Service honors two Sheriff's dogs who died

A service Wednesday honored two Columbia County Sheriff's Office canines who died earlier this summer.

Cinco, a Belgium Travern, and Sagas, a German Shepherd, died within a week of each other in mid-June. One's death was determined to be heat-related. The other died as result of an intestinal blockage.

"I believe it was necessary for us to memorialize these two canines and what they did for our agency and our community," said Sheriff Bill Gootee. "It's also important for our handlers to know we appreciate their dedication to their partner."

Members from the K-9 divisions of other law enforcement agencies attended the service.

Rack 'em up

A recent fundraiser to benefit the families of law enforcement officers got a boost from a donor.

Both the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department participated in the event last month. The fundraiser, at which officers competed in a pool tournament, raised several hundred dollars for the Law Enforcement Crisis Fund.

Businessman Nathan Collier learned about the Cuffs and Cues Charity Pool Tournament and donated $650 to each law enforcement agency, said Gainesville Police spokeswoman Officer Summer Hallett. The donation brings the total raised to about $2,000.

The National Crime Prevention Council, located in Arlington, Va., advised people to:

Lock up personal information, such as tax returns or unpaid bills, even at home.

Don't respond to requests to verify personal information unless you initiated contact with the business.

Destroy documents you don't need to keep such as credit card receipts, phone bills or mail-order catalogs.

Check credit card and bank statements for unfamiliar transactions.

Check your credit report. The law allows you at least one free report a year from each of the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experion and Trans Union.

Retrieve mail from your mailbox promptly. Consider direct deposit for checks. Have the post office hold mail if you will be away.

The course will be taught by the University of Florida Center for Autism & Related Disabilities and is aimed at supervisors in agencies such as fire rescue or school district participants. The program will be held Aug. 12 at the Sheriff's Office, 9150 NE 80th Ave., in Bronson.

Contact Lt. Sean Mullins at 352-486-4235 or by e-mail at smullins@levyso.com to RSVP.