PAGE 3 - January 5, 2011
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Fire - Continued from page 1
Squawk Box
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her yard and saw the neighbor across the street welding and sparks flying off the welding
the target of lawmakers and law enforcement agencies across the country and around the
project. She said she felt the man was really into what he was doing and did not notice the
world. At least 15 states, although not Florida, have moved to regulate or ban one or more
sparks had set fire to grass behind him. She called 9-11 and several calls including a rela-
of the chemicals, as have certain countries in Europe and Scandinavia.
tive nearby who worked on the fire around the neighboring mobile. Roger Crossman, South
As of late September, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported receiv-
Levy Fire Chief who lives less than a block through the woods brought out all his trucks,
ing more than 1,500 calls from 48 states and the District of Columbia about products spiked
along with Inglis and then Yankeetown.
with these chemicals.
The fire spread so rapidly in all 4 directions and the tall wispy weeds on vacant
The DEA first became aware of synthetic marijuana in late 2008, when U.S. Cus-
lots were a choice fuel. Owners on the other end of the subdivision could see the smoke
toms and Border Protection analyzed “Spice.” In many cases, the chemicals used are pro-
and knew the fire was headed their way. Neighbors who did not even know their neighbors
duced overseas and shipped to the United States. In early 2010, U.S. Customs seized a
names were battling to save their own homes together manning yard hoses and one owner
more-than-110-pound shipment of two of the chemicals.
using a boat cushion to smother the fire as it surrounded her mobile. Many of the elderly la-
According to DEA officials, the makers of these harmful products mislead their
dies were running around dragging lengths of hose and spraying what was burning and grass
customers into thinking that “Spice” or “K2” is a harmless alternative to illegal drugs, which
ahead. Some small sheds and pump houses were lost and miraculously only one mobile was
isn’t the case. The feds are counting on these recently enacted emergency controls to call
burned. Don Johnson, a renter who was in Inglis at the time had gotten a call to get home
further attention to the risks of ingesting unknown compounds, plus take away any incentive
quick only to find his mobile and belongings had been that unlucky mobile as he stood and
to try these products.
watched firemen extinguish the blaze. The fire burned around most of the mobiles as it blew
It’s critical that parents act today and talk with their children about the harms of
through the lots. This was a fire where everyone took part including the paramedics who
drug use, and that includes synthetic marijuana products. Contact your child’s school re-
were stationed by the burning mobile.
source officer or call Partners for a Substance-Free Citrus (352-389-0472) for more informa-
This fire was a deja vu for South Levy Fire Chief Roger Crossman. 6 years ago a
tion.
fire from a mobile in this subdivision got away from the owner in the same type setting with
Gail Tierney is public information officer for the Citrus County Sheriff’s Of-
the wind taking it rapidly across a field behind the Crossman home. Mary Ann, Chief Cross-
fice. She has been with the agency for 21 years. Comments or suggestions may be di-
man’s wife who was also a fireman, was seriously burned battling that same type runaway
rected to Gail at 352-341-7460, or gtierney@sheriffcitrus.org.
Aluminum Theft
blaze. This fire was a community effort besides all the hours the local firemen put in and one
that will be talked about a long time. Many owners know how lucky they were to have had
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the fire just come up to and surround their homes, leaving them untouched. The investigator him as the victim’s neighbor and called him by name. He said Hollie explained that they
said 4 others were damaged if you include latice and some minor melting on the skirting or both had permission to be there and take the aluminum. He said, after they cut-up the alu-
smoke damage.
minum, they loaded it into the vehicle and left. The witness contacted the victim by phone,
and the victim told him that neither O’Brien or Hollie had permission to be there or cut up
the aluminum. The victim then contacted the sheriff’s office about the theft.
After investigation, a detective learned that O’Brien had sold the victim’s alumi-
num to Crystal River Metal Recycling on Dec. 27 for $138.74. A video surveillance photo
was captured of O’Brien completing the sale. O’Brien had also given his Florida Driver’s
License as identification, along with his right thumb print. After the victim identified the
aluminum as his, O’Brien was identified in two separate photo arrays, by the witness, as the
person he’d seen entering the victim’s property, and cutting up and removing the aluminum.
O’Brien was taken into custody on Dec. 30. He stated that he did not want to speak to au-
thorities without his attorney present, so he was not questioned.
On Dec. 27, Hollie was also identified from two separate photo arrays by the wit-
ness. He was placed under arrest on Dec. 29 and transported to the Citrus County Detention
Facility. The report stated that he was uncooperative, but finally agreed to be fingerprinted
and have his photograph taken.
Health Department lifts Fort Island Gulf Beach advisory
The Citrus County Health Department on Monday lifted its advisory against swim-
ming at Fort Island Gulf Beach Park, and the county parks division has taken down signs
prohibiting swimming at the beach. Water samples taken late last week showed acceptable
levels of enterococci and fecal bacteria, the organisms used by the state to determine the
potential danger due to bacteria in the water.
The quick phone call by Mary Bowen had a lot to do with the quick reaction time of all fire
The beach is tested weekly, and while it was reopened Monday, Jan. 3, based on
departments. South Levy fire chief Roger Crossman turned the investigation over to the state
most recent sampling, health officials remind the public that it is not uncommon for lakes,
fire marshall's office because a structure was involved. Newscaster/Sally Price Photo.
rivers, and coastal areas to become contaminated with germs from animal waste and from
Bubba’s Fin & Feather
sewage in water runoff following rains.
For information on the Healthy Beach Monitoring Program, go to the county
10930 SE 201st St. • Inglis
Health Department website.
Off Hwy. 40 E on Lk. Rousseau
Call 352-447-2755 for INFO
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