THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
PAGE 8 - March 24, 2010
Dunnellon Woman Dies in One Car Crash Meth Bust  - Continued from page 1
the “probable cause” of a clandestine methamphetamine lab being inside.
The Florida Highway Patrol, Ocala District reported a single car fatality Monday
During the search, Ms. Dennis was present and agreed to speak with authorities.
shortly before 8 am. The FHP report stated that a 2001 Subaru SUV was being driven by
Cowles stated that three small children, ages 7, 4 and 3, were asleep inside the residence
72 year old Beverly B. Bowers of Dunnellon and was about 200 ft. north of CR 40, 2 miles
during the search.
west of Dunnellon when it crashed into a tree.
According to Cowles’ affadavit, numerous items used in the manufacturing of
The reported stated that the driver failed to negotiate a left hand curve, traveled
methamphetamine (meth) were found inside the house and in trash piles outside. One item
off the roadway and upon the southbound shoulder and ditch. The front left of the Bowers
found was red phosphorus. This method of meth production, wrote cowles, “is one of the
vehicle struck a tree. The driver (sole occupant) was pronounce deceased, on-scene, as a
most volatile methods of manufacturing methamphetamine.”
result of injuries sustained during the course of this collision.
Dennis stated that she lives at the residence, and that she, Jeffrey Carpenter and
James Lee Bole had started manufacturing meth at the residence, about 2 to 3 months previ-
ously and had manufactured meth at her home on average of 2 to 3 times per week, yielding
about 0.8 gms. of meth each time. She said Carpenter is the primary “cook” and detailed the
duties that each of them took in the manufacturing process. She said she’d been using meth
since 2004.
Mr. Bole also spoke with authorities. He said he lives down the street (8599 W.
Kimberly Ct.), that he’d been using meth for about 2 months and had been introduced to
the drug by Carpenter. He said, about two months previouly, he, Carpenter, Dennis and
Roy Lashley were at Dennis’ residence, and he’d witnessed Lashley manufacture meth. Ac-
cording to Bole, Carpenter told him he’d met Lashley in jail. Bole said he’d traveled with
Carpenter to Lashley’s house. where he’d seen meth manufacturing chemicals. He said that
he, Carpenter and Dennis had cooked the drug 2 to 3 times per week, yielding about 2 to 3
grams per occasion. He gave additional details of the manufacturing process and duties of
the people involved. He said he’d cooked at least 10 times with Carpenter and Dennis.
According to other sources, the children were taken from the residence and are be-
ing sheltered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). In addition to the dangers
of methamphetamine manufacturing, the conditions at the house were described as deplor-
able. County code enforcement and environmental health officials were called to the scene.
The residence will likely be condemned and possibly destructed after 10 days.
Boys arrested for experimenting
The 2001 Subaru SUV crashed shortly before 8 a.m. Monday on C.R. 336 just north of Hwy
with chemicals
40 in Marion County. Photo by Sally Price
Three Injured in Homosassa Crash
Two ninth-grade Citrus High School students were arrested by the Citrus County
The Florida Highway Patrol reported a two car crash Thursday March 18 that sent
Sheriff’s Office, around 6:42 p.m., March 16, following a complaint made by a man who
three Homosassa people to the hospital. The report stated that 57 year old Marlene High-
said he was walking his children in the area between the high school and the primary school,
smith of Homosassa was traveling east on W. Cardinal Street in a 1995 Ford Explorer. A
when he’d heard a loud bang and realized that a plastic drinking bottle, with aluminum foil
1989 Astro van, driven by 34 year old Jennier R. Kesicki was traveling west on W. Cardinal
and chemicals, had burst.
Street. The report stated that the Highsmith vehicle crossed over the center line and traveled
The witness said that he saw a boy duck around the corner of the high school, and
into the westbound lane, as a result the front of her vehicle collided into the front of the
he approached the 16-year-old boy who told him that he had placed the object, which had
Kesicki.
burst, on the ground, close to the area where the witness was now standing. Soon, according
Highsmith was transported via Aeromed to Tampa General Hospital and was re-
to the arrest reports, a 15-year-old boy came over to the witness and told him that he was
ported in serious condition. Kesicki and ten year old David Kesicki were transported via
also involved.
Bayflight to Bayfront Medical Center and were reported in serious condition.
The deputy contacted the school resource officer, who contacted the father of the
The accident remains under investigation
older boy and the mother of the younger boy, and both parents came to the school.
A deputy and a school administrator, along with the older boy and his father went
Important Toll Free Numbers
Continued on page 12 - experimenting
Citrus Cty Govt. Citrus Springs & Dunnellon 489-2120
NAPA Auto &
Levy Cty Govt. 800-733-5389
Levy Cty Sheriff 800-538-9767
Truck Parts
R&M
Fax: 352-447-6099
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
(352) 447-6000
Hours:
Rebuilt - Repaired - Resealed
Complete Auto Repairs
Mon-
U.S. 19 - Inglis
A/C - Brakes - Front End - Exhaust - TuneUps
Friday
Computer Diagnostics
Hydraulic Hoses Our Specialty
7:30-5:30
Oil Changes While You Wait
Hydraulic Hoses up to 2"- 6 Wire
4X4’s - RV’s - Trucks - Autos
Saturday
Free Estimates
Foreign & Domestic
8-5
(352) 489-3391
352-447-0704
Visa - Mastercard - Discover
Sunday
Accepted
U.S. 41 - Dunnellon
Fax Line 447-6040
8-5
Just North of Powell Rd
Yankeetown General Store
Buddy & Fred's Hardware
Randy Alumbaugh
6611 Hwy. 40W • Yankeetown • (352)447-2532
42 Hwy 19 N. - Inglis,FL - 352-447-2600
Construction, Inc.
LAST STOP BEFORE THE GULF
Buddy & Fred's Hardware
Across from Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
New Homes - Renovations - Additions
is Now Doing Business
Now Open 7 Days
Serving Marion, Levy & Citrus Counties
at the New Location
Serving Breakfast-Lunch
www.alumbaughconstruction.com
Licensed & Insured CRC058012
Live Shrimp & Pinfish
42 Hwy 19 N. Inglis
Gas & Ice
Chicken, Subs & Beer
Office: 352-447-0655 - Inglis
Randy Alumbaugh
50
Food Ranch Plaza
Low Ethanol Gasoline - Fried Chicken - Subs - Beer
Fax: 352-447-3013
Cell: 352-266-7113