THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor
A Publication of
Wednesday January 7, 2015
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Publisher
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Sally Price - Correspondent
Please visit our website: thenewscaster.com
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Community
The Florida Elvis Festival
The weekend of February 20-
22, 2015 brings Elvis back to town, and
a whole lot more, to the Old Courthouse
Heritage Museum for an all new perfor-
mance. Tickets are now on sale and will
make a great gift for the holidays or the
new-year for this musical performance,
staged in the historic courtroom where
Elvis filmed the climactic scene in the
movie "Follow That Dream." Friday
Night Thunder on the Square Friday, Feb-
ruary 20, 2015, 6:00 ­ 10:00 p.m. For a
huge vintage car show, a live concert,
and a whole lot a loving going on! Elvis
in Concert Saturday, February 21, 2015
Two performances, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00
p.m. Ticket Prices: $35.00/$25.00 Peter
Alden, award-winning Elvis Tribute Art-
ist from Orlando, FL, has been captivat-
ing audiences for years. Follow your own
dreams at an afternoon or evening concert
of Elvis! All proceeds to benefit the His-
toric Citrus County Courthouse and Old
Courthouse Heritage Museum. Gospel
Music and Brunch Sunday, February 22,
2015 12:00 Noon Historic Citrus County
Three rescued by USCG - Crewmembers from an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter pose with three survivors at Airstation Clearwater, Fla., Dec. 30,
Courthouse Ticket Price: $35/$25 Join us
2014. The aircrew rescued the men after their 27-foot fishing boat sank 23 miles west of Steinhatchee River, Fla. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by
for some of Elvis's favorite gospel music,
Petty Officer 3rd Cass Ashley J. Johnson) Read full story on page 12.
including "In the Chapel" and "Amazing
Grace." Seating is limited to the first 120
Two arrested for drug possession
Citrus County
people. For more information, call (352)
341-6427 or (352) 341-6488,
during traffic stop
Investigating
Visitors & Convention Bureau
Seeking Volunteers
Citrus County Visitors & Con-
Fatal Stabbing
From The Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
and Wood exhibited nervous behavior, so
vention Bureau is currently accepting ap-
the deputy called for backup. Rowthorne
plications for volunteers who enjoy meet-
Brandon Aaron Wood, 31, 3909
denied permission for the vehicle to be
ing and greeting new people and have a
From the Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
W. Horace Allen St., Lecanto, and Tiffany
searched, but K-9 Zeus, the partner of the
willingness to work with others at the new
Ann Rowthorn, 30, 7396 W. Green Acres
Riverbend Rd. Area - Dunnellon
backup deputy, alerted to the odor of nar-
welcome center, to be located in Crystal
St., Homosassa, were arrested by the Cit-
Around 11:00 pm, Jan. 3, 2015,
cotics.
River beginning March 2015.Volunteers
rus County Sheriff s Office, Dec. 31, each
deputies with the Citrus County Sheriff's
Each of the four passengers was
would be welcoming visitors from around
charged with possession of a controlled
Office responded to a stabbing incident at
the world and working to help make Citrus
patted down for narcotics, and none were
substance. Their bonds were set at $2,000,
11646 N. Riverbend Rd., Dunnellon.
County a top-notch vacation destination.
found. However, a styrofoam cup contain-
each.
Shane Eckard, 19, of 5321 W. Cou-
Volunteer opportunities include greeters,
ing ice and a dark beverage had a clear
The incident began in Homosas-
gar Ln., Dunnellon was picked up by an
light clerical work, answering phones,
plastic bag under the lid that contained 1.7
sa at 3:22 am, when the vehicle in which
ambulance at the scene and taken to an area
directing guests to local establishments,
grams methamphetamine. It was located
hospital where he died from his injuries.
Rowthorne was the driver and Wood was
historical sites, museums and more. For
in the center console between Rowthorne
According to witnesses, Eckard
the the front seat passenger failed to come
more information, contact Deb Bloss at
and Wood. Rowthore claimed the soda as
and another male approached the house on
to a complete stop at the stop sign at W.
352-341-6429.
belonging to her, but said the methamphet-
Riverbend Rd. to confront Joshua Lee Han-
Grover Cleveland Blvd. and S. Alabama
Tennis Courts Closed for Maintenance
amine did not. Wood also denied owning
kins, 31, 5790 W. Woodlawn St., Dunnellon,
Ave. A patrol deputy attempted to make
The tennis courts at Central
the drug. Consequently, both were ar-
about an altercation that had taken place
a traffic stop on the vehicle, which turned
Ridge Community Park in Beverly Hills
rested, since the drug was located between
earlier in the evening. Once at the house,
right on Pittsburg Ave. and stopped.
will be closed for resurfacing from Janu-
them, and neither claimed ownership.
a physical altercation broke out between
When the deputy neared the ve-
ary 12 through January 16.
Rowthorn was issued a written warning
Hankins and Eckard, during which Eckard
hicle, he noticed that people inside the
The Floral Park tennis courts in
for failing to stop at the stop sign. She was
suffered several stab wounds. Witnesses on
vehicle, "were fidgeting and moving
Floral City will be closed for resurfacing
also arrested on a warrant/capias for petit
the scene performed CPR until paramedics
from January 19 through January 23.
around," the report stated, and Rowthorne
theft ($100 or more, but less than $1,000.
Continued on page 4 - Fatal Stabbing