Thursday, May 15, 2014 Vol 32 No. 28 75 cents Sheriff: Woman abducted during carjacking had been texting Kuttner, Victim, 20, says remaining calm saved her life as the pair had recently developed a friendship for the 20-year-old Dun- and Haley Kuttner, 20, two weeks ago. During JEFF BRYAN nellon resident who has both of Dunnellon, ac- Riverland News their conversation, Kut- aspirations of attending cording to a Marion tner told Humphress her Sleep hasn’t come easy cosmetology school in the County Sheriff ’s Office ar- other friend, Deaton, recently for Lynn fall in Ocala. rest report. needed a ride and could Humphress, especially Her nightmarish ordeal Throughout much of she provide one. Kuttner after the events that un- led to multiple charges for Saturday, Humphress told Lynn Silas Haley folded this past Sunday Silas Deaton, 21, of Ocala, the Riverland News she See JUMPXX page X Humphress Deaton Kuttner See ABDUCTED page 16 WHAT’S Council HAPPENING Ribbon-cutting for approves bike trail Friday The Florida Depart- manager ment of Environmen- tal Protection’s Florida Park Service contract will host a ribbon-cut- ting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Friday to cele- Esch will earn brate the opening of a multi-use trail and $76K per year bridge in Dunnellon. This new trail and JEFF BRYAN bridge will bring the Riverland News state within two miles of connecting the Eddie Esch is no Withlacoochee State longer the interim city Trail to the Marjorie manager. Harris Carr Cross The Dunnellon City Florida Greenway. Council at its Monday DEPDeputy Secretary night meeting unani- Katy Fenton, along mously approved his with state legislators contract, and local officials will promot - be in attendance. ing him If you plan to attend, to full RSVPto Bre Ximenes t i m e at 352-263-7143 or after he’s email Bre.Ximenes@ spent the dep.state.fl.us. past year Rainbow River Photo illustration provided by the Florida State University Sports Information Department s e r v i n g cleanupslated Terrence Brooks will take his football talents to the Baltimore Ravens after the NFL franchise selected the Eddie Esch as the in- The annual Rainbow former Dunnellon High standout Friday in the NFL Draft. Brooks is the first Tiger alum to be taken in the terim manager. Esch River cleanup will be annual event since Ernie Mills, a Florida alum, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. replaced Lisa Algiere, at 9 a.m. Saturday, who resigned almost a starting at the Rio year ago. Vista Beach Park. Brooks will attend team’s rookie minicamp Friday In addition to serv- Volunteers are ing as manager, Esch needed to help and JEFF BRYAN graduate endured a lengthy will also remain the will work different sec- Riverland News wait Friday night during the WHAT THEY SAID: city’s public works di- NFL Draft before the Balti- “I’m proud of him and I know if rector. The Council ap- tions of the river in When the Baltimore more Ravens selected the he can put in the time and dedica- proved his annual boats, kayaks and ca- Ravens turned in their se- noes. All the debris speedy, hard-hitting free tion, I can put in the same work.” salary request, paying lection card for the 79th that is collected will be safety from Florida State him $76,000 a year. In overall section of this year’s — Ke’Andre Brooks, brought back to the with its third-round selec- his contract, Esch did NFL Draft, Terrence Terrence’s brother, who Rio Vista Park at noon tion. Brooks was the 79th se- not ask for a monthly Brooks’ phone lit up will play collegiately at for record keeping and lection overall in Georgia Military Academy. car allowance, which quicker than his abil- this year’s draft, and disposal. All partici- was granted to Algiere. pants are invited to ity to put a fierce hit the first player from Esch did request the on an opponent. Dunnellon to be “It was overdue for that family. enjoy a free lunch. They have had some tremendous maximum amount of Prizes will be “My phone was taken in the yearly severance pay — 20 blowing up when the event since Ernie athletes come through that high awarded for the school. He has really made all of us weeks — if the Council largest amount of trash pick came in,” he Mills. were to terminate his said, noting one of “I was relieved to proud. It is amazing the amount of collected by an indi- support he’s gotten from the com- contract as city man- vidual, the largest in- the first people he tell you the truth, I munity. It’s amazing what Small ager. He also asked to dividual item of trash called was his grand- felt like I was sup- Terrence town USA can produce. I would just be given full vesting recovered from the mother, Sarah. “They posed to go earlier,” Brooks like to congratulate that family for a rights though he’s river and the most un- were all ecstatic said Brooks, who job well done, for the support about 17 months short usual item recovered. about the news.” was the fourth player from they’ve given him and the trips of the city’s required For information or to Brooks, in a phone inter- the Seminoles’ national five-year mark. To do volunteers, call Jerry view with the Riverland championship squad se- they’ve made throughout these past four years.” so, the Council will Rogers at 489-4648. News on Saturday, said lected in the NFL Draft. need to pass an — Bobby James, messages and calls were The Ravens were re- amendment approving Police collecting continuing to pour in from lieved, too. According to the School Board chairman used cell phones the request. That family, friends and former team’s website, Baltimore amendment will likely The Dunnellon Po- teammates. “I still haven’t had a small number of re- “We are so very proud of Ter- lice Department is col- be ready in June. The had a chance to go through ally good safeties on their rence. What a monumental accom- Council did agree that lecting cellular phones each one, but please tell board this year. Brooks was plishment that very few athletes with chargers for vic- once the time frame everyone I appreciate the the sixth safety to be se- ever achieve and to be drafted so passes, they would tims of Domestic Vio- support, encouragement lected. early is even more spectacular. He lence. The collected vote to remove the and well wishes. It’s been “We were concerned,” is such a great young man, deserv- amendment. phones are turned crazy around here and I Ravens Assistant General ing of all the wonderful opportuni- over to domestic vio- However, the issue promise I’ll get back to Manager Eric DeCosta said. ties his new career will bring. We of the maximum allot- lence shelters and pro- everyone as soon as I can. I “Quite honestly, he was a are convinced he will go on to great vided to victims to use ted severance package appreciate everyone’s sup- guy we hoped would be heights in the NFL and continue to to call 911 for any raised eyebrows with port.” there in the third round. We make our city and our area very emergency. Please at least two on the For Brooks, now it’s time had him targeted and we’re proud of him. We’ll be rooting for drop off all unused cel- Council. to trade in the garnet and excited to get him.” you Terrence!” At the City Council’s lular phones along gold for the purple and While Brooks admitted he with the chargers to — Mayor Nathan Whitt, May 6 workshop, black. was upset he wasn’t drafted city of Dunnellon Councilman Erik Col- the police department, The 2010 Dunnellon High See SOARING page 14 12014 S. Williams St. lop questioned Esch See COUNCIL page 3 DMS, DES win ‘Best of Show’ honors at festival Middle school wins nine additional awards JEFF BRYAN cluding the coveted red-carpet gala celebra- Best of Show award, the tion, Wood wasn’t sure Riverland News fourth consecutive year of her students’ chance OCALA — The dy- it has done so. at bringing home the nasty that is Dunnellon Since Beth Wood took top honor; not because Middle School video over the video produc- she wasn’t confident in production continued tion program in 2004, their work, but she had its dominating ways at students have been gar- the opportunity to see the 14th annual Marion nered the coveted award several of the videos County Media Festival seven times. Since 2005, from other schools. on Friday night at the Dunnellon has won “There were some re- West Port High School more than 60 fist-place ally, really great stu- Performing Arts Center. honors at the annual dis- dent-produced videos Dunnellon, much like trictwide competition from across the dis- it has done the past recognizing student-pro- trict,” she said. “It’s JEFF BRYAN/Riverland News four years, dominated duced work at the ele- great to see the kids re- Dunnellon Elementary School students, from left, Carson the competition. Stu- mentary, middle and warded for their hard Kain, Lily Rouse and Ethan Cook show off their Best of dent-produced videos high school levels. Show award for, “Don't Be an Idiom!” with former teacher won 10 categories, in- Before the start of the See FESTIVAL page 12 Brittani Loury outside of West Port’s Performing Arts Center.