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Local News

  • City prohibits agressive begging

    By C.L. Watson, Citizen Correspondent

    Prohibiting Aggressive Solicitation is illegal in the city of Chiefland after the city commission passed the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 18-02 at the regular meeting Monday, April 9.

    The ordinance was a direct request from Police Chief Scott Anderson following an incident at the beginning of 2018 where a group of out of state vagabonds infiltrated the Walmart parking lot seeking financial handouts. The group consisted of about 19 persons traveling in an old bus.

    The ordinance does not affect groups who have been granted permission from business owners to raise money for their charities and organizations at that business owners location. Girl Scouts will still be allowed to sell cookies and high school students hold car washes.

    The aggressive panhandling law gives the police authority stop the unwanted persons from preying on customers in parking lots and areas throughout the city. The discretion of each violation will be made by the officer handling the incident. No. 18-02 has a maximum fine of $500 and or imprisonment for violators.

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  • Storm damaged trees to be removed from cemetery

    By C.L. Watson

    An emotional thank you was heard by all at the recent commission meeting held April 3rd. Beth Dieveney expressed sincere gratitude to the City of Cedar Key staff, Fire Department and volunteers for their actions following a 911 call May 25, 2017. Mrs. Dieveney was dining at 83 West when her father suffered a heart attack. She felt the quick coordination and knowledgeable response was a contributor to her father being alive and well.

    George Oakley requested placing a directional sign for Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast at the corner of D and 3rd Street. Unfortunately the city ordinance does not allow erected private signs on public property. Police Chief Virgil Sandlin read the Laws of Cedar Key citing the ordinance. The overall concern was if one business is allowed to add signage others will follow.

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  • Keen brings rock-a-billy to Chiefland Playhouse

    By Lori Prevatt, Citizen

    Houston Keen took his brand of rock-a-billy music to the Community Playhouse in Chiefland the Thursday before Easter. Keen grew up in Chiefland and graduated from Chiefland High School.

    The 23-year-old Chiefland native shared his story about how he got into the music business and what he is currently working on in a brief interview, before the start of the concert.

    Keen became interested in music because of his grandmother’s influence.

    “My grandma was a singer in church. She always wanted a singer in the family. One day I found my dad’s old guitar and my grandmother told me I was doing this,” Keen said.

    He took guitar lessons at Billy Bones for two years and then learned more guitar skills at his own pace.

    Keen has played at the Alachua County Fair and the Chiefland Watermelon Festival for several years as well as many festivals and fairs in Florida the past three years.

    Keen has also opened for Granger Smith, a famous singer in Texas, and Jamie Davis, another country music singer. He also opened for We the Kings, a well-known Florida band.

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  • Security coming to schools; funding still a question

    Levy County Sheriff Bobby McCallum says all 15 public and charter schools in the county will have a deputy on campus for the remainder of the school year, but he’s concerned about the financial viability of the program going forward.

    At the Levy County Commission meeting April 2, McCallum announced the plans his Office finalized the previous day to send deputies to each campus. The move was in response to the state law passed in March that includes provisions for increasing school safety and security in the wake of the mass shooting that killed 17 and injured 17 more at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

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  • NRA suit vs. Florida continues

    By Lori Prevatt, Citizen Correspondent

    A Palatka goat farmer's request to intervene in the lawsuit filed March 9 by the NRA against Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi was denied.

    The National Rifle Association filed suit against Bondi in response to legislation signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott. The new law was in response to the shooting Feb. 14 at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The new statute increases the age limit of individuals allowed to buy rifles and shotguns from age 18 to 21.

    Mitchell Williams, 26, a goat farmer attempted to intervene in the lawsuit, but the judge ruled he had no standing in the case. Williams stated in a letter to the federal court that Florida had been experiencing issues with neighbors shooting to close to his home and goats. He suggested the courts limit the purchase of ammunition and also include microchips on ammo to make it traceable.

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  • Panhandling could be costly in Chiefland

    By C.L. Watson, Citizen Correspondent

    Panhandling within the city limits of Chiefland could end up costing the panhandler money.

    Ordinance 18-02 to prohibit aggressive solicitation was introduced at the March 26 meeting with the first reading winning a unanimous vote by city commissioners. The ordinance is not limited to persons scouring parking lots asking for a financial handout. The ordinance further defines aggressive solicitation as approaching or speaking to a person and solicit, or attempt to solicit, in such manner the person feels an imminent threat. Peddlers of merchandise, offers of employment and donations for charitable groups could be in violation of the proposed ordinance if the panhandler acts aggressively. The ordinance carries a maximum fine of $500 and or imprisonment for violators. The ordinance must pass a second reading April 9 before it is enforceable.

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  • Christians celebrate the resurrection

    Christians in Cedar Key celebrated Easter Sunday enjoying God’s creation on the beach on a beautiful morning knowing their lord has risen.

    “Where else would you want to be,” Rev. Susie Horner, pastor of Cedar Key United Methodist Church asked. The imagery water represents in the Bible is vital to the message in the Bible. “Water is renewed life. We’re baptized in water. We are given new life through our baptism in water. It’s a continuous part of our faith walk. Water is just life giving.”

    The never ceasing wave action of the Gulf waters lapping at the shore is a reminder of that continuum of life.

    “We’re baptized in water. You go down unclean and you rise clean and from that moment, you have the promise of eternal life,” she said.

    All four of the churches in Cedar Key participated in the sunrise service: Church of Christ, Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Key Baptist Church and the Methodist Church.

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  • CMHS alumni return for busy career day

    Chiefland Middle High School’s career day on March 22 wasn’t exclusive to the school’s alumni, but their impressive representation among the professionals presenting at the event made for a good example for current students.

    Around half of the 31 career representatives – from companies, government organizations and colleges – previously attended the school. Those reps, of course, detailed and demonstrated the work of their fields, but also offered general advice to the future graduates.

    Denny George, of Duke Energy, one of 10 classroom presenters, advised current students to remain open and well-rounded when it comes to their studies, as their minds are likely to change about their career paths before they’re finished with school.

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  • Easter Bunny lays 40,000 eggs

    By Lori Prevatt, Citizen Correspondent

    Forward Church covered the ground at Strickland Park with 40,000 candy-filled plastic Easter eggs Sunday, March 25.

    The annual hunt included many fun things for children to do.

    First responders were present to give children a close up look inside the back of a Levy County Ambulance or inside a Chiefland fire truck. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office brought its airboat and allowed kids to pose for pictures on the boat. A state trooper was also present and Chiefland police officer Kyle Schultz and his K9 partner, Blitz, met boys and girls. Kids posed for pictures with the first responders, talked to them about safety and were given safety pamphlets.

    Children also had the opportunities to play on bouncy houses and to have their faces painted.

    Mini Angels Rescue Petting Zoo also had many animals for children to hold and pet. They had a large tortoise, a small pig, goats, guinea pigs, rabbits and more.

    Shandscaire also landed their helicopter and allowed children and parents to explore the inside of the helicopter.

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  • Fire claims Bronson man

    By Lt. Scott Tummond, LCSO PIO

    The Levy County Sheriff’s Office and Levy County Department of Public Safety along with multiple fire units responded March 24 at about 11:15 p.m. to 11830 NE 81 Terrace, in Bronson, to multiple 911 calls about a structure fire.

    Fire and law enforcement officials arrived to find a singlewide mobile home fully engulfed in flames. Witnesses on scene told responding units there was still someone inside the home.

    Felix Shackelford, 79, was unable to escape and succumbed to the fire.

    Witnesses reported Shackelford had been working on a propane space heater earlier in the day and when he lit it, it exploded. Shackelford attempted to extinguish the flames and was trapped inside the home. His wife, Margaret, was able to escape. Their son, Author Carroza, had been working on a vehicle in the yard and had taken the vehicle on a test run when the fire started. He attempted to gain entry into the home after the fire started, but was not able to locate his father inside due to the extreme heat.

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