PAGE 8 - June 13, 2012
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
From Dawn's Front Porch
Squawk Box
Continued from page 1
tions have always been treated as a source of amusement. I am dead serious, just as our
By Newscaster Contributor Dawn Clary
New Yankeetown ZO – Yankeetown has a new Zoning Official. The YT Council voted to
town leaders should be about recycling. It is one of the critical programs that will have to
hire Charles Botts III as the new Zoning Official for Yankeetown. Mr. Botts is a resident
be effective if we are to preserve this earth for our posterity.
of Inglis and a current member of the Inglis Fire and Rescue. He has been retired. He will
The lot adjacent to Food Ranch is actually earmarked for expansion in the future,
serve a six month probationary term after which the council will make a final determina-
hopefully the near future. If some of the projects that are on the drawing board come to
tion. The Council also voted to sign a sort of retainer contract with a company called Mor-
fruition Food Ranch will finally be able to provide a larger store for the citizens of Inglis/
ris-Depew, which is a large consulting firm for planning and land use issues, in case bigger
Yankeetown and surrounding areas. We look forward to that time, but obviously, the eco-
projects come along such as the development projects that were proposed a few years ago
nomic climate, particularly in Inglis/Yankeetown is not favorable for expansion right now.
on the Yankeetown waterfront. Charlie Gauthier, who was with the former Department
We have served our time with the recycling bins. Our duty to our community
of Community Affairs as Director of Community Planning, is now on the Morris-Depew
shouldn’t be questioned. We have graciously provided a home for recycling for several
staff. He was very much involved with Yankeetown back when a developer sued the town
years and now it is time for another business, private individual or better yet, the City do do
over their Comprehensive Plan. He would bring his experience in growth management
their
and environmental protection and familiarity with Yankeetown.
share.
Inglis Moves to Look Further Into Fire Merger –Last week, Inglis listened to and ques-
tioned Levy County Safety Director David Knowles on the topic of a county merger with
the fire department (see pg. 11) such as Yankeetown is working on. Inglis moved to inves-
tigate further, just as Yankeetown has done. Yankeetown has received the answers to all of
the questions they had put to the county and has scheduled a workshop to continue work
on the issue for the end of June.
Really Big Gator- An alligator estimated to be 13 feet long was hanging out in the river
at the Izaak Walton Lodge. In a way he was a bit of an attraction as the enormous beast
sunned himself on the river bank across from the lodge, but then he began to cruise too
close to the dock and shore where people were. Paul Shearer, a licensed alligator trapper
attempted to capture and relocate the creature but had no luck. The gator has since moved
himself to some other spot.
Local Beautician Attends International Beauty Event – Ms. Lynne LeFiles attended the
Premiere Orlando Beautician Conference in Orlando last week. The show was said to be
the largest show in the country and people came from all over the world. Lynne had the
opportunity to learn about the latest products available and styles for nails to hair. She is the
owner operator of the River Retreat Spa in Yankeetown. While some of the new hair styles
are probably more likely to be seen in New York than on our streets. Sometimes it’s good
to know what’s going on outside of Planet Yankeetown/Inglis. Good Night and Good Luck
Grant Money Provides for New Police Radios
In 2011, 13 Florida Counties combined and applied for the Regional Domestic
The Levy County recycle trailer has been returned to Yankeetown (above photo) for several
Security Task Force (RDSTF) Public Safety Communications grant worth $3,683,474.00.
weeks now. The fate of the two recycle trailers for Inglis rests in the decision of the Inglis
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office was the administrator of this grant representing the
Town Commission at the June 12 meeting where the subject was placed on the agenda. The
counties. Lt Scott Finnen represented Levy County and managed its portion of this grant
town needs to find a place where the trailers can be put and policed to keep the garbage, old
application.
appliances and other hazardous items from just being dropped off there. It is prohibited by
On August 4, 2011, Alachua County was notified they had been awarded the grant.
county ordinance for such items to be left at the recycle trailers.
This notification came from the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management. The
Summer Swim Lessons at Bicentennial Park Pool!
purpose of this grant was to purchase the new P25 federal interoperability standard 700-
800 MHz radios.
Summer swim lessons have begun at Bicentennial Park Pool in Crystal River.
Levy County’s portion of this grant totaled $178,500, which has been used to pur-
Sessions will meet Monday – Thursday for two weeks. The cost is $30.00 per session. All
chase 47 radios at approximately $3,795, each. This grant award represents the first major
swim lesson sessions contain eight classes within the two weeks.
investment in Levy County’s countywide radio system since conversion to the State system
Classes are kept to a maximum of five to six participants per instructor and a mini-
in 2007.
mum of four participants are needed to hold the class. If there are less than four participants
The new Harris XG-75 radios are state of the art and will have the compatibility
class could be cancelled. For the full schedule call the pool at 352.795.1478.
email news to: news@thenewscaster.com
to talk to surrounding agencies, once fully programmed. The radios will be used for com-
munication interoperability in emergency and natural disaster situations, adding to the co-
hesiveness of all county operations.
The radios will be distributed through the county emergency services includ-
LAKESIDE RV SITES $325 per month includes Utilities, Cable & Wi-Fi
ing: Williston Police Dept., Inglis Police Dept., Cedar Key Police Dept., Chiefland Police
CALL (352) 447-2755 or 353-1301 • TENT CAMPING ALSO AVAILABLE!
Dept., Public Safety Director Knowles representing Fire and Rescue for Levy County and
the Division of Emergency Management.
MONDAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
*Benefits for 3 year-old injured Cadie
Free Pool - All Day
*Poker Run for Cadie - 10:00 am
Dart Tournament - 7:30 pm
*Pork Dinner for Cadie $5 - 2:00 pm
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
Mens’ Night - 8:00-12:00 pm
Poker - 12:00-5:00 pm
2 for1 Drafts & Free Jello Shots
THURSDAY
Karaoke 8:00 pm
Free Pool - All Day
Pool Tournament - 8:00 pm
SUNDAY
FRIDAY
Charlie on Guitar
Ladies’ Night - 8:00-12:00 pm
with The Oldies - 2:00 pm
2 for1 Drafts & Free Jello Shots
!
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Come P
Karaoke Contest 8:00 pm - Cash Prize!
Home of the $1 Draft Beer!
Bubba’s Fin & Feather
10930 S.E. 201st St.• Inglis
off Hwy. 40-East on Lk. Rousseau
BAR OPENS 7 DAYS AT 11am • CLOSES Mon-Thurs 1am/Fri-Sat 2am/Sun 12mn