Watermelon Festival Worth the Heat

CHIEFLAND Thursday, June 6, 2019 Proudly servingITIZEN Chiefland and Levy County for 68 years 2C sections, 20 pages Volume 68, Number 13 www.chieflandcitizen.com Chiefland, FL 32644 $.75 Levy County moves to prep Camp Azalea for satellite waste station SUZETTE COOK Reporter “We’ve made tremen- dous strides,” Levy County Solid Waste Department Admin- istrative Director Rod Hastings told the County Commission on June 4 as he gave an update on the first of several satellite waste stations in the works for Levy County. “Everything’s already in place, ground- work prepared, permits prepared.” The 8-Mile location off of 347 was once used as a landfill and measures just under 11 acres. The County plans to open it after the new budget is established this fall and start to fade out the portable stations throughout the County. "You can do it, you're “Looking forward to electricity hook up, then concrete gets poured,” from Chiefland!" Hastings said about the prep work that has been would be forgettable completed at 8-Mile. SEAN ARNOLD Editor and formulaic. Then he asked the It wasn’t. What he de- commission to advise When you earn the livered at the ceremony him on what station to distinction of class drew a standing ovation focus on prepping next valedictorian, you’re re- and left what is sure to so he could get a 911 warded with the burden be a lasting impression address established and of having to give the on his classmates and get the power hooked closing speech at your everyone in attendance. up. graduation. Holland began by Hastings presented Chiefland valedictori- calling up his good nine possible locations an Trey Holland wasn’t friend and classmate throughout Levy County thrilled about that pros- Hunter Barrand to join to the Commission on SEAN ARNOLD/Citizen pect as he toiled over him on stage and play Feb. 19. Some of those Trey Holland drew a standing ovation for his valedictorian address at the his speech in the run-up acoustic guitar in the locations are Coun- Chiefland Middle High School senior graduation on May 31. See more photos to the CMHS commence- background. He then ty-owned properties and on page A3. ment on May 31 at C. outlined three pieces of others could be pur- Doyle McCall Field. advice, which included chased or leased. ence to the Will Ferrell car accident he was in vest in people, because But instead of shrink- a reference to the movie In February, the pre- and John C. Reilly film, helped him reevaluate somebody has invested ing from the moment, Step Brothers. “Don’t liminary list included CR meaning, “Don’t lose the things he valued in you,” Holland said. Holland was equally lose your dinosaur,” 347, Fire Station, Camp your passion in life.” and what society says concerned the speech Holland said in refer- Azalea, Highway Patrol Holland said a recent you should value. “In- See GRADS Page A9 station off Highway 19, behind the Moose Lodge, Morriston, Lebanon Station asphalt plant and one in South Morriston Watermelon Festival at 60th and Highway 41. Commissioner Mike Joyner said, “Let’s make a decision. Camp Azalea, worth the heat See WASTE Page A9 The heat didn’t scare off the crowd and a bungee bounce swing for chil- at the 65th Annual Chiefland Water- dren. Chiefland native Houston Keen melon Festival, which was back to entertain was as packed as as the musical guest, by CHIEFLAND ever as festival-goers way of his new home in CITIZEN found relief in the Austin, Texas. watermelons and the After the parade, Shelbi 624 W. Park Ave long list of entertain- McCall was crowned the Chiefland, Fl 32626 ment activities for 2019 Chiefland Water- Phone: 352-493-4796 families. melon Queen. McCall There was the was presented the crown usual variety of treats from Avianna Liuzzo, the and refreshments, 2018 Chiefland Water- countless vendors melon Queen and cur- of all kinds, pony rent Florida Watermelon rides and a petting Queen. zoo, a parade and the Shelby Kirton was the watermelon auction, first runner-up. Ashtyn hosted by Daniel Valentina West enjoys a Brown, who was the 2018 SEAN ARNOLD/Citizen Jerrels. treat. Teen Queen, was second Shelbi McCall is crowned the 2019 Chiefland Wa- But there were also runner-up. See page B1 termelon queen by Florida Watermelon Queen newAd#:000VXFT features, like Date:04/03/19 a laser tag Day:WEDsetup Size:5X3for more Cust:80827 photos fromSalesperson:792 the event. Last Edited By:CDECKELMANN Pub:SPECIAL SERVICES Tag Line:METAL ROOF FRONT PAGE Color Info:4COLORAvianna Liuzzo. 000VXFT - Page 1 - Composite 000VXFT 2A Chiefland Citizen Thursday, June 6, 2019 Thousands of insects flock to tree in Chiefland Experts say the invasive plant could pose threat to ecosystem SUZETTE COOK what to do, so she post- “I’ve seen yellow jack- Reporter ed about the situation ets, I’ve seen bumble on a local word-of- bees, I’ve seen wasps, They first arrived mouth forum. “Every- I’ve seen dirt daubers. about a month ago. one said ‘let them be,’” “It amazes us,” Steve The Goolsby family Drema said. And her said in disbelief. “Look in Chiefland didn’t husband Steve Goolsby at this guy here, he’s know what to make of agreed when Drema blue, there’s a red wasp the bees, butterflies, said, “We don’t have a right here. Here’s that dragonflies, wasps, hor- reason to have some- blue one. No, he’s pur- nets, moths, and even one come get them.” ple. Love bugs too. Red birds landing on every Steve was trying wasps. Oh wow look at branch and leaf of the to keep up with how that!” 40-foot tree in their many different types of Steve said his un- front yard. insects were buzzing cle knows trees and “They don’t bother around. “There’s one identified this one as us,” said Levy County tiny green butterfly a Chinese Tallow, aka School Bus Driver Dre- rubbing his wings to- popcorn tree. ma Goolsby. “Look at gether,” he said. “I want some more them all. It just amazes “There’s an orange information,” Steve me that there are so butterfly and see this said about the tree that many.” guy here, a big bumble sits in the front yard of Drema wasn’t sure bee,” he added. a property his family moved onto last year off Country Road 345 in Chiefland. Local experts have that information to offer. Levy County Exten- sion Director of IFAS Ed Jennings said, “I know they are invasive,” and said he could only provide the facts, verifying that it is a Chinese Tallow and rated as a Environmental and it’s also doubling as a noxious to animals, and Category 1 invasive Community Horticul- pollinator source,” he can cause displacement plant. “It’s a non-na- ture Agent Dr. Tay- asked. of the natural ecosys- tive invasive,” Jen- lor Clem, who works “It’s kind of unique tem. nings said. “It does for the UF/IFAS Alachua how they end up getting “Although the spec- have toxic property.” County Extension, said here,” Clem said. “They imen you have seen is But Jennings cannot invasive plants can were brought here be- covered in great insects, advise on what, if an- cause a dilemma. cause of how they look the Chinese Tallow ything, the Goolsbys After looking at and for the oil, and soap causes significant harm need to do about it. photos of the tree, Clem making.” to our environment by “It depends on wheth- also confirmed it was a Clem said the tree’s displacing our native er they are concerned Chinese Tallow. sap can cause “a major with the toxicity,” he “What do you do with skin irritation.” See PLANT Page A7 said. an invasive species, but And that the plant is LEFT: Steve Goolsby of Chiefland points to the Chinese Tallow, aka a popcorn tree, in his yard that his yard that is drawing thousands of insects. The non-native plant is considered an invasive species and is on the State of Florida's Noxious Weed list. ABOVE: An example of the insects flocking to the Chine Tallow in Goolsby's yard. Photos by SUZETTE COOK/Citizen Silhouette display a tribute to U.S. military SUZETTE COOK Reporter Chiefland Farmer’s Flea Market Owner Sonny Griffeth wanted to do something special for holi- days such as Memorial Day that celebrate those who serve in the United States military, so he brain- stormed to come up with a plan. See TRIBUTE Page A7 Investment Strategy Can Be Your ‘GPS’ as You Travel Toward Goals If you’re going on a long car trip this summer, you can rely on your smartphone’s GPS to help you reach your destination. And to help reach your financial goals, you might want to look at your investment strategy as a similar kind of navigation system. Like a smartphone’s GPS, a well-constructed investment strategy can help plot out your route. For example, if you plan to retire at a certain age, your investment strategy helps guide you on how much you need to invest, and what investments to pursue. Also, just as a GPS will redirect you if you deviate from the route you’ve been given, you may need to make some adjustments if you depart from your investment strategy in some way, such as taking on too much risk. Of course, it’s simple to program your GPS. But when creating a personalized investment strategy, you need to consider all your goals SUZETTE COOK/Citizen – college for your children, a comfortable retirement, the ability to Chiefland Farmer's Flea Market Owner Sony Griffeth set up a tribute to honor those who serve in the military.

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