Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Football: Florida, Mullen sanctioned for violations /B1 WEDNESDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 73 A mix of sun and LOW clouds. 57 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com DECEMBER 23, 2020 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 126 ISSUE 76 NEWS BRIEFS Locals react to relief bill Citrus COVID-19 MICHAEL D. BATES $900 billion pandemic re- funds with financial re- providers and renters fac- tremendously. That money update Staff writer lief package that would de- lief for individuals and ing eviction. goes back into the According to the Flor- liver long-sought cash to businesses. It would es- State Rep. Ralph Mas- economy.” ida Department of Health, The federal $900 billion businesses and individu- tablish a temporary $300 sullo said there are a few Massullo said he is hop- 61 positive cases were pandemic relief package als and resources to vacci- per week supplemental billion dollars of pork in ing that once President- reported in Citrus County should be a lifeline for Cit- nate a nation confronting jobless benefit and a $600 the relief bill but believes elect Joe Biden takes since the latest update. rus County business own- an increase in COVID-19 direct stimulus payment the money will make it office work can begin on a Four new hospitalizations ers and residents impacted cases and deaths. to most Americans, along into the hands of strug- stimulus package aimed at greatly by the economic President Donald with a new round of sub- gling business owners and were reported; two new producing jobs and com- lockdown. Trump is expected to sign sidies for hard-hit busi- citizens who need it most. pleting infrastructure deaths were reported. So say locals reacting to the bill in the coming days. nesses, restaurants and “For a family of four, projects. To date in the county, the news about Congress The bill combines theaters and money for that’s $2,400,” he said. “I 6,111 people have tested on Monday passing a coronavirus-fighting schools, health care think that will help See BILL/Page A2 positive (including 37 non-residents), 487 have been hospitalized and 226 have died. The Spot offers Christmas Refuge to get manatee upgrade assistance The Spot Family Cen- ter is hosting its 17th an- nual Christmas Jam, bringing hope to families in emergency Christmas need. This year more than ever, this program will bring hope and es- sentials to families in cri- sis. Even though 2020 has presented many dev- astating times, the giving spirit of Citrus County is abundant to offer hope. The two day event is free, and will feature music, bounce houses, games, prizes, and a message of hope. Hot dinners and beverages will be served each night, along with a free commu- nity clothing giveaway. Groceries will be distrib- uted on the first night while supplies last. The Spot Christmas Jam will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Special to the Chronicle Wednesday, Dec. 23, and Visitors to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Center will see displays explaining the biology and habitat of manatees. The complex is Thursday, Dec. 24, at Jim expected to attract 40,000 visitors a year and enhance tourists’ experience in Crystal River and countywide. LeGrone Park, 405 SE Seventh Ave. in Crystal River (behind The Spot New visitor center will offer wealth of info about county’s star creatures building). Everyone must MICHAEL D. BATES register to receive ser- Staff writer vices and registration closes promptly at 7 p.m. Citrus County’s manatee- Registration is from 5:30 viewing experience draws peo- to 7 p.m.; there is no ple from all over the world preregistration. because they can swim with On Christmas Eve, a manatees. hot dinner will be served. That alone is a huge tourism After a special Christmas coup. But there has been one message, all children will component of that experience receive presents. Chil- that has been lacking and it is about to change this spring. dren must attend to re- The Crystal River National ceive gifts. Wildlife Refuge will open its For more information new state-of-the-art visitor cen- on donating, volunteering, ter at 1520 SE King’s Bay Drive or attending the event, and from the moment visitors email evthespot@yahoo. enter, they will be immersed in com or call the world of water, manatees 352-212-4851. and more. The complex is ex- If you prefer, you can pected to attract 40,000 visitors make a financial contribu- a year and enhance tourists’ ex- tion by sending a check perience in Crystal River and countywide. The new Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge will feature interactive displays to educate visitors about payable to The Spot Three Sisters Springs and nearby waterways. Family Center at P.O. Box The Citrus County Tourist De- velopment Council (TDC) in No- 2046 Lecanto, FL 34460. This will be sort of a Manatee TDC’s main objective of putting learn about them in a really top- vember unanimously approved 101 for visitors who will learn “heads in beds.” of-the-line display is something Bring a pet spending another $100,000 to their anatomy, habits and how Instead of leaving right after that’s going to be a valuable piece help The Friends of Crystal best to protect them. swimming with manatees, he for us as a destination,” Pricher home for the River National Wildlife Ref- John Pricher, Citrus County said visitors will be more in- said. “This is going to be the thing holidays uge’s expansion. The council Visitors Bureau director, said clined to stay longer in Citrus that really enhances that whole had previously given the agency he is confident this new interac- County and stay in one of the experience at the welcome Precious Paws Rescue $100,000 to help defray costs for tive component will enhance area’s hotels and inject money center.” has several young felines installing interactive displays the manatee adventure for lo- into the local economy. waiting for their “Home for and exhibits. cals and tourists and fulfill the “I think having this new way to See REFUGE/Page A2 the Holidays.” Come on out to the precious Paws Rescue Adoption Center located at 5164 S. Florida Ave. in Inverness and meet the Life interrupted: Unplanned stay led to ‘paradise’ purrfect family gift. Precious Paws Rescue George and Linda NANCY KENNEDY If you have a story to tell is an all-volunteer incor- Ryan, from the Staff writer and would be willing to porated charity based in Chicago area, sold share it with our readers, Citrus County. Adoption their house and set Editor’s note: Every one email Jeff Bryan at jeff. of us has had our life inter- center hours are Monday out on a post- bryan@chronicleonline. rupted by the coronavirus through Thursday 10 a.m. retirement RV com or Nancy Kennedy at pandemic, some more to 2 p.m., and 10 a.m. to adventure on Feb. 22. nkennedy@chronicle 3 p.m. on Friday and than others. online.com. They were gone three We asked people to tell Saturday. I I I weeks when the us about how their lives For more information coronavirus pandemic For two years, George have been interrupted, in and Linda Ryan planned or to set up a special hit, interrupting their ways large or small, and for their post-retirement Christmas Day adoption, travel plans. They how they’ve handled their dream of life on the road call 352-726-4700 and ended up in Citrus situations, how it has in their enormous RV, leave a message. A vol- County, which they changed them. As we con- traveling the country, vis- unteer will return your describe as paradise, tinue the series, “Life In- iting places like the call. and have settled here. terrupted,” we’re still — From staff reports NANCY KENNEDY/Chronicle looking for stories. See PARADISE/Page A2 Classifieds . .C7 Crossword . .C14 INDEX Education . A11, A12 Obituaries . A6 Comics . .C6 Editorial. A9 Lottery Numbers . .B3 TV Listings. .C5 Horoscope . A4 Entertainment . A4 Lottery Payouts . .B3 A2 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020 LOCAL CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE the economy moving Webster said he is “Hopefully, with the vac- again, come up with an pleased the bill extends cine coming online and Around the COUNTY RELIEF infrastructure plan and the Paycheck Protection widely distributed, busi- Continued from Page A1 perhaps develop a debt Program (PPP) and allows nesses will be unleashed School district reduced-priced meals for pay-down strategy, he small business owners to to do what they do best — extends free meal the school year must com- Sen. Wilton Simpson said. deduct PPP expenses. create commerce and pro- plete an application. said the bill should accom- U.S. Congressman Dan- “PPP has been a lifeline vide jobs — thereby program through Children don’t have to be plish two important things: iel Webster said House for countless small busi- eliminating the need for academic year present in the vehicle to get it gets money into the Speaker Nancy Pelosi is to nesses and under this bill future relief packages,” meals, but parents do have hands of people who need blame for the delay in roll- those still experiencing Wooten said. Citrus County School Dis- to provide their child’s name, help and it extends unem- ing out this package. severe revenue reductions Continuously pumping trict officials extended their grade and school. Forms to ployment benefits. “After spending months can apply for a second federal stimulus into the free meal-distribution pro- expedite the process can be “We’ll be dealing with playing political games loan,” he said.