News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 18

2B Fort Myers News-Press, Saturday, October 13, 1984 Federal crop insurance plan expands in area i I iKv Ay Federal officials say they expect the percentage of Southwest Florida growers buying it to be around 82 percent. Last year and this year the program has been available only to tomato and pepper growers In Lee, Hendry, Collier and Glades counties, he said. No other area of the nation is eligible for protection of those particular crops because officials still are studying the financial viability of providing it. However, the program has been available for other crops in other states for years, he said. "My gut feeling is there is a larger percentage of participation (in the program) this year than last year," Brown said.

"It's a matter of perceived risk in determining if the policy is good for them. I could legitimately say that without this program, given the experience we had last year, this area would be in much, much poorer financial shape." Vegetable growers in Southwest Florida suffered about $20 million in lost income because of the Christmas 1983 freeze, Brown said. Sales of Southwest Florida vegetables exceed 1 00 million annually, he said. "Investing in crop insurance is a prudent practice for today's farmer," said U.S Rep. Tom Lewis, R-North Palm Beach.

"A sober reminder of this was the freeze experienced by vegetable growers late last year, which placed a tremendous financial burden on those producers who were not properly covered." Lewis' district covers a portion of Collier County. News-PressThomas A. Price Lee County Environmental Protection Services director Bob French during his last day at work FrGlTiC.h From page 1B French also resigned from the county in March 1983 and worked as a consultant for Lee County. French warned that as the county grows, other construction projects might face similar birth pains. He said any industry and any construction project will have problems, but governments show theirs to the "They were hostile toward the commissioners, they were hostile toward anybody who had anything to do with the project," French said of the east Lee County residents who were paying for cracked pipes and sagging streets.

"The resentment was just oozing out of the grandstands and flowing out on the floor where we were," French said. "To be the object of all that hatred was almost more than I could take." Cost overruns and construction Attorney's office of this, the official said. The youths are suspected of breaking into AI Fuller's Field and Stream store about 2:40 a.m. Thursday and removing 11 handguns, police said. The youths were being held without bond in the Lee County Juvenile Detention Center on Friday, sheriff's officials said.

The teen-agers were arrested after a deputy, who suspected them of breaking into the LaBelle store about 3 teen-agers intended to trade stolen guns for car up to 125 mph, even though the alternator of his car gave out, causing his lights and siren to stop functioning. A Charlotte County Sheriffs Department roadblock, just north of the Lee-Charlotte county line, caused the fleeing car to turn across the median of the highway. The car turned south and stopped, possibly because of a flat tire and a blown water pump hose. One of the teen-agers driving the car, which was owned by the father with burglary and grand theft in connection with the burglary of the Trading Post store in LaBelle. The suspects took a semi-automatic rifle and a 20-gauge shotgun, sheriffs deputies said.

An official with the Clewiston Police Department said the department intends to file additional grand theft and burglary charges in connection with the burglary of a sporting goods store in Clewiston. The department has notified the State By MICHAEL DUNN News-Press Staff Writer A pilot federal crop insurance program made available to vegetable growers in Southwest Florida for the first time last year has been expanded, agricultural officials said. In some areas farmers appear to be taking better advantage of the program because of last winter's devastating freeze, those officials said. In Collier County, potatoes have been added to the vegetable crops covered, said Reggie Brown, Collier County agricultural extension agent. The program still is in the pilot stage, he said.

It was available last year to tomato and bell pepper growers, but only about 50 percent of the eligible farmers in that county chose to have it, he said. The program is being expanded to other areas of the state for the 1985-86 crop year, federal agricultural officials said. Brown said he expects about 25-30 percent more farmers will take advanatge of it. Lee County extension agent Victor Yingst said he does not know if more farmers in Lee County plan to purchase the insurance because he deals mainly with nurseries, not commercial vegetable growers. Lee County plans to hire another extension agent next month to work with those growers, he said.

Dallas Townsend, Hendry County extension agent, said he expects more farmers to participate in the program next year in that county. Federal officials say they expect the percentage of Southwest Florida growers buying it to be around 82 percent. "We expanded to cover any tomatoes and peppers planted after Aug. 1 next year. That'll cover all of the counties south of Tampa," said Mer-ritt Sprague, chief administrator of the program, contacted in Washington, D.C.

Lawmen: By JENNIFER GRAY News-Press Staff Writer Three teen-agers, arrested Thursday after allegedly breaking into two Hendry County sporting goods stores and taking 13 guns, told lawmen they were going to trade the weapons for a car, according to Hendry County sheriff's deputies. The teen-agers ages 15, 16 and 17 all of Wimauma, a small town in the Tampa Bay area, were charged Mounds. From page 1B Coast" tells how modern-day fortune-seekers could fulfill their dreams of wealth by digging in the Charlotte Harbor area. The authors believe pirates buried millions of gold coins there in the early 1500s. Archaeologists at the Florida State Museum call tales of how pirates buried treasure in Charlotte Harbor "a lot of rumor-mongering" that has no substantiation, according to Michael Hansinger, a Fort Myers field associate for the museum.

Punta Gorda attorney Robert Norton, who represents Sturges, said his client admits he was treasure hunting on Cayo Pelau but that he didn't know he was digging up Indian burial mounds. "You can't be guilty of a crime if you don't know what you're doing," Norton said. "They (Sturges and Cha-rette) were going out there (to Cayo Pelau) to find gold, or at least to have a good weekend and fun with the idea. "If you see a mound of dirt with no sign, how do you know it's a special thing?" Norton asked. "They (Sturges and Charette) didn't know they were at an Indian mound." Norton said the state cannot expect to prosecute people for digging up Calusa Indian graves if the graves aren't posted.

He said digging up Indian bones at an unmarked site is not the same as digging up a marked cemetery. But archaeologist John Scarry with the Florida Division of Archives, History and Records Management said, "If you start digging up human skulls, they're pretty recognizable. It (digging up ancient Indian graves) is no different from digging up a recent cemetery." Scarry said it would be impossible for the state to post signs at the thousands of Indian burial grounds throughout Florida. Archaeologists say thousands of Calusa Indians lived in Southwest Florida for centuries until they vanished mysteriously about 400 years pgo. The Indians left behind mounds made out of discarded shells from oysters, clams, scallops, whelk (marine snails), conch and other Some rising as high as 40 feet, the mounds which archaeologists say were once simple Indian homesites and intricate temples dot the Southwest Florida coastline in mangrove-fringed areas from Charlotte Harbor south to Cape Sable.

Most of the mounds are densely covered with vegetation and are accessible only by boat. From page 1B DATELINE: SOUTHWEST FLORIDA French also resigned from the county in March 1983 and worked as a consultant for Lee County. Commissioners later hired him back after boosting his salary to its current range, which was still less than he made as a consultant French said he will again work as an engineering consultant, which will let him set his own schedule. "The down side is, If I don't make it I'll have no one to blame but myself," French said. of another teen-ager, was arrested at the car.

The other two fled into woods at the side of the highway, according to lawmen. After a six-hour manhunt involving deputies, police dogs and an airplane, the two remaining teen-agers were captured by a Lee County sheriffs deputy about 1 1:30 a.m., lawmen said. All the stolen weapons were recovered in the car, lawmen said. Rohwedder, who did a study when he first started exploring the idea of a station. "They couldn't care less about much of anything else." Rohwedder said he has been told by his attorneys not to talk about what he is seeking in settlement discussions.

Unlike Andrews, Rohwedder did not seem optimistic about the four groups reaching an agreement soon. "I started In April 1980, and it wouldn't surprise me if I finish in April 1990," he said. "The (federal agency) takes three weeks just to answer a letter." Chris Reynolds, a Washington, D.C. attorney representing the New Jersey company, also said he could not comment on the possible settlement. The New Jersey company currently operates two radio stations, one based in Pleasantville, N.J., and one in Atlantic City, N.J., Reynolds said.

The federal agency often encourages groups to try to reach a settlement rather than going through a lengthy and costly appeal process that can end up in the U.S. Court of Appeals, Blair said. If the groups are able to settle the case, the federal agency would then grant a construction permit, which would take effect 40 days later, Blair said. If the groups are not able to come to an agreement, and one group files an appeal, the agency's review board would have six months to rule on the appeal. page 1B effort to set the stage for getting public comment as soon as possible.

But Councilman Wilbur Smith III, who was filling in for Mayor Ellis Solomon, said he thought the city was acting hastily in seeking the public hearings and adoption of the ordinance. He did vote in favor of the hearings, however. Smith said, "The public is very concerned (about the ordinance) and the public should have a sufficient amount of time to consider it" flaws on the east Lee County sewer system sparked a grand jury investigation and a flurry of lawsuits. The investigation eventually resulted in criminal charges against three onetime county commissioners and a contractor. 3:40 a.m., gave chase in his patrol car.

According to lawmen: The cars headed west through Hendry County into Lee County, then north on Interstate 75 to the Charlotte County line. The chase was Joined by Lee County sheriff's deputies and a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The Hendry County deputy continued to follow the car at speeds of Plan. From page 1B courts. Pelham this week filed a response aimed at dissolving the court's authority over the Lee County suit, which was supposed to be heard by retired Naples Judge Harold Smith.

Pelham was planning to go before Smith next week to seek an injunction against adopting the plan, but said this week he has canceled the hearing. A Sept. 4 hearing to stop state agencies from contributing their reports to the plan was bypassed when the agencies mailed their reports before the hearing. Shootings. From page 1B husband and wife, Rodriguez said.

"They have had domestic problems before, each escalating in severity until it finally reached this," he said. Rodriguez also said "it is not unusual to have shots fired out here (in the mobile home park)." The Lashbrooks' next-door neighbor said they were good people and couldn't understand what prompted the incident. "We liked them I've known Ronnie for 1 5 years. I have known his dad and granddad," said Dennis Weaver, the neighbor. "I don't know what brought it on or what happened.

"Ronnie was never one to be real violent," Weaver said. Weaver said he heard the shots and ran outside to see what happened, then told his wife to call authorities. He then ran to the Lashbrooks' home and attempted to render aid to Deborah Lashbrook, he said. Weaver said Ronald Lashbrook worked for the U.S. Sugar Corp.

as a mechanic. Authorities had been unable by early this morning to question Deborah Lashbrook concerning the Agency seeks candidate nominees Members of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service are being reminded to send in their nomination forms for candidate choices to the agency's committee election, according to officials. There will be a slate of four nominees for Lee County, and three for Charlotte County, officials said. All nomination petitions must be completed and returned to the agency's office at P.O. Box 717, Fort Myers, 33902 by Oct.

29. A ballot will be sent to voters on Nov. 20, and those must be returned to the of ice by Dec. 3, of icials said. Mack seeks service academy hopefuls CAPE CORAL High school seniors interested in attending a U.S.

service academy should send an application to U.S. Rep. Connie Mack's office before Nov. 15. Mack, a Cape Coral Republican, said students seeking a nomination to the Merchant Marine, Air Force, and Naval academies or to West Point Military Academy should make application to his Fort Myers office.

The address is 18 George W. Whitehurst Federal Building, 33901, or call 334-4424 for further information. A special academy screening committee, comprised of veterans and educators, will review all applications and make recommendations to Mack. Children 's finger prin ting program today A fingerprinting program to aid in child identification will be today at Bojangle's restaurant at 3727 Palm Beach according to program officials. The program, sponsored by the Lee County Sheriffs Department and Bojangle's, will be from 1 1 a.m.

to 3 p.m., officials said. Free soft drinks will be given to all children who participate. Cards will be made that will contain the child's fingerprints. They will be used for identification of missing children and will be given to parents to keep, officials said. Cut-a-Thon to benefit family shelter You can get a haircut and, at the same time, help raise money for a shelter for homeless families by participating in a Cut-a-Thon being sponsored by California Concepts North.

The beauty salon, at 3443 Hancock Bridge Parkway in North Fort Myers, is offering haircuts for $7 Monday in an effort to help the Abuse Counseling and Treatment Center (ACT) raise money to build a $20,000 emergency housing and crisis center. Operators will set up shop outdoors for the daylong event, scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The planned center is an expansion of the old facility and is needed to keep up with growth. The new building is scheduled to open in early 1985.

The center was established in 1 979 to help people who have been victims of spouse abuse and sexual abuse. Those services will continue with the new center providing emergency housing for displaced families. Firemen's group to roast councilman Smith CAPE CORAL The Cape Coral Volunteer Firemen's Benevolent Association is having its 10th annual roast Saturday night at the Association Hall, 1313S.E. 4th Terrace. This year, the association will be roasting Fort Myers Councilman Wilbur C.

Smith III. There will be a social hour with hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., with the roast immediately following the dinner. Tickets, which cost $15 a person, are available at the hall. All proceeds will go to benefit the youth of Cape Coral. Wheeler said Friday that his group had planned to make Channel 36 a standard independent station, with a mixture of syndicated programs, movies, sports and news.

The Charlotte County group, which was awarded the license Sept. 12 by Florida Administrative Judge Edward Luton, has said they plan "family-oriented programming." Tan said this would include entertainment, news, educational programming and community-oriented programming. The station, which would have studios in Cape Coral, will broadcast with a range of 40 to 50 miles. If his company is allowed to proceed with Its plans, Tan said Florida Family would construct a 970-foot antenna four miles southeast of Tucker's Corner in Charlotte County. This would be Tan's first broadcasting venture.

The 42-year-old man currently works as a medical examiner for Charlotte County. The other two groups involved in settlement discussions are Cape Coral Broadcast Production and Management Corp. and South Jersey Radio, which is based in Lynwood, N.J. Art Rohwedder, who served on the Lee County Charter Commission, is president of Cape Coral Broadcast Production. He said his group has been trying to get a station in Cape Coral for four years.

"A vast number of people in Cape Coral were looking for business news and talk-show type stuff, programs about what goes on in City Hall," said Hearings. From approved by the council before it is adopted. The ordinance was born out of protests from local residents concerned about the 168-unit Heather Gardens complex at Earl Road and Broadway and another complex, the 152-unit Sun Village, proposed for the corner of Seminole Avenue and Polk Street in east Fort Myers. Homeowners are concerned that so many new apartments will strain already-burdened roads, drainage, and water and sewer services. Councilman James Williams said Friday's meeting was called in an.