Thursday, August 6, 2015
Vol 33 No. 38
75 cents
Conversation group plans appeal of judge’s ruling Interveners seek dismissal of settlement between city, developer JEFF BRYAN Riverland News
Burt Eno
president, RRC.
Despite the June ruling of Judge Lisa Herndon, the legal battle about the future proposal of Rainbow River Ranch is far
from over. Rainbow River Conversation as well as a number of individuals plan to file a motion dismiss Judge Herndon’s approval of the settlement agreement the city of Dunnellon and Con-
versation Land Group, led by Gerry Dodd, reached in September 2012 after years of legal wrangling between the city and the development group. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) and Department of Economic Opportunities (DEO), formerly the Department of Community Affairs, also signed off on the agreement. However, the RRC and the individual interveners
Marion County photos sought
AARP Driver Safety Class slated An AARP Driver Safety Program for those 50 and older which, with certain exceptions, qualifies graduates for a discount on their automobile insurance, will be given over two days, three hours each day. Cost is $20 per person for all materials, except pen or pencil. However, if you are an AARP member, the cost is $15. Bring your AARP card with you. This course will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 3 and 4 at the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office substation on U.S. 41. For information or to register, call 465-6359.
See APPEAL page 3
Fire fee study in pipeline
WHAT’S HAPPENING The Citrus Publishing Marion County newspapers, including the South Marion Citizen, West Marion Messenger and Riverland News, are planning a special section for this fall called “Discover Marion County.” The section will carry information to guide people around the various things that the county has to offer. It will include lists, some stories and photos, lots of photos. That’s where we need your input. If you have any photos that you are willing to share that show scenes from the county, email them to us as JPG attachments to editor@ riverlandnews.com. Do not shrink the photos. Please include a description of where and approximately when the photos was taken (spring, summer, etc.) and the name of the person who took the photo. Unlike what we usually say for regular photos, we are not necessarily looking for pictures with people in them. Scenic views are usually the best. While the section is still weeks away, we are now starting to compile information, so please send us what you have.
had sought an evidentiary hearing, but Judge Herndon denied their request. In approving the settlement agreement, Judge Herndon wrote: “That the relief granted in the Revised Settlement Agreement protects the public
Project will take 60 to 90 days JEFF BRYAN Riverland News
JULIE MANCINI/For the Riverland News
Regas Woods, a two-time U.S. National Champion, adjusts his prosthetic running blades as he prepares for a recent practice in Gainesville. Woods is one of 62 U.S. athletes who will compete at the 2015 Parapan American Games from Aug. 10 to 14 in Toronto.
Woods ready for 2015 Parapan American Games event will serve as the largest international competition before the IPC Athletics World ChampionRegas Woods is no ships in October in Doha, stranger to adversity. Qatar. Woods will also comAt 34, he’s been accuspete in that event. tomed to it for most of his The fifth edition of the life especially after undergoing a double amputation Games will feature a total at the age of 2 because of a of 145 track and field birth defect. He lost both of events — 86 men’s and 59 women’s — at the Parapan his legs, just above the Am Athletics Stadium, inknee. cluding a total of 54 field While most children his events. A schedule of age were walking or runevents can be found on the ning, he was just learning. event website, Toronto As Woods prepares for the 2015 Parapan American 2015.org. The Parapan Am Games Games in Toronto, Canada, and will feature 1,608 aththe world class athlete letes from 28 countries calls his latest bout with competing in 15 sports with adversity a “bump in the the last Games taking place road.” Woods was selected for Team USA by U.S. Para- in 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. The U.S. track and lympics, a division of the field team contributed 56 United States Olympic medals to Team USA’s overCommittee, to compete in all medal count in Mexico the event, which will be with 25 gold, 15 silver and from Aug. 10 to 14 at the 16 bronze medals won. CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Team USA finished second Athletics Stadium. The
JEFF BRYAN Riverland News
in the overall count behind Brazil with a total of 132 medals over eight days. Woods is also nervous. Not because he enters the competition as the fastest man in the 200-meter run worldwide in the T-42 Classification. No, it has more to do with a lower back injury, which flared up two weeks ago in the Grand Prix Finals in London. More than three-quarters through the race, and leading the pack. “No one had seen anything like it,” Woods said about the false start. “Typically, it’s a quick bang, bang but we were almost to the finish line.” While slowing down and making his way back to the starting line, Woods’ back began to tighten up and spasm. The pain wasn’t so much excruciating as the injury itself. With an energetic and See RUNNING page 13
With the city in the midst of a serious budget crisis, the Dunnellon City Council on July 13 took a step toward achieving financial assistance by approving a fire assessment study. After hearing three presentations, officials selected Tindale and Olive over Burton & Associates and GSG Inc., based out of Tallahassee. “This is what we do, this is what we do with our lives,” said Steve Tindale, owner of the company, noting the study would likely take between 60 to 90 to complete. Then, it would be presented to the Council before a series of public hearings. Most important, Tindale said, during the process is explaining the what and why of implementing a fire assessment fee. “If you don’t get that first and we get into how, man are we going to have some fun with your citizens,” he explained. “You need to say why. I need more money and why. We better have a really good why, and what you need to do. What and why first, when those are clearly accepted then we’ll figure out how to do it with all these different options how to get there. If we don’t get those first two done, it doesn’t matter. “Once we come up with what and why, you can go and pass the tax. We can show you how it affects every user. We can show you what a tax would do? Do you want to be fair? Are you trying to change who’s going to do it?” Tindale Oliver has an in-depth understanding of the issues that affect fire funding studies, it explained in its power-point presentation to officials, which includes fire impact fees assessments user fees, including others, and has developed a set of tools for funding programs. Fire Rescue Analysis FRA tools include the following: Incident Data Management System IDMS to conduct a detailed analysis of incident data obtained from the National Fire Incident Reporting System NFIRS or the Fire Departments. Parcel Data Management System PDMS to determine type size value of structures land uses that See FIRE page 3
‘Life is a Highway:’ Man, dog travel together Duo have made trek across U.S. AUGIE SALZER For the Riverland News A dog is considered “man’s best friend” and the special attachment they have for each other makes for a very unique relationship. One local man and his dog have this strong bond between them, making them almost inseparable. Larry “Hyway” Heward and his dog, Kylee, can be seen riding throughout Dunnellon. Hyway on his 2004 black Yamaha Royal Star Venture motorcycle pulling a wooden wagon with Kylee sitting so
proudly in it. “I prefer to be called Hyway,” he said. “It’s my name because of the many miles I travel each year from the end of May until November.” Hyway built the wagon specifically for Kylee so they could always be together whether they traveled into town or across the nation. A plaque with the name “Kylee’s Chariot,” printed in large letters, is mounted on the side of the wagon so everyone driving AUGIE SALZER/For the Riverland News by will know her name. Larry “Hyway” Heward and his dog, Kylee, can be seen riding “I made the wagon to be big throughout Dunnellon. The pair have traveled through 48 states See HIGHWAY page 2 together, since Hyway adopted Kylee five years ago.
RIVERLAND SPORTS/EDUCATION 6 Riverland News, Thursday, August 27, 2015
Teen completes Eagle Scout project Vance Fort awaits review process, ceremony JEFF BRYAN Riverland News
Vance Fort
With his 18th birthday rapidly approaching, Vance Fort had a burning desire to complete his cov-
eted Eagle Scout project in time to qualify for the highest honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America. “I rushed it,” said Fort, who finished the project Aug. 12, six days before his
Aug. 18 birthday two days ago. “It only took a month from planning to fundraising to finishing.” Fort admitted to pushing the deadline. “I’m very proud I got this
done, I seem to be a pro at procrastination,” he said, joking there’s no merit badge available in procrastination. Fort’s Eagle Scout project was designing and building a burn ring area for Dunnellon Community Church. The congregation
hosts a weekly prayer fire Thursdays throughout the fall and winter months on its property adjacent to Peach Lutheran Church near the U.S. 41/State Road 40 intersection. “I figured I could make an organized area, where See EAGLE page 7
NEWS NOTES
2015 DUNNELLON FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Junior soccer league registrations open First United Methodist Church will host a Junior Soccer League from October to December for children ages 3 to 7. Registration is open from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday as well as from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at the church at 21501 W. State Road 40. For information, call 489-9552.
Tigers seek return to postseason play JEFF BRYAN Riverland News
Careers and Colleges EXPO set for Sept. 3
One could easily forgive Dunnellon coach Price Harris for both his optimism and enthusiasm as the Tigers prepare for their regular-season opener Friday night at Ned Love Stadium. The second-year coach, tasked with rebuilding the Tigers’ into a perennial playoff contender, this might be the season in which Dunnellon turns the corner. The Tigers last playoff berth was 2010 and since its run to Price Harris the state semifinals in 2003, Dunnellon has just two playoff victories despite a record during that span of 65-37, 28 games over .500. Harris addressed a question about what it would take to get back to those heights with one word — “commitment” — before expounding on that. “We need commitment from the community and commitment from the players,” Harris said, “and we have that. “These kids have been tremendously committed to the weight room and to each other,” he continued. “There is no easy fix to win a state championship and by no means am I saying we are going to win one, but the dedication these kids have will point us in that direction.” This might be the season the Tigers return to the playoffs, with nine starters on both offense and defense back in the mix. “I don’t think there’s anything such as an easy road to the playoffs,” Harris said. Harris is trying to temper his enthusiasm with caution, as he
Marion County Public Schools and the College of Central Florida present Careers and Colleges Expo 2015 on Thursday, September 3, from 5:30PM – 7:30PM. The event, sponsored by counselors at all Marion County public high schools and CF, takes place in Gymnasium Building 6 at the College of Central Florida located at 3001 SW College Road in Ocala. Representatives from over 80 educational institutions, businesses, professional and government organizations, and the military will be onhand, sharing valuable information with all area high school students and their families. College-bound students, as well as those interested in career exploration, will find valuable information at the Expo. The public is invited to attend the free event. For information, contact Jon McGowan in the Guidance and Testing Department of Marion County Public Schools at 671-7513 or email Jonathan. McGowan@marion. k12.fl.us.
DHS’ Kiddie World has openings Are you interested in a way to build your child’s foundation for learning before kindergarten at a reasonable price? Dunnellon High School’s Kiddie World is looking for new little smiles to join the Kiddie World family. These services run from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Friday for children ages 3 to 5 years old. The cost is $10 a week. For information, contact Tracy Zellers at 465-6745.
See PLAYOFF page 15 TOP RIGHT: Maurice Goolsby catches a pass to put the Tigers on the scoreboard in first –quarter action against Williston on Friday as Dunnellon dismantled the Red Devils, 27-0, in preseason action. Dunnellon begins regular-season play at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Crystal River at Ned Love Stadium. BOTTOM RIGHT: Dunnellon running back Tootie Livermore picks up yardage against Williston. Photos by JULIE MANCINI & SAMANTHA BARLOW For the Riverland News
PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Dunnellon Middle already bustling with activity elcome back to gifted social studies; Dunnellon Mid- Colleen Mushlit, health occupations; Kara dle School, we Neal, computer have had a very applications; exciting beginand Dennis ning to the new Robinson, ESE school year. To support facilitastart with, we tor. We have sethave a few new tled in members to the approximately DMS family I 625 students and would like to Delbert are looking forwelcome and inSmallridge, ward to a great troduce: Gwen DMS year. Lindsey, assisprincipal. This year, DMS tant principal of has free breakdiscipline; fast available to all stuDavid Budden, video dents. Free and production; Verlinda reduced lunch applicaColding, art; Kendra tions will still need to Keen, ESE; Joel Kunz,
W
be filled out and returned to Cindy Guile, café manager. Applications are also available online at www.marion.k12.fl.us. To replenish your student’s lunch account, visit: myschoolbucks.com if they are self pay. For information or questions, call the guidance office at 465-6724, or Mrs. Guile, from 6:30a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at 465-6725. It is that time of year when parents of eighthgraders are invited to join Mrs. Rose Thomas
for the annual eighthgrade Washington, D.C., trip meeting. It will be at 6 p.m. today in the DMS auditorium. Time, date and cost of the trip, along with the tentative itinerary will be discussed. Please join Mrs. Thomas in planning the “trip of a lifetime” this evening for your eighth-grader. DMS, with the support of Title 1 funds, will offer tutoring again this year. It is our desire to begin tutoring Tuesday, Sept. 8, barring any unforeseen See SMALLRIDGE page 7
Special to the Riverland News
The Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop presented a $499 donation to Dunnellon Middle School. Accepting the donation from Beverly Carroll, right, volunteer with the Dunnellon Community Thrift, is Delbert Smallridge, principal, Dunnellon Middle School, and DMS students Marcus Stinnett and Jillian Capps.
RIVERLAND SPORTS/EDUCATION 6 Riverland News, Thursday, September 10, 2015
Intial payment due Friday for eighth-grade trip he first payment for the annual Washington, D.C., trip is due Friday for the eighthgrade DMS students going on the trip. For information or questions, call Dean Rose Thomas at 465-6720. SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) is off and running. We have
T
Delbert Smallridge, DMS principal.
make hygienic packs for the teens and children who reside there. The DMS SAVE club provide transportation for your student from the has made this provision to the Arnett House of dance, please be prompt Ocala for the past four in picking them up at years. Additionally, we 5:30. have adopted another The toiletry items are for the community service child-related organization this past year, the project for the Arnett House of Ocala. We will See SMALLRIDGE page 7
PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE several new members and we welcome more. Kendall Neumann is president and Hunter Cook is the vice president. Meetings will be from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. every other Tuesday. SAVE will host the
school’s first dance of the year. The ”Welcome Back To School” dance will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. The cost is $5 and a travel-size toiletry item. A brief reminder to parents: You will need to
PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Tigers maul Lecanto
JULIE MANCINI/For the Riverland News
Dunnellon running back Rudy Sinflorant dives into the end zone as a Lecanto defender attempts to stop him from crossing the goal line. Sinflorant scored twice in the first half as the Tigers powered their way to a convincing 41-7 victory against the Panthers.
First-half offensive outburst sparks 41-7 victory SEAN ARNOLD For the Riverland News LECANTO — Dunnellon showed why it’s one of the most highly touted football teams in the area, as it tightened its grip on Citrus County opponents in a blowout victory over Lecanto on Friday. The Tigers poured on 35 first-half points behind a pair of rushing scores by Rudy Sinflorant, before prevailing 41-7 with a running clock in the second half. The Tigers move to 2-0, while LHS falls to 1-1. DHS scored in every phase of the game, as it tacked on scores on an interception return and a kickoff return after notching four offensive touchdowns during a nine-minute stretch that started late in the opening quarter. Sinflorant got things rolling late in the first quarter with a 48-yard rush, setting up a 13-yard touchdown by Ivory Mack, who later returned the second half ’s opening kickoff 87 yards for a score. “We challenged the offensive line this week, and they really responded,” DHS head coach Price Harris said. “I was proud of the way they took over the game. Ivory had a big night, Rudy had a big night — we just had some big performances tonight. Everybody seemed to play well, but I was really proud of the O-line.” Lecanto turned it over just twice in the game, but both came at a maximum cost. On the next-to-last play in the first quarter, defensive end Jarod Hamm hit LHS quarterback Travis McGee in the middle of an attempted throw to jar the ball loose, allowing Darion Baker to scoop and return the ball to the LHS 7-yard line, setting up a 1-yard Sinflorant score two plays later. “Jarod’s been playing tremendous for us,” Harris said of the junior, who recovered a fumble against Crystal River in the opener. “I was proud of the defensive line. We gave up a little too many rushing yards, but we’re going to get that
fixed.” A punt-snap miscue had the Panthers turning the ball over on downs on a 19yard loss on their ensuing possession. Sinflorant later made them pay with a 16yard score, giving his Tigers a 21-0 advantage midway through the second quarter, following three of five Zach West PATs. Sinflorant rushed for a game-high 77 yards on six first-half carries. A 30-yard punt return by Josh Williams, who missed last Friday’s game versus Crystal River, set up a 9yard touchdown pass from Kobie Jones (5 for 8 passing, 92 yards) to fellow senior Matthew Livermore, who extended in the corner of the end zone for his second receiving score of the season. Baker, who had a 49-yard catch in the final two minutes of the first half, made it 35-0 when he returned an interception 20 yards on the first play of LHS’ ensuing possession. “Obviously, I didn’t have them ready to play tonight, so I need to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” LHS head coach Greg Harper said. “We knew going in that Dunnellon was going to be really, really good. They showed up tonight and played well, to their credit.” The Panthers got on the board late in the third, when McGee found Layton Copeland (two catches, 43 yards) on a 17-yard post pattern. McGee finished 15 for 25 for 158 yards. Jeremiah Lucas (56 receiving yards) hauled in five passes for the second straight week. LHS sophomore Rudolph Holten rushed for a team-high 47 yards on six carries. Dunnellon’s lone soft spot was in the penalty department, where they racked up 15 for 150 yards. “We didn’t really have any last week, so it comes and goes,” Harris said. “We don’t want penalties, but some of those are from us flying around, and that’s a good thing. DHS welcomes Citrus to Ned Love Field next Friday for the pair’s final game before district play.
DUNNELLON VS. CITRUS WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ned Love Field. RADIO: WOW 104.9 FM. RECORDS: Dunnellon 20 overall, Citrus 0-2. LAST WEEK: Dunnellon trampled Lecanto, 41-7; while Citrus was crushed by Gainesville Buchholz, 44-0. The Hurricanes have yet to score this season. PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Rudy Sinflorant rushed for a team-high 77 yards and two touchdowns on five carries in the Tigers’ victory last Friday against Lecanto. RB Ivory Mack chipped in 17 yards and one score on two carries, but Mack also had an impact on defense. He notched nine tackles as well as two pass break-ups. QB Kobie Jones accounted for 115 yards of total offense. He was 5-for-9 passing for 92 yards including a 9-yard TD strike to Tootie Livermore. LB Zahid Hujarat lead the Tigers’ defense with 10 tackles while DE Jarod Hamm had eight stops including one sack and causing a fumble as Dunnellon held the Panthers to 218 yards including 79 rushing yards. … Citrus QB Ryan Grow as 1of-7 passing for 7 yards against Gainesville. RB Christopher Adamson rushed for a team-high 79 yards on 17 carries. ALUMNI NIGHT: The Dunnellon High School football team will host alumni night Friday at Ned Love Field. A hospitality tent will be set up for the players, cheerleaders and their respective spouses who played for coach Richard Kennedy from 1977 to 1985 prior to the Tigers’ 7:30 kick off against Citrus High School. Tthe school will recognize the 1978 and 1979 football squads, which won back-to-back state championships under Kennedy, who will be at the game. For information, contact coach Price Harris at 465-6745 or email William.
[email protected].
Community shares passion for youth I
dance including tardies. t’s been an exciting Attending school and start to a new year getting to school on time with high expectais important. Did tions and smilyou know that ing faces. We missing only two have a lot to be days a month thankful for equates to 10 here at Dunnelpercent of the lon Elementary school year? AcSchool. The cording to “AtDunnellon tendance Women’s Moose Lodge prepared Gay Street, Works,” students and served our Dunnellon can fall behind if miss just a staff a delightful Elementary they day or two every pre-school meal principal. few weeks. Did brimming with you know that homemade when your child is late treats to get the year started off right. In addi- to class that it can be tion, their members do- disruptive to the other nated several baskets to student’s learning? Attendance matters, bestaff members and two large student book bags cause your child counts! DES has been chosen stuffed with school supto participate in the plies. fresh fruits and vegSpeaking of school etable program. Three supplies, it was raining days a week, Wednesday boxes and boxes of through Friday, our stumuch-needed school dents get to experience supplies from our local fresh fruits and vegetabusiness, Swampy’s. bles for free such as bell They hand-delivered pepper, celery, okra, boxes of paper, glue, squash, blueberry, cupencils, markers, acacumber, orange, strawdemic notebooks, journals, crayons and other berry, cabbage, supplies to the front of- eggplant, papaya, sweet corn, cantaloupe, grapefice for DES students. fruit, potato, tangerine, Thank you so much carambola, guava, Swampy’s! radish, tomato, carrot, Our Tiger Cubs have lettuce, snap bean, wabeen working hard on termelon, cauliflower, being responsible (the word of the month). The mushroom, spinach, following students have star fruit and melons. The week of Sept. 14 been recognized as a is a busy one with Terrific Kid for the month of August: Colton “Open House” and our Hunt, Janisa Rodriguez, media center’s annual beginning of school year William Boemio, Caleb book fair. Please come Niedermayer, Raina Valentine, Liam Gaisser, out and meet Holly Neal, the new Media Emily Boggess, Julian Kestel, Caden Schmalz, Specialist. We will continue our tradition of Brent Casey, Gabriel hosting two Open Spillman, Jayden Houses to accommodate Vazquez, Savanna R. our parents: Banta, Samantha L’Etoile, Paul Thompson, Schedule of events Hayden Grace, Jorlyna 4:30 to 7 p.m. TuesMendoza, Thomas Ackday, Sept. 15 — Book ert, Azael PadillaFair Open. Ramos, Abbey Phillips, 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Meili Johnson, Avianna Sept. 15 — Open House Eaton, Loren Trent, for prekindergarten, Madilyn Purks, Kamiria kindergarten, first and Milton, Cade Collop, second grades. Amelia Gibbs, Audrey 6 to 6:30 p.m. TuesWilliams, Jonathan day, Sept. 15 — Title I Duelz, Cole Athaide, Meeting (Cafeteria). Landon Parrish, Jacob 4:30 to 7 p.m. Silvers, Herman Paez, Thursday, Sept. 17 — Jessica Larner, and Book Fair Open. Daisa O’Teney. Thank 5 to 6 p.m. Thursyou Dunnellon Kiwanis day, Sept. 17 — Open Club for your continued House for thirdsupport and recognition through fifth-grade stuof our Terrific Kids! dents. September is “Atten 6 to 6:30 p.m. dance Matters” month Thursday, Sept. 17 — Title I Meeting (Cafeteand our goal is to improve our student atten- ria).
Special to the Riverland News
Swampy’s employees, from left, Kaylee Krewson, Carlos Sanchez, owner, Lisa Beitia and Casey Courterier, general manager, recently delivered a large shipment of school supplies to Dunnellon Elementary School for students.
