Disaster Prep Expo
draws people to Fanning Springs

Beverly Goodman, manager of the Tri-County Community Resource Center, tells listeners about door prizes given away, including a $50 gift card to Home Depot, a very nice Coleman propane grill, A Halo Bolt AC/DC car battery jumper and tire-inflation device, and much more.

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By Jeff M. Hardison © May 17, 2025 at 4:45 p.m.
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     FANNING SPRINGS – Hundreds of people congregated at the Suwannee River Fair Pavilion in the City of Fanning Springs for some hours on Saturday (May 17), as more than 50 exhibitors provided information, free giveaways, free door prizes, free food and free drinks to the visitors.

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     The Disaster Preparedness and Community Resource Expo organized and hosted by the Tri-County Community Resource Center, one of the centers operated by Partnership for Strong Families, was a big hit -- in a good way, not like a hurricane hit.
     Other highlights of the three-hour event included emergency preparedness and public safety experts, community resource information, games, children’s activities and more.
     One very enjoyable benefit for guests was 300 free ready-to-go free freshy prepared barbecue meals – a pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw and baked beans from Heavy B’s Bar-B-Que, and other free treats from Moo’s Lemonade and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice.
     Children and others also enjoyed free face painting by Crystal Huber, and interactive workshops on self-sufficiency by the Chiefland Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.


One of the many significant door prizes was this hurricane supply basket that was donated by Harmony Pregnancy & Resource Center. This Hurricane Supply Basket is a laundry basket on wheels that includes a bucket with a lid, lighters, scrub pads, work gloves, bug spray, microfiber towels, hand sanitizer, sponges, toilet paper, power inverter, baby wipes, mop/squeegee, push broom/dustpan, batteries, a work mask, disinfectant wipes and more.


Levy County Emergency Management Director Leatha Keene (at the right) who has 27 years of experience in this profession leads the department that heads disaster preparedness, disaster survival and disaster recovery in Levy County. Joining her in this service to residents and visitors of Levy County is Levy County Emergency Management Assistant Director Caleb Hardee (at the left in the picture). The people of Levy County can rest assured this is a topnotch team as Florida starts hurricane season on June 1 and that top time for this threat finishes on Nov. 30, even though early starts and late finishes to the season have occurred.

Gilchrist County Emergency Management Director Ralph Smith is among the leaders in disaster preparedness, disaster survival and disaster recovery. Hurricanes are the primary disasters impacting the Tri-County Area of Levy County, Gilchrist County and Dixie County, however floods and fires are potential threats as well. Another significant leader helping people in the Tri-County Area prepare, survive and recover from hurricanes and other disasters is Emergency Management Division Chief Scott Garner of Dixie County Emergency Services.
 

Representing Another Way Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Cetner are (from left) Chrissy Jimenez, Syndi Hatch and Charles Hatch.
 

Representing CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion are (from let) Senior Career Development Coach Valerie Hancock, Career Development Coach Samantha Garcia and Career Development Coach Penny Spence. CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion helps individuals and businesses affected by hurricanes, including those in Cedar Key and Inglis. They offer services like Disaster Unemployment Assistance, job search support, and information on emergency bridge loans. Additionally, they have deployed mobile career centers and staff to affected areas, according to their website.


Representing the College of Central Florida (CF) are Education Opportunity Center Coordinator Shannon Wells and Adult Education Coordinator Chrstine Dunn. Wells and Dunn are at the CF Jack Wilkinson – Levy Campus. CF has campuses in Citrus and Marion counties as well.


Elder Options offers many services including SHINE or Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. This is a free program in Florida that helps senior citizens, and their families navigate Medicare, Medicaid, and other health insurance options. SHINE offers one-on-one counseling, information and assistance from specially trained volunteers. Elder Options is the state-designated area agency. Representing SHINE and Elder Options here are (from left) Mina Bustamante, Terry Major and Kristina Young.


Central Florida Electric Cooperative Communications Specialist Madison Redd represents CFEC at the event. This rural electric cooperative, as well as Duke Energy, the City of Williston and other electric utility interests in the Tri-County Area, have repeatedly come through hurricanes by bringing this service back to a multitude of people as quickly as possible.


Central Florida Electric Cooperative Communications Safety Manager Jonathan Polk was present to help everyone know about safety in regard to electricity. He is available to any organization or schools to provide a two-hour program to help people reduce the risk of injuries or death from electrical hazards.


This is a short, two-part video showing a scale model with 10,000 volts of electricity shooting from the wires toward the ground. This demonstration by Central Florida Electric Cooperative Communications Safety Manager Jonathan shows how the electricity goes from the wire through the human if they touch it with a pole. This video also shows electricity shooting up from buried electric wires when a backhoe chomps into a buried wire. Remember, call 8-1-1 before you dig. The life you save may be your own as well as other people in the danger zone. To see and hear the video, click on the PHOTO.


Correctional Officer James Hammock and Sgt. Ashley Riley are at the event representing the Florida Department of Corrections, where the starting salary for a correctional officer is $22 an hour. The FDOC has 140 facilities statewide where people can have a career in corrections. By the way, the Cross City Correctional Institution has hounds that can track and find people, and those dogs and their handlers have a stellar record of success.


Here are two of the many career success stories from the College of Central Florida, that has come to be from working together with private and public interests. Chandler Lane (left) and Curtis Williams are both fiber techs who work for Fiber By Central Florida. Just like when people have power outages and they call Central Florida Electric Cooperative, if they are members served by the rural electric co-op, so too, people call Fiber By Central Florida call if they are clients of this high-speed, affordable Internet service provider. Meanwhile, Fiber By Central Florida is an excellent Internet service provider, which also lets people stream TV shows and they can even connect Voice Over Internet Protocol for excellent phone service at a very reasonable price.


Representing Levy County Prevention Coalition are (Youth Services Coordinator Joelle Higgins (left) and Youth Development Specialist Tameka Porter. Also at this event was Robert Wells, founder of the LCPC and founder of the Gilchrist Prevention Coalition.


Among the people from Heavy B’s Bar-B-Que who prepared and provided for free to the people 300 meals of pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and baked beans are (from left) Cornelia Frazier, Amelia Greenless and Bryonna Brown. Bruce Greenlee, the recently elected mayor of Bronson, started Heavy B’s Bar-B-Que and it continues to uphold an extraordinary reputation for excellent BBQ.


Moo's Lemonade provides free drinks to visitors as one of the benefits for attendees this year.

     Among the many organizations with representatives at the event in addition to those mentioned above, are the Alzheimer's Association, the Center for Independent Living, the Florida Division Of Blind Services, the Dixie County Sheriff's Office, Dixie County Fire Rescue, Fanning Springs Fire Rescue, Chiefland Fire Rescue, the Gilchrist County Commission’s Paramedicine Program director, the Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office, Levy County Sheriff's Office Meridian Healthcare, Three Rivers Legal Services, the Florida Department of Health's Dixie-Gilchrist-Levy unit, Palms Medical Group, the LifeSouth Community Blood Services Bloodmobile, and Endeavors.
     And there were others there as well.
     Endeavors provides client-focused services for Florida residents impacted by hurricane Idalia. From operating safety shelters and facilitating evacuation efforts to providing home repairs, new furniture, and clothing, Endeavors’ case managers work ceaselessly to help people in any way they can.
     To contact endeavors about help with Hurricane Idalia recovery, call 448-206-2245.
     While hundreds of people attended this event in the City of Fanning Springs, there were many people involved with the Annual Chiefland Fishing Tournament in Cedar Key on Saturday. No Rotarian took the time to contact the daily news website about the tournament this year.
     To see the story and photos from the 2016 Chiefland Rotary Club Fishing Tournament -- Rotary gives about $10,000 to fishing tourney participants, click HERE.
 

Gavel passes in Chiefland
City Commission
after some heated discussion

Vice Mayor Norman Weaver and Mayor Lewrissa Johns are the new Chiefland City Commission members in those roles.

Story, Photos and Videos
By Jeff M. Hardison © May 13, 2025 at 3:45 p.m.
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     CHIEFLAND – After some heated verbal exchanges in Chiefland City Hall (also known as the Hardy R. Dean Sr. Municipal Building) Monday evening (May 12), the five members of the Chiefland City Commission chose a new mayor and vice mayor.
     On a motion by City Commissioner Norman Weaver, Seconded by LaWanda Jones, a 5-0 vote of approval resulted in Lewrissa Johns being appointed as the mayor of Chiefland for one year. On a motion by Johns, seconded by City Commissioner Kim Bennett, Weaver became the vice mayor for one year.
     From the outset through those moments of decisions, the outdoor temperature was 82 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the lit sign at the front of Chiefland City Hall. Inside the City Council Meeting Room of the Hardy R. Dean Sr. Municipal Building, though, it seemed like the air-conditioned rooms actually had more heat because City Commissioner LaWanda Jones and Mayor Chris Jones brought some social media postings to bear against one another.
     Meanwhile, City Manager Laura Cain, Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer, Police Chief Scott Anderson, Fire Chief Dwayne King and everyone else in the room watched and listened – just as one might for a slow-moving train wreck.
     During the “Public Comment” part of the meeting, LaWanda Jones’ daughter Taryn Jones said she felt like Chris Jones was using her mother to victimize himself. It was a dramatic meeting, although there have been meetings in the Tri-County Area with words that may sting even more.
     City Manager Cain tried to start the process by seeking a motion and second for mayor. LaWanda Jones asked Cain to speak first.
     LaWanda Jones said there may be a person or persons on the City Commission who does not want to be mayor. To avoid a problem from nominating him or her, she polled the people. Weaver and Bennett said they do not want to be mayor at this time.
     With that established, LaWanda Jones said she wanted to address her Facebook post and Mayor Jones’ Facebook rebuttal to her post.
 

These two videos, which were required rather than one video -- to switch batteries, City Commissioner LaWanda Jones reviews her Facebook post. And then, Mayor Jones provides his input. Also, Vice Mayor Lewrissa Johns lets commissioner Jones know she does not see any conflict with the CAAA.
Click on PHOTO to see and hear video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison © May 13, 2025 at 4 p.m.
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~
     She voiced her opinion that even though Chiefland does not have a strong mayor form or government, and even though the voters choose the five people on the City Commission, she feels the City Charter should be changed so that the voters decide who will be mayor.
     This mayoral and vice mayoral selection process is made by the members of the City Commission. Although there was no attorney from the law firm of Fugate & Fugate present for this regular City Commission meeting, members of that firm previously have told the City Commission that creating the ballot choice to revise the City Charter is expensive, and even then, the majority of voters may reject proposals on a ballot referendum.
     The mayor responded to LaWanda Jones.
     Then, City Manager Cain tried to move forward with the vote.
     LaWanda Jones then wanted to address Commissioner Johns. LaWanda Jones wondered if Johns would have any conflicts of interest with matters revolving around the Chiefland Area Athletic Association (CAAA).
     Johns told Jones that Johns’ 3-year-old grandson would soon start tee-ball at the CAAA, but that she (Johns) has not input on the structure or operations of the CAAA. She is just a grandmother of a tee-ball player. Johns said she is interested in CAAA and if ever there appears to be a conflict with her as mayor or city commissioner, then she will do what is proper.
     When Weaver made his motion for Johns to be mayor, he said he sees her as more business-oriented than Mayor Chris Jones.
     The mayor told everyone that he is business oriented and that he has helped improve the business environment in south Chiefland during his tenure.
     City Manager Cain said she and the city staff recognize his work over the past years and they are thankful for his due diligence and his service to the people. She then asked him to pass the gavel to Johns, which he did, and Mayor Johns finished the meeting.


Chiefland City Commissioner Chris Jones comments after passing the mayoral gavel to Mayor Lewrissa Johns, and mentions that he registered as a Republican to help get things done for the good of the city. The Chiefland City Commission posts are non-partisan. Click on PHOTO to see and hear video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison © May 13, 2025 at 4 p.m.
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Elder Options issues request
to help older adults thrive
Information Provided
Published May 9, 2025
     GAINESVILLE – On May 1, Elder Options sent a newsletter that included the following request and it is published verbatim below:
     As a friend of the Area Agency on Aging and supporter of our local senior community, you're probably already familiar with SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). and our evidence-based, balance classes and disease prevention programs, like Tai Chi and the Diabetes Empowerment Education Program.
     These programs help tens of thousands of Florida seniors every year.
     ● SHINE provides free, unbiased, and confidential counseling assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Our team of dedicated volunteers and staff helped beneficiaries choose plans, save money on prescriptions, identify fraud, and even submit appeals.
     ● Healthy Aging programs provide communities with evidence-based wellness classes designed to empower older adults to manage their health. Classes are taught by staff and community partners, like senior centers and health departments in small group settings.
     But funding for SHINE and Healthy Aging programs is in jeopardy. As the United States Congress continues 2026 budget talks, they are considering eliminating all funding for these critical programs.
     You can tell your elected officials how you feel about ending senior programs! There are two quick and easy ways you can do this: 
     Call or email our Senators and Representatives
Senator Rick Scott 202-224-5274
https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Senator Ashley Moody 202-224-3041
https://www.moody.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
     And find your representative here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
 

Division reports presented
at Levy County Commission meeting

Matt Weldon, director of mosquito control and parks and recreation departments, as well as being the division head for the Levy County Division of Animals and Natural Resources, gives a report to the County Commission from his departments’ work in the second quarter.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © May 7, 2025 at 8:15 p.m.
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     BRONSON – Matt Weldon, director of mosquito control and parks and recreation, and Brandy Cannon, director of Levy County Animal Services (LCAS), both provided impressive second quarter reports on May 6 during the regular Levy County Commission meeting.
     The mission of the Mosquito Control Department is to effectively control mosquitos in our county by reducing the maturation of larvae into adulthood to provide a source of control of the mosquito numbers, Weldon said.
     There are four full-time employees in this department. During the second quarter, the highlights for the Levy County Mosquito Control Department are:
     ● Passed the annual droplet test, to assure the saturation of spray was at the proper level;
     ● Prepared the trucks for Spray Season;
     ● Rebuilt a backpack sprayer; and
     ● The Mosquito Control team also played a vital role in supporting the Levy County Parks Department with maintenance efforts in preparation during the off season. Their assistance helped ensure that all necessary tasks were completed efficiently, contributing to a smooth and successful season kickoff.
     ● Also, in January the department attended CEU courses in Gainesville, provided by Florida Mosquito Control Association.
     The Levy County Parks and Recreation Department has an extensive set of duties to cover over the large county.
     The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department is to maintain and improve the facilities of the parks; thus, providing adequate sites for the recreation and enjoyment of county residents and visitors.
     For the second quarter, there are two full-time employees and seven part-time employees. The first quarter there were four part-time employees. In the second quarter, Weldon hired three part-time park attendants for Blue Springs Park and one part-time employee for Henry Beck Park.
     As noted in a previously published story, in this quarter the Waccasassa Bay Channel Markers Replacement bid is complete, Agreement Contract with Live Flyer Inc. in the amount $96,457. This work is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
     Weldon and his team for the parks noted the following highlights in the second quarter:
Department Highlights   
Blue Springs  
     ● Repaired sidewalk by pavilion #8 between sidewalk and boardwalk. 
     ● Installed 4 new grills at pavilions #2, 3, 4, 5. 
     ● Picked up 4 new picnic tables and delivered to park. (Purchased by Tourism Development 
Dept.) 
     ● Grass maintenance – Leveled out and reworked tier beach in the kiddy area. 
     ● Pressure washed entire Park including all buildings, fence, decks, steps, and top of seawall. 
     ● Repainted the ramp area for the men’s bathroom with non-slip grey paint. 
     ● Completed minor repairs and upgrades in the office including a new window ac unit. 
     ● Repainted all 10 pavilions fascia and gable ends and the entire roof of pavilion #6.  
     ● Replenished sand on beach, playground, and volleyball court. 
     ● Prep and repainted outlook. 
     ● Trimmed all low-hanging limbs around park. 
     ● Replaced non-slip runners in walkways. 
Henry Beck Park 
     ● Repaired BBQ grill in the Big Pavilion  
     ● Removed and replaced existing concrete stairs at beach entrance by Big Pavilion. 
     ● Pressure washed all concrete sidewalks, office building, basketball court, all picnic tables, 
playground, and pavilions. 
     ● Installed 3 new grills at pavilions. 
     ● Weather sealed wood on all pavilions, bridge, and tables in Big Pavilion. 
     ● Picked up and distributed 4 new picnic tables around the park. (Purchased by Tourism Development Dept.) 
     ● Repainted office building, bathroom and hand railings of steps and bridge. 
     ● Replenished beach area and volleyball court with sand. 
     ● Trimmed all low hanging limbs around park. 
     ● Replaced non-slip carpet runners for walkways. 
     ● Replace barrier rope with floats in river. 
Shell Mound Park 
     ● Replaced broken dock board and back filled with lime rock from washouts. 
     ● Straightened out the flagpole and applied concrete to the base.  
     ● Picked up and distributed 4 new picnic tables around the park. (Purchased by Tourism Development Dept.) 
Waccasassa Boat Ramp 
     ● Repaired a leak in a pipe in the pump shed. 
Bird Creek Park  
     ● Repair gate due to vandalism. 
     ● Remove existing pavilion roofs and storm debris that were damaged due to Hurricane Helene. 
State Road 40 Boat Ramp 
     ● Repaired the garbage can holders. 
     ● Replaced broken water boards on the dock. 
     ● Replaced all piling caps that were damaged on the dock. 
     ● Replaced/repaired a stop sign, manatee sign, and fixed garbage can holder due to vandalism. (With the help of the Road Dept. Signs) 
Devil’s Hammock 
     ● Installed new hiking trail marker signs to replace old ones. 
     ● Brought lime rock to fill deep holes in the road and raked smoothly. 
     ● Locked gate on 339A and posted “Hunting in progress” signs for March Turkey Season.
     In addition to that, the employees mow all parks as needed, as well as conduct safety inspections daily, repairs (if any), and empty trash dispensers and replace liners twice a week to ensure cleanliness and maintain a pleasant environment for park visitors -- as well as picking up litter along the roadside daily at all the locations listed below:  
1. Peaceful Boat Ramp 
2. Levy County Road 40 Boat Ramp 
3. Bird Creek Beach 
4. Waccasassa Boat Ramp 
5. #4 Fishing Pier 
6. Fowler’s Bluff Boat Ramp 
7. Camp Azalea Boat Ramp 
8. Clays Landing Boat Ramp 
9. Little Blue Springs 
10. Shell Mound Campground/Boat Ramp 
11. Blue Springs Park 
12. Henry Beck Park 
13. Devil’s Hammock Wildlife Management Area
 

Levy County Animal Services Department Director Brandy Cannon gives a report to the County Commission from her department’s work in the second quarter.

    LCAS Director Cannon has six full-time employees, and two part-time employees.
     Department highlights for this quarter are extensive.
     The animal services department had a strong start by setting up a partnership with the Second Chance Animal Rehabilitation program at Cross City Correctional Facility at the beginning of January, which partners inmates at Cross City Correctional Facility with adoptable dogs for a 12-week training program. 
     During this time, the dogs learn basic obedience and manners to help them become as adoptable as possible and hopefully allows them to network to a broader audience to help them find their forever homes.
     The LCAS was able to send two of the longest residents (Trigger and Ruger) to the SCARs program at the beginning of January, and they were the first graduates of the program on April 4.
     Both dogs had loving homes lined up after they graduated. Cannon said LCAS is already set up for nine more dogs to start their training before the quarter ends.
     A representative of the Humane Society of North Central Florida came to the Levy County facility to train the LCAS animal 
care team in dog behavior as well as cat and kitten handling. This will help us identify signs of stress in our dogs earlier, and have the ability to intervene and network them prior to significant 
kennel decompensation.
     In addition, Cannon said, the animal care team is now more comfortable with handling both tame and frightened cats that enter the facility. This ensures handlers are helping them appropriately decompress from the second they enter the doors.     
     New kennel technician Tammy Reed was welcomed to help give the dogs and cats more opportunities for socialization and play groups outside of the kennels, and once again working to minimize stress while in the facility.
      As part of her long report that included a multitude of success stories, Cannon noted that to date, LCAS has had 88 dogs, and 18 cats transferred out to partner organizations this quarter. 
     These partnerships have included Citrus County Animal Services, SPCA Florida, Faithful Friends Pet Rescue and Rehoming, Williston Animal Group, Operation Catnip, the Jacksonville Humane Society, and SPCA Brevard. These partnerships have been crucial to networking the dogs that enter the facility and have been especially helpful as the LCAS team saw four cruelty cases brought in during this quarter.
     Another partnership established this quarter has been one with the Veterinary Community Outreach Program at the University of Florida, which allows LCAS to get more animals vetted outside the facility, and to use the part-time veterinarian for maintaining the health and medical wellbeing of urgent dogs brought into the care of LCAS.
     This has helped keep up with monthly deworming, routine vaccination and booster schedules, and treatment of the many conditions from cruelty case dogs came in with.
     “We have also utilized vetting resources from Dr. Victoria 
Caccavone with Morriston Veterinary Services and Dr. Broadhursts and their veterinary team with Jacksonville Humane Society to ensure all cruelty case dogs can receive prompt veterinary care,” Cannon said, “even when our part-time veterinarian is not within the facility.  
     As LCAS finished the quarter, it set up new office hours to help prioritize animal care, while still making the staff more accessible to the public. 
     “We now open at 10 a.m. during the week to allow our animal care team adequate time to feed the animals and keep our facility clean, ensuring our animals are healthier, cleaner, and get plenty of attention on top of it,” Cannon said. “It also allows us to give each person that comes to adopt an animal our full attention, as the animal care team is not trying to care for the animals while also assisting with adoptions.”
     LCAS also extended Thursday hours to 5:30 p.m. to ensure people have a day of the week they can stop by after work to see all of the dogs and even pick up their pets that may have strayed away from home.

State attorney tells counties
about need for more revenue
New executive director introduced

Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer on Monday (May 5) speaks to the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners.

Story, Photos And Video
By Jeff M. Hardison © May 6, 2025 at 3 p.m.
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     TRENTON – Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer on Monday (May 5) introduced himself to the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners as well as explain why his office needs more money from each of the counties in the Eighth Judicial Circuit.
     The Eighth Judicial Circuit includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties.
     He noted that his promise of working in his position as a man with “a servant’s heart” is one of the factors placing him at the lectern that late afternoon. He seeks to serve the six counties as best as possible, including by the use of what promises to be much more efficient methods of dealing with data.


Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Office Executive Director Rebecca Shinholser is seen in the front row watching State Attorney Brian Kramer explain about data management for prosecuting cases.

     State Attorney Kramer, too, introduced his recently appointed Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Office Executive Director Rebecca Shinholser to the commission comprised of Chairman Tommy Langford, Vice Chairman Bill Martin and commissioners Kendrick Thomas, Darrell Smith and Sharon Langford.

~
In this 11-minute video, Eighth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer explains why Gilchrist County will be seeing an annual increase of $8,144 this year to help fund its portion of the prosecutor's office for this six-county circuit. This video was made on May 5 during the regular twice-monthly meeting of the Gilchrist County Board of County Commissioners. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison - All Rights Reserved

     A significant driving force leading to Kramer needing to ask for more money comes from the cost of more data being provided for prosecutors thanks to digital cameras worn by police officers, from dash cameras in police vehicles, license plate reading cameras, ring cameras on doorbells, stealth cameras used by hunters as well as from digital cameras everywhere – including countless cell phones.
     All of these cameras can create images and videos used as evidence to prosecute suspected criminals.
     Kramer said he was speaking with Shinholser about methods to better serve the regional counties in the circuit, where Alachua County is the seat of the circuit.
     He plana to visit each of the six counties, as well as at each of the municipalities in those counties to introduce himself to those leaders in the communities. There are eight municipalities in Levy County alone.
     If these leaders or constituents have questions or concerns where the State Attorney’s Office can answer them or help resolve them, Kramer wants all of them to have direct contact with him.
     There are some things where he will not be the first person with whom to speak. For instance, if there is an issue with the prosecution of a trial, then the concerned person would need to speak first with the assistant state attorney.
     Of the 130 employees in his office, Kramer said there are 45 attorneys.
     Kramer said that he wanted to tell the County Commission about a small impact on Gilchrist County that is going to happen as part of the services his office provides to this county and the other five counties in the circuit.
     His office prosecutes an average of about 17,000 criminal cases per year, Kramer said. 
     In his 31-year career as a prosecutor, Kramer said he has seen change. The increase in digital forensic evidence is an area where the change requires application of new methods, he said.
     In 2023, Kramer said his office downloaded 26,000 individual files per month. That equals 312,000 individual files that year.
     His staff members look at the files, download them, and categorize them for use in criminal investigations and trials.
     These files are uploaded into the case management system where an assistant state attorney, like Gilchrist County Division Chief Ray Earl Thomas, can have that information for use in prosecuting a case, Kramer said.
     That is an unsustainable process, Kramer said. There must be change.
     A digital evidence management system has been implemented to overcome the obstacles, he said. This allows an agency like the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office to interface with the State Attorney’s Office with much greater ease.
     Kramer explained more of the finer points of this process.
     Also now, rather than a person with evidence on a computer or their cell phone, they no longer need to go to an office. Instead, they can transmit the photos or videos to the State Attorney’s Office directly from their phone or computer, Kramer said.
     Kramer explained how much Gilchrist County will pay for a more efficient method to share information between the GCSO and the State Attorney’s Office (SAO).
     First, he explained that 95 percent of his budget is funded by the state. That covers the cost of salaries. That is about $12 million a year. Kramer said the most valuable asset in his office is the human beings who work there.
     The other 5 percent comes from money from the counties to cover the costs from telecommunications, the physical space of offices used by the SAO, and the computer services needed to operate the office, Kramer said. 
     The shared cost for IT computer services is derived from the counties’ populations. Alachua County is 67 percent. Union and Gilchrist counties’ share is relatively small, Kramer said.
     The approximate breakdown of the increase in IT costs for each regional county is as follows:
     ● Alachua County incurred an increase last fiscal year. The total increase for Alachua County was $136,413.
     ● Baker -- $14,252
     ● Bradford -- $14,252
     ● Gilchrist -- $8,144
     ● Levy -- $22,396
     ● Union -- $8,144
     After hearing the request, the Gilchrist County Commission did not immediately take any action. There appeared to be agreement to use reserve funds for this budget year, and then to prepare during budget formation for an anticipated continuance of this fee in coming years.
     There will be some time as far as one aspect of the program where Union County is ahead of the other regional counties. As the Union County Sheriff’s Office works with the State Attorney’s Office’s with the new software, State Attorney Kramer said Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz can see how well that fits with the software at the GCSO.
     This shows a potential to reduce the GCSO workload, It may allow some personnel to tend to matters other than data management between the GCSO and the State Attorney’s Office. For instance, rather than a law enforcement officer spending time answering questions from SAO, he or she can be on patrol or performing other duties.

Dixie County celebrates enhanced
emergency services with opening of
historic & phenomenal fire rescue station

(from left) Dixie County Fire Rescue Chaplain Raymond Wilcox; Chief Darian Brown, the director of the Dixie County Emergency Services Department; Dixie County Emergency Management Division Chief Scott Garner and Dixie County Fire Rescue Division Chief Matt Ferguson are seen moments before Chief Brown cuts the ribbon and declares Fire Station 4 is open on Wednesday (April 30). 

Story, Photos And Three Videos
By Jeff M. Hardison © May 1, 2025 at 9:30 p.m.
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     DIXIE COUNTY – The residents of, and visitors to, Dixie County now enjoy another enhancement to emergency services for Dixie County with the grand opening of a recently completed fire rescue station.
     The celebration ceremony for the grand opening of Dixie County Fire Rescue (DCFR) Station 4, located at 227 N.E. 211st Ave., in an unincorporated area of the county northeast of Old Town, heralds another chapter in the complete set of services provided by Dixie County Emergency Services (DCES), which includes the Dixie County Emergency Management Division.
     This event was held at DCFR Station 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday (April 30).
     This brand new fire station is a first-ever in several ways and as was noted by Chief Darian Brown, the director of Dixie County Emergency Services.
     This event presented a new cornerstone in the fire-rescue services of the county.
     The DCFR personnel provide emergency ambulance responses as well as fire prevention and firefighting services. There are no hospitals or trauma units in Dixie County, Gilchrist County or Levy County. Hence, ambulance services and the relatively new paramedicine practices are critical to health in these counties.
     The program opened with Dixie County Fire Rescue Division Chief Matt Ferguson welcoming everyone to the event. He thanked everyone for their previous support and their continued support of firefighters, paramedics and EMTs, and the entire Dixie County Fire Rescue Division (DCFR) of Dixie County Emergency Services (DCES).
     He let everyone know this milestone for the DCFR, shows this station to be the best so far for firefighters and others to use.
     Chief Ferguson said in his 16 years of fire service, this is the best station where he has worked. He feels the county is blessed to have this new facility. He repeatedly thanked everyone for their support of Dixie County Fire Rescue.
     This station will allow the men and women to improve response times as well as to continue to provide the excellent care and service they provide to the community, Ferguson said.
     He said the men and women of the DCFR strive to make the people of Dixie County proud by their continued effort to keep moving forward.
     Ferguson told guests what to expect at the ceremony. He said Dixie County Fire Rescue Chaplain Raymond Wilcox will say a prayer over the station and the crews; the Honor Guard will present the colors; Chief Darian Brown, the director of the Dixie County Emergency Services Department, will cut the ribbon; everyone will go inside through the front three giant bay doors; Chief Brown will say a few things; lunch will be available and people can tour the station.


Chief Darian Brown (left) accepts a cap from Julius Halas, a retired fire chief and former director of the Florida Fire Marshal’s Office. These two gentlemen are longtime friends.

Members of the DCFR Honor Guard – John Mash Jr., Andrew Casto, Geoffrey Foss, Mark Foss and Blake Watson -- march toward the flagpole, put up an American flag as the Star-Spangled Banner plays and then march away before being dismissed. They reformed, and stood in a line during the speech by Chief Darian Brown at the ceremony.

Opening Prayer
     Chaplain Wilcox said he is honored to be part of this historic event in Dixie County.
     Pastor Wilcox said the people are asking God for His presence in this new fire station. He shared some thoughts before leading the prayer.
     “This is not just a place to store your gear,” Brother Wilcox said. “This station house holds your department as a family. This is a symbol of God’s love and care for you, and your response to His calling to protect the people of our community.”
     In his prayer, Pastor Wilcox asked God to bless the station and all who serve, as they fight for all those who are in danger. He asked God to make this a place of strong family ties for all who serve there. He asked God to bind the personnel with cords of duty, friendship and dedication.
     He asked God to use the firefighters, paramedics and EMTs to be strong for the weak, to bring freedom to those trapped and to provide hope for all in need. He asked that Station Number Four be a sign for people to see God at work, through the actions of the men and women in this service to the community.
     “You are our shield and our strength,” he prayed to God. 
     He asked God to comfort the families of the men and women who go out on these calls for help during emergencies, knowing that their loved ones are in God’s hands, and they will be doing as they have been called to do with their lives.
Color Guard Presents
     The inaugural raising of the American flag at DCFR Station 4 during the ceremony was by the Color Guard.
     Blake Watson, Mark Foss, Geoffrey Foss, Andrew Casto and John Mash Jr. presented the colors and raised the flag in a well-performed manner as a recording of the Star-Spangled Banner played.
The Ribbon Is Cut
     Chief Darian Brown took a large pair of scissors, designed for ceremonial ribbon-cutting purposes, and he snipped the thick red ribbon in front of the middle bay door of the six-bay station. 
     DCFR Station 4 has huge bays and doors with three on each of the two sides of the giant area for vehicles to enter and exit.


Chief Darian Brown, the director of the Dixie County Emergency Services Department, cuts the ribbon and declares Fire Station 4 is open. This was part of the ceremonies on April 30, 2025. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video by Jeff M. Hardison. All Copyrights Reserved.

     Before cutting the ribbon, Chief Brown said this is an historic event for the fire-rescue department.
     This is not just a new fire station, he said. This is the location for the first new ambulance added to the fleet in Dixie County – since 2004.
     “Station Four – Dixie County Fire Rescue – is currently open,” Chief Brown said as he cut the ribbon.
     Chief Brown joked that he does not know what he is going to do with the ceremonial scissors because they won’t fit in his desk. However, whoever he borrowed the scissors from will need to loan them to him again at least a few times in the coming months as more facilities with improvements are bound to have ribbon-cutting ceremonies as well.
Reaching This Landmark

Emergency Management Division Chief Scott Garner (left) stands and listens as Chief Darian Brown shares the story of what led to this county being able to celebrate the opening of this fire station. Division Chief Matt Ferguson also stands as one of the leaders in Dixie County Emergency Services.

     Once inside the designated huge area equipped with a 24-hour ambulance service and 24-hour fire engine readiness, featuring a two-member crew for the ambulance and one firefighter for the fire engine, Chief Brown discussed the extensive efforts undertaken to achieve this objective.


Chief Darian Brown, the director of Dixie County Emergency Services, in a 16-minute speech tells about much of the history of fire-rescue service in Dixie County. This was part of the ceremonies on April 30, 2025, as Dixie County Fire-Rescue Fire Station 4 opens. Chief Brown lets listeners know about many of the people involved in this venture to protect and save lives and property via firefighting, Emergency Medical Services and related activities. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video by Jeff M. Hardison. All Copyrights Reserved.

     Chief Brown said Dixie County is a relatively small county with firefighters and ambulance crews that remain very busy. 
     There are about 1,000 fire calls annually and 5,000 calls for emergency medical services a year as well, he said.
     “We’ve been doing that with three ambulances and two engines, for the last 10, or 12 or 15 years,” he said. 
     The county department started in 1977, Chief Brown said. The late Leon Arthur Bellot Jr. (June 11, 1951 – Feb. 23, 2019) helped get the department started then, Brown said.
     Bellot was the director of the department from then until around the year 2000, Brown said.
     The Dixie County EMS was housed at the Cross City Fire Station until 1991, Brown said. The chief told about his family and in-laws participating in the city fire department that was established in 1953.
     In 1989, Dixie County’s second ambulance was put into service, Chief Brown said. It was stationed at the First District Community Center on Dixie County Road 55-A, Brown said. 
     In 2001, Rescue 3, the third ambulance for Dixie County, was established, he said. It was held at the current Station 1 until 2004, he said.
     “That’s three ambulances, ladies and gentlemen,” Chief Brown said. “And that’s all we’ve operated with since 2001, when Rescue 3 was established.”
     The chief then spoke about donated structures and appropriations from the Florida Legislature to build new structures as well as to enhance the county’s Emergency Operations Center in Cross City.
     Chief Brown helped listeners know that had the voters approved of a special assessment in 2015, the county would have been further along than it is today with improving the fire-rescue capabilities; however, the voter made that choice then.
     The celebration of the opening of Station 4 is well-deserved, because this new facility had its crew’s first shift starting on May 1 at 7:30 a.m. That is the moment when Rescue 4 – the newest ambulance became officially set to be dispatched from the newest fire-rescue station.
     Station 4 has several accoutrements in contrast with the more spartan fire rescue stations in Dixie County.
     Firefighters and emergency medical personnel working out of this station will see lockers for each member of the team, in each of the three shifts. There is a decontamination room, where firefighters can remove bunker gear that has been permeated with potentially toxic smoke.
     There is a room to store gear for structural or brush firefighting.
     There is a room for refilling air packs.
     There is a mini-gymnasium with a Stairmaster, a treadmill and other equipment to sustain physical activity to keep in shape. This is the only fire station in Dixie County with a gym.
     There are five rooms for crewmembers, each with one bed and one desk and a closet with three sections – one section for each of the three separate shifts.
     There are three bathrooms, and two of them have showers for the crews. There is a separate bathroom without a shower, too, near the front of the station for use by visitors who are not on the DCFR team.
     There are three pantries, one for each shift.
     There is a full kitchen, including three refrigerators - one for each shift, and an adjoining dining area with a custom-designed dining room table.
     There is a day room with a TV, and recliners. Next to the TV is a Computer Assisted Display so emergency responders can see data instantly while in the day room. There is an intercom system throughout the facility to assure everyone hears when there is a dispatch for help.
     Another area in the station is for fire investigations, fire prevention and paramedicine services.
     The chief mentioned Station 4 is a brand new station with an added crew. The Dixie County Board of County Commissioners added six positions to the budget for this fiscal year, Chief Brown said.
     There was a much smaller building here that served people as it was first manned by volunteers. That older structure came into being from donations from the community.
     Chief Brown spoke about what exists today, and how there is expansion seen as a vision for the future. He mentioned that having served 37 years so far, he sees the younger firefighters carrying forward the plans as the county grows, and there will be some day when he finally sees it is the right time to retire.
     On the fire side of fire-rescue, Chief Brown said, in 1988 Dixie County Fire was all-volunteer. 
     The chief ran through some more history before reaching 1992, when Oscar Garner brought his family up from Homestead, after being tired of Hurricane Andrew. Oscar Garner is the father of Chief Scott Garner, the division chief of emergency management in Dixie County. 
     Oscar Garner became the voluntary chief of the Dixie County Fire Department in this district before going to Taylor County, where he retired from that county’s emergency management department, Brown said.
     George Tompkins became the voluntary chief for this district, Brown said, after the former Chief Garner went to Taylor County.
     Tompkins managed this department until 2013, Brown said.
     Chief Harvey Spencer then managed this voluntary department from then until now, Brown said.
     (To see the May 24, 2022 story, photos and video from DCES adds two new firetrucks, click HERE. https://hardisoninkarchive.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/5-24-22-dces-adds-two-new-firetrucks.pdf)
     In 2009, Tim Alexander (now the chairman of the Dixie County School Board as well as the Assistant Executive Director of the Suwannee River Water Management District) was the director of the department, Brown said. Back then, EMS and fire service were all volunteers.
     Alexander and Brown had conversations about losing volunteers and not being able to respond to calls for help and having to change to paying people, Brown said.
     In 2009, they staffed their first fire station in Cross City with a 40-hour weekly employee, Brown said.
     There was a cooperative agreement between Taylor County and Dixie County, back then, Brown said.
     The chief spoke about Dixie County obtaining a grant to hire 15 people in 2012. Then in 2015, when the voters chose against increasing the fire assessment by $35 a year, he had to lay off nine people.
     The chief said in 2015 that it would be 10 years before the county would recover and reach the point where it was 10 years ago.
     “We now have stations one, two, three and four staffed,’ Chief Brown said. “We’re running four ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulances, two ALS engines and a squad truck. This department’s moving.
     “It’s still got a lot of things going on,” he continued.
      The chief said two ambulances are in the works of being completed in Texas and then sent here. The department has a new tanker, which the Florida Legislature appropriated for Dixie County two years ago.
     An extremely significant part of all of the capital improvements these past few years is thanks to the Florida Legislature putting funds into the county’s budget to purchase equipment and structures, Chief Brown said.
     He mentioned the previous and current state senators and state representatives who have Dixie County, and who had Dixie County, in their districts over the past several years.
     The chief said they were invited to the celebration, but he knows they are busy in Tallahassee now.
     The chief closed his speech by saying “Thank you” to everyone who came to the celebration as well as everyone who was part of the whole history leading to this day.
     One extremely vital member of the DCFS team, Fire Inspector and Fire Investigator Jimmie Golden, was unable to attend because he underwent surgery the day before, Chief Brown said. 
     “Keep him in your prayers,” the chief said.
     Then, he invited all in attendance to enjoy the sandwiches and other food available, as well as to tour the station, take pictures and enjoy the event.


Julius Halas (at left with microphone) prepares to share insight about Chief Darian Brown after Chief Brown spoke.


Julius Halas, the now retired former director of the Florida State Fire Marshal's Office, lets listeners know about high of a degree of an accomplishment this is for Dixie County to have the Florida Legislature award the money to build this fire station and other fire-rescue facilities -- thanks to Chief Darian Brown, the director of Dixie County Emergency Services. This was part of the ceremonies on April 30, 2025, as Dixie County Fire-Rescue Fire Station 4 opened. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video by Jeff M. Hardison. All Copyrights Reserved.

Photo Ops

After the public speaking part of the event, Chief Darian Brown agrees to a photo opportunity with Florida Fire Marshal’s Office Director Joanne Rice. She oversees the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training, Domestic Security, and the Florida Fire Incident Reporting System.


Tim Alexander (left) one of the many significant people who helped bring DCFR to its point of success today, is seen speaking with another gentleman at the event.


Among the elected people at the event are Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler, Dixie County Clerk Barbie Higginbotham and Dixie County Commission Vice Chairman Mark Hatch. County Commissioner Daniel Wood III was present for the ceremony; however, he needed to return to work rather than staying for lunch, a tour of the station and photo ops. Vice Chairman Hatch almost made it out the door, but he conceded to the required minutes for this picture as a professional courtesy to a journalist. And then, he was off to work, too.

Some of the food enjoyed by attendees is seen here.

This is a view of the day room, the recliners and the CAD screen that keeps the crew aware of calls in the county. An intercom system throughout the station also ensures no call from dispatch to respond is missed.

The dining area includes a custom-made dining table.


Two of the DCFR engines are among a lot of the equipment available to be seen during the ceremony.


One of the four Dixie County ambulances is seen here, and a truck from Slack Construction, builders of Station 4, is seen here.

183r^d Performance

183rd This is Central Florida Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees (from left) Melissa Lewis, Jessie Robinson, President Alan Mikell and Vice President Bo Markham as they sing the HardisonInk.com jingle on May 3 at the 2025 Annual CFEC Members Meeting held in the City of Fanning Springs in the Suwannee River Fair Pavilion. Jeff M. Hardison asks people to sing the jingle, and some of them agree to sing it. (Thanks people!) CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE TO SEE AND HEAR THE VIDEO ON YouTube.com. The very first person to sing the jingle was in Chiefland in March of 2013. HardisonInk.com started as a daily news website on Feb. 1, 2011.
Photo and Video by Jeff M. Hardison © May 12, 2025 at 9 p.m.
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