1 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | 75¢ Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM Synthetic pot, more seized from local stores Part of combined information officer, said syn- with the Lake City Police and synthetic cannabinoids to effort from local thetic drugs are among the Department, State Attorney’s be a significant threat to the latest in a series of substances Office and the Hamilton health and public safety within law enforcement. that, when used improperly, County Sheriff’s Office dur- Florida. offer alternatives to traditional ing the Wednesday morning In accordance with the new By TONY BRITT illegal drugs. These powerful operation. law, authorities visited mul- [email protected] stimulants, reportedly intend- Seifert said the synthetic tiple convenience stores in ed as as substitutes for ecstasy, substances were seized from Columbia County and Lake Local law enforcement cocaine, amphetamines and a total of nine independently- City. Any and all products that agencies combined forces marijuana, have been designed owned convenience stores in were deemed in violation of the Wednesday and seized syn- to avoid illegal prosecution and Columbia County and Lake new law were seized from the thetic marijuana and bath salts are commonly available on the City. businesses. from a number of local conve- Internet, specialty “smoke” On March 23, Gov. Rick “Several pounds of banned COURTESY nience stores. shops and convenience stores. Scott signed HB1175 into law. products were collected,” Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sgt. Ed Seifert, Columbia The Columbia County The law deemed “synthetic Kimberly Ray examines items in a local estab- County Sheriff’s Office public Sheriff’s Office partnered substances” such as bath salts BUST continued on 6A lishment Wednesday. Romney, Comin’ out Obama trade barbs over Smokin’ embassy By DAVID ESPO tional Marines at diplo- AP Special Correspondent matic posts overseas in his capacity as command- er in chief. WASHINGTON — “And make no mistake. Republican challenger Justice will be done” he Mitt Romney accused declared, referring to President Barack those responsible for the Obama’s administration murders of Chris Stevens, on Wednesday of show- U.S. ambassador to Libya, ing weakness in the face and three others. of tumultuous events that The four diplomats left four U.S. diplomats were killed on Tuesday dead in the Middle East as protesters overran and and jolted the race for burned the U.S. Consulate the White House. Obama in Benghazi. In a separate retorted that his rival incident, the American “seems to have a tenden- Embassy in Cairo was cy to shoot first and aim breached by protesters, later.” and the nation’s flag was Even some Republicans ripped down, although questioned Romney’s no deaths were reported handling of the issue, there. calling it hasty. Top GOP The political fallout leaders in Congress point- came as U.S. officials edly declined to endorse investigated whether the his criticism of the presi- attack in Libya was a ter- dent. rorist strike planned to Said Obama: “It’s mark the 11th anniversary important for you to of the attacks of Sept. 11, make sure that the state- 2001. Initial reports were ments that you make are that both the Libya and backed up by the facts. Egypt events had been And that you’ve thought motivated by anger over through the ramifications an amateur film made COURTESY before you make ‘em.” in the United States that Lake City barbecue professional Thomas Henry holds up a slab of meat during a recent cooking exhibition. Henry will be the Obama-the-political- ridiculed Islam’s Prophet featured cooking expert at this year’s Smokin’ Pig BBQ Fest. candidate’s unusually Muhammad. personal criticism, which Either way, some came in an interview with Republicans joined CBS, stood in contrast to Democrats in question- 4th Annual Smokin’ Pig BBQ his appearance outside ing Romney’s decision the White House earli- to inject himself into er in the day. Then, he the situation thousands Fest set for Friday, Saturday somberly mourned the of miles away with his deaths and announced the deployment of addi- BARBS continued on 6A From staff reports Grilling Columbia County Resources, Budweiser, and Water district tax S&S Food Stores will pres- class ent the 4th Annual Smokin’ Pig BBQ Fest Cook Off set for rate unchanged and family event to be held at the Columbia County tonight LIVE OAK – The The district proposes to Fairgrounds on Friday and Suwannee River Water set aside $1.5 million for Saturday. From staff reports Management District agriculture and $1.5 mil- Gates open at 10 a.m. Governing Board on lion for local government Friday and Saturday with Lake City barbecue pro- Tuesday adopted a tenta- cost-share programs for free admission until 3 p.m. fessional Thomas Henry tive budget of $16.1 mil- water resource develop- on Friday. After 3, admis- will be the featured cook- lion and a proposed mill- ment, conservation, water sion is $5 for Friday night JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter ing expert at this year’s age rate of 0.4143, the quality, and natural sys- and includes two concerts. Justin Peeler (left) and Greg Walker, both of the Blue Butt Smokin’ Pig BBQ Fest and same as last year. tems projects. Saturday’s admission is $3 Cook Team, slice off pieces from a slab of pork spare ribs. before the event officially With property values Program highlights for all day at the event. begins, Henry will host a declining 2 percent, this include continuation of: “We’re looking forward popularity. Live musical enter- grilling class tonight. will save the district tax- - Minimum Flows and to a wonderful event that’s “I guess people really tainment Friday on the Henry is a long-time grill payers roughly $280,000, Levels (MFLs) program going to give the commu- like to barbecue,” she said. Main Stage will feature master and has won many according to district offi- - North Florida Regional nity a chance to come out “It’s a real popular thing two very well-known per- Grand Champion awards cials. Water Supply Partnership and sample some great bar- to do. Everybody enjoys formers from the North for his grilling expertise The proposed budget - Data collection, man- becue and watch some of a good steak, pork loin or Florida region. The Mercy across the Southeast. supports the agency’s agement, monitoring and the experts at work,” said Boston butt on the grill. Mountain Boys will elec- Henry is the lead grillmas- core mission and includes analysis Wanda Jones, Smokin’ Pig We think this is something trify the crowd with their ter on his Budmeisters BBQ funding for agriculture - Detailed floodplain BBQ Committee chairman. that’s easy to do, it’s fun, driving beats and perfect team based in Lake City. and local government studies There are 41 teams the whole family can get harmonies. Up and coming He will provide a Barbecue cost-share programs. - Aquifer Recharge scheduled to compete in involved in it and I just country singer Jamie Davis Techniques class at 7 p.m. It reflects a significant Feasibility Study this year’s event, which think it’s something that will entertain the crowd today before the Smokin’ increase in focus on water - Land management and marks the fourth year the everybody enjoys.” with his brand of country Pig BBQ Fest begins on resource and supply plan- surplus lands program event has been held. music that is sure to con- Friday. The class is free and ning and monitoring while · Improvements, Jones said the event What to Watch meeting the needs in the continues to increase in its FEST continued on 6A HENRY continued on 6A other program areas. TAX continued on 6A Vol. 138, No. 166 Opinion . 4A CALL US: TODAY IN COMING (386) 752-1293 87 67 People. 2A PEOPLE FRIDAY SUBSCRIBE TO T-Storm Chance Obituaries . 5A THE REPORTER: Advice & Comics . 3B Professor X has Local News Voice: 755-5445 Fax: 752-9400 WEATHER, 2A Puzzles . 4B left the building. Roundup. 2AWEATHER 2A LAKE CITY REPORTER DAILY BRIEFING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 Page Editor: Rick Burnham, 754-0424 Celebrity Birthdays Wednesday: Wednesday: n Actress Jacqueline player Bernie Williams is Afternoon: 9-9-5 Afternoon: 1-8-6-8 Tuesday: Bisset is 68. 44. Evening: N/A Evening: N/A 8-12-18-26-30 n Actress Jean Smart is 61. n Football player Brad n Actress Christine Johnson is 44. Estabrook is 60. n Singer Fiona Apple is PEOPLE IN THE NEWS n Talk show host Tavis 35. Smiley is 48. n Actor Ben Savage is n Track and field star 32. Michael Johnson is 45. n Canadian wrestler 50 years later, Professor X dead n Musician/baseball Angel Williams is 31. Daily Scripture PHILADELPHIA to do. It’s what sounds — Fifty years after Charles like it’s going to be a good “[Final Exhortations] Rejoice in the Xavier banded his first time.” class of mutants together But there’s another rea- Lord always. I will say it again: Re- as the X-Men, the tele- son he was reporting to joice!” path-turned-team builder Studio 8H. - Philippians 4:4 NIV has been killed by one of “They asked me,” he them. explained. “It’s the kind of The teacher, who thing you don’t say ‘no’ to Thought for Today trained mutants in Marvel if you’re in comedy.” “There is the view that poetry should Entertainment’s X-Men For a multimedia come- comics through the years, dy impresario, MacFarlane improve your life. I think people con- was felled in the latest might not seem ideally fuse it with the Salvation Army.” issue of “Avengers vs.