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Inglis Lock Closure Information 667k pdf (click here)

Window Painting Winners/Participants List (go here)

 
Opponents of Nukes  Say Levy Plants Not a Done Deal

NRC recommends construction permit & operating license for proposed Inglis nuclear power plants 
The Nuclear Regulatory commission (NRC) has concluded in a new report that Progress Energy's 3,100-acre proposed nuclear power plant in Inglis would have a small to moderate impact on the environment and recommends that the construction permit and operating license be approved. The report is the draft Environmental Impact Statement, a two-volume, 1,500-page document which includes data, charts and analysis.
The public has 75 days to comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement, which is not expected to become final for at least a year. Once the Environmental Impact Statement is made final, a mandatory public hearing will be held where the Ecology Party of Florida and two other groups will present arguments on environmental issues.
In addition to the Environmental Impact Statement, federal regulators will conduct a separate, parallel review of safety plans for the project, which would have two 1,100-megawatt Westinghouse reactors.
Progress Energy expects the NRC to issue the plant a license in late 2012, if the reviews stay on schedule. At that time, the utility would determine whether or not to forge ahead with construction plans.
Progress Energy estimates the total cost of the plant at between 17.2 to 22.5 billion dollars, which includes the land, transmission lines, fuel and financing. Last year, Progress Energy received approval to begin charging customers for the plant's development, which has been controversial. A lawsluit is pending against Progress Energy by the group, Citizens for Ratepayers Rights, which claims the increased rates are in violation of the Florida State Constitution.
The environmental impacts recognized by the NRC in the recent report include
the use of land for the construction of transmission lines to connect the new plant to the electrical grid; the quality of water in streams, lakes and rivers due to discharges from the proposed Levy County plant and the Crystal River plants; land-based resources due to habitat fragmentation, impacts on important species and the loss of about 765 acres of wetlands. The impacts on air quality would be small to moderate.
According to the NRC, small impacts are those that couldn't be detected or wouldn't noticeably alter any important attribute of a resource, such as underground water quality and aquatic ecosystems.
HOW YOU CAN COMMENT TO THE NRC: * Two public meetings will be held in Crystal River on Sept. 23 at the Plantation Inn, located at 9301 W Fort Island Trail. The meeting times will be 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Comments would be limited to the time available and the number of atendees. To register in advance, call Douglas Bruner, toll-free, at 1-800-368-5642, ext.2730, or send an e-mail to Levy.COLEIS@nrc.gov by Sept. 16. ** Comments can be made in writing and mailed to: Chief, Rules and Directives Branch; Division of Administrative Services; Office of Administration; Mailstop TWB-05-B01M; U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Washington, DC 20555-0001. *** Comments can be e-mailed to Levy.COLEIS@nrc.gov **** Comments can be faxed to (301) 492-3446.

Deputies Rescue Woman From House Fire

Shortly before 1:00 a.m. on Monday, July 26, Citrus County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a house in Homosassa that was fully engulfed in flames.
Dep. Troy Taylor, 43, who was the first responder to 5464 S. Celeste Point, called-out, trying to determine if anyone was still inside. He heard a woman's call for help from the south side of the residence.
As he rounded the corner of the house, he spotted Elizabeth Podoll, 62, with her head and one arm outside of her bedroom window. As he attempted to pull her from the window, Dep. Chad Doyle, 37, arrived on scene to assist.
The woman's fatigue and labored breathing, combined with the heavy smoke coming from the structure, made it extremely difficult for the two deputies to pull the victim from the burning residence.
Dep. Taylor was able to squeeze himself partially through the window to free the woman, who was trapped between a piece of furniture and the wall. He and Dep. Doyle were then able to pull her halfway through the window; however, she became stuck once again.
The victim's neighbor, Gregory Avery, 53, rushed to assist the two deputies and pushed up on the woman's hips to free her as the deputies pulled her to safety. Moments later, flames erupted from the ceiling of the room where the woman had been trapped.
Podoll was airlifted to Shands in Gainesville for observation and treatment, while the two deputies were treated on scene for mild smoke inhalation.
Commander Wayne Burns, who oversees the CCSO law enforcement bureau, had high praise for his deputies' actions. "This is the kind of commitment and determination that even the best training can't instill. The actions by both Dep. Taylor and Dep. Doyle likely saved this woman's life," he said.

FHP Looking for Driver in Inglis Fatal Motorcycle Accident

     The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is looking for an unknown driver of a car, in relation to a motorcycle crash that occurred in Inglis, around 2:00 p.m., July 13 (last Tuesday), that resulted in the death of the driver of a motorcycle and critical injuries to his passenger.
     The driver of the 1995 Harley Davidson motorcycle was Bret E. Stutler, 49, who died as a result of his injuries at Shands U.F. Hospital in Gainesville, around 11:20 a.m., Thursday, July 15. His passenger, Deloris A. stutler, 54, remains in a Hospital in critical condition. The Stutlers, both from Clarksburg, W.V., were air-lifted to area Hospitals the day of the crash, both with critical injuries.
     According to Trooper John Gikas of the FHP, the crash occurred in Inglis, 0.2 mi. north of town, on U.S. Hwy. 19 at County Road 40A. The Stutlers were traveling south on Hwy. 19, in the right lane, and a grey or silver car - possibly a Toyota with a small dent just behind the driver's door, that had been traveling north on Hwy. 19 - initiated a left (west) turn onto County Road 40A, in an attempt to travel west. The car entered the southbound lanes, into the path of the motorcycle, causing the driver of the motorcycle to swerve and brake to avoid the car. Although there was no contact between the car and the motorcycle, the motorcycle overturned, ejecting both Stutlers. 
The driver of the car initially stopped on the scene of the crash, but did not remain and left the scene traveling south on U.S. Hwy. 19.
     The FHP is looking for any information about the driver of the car, so she can be contacted. She is a white female, around 55 to 70 years old, with shoulder-length gray hair. Again, the vehicle she was driving was a gray or silver car, possibly a Toyota, with a small dent just behind the driver's door.
Anyone with information about the crash, or the driver of the car, is asked to call the Gainesville FHP at 1-800-387-1290 (toll-free) or 1-352-955-3181, extension 2006, and speak with Corporal Lena Ward or Corporal Jonathan Young.

Florida's 2010 Sales Tax Holiday, August 13, 14 & 15

The Florida Sales Tax Holiday is back, and no sales or local option taxes (or discretionary sales surtax) will be charged on books, clothing and footware items and certain accessories, each selling for $50 or less, and school supply items selling for $10 or less. This three-day tax exemption will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 13, through midnight of Sunday, August 15. However, this exemption does NOT apply to any books, clothing, footware items or accessories, selling for more than $50 or any school supply items selling for more than $10. 
"BOOK" means a set of printed sheets bound together and published in a volume. The term "BOOK" does not include newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, or audio books.
"CLOTHING" means any article of wearing apparel, including all footwear (except skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates), intended to be worn on or about the human body. However, "CLOTHING" does not include watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, or sporting equipment.
"SCHOOL SUPPLIES" means pens, pencils, erasers, crayons, notebooks, notebook filler paper, legal pads, binders, lunch boxes, construction paper, markers, folders, poster board, composition books, poster paper, scissors, cellophane tape, glue, paste, rulers, computer disks, protractors, compasses, and calculators.
TAXABLE CLOTHING ITEMS
most accessories, handkerchiefs, jewelry, key cases, watch bands, watches, athletic gloves, athletic pads, belts for weightlifting, bowling shoes (rented), briefcases, ski boots, checkbook covers (separate from wallets), chest protectors; cloth, lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics; clothing repair items such as thread, buttons, tapes, iron-on patches and zippers, corsages and boutonnieres, osmetic bags, crib blankets, duffel bags, elbow pads, fins, fishing boots (waders), football pads, formal clothing (rented), garment bags, gloves - baseball, batting, bicycle, golf, hockey, dress (rented); goggles (except prescription*), handkerchiefs, hard hats; helmets (bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle & sports), ice skates, in-line skates, jewelry, key chains, knee pads, life jackets and vests, luggage, makeup bags, pads (football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee & shoulder), paint or dust masks, patterns, rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes), repair of wearing apparel, rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes), repair of wearing apparel, roller blades, roller skates, safety glasses (except prescription*), shaving kits/bags, shin guards and padding, shoulder pads (football, hockey, sports), skates (ice, in-line & roller), ski boots (snow), ski vests (water), skin diving suits, sports helmets, sports pads (football, hockey, soccer, knee, elbow & shoulder), suitcases, sunglasses (except prescription*), swimming masks, umbrellas, watchbands, water ski vests, weight lifting belts, wet and dry diving suits; wigs, toupees, and chignons
EXEMPT CLOTHING ITEMS IF SOLD FOR $50 OR LESS
barrettes, bobby pins, belt buckles, bow ties, hair bows, hair clips, hair bands, handbags, neckwear, ponytail holders, scarves, ties, wallets, aerobic clothing, aprons/Clothing shields, athletic supporters, baby clothes, backpacks, bandanas, baseball cleats, bathing suits, bathing caps, bathing cover-ups, belt buckles, belts, bibs, blouses, book bags, boots (except ski boots), bowling shoes (sold), bow ties, races and supports worn to correct or alleviate a physical incapacity or injury*, bras, caps and hats, choir and altar clothing*, cleated and spiked shoes, clerical vestments*, coats and wraps, coin purses, costumes, coveralls, diaper bags, diapers, diaper inserts (adult and baby, cloth or disposable), dresses, employee uniforms, fanny packs, fishing vests (non-flotation), formal clothing (unless rented), garters and garter belts; girdles, bras, and corsets; gloves - (generally), dress (unless rented), garden, leather, rubber, surgical, tennis and work; graduation caps and gowns; gym suits and uniforms; hair nets, bows, clips, and bands; handbags and purses, hats, hunting vests, hosiery (including support hosiery), insoles, jackets, jeans, lab coats, leg warmers, leotards and tights, lingerie, martial arts attire, neckwear and ties, overshoes and rubber shoes, pants, pantyhose, protective masks (athletic); raincoats, rain hats, and ponchos; receiving blankets, religious clothing*, robes, safety clothing, safety shoes, scarves, scout uniforms, shawls and wraps, shirts, shoe inserts, shoes (including athletic), shoulder pads (for dresses, jackets, etc.), shorts, ski suits (snow), skirts, sleepwear, nightgowns, pajamas, slippers, slips, socks, sports uniforms (except pads & helmets), suits, slacks, and jackets, suspenders, sweatbands,sweaters, swim suits and trunks, ties (all neckties), tights, tuxedos (excluding cufflinks and rentals), underclothes, uniforms (work, school, and athletic, excluding pads), vests, vintage clothing, wallets, work clothes and uniforms
TAXABLE SCHOOL SUPPLIES
computer paper; correction tape, fluid, or pens; masking tape
EXEMPT SCHOOL SUPPLIES IF SOLD FOR $10 OR LESS:
binders, calculators, cellophane (transparent) tape, colored pencils, compasses, composition books, computer disks (floppies and blank CDs), construction paper, crayons, erasers, folders,glue (stick and liquid), highlighters, legal pads, lunch boxes, markers, notebook filler paper, notebooks, paste, pencils (including mechanical & refills), pens (including felt, ballpoint, fountain, highlighters & refills), poster board, poster paper, printer paper, protractors, rulers, scissors, staplers and staples
TAXABLE BOOKS
T Audio books
T Books with no publisher
T Greeting cards
EXEMPT BOOKS IF SOLD FOR $50 OR LESS
Bibles*, books with a publisher, children's books (published), foreign and old books (even without ISBN), instruction manuals (bound and published), magazines**, movies, music books,,newspapers**, periodicals and textbooks (published).
* These items are always exempt as religious, prescription, prosthetic, or orthopedic items. ** Subscriptions to newspapers and magazines that are delivered by mail remain exempt from tax

Pilot And Two Passengers Walk Away From So. Levy Plane Crash

      The Levy County Sheriff's Office received a 9-1-1 call at 3:09 PM in reference to a plane crash in the Inglis area.  Upon arrival Deputy Allen Breeding observed a 2008 Luscombe single engine airplane upside down obstructing the east bound lane of highway 40 near the Peaceful Acres. 
       The pilot John Kuniyoshi, 36 from Lake Worth and two passengers Malcolm Ford, 53 from Sanford and Jordan Astrin, 25 Oviedo left the Sanford airport this morning and flew to Cedar Key for lunch.  During the flight back to Sanford the plane developed engine problems and Kuniyoshi made an emergency landing in a field.  During the landing the wings struck a small tree and the plane went through a fence and down the ditch and landed upside down on Highway 40.   
     Kuniyoshi has been a pilot since 2007 . Newscaster correspondent Sally Price reports that the three men walked away from the crash with minor scratches and were retracing their path from touch down to Hwy 40 East when she arrived on scene. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified and Agents will continue the investigation in the plane crash. Read a full detailed report with new pictures in Wednesday's Newscaster.

Levy Co. School Board Considering Bussing Yankeetown Graduates

  Patrick Wnek, Director of Curriculum and Public Information Officer for the Levy County School Board told The Newscaster that Yankeetown School (YTS) has what it takes to sustain our local native field stone school for South Levy students. Wnek said there is no closing of YTS, instead the L C School Board will be adding Pre-K this coming year. Class size amendment is being looked at across the district and next year they will be looking at student/teacher ratio. 
   Wnek said School Board Superintendant Robert Hastings is proud of Yankeetown School’s accomplishments and he supports and appreciates all the efforts of the teachers and administration. Wnek said he was recently on the Yankeetown campus with Hastings and they are very happy with the school. The district is waiting on the FCAT scores which were delayed but that is not the only measurement used in determinations of schools in the district. The board also looks at instructional practices, resources and community involvement. Wnek said YTS has strong support from the community and outstanding parental involvement.
   Wnek said the idea to bus high school students to other Levy County High Schools was put out there as an inquiry to see how parents would feel and if they are interested in enrolling students in a Levy County high school which would benefit the Levy County school system in full-time equivilency (FTE) rather than busing the high schoolers into Citrus and Marion County. Wnek said this is in an exploratory phase right now to get feedback from those that would be affected
    Florida School Districts receive funding through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP)  which was established by the Florida Legislature in 1973 to quarantee each student in the Florida public school system the availability of an educational environment appropriate to his educational needs. All cost factors, the base student allocation amount, cost differential factors and various adjusted figures are established by the Florida Legislature. 
   Of local interest, the enrollment of Yankeetown School students at the end of school year 2008/2009 was 302 and this past year end  2009/2010 student enrollment was 260.  If you have a child ready for the new Pre-K program at Yankeetown School, there are a limited number of spaces and you should contact the Levy County School Board ASAP at 352 486-5231 (or toll free at 1-800-733-5389).  Enrollment in other Yankeetown classes will be later in the summer.

FWC pilots track oil headed for Florida’s beaches
      
     For 22 years he’s flown the friendly – and, at times, not-so-friendly – skies above Florida, protecting the state’s unique natural resources. Now, he’s continuing that mission by patrolling the shoreline of the Panhandle, looking for oil that’s closing in on Florida’s beaches.
     Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) pilot Joe Johnston, based at Lake City, is one of the pilots flying reconnaissance missions out of Pensacola, tracking the movement of oil along the coast.
     “This isn’t like any disaster I’ve worked before,” Johnston said. “I’ve flown disaster relief missions around the state and in Mississippi after hurricanes. But this is different. This is an event we will be involved with for the long term.”
One of Johnston’s first missions was flying out to the rig shortly after the explosion.
“I was only out there one time, but that was enough,” Johnston said. “Watching it on television can’t compare to actually flying over it.”
Since the explosion of the oil platform in late April, FWC pilots have been participating in daily missions, monitoring the shore.
     According to Capt. Kevin Vislocky, FWC Division of Law Enforcement Aviation, there are three FWC helicopters stationed at the Pensacola Regional Airport along with a Florida National Guard helicopter. Crews are rotated in and out, while the helicopters remain in the area. In addition, a twin-engine FWC airplane stationed in Tallahassee is assigned to daily flying patrols along the coast.   Pilots from other agencies also assist with flights patrolling the coastline. Missions take place in the early morning and late afternoon.
“Our mission right now is strictly reconnaissance. We are attempting to locate product and provide information to the clean-up vessels before the oil reaches the shoreline,” Vislocky said. “If the situation changes, we can move or add to the crews.”
     The daily twin engine airplane flights, running from east of Destin to the western state line, follow the coastline one mile out from the beach on the way to the Alabama border and five miles out from the shore on the return trip. Each flight also has specialists onboard, photographing what’s seen during the trip. These photos, with corresponding coordinates, are then used to track the product.
“We also have FWC biologists on the flights, so if we do see any wildlife that’s been affected, we can get a proper identification of the species involved and their condition,” Vislocky said.
     Using the aircraft is much more efficient than trying to monitor the shoreline from the ground. When the pilots see product in the water, they can direct the skimming vessels to the area and hopefully resolve the situation before it hits the beach.
Because this event will be a long-term effort, Vislocky is coordinating with other agencies to assist with the daily flights.
“In addition to the folks we’re already working with, the Florida Highway Patrol has recently joined the team with their twin-engine aircraft,” Vislocky said. “This has been an excellent cooperative effort. Everyone – the FWC, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida National Guard, the Civil Air Patrol and FHP – have all stepped up to make this happen. We are learning and using the resources of the state to combat this disaster.”
     Johnston has returned to Lake City for a week of down time prior to returning to the Panhandle this weekend and back to flying the shoreline.
“There are times when I’m overwhelmed by what’s happening in the Panhandle,” Johnston said. “But we can’t give up. This is the profession we’ve chosen, and it’s our job to protect our resources.”

Hair booms not Recommended by NOAA for Oil Clean up

  The Unified Area Command for the Deepwater Horizon/BP Response announces it will not use hair boom in its response efforts. 
  While this suggestion was submitted to BP as an alternative method for containing and recovering the oil spill, it was not deemed feasible after a technical evaluation. 
  In a February 2010 side-by-side field test conducted during an oil spill in Texas, commercial sorbent boom absorbed more oil and much less water than hair boom, making it the better operational choice.
  “Our priority when cleaning up an oil spill is to find the most efficient and expedient way to remove the oil from the affected area while causing no additional damage.  One problem with the hair boom is that it became water-logged and sank within a short period of time,” said Charlie Henry, NOAA’s Scientific Support Coordinator in Robert, La.
  Commercial sorbent boom is readily available and scientifically designed and tested for oil containment and absorption on the water.  Additionally, response teams are familiar with and properly trained to safely deploy, maintain, recover, and dispose commercial sorbent boom.
  Individuals and organizations are asked to discontinue the collection of hair for the hair boom.  We appreciate the overwhelming response from the American and Canadian people who want to help in the response to this spill.  Please continue to send suggestions for alternate cleanup solutions.  All proposals are reviewed by technical experts for their feasibility and proof of application.  Among those recommendations submitted was the successful subsea dispersion process that is now helping break up oil before it reaches the surface. 
  We encourage the public to continue volunteering to help with this response.  People interested in volunteering can call 866-448-5816.

Crystal River woman dies in boating accident

According to investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a Crystal River woman died in a single-vessel boating accident in Citrus County on Saturday afternoon, April 17. Carla D. Faul, 25, died when she fell off the bow of a boat. She went under the vessel, and the outboard motor propeller struck her.

Seven other people were aboard the 2005 20-foot Sweetwater pontoon boat on which Faul was a passenger. The vessel, operated by Jeffrey Ryan Lamb, 31, of Wildwood, was approximately four miles north of the State Road 44 Bridge on the withlacoochee River, near the northeastern Citrus County and Sumter County line. Lamb was traveling south at between 5 and 10 miles per hour, FWC investigators said.

After the prop struck Faul, two other passengers, Alan K. McCarthy, 23, and Michelle Schwab, 29, both of Bushnell, went into the water to rescue her.

After bringing Faul back aboard the pontoon boat, an airboat operating in the area came over to assist. People placed Faul aboard the airboat, in an attempt to get her ashore more quickly. The airboat transported her to the Rutland Park Boat Ramp at the State Road 44 Bridge. Faul's injuries were fatal, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency medical crews from Lake and Sumter counties were at the scene, as well as personnel from the Citrus County and Sumter County Sheriffs' Offices. FWC officials are continuing the investigation.

Dunnellon Woman Dies in One Car Crash

     The Florida Highway Patrol, Ocala reported a single car fatality Monday shortly before 8 am. The FHP report stated that a 2001 Subaru SUV was being driven by 72 year old Beverly B. Bowers of Dunnellon and was about 200 ft. north of CR 40, 2 miles west of Dunnellon when it crashed into a tree.
     The reported stated that the driver failed to negotiate a left hand curve, traveled off the roadway and upon the southbound shoulder and ditch. The front left of the Bowers vehicle struck a tree. The driver (sole occupant) was pronounce deceased, on-scene, as a result of injuries sustained during the course of this collision.

Challenge Surfaces Over Candidate's Eligibility 
     At last week's Inglis Commission meeting several items became touchy subjects. The move to dissolve the Town of Inglis is at a stand still and in the hands of a judge who has a second go round of the filing of a Writ of Mandamus. Town Attorney Fugate interpreted that the method used for dissolve was not the correct one. The commission gave town attorney Norm Fugate approval to send the paperwork to the Florida Attorney General for his opinion on Fugate's answer. Michael Peters of Inglis turned in a copy to Attorney Fugate of an Oklahoma voter registration card he received that day from Oklahoma for newly elected Sherry Ely who received the 2nd highest vote in last week's election. It was presented to the commission stating that Ely was registered to vote in two places and that is a felony if convicted. Peters also stated that the town charter called for a citizen to live in the town 6 months before being eligible to vote.
     Attorney Fugate countered that Florida Statute 98.091 3 provides that any duly registered elector who resides within the boundaries of a municipality is qualified to participate in any municipal election. State law overrides this town charter. Fugate continues that there is no residency requirement for voting in a municipal election. If there is no residency requirements for voting then we fall back to what it takes to qualify to be a candidate in the town and that is that you are a voter in the town and she was a valid voter. Florida has a single voter registration system which overrides any charter provision in any municipality.

Chad Johnson Resigning to Challenge Nancy Bell on Levy Commission

     Chad “Cracker” Johnson, current Levy County commissioner for Dist. 1 was in the Levy Elections office Tuesday to report that he will be running against Dist. 2 commissioner Nancy Bell in the next election. Johnson was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to fill the Dist. 1 seat formerly held by convicted commissioner Tony Parker. It's a matter of record that Johnson and his wife are building a new home in Dist 2.

Update: In an email Thursday Johnson told The Newscaster he was resigning to run against Nancy Bell, Dist. 2 commissioner. Johnson's new home is located across the street and about a mile from his current address.  The new address is in Dist. 2.

     This press release is to inform the citizens of Levy County of my intentions regarding my appointed position as Levy County Commissioner for District 1. I have recently sent my Letter of Resignation from my appointed position as Levy County Commissioner District 1 to Governor Crist. I must resign to be eligible to run for the position of Levy County Commissioner, District 2 according to Florida Resign to Run Law (s.99.012 (3). No person may qualify as a candidate for more than one public office, if the terms or any part thereof run concurrently with each other. Although my family and I currently live in District 1, we will be building our home in District 2.
According to the Florida Statues, the resignation must be effective no later than the date the candidate/officer would take office, if elected. I may hold my position as District 1 Commissioner, until November 16, 2010 at which time the General Election would be completed and new officers would take their elected position. 
     A copy of my Letter of Resignation is included with this release.
Dear Governor Crist:
     Please except this Letter of Resignation from my appointed position as Levy County Commissioner District 1, effective November 16, 2010. I am resigning this position in order to run for Levy County Commissioner District 2 in the 2010 election, in accordance with the provisions of section 99.012, Florida statues.
My wife and I own land that is the building site for our home. 
     We have planned to build at this location, on our family farm for several years and have decided to begin construction. This move, albeit only one and one tenth of a mile from our current address, will cross the district line established at CR345 (NE 130th St). We have prayed and discussed our options with family and friends concerning this decision and feel it is the right one for our family.
     The appointment to District 1 during the suspension of the elected commissioner has been a wonderful experience in politics; as well as, personal growth and development. I am truly grateful to have been appointed by you and your staff to represent the great people of Levy County and wish to continue doing so.
     I will soon begin my campaign to seek their vote, but will always be both humbled and appreciative to have received your vote of confidence through the appointment process.
Sincerely, Owen Chad Johnson,Levy County Commission District 1.

Levy Planning Commission Appointment Challenged

     Yankeetown resident and councilman Larry Feldhusan appeared before the Levy County commission Tuesday to get the commission to recind the reappointment of Ron Grant, that placed him back on the planning commission for another four year term. 
Feldhusan said, it was not an agenda item, no motion was made to add it to the agenda, and it was not an emergency, and also the seat is not to be vacated until May 1st and it was a violation of the Florida Sunshine Law.
     Commissioner Marsha Drew asked the county attorney Anne Brown to respond. Brown said it was already on the agenda for discussion and that the appointment was okay.
     Drew said she had a half dozen people interested in filling the other planning commission held by Thad Barber. Drew said people are interested, but she has not interviewed anyone. She said there is one person she has spoken too. 
Commissioner Lilly Rooks asked for the names then the rest of the board chimed agreed. “I would rather not speak tthese names in public. In the past these name were drug threw the mud. I would be happy to give the commission the name of the person that is interested. I will give you (Rooks) the name after the meeting,” Drew said. Attorney Anne Brown said you can’t do that. Then Drew said “ I will tell (Freddy) Moody after the meeting.
     One person at the meeting verified the “talk on the street” that the person is Ed Candela, former Yankeetown councilman.
     Connie Asbell is stepping aside in a claim of Inglis election fraud. She told Inglis resident Michael Peters to fill out the paper work and contact the State of Florida, Div. of Elections. (see next story)

Challenge Surfaces Over Inglis Candidate's Eligibility 
     At last week's Inglis Commission meeting several items became touchy subjects. The move to dissolve the Town of Inglis is at a stand still and in the hands of a judge who has a second go round of the filing of a Writ of Mandamus. Town Attorney Fugate interpreted that the method used for dissolve was not the correct one. The commission gave town attorney Norm Fugate approval to send the paperwork to the Florida Attorney General for his opinion on Fugate's answer. Michael Peters of Inglis turned in a copy to Attorney Fugate of an Oklahoma voter registration card he received that day from Oklahoma for newly elected Sherry Ely who received the 2nd highest vote in last week's election. It was presented to the commission stating that Ely was registered to vote in two places and that is a felony if convicted. Peters also stated that the town charter called for a citizen to live in the town 6 months before being eligible to vote.
     Attorney Fugate countered that Florida Statute 98.091 3 provides that any duly registered elector who resides within the boundaries of a municipality is qualified to participate in any municipal election. State law overrides this town charter. Fugate continues that there is no residency requirement for voting in a municipal election. If there is no residency requirements for voting then we fall back to what it takes to qualify to be a candidate in the town and that is that you are a voter in the town and she was a valid voter. Florida has a single voter registration system which overrides any charter provision in any municipality.

Citrus EDC Gets New Funding from County Commission

       The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners last week approved a funding agreement between the Board and the newly reformed Citrus County Economic Development Council (EDC).        
The move is the beginning of a new direction for the county’s economic development organization, which historically has concentrated on bringing new business and industry from the outside. It has created a new relationship and partnership with the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce.        
     The newly defined mission came after the commission told the council late last year it wanted to change the focus of the council to include more local economic development and assistance activities. The council’s economic development efforts are partly funded by the business license funds from the commission. The commission said future funding hinged on the council embracing that new direction.        

     The commissioners suggested the council partner with the Chamber and include in its scope helping local businesses to survive the current economic conditions and to expand locally and create more jobs. The Chamber welcomed the partnership and at the same time entered into a partnership with the University of North Florida to create a full-time Citrus County Small Business Development Center.        The EDC then agreed to reorganize itself and work with the Chamber. The Chamber has donated office space to the council so the two can share resources and easily work together.        
     The EDC’s Interim Executive Director, John Seifert said of the somewhat historic departure and new focus for the EDC, “It’s an enthusiastic group that will be looking at a new direction for providing jobs in Citrus County.”        
County Commissioner Joe Meek, the EDC’s president, said the close relationship between the EDC, the Chamber, the SBDC and Workforce Connection will direct resources where they can have the most impact for Citrus County’s economy.        
Chamber CEO and President, Josh Wooten said, "In these economic times, forming this alliance is going to be of benefit to our existing businesses and enable us to give quick responses to any businesses wanting to locate here."

Levy County Plane Crash Injures Pilot and Passenger

Williston, Florida-The Levy County Sheriff's Office investigated a small airplane crash in the Williston area. The Levy County Sheriff's Office, Levy County EMS and the Williston Fire Department and the FAA responded to the scene Sunday.
     The investigation revealed that pilot, Phillip Seay Sr. 65 and his son Phillip Seay Jr. 40 were in a 1974 experimental airplane. Prior to the crash the two flew out of the Williston Airport and were enjoying a clear Sunday morning flight. While flying back to the Williston Airport shortly before 3 p.m. the airplane experienced an unknown type of engine malfunction. The pilot, Seay Sr. realizing that his aircraft was in trouble made an emergency landing in a field near the area of 16930 NE 10th Street in Williston, Fl. It is believed that when the airplane touched down in the soft sand, the front of the plane took a nose dive and landed up side down. The two were transported to Shands Hospital and listed in stable condition. The Federal Aviation Administration investigators are continuing their investigation.

Inglis Election Okayed by Attorney

     Taking better part of an hour was Levy County Sheriff Johnny Smith and Capt. Evan Sullivan with a discussion of the level of service Inglis would receive from Sheriff's Department if Inglis un-incorporated. According to Smith his department would have to provide law enforcement to Inglis by State Statutes. Many things would have to be factored in and it would end up in the hands of county commission who handle the budget.
       Under Attorney Comments on the amended agenda was an additional item called Emergency Ordinance to allow the March 9th election to proceed. Michael "Drew" White, a candidate in the March 9 election protested the election date being moved out of what the charter called for. White said he wanted it done as in the last 50 years. Sam Robertson asked “what kind of emergency is it? Like the health care bill, you are trying to push it through.” Michael Peters said “if you change the advertising tomorrow you could make the election legal and on March 18, it's not about petitions, it's about a legal election.”  Again candidate White responded "you do understand I oppose that?" The commission voted and passed the item. 
     Attorney Fugate again said dissolution of Inglis can't be done by charter amendment petitions, that they waited too late to get this in, when it was reported that 10% of petition signatures had been certified by Supervisor of Elections Connie Asbell.
There as a first reading of new charges for public records. Fugate brought up the Bert J Harris lawsuit filed by Michael White over Inglis voting to allow fencing the north side of his property taking away his right to exit there. Fugate said White's loss in First District Court of Appeals ruling concludes the over 2 year case unless White appeals in the Florida Supreme Court. White said Fugate's untimely filing meant White did not have to pay the town's part of the $60,960.54 case.
       Michael Peters challenged the town's legal notices not being properly advertised. Peters said the notices put in another paper which only reaches 454 citizens in all of south Levy from Gulf Hammock to the Marion County line, should be put in the Newscaster because it reaches every voter in this municipality.
        Attorney Fugate was asked if it was a conflict of interest that he is handling the dissolution of Inglis issue when he will be the biggest loser if it passes. Fugate responded if it were a conflict of interest, I would have heard about it before now. The commission did not vote to let the people decide fate of the town on the March 9th election. Clerk Sally McCranie said they would have to ask town attorney if they could have a special election. Karen Goode stepped to the podium and said the state statutes say the town SHALL give the people the vote if they met the criteria. 
     Under New Business the March 9 town meeting will be moved to Thursday the 11th because of the election. Mayor Lake reported on going to North Florida Economic Development Meeting. Mayor Lake reported on a grant that would allow free Wi-Fi internet to Inglis. Sherman Linder stood up and said that would be 24 megabytes and it would be slow.

Inglis Election Date Challenged at Special Meeting

     The Town of Inglis' Special Meeting on Feb. 5th, drew a heavy crowd, due to a petition signed by 105 people, requesting that the dissolution of the town be placed on the March 9 ballot. The lone Special Agenda item was a "consideration of matters related to petitions for amendments to the Town of Inglis." Town attorney Norm Fugate discussed the legal considerations of petitions calling for a vote. Fugate said that either side of the issue might take a legal stance, but his duty was to look at the legality of the statutes and not favor either side. The petitions must be certified, Fugate said, before the town commission can move ahead. According to Fugate, the Levy County Supervisor of Elections, Connie Asbell, was out sick all week with the flu, and as of Friday afternoon at 4:30, the petitions had not been certified. He said Asbell has 30 days to complete the certification, and the town commission cannot act on the matter until the certification is completed. Then, the commission needs to vote on the issue and the town must advertise the issue for 5 weeks prior to the election, in order to place the amendments on the ballot, and the petitioning group had waited too late to accomplish this. Fugate said, in his opinion, this was the wrong way to amend the Town Charter.
     When the meeting opened to the public, the lead speaker was Michael Peters, who legally challenged the March 9 town election as being outside the time set in Article V of the Town Charter: "Holding of elections of not more than (3) three weeks, and not less than two (2) weeks before the 1st of April each year." Chapter 22-4 ends with "The election shall be between March 11 and March 18 of each year." The upcoming Inglis Town Election is scheduled for March 9th.
     Some of the following speakers were life-long residents who spoke of their family as living in Inglis from the inception of the town, and they were now being taxed out of business. Some long-time attendees of town meetings agreed that people of the town should be able to vote one way or the other, that's the way democracy works, to get the issue settled. Most of the speakers were not content with the current town government. Few people spoke against the process moving forward.
     The issue of the amendments were set to be continued at the Tues., Feb. 9, night meeting.

Inglis Citizens Petition for Dissolution of Inglis

     Inglis Town Clerk Sally McCranie accepted receipt of petitions signed by 105 registered Inglis voters which requested the un-incorporation of the Town of Inglis to be placed on the March 9 ballot. Three commissioners will be elected in that election. Seven of the eight individual amendments address the steps to dissolve the town and the 8th requested water deposits be returned to those who paid timely after a certain time frame. The wording would give the voters the vote of yes or no on each issue. It takes 10% of the approximate 850 registered voters to get something on the ballot.
    The petitions turned in to McCranie Friday PM by Michael Andrew White are to let the registered Inglis voters decide the fate of the town. White, a  long time Inglis resident and candidate in the March 9 Inglis Commission election, dropped off the signed papers 10 minutes before town hall closed for their 3 day weekend. The effort is to let the people make the decision if they want to keep the town government, the movement which has been escalating as many feel the residents are not being responsibly represented by the actions of the commission.
    Michael Peters, Inglis Planning Commission member, dropped off copies of the petitions Monday afternoon at Inglis Town Attorney Fugate’s office in Williston. I was asked to go along as a witness and to make a picture of the receipt of the papers by Fugate. Attorney Fugate greeted me with “Sally you can’t bring that camera in here.” I set the camera down on the porch and went in. (no comment)
  The next step, a copy of the petitions were dropped off to Levy County Supervisor of Elections Connie Asbell. Asbell said by state law she could take up to 30 days to certify the signatures of the signers, which she had to wait for McCranie to drop off the originals because McCranie had been appointed Supervisor of Elections for this town election but Asbell’s office had to do the certifying. After certifying and the town meeting on February 9, the issue had to be posted in the paper for 5 weeks. Asbell said this issue could not make the March 9 election because of these rules. Asbell said the Inglis Commission could call for a special election later to address the issues.
    When contacted by Newscastger editor Tom Russell, Inglis Mayor Bill Lake said, "on the advise of the town attorney, I have no comment at this time." Mayor Lake did schedule a public notice ad for the Feb. 9th meeting.   If you have input either way be sure and attend the town meeting February 9.

Citrus Springs Woman Dies in Crash

A one vehicle crash in Citrus County, around 6:17 a.m., Dec. 11, resulted in the death of 32-year-old Larissa Jackson of Citrus Springs. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver, Jerome Jackson, 23, Valdosta, GA, was traveling east on W. Dunklin St. at Fairport Ave., when he lost control of his 2003 Kia van, which left the road, traveled onto the west shoulder and overturned several times. The Kia came to rest on its roof. Passenger Larissa Jackson, who was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the report, was ejected from the vehicle. Jerome Jackson sustained serious injuries in the crash, according to the FHP.

Yankeetown Man Dies in Fire

 Yankeetown, Florida- On December 12, 2009 the Levy County Sheriff's Office responded to the Cattail Creek RV Park located in Yankeetown in reference to a fire.  Upon arrival an older model 20' travel trailer was fully in gulfed in flames. The caretaker of the park saw the travel trailer on fire and called 9-1-1.  Several citizens attempted to enter the travel trailer but due to the intense heat and smoke were unable do so.
 The Yankeetown Fire Department responded to the scene and a fire fighter was able to enter the travel trailer in an attempt to rescue the home owner 89 year old, James Edward Carnathan from the residence.  Mr. Carnathan was later pronounced dead at the scene and will be transported to the Medical Examiners Office to determine the cause of death.  Deputies do not suspect foul play and at this time it is believed that the fire started from two space heaters inside the trailer travel.  Carnathan is from Pennsylvania and he has resided in Levy County for approximately one year. 
 The investigation was turned over to the State Fire Marshall for further investigation.

5th Annual Crystal River Community Boat Parade 

       Saturday, December 19th, 2009,  Theme: Decorate for “A Fairytale Christmas” Kings Bay, at 4:45pm. Parade starts promptly @ 6:15pm.  A designated route and entry number will be given to each participating boat. Come watch the boat parade from any location on Kings Bay to see SANTA before he takes off on his trip from the North Pole!!! 
        Prizes we’ll be given for “BEST THEMED BOAT” and “MOST LIGHTS.” All participants are responsible for his/her own vessel. For more information or to pre-register, contact Capt. Suzie Martin at (352)586-8068.

Crystal River Man Found Dead at  Yankeetown Park

     On Nov. 26, a deceased man was found at the Bird Creek Park, located at the end on Hwy. 40 W in Yankeetown.
     According to the Levy County Sheriff's Office, the man's body was found by Larry Philp, who opened the park and reported the incident. The Inglis Police Department went to the park until the Levy County Sheriff's Office arrived. Mr. Philp told deputies, that when he opened the park, he noticed a vehicle that traveled around the west side of the gate. As Mr. Philp began to unlock the bathrooms, he noticed that a vehicle was parked on the northeast side of the park, and when he went to the vehicle, he saw the deceased man, who was identified as 46-year-old Richard William Helbig of W. Checkerberry Dr., Crystal River, on the wooded northwest side of the park. The deputy reported that Helbig's body was found hanging from the bottom limb of a tree. The silver pickup truck was towed to Risher's Towing impound area. The case is pending investigation by Inv. Mike Bell and Cs. D. Griffith.

H1N1 Flu Update for Levy County

LEVY COUNTY, Fl – Levy County Health Department continues to receive shipments of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine.  During the period when vaccine is in limited supply, Levy County Health Department is following vaccination recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP recommends that vaccination efforts initially focus on 5 target groups:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
• People ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for complications because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems (due to medical therapy or disease)
    People in the target groups should not delay getting the vaccine. The health department is currently offering appointment based evening clinics, from 5-7 pm at the health department in Bronson, for people in the target groups. To schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine, call the Levy County Health Department at 352- 486-5300 extension 261.
    The H1N1 vaccine is FREE and VOLUNTARY.  Levy County Health Department expects to include the general public when more vaccine becomes available.
      Healthcare workers and first responders have been vaccinated. The health department is coordinating delivery of vaccine to local medical providers to give to patients in the target groups. We are in the process of providing H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine to the daycare and PreK population. Additionally, we have sent out consents to all elementary, middle and high school students in anticipation of administering the vaccine to them.

Crystal Manor "Graveyard" A Halloween Hit

"ENTER IF YOU DARE" is the word about the Crystal Manor Graveyard that sprang up a couple of weeks ago. The entrance sign says "always room for one more. " Garry and Joanie Conroy of 12244 W Appletree Place Crystal Manor invite thrill seekers, ghost hunters and trick or treaters to swing by their home to check out the the ghost, ghouls and burials beneath the spreading limbs of grandfather oaks that add more mystique to the fun of the fall season at the Conroy place. Candy will be provided to those who dare come round as the moon gets full and the Halloween night is here. Strategic lights on the skeletons, raven, ghost will make the night visit a real treat if not a trick. (From Hwy 19 take Riverwood. Make the 3rd left which is Cacalia. On Cacalia make the first right on Appletree Place and it is the first house on the right after the mailbox 12244. The graveyard will be behind the large shrubs in the driveway. 

Man Seriously Injured by Dogs in Dunnellon

Dunnellon -- The Citrus County 911 communications center received a call at 3:31 Saturday afternoon regarding an attack that was in progress by several dogs.
Richard Catt, 58, of 8230 W. Charlynn Ln. in Crystal River, was out with his small dog when the animal managed to get under the fence of the next-door-neighbor’s yard.  Inside the fence were four large dogs, most likely mastiffs, that then attacked Catt’s dog.  Catt jumped the fence in an attempt to save his pet.  He managed to get his dog back over the fence to safety however, the mastiffs then attacked him.
Although the owner of the mastiffs was inside of his home at 8270 W. Charlynn Ln., he did not hear the commotion in his yard.   His wife, Mrs. Sara Linne (unknown age at this time), pulled in the driveway and saw the attack on Catt.  She intervened to help him and in the process, was also injured by the mastiffs.  Mr. Linne then rushed outside to help and managed to get Catt and his wife to safety.
Catt sustained serious injuries to the head, arms and legs and was air-lifted to Shands Hospital in nearby Gainesville.  Mrs. Linne was transported to Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.
Sheriff’s deputies and animal control officers arrived on scene quickly to assist.  Important Update on Status of Dogs Involved in Weekend Attack
The owners of the dogs involved in the attack on a Crystal River man over the weekend have turned the dogs over to Citrus County Animal Services to be quarantined for 10 days.  At this time, the owner is planning on re-claiming his animals once the isolation period is complete.

Prescription Discount Card Available for Citrus Residents

Citrus County Commissioner Gary Bartell, center, wants every person in Citrus County to know about the county's Prescription Drug Discount Card. The free card can be used by any county resident at pharmacies throughout the county when a prescription is not covered by insurance. The cards have no enrollment fee, application, age or income requirements or obligation. They average 20 to 22 percent savings. An online version for mail order three month supplies can save up to 50 percent on some drugs. Bartell is joined by Community Services Director Cathy Pearson, right, and Nancy Neale, coordinator for the local program, to show off the cards at the county Resource Center, where many are distributed. Residents can participate because of the county's membership in the National Association of Counties. Look for the cards in pharmacies and county buildings. For more information on the discount card go to http://thehealthcaster.com.

Forum Architects Files Appeal in Yankeetown Case

     This week Forum Architects filed an appeal seeking to overturn the Court’s ruling granting Rebecca Jetton’s Motion for Summary Judgment dated September 23, 2009.   
One issue in dispute stems from whether or not former Zoning Official Stanley Moore did or did not approve 5 of Izaak Walton Investors’s applications for Flood and Zoning Compliance under Yankeetown’s Zoning Code. Jetton maintains she was hired as Moore’s replacement and began as Yankeetown’s new Zoning Official on January 3, 2007 and was instructed by Mayor Clary to “re-review” the IWI applications.  Jetton did “re-review” the applications and denied 5 of the 6 applications for Flood and Zoning Compliance.   
     Forum provided two affidavits to the Court in support of its position that Mr. Moore did in fact approve the 5 submittals.  Further, Forum argued that pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Yankeetown Zoning Code that there is no provision to “re-review” permit applications.  Therefore, Ms. Jetton had no basis to “re-review” these submittals nearly 9 months after their submission and approval by Mr. Moore. 
Just prior to the Court’s Order granting Summary Judgment to Jetton, Forum sought and obtained an affidavit from Mr. Moore which supports Forum’s position and conclusively establishes that Mr. Moore had in fact completed his review and approval of IWI’s Flood and Zoning Compliance applications.  Forum also had audio tapes of the Governor’s Emergency Financial Board meeting transcribed where Moore’s completion of the IWI submittals was publicly recognized in support of Forum’s position.  However, before this new evidence in support of Forum’s position could be communicated to the Court, the Judge ruled and granted Jetton its Motion for Summary Judgment.   
     Forum maintains that the only way Mr. Moore’s completed work could have been “re-reviewed” was by appeal to the Board of Adjustment for the Town of Yankeetown.  No appeal was taken in a timely manner.  Forum alleges that Jetton’s “re-review” of the IWI applications was improper and motivated and directed by Mayor Clary and other elected and appointed officials that were against the development. 
A second document not considered by the Judge before his ruling was Marsha Drew’s September 15, 2009 deposition.  By the time the court reporter transcribed the deposition and it was communicated to the Court the Judge had already made his ruling.       Marsha Drew, former Yankeetown councilperson is one of the councilmembers who Rebecca Jetton denied having any communications with while under oath in her May 9, 2008 deposition.  Drew’s deposition is critical because it revealed a continuing effort on the part of Drew to dismiss her involvement by denying under oath that she had any communications with Rebecca Jetton during the time Jetton was reviewing IWI’s site plan applications.  Both Drew’s and Jetton’s deposition testimony are in direct conflict with date-stamped e-mails documenting numerous exchanges between Drew and Jetton and others regarding Jetton’s review and subsequent denial of IWI’s site plan applications.  

Yankeetown Comp Plan Challenge in Hands of Judge

Homosassa Man Killed in One Car Crash

       The Florida Highway patrol reports that 61 year old James "Jimmy" D. Shields of Homosassa was killed in a one car accident about 7:30 p.m. Monday. The report stated that Shield’s 1998 Mercury SUV was traveling westbound on W. Grover Cleveland Blvd.  For unknown reasons at this point in the investigation, the vehicle traveled off of the roadway and onto the northern grass shoulder, overturning and striking several small trees. 
       Shields was ejected, coming to rest next to the vehicle on the northern grass shoulder of W. Grover Cleveland Blvd.  Shields died of his injuries at the scene of the crash and was pronounced deceased by Citrus County Fire Rescue Personnel. Any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact Cpl.Scott Campbell at            (352)754-6767. Shields was a well known photographer in the Homosassa, Citrus County region.

Truck Crash on U.S. 19 Blocks Traffic         

City of Inverness Awared "City of the Year"

     The City of Inverness has been designated the City of the Year by a national organization for doing something “significant” for veterans. The Forty and Eight veterans organization presented the award Friday morning to city officials in Rochester, NY at its annual general membership meeting. This award comes after Inverness was presented one in June as part of the organization’s state competition. John Kaiserian, Grand Chef de Train (State Vice Commander) of the 40&8 and member of Voiture 1219 of Citrus County, said there are several factors that gave top honors to Inverness. Numerous parades and ceremonies honoring veterans, monuments honoring those who gave their lives in combat, the annual Patriotic Evening on July 3 and the City’s very own Liberty Park were just some of the events mentioned. “Inverness is Citrus County’s veterans city,” Kaiserian said. Though Kaiserian lives in Hernando, driving through Inverness gave him a “good, old town feeling.” He saw flags and patriotic banners on street poles, and liked that veterans were honored, saying some towns don’t recognize them at all. He also mentioned that many in the community support veterans through various causes, including assembling gift baskets and inviting them to speak in classrooms. That information was included in the award submission packet given to the judges. John Walker, 40&8 national and state director of special awards, said each state can submit one city nominee for the national award. Based on the number of 40&8 chapters, a possible 55 other locations could have been submitted for the competition. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the size of New York City or as small as Inverness,” Walker said. “Anyone can win.”         Walker added that another factor considered in the award was local school children are taught about the significance of the American flag. The 40&8, founded in 1920, is an independent honor organization of veterans “committed to charitable and patriotic aims,” according to its web site. The organization’s name derives from World War I and the French trains that transported soldiers to the battle lines in boxcars with 40/8 stenciled on them. This meant that the boxcar could carry either 40 men or eight horses. 

Citizens Concerned Over New Levy County EMS Tax
     Notices have been sent to property owners in Levy County about a Public Hearing that will be held in the County Commission Meeting Room of the Levy County Courthouse, located at 355 S. Court St. in Bronson, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. 
     Commissisoners will probably confront a "packed house" as some citizens have complained they have received bills for vacant property which is unconstitutional according to the state of Florida.
The “Hearing to Impose and Provide for Collection of EMS Tax Assessments,” will be held to impose a tax to fund Levy County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), using the property tax bill collection method for the fiscal year, October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, and each year thereafter. The estimated total annual EMS Tax Assessment revenue to be collected is $2,133,732. The annual EMS Tax Assessment is computed, based on the classification of each parcel and the number of billing units on the parcel. The amount of tax that will be owed by each property owner is listed on the notice.
     According to the notice, the EMS Tax and the Ad Valorem Tax on properties will be collected on the ad valorem tax bill that is mailed in November. Failure to pay these tax assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property, which could result in a loss of title.

County Utility Division issues warning regarding water testing marketing schemes

The Citrus County Utilities Division is again warning homeowners to guard against unscrupulous firms claiming that residents’ water is contaminated.  There are at least two companies issuing post cards in Citrus saying the company tried to contact residents, who need to test their water within 72 hours. “Don’t fall for it,” said Citrus County Water Resources Director Robert Knight. “If you have any reason to suspect your water supply is contaminated, contact your local officials.” Those would be the county Utilities Division for residents on county water, a private utility company for customers of those systems, or the heath department if the resident is on a private well. “ If you are on a centrally supplied water system, contact the owners directly,” Knight said, adding, “Annually, they are required to issue a Consumer Confidence Report.  It shows the results of water testing that is required to be done over the prior year.”  For Citrus County utility customers, contact Bernadine Flood Nichols at 527-7648, and she can mail residents a copy of the county’s report for water supplied to its customers. Customers can also look at the water report on line at the county’s site at: www.bocc.citrus.fl.us/waterres/utilities/ccr/ccr.htm. Residents with wells can call the local Environmental Health Office at 527-5295.  It has a test kit that for a nominal cost will test for harmful bacterial. Residents can also call the federal Environmental Protections Agency Hotline at 800-426-4791 or go to www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm. The Better Business Bureau advises that to avoid falling for water filter fraud, become suspicious when a salesperson or telemarketer suggests any of the following: ?       The water in your area is contaminated:  Some unscrupulous dealers or salespeople may suggest that water in your area contains dangerous impurities such as lead or pesticides. If you do have any reason to suspect that your local water supply is dangerous, first call the EPA’s safe drinking water hotline at 800.426.4791.       
     Their water-filtration products are certified or recommended by the U.S. government:  The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is the provider of certification of water treatment systems. ?       An offer for an in-home test to check the safety of your water: In-home water tests can often be used by con artists to create a false impression that you must purchase a water filter to protect your and your family’s health. ?       Their company’s water filter doesn’t require maintenance: All water filtration devices require some form of maintenance, although it may be as simple as the occasional filter change. ?       Their water filters remove all known contaminants:  No water purification device can take out every contaminant known to man.
     Residents who have problems with hardness, iron, clarity, or color in their water may benefit from a water filter or water conditioner, but officials advise them to shop for a reputable local firm with a history of doing business in the county or to hire one that works with the major home supplier stores.

Longtime Yankeetown Realtor Passes Away

     Longtime Yankeetown resident William (Bill) Cox passed on Monday morning at his real estate office. Bill and wife Sally were active Yankeetown residents and the owners of Sally Forte Realty where Bill spent many hours enjoying the residents and customers who stopped by to buy, look or just chat. Bill had a long running involvement in Yankeetown politics, serving multiple terms on the Yankeetown Council, other town boards and holding president and other offices in the Republican Club. Bill was also past president of the Knotts Riverforest foundation which donated to local charities. 
     Because he haled from Adrian, Michigan Bill never passed up an opportunity to discuss the outlook for the Univerisity of Michigan football team. Bill was a person who always stepped up to the plate when a job needed doing. Bill would have been 71 on September 1st. Our expression of sympathy goes to his wife Sally. 

County to take aging South Dunnellon wasterwater plant offline


Citrus County utility officials have received a state permit that will allow the county to take the small package wastewater treatment plant in South Dunnellon offline and put its customers on the county’s Citrus Springs system.

The move will also provide a force main line south down U.S. 41 for future businesses to hook up to when they locate in the commercial zone.

The South Dunnellon Wastewater Treatment Plant is a small stand-alone plant built almost 30 years ago that the county took over when the plant went into receivership years ago. It currently serves less than 100 customers.

Several years ago, replacement parts necessary to keep the system running became unavailable, and since then those parts have had to be made in-house by the county Utilities Division personnel. In addition, the basic structures and vessels of the old plant have lost some of their wall thicknesses and are nearing the end of their functional life.

Faced with either extensive refurbishment of the facility or taking the wastewater through a force main to the county’s Citrus Springs plant, the county chose the latter. Engineering estimates for refurbishment exceeded $500,000 and would result in a somewhat rebuilt 30-year old plant. Also, any major rebuild could trigger expensive upgrade requirements from the state.

The engineering and design of the new 8-inch force main down U.S. 41 for more than two miles, along with upgrades to two lift stations, has been completed. The total project cost, including engineering, is estimated at $460,000.

The project is being funded from the county’s wastewater connection fee account, and there will be no need to borrow money. Abandoning the existing plant will save operation and maintenance costs in the coming years.

The county Utility Division anticipates that its line crew will do the work. Construction could begin by September and be completed before the first of next year.

POSTAL CLOSINGS - LARGER CITIES by Sally Price
     Word came down recently of closing some post offices due to extreme financial difficulties for the U S Postal Service. This decision came about as the hard economic times hit the post office like many businesses. With electronic mail and internet usage up, the year to date mail volume has declined 27 billion pieces, while delivery addresses have increased from 134 million to 150 million. Delivering less mail to more addresses results in less revenue per address. 
The Postal Service responded with many changes. The career workforce will be reduced by the end of the fiscal year by 175,000 employees below the peak of 800,000 in 1999 and a 20% reduction of temporary and seasonal employees. Many other ideas are being worked on. The post offices on the list to possibly close are stations and branches in larger cities where there are other available options, not smaller towns.
     The Postal Service is also looking at reducing the street delivery of mail to a 5 day week, eliminating Saturday delivery which would return to the level of 2000. This would help close the gap between cost and revenue. This would not affect post office boxes or window services.
Few people are aware that the Postal Service has to give the U S Treasury $5.4 billion September 30 for the Postal Service Retirees Health Benefit Fund mandated by the Congressional Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. Every year the Post Office has to write out a check for this 5.4 billion. The Postal Service also does not get any appropriations from the government to operate. They have to pay their own way. So with the poor economy, internet usage instead of letters and mandates by the government for delivery of mail to everyone, the Postal Service has to find answers.
      Independent surveys show the majority of Americans would prefer 5 day delivery to the other options such as another price increase, closing their local post office or return to a tax subsidized Post Office which would in the end cost the people. 

Sen. Charles Dean Gets "After The fact Permit for "Barn"

Citrus County Administrator Brad Thorpe said Monday that State Sen. Charles Dean, R-Inverness, has submitted an after-the-fact application for his barn with residential components. County building and development officials said the application appears complete and will now be reviewed.
Dean said he had built the structure along the Withlacoochee River east of Inverness believing it was exempt from fees and permitting under an agricultural exemption law for non-residential farm structures, and the county had agreed because no one had permanent residence there. When the exemption was challenged, however, the issue was put to the state attorney general, who subsequently said it had residential components of a nature that made it not exempt.
County officials said the application that was delivered Friday appeared in order and the review should be finished Tuesday afternoon. The application included all the normally required elements such as site plans, construction drawings, health department approval of septic system and elevation certificates. Unless there were any code compliance issues to be resolved after the review, the fees would be collected and the permit issued, said Building Division Director Dennis MacNeil.
There would then be an inspection to make sure any final issues were resolved. Normally a certificate of occupancy would then be issued, but since this would be an after-the-fact permit, the inspection would be the final action, unless something still needed to be resolved upon inspection, MacNeil said.
Dean was not required to pay an impact fee on the structure because there had been a mobile home on the property prior to the new structure. That is normal procedure in replacement of a structure. Dean’s application includes a permit to remove the mobile home.

Gov. Crist Appoints Chad Johnson To Replace Commissioner

TALLAHASSEE Governor Charlie Crist  announced the appointment of Chad Johnson to serve on the Levy County Board of Commissioners. Johnson will fill the vacancy created by the suspension of Robert Anthony Parker and will serve as interim during his suspension. Johnson was appointed nine months after Parker was suspended.
        Owen “ Chad ” Johnson, 38, of Chiefland, is a territory manager for Destron Fearing. Johnson is also the owner and manager of Stockman Solutions LLC. He is currently a member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Florida Board of Realtors, and a board member for the Florida Auctioneer Association. Johnson was an unsuccessful candidate in the democratic primary for the county commission in 2006.
        Johnson was sworn in Tuesday morning and took his seat on the board for the regular County Commission meeting.
        The trials for suspended commissioners Sammy Yearty and Tony Parker have been delayed until November.

Spraying Schedule for Lake Rousseau        

        The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will conduct aquatic weed control operations in Lk. Rousseau using EPA-approved herbicides during August 10 - 28. Water lettuce and water hyacinth will be managed with Reward, and boat trails and dishing areas will be maintained with Glyphosate, Aquathol K and Aquathol Super K.
        People using treated areas of the lake for domestic purposes or for irrigation are cautioned not to use treated water for 5 days in Reward-treated areas, for 7 days in Aquathol Super K-treated areas and 14 days in Aquathol-treated areas. Do not used treated water to water livestock for 1 days in Reward-treated areas and for 14 days in Aquathol K-treated areas.
Do not use water from Aquathol K-treated areas for preparing agricultural sprays for food crops for 14 days. Do not use treated water for drinking for 3 days in Reward-treated areas; this does not apply to tap water. There are no restrictions in Glyphosate-treated areas.
        Signs displaying treatment dates and restrictions will be posted in treated areas. Herbicide treatments may be delayed due to adverse environmental conditions. Tha management and treatment of nuisance edotic vegetation is necessary to maintain recreational activities and protect native plant habitat in Florida waters. For additional information, call (352) 726-8622.

Citrus County gets stimulus money to replace buses

The Citrus County Transit Division has been awarded an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant for $262,000 for purchase of capital equipment for transportation. The money, also referred to as stimulus funds, is purchasing four new buses that will replace older buses in the fleet that will be retired. Citrus Transportation Supervisor Lon Frye said in addition to having new buses, the replacements will mean the county won’t have to spend near as much on maintenance as it would the older buses being replaced. There was no county match required.

Citrus County gets stimulus money for senior meals

        The Citrus County Community Services Department applied for and has received an $85,600 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for its home delivered meals for the homebound and its senior dining program. The money, referred to as stimulus funds, will be matched by in-kind services on the county’s part. The grant runs from July to September and will allow the county to expand its senior dining program to low income seniors at the Marina Del Ray Apartments in Beverly Hills. Citrus County Community and Recreational Programs Senior Program Supervisor Pat Coles said there are many seniors needing help. “It is a Godsend,” she said of the stimulus grant. The county has also been granted more than $8 million in stimulus funds for road paving projects and is hoping for more funding in projects that have qualified for possibly being funded.

Homosassa Wildlife Park Renamed For Late Yankeetown Environmental Benefactor

HOMOSASSA - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service hosted a special naming event today at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in memory of the late Ellie Schiller, former Director of the Felburn Foundation and great friend of Florida’s state parks, greenways and trails. 

“This valuable state park will hereon after be known as Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park,” said DEP Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “We are honored to uphold Ms. Schiller’s memory in the state park system and there is no better place to do so than at Homosassa Springs, which she dearly loved.”

As Director of the Felburn Foundation, Schiller contributed to several major projects at the park including a black bear exhibit, both phases of the Wildlife Walk, a roseate spoonbill aviary, a red wolf habitat and other improvements to wildlife habitats at the park. Felburn Foundation donations also helped fund the 8,000 square foot Felburn Wildlife Care Center that houses a veterinary clinic, wildlife quarantine section, park offices and accommodations for up to four biologists, interns and other scientists. Schiller and the Felburn Foundation Board also contributed to the construction of two barrier-free Boundless Playgrounds, on the Cross-Florida Greenway near Ocala and the St. Marks Trailhead in Wakulla, that are managed by DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features an impressive showcase of native Florida animals along the park’s Wildlife Walk, including West Indian manatees, a Florida panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, river otters and a variety of birds and reptiles. Lu, Florida’s only resident hippopotamus, resides at the park. Visitors can also enjoy nature trails, picnicking and boat tours. Admission to the park for children ages three to 12 is $5.00 and $13.00 for adults.

Body Of Missing Teen Recovered From Big Lake Henderson
(Inverness) Citrus County Sheriff’s Office divers have recovered the body of missing teen Phillip Ledea, 17, of Pinecrest, Fla., who was last seen Friday afternoon swimming near his friend’s 17-foot fiberglass motorboat in Big Lake Henderson.
Dive team members had been back at the scene since 7 a.m. Saturday, using the agency’s side scan sonar to conduct an underwater search. The boy’s body was found right about 9:20 a.m.
      Both of Ledea’s parents arrived in Inverness to be there for their son. Phillip attended Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
      On Thursday night, he and some teenage friends had travelled to Citrus County with the parent of a brother and sister who have a summer home here.
The five teens had been out in the family boat most of the day on Friday before tragedy struck. The body will be taken to the Leesburg medical examiner’s office for autopsy.

Human Skull Unearthed in Homosassa

(Homosassa) A work crew with one of the local utilities made a startling discovery early Tuesday afternoon when one man found what appears to be a human skull among yard debris located at the intersection of W. Fling Lane and S. Knightswood Point. The find was reported to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives responded to the wooded area off of S. Suncoast Blvd., along with crime scene technicians who thoroughly processed the scene. No other bones were found.

The skull was turned over to the Leesburg medical examiner’s office for further evaluation. Detectives are hoping to possibly identify the person whose skull it is, and if not, perhaps gain insight into the gender and age of the person.

Beyond that, detectives are expecting to seek out the services of a forensic anthropologist to help them possibly identify the remains.

It’s unknown at this time if any foul play was involved in the person’s death. 

Inglis Replaces Commissioner

Inglis commissioners voted 3-1 to  place former commissioner Drinda Merritt on the board. Merritt replaces resigned commissioner Edward Michaels. Michaels stated he resigned for health reasons. Inglis businessman Drew White received 1 vote for the position. At least two other applicants did not get a vote.

Inglis River Lodge Over First Hurdle for Expansion

The Citrus County Commission on July 7 approved some improvement changes in the master plan for the 143-site River Lodge RV Resort near Inglis and voted to send for state review a plan for expansion of the park into an adjacent 153 acres. The expansion project would require an amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, and the state growth management oversight agency, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), reviews such changes for compliance with the county’s comp plan and state growth management laws. The developer showed a conceptual plan that locates RV sites around a "next generation" golf course design utilizing green techniques to reduce water use and fertilizer needs. The park, if approved, is intended to provide service to workers coming in to the area to work on the Progress Energy projects, which include a proposed nuclear facility in southern Levy County. Some residential neighbors opposed the expansion because of what they said would be the impact on the area. The commission will not take up the issue for possible final approval until after the DCA comments are returned and considered.

Commission sends Port District category for review by state

The Citrus County Commission on July 7 voted to send the state’s growth management oversight agency a proposal to allow for a new land use, called Port District, that would be applied in the northwest corner of the county along the former barge canal. The state Department of Community Affairs (DCA), reviews such amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Growth Management Plan for compliance with the plan and state growth management laws.

Citrus Mining and Timber, Inc. has applied for the new land use to allow for master planned waterfront development that could include residential, commercial, and industrial uses on about 545 acres near Inglis along the canal and west of U.S. 19. After the county takes into consideration the DCA response, the commission will decide whether or not to vote on allowing the new land use and applying it to the company’s tract.

Citrus to Get 8.6 Million in Stimulus Funds for Road Work

Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) officials have given Citrus officials the go ahead on a group of stimulus funds road projects worth about $8.6 million. DOT is the pass through and oversight agency for federal American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) stimulus funding, which accounts for almost $8 million of the funds. Most are resurfacing projects. DOT sent the county a Notice-to-Proceed for the first 10 ARRA projects allocated to Citrus County. 
The resurfacing projects include: Fort Island Trail (U.S. 19 to N. Palm Springs Terrace), Ozello Trail (U.S. 19 to Winterset), Grover Cleveland Boulevard (Tedna Terrace to C.R. 491), Halls River Road (Halls River Bridge to Fishbowl Drive, Cardinal Street (from U.S. 19 to C.R. 491), County Road 480 (Stagecoach Road, from C.R. 491 to C.R. 581), Turner Camp Road (Ella Avenue to Twin Lakes Drive), Croft Road (from S.R. 44 to north of Harley Street), C.R. 491 ( Pine Ridge Boulevard to State Road 200), C.R. 491 (S.R. 44 to C.R. 486). The tenth funded project is repair of the Withlapopka Causeway. “On behalf of the board, this is great news for Citrus County,” said Citrus County Administrator Brad Thorpe. “It allows us to do some costly and needed projects that were not budgeted. “When the funds became available, the board and the staff jumped into action and the projects were submitted and approved on a near impossible deadline. Given the range of work around the county, everyone in the county will directly benefit.” 
The county will bundle the projects into six contracts. The current amount of the grants, representing 100 percent of the construction cost and including testing and construction supervision totals $7,859,765. County officials said they anticipate advertising for the first project in August. The county is expecting an 11th ARRA project to be approved later in the year after permits are received from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, bringing the total for the projects to $8,609,765. In addition and separate from the stimulus funds, DOT has notified the county that it is scheduled to receive Small County Outreach Program grants for two other projects. The grants are for 75 percent state funded and 25 percent county funded projects. 
The state’s funding for those two project totals $738,750. The first is the Ozello Trail Bridge repair project, which is estimated to cost $535,000 (DOT portion, $401,250, county portion, $133,750). The other project is the C. R. 581/Anna Jo Drive Turn Lanes project, which has an estimated cost of $450,000 (DOT portion, $337,500; County portion, $112,500).

New taxiway construction underway at Crystal River Airport

The Citrus County Engineering Division noted at the beginning of July that local contracting firm D A B Constructors, Inc. is about 15 percent along on construction of the new 4,555 foot, widened taxiway at the Crystal River Airport.

The taxiway is being moved 76 feet to the north and widened to 35 feet. As the county has grown, larger aircraft have begun using the airport, and the new taxiway was required for safety for those B-2 category aircraft, such as corporate jets.

Between state and federal grants the county has secured, it only has to pay 1 percent of the cost of the $1.15 million improvement project. Completion is expected in January.

Levy Deputies Find Underground Grow House

Dunnellon Man Charged With Sexual Battery, Victim A 3 Yr. Old

        A 23-year-old Dunnellon man, Jonathan Hughes Jahna, 2499 W. Paragon Ln., was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, Jan. 8, charged with the sexual battery of a 3-year-old boy. According to the arrest report, the incident allegedly took place on Dec. 19, when the mother of the boy arrived home early and found Jahna and her son in bed together wearing only their underwear. The child made statements that alarmed the mother, and she contacted authorities. Initially, Jahna denied the allegations. He was arrested at his residence on Jan. 8 and declined an interview, but later agreed to be interviewed at he CCSO Emergency Operations Center. He assured the detectives that the contact with the child was a one time incident. He said they were lying in the bed watching a movie ("Porky's"), and the incident happened by chance, and that the child had initiated the contact. Jahna said that he had made an untrue statement to the child's mother because he was ashamed of his behavior. After the interview, Jahna was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility and held without bond.

CVS robbery suspect accrues additional charges         

         Melissa Lynn Dumal, 21, 6019 W. Holiday St., Homosassa, who confessed to the Nov. 28 robbery of drugs from the Homosassa CVS Pharmacy, had several additional charges filed against her by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Dumal was arrested on the robbery charge, Dec. 1st. The robbery arrest report stated that Dumal went into the pharmacy with a note that demanded bottles of the drug, oxycodone, or else she would shoot everybody. The report stated that she was given 1,030 oxycodone pills, then she left the store. Her bond on the robbery charge was set at $10,000
On Dec. 3rd, after an investigator had researched the Florida State Statutes and spoken with a CVS pharmacist who verified that Dumas had received in excess of 100 grams of oxycodone pills in the robbery, an additional charge of trafficking in oxycodone was added. Her bond on this charge was set at $500,000. 
On Dec. 4th additional charges were added, fraud/illegal use of a credit card, and grand theft of $20,000 or more but less than $100,000. Dumal's bond on these charges was $7,000. 
          The arrest report for the credit card charges explained that the victim in this case reported to the CCSO, on Nov. 21st, that Dumal had fraudulently used several of her credit cards without her knowledge or permission, and she had become aware of this when she saw Dumal returning a credit card to her purse. The victim said that she had also received a call from that same credit card company inquiring about charges they deemed suspicious. After receiving the call, the victim said that she'd checked the balances on several of her other credit cards and had learned that two Chase credit cards had been used in Citrus County, numerous times, to obtain cash advances. One of the Chase cards had over $1,000 in cash advances charged to it, and the other one had over $10,000 in cash advances charged to it. When the victim checked her Bank of America credit card, she learned that over $14,000 in cash advances had been taken out on the card since August, 2008. When she called American Express, she discovered that over $1,000 in cash advances had been placed on that card, as well. The victim told detectives that she never uses her credit cards to make cash advances, and that she still has possession of her credit cards. After she'd confronted Dumal about the use of the credit cards, she said, Dumal had not returned to her home.
          Detectives located Dumal on Dec. 1st and arrested her on the CVS robbery charge. They also spoke with her about the credit card case. Dumal admitted that she'd used the victim's credit cards without the woman's knowledge or permission. She said, when the woman confronted her about using the cards, the woman had alleged that $50,000 had been taken, but she'd actually taken about $30,000. She said that she would sneak a card out of the woman's purse, use it to make a cash withdrawal, then sneak it back into the purse. She said the victim did not notice the mounting balances because the victim's mail stacks up and is unorganized. 

Citrus Sheriff’s Dept. Takes Up Search For Missing Plane, Body Found  

        According to Gail Tierney, Citrus County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, the U.S. Coast Guard recovered a human body in the Gulf of Mexico, Dec. 8, about 20 miles off the coast of Yankeetown. The body was taken to the medical examiner’s office in Leesburg. Officials do not know if the body is one of two men believed to have crashed into the Gulf around 6:45 p.m., Nov. 30. Darien Peckham, 35, and Zachary Schlitt, 28, of West Palm Beach, were en route from Tallahassee to Tampa's Vandenberg Airport, when air-traffic controllers in Jacksonville reported that their single-engine, fixed-wing Beechcraft airplane had dropped off radar and had possibly crashed into the Gulf.
        On Dec. 2, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended its active search for the missing plane. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office had been assisting the Coast Guard since Dec. 1 and returned to the search site, Dec. 2 and later, due to greatly improved weather conditions. They were searching site about 14 miles off the coast of Homosassa, in an attempt to locate the missing plane, using the agency's side scan sonar unit. Deputies on board the vessel said that the sonar unit has performed flawlessly, and that they were hopeful of finding the missing craft.

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