USPS 648-200UnionUnion — Lake Butler, Florida CountyCountyThursday, Jan. 30, 2014 TimesTimes101st Year — 40th Issue — 75 CENTS etc. JROTC cadet Kamil Mazal receives Lara Croft cancer benefit in Lulu, Feb. 1 appointment to U.S.Naval Academy A yard sale and lunch will A senior cadet in Union County High School from the student’s U.S. congressional representative serve as a cancer benefit for JROTC, Kamil Mazal, just received an offer or one of the U.S. senators from the respective state, Lara Croft and her family on of appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy in or the U.S. vice president, or one of the military Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Lulu Annapolis, Maryland. secretaries.” Community Center on S.R. Many, though, may not realize how unique an Kamil received nominations, for one or all of the 100 at the Union-Colombia honor that is. U.S. military academies, from Congressman Ted county line. “I am not aware of any other student in Union Yoho, Senator Bill Nelson, and Secretary of the The yard sale begins at County who is receiving an appointment from one Army John McHugh. 8 a.m., and there will be a of the U.S. military academies; in fact, I am not While the academy in Annapolis has officially cake auction at 11 a.m. A aware of anyone in the last seven years, that I have offered her an appointment, Steverson expects chicken perloo dinner lunch been here, of a student in Union County receiving an other academies to follow suit, including the U.S. appointment to one of the U.S. military academies,” Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., for which will be served for $7 a plate said LTC M. Kevin Steverson, USA (Retired). she was also nominated. beginning at noon. “These academies are prestigious and the Proceeds will help education is at the Ivy League level. The U.S. defray the family’s medical academies also require at least one nomination RIGHT: Kamil being congratulated by Yoho expenses, which includes travel between Lake Butler and Tampa. Lara is the wife of Union County Fla. surgeon Commissioner Willie Croft. While being treated in general Tampa she is only able to come home on the weekends. visits health To get involved with the benefit by helping prepare departments lunch or providing items for the yard sale or cake On Jan. 21, auction, please contact the Department Lacy Boatright in the Union of Health staff County Commissioner’s in Bradford and Office during business Union coun- hours at 386-496-4241. ties along with many communi- School-record five ty leaders wel- UCHS weightlifting comed the state surgeon general Armstrong girls going to state to both locations for facility tours, The Union County High staff introductions, meetings with School girls weightlifting community leaders and lunch. team is sending a school- The visit began at the Florida record five lifters to state, Department of Health in Union County where Dr. John including district champions Sprinkle Field Armstrong was led on a tour of Kristen Cook (199-pound the facility by Administrator class) and Kaylee Findley Joe Pietrangelo. The staff had a (unlimited) along with chance to meet Armstrong, and Jessica Brown, Kayla he graciously mingled with staff Geraghty and Courtney closed for now and was genuinely interested in Personette. (Photo, 1B; full their jobs and responsibilities story, 5B.) within the FDOH. Lake Butler’s ‘flea market’ shut down while Several County Officials, including Jimmy Tallman, Henry Whitehead procures liability insurance chairman of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, BY VINCENT ALEX BROWN the same page four days earlier on Jan. and his family), because they could get sued, Commissioner Karen Cossey Times Editor 23, “NOTICE TO UNION COUNTY and they aren’t willing to take that risk. and School Board Member Terra CITIZENS!!!!!! Since the closing of “Jerry (Whitehead) was willing to take Johnson were on site in Union Soon after people noticed this past Sprinkle Field Damon Lee the produce it, but Henry’s not.” County for his visit and learned weekend how empty Sprinkle Field was, guy has a new spot to resume selling The late Sheriff Jerry Whitehead passed more about the Healthiest Weight the questions and rumors began to fly— his fresh produce. He will be behind the away suddenly on Dec. 18 at the age of 60 Florida Initiative and ways to help at least on Facebook. The large parcel of Kangaroo store starting tomorrow Friday from cardiac arrest after a brief illness. both counties make informed land on the corner of S.R. 121 and S.R. Jan.24.....thanks to Ms. Jackie Johns, he The yard sale, or flea market, though, choices about healthy eating and 231 has become Lake Butler’s de facto will be back in full swing......EVERYONE was actually somewhat regulated because active living. (Photo, 3A.) VA offers foster home flea market, packed with people selling COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR sellers were required to get a $10 yard sale Armstrong then traveled to the program for vets their new and used wares every Friday SUPPORT.....(let’s not let the person that permit each weekend. Department of Health in Bradford and on through the weekend. pushed their weight around win).” “What it was,” Mecusker said, “you County where staff were eager to The U.S. Department of Some vendors sold there throughout the She may be referring to John Henry could not sell on Sprinkle Field unless meet with him, show him around Veterans Affairs’ Home- week. Then suddenly, there was nothing Whitehead, who shut down Sprinkle you had a yard sale permit, and you had and enjoy a wonderful healthy Based Primary Care but the sound of cars and trucks passing by. Field—and for good reason, he says: the to have a letter from Jerry Whitehead lunch together. Staff members, Medical Foster Home On the “Lake Butler, Florida” community need to find liability insurance. authorizing that you could be on his business owners, local government Program “provides the Facebook page, Pam Stegall posted on Jan. When asked if he would reopen property during the yard sale.” officials and many other veteran the ability to stay 26, “Did they stop people from setting up Sprinkle Field, he responded, “We’re not With a letter in hand, each seller would community leaders joined together in the community, to be in a and selling items on the lot in front of the sure. We haven’t gotten insurance yet. go to City Hall to purchase a permit. for lunch in the facility conference Kangaroo on hwy 121???? have not seen When you open it up to a flea market, “So, when Jerry died, Henry—they were room where Armstrong shared home and to be in a family the Fruit guy or any other sellers over the (insurers) kind of shy away from it.” part owners, 50/50—said, no, because his mission for Healthiest Weight environment rather than in weekend. Just wondering....” Whitehead said his lawyer advised him we’re not going to assume that liability. So Florida, encouraging all to make an institution,” said Tanya The page moderator replied, “I am not to get the insurance, and Lake Butler City then he shut (Sprinkle Field) down.” healthier lifestyle choices. Fookes, the Medical Foster sure Pam, I had not seen anything posted Manager Dave Mecusker agreed, offering What is the future, then, of county’s Included in the audience Home coordinator for the about it.” a this scenario in support: “So, some kid biggest sales venue? were Brent Burish, CEO, and Gainesville area. The next day, on Jan. 27, David Stegall is out there with her mother and a car “With Jerry’s passing, it just kind of Andrea Waterhouse, assistant “It’s really a quality of life answered, “I saw a post on the LB Yardsale comes through there and hits them. It’s an fell in our laps,” Whitehead said. “We’re administrator, of Shands Starke for them as well,” Fookes page commenting that the property was unregulated yard sale. And if anybody got in total limbo now with the property and Regional Medical Center, Jerry said. sold and no trespass signs were posted. injured, it would just wipe out (Whitehead trying to get insurance.” Williams, former Starke resident, Read about Don Nolder They said the produce guy was setting up Steve Futch, local business owner, and Teresa Dunn (above) behind the Kangaroo.” Brian Johns, county emergency On another Facebook page, this one operations director, and Gordon who are like father and for the “Lake Butler Yard Sale,” Jennifer Smith, Bradford County’s sheriff. daughter. (Full story, 5B.) Whitehead posted on Jan. 27, “As a proud Armstrong listened to citizen of Lake Butler and proud wife of comments, answered questions UC Babe Ruth signups our Sheriff, I wanted to let everyone know and learned more about ways at Spires IGA, Feb. 1 that sprinkle field is not owned or being these two communities worked The Union County Babe closed by Brad Whitehead. Attempts are together and with the public to Ruth signups are taking place being made by the family to get insurance improve nutrition and increase at Spires IGA on Saturday, so that it can be reopened. Thank you for physical activity. He praised the Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon. your patience and support for our family.” schools for the two programs, T-ball is $45, Rookies is $80 It was posted twice, once in response “Tiger Up” and “Tornado and Minors & Majors is $100, to Margie Ducksworth, who posted on Challenge,” in which students for ages 13 and up.