0326 Chronicle week in evaluation: Hit and run accident, proposed Sugarmill housing issues, taxidermy for pets and tales of the ‘Cussin’ Mayor’ | Native Information
A few of the hottest tales of the week
Casey Cook dinner, who turns 35 on March 23, was hit by a hit-and-run driver whereas strolling someday between 11 and 11:30 p.m. March 15 on the intersection of Inverness Boulevard and Darthmouth Terrace within the Inverness Highlands.
Younger lady visiting from Scotland in hit-and-run accident
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As she does yearly round her March 23 birthday, 35-year-old Casey Cook dinner got here house to Citrus County from her life in Aberdeen, Scotland, working in environmental science and climbing mountains in her spare time.
On the night of March 15, as she walked to fulfill a good friend, simply two blocks away from her dad’s home in Inverness, she was hit by a hit-and-run driver, struggling a number of accidents which have now put her life and future on maintain.
The good friend she was going to fulfill discovered her mendacity on the street.
“Her accidents are vital and embody: a number of fractures to her proper leg, a fractured cranium and facial bones, nostril, sinuses, damaged tooth, mind bleed, broken left eye. She will be able to’t transfer, and he or she’s in a lot ache,” mentioned her dad, Jim Cook dinner. “She had surgical procedure on her leg the opposite day, however the maxillofacial surgeon can’t function on her face till the swelling goes down.”
The accident occurred on the intersection of Inverness Boulevard and Dartmouth Terrace, within the Inverness Highlands, someday between 11 and 11:30 p.m.
If in case you have info on a hit-and-run crash, you may report it by calling FHP (347) or report it anonymously to Florida Crime Stoppers by calling TIPS (8477) or by way of the Florida Crime Stoppers smartphone cellphone app, accessible free within the Apple and Google Play shops.
Upscale properties go on sale at Cabot Citrus Farms
The 18-hole “Pine Barrens” course at Cabot Citrus Farms in Brooksville.
Submitted picture
What was World Woods, a 1,200-acre property off U.S. 98, is now rebranded as Cabot Citrus Farms with facilities equivalent to two revitalized 18-hole programs, a par-3 course, a brand new clubhouse and follow amenities with a placing course and driving vary.
Cabot Citrus Farms may have retail, eating places, health and spa facilities, communal gathering factors and a farmer’s market, to not point out new upscale properties.
This month, Cabot introduced it’s launching gross sales for its 36 two- and four-bedroom properties on the Cottages at Cabot Citrus Farms.
There can be 130 properties at build-out. Pricing begins at $1.8 million.
Earlier this yr, Cabot unveiled its “21” course that – alongside Cabot Barrens and Cabot Oaks – is slated to open in December 2023.
As a part of the deal, Cabot additionally purchased Sugarmill Woods and Southern Woods in Homosassa.
Sugarmill residents object to proposed housing growth
A motorist drives out of the Oak Village group of Sugarmill Woods on Friday morning, March 17.
Matthew Beck / Chronicle picture editor
Steve Ponticos, CEO of Sweetwater Properties of Citrus, has lived in Sugarmill Woods for 47 years. Not too long ago, he introduced his plans to construct as much as 250 multi-family properties on 49 acres in Sugarmill’s Oak Village group, and was stunned on the backlash from a lot of his neighbors.
The event can be rental-only, which was excessive on the checklist of residents’ issues.
“This can one hundred pc not be low-income housing, or government-subsidized housing or Part 8 housing,” Ponticos mentioned.
The event, a mixture of single-family villas, duplexes and townhomes, can be gated with a greenbelt surrounding your complete space to guard the atmosphere.
Some Sugarmill Woods’ residents are preventing the plans and have despatched emails and letters to the county with issues starting from too many automobiles clogging the roads, the necessity for extra legislation enforcement, destruction of inexperienced area, a hazard to walkers, lack of tranquility and a change of character locally.
Ponticos mentioned there are too many deceptive feedback circulating and he desires to set the document straight. He’ll get an opportunity when county commissioners evaluation the zoning case at their Might 11 assembly.
Stuffing your deceased pet is an choice in Inverness
Morgue Made Taxidermy and Oddities proprietor Allison Doty works on an iguana in her Inverness workshop. A lot of her prospects convey their deceased pets to Doty for preservation.
Images by Matthew Beck / Chronicle picture editor
Allison Doty, proprietor of Morgue Made Taxidermy and Oddities, has discovered a distinct segment within the taxidermy commerce that she has largely to herself in a lot of Florida: pets.
Working with grieving pet homeowners is one thing most taxidermists draw back from, Doty mentioned.
“I see their ache once they’re dropping off their pets. I see all these footage … when the pet was alive,” she mentioned. “I’ve grown males crying once they drop off their pets.”
Doty additionally “stuffs” roadkill.
For most individuals, a useless animal on the highway is one thing to keep away from. To Doty, “it’s cash in my pocket,” she mentioned.
She shows her work in two outlets: Dysfunctional Grace in Ybor Metropolis and Rusted Jade Artwork Collective in Brooksville.
It’s not unusual for mounted roadkill to promote only a day or two after it’s been placed on show in one of many shops, she mentioned.
Crystal River’s ‘Cussin’ Mayor’ arrested himself
In 1941, William S. Alyea, then-Crystal River mayor properly in his 80s, got here throughout a neighborhood constable having problem making an attempt to manage a bunch of drunken males one night. Regardless of his age, Alyea jumped into the fray to assist subdue the rowdy bunch, releasing a torrent of curse phrases to emphasise that he meant enterprise.
In these days, cursing in public was a criminal offense that was strictly enforced and resulted in a courtroom look, so Alyea positioned himself beneath arrest, locked himself right into a jail cell, and after his courtroom look, for which he prosecuted himself for his outburst, he was sentenced with a $20 positive — and gained notoriety throughout the nation because the “Cussin’ Mayor” as soon as the story hit the newswires.
Ken Marrote, vp of the Citrus County Historic Society, writes tales about native historical past, which he shares with the Citrus County Chronicle.
Sizzling matter of the week: A proposed “rental-only” housing growth in Sugarmill Woods prompted readers to voice their opinions on the Chronicle Fb web page. Right here’s what some mentioned:
Melissa Andrews Sutherland: “We want workforce housing within the county and there’s a large scarcity of rental properties. This can be a answer to an issue. I perceive not wanting it in your yard, however the property can be developed sooner or later. Thirty p.c of Citrus County is protected land, the remainder is up for growth and I’d slightly see it performed by a neighborhood than some dude from Miami with no ties right here or concern about influence.”
Kim Cirone: “We don’t want such a housing in Sugarmill — let’s minimize down much more timber and break what little wildlife we’ve close to our space!”
Peggy Donner: “It feels like it is going to be a pleasant growth, a lot wanted in Citrus County.”
Staci DeCoteau: “The (excessive) value is for those that work outdoors of Citrus or are retired. Nobody is pondering of the Citrus County working class. Do you know the sheriff’s, fireplace, nursing and many others, and lots of businesses round us, are quick (staffed) — quick police and sheriff’s deputies, fireplace and emergency personnel. Why? They cannot afford to stay right here. Why? As a result of the pay is simply too low. Why? Rents listed below are greater than wages. If county commissioners do not handle disproportionate wages to housing in Citrus there can be main points. Constructing extra housing that locals cannot afford will not be useful. They 100% will replenish. Simply not with the working class. Oh and the hospitals. They’re so past capability that God forbid somebody will get sick. You can be within the ER or within the hallway for days ready in beds. Employees shortages and lack of beds. So we’d like an actual answer to convey staff to Citrus County.”
JDawg Berndt: “Everybody desires to stay right here till others need to stay right here. In the event you did not need it developed, it’s best to’ve purchased the land.”
Quote of the week: “I decide up quite a lot of roadkill.” — Allison Doty, proprietor of Morgue Made Taxidermy and Oddities, who specializes within the taxidermy of individuals’s pets and likewise useless animals she finds on the highway
Apostolos Lesser performs the tuba within the Lecanto Excessive College marching band.
Particular to the Chronicle
Excellent news of the week: Three Lecanto marching band college students, Apostolos Lesser, Aidan Bice and Jaime Torres III, handed their auditions and are heading to New York Metropolis to be part of the 2023 Macy’s Nice American Marching Band on Thanksgiving Day.
“This marching band season has been impactful for us,” Apostolos mentioned. “Not solely this (Macy’s parade) however we certified for state finals for the primary time in our faculty’s historical past – and we acquired to be part of it.”
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