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Weather has cranes stuck in Georgia

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 14, 2006

The whooping crane migration of 2006 has been in a holding pattern in Terrell County, Ga., for the past few days, pushing back the arrival time in Central Florida to possibly early next week. Officials with Operation Migration, which leads the young birds from Wisconsin to the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, had hoped to be here already. This will be the longest trip and the latest arrival by the rare birds. On Wednesday, the Operation Migration workers tried to find an interim stopping site about 30 miles from Terrell County. The next regular stop is 60 miles away, and the crew is worried about trying to fly that far in the current weather pattern of warm, humid air and winds, said Liz Condie, Operation Migration's chief operating officer. A public viewing opportunity is still scheduled for the birds' arrival at the Dunnellon Airport, whenever that is. To keep up on the cranes' progress, check out the "Field Journal" at www. operationmigration.org or call the whooping crane hotline at (904) 232-2580, ext. 124.

Dean appointed to vice chairmanship

State Rep. Charles Dean, R-Inverness, was named vice chairman of the House Council on Safety and Security on Tuesday by House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Coral Gables. "This appointment puts me right here at home in the Capitol," said Dean, the former Citrus sheriff. "I consider it a privilege and honor to serve in this capacity."

Sheriff losing spokeswoman

Ronda Hemminger Evan, a spokeswoman at the Citrus County Sheriff's Office, plans to resign effective Jan. 31. She served as a public face for the law enforcement agency for seven years, most recently as a part-time public information officer handling major cases and television media. She said she has no plans, but just needed a change. "I will truly miss it," she said.

Practice your spike for volleyball

Citrus County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring an open gym volleyball program during the school year for people ages 16 and older. The program runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Lecanto Middle School's gymnasium. The cost is $3. This is open play; no preformed teams allowed. All participants will have equal playing opportunity, and rotation is required. For information, call Parks and Recreation at 527-5754.

Clarification

Representatives from the county and city of Crystal River will try to work together to find a solution to the Harbor Isle neighborhood's reliance on septic tanks. This does not necessarily mean that either body is guaranteeing residents will receive sewer service. A story in Wednesday's Citrus Times was unclear.

[Last modified December 13, 2006, 19:57:51]