Page 4 December 9, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Real Estate Today
Meth Lab Dismantled - Continued from page 1
During the search of Damron’s bedroom, bathroom and yard, numerous items were found
Old Homes and Passive Solar Energy Conservation
that are used in the manufacturing of
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
methamphetamine: an active methamphetamine “cook,” which tested positive for the pres-
ing of living spaces. In this approach, the
ence of methamphetamine and had a weight of more than 28 grams; a partially full an-
building itself or some ele-
As reviewed in my real estate con-
hydrous ammonia tank (discovered outside, near a shed), pseudo-ephedrine blister packs,
ment if it takes advantage
tinuing education course, sometimes the best
ether cold packs, and coffee filters. Officers found other items located inside a metal safe in
of natural energy charac-
models for energy-efficient natural building
Damron’s bedroom, which included syringes, digital scales, rolling papers and a glass pipe
teristics in materals, and
design come from the oldest homes in our
(commonly used for smoking methamphetamine).
air circulation by exposure
region. Cracker style, wood frame homes
Damron, who had previously been arrested (on Nov. 30), was already incarcerated
to the sun. Passive systems
date back over 100 years. Many of these
at the Citrus County Detention Facility. He was informed of the drug charges, arrested on
are simple, have few mov-
older homes incorporate the wood from the
them, and his bond was set at $65,500. The previous charges were burglary, grand theft and
ing parts, require minimal
original native southern yellow pine which
dealing in stolen property, for allegedly stealing a riding lawn mower and gas container
maintenance, and require no mechanical
was abundant back then.Clear cutting and
from a Homosassa church property (a shed at Life Point church) and selling the mower for
systems. Operable windows, thermal mass,
timber plantations have made this wonder-
$300 (it was recovered). Damron was also arrested on Nov. 15, on charges of petit theft
and thermal chimneys are common elements
ful type of wood very rare today. This type
($115 in merchandise from Wal-Mart) and possession of one gram of methamphetamine.
found in passive energy conservation de-
of pine also called clear pine is virtually in-
One of the names used for the methamphetamine
sign. After electricity, fans were added and
destructible by pests or decay. I have seen
cooking method used by Damron is the “one pot,” because
there you have it, the original “air condition-
these pine building materials.
all the ingredients are added to one container and allowed
ing units” for wood frame cracker homes. I
Most of the time, you can not even
to “cook” by chemical reaction, said CCSO Public Infor-
have a close cattle rancher friend down in
bang a nail into them, and termites are sure
mation Officer Gail Tierney. She said that Damron used a
Osceola Co. His 4,000 sq ft home is built in
to bust their teeth trying to eat them. These
plastic, 2-liter bottle for cooking the methamphetamine.
this exact fashion. He has fans but has never
clear pine homes typically had the bed-
The “one Pot” method is highly volatile, as the mixture
felt the need to put air conditioning into his
rooms on the east and west with the kitchen
can explode if agitated before the cooking (chemical)
home. Just open the windows and run the
and dining area in the middle. The intent of
process is completed. The lithium metal strips used in the
fans. That’s a true Cracker.
the dining area was to act as a breezeway
process can react with moisture in the bottle to explode the
Darryl, Vicki, Paul and Shirley
which isolated the part of the house where
flammable fuel used in the cooking process. “In essence, it
are “The Diamond Team” We are the sea-
heat and vapor were generated (Kitchen and
is a bomb, ready to explode,” said Tierney.
soned professionals at Diamond Invest-
bath) from the living and sleeping quarters
According to Dep. Brian Coleman, “There are many different methods for produc-
ments Inc. Let his 30 years experience work
during the hot months. These early homes
ing methamphetamine. Each method has its own inherent dangers. Many of the chemicals
for you when you purchase your next prop-
used what is now considered passive solar
used are caustic or corrosives, and some of the processes create noxious and harmful fumes.
erty He is available at 352-447-4442. I’ll
design. Passive solar design refers to the use
One variation is called the Nazi Method,’ because it allegedly mirrors a meth-making pro-
see you around “The Campus”.
of the sun’s energy for the heating and cool-
cedure followed by the Germans during WWII. Instead of hydriodic acid, the Nazi method
US Hwy 41 Hearing in Marion County
uses anhydrous ammonia, a chemical found in fertilizer. Anhydrous ammonia can produce
a poisonous gas if its liquid form is released into the air. This was the method being used
DUNNELLON - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five is con-
in the Lecanto single-wide mobile home (Damron’s residence) where detectives with the
ducting a public hearing for the proposed improvements of US Highway 41 (SR 45) in
CCSO Tactical Impact Unit served a search warrant on Monday (Nov. 30). Besides law
Marion County, Florida. The hearing is Monday, December 14, 2009, at St. John the Baptist
enforcement, fire and Haz-Mat (Hazardous Chemical Unit) also responded to the scene.
Catholic Church, 7525 S. US Highway 41, Dunnellon.
A cleanup crew from Orlando under contract with the Drug Enforcement Administration
It begins with an open house at 5:00 p.m., a formal presentation at 6:00 p.m. and
(DEA) was called to safely clean up the lab and its contents.”
public testimony at 6:30 p.m.
Toys for Tots Distribution
Coastal
Hair Port
The distribution for the toys for tots program in Levy County is Monday December 14,
2009 in Bronson at the First Baptist Church. The event will take place from 11am to 6p.m.
at Plaza 40
ew! email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
Carting
Shopping Center
N
10-20-30 yd.
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Contractors/Homeowners
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Construction Debris
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Three Sisters Antiques
Important Toll Free
and More
Lisa VanDeBoe
Numbers
Broker/Owner
HAS MOVED Next to the Old BINGO HALL
Citrus Cty Govt.
352-634-0129
51 N. Hwy. 19 • Crystal River • 352-795-4160
See all the listings in Citrus County on our Website
Citrus Springs & Dunnellon
Reasonably Priced Quality Antiques
www.plantationrealtyinc.com
email: lisavandeboe@yahoo.com
352-489-2120
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Trade, barter or will take partner & share equity
Open 7 Days • 10am - 5pm
Levy Co. Govt. 800-733-5389
in 5/2 home on 11 acres (MOL) in Inglis. Of-
We accept Debit & All Major Credit Cards -We Do Layaways
fered at $299,000 or $4,000 down & take over
Levy Cty Sheriff 800-538-9767
20% OFF Any 1 Item through 11-30-09
payments. Call toll-free at 1-866-795-0784.