THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
A Publication of
Wednesday July 17, 2013
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Sally Price - Correspondent
Please visit our website: thenewscaster.com
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Squawk Box
Jobless Rate
Ticks Up Slightly
The jobless rate in May for
Workforce Connection’s Citrus, Levy and
Marion counties region was 7.8 percent,
up 0.3 percentage points over the month
and 2.0 percent lower than the same time
last year. The unemployment rate for the
region remains the lowest it has been
since June 2008 when it was 7.7 percent.
For the sixth consecutive month,
the Ocala/Marion County metropolitan
area led the state with the fastest job-
growth rate at 3.6 percent, gaining 3,300
new jobs over the year. Florida’s job-
growth rate during the same period was
1.6 percent.
Rusty Skinner, CEO of Work-
force Connection, said the slight uptick
in the region’s unemployment rate in is
seen as largely encouraging because it is
accompanied by strong gains in employ-
ment and labor force number. Skinner said
that points to the “return of discouraged
workers to the active job search.”
"Despite what we want to say,
there have been those who dropped out of
the labor market because they were dis-
couraged,” Skinner said. “But as they’ve
seen more hiring going on they’ve gotten
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners released seven rehabilitated manatees Tuesday, July 9, in Cape
back into the active labor market and are
Coral, FL. These manatees were rescued during the recent red tide bloom in southwest Florida. FWC Photo. (continued on page 10)
CCSO dismantles Three meth labs
Driver and passenger
therefore counted as unemployed.”
Expanding labor force across all
and arrests six
three counties, coupled with an increase in
flee from crash,two
the number of those with jobs, shows that
“shows more optimism as more people re-
others critically
enter the labor force and look for work.”
From Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
2949 Carl G. Rose Highway, Hernando.
The May 2013 unemployment
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Of-
injured
This drug bust occurred about 10:45 a.m. on
rates, released today by the Florida De-
fice is continuing to take an active stance in
Friday and resulted in the arrest of five peo-
partment of Economic Opportunity, were
seeking out and taking down meth labs in
ple: Roger Churchill, 27 ($150,000 bond) ;
From Florida Highway Patrol
7.8 percent for Marion County, an increase
the community. Since Thursday afternoon,
Yahaira Acosta, 33; Douglas Sturtz, 32; Da-
of 0.3 percent over the month and the low-
July 11, three methamphetamine labs have
A single-vehicle traffic crash in
vid Whitley, 36, and Rachelle Baker, 48.All
est it has been since June 2008 when the
been discovered and seized. The first oc-
Marion County, July 9, resulted in critical
were arrested on felony charges of sell, man-
rate was 7.6 percent; 8.0 percent for Citrus
curred about 1:30 Thursday af-
injuries to two Dunnellon residents, and the
ufacture, deliver or possess with
County, also up 0.3 percentage points to
ternoon at 4253 E. Scott Lane in
driver and another passenger running away
intent to sell. Two of the arrestees
7.6 percent, but still the lowest since June
Dunnellon, which resulted in the
from the scene of the crash by foot.
attempted to run from deputies,
2008 (8.1 percent); and 7.8 percent in
arrest of 50 year-old Sean Patrick
According to the Florida Highway
but were apprehended.
Levy County an increase of 0.2 percent-
Kinney on two felony charges
Patrol, the vehicle involved in the crash is a
Deputies located a third
age points to 7.6 percent, the lowest since
Kinney
and the removal of a 16 year old
meth lab site, also in Hernando, Churchill
2006 Infinity M35 that was traveling south
July 2008 (7.7 percent). Local rates are
from the residence (not related
on Marion Oaks Pass, south of SW 142nd
at 4209 E. Lake Park Drive. The
not seasonally adjusted. Prior to May, the
to Kinney). His bond was set at $100,000.
Place, when it exited the roadway, became
Citrus County Sheriff s Office preaches the
unemployment rate had tumbled for five
Due to his arrest, Kinney was charged with
airborne, collided with a tree, rotated and
dangers of these types of labs and how vola-
consecutive months from 8.9 percent.
violation of probation (no bond) as he was
landed on its right side. The crash occurred
tile they can be at any time, and during the
The not seasonally adjusted rate for Flor-
placed on probation on March 12, 2013 for
at approximately 7:30 p.m., and at approxi-
clean-up of the third location, the dangers of
ida is 7.0 percent and the national rate is
possession of listed chemical, and posses-
mately 10:00 pm, the Florida Highway Pa-
a clandestine lab was seen first-hand. Dur-
7.3 percent.
sion of paraphernalia. His female roommate
trol’s Jacksonville Regional Communica-
ing the clean-up, it began to rain and one of
was not arrested.
tions Center received a call regarding an
the hazardous items came in contact with the
Continued on page 8 - Squawk Box
The second meth lab location was
Continued on page 3 - Meth Labs
Continued on page 4 - Driver Leaves Scene