FBI Vets Guard Troops in DC Citrus County COVID-19 Officials Fear Attack on Inauguration Update LOLITA C
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Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Bucs: Brady’s quest for another ring alive thanks to ‘D’ /B1 TUESDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 70 After a cold start, LOW a mild and sunny day. 37 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com JANUARY 19, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community 50¢ VOL. 126 ISSUE 103 NEWS BRIEFS FBI vets Guard troops in DC Citrus County COVID-19 Officials fear attack on inauguration update LOLITA C. BALDOR several days could present a Sheriff: No reason Associated Press threat to the incoming president According to the Flor- and other VIPs in attendance. ida Department of Health, WASHINGTON — U.S. de- Army Secretary Ryan McCar- no new positive cases fense officials say they are wor- thy told The Associated Press on for concern locally were reported in Citrus ried about an insider attack or Sunday that officials are con- County since the latest other threat from service scious of the potential threat, JEFF BRYAN officer. “We have not received any credible information which would update. No new deaths members involved in securing and he warned commanders to Staff writer lead us to believe there will be any were reported, for a total President-elect Joe Biden’s in- be on the lookout for any prob- auguration, prompting the FBI lems within their ranks as the Ahead of the pending inaugura- activities in Citrus County of a na- of 309. tion of President-elect Joe Biden ture similar to what we saw unfold To date in the county, to vet all of the 25,000 National inauguration approaches. So far, Guard troops coming into Wash- however, he and other leaders on Wednesday, Jan. 20, tensions in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6.” 7,929 people have tested are brewing not just in the na- The Citrus County Sheriff ’s Of- positive (including 57 non- ington for the event. say they have seen no evidence The massive undertaking re- of any threats, and officials said tion’s capital, but across the fice, along with state and federal residents). flects the extraordinary security the vetting hadn’t flagged any is- United States. partners, are continuously moni- Three new hospitaliza- concerns that have gripped sues that they were aware of. Locally, there’s no reason for toring numerous resources and tions were reported, for a Washington following the deadly “We’re continually going concern, said Sheriff Mike gathering information in order to total of 559 hospitalized. Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. through the process, and taking Prendergast. stay abreast of developing situa- Totals reflect prelimi- Capitol by pro-Trump rioters. second, third looks at every one “Our residents should not be tions at the local level as well nary reports received by And it underscores fears that of the individuals assigned to fearful of the upcoming inaugura- across the state and nation, Pren- the state, and are subject some of the very people assigned this operation,” McCarthy said tion day in Washington, D.C.,” said dergast said. the county’s top law enforcement to later revision. to protect the city over the next See DC/Page A2 See LOCALLY/Page A2 Drive-thru food drive to benefit SOS food pantry The Esther Chapter of the Daughters of the King at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church in Le- canto is asking for food donations to benefit SOS food pantry, which feeds more than thousands of families in Citrus County. They will be having a drive-thru food drop off from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church, 2540 W. Norvell Bryant High- way (County Road 486), Lecanto. The Donation Drop-Off is at the Portico entrance at the church. In addition to everyday food items, the food drive organizers are asking people to include tradi- tional Thanksgiving food items with their donation. The food collected on Tuesday will be taken to SOS on Wednesday in time for distribution on Thursday. Also, they will have coolers on hand to store refrigerated or even ABOVE: KD Gates bows her head in prayer Monday, frozen items. Jan. 18, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk and Participate Program at the Depot District in Inverness. LEFT: The in survey for Rev. Doug Alexander explains protocols for mask wearing and social distancing during the MLK Jr. Unity water quality Walk. Citrus County is inviting JEFF BRYAN/Chronicle residents to participate in an online survey that will help guide a countywide study to find the most cost-effective options to improve freshwater quality. The Citrus County Wastewater Treatment Feasibility Analysis will identify opportunities to protect our shared groundwater sources and improve water quality in the Crystal River/King’s Bay and Chassahowitzka- Homosassa springs. The study will deter- mine which pollution re- duction or “remediation” methods are most effec- Linda Myers, left, and Jean McCauley, members of the Nature Coast Participants make their way down North Apopka Avenue toward the tive for each Primary Unitarian Church, participate in the MLK Jr. Unity Walk. Depot District. Focus Area in Citrus County. Plans will then be Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Walk draws crowd despite cold, pandemic developed to accommo- RED IERS which thousands of people in bringing equality to all its cit- Bishop Douglas Alexander, date additional sewerage F H Staff writer stormed the U.S. Capital build- izens, “it’s important to remem- pastor and founder of New for properties that are not ing earlier this month and the ber where we came from so we Church Without Walls, said the currently connected to the summer saw people burn and don’t repeat our past,” she said. pandemic should not be al- system and to reduce ni- he cold morning temperature loot cities, the message that ran Inverness council president lowed to sideline MLK events. trogen discharge from like a thread among those who Jacquie Hepfer said most peo- “We’re never going to stop be- septic systems by up- T Monday nor the spoke and those who attended ple want to live with others in cause of the meaning and the grading those systems or coronavirus pandemic was unity. peace. Only a few agitate to cre- meaning is unity. It’s what connecting property to kept nearly 150 people “This brings unity,” said Dor- ate trouble. (King) died for and worked so the sewage system. from honoring the Rev. othy Dilworth, a state govern- “Most of us want to work, have hard for,” he said. “And if there Before those plans are Martin Luther King Jr. ment employee, who attended children, have grandchildren. was ever a time for it, it’s now. developed, Citrus County the walk. People just want to live their “But if change comes it’s residents can weigh in on and his message of love “With today’s environment lives,” she said. “In most cases going to have to come by prayer. wastewater related issues and unity. we need unity,” she told the we serve the same God. We’re And if you want change, it’s by taking the online sur- Many of the people who at- Chronicle as she waited for the humans. We’re Americans.” going to have to come from vey at surveymonkey. tended the MLK Unity Walk 8:45 a.m. walk to begin. Later, when she joined other you.” hosted by the city of Inverness “King’s message … is one of speakers at the event and ad- com/r/CitrusWWFTA. There were few young people and The New Church Without friendship, unity, and love. dressed the public, she said she at the event. Alexander said To learn more about Walls said this is a time in our Of which love is the most was reminded of the children’s there needed to be more be- this project, visit citrus country in which King’s mes- important,” she said. song of her youth, “Jesus Loves cause we depend on them to countywastewatertfa.com sage is as relevant as it has ever Events such as the one in In- the Little Children” and how it carry the message to future or email info@citrus been. verness is important because was relevant today and mir- generations. countywastewatertfa.com. In a political environment in while society has made strides rored King’s message. See UNITY/Page A2 — From staff reports Classifieds . .B6 Crossword . .B9 INDEX Lottery Numbers . .B3 Obituaries . None Comics . .B5 Editorial. A7 Lottery Payouts . .B3 TV Listings. .B4 Health & Life . A9, A10 Entertainment . A4 Movies . .B5 A2 TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021 CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE UNITY Continued from Page A1 “We have an obligation … par- ents have an obligation to bring their kids. Someone has to carry on,” he said. The walk started at the Val- erie Theatre and ended at the water tower by the Downtown Depot pavilion. One of the speakers was Cit- rus County Commissioner Dr. Jeff Kinnard. Kinnard recounted for those attending an episode when he misjudged a client and learned “not to judge a book by its cover.” He also told the audience the country could heal from its divisions. “To say we live in a divided nation would be an understate- JEFF BRYAN/Chronicle ment,” he said. The Rev. Doug Alexander, third from right, leads dignitaries and community leaders, during the annual MLK Jr. Unity Walk. The event was But he also reminded the au- organized by the New Church Without Walls and included a short walk from the Valerie Theatre to the Depot District for a short program.