Page 4 January 2, 2013
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Inglis PD Investigating Hit And Run
Year in Review
Highlight Stories from 2012
The Inglis Police Department investigated a hit and run accident that occurred in
Crystal River Losing Sears Store (January 2012)
the parking of the Mousetrap Saloon located at 48 Hwy. 19 North in Inglis at 6:00 p.m. on
Dec. 21.
Sears Holding Corp. announced on Dec. 29 that it plans to close 79 Kmart and
According to Officer Shannon Goodman, he arrived at the scene of the accident
Sears stores during 2012, and the number may eventually increase to 120 of the 3,560
to find the pedestrian, Mellissa Ann Murphy, 44, of 11090 W. Thoreau Pl., Crystal River,
Kmart or Sears stores in America.
unconscious and being evaluated by Levy County Medic #3, Paul Shear.
On Friday, the list had increased to 80. Florida will be hardest hit with 11 stores
According to witnesses, the driver, Steve Randall Murphy, 66, also of 11090 W.
closing. The Kmart in Crystal River will stay, at least for now, but the Sears store in Crystal
Thoreau Pl., Crystal River, had fled the parking lot, heading west behind the bar in his 1997
River is on the projected list of store closures. Each store employs roughly 40 to 80 people.
Dodge Dakota. They said that Mellissa Murphy was beside the driver’s door as the truck
The closings are expected to generate $140 million to $170 million in inventory
was backing out of a parking space on the north side of the bar, and the victim’s feet were
sales. Additional cash proceeds are expected from the sale of the real estate.
Ten Killed, 18 Injured In 19 Vehicle Crashes (Feb. 2012)
caught by the left front tire of Mr. Murphy’s vehicle, which threw her to the ground. The
report stated that Mr. Murphy did not stop, and he possibly ran over the victim’s legs and/or
Numerous crashes, around 4:00 a.m., Sunday, on I-75, south of Gainesville, at mile
feet as Murphy’s vehicle left the area heading west behind the bar at about 5 miles per hour.
marker 379, resulted in the deaths of 10 people and injuries to at least 18 others who were
AccidentbyFatal Peter A. Costello of Lecanto was traveling northbound
for Lecanto Man
transported to Shands and other area hospitals. At least 12 passenger cars and 7 semi-trucks
were involved in the crashes to both north and southbound traffic. Poor visibility due to
A car driven 86 year old
smoke from a brush fire is cited as the reason for the horrific crashes.
in the Diamond Ridge Health & Rehabilitation Center parking lot located at 2730 West Marc
The fatal crashes were preceeded by a three-vehicle crash at 11:55 p.m., Sat. night,
Knighton Court in Lecanto. The FHP report stated that Costello suffered a medical event; as
also caused by low visibility due to the heavy smoke, which resulted in the closure of I-75
a result, he lost control of his 2012 Dodge Journey. The front of his vehicle collided with a
from 12:00 midnight until 3:30
properly parked and unoccupied 2007 Chevrolet Suburban which sustained minor damage.
Large Turn Out For March 13, 2012 Inglis Municipal Election
Costello was transported to Citrus Memorial Hospital where he later died. The accident oc-
curred Saturday, December 29th.
Commission 3 Seats Open (top 3 elected)
Citrus Dec. 10, Citrus Sheriff Fire/Rescue responded toReportat a mixed
Sheriff Fire/Rescue a structure fire
Sherry Ely 285 Richard Kellman 320 Drinda Merritt 273
Glenda Kirkland 231 Andrew White 242
Dunnellon_On
Referendum to Dissolve Inglis Police Dept.
use commercial/residential storage and yard sales business located at 102842 W. Dunnel-
lon Rd. in Dunnellon. When the DeRosa Fire Station arrived at the scene at 11:53 p.m., the
Yes 234 No 273
1,400 square-foot manufactured building was already on the ground. Neither the property
Confusion Over New Kings Bay Rule(s) (April, 2012)
owner or occupant were present. The fire caused a loss of $70,422 to the structure and its
In these times people are passionate about rules, rights and freedoms... and this was
contents, a 100% loss.
how the Crystal River town hall meeting went Monday night. The Federal rule(s) (a 69 page
Inverness_On Dec. 12, Citrus Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to a mobile home fire located
document) came down.. the town divided.. the line was drawn and people are more than
at 1111 N. Beach Park Dr. in Inverness. Firefighters were dispatched at 6:30 a.m., arrived on
upset over a new set of rules handed down by the FWS (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).
scene at 6:47 a.m., and the scene was cleared at 8:59 a.m. The fire caused extensive damage
According to Crystal River Councilman Mike Gudis at a prior meeting, the City
to the less than 1,000 square foot home. Damages were estimated at $55,000 for the struc-
Council thinking they only had a 30 day window to respond to the new rule, had a letter of
ture and $27,500 for the contents. No injuries were reported.
intent to sue drafted but never sent. Gudis said “the council learned they have 6 years to file
Homosassa_On Dec. 19, Citrus Sheriff Fire Rescue responded to a structure fire to a manu-
a lawsuit. Legal fees could be very high so we are looking into more info before we proceed.
factured home located at 1911 S. Melanie Drive in Homosassa. Engine 71 from the Connell
Yankeetown Fire Dept Merger (May, 2012)
Heights Fire Station arrived on-scene at 12:32 p.m. to find the 1,000 square foot manufac-
The Yankeetown Council held a workshop to further the work on merging their
tured home 75% involved with fire. The fire was under control at 12:59 p.m. Three occu-
Fire Dept with Levy County. The county has submitted a proposed lease agreement which
pants were in the structure during the ignition phase of the fire, but everyone escaped the
covers the leasing of the fire bays at town hall and also the equipment. In return the county
blaze uninjured. The Florida State Fire Marshal did not respond as the cause of the fire was
would take over almost all responsibility of maintenance, insurance and also help with sup-
not determined to be suspicious. The American Red Cross and Salvation Army were con-
plying personnel.
tacted to assist the occupants. The damage was 100% of the structure and contents, and the
Continued on page 12
loss was valued at $53,070.
FHP: Florida Highway Patrol hasfatalities increasing
Pedestrian observed an increase in pedestrian traffic crashes
Realty
The
Sally Price, Realtor
in Florida, and one of every eight pedestrian crashes results in a pedestrian fatality.
19 Hwy 40 W.
During 2012, Troop C of the FHP, a seven-county region which includes Citrus
(352) 302-8556 cell
Inglis
County, has investigated 331 traffic crashes within its jurisdiction involving pedestrians, and
Serving Inglis, Yankeetown, Dunnellon, Hernando, Crystal River & Homosassa
5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446 email: pricesally@yahoo.com
43 resulted in a pedestrian fatality.
WATERFRONT WEEKEND GET-A-WAY - 237 MASTADON DR $56,000
With 87% of the pedestrian fatalities occurring at night or in low-lighteconditions,
Phon (352) 489-4588 Fax (727) 362-4788
Great waterfront weekend get-a-way. 2/1 10x50 mo-
pedestrians are urged to wear bright colored attire to make them more visibleit our Website, www.thenewscaster.com
Vis to drivers.
Nearly two-thirds of the fatalities involve a failure to yield on the part of thePublisher) thenewscaster1@gmail.combile on paved dead end street with 10x50 screened
Email (Tom Russell, pe-
porch on canal (10x20 dock) 1 lot from Withla-
destrian - who should be obedient to Florida traffic laws which are designed for the safety
Email (Debbie Russell, Editor) debbienewscaster@gmail.com
coochee River.Remodeled with new tile floors and
of everyone using the highways for any form of travel. Pedestrians should understand that
new bath. One end of porch has glass windows and
pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks and similar roadway designs have pedestrian safety in
doors can be added for spare room. 18x20 carport
mind.
and workshop with lean to roof. Launch your kayak,
When sidewalks are not available, pedestrians should walk so that they face on-
canoe or small boat from yard. Nature lovers will ap-
coming traffic and understand that drivers may not see or expect pedestrian traffic, espe-
preciate wildlife. Near bike path, equestrian trails,
cially in low-light conditions.
greenways and salt/fresh water boat ramps. Ready to
Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties had the highest number of pedestrian
sell..bring offer.
fatalities in Troop C during 2012, with 12, 11 and 12 fatal crashes, respectively.
Carl Roof, Inc.
Lisa VanDeBoe
Land Clearing - Fill - Septic Installation
Broker/Owner
Carl Roof, Owner
352-634-0129 plantationlisa@yahoo.com
19371 SE Butler Rd.
See all the Citrus County listings on our Website:
Inglis, FL 34449
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