Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Racing: ‘A formidable group’ to run at Belmont Stakes /B1 SATURDAY TODAY C I T R U S C O U N T Y & next morning HIGH 90 Partly sunny, humid LOW with scattered showers, storms 71 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com JUNE 5, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 241 NEWS BRIEFS Plantation RV resort rejected Citrus County COVID-19 cases Their votes led to a standing City council ovation from a chamber full of No updates were pro- residents opposing the 68-acre vided by the Florida De- development in between West partment of Health in to consider Fort Island Trail and West Planta- Citrus County. tion Lane, within city limits. As of the most recent “I don’t think there’s a person update, 463 deaths have development in this audience who’d like this project,” Commissioner Robert been reported in the BUSTER THOMPSON Froehling said at the end of the county, 11,418 people Staff writer have tested positive three-hour hearing, heated with passionate public comments. (including 99 non- Members of the Crystal River The commissioners’ vote residents), and a total of Planning Commission made it clear doesn’t stop the Plantation Out- to developers wanting to build an 743 have been post outright. Developers will RV park for The Plantation on Crys- hospitalized. take their project before the city tal River: no, thank you. Totals reflect prelimi- council for the elected officials to With a pair of 7-0 votes late nary reports received by consider during meetings on Thursday, June 3, at city hall, the state, and are subject July 12 and Aug. 9. commissioners rejected the pro- MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle to revision. Council’s decision could either posed rezoning and replanning This nine-hole golf course at The Plantation on Crystal River could become affirm or overturn the planning applications for the Plantation an upscale RV park if development particulars can be worked out. The County to commission’s recommendations. Outpost Club and Resort. entrance to the proposed park would be off Fort Island Trail, shown on the host sports See PARK/Page A5 right. expo today Citrus County Parks and Recreation is hosting a Youth Sports and Activ- ity Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Citrus Springs Community Cen- ter, 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs. The event will Start up summer give parents and their children information about youth sports and activities Friday was the last day of class for Citrus County public school students throughout Citrus County. Register to vote at the Inverness Gov’t Center The Supervisor of Elections Office will be at the Inverness Govern- ment Center from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 212 W. Main St. Stop by to make changes to your voter re- cord or register to vote. Information to apply for election worker positions will also be available. For questions or to host the elections office staff at your organization or business, email vote@ votecitrus.gov, call 352- 564-7120 or fax 352-564-7121. MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle To learn more, visit School faculty and staff wave to Rock Crusher Elementary School students Friday, June 4, as they leave the school grounds for the last votecitrus.gov. time of the school year. Friday was the last day for students within the public school system in Citrus County for the 2020-2021 school Gov. DeSantis year. signs military- For more photos, click friendly bills on this story at TALLAHASSEE — Re- www.chronicle publican Florida Gov. Ron online.com. DeSantis signed two bills Friday aimed at helping LEFT: Julian Aviles-Daoust veterans transition to the has a tearful goodbye Friday, civilian workforce and a June 4, with his fifth-grade third that helps children of teacher Connie Kane as he active military members prepares to load onto a school adjust to new schools. bus bound for home for the One of the bills ex- summer. Friday marked the pands an exemption for last day of school for students qualified veterans to get in public schools within Citrus government jobs even if County. they don’t have a re- RIGHT: Rock Crusher quired post secondary Elementary School teacher Deirdre Moore hugs 10-year- degree. old Juliana Ebert Friday Another designates afternoon as school is Veterans Florida, a non- released for the summer. The profit corporation within two share a hug after sharing the Florida Department of a classroom through the Veterans’ Affairs, to be school year. the Florida’s principal or- ganization that works with the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program. The third bill creates a Schlabachs reflect Purple Star Campus pro- CRPS staff member gram for schools. — From staff and wire reports on county’s impacts INDEX nominated for award Classifieds . B6 BUSTER schools and organizations Comics . .B5 HANNAH SACHEWICZ excitement to share the surprise news THOMPSON they grew up with. Crossword . .B9 Staff writer and celebrate with unsuspecting Staff writer “It’s very important to Editorial. A8 Godfrey. remember where we came Entertainment . A4 Rick Godfrey thought the staff of Earlier this year, he was named the As they pursue their from,” Catherine said. Horoscope . A4 Crystal River Primary School (CRPS) 2021 School Related Employee of the passions to change the “There’s many more op- Lottery Numbers . .B2 was gathering in the cafeteria to cele- Year in the Citrus County School Dis- world below and above its portunities here than peo- Lottery Payouts . .B2 brate Principal Donnie Brown’s retire- trict. The award was presented at the border with the stars, ple believe.” Movies . .B5 ment, but it was him they were there to annual Galaxy of Stars event on Jan. 7. Catherine and Julia Schla- “This is a small town,” added Julia, “but we have Obituaries . None celebrate. “I was kind of shocked to win the bach don’t forget how their a lot of treasures other Religion . A12 On Friday, June 4, after the students county,” Godfrey said. He said that he hometown brought them was even more shocked to learn that he counties and cities in the TV Listings. .B4 went home for the summer, the Florida to such heights. Department of Education announced was nominated for the statewide Born and raised in Cit- state, and in the country, the nominees for the 2021 School Re- award. “How do they pick five from all rus County, the 21-year-old don’t have.” lated Employee of the Year on the state those winners?” he said. twin sisters said they owe On Thursday, Catherine level. Godfrey has been with the Citrus much of their accomplish- shipped out to the Camp Teachers and staff gathered with See AWARD/Page A6 ments to the people, See SISTERS/Page A11 A2 SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE 2021 TOYOTA 2021 TOYOTA 2021 TOYOTA 2021 TOYOTA COROLLA CAMRY LE RAV4 LE HIGHLANDER 0% APR LE 0% APR 0% APR 0% APR LE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE MODEL#1852 MODEL#2532 MODEL#4430 MODEL#6946 LEASE FOR LEASE FOR LEASE FOR LEASE FOR $ ZERO $ ZERO $ ZERO ZERO - OR - - OR - $ 170 - OR - DOWN 209 DOWN 228 DOWN - OR - DOWN PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS 298 PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS $286/MO. FOR 36 MOS. $325/MO. FOR 36 MOS. $349/MO. FOR 36 MOS. PER MONTH FOR 36 MONTHS $419/MO. FOR 36 MOS. WITH $3999 DOWN WITH $3999 DOWN WITH $3999 DOWN WITH $3999 DOWN FOR WELL-QUALIFIED LESSEES WITH APPROVED CREDIT THROUGH SETF. NOT ALL LESSEES WILL QUALIFY. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. MONTHLY PAYMENTS DO NOT INCLUDE TAXES. 12,000 MILES PER YEAR. APR OFFER: WITH APPROVED CREDIT AND FINANCING THROUGH SET. MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY $1,000 FINANCED IS 0% - 36 MONTHS = $27.78, 0% - 48 MONTHS = $20.83. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. PRICES ARE PLUS TAX TAG AND $995 DEALER FEE. EXPIRES 7/6/2021. Credit Less Than Perfect? 1ST PAYMENT Village Toyota Can Help! DEFERRED FOR GET PRE- UP TO 90 DAYS APPROVED On approved credit. Payments may be deferred for the first 90 days on retail contracts for terms up to 75 months when financed through Southeast Toyota Finance. Interest accrues from the date of purchase. Expires 7/6/2021. TODAY! 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