nflaonline.com Joe Subic awarded Bronze Star Medal HOMETOWN HERO: Past, present and future military personnel, friends and family gathered at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center on Aug. 2 to honor SFC/Police Chief Joseph Subic as a Bronze Star Medal recipient. Shown (1-r) AFJROTC Cadet Airman 1st Class Kyle Altmix, AFJROTC Cadet 2nd Lt. Dena Daniels, PFC/ Police Chief Joseph Subic, Colonel Richard B. Davis Jr. (Florida National Guard State Judge Advocate and Hamilton County Judge), Major General Karol A. Kennedy (99th. Regional Readiness Command), JAFROTC Cadet Airman 1st Class Kris Miller, JAFROTC Cadet April Davis, JAFROTC Cadet TSgt. Geralyn Bristol, and JAFROTC Cadet TSgt. Dinah Scott. (Photo: Rob Wolfe) Sergeant First /Class Joseph Subic Jr. has re- ceived nearly 30 military awards and decorations during his service in the United States Army, the Florida National Guard and the United States Army Re- serve. On Aug. 2, Subic again demonstrated his ability to stand up under pressure as Major General Karol A. Kennedy, Corn- Soldiers like Joe are not compelled to serve, they choose to serve. Maj. Gen. Karol A. Kennedy manding General of the 99th Regional Readiness Command, presented him with a Bronze Star Medal for his actions in Iraq. SFC Subic, locally known as White Springs Police Chief Subic, served an ex- tended tour of duty in Iraq that lasted 18 months be- cause the leaders there re- quested that he stay longer- due to his outstanding skills. The ceremony at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Museum in White Springs opened with the posting of colors by see Subic, Page 2A VISIT FLORIDA, the state's official source for travel planning, will- hold a Grand Opening celebration on Friday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. un- til 12 p.m. for the new Joseph 0. Striska Offi- cial Florida Welcome Center. A collaborative effort between VISIT FLORIDA and other partners, the new $13 million dollar state-of- the-art facility funded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) was completed earlier this year. Guests will be greeted by Southern belles from Cypress Gardens (Lake Wales), Civil War reen- actors from Fort Clinch (Fernandina Beach), a space man from Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral) and Shamu from Sea World (Orlando). The AFJROTC from Hamilton County High School will present the colors followed by John- ny Bullard who will per- form The National An- them. Speakers include, Jeinnings Mayor Danny Johnson and Jasper City Manager Kent Cichon as well as representatives from Visit .Florida and the Department of Transportation. The highlight of the ceremony will be a spe- cial dedication planned in memory of Joseph 0. Striska, deceased (for- mer President and CEO of Florida Association of RV Parks and Camp- grounds). "The Welcome Center serves as a great asset for the state and honors a long-time tourism booster, Joseph 0. Striska," said David Dodd, Vice President of Visitor Services, who operates the five Official Florida Welcome Cen- ters. "With more than 70,000 travelers stop- ping at our facilities we simply outgrew the old facility." The building will have several new amenities including four plasma screen televisions that will broadcast the weather channel and Florida tourism infor- mation throughout the day, an indoor-outdoor public 'announcement system, an on-sight gen- erator to be operated in' the event of an emer- gency, and a scissor canopy for delivery ser- vices. VISIT FLORIDA will manage the center, and other special groups like Infrastructure Cor- poration of America (ICA) and C6mprehen- sive Community Ser- vices (CCS) will provide maintenance services to assist in maintaining the building and grounds. Additionally, the build- ing will include work space to house the Dept. of Highway Patrol. INVESTING IN OUR YOUTH: Randall Petty of Jasper cools off on a water slide on one of the last days of summer vacation before school starts on Aug. 8. (Staff Photo) Welcome to new and returning students Dwayne Trouille (I), Hamilton County Youth Sports League President, accepts a $1,000 check from J. Sherman Frier as Recreation Director Winston Warner looks on. "Our youth are our future," Frier said, "and I want to support our youth." J. Sherman Frier & Associates are registered land surveyors based in Live Oak. They opened an office on Hatley St. in Jasper earlier this year. According to Trouille, the money, which will be an annual scholarship, will be used to promote sports activities at the Hamilton County Recreation Center. (Staff Photo) By Harry Pennington Superintendent of Schools Summer break is almost over and the 2005-2006 school year is just around the corner! These past weeks have been fast paced and filled with much activity as we have worked to prepare for the upcoming school year. This year, the first day of school for our students will be Monday, August 8. We look forward to their return and know that the upcoming year will pro- vide many opportunities for them to grow and excel. I would like to encourage parents and other members of the community to join our district's team by pro- moting the programs we offer, both academic and extra-curricular. With vour involvement as a positive role model, we can greatly impact the lives of the stu- dents. I am pleased to have this opportunity to welcome back our returning stu- dents, and to extend a spe- cial welcome to our new ones. It is my hope that 2005-2006 will be a safe and productive year for vou. Inside Today \. / , -- PG 8 9 -- PAGES 8-9C Jail Notes ...... .4B Legal Notices ... .4B l| Classifieds .... .1-7D I Calendar ......3-12C I Obituaries .......5A L --- - =REE\I COOKIEI For Kids 12 & Under I No Purchase Necessary Must Present Coupon Limit 1 Per Person Good 8/5/05 Only A A L **5-DIGIT 32611 000000 SUBSCRIBER UNIV OF FLA LIBRARIES SERIAL SECTION PO BOX 117007 GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7007 VISIT FLORIDA 1-75 Welcome Center Grand Opening Aug. 5