PAGE 3 - January 7, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Work Progressing on New U.S-19 Bridge
Fire/Rescue uses grant to
Work seems to be in a fast forward mode since the ground breaking of the 2 new
advertise for volunteers
bridges to span the Cross Florida Barge Canal was announced recently. Hwy 19 has endured
the 2 lane problem on a 4 lane highway ever since the 60's when the barge canal dissected the
Citrus County is looking for a few good men and women for a special assignment
Withlacoochee River in an effort to create a cross state canal system. The 2 new 45 foot
serving their community. The Fire Rescue Division is recruiting volunteer firefighters, and it
bridges will not have supports in the canal as in the past opening the canal up to the full
has four new advertisements on billboards around Citrus showing off some of the county’s
width.
finest. Volunteer Coordinator Tom McLean said the “Part-time hero, full-time rewards” ads
This will benefit Progress Energy using barges to bring in equipment and supplies to
use photos of local firefighters Ralph “Butch” Smith and Jennifer Taylor from Floral City, and
the Inglis Lock for transport to the 2 new nuclear plants site. The new bridge's walking bike
Sterling Harris from Connell Heights. Because volunteers are crucial to the operation of the
paths which will be separated by a concrete barrier will make crossing the bridge safe and able
county’s combination paid and volunteer fire system, Fire Rescue officials have launched a
to connect the bike path in Inglis and Yankeetown to the Greenways and Trails. Some fabu-
campaign appealing to citizens who want to serve their community as volunteer firefighters.
lous sunset pictures can be made from the top of the bridge as well as a great place to view
The billboards are located on State Road 200 about 0.2 miles north of County Road
space shots from the other coast.
491, on State Road 44 about 1.4 miles east of U.S. 19, and another about .8 miles east of C.R.
491. The fourth is on U.S. 41 just south of Gobbler Drive. The fire service also plans to have
bumper stickers and ads on three county busses to display the recruitment ads. A fifth
billboard will go up as advertising space is available on billboards around the county. The
money for the recruitment campaign came from a $42,800 federal SAFER Grant (Staffing for
Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) the county recently secured. The grant was created
to provide funding directly to fire services to help them increase the number of trained, front-
line volunteer firefighters available in their communities. Volunteers join the service and are
assigned to a station close to where they live and work. Training and equipment is provided
to them. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can call 527-5406 and discuss what role
they might play in the volunteer service.
Man Arrested In Inverness for Vehicle Theft
Robby Justin Elkins, 30, of Lexington, Kentucky was arrested by the Citrus County
Sheriff's Office, at 10:12 a.m., Dec. 24, on a charge of vehicle theft. Elkins was found at the Rails
to Trails area of Inverness, sleeping in a 1989 Mercury station wagon that was straddling a
dirt berm. The report stated that the keys were in the ignition and there was an opened, half
full, can of beer in the center console. Elkins said that his wallet had been stolen, but identified
himself by name. He said that his best friend had loaned him the station wagon, so that he
could drive to Florida to visit his family. Via teletype, the deputy learned that Elkins' Kentucky
Driver's License had been suspended in 2007 and the vehicle had been reported as stolen.
Elkins was transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto. His bond was set
at $2000. At the detention facility, he was also issued a citation for driving while his license is
suspended or revoked, and for having an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.
New construction on U.S. 19 bridge - Newscaster Photo by Sally Price
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