Page 6 Thursday, March 12, 2009 www. dcadvocate.net Local Sturgeon returning to Suwannee River The Gulf sturgeon are be- ginning their annual migra- tion back into the Suwannee River during March and April. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Com- mission (FWC) reminds boaters to slow down and be aware these fish are jump- ing. Three people were injured in accidental collisions with jumping sturgeon during 2008. "Just one person getting hurt is too many," said Maj. Lee Beach, regional law en- forcement commander for the FWC's North Central Re- gion, based in Lake City. "We want people to be aware the sturgeon are re- turning, and the risk of in- jury to boaters does exist." In 2006, FWC officials began working on a public aware- ness campaign to alert boaters to the risks of jump- ing sturgeon. "We have posted signs at each boat ramp along the Suwannee, explaining the risk of impacts with these fish," Beach said. "We will be checking those boat ramps this month to ensure all the signs are still in place and our officers will be on water patrol during this period and into the summer months in a contin- ued effort to educate boaters on this issue." What's the best course of action for avoiding a colli- sion? "We recommend boaters re- duce their speed to reduce the risk of impact and to DCHS School Advisory Meeting The next Dixie County School Advisory Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 17 at 7:15 AM in the DCHS Library We will continue to discuss the advisory plan for next year. Meeting dates for the re- mainder of the year, are as follows: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 and Tuesday April 21, 2009. give people more time to re- act if they do encounter a jumping sturgeon," Beach said. "The FWC also recom- mends that all boaters wear their life jackets." The Suwannee River ap- pears to support the largest viable population of Gulf sturgeon. Biologists esti- mate the annual population at 6,500 to 7,500 fish, each av- eraging approximately 40 pounds. Adult fish spend eight to nine months each year in the river spawning and three to four of the coolest months in Gulf wa- ters. Sturgeon tend to con- gregate in deeper and cooler waters with moderate cur- rents and sand and rocky bottoms. Biologists are unsure why sturgeon jump. "Scientists are still attempt- ing to figure that out," said Dr. Jeffrey Wilcox, FWC bi- ologist. "The latest theories include that the fish jump to communicate, or it may be a dominance display. No rules require all jumps to mean the same thing. "I have seen these collisions referred to as 'attacks.' However, these fish are in no way 'attacking' when they jump. They are simply doing what they have been doing for millions of years ... jumping. They aren't tar- geting the boaters," Wilcox said. However, Gulf sturgeon can get quite big, exceeding 8 feet and 200 pounds. "They have five rows of rock-hard 'scutes' along their sides, back and belly When sturgeon and boaters collide, the results can be devastating," Wilcox said. "Sturgeon are protected by state and federal law, just like bald eagles, panthers and sea turtles,' Beach said. "These fish can't be harvest- ed." To report sturgeon colli- sions, call 888-404-FWCC (3922). Looking for work? Hiring? Check out DixieJobs.DCAdvocate.net A free community service of the Didxe County Advocate POST 91 UPDATE American Legion Post 91 in Trenton will have it's regular Dinner/Membership meeting on the 19th of March. Dinner starts at 5:30pm and the membership meeting at 7:00pm. Dinner will be Cornbeef and Cabbage and Red Potatoes, members are asked to bring a Veggie or Dessert to share with others. Please come and visit with the other members, various sub- jects of importance will be discussed during the meeting. Support your post carry out the American Legion Goals. RRMS Students of the Month Representing RRMS as Student of the Month for February is: David Brown, Brittany Strickland, and Tanner Robson. David Brown is the son of Michelle Joseph and David Brown of Old Town. David is an outstanding student with a positive. attitude and a warm smile for his teachers and classmates. He works diligently to make sure his school as- -signments are done well and generously helps others when needed. His favorite academic subjects are math and read- ing. In his spare time he enjoys playing X Box games. Con- gratulations, David! Brittany Strickland is the daughter of Eugene and Brenda Strickland. Brittany is a very quiet and polite young lady She comes to school ready and willing to learn everything she can. Brittany is a member of the Beta Club and enjoys riding horses in her spare time. Congratulations, Brittany! Tanner Robson is the son of Randy and Donna Robson. Tanner is a conscientious student with a great attitude. While Tanner excels academically, he favors athletics, such as soccer and baseball. Tanner likes to hunt, ride four wheelers and enjoys everything about Nascar. Congratula- tions! DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS NEWS We would like to invite all disabled American Veterans to come to our meetings held on the first Thursday of each month 7 PM. on Airport/Prison Road turn right at the blinker light just South of Cross City We would like to meet you and talk with you regarding your concerns as a disabled veteran. We have various fund raisers throughout the year to assist our local veterans as well as those in our local veterans' hospitals. One of our fund raisers is Bingo which we have every Saturday night beginning at 5:30 PM. at the DAV hall same address as above. We have food, drinks and snacks for the players. DAVA, Ladies Auxiliary meets the first Thursday of every month at 5:00 PM. same as above. DAVA also has Bingo every Wednesday beginning at 11:00 A.M. at the Hall with food, etc. We would like to see more of you supporting this cause. All of the money raised from these functions go directly to the local veterans. If you have any questions or need-addi- tional information, please call Commander Fred Heinrich at 352-493-9377 or Commander Dorothy Caldwell at 352-542- 7254. SPRINGHOUSE QUILTER'S NEWS Springhouse Quilters will be participating in the Craft and Quilt Fes- tival ,on ": March 14. They will have a station setup in the gray , building next door to the Gilcrhist County Jour- nal on Main Street in Tren- ton. The building will be staffed with Springhouse members demonstrating hand quilting and having cookbooks, lapel pins, raffle tickets and a speciality thimble for sale. Some of the members will be dis- playing some of their quilts in this building. The Springhouse beginner classes are now about mid- way of the 8-week classes which began in January There are 10 of the new mem- bers, all anxious XR'Mfl& to be done with the beginner classes. The se- ries of classes gives a.beginner a strong founda- tion for quilting with several tech- niques such as curves, points, triangles, paper a- piecing and ap- plique being taught during the class time. For meeting dates, time and other information about Springhouse, please call Lois Scott, 463-2207. Martin ORTHODONTICS Dr. Bill Martin "Braces For Smiling Faces" *Friendly, Comfortable Atmosphere *Fun Place for Kids' *Latest Technology *Flexible Payment Schedule *29 Years Experience Visit our website at www.martinorthodontics.com 410 N. Main Street, Suite 8 Chiefland, FL 352-490-0900 SHINE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED in DIXIE COUNTY (Serving Health Insur- ance Needs of Elders) A Program of the Florida Department of Elder Af- fairs Providing free, unbi- ased counseling to Medicare recipients Help seniors and those soon to turn age 65 in your hometown community: * Answer Medicare Questions and Resolve Problems * Make Informed Choices About Their Health Plans * Save Money. on Their Prescription Medica- tions * Inform Them of Medicaid Programs for Which They May be Eligi- ble COMPREHENSIVE TRAIN- ING PROVIDED AT NO COST in JUNE 2009 Mileage expenses reim- bursed Lunch provided Basic computer skills need- ed; bilingual persons are encouraged to apply CALL THE ELDER HELPLINE TODAY 1-800- 262-2243 and tell them you'd like to learn more about volunteering with SHINE. Be a hero by donating the lifesaving gift of blood Steinfiatchee Fla. If someone you knew saved the' lives of three people, would you call them a hero? Well, LifeSouth and the Stein- hatchee community are teaming up to encourage people to be a hero by donat- ing blood. The chance to save lives will come soon, when they team up to host a. blood drive on Friday, March 27th. Look for the bloodmo- bile at Mason's Market be- tween the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. "Every 2 seconds someone needs a lifesaving transfut- sion," said LifeSouth doitoZ; consultant, Joyce Higgins. "Please give blood today!" All who donate will receive a recognition item and a complimentary cholesterol screening. Donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and have photo I.D. 16-year-olds require written parental consent. For more informa- tion about becoming a donor or about blood drives in your area, call toll-free (352) 334-1000 or visit www.life- south.org. Community Yard Sale March 28th. Table rental $5 Bring your own and set up free. LIVE band and BBQ on site to draw a crowd. Old Town Produce Corner of US 19 and HWY 349 Stop by or call 352.397.8036 Cross City Dental, PAF Stephen M. Henry, DMD (352) 498-7001 whiter, brighter, faster ew.ptiens wecome NEWMini Implants For Crowns, Bridges & Stabilization of Dentures / 117 NE Hwy 351 + Cross City, FL Dwayne "Top" Rolllson Owner Operator ugimaster Pest Control,Inc. RO. Box 1319 91 S.W. 12th Street Cross City, FL 32628 Phone: Office (352) 498-0064 Home (352) 498-1939 MARCH 21, 2009 11:00 AM POKER RUN FOR DAVID OWENS FAMILY David Left His Wife Michelle And 4 Month Old Daugh- ter Hailey when he passed away from cancer. David was a former employee of The Town of Cross City ALL MONEY WILL GO TO HELP HIS FAMILY ANY ONE WITH A BIKE IS WELCOME TO JOIN US THE RIDE WILL BEGIN AT THE WEST END SALOON IN NEWBERRY, FLORIDA AT 11:00 TILL ?????????????? WE WILL END UP AT THE BRICK GRILL IN OLD TOWN FLORIDA) ALL BIKES WILL BE A $10.00 EACH ANY RIDERS WILL BE $5.00 EACH ALSO RAFFLES, 50/50 ECT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL 352-542-0049 Reserve Smiles Change Lives! Orthodontics for Adults and Children D*CSWS*" CV n our (Rotrr Fur IgnAce We oM .CIMAOliW- W.