THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
PRESORTED
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
A Publication of
Wednesday February 23, 2011
Sally Price - Correspondent
Permit No. 14
Newscaster Publishing
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Squawk Box
Please don’t feed
the pelicans
by FWC Chairman
Rodney Barreto
Just don’t do it.
I’ve written about this before,
but we’re still seeing the effects of brown
pelicans becoming dependent on throw-
away fish and fish scraps, and I felt it was
important to bring up the subject again.
In Jacksonville this winter, ap-
proximately 30 pelicans have died. These
dead birds have been sent to a wildlife
laboratory for testing, and we’re still
awaiting the results.
However, according to Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com-
mission (FWC) biologists, cold weather
stress and the alteration of migration due
to feeding may be to blame.
The birds had been gathering at
a local seafood-processing plant, where
fish scraps are readily available. Our law
enforcement personnel are working with
that facility to alter the way they dispose
of fish and fish scraps. We are also work-
ing with a local bird sanctuary to assist in
saving birds that are sick or stressed.
FWC staff and other experts
Both beautiful and eerie, the Hale Family plot in Cedar Key Cemetery sitting in quiet solitude on a lovely Florida winter afternoon.
worry about the overall health of brown
pelican populations. Because of this con-
The Hale family, including W.H. Hale, Sr., one of the partners in the Parsons and Hale Store, and later serving as the mayor of
cern, the Commission passed a rule in
Cedar Key, are one of Levy County's historic families. More history on page 4.TheNewscaster/Mike Moore
Two gunmen
2008 to stop the feeding of large numbers
Attempted robbery outside
of pelicans.
The activities no longer permitted
rob Cr. River
Homosassa business
under this rule include:
1. Dumping or discharging large
amounts of fish scraps, bycatch or compa-
Liquor Store
An attempted robbery was reported
who is described
rable materials from a fish house or simi-
to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office at 8:45
as being a white
lar facility. This attracts large numbers of
p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16. The robbery at-
male, approximate-
Continued on page 3 - Squawk Box
tempt took place in Homosassa, outside of
ly 5 feet 10 inches
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Of-
Love Motor Sports located at 2021 S. Sun-
tall, weighing 180
fice received a report of an armed robbery
coast Boulevard, when a 31 year-old Citrus
pounds, with brown,
at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, that
Springs woman, who had been cleaning the
medium-length hair.
took place at Bob’s Liquor located at 6601
business, stepped outside a door on the west
He was wearing a
W. Gulf to Lake Highway (S.R. 44E).The
side of building with a trash bag. The wom-
dark-colored,
zip-
on-duty clerk told officials that two white
an told deputies that a man, whom she did
pered sweater and
males parked across the street from the li-
not know, came from the south side of the
dirty, stained blue Composite Sketch
quor store, then crossed S.R. 44 and entered
building, pushed her up against the wall and
jeans. The victim
the store. (see photo at left)
began going through her pockets, apparently
stated that the man had very few teeth and
Both pointed their guns at the
looking for something to steal.
appeared dirty and unkempt.
clerk, and ordered him to the floor. One sus-
According to the sheriff’s office,
Anyone who has information about
pect went directly behind the counter and re-
the man didn’t get away with anything, but
this crime or knows the possible identity
moved bills from the cash register and coins
the woman was visibly shaken by the en-
of the suspect is asked to call 911, or con-
from below the counter. The suspects left
counter.
tact Crime Stoppers of Citrus County, Inc.
the store with an undetermined amount of
The victim met with crime analysts
by texting CITRUS to 274637 (Crimes), or
money, bottles of liquor and cigarettes. No
from the sheriff’s office, who developed a
calling 1-888-ANY-TIPS toll-free. Tipsters
Bob's Liquors Surveillance photo
one was injured during the robbery.
composite sketch of the alleged attacker,
may be eligible to receive a cash reward.
from CCSO
Continued on page 4 -Robbery