Coronavirus cases in Citrus County continued to tumble last week but deaths due to the potentially fatal virus gave up no ground here as fatalities typically trail new cases by a few weeks.

There were 387 new cases of the virus in Citrus County during the week ending Feb. 17, according to the Florida Department of Health. That was a steep drop from 729 the week before and 1,140 from the week ending Feb. 10.

That now puts the county’s cumulative cases at 29,140 since the pandemic took hold here in 2020.

While new cases continued to drop, not so with deaths due to COVID-19.

During the week ending Feb. 17, the latest new data available, there were 18 more deaths because of coronavirus. That was up from 16 deaths during the week ending Feb. 10. That now puts the cumulative death toll in Citrus County at 925, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There were 44 confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions in Citrus County during the week ending Feb. 16. That was down from 63 the previous week, according to the CDC.

During the week ending Feb. 16, 84 percent of the local hospitals’ ICU beds were occupied. Of those occupied, 15 percent were occupied with COVID-19 patients. That was down from the previous week when 81 percent of ICU beds were utilized and 25 percent of those with COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC.

The number of people in Citrus County getting vaccinated against the virus also continues to decline with only 73 new people eligible to be vaccinated getting a dose. That was down from 97 the previous week and 111 the week prior to that.

In Citrus County the percent of people eligible to be vaccinated and received the vaccines stands at 61 percent. That has not changed for several weeks. The Florida average for vaccinations is 74 percent.

As for Florida, the state saw 42,528 new cases during the week ending Feb. 17, according to the CDC. There were 101 deaths due to the virus.

That was a 59 percent drop in the number of new cases and an 82 percent decline in the number deaths, according to the CDC.

There were 6,152 confirmed, new COVID-19 hospital admissions last week in Florida. In Florida, 80 percent of ICU beds were occupied and of those, 22 percent were COVID-19 patients, according to the CDC.

In total, there have been 5,775,241 cases of the virus in Florida and 68,579 deaths, according to the CDC.

In the United States, there have been a total of 934,659 deaths as of Feb. 21, according to the New York Times, which tracks and analyzes COVID-19 data. There have been 78,434,184 cases in the United States. The country averages more than 89,000 cases per day and nearly 2,100 deaths per day from the virus, according to the New York Times.

Meanwhile, a recent study in Denmark shows that if someone was infected with the most recent variant of the coronavirus, Omicron, it’s unlikely they will be infected again with its sub-lineage, BA.2. The BA.2 now represents 88 percent of cases in Denmark and is increasing in Great Britain, South Africa and Norway. It is expected to spread globally.

Researchers reported that most reinfections that do occur with the BA.2 have been with the young people and those unvaccinated and only caused mild symptoms.

Fred Hiers is a reporter at the Citrus Chronicle. E-mail him at fred.hiers@chronicleonline.com

Michael Jordan, whose property on Todd Street in Homosassa fronts the Halls River canal, said his Australian Shepherd got into the water two weeks ago and his coat was so covered with oil it took 30 minutes to get it off.

The river, he said, “was covered with oil.”

Resident Joanne Bartell, who notified the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) about the pollutants, was more descriptive of the river’s condition.

“It’s a congealed pool of crap,” Bartell said. “I don’t know what else to call it.”

Jordan and Bartell and about 13 other residents who live on the canal, braved extreme heat Friday afternoon to meet representatives from SWFWMD and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) near the corner of Kingston Road and U.S. 19. An adjacent drainage retention pond across the road from their homes appears to be the source of the contaminants.

The state agency officials wanted to see for themselves what is going on.

Residents told them they are tired of seeing an oily sheen on top of the water, dying vegetation and pollutants.

“I’ve been watching the degradation,” said Paul Jaeger, who lives off Palm Beach Loop. “Everything in the water is dead.”

Zach Stringer, FDOT’s construction manager for the Brooksville district, told residents the agency came there for three reasons: to look at the problem, identify the source of any pollutants and determine how to fix it.

“I understand the frustration but that's what we’ve got to do,” Stringer said.

The problem

The problem seems to be this: stormwater runoff and sediment is running off from one of the "pools" in the drainage retention pond across from Kingston Road. It flows into adjacent wetlands and then under the road, eventually pouring out of two culverts leading into the Halls River canal.

The pollution is especially noticeable when it rains, as it did two weeks ago.

John Powanda, SWFWMD compliance engineer, said the faulty pool was only 50% completed during the now-stalled U.S. 19 widening project and there were no erosion or soil stabilization measures in place.

Inglis-based D.A.B. Constructors went out of business in July leaving some of the stormwater management improvements incomplete.

“The contractor left us with a pretty bad job and now we’re coming in to fix it,” Bruce Hasbrouck, a marine biologist and vice president of Faller Davis & Associates, told the residents.

Hasbrouck got into the canal water, looked into the culverts and scooped up muck from the bottom of the water.

“What I’m seeing is naturally occurring sediment,” Hasbrouck said.

But residents recounted horror stories of recent heavy rains when the sewage was pouring into the water.

Stringer said he would come back out when the rains came and see first-hand the problem.

Sally Krasny, who lives off Palm Beach Loop, said the scum continues to pollute the river, which the state designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway.

And it’s not just the Halls River at risk.

The river, she said, eventually flows directly into the Homosassa River and is an important tributary of the St Martin's Aquatic Marsh.

Krasny questioned the effectiveness of the recent turbidity tests conducted in the area and urged state officials to improve the filter systems where the oily runoff is draining into the river.

Donald Dozier’s garage is causing quite the stir with his Sugarmill Woods neighbors.

Depending on who’s doing the speaking, the $49,000 18-by-38 foot garage is attached to the house. Or it’s not.

The distinction is big in Sugarmill because deed restrictions do not allow for detached garages.

And while deed restrictions are normally private matters between owners of deed-restricted property and the associations that govern then, citizens instead are also blaming Citrus County government for issuing Dozier the wrong permit.

“I want the county to uphold their own standards,” resident Barbara Perreault said. “It’s an eyesore.”

Dozier said he’s done everything above board.

“I don’t care what people think,” he said.

The issue is one that combines a regulatory agency — the county — and deed restrictions, which the county has nothing to do with.

According to interviews and public records, this is what happened:

Dozier, a member of the Cypress Village Property Owners Association board of directors, applied for a building permit for a garage. His notice of commencement, which formally begins the construction process, was filed with the clerk of court on Oct. 30, 2020. It reads: “Construction of a detached garage.”

Dozier called that a “clerical error” and noted a second notice of commencement was filed Dec. 8 that said “construction of an attached garage.”

Dozier said the error caught the attention of neighbors who believe he’s trying to get away with something.

“The people around here really latched onto that,” he said.

The county, meanwhile, determined the garage was attached because of a breezeway that connects the building with the house — though there are no doors in the breezeway connecting the house to the garage.

Neighbors say this goes against the county code for an attached garage. According to code, a garage is considered an accessory structure to the main building, a house.

The Land Development Code states: “An accessory structure attached by a common wall(s), foundation and under the same roofline of the principal structure.”

The county, for its part, says it doesn’t get involved in deed restriction issues. And County Administrator Randy Oliver noted in an email that Building Director Carl Jones plans to clear up the confusion in the definition of attached vs. detached.

Neighbors like Sue Hale say a breezeway, which isn’t connected with doors to either building, doesn’t fit the definition.

“A 3-year-old child could look at this and see it’s not attached,” she said.

Former property owners association board member Carol Bush said the difference is significant.

“Now anybody else can build a detached garage, connect it to their house with a breezeway, and what are we going to stay?” Bush said. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Asked what he planned to park in the garage, Dozier said: “A boat? RV? Whatever I want to put in it.”

Contact Chronicle reporter Mike Wright at 352-563-3228 or mwright@chronicleonline.com. To view more of his stories, go to www.tinyurl.com/y3bakm6w.

No Halloween plans yet? No worries. The Chronicle has compiled a list of family-friendly festivities around the town.

CMH to host ‘Boo Boo Bash’ trunk or treat

Citrus Memorial Hospital announced today that it will host its inaugural Boo Boo Bash event to provide free and safe fun for families in Citrus County.

The trunk or treat style event will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29 in the hospital’s main parking lot, 502 W. Highland Blvd. in Inverness.

“We have a great event planned for kids and parents alike,” Citrus Memorial Hospital CEO Ginger Carroll said. “In addition to decorated trunks, we’ll have fun treats and giveaways, a DJ, coloring station, pumpkin decorating and children’s costume contest with new bicycles for best costume winners.”

Citrus County Fire Rescue will also be on hand with a fire safety house.

“It’s all about safety,” CMH director of communications and community engagement, Katie Myers, said. “Our caregivers have come together in a big way to ensure kids in our community have the opportunity to trick-or-treat in a safe environment.”

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FFRA to host haunted drive-thru

Mark your calendar for FFRA’s Halloween Haunted Forest Drive-thru from 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30 behind Howard’s Flea Market on South Lewdingar Drive in Homosassa.

Each night, an array of “scare stops'' will border the drive-thru lane and provide frights for everyone. Upwards of 20 scare stops are planned and attendees can vote on their favorite.

A $500 prize will be awarded to the first place scare stop with additional prizes of $300 for second and $200 for third place. Tickets are $20 per car, truck, bus or hay wagon visitors.

Special Halloween treats will be given at the exit. Follow the signs off West Cardinal Street near the Homosassa Walmart and get ready to be frightened on Halloween.

FFRA is a local nonprofit that supports intellectually and developmentally disabled (IDD) adults in Citrus County. This Haunted Forest Drive-thru is a major FFRA fundraiser.

For more information or to host a scare stop, contact Robert DeSimone at 352-628-5606 or iam4mentoring@aol.com.

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Attend Harvest Night at Calvary Church

Calvary Church will host their Harvest Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 29 at the church, 2728 E. Harley St. in Inverness.

This is a free event for all ages. For more information, visit calvary.online/harvestnight.

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Party with the Citrus Eagles for Halloween

Attend a Halloween costume party with the Citrus Eagles from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 30, 8733 E. Gulf-to-Lake Highway in Inverness.

Music will be provided by the band, Avalanche. There will be cash prizes in the amount of $150 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third.

Food includes witches stew, pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans, pumpkin pie and apple pies.

For more information, call 352-344-5337

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Trunk or treat at Good Shepherd Lutheran

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will host a trunk or treat event from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 30 in the church parking lot, 439 E. Norvell Bryant Highway in Hernando.

All are welcome. For more information, call 352-746-7161

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VFW Post 7122 to host trunk or treat

VFW Post 7122 will have a trunk or treat from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in the post parking lot, 8191 S. Florida Ave. in Floral City. The event is open to all children in the community.

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Trunk or Treat with the Hills Church

The Hills Church will host a Trunk or Treat event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 2 Civic Circle in Beverly Hills.

There will be photo ops, food and candy. The whole family is invited to this free event.

For more information, call 352-746-6171.

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Harvest Fest open to all in Citrus Springs

Come enjoy the season at the Harvest Fest at North Oak Church from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30, 9324 N. Elkcam Blvd. in Citrus Springs.

Free food, candy, games, music and bounce houses will be available to the community from. The events are planned for the north side of the property near the KidZone. Parking will be on the south side of the property.

All are welcome. No church affiliation is required. For more information, visit northoakbc.org or call 352-489-1688.

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Inverness First UMC to have Trunk or Treat

Come one, come all to the Inverness First United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat celebration from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 1140 Turner Camp Road.

Children and adults are invited to come out in costume. For more information, call 352-726-2522.

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Haunted maze and graveyard a scary good time

The 21st annual “The Nightmare on Pine Bluff Street” haunted maze and graveyard will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Halloween night, Oct. 31, 8154 W. Pine Bluff St. in Crystal River.

The haunted maze and graveyard is back after skipping last year due to COVID-19. Come on out for a fun scare and good time. There will be bagged candy for the kids. Donations, cash and/or food will be accepted for C.U.B.

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Halloween kids party at VFW Post 4337

VFW Post 4337 will have a kids Halloween party from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31, 906 State Road 44 in Inverness. Parents are welcome from 4 to 8 p.m.

The party features a snow cone truck, games and hot dogs. Children grades kindergarten through fifth are invited.

Call the post at 352-344-3495 so they can get a head count.

James Sleighter, founder and executive director of the Mission in Citrus Homeless Shelter in Crystal River, died May 4 after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 60.

Since starting the Mission in 2008, Sleighter had suffered many various and serious health problems and was in and out of the hospital.

Get more from the Citrus County Chronicle

The Mission began after Sleighter’s gym, Kelly’s Gym in Crystal River, was lost in a fire the evening of June 14, 2007.

That became a turning point for Sleighter.

The gym was uninsured and he could not rebuild, so he turned his attention and dedicated the rest of his life to caring for the homeless people in the community.

He started the Mission in Citrus on Pennsylvania Avenue in Crystal River in 2008, rarely turning anyone away who needed a place to stay.

At one time they had tents set up all over the property with as many as 120 people seeking shelter.

He told the Chronicle in 2016: “This is truly an emergency shelter. We take people who are in wheelchairs, people coming straight from the hospital, people on medication, people who are disabled.”

In 2010, Sleighter opened a shelter for veterans in Inverness, and in 2015, with a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program he was able to purchase a 32-foot RV, the “Angels on Wheels,” to use as an outreach to veterans in camps in the woods around the community.

He had called that an answer to his prayers.

In 2013, Katherine “Kat” Romanowski was named Mission in Citrus director, although Sleighter remained the face of the mission.

On Thursday, the mood at the Mission was somber and quiet as the residents digested the news of Sleighter’s death.

“We will continue; we are keeping (the Mission) going in his memory,” Romanowski said, adding that they rely on support from the community, whether financially or with food, clothing, personal care items and household supplies.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

To help the Mission in Citrus:

Phone: 352-794-3825

Address: 2488 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Crystal River, FL, 34428

Facebook: search Mission in Citrus Homeless Shelter

Website: www.mission incitrus.com