THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
A Publication of
Wednesday June 25, 2014
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Sally Price - Correspondent
visit our website: thenewscaster.com
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Community
Bay Scallop Season
Opens June 28th
From FWC
Get your bay scallop bags and
shucking tools ready. The recreational
bay scallop season opens in some Gulf of
Mexico state waters (shore to 9 nautical
miles) starting June 28, three-days earlier
than the season was slated to start.
The portion of Gulf state waters
is from the Pasco-Hernando county line
north and west to the west bank of the
Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.
The season will remain open
through Sept. 24, with the first day of the
closure on Sept. 25.
Gov. Rick Scott asked the Flori-
da Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com-
mission (FWC) to open the 2014 season
early to provide additional opportunities
to Florida's residents and visitors who
flock to the coast to partake in this activ-
ity. The season is an economic draw to the
coastal counties within the open region.
This change is not expected to harm the
scallop population.
All size limits and bag limits re-
main the same. The bag limit is 2 gallons
of whole bay scallops or 1 pint of meat
per person, per day, with a vessel limit of
Petty Officer First Class Cole Arnold recently attended his monthly sea cadet drill aboard the SS American Victory docked in downtown Tampa,
10 gallons of whole bay scallops or a half-
FL. PO1 Arnold is shown here tossing a life ring during a "man overboard" drill. Arnold is a member of the Manatee Division of the U.S. Naval
gallon of meat. Scallops may be collected
Sea Cadet Corp. in Yankeetown. Read full story on page 8.
Another arrest made in Citrus
Commissioner
by hand or with a landing or dip net.
Scallops cannot be taken ashore outside
of the open area. There is no commercial
Operation Cyber Guardian II in May
Officially
harvest for bay scallops in Florida.
The average number of scal-
From The Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
to send her pictures of his privates. The sub-
lops observed during 2013's post-season
Suspended
ject advised on numerous occasions that he
surveys suggests similar or slightly ris-
This arrest was made by FDLE and
wanted her to run away from home to live
ing abundances for 2014 in Homosassa,
Alachua County SO assisted them.
Inglis commissioner Drew White
with him and his wife and to get her preg-
St. Joseph Bay and Steinhatchee. The St.
On Tuesday, June 17, 2014 FDLE
said he received word from his attorney
nant and have an incest family. He was very
Marks average has been decreasing since
Agents with the Brooksville Field Office
shortly after 5 pm Monday that he had been
egregious and did not travel to the under-
June 2012, which is most likely due to in-
(BFO) and the Gainesville Field Office
suspended from the commission immedi-
cover residence.
creased storm runoff in recent years.
(GFO) located and arrested Christopher
ately without pay ($277.50/month). Town
FDLE Special Agent Dodi Pruitt
Be safe when diving for scal-
Glenn Harmon, w/m, 11/15/1980 reference
hall and town attorney Brad Bettin received
took over the investigation and communi-
lops. Stay within 300 feet of a properly
an FDLE arrest warrant. On May 8, 2014,
a copy of the signed executive order from
cated with Harmon for an additional month,
displayed divers-down flag when scallop-
the Citrus County Sheriff s Office conduct-
the governor s office somewhat later. White
attempting to get Harmon to travel but af-
ing in open water and within 100 feet of a
ed an undercover internet operation target-
said the monthly pay is insignificant com-
ter discovering he had no mode of trans-
properly displayed divers-down flag if on
ing persons who use the internet to solicit
pared the money he has spent on attorney
portation and was a transient, she decided
a river, inlet or navigation channel. Boat
juveniles to commit sex acts. Several agen-
fees.
to obtain an arrest warrant for the below
operators traveling within 300 feet of a
cies, including FDLE, participated in the un-
White was charged with commer-
charges. On June 17, 2014 FDLE located
divers-down flag in open water or 100
dercover operation.
cial littering and reckless pollution January
and arrested Harmon in Gainesville with the
feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational
During the operation, a Citrus
10th of this year following an investiga-
assistance of the Alachua County SO. SA
channel must slow to idle speed. Done for
County Deputy was contacted by a subject,
tion by the FWC/DEP in 2013. The charges
Pruitt interviewed Harmon and during the
the day? Help FWC's scallop researchers
later identified as Christopher Harmon, and
could be a misdemeanor for amounts under
interview Harmon admitted that if he and
by completing an online survey athttp://
began communicating with him. During the
five-hundred pounds or a felony for amounts
his wife ever have a child they would raise
svy.mk/bayscallops. Harvesters can indi-
course of the operation, Harmon directed the
over five-hundred pounds. White said, "I
cate where they harvest scallops.
Continued on page 3 - Cyber Guardian II
fictitious 13 year old female (CCSO deputy)
Continued on page 4 - Suspension