Page 4 December 26, 2012
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Aerial Manatee Survey for Crystal
New signs for birding, wildlife
RivertheNational Wildlifeconducted an aerial survey
Refuge
viewing trails being installed
Staff from
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
There are new signs of economic opportunity and natural wonders in south Florida.
of manatees on December 19, 2012. A total of 321 manatees was counted along the survey
Tourists and residents in 11 southern Florida counties may have noticed that directional
route, stretching from the Cross Florida Barge Canal, near Inglis, south to the Homosassa
signs for the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail (GFBWT) were popping up all over
River. Included along this route are the Crystal River, Kings Bay, the discharge canal of the
the place.
Crystal River Power Plant, Salt River, and the Homosassa River, which includes the Blue
The signs direct traffic to 113 new birding and wild-
Waters.
life viewing sites from Sarasota and Stuart south to Key West,
Wednesday’s count:
joining hundreds of other GFBWT locations throughout the
King’s Bay:
208 + 26 calves = 234
state. Not only do these signs, bearing the swallow-tailed kite
Crystal River:
7 + 1 calf = 8
logo, designate ideal locations for birding and wildlife view-
Salt River:
5
=
5
ing adventures, they are also a symbol of positive economic
Power Plant Discharge Canal:
6 + 1 calf =
7
impact. Gov. Rick Scott said, “Wildlife viewing in Florida
Cross Florida Barge Canal:
0
=
0
is a major reason why our state in the most popular tourist
Homosassa River (Blue Waters):
53 + 9 calves = 62
destination in the country. I am proud that Floridians and our
Lower Homosassa River:
3 + 2 calves = 5
visitors can now better enjoy the wildlife our state has to of-
Total:
282 + 39 calves = 321
fer, while creating more opportunities for Florida families.”
Citrus Parks and Recreation team up with
A recent study about birding in Florida indicated the
trail’s road signs play an important role in visitors’ travel deci-
sions. Of 1,652 participants, 65 percent had seen a GFBWT
Lowe’s to bring holiday cheer
road sign, prompting a later visit (81 percent indeed visited later). “We hope that many
Florida families and tourists will follow these new signs and explore the trail and discover
The Citrus County Parks and Recreation Department along with workers from
the fascinating wildlife these sites have to offer,” said Mark Kiser, Great Florida Birding
Lowe’s Home Improvement delivered 65 Christmas trees in two days to local families
and Wildlife Trail coordinator for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
throughout the county. The Christmas trees were donated by Lowe’s Home Improvement in
(FWC).
Inverness. Different organizations, local families, non-profits, and local business all came
together last Friday to decorate their adopted trees at the tree lighting event at the Central
Birding and wildlife viewing are important to Florida’s economy, and the GFBWT
Ridge Community Center at Beverly Hills.
program is an integral component of Florida’s nature-based tourism industry. According
Trees were dropped off at homes in Beverly Hills, Hernando, Inverness, Lecanto,
to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data, wildlife viewing generates more than $5 billion in
Homosassa and Crystal River. The local families who received trees were submitted by
Florida and supports 51,000 jobs. A recent statewide survey by Responsive Management
different organizations in the county including the We Care Food Pantry, Daystar, Citrus
showed that wildlife viewing is the second most popular outdoor recreation activity in the
United Basket and the Family Resource Center.
state (behind going to the beach) for visitors and residents.
A big thank you to the Craftsman Guild of Beverly Hills for donating their time to
The FWC installed the trail signage with a grant from the Florida Department of
make the wooden tree stands and also to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Department for watch-
Transportation and support from the Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Dozens of federal, state
ing the area where the trees were located.
and local government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and private landowners also
Upcoming Activities at Inglis AmVets
supported the effort. For more information about this project, please contact Mark Kiser at
Mark.Kiser@MyFWC.com or call 850-488-9478.
William Crow AmVets Post 447, 405 E. Hwy. 40, Inglis, invites the public to our
Squawk Box Continued from page 1
many activities. We have the NFL Package, so come out and watch your favorite game! Our
phone number is 352-447-4473.
HAPPY HOUR 1:00-4:00 p.m., Mondays - Fridays, with the exception of New
DEO’s chief economist said the Workforce Connection region is not alone as all 67 coun-
Yearís Eve on Dec. 31 when we're having a special celebration from 7:00 until 12:00 mid-
ties had declines in unemployment rate over the year, while 25 counties experienced similar
night - a Steak Dinner ($12 Donation) and Live Music by Shellmound; tickets must be
slight increases, 33 counties dropped over the month, and nine remained flat.
purchased in advance, so please see the bartender and/or call the Post at 352-447-4473.
“Because movements were very small over the month, that’s why we emphasize
that you talk about movement over the year,” Rust said.
Realty
Here is how employment numbers break down for each county:
·
Citrus County’s labor force dropped by 603 over the month to 56,261, the number of
employed fell by 564 to 51,076 and those without jobs dropped by 39 to 5,185. Compared
Sally Price, Realtor
to November of 2011, the labor force expanded by 310, the number of employed rose by
19 Hwy 40 W.
(352) 302-8556 cell
1,545 and the number of jobless dropped 1,235 from 6,420.
Inglis
Serving Inglis, Yankeetown, Dunnellon, Hernando, Crystal River & Homosassa
·
Levy County’s labor force fell by 267 since October to 16,866, employment dropped
by 246 jobs to 15,381 and the number of unemployed declined by 21 to 1,485. Over the year, Homosassa, Florida 34446 email: pricesally@yahoo.com
5093 S. Orwell Pt.,
WATERFRONT WEEKEND GET-A-WAY - 237 MASTADON DR $56,000
the labor force has remained virtually the same, the number of employedPhone (352) 489-4588 Fax (727) 362-4788
increased by 233
Great waterfront weekend get-a-way. 2/1 10x50 mo-
and the number of unemployed dropped by 348.
Visit our Website, www.thenewscaster.com
Email (Tom of those Publisher) thenewscaster1@gmail.combile on paved dead end street with 10x50 screened
·
Marion County’s labor force shrank by 2,136 to 133,650, the number Russell,with
porch on canal (10x20 dock) 1 lot from Withla-
jobs decreased by 2,036 to 121,327 and those unemployed dropped il (Debbie12,323. That
Emaby 100 to Russell, Editor) debbienewscaster@gmail.com
coochee River.Remodeled with new tile floors and
represents over the year gains of 500 to the labor force, an increase of 2,933 with jobs and a
new bath. One end of porch has glass windows and
drop of 3,433 from 15,756 in the number of those unemployed.
doors can be added for spare room. 18x20 carport
Among Florida’s counties, Marion County’s unemployment rate ranked 10th, Citrus Coun-
and workshop with lean to roof. Launch your kayak,
ty 11th and Levy County dropped to 18th. The Ocala MSA had the fourth highest unemploy-
canoe or small boat from yard. Nature lovers will ap-
ment rate among the state’s 22 MSAs, behind Palm Coast with 11.4 percent, Port St. Lucie
preciate wildlife. Near bike path, equestrian trails,
with 9.8 percent and Sebastian-Vero Beach with 9.6 percent.
greenways and salt/fresh water boat ramps. Ready to
The Ocala MSA’s nonagricultural employment in November was 93,100, up 100
sell..bring offer.
jobs over the month and an increase of 1.7 percent or 1,600 jobs over the year.
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
www.plantationrealtylistings.com
Are you Upside-Down in your mor tgage?
Since 1973
352-447-2733
We can help! Give Me a Call
352-257-8250 cell