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Deborah Russell - Editor/Publisher Paid
Tom Russell - Consulting Editor Wednesday February 2, 2011 A Publication of Inglis, FL 34449
Sally Price - Correspondent Newscaster Publishing Permit No. 14
Mike Moore - Photojournalist Happy Ground Hog Day!
.

Squawk Box
Big Brother is here
Part II
Traffic Cameras, Continued from 1-26-11
Some argue that slight increases
in the duration of yellow lights at intersec-
tions is a more effective and less costly
way to increase traffic safety than safety
cameras. One Dunnellon driver claims that
the duration of the yellow light is actual-
ly shorter by one second since the traffic
light cameras have been placed resulting
in “more violations.” Another driver stated
that he didn’t believe the charges against
him until he went to the Dunnellon Police
Department and viewed their video, which
proved he was guilty.
A seven-year study in six Virgin-
ia jurisdictions led the Virginia Transpor-
tation Research Council to conclude that
traffic cameras were associated with an
increase in rear-end collisions. However,
the use of the traffic cameras was aban-
doned by Norcross, Georgia in 2009, be-
cause violations dropped to the point that
the privately-owned camera systems were
costing the city revenue.
The legality of the traffic light Aerial Photo over Kings Bay - Staff from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge conducted an aerial survey of manatees on January 24,
cameras has been challenged, and several 2011.  This survey was conducted as part of the statewide synoptic survey coordinated by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis-
cities in various states have abandoned sion.  A total of 541 manatees was counted along the survey route, stretching from the Suwannee River south to the Weeki Wachee River.  

“Bath salts” Homosassa Springs postal worker

the use of them due to legal challenges. In Chassahowitzka NWR Photo - Continued on page 4.
general, those opposed to the cameras say
that they deny alleged violators the right

now illegal jailed on scheme to defraud charge

to confront their accusers and violate a
person’s rights to privacy and due process.
Many drivers feel victimized by automat-
ed monitoring and ticketing, feeling that it From Citrus County Sheriff's Dept. Homosassa Springs Post
leaves them with little defense against be- IPD & LSCO have plans to An employee of the Homosassa Office on Dec. 14, but the
ing ticketed. Springs Post Office was arrested by the Cit- watch never arrived at its
educate community destination. The couple
Although the tickets generated by rus County Sheriff’s Office, Jan. 27, charged
Over the coming days, Inglis Police
the camera generally do not add points to with scheme to defraud (less than $20,000). provided the sales receipt
Chief Steve Dixon says that the Inglis Police
a person’s driving record, they can effect a According to the arrest report, on Jan. 5, a of the watch, along with a
Department, with the assistance of the Levy
person’s ability to register their car or ob- woman filed a complaint about the theft of copy of the mailing receipt
County Sheriff’s Office, will work hard to
tain/renew a license plate. two gift cards that she’d sent to Illinois by and the insurance receipt.
educate store owners, managers and employ-
At the the Crystal River City way of U.S. Mail at the Homosassa Springs The mail receipt showed
ees about the new emergency rule that will Riggeal
Council meeting, Jan. 24, the council dis- Post Office. The woman had learned that that operator number two
add substances containing Methylenedioxy-
cussed, but took no action, on having the both cards had been spent, one at the In- performed the post office transaction.
pyrovalerone (“MDPV”), along with Meth-
cameras installed at six major intersec- verness Walmart on Dec. 22, and the other Another postal customer reported
ylenedioxymethcathinone (“Methylone”),
tions to address the running of red lights. at an unknown location. She had her mail the theft of gift cards in the amount of $400
Methylmethcathinone (“Mephedrone”),
They discussed that the legality of the receipt and the purchase receipt of the gift that were mailed to New York at the Homo-
Methoxymethcathinone and Fluorometh-
red light cameras was addressed by the cards. The post office receipt showed that sassa Springs Post Office, as the package
cathinone, commonly known as “bath salts”
Florida Legislature in several provisions operator number two performed the post of- containing the gift cards had never reached
to the schedule of controlled substances.
of HB325, which went into effect in July fice transaction. its destination. The customer’s mail receipt
The new rule was announced by Florida At-
2010. One camera vendor, ATS, has de- On Jan. 20, two people reported the showed that operator number two performed
torney General Pam Bondi on Jan. 26.
veloped a statistical model called Site Lo- theft of a Rolex watch they had purchased the post office transaction.
To help, members of the Inglis Po-
cation System, or SLS, and will submit by mail at a local jewelry store. They paid According to her arrest report, op-
lice Department will visit stores throughout
cost estimates for two options, one which $4,000 for the watch, which was appraised erator number two at the Homosassa Springs
the Town of Inglis to educate store owners
assumes the City would not enforce right at $9,000. The couple’s check was mailed to Post Office is 50 year-old Ruth Paris Rig-
and managers on the legal and illegal ele-
on red light violations and one which as- the jeweler on Dec. 10, and the watch was geal, 221 W. Sugarmaple Ln, Beverly Hills.
ments of having the bath salts. Officers will
Continued on page 2 - Squawk Box Continued on page 3 -Bath Salts mailed by the jewelry store owner at the Continued on page 3 -Scheme to Defraud