The recent finding by the Opioid Task Force that deaths are trending down from drug overdoses is welcome news. Any reduction is good yet the problem of illegal drugs in this nation is appalling. Read moreTime to come together to combat opiod problem

One cannot deny, 2022 was a banner year for the city of Inverness due in large part of its methodology of plan, fund and execute. According to Mayor Bob Plaisted, the city made significant strides in community development, infrastructure and cultural arts to enhance Inverness’ growing reputation as a destination site to live, work and play. Read moreEditorial l Inverness paving the way for future

New county administrator Steve Howard has already achieved one of his personal goals – filling four vacant top management positions within 90 days. We count it as a win that he found top-tier people for all the positions, and he closed the deal within 30 days, not 90. Read moreCounty puts the right people in charge

The saga continues – a prior commission decided to sell the Betz farm property to help finance a new animal shelter. A buyer was found and a price agreed upon. Tying the property sale to a new animal shelter was an unorthodox approach, but at least it gave hope for the many shelter supporters in this county and those animals in need. The county could have financed a shelter the same as any other capital project but choose to proceed down this road. Read moreEditorial l Board OKs extension on deal for Betz farm

Dementia is perhaps our most feared medical condition, even above cancer, heart disease and stroke. This is not surprising because dementia lasts eight to 12 years after diagnosis, and it eventually can require years of around-the-clock care. It is expensive, exhausting for the care partner and traumatic for everyone involved. Read moreEditorial l Dementia Education is nonprofit of the year

The county is getting a new and expanded Veteran’s Administration outpatient clinic due to funding secured through the PACT Act passed last year. This new law increases VA health care and benefits for veterans. And we can thank Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-12th District) for getting $15 million through this law, which will build a brand-new clinic with expanded services, including optometry, radiology, and mammography. He said this came about when he learned early during his campaign las… Read moreEditorial l Citrus County’s veterans to get expanded VA outpatient clinic

Dementia is perhaps our most feared medical condition, even above cancer, heart disease and stroke. This is not surprising because dementia lasts eight to 12 years after diagnosis, and it eventually can require years of around-the-clock care. It is expensive, exhausting for the care partner and traumatic for everyone involved. Read moreDementia Education is non-profit of the year

In a competitive process, one of four affordable housing projects planned for Citrus County was recently able to secure approval from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), which oversees tax credits for affordable housing: The Fountains at Hidden Lake at West Ashburn Lane and U.S. 19, Crystal River. Read moreEditorial l State OKs tax credits for proposed housing project

Rebecca Bays, newly elected member of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), has done the county a favor. She proposed serious consideration of a transportation issue, something the previous board had not done. Not only was the topic important – transportation and its management are top issues for both quality of life and economic development – but the discussion prompted appreciative comments from other BOCC members regarding the breadth of expertise now represented on the board. Read moreEditorial l Bays pushes for traffic study

A recent issue of Florida Trend magazine predicted that Citrus County will continue to experience population growth at a rate above the historical norm. This has led to discussion of whether the county is experiencing a “growth spurt,” and what the county should do. Read moreEditorial l County facing growth

Each year the Chronicle recognizes a Citizen of the Year for accomplishments important to our community. For 2022, we recognize a woman who led an active, service-oriented career and now, in her so-called retirement, is applying her skills and enthusiasm in multiple fields for the good of the Citrus County community: Bonnie Rybak. We also want to recognize two others who were finalists in Citizen of the Year deliberations: Patrick Simon and Jim Greene. Read moreEditorial l Citizen of the Year for 2022

The next time you taste your water you might want to thank our county’s water department for being able to provide not only a good water product, but one that beat all other regions in the state during a recent contest. Read moreEditorial l County wins water tasting contest

By the looks of it, Citrus County government is on the crest of a great year in 2023. We are starting off the year with a newly composed County Commission and a new county administrator. After the Jan. 10 County Commission Board meeting, we also have two new hires. Mariselle Rodriguez will be the new assistant county administrator, and Eric Landon will head up the Department of Growth Management. Read moreEditorial l County filling key leadership positions

Meadowcrest Boulevard is a private road that links County Road 486 and State Road 44, but for most people using the road, it looks very much like a public county road. County offices and businesses are located along the road, and it is the most convenient access to businesses and government offices for residents in communities such as Pine Ridge. Read moreEditorial l Plan would put gates around Meadowcrest