Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Baseball: County rivals Citrus, CR meet on diamond/B1 SATURDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 84 Partly cloudy, LOW warm with a sea breeze. 61 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com FEBRUARY 27, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 142 NEWS BRIEFS House to vote on relief bill Citrus County “The bill would allow the ad- designed to “quickly notch some Dems mull minimum wage plan rescue ministration to execute its plan to wins for the president’s buddies,” COVID-19 update change the course of the COVID- said Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., top According to the Florida ALAN FRAM boost the minimum wage. 19 pandemic,” it said. “And it Republican on the House Budget Department of Health, Associated Press A virtual party-line House vote would provide Americans and Committee. 29 positive cases were re- was expected on the COVID-19 re- their communities an economic That’s making the fight a show- ported in Citrus County WASHINGTON — A $1.9 trillion lief measure, which embodies bridge through the crisis.” down over which party voters will since the latest update. package aimed at helping the President Joe Biden’s push to Republicans have lined up reward for approving added Two new deaths were country rebuild from the pan- flush cash to individuals, busi- against the plan, calling it an over- federal spending to combat the reported, for a total of 397. demic seemed headed toward nesses, states and cities. The White priced and wasteful attempt to coronavirus and revive the econ- House passage Friday, even as House issued a statement reinforc- To date in the county, help Democratic allies like labor omy, on top of $4 trillion previ- Democrats searched for a way to ing its support for the new presi- unions and Democratic-run states. ously passed. 9,716 people have tested revive their derailed drive to dent’s paramount initial goal. The bill is “a partisan circus” See RELIEF/Page A6 positive (including 76 non- residents). Four new hospitaliza- tions were reported, for a total of 638 hospitalized. Totals reflect preliminary reports received by the state, and are subject to Little boy in his final days later revision. COVID vaccine registration open DOH-Citrus’ preregistra- tion system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine ap- pointments for individuals 65 and older and frontline health care workers is now available. Individuals can now be added to a waiting list for vaccine appointments and be notified when appoint- ments are available in Cit- rus County by visiting 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 individ- uals can call and preregister with if they do not have internet access. Citrus County’s designated helpline number is 833-540-2058. Vaccine supply remains limited and appointments may not be available for Special to Chronicle several weeks. ABOVE LEFT: Matthew “Tater Tot” Snodgrass, 3, has spent most of his life in the hospital with leukemia. Doctors have told his family he is — From staff reports nearing the end of his life. ABOVE RIGHT: Matthew “Tater Tot” Snodgrass shares a swing ride with his sister, Brooke. FHP searches Community rallies around family of ‘Tater Tot’ WAYS YOU CAN HELP for motorist who n ONLINE FUNDRAISERS: fled deadly crash NANCY KEnnEDY has spent most of his life in the hospital at — Nature Coast Cancer Crusaders is UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in Staff writer raising funds on Facebook at: Authorities are asking Gainesville after being diagnosed with leu- https://tinyurl.com/92hndc7j. for help identifying a mo- Matthew “Tater Tot” Snodgrass is a typi- kemia in April 2019. torist who drove off after cal 3-year-old. And now, barring a miracle, Matthew’s — GoFundMe account is at: their vehicle fatally struck He loves Disney’s “Toy Story,” making short life is in its final days. https://tinyurl.com/nb3adv3a. an Inverness woman while cars and trucks sounds, playing “kitchen “It’s too hard right now to think that he’s n MAIL A CHECK TO: she was delivering pizzas and cooking” with his 6-year-old sister not going to be here, even though every in an Inverness Brooke, eating fried shrimp and Cheetos or blood test tells me it’s coming,” Snodgrass — Matt Snodgrass, 6535 N. Damascus neighborhood. anything that makes a mess. said. “I’m not in denial, but I have to stay in Ave., Dunnellon, FL 34433. According to the Florida He’s outgoing, sweet-natured — and very the mindset of still raising him.” busy. Snodgrass, who has custody of Matthew surrounded and upheld by support from Highway Patrol (FHP), He loves fishing with his dad, Matt since 2019 and is currently in the process his family and friends and the community. which has yet to release the “Tater” Snodgrass. of divorcing his estranged wife, said On Saturday, March 6, the Red Level identity of the 45-year-old But unlike typical 3-year-olds, Matthew although he’s technically alone, he is See TATER TOT/Page A8 who died in the 7:20 p.m. crash Thursday, Feb. 27, the woman parked her SUV partially in a driveway off of South Cascade Avenue, near East Sage Street. Lollygaggers staff At the same time, ac- Citrus School District cording to FHP, an uniden- tified vehicle traveling north on Cascade Avenue tout patron as ‘best struck an open passenger mourns two students door of the SUV, as well as the woman, before driving SO YOU KNOW away. employee of decade’ After being airlifted to Encourages families ‘to n COMMUNITY RESOURCES: Ocala Regional Medical — LifeStream Behavioral Center: Main HAnnAH SACHEWICZ Center, the woman died engage their children’ Line 352-315-7500; Mobile For the Chronicle from her injuries. Response Team (MRT), 352-408- Those with information JEff BRYAN 6625. After moving to Citrus County six years ago with Staff writer his wife, Mike Marriott says his one request from about the crash can con- — The Centers: Main Line 352-628- her was, “find me a sports bar.” 5020. tact FHP at 813-558-1800. After two of its students took their own That happened to be Crystal River’s Tipsters can also remain lives in the past week, the Citrus County n NATIONAL RESOURCES: Lollygaggers. anonymous and be eligible School District is in mourning. — National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: “I’ve been coming here ever since,” Marriott said. for a cash reward by call- “It is with a heavy heart that I inform “I’ve always liked the place and I like the people 800-273-TALK (8255) ing Citrus County Crime you that our district has experienced the here.” Stoppers at 888-269-8477 passing of two students this week,” — Crisis Text Line: Text “MHFA” to Since then, every morning between 6 and 7 a.m., or **TIPS (**8477). School Superintendent Sandra “Sam” 741741 for free 24/7 crisis Marriott helps the staff by setting up the restaurant — Buster Thompson/Staff writer Himmel wrote in an email to family’s dis- counseling. free of charge. Manager Brenda Barco says, “he’s trictwide. “As expected with any loss, the — National Human Trafficking Hotline: the best employee we have who’s not an INSIDE impact of these situations will be felt for 888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to employee.” the days, weeks and years to come.” BeFree (233733). Marriott describes some of his volunteer duties, Jumble The District is work- including taking down the chairs, disinfecting, re- — Substance Abuse National Helpline: Due to a production ing work to help the im- stocking ice, setting up the bar, and checking in beer 800-662-4357. error, the answer to pacted families, students deliveries. and staff cope with loss Thursday’s Jumble “I just do it because I like to do it and to help the Himmel wrote. our lives have changed in one way or an- girls out,” he explained. puzzle and the Friday “I am encouraging all other and those long-term impacts are Bartender Erica Rhodes said he comes in every puzzle are printed today families to continue to still unknown. Please know that our day before any other employee. Eventually, he was on Page B5. The engage their children school district along with our community granted the well-deserved key to the building. By Saturday puzzle and Sandra and check on their partners are here to provide resources the time the staff shows up, Lollygaggers is fit to Friday’s answers can be “Sam” well-being,” she stressed. which are available 24/7.” open. found on Page B4. Himmel “Over the last year, all of See SCHOOL/Page A8 See PATRON/Page A7 Classifieds . .B6 Crossword . B9 INDEX Lottery Numbers . .B3 Obituaries . A6 Comics . B5 Editorial . A10 Lottery Payouts . B3 TV Listings . .B4 Horoscope . .A4 Entertainment . .A4 Movies . 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