Food: Take your Fourth of July burgers up a notch /B1 THURSDAY CITRUSCOUNTY TODAY & next morning HIGH 93 A few afternoon LOW showers and thunderstorms. PAGE A4 75 www.chronicleonline.com JULY 2, 2020 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 125 ISSUE 268 NEWS BRIEFS Long wait to be tested for virus with the wait about said Audrey Stasko, spokes- Tallahassee portion New high set coronavirus Citrus COVID-19 info nine days for woman for the DOH in Citrus of ‘Run’ canceled throughout Thirty-two new positive cases an appoint- County. On Monday, more than In light of recent events, the Florida dras- were reported in Citrus County ment and at 140 telephone calls to the DOH Key Training Center has de- Tuesday for tically rises, since the latest FDOH update. One least another in Citrus County were dropped cided to maintain the true es- setting new new hospitalizations was reported; week for records both their test because the agency’s phone sence of the “Virtual” Run for Citrus cases no new deaths were reported. To lines were overwhelmed. the Money and will not partici- locally and results. F H statewide, date in the county, 323 people have The num- While that’s been fixed, what pate in the Tallahassee portion RED IERS tested positive, 39 have been hos- Staff writer people afraid ber of people hasn’t been is the number of of the run this year. pitalized and 13 have died. tests the DOH here can The Key Center’s core run- and wanting wanting to be Seeking a COVID-19 test? to be tested by tested for the administer. ners and bikers will individually The local department of log a collective 180 miles to You’re going to have to wait. the local department of health potentially deadly virus has meet their commitment to the As the number of infected are finding they will have to been “going through the roof,” See TESTED/Page A2 Key Center clients, the commu- nity and each other. These indi- viduals are dedicated to the mission of the Key Training Center of promoting and sup- porting individuals with intellec- Scallop season off and running tual and developmental disabilities. These volunteer runners and bikers will take on the July heat to demonstrate the challenges people with disabilities face each day. Their passion, dedica- tion and commitment is a testa- ment to them, their families and Citrus County. Each year, they continue to publicly support per- sons with disabilities bringing awareness and much-needed funds for approximately 40 indi- viduals who would not have the opportunity for residential or day services at the Key Center. At this time, the Homecoming Run is still planned to take place on Saturday, July 25. To get more information on these and other Key Training Center events, follow their social media page on Facebook: Key Training Center; visit the web- site at www.keytrainingcenter. MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle org or call 352-795-5541 ext. The scallop season opened Wednesday, July 1, 2020, along the coastline of Citrus County. A small cluster of showers didn’t seem to 312 to speak with a member of affect many boaters as they make their way from the Salt River down the Crystal River and into the Gulf of Mexico. the Key Center Foundation. callop season is officially underway as dozens of hunters set out in search of — Special to the Chronicle the tasty mollusks Wednesday, the first day of the bay scallop season. Regions temporarily Right now, the scallops are between 7 to 10 feet of water so they’re still Spretty deep, according to local guides. closes two locations Scallops can only be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net. Two Citrus County Regions The daily bag limit is 2 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell or 1 pint of bay branches are temporarily closed scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the as a precaution after company shell or 1/2 gallon (4 pints) bay scallop meat per vessel. officials learned of potential Vessel limits do not allow an individual to exceed their personal bag limit. COVID-19 exposure among Visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay certain individuals who spent Scallops” under the “Crabs, Shrimp and Shellfish” tab. time in those locations, accord- ing to a company spokeswoman. The branches are at its Crys- tal River location, 6730 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy., and the Beverly Hills branch, 3719 N. Lecanto Hwy., said Nicole Wyatt, vice president for Corporate Communications. “Regions’ top priority is the health and well-being of our customers and associates,” she said. Citrus County branches that remain open include Homosassa Springs, 4475 S. Typically, scallops are found in the Suncoast Blvd., and Inverness, shallow-waters grass flats off of Citrus 800 W. Main St.. County’s coastline. Last year, scallops were a bit more challenging to find and “Rest assured, in cleaning our Boats make their way along the Crystal River Wednesday, July 1, 2020, as the beginning of many hope this year will see an increase facilities, Regions follows pre- the 2020 scallop season greets boaters in search of the tasty mollusks. in finding the tasty mollusks. cautions that meet or exceed guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” Wyatt said. “Wherever necessary, addi- tional, thorough cleanings of im- pacted locations will take place Local boating tragedy Felony cases before branches reopen. “All branches will reopen as soon as possible. Any associ- ates impacted by a potential film is in the works start moving COVID exposure will remain on Will Bleakley, a graduate of Crystal River quarantine leave and will not re- Lecanto grad Miles High School and University of South turn to work until appropriate Florida, as well as two NFL players — conditions have been met.” Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith. through court Teller to star in movie Schuyler and Bleakley were best — From staff reports friends. BUSTER THOMPSON JEFF BRYAN Chronicle offices Now, Hollywood will bring the story to Staff writer Managing editor the silver screen, with a former Citrus closed Friday County resident set to star in “Not With- It’s been 11-plus years since a late Feb- Circuit Court Judge Richard “Ric” Howard The Citrus County Chronicle out Hope.” Miles Teller will portray sat at his courtroom’s desk — a phone at his business offices will be closed ruary fishing expedition in the Gulf of Schuyler in the film in which E. Nicholas Mexico with a quartet of friends became side with lawyers on the line, and, in front, a Friday, July 3, 2020, in Inver- Mariani developed the a tragic tale in which big-screen TV broadcasting a room of jail ness and Crystal River. screenplay from the inmates. there was one survivor: novel. The customer service phone Nick Schuyler. In Howard’s gallery, where scores of people lines will be open from 8 to This isn’t the first time once sat in its wooden pews to hear felony Schuyler, along with Hollywood has sought to 10 a.m. Jere Longman, told the cases, ropes and signage cordoned off the bring the story to life. benches. The July 4 holiday will also story about that fateful The news was a sur- change the obituary deadlines day in the best-selling Under current Florida Supreme Court or- prise to Bleakley’s fa- ders, due to COVID-19, the public isn’t allowed for the weekend. novel, “Not Without ther, Bob, who along Miles to attend unless they’re witnesses or victims for Obits scheduled to run from Hope.” That fishing trip, Will with his wife, Betty, still Teller an essential hearing. Friday, July 3, through Monday, in which the boat cap- Bleakley reside in Crystal River. sized, jettisoning all four Just bailiffs, prosecutors, defense attorneys, July 6, should be submitted by “I would say I’m not anxious about it,” courthouse clerks and Howard occupied the 3 p.m. Thursday, July 2. occupants overboard into the cold waters of the Gulf of Mexico, claimed the lives of See FILM/Page A2 See COURT/Page A9 Classifieds ........B5 Crossword ........B8 INDEX Lottery Numbers ...A6 Sports ...........A6 Comics ..........B4 Editorial..........A8 Lottery Payouts ....A6 TV Listings........B3 Horoscope ........A4 Entertainment .....A4 Obituaries ........A5 A2 THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020 CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE “I don’t think it’s a necessary deal,” Water spout greets scallop hunters Bleakley said about the movie. “But there FILM are so many movies made, some people Continued from Page A1 think this is one that needs to be done.” While Bob Bleakley and his family have Bleakley said. “I’m not wishing they no say in Hollywood business or about the would not do; I’m not mad they’re doing it. film, the feelings are his own. It’s been a long time now. We’re not bitter; “I do not speak for my wife, but we don’t we’re still saddened.” hardly talk about it much. It was painful; Within the first six months of the 2009 we loved our son. I’m sure he was more tragedy, the powers that be in Hollywood disappointed than we were about not announced plans to make a movie. The being able to survive.” film, which was supposed to star Dwayne Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson “The Rock” Johnson, never materialized. and Grammy Award-winning singer/song- “I really don’t want to revisit it a whole writer Ciara will executive produce lot,” Bob Bleakley said.