Page 4 February 11, 2015
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Manatee Visitor Numbers Up in Citrus County
Remembering the Past
The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge biologists, Joyce Kleen, flew over Cit-
rus County during the most ideal survey conditions so far this manatee season: low tides,
low temperatures and great air and water visibility. Refuge staff expected a record number
of manatees in Citrus County, but didn t  exactly expect 797 manatees and a particular
manatee aggregation outside of Kings Bay to have over 200 manatees. From the record
breaking 797 manatees counted in the County, a staggering total of 242 were found at the
Blue Waters, adjacent to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The previous record for
Citrus County was 657 manatees on 2012. The previous record for Blue Waters in Homo-
sassa was 185 manatees counted on December 2013.
Last Sunday, researchers conducting land surveys of manatees at Three Sisters
Springs counted over 500 manatees that used the interior of the springs between sunrise and
sunset that day. In-water visitor numbers reported by all commercial tour operators during
2014 were analyzed by US Fish and Wildlife staff. The final report shows an 8% increase
since 2013. A total of 136,738 in-water visitors were reported for all of 2014. These figures
The November 7, 1974 Yankeetown election swearing in ceremony was held at the Yankeetown
include all guided and rental customers, including those using refuge waters from motor-
Woman's Club before 75 people. Before the oaths were taken the old council passed a resolu-
ized and non-motorized vessels. The most remarkable month was March 2014 with over
tion expressing gratitude to the outgoing Mayor William Terry. Levy County County Commission
17,000 reported visitors. In addition to the 136,738 visitors reported, volunteers at Three
Chairman Charles Hardee administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Joe Sabel who took over
Sisters Springs counted visitors using the springs between January 2014 and December
swearing in his council. Bob Butler, Charles Pope, Art Hitson, Mrs Jimmie Wall and Clyde Box
2014. Over 128,000 visitors are estimated to have visited the springs from private motor-
were the new council members. Mayor Sabel announced he would be available every first Mon-
ized and non-motorized vessels. The combined number of visitors (private, guided and
day of the month 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in his office. Outgoing council and building inspector
rental) using Refuge waters (including Three Sisters Springs) are estimated at over 265,000
Charles Vorisek turned in 8 building permits for $141. Vorisek became our EMT on South Levy
(136,738 + 128,000) visitors on 2014. These numbers are only limited to the King Spring
Emergency Service until he retired. Today his grandson Michael Vorisek works for Yankeetown
and Three Sisters Springs, which do not cover any other visitation to other areas in Kings
maintenance. History by Sally Price.
Bay. Land visitors at Three Sisters Springs reached over 10,000 total visitors between Ref-
Bogus Robbery  - Continued from page 1
uge Day (October 25, 2014) and January 29, 2015.
Shrimp Landing
The man told deputies that he had attempted to rob the Suncoast Bank in Beverly
Hills on July 18, 2014, with the same intention, to make law enforcement officers think he
had a gun, so they would shoot and kill him. The report verified that this did actually happen.
48 Hwy. 19 S. at Hickory Island
A relative of the bogus robber told deputies that the man had committed a similar
act of robbery, many years ago, at a hotel in North Dakota. The man was eventually arrested
Inglis, Florida · 352-447-5201
and placed on probation/community control, on Jan. 15, 2015, after submitting a plea of
Open 7 Days per Week · Free WiFi
nolo-contendere. A check of the man s record revealed that he d been arrested and charged
with robbery in North Dakota and in Vermont. He d also been charged in Georgia with car-
OPEN FRIDAY & SAT. AT 5:00 AM CLOSED AT 11 PM
rying a concealed weapon.
Monday - Thursday 5:00 am - 9:00 pm
According to the report, the notes the man gave to the bank teller at the Suncoast
Bank and the cashier at the Walmart were identical, word for word, ` I have a concealed gun,
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · DINE IN or CARRY OUT
give me (hand over) the money.
As the man s actions have been ongoing, he is being held at the Citrus County
Detention Facility with no bond.
Daily All-U-Can-Eat Specials
MONDAY - Pulled Pork BBQ $9.99 or Fresh Fried Mullet - $10.99
TUESDAY - Fried Shrimp or Shrimp Scampi - $10.99
WEDNESDAY - Fried Chicken $9.99
Realty
Clam Strips - $10.99
THURSDAY - Spaghetti & Meatballs - $7.99
Sally Price, Realtor
FRIDAY - Fish Fry - $9.99
(352) 302-8556 cell
SATURDAY - Fried Shrimp or Scampi - $10.99
HAMMOCK LOT FOR HUNT CAMP $14,000
SUNDAY - Beef Tips over Rice or Noodles $10.99 & Wings - $11.99
Perfect hunt camp lot in the Gulf Ham-
mock Wildlife Preserve easy access off
Buckhead Rd. High and dry with a power
pole in the past. Grandfathered in to build
on. Clearing with a fire ring now for tent
Reservations accepted for Valentine's Day Dinner
camping under a huge hickory tree. Butler
Rd to left on Buckhead to left on SE 39
Prime Rib & Shrimp
Ct .35 to SE 180 St, left to SE 40 Ave lot
on the right. Here is your chance to own
Please call 352-447-5201
a piece of the Hammock. Make an offer.
Carl Roof, Inc.
Discounted Tax Returns
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Rick Rubrigi LPTC
Carl Roof, Owner
Tax Professional
Licensed Professional Tax Consultant
19371 SE Butler Rd.
(352) 447-3383 Office
352-447-2415
(352) 949-3863
Inglis, FL 34449
949-3863 Cell
(352)
Since 1973
352-447-2733
84
167 Hwy. 40 West, Inglis, FL 34449
352-257-8250 cell
Chamber Coast Realty Building
River of Commerce