'Unknown' by The Newscaster Nature Coast News

New West Citrus Government Center Lu's 52nd Birthday Celebration

After downing a cake specially made at the 10:00 AM party, Lu was not quite as interested

in the second cake at the 12:30 celebration and a chunk of watermelon slice was used to

entice the guest of honor to “open wide” again. Park volunteer Vicky Iozzia sang a song she

wrote about Lu and his life at the park followed by the crowd joining in for the traditional

“Happy Birthday” song.

Lucifer, known as Lu, is an African Hippopotamus born at the San Diego Zoo Jan 26,

1960. Lu weighed into this world at 90 pounds but now struts around 6500 pounds, eating

50 pounds a day of specially watched food.

Lu’s claim to fame is his role as a former movie and television star with Ivan Tors Animal

Actors troupe, and holds credits in the 1960’s movies Daktari and Cowboy in Africa. Lu did

specials on the Jack Linkletter show and Herb Alpert Special.

Lu’s home at the park was challenged in 1989 when the State Park Service purchased the

park and planned to switch the exotic animals to native Florida wildlife. There was a good

fight of public support to keep Lu there and in 1991 Governor Lawton Chiles granted Lu an

exception to stay. Today Lu is as important as the manatee viewing and if you go to see him

you better pay attention to the signs designating the area as a spatter zone as what goes in

must come out and it is whipped by a spinning tail.

The park is one of the best places to enjoy native Florida animals, reptiles and birds up

close and fish and manatee in the giant underwater viewing fish bowl. The park was re-

named in 2009 in memory of the late Ellie Schiller, Director of the Felburn Foundation for

their generous donations made to enrich the educational and environmental functions of the

park. Photo and story by Sally Price.

Police Beat - Levy County Jail Log

According to the Levy County Sheriff s Office s Media Jail Report, Justin Adam

Hitchcock, 22, 5409 Highway 40 W, Yankeetown, was arrested by the Levy County Sher-

iff s Office, Jan. 25, charged with battery, touch or strike; tampering in misdemeanor pro-

ceedings and violating an injunction repeat sex date violence. His bond was set at $80,000.

According to the Levy County Sheriff s Office s Media Jail Report, Ronnie Eugene

 



Nichols, 59, 3722 W. Hannigan Lane, Dunnellon, was arrested on Jan. 26 and incarcerated

The new Citrus County “West Citrus Center” is open for business and offers the

at the Levy County Jail, 19170 S.E. 136 Court, Dunnellon,His bond was set at $2,000.

charged with DUI (alcohol or drugs). Florida 34431

public access to the Citrus County offices of Tax Collector, Property Appraiser, Clerk of

Courts and Supervisor of Elections. The new office moved from the shopping Center on Citrus County Animal Services - PHONE &(352) 746-8400 for questions or appointments.

Please call FAX (352) 489-4588

Hwy 19 where it had been 20 years to 1540 N Meadowcrest Blvd. (Just west of Winn Dixie.) FEES: Rabies $5, DA2PPv I$8, FVRCP $8, Bordatella (cat or dog) $8, Microchip $10, Heart-

EMA L (Tom Russell) thenewscaster1@gmail.com

The state is turning over driver’s licensing to the county adding to the necessity of the move worm Test $10, Feline Leukemia $10, Capstar debbienewscaster@gmail.com

EMAIL (Debbie Russell) $4, County License for Altered (spayed or

to the new location due to already lack of space before the licensing consolidationWEB the neutered) Pets $5, • newscasterarchives.com (not spayed or neutered) Pets $25.

with thenewscaster.com County License for Un-Altered • history.newscasterarchives.com • thehea

email news to: news@thenewscaster.com

county government offices took place. These driver s licensing services for West Citrus are

Advertising at Reasonable Rates for S Levy, NE Citrus & SW Marion Counties

still at 1020 NE 5th St Crystal River.

A grand opening celebration will take place Feb. 10 at 10 AM in front of the new

West Citrus Center. Photo and story by Sally Price.

PAR-GAS, INC.

    







     

          

1 4 8 0 We s t C R 4 8 , B u s h n e l l

         

New Customer Special

      



Stoves, washers, dryers, fireplaces

Limited Time Only!

           



          

       

Includes total gas system check, light all pilots & check all gas appliances. Limited time plus 1 yr. signed contract.

CALL TODAY! 352-793-1982



         



Your Hometown Propane Company

        

Family Owned & Operated

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8am to 5pm

FAX 352-793-1918

THE NEWSCASTER & Nature Coast News is published weekly by

Keep the ad the same except we need to add

Newscaster Publishing, 19170 SE 136 Ct.Dunnellon, FL. 34431 Com-

ment Line:352-388-1668. e-mail: news@thenewscaster.com. Bulk

TO ALL AMVETS POST MEMBERS: perisyear WILL BEGINout No.state. Subscription Rates

Rate Postage paid at Inglis, FL Permit

POST in Florida, $35.00 THEIR ELECTIONS THIS M

AT 5:30 news racks for 25 and 50 OUR NEXT COMMAND

Information, opinions and/or ideas expressed in this publication in

Mon-Sat HOW UP AND MAKE YOUR NOMINATION !!

guest editorials or commentaries do not necessarily reflect the views

of the publisher and or editors. Unsolicited commentary and letters

LADIES AUXILIARY WILL BE the editor mustA THREE DAY YARD SALE BEGINNING FR

to HOLDING be typed and signed by the author. Include a phone/

UNNEEDED ITEMS WILL Information can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed. HELP

address for verification. BE GREATLY APPRECIATED TO

20372 E. Penna. Ave.

OUR COMMUNTIY SERVICE PROJECTS. WE acceptsACCEPTINGfor lost ormaterial. DAILY

Newscaster Publishing

ARE no responsibility DONATIONS

manuscripts, or photos. Enclose return postage for returned