000E19N Spring training: Pitchers, catchers report /B1 NEW 2013 TOYOTA TUESDAY COROLLA CITRUS COUNTY See Pg. TODAY C12 & next morning HIGH $ 82 Partly sunny, 14,995 LOW warm and breezy. at VILLAGE TOYOTA 63 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com FEBRUARY 12, 2013 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 118 ISSUE 189 Pope stuns the world Resignation sends troubled church scrambling Associated Press bling to replace the leader of Christoph Schoenborn, a pro- Local its 1 billion followers by tege and former theology stu- VATICAN CITY — With a Easter. dent of Benedict’s who is few words in Latin, Pope Not even his closest associ- considered a papal con- Catholics Benedict XVI did Monday ates had advance word of the tender. “Right now, 1.2 billion what no pope has done in news, a bombshell that he Catholics the world over are more than half a millennium, dropped during a routine holding their breath.” announcing his resignation morning meeting of Vatican The move allows for a fast- surprised and sending the already trou- cardinals. And with no clear track conclave to elect a new bled Catholic Church scram- favorites to succeed him, an- pope, since the traditional NANCY KENNEDY other surprise likely awaits nine days of mourning that Staff writer Pope Benedict XVI announced when the cardinals elect would follow a pope’s death The one word on local his resignation Monday, saying Benedict’s successor next doesn’t have to be observed. It his “strength of mind and month. also gives Benedict great Catholics’ lips Monday: body” had diminished. “Without doubt this is a his- Surprised. Associated Press toric moment,” said Cardinal See RESIGN/ Page A4 Early Monday morning, Pope Benedict XVI an- nounced he will resign as Bishop of Rome, effective Feb. 28, stunning the world with his news. “It’s definitely unex- pected — a pope hasn’t re- Solar system heats home signed since the 13th century,” said the Rev. James Johnson, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Inverness. The last pope to resign voluntarily was Gregory XII in 1415. Bishop Robert Lynch, bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, said in a state- ment released Monday, “I have had the unique privi- lege in my own priestly life to come to know Josef Ratzinger well, and when he said shortly after his election as our Pope that he would resign if his health ever would not permit him to fulfill his responsibilities as he saw fit, I believed him.” Lynch added, “I repeat what I often said at the time of his election — the church was given a leader with an incredible intellect, a pas- tor’s heart, and a very pa- tient listener … I am happy for him, that he is going to spend the rest of his days on earth at peace in prayer and study. And I shall al- ways thank him for his love of the church.” Lou Whittaker, principal of Pope John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto, said the news was shocking, but also exciting because it gives the students the op- MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle Theresa Waldron has made improvements to her home to harness the power of the sun for things such as heating water. portunity to witness the up- coming process of electing the next pope, which they House harnesses the power of the sun for an alternative energy source did just eight years ago when Pope Benedict was CHRIS VAN ORMER One particular electric utility serves hooking up to solar power actively for elected April 19, 2005. Staff writer your neighborhood, so that’s the sup- the past eight years to take care of most “I remember when Pope plier you have to use. of her power needs in her large home Benedict was chosen. We Few people feel they have a choice However, an alternate source is glow- that used to draw a monthly bill of $200 had the children sitting when it comes to the power supply in ing in your face — sunshine. Lecanto right in front of the televi- their homes. resident Theresa Waldron has been See SOLAR/ Page A5 sion sets, and we were tak- ing pictures of the expressions on their faces,” she said. “Then we were doing research right away — who is this person and Board: Now not time for new auditorium seats where does he come from? So, this will be a big focus MIKE WRIGHT ON THE NET place since the former Central Florida for us, especially with the Staff writer Community College built the auditorium in older kids. It’s exciting be- ■ www.citrus.k12.fl.us. the late 1970s. cause this doesn’t happen CRYSTAL RIVER — The curtain may Assistant superintendent of schools very often.” drop on plans for new seating at Curtis Pe- Kenny Blocker said many of the seats are From the Chronicle’s terson Auditorium, thanks to a budget crisis Citrus County School District officials are worn and in poor shape. He noted the dis- Facebook page Monday, created in large part by Progress Energy recommending the school board approve a trict last year replaced the auditorium’s Amber McGhan Bunyea Florida’s smaller-than-expected 2012 tax bid worth $175,875 to replace the 1,054 seats See POPE/ Page A2 payment. at Curtis Peterson, which have been in See SEATS/ Page A2 Comics . .C8 Editorial . .A8 INDEX Lottery Payouts . .B4 Classifieds . .C9 Community . .C6 Entertainment . .B4 Movies . .C8 TV Listings . .C7 Crossword . .C7 Horoscope . .B4 Lottery Numbers . .B3 Obituaries . .A6 000DY3O A2 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2013 LOCAL CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE Local BRIEFS SEATS ■ WHAT: Citrus County School Board meeting. ■ WHEN: Fire damages Commander Keith Long’s position he lost in the August Continued from Page A1 4 p.m. today. CR apartment report, the blaze was primary. ■ WHERE: District administrative office, corner of brought under control Murray is one of eight ap- stage lighting and sound State Road 44 and Montgomery Avenue, Inverness. A Crystal River area apart- quickly. plicants so far to replace system as part of a gradual ment fire Saturday night The report stated the fire Susan Hale, who resigned overhaul of the auditorium. parent company, Duke En- said they are looking at caused about $8,000 in was contained in the kitchen just two months after being “That’s been on the ergy, to pay $19 million in cuts this year and next damage, according to the area and its ceiling. sworn in to office. radar to be done,” Blocker 2012 property taxes. County year that do not impact the Citrus County Sheriff’s Fire The residents of the apart- Hale defeated Murray, a said, referring to the seat- officials had expected a classroom. Rescue. ment escaped without injury. two-term incumbent. replacement project. $35.1 million payment. Deutschman said Mon- Fire crews from Ho- The fire was ruled One applicant, Michael Board members Pat Duke’s decision to retire day each expense — includ- mosassa arrived at the accidental. “Joey” White, is no longer on Deutschman and Thomas the nuclear plant could ing new auditorium seats — scene, 9795 W. Arms Drive, Murray seeks the list of applicants, accord- Kennedy, however, wonder lead to an additional $6 should be scrutinized. at 9:23 p.m. and found the ing to the governor’s press if this is the best time to be million to $9 million cut “We need to question 3,000-square-foot duplex school board seat office. Applications are still replacing auditorium seats. from the company’s tax every single expense that The district is facing a apartment with flames Former Citrus County being taken and there is no payment this year, Progress we have coming out of cap- showing in a kitchen word when Scott may make budget shortfall due to an Energy Florida President ital outlay funds,” she said. School Board member Bill unexpected drop in enroll- window. Murray is hoping Gov. Rick the appointment. Alex Glenn said in a letter “In today’s economic real- ment and the decision by to county officials. ity, is it still the best use of According to Battalion Scott appoints him to the —From staff reports Progress Energy and its School board members our money?” no longer give to the job “rock star” of the Catholic POPE to the best of their faith. abilities.” “He’s fresh and excit- Valentine’s Day Continued from Page A1 As for the pope’s suc- ing; he smiles and laughs, cessor, Don Irwin, an ac- gets involved and takes commented: “I think it tive member of Our Lady positions on things much Thursday, February 14 shows a humble man with of Grace Catholic Church more than I’ve seen some good character. His state- in Beverly Hills, said he of the others do,” he said. ment talked about his would like to see Cardinal Contact Chronicle re- health decline, and I ad- Timothy Dolan, from New porter Nancy Kennedy at SHOW YOUR mire a person who can York, as the next pope. 352-564-2927 or nkennedy step aside when they can Dolan has been called a @chronicleonline.com. LOVE 000E0Q0 with a Love Note in the Citrus County Chronicle Place a classified ad in the February 14th edition of the newspaper. $14.95 Includes 20 lines of copy and valentine art. (Your choice of three options.) Deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 13 at noon. Call 563-5966 000E164 IF NOT NOW-WHEN? Check Out What’s New At Dynabody C oming S oon • NO INITIATION FEE • Over 300 classes a month INCLUDED C hildcare in membership • Heated Indoor Pool with Resolution Aqua Aerobics Special • 18,000 Sq.