THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
A Publication of
Wednesday September 7, 2011
Inglis, FL 34449
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Visit our website for the latest news: www.thenewscaster.com
Sally Price - Correspondent
Squawk Box
Good Night
Irene
With Doug Johnston
I lost part of my
soul on September 4, 2011.
That date will be etched in
my memory forever. It is the
day my Mother, Irene John-
ston, died.
My Mother was
part of a generation that
understood sacrifice, real sacrifice. It’s
one thing to sacrifice by lowering your
thermostat by a couple of degrees in the
winter to save energy; it’s another matter
to smile and give encouragement to your
loved one who is your husband and father
of your children, as he marches off to war
on a foreign shore.
My Mother was the glue that
held things together, the inspiration that
allowed me and my sisters to dream and
work to achieve those dreams, the presence
that made us realize right from wrong, and
she provided the model for us to develop a
strong work ethic. When I needed encour-
Beautiful weather with a full tide make for a great day recently on the Homosassa River in Homosassa. Monkey Island has been a part of the
agement or a boost of confidence, she was
scenery for years for boaters and diners as well. Originally a family of pesky monkeys, that were bothering tourists were ‘exiled” to the island.
the source I drew from. She was a reser-
Today there are five spider monkeys on the island. The monkeys are fed twice a day from a menu designed specifically for them consisting
voir of strength that her family and many
of green leafy vegetables, bananas, oranges, sweet potatoes, raw peanuts and monkey chow.They remain on the island because they prefer not
people who knew her drew from. Every-
to swim and the river acts as a barrier. Today they still entertain the local restaurant and hotel guests with their antics. Photo by Sally Price
Truck attempts
one in Inverness knew my Mother in the
Two charged with theft of
1950’s and 60’s. She was a constant. Just
like the courthouse that is situated in the
turn in front of
town square she was rock solid, in time of
air conditioning units
need you knew she would be there.
car, killing two
My Mother was the Citrus High
School Homecoming Queen not once, but
From Citrus County Sheriff Dept.
twice. She was also Miss Citrus County
a detached garage. A serial number visible
A two-vehicle crash, south of Wil-
Two men were arrested by the Cit-
on one of the units matched the number of
Continued on page 4 Squawk Box
liston, at 1:45 p.m., Sept. 5, took the lives of
rus County Shriff’s Office, Aug. 30, charged
an a.c. unit reported as stolen in one of the
two women. According to the Florida High-
CATTAIL CREEK RV PARK
with numerous offenses related to the re-
cases.
way Patrol, Gracie Brassfield Parker, 50, of
ported thefts of four air conditioning units.
The homeowner of 1008 Con-
In Charming Yankeetown, FL
Bronson, was driving a 1991 Dodge Dy-
Reports had been filed regarding the stolen
stitution Drive, John Curtis Bellamy, 21
Minutes to River and Gulf!
nasty, traveling south on County Road 323.
a.c. units at various locations on August 24,
(Inverness), allowed deuties to search the
RVs for Rent on Site or
Darren Aubrey Parks, 24, Morriston, was
26, 29 and 30. A witness to the Aug 30th
residence. They found three a.c. units, cop-
bring your own!
driving a 1998 Ford flatbed truck, traveling
theft told deputies he’d heard a loud noise
per wire and electrical components of the
north on County Road 323. When Parker’s
Wooded Sites - Pool
that sounded like metal crashing and saw a
a.c. units at the residence and in Bellamy’s
Dodge approached the intersection with
large silver truck backed into a Madison St.,
vehicle. He said that he and Daniel Robert
Laundry
N.E. 23rd Place, Parks attempted to make a
Inverness residence. The truck drove away,
Parker, 23, 4119 E. Gloria Dr., Hernando,
Clubhouse
left turn directly in front of the Dodge.
and the witness followed it to 1008 Consti-
had stolen the a.c. units, disassembled them,
The front portion of the Ford truck
STAY 2 NIGHTS
tution Way, where he saw two white males
and taken the components to Inter-County
collided with the right side of the Dodge
& GET
near the truck.
Recycling to scrap. He said Parker had ap-
car, pushing it onto the east grass shoulder,
3rd NIGHT FREE
Soon, deputies arrived at the resi-
proached him about making money and had
352-447-3050
traveling northeast. The Dodge rotated in a
dence and saw a silver Ford F-150 truck.
solicited the use of his vehicle. Bellamy
counterclockwise direction, separating from
41 Cattail Ln.
They were unable to make contact with
said he and Parker first drove around to lo-
the front of the truck, and came to rest facing
the homeowners, but checked outside the
cate vacant homes, and once they identified
Yankeetown
northwest on the east grass shoulder. After
residence and found three disassembled a.c.
one, they prepared the a.c. unit by cutting all
RV Lots
units at the rear of the carport area next to
RV Rentals
Continued on page 11 - Fatal Crash
Continued on page 4 - Air Conditioner Theft