THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
Wednesday December 2, 2009
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
A Publication of
Sally Price - Correspondent
Permit No. 14
Newscaster Publishing
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Squawk Box
Sidbar to
The Trial
With Sally Price
Sitting through the trial of sus-
pended County Commissioners Sammy
Yearty and Tony Parker added new
meaning to last week’s article about lis-
tening to phone conversations and tap-
ing people on public property without
their knowledge.
If I were one of the jurors I
would be overwhelmed at the extraor-
dinary efforts the FBI agent posing as a
developer went to setting up and nailing
Yearty with the charges they did. They
never revealed how he became a target
other than it wasn’t contact with any
law enforcement. In my opinion maybe
it was a personal request from someone
who did not like Yearty, had something
against him, or another agenda for poli-
tics in Levy County.
In the trial Agent Thornburg,
in charge of the investigation, said the
budget for the Levy County investiga-
tion was approximately $20,000 for 6
months, which is amazing for someone
A total of 262 community members participated in the second annual Kings Bay 5K in November. The event, hosted by Seven Rivers Regional
they had no proof of having done any-
Medical Center and Citrus Road Runners, raised $2,175 to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Yearty-Parker Trial Begins
thing wrong, but did everything they
Body Of Crystal
could to set up and catch him. The ef-
forts to convince others of them being
in Federal Court
there on a development mission was
River Man Found At
amazing, even donating $500 at the
Enterprise Zone Development Banquet
Yankeetown Park
where Michaels was actually chosen
By Newscaster Correspondent
Thornburg, an investigator
for his picture plastered giving the do-
Sally Price
for the case. In opening state-
nation in 2 papers.
On Thursday Nov. 26, a deceased man
ments, McMahon expounded
Chief Judge Stephan P. Mickle of
Questions of the defense team
was found at the Bird Creek Park, located at
on conspiracy and alleged
the U.S. District Court, Northern District
asked did FBI agents just carry $500
the end on Hwy. 40 W in Yankeetown.
that Yearty and Parker came
of Florida, got the trial of suspended Levy
According to the Levy County Sheriff’s
together to commit a crime
County Commissioners Sammy Yearty, 63,
Continued on page 3- Squawk Box
Office, the man’s body was found by Larry
and that Yearty lied to a feder-
of Gulf Hammock, and Tony Parker, 49, of
It’s Almost Window
Philp, who opened the park and reported the
al official in a federal case. He
Bronson, underway in Gainesville, Mon-
incident. The Inglis Police Department went
told of some 30 hours of tapes
day, with a talk on the American System of
Painting Time!
to the park until the Levy County Sheriff’s
and very few contacts before
Justice and court rules. Jury selection was
Office arrived. Mr. Philp told deputies, that
money was exchanged, a trip
completed, and by 10:35 a.m., 14 jurors,
Saturday, December 12
when he opened the park, he noticed a ve-
to New York City for the two,
including 2 alternates, who’d been selected
hicle that traveled around the west side of
with a $700 per night hotel
Join in the FUN
from the pool of 43 prospects, were seated
the gate.
suite, excursions and flight.
from 8 am to 12 noon
in the courtroom. After a short break, the
As Mr. Philp began to unlock the
McMahon said Yearty and
trial began, centered around a New Jersey
Kick Off the Holidays
bathrooms, he noticed that a vehicle was
Parker got together, went to
FBI agent using the alias of Sean Michaels,
parked on the northeast side of the park, and
& Compete for
New York City, stayed in the
an employee of the fictitious Gideon Devel-
when he went to the vehicle, he saw the de-
Hilton and took the money
Prize Money!
opment Corporation, who was seeking to
ceased man, who was identified as 46-year-
(10 stacks of $1000) due to their greed - tak-
develop a high density residential develop-
See Pg 12
old Richard William Helbig of W. Check-
Inglis King Rd. Mine
ing money from someone who wanted to
ment.
erberry Dr., Crystal River, on the wooded
do business with Levy County. Parker gave
The Newscaster
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory
northwest side of the park. The deputy re-
Food Ranch
back his $5000, but McMahon added, “You
McMahon, prosecuting attorney, was ac-
15th-Annual Holiday
companied by FBI Special Agent Jeffrey
Continued on page 3- Trial
Continued on page 4 - Body Found
Window Painting Contest!