Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 MLB: Rays, Yankees face in AL East battle /B1 THURSDAY TODAY C I T R U S C O U N T Y & next morning HIGH 90 Scattered LOW evening storms. 68 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com JUNE 3, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 239 NEWS BRIEFS Citrus wins big with budget Citrus County COVID-19 cases County ‘got everything’ it According to the Flor- ida Department of Health, DeSantis signs state budget, 10 new positive cases asked for from state coffers were reported in Citrus MIKE WRIGHT projects is $3.9 million for County since the latest Staff writer sewers to remove septic vetoes $1.5B in spending update. tanks from about No new deaths were Gov. Ron De- 200 homes along Santis on Wednes- the Homosassa JIM TURNER “Once I sign this budget, we will be reported, for a total of News Service of Florida signing a budget that responsibly sup- 463. To date in the day vetoed River head spring $1.5 billion in just outside the ports our men and women in county, 11,411 people projects and not state wildlife park. TALLAHASSEE — While law enforcement, our have tested positive (in- one of them is in Senate Presi- pointing to an economic re- K-through-12 education stu- cluding 99 non- Citrus County. dent Wilton Simp- surgence amid the coronavi- dents and teachers, conserves residents). DeSantis signed son, R-Trilby, gave rus pandemic, Gov. Ron and protects our great envi- One new hospitaliza- a state budget that Ruthie direct praise to DeSantis on Wednesday used ronmental and natural re- tion was reported, for a includes $14.4 mil- Schlabach Commissioner his line-item veto power to sources throughout the state total of 742 hospitalized. lion in local proj- commissioner Ruthie Schla- slash $1.5 billion as he signed of Florida, but does so in a a record $100 billion budget way that has the lowest Totals reflect prelimi- ects, plus funding played role in bach, who sought Gov. Ron getting funds for the upcoming fiscal year. per-capita tax burden of any nary reports received by for a third county the Homosassa DeSantis the state, and are subject judge position. for Homosassa sewer funds be- DeSantis described the state in the country,” DeSan- sewer project. to revision. “We got every- fore taking office. spending plan as reflecting “a state tis said. “If you would have said that a thing. Absolutely every- “Our new commis- government that is meeting the core year ago, no one would have believed County officials thing,” state Rep. Ralph sioner made it a priority concerns of Floridians,” during a that that would have been possible.” issue new Massullo, R-Lecanto, of hers,” Simpson, who bill-signing ceremony at The Garlic said. restaurant in New Smyrna Beach. See BUDGET/Page A2 burn ban Highlighting the local See CITRUS/Page A2 The Citrus County Board of County Com- missioners issued a countywide burn ban on Wednesday, June 2, due to continuing drought-like conditions and the high Where a love for music is born potential for wildfires. This temporary burn ban will remain in effect until the drought-like conditions re- solve. This burn ban in- cludes open burning, campfires, bonfires, fire- works, burning of yard debris, refuse and other debris. Outdoor burning is hereby banned except where the outdoor burn- ing is being performed pursuant to an outdoor burning authorization is- sued by the Florida For- est Service. For more information, contact Citrus County Fire Rescue at 352-527-5406. American Legion offering vaccines American Legion Post 155 in partnership with the Citrus County Health Department will provide COVID-19 Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the public, 16 years of age MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle and older, from 9 a.m. to Fifteen-year-old Mason Holly rehearses with instructor Jenny Gill and classmate Jonah Hoffman as they play the flute in Inverness Tuesday, 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25. They are members of the Citrus Youth Educational Symphonic Orchestra. June 8, at 6585 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Crystal Youth orchestra nurtures River. Homosassa budding local talents River Alliance HANNAH Youth Educational Sym- to meet SACHEWICZ phonic Orchestra The Homosassa River Staff writer (CYESO) has been Alliance will have their teaching classical and monthly meeting at 7 p.m. very Tuesday, Cit- symphonic music to the Thursday, June 10, at the rus County’s as- children of Citrus Old Homosassa Civic Epiring young County. The CYESO is a Club. musicians filter into primarily volunteer- the Cornerstone Bap- based organization that Although no meetings tist Church with their relies on the generous have been held for more instruments safely contributions of the than a year, the alli- tucked away in cases. community. ance’s mission to help Soon enough, a mish- “The annual fund is maintain and restore the mash of musical notes what drives that,” Marty health of the echo from the church, Hoffman, executive di- Homosassa River has Eleven-year-old Elaine Pickard plays the violin Tuesday, May 25, during the Citrus as they warm up for rector, said. remained constant in Youth Educational Symphonic Orchestra rehearsal at Cornerstone Baptist Church class. this effort. The club en- in Inverness. The orchestra is celebrating their 10-year anniversary. Since 2011, the Citrus See MUSIC/Page A2 courages the public to attend this meeting and invite other groups that are working on river projects to share their progress. Inverness to use road study to decide repairs The Homosassa River Restoration Project, noise FRED HIERS that reviewed all of the In addition, Williams roads to evaluate them, of such roads. pollution and speeding on Staff writer 56 miles of the city’s now earmarks at least map them and log their I RoadBotics Rating 3 the river will be the topics paved roads and deter- $400,000 annually condition. — appearance of perva- I City of discussion. Until now, Inverness mined their condition, toward road repair The five catego- sive distresses. The city fixed its paved roads as need for repair, and esti- to ensure the roads also looks ries were: had 29.33 miles of such Yearly membership the need arose. mated cost to do the work. stay in adequate at dirt I RoadBotics roads. dues can be paid via mail There was not much of The assessment showed condition. roads./ Rating 1 — no or I RoadBotics Rating 4 to the Homosassa River plan, admitted the city’s that, for the most part, the The assessment Page A5 only minor surface — significant damage or Alliance, P.O. Box 124, new manager Eric city’s roads were report broke the distress. The city emerging critical failures. Homosassa, FL 34487 or Williams. acceptable. city’s paved roads into had 1.27 miles of such The city had 2.34 miles of at homosassariver That changed this week “We have really stepped five categories. Consul- roads. such roads. alliance.org. Dues are when the Inverness coun- up the game,” Williams tants Kimley-Horn and I RoadBotics Rating 2 I RoadBotics Rating 5 $30 per family and cil accepted a long- told his council bosses be- Associates used a com- — minor surface damage — major surface damage $20 per individual. awaited roadway fore the assessment puter program and drove but no critical issues. — From staff reports construction assessment presentation. all of the city’s paved The city had 23.42 miles See ROADS/Page A2 Classifieds . .B6 Crossword . .B12 INDEX Food . A9, A10 Obituaries . A5 Comics . .B5 Editorial. A7 Lottery Numbers . .B3 TV Listings. .B4 Horoscope . A4 Entertainment . A4 Lottery Payouts . .B3 A2 THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021 LOCAL/STATE CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE their musical journey on The ultimate goal, how- the organization to pay CYESO requires a on Tuesdays at the Corner- the recorder, where they ever, is to participate in them for their time. $50,000 yearly fund. All do- stone Baptist Church, MUSIC gain a basic understand- the orchestra class. “They teach for the love nations to the fund go to- 1100 W. Highland Ave. in Continued from Page A1 ing of reading music. “It’s a whole different of teaching,” Andrea Mc- ward paying the teachers, Inverness. Gabb, who plays flute and experience to play in an Cray, director of donor re- instrument maintenance, The program always Since COVID-19, piano herself, said she ensemble,” Gabb said. Stu- lations, said. rent and financial aid. “The welcomes monetary dona- CYESO has been rebuild- tells the kids, “Music is its dents must learn to listen A family membership at biggest expenditure are the tions, along with instru- ing their student base. own language.” to their neighbors and en- CYESO is $250 and $50 per teachers,” Hoffman said. ments (no pianos or When they shut down over Once students are ready, sure they aren’t overpow- student. However, “no one Prior to COVID-19, Hoff- organs). CYESO is also in the summer, CYESO lost CYESO offers instruction ering others. “It’s such a is turned away,” Hoffman man would make presen- need of a brass teacher, about one-third of their in cello, clarinet, double great life skill for them.” said. Full and partial tations to organizations, other than trumpet. Par- students. bass, flute, French horn, In addition to practices, scholarships are available encouraging them to do- ents who wish to get in- “We had them instantly trumpet, viola and violin. students are encouraged for students who need it, nate. When in-person con- volved may become replaced in the fall,” Hoff- During practices, students to participate in recitals but everyone pays at least tact became virtually CYESO board members.