Citrus County, FL

Trial preparations are almost halfway done for Samuel Marvin Thomas, the Sumter County man accused of killing a teenager before kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and fleeing into Citrus County, where he was apprehended. Roughly four dozen witnesses remain to be deposed in the Bushnell 49-year-old’s criminal case, which, at this moment,...

'Let’s not be blind to the potential for us to ruin our own futures.'. The state should study extending Florida’s Turnpike north and west, but remove potential routes through Citrus County. County Commissioners reached that unanimous consensus during a Tuesday morning workshop, following two hours of public comment...

After reading the May 18 Chronicle article, “Meadowcrest to fight affordable housing complex,” clarification is needed. The residents of Meadowcrest understand the need for affordable housing, but any such housing needs to be built in an appropriate location complimentary to the existing developed area. What residents are organizing...

A 44-year-old Florida woman has been arrested after a man overdosed and died on Fentanyl. On Monday, the Citrus County

County commissioners backed the “no build” option for the northern turnpike extension – at least for those routes that would go through Citrus County. The board at a workshop Tuesday unanimously and enthusiastically asked staff to draft a resolution that would take three of the southernmost corridors – the ones that would affect Citrus – off the table.

Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Arrests from May 20. Marissa Leeann Alemany, 28, Beverly Hills, arrested May 20 for felony possession of controlled substance, driving while license suspended or revoked (knowingly – first offense) and drug paraphernalia. Bond $3,500. Kayley Amber Jackson, 30, Inverness, arrested May 20 for misdemeanor...

A whistleblower who obtained textbook purchase orders from more than a dozen Florida school districts alleges that big publishers violated state law by offering special deals to large districts.

A Homosassa man was jailed under accusations he let his dogs suffer in sweltering conditions. Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 36-year-old Blake D’Brell Kirkland Wednesday, May 18, on a first-degree misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty. Court records show Kirkland posted a $1,000 bond, and was ordered to appear June 9 for his arraignment.

Young folks who wish to remain employed in Citrus County, my suggestion is to go to “road repair” school. It appears there will be lots of work for years to come.

Let’s just get right to it: We’re going to call this spot by its nickname because not even the locals call it by its full name. It’s The Chaz. That’s short for the Chassahowitzka River, or “pumpkin hanging place.”. This spring-fed, 6-mile river starts near...

Want to have a say on the future of Florida’s redfish population?. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff is holding a series of public workshops across the state to gather input on rule changes for the redfish fishery FWC commissioners proposed at their May 4 meeting in Gainesville.

The proposed low- and moderate-income affordable apartment development next to the former Winn-Dixie between Meadowcrest and West Gulf-to-Lake Highway drew quite a response from the Meadowcrest residents at a community meeting May 17. There was universal opposition. Most of the opposition was of the NIMBY (not in my back yard)...

A Citrus County school went into lockdown after a panic button was pressed by accident on its campus. Forest Ridge Elementary School secured itself at around 11:22 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, after the school’s panic-alert system was activated, Principal Michelle McHugh said in a telephone callout recording obtained by the Chronicle.

Looking for something fun and interesting to do when school gets out?. Join Citrus County Extension for summer day camps. Camp is Monday through Wednesday, June 6-8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Campers can design, plan and create items to keep or share. Choose from aprons, pillows,...

The latest wave of the coronavirus pandemic continues to make its way across the county, leaving in its wake a rising number of infected and those needing medical care. Citrus County is no exception. There were 426 new cases of the virus in Citrus County during the past two weeks...

Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Arrests from May 23. Delia Marie Dean, 44, Floral City, arrested May 23 for murder as result of unlawful distribution of controlled substance and misdemeanor failure to appear. No bond. Mark Allen Stacey, 32, Floral City, arrested May 23 for felony battery on persons 65...

CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Way before Miles Teller took to the skies in Top Gun: Maverick, he learned his acting craft at Lecanto High School. But how does a kid from Citrus County make it to starring in the Top Gun sequel with Tom Cruise? Teller said he got his start, thanks to a great teacher.

Business owners in Citrus County and the nation are being forced to raise prices and make other adjustments as inflation continues to escalate. They are saddled with higher supply costs than even six months ago. Most small business owners (62.7%) report lower profits than expected over the past six months...

Editor’s Note: This story is part of an occasional series of “staycations” that allow Citrus County residents to spend vacation time locally this summer without the expense of traveling very far. As many of Florida’s famed theme park attractions south of the Nature Coast attract most of...