THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
A Publication of
Wednesday December 17, 2014
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Sally Price - Correspondent
Please visit our website for updates: thenewscaster.com
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Local Students Place Second in National AMVETS Americanism Contest
Two students won at the local and state level and went on to place second in the 2014 National AMVETS Americanism Contest. Placing second nationally for the younger color contest was Lena
Kah (left). Christopher Tiesmeyer (right) took national second place for the older category based on "What the American flag means to me?" Pictured: YTS Principal Suzette Steffer, Tina Kah
with winning daughter Lena. Second place national winner Christopher Tiesmeyer is pictured with his proud mother and father Stephen and Mindy Tiesmeyer and AMVETS members Ruth Rup-
pert and Barbara Roberts from Inglis AMVET Post 447. Both winners are students at Yankeetown School. Read full story on page 10. Photo/story by Sally Price.
Retail theft blitz by CCSO
Community
Inglis
leads to six arrests
Commissioner
Celebration of Lights
munity Crimes, Tactical Impact and Crime
From The Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
Sherr y Ely Dies
HOMOSASSA - Friday, December
Intelligence Units spread throughout the
19 through Wednesday, December
On Wed., December 10, the Citrus
county to assist store loss prevention offi-
24, and again on Friday, Decem-
County Sheriff s Office conducted a county-
cers with surveillance, apprehensions and
A commissioner for more
ber 26, 2014. Hours: 5:30 pm to
wide initiative to target retail theft through-
investigations. Throughout the day, several
than a decade in Inglis, Sherry
9:00 pm. The annual Celebration of
out the county that began in January of this
arrests were made, including one that took
Ely passed away Thursday De-
Lights at the Ellie Schiller Homosas-
year when Sheriff Jeff Dawsy made retail
place at the Lecanto Walmart during the an-
cember 11th, according to re-
sa Springs Wildlife State Park will
theft a priority. Sheriff Dawsy assigned Dep-
nual Shop with a Cop charity event. This
ports, from a heart attack. Ely
run seven evenings from December
uty Todd Holloway the duties of following-
"brazen thief," 35 year old Grant Timm, of
served on the Town Commission starting
19 through Christmas Eve, and then
up and investigating retail theft on a daily
Lecanto, tried to steal meat while approxi-
April 1st 2000 2002, Sept 2004- March
basis. During the past year, retailers proved
again on December 26 for an after-
mately 20 officers were taking part in the
2007, April 2010-March 2014 and in July
to be a valuable asset in the agency's Intel-
event. "When you are brave enough to steal
2014 she was appointed to fill the position
Christmas party.
ligence Led Policing policy.
with that many cops in the building, we are
of commissioner Drew White following his
The community is invited to
Dep. Holloway has been working
sure this wasn t his first time" said Sergeant
suspension.
come and enjoy Sebastian's Winter
side by side with loss prevention officers at
John Novy.
Kind words were expressed by
Wonderland, a spectacular, synchro-
several local businesses. He was introduced
Overall, five people were arrested
Mayor Glenda Kirkland and throughout
nized light and sound show. A vari-
to the concept of a retail theft blitz during
for retail theft, two others have pending
town hall, "Town Commissioner Sherry
ety of entertainment will be offered
a meeting in Central Florida. A retail theft
charges, and one person was arrested on an
Ely died suddenly of a heart attack this past
nightly and refreshments will be
blitz is an effort to partner local law enforce-
outstanding warrant. A stolen vehicle was
Thursday. We lost a dedicated public ser-
available. This event is sponsored by
ment with loss prevention officers to appre-
also recovered during one arrest. CCSO
vant and a good friend; our condolences and
the Friends of Homosassa Springs
hend as many thieves as possible on a spe-
plans to do more of these retail "blitzes" in
prayers go out to her family.
Wildlife Park. The suggested dona-
cific day.
the future.
Sherry loved Inglis. Through more
tion is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for
On Dec. 10, the first retail theft
Sherrie Lynn Creech, 43, of Lecan-
than a decade of service on the Town Com-
children.
blitz took place, with members of the Com-
Continued on page 11 - Commissioner Ely
Continued on page 4 - Retail Theft