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THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News

PAGE 8 - May 12, 2010

Task force meets on grant of New

U.S. 19-Cardinal St. Wal-Mart

The Citizen Advisory Task force met on Monday, May 10, at 5:30 p.m. in Room

280 at the Lecanto Government Building to discuss a grant to help fund the infrastructure

for a Wal-Mart store proposed on U.S. 19 south.

The meeting is open to the public. The task force will discuss a Citrus County

2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application in relation to the pro-

posed Wal-Mart on the southeast corner of the intersection of Cardinal Street and U.S. 19.

Citrus county is considering applying for a CDBG grant in the Economic De-

velopment category that would be used to fund a water line extension down U.S. 19 so

Wal-Mart could develop the site and begin operations. The $750,000 grant would be used

to help provide that necessary infrastructure.

Wal-Mart would be required to commit to create at least 22 new full-time equiva-

lent jobs, 12 of which would be made to low-to moderate income persons. It has said it

would create 43 new jobs in the next two years and 96 jobs within three years. It would also

fund the turn lane improvements at the intersection. The grant stipulates the county would

not be applying any local funds or other grant funds to the project.

hassahowitzka boat ramp closed May 10-14

At the Boat Bash last week the Crystal River Boat Builders (CRBB) christened their H L Cha-

pelle 14 foot Chesapeake Sharpie Skiff they completed with champaign and named the boat

Citrus county’s public boat ramp at the Chassahowitzka Campground will be

“Annie”. The CRBB meets every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 to 12 at the DEP complex

closed from Monday, May 10, through Friday, May 14, while the ramp is reconstructed.

at the end of State Park Drive, Crystal River. Drop in and watch them as they work on their

The county is posting signs in Chassahowitzka to alert boaters to the temporary

next project, an 11 foot Flat Iron Skiff Row Boat with oars. Photo/Sally Price

closing. The new ramp is being paid for with state Boating Improvement funds and being

Traffic light on S.R. 44 at landfill

constructed by Tedder Systems.

Crystal River Woman Graduates Basic Training

fully functional

Air Force Airman Melinda Z. Carlton graduated from basic military training at

Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The traffic light at the intersection of Highview Avenue and State Road 44 at the

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program

Citrus County Landfill was brought into full service on Wednesday.

that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently installed the light

core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

because of local safety concerns over the entrance to the landfill. Traffic at the landfill

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits to-

entrance can back up during busy times at the landfill, creating a dangerous situation in

ward an associate in applied science degree through the Community

relation traffic on S.R. 44. Because of the concerns, County Commissioner John Thrumston

College of the Air Force.

convinced FDOT officials to install the light.

Carlton is the daughter of Tamera Carlton of S.E. 47th

Motorists on S.R. 44 should expect to encounter red lights at the intersection as the

Court, Summerfield, Fla., and Steve Carlton of N.E. Fourth St., Crys-

traffic signal cycles to regulate the flow of vehicles at the intersection.

tal River, Fla.

The Gulf Oil Spill Response.

How to find out more. Where to find help. How to volunteer.

For current information on the spill and response plan,

Since the tragic accident on Transocean’s Deepwater Horizon

please go to the following websites:

rig first occurred, BP has done and continues to do everything

possible to respond to the situation. BP has taken full

www.bp.com/gulfofmexicoresponse

responsibility for dealing with the spill, and is mobilizing

its full resources to fight against it in the Gulf of Mexico.

www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com

More than 2,500 of BP’s operational and technical personnel

For assistance or information, please call the following

from around the world are working with many federal, state and

24/7 hotlines:

local government agencies, local communities and industry

experts. Using hundreds of vessels, they are involved in efforts

To report oil on the shoreline: (866) 448-5816

to protect the shore of the Gulf coast, to contain the spill offshore,

and to stem the flow of oil from the sub-sea well. Staging posts

To report impacted wildlife: (866) 557-1401

to help protect the shoreline are in operation at six critical areas,

supported by command posts in Houma, Louisiana; Mobile,

To make spill-related claims: (800) 440-0858

Alabama; and St. Petersburg, Florida. Thousands of volunteers

are being trained to help with the cleanup.

For volunteer information: (866) 448-5816

We are grateful for the support of the many volunteers,

federal, state, and local government officials, and emergency

responders. We are determined to leave nothing undone in

the effort to stop the flow and minimize any potential impact.