CFCC Receives $2.5 Million For Levy Campus

(CHIEFLAND, Fla.)  — Jack Wilkinson has taught generations of Levy County students during his lifetime, and a his gift to Central Florida Community College will ensure that generations more have access to higher education.

Mr. Jack, as he is known in Chiefland, has donated $2.5 million to help build a new CFCC campus in Levy County. The donation is the largest, one-time gift ever received by CFCC.

During their June 16 meeting at the current Levy Center, the CFCC District Board of Trustees voted to name the campus for the 45-year educator who has fond memories of his own school days. He attended school in a one-room school house, drove a Model T to high school, and then earned his teaching certificate at the University of Florida.

The Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus of Central Florida Community College will carry forward his strong belief in the importance of education. “This makes my life like a fairy tale,” he said.

Wilkinson has been interested in the new CFCC campus in Levy County since he learned of the project almost two years ago. In 2008, he made a gift supporting the Levy Campus campaign that the college planned to recognize by naming a classroom for him in the new facility.

“We are excited to learn that Mr. Jack is making arrangements for a gift with the potential to sustain the Levy Campus for years to come,” said Dr. Charles Dassance, CFCC president. “We made a promise that we would keep him up to date on the college’s progress, and he has now made a commitment that brings immeasurable opportunity to Levy County.”

Levy Superintendent of Schools and District Board of Trustees member Bob Hastings says that his father taught with Wilkinson for 32 years. Hastings also taught with Wilkinson for a year. “I cannot think of any one person who has touched more lives in Levy County than Jack Wilkinson,” Hastings said. “This is a perfect way to recognize a lifelong educator.”

Joan Stearns, vice president of Institutional Advancement for the CFCC Foundation, says: “At almost 96, Mr. Jack remembers just about every student he’s ever taught. Mr. Jack will long be remembered by the many students he taught over the years at Chiefland High School and his story will be forever passed on to Levy County students. CFCC is proud to be a part of his legacy.”

The new Levy Campus will be located along U.S. Highway 19 north of Chiefland. Much of the 35-acre parcel was donated to the college by Jack and Loy Ann Mann of Chiefland. For information about the Levy Promise for the Future campaign, contact Lisa Lombardo at 352-854-2322, ext. 1427.

Inglis Commissioner Edward Michaels Resigns

First term Inglis commissioner Edward Michaels sent a letter of resignation to the rest of the Inglis commission and the mayor on Tuesday citing health reasons. Attached is the body of the letter.

An unexpected health issue has developed which will prevent me from further performing the duties of a town commissioner. It is therefore necessary to tender my resignation, effective immediately.

I regret any inconvenience that this will cause to the current commission, which is an excellent group of civic-minded gentlemen, who have been a pleasure to work with.

Many thanks to the town clerk and her staff for generous and timely help whenever it was needed. Also, many thanks to both the police chief and the fire chief, to whom I was liason, for their cooperation and for their successful efforts to improve their respective departments.

Edward Michaels
Commissioner, Town of Inglis

4th of July Fireworks and Celebration For Inglis

4th of July Celebration  Inglis, Florida
2 Days of Fun! FIREWORKS 
Friday, July 3, at Dark  Buddy Risher Sports Complex 
Hwy 40E 2-1/2 mi E of US 19

FAMILY FUN  Saturday, July 4 
Starts at 10:00 am Inglis Community Center
Behind Town Hall 135 Hwy 40W, Inglis
Games Food  Child Pageant, contact Town Hall for more information at 352-447-2203.

High Density and Port District Proposed For North Citrus

    Word received from Jim Hunter, Citrus County Information Resources Director, the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners instructed staff in January to remove the residential density increase restrictions within five miles of the Progress Energy nuclear plant. In response, staff has prepared Comprehensive Plan Amendment application #CPA-09-10 to remove such limitations. The restrictions within the Comprehensive Plan have been in place for some time (since approximately 1986), but they were only just added to the Land Development Code in 2008. Details in the June 24th issue of The Newscaster.

Crash Critically Injures Citrus Springs Man

A traffic crash at 2:00 a.m., June 13, on U.S. Hwy. 41 in Dunnellon, resulted in the critical injury of one of the drivers, 21-year-old Joseph Carrigan of Citrus Springs. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Carrigan was driving a 2001 Ford on U.S. Hwy. 41, south of W. New Lenox Ln., when a 2002 Cadillac, driven by 26-year-old Alphonso Frazier of Dunnellon, pulled out onto U.S. Hwy. 41, heading south from Cross St. Carrigan swerved to the left, in an attempt to avoid Frazier's vehicle, but the right front of Carrigan's Ford struck the left rear of the Cadillac driven by Grazier, causing Carrigan to lose control of the vehicle which slid off onto the right shoulder and struck a small wooden sign. Carrigan's Ford continued overturning and ejected him from the car, as he was not wearing a seatbelt. The report stated that the roof of Carrigan's vehicle struck a large tree, then the car spun around, clockwise, and came to rest against the tree, facing north. Carrigan came to rest about 20 feet behind his vehicle. He was transported to Shand's Hospital in Gainesville. The cause of the crash is under investigation. Frazier was wearing a seatbelt and no injuries to Frazier were mentioned in the report.

No More Warnings For Burn Ban Violators

        Citrus County officials said Friday that as of Monday, May 18, there will be no more warnings given in illegal burn cases.Citations that carry a possible $500 fine will be issued by sheriff’s deputies, according to Citrus County Fire Chief Larry Morabito.
Citrus County is under a burn ban put into effect by the county commission in January which bars all outdoor burning. County fire officials have in many cases been issuing warnings to people found burning illegally; however, the extreme danger of the situation has prompted them to change this practice.
        Florida Governor Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency in Florida because of the fire danger in many parts of the state affected by the ongoing drought.
Morabito said fire officials have been working with ban violators where the fire had been confined to a small area. Initially officials attempted to achieve compliance through education and warnings; however, the danger has become too high to continue that policy.
        He said occasional rain showers do not significantly change the situation because of the extreme dryness. It will take sustained periods of rain to lower the danger, he said, adding that officials hope the normal seasonal rain will soon begin and subsequently lower the danger.

Inverness Woman Killed in Car Crash

        Twenty year old Krystle Lynne Churchill of Inverness was killed in a two car crash Monday at about 10:30 p.m. on C.R. 486 and N. Anthony Ave. in Hernando. A passenger in the Churchill 1997 Honda two door, 30 year old Michael (no last name given) received minor injuries.
        The FHP report stated the Churchill vehicle was southbound on N. Anthony Avenue, approaching a stop sign at county road 486 (c.R. 486/Norvell Bryant highway). A 2001 Jeep SUV, driven by 20 year old Charley M. Barclay was westbound on C.R. 486 in the outside lane. The Churchill vehicle failed to stop for the stop sign, driving into the path of Barclay's SUV. Barclay attempted to swerve to the left to avoid Churchill, but was unable. The front of his collided with the left side of Churchill's. The Churchill car rotated slightly counter-clockwise, slid sideways, and came to final rest partially in the paved portion of the median, facing southeast. Barclay and 19 year old Stephanie R. Auth of Lecanto were both taken to Citrus Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.The FHP report stated that alcohol related charges are pending further investigation involving the Churchill vehicle and that the Churchill woman was not wearing a seat belt.

Citrus Fire Service Reports Illegal Burns Continue

The Citrus County Fire Rescue Service said there were 14 illegal burns reported during the week of April 26 to May 2. County fire officials have been urging all residents to abide by the burn ban because of the extreme danger of wildfires due to the extraordinarily dry conditions.

Citrus Fire Chief Larry Morabito said the recent occurrence of some rain in various parts of the county have had little, if any effect on the dry conditions, as vegetation very quickly dries out again, putting the drought index right back where it was.

There have been 497 illegal burns reported since the burn ban was put into effect by the county commission on Jan. 9. Illegal burns of yard and household trash are one of the prime causes of brush fires, and this is the driest time of the year, making the landscape very susceptible to wildfires.

There were nine brush fires in the week of April 26 to May 2. There have been 120 brush fires since the burn ban was put into effect on Jan. 1.

The only outdoor burning allowed is in a barbecue appliance designed to contain the cooking fire. A citation for illegal burning can result in up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.

Fireworks Show For Inglis Celebration In Doubt

The chairman of the Inglis recreational board sent a message to canvas the Inglis commission on the state of the fireworks for the 4th of July. Commissioner Bob Webb said the same company as last year indicated it could do a July 3rd or Sunday the 5th show. Commissioner Webb said, considering the times, it would be difficult raising funds this year. In the past former Mayor Carolyn Risher has raised funds from individuals and businesses in the community.

Commissioner Gary Mosher suggested Friday July 3rd would be better because more kids would come out. Mayor Bill Lake wanted to know who would solicit the funds. " I personally will not do it. I will put myself on record right now, I have no intention of soliciting contributions in the name of Inglis like Mayor Risher did", said Lake. Lake went on to say, " I find a lot of other things can be done with the sum of money that fireworks could bring this town other than a one night exposition. There are a lot of folks in this town that need help. There are a lot of things that could be done with that money, were it collected."

Commissioner Edward Michaels said he wanted to be on record as fully agreeing with the mayor. Commissioner Mosher asked, " How would that money be able to help somebody when it's not designated for them?"

Former Mayor Carolyn Risher spoke to the commission stating, "I did this for ten years. No one agreed to do it (solicit funds) so I told them (the commission) I would do it. At the end of each year I would give Darlene a list of donors and check numbers. We never had a problem with one penny. You have to be careful about what you do. Who ever wants to do it I would be glad to help. 

Town Clerk Sally McCranie said, "the money was handled like any other donation to the town. The money was deposited into the park account under a line item set aside for fireworks. The mayor solicited the money as a volunteer. The town was not involved. 

Mayor Lake said, "$26,000 was sent up in the air in one night. If that money were available this year, I could build an adult exercise trail. That money would afford us to do something that would be here forever, not something that would rise in the sky one night and we'd all go home thinking it was just great. Can we do it, yes we can. I have already raised $16,000 by going person to person, business to business." 

Commissioner Mosher said, "not everyone thinks like you. I'm not saying that's wrong and that $26 thousand that she (mayor Risher) went out and got, people probably wouldn't have given part of that or all of that for an extension to the (central) park. If you've ever seen the number of people in that (So. Levy) park on July 4th it changes the whole spectrum. We still have to stay open minded to other things. 

Town Clerk McCrainie said, "The fireworks has never been something the town is responsible for. It's never been anything the town has obligated itself paying for other than the donation the commission has made ($500). It has been an activity that the So. Levy Recreational board did."

Mayor Lake said, Mr. Mosher is right, my dream isn't everyone's, I just think mine is right. I would simply like to find out who's is going to be responsible for Mr. Mosher's dream. Who is going to take the responsibility soliciting these funds?"

Baby Kee bonding with female manatee at Lowry Park Zoo after Withlacoochee River Rescue

Special to The Newscaster By Janel Heflin &
Community News Publications


TAMPA – Kee, one of the smallest orphaned manatees ever rescued, is being bottled-fed at the Lowry Park Zoo as she and another adult female manatee Pneuport are bonding at a critical time for the calf.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials rescued the 50- pound, three-foot long baby, nicknamed Kee, from the Withlacoochee River. Rescuers founder her near Yankeetown. Following her rescue, she was transported to one of the finest manatee hospitals in the nation – the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Hospital at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo.
Yankeetown residents spotted the baby on the river, FWC and US Coast Guard officials swooped in, and rescued the tiny manatee. Coast Guard Station Yankeetown is a short distance away on the Withlacoochee River.
She was initially nicknamed Suki, because she was found clinging to the hull of Suki Sweet II, a boat owned by Richard and Leslie Dasch of Yankeetown, the initial reporters, according to the local newspaper The Newscaster. 
Suki is the second smallest, orphaned manatee calf to be rescued to date in Florida by the FWC Marine Mammal Stranding Team.
After being transported to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, workers and volunteers renamed the calf Kee.
Virginia Edmunds “said that baby Kee, as we have nicknamed her after Yankeetown, continues to receive 24-hour care, and has some ups and downs as she continues to adjust,” said Rachel Nelson, Director of Public Relations for Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Nelson was referring to Virginia Edmonds, Assistant Curator of Florida Mammals. “Although not technically the smallest orphan ever treated, she is very tiny and will be considered critical for a long time.” Nelson reported Kee is being cared for 24/7 by only three keepers, making the task of feeding the orphan a full-time job for each. “They go into the pool to care for her,” Nelson adds. As the task of removing the manatee from the water for weight checks is highly disruptive to her adjustment, caregivers have chosen to delay checks to keep Kee’s stress and anxiety levels low.
Keepers at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo have paired the baby manatee with an adult female manatee named Pneuport who has been cared for at the zoo.
“The baby and the cow have reacted positively to one another, often seen nuzzling and sleeping together, and the baby will sometimes swim on the cow’s back,” Nelson said. “The keepers say Pneuport is very sweet and attentive, even nudging them when they hold the baby to feed her, signaling that she wants her back.”
While there is a long road to recovery ahead for the orphaned manatee, staff at the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Hospital are up for the task. They have nursed hundreds of other manatees back to health, many of which have been returned to Florida’s open waters.
Kee is the second smallest orphaned manatee that keepers have tended to, and while her condition will remain critical for some time, they are hopeful that she will make it.
“She did not arrive the smallest, but very close,” Nelson said of Kee when brought to the facility by FWC. “She was 50 pounds, and we had a 48-pound newborn named Buttonwood in 2003 who did not survive.”
So how did this tiny little manatee end up all alone in the murky waters of the Withlacoochee River? Along with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of babies of all kinds. Manatees are known to birth in groups, with the delivering female being encircled by larger females and males attentive to the conditions surrounding the birthing place. Kee’s mother must have been scared off from her youngling, and unable to relocate her baby prior to humans becoming involved in Kee’s rescue.
A call from concerned residents on the river was Kee’s saving grace, and the reason she’s alive today.
Most babies, especially those of Kee’s age and size, cannot survive Mother Nature’s tortuous conditions, not to mention the increase in Florida’s busiest boating summer boating season.
The Withlacoochee River is a favorite refuge for manatees of all ages, but usually later in the year – summertime – when the tannic-stained river warms up on its meandering path from the Green Swamp origins to the Gulf at Yankeetown. The river is one of Florida’s oldest, with solid rock bottoms pockmarked by nature where old mastodon bones and modern fishing gear can be found snagged. The river is joined by the spring-fed Rainbow River at Dunnellon where clarity improves. Mother manatees favor the many canals in Inglis and Yankeetown for birthing.
Ten miles to the south, manatees are now leaving Crystal River and Homosassa River, both spring fed and a constant 72 degrees as the Gulf warms up to 85-90 degrees by summer. Then they can be found in the Withlacoochee River and others, which will be warmer than the springs in the Crystal and Homosassa.
Boaters should be on the lookout for meandering and birthing manatees to avoid collisions that can cause serious injury and death. Boat collisions are among the top causes of manatee deaths.
More waterfront news at www.cnewspubs.com/onthewater. If you would like to learn more about manatees visit www.myFWC.com. To learn more about the number one rated zoo for families in the nation visit www.LowryParkZoo.com. More waterfront news at www.cnewspubs.com/onthewater. News from the Nature Coast at www.theNewscaster.com. Follow newscaster headlines on twitter: twitter.com/thenewscaster.
Writer Janel Heflin participated in manatee research with Dr. Edmund Gerstein and others at the Lowry Park Zoo in the 1990s. She writes regularly about manatees for Community News Publications, tagged On The Manatee Trail.

Crystal River Man Dies in Traffic Crash

A traffic crash at C.R. 486 at N. Donovan Ave. Crystal River, around 7:17 p.m., April 7, took the life of 70-year-old Ronald G. Smith of Crystal River. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Mr. Smith was driving a 2006 Honda Ridgeline, south on N. Donovan Ave, approaching the intersection of C.R. 486 (W. Norvell Bryant Hwy.) and made a left turn from a stop sign to travel east on C.R. 486, but drove into the path of a 1991 Toyota Camry that was traveling west on C.R. 486. The Camry was driven by 28-year-old Craig M. Rogers of Beverly Hills. The report stated that the right front of the Camry impacted the left front of the Honda and that both vehicles rotated and came to rest facing south in the eastbound lane of C.R. 486. Mr. Smith received fatal injuries and expired at the scene of the crash. Mr. Rogers was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital in Tampa. He was listed in stable condition, as of 12:00 p.m., April 13

IPD applies for COPS Hiring Recovery Program grant 

A special meeting was held by the Inglis Town Commission, April 9, to discuss the possibility of hiring additional police officers through a Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grantcalled the COPS Hiring Recovery Program (CHRP). 

The CHRP provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies, to create and preserve jobs, and to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts, according a government website explaining the CHRP application process. Inglis Police Chief Steve Dixon stated that the crime rate is increasing due to high unemployment, and the grant will assist in protecting the public during the recession. 

CHRP was started during the Bill Clinton Administration and had been discontinued during the George W. Bush Administration. The program was reinstated through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), commonly known as the economic stimulus plan. 

Dixon asked the commission to consider, "The hiring of a minimum of one additional officer, but to determine the number at their own discretion," he said. After discussion, the commission voted 4:1 to apply for the grant money to increase the police force by two officers. Commissioner Richard Kellman, who is known for his efforts to reduce the operating costs of the police department, was the lone dissenting vote. 

According to Dixon, if the grant is approved for the hiring of the two additional police officers for the Inglis Police Department, the federal government would pay the department's current entry-level salaries for newly-hired officers for three years, which Chief Dixon approximates at, "Between $70,000 to $75,000 per year, and after the three years, the town would pick up the costs, including any salary increases." 

According to federal government guidelines, the CHRP would also pay for the benefits for the first three years, as well. The federal government website, www.Grants.Gov, states that there is no cost sharing or matching requirements, that 3000 grants are expected to be awarded, and eligible applicants include state, county and city or township governments; independent school districts, public and state controlled and private institutions of higher education, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and public and Indian housing authorities. The website states that applicants must renew their Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database information at least once per year in order to establish an active status.

"We haven't even been approved yet," said Dixon. "This (the commission's vote) was approval for the need to apply. That does not automatically give us those positions. I have to apply; it has to be reviewed. We're in the bureaucratic red tape situation. It could be six to eight months before we see a police officer on the streets, as a result of the grant - if we're approved." 

Since the town did not vote on attempting to receive assistance from this grant until April 9 and the deadline for the grant application was 11:59 p.m., April 14, Chief Dixon was battling the clock on Monday (April 13), awaiting "a confirmation and approval to apply. And that could take six to eight hours," he said. "Tuesday's going to be a very busy day for me (Tuesday is the deadline to apply). I'll be sitting on the computer all day." He also stressed, "Applying for the grant does not ensure that it will be approved, so if the grant funding is approved and the town moves forward on hiring the officers, it could be seven to eight months before the officers would be on the streets." 

A 2005 government oversight report called the program a "modest contributor" to a decline in crime in the 1990's. 

Yankeetown couple help rescue orphaned baby manatee in Yankeetown

Biologists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute rescued a small female manatee calf from the Withlacoochee River at the Richard and Leslie Dasch home in Yankeetown, Florida on Thursday, April 2.View photos on our Flickr account. click here

According to officials, the tiny calf is one of the smallest manatees ever rescued by the FWC Marine Mammal Stranding Team, measuring just over 3 feet in length and weighing only 50 pounds. "Suki" was taken to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, where she is receiving 24-hour care from the zoo's manatee rehabilitation team.

The name "Suki" was given to the baby manatee because she was found clinging to the Dasch's boat, Suki Sweet ll, which got its name from a pet name for Leslie. The tiny manatee had somehow become separated from her mother and clung to the Dasch's boat for about five hours before she was rescued. 

Leslie and Richard had observed the baby manatee nuzzling and sticking close by the boat, long enough to realize the baby was on her own. They contacted the rescue team, which was aided by the U.S. Coast Guard Station Yankeetown and cheered along by a dock loaded with well wishers.

About ten days prior to the rescue, the Dasch's had enjoyed a boat outing, about a mile up river from their home, where they saw the birthing of a baby manatee they feel may be Suki. Orange paint on Suki's head and back would lead you to suspect that Suki's abandonment may be due to a boating accident. If this is the case, it is easy to imagine that Suki was nuzzling the boat as her adopted mother because it had imprinted on her at her birth.

Word was received that Richard Dasch was making a donation to cover Suki's care. She had touched the hearts, not only of the Dasch family, but of all who had watched as she was saved from certain death.

The FWC Wildlife Alert hotline received the original report of the orphaned calf. According to biologists, spring is the beginning of the manatee calving season. During this time, the potential for orphaned calves increases.

To report a dead or distressed manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline, toll-free, at 1-888-404-FWCC (1-888-404-3922).

Homemade bomb found during Inglis traffic stop 

A former Muncie, Indiana woman was arrested by the Inglis Police Department, at 11:30 p.m., March 6, at 26 Hwy. 40W and Michigan Ave., after a traffic stop for a tag light violation. The incident eventually involved three additional agencies, and the driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old Chelsea Jean Case, was finally booked into the Levy County Jail at 5:10 a.m. 

According to the arrest report, Case was stopped by a Officer Dowd of the Inglis K9 Unit, and his K9 partner Boston, a trained drug sniffing dog, alerted Dowd to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Officer Dowd asked Case and her passenger, Barry Smith, to step out of the vehicle while it was searched. A unit from the Levy County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and assisted in the search. Officers located a grinder in Case's purse, which she said belonged to her fiancee who "grinds up pot in it." 

In the center console, a small cylinder was found "that appeared to be a homemade destructive device" the report stated, "approximately three to four inches in length, capped and sealed at one end, with a wick protruding from the top. The device appeared to have been fashioned from an inhaler device and its contents were unknown." Case told the officers that the device also belonged to her fiancee. Case was quoted in the report as saying, "A friend of his made them, for him and the kids to go out in the field and set them off." The Marion County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad was called to the scene to evaluate the device and take possession of it. 

The report stated that Case's 35-year-old fiancee has a non-extraditable warrant from the State of California for making dangerous drugs, and that his address on Hwy. 40W in Inglis "is a known drug spot for users and makers of methamphetamine." The report also stated, that according to Case, her fiancee has four children, ages 7 to 11, living with them, and earlier in the day, there had been an unknown "white powder" narcotic substance strewn about the floor of their residence, along with drug paraphernalia, "six or seven needles," and several spoons used for cooking or liquifying illegal narcotics.

A Department of Children and Families representative was called to the scene and was briefed on the situation at the home then went to the residence to conduct an investigation.

Case was transported to the Levy County Jail and charged with possession of drug paraphernaila and possessing a destructive device.

Dunnellon Man Killed After Firing on Citrus Deputies

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic dispute 911 call at 5:47 a.m. Monday morning at a residence north of C.R. 39 near Citrus Springs, that ended with a shootout and the death of a 48-year-old man who was later identified as Michael Wolff of Dunnellon, who has a prior arrest record.

According to CCSO Public Information Office Heather Yates, when deputies arrived at the residence, the man opened fire and fled the scene in a blue Dodge Ram pickup truck, with deputies in pursuit at speeds that at times exceeded 100 mph. During the chase, the man fired numerous times at deputies, and also a couple times at a Marion County school bus, east of S.R. 200, but the driver was not injured and no children were on board. Several times, stop sticks were thrown onto the road to (unsuccessfully) stop Wolff.

Wolff was shot and killed during the incident, in Marion County on C.R. 484 near I-75, heading toward Belleview, Florida. Notification of next of kin was in process on Monday morning. 

Authorities with the CCSO and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) are investigating the officer-involved shooting. Dep. Juan Berrios, 32, and Sgt. Ryan Glaze, 33, have been placed on paid administrative leave, standard procedure after an officer-involved shooting. Berrios joined the sheriff's office as a patrol deputy in February 2006. Glaze was hired in July 2000 as a patrol deputy; he joined the K-9 unit in April 2002, became team leader in October 2007, with the rank of corporal, and was promoted to patrol sergeant in January.

County asking state for opinion in barn exemption case
     Citrus County Administrator Anthony Schembri said Thursday that because of questions about an agricultural exemption from permitting and impact fees regarding a barn owned by a state senator from Inverness, he will be asking for an opinion from state officials. The county staff had responded to a complaint about a barn on property owned by Sen. Charles Dean, R-Inverness. The case was looked into by code inspectors and the barn, which was on land designated for agricultural use, was deemed to fall under an exemption in state law for permits for non-residential agricultural buildings. In addition to storage space for agriculture uses, the barn reportedly has two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen, but the inspector had no evidence the structure was being used as anyone’s residence. Dean subsequently told the Citrus County Chronicle he sometimes allows visitors to stay there, and the question of whether it was a residential dwelling on that basis was raised. The staff had ruled that because it had no evidence that any rooms in the structure were being used as someone’s residence, the barn fell under the exemption. What specifically constitutes a residential dwelling is not specifically defined in the statute. Because the complaint was deemed unfounded, the case had ended there and the inspector had no need to notify Dean. The citizen who initially complained, however, protested the staff findings to the county commission at its March 10 meeting. Schembri said of the action he was taking, “In response to the questions being raised about the agricultural exemptions on Sen. Charles Dean’s barn, given the issues that have come up, I am taking what I consider an appellate step, and I am asking the Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, Tom Pelham, to give us an opinion on the case.” County officials will forward details of the case to Pelham for review but do not expect an immediate response.

Truck/Trailer Crashes at Yankeetown Boat Ramp

      56 Year old Dennis Utter of Stevensville, Montana crashed his dually pickup truck and 30 ft. trailer into the wall at the Yankeetown boat ramp early Saturday morning. Utter said he missed his turn onto C.R. 326 just west of Dunnellon and continued on Hwy 40 through Inglis. Utter said he was confused because the road marking at U.S.19 and Hwy 40 did not identify the highway as U.S. 19. The marking says S.R. 55 which was changed about five months ago by FDOT. This is the third such crash at the boat ramp at the end of Hwy 40 in the past five months. Yankeetown fire chief Paul Shearer said he would speak with the Levy County road dept. about adding rumble strips and/or a flashing light at the end of Hwy 40 to warn drivers. The road currently ends at the boat ramp to the gulf. No one was injured in the accident. View Complete interviews on the video page. Click here

Citrus County Accepts Resignation of Administrator

      The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners accepted the resignation of County Administrator Anthony Schembri at a special meeting late Monday afternoon.
The meeting was called Friday by Commission Chairman John Thrumston to discuss Schembri's employment contract. Schembri opted to offer his resignation with the conditions that the 30 day notice would be waived and that he receive the six month pay severance package stipulated in his employment contract. The vote was 5-0 to accept his resignation with the conditions.
      Deputy Administrator Eber Brown and county Community Services Director Brad Thorp were nominated to serve as the interim administrator during the search for a new administrator. The board voted 3-2 for Brown to take the interim post. Thrumston asked that the process of filling the administrator's job be put on the commission's next meeting agenda.

Two Die In Hernando Crash

A three-vehicle traffic crash in Hernando, March 12, according to the Florida Highway Patrol resulted in the death of two people, and the "serious" and "critical" injuries of two others. The accident occurred on U.S. Hwy. 41 at E. Dearborn Dr. 

According to the FHP report, the crash occurred at 1:45 p.m., when a 2002 Freightliner semi tractor, driven by Kendrick D. Johnson, 23, of Pine Bluff Arkansas, that was traveling north on Hwy. 41, "drove onto the west shoulder and made a u-turn in order to proceed north on U.S. Hwy. 41, but turned into the path of vehicle 2," a 1996 Nissan Maxima driven by 81-year-old Reginald R. Robertson of Beverly Hills, who was traveling south on Hwy. 41. The truck struck the Nissan, which propelled it across the center line, into the path of a 1993 Mercury Marquis driven by 35-year-old Lois J. Whitehill of Dunnellon, who was also traveling south on Hwy. 41, and the two vehicles collided, "head-on," the report stated. Both the Nissan and the Mercury came to rest in the southbound lane of Hwy. 41, and the Freightliner stopped on the east shoulder of Hwy. 41.

Mr. Johnson, the driver of the Freightliner, received "minor" injuries, the report stated, and his semi sustained about $4000 in damages. Mr. Robertson, the driver of the Nissan, received "serious" injuries and was transported to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. His passenger, Durrant A. Prendergast, 79, of Beverly Hills, "received fatal injuries and died at the scene of the crash," the report stated. A second passenger in the Nissan, Daisy M. Prendergast, 74, of Hernando, "was transported to Shands with critical injuries, but later expired from her injuries," the report stated. Ms. Whitehill, who was driving the Mercury, received "critical" injuries and was also transported to Shand's Hospital. Everyone in the three vehicles was listed as wearing a seatbelt.

The report stated that the crash closed U.S. Hwy. 41 for several hours, and traffic was re-routed around the scene on secondary roads. The case remains under investigation, the report stated, and details are subject to change as the investigation continues. According to the FHP report charges are pending.

Yankeetown Disqualifies Candidate, State Attorney Has Different Opinion

      Just days before the February 24 Yankeetown municipal election, a board of four challenged the town council candidacy of Sally Price, who has voted for the last ten years in Yankeetown elections. When Price qualified as a candidate, she listed her Fiddler Key Yankeetown property as her residence. Price says the property has been in her name for ten years, that she pays taxes on the property, and it is homesteaded as her domicile. According to Price, the property has been in litigation for several years and is still in the appeal process. 
Price said, before she ran for office, she visited Levy County Supervisor of Elections, Connie Asbell, to determine if she could qualify as a candidate for Yankeetown Town Council, and that Asbell had given her a copy of a recent ruling by Levy County 8th Judicial Circuit Court Judge David A. Glant, that allowed the owner of a Levy County newspaper to register to vote and to vote in Chiefland, when he was homesteaded in Gainesville. The county lost this litigation which cost the county a goodly amount of money. According to Price, Asbell said that she was not going to be caught up in another lawsuit over residency, because the law does not clearly define residency. 
      According to a letter from State Attorney William Cervone of the 8th Judicial Circuit to Ed Candela, who had contacted Cervone's office "concerning the eligibility of Sally Price to run for a position as a Yankeetown councilman," Cervone wrote Candela that his office had reviewed documents and information accumulated regarding his complaint about Price's Yankeetown residency. He wrote Candela,"Florida law is extremely vague as to what constitutes a sufficient residence for purposes of voting, and by analogy, running for office. Likewise, the provisions of Yankeetown ordinances that I have looked at are likewise vague," and that Price's "Fiddler Key address is indicative of an intent to reside in Yankeetown." The letter also states that Price's rental property on Hickory Avenue "is indicative of an intent to reside in Yankeetown." Cervone gives his opinion that his office would have no probable cause to take any action as to the question of Price's residency, however the town of Yankeetown did take issue as to Price's residency.
      "I was tried and ruled out of the election by the town's first-ever election board that was appointed to rule on someone's election rights," said Price. Price said that three of the four members of the election board are in litigation with Price in the Forum vs Candela et al lawsuit. Price said that she's come to the realization, that in the past, she'd been part of a community mindset that shut down Izaak Walton Investors and feels that the members of the election board are angry with her because of this, that there is a conflict of interest on the part of the board members, and that the ruling of the board was in error. 
      Price said that that the one board member Kathleen Burke had been Sargeant-at-Arms during all the elections, when she had voted in Yankeetown, and Burke had never questioned Price's right to vote. Price said that two state elections attorneys had given their approval for Price to vote in a recent town election and that she rented a house in Yankeetown, to use as a backup, in the event that the election board denied her candidacy. However, the election board ruled that Price's water usage was not sufficient to support her residency, although Price says that she slept at the residence, every night, since she had qualified as a candidate. 
      Price said that a canvassing board threw out her vote on election night, as well. The canvassing board members were Yankeetown Town Councilman Norm Shanahan, Inglis Fire Chief Phil Sprinkle and Yankeetown Fire Chief Paul Shearer. This board used what Price termed a "conflicted election board ruling" to throw out her provisional vote. Price said that another citizen's vote was also provisional, and the canvassing board opened his ballot and announced who the man had voted for after they determined that he did, indeed, live within the city limits. Price said she feels this is illegal. 
      Price said, in her opinion, the canvassing and election boards demonstrated an agenda to remove both her candidacy and vote, and that Town Attorney Ken Warnstadt and Town Clerk Laura Coyle sided with the boards against Price, and at the protest meeting of the ballot counting, the board denied Price the right to present additional evidence in her behalf and also denied her the right to speak, although her name was listed on the meeting agenda. She said that she was silenced and told to sit down when she protested.
      Price has already set a precedent, as she was elected to the Yankeetown Town Council around 2000 using her Fiddler Key address. She served in office for about a month then resigned after a warming from a constituent about her voting, she says. Price received 93 votes in the February, 2009 election. The top three elected to the council were: Doug Dame 190, Mike Lineberger 189,and Jack Schofield 189. Jim Petrovich received: 114, and Annie Rosario 97. 

Governor Names Replacements for BOCC & School Board

      Governor Charlie Crist announced two Levy County appointments, on Friday (March 6). Cameron Asbell, 40, of Archer, was appointed to serve as a member of the School Board of Levy County, a non-partisan position. He is the owner of Cameron Asbell Insurance Agency and will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Billy Morrison. 
Asbell has previously served his community for 13 years on the Bronson Town Council as both mayor and vice-mayor. He has also been a municipal representative to the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council of Levy County. In recent years, Asbell has been involved with the Bronson Chamber of Commerce, the Bronson High School Advisory Council, and the Bronson High School Athletic Booster Club. The post will be up for election in 2010, and the job pays $26,317 per year.
      The governor also announced, Friday, the appointment of 58-year-old Marsha Drew, a registered Republican from Yankeetown, to serve on the Levy County Board of Commissioners. Drew will fill the vacancy created by the suspension of Democrat William "Sammy" Yearty and will serve during his suspension. 
      Drew listed on her application for the post that she has been self-employed as an event planner since 1996 and a self-employed landscape contractor from 1985 to 2001, that she became a naturalized citizen on April 11, 2000; that she was born in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, attended H.B. Beal Technical School in London, Ontario, Canada; earned her High School Equivalency from Withlacoochee Tech in 2006, and took continuing education courses at Key West Community College during 1999-2001. Her application stated that she has lived in Florida since 1981 and in Yankeetown since 2004. Drew's application also stated that she has been Director of the Chamber of Commerce since 2008, director of the Lion's Club since 2006 and trustee since 2007, and that she has been a member of the Yankeetown-Inglis Republican Club since 2008. Drew has served on the Yankeetown Town Council from November 2006 to February 2009 where she was voted as vice-mayor by the town council. 
      Drew's term as a Yankeetown Council Member expired in October, but was extended through February due to Yankeetown's adoption of its new form of government, Hometown Democracy. Several months ago, Drew said she would not be running for re-election. The county commission post pays $33,419 per year. 
      Two other Yankeetown residents, including Jenefer Schuster, a former Levy County School Board Member, and Jim Petrovich, a former candidate for Yankeetown Town Council, also had "hats in the ring," but none received the coveted nod and support of Levy County's Republican State Committeewoman and Yankeetown resident, Edith McCrimmon, who was listed as a reference on Drew's application with the governor's office for the appointment to the county commission seat.
     A replacement for suspended Commissioner Tony Parker is yet to be announced.

Beverly Hills Man Facing Attempted Murder Charge

A 45-year-old Beverly Hills man was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Feb. 19, on charges of attempted premeditated murder and burglary with battery.

According to the arrest report, deputies spoke with the 38-year-old victim at Citrus Memorial Hospital, around 2:30 a.m. She said that the man who'd stabbed her, John Frederick Jach of Beverly Hills, had been her boyfriend for many years and their relationship had ended in early December. She said, earlier in the evening when she was entertaining a male companion at her Beverly Hills home, Jach had called her on the phone and told her, that if she were cheating on him, he would harm her. Some time after the phone call, the ex-girlfriend said that she'd heard her back door being kicked open and went into the kitchen to investigate. She said that Jach had stabbed her with a very large knife, on her right hand and forearm, when she'd attempted to protect herself from his attempts to stab her on the head. She said, that when she'd called out to her guest that Jach was stabbing her, he'd come into the kitchen and wrestled Jach to the ground.

Jach told the investigators that he'd kicked-in the door and gone into his ex-girlfriend's home and stabbed her, but only after he'd taken the knife away from his ex-girlfriend's male guest.

The guest told deputies that he'd been dating the victim, and when Jach had called her earlier in the evening, he could overhear him threatening to harm her. He said that he'd heard the back door being kicked-in and had heard his girlfriend screaming for help, that Jach was stabbing her.

Officers then spoke with the victim's two children, who both stated that they'd heard the back door being kicked-in, and they'd entered the kitchen to find their mother bleeding and their male guest holding Jach down on the floor. One of the children stated that he'd grabbed the knife, then bent and hid it so that it could not be used again. No one at the residence had ever seen the knife before, that had been used in the stabbing, a silver-colored, metal butcher's knife.

The arrest report stated that there was damage to the rear door and the rear door's facing. The report stated that the victim had "very large lacerations" to her hand and arm, and a small laceration to her face.

Jach was being held without bond at the Citrus County Detention Facility at the time of the report.

Levy Sheriff Dept. Installing CyberSuite for Inmates

Bronson-The Levy County Sheriff’s Office on March 2, 2009 will have a new procedure called CyberSuite. This is a new endeavor at the jail to deposit money into the inmate’s canteen accounts.

This will allow inmate’s family, friends and loved ones more ways to deposit money into an inmates’ account; this will also improve the speed and accuracy of deposits.

The new CyberSuite will allow the following method for deposits:1. Website:Visa/Master Card/Debit Cards; 2. Kiosk located in the Sheriffs Office Lobby for

Visa/Master Card/Debit and Cash Deposits Monday-Friday 8AM-5 PM only.Closed on holidays the Kiosk will only accept 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Dollar Bills. 3. Toll free number 1-866-345-1884

Internet users can visit the secure CyberSuite website to set up a private account with a private user ID and password. The system will help manage deposits to specific inmates, allow receipt printing and provide history deposit amounts by inmate and date.

Telephone payments may be made 24 hours a day/ seven days a week by calling 1-866-345-1884. A customer service representative will accept deposits quickly and easily from Visa/Master Card/Debit and will provide confirmation numbers for tracking deposits.

Deposits made by any of these methods will reach the inmates’ accounts within minutes. This will eliminate delays in funds availability resulting from mail delivery, holidays or weekends.

As of March 2, 2009 the Levy County Jail will no longer accept money orders for deposit into an inmate’s canteen account by mail or in person. All deposits must be made through CyberSuite.

Three Die In Citrus County Crash

A 1998 Saturn driven by 21 year old Zachari W. Sipes of Dunnellon was traveling west on Hunter Hill Street, a dirt road and residential street, at an excessive rate of speed. The car then ran a stop sign at the intersection of North Fernandina Avenue according to the FHP report, and traveled into the path of a 1998 Ford two door driven by 25 year old Mary K. Jefford of Citrus Springs which was traveling north on North Fernandina Avenue. The impact caused the male passenger in the left rear of Vehicle 1 to be ejected from the vehicle. This passenger 22 year old James T. Pritchard of Hernando received fatal injuries and expired at the scene of the crash. The female passenger in the right rear of Vehicle 1, Deanna Swagler,30 of Crystal River remained in the vehicle, but also received fatal injuries and expired at the scene. The female passenger in front right of Vehicle 1, Stephanie Mocknick,19 of Crystal River survived the crash and is being treated for her injuries at Seven Rivers Hospital. The 21 year old Sipes also received fatal injuries and expired at the scene of the crash. Driver 2, Mary Jefford, 25 of Citrus Springs was ejected and flown to Shands Medical Center. At the time of the crash, no one in either vehicle was wearing a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Traffic Stop Ends With Driver's Death

On February 5, 2009 Officer Letson with the Inglis Police Department and Deputy Cothron with the Levy County Sheriff’s office were parked at the NAPA auto parts store in Inglis on U.S. 19, conducting stationary radar speed checks. The Officers observed a black Mazda car traveling north bound at a high rate of speed and Officer Letson clocked the car on radar at 80 mph in a 45 mph speed zone.

A traffic stop was conducted at 11:07 P.M. one mile north of the city limits of Inglis. As soon as officers were getting out of there patrol car they heard a loud gun shot from inside the Mazda car. Deputy Cothron and Officer Letson approached the vehicle and observed the driver had sustained an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.

The driver was later indentified as Andrew Altinger, 18 years of age from Brooksville, Florida. Mr. Altinger was in the National Guard Military Police 690th Unit. Mr. Altinger was transported to Seven Rivers hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The investigation revealed that earlier in the evening Mr. Altinger may have been involved in a hit and run accident in Hernando County. The accident is being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol

Williston--On January 26, 2009 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration arrested William Diaz and arrested a white female Marisa Bershad for in-door hydroponic marijuana grow house. Inside the underground grow house there were $868,500 dollars in marijuana plants seized.

The investigation began in 2005 when the Levy County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call at 3651 N.E. 140 Ave Williston, in reference to a fire. Diaz had seven semi cargo containers on the property and was burning the insulation inside of the cargo container. The suspect stated that he was burning the inside of the cargo container because he was going to bury the cargo containers and make a storm bunker for his family. This fire occurred just after the Hurricane Katrina.

On January 26, 2009 the Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force and DEA went to Diaz's residence to do a knock and talk. Upon arrival Agents saw Diaz exit a trap door inside a metal pole barn. The investigation revealed there was an underground elaborate and sophisticated hydroponic indoor marijuana grow house ten feet below the barn. The grow house measured 30x50 feet and was fortified with steel I-beams and inside the grow house were a 100 kilowatt diesel generator. Agents seized 193 high potency marijuana plants valued at $868,500 dollars. Diaz was also diverting and stealing power from Central Florida Electric for over two years.

During the search Diaz and an unidentified white female which will be named as a Jane Doe were arrested for multiple felony charges. The female had three different names on a Florida driver’s license and a passport. The investigation led agents in the late evening and it was unsafe to continue the search so a Deputy was posted at the residence for security until a search warrant is secured on the following day.

On January 28, 2009 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force released the crime scene after 50 hours of processing and searching the crime scene. Jane Doe that was arrested on January 26, 2009 is allegedly identified as Marisa Bershad. Corporal Rick Rogers has filed additional charges on Ms. Bershad for trafficking in cocaine and her bond is $208,500. Ms. Bershad’s acquaintance, William Diaz is currently in federal custody.

Drug agents have seized a truck, tractor and farm equipment from the property. On January 28, 2009 the Levy County zoning and building department has condemned the pole barn. Department Environmental Protection Officers responded to the scene and obtained soil and air quality samples inside the under ground marijuana grow house. The marijuana in-door grow house has been secured and rendered safe.

Deputies Shut Down Crystal River Grow House

(Citrus County) After receiving an anonymous tip on Friday, Jan. 23, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an address in Crystal River regarding the potential existence of a large "grow house" in the area. When deputies approached the property at 9853 W. Woodhaven Lane, two Hispanic males fled the scene in a ’95 Ford Taurus with a Georgia tag number of BFW4119 and a front plate with an ATLANTA FALCONS insignia. A statewide BOLO (be on the lookout) was immediately issued for the pair.

Deputies then canvassed the property, noticing a strong odor of cannabis all around them, as well as an abundance of surveillance cameras and exposed piping that had been painted to camouflage it. A search warrant was secured and a search of the property ensued.

Deputies searched a residence, along with a large steel building. Inside the home, officers found no furniture except mattresses on the floor and cabling that led to the many security cameras. A search of the steel building revealed a premier hydroponics system that sustained marijuana plants in two large rooms. A total of 30 marijuana plants were discovered, ranging in height from 7 to 10 feet. The plants were near harvest and were very high grade.

"These are the best plants I’ve ever seen," said Detective John Novy, a member of the specialty unit responsible for the search, "and I’ve seen a LOT of plants." According to Novy, the average marijuana plant yields about 1 pound of sellable marijuana. "These plants," he said, "would each yield about 3 to 4 pounds of sellable marijuana."

In all, deputies retrieved 377 pounds of marijuana, which included the near-harvest plants and 5 pounds of processed marijuana found inside the residence. The estimated total value of the marijuana is $500,000. Along with the cannabis, deputies also seized 4 air conditioning refrigeration units.

During the search, Sheriff’s Office crime scene specialists were able to obtain fingerprints as well as DNA samples that will be used to help identify the suspects.

"This is the largest seizure at a single residence we’ve had since I joined this unit in 2002," said Novy. "They were sitting on a gold mine."

If you have any information regarding the men involved in this crime, please call the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office at 352-726-1121 or 911. You can remain anonymous when you call.