Yankeetown Selects Replacement Councilman      

Jack Schofield was voted in Tuesday night by the Yankeetown Council to fill the vacancy created with the resignation of Edward Candela. The appointment approved by the council will run until the Spring 09 election at which time the seat will be up for election.
      Jack Schofield is VP of Sales for School Apparel Inc. Jack and his wife Susie relocated to Yankeetown when the fell in love with the peacefulness, character of the community, outdoor, nature, wildlife and then the people. Jack and Susie are active in the Withlacoochee Gulf Pathways Park in Yankeetown as well as active members of the Citrus County Audubon, and the Nature Coast Volksport Club which is a walking, hiking club. Jack is also active with Withlacoochee Area Residents (WAR).

Nine Rescued by Coast Guard Near Homosassa

Crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown rescued nine boaters in distress in the vicinity of Homosassa, last week after storms passed through the area.
Each of the three separate incidents happened in quick succession to each other and within close proximity, which aided in the fast rescue response from the responding crew. 
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., received a call at 1:15 p.m. from a man reporting that he and a friend were onboard his 16-foot boat when it began taking on water two miles west of the Homosassa River, in Homosassa. 
The Coast Guard immediately launched a 25-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown and an HH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla., to assist the two men.
While rescue crews were en route to the scene of the first incident, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received a second call at 2:15 p.m. from a man reporting that his 18-foot boat was sinking, and he and two other boaters were clinging to a channel marker piling in the Crystal River Barge Canal, in Crystal River, Fla. He also reported that a fourth person was clinging to the partially submerged hull of his boat, which had drifted out of his sight.
Once the two boaters from the first case were rescued by the Coast Guard, the boat crew immediately diverted to the Crystal River Barge Canal and pulled the three boaters clinging to the channel marker pilings out of the water as well as a fourth person clinging to the boat's hull.
The second group of rescued boaters then reported that they witnessed another vessel in distress with three people onboard.
The Coast Guard boat crew located and rescued the final three boaters on an island two miles southwest of the Homosassa River at around 3 p.m.
All of the rescued boaters were taken to to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boat ramp on the Crystal River Barge Canal, where they received medical treatment.

Murder Suspect Returned to Citrus County

A Beverly Hills man accused of murdering his mother in June was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility, August 18, from Thomas County, Georgia. Donald Carl Wing, Jr., 49, was charged with first degree murder in the death of his 74-year-old mother, Janet Wing, whose body was discovered in Hernando County, Florida on June 12th and positively identified by dental records on June 14th. Wing is being held without bond. 
According to the Thomasville, Georgia Times-Enterprise newspaper, the Tift County Sheriff's Office responded to a complaint on June 10th at the Motel 6 in Tifton, Georgia, that a man (Donald Wing) was talking out of his head. Wing told officers that he had a bomb in his vehicle, a gray 2003 Chevrolet Impala with a New York tag. As Wing was being transported to Southwestern State Hospital in Thomasville, Georgia, officers with the Tift County Sheriff's Office contacted the Citrus County Sheriff's Office to inquire if they were familiar with Mr. Wing. Georgia detectives learned that Citrus detectives were concerned about Mrs. Wing’s well-being, as she had been reported missing on June 10th from the Jefferson St. home she shared with her son (Donald Wing), her bed had been burned, and blood was found in her house. During the trip to the state hospital, Wing told officers that the Secret Service and President Bush were out to get him. He also commented that he was alone and had no mother to give him money or take care of him. He said his mother might be dead, and her throat had been cut.

Detectives with the Citrus and Tift County Sheriff's Offices and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation searched Wing's motel room and vehicle. They also searched for trace evidence on Wing at the Thomas County Jail. Secret Service agents questioned Wing, as well. The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office charged Wing with murder and fugitive from justice, but he was returned to Southwestern State Hospital because he would not take his medication.

Inglis Re-Hires Steve Dixon As Temporary Police Chief

       Former Inglis Police Chief Steve Dixon was re-hired last week as temporary police chief until October when the new budget takes effect. This will be Dixon's second stint as chief. Dixon did not have the total votes on the Inglis commission. Commissioner Richard Kellman voted against hiring Dixon. Commissioner Gary Mosher said Tim Swiggett was his first choice because of his impressive list of degrees. Mosher said, "once you send someone (Dixon)away, it's not good business to hire them again." In the end Mosher voted for the hiring of Dixon.
      Dixon was first hired from a field of eight in 1999 to temporarily replace Chief Devon Addison on the Inglis police staff. Then acting Police Chief Mitch Billups said he narrowed down all the applicants to two and Dixon was selected because of his qualifications over a former Williston police officer.
       Dixon retired as Miami Metro-Dade officer. Dixon retired with 28 years experience in 1998 and moved to Pine Ridge in Citrus County.
The fallout continues. Officer Jeff Pasternac has resigned and according to commissioner Gary Mosher, Roberts, considered lacking in experience for the chief's job has since applied for a job as a deputy sheriff in Tallahassee.
       Dixon told the Inglis commission at last week's meeting, “If you want a Chief  I’m available to you. I have over 35 years of experience with over 25 years as an administrator. I made mistakes in the past but would not make them again.  My shortcomings were that I picked the wrong people, and I won’t do that again. Background checks  made were only the basics as time was limited with trying to build the department.  We now have the ability and equipment to screen people thoroughly, which was not available in the past.  My budget when I left here was about $120,000  and the budget has tripled.”
       A motion was passed to contact Levy County for discussion only on providing police protection  A motion was made to lift the moratorium on hiring in the Police Department.  Commissioner Lake then changed his motion to state the moratorium should be lifted on hiring just one officer and waive advertising.   Motion passed unanimously.
            Commissioner Michaels said, “We will bring up the subject of making Mr. Dixon the Acting Chief until October 1 at an hourly rate of $10 an hour. Commissioner Lake made a motion to appoint Dixon as Inglis Police chief until October 1.  That motion passed  4 to 1.

Yankeetown Councilman Resigns

     During the July 21, 08 Yankeetown Town Council meeting Councilman Ed Candela was apparently out of sorts with the other members present. The first item of disagreement was the hiring of Chris Fineout as Zoning Official. Candela argued that the salary increase was too much and the town would be paying Fineout five dollars more an hour than the zoning official in Inglis. After much discussion, Fineout was hired by a three to one vote of the council. Candela was the only one who opposed Fineout’s hiring. 

     Later, Candela presented a draft regarding routine maintenance of town right of ways. He noted that residents should be able to voice their opinions about maintenance since the property does belong to the residents of Yankeetown One councilman used the term, “micromanaging” another questioned the need for the policy at all since the Mayor supervises employees. Councilwoman Drew questioned if it was really necessary to have a special meeting to remove a one inch tree from the right of way since this is usually routine maintenance. Candela’s response to her inquiry was, “do you know any tree that didn’t start at one inch?” After many questions and comments the last being from the Mayor, Candela became agitated and withdrew his motion with a resounding, “Screw it, I’m done”. “I rescind the policy”. With that he walked out of the meeting. After The Newscaster contacted Candela he declined comment.

Woman Shot Has Fox Pried From Leg

Morriston-On July 25, 2008 at 10:26 A.M. the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to 3151 S.E. 186 Ave and investigated an accidental shooting.
Upon Deputies arrival at the scene the investigation revealed that Mr. & Mrs. Vrana were inside there home and observed unknown type animal in the yard. The elderly couple went outside to investigate and a red female fox attacked Mrs. Vrana’s left leg. Mr. and Mrs. Vrana were unable to escape the attack and Mrs. Vrana asked her husband to retrieve a weapon. 
Mr. Vrana went inside his residence and retrieved his 22 caliber rifle and shot seven times attempting to kill the fox. During the incident Mr. Vrana accidentally shot his wife in the lower right leg and also killed the fox. 
Upon Levy County EMS arrival the paramedics had to pry the fox from the victim’s left leg. The victim was transported to University of Florida Shands Hospital and she is listed in stable condition.
The red fox was transported to the Levy County Environmental Health Department in Bronson. On July 26, 2008 the fox was transported to Bureau of Labs in Tampa, Fl. and will be tested for rabies. 
Anyone that observes a wild animal that is portraying strange behavioral traits is asked to call law enforcement before making contact with the animal.
On July 28, 2008 the Levy County Environmental Health Department received the results from the lab that fox tested negative for rabies.

DEP Gives Okay on Yankeetown Waste Water Treatment Plant - Town Officials Apply for Administrative Hearing

     The Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection has notified Izaak Walton Investors of its intent to issue a permit for tow wastewater treatment plants in Yankeetown. The DEP said in its ad (on page 3) that the configuration would be the average annual daily flow type located on twelve acres at 5900 Hwy 40 west. The permitting process follows a series of hearings in which town officials have opposed the treatment plant.
     Yankeetown mayor Dawn Clary said the town has filed papers for an administrative hearing. "The Town of Yankeetown will be requesting an administrative hearing on the FDEP's IWI Wastewater Treatment plant Permit. Our attorney is filing today.(Monday) While the proposed plant has already been denied by our zoning official as meeting neither our zoning regulations or our comprehensive plan, it is still important to look at this as an environmental issue which may have impact in the future and should be responded to. This is a fairly large project which I feel should be very well technically vetted up front to avoid problems down the road," said Clary.

Public Service Commission approves need for Levy County nuclear plants

From Progress Energy

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) took a significant step toward securing Florida’s energy future today by unanimously affirming the need for new generation and approving Progress Energy Florida’s plans to build two advanced, state-of-the-art nuclear power plant units at a site in Levy County.
Today’s vote does not represent a decision to build the nuclear plant. Progress Energy Florida expects to make that decision by early next year. But it is a critical milestone in ensuring that nuclear power remains a viable option for meeting Florida’s growing needs.
“Carbon-free nuclear power is a strategic asset in our statewide effort to become energy-independent, to reduce our reliance on more volatile-priced fossil fuels, and to provide a balanced approach to meet the challenges of growth and climate change,” said Jeff Lyash, president and CEO of Progress Energy Florida. “The communities we serve are continuing to grow, bringing increased demand for electricity, and Progress Energy is working to ensure that our energy supply remains as reliable in the future as it is today. Our balanced approach to meeting future demand includes expanded energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technology and state-of-the-art generating plants.”
     Progress Energy Florida has purchased about 5,100 acres in southern Levy County for the potential construction of two nuclear reactors. If built, the new plants would employ approximately 800 full-time, high-paying positions, generate another 1,000 to 2,000 indirect jobs and employ about 3,000 people at the height of construction.
If approved and built, the project would be among the first nuclear plants in the country to be constructed on a greenfield site in more than 30 years, and it would involve development of one of the single largest transmission infrastructure projects in Florida’s history. Today’s approval is one step in a lengthy process to ensure that nuclear energy remains a viable resource option for the future.
     The next steps to be taken at the state and federal levels include the filing for cost recovery with the Florida PSC and the filing of a Combined Operating License (COL) application with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), both expected later this summer. Gaining these and other regulatory approvals in a timely manner is critical to moving the project forward.
     If plans continue to move forward and are approved by state and federal regulators, the two new advanced-technology reactors could begin operating in 2016 and 2017, respectively. 
     The company estimates the total cost of the project to be approximately $14 billion for the two units and an additional $3 billion for the necessary transmission equipment. This estimate includes land price, plant components, financing costs, construction, labor, regulatory fees and reactor fuel for two units and about 200 miles of transmission lines and associated equipment.
     The estimated average annual customer cost increase is expected to be between 3 percent and 4 percent from 2009 to 2018. When the plants begin commercial operation in 2016-17, fuel savings – a direct cost savings benefit to customers – is estimated to be approximately $1 billion a year. The prices of oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels have risen dramatically in the last couple of years and continue to be highly volatile.
Despite what is expected to be a short-term economic downturn, Progress Energy Florida’s service area remains one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. As the fourth-largest state, Florida ranks third nationally in per-capita energy consumption. Over the past three decades, the size of the average home has grown by 50 percent and uses 30 percent more electricity. Since the Crystal River nuclear plant came online in the mid-1970s, the company’s customer base has more than doubled.
     Fuel diversity is important to ensure a reliable, stable supply of electricity for customers. Progress Energy Florida has the most diverse fuel mix of any utility in the state, and is committed to a balanced mix of power generation alternatives, including natural gas, coal, oil, nuclear and renewable sources. This is the best way to continue to ensure a safe, reliable and economical source of electricity.
     Nuclear power is one of three critical components of Progress Energy Florida’s balanced solution to meet its customers’s energy needs over the long term, which also includes the use of renewable energy sources, and one of the nation’s best energy-efficiency programs.
     Progress Energy Florida has developed and implemented some of the most innovative and aggressive energy-efficiency programs in the country. The programs encourage customers, businesses, contractors, and builders to use electricity more wisely and to adopt renewable-energy technology. Since 1981, Progress Energy Florida customers have saved more than $900 million in energy costs and eliminated more than 7.5 million tons of carbon dioxide through participation in these programs. Customers may visit www.savethewatts.com for more information and tips on how to save energy today.

Judge Denies Dismissal of Yankeetown- Architect Law Suit

         Friday in the lawsuit Forum Architects LLC (Forum) v. Ed Candela, et al, federal judge Stephan P. Mickle in a Gainesville federal court denied a Motion to Dismiss and a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Defendants Ed Candela, and 26 others.
Forum entered into a contract with developer, Izaak Walton Investors, to design a mixed use residential-commercial development on six parcels of land in Yankeetown.  The suit alleges that the defendants were all members of an organization called Save Withlacoochee and Yankeetown, "SWAY".  The plaintiff defines SWAY as a group who was dedicated to stopping IWI’s development of six parcels of river-front property in Yankeetown.  The plaintiff (Forum) claims that SWAY used their funds to spread rumors and report inaccuracies about the development project. Forum also claims that SWAY intimidated local officials into voting against the plaintiff and IWI’s project.  Additionally, the plaintiff claims that any local leader who expressed public support for the project was threatened, intimidated, and eventually forced to resign from office.  
         On September 29, 2006, following Mayor JoAnne Johannesson’s resignation, the suit alleges members of SWAY filed a Notice of Appeal against former Yankeetown Zoning Official Stan Moore’s approval of the flood and zoning applications.  In November 2006, after no final decision had been made by the town council on the zoning applications, IWI filed a Writ of Mandamus for a new zoning official to be appointed.  During the period of time between Moore’s approval of the zoning applications and the appointment of Rebecca Jetton, four council members who had expressed support for the project resigned. The new council members who were elected and eventually halted the development project the suit alleges were all members of SWAY.  The new council members appointed Rebecca Jetton as its part-time zoning official.  Jetton then issued a rejection of the development plan that had previously been approved by former zoning official Stanley Moore. Jetton resigned her position as Zoning Official of Yankeetown in January 2008 following a separate lawsuit (Forum v. Jetton) filed against her by Forum for tortious interference.
Read the full court document at: click here  for doc 146
  

Judge Allows IWI to Intervene On Yankeetown-DCA Comp Plan Amendments

In April the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) completed its review of Yankeetown’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment submittal which was adopted by the Yankeetown Town Council in February of this year.  During its review, DCA found the Comprehensive Plan Amendment submitted by Yankeetown to be “NOT IN COMPLIANCE” under Florida laws and a notice was printed in local newspapers informing the public of its findings and its intent to hold a formal administrative hearing on the matter.  Since that notice was made public the town has been meeting with DCA in Tallahassee trying to hammer out a stipulated agreement that would bind the town into making certain remedial changes to their proposed Comp Plan Amendment to bring the town in compliance.  
Jim Sherwood, managing member of Izzak Walton Investors, LLC said his firm was concerned about many other unaddressed aspects of the proposed Comp Plan Amendment and the economic disaster it would create for the taxpayers and property owners of Yankeetown, if passed. IWI filed a formal Petition to Intervene in DCA’s formal hearing process before an administrative law judge.  
   Then on June 2, 2008 DCA and the Town filed a Motion to Dismiss the Petitions to Intervene Filed by Izaak Walton Investors, LLC.  
   On June 18, 2008 the administrative law judge ruled, without oral argument, that the motions filed by DCA and the Town to dismiss IWI’s Petitions to Intervene were denied.  He specifically ruled also that the new issues raised by the IWI petition, beyond the issues raised by DCA, can go forward.      
   Following the 60-day abeyance that the judge ordered to allow time for DCA and Yankeetown to work on their stipulated agreement IWI will have the opportunity to continue the hearing process before the administrative law judge to have its concerns heard and responded to by Yankeetown and ruled on by the judge.

Alligator Invades Dunnellon Neighborhood 
Residents near Hwy. 40, at the former Easy Street Cafe, just west of the Levy-Marion County line, were entertained by the capture of a seven-foot-long alligator, Friday afternoon, around 7:30 p.m.
 The gator was first seen by Linda and John Lyon, as they were leaving home to see a movie in Crystal River. They contacted Sandy Molski, who owns the old Easy Street Cafe property and is now living there with her husband, Richard, remodeling the interior. Molski and neighbors Pauline and T.J. Harrison, who were visiting with her, contacted alligator trappers Patrick Williams and Bobby Bass, both of Gainesville, who soon arrived on the scene.
According to Molski and the Harrisons, a squirrel had been running up and down a tree all afternoon, teasing Molski's two dogs, Doc and Ginger, and they had been barking at the squirrel's antics. They surmised that the barking of the dogs had summoned the alligator from across the road, on the north side of the highway. The Lyons had watched the alligator as it crossed Highway 40 into the drainage ditch in the right-of-way in front of Molski's property.
Regardless of the alligator's motive and intended destination, he was quickly captured before anyone could ever find out, not far from where Molski's dogs were tied-out under a tree, and hauled away by Bass and Williams.
The Molski's recently had the property surveyed, in preparation for the installation of a fence, so that the dogs can enjoy the property and also to discourage people from parking vehicles on the property. As the property still sports the sign and parking lot, people often temporarily abandon their vehicles there, erroneously assuming the property is still a vacant, commercial property.
The two trappers cover a six-county area, of which, they say, Alachua County keeps them busiest. In the local area, the majority of their calls come from the Peaceful Acres and Robinson Ranch areas of Lk. Rousseau. They average about one alligator per day and have trapped about 15 to 20, thus far, in June.
Williams trapped another 7-foot-long alligator, a year ago, in the Moonlite Basin of Lk. Rousseau that is located at the end of Molski's street, 136th Court, previously known as Easy Street. The alligator had become a nuisance, said Harrison, who contacted Williams after the alligator had started hanging out on the banks the majority of the time, even when residents were nearby.

Missing woman's son charged with her murder

While awaiting the positive identification by dental records of a woman's body found in Hernando County on June 12, detectives with the Citrus County Sheriff's Office believe they have ample evidence to say that the victim is Janet R. Wing, a 74-year-old woman who disappeared from her Beverly Hills home under, last week, under suspicious circumstances. Detectives have since met with Wing’s family members and advised them of the details of the investigation.
Preliminary autopsy results confirm that the woman’s death was a homicide, with trauma to her upper torso. Based on physical evidence found in Wing’s home, located at 74 S. Jefferson Street, Beverly Hills, along with other evidence and statements, Citrus County detectives believe that she was murdered at her home, then transported to the site off a lime rock road near U.S. Hwy. 19 in Hernando County, where a woman's body was found on the morning of June 12.
Around 9:30 p.m., June 10, deputies responded to Ms. Wing's home, in order to check on her well-being, but she was nowhere to be found and conditions found at her home made deputies suspicious about her disappearance. One of Ms. Wing's children, a son whose name was not specified, had spoken with her on June 7, but he'd been unable to reach her since that time. Deputies entered a "Be on the Lookout" (BOLO) for Wing. Her name was entered into the National Mission Persons database on June 11 and the sheriff's office posted missing person fliers around the area.
One of Wing’s adult sons, Donald, apparently lived with her at her Citrus County home. Ms. Wing was known to split her time between her home in Florida and with family members who live in New York and other states. 
A complaint had been filed with the Tift County Georgia Sheriff's Office against Ms. Wing's son, 49-year-old Donald C. Wing, Jr., on June 10. He was subsequently hospitalized in nearby Thomas County, Georgia until June 13, when Thomas County, Georgia deputies took him into custody on a Citrus County warrant charging him with first-degree murder. Thomas County is located in southern Georgia, about 40 miles north of Tallahassee.
Working with the multiple jurisdictions involved in the case, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office detectives were able to piece together sufficient probable cause to have an arrest warrant issued for Wing in connection with his mother’s death. He will ultimately return to Citrus County to face the charges.  
     
Homicide Investigation Results in 2nd Degree Murder ChargeScott Coleman, 49, Homosassa, was charged on June 9 with the second degree murder of 46-year-old James Edward Powell. According to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Coleman and Powell were acquainted and resided on the same property, but in different, makeshift housing in the 1700 block of S. Palm Ave. in Homosassa.

The arrest report stated that on June 2, around 9:15 a.m., deputies responded to the S. Palm Ave. location, due to Powell's demise, and spoke with two neighbors who live within 50 yards of the location where Powell's body was found. 

Coleman identified Powell's body at the scene and told deputies that he had last seen Powell, who had been intoxicated, on the evening of May 30th. 

Due to the advanced state of decomposition, no determination could be made on the possible cause of Powell's death. His body was transported to the medical examiner's office for autopsy. A detective attended the autopsy on June 3rd, when it was determined that Powell had died due to blunt trauma to his head. 

On June 4th, Coleman agreed to an interview with two detectives at the Homosassa substation. He denied any knowledge of Powell's death. He eventually requested an attorney, and the interview was terminated. Coleman was transported back to the location where he was staying.

On June 5th, Coleman was arrested on a Citrus County warrant for violation of probation (the original charges were burglary of a structure and grand theft). After his arrest, Coleman asked to speak with the two detectives. He told the detectives, that on the evening of May 30th, Coleman had been inside his residence, very intoxicated, and Powell had angered him by falling down and breaking some of his personal items. Coleman said that he'd attempted to assist Powell to the back of the property, where Powell lived, and that he sat him down next to his (Powell's) vehicle, but Powell had kept getting up, trying to follow him back to his residence, which was aggravating him more. Coleman said he went to his back porch and retrieved a hammer, then went back to Powell and struck him several times on the head. He said he then took the hammer and hid it in an old derelict van parked next to his residence.  

After obtaining a search warrant, detectives found the hammer, which was covered in blood, inside the van. The detectives measured the distance Coleman said he'd traveled to obtain the hammer, which was 20 yards.

Coleman remained in custody and was held without bond.

 
Yankeetown Served With Lawsuit to Give Up Public Documents
The mayor of Yankeetown, Dawn Clary was served Levy Circuit Court papers Friday June 6, 2008 by the Levy County Sheriff Dept. The alternate writ of mandamus issued by Judge David Galant alleges that the town of Yankeetown failed to fully comply with a request for public records made by Forum Architects, LLC.  
Jim Sherwood, Yankeetown developer said in a written statement that, "During discovery in the Forum v. Rebecca Jetton, our architect, Forum Architects made a public documents request on Feb. 22, 2008 directly on Rebecca Jetton (former Yankeetown zoning official) for production of all public documents and correspondence in her possession related to the Town of Yankeetown, the Yankeetown Board of Adjustments between herself and any employee, elected or appointed official of the town.  Jetton chose to ignore Forum’s initial request but later produced part of the documents during her deposition about 3 months later on May 9.  During that deposition she acknowledged that she still had certain public documents and e-mails previously requested on Feb. 22 either on her computer or in closed e-mail accounts that she claimed she no longer had access to.  Forum filed a Writ of Mandamus on Jetton in Federal Court but the Judge denied the motion due to the fact that Rebecca was no longer an employee of the town and therefore no longer a custodian of those public documents.  Forum filed a subsequent Writ of Mandamus on Yankeetown." In response to the Writ filed against the town in Levy County Circuit Court, Judge Glant issued the “Alternate Writ of Mandamus”. 
Sherwood also said on Feb. 22, the same day Forum made its initial public documents request on Jetton, Forum’s attorney Harriet Lewis made a public documents request on Yankeetown for the very same documents.  Yankeetown responded in writing that they did not have any of the documents requested.  

Police Chief Released With $20.5 thousand Severance        
Police chief Timothy Bible had the support of three commissioners at Thursday's special meeting, but in the end Bible said he had enough. Bible had the support of Gary Mosher, Richard Kellman and William Lake at the special meeting called to discuss the condition of the Inglis police department. Commissioner Edward Michaels read from a letter he had drafted, stating the reasons he did not want Bible to remain. He also was not in favor of the full price to end his contract. He wanted to pay only half the amount. Commissioner Bill Lake suggested that would not be a good idea and the town might end up in a lawsuit. After debate the five commissioners accepted the buyout for the chief at $20,500. The rather large crowd on hand for the meeting saw many Bible supporters and they were upset about his leaving. Commissioner Richard Kellman confirmed several times with Bible that this is what he wanted and after about an hour and a half the vote was 5-0 to accept Bible's resignation and buyout. 
No decision was made on what to do next and no acting chief was appointed. Sgt. Brandon Roberts is the next in command. Police administrative assistant Lorraine Barber said as far as she knows the department would continue to run as it has been. Bible said he would take a couple of months off and looked forward to an expected grandchild. Beyond that he said he had no special plans. He agreed with the commission that he would be available for the next 90 days to help with any problems that might arise. Bible suggested the commission might be better off hiring the Levy County Sheriff department for police coverage. "Cedar Key has the same problem." said Bible. Their police chief was just fired for political reasons. Bible said he was just not happy with the path the police department had taken. 

Inglis Sends Citizen Complaints About Police Chief to FDLE        
Inglis business owner Drew White requested answers on personal use of a police vehicle and if the town would be reimbursed for its use. White requested a letter be read from Curt McCown regarding statements made by Chief Bible. Commissioner Ed Michaels read from a copy of a letter in which McCown said "he feared for his life". Bible denied making statements that were threatening and said they were made in jest.
Roy Smith, former police commissioner said "when Mr. White gets up and makes statements critical of the police dept. consider the source". Someone from the audience (unidentified) said this is not the forum to discuss possible criminal charges and the town council should pass the information to the proper authorities.
McCown told the commission he wrote the letter never intending it to be made public. "At the time I felt threatened." He said that he and Bible were actually friends and that Bible came to him and apologized for the statements and he intended no harm. McCown said the whole letter was based on a hypothetical thing. 
Mayor Risher said "if these things are going on, this has got to stop. This is not the place to discuss this".
Commissioner Michaels said "if we don't talk about it now, then when do we talk about it". Commissioner Lake suggested future letters of complaint be received and sent on to the FDLE. "At this time these are innuendos, Lake said.
Bible said "these were comments made as a joke siting around a table at Gobblers Restaurant. There was joking and laughing. Everybody is trying to get ride of me for one reason or another. If they don't like me they can do whatever they want. But, by all means please forward this (material) to the FDLE. If it is in writing and I am exonerated, there is recourse for me", Bible said. Every public record request that has come in, there are one or two people behind it. I haven't done anything wrong. Every record request, I have given".
Commissioner Goode motioned for an investigation by FDLE, seconded by Commissioner Lake. Commissioner Richard Kellman asked the town attorney if this is the proper procedure to follow. Someone from the audience said the FDLE only investigates criminal complaints, such as the complaint against former police chief Mitch Billups. Town Attorney Norm Fugate said "FDLE is responsible for licensing of all law enforcement officers in the state, and there may be another route outside the criminal setting." Commissioners Lake and Michaels agreed that these types of complaints were taking too much commission time and should be handled by the FDLE. 
The motion passed 4-0 that this matter and citizens letters in the future be sent on to the FDLE for investigation. The town commission will hold a special meeting regarding the police dept. Thursday May 29th at 7p.m. at Inglis town hall.

Man Charged With Child Abuse, One Year Old Dies     
A 35-year-old man Beverly Hills man was arrested, April 24, on a charge of aggravated child abuse with great bodily harm. According to the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Gianni Spagnolo, called a detective with the sheriff's office around 8:20 p.m. and arranged to come in for an interview at the sheriff's office complex in Inverness. He was arrested on the charges after the interview.
The child, a one-year-old boy, died of his injuries on April 25. The sheriff's offices will notify the State Attorney's Office of the child's death and charges against Spagnolo could be elevated. 
During the interview with the detective on the 24th, Spagnolo described the incident with the child he said had occurred around 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. on the 23rd, when he was babysitting. He said that he was kneeling on the bed, throwing the child up into the air, using more force each time he tossed the child into the air, and the child's head hit the ceiling. He said the child fell from the ceiling, hitting the back of his head on a wooden table near the edge of the bed, then he fell onto the concrete floor, hitting his head and coming to rest on his back. After the injury, Spagnolo said the child's teeth were clenched and he was unresponsive. He said he waited for about an hour, or an hour and a half, until the boy's mother came home, then he waited another hour before taking the boy and his mother to a local hospital, in order to seek medical attention for the child. 
The report stated that the child sustained severe head trauma and was transported by helicopter to Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, due to the severity of the injuries. The medical staff informed the sheriff's office that the victim had suffered severe head trauma, a brain stem injury, and massive retinal hemorrhaging, and that there was a possibility the victim would not survive the injuries. 
Spagnolo demonstrated to the detective how the incident had happened. He explained that he is the boyfriend of the boy's mother, and that he had not been truthful with her or law enforcement personnel investigating the incident, however, the report did not state what Spagnolo had told them. While in the interview room, Spagnolo called the boy's mother and explained to her that he'd injured the child. Spagnolo told the officer that he could not have held this in any longer and that he owed it to the child to tell the truth about what had happened. 
Spagnolo was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. The detective requested that Spagnolo be held without bond "due to the severity of the injuries inflicted on the victim and the possibility of the victim not surviving."

Inglis Nuclear Plant Public Service Commission Hearing Provides Few Answers for Citizens       
Progress Energy Florida, in conjunction with the Florida Public Service Commission, held a Public Hearing in Crystal River, April 23, regarding the potential construction of two nuclear facilities in Inglis. The hearing was held at the Plantation Inn's Sable Conference Center for the purpose of public input to the Public Service Commission before it votes on the permit application. 
In Dec., 2006, the company announced that it had acquired land for the proposed facility, over 3000 acres in Inglis, 8 miles north of Progress Energy's Crystal River facilities. 
The next step in the proposed plant becoming a reality is the Florida permitting process (certification), which could take up to 21 months, starting with a petition that was filed by Progress Energy with the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) on March 11 for a Determination of Need for the construction of the facilities. A recommendation by PSC staff members is expected to be filed on July 2, and the PSC Commissioners are expected to vote on the matter at their July 15 Agenda Conference. 
Progress Energy must also file a PPSA application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), which will include an Environmental Review by the FDEP. This application has to be approved by the Governor and Cabinet, and the final certification will be issued by the FDEP Secretary. This could take up to a year, but would require less time if no issues are disputed. 
Other factors are also involved, such as procurement of materials, engineering and design, and site preparation (4 to 5 years duration). Construction of the plant is expected to take about 5 years and will be monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to ensure compliance with safety standards. The NRC will conduct final testing before commercial operation begins. Both units, Levy Nuclear Units 1 and 2, are expected to be in service by 2016 and 2017. 
The most recent available estimate as to the cost of constructing the plant is $17 billion, which includes $3 billion for transmission facilities. This cost will be passed on to consumers, resulting in an increase of about $9 per month for the average consumer, according to Progress Energy. These costs would be passed on to consumers from 2009 through 2018. However, when both plants are operational, the company expects to save about $1 billion per year in costs, which the company says will also be passed on to consumers.
Progress Energy Florida is the second largest electric facility in Florida, serving approximately 1,700,000 customers, encompassing about 20,000 sq. miles and supplying wholesale electricity to about 21 Florida municipalities, utilities and power companies. Florida Power & Light, Florida's largest utility, filed a similar request in October that was approved by the PSC on March 10, seeking to build two new nuclear reactors adjacent to its Turkey Point complex, south of Miami. 
It has been more than 25 years since a nuclear power plant has been built in the U.S., with the exception of the most recently built nuclear plant in the U.S. (Tennessee), which opened in 1996 after 22 years of construction at a cost of $7 billion. 
Florida, currently with 5 reactors, is ranked 12th nationally in generating capacity. The Nuclear Energy and Edison Electric Institutes state that there are 435 nuclear power plants operating in 30 countries around the world, supplying 16% of the world's energy. In the U.S., almost 20% of the electricity generated comes from 103 nuclear plants. 
Progress Energy said its new plants will employ about 800 full-time workers and create up to 2000 additional jobs, indirectly. During construction, about 3000 workers are expected to be employed building the plants. A question as to how many of the workers will be employed from the local area went unanswered at the meeting.
Concerns of local residents including real estate broker Darryl Diamond: what happened to the 5-mile buffer usually seen around nuclear plants; has the NRC rescinded this? 2/3 of Inglis would be within five miles of the proposed plant; the impact to services and infrastructure (roads, bridges, fire, police, etc.); information in the Environmental Review that will be presented to the DEP. Some people were concerned that the public was not informed of the April 16 deadline for testimony and exhibits from 'interveners'; the impact of the proposed plant on the acquifer, marine life and environmentally sensitive land and that the units will effect wells even more than the proposed Tarmac mine (salt water intrustion and over-extraction of water, especially during droughts). Former Inglis commissioner Betty Berger said wanted more information on evacuation routes during an emergency and how will residents of Inglis and Yankeetown know which plant is affected, as they will be sandwiched between two nuclear plants, how will they know in which direction to evacuate? Other concerns: that the extra-wide (250 feet) transmission corridors will be used to provide for water transmission; where the transmission lines will run; concerns about electromagnetic fields; where the water to cool the plant will come from and where will it be discharged; and reports of counterfeit parts being used at nuclear power plants, placing communities in danger.
Another public hearing will be held in Tallahassee on Wed., May 21 (9:30 a.m.) at the Betty Easley Conference Center, Room 148, 4075 Esplanade Way. Prior to attending the meeting, ensure that the meeting has not been canceled by calling the Office of the General Counsel at (850) 413-6199.
If you were/are unable to attend the public hearings, you may write, fax or e-mail your comments or information to the PSC, but be sure to include the docket number, 080148-El. ADDRESS: Florida Public Service Commission - Office of Commission Clerk - 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd. - Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850; FAX: 1-800-511-0809; E-MAIL: contact@psc.state.fl.us If you have questions, call the PSC's Division of Regulatory Compliance and Consumer Assistance at 1-800-342-3552. For technical questions, call Robert Graves at (850) 413-7009 or Tom Ballinger at (850) 413-6680. For legal questions, call Katherine Fleming at (850) 413-6218. For detailed information, check the PSC website at www.FloridaPSC.com (click on Dockets and Filings/Dockets, then type in the docket number, 080148).

Citizens apprehend burglar and hold him until deputies arrive

A Hernando man was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Jan. 7, after being apprehended by several citizens. 
According to the report, deputies were dispatched to a residence on E. Parsons Point Rd. around 12:30 a.m., regarding a burglary in progress. When the deputy arrived, he found 37-year-old John D. Frost Jr. of Hernando being held, with one arm behind his back. Frost was searched and the deputy found a capped hypodermic needle, a pocket knife, a box cutter, an empty methadone prescription bottle, a pair of vise grips and a small green cylinder which contained three light blue pills with the marking CC25.8. A witness handed the deputy a crescent wrench he stated had been in Frost's rear pants pocket.
According to the report, a woman said that she and her husband had been sleeping when she heard noises outside. She said she got up and looked outside to see Frost exiting a neighbor's shed with a red and white cooler. The woman's husband had confronted Nichols, and she had gone to get the neighbor. The husband said that Frost had asked him, "What's going on, dude?" And Frost told him that he'd been fishing. The man said he'd told Frost to stay where he was until law enforcement arrived, and Frost had replied that he was not going to stay and he could not be made to stay. When the man had attempted to detain Frost, Frost had pushed a bicycle at him and they'd fallen to the ground, and the man had held Frost there until his neighbor had arrived to help. 
The neighbor told the deputy that the two bicycles outside the shed had been inside the shed and they belonged to him and also that his red and white cooler was missing from his shed. 
Frost denied being in the shed or taking anything. He said he'd been fishing for catfish, and his fishing pole was near the water and his fishing gear was next to his red bicycle near the entrance.
The deputy reported that Frost was not wearing shoes, that he was slow and lethargic, his eyes were glassy and his speech was slurred. The deputy found the red and white cooler, which was dry, located in a boat to the north of their location. He found bare footprints in the dew on the boat and a white glove on the ground near the boat, but no fishing gear or red bicycle. In the cooler, the deputy found items of clothing, along with paperwork from the State of Florida indicating that Frost's driver's license had recently been suspended. 
Nichols was charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, grand theft and possession of a medicinal drug without a prescription; his bond was set at $18,500. He was also served with an arrest warrant for violation of probation. 

Inglis Commissioner Wants Town On Record Opposing Mine
Inglis Town Commissioner Betty Berger drafted a letter for the Inglis Commission that she wants adopted and sent to the Levy County Commission opposing the rock mine just north of Inglis.
In here letter she said "water is more important to Florida than lime rock to build roads. Water is a requirement to maintain life and ability to live and pay taxes in Levy County The Floridan Aquifer must maintain its level and be contaminant-free."
The contents of the letter also said the proposed Tarmac mine extends into the recharge area that the Inglis Public Water Supply draws from. It probably affects the other Public Water Supplies of Yankeetown, Dan’s Mobile Home Park and South Levy Recreation Park. It also does not meet the goals of the “Levy County Water Plan.” or the “Florida Water Plan 1995.”
Florida Rural Water Association studied the above four sites in 1999. The study showed 12 common points, one of which was the Levy County Water Plan: it's in the Gulf Coastal Lowland, groundwater flow is generally to the west and southwest, towards the coast and the rivers. Groundwater in the Waccasassa River basin has poor quality water from deep down rising to the upper level. Inglis has the most to lose and would be the first affected if anything should go wrong in the construction or operation of any project that could affect the ground water supply. "If the town won't do this I will send it as my concern", said Berger. "They will send us their pollution in the process of washing this rock." Yankeetown Citizens Fail to Block Election on Charter Amendments
A group of 133 Yankeetown citizens have failed in their attempt to block last Tuesday's election with regard to the charter amendments placed on the ballot. The group led by Yankeetown resident Carl Mazzuca alleged in Levy County Circuit Court that the town of Yankeetown failed to properly advertised the election for the amendments both in frequency and content of the advertising. Mazzuca said in a letter to State's Attorney Bill Cervone that citizens launched a petition campaign following information gathered in depositions for several lawsuits between the town and Izaak Walton Investors. Mazzuca said, "we have been aware for some time that our town officials continually abuse the Government in the Sunshine laws of Florida." The results of the petition campaign was a court date with Circuit Judge David Glant last Monday.
Mazzuca said Glant agreed on several points that proper procedures had not been followed in advertising the election but did not agree that the election should be stopped. Along with the charter amendments are candidates to fill two council positions and mayor. 
James Sherwood, managing member of I.W.I. said that his attorney Harriet Lewis has sent a letter to Bill Cervone outlining the sunshine law violations by the mayor and current council members. Lewis stated in her documentation to Cervone that deposition testimony confirms that certain of the elected town council members continued to discuss matters which they would vote on, outside the "sunshine". Lewis further states that public record protocols were violated and were either manipulated or destroyed.
State Attorney Bill Cervone, said it his intent to forward allegations of Sunshine Law violations by Yankeetown town officials to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), stating that his department does not have the necessary staff to investigate the allegations.

Home|News|Healthcaster|Classifieds|Sheriff's|Veterans|Election|Links|Fishing|Subscribe|Search|Contact Us|

Visit Our Sponsors