THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
PRESORTED
PLEASE
RECYCLE
STANDARD
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Paid
Deborah Russell - Editor
A Publication of
Wednesday May 18, 2016
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Publisher
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Sally Price - Historian
Please visit our website: thenewscaster.com
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Community
Wildlife Park To Present
Wildlife Ranger Camps
June And July
-- Camp helps children learn about Flor-
ida's wildlife-- HOMOSASSA - The
Florida Department of Environmental
Protection s Ellie Schiller Homosassa
Springs Wildlife State Park will offer
two weeklong Wildlife Ranger Camps
in June and July. The Friends of Homo-
sassa Springs Wildlife Park sponsor the
programs. June's Wildlife Ranger Camp
is for children ages 8 and 9 years old,
and runs June 13 through June 17. July s
Wildlife Ranger Camp is for children
ages 10 through 12, and runs from July
11 through July 15. Applications for the
Wildlife Ranger Camp are available in
the park office. Each program is limited
to 20 campers and will be filled on a first
come basis with preference to those who
have never attended before. Each Wild-
life Ranger Camp includes five, half-day
camp sessions from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Monday through Friday The cost of the
program is $75 per child and includes a
The National Association of Retired Law Enforcement Officers held their annual ceremony in honor of `The Fallen' on Sunday, May 14 in In-
Applicants will be asked to write a short
verness, outside of the Citrus County Sheriff's Office Operations Center. Captain David DeCarlo, Senator Charles Dean, Honorary Deputy Dave
essay on an animal that lives in Florida
Williams and others spoke on behalf of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This week is National Law Enforcement Officers Week.
and why you think that animal is impor-
Remember to thank a law enforcement officer. CCSO Photo.
Man & Two Dogs
tant to attach to their application. Parents
Child abuse/drug case expands to
and guardians may stop by the park of-
fice located in the Visitor Center on U.S.
Perish in C.R.
19 to pick up an application. For more
two additional arrests
information, please call Rene Poppe at
(352) 628-5343, ext. 1004.
House Fire
Drop off old medication,
harm. She was also charged with manufac-
Mon.-Fri., CCSO'S EOC, Lecanto
From The Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
turing drugs (cannabis wax) in the presence
If you have unwanted, expired
A case of child abuse resulting in
of a child and possession of cannabis with
From Citrus County Fire/Rescue
or unused medication you'd like to dis-
the arrest of a Beverly Hills man on April
intent to distribute.
pose of, there's a new drop-off box at the
28, has now expanded to two additional ar-
Nineteen year-old Brandon Ben-
On Sunday morning, May 15, a
Citrus County Sheriff s Office, Emer-
rests of people living in the same home on
nett was also arrested, May 11, on similar
Crystal River man lost his life in a housefire,
gency Operations Center, located at 3549
similar, related charges on May 11.
charges: possession of a controlled sub-
along with two large dogs that were also in-
Saunders Way in Lecanto - to help keep
On April 28, deputies with the Cit-
stance with intent to sell, manufacture or
side the home. Firefighters were dispatched
children safe and our water supply free
rus County Sheriff s Office responded to
deliver; possession of controlled substance;
to the 8250 W. Fairoak Ct. residence, and
of drugs. Medication can be dropped
the Beverly Hills home, due to
manufacturing methamphetamine or phen-
while enroute to the home, were informed
off, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am
an investigation into a critically
cyclidine with a child under the age of 16
that someone may still be inside the resi-
through 4:00 pm; or Fridays, 8:00 am
injured three month old girl.
present, and possession of drug parapherna-
dence. Upon their arrival to the home at
through 12:00 noon. This service is free.
During the investigation, detec-
lia, with his total bond set at $36,000.
12:54 am, firefighters with Rescue 7 from
Please, no needles or aerosols.
tives determined that 22 year-old
This investigation is still ongoing.
Connell Heights noted that fire and smoke
Skylar Bennett of Beverly Hills Bennett
The drop box is located behind a
Investigators believe the abuse of the baby
was visible, and the home was 75% in-
desk with plate glass. Just give the medi-
had beat and choked the baby until she lost
took place over several weeks, with Ben-
volved in fire. Due to the extent of the fire,
cation to a sworn officer and he/she will
consciousness. Bennett was charged with
nett punching and slapping the baby in the
a defensive attack was initiated until the fire
handle the meds for you. The building is
aggravated child abuse and five charges re-
face and violently shaking her because she
was knocked down. Crews were then able
secure and sworn officers work inside.
lating to the manufacturing and possession
wouldn't stop crying. On April 28, the baby
You can now place classified ads at the
to enter the residence to search for a pos-
of a controlled substance and other drug
was flown to Shands Hospital in Gainesville
Food Ranch Service Desk - 25 words/$12.
sible victim and found the man and dogs, all
possession charges.
as a result of being choked so badly that
New deadline: Monday 12 noon at the Inglis
deceased, inside the home. Crews were able
On May 11, 20 year-old Valerie
she lost consciousness and required brain
Food Ranch service Desk. Cash or Check.
to bring the fire under control within 8 min-
Reed was arrested on a charge related to the
surgery. As of May 12, the baby was still in
No refunds for early cancellations
Continued on page 4 - Fatal Fire
same child - child neglect with great bodily
critical condition.