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• [email protected] • www.StarkeJournal.com •Deadline Monday 5 p.m. before publication • Phone 352-473-2210 • Fax 352-473-2210
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WorthNoting
Thanksgiving dinners offered
Two Lake Region traditions will continue this year with free Thanksgiving dinners served in both Melrose and Keystone Heights. The Keystone event will be held at the Keystone United Methodist Church. The congregation’s multi-purpose building will open at 1 p.m. with dinner served beginning at 2. The church is located at 4004 S.E. S.R. 21. An RSVP in advance is requested but not required. Walk-ins are welcome, but calling ahead helps volunteers to better plan for the event. Call 352-473-3829 for more information or to reserve meals.
In Melrose, Trinity Episcopal Church will again sponsor Thanksgiving in the Park at Heritage Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To donate time, money or food, call the church office at 352-475-2177.
Early deadline for Monitor
The offices of the Bradford County Telegraph, Lake Region Monitor and Union County Times will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The newspaper will be published a day early next week in order to be on the street on Tuesday evening and in mailboxes on Wednesday. The deadline for submissions, including classified advertisements, will be at noon on Monday, Nov. 25.
Clay County garbage pickup for Thanksgiving week
Residents whose regular pickup is on Thursday will receive pickup service the Friday after Thanksgiving. Residents whose regular pickup is on Friday will receive pickup service the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Rosemary Hill Solid Waste Management Facility as well as the environmental convenience centers will be closed Thanksgiving day.
Rotary pecan sales continue
The Keystone Heights Rotary Club has begun its annual fundraising pecan sale. Available now are 12-ounce bags of pecans in four varieties: pecan halves, pecans in pieces for all your holiday baking needs. This year, Rotary also offers praline and chocolate covered pecans. The halves and pieces are $8 per 12 ounce bag; the covered pecans are $9 per bag. All pecans are from this year’s fresh Georgia crop.
Pecans may be ordered through any Rotary club member, but are also available, while they last, at the Keystone Heights Brian’s Ace Hardware and at the M&S Bank.
Funds raised through the sales go toward various Rotary projects, such as Lake Area Ministries, the Keystone Youth Soccer League and other local youth sports programs, the Clay County Science Fair and Rotary International’s campaign to eradicate polio worldwide.
USPS 114-170 — Keystone Heights, Florida Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 41st Year — 29th Issue — 75 CENTS
Lake Region MonitorWater district delays MFL changes for lakes
Environmental group moves to Melrose
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
An environmental group that played a major role in stopping the Cross Florida Barge Canal has moved its headquarters from Gainesville to Melrose.
Florida Defenders of the Environment joined a 1969 lawsuit to stop construction of the project. Two years later a federal judge issued an injunction halting construction of the canal and President Richard Nixon signed an executive order suspending the project.
In 1998, property obtained by the federal government for the project was named the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, in honor of the founder and long-time president of Florida Defenders of the Environment.
Karen Ahlers, the Ocklawaha Coordinator for the group, told the Keystone Heights Rotary Club that the FDE board moved the organization’s office from Gainesville to a room at Melrose’s Bellamy Road Art Gallery to save money.
She said the move into Putnam County will also help FDE’s efforts to remove the Kirkpatrick Dam (widely known as Rodman Dam) and restore the Ocklawaha River to its natural state.
Last year, FDE sued the U.S. Forest Service, asking a judge to
force the forest service to remove the dam. The lawsuit was filed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and claims the dam inhibits manatees and shortnosed sturgeon from their natural migration patterns.
The group has long championed the removal of the
dam. Ahlers told the Keystone
group that restoring the hardwood forest flooded when the dam was constructed is essential for filtering nutrients from the water.
She also said that sports fishermen, which support retaining the dam and reservoir, may not realize that even if the lake remains, their access to it may be restricted in the future.
“One of the unintended consequences is that the water management district has put a big bulls eye on that reservoir as an alternative water supply,” she said.
She added that management for an alternative water supply is
Karen Ahlers, Ocklawaha Coordinator for the Florida Defenders of the Environment, speaks to the Keystone Heights Rotary Club. Photo by Dan Hildebran.
Audubon looking for eagle watchers
Matt Smith, a trainer with the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, brought this Bald Eagle named Francis to the Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park. Santa Fe Audubon produced the event in which Smith explained Audubon’s EagleWatch program. Photo by Dan Hildebran.
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
A trainer for Florida Audubon’s Center for Birds of Prey was in the Lake Region Nov. 17 to tell residents how they can help preserve one of the most endearing symbols of America, the Bald Eagle.
Matt Smith brought a PowerPoint presentation and an eagle to Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park Saturday to explain Audubon’s EagleWatch initiative.
With the exception of Alaska, Florida is home to one of the largest Bald Eagle populations in the country with over 1,400 nesting pairs.
Urban expansion within the Sunshine State has forced many of the birds to nest in urban areas.
The center launched the EagleWatch program to monitor eagle nests and record behavioral patterns. Government agencies also use EagleWatch data to enhance conservation and law enforcement programs.
EagleWatch volunteers compile data on urban eagle nests record long-term trends, identify threats to nests and increase public awareness of the eagle within the state.
Today, volunteers monitor
McRae woman killed after hitting power pole
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
A McRae woman was killed Sunday night after the car she was driving struck a power pole.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Sherre Ann Logan, 33, whose last known address was on Gadara Road, was the sole occupant of a vehicle travelling northbound on C.R. 214 in the area of Hall Lake Road.
At around 8:15, the vehicle left the roadway and struck the Clay Electric pole. The vehicle rolled over several times and Logan was ejected.
Clay County firefighters transported the victim to Shands Starke, where she succumbed to her injuries.
According to the sheriff’s office, Logan was employed at Lowes in Palatka. Witnesses said the vehicle was travelling at a high rate of speed when it struck the pole, and investigators believe Logan was returning home from an outing with friends with the accident occurred.
The crash caused a temporary power outage in the area around C.R. 214, midway between Lake Geneva and McRae.
See EAGLE, 3A See AHLERS, 3A
Keystone FFA chapters earn 3 star award
Left to right: Erin Verplanck, Austin Saunders, Jacob Fanton, Dan Mason, Carley Dyal and Bailea Gnann at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky. Photo courtesy of Keystone Heights High School FFA.
The National Future Farmers of America Organization awarded the Keystone Heights High School chapters its three star award. The Junior and Senior FFA Chapters were two of the 23 Florida affiliates that earned the recognition. Oakleaf High School and Lake Asbury Middle School were the only other Northeast Florida chapters to earn the award.
The National FFA Chapter Award Program recognizes affiliates for developing and conducting a detailed program of activities. Each activity provides opportunities for FFA members to excel in student, chapter, or community development.
Chapter adviser Erin Verplanck and members Carley Dyal, Bailea Gnann, Austin Saunders, Dan Mason, and Jacob Fanton accepted plaques for the awards at the National FFA Convention and Expo which ran from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 in Louisville, Ky.
The national honor follows the Keystone chapters selection as two of Florida’s top FFA programs in June at the state
23 of 300 Florida chapters won recognition
See FFA, 3A
Man dies after jumping from moving car
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
The Florida Highway Patrol said a man was killed when he jumped from a moving car just north of Clay Hill on US 301 on Veterans Day.
Lester Garrison, 40, of Jacksonville was pronounced dead on the scene by Clay County fire rescue.
According to an FHP report, Garrison had just left a Lawtey area cemetery for a memorial service and was sitting as a passenger in the left, rear seat of a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria driven by Valentino McBride Jr., 40, of Jacksonville.
According to witnesses, which included the driver and other passengers inside the Ford, for unknown reasons, Garrison opened the left rear door and jumped out of the vehicle while it was traveling northbound on the four-lane highway, about three-fourths of a mile north of C.R. 218.
An FHP investigator wrote in the report that it is unknown whether alcohol played a role in the incident, and charges are possibly pending.
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
The St. Johns River Water Management District delayed starting the rule making process that would have lowered minimum flows and levels for two Keystone Heights-area lakes.
The district’s governing board was scheduled to vote during its Nov. 12 meeting on whether to publish a notice of
proposed rule change for Lakes Brooklyn, Geneva and Cowpen. That would have been the first step in the district’s process for lowering the MFLs. Other steps include holding a public hearing about the proposed changes and voting on the actual rule change.
State law requires water management districts to set minimum water levels for lakes. The statutes require the districts to take remedial action if actual levels fall below those standards.
In 1994, the district set an average MFL for Lake Brooklyn of 108 feet. However, the lake has only reached that level once in the last 20 years. In May of 1998, Brooklyn peaked at 112.87 feet. Since that time, the lake has exceeded 100 feet twice: once in the spring of 2006 and again in the summer of 2010. Now the level is around 95 feet.
The district set an average MFL for Lake Geneva of 101 feet. In June of 1991, Geneva
was at 80 feet. In 1999, it reached 87 feet. Since that time the level decreased to around 80 feet where it remains today.
During the November meeting of the district’s governing board, a staff member said delaying the MFL evaluation for the lakes would allow the district to further discuss the potential changes with stakeholders.
2A Lake Region Monitor • Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013
(352)473-8988
Zoning board approves alcohol sales at restaurant
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
The Keystone Heights Planning and Zoning Board, on Nov. 18, approved an application from Brooklyn Boys Pizza that will allow it to sell beer, liquor and wine. The application will now go before the city council for final approval.
The restaurant recently moved to 205 Commercial Circle, allowing it to offer dine-in services in addition to the take out service it offered at its smaller location.
Keystone’s municipal code does not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages within 400 feet of a school, hospital, church or religious organization. The city’s staff determined that the restaurant is within 400 feet of Lake Area Ministries and deliberated whether or not the non-profit was a religious organization.
According to a staff report, a city worker discussed that possibility with Paula Buckner, co-director of LAM.
“Ms. Buckner informed staff that LAM was supported by local churches, did offer religious propaganda and will share (the) gospel upon request,” the report stated. “However, LAM is not a religious organization. On all legal documentation, LAM considers itself a ‘food pantry’ and ‘service organization.’”
Deputies tail suspects to CVS, witness pseudoephed-rine buy
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
Clay County deputies arrested four people in Lake Geneva after trailing two of them to Keystone’s CVS Pharmacy and witnessing them
buy an ingredient commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Clara D. Davis, 51, John B. Bridges, 56, Sheyenne Leigh Davis, 28, and Jeffery Davis, 33, were all charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The charges against the defendants are not proven and they are presumed innocent until adjudicated guilty by a court.
According to a sheriff’s office report, an investigator discovered suspicious buying patterns of methamphetamine precursors by Clara Davis from a database. Based on that information, two deputies set up surveillance at her Lake Geneva-area residence. On Nov. 14, at around noon, deputies saw Clara Davis and Bridges get in a white Ford pickup and head toward Keystone Heights. The investigators tailed the pair to the CVS pharmacy and followed them into the store.
“While inside, I observed the defendant (Clara Davis) select a card for CVS Decongestant and hand it to the co-defendant (Bridges),” wrote a detective. “The defendant stated, ‘yeah, this is the right one,’ prior to handing it to the co-defendant.”
The deputy wrote that after the pair paid for the merchandise and left the store, the two investigators performed a traffic stop on the pickup.
The deputy wrote that he interviewed Davis and obtained permission to search her residence.
Once inside the home, the investigators discovered other supplies and equipment typically used in the manufacture of methamphetamine including mason jars, lighter fluid, a hot plate, sodium hydroxide, ammonium nitrate a turkey baster and coffee filters.
Report: Son cut trying to break up parents’ fight
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
An 18-year-old man was cut in the forearm by his father after he tried to break up a fight between his parents in Highridge Estates.
According to a sheriff’s office report, the victim was in his room playing video games when his father, David Carlton Ginn, 47, and his mother started arguing about Ginn’s intoxication and him yelling at neighbors. When the dispute turned physical, the victim left his room and separated the pair. When the parents started fighting again, Ginn grabbed a knife and cut the son on the forearm. The woman then threw a crockpot at Ginn and the victim left the home and walked to his grandmother’s house. The mother also left the residence.
When a deputy arrived at the house, he discovered Ginn naked in the front yard holding keys and a can of mace.
Ginn was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, disorderly intoxication and indecent exposure. The charges against Ginn are not proven and he is presumed innocent until adjudicated guilty by a court.
Clay schools recognize volunteers of the year
The Clay County School District recently recognized three people as its volunteers of the year.
The student volunteer of the year is Orange Park High School’s Aser Avilvs.
Avilvs is an active member of Students Working Against Tobacco, the student council, the student advisory council, the American Cancer Society, and the Thespian National Honor Society. He is a regular volunteer at Ronald McDonald House and the YMCA, and also plays varsity soccer. Avilvs is the recipient of the Unsung Raider Award and a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. He completed over 400 hours of volunteer service last year.
The Adult Volunteer of the Year is Jan Grokett of Fleming Island High School and Montclair Elementary School.
Grokett has been serving Clay County Schools by volunteering in both the Fleming Island library and Montclair library for the past 17 years. Grokett has served as a mentor to student writers using her experience as a published author and encourages reading in both schools.
The Senior Volunteer of the Year is Middleburg Elementary School’s Sharon Thomson
Thomson has spent over 1,248 hours helping students to read. She creates animal-themed bookmarks for children to earn once they complete a book log. She is also helpful during pre-planning and she can be found cutting out laminated items, decorating classrooms, setting up desks and materials for students, and preparing classrooms for open house.
Putnam deputy fired
for pursuit, deadly force
A Putnam County deputy was fired after an administrative review determined he violated the agency’s pursuit and deadly force policies.
Brandon Culbreth had been employed by the sheriff’s office two years.
According to a sheriff’s office press release, Culbreth responded to a burglary in progress on Sept. 29 in Interlachen.
After spotting the fleeing suspect in a blue Dodge pickup, the deputy attempted a traffic stop, and continued pursuing the vehicle after the driver of the pickup lost control and struck a fence.
When the suspect turned around and started toward Culbreth, the deputy fired several shots from his handgun, disabling the vehicle. The suspect fled on foot and has yet to be apprehended or identified.
An analysis of the suspect’s vehicle by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement concluded that of the eight rounds that hit the pickup, two hit the passenger side tires, three struck the tailgate and three hit the rear window.
An administrative investigation by the sheriff’s office concluded that Culbreth exercised poor judgment in continuing the pursuit after the attempted traffic stop.
“Deputy Culbreath obtained the vehicle’s tag number and
driver’s appearance and could have used the information at a later time to identify the driver,” wrote Maj. Johnny Greenwood in a media release. “His continued pursuit caused the fleeing vehicle to drive recklessly into residents’ yards.”
The investigation also faulted Culbreth for shooting at the truck when his own life was not in danger.
“The rounds fired by Deputy Culbreth occurred while the vehicle was passing or had already passed him,” wrote Greenwood. “The investigation revealed the use of deadly force in this incident was in violation of agency policy.”
Deputies: Interlachen man attacked 8-year-old
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested an Interlachen man after he attacked his 8-year-old grandson.
Dean Marcus Smith, 57, was charged with domestic battery. The charge against Smith is not proven and he is presumed innocent until adjudicated guilty by a court.
According to the sheriff’s office, on Nov. 18 deputies responded to a Hayes Drive residence regarding Smith
See ARREST, 3A
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 • Lake Region Monitor 3A
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‘Fly Guy’ author visits Melrose Library
Tedd Arnold presents “Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl” at the Melrose Public Library Nov. 16. Photo by Dan Hildebran.
McRae Elementary Oct. Terrific Kids
(Left-right) front row: Blake Wilbur, Hannah Altman, Trey Richardson, Hayden Isley, Giana Salazar and Morgan Vanstev-Fornshell. Second row: Abby Younts, Brooklyn Tootle, Elizabeth Fish, Eyen Mrwik and Tomas Harrigan. Third row: Landin Feagle, Leah Smith, Clayton Williams, Mandy Guo and Chantell Hall. Fourth row: Brian Rutkowski and Kayleigh Vansyckel. Fifth row: David O’Brien, Zachary Taylor, Tina O’Brien, Kaleb Hall and James Spillers. Sixth row: Principal Marcus Dooley, Caden Vansyckel, Justin McLendon, Blake Dushane, Cassie Plourde and Anna Cruz. Photo courtesy of McRae Elementary School.
over 270 nests which comprises about 18 percent of the state’s Bald Eagle population.
Smith said the program also teaches volunteers about Bald Eagle biology and natural history.
“So if you just want to learn about Bald Eagles, it is a great opportunity to do that as well,” he said.
Smith also told his audience at Gold Head about the Center for Birds of Prey. Located in Maitland, the center rehabilitates injured raptures including owls, hawks and eagles. He added that the center has rehabilitated and released over 400 eagles.
One rehabilitated eagle that could not be released accompanied Smith to Gold Head. Francis is a 22-year-old Bald Eagle that arrived at the center when it was around three days old.
Smith said Francis is an imprint, meaning that during a critical stage of development, the bird imprinted or became emotionally attached to something other than another eagle. Smith said imprints are incapable of adapting to a natural habitat.
“He doesn’t necessarily know how to be an eagle in the wild,” said Smith. “He doesn’t have eagle social skills and he also doesn’t know how to hunt. Despite having a strong drive to hunt, birds of prey have to learn how to do it. It is something that they learn from their parents, and he never had that.”
Smith said that when Francis arrived at the Maitland facility, he was sick and remained in the intensive care unit for some time. Because of his age, center personnel knew he would never return to the wild.
“It was a choice between him being an imprint or him not living at all,” Smith said. “So they chose to keep him alive, knowing he would be an imprint.”
Smith said Audubon is looking for additional EagleWatch volunteers. Individuals interested in participating in the program can find more information by searching for Audubon EagleWatch on the Internet.
EAGLEContinued from 1A
different than how the reservoir is managed now.
“The reservoir right now is being managed as a fishery,” she said. “They keep the water at a certain level so that bass boats and people who are out there fishing on the reservoir can go across all those stumps that were left from the forest that was there.”
Ahlers said that once the reservoir is converted into an alternative water supply, anglers may find that access to the lake is restricted. She said supply and demand of Northeast Florida water use will determine the lake level and other attributes of the reservoir.
“Whatever their demand is, is what will govern the height of that reservoir and the ability to access it for fishing,” she said.
Ahlers added that growing demand for water by the Jacksonville utility, JEA, is the biggest threat to north Florida’s water resources.
She said government agencies have neglected their responsibility for instilling discipline in water consumption and in conserving the resource.
“You just don’t give a kid a cake and let them eat what they want to,” she said. “That is kind of what is happening with our water resources right now. Major utilities are running the show. They get to take as much as they want with very little oversight.”
She also said that water supply should be a primary factor in regulating growth in the state, and not an afterthought.
“Water should be a defining factor in how we grow,” she said, “and unfortunately it is not that way in Florida right now.”
AHLERSContinued from 1A
convention in Orlando. Keystone’s group of about
125 students completed several projects last year including the Nutrients for Life program, Pennies for Patients and the Keystone Garden Club’s Florist Angels program.
Chapter members also raised and showed steers, swine, and heifers at the Clay County Agricultural Fair, participated in can food drives for Lake Area Ministries, cultivated school gardens for Keystone Heights Elementary and led Farm Day programs at the elementary school.
Submitted by Erin Verplanck, Keystone Heights High School FFA.
FFAContinued from 1A
Help decorate the annual Christmas tree at Keystone Heights Natural Park
The American Legion Post 202 Auxiliary is asking you to submit the name of a military friend or family member, past or present, for their yellow ribbon tree decorating project.
The auxiliary will be making yellow ribbon laminated pages 8×11 honoring your military hero to hang on the tree for all to see. You may include a small message if you wish.
They are asking for a $1 donation for each submission. All donations will go toward their annual Christmas stockings they fill and deliver to the patients at the Gainesville VA and senior center.
If you would like to honor your military hero in the yellow ribbon tree decorating project, please stop in at one of the following locations to fill out the form: American Legion Post 202, just north of Walgreens on S.R. 21, City Hall across from the Natural Park, Mallards Dollarama in downtown Keystone. Deadline is Nov. 22.
being intoxicated and causing a disturbance. Witnesses reported that after law enforcement left the residence, Smith went inside the home and confronted his eight-year-old grandson who was lying on a couch. Smith allegedly grabbed the child by his ankles and pulled him off of the couch. Once the boy was on the floor, Smith got on top of him and began to strike him. The child’s father intervened and in self-defense struck Smith in the face.
Smith was transported by rescue personnel to the Putnam Community Medical Center to be treated for his injuries. After he was medically cleared, he was arrested and booked into the Putnam County Jail.
The details of the incident were forwarded to the Department of Children and Family Services for their review.
UF study examines harmful effects of combined medication use for mental health therapies in children
The use of medications to treat mental health conditions in children is on the rise, bringing with it an increase in the combinations of those drugs, an area in which there has been very little research — until now.
Almut Winterstein, Ph.D., a University of Florida College of Pharmacy professor in pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, is conducting a two-year study to identify potentially harmful combinations of psychotropic medications in children who receive Medicaid, and to help Medicaid discourage the use of those combinations. Psychotropic drugs are all medications used
to treat mental health conditions, including stimulants to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antidepressants and antipsychotics.
“There are very few clinical studies that have been conducted really looking at the efficacy or safety of the use of combinations of psychotropic medications,” Winterstein said. “Yet many children do receive combinations, and we don’t know what that mean.”
Many parents and health care providers have been concerned about the unknown effects of children taking multiple medications prescribed by various practitioners, Winterstein said.
“The largest growth in ADHD diagnosis is attributed to pediatricians and not to psychiatrists,” Winterstein said. “So you actually have several providers now who prescribe psychotropic medications and coordination between providers and understanding of the various intents when psychotropic drugs were prescribed may be suboptimal.”
This study is one of three distinct projects Winterstein is conducting as part of a $510,788 research contract from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Agency for Health Care Administration. Administered through the Florida Center for Medicaid and the Uninsured at UF, the contract allows Winterstein and her team to purchase Medicaid billing data from 29 states to complete
this research.Focusing on patients under
the age of 20, Winterstein will analyze records from a database of all Medicaid programs in the 29 largest states, including Florida. This database covers about 85 percent of the whole Medicaid population in the United States, allowing her to make geographic and statewide comparisons in terms of how treatment patterns might vary and to describe what kind of treatment patterns are most prevalent.
“We have essentially all the billing data that Medicaid gets from providers,” Winterstein said. “That includes roughly 70 million patients.”
By analyzing these data, Winterstein can determine what psychotropic drug combinations are more prevalent and should be subjected to further research.
Sale of Gainesville Correctional goes to cabinet
A proposal to convert Gainesville Correctional Institution into a homeless shelter will soon go before the Florida cabinet for approval.
Last year, the Department of Corrections closed the facility, citing a decreasing inmate population. The state later agreed to sell the property to the City of Gainesville which plans on converting it to a homeless shelter.
The Department of Corrections said it will retain 152 acres of the site to operate a work camp and release center.
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
Tedd Arnold, author and illustrator of over 60 children’s books, including the “Fly Guy,” “Huggly” and the “Bialosky’s Bedtime” series, spoke at the Melrose Public Library Nov. 16.
Arnold moved to Gainesville at age 10 from Elmira, N.Y. and began art classes soon thereafter. He earned a bachelor’s of fine arts degree from the University of Florida and worked as a commercial illustrator in Tallahassee while his wife Carol earned an education degree at
Florida State.Arnold parlayed one of his son
Walter’s annoying habits into his first book: “No Jumping On the Bed!”
He is a two-time winner of the American Library Association’s Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor for “Hi Fly Guy” and “I Spy Fly Guy.”
Arnold explained to the standing-room-only crowd in Melrose how he illustrates. He also used a slide presentation to present his book, “Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl.”
ARRESTContinued from 2A
4A Lake Region Monitor • Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013
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Lake Area Ministries expands services, thanks volunteers
Lake Area Ministries Board Chair James Peoples (center) and co-director Chip Wester (right) present outgoing board member Jim Snell (left) with a certificate of appreciation. Also pictured seated are (l-r) Secretary Pat Bonsteel, Treasurer Marion Cox and co-director Paula Buckner. Photo by Dan Hildebran.
BY DAN HILDEBRANMonitor Editor
A Co-director of Lake Area Ministries said the food bank expanded its services to needy families this year, including offering assistance with paying utilities, and giving away personal hygiene products.
Chip Wester made the remarks during the organization’s annual meeting on Nov. 14 at Trinity Baptist Church.
Wester said the group was on track to serve as many individuals as it did last year, around 15,000.
Wester said after the group received a $3,000 grant from the federal government to fund
utilities payments, it decided to continue the ministry by using its own funds to help area residents with power bills.
He added that the ministry is limiting utilities assistance to elderly residents and families with small children.
Wester also said the food bank saw an additional need for soap, detergent, toilet paper and similar products because federal food stamp assistance does not fund such items. He said Lake Area Ministries spent $3,500 for personal hygiene products in the third quarter.
Wester cited the additional services for the organization exceeding its 2013 budget. He
said that in previous years, donations to the food bank in the last two months of the year were always strong. If that pattern continues for 2013, he added, the non-profit should end the year in the black.
Board Chair James Peoples thanked LAM’s volunteers for their contribution to the organization’s efforts.
“Not just thank you from me,” he said, “but I want to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of thousands. You may not see them. They may not always say thank you, but it is appreciated. They see it. The Lord sees it. We see it and, we thank you. We appreciate you.”
Keystone Elementary students get unplugged
Mandy Rodriguez, Riley Draney, Remi Draney and Lauren Hix hula hoop at the outdoor game station during the Unplugged kickoff party. Photo by Teri Sapp.
Tiffany McGee and Mom Michelle and Patsy Lee, along with daughters Raegan and Jenna, work on creating storytelling props during the Nov. 5 Unplugged kickoff party. Photo by Teri Sapp.
A group of Keystone Heights Elementary School teachers is encouraging students to turn off theirs screens and play outside, read books and engage in conversations. The teachers’ month-long promotion, “Unplugged and Get Involved,” sprang from discussions the group had about how to encourage students to learn beyond school hours.
The teachers launched the campaign with a Nov. 5 kickoff party at the school. Over 400 students and family members showed up for the event, which included crafts, games, fitness activities and other unplugged fun. The event gave parents the opportunity to connect with teachers and school resources like the library and the local Book Bus. Every person had an opportunity to get one free book from the Book Bus, and the school gave away books, board games, jump ropes, and kick balls as door prizes.
The kickoff also included a performance by the Keystone Heights Elementary School Ukulele Band, and an informative skit focusing on
the importance of reading with children.
The following day, students participated in a pep-rally that included a visit from KHHS cheerleaders, a humorous skit about the trials of always being plugged-in to their screens, and another performance by the ukulele band. At the end of the pep rally, students were invited to pledge to spend less time looking at screens and more time engaging in unplugged fun every night of the month like walking, reading and playing board games.
Throughout the month, every
student will receive resources and ideas to help them stay unplugged.
To celebrate a successful month, the school will hold a read-in at the high school football field on Dec. 6. Families will be invited to bring towels and blankets to lie on the field and read together. At the end of the evening, participants will all read a short poem together to show their commitment to playing unplugged in the months and years to come.
Submitted by Teri Sapp, Keystone Heights Elementary School.
LRM Legals 11/21/13
KEYSTONE HEIGHTSNOTICE OF FIRST PUBLIC
HEARING FOR FFY 2013 CDBG APPLICATION
The City of Keystone Heights is con-sidering applying to the Florida DEO for a FFY 2013 Small Cities Com-munity Development Block Grant (CDBG) of up to $650,000. These funds must be used for one of the following purposes: 1 To benefit low and moderate income persons; or 2. To aid in the prevention or elimina-tion of slums or blight; or 3. To meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs.The activity categories for which these funds may be used are in the areas of housing, neighborhood and commercial revitalization, or economic development (new jobs). Eligible uses of funds include such physical improvement activities as housing/commercial building reha-bilitation, clearance, water, sewer and street improvements, drainage, housing site development, parking, and loans to businesses. Additional information regarding the range of activities that may be undertaken will be provided at the public hearing. For each activity that is proposed, statewide at least 70% of the funds must benefit low and moderate in-come persons. In developing an application for submission to DEO, the City must plan to minimize dis-placement of persons as a result of planned CDBG activities. In addi-tion, the City is required to develop a plan to assist displaced persons.The public hearing to receive citizen views concerning the community’s housing, economic and communi-ty development needs will be held during a City Council Meeting on Monday, December 2, 2013, begin-ning at 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereaf-ter as may be heard, in the City Hall Building located at 555 S. Lawrence Blvd, Keystone Heights, FL. This is a handicapped accessible facility. Any person with disabilities needing spe-cial accommodation should submit a request to the City Manager, (352) 473-4807 (TDD# (800) 955-8771 at least 48 hours before the meeting. - A FAIR HOUSING/EQUAL OP-PORTUNITY/HANDICAP ACCESS JURISDICTION
11/21 1tchg-LRM
FAIR HOUSING PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING
The City of Keystone Heights will conduct a fair housing meeting for the public and local elected officials on Monday, December 2, 2013, during a Regular City Council meeting be-ginning at 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Building located at 555 S. Lawrence Blvd, Keystone Heights, FL. This meeting is intended to provide the public and local elected officials with information concerning fair housing requirements. Anyone interested in understanding the importance of fair housing should attend.A FAIR HOUSING/ EQUAL OPPOR-TUNITY/ HANDICAP ACCESS JU-RISDICTION
11/21 1tchg-LRM
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTIONNotice is hereby given that pursu-ant to the Florida Self Storage Fa-cility Act Statutes (Section 83.801, 83.809), Lake area Storage, LLC, will
sell the following items to the highest and best bidder on Tuesday, Decem-ber 10, 2013, at 9:00 A.M. (EST) at 7101 SR 21, Keystone Heights, Flor-ida 32656: Unit# 313, containing misc. house-hold items.
11/21 2tchg 11/28-LRM
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTIONNotice is hereby given that pursu-ant to the Florida Self Storage Fa-cility Act Statutes (Section 83.801, 83.809), Lake area Storage, LLC, will sell the following items to the highest and best bidder on Tuesday, Decem-ber 10, 2013, at 9:00 A.M. (EST) at 7101 SR 21, Keystone Heights, Flor-ida 32656: Unit# 340, containing misc. house-hold items.
11/21 2tchg 11/28-LRM
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTIONNotice is hereby given that pursu-ant to the Florida Self Storage Fa-cility Act Statutes (Section 83.801, 83.809), Lake area Storage, LLC, will sell the following items to the highest and best bidder on Tuesday, Decem-ber 10, 2013, at 9:00 A.M. (EST) at 7101 SR 21, Keystone Heights, Flor-ida 32656: Unit# 347, containing misc. house-hold items.
11/21 2tchg 11/28-LRM
LEGAL NOTICES
“Government ought to be all outside and no inside.”
President Woodrow Wilson
Decorate the Holiday Tree Event
Nov. 26 at 1:00 p.m. - The Melrose Public Library is hosting Decorate The Holiday Tree for families to come together for a chance to create holiday memories that will last a lifetime. Come and join in on the festivities. Decorations and refreshments are provided, so all you have to bring is holiday spirit and cheer. Family members of all ages are encouraged to attend and decorate the holiday tree.
Sponsored by the Putnam County Library System. The program is free to all who attend. Refreshments are provided by the Melrose Library Association.
The library is located at 312 Wynnwood Avenue, behind the Melrose Post Office.
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 • Lake Region Monitor 5A
4-WheelAlignment
$5995
Keystone District Office 352-473-4917 • clayelectric.com
Melrose Church of Christ352-672-0920 • 8702 SR 21 Melrose
(1-1/4 mi. N. of traffic light)Preacher: Gene Morgan • Bible Study: Sunday 9 AM • Worship Service 10 am & 6 pm
Ladies’ Bible Study: Fri. 3:00 PM • Mid-week Bible Study: Wed. 7:30 PM
: What does the word of the Lord say about those who have died in Christ and those Christians who are alive at His coming?
: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Please Join Us for the Sixth Annual
Thanksgiving in the ParkThursday, November 28 • 11am to 2pm
Everyone is welcome! Free to all! Great fun, food, fellowship and music!
Sponsored by
and the generosity of the wider communityCall 352-475-2177 for info or to volunteer your help.
Shear CreationsA Hair & Nail Salon
We Love YouWednesday!
20% of ALL RetailWed • Nov 27th only
Tasker Harris, Logan Coates, Eric Olmsted, Tyler Colaw, Fourth grade
Jayden Goodman, Ashton Proveaux, Damien Taft, Adryan Liuzzo, Second grade
Back row - Cartez Daniels, Mary Ford, Abraham McGollie. Front row - Darrion Grady, Ashley Underwood, Second grade
Kylah McKibben, Justin Asbell, Ethan Gagnon, Sixth grade
Melrose Elementary School Straight A Students All photos by Amy James
Back row - Michael Piver, Hayden Taylor, Noah Lotow. Front row - Ryean Spring, Luke Peffley, Second grade
Back Row - Derek Metz, Aliyah Sapp, Anastasia Velazquez, Kameryn Joshua. Front row - Andru Siemer, Wiley Hall, Derryl Warren, Second grade
Back row - Jacob Stewart, Troy Macarages, Aaron Miller. Front row - Rianna Kocher, Gabrielle Pearse, Jasmine Minton, Fifth grade
Back row - Dustin Thomas, Gianna Crosley, Emma Franke. Front row - Matthew Elkins, Riley Aprile, Kylie Davis, Third grade
Back row - Malea Brown, Jamie Crouse, Lex Crosby. Front row - Druanna Kight, Elena Jolley, Chance Buie, Fifth grade
Back row - Macy Lofton, Naomi Paul, Kaitlin Kirkland, Samantha Metz. Front row - Nathaniel Stairs, Khandi Tyre, Third grade
Sofia Jolley, Cameron Klinger, Gavin Gottschalk, Fourth grade
Kira Flynn, Jacob Hines, Hailee Vickers, Second grade
Back row - Hannah Waite, Emily Wilson, Phoenix Cushman. Front row - Eli Morris, Marissa Rivera, Landon Hovsepian, Third grade
Kaylyn Johnson, Kayden Walker, Tommy Strom, Briana Pritchett, Fifth grade
6A Lake Region Monitor • Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013
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