Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Super Bowl: Bucs QB would consider playing past 45 /B1 TUESDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 54 Partly sunny, LOW breezy and chilly. 32 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com FEBRUARY 2, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 126 ISSUE 117 NEWS BRIEFS Man charged in fatal crash Citrus County COVID-19 both left a Dun- bicycle riding Bicyclist was killed a year ago near Dunnellon nellon restaurant along the road update at the same time without lights, the According to the Flor- MIKE WRIGHT crash and tampering with Dunnellon Road. in separate vehi- report states. ida Department of Health, Staff writer evidence, according to a Crabb was dining with cles with plans to According to 20 positive cases were Florida Highway Patrol an off-duty Citrus County meet up at the the report, the reported in Citrus County A Dunnellon man with arrest report. Sheriff ’s deputy shortly deputy’s home. deputy’s call oc- The deputy said curred at 7:43 p.m. since the latest update. a history of traffic infrac- Crabb is accused of before the crash occurred. tions was arrested Friday driving a Toyota pickup The deputy’s name was he was driving on Robert — the exact time No new deaths were re- in connection with the the evening of Feb. 8, redacted in the report by Dunnellon Road Crabb of the crash as re- ported, for a total of 344. death of a bicyclist nearly 2020, that struck 37-year- the sheriff ’s office. when he saw the bicyclist corded by video surveil- To date in the county, one year ago. old Michael Todd Gil- The deputy told FHP riding west on the outside lance cameras from a 8,696 people have tested Robert Franklyn Crabb, lickson as he rode his that Crabb was drinking portion of the westbound nearby business. positive (including 61 35, is charged with leav- bicycle west on County beer, but he didn’t think travel lane. He called non-residents). ing the scene of a fatal Road 488, also known as Crabb was impaired. They Crabb to warn him of a See CRASH/Page A5 No new hospitaliza- tions were reported, for a total of 590 hospitalized. Totals reflect prelimi- nary reports received by the state, and are subject to later revision. A passion for helping students Vaccine preregistration system open DOH-Citrus’ preregis- tration system to sched- ule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for individu- als 65 and older and frontline health care work- ers is now available. Individuals can now be added to a waiting list for vaccine appointments and be notified when ap- pointments are available in Citrus County by visit- ing myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-201-0442; TTY is 833-476-1036. As part of the statewide preregistration system, each county has a desig- nated number that indi- viduals can call and pre-register with if they do not have internet access. Citrus County’s desig- nated number is 866-201-0442. Vaccine supply re- mains limited and ap- pointments may not be MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle available for several Crystal River Primary School Exceptional Student Education paraprofessional Rick Godfrey has recently been named the 2021 School-Related weeks. Employee of the Year in the Citrus County School District. Fed mask rule for Citrus transit Rick Godfrey is county’s school-related employee of the year for 2021 to take effect BUSTER THOMPSON Jan. 7 acceptance of the award consider Godfrey for their like their parents away from Citrus County Transit Staff writer during the annual Galaxy of state pick out of other school home.” Services will begin en- Stars event. “It was a shock.” district contenders, and are Godfrey wanted to be a P.E. forcing a federally man- Rick Godfrey tries to be Knowing his role is a piece expected to decide in August. teacher, but was inspired in a dated mask requirement modest but he couldn’t hold in of the school system’s back- Godfrey is also excited to classroom around 12 years ago beginning Feb. 2. This his humility this time when bone — made up of bus driv- tour the district with School when he subbed three years the Citrus County School Dis- ers, custodians, food service Superintendent Sandra “Sam” action is to further pre- for Holiday Hill Elementary trict named him its school- workers, media center crews Himmel, if COVID-19 allows. and other Jacksonville vent spread of the virus related employee of the year and classroom aides — God- His biggest piece of advice schools. that causes COVID-19 for 2021. frey is grateful for the title. for those who want to be there “I always wanted to get into and to further support “I’m a humble guy, but I “It’s a great honor,” he said. to feed, bus, nurture and pro- education; it’s hard to explain state and local health au- might brag about this one,” the “I know how tough it is to pick tect generations of classrooms: why,” Godfrey said. “Now that thorities, transportation Crystal River Primary a winner out of so many quali- “go do it.” I’m here, I know why: because partners, and convey- School’s Exceptional Student fied and good support staff.” “You’re going to do much of the impact I have on kids.” ance operators to keep Education (ESE) paraprofes- Officials with the Florida more than educate the chil- passengers, employees sional said, remembering his Department of Education will dren,” Godfrey said. “You’re See GODFREY/Page A7 and communities safe. All Transit Services passengers and employ- ees, including drivers, will be required to wear masks when boarding, Judge eyeing return Local virus cases disembarking, and for the duration of travel. Sig- nage outlining the re- quirements will be placed to trials in felony court near 8,700; over on all buses. In addition to mask wearing, drivers will continue to sanitize Howard cites falling COVID-19 infections the seats and handrails of 14K vaccinated the buses after every BUSTER can set trials,” he said. “It direct path of two oncom- pick-up and drop off. THOMPSON looks like we could lead ing vehicles. BUSTER change as epidemiologi- For more information, Staff writer the circuit with trials ... Prior reports state THOMPSON cal investigations reveal contact Citrus County I’m excited.” Evans’ blood alcohol con- Staff writer new information on cases. Transit Services at Citrus County Circuit Here’s a digest of what tent at the time of the A Florida Agency for 352-527-7630. Judge Richard “Ric” happened Monday in crash was 0.169%. Flori- Citrus County’s COVID- Health Care Administra- — From staff reports Howard wants to bring his Howard’s courtroom: da’s legal limit is 0.08%. 19 count surpassed 8,500 tion (AHCA) report from felony cases back in front I Jurors are expected If convicted as charged, over the week as more Monday stated Citrus INDEX of juries. on Feb. 15 to hear allega- Evans faces a prison sen- than 14,000 residents County had 66 people in Classifieds . .B5 Howard told attorneys tions Chadwick Perry tence between roughly have been vaccinated hospitals with a primary diagnosis of COVID-19, Comics . .B4 and local defendants on Evans was driving drunk three and five years. against the disease. April 27, 2019, and caused I Johnny Travis Wilson, According to the Flor- up 21 from Jan. 25. Crossword . .B8 his Monday, Feb. 1, pre- trial docket to be ready a three-vehicle collision, the Crystal River 40-year- ida Department of Health There was also 29% of Editorial. A8 for trial. injuring six people, in- old accused of striking (FDOH) on Monday, Feb. hospital beds available Entertainment . A4 Citing Citrus County’s cluding a child. two Citrus County Sher- 1, the county reached in the county, according Horoscope . A4 COVID-19 positivity rate Evans, an Ocala 50-year- iff ’s Office detectives and 8,696 cases — an increase to the AHCA, and 17% of Lottery Numbers . .B2 falling below 10%, the old, is charged with DUI a motorcyclist after driv- of 362 since Jan. 25, at an local adult intensive Lottery Payouts . .B2 judge said he’s in a good with serious injury and ing away from a local traf- average 52 cases a day. care units were open. Health . A11, A12 posture to keep Monday’s five counts of DUI with fic stop, will take his case Also since Jan. 25, 20 According to the Obituaries . A6 cases on for trial the week injury. to jurors. more hospitalizations for FDOH, 14,668 locals TV Listings. .B3 of Feb. 15. Assistant State Attorney Vivionne Barker, Wil- the novel coronavirus have been vaccinated Howard said he has a Erin Leathers told How- son’s lawyer, and Assis- were recorded, totaling for COVID-19 — an in- judicial meeting Wednes- ard she’s prosecuting tant State Attorney Kevin 590, and 14 more locals crease of 3,252 since day to determine the like- Evans for driving im- Davis told Howard they died, increasing the num- Jan. 25 — with 1,733 of lihood of penciling in paired while on West Gro- are ready for Wilson’s ber of deaths to 344, ac- them completing their trials. ver Cleveland, where his trial Feb. 15. cording to the FDOH. two-dose series. “If we maintain a posi- vehicle drifted into op- COVID-19 data from the tivity rate under 10%, we posing traffic and into the See COURT/Page A5 FDOH is subject to See VIRUS/Page A7 A2 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021 CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE 3 DAYS ONLY - February 3rd, February 4th and February 5th 3161-C Gulf to Lake Hwy.