Michael Barbieri, 52, shovels snow from his driveway and sidewalk before going to work on Wednesday in Pittsfield, Mass. The storm dumped heavy, wet snow on parts of the Northeast, causing tens of thousands of power outages.
Winter Weather
Michael Barbieri, 52, shovels snow from his driveway and sidewalk before going to work on Wednesday in Pittsfield, Mass. The storm dumped heavy, wet snow on parts of the Northeast, causing tens of thousands of power outages.
Winter Weather
Glaine and Joan Lozier stroll along the boardwalk between Liberty and Wallace Brooks parks in Inverness on Wednesday morning, March 15.
The short cooldown Citrus County has been experiencing the last couple days should end Thursday as temperatures head back up to the mid-70s.
But rain should be making its long-awaited appearance starting this weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts a 90 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially early Saturday morning. It will be breezy, with a south wind 14 to 18 mph and gusts as high as 28 mph.
Rain chances taper off to 50 percent overnight Saturday but the temperatures will cool to 45 degrees.
On Sunday, look for temperatures in the mid-60s with a 40 percent percent chance of showers. It should be breezy again, according to the NWS.
Meanwhile, if you’re traveling to north Florida, be advised that a late-season frost or even a light freeze is possible Wednesday night into Thursday, with temperatures forecast to bottom out in the mid-30s, according to Bryan Williams, Florida Forest Service meteorologist.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Citrus County cold weather shelter was scheduled to be open at the Nature Coast Community Church, 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa. Hours are 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Citrus County Transit is offering free rides to and from the shelter. Visit any Orange Line bus stop during its final loop to be picked up.
Michael D. Bates is a staff writer with the Citrus County Chronicle and can be reached at mbates@chronicleonline.com.
Michael D. Bates
Comings & Goings
From burritos to bowling. From coffee to comestibles. This edition of Comings & Goings has something for everyone.
(Yes, I had to stretch on comestibles to keep the alliteration going).
It’s been awhile since my last column so there is much to cover. So without further fanfare, let’s get started.
Chipotle
Construction on the soon-to-open Chipotle Mexican Grill continues in downtown Inverness Wednesday morning, March 15.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is tentatively scheduled to open its first restaurant in Citrus County this summer.
Located at 911 Main St. in Inverness, Chipotle specializes in tacos, burritos, quesadillas and burrito bowls that are made-to-order in front of customers.
The franchise is at the same spot that used to be home to Joe’s Family Restaurant. After 28 years, the family decided to open a smaller, 155-seat building nearby at 1754 U.S. 41 North, a former art studio next to the Roller Barn.
Chipotle has 211 restaurants in Florida and over 3,000 globally.
Speaking of bowls (non-burrito), the new Bowlero sign went up this month in Crystal River, replacing the family-run Manatee Lanes that had been there for more than 40 years.
Bowlero, at 7715 State Road 44, is a Virginia-based chain.
“From our signature blacklight lanes to our sleek laneside loungers to our huge HD video walls, our stunning locations feature modern, upscale amenities and a retro-cool vibe that makes every party a little more memorable,” is how the chain describes itself on its website.
Bowlero Corp. is the largest 10-pin bowling operator in the world with more than 325 bowling centers across North America. In 2019, Bowlero acquired the Professional Bowlers Association,
To learn more, visit https://www.bowlero.com.
The German-based grocery store is building two stores in Citrus County: one at the under-construction Shoppes of Black Diamond at the northwest intersection of County Roads 491 and 486 in Lecanto and the other at the northwest corner of State Road 44 and Forest Drive in Inverness
The Lecanto site is nowhere near ready.
The ground-clearing, utility work and other infrastructure should be completed on the Shoppes by the end of the first quarter of 2023 – weather permitting, Joe Cappuccilli, with Gulf to Lakes Real Estate Inc., told the Chronicle recently.
Land-clearing at the Aldi in Inverness has not begun so don’t look for that location to open anytime soon.
The Shoppes at Black Diamond will also be home to the Seattle-based Starbucks coffee chain.
Starbucks recently filed a site development permit with the county, which is required before the issuance of a building permit. Look for it to open about the same time as Aldi.
The coffee chain will also build a standalone store off State Road 44 in Inverness. Insight Credit Union will be torn down to make way for Starbucks. A timetable for construction and opening has not been announced.
Jersey Mike’s in Crystal River will be opening in about a week, according to a sign on the window of the restaurant.
Wanted to let sub fans know Jersey Mike’s opens March 22, at 6826 State Road 44, inside the Publix-anchored Crystal Springs Plaza.
No burritos but lots of other comestibles.
Michael D. Bates is a staff writer with the Citrus County Chronicle and can be reached at mbates@chronicleonline.com.
FILE - President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, during a visit to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Point, Fla., March 29, 2019. Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, of violating campaign finance and ethics rules by running a shadow campaign for president. The complaint was filed Wednesday by MAGA, Inc.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets people in the crowd during an event Friday, March 10, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at an event Friday, March 10, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets people in the crowd during an event Friday, March 10, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets people in the crowd during an event Friday, March 10, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis greets people in the crowd during an event Friday, March 10, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa.
FILE - President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, during a visit to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Point, Fla., March 29, 2019. Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, of violating campaign finance and ethics rules by running a shadow campaign for president. The complaint was filed Wednesday by MAGA, Inc.
President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, during a visit to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Point, Fla., March 29, 2019.
FILE - President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, during a visit to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Point, Fla., March 29, 2019. Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, of violating campaign finance and ethics rules by running a shadow campaign for president. The complaint was filed Wednesday by MAGA, Inc.
FILE - President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, during a visit to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Point, Fla., March 29, 2019. Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, of violating campaign finance and ethics rules by running a shadow campaign for president. The complaint was filed Wednesday by MAGA, Inc.
FILE - President Donald Trump talks to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left, during a visit to Lake Okeechobee and Herbert Hoover Dike at Canal Point, Fla., March 29, 2019. Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis, of violating campaign finance and ethics rules by running a shadow campaign for president. The complaint was filed Wednesday by MAGA, Inc.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Allies of former President Donald Trump have filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis, a leading potential 2024 primary rival, of violating campaign finance and ethics rules with a shadow run for the White House.
The 15-page complaint filed Wednesday by MAGA Inc., a Trump-supporting super PAC, and shared with The Associated Press asks the commission to investigate Florida's Republican leader for allegedly “leveraging his elected office and breaching his associated duties in a coordinated effort to develop his national profile, enrich himself and his political allies, and influence the national electorate."
It says DeSantis is “already a de facto candidate for President of the United States,” citing the governor's meetings with donors, outreach by allies to potential staff and his courting of influential Republicans in early-voting states, among other efforts. The complaint asks the nine-member commission — five of whose members were appointed by DeSantis — to punish the governor by having him suspended from office, publicly censured or fined.
DeSantis communications director Taryn Fenske dismissed the accusations and questioned the motives of the complaint. “Adding this to the list of frivolous and politically motivated attacks. It’s inappropriate to use state ethics complaints for partisan purposes," she said in a statement.
The letter comes as Trump has stepped up his criticism of DeSantis, whom the ex-president's campaign sees as his most serious rival for the 2024 GOP nomination. Trump has tried to belittle DeSantis with nicknames and has focused on the governor's past policy positions, including Florida’s early COVID-19 restrictions and his votes on Social Security while he was a member of Congress.
Trump himself faced similar criticism before announcing his own candidacy in November, accused of violating federal campaign laws by raising and spending money for a run ahead of a formal 2024 campaign launch. He was never reprimanded or fined as a result.
While DeSantis has not yet formally announced a 2024 campaign, he is widely expected to do so after Florida's legislative session ends in May. In the meantime, he has traveled to early-voting states to promote his new book and has met with donors. His team has held informal conversations with prospective campaign staff.
Ethics Commission spokesperson Lynn Blaise said the agency is not allowed to acknowledge any complaints received until a complaint reaches a point where it can be made public.
In addition to the five commission members appointed by DeSantis, the remaining four were appointed by the Senate president and House speaker — both allies of the governor.
Complaints often don’t see the light of day unless released by the person filing it. The commission does not make complaints or material public until they are dismissed or unless probable cause is determined, in order to protect the privacy of its subject.
If the commission finds the complaint is valid, it could issue a fine or a reprimand, but cannot remove an elected official from office. It can recommend the governor suspend an elected official for violating ethics laws, but that would mean DeSantis taking that action against himself if a violation were found.
The process is often used by campaigns to raise questions about an opponent by making the complaint public, although many are resolved or dismissed without the commission finding a violation. It is illegal in Florida to file a complaint with malicious intent and false claims. The commission can fine violators, who can also be ordered to pay a defendant's legal fees.
Colvin reported from New York. AP National Political Writer Steve Peoples in New York contributed to this report.
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