10 Years Ago
Eighty six percent of fourth graders in Gadsden County public schools scored 3.5 or higher on the statewide FCAT writing exam, topping the statewide average of 77 percent. Gadsden fourth graders outperformed their peers in seven Big Bend counties. Leon County Schools ranked second but still trailed Gadsden by a substantial margin. Just 69 percent of Leon fourth graders scored 3.5 or higher on the FCAT writing test.
20 Years Ago
Gov. Lawton Chiles and Education Commissioner Frank Brogan released a new measurement of student performance called the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) and many school districts around the state, including Gadsden County’s, showed substandard results. Joining with thousands of their colleagues across the nation, local church and government leaders gathered at the Havana Municipal Building and offered prayers for their community and nation during the annual “National Day of Prayer.”
30 Years Ago
The architectural firm of Lee and Bridges of Quincy was selected to design a new Senior Citizens Center east of Quincy near the County Health Dept. The state legislature appropriated $300,000 for the design and construction of the facility. The Gadsden County Seminole Boosters held its annual Spring Outing at the Gadsden Golf and Country Club with head coach Bobby Bowden the guest speaker. FSU boosters and athletic leaders enjoyed a golf tournament and midday luncheon.
40 Years Ago
A Tallahassee man, Seth Matthews, suffered two broken ankles, a fractured vertebrae and bruises and was in fair condition at TMH after his experimental aircraft crashed during takeoff at the Quincy airport. The resurfacing of State Road 12 was progressing well, according to a Strickland Construction supervisor, with the first section, the area from just west of the forestry tower to Havana, right on schedule. The second section, from Post Plant Road to Quincy Creek, was lagging due to underground utility problems.
50 Years Ago
Sheriff’s candidate Robert Martin was an easy winner in the First Primary Election with 4,168 votes. He was followed by Dorsey C. Smith, 1,293; John L. Coggin, Jr., 868; and Walter Watson, 721. The Havana Bears’ sprint medley relay team set a new state record in the Class C State Track Meet held in Gainesville. The team bettered the old record of 2:07.1 by posting a new time of 2:06.7. Members were Terrill Dutton (110), Mike Peavy (220), Joel Broome (330) and Terry Powell (440).
60 Years Ago
Official opening ceremonies of the new Babcock Gulf Coast Hatchery, Inc., managed by William Montague, were held in Quincy. Situated just off US 90, one block from the hospital, the new poultry industry served a territory including parts of Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. In a colorful ceremony, Mrs. L. B. Ellinor installed the new officers of the Havana Woman’s Club. Those installed included Mrs. J.O. Boynton, president; Mrs. W.P. Woodbery, vice-president; Mrs. Henry Slappey, vice-president; Mrs. H.N. Alewine, vice-president; Mrs. A.M. Butler, recording secretary; Mrs. J.G. Bert, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. J. Ghent McLellan, treasurer. 7
70 Years Ago
An accident that narrowly missed being a tragedy occurred four miles north of Havana on Route 27 when a local school bus carrying 16 children was side-swiped by a semi-trailer truck. Barney N. Whittle, school bus driver, said he had just unloaded most of his Hinson children when the accident occurred. The semi-truck driver had apparently fallen asleep, Patrolman Ralph Strong reported. Joseph Darsey of Havana, a student in Industrial Engineering at the Georgia School of Technology in Atlanta, was honored with election to Tau Beta Pi, the highest professional honor attainable in the undergraduate engineering field.
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