THE NEWSCASTER
THE NEWSCASTER
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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher
A Publication of
Inglis, FL 34449
Wednesday March 28, 2012
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor
Newscaster Publishing
Permit No. 14
Sally Price - Correspondent
Visit our website: http://thenewscaster.com
Mike Moore - Photojournalist
Squawk Box
"Elvis" is
Everywhere
By Newscaster Staff
Elvis Presley came to Inglis,
Yankeetown, Crystal River and In-
verness in 1961 to film "Follow that
Dream". Now we have roads named for
the movie, and Elvis enthusiasts will be
in the area in May for their annual tour
of the movie sites. And you can partake
of an original play “When Elvis Came
to Town” In 2011, this was a somewhat
abridged version of what actually hap-
pened.
The weekend of April 20 – 22,
2012 brings the original stage produc-
tion “When Elvis Came to Town” to the
Old Courthouse Heritage Museum for a
second run. Tickets are now available for
purchase for this original musical play,
staged in the historic courtroom where
Elvis filmed the climactic scene in the
movie “Follow That Dream.”
“When Elvis Came to Town”
brings to life the magical six weeks when
Elvis came to Citrus County. The play is
More than 85 Model T Ford’s rolled through the Nature Coast on the Model T Ford Winter Tour 2012 organized by Steve Ellis of Ocala. It was
based on hours of taped interviews and
exciting to watch as the spaced out antique cars passed through Inglis headed to a fine dining experience at Ike’s Old Florida Kitchen at Izaak
reminiscences with movie cast members,
Walton Lodge in Yankeetown. Ike’s was pleased and proud to have the tour visit Yankeetown and bring back the history of when Model T’s
extras, and townspeople. People have
"puttered" around on the old sand roads. The tour goes all over the U.S. and members decide which tours they want to take through out the
shared wonderful memories of “how
year. This tour had stops at many places in Citrus, Marion and Levy Counties. Newscaster/Sally Price photo.
Area Fugitive Arrested
it was” that summer—stories of high
School Officials
comedy, wishes and dreams, and yes, ro-
mance. The production features local tal-
After Six Hour Manhunt
Concerned Over
ent, including award-winning Ted Torres,
a nationally known Elvis Tribute Artist.
“I never thought I’d be privileged to play
berry, to pick up Ross at a pre-
A fugitive from Newberry in Ala-
Low Enrollment
the real man, the young Elvis Presley, not
determined destination location
chua County, on the run from authorities,
just singing his songs but actually step-
in Gilchrist County with the
was captured in Levy County, March 31st,
ping into his life,” said Torres about his
intention of hiding him in Levy
At YTS
after a more than six-hour manhunt involv-
role in the play.
County.
ing three law enforcement agencies.
The play will open Friday, April
When Ross and Col-
The United States Marshals Ser-
Ross
20, and run through Sunday with the fol-
By Newscaster Correspondent
son entered Levy County, the
vice, assisted by the North Florida Violent
lowing dates and times: Friday, April
Sally Price
Levy County Sheriff s Office
Fugitive Task force, was attempting to lo-
20th – 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 21st
joined in the manhunt. Deputy
cate 22 year-old Steven Allen Ross, who
The February meeting of the Yan-
- 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday,
Burt Miller, a member of the
has a history of escape in Columbia County,
keetown Inglis Republican Club was at-
April 22nd – 2:00 p.m. Tickets prices are
U.S.M.S. North Florida Violent
due to an active Alachua County warrant
tended by many candidates already cam-
$25.00. For more information, call (352)
Fugitive Task Force, attempted
for burglary and theft. Officers learned that
paigning for public office. Each challenger
341-6427 or (352) 341-6488. We even
a felony traffic stop. Colson,
Ross was hiding in Gilchrist County and
was allowed a few minutes for a statement
Colson
heard "Elvis on Tour" will appear this
who was driving a green Dodge
had made comments that he would not be
and entertain a few questions. Robert Hast-
Thursday at Bubba's. See Page 8.
Durango, refused to stop and led authorities
taken alive. Members of the U.S.M.S. Task
ings, Superintendent of the School Board of
in a short chase. Deputies performed a roll-
Force went to 6399 SE 62nd Court in Tren-
Levy County,was asked about the status of
Pet
ing road block and forced Colson to stop.
ton to execute the felony warrant, but Ross
Yankeetown School. Hastings said it was a
Colson was arrested for felony flee-
escaped out of the back door and ran into a
serious situation and that the number of stu-
Patrol
ing and attempting to elude a police officer
heavily wooded area.
dents 5 years ago was 500 and today it was
and obstruction of justice; his bond was set
For the next six hours, officers
190. The cost to maintain the school was
See page 2
at $65,000. Ross was arrested on the active
conducted surveillance at locations associ-
a million dollars a year and it took money
Alachua County warrant; his bond was set at
ated with Ross and highways in the area.
from other schools in the county to keep
$35,000. They were both transported to the
Investigators learned that a relative called
Continued on page 3 - Yankeetown School
Levy County Jail.
a friend, Spencer Colson, 28, also of New-