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Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Squawk Box
Increased fatalities
prompts FWC to Reach
Out to Boaters
With just a few days remaining in
the year, 2010 has proved to be a tragic
one for boating accidents. So far, there
have been 76 boating fatalities, a 24-per-
cent increase from this time last year. The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) wants Florida boaters
to reverse this trend.
“The most unfortunate part about
these statistics is boating fatalities are usu-
ally preventable,” said Capt. Tom Shipp of
the FWC’s Boating and Waterways Sec-
tion.
While the FWC patrols Florida’s
waterways and strongly promotes boating
safety year-round, this year’s higher num-
ber of fatalities prompted an increased
emphasis on prevention. At least 41 of the
76 deaths were due to drowning, and the
FWC has some advice about that.
“One of the best ways to prevent a
drowning is simply to wear a life jacket,”
Shipp said. “Boaters don’t always expect
to find themselves in the water, but if they
do, a life jacket can save a life.” There is a
variety of life jackets available to boaters.
A very rare glimpse of the Solstice full moon last week, visible in Florida. This photo shows the lunar eclipse about forty percent totality. The
New styles are much smaller, lighter and
last Solstice total lunar eclipse was in 1638. TheNewscaster/Mike Moore
Woman Dies in Citrus Commission turns down support
more comfortable to wear than the tradi-
tional vest-style life jacket.
“The ‘belt pack’ is worn around
Christmas Eve for apartment grant in Beverly Hills
the waist. A ‘suspender’ style is also avail-
able,” said Brian Rehwinkel, outreach
coordinator for the FWC’s Boating and
noting the glut of empty housing currently
Crash
From the December 21 Meeting
Waterways Section. “These types of life
available opposed the complex, opposed the
The Citrus County Commission on
jackets are inflatable, and some models
complex, saying there was no need for it.
Dec. 21 declined to approve housing
activate automatically if the wearer falls
The residents in opposition said
grant funds for an 80-unit low and middle
A three-vehicle crash, Christmas
they might not oppose it if it were a project
into the water.”
income family apartment complex proposed
Eve, took the life of a 33 year-old Inverness
for low-income seniors, and the developers
While a few unusual accidents have
for Beverly Hills.
woman, Andrea Dale Hopkins. According
representative said that might be considered.
occurred this year, the majority are simi-
The complex was proposed for
to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ms. Hop-
Commission votes 5-0 for new
lar to those of recent years. They involve
the area just north of the Central Ridge Li-
kins was traveling south on U.S. Hwy. 41.
Kensington fire station
boaters failing to pay attention to their sur-
brary off Forest Ridge Boulevard where
She was driving behind Dianne C. Wick,
The county commission voted
roundings, neglecting to wear life jackets
High Ridge Village was to be developed
62, of Hudson, who was also heading south
unanimously on Dec. 21 to put a new fire
and operating at high speeds.
and though platted never really got off the
on U.S. Hwy. 41, driving a 2005 Nissan X-
station in Kensington off State Road 44 just
“We strongly urge boaters to fol-
ground.
Terra. As the vehicles approached Camellia
west of Inverness. A former station now be-
low safe boating practices,” Shipp said.
The commission voted 5-0 against
Ct.,
Ms. Hopkins’ Dodge at-
ing used by the Sheriff’s office will be con-
“Pay attention to the weather and your sur-
$37,500 in State Housing Initiative
tempted to pass Ms. Wick’s Nissan and trav-
verted.
roundings, make sure your boat and motor
Partnership funds going to the complex,
eled into the path of a 2006 Chevrolet driven
Citrus County Fire Chief Larry
are in good working condition, check all
which would be called Roosevelt
by Daniel Lee Medlin, 50, of Floral City,
Morabito told commissioners that the Fire
safety equipment before embarking, and
Hills.
who was traveling in the opposite direction
Services Department had analyzed the data
Diamond Housing Partnership,
don’t drink and operate a boat.”
(north) on U.S. Hwy. 41. The left front of
from emergency calls and the data from
LLC, said the money would signify local
The FWC also encourages boat-
Hopkins’ Dodge sideswiped the left front of
two years showed that more calls with eight
government support for the project, which it
ers of any age to take a boating safety
Medlin’s Chevrolet. Hopkins’ Dodge rotated
minutes or under response time would result
needed to get a $10 million
course. To find a course on boating safety,
at the collision site, and the right rear of her
from the Kensington location than any of the
federal grant. Some Beverly Hills residents,
call 850-488-5600.
four other locations available .
Continued on page 3 - Fatal Crash