THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
PRESORTED
PLEASE
RECYCLE
STANDARD
US Postage
Paid
Deborah Russell - Editor
A Publication of
Wednesday January 11, 2017
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Publisher
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Sally Price - Historian
Please visit our website thenewscaster.com
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Community
Wildlife Park
Celebrating
Lu's 57th Birthday
The Florida Department of En-
vironmental Protection s Ellie Schiller
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
will celebrate Lu, the hippopotamus 57th
birthday with two special birthday parties
on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at 10:00
am and at 12:30 pm. Lu is the oldest liv-
ing hippo in captivity in North and South
America.
Lu has been a long-time resident
of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
and has fans around the world. People
come from all over to help him celebrate
Mike Prendergast, Citrus County's eleventh sheriff, was sworn into office, Tuesday morning, January 3, at the Old Courthouse Museum in In-
his birthday. There is an international
verness, with his family surrounding him. Sheriff Prendergast jumped right into sheriffing duties in what was a very busy first day in office,
club for people who love hippos called
swearing in more than 200 deputies into office in three installments. On Thursday, Deputy Prendergast was busy, yet again, swearing in ad-
the Hippo-Lot- of-Us Club. They have a
ditional new employees, including administrative personnel, transcriptionists and communications officers. Even with many new employees,
website and members travel to visit hip-
some traditions will remain the same. Sheriff Prendergast continued with the Ask the Sheriff radio program, (right photo) started by former
pos. Every year members of Hippo-Lot-
Sheriff Jeff Dawsy, on The Fox 96.7 FM 7:30 - 8:30 am, Thursday morning, Jan. 5, and will be back on the air on Citrus 95.3 FM Radio, on
of-Us Club attend Lu s birthday. Students
Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12, 4:00 - 5:00 pm.
from Homosassa Elementary School will
Couple arrive at Homosassa man accused of attempting
join park staff in wishing Lu a Happy 57th
Birthday. The students will be encouraged
store in
to join in singing a special birthday song
to run woman down at Morriston bar
written and performed by park volunteer
stolen vehicle
Vicky Iozzia.
The children and other park visi-
leg, causing pain to her knee.
From the Levy County Sheriff Dept.
tors will enjoy sampling the hundreds of
The victim also told deputies that
From the Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
cookies and water. Lu will enjoy a spe-
she was in fear of her life during the inci-
Kenneth J. Hibard,
Woman arrested on theft/drug
cially made birthday cake. In the after-
dent, and she had ducked behind a truck in
28, 7825 W. Homosassa Trail,
noon, another party will take place dur-
charges; man flees
the parking lot for protection, prior to Hibard
Homosassa, was arrested by
ing the park s alligator and hippopotamus
driving away. After Hibard s vehicle struck
the Levy County Sheriff's Of-
Following a report of a couple act-
program. Lu will be offered another birth-
her vehicle, the victim stated, Hibard cursed
fice, at 5:00 pm, Dec. 28, at
ing suspiciously inside an Inverness depart-
day cake at the 12:30 pm. Alligator/ Hip-
at her and drove away at a high rate of speed.
Willard s Bar, located at 3490
Hibard
ment store, Jan. 2, a woman was arrested on
popotamus program so park visitors have
Shortly thereafter, she said, Hibard sent text
SE County Rd. 337 in Morris-
theft and drug charges, but the male suspect
another opportunity to join in the celebra-
messages to her. The arresting deputy read
ton. He was charged with aggravated battery
managed to run away, into a wooded area,
tion of the birthday of Florida's only resi-
them and reported that one of the messages
using a deadly weapon (a vehicle), with his
across the street.
dent hippopotamus. There will be a giant
cursed the victim and also stated, "I hope
bond set at $200,000.
Jennifer Marie Rottmann, 32, Bell-
birthday card for visitors to sign to wish
you die."
According to the arrest report, the
view Terrace, FL, was arrested by Citrus
Lu a Happy Birthday.
Hibard told the deputy that he d
victim told deputies that she was seated in
County deputies, charged with grand theft
Easier Than eBay
only intended to scare the victim, and that
the driver s seat of her vehicle, in the park-
($300 or more, but less than $5,000), pos-
her possessions belong to him, so he has the
ing lot of Willard s Bar, when Hibard, driv-
session of a controlled substance (0.7 mg
You can now place classified ads at the
right to destroy them.
ing his vehicle, sped toward her passenger
methamphetamine), possession of cannabis
Food Ranch Service Desk - 25 words/$12.
The report stated that both vehicles
side door. The victim stated that she exited
(less than 20 grams) and possession of drug
New deadline: Monday 12 noon at the Inglis
were badly damaged, and a clear line of tire
her vehicle prior to Hibard s vehicle strik-
paraphernalia (a spoon with methamphet-
tracks led from CR 337 to the passenger side
Food Ranch service Desk. Cash or Check.
ing hers, but the rocking movement from the
amine residue). Her total bond was set at
crash caused her vehicle to strike her on the
No refunds for early cancellations
Continued on page 4 - Aggravated Battery
Continued on page 4 - Stolen Vehicle