PAGE 4 December 24, 2008
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
A Visit To Yankeetown’s
Traffic Stop Results in Pot Arrest
A traffic stop, Dec. 10, led to the arrest of a Lithia, FL man by the Inglis Police
Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
Department. According to the arrest report, a policeman witnessed the occupants of a white
car and a green truck arguing, while both vehicles were parked in a parking lot at the intersec-
Looking for a new place to take your out-of-town guests? Looking for a place to
tion of C.R. 40 and U.S. Hwy. 19. The officer watched as both vehicles left the parking lot. The
walk-off those extra holiday pounds? Enjoy Birding Watching? Visit the Withlacoochee Gulf
green truck took off at a speed of about 69 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Preserve (WGP), Yankeetown’s newest passive park. The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve is 413
The officer followed the car and watched as it made "an aggressive right tun at a
acres of Florida’s natural environment at its best. The Preserve has groomed trails and spec-
high rate of speed" onto E. Cason Blvd., then accelerated to 68 mph in a 25 mph zone,
tacular Gulf views. A half-mile boardwalk that is handicap accessible takes you through pine
"approaching the white vehicle at a high rate of speed," the report stated. The officer turned
woodland, salt marsh wetlands, and features a walkway over a tidal salt pond. Another trail
on his emergency lights and siren. The green truck braked heavily, just before colliding with
takes you across a causeway through tidal salt marshes to a 30 ft observation tower. The view
the rear of the white car and continued tailgating it, weaving back and forth in an attempt to
from the tower is unprecedented with a 360 degree view of Florida’s Gulf and tidal hammocks.
overtake it, according to the report.
The trail continues to an oak hammock sporting a tidal fishing dock and floating dock. The
The white car made a left turn onto Linda St., with the green truck following very
hammock also has restroom and picnic facilities. Several other trails take you through other
closely behind it. The green truck finally pulled off the roadway and stopped. The driver, 36-
natural settings. The Preserve is teeming with wildlife and native birds.
year-old Jason K. Mayo, stepped out of the vehicle and walked unsteadily to the patrol car.
The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve was purchased by the Town of Yankeetown through
He was arrested and placed into the rear of the patrol car, smelling strongly of alcohol. The
a grant from Florida Communities Trust’s Florida Forever Grant. Improvements to the pre-
driver told the officer that the occupants of the white vehicle had called him a name, and he
serve were made possible by hard work by our local Yankeetown middle school students
was "stupid" for chasing them. He was charged with reckless driving, DUI and possession of
through grants from SWFMD and FRDAP grants. The Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf
about 1.7 grams of cannabis that was found in a small vial hanging from the truck's gear
Preserve, Inc has organized to support the Preserve with volunteers and to raise funds for
selector knob. He was transported to the Levy County Jail.
future preserve improvements. The biggest project is the continued conversion of a 4500 sq
ft building on the property to an educational and museum facility. Initial funds have been
Boat Sinks  - Continued from page 1
provided by the Felburn Foundation. The preserve is located at 1001 Old Rock Road in
Yankeetown. Go west on Highway 40 from Highway 19/98/55. The entrance gate is approxi-
is righted Saul said it would be taken to Tarpon Springs for repairs.
mately two-miles west of Yankeetown’s town line, 200 yards west of the four way stop sign.
Jamie Arleo, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) from Tampa
The preserve is open daily 9:30 to 3:00.
was on hand to monitor the protective measures being taken as well as the U S Coast Guard,
Station Yankeetown. Volunteer shrimpers from other boats joined in and helped with safety
procedures as well as the securing of the boat and area. Yellow booms were stretched around
the sunk vessel to stop the spread of fuel. Saul said this was a second historic sinking for the
Desperado. June 10, 2007 the boat sank at the dock at Allen's Bait and Seafood when it had a
problem with a tree coming in to tie up and hit the dock and went straight down. Saul was
upset about the Desperado's fate but said "at least everybody is OK."
Specializing In Well & City Water Purification
Specializing In Well  City Water Purification
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We Service All Major Brands
eeWater
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Reverse Osmosis
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Congratulations
Congratulations
Samantha Bass & Lori Raulerson
Winners of the
Reverse Osmosis Raffle
All Proceeds Went to RABAC
Selected students from Yankeetown School spent part of a day at the Withlacoochee Gulf
of Inglis, FL
Bacterial Testing & Water Sterilization
Preserve in Yankeetown working on projects to enhance and maintain the 413 acre park.
Iron, Sulfur, Tannin, Chlorine
352-257-2597
Assisting the students were Teachers Genie Sturtevant, Coach Chuck Gatton, Junior
& Sediment Removal
Achievement Director Stew Schlachter and WGP volunteer coordinator Ellen Klee. If you
Serving Citrus,
would like to volunteer please call town hall at 447-2511. The students brought bag lunches
Marion & Levy
and did work clearing the roads, boardwalk and trails, putting up signage and posting
kiosks. Photo by Sally Price
14 U.S. Hwy. 19 N. (S. R. 55)
Seasons Greetings
Seasons
Inglis, Florida
352-447-6112
From our Family to Yours
Sun-Thurs • 5am - 9pm
Home of the Deep Fried Turkey
Fri & Sat • 5am-10pm
Shirley, Darryl
Happy Holidays from Gobblers Eatery!!!
and Vicki,
There’s still time to order food for your Christmas
There’s
“The Diamond Team”
Year
Party
Dinner or New Year ’s Eve Party at 447-6112:
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY, 10-15 lbs., serves 8 to 10, $40
TURKEY,
serves
DEEP
DEEP-FRIED TURKEY DINNER with all the fixin’s, 10 to 15
with
Turkey
Potatoes,
lb. Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans,Stuffing &
Cranberry Sauce. A full meal for 8 to 10,,$80
$80
Open Christmas Day & New Years Day!
7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Diamond Investments, Inc.
Serving Full Breakfast & Limited Dinner Menu:
Darryl A. Diamond
352-447-4442
Turkey, Ham Steak & Prime Rib Dinners with Dessert
Licensed Real Estate Broker
$11.95
Real Estate Investment Consultant
Call Shirley at 352 400-0301
Darryl & Vicki Diamond & Shirley
We still have all our regular, daily, all-you-can-eat meal specials!
www.diamondhomesandland.com
“The Diamond Team”