Regional softball: Lecanto takes on Gainesville /B1 WEDNESDAY TODAY CITRUS COUNTY & next morning HIGH 83 Mostly clousy LOW with a chance of showers. 63 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com MAY 1, 2013 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 118 ISSUE 267 NEWS BRIEFS Obama issues veiled threat on Syria Death of man, 90, ruled a President says chemical weapons use might prompt review of other ‘options’ homicide Associated Press him: weapons and ammunition Obama said he would packed into the White The death of an ■ Bombing for the Syrian rebels. consider actions the kills 14 in House briefing room. elderly Citrus WASHINGTON — President Despite such planning, Obama Pentagon and intelli- Beyond lethal aid to County man follow- Damascus./ Barack Obama signaled Tuesday appealed for patience during a gence community have Page A10 the rebels, several gov- ing an encounter he would consider U.S. military White House news conference, prepared for him in the ernment agencies are with Citrus County action against Syria if “hard, ef- saying he needed more conclusive event Syria has crossed his chem- also drafting plans for establish- Sheriff’s deputies fective evidence” is found to bol- evidence about how and when ical weapons “red line.” ing a protective “no-fly zone” over has been ruled a ster intelligence that chemical chemical weapons detected by “There are options that are Syria and for targeted missile homicide. weapons have been used in the U.S. intelligence agencies were available to me that are on the strikes, according to officials According the 2-year-old civil war. Among the po- used and who deployed them. If shelf right now that we have not Citrus County Sher- tential options being readied for those questions can be answered, deployed,” he told reporters See SYRIA/ Page A2 iff’s Office, on March 26, deputies responded to a resi- dence in Inverness regarding a 90- year-old man, John Bradford, who had Beyond ‘mystery meat’ armed himself with a gun and was threatening to harm himself and others. Deputies arrived on scene to find Bradford’s wife say- ing he was hurting her and Bradford himself holding a firearm. As deputies tried to apprehend Brad- ford using non-lethal methods, a struggle ensued and Deputy Russ Howard and Bradford fell to the ground. Bradford’s weapon was report- edly secured and it was then discovered that Bradford was in- jured due to the fall. He was transported to Citrus Memorial hospital and later died as a result of complications from surgery performed due to his injury, ac- cording to a state- ment by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. The medical ex- MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle aminer has ruled his Citrus County School District Food Services Director Roy Pistone is pictured above at the Lecanto High School cafeteria where a food death a homicide court concept is incorporated. Pistone was recently named Florida Outstanding Director of the Year in food services. He said the food court due to the complica- concept that the three public high schools are incorporating is designed to imitate what many teens see in shopping mall food courts. tions that resulted from the interaction with the deputies. Head of food services for county schools recognized for lunchroom innovations The sheriff’s office contacted FDLE to ERYN WORTHINGTON wrote, “Since coming on board the appearance of the interior students are prideful of their perform an investi- Staff writer in our district four and a half of a restaurant, they’re un- cafeteria, they are more open gation due to the rul- years ago, this individual has likely to become a patron. to eat one of the USDA-regu- ing of the medical oy Pistone thought he made a point to provide infor- Therefore, Pistone is leading lated meals. examiner’s office. would be the last person mation and education to our the renovation of all 18 school “For too long, the school food The sheriff’s office Rto receive a state honor. managers and staff on the ‘rea- cafeterias. Some high schools services received a bad reputa- is conducting an ad- But that’s exactly what hap- son why we do what we do.’ He have been modeled to resem- tion,” Pistone said. “They ministrative review pened at the recent Florida has a way of thinking outside of ble food courts. A la carte thought it was mystery meat of the incident, as School Nutrition Association our ‘traditional food service areas are in three of four mid- that we served. That is so far well. Annual Conference when Pis- program’ box that entices stu- dle schools. from the truth. tone was named state Director dents to be more active in what “We have also added up- “Any items that we bring in Girl’s death of the Year. we have to offer.” graded serving lines, paintings, to serve our students have still under “I was shocked,” said Pis- Thinking outside the box is student pictures and artwork been student-tested and ap- tone, who heads up the Citrus exactly what Pistone does by in several school dining areas,” proved,” Pistone said. “When investigation County School District’s food focusing on details and food McCartney-Freier said in her we bring in an item, it must Citrus County and nutrition services. “I quality with the goal of student nomination of Pistone. “When have a 75 percent approval rat- Sheriff’s detectives thought they got the wrong satisfaction within a “nice din- students have input in naming ing for us to put it on our continue to investi- name.” ing experience for our their cafeteria or see pictures menus.” gate the death of 2- He was oblivious to his nomi- students.” of themselves and their peers Pistone credited his team. year-old Aliyah Marie nation by Gwen McCartney- He connected the student’s hanging in the facilities, they “The goal is to be the best in Branum, of 1605 N. Freier, finance specialist for experience to a consumer’s take a little more pride in their the state of Florida and Julia Way in food and nutrition services. practice at a restaurant. If the surroundings.” In her recommendation she customer is displeased with Pistone believes that once See FOOD/ Page A2 Hernando. Branum died on Friday, April 26, as the result of extreme trauma. Detectives are conducting inter- National Day of Doctor remembered views and investigat- ing the details surrounding her Prayer Thursday death. for her dedication Details will be re- leased as they be- NANCY KENNEDY come available. Events planned around county Staff writer — From staff reports Chronicle staff and observances held in HERNANDO — As a doctor, Arnelle sports stadiums. Eslava-Fernandez INDEX On Thursday, the 62nd Here in Citrus County, two could be as tough as a “She was a good doctor. Very, very Classifieds . .C8 annual National Day of prayer gatherings will take drill sergeant. smart, very quick, a very good diagnos- Comics . .C7 Prayer, Americans across place at noon Thursday, May If you were her pa- tician,” Hunt said. “She had an innate Community . .C5 the nation are invited to 2, one outside the Inverness tient, she wasn’t afraid to ability to diagnose.” Crossword . .C6 stop and offer prayers for Government Center, 212 W. demand the best care for Patients and friends who signed her Editorial . .A8 the nation and their Main St., Inverness, and the you. And if you didn’t fol- obituary guest book said she was a doc- Entertainment . .A4 communities. other at the gazebo behind low her instructions, she tor they could trust, that she treated her Horoscope . .A4 Every year on National City Hall in Crystal River. wouldn’t let you slide. patients with dignity and respect and Lottery Numbers . .B3 Day of Prayer, always the This year the theme is She was tough, but Arnelle that she would come to the hospital in Lottery Payouts . .B3 first Thursday in May, “Pray For America” and only because she cared. Eslava- the middle of the night to see a patient Movies . .C7 prayer events take place the scripture reference is Local physician Dr. Fernandez who needed her. Obituaries . .A6 all across the nation, from “In His name the nations Arnelle Eslava-Fernan- “She was made to be a doctor,” Hunt TV Listings . .C6 prayer breakfasts, Bible will put their hope” dez died April 15. She was 55. said. reading marathons, con- (Matthew12:21). “She called me her ‘older sister’ — Born and raised in the Philippines, certs of prayer, rallies, The public is invited to she was my doctor and my friend, too,” Arnelle was the youngest of 10 children. church prayer vigils, stu- participate in this nonde- said Margaret Hunt, bookkeeper for Dr. dent flagpole gatherings nominational event. Fernandez. See DOCTOR/ Page A5 A2 WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013 STATE/LOCAL CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE Nature Coast Community Band to present concerts Special to the Chronicle land Ave., Inverness. Sousa’s “The Picadore,” se- draw crowds. All NCCB rehearses from 6:30 to band.com. “Fiesta” is a concert com- lections from “Man of La concerts are free; dona- 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at First The final concerts of the The Nature Coast Com- memorating Cinco De Mancha,” “Malaguena” and tions to support the NCCB United Methodist Church 2012-13 season will be at munity Band, under the di- Mayo, which celebrates more. Saxophonist Tom are appreciated. of Inverness. 2:30 p.m. June 29 at the Cit- rection of Cindy Hazzard, democracy and freedom. Leonard will be the soloist The Nature Coast Com- The band is searching rus Springs Community will present two concerts — Hazzard has selected a va- on “Latin Sun” by Andre munity Band is a member for one more flutist, a sec- Center and 2:30 p.m.