THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
A Publication of
Wednesday July 23, 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
Unemployment for
Region Ticks Up
CareerSource Citrus Levy Mar-
ion's regional jobless rate was 7.2 per-
cent in June, up 0.1 percent from May.
There were 14,594 unemployed out of a
labor force of 201,415. That rate is down
1.6 percentage points over the year and
3.0 percentage points lower than June
2012.
Citrus County had the high-
est unemployment rate in the region at
7.5 percent, followed by Marion County
with 7.2 percent and Levy County at 7.0
percent.
In June, nonfarm employment
in the Ocala metropolitan area was
90,700, a loss of 700 jobs over the year.
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion CEO
Rusty Skinner said that the June report
from the Florida Department of Eco-
nomic Opportunity "continues to show
the volatility of our economy."
Skinner noted that while the
number of unemployed is virtually un-
changed up by just 58 individuals re-
gion wide there is shrinkage in both the
labor force and the number of those with
jobs. "It's not like we see wild swings in
the number of unemployed, but we're
not seeing steady months in employment
Following a two year planning and fund raising project, the Cape San Blas lighthouse, keepers cottages, and brick oil house were moved to
growth," Skinner said. "We have been
Ship-Yard Cove and George Core Park on the waterfront of Port St. Joe on July 15th. Photo and story by Toni Collins.
filling positions, and employers are hir-
Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested
Historic
ing, but it's mostly replacement-type hir-
ing, not new hiring."
Inside Forest Ridge Bank
CareerSource Citrus Levy Mar-
Lighthouse
ion ranked among the top 10 workforce
development regions for job placements
From The Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
possession of a gun or any other weapon.
Moves to New
in June, placing 1,047 job seekers. Addi-
According to the arrest
The Citrus County Sheriff s Office
tionally, 541 employers posted 1,720 job
report, "The defendant (Stathas)
responded to the SunTrust Bank on Forest
openings with CareerSource in the three
advised Detective Carreras that
Ridge Blvd. in Hernando, around 12:30 pm,
Home
counties.
he was having suicidal thoughts
Friday afternoon, July 18, due to the report
Skinner said that June employ-
and that his intention was to
of a robbery that had just occurred. When
ment numbers could reflect seasonal em-
Special to The Newscaster
rob the bank, so he could be Stathas
deputies arrived at the bank, they found the
Continued on page 4
By: Toni C. Collins
punished, or killed, by law en-
robbery suspect, crouched behind the lobby
BUDDY & FRED'S
The Cape San Blas lighthouse lo-
forcement. The defendant further stated he
chairs, with the cash from the robbery.
cated 12-miles south of the city of Port St.
did make the claim in his note that he had
HARDWARE
Deputies say Alexander Stathas, 44,
Joe on the south point of the St. Joseph Pen-
a gun, but never was in possession of one.
729 S. Sorrell Ave., Homosassa, walked into
insula is no stranger to the effects of erosion.
The defendant stated this was the result of
44 Hwy. 19 N. · Inglis, FL
the bank just before 12:30 pm and passed
First lighted in 1849, the lighthouse fell
him having low self esteem and wanting to
the teller a note stating he had a weapon and
· 352-447-2600
down during a gale in 1851. The light was
end his life or be punished for carrying out
demanded "the money." After Stathas was
CRAZY SALE
rebuilt in 1856 but destroyed two months
the bank robbery. "
given an undisclosed amount of money, he
later.
"I applaud the bravery of the tell-
went to the bank's lobby, laid down between
PURPLE DEGREASER
After the U.S. Lighthouse Board
ers," said Captain Dave DeCarlo. "With the
a glass partition and some chairs, and waited
appropriated funds to rebuild the light, it
1.0 gallon - $ 5.83
suspect remaining in the bank, this could
there until law enforcement arrived at the
was relighted on May 3, 1858. However, the
have turned bad very quickly. They kept us
2.5 gallon - $12.83
bank. Deputies found him lying there, with
tower was completely destroyed on July 3,
up-to-date with the suspect's actions making
his hands on top of his head and the bundle
5.0 gallon - $24.83
Continued on page 12 - Lighthouse Moves
it possible to take him into custody."
of cash under his chest area. He was not in