Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Olympics: A look back at some top images of empathy /B1 TUESDAY T O DA Y C I T R U S C O U N T Y & n e x t m o r n i n g HIGH 91 Partly sunny; LOW scattered evening storms. 75 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com AUGUST 10, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 307 NEWS BRIEFS Schools prepare for COVID Lawmakers seek ‘endangered’ status for Local protocols for dealing with virus not affected by Gov. DeSantis order manatees HANNAH signed into law House Bill Health and the Florida parents’ right under Flor- In addition, the order 241, the Parents’ Bill of Department of Education ida law to make health states the Florida Com- With Florida seeing a SACHEWICZ Staff writer Rights, which prevents to work together. care decisions for their missioner of Education record number of mana- any governmental institu- The goal of this partner- minor children; and pro- will pursue all legal tee deaths this year, two On July 30, Gov. Ron De- tion from making health ship is to ensure COVID- tect children with disabil- means available to ensure congressmen Monday Santis issued an execu- care decisions for minor 19 safety protocols that, ities or health conditions districts adhere to Flor- said they have introduced tive order, “Ensuring children. according to the executive who would be harmed by ida law, including with- legislation that would des- Parents’ Freedom to The governor’s execu- order, “do not violate Flo- certain protocols such as holding funding. View the ignate the sea cows as Choose — Masks in tive order directs the ridians’ constitutional face masking an “endangered” species. Schools.” DeSantis also Florida Department of freedoms; do not violate requirements.” See SCHOOLS/Page A5 The proposal by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., would upgrade the status of manatees under the Endangered Species Act Drainage problems raise hackles from “threatened,” offer- ing more protections. Citing Florida Fish and Residents say Wildlife Conservation Commission statistics, a news release about the river suffering; legislation said 890 man- atees died during the first water district seven months of 2021, breaking the annual re- cord of 830 manatee intervenes deaths in 2013. MICHAEL D. BATES The animals were re- Staff writer classified in 2017 as no longer being endangered. Residents say untreated water from a stormwater Vet appreciation drainage system along U.S. committee 19 in Homosassa is drain- ing into the Halls River and to meet is slowly degrading it. The Veterans Appreci- The problem is so acute ation Week Ad Hoc Coor- that the Southwest Florida dinating Committee will Water Management District meet for Citrus County’s (SWFWMD) has given the 29th annual Veterans Ap- Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) preciation Week at until Thursday, Aug. 12, to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 18 in the fix the problem. conference room of the “We’re afraid it’s all going Citrus County Chronicle, to end,” said Sally Krasny, 1624 N. Meadowcrest who lives off the river in Blvd. in Crystal River. Palm Beach Loop. “It’s a All veteran service or- beautiful river and they are ganizations and civic literally assaulting it.” groups are encouraged to Every time it rains, flood- send representatives to water sends dirty water, participate in the planning motor oil and other debris process. All interested in- into the river, which has dividuals are also wel- taken on a white sheen, she come to attend. said. The water agency issued For more information, a permit to FDOT in April call Chris Gregoriou at 2014 for the construction of 352-302-9777. a stormwater management Air Force system, coinciding with the road widening project on Association U.S. 19 in Homosassa. to meet District staff, acting on a complaint, inspected the Red Tail Memorial site and identified permit Chapter 136 of the Air violations. Force Association (AFA) The water agency wants will meet at 7 p.m. FDOT to come up with an Aug. 19 in the conference erosion and sediment con- room of the Ocala Airport trol plan or other measures terminal, 1770 SW 60th to prevent contaminants Ave. M A T T H E W B E C /Chronicle from draining into the river The meeting is open to Flood water has collected in this drainage retention area off U.S. 19 in Homosassa across from Love Honda. the public. Guests and The runoff is making its way to nearby neighborhoods and into the Halls River. See DRAINAGE/Page A2 anyone interested in join- ing the AFA are welcome to attend. Contact the chapter membership chairman, Howard Burke, at 352-861-0886 for more Schlabach: Time to move on from BH pool information or to join. The Red Tail Chapter MIKE WRIGHT night, Aug. 4, to give options Recreation Association once The county closed the pool has nearly 400 members Staff writer for the empty Central Ridge owned the pool, Beverly due to poor attendance and from Citrus, Alachua, Community Park pool in Park and community center. high maintenance costs. It’s Dixie, Levy, Marion and The pool dream may be Beverly Hills. The county took it over when sat empty for about two Sumter counties and Ruthie nearing its end. About 70 people attended. the association could no lon- years. parts of Lake and Schlabach Commissioner Ruthie “Of course, the pool won,” ger afford it, creating the Schlabach said she had to Putnam. Citrus County Davis Schlabach had a town Schlabach said. Central Ridge Community — From staff reports commissioner. hall meeting Wednesday The Beverly Hills Park. See POOL/Page A7 Classifieds . .B7 Crossword . .B10 INDEX Lottery Numbers . .B3 Obituaries . A6 Comics . .B6 Editorial. A9 Lottery Payouts . .B3 TV Listings. .B5 Horoscope . A4 Entertainment . 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