Although the local health department will be offering free flu shots for some county children, it has scrapped public flu shot clinics from its usual schedule. 
“The primary goal of a health department is to meet a need for the public that’s not being met – but this need is being met with private doctors and drug stores,” said Jo Bond, the immunization coordinator for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, which includes Madison County.

The blanket of bright green that has covered Madison County throughout the summer is giving way to shades of red, orange and yellow. “What I’m hearing and seeing is that fall color will be good this year,” said Madison County Extension Agent Adam Downing.

Even a light rain often leaves the walk in front of Miss Pattie’s House antique store full of water. The 70-year-old sidewalk at 203 S. Main St. in downtown Madison includes only a small water drain, which is regularly covered by fallen leaves or other debris, according to the store’s owner. Water frequently collects in front of his store, sometimes flooding his basement, he said.

As drivers head north along U.S. 29 in Oak Hill, the lot in front of Eddins Ford may appear a bit less crowded than usual. “People say to me, ‘You don’t have the inventory you used to have,’ and they’re right. When the market started to slow down, I adjusted my inventory,” President Gregory Fisher told The Eagle.

Madison County resident Terry Cover has only voted in one presidential election in the past, he said. “It was back when [Alabama] Gov. [George] Wallace was running,” the middle-aged, casually dressed man who lives near Wolftown told The Eagle. But come Nov. 4, he’s sure he will be at the polls.

After paying local taxes as usual this December, Madison County residents may receive another tax bill in the mail this coming spring. Officials are preparing for some upcoming changes to the way they collect taxes – including billing residents for half of their typical tax bill once in June and once in December. (This December, residents will pay their full tax bill amount as in the past.)

UPDATE
Madison County (4-0, 0-0) defeated Page County 21-14 in Sept. 26 homecoming football action at Eddie Dean Field.

Although a proposed program aimed at preserving Madison County’s farm and forest land appeals to many – it will likely raise local taxes, according to a county official. “I’m all for this program, I think it’s a great program, except for the fact of how you’re going to get the money,” Madison County Planning Commission Vice Chairman Pete Elliott said of a possible county “purchase of development rights” program.

Madison County officials discussed the cost, size and current status of the county’s Hoover Ridge athletic fields project at a meeting Tuesday night. 

Friday’s Madison County-Page County football game caps Madison County High School’s annual homecoming celebration.This year, something new is being added to the mix—a 5:30 p.m. pre-game community family tailgate party. Families are encouraged to bring grills and related picnic items to the back (south) parking lot of MCHS and tailgate.

Officials are taking a closer look at Madison County schools’ drop in enrollment. As of the tenth day of school earlier this month, the student population at all four Madison County Public Schools totals 1,812 – almost 30 students less than expected, according to Superintendent Brenda Tanner.

Since 1950, Madison County has lost about 735 acres of working farmland every year, according to a county-appointed committee report. The county’s forests are also diminishing – with more than 20,000 acres lost to development in the past 24 years, the report states. The group – made up of local residents chosen by the board of supervisors – has spent the past year developing a local “purchase of development rights” program in an attempt to stop this trend.

UPDATE
Madison County again demonstrates its superiority over Culpeper and Orange counties, amassing the most points in the Tri-County Track Meet Saturday to retain control of the annual event’s covered Winner’s Trophy for the third straight year.

I’m back again because of a request from one of my friends and an Eagle reader, with a heads up on mouse catching and an ongoing mystery that I don’t expect to solve anytime soon.When last I wrote, I had caught/murdered/put out of their misery four nasty little mice. The day I delivered my guest column to our faithful and talented editor of The Madison County Eagle, Don Richeson, a profound mystery occurred in the same cutlery drawer that I had previously alluded to in my column.

As temperatures cool and farmers prepare for the fall harvest, a new Madison County winery will open its doors for the first time. Sweely Estate Winery – which recently changed its name from Acorn Hill Winery – is putting the finishing touches on its 16,000-square foot hospitality center, which will include a tasting room and a banquet hall. The winery expects to open soon with a grand opening event set for October.