June 2019 – Citrus Times Online

4 unlicensed, unregulated contractors arrested

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) on Wednesday concluded a joint investigation with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), CCSO’s Seniors vs Crime, and the Citrus County Building Department, rooting out unlicensed individuals who advertise and perform regulated construction work in Citrus County.

CCSO’s Tactical Impact Unit (TIU) and Community Crimes Detectives arrested the following individuals for violations of Florida state statute regarding unlicensed contracting:

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Illness temporarily closes county animal shelter

Citrus County Animal Services has temporarily closed the shelter, until further notice, due to an unknown highly contagious upper respiratory infection.

The shelter medical staff and administration have consulted with Veterinarians from the University of Florida Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program who are experts in the field of treatment and management of illnesses in shelters.

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It’s official: Scallop season begins July 1 in local waters

Recreational bay scallop season for Franklin through the northwestern portion of Taylor, as well as Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties, opens July 1

Scallop season runs from July 1 to Sept. 24.

Recreational bay scallop season for Franklin through the northwestern portion of Taylor, as well as Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties opens July 1 and will remain open through Sept. 24. This includes Carrabelle, Lanark, St. Marks, Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa.

Do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational activities such as the Homosassa River or Crystal River.

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Road rage suspect leads deputies on chase through Citrus, Hernando counties

A Winter Haven man has been arrested following a wild Sunday night ride through Citrus and Hernando counties.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office says that shortly after 7 p.m. on Sunday, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) took 23-year-old Charles Austin Alec Jewell of Winter Haven into custody following that vehicle pursuit.

Jewell led Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies on an extensive chase throughout the area of Inverness and Floral City, the CCSO said.

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Cigarette thieves hit Lake Panasofkee Circle K

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is thanking residents for tips that recently led to identifying three suspects wanted in a large cigarette heist in Sumter County.

It has not been confirmed if the suspects had anything to do with the suspects involved in two Citrus County cigarette heists on the same day, June 19.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said that on June 19 at approximately 1:29 A.M, two black males and one black female entered the Circle K, located at 22 E-C 470, within Lake Panasoffkee, during which time the three worked in unison to steal more than 200 cartons of cigarettes.

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Landing gear frozen, but pilot lands plane safely

Emergency vehicles surround plane that had a frustrated landing at the Inverness Municipal Airport. (CCSO photo on June 21, 2019)

No injuries were reported Friday when a plane — whose landing gear was stuck — got things unstuck when the pilot was able to deploy gear manually.

The Citrus County Sheriiff’s Office (CCSO) said that the CCSO Aviation Unit, alongside Citrus County Fire Rescue and Nature Coast EMS, arrived on scene as the small plane circled the Inverness Airport with failing landing gear.

Fire, EMS and Law Enforcement all came together to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best, the CCSO said in a statement.

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