City, Tour Industry Meet
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Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Olympics: U.S. women’s soccer team stunned in opener/B1 THURSDAY TODAY C I T R U S C O U N T Y & next morning HIGH 93 Hot and humid, LOW slight chance of thunderstorm. 73 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com JULY 22, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 288 NEWS BRIEFS City, tour industry meet Supervisor of Elections to have public outreach Both agree on problems from excessive boat traffic, discuss solutions The Supervisor of Elections Office BUSTER businesses in the city industry; it’s getting discussion, the large guided out-of- invites the public to an outreach THOMPSON ended with a partner- overrun,” City Manager group of manatee, dive, towners boating or pad- event from 9 to 11 a.m. July 22 at Staff writer ship to ease impacts of Ken Frink told close to fishing and paddlecraft dling without concern the Coastal Region Library, 8600 W. watercraft overcrowd- 60 people the evening of tour operators came to a or courtesy. Crystal St. in Crystal River. A tense yet progres- ing in King’s Bay. Tuesday, July 20, at city consensus: more educa- How to better police This is a convenient way to regis- sive meeting between “We’re getting to the hall. “We’re at a break- tion and enforcement is and teach those ter to vote, make changes to your Crystal River leader- point where this bay ing point here, guys.” needed on the water, es- voter record or request a vote-by- ship and ecotourism can’t sustain this After two hours of pecially for the un- See MEET/Page A2 mail ballot. Information to apply for election worker positions will also be available. To host the elections office staff at your organization or business, con- tact Supervisor Maureen ‘Mo’ Baird. To learn more visit votecitrus.gov, Nurturing young athletes email [email protected] or call 352-564-7120. MPO Technical Advisory Committee set to meet The Hernando/Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Techni- cal Advisory Committee (TAC) will have a public meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, at the Hernando County Building Training Facility, 1661 Blaise Drive in Brooksville. Approximately one week prior to the meeting the meeting agenda may be viewed online at hernando county.us/hernandocitrusmpo. The public is encouraged to partici- pate. For more information, contact Steve Diez, MPO executive director, at 352-754-4082, extension 28013, or [email protected]. Rescued cats available for adoption at Animal Services Citrus County Animal Services (CCAS) said that many of the cats recovered from a recent animal cru- elty have been evaluated, medically treated, and are now available for adoption. This includes one cat, Cuddles, who requires a special adopter to assist with her special needs. The animals available for adop- tion at CCAS are listed on the Citrus County website: www.citrusbocc. MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle Five-year-old Liam Ryan stares toward the basket Tuesday, July 20, at the Beyond Limits Athletics basketball camp in Citrus Springs. com/departments/community_ser- The child and about 50 other basketball enthusiasts ages five to 15 work on their basketball skills during the co-ed camp. vices/animal_services/find_a_pet. php. This site is updated in real-time and has the most up-to-date listings Beyond Limits Athletics wants to build passions, skills for sports of animals available for adoption, so check back frequently for updates. BUSTER THOMPSON into a lifestyle, a college en- opportunities. want them to get something For adoptable animals currently Staff writer deavor or maybe even a ca- “We genuinely have that out of the camp; we want housed at CCAS, adoption fees reer, is crucial. goal of helping the kids in them to make friends, we youth’s passion in Beyond Limits Athletics their future,” BLA co- want them to learn a new have been waived until further no- athletics shouldn’t be (BLA) organized roughly founder and director skill, learn a new hobby.” tice. CCAS adoptions are available A limited. four years ago in Citrus Thomas Vilardi said. “We Posted high on the wall of to Citrus County residents, as well Every chance they can get County to give local chil- love that they have a place as residents of other counties. Citrus to turn their budding talents dren and teens those to go and have fun, but we See ATHLETES/Page A5 County residents will still be required to pay a license fee of $10 while adoption fees are waived. Those who cannot adopt are en- couraged to consider fostering. Learn more about their “Fabulous COVID cases up in No big changes with Foster Program” by contacting CCAS or emailing Leigh Sweet at [email protected]. CCAS is currently operating by county; vaccines lag county’s new budget appointment only. To schedule an MIKE WRIGHT increase — for the 2021-22 appointment, please call 352-746- FRED HIERS deadly disease are not keeping Staff writer fiscal year that begins 8400. If staff are unable to answer Staff writer pace with infection rates. Oct. 1. due to large call volumes, please The increase in coronavirus Citrus County’s new bud- Nearly all of the increase leave a message. The number of COVID-19 cases locally along with mostly get year will look much like comes from $34.2 million in For more information, please con- cases in Citrus County is rising an unchanged rate for vaccina- this one. federal dollars related to tact CCAS at 352-746-8400 or email as the new, more aggressive tions is also mirrored by The county on Wednes- COVID-19 expenses and [email protected]. Delta variant takes hold, but vac- day proposed a $358.4 mil- — From staff reports cinations to protect against the See VACCINES/Page A7 lion budget — a 10.5% See BUDGET/Page A2 Classifieds . .B6 Crossword . .B12 INDEX Lottery Numbers . .B3 Obituaries . A6 Comics . .B5 Editorial. A9 Lottery Payouts . .B3 TV Listings. .B4 Horoscope . A4 Entertainment . A4 Movies . .B5 BESBESTT OF OF THE THE BE BESTST SPSPOTLIGHTOTLIGHT 2021 202 25 TIME BEST OF THE BEST WINNER! Serving Citrus County Over 31 Years AAA FREE 5563-041163-0411 • 7726-891726-8917 R ROOFINGOOFING Hail & Wind www.aaaroofingflorida.com [email protected] License Inspections! #CCC057537 CALL THE “LEAKBUSTERS” Make Your Best Deal & Then Present This Ad For An VETERANS REBATE $ EXTRA 0 OFF Roofing $ 30 Must present ad at time ANY ROOF of signing of contract. Company 250 Not valid with on any shingle roof OVER $9,000 insurance claims. CC-0010EFI 000YQMK A2 THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2021 LOCAL CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE Many in the audience asked Wildlife Refuge under the U.S. Frink if the city logged the Fish & Wildlife Service, said MEET complaints and complainants local government agencies and Continued from Page A1 it got. ecotourism businesses should “Help us understand what flood the internet with videos disrupting the bay, its seagrass problems we’re trying to and posts with messages of beds and public canals has yet to solve,” said Mike Engiles, ways to keep the bay healthy. be decided. Finding the money owner of Crystal River Water- Witkus said guide staff could to pay for those services will sports. “There’s a handful of volunteer outside of work to also be challenging. residents who don’t want tours, keep troublemakers in line. However, the city and those and they’re going to throw as “It’s going to be less money to who make a living off the bay much spaghetti against the train than hire,” she said. “It’s agreed to pursue affordable wall until it sticks.” better than nothing.” and effective solutions for a Frink said city staff hasn’t Dave Perry, owner of Hunter multifaceted problem. been recording grievances but Springs Kayaks, said trying to “There’s a lot of homework it’s clear what the issue is. control the chaos with instruc- to do on our part, and on your “For every one person that tion won’t work. part,” Kim Altman, owner of calls in, there’s another five “Do you think any of these Explorida, told Frink and City people who don’t call in,” he people getting the complaints Councilwoman Cindi Guy sit- said before the audience care about the education? It’s ting beside him. “We should erupted in jeers. “The problem all going to come down to en- MIKE WRIGHT/Chronicle file reconvene.” is with ecotourism, and you’re forcement,” he said. “We need County commissioners will have budget workshops the morning of Frink said he’ll reach back out part of that.” to have some big tickets.” Wednesday, July 28. to Tuesday’s audience, which Guides said they do their Frink said it would cost the provided contact information. best to serve as ambassadors city roughly $150,000 to hire an- runoff. The average one-time an- Officials of the Manatee Eco for local waters by policing other marine deputy. nual cost for a homeowner is Tourism Association (META) themselves, but their efforts Cody Cummins, general BUDGET $58.84. If approved, the county Continued from Page A1 also extended an invitation to fall short when dealing with manager of Bird’s Underwater, will eliminate a millage levied attend their regular meeting angry residents or ignorant and Justin Strickland, manag- solely for stormwater projects. on Aug. 12 at the Citrus County visitors. ing partner of Captain Mike’s recovery. Remove those funds, Each approach brings in $900,000 Visitor and Convention “A lot of the time we get two Swimming With the Manatees, and the net increase is just so it’s a wash from a revenue Bureau.