PAGE 10 - February 16, 2011
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
Mack Ballard promoted to Inglis Police Lieutenant
Community Events
Officer Mack Ballard of the Inglis Police Department was re-
cently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant by Inglis Police Chief Steve
Another fun art opportunity To benefit A.F. Knotts Library
Dixon. “Sgt. Ballard’s experience and dedication have been a positive
Come spend a morning to learn how to make Self-Cords and Tassels to embellish
asset to both the Inglis Police Department and the Town of Inglis,” said
your journals Using perle cotton, embroidery floss, ribbon and beads. Wednesday Febru-
Inglis Police Chief Steve Dixon, “I would like to point out that it is not a
ary 16, 2011, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM,Yankeetown Woman’s Club, $20.00. Proceeds after
salary increase, but it is a deserved promotion.”
expenses to benefit the A.F. Knotts Library. Please come with small fabric scissors with
Lt. Ballard, who holds a bachelors degree in criminal justice, has
sharp points and some humor that you wish to share!
been in law enforcement for twenty-six years and has held the title of ser-
Questions? Call or email Canby Robertson, 447-5441 or canbyrobertson@sprint-
geant for twenty-five of those years. He’s received numerous commenda-
mail.com. Want to sign-up? Call Barbara Bohlander 447-3077 before 5PM.
Lt. Ballard
tions for service, and was the recipient of the Medal of Valor, the Combat
Wilderness Circle Gathering
Cross, in 2002, for disarming a gunman who’d attempted to rob a crowded Walgreens
Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM. FREE Native American prayer circle.
in Crystal River. He assisted with the initial start up of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Citrus
Indian blood not required, just the Indian heart. Mackie Sanford of Cherokee heritage will
County, where he served on the board of directors for several years and as president for one
lead the Circle. A fire will be built in the center. A pot luck dinner follows and then music
year. He headed-up a special task force from the Crystal River Police Department that was
in the afternoon. Contact Betty Berger for details (352) 447-2736.
deployed during Hurricane Andrew and also ran and supervised the Crystal River Police
Yankeetown-Inglis Woman s Club Annual Chili Cook-Off
Marine Unit for several years. He is a state-certified radar/laser/taser/driving instructor for
This year’s event will be Saturday, February 19th, 11am-2pm at the clubhouse, #5
defensive/pursuit driving and a traffic accident homicide investigator. Upon Lt. Ballard’s
56th St., Yankeetown. Everyone is invited to enter their favorite chili recipe, yours could
retirement from the Crystal River Police Department in 2005, he continued with the CRPD
be voted the one of the tastiest three and win a cash prize. First place wins $50, 2nd place
as a reserve sergeant until the CRPD merged with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. After
$25 and 3rd place $10. Grab your friends and neighbors and come on down to taste all the
the merge, Lt. Ballard became a reserve deputy with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office
delicious Chili’s for only $6 and cast a vote for your favorite.
until 2008, when he joined the Inglis Police Department. In August 2009, Lt. Ballard was
The ladies of the club will have homemade baked goods for sale which make the
promoted to Inglis Police Sergeant.
perfect afternoon snack. The Thrift Store will be open for your shopping pleasure and
“I enjoy serving the citizens of our community,” Said Lt. Ballard. “I appreciate
crafts will be for sale. For an added treat, the US Coast Guard, Station Yankeetown will
Chief Dixon’s faith in me to continue to serve the citizens in my new capacity. When you
have one of their boats on site. A great way to get a firsthand look at how the Coast Guard
have good officers and a very good leader, it makes my job much easier, therefore I am
serves our community. If you have questions, call the Club at 352-447-2057
recognized for my work. But without their hard work and dedication, it may have been a
longer process to reach this position. Truly a team effort from a great bunch of officers and
Soup and Salad Lunch
The Joy Circle of the Yankeetown Community Church will be having a Soup and
staff.”
Salad Lunch on Saturday, Feb. 26th from 11 am to 3 pm. The cost of the lunch will be $5.00
per person. There will also be a Baked Goods Sale. The event will be held in the Fellowship
Hall behind the church which is located on highway 40 West in Yankeetown. We are about
2 miles west of the traffic light on highway 19 in Inglis.
Third Annual Kayak & Canoe Race
Join in the fun of the Third Annual Withlacoochee Wilderness Kayak & Canoe
Race and Rally,9:30AM, Saturday, March 19th. Hosted by Withlacoochee Area Residents,
Inc., all proceeds will help fund the efforts of the organization to protect and preserve
Florida’s Nature Coast and its’ water sources for the benefit of everyone.
The By-Pass Spillway Park located off CR 40 in Inglis will be the launch site for an
exciting trip down the river. The Race and River Rally will both start at the Inglis By Pass
Spillway of the Withlacoochee River and head west. The River Rally will travel approxi-
mately 5 miles and end at the Winding River Park in Yankeetown. The Racers will pass
the park and continue approximately one mile to the Yankeetown Marina, turn around and
head back to the Winding River Park, making an approximate7 mile trek.
Registration fees (recreational class only) received before March 12th are $35 canoe -
$25 kayak - $35 tandem kayak. Any entries after March 12th will be at the launch site only
(8am-9am) and are - $40 canoe - $30 kayak - $40 tandem kayak. These fees include entry,
race t-shirt (guaranteed only for pre-registration), fruit, water and catered lunch.
For registration forms, race routes and directions call: Jack Schofield at 352-447-6152
or Dan Hilliard at 352-447-5434.
Castlebay In Concert
Castlebay will create traditional Celtic melodies in Citrus Springs on Fri. Feb
The Inglis Yankeetown Girl Scout Troops hosted a “Thinking Day” Saturday at Yan-
25 at 7 PM, at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship. This duo has been musically weav-
keetown School. This is an annual event for the Girl Scouts of the U.S. The Sawamish
ing together the heritage of New England and the Celtic lands since 1987. The concert
Council troops from Cedar Key, Chiefland, Bronson, Williston, Trenton, and Old Town
features poignant ballads sung in his rich baritone combined with her ethereal sopra-
joined the local girls, each picking a country to present to the Scouts. The girls traveled
no. Songs are interspersed with joyous dance tunes played on a variety of instruments,
around the room getting a passport marked and learning customs, food, crafts, and history
WGP Activities
from the 15 varied countries chosen by the troops. With 192 in attendance, leaders and
Friday, Feb 25, - 10:00 a.m. - at the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve, 1001 Old Rock
helpers did an outstanding job of teaching the girls about other countries. These Cedar
Road, Yankeetown (Opposite 65th Street on 40) FLORIDA NATIVE PLANTS - Pre-
Key Scouts visit Troop 1776 leader Kim Millen and Troop 180 leaders Stacy Evers and
sented by Jane Weber, Native Plant Nursery Owner and Landscape Consultant Jane Weber
Deborah Woodham at the German display which had homemade pretzels, real German
will present a slideshow and display Florida Native Plants. Jane is knowledgeable on plant
Potato Salad and chocolate cakes, as well as teaching a little German while at their table.
that best serve and survive our area. She will emphasize plants that benefit our wildlife,
The event coordinator was new Girl Scout leader, Cynthia Bloom from Williston. Patches
birds, and butterflies.
Read about more events on our website:
were given for the events for the girls to add to their vest. Girl Scouts would like to offer
special thanks to Principal Jensen for letting them use the gymnasium and cafeteria for the
http://thenewscaster.coolerads.com. Click on the Events Tab
Sleepover and Thinking Day events this past weekend.
New Bass Club
The Newscaster by Mail
Jeff Harris, Plant Manager
Citrus County Bass Masters
King Road Mine
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