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$1,000 reported stolen from Fort Cooper Baptist

By JOHN FRANK
Published December 14, 2006

INVERNESS - A day after Sunday services, someone snatched money from the offering plate at Fort Cooper Baptist Church on U.S. 41 S.

Authorities said more than $1,000 in cash was reported stolen Monday morning from the church and the adjacent Inverness Christian Academy.

Gail Tierney, a spokeswoman for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, said the money was taken from different locations in the church, but investigators found no sign of forced entry. Church officials did report finding a side door unlocked.

A portion of the money was from offerings, Tierney said, and the rest of the money was collected by the academy from concession stand purchases and admission charges for athletic events.

Deputies gathered evidence at the scene, and investigators are still trying to identify the culprit. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office tip line at 1-888-269-8477.

- A Lecanto High School student was sent to a hospital and another to jail after a fight broke out in science class Tuesday.

A 17-year-old female student was yelling and cursing at the teacher when the victim told her to be quiet so they didn't have to change seats, which is a form of punishment, reports stated.

The girl then crossed the classroom, grabbed the victim's head and smashed it into the victim's desk. She then pulled the victim out of her chair and threw her into a closet door, according to statements from the teacher and witnesses.

The victim, also a 17-year-old female student, said her classmate also punched her once in the head.

When deputies arrived on the scene at 9:45 a.m., they found the victim lying on the floor. She was conscious but taken to Citrus Memorial Health System for precautionary reasons, reports stated.

The assailant was arrested on battery charges before being released to her parents.

John Frank can be reached at jfrank@sptimes.com or 860-7312.

[Last modified December 13, 2006, 19:43:09]