Citrus County Chronicle
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 2020: A sports year like no other captured with photos /B1 FRIDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 72 Partly sunny and LOW pleasant. 48 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com DECEMBER 11, 2020 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 126 ISSUE 64 NEWS BRIEFS Panel backs Pfizer vaccine Citrus County COVID-19 Full FDA OK of COVID-19 shots expected soon, though questions remain update LAURAN NEERGAARD Shots could begin within days, reactions in two people who re- non-government experts in vac- According to the Flor- AND MATTHEW depending on how quickly the Food ceived the vaccine earlier this cine development, infectious dis- ida Department of Health, PERRONE and Drug Administration signs off, week when Britain became the eases and medical statistics was 46 positive cases were Associated Press as expected, on the expert commit- first country to begin dispensing considered critical to boosting reported in Citrus County tee’s recommendation. the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. Americans’ confidence in the since the latest update. WASHINGTON — A U.S. gov- In a 17-4 vote with one absten- Despite all the remaining un- safety of the shot, which was de- Four new hospitaliza- ernment advisory panel endorsed tion, the government advisers knowns, in an emergency, “the veloped at breakneck speed less tions were reported; no widespread use of Pfizer’s coro- concluded that the vaccine from question is whether you know than a year after the virus was navirus vaccine Thursday, putting Pfizer and its German partner enough,” said panel member Dr. identified. new deaths were reported. the country just one step away BioNTech appears safe and effec- Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital The decision came as COVID-19 To date in the county, from launching an epic vaccina- tive for emergency use in adults of Philadelphia, who concluded cases surge to ever-higher levels 5,350 people have tested tion campaign against the out- and teenagers 16 and older. that the shot’s potential benefits across the U.S., with deaths positive (including 30 break that has killed close to That endorsement came de- outweigh its risks. non-residents), 448 have 300,000 Americans. spite questions about allergic The independent review by See VACCINE/Page A8 been hospitalized and 188 have died. Department to offer flu shot drive-thru Farewell to a Crystal River icon For anyone who has yet to receive their annual flu shot, the Florida De- partment of Health in Cit- rus County (DOH-Citrus) will provide another drive- thru flu clinic from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Lecanto Health Department, 3700 W. Sovereign Path. Flu shots will be avail- able at no cost, while supplies last, to adults and children older than 6 months. Participants can receive the shots right from their cars. Getting the flu shot each year is important, but re- ducing illness and hospital- ization from flu is even more critical this year to protect health care work- ers and hospital systems who continue to care for people with COVID-19 and other illnesses. Additionally, DOH- Citrus encourages the public to slow the spread of flu and COVID-19 by: I Staying home if you’re sick. I Covering coughs and sneezes. MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle I Washing your hands Excavator operator John Hanna of Dirt Boys Inc. of Homosassa demolishes one of the hotel structures at the Port Hotel and Marina in Crystal frequently and thoroughly. River to make room for a new hotel. I Wearing a face cov- ering when around others or if social distancing isn’t Port Paradise, which once attracted stars, to be replaced with Marriott possible. MICHAEL D. to demolish the Port Par- how old it is, I think it’s a pieces of property in the Paresh Desai, whose For information about BATES adise Hotel, a westside really good thing we’re city — a gorgeous loca- family bought Port Para- DOH-Citrus, go to www. Staff writer icon for more than getting some new invest- tion overlooking the dise Resort & Hotel in CitrusCountyHealth.org 70 years. ment and a new remodel bay,” Meek said. 2003-04, said the new or follow us on Twitter at Say goodbye to a Crys- In its place will rise a on that site. I think it’s The old Port Paradise Marriott will have 75 @FLHealthCitrus. tal River landmark once new Marriott Hotel, ten- time for that to happen.” was the place to be in its hotel rooms, 35 condos, a considered one of the tatively set to open in The 7-acre property at time, he said. bayside pool, grass court- Nominate first resorts on the west about two years. 1610 SE Paradise Circle “It was a very special yard, restaurant, dive Citrus’ top coast of Florida and a “It had a great run,” — directly on King’s Bay development and place center and other haven for Hollywood’s Crystal River Mayor Joe — should be ideal for the in the city,” he said. amenities. organization elite. Meek said. “But I think new hotel, he said. Local urologist, hote- The Citrus County Work started this week in its current state and “It’s one of the nicest lier and restaurateur Dr. See ICON/Page A8 Chronicle is seeking nom- inees for its inaugural nonprofit, “Organization of the Year.” Nominations should be based on how it made a difference Two more weeks of Man pleads no throughout the year within the community. Email nominations to jeff.bryan@chronicle contest in murder online.com; or, mail to holiday events on tap Jeff Bryan, 1624 N. Meadowcrest Blvd., Crys- GWEN BITTNER shortage of Christmas those looking to stay safe tal River, FL 34429 by Staff writer cheer this year in Citrus at home away from the County. risk of COVID-19. of roommate Wednesday, Dec. 23. Editor’s note: Events are Hosted by the Citrus Nominate top subject to change and can- Parades County Chamber of Com- Will face 30 years in prison stories for 2020 cellation following this The Inverness Christ- merce, it is requested printing. Keep up-to-date mas Parade will bring au- that attendees practice BUSTER to God you could just give The Citrus County with the latest information diences back to a simpler social distancing, wear THOMPSON us reason.” Chronicle is seeking nomi- by contacting the event time, when Christmas was masks and reduce physi- Staff writer Dressed in orange in- nations for Citrus County’s host or visiting their web about homemade gifts and cal interaction. If you are mate garb and appearing top local stories of 2020. page; 2020 holiday events generational traditions, feeling ill, it is encour- Karen Smith wanted via a live video link from Stories should be about are ever-changing in the from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sat- aged that you please stay Emery Nicholas Whitt to the Citrus County Deten- people, organizations, midst of the COVID-19 urday, Dec. 12. home. answer one ques- tion Center, Whitt businesses, issues or pandemic. Drive-thru parade at- Celebrate the true tion: Why did he didn’t give a events in Citrus County With just two more tendees can view spirited meaning of Christmas kill her son-in-law, response. Multiple nominations weeks until Santa makes floats depicting “A Vin- and catch sights of tinsel, 33-year-old Ryan Instead, he his way through Citrus on are accepted. tage Christmas,” along popcorn garland, hand- Michael pleaded no con- his sleigh, select events Highlands Boulevard, painted dolls and even test to a life-felony Email nominations to McClellan? remain on the calendar from Montgomery Ave- matchbox cars. “I will never un- charge of McClel- jeff.bryan@chronicle for those to enjoy the nue to Apopka Avenue. To view the parade derstand why you lan’s second-de- online.com; or, mail to merriment of the holiday Lineup will begin in the livestream, visit www. chose to do such gree murder from Jeff Bryan, 1624 N. season. Withlacoochee Technical facebook.com/Citrus an unforgivable Emery Sept. 15, 2017. Meadowcrest Blvd. Pick a parade, a light College (WTC) parking countylive. For updates thing to Ryan. ... Whitt Whitt’s agree- 34429 by Dec. 17, 2020. show or special event to lot. It is asked that view- and information, visit You’ve caused so much ment to change his not- Readers will have an attend, or just drive ers not arrive before https://tinyurl.com/ pain to all of us,” Smith guilty plea was in opportunity to vote on through your neighbor- 10 a.m. y63cx2na. told the 28-year-old Whitt exchange to serve 30 years their top 10 picks. hood and take in the A virtual livestream at his court hearing Thurs- — From staff reports lights — there’s no will also be offered for See EVENTS/Page A8 day, Dec. 10, 2020. “I wish See MURDER/Page A10 Classifieds . .C7 Crossword . .C10 INDEX Scene . .C1 Obituaries . A6 Comics . .C6 Editorial. A12 Lottery Numbers . .B3 TV Listings. .C5 Horoscope . A4 Entertainment . A4 Lottery Payouts . .B3 A2 Friday, december 11, 2020 Citrus County (FL) ChroniCLe OF KBB NOW up % FOR YOUR OFFERING to 120 TRADE** Credit less than perfect? Village Toyota can help! GET PRE-APPROVED TODAY! 2021 TOYOTA 2021 TOYOTA 2021 TOYOTA 2021 TOYOTA COROLLA CAMRY LE RAV4 LE TACOMA 0% APR LE 0% APR 0% APR V6 SR5 AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE + $500 HOLIDAY BONUS CASH MODEL#1852 + $500 HOLIDAY BONUS CASH MODEL#2532 + $500 HOLIDAY BONUS CASH MODEL#4430 MODEL#7146 LEASE FOR LEASE FOR LEASE FOR LEASE FOR $ -OR- ZERO $ -OR- ZERO $ -OR- ZERO $ -OR- ZERO 150 DOWN 208 DOWN 228 DOWN 218 DOWN PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS WITH $3999 DOWN $266/MO.