the United States. One American
educator who now teaches in Japan also attended.
Cloud said the program was about more than learning additional facts about Sept. 11.
Its primary purpose was teaching educators how to bring a difficult and emotional
subject into classrooms in an age-appropriate way.

“If I ask everybody in this room where you were 25 years ago, I know every one of you
could tell me,” Cloud said. “Our students today were not even born.”
When Cloud begins teaching the subject, she asks students what they already know.
Their answers may include a plane crash or a bomb, but many lack a clear
understanding of what happened.
“It’s not their fault that they don’t know,” Cloud said. “That makes teaching this history all
the more urgent and important.”
Cloud described the museum as solemn, respectful and sacred. Nearly 3,000 people
were killed in the attacks, and the site serves as a place of remembrance for their
families and the nation.
Spending a week inside the museum allowed Cloud to go behind the scenes and learn
why particular artifacts were selected, how they are preserved and why exhibits are
arranged in specific ways.
She noted the contrast between two areas of the museum.
In one room, illuminated photographs of the victims are displayed prominently. Each
photograph represents a life and a story.
In another room, the images of the hijackers are small, dimly lit and positioned below
eye level. Visitors must physically look down at them.
Cloud learned that those choices were intentional. Museum planners wanted to provide
necessary historical information without giving the terrorists a place of prominence
beside their victims.
“Everything in there was designed with intent,” she said.
The most meaningful part of the institute was meeting those who experienced Sept. 11
firsthand. Participants heard from survivors, first responders, ferryboat captains and
investigators.
Among them was retired New York City firefighter Bill Spade, a member of Rescue
Company 5 on Staten Island.
Spade described the morning as an ordinary Tuesday. Firefighters arrived for work,
shared pastries and joked with one another before receiving word that something was
happening at the World Trade Center.
Twelve members of Rescue 5 responded that day. Spade was the only one who came
home.

Cloud described him as a kind, jovial man who immediately struck her as a “precious
soul.” As he recounted the loss of his fellow firefighters, the pain remained unmistakable
even 25 years later.
“There were days after the session ended where I just had to go back to the hotel and
sit and decompress for a little while,” Cloud said. “Those stories were difficult, and
they’re hard, but we need to hear them.”
Cloud said she considers it an honor to have met Spade, hug him and listened to his
story.
The institute also showed educators how books, artwork, artifacts and hands-on
activities can help students understand a tragedy that occurred before their lifetimes.
The museum’s education area included children’s books, art materials, Lego pieces and
other resources that can introduce difficult subjects to students at different grade levels.
Cloud has long used children’s literature to help students approach complicated topics.
The institute reinforced her belief that students sometimes connect with a person’s story
or a piece of art before they connect with a date in a textbook.
“It doesn’t matter if you teach first grade or 12th,” she said. “There’s a way to approach
the sensitive subjects.”
One of Cloud’s most important realizations was that she needed to begin the lesson
before the morning of the attacks.
Before students can understand what was lost, they need to understand what existed.
The World Trade Center was not simply two towers. The complex contained offices,
restaurants, businesses, a large shopping mall and a major subway hub. More than
50,000 people passed through the area on an ordinary day.
Teaching students about that community helps them understand why it was targeted
and the magnitude of what was taken.
Cloud also plans to extend her lessons beyond September 11.
She wants students to learn about Sept. 12 and the remarkable unity that followed the
attacks. Americans stood together, donated blood, displayed flags and helped strangers
without regard for political or personal differences.
“We were not divided in any way for those next few months,” Cloud said. “We were
Americans helping Americans.”
Cloud remembers bloodmobiles appearing locally and American flags becoming nearly
impossible to find because stores sold out.

“I don’t know that we’ll ever see that unity again in our country,” she said. “I hope we do.
But I want them to know how it was.”
Cloud returned to Sneads with educational resources, personal stories and a renewed
commitment to preserving the lessons of September 11.
“Most importantly, I came home with a stronger desire to make sure that my students
understand why it’s so important that we remember,” she said.
Nolen thanked Cloud for sharing the experience and invited her to pose for a
photograph with an American flag.
For Cloud, however, the most meaningful recognition will come in the classroom. It will
be found each time a student begins to understand not only what happened on
September 11, but also the individual lives behind the numbers, the courage of those
who responded and the unity that carried the nation through the days that followed.
Twenty-five years later, a new generation is being asked to remember something it
never personally witnessed.
Teachers like Tracy Cloud are making sure they understand why they must never forget.

In the closest local contest, challenger Sonny Fortunato defeated incumbent Edward Crutchfield in the race for Jackson County Commission District 2. According to unofficial election-night totals, Fortunato received 872 votes to Crutchfield’s 793.

The final precinct to report proved decisive. At the Alford Community Center, Fortunato received 316 votes, while Crutchfield received 136.
In the District 1 School Board race, incumbent Chephus Granberry won reelection with 857 votes, or 54%, defeating challenger Christopher King, who received 730 votes, or 46%.

The District 5 School Board race will be decided in the November general election. Phyllis T. Daniels led the three-candidate field with 993 votes, or 49.18%. Michael “MJ” Jackson received 559 votes, or 27.69%, and political newcomer Danielle Walker received 467 votes, or 23.13%.

Because no candidate received a majority of the vote, Daniels and Jackson, the top two finishers, will advance to the November ballot.

Regional and statewide results are featured in a separate article in this week’s edition of the Times.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will assume responsibility for law enforcement inside the town. According to information presented with the decision, the Sheriff’s Office will provide coverage without an additional charge to the municipal budget.

Vice President Angie Locke made the motion to transfer law enforcement coverage entirely to the Sheriff’s Office. Kay Neel seconded it. Locke, Neel and Timmy Perry voted in favor; Council President Mike Weeks and Tim Arnold voted against.

An earlier motion failed for lack of a second. After additional discussion, the motion was made again and passed.

“I think that there’s no sense in us continuing to review and review and review and come up with the same answer,” Locke said before making the motion. She later stressed that she did not want to eliminate the department but believed the council had to act for the town’s financial health.

The decision is a dramatic reversal from the direction residents urged earlier this year. At the March 10 council meeting, several residents called on the town to hire another officer. One speaker said Brett Preston, now the town’s only police officer, needed help. Another questioned whether money previously allocated for law enforcement salaries could be used to add staff. Five months later, the council voted to close the department instead.

Town Manager Bill Rentz said Tuesday’s decision was driven by the budget, not by a lack of support for Preston or for local law enforcement.

“It’s really based on economics,” Rentz said after the meeting. “It’s really all it’s based on.”

Rentz said the town has recently operated with one officer, who has had to cover different shifts and days off. Even at that reduced staffing level, he estimated the basic annual cost at more than $200,000 when salary, insurance and special-risk retirement are included. Additional requirements, including cybersecurity costs, would push the expense higher.

The difference among the budget options before the council was about $450,000, Rentz said. He told council members that staff could not complete the coming budget until they decided whether to keep the department or rely on the Sheriff’s Office. The new fiscal year begins October 1.

Neel also pressed for a decision, saying the council had repeatedly reviewed the same issue while the budget deadline drew closer.

Rentz said Sneads has struggled to recruit and retain officers because the town cannot match salaries offered by larger agencies. He estimated that the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office pays about $10,000 more than Sneads can offer, while other agencies offer still higher salaries. Attrition reduced a department that once had seven officers to one.

The pressure is magnified by Sneads’ general revenue, which Rentz placed at about $1.2 million. He said state-shared and other general revenues have remained essentially flat for three years while fuel, retirement and insurance costs have continued to rise. The town’s insurance expense alone recently increased by $12,000, he said.

Sneads is also losing smaller sources of revenue that carry significant weight in a town with a limited budget. Rentz said the departure of the tag office cost the town approximately $13,000 a year in rent. The anticipated closure of the school will eventually eliminate nearly $20,000 a year in utility revenue. Town officials are also watching the possibility of reduced property tax revenue.

“When you only have a little over a million-dollar budget and you’ve got nine of 10 departments to run out of that, every $10,000 matters,” Rentz said. “Everything has gone up except our income.”

Rentz, who has a law enforcement background, said he understands the value of a local police department but has a responsibility to prevent the town from spending beyond its means. He called the closure a sign of the financial strain facing small municipalities across Florida.

“I’m very much pro-law enforcement, but my first job is to manage the budget, and I don’t want to be the one that lets the town go belly-up,” he said.

Rentz said the vote was not a reflection on Preston, who is well-liked and has served the town for years. He said officials have tried to help ensure Preston has employment options and noted that the officer has already received offers.

The vote leaves residents facing a fundamental change in how their calls for service will be handled. Beginning October 1, Sneads will no longer employ its own police officer, and deputies dispatched by the Sheriff’s Office will provide law enforcement coverage. Details such as expected staffing, patrol frequency and response arrangements were not included in the information available Tuesday night.

The council’s action settles the largest unknown in the proposed budget, but it does not erase the public concern that preceded it. Residents who asked the town to strengthen its police presence earlier this year will instead see the local department close when the new budget year begins.

The long-awaited Florida school grades have been released, and the Jackson County School District has once again earned an overall ‘B’ district rating, reflecting continued progress across the county’s schools and reinforcing the district’s commitment to academic excellence.

Among this year’s brightest accomplishments, Cottondale High School, Malone School and Sneads Elementary School each earned prestigious ‘A’ school designations, highlighting the hard work of students, teachers, administrators and families who continue striving for excellence.

Marianna K-8 School saw its letter grade change from a ‘B’ to a ‘C,’ but the story behind that grade is important. The school maintained the exact same performance score it earned the previous year. However, the Florida Department of Education raised the grading threshold statewide, meaning schools now must achieve higher scores to earn the same letter grade. While the designation changed, Marianna K-8’s overall performance did not decline.

Principal Edna Reed welcomed the challenge with determination. “I don’t mind raising the bar and rising to the challenge,” Reed said. “Some parents and community members don’t realize that the change in grading occurred and may perceive that we slid back in some way. We haven’t. We just have to make a few adjustments to get to that B now and ultimately to that A. The A school grade is our ultimate goal.”

Elsewhere across the district, Marianna High School maintained its ‘B’ rating while improving by one point over last year’s score. Graceville School remained a ‘C’ but posted a five-point improvement, showing encouraging academic gains. Cottondale Elementary School also remained a ‘C’ while increasing its score by two points, and Grand Ridge School held steady with its ‘C’ rating. Sneads High School moved from a ‘B’ to a ‘C’ under the state’s revised grading scale.

While district leaders remain focused on the ultimate goal of becoming an ‘A’ district, this year’s results demonstrate that the foundation is firmly in place. With three schools already earning top honors, another maintaining a solid ‘B’, and several campuses showing measurable academic growth despite more demanding state standards, Jackson County Schools continue moving in the right direction.

The district’s report card reflects more than letter grades. It represents the dedication of educators, the perseverance of students, the support of parents, and a community committed to helping every child succeed. As expectations continue to rise across Florida, Jackson County is proving it is ready to meet the challenge and continue building toward an even brighter future.

County Administrator Jim Dean explained the agreement formalizes an incentive previously approved by the West Jackson County Development Authority. Under the agreement, the incentive will be paid in two installments, with the first issued after construction permits are obtained and work begins, and the second following completion of the project and issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The Jackson County Economic Development Council will verify the project milestones before funds are released.

The discussion quickly turned to the identity of the developer, which had not been publicly disclosed during earlier deliberations because the project was being handled under Florida’s economic development confidentiality provisions.

Commissioner Donnie Branch said he wanted his constituents to understand that when he previously supported moving the project forward, he did not know the incentive would ultimately benefit the developer bringing McDonald’s to Graceville.

“I don’t understand why McDonald’s needs anything from us,” Branch said. “They’re bigger than we are.”

After learning the project’s identity, Branch said he struggled to explain the incentive to residents.

“I voted for the developer to do that,” Branch said. “But I didn’t know who that was going to be. That put a bad taste in my mouth, voting for something when I didn’t know who or what it was.”

He added that many citizens had asked him about the project.

“I can’t explain to the public why we’re giving McDonald’s money to build a McDonald’s,” Branch said.

Economic Development Council Chairman Darwin Gilmore clarified that the incentive was not awarded directly to McDonald’s Corporation but was requested by the private developer after financial analysis indicated the project would not move forward without assistance.

Gilmore said the request grew out of concerns from Graceville leaders following the closure of Hardee’s and the possibility of losing additional restaurants, creating uncertainty for the city’s economy.

According to Gilmore, the developer first sought grant funding before requesting assistance from the City of Graceville, which then approached the county. Officials identified economic development funds that had been designated exclusively for the Graceville area and had remained unused for years.

“The money was designated and has been sitting there for many years,” Gilmore explained. “It was only designated for economic development initiatives in the Graceville area.”

Commissioner Edward Crutchfield acknowledged Branch’s concerns but said economic development often requires local governments to offer incentives in order to compete with neighboring communities.

Crutchfield noted that communities frequently offer tax abatements or other financial incentives to attract employers and investment.

“If you’re going to help one, which is the better of the two?” Crutchfield asked. “Give them a tax deferment for years, or give them a little money that’s already there for a project?”

He added that companies have choices about where to invest.

“They probably have a lot of money,” Crutchfield said, “but they also have a decision where they want to come or they don’t want to come. You have to try to help a little to get a little.”

Dean said the county honored the confidentiality request because it fell within Florida’s statutory economic development provisions. He also shared what Graceville officials told him during the recruitment process.

“Graceville is a struggling economy,” Dean said, noting the community had lost Hardee’s and was seeking another national fast-food restaurant. He said city officials believed attracting a new restaurant required an incentive because the local market alone might not justify a private investment estimated at $3 million to $4 million.

Crutchfield also reminded the board that the funds cannot legally be redirected elsewhere.

“That money can only be used for that purpose,” he said, emphasizing that the account is restricted to economic development within the Graceville area.

Later in the discussion, Gilmore estimated the project represents approximately a $3 million capital investment that is expected to create about 25 jobs. He described the county’s contribution as a relatively small percentage of the total investment and said he remained supportive of partnering with the City of Graceville to help bring the project to fruition.

Following discussion, the board unanimously approved the economic development incentive agreement, clearing the way for construction to move forward once all required milestones are met.

Despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ line-item vetoes trimming millions of dollars from Florida’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Appropriations Act, Jackson County emerged with more than $3.5 million in state funding for projects spanning education, public safety, health care and community development.

According to information provided by the office of State Senator Jay Trumbull, seven Jackson County projects survived the governor’s veto pen, bringing a combined $3,529,084 back home to benefit local residents.

While one Jackson County request did not survive the veto process, the final budget still represents a significant investment in the county’s future, touching nearly every aspect of community life, from classrooms and emergency response to specialized health care and recreational facilities.

Building Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Jackson County School District received $129,384 to establish a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) startup program.

The funding will help launch the program by purchasing required instructional materials, uniforms and equipment, giving students another avenue to develop leadership skills, discipline, citizenship and career readiness while expanding educational opportunities within the district.

Strengthening Sneads Recreation

The Town of Sneads secured $400,000 for its Regional Sports Lighting Recovery Project.

The appropriation will restore and improve athletic field lighting damaged through years of storms and normal wear, enhancing safety for youth sports, adult recreation and regional tournaments while extending the usable hours of the facilities.

Improving Fire Protection

Public safety received one of the largest shares of state funding.

The City of Marianna was awarded $450,000 for fire equipment upgrades, allowing Marianna Fire Rescue to modernize equipment used daily in protecting homes, businesses and emergency scenes throughout the community.

The Dellwood Volunteer Fire Department received $524,700 for critical fire apparatus, funding that will strengthen emergency response capabilities for residents in one of Jackson County’s rural communities by replacing aging equipment with more reliable apparatus.

Meanwhile, Jackson County Fire Rescue secured $875,000 for station hardening, one of the county’s largest appropriations.

Station hardening projects generally include improvements designed to keep emergency facilities operational during hurricanes, severe weather and other disasters through structural upgrades, backup systems and enhanced resiliency. The investment helps ensure first responders remain ready when residents need them most.

Expanding Services for Individuals with Autism

NextStep at Endeavor Academy received $400,000 for its Autism Transition Program.

The program is designed to assist young adults with autism as they transition into greater independence through life-skills instruction, workforce preparation and community integration, providing opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.

Bringing Cancer Care Closer to Home

Jackson County’s largest health care appropriation went to Jackson Hospital, which received $750,000 for expansion of its Oncology and Infusion Center.

The project will allow the hospital to increase capacity and enhance cancer treatment and infusion services, reducing the need for many local patients to travel outside Jackson County for specialized care.

For families facing cancer diagnoses, receiving treatment closer to home often means less time on the road and more time focused on recovery.

One Request Did Not Survive

Not every Jackson County appropriation made it through the governor’s veto process.

Gov. DeSantis vetoed $1,250,056 requested for Graceville Correctional Facility Correctional Officer Salary Increases.

The proposed funding was intended to support pay increases for correctional officers at the state prison, but it was among hundreds of line-item appropriations removed from the final budget before it became law.

Even with the veto of the Graceville correctional funding, Jackson County’s final appropriations totaled $3,529,084, representing investments across multiple sectors of the community.

The funding supports education, strengthens emergency services, expands recreational opportunities, improves access to specialized health care and invests in programs designed to improve quality of life for residents of all ages.

Local leaders have credited the combined efforts of Senator Jay Trumbull, Representative Shane Abbott and community stakeholders who worked throughout the legislative session to advocate for Jackson County’s priorities in Tallahassee.

As these appropriations begin moving from the state budget into local projects over the coming months, residents will begin seeing the tangible results of this year’s legislative session in communities across Jackson County.