THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
A Publication of
Wednesday July 28, 2010
Sally Price - Correspondent
Permit No. 14
Newscaster Publishing
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Squawk Box
“No one should go hungry in
our hometown”
By Deborah Russell
Newscaster Editor
With all the financial stresses and
challenges most people are facing these
days - which are far too numerous to men-
tion in this short space - it’s nice to know
that dedicated volunteers at the We Care
Food Pantry (WCFP) in Homosassa are
providing needy families “a hand up, not
a hand out,” which is their mission state-
ment. Another statement emblazoned on
their website and refrigerated truck is “No
one should go hungry in our hometown.”
The more than 150 volunteers of
the food pantry, many of them clients who
volunteer their time in appreciation of the
food they receive, work about 2,700 hours
each month, and distributed 1,420,618
pounds of food last year, an amazing feat
for an all-volunteer organization, formed
only five years ago.
According to Executive Direc-
tor and President, Diane Toto, the pantry
feeds more than 2,700 people per month
and had a record number of new sign-ups
Yankeetown Coast Guard Auxiliarist Bob Beck at the door of a Coast Guard helicopter on duty searching for oil spill related damage. Bob serves
in June - 106 - the majority being mostly
as a pollution control mission specialist for the Deepwater Horizon disaster. TheNewscaster/Mike Moore. Read full story on page 10.
CCSO looking for 2 suspects
fisherman having an even more difficult
time earning a living, now, with the BP Oil
Deputies
Spill in the Gulf, which has been horren-
in three armed robberies
dous for an already diminished economy.
The number of new clients increased by
Rescue
40%, last year alone. The WCFP estimates
that 1 of every 6 people in Citrus County is
Just before 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 22,
cash, while holding a knife. After he was
living in poverty.
Woman From
the New China restaurant, 3599 N. Lecanto
given an undisclosed amount of money by
The WCFP has two scheduled
Hwy., Beverly Hills, reported an armed rob-
the clerk, the man fled from the store on foot.
food distributions each month at their
bery to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect is described as a white male
crowded headquarters, which is located
House Fire
A lone male came into the eatery, hold-
in his 30s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, bald and
next door to the Homosassa Civic Club at
ing a handgun and demanding cash. He was
wearing glasses.
the corner of Mason Creek Rd., one block
given an undisclosed amount of money, then
While still at this location, deputies
south of Yulee Dr. behind the Homosassa
Shortly before 1:00 a.m. on Mon-
fled in a southeasterly direction.
were advised around 4:40 a.m. that a second
Fire Station (near the Homosassa Ele-
day, July 26, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies, the CCSO, and two K-9 teams
robbery had occurred at another Kangaroo
mentary School). Volunteers arrive at the
deputies responded to a house in Homosassa
were unable to locate the suspect. Crime
station located at 6241 W. Cardinal Street.
WCFP around 5:00 a.m., filling bags and
that was fully engulfed in flames.
scene technicians processed the scene for
Again holding a knife, the suspect demand-
boxes with food for the distribution which
Dep. Troy Taylor, 43, who was
physical evidence.
ed all the money from the register. The clerk
will start around 6:00 a.m. Meanwhile,
the first responder to 5464 S. Celeste Point,
The suspect is described as a white male,
handed over an undisclosed amount of cash,
cars line up as far as the eye can see...
called-out, trying to determine if anyone
wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, black knit-
and the man fled from the store.
Each family will receive 45 to 50
was still inside. He heard a woman’s call for
ted cap, black gloves and sunglasses.
The suspectës physical description
pounds of dry foods, a bag of breads and
help from the south side of the residence.
Two Kangaroo gas stations in Homosassa
matched the one provided at the earlier rob-
pastries, a bag of fruits and vegetables,
As he rounded the corner of the
also were robbed at knifepoint, early Friday
bery.
dairy products, food for pets and treats for
house, he spotted Elizabeth Podoll, 62, with
morning, July 23. The same subject appears
A search from the air and by K-9 units
children. Each family receives a box of
her head and one arm outside of her bed-
to have committed both of these crimes, ac-
failed to turn up the suspect.
room window. As he attempted to pull her
cording to the CCSO.
Anyone with information about these
Pet Patrol
from the window, Dep. Chad Doyle, 37, ar-
Around 3:15 a.m., deputies were dis-
crimes is asked to call 911 or 352-726-1121,
rived on scene to assist.
patched to 2275 S. Suncoast Blvd. due to
right away. Or contact Crime Stoppers of
Page 2
The woman’s fatigue and labored
an armed robbery. A lone male entered the
Citrus County, Inc. Report your tip by tex-
breathing, combined with the heavy smoke
store, came up to the counter and demanded
Continued on page 3 - Robbery Photo
Continued on page 4 - House Fire