I don`t know if any of you ever read Miss Honey`s little statements each week in the Levy County Journal, but they are very heart warming and entertaining. I consider Miss Honey to be a very dear friend, who is a Christian and a very caring, concerned individual. She is always available to assist anyone in need and will not hesitate to go that "extra mile" to be assured that no stone is left unturned, when she does assist them. If you have the opportunity, please read her remarks and you, too, will know how sweet and caring Miss Honey really is. September 5, 2007, approximately 11:35PM, Officer Perry responded to a call reference a physical disturbance off Gulf Blvd. Upon his arrival he spoke with the victim, a teenage juvenile, who stated that Mr. Stephen M. Groo, age 22, Cedar Key, had become involved in a verbal confrontation with them. Mr. Groo punched the victim in the right eye, which was red and swollen when Officer Perry arrived on the scene. Mr. Groo fled the scene after the altercation began to turn more physical. The teenage victim was given a "victim/witness rights form" which allows an individual the right to be notified when the suspect is released from -jail. The next afternoon Mr. Groo was located, arrested and charged with battery of a child under the age of 18. He was taken to the Levy County Jailed, booked in on the battery charge and awaited first appearance. September 8, 2007, approximately 7:55PM, Officer Mike Cosseboom was dispatched to the Sea breeze Restaurant on Dock Street, reference a white male brandishing a sword. The individual had left the area upon Officer Mike`s arrival, but was located a short distance from the Sea breeze with a fencing sword in his hand. Mr. William Bruce Roberts, age 57, of Tallahassee, FL, was taken into custody and charged with: Improper Exhibition of a Dangerous Weapon and Disorderly Intoxication. He was transported to the Levy County Jail and booked in on the aforementioned charges to await first appearance and bond setting. September 9, 2007, approximately 9:31 PM, while Officer Mike Cosseboom was monitoring traffic on SR24 near Pine Street in Cedar Key, he observed a silver colored pickup truck that appeared to be exceeding the posted 30MPH speed limit. Officer Mike engaged his radar, which indicated the vehicle was traveling 45MPH in the 30MPH zone. He activated his overhead lights and the vehicle began to drive on to the fog line and weave within the lane. Initially the vehicle failed to yield to Officer Mike, but then placed his left directional signal on, then off. The vehicle`s right directional signal was turned on, then off, as the driver straddled the fog line for an extended distance. The driver finally stopped, and when asked for his driver`s license by Officer Mike, he stated he did not have his license, vehicle registration and insurance card with him. Officer Mike asked the driver for his name, date of birth and Social Security number as a means of identification. He identified himself as Mark Herbert, age 35, and provided a Social Security number. His eyes were bloodshot and watery and his speech was slurred. He admitted to drinking two beers, when asked if he had been drinking. Officer Mike returned to his cruiser and contacted Levy County SO Communications Center to determine if the driver had a valid driver`s license. Officer Mike observed the vehicle moving slowly backward, then accelerated rapidly eastbound on SR24. Officer Mike activated his lights and siren, beginning pursuit of the vehicle, which reached in excess of 100MPH. The vehicle turned north of to CR345, turning the headlights off twice. He crossed the yellow center line and drove on to the shoulder of the roadway, almost losing control of the vehicle. As the pursuit continued north at speeds exceeding 90MPH the driver turned west on to CR330; Officer Mike lost sight of the vehicle and discontinued the chase at that time. Levy County Communications Center advised the vehicle is the property of Enterprise Leasing Company out of Tampa, FL and was rented to a Daniel Edward Herbert, age 35 out of Brooksville, FL. Dispatch further advised that Mr. Herbert`s license were revoked after a Driving under the Influence conviction in Highlands County, August 21, 2007. A positive identification was made of Mr. Herbert through the Driver`s License Bureau and the appropriate paper will be filed charging him with Obstruction by Disguise; Driving under the Influence of an alcoholic beverage; Aggravated Fleeing and Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer; and Driving while license are revoked. September 12,2007, approximately 2:30PM, Sgt. John McMullen received a phone call from Mr. Robert L. Tison, age 34, Gainesville, FL, reference articles stolen from his boat, while it was parked in the Marina Parking Lot. Mr. Tison said he had gone fishing out of Cedar Key on September 8, 2007 and upon parking his boat in the parking lot he and his party ate at a local restaurant. Never suspecting anything wrong he returned to his home in Gainesville and discovered his fishing tackle and GPS were missing from the boat. There are currently no suspects in this case, but a reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for taking the tackle and GPS. September 13, 2007, approximately 11:02PM, Officer Mike Cosseboom, while standing by during the evening closure of the SR24 Jiffy Store, observed a black Buick automobile turn in to then Jiffy Store parking lot. Officer Mike personally knew that the driver, Mr. Thomas Junior Brown, age 21 of Chiefland, FL, did not possess a valid driver`s license due to a prior suspension being imposed against him. Officer Mike arrested Mr. Brown; transported him to the Levy County Jail and booked him in on the charge of Driving Knowing his License were Suspended.
September 15, approximately 10:30PM, Officer David Perry was dispatched to the Anchor Cove Subdivision reference a Criminal Mischief. Upon Officer David`s arrival he was advised by Mr. David Coffee, Cedar Key/Gainesville, that unknown persons had destroyed some of the street lights in the subdivision, as well as the strings of red lights on the boat docking facilities, adjacent to the channel. There are currently no suspects, but a reward is being offered for the arrest of those individuals involved in the destruction incurred by the land owners of Anchor Cove. Deputy Ken Maddux, School Resource Officer, currently assigned to Cedar Key and Yankeetown Schools, continues to be an important asset in structuring the positive attitude of students in these two Levy County Schools. The Levy County School System is certainly blessed to have the highest caliber School Resource Officers assigned to all of our schools, and Sheriff Johnny Smith, who also has a son in school, knows the important part these dedicated individuals play in the safety and welfare of all our students. If you ever have the opportunity to come in contact with any of these fine young men please be sure to thank them for their dedication and the wonderful "role model" they portray on a daily basis toward our children. They go well beyond their normal duties to ensure the safety and welfare of all our students; whether they are en route to school; at school; or returning to their respective homes. May the good Lord continue to bless us with such caring individuals in all areas of our law enforcement society. Also, Deputy Maddux always escorts our Safety Patrol participants on their annual trek to Washington D.C.; never complaining about having to give up his time off. He is a very special person and we need to let him know how important he, and his fellow Resource Officers are to the safety of our children. The cool weather we had on Monday, September 17, 2007, is a friendly reminder that our bi-annual neighbors will be returning soon, so let us great them with a friendly smile and exhibit our best Southern hospitality when we meet them at the Post Office; The Market; The Canvas Shop; Restaurants; Churches and various other places of interest in our most personable little community. Welcome home to those already here and we anxiously await the arrival of the others currently heading our way, or in the packing process, preparing to once again return to the safest haven in our great State. Until next time: If you drink to excess, please call someone to come get you, or ask the Manager of the establishment you are visiting to provide you a safe trip home. We sure don`t want any of our family, friends, visitors, or loved ones to become a "statistic." |
