THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor
A Publication of
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Publisher
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Please visit our website thenewscaster.com
Community
The 30th Annual Floral City
Strawberry Festival March 4
Make your plans now to attend
the Citrus County Chamber of Com-
merce 30th Annual Floral City Straw-
berry Festival on March 4 & 5 in Floral
Park.
This perennially favorite fes-
tival that attracts over 20,000 patrons is
a salute to local agriculture that features
the strawberries of our local grower,
Ferris Farms. It is the perfect opportu-
nity to indulge in first-of-the- season lo-
cal strawberries in delicious strawberry
shortcake and as a special treat to take
home by the flat and half-flat!
In addition to berries, the Flo-
ral City Strawberry Festival has so much
more in store for you, including top-
notch musical entertainment featuring
the return of indie music artists Amy
Gerhartz and Mike Mentz who recently
wowed audiences at the Florida Mana-
tee Festival; Florida grass roots country
and blues artist Jody Beggs and The Jody
Beggs Band; and the high-energy coun-
try, southern rock, classic rock hit band,
The Dan Story Band.
Bicentennial Park Pool closed February 22
The Bicentennial Park Pool in
Cub Scout Pack 462 of Citrus Springs in Dunnellon enjoyed a rare treat, Feb. 11. Detective Tim O'Melian of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Crystal River will be closed on Wednes-
bomb squad presented a demonstration, introducing the scouts to a robot which handles dangerous tasks for the agency. The parents and
day, February 22, 2017. The pool will be
scouts enjoyed the presentation and asked many questions! Photo courtesy of CCSO.
Dunnellon man Early SWAT Team `wake up call' nets
having maintenance and updates done on
this day. The pool will reopen for normal
business hours on Thursday, February
killed in three
four arrests in Hernando
23, 2017 at 8am. If you have any ques-
tions, please call 352-795-1478.
vehicle crash
From the County Sheriff Dept.
Bulk waste pickup
verness, was charged with possession of un-
specified drug paraphernalia, which placed
Early Wed. morning, Feb. 15, the
schedule for Inglis.
him in violation of his misdemeanor DUI
Citrus County Sheriff s Office (CCSO) ex-
From FHP
probation (no bond). Vonda Leighty, 23,
ecuted a search warrant for drugs at a 4638
A three vehicle traffic crash in Ho-
Next pick up is
4638 N. Tumbleweed Trl., Hernando, was
N. Tumbleweed Trl., Hernando residence.
mosassa, Sunday evening, Feb. 19, took the
charged with possession of drug parapher-
According to the agency, the residence has
life of 45 year-old Albert Funari, Jr., of Dun-
March 6.
nalia (a methamphetamine smoking pipe).
been a hub of illegal activity, and many peo-
nellon. According to the Florida Highway
Her bond was set at $1,000.
ple with violent criminal histories frequent
Patrol, the crash occurred on U.S. Hwy. 19
Details, see
According to the CCSO, the large
the house. Patrol units have responded to
(S. Suncoast Blvd.) at West Arber Court,
amount of drug paraphernalia found in the
the residence and general area, several times
Homosassa, at 8:11 pm. The location of the
page 11.
home substantiates claims that the residence
during the past few weeks, due to a multi-
crash is just north of Fat Daddy's Bar and
is used as a "flop house," a term used to de-
tude of calls for service. Reports of drug use,
Grill in northern Homosassa.
scribe locations where drug users and other
thefts, and possible overdoses drew the at-
According to a press release by
Easier Than eBay
criminals are allowed to come and go at
tention of the CCSO's Tactical Impact Unit.
the Florida Highway Patrol, Matthew Can-
their discretion.
When the CCSO's SWAT Team
ning, 29, Inverness, was driving a 2000 Jeep
You can now place classified ads at
The arrest report described deplor-
approached the front door, 23 year-old
Cherokee, traveling north on US-19 in the
able living conditions at the residence, spe-
homeless Pasco County man, Manuel Louis
the Food Ranch Service Desk - 25
inside lane, south of West Arber Court. Mr.
cifically exposed septic waste and piled up
Reyes, Jr., attempted to barricade himself
words/$12. New deadline: Monday 12
Funari was driving a 2004 Nissan Xterra,
garbage with infestation, resulting in the ar-
inside the residence by shutting and locking
also traveling north on US-19, in the outside
noon at the Inglis Food Ranch service Desk.
rest of the main resident, 46 year-old Jenni-
the door, which prompted his arrest for ob-
lane. Pamela Wikbery, 56, of Gulfport, FL,
Cash or Check.
fer Purdin, on misdemeanor nusisance viola-
struction of a search warrant ($500 bond).
was driving a 2012 Nissan Altima, traveling
No refunds for early cancellations
tions ($1,000 bond).
Daniel Weeks, 28, 10148 E. Bass Cir., In-
Continued on page 8 - Fatal