Category: Events

County lifts evacuation orders, closes shelters

The mandatory evacuation order for Evacuation Zone A, which includes all low-lying areas west of U.S. Highway 19 and some areas additional areas east of U.S. Highway 19, has been lifted as of 8:00am on Thursday, September 29, 2022. Public shelters will close at 11:00am.

As we continue to feel the impact of Hurricane Ian, Citrus County may experience flooding, fallen trees, and down telephone poles/wires. If you see any of this, or other debris blocking roadways in our county, please call into the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Information Line at (352) 249-2775.

COUNTY CLOSURES:

  • County government offices will reopen on Friday, September 30, 2022.
  • Bicentennial Pool will be closed through Friday.
  • All Citrus County Parks and Recreation programs are canceled through Thursday.
  • All Citrus County Library System programs are cancelled through Saturday.

For the most current updates, please visit the Citrus County government Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CitrusCountyBOCC.

Citrus County: Hurricane Ian mandatory evacuation notice

BOCC SealThe Citrus County Board of County Commissioners has issued a MANDATORY EVACUATION for Zone A.

This zone includes all low-lying areas west of U.S. Highway 19 and some areas additional areas east of U.S. Highway 19.

All other areas are advised to voluntary evacuate, especially those citizens living in mobile homes, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles throughout the county.

Citizens may view our county’s evacuation zones here to determine if they are in this mandatory evacuation:

https://cms5.revize.com/revize/citrus/divisions/bureau%20support%20operations/EM/evacuation-zones.pdf

Shelters will be OPENING today at 6 p.m., at the following locations (PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL LOCATIONS ARE OPEN, ONLY THOSE LISTED BELOW):

  • Forest Ridge Elementary School (Special Needs) – 2927 North Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando, FL 34442
  • Lecanto Primary (Pet Friendly) – 3790 W Educational Path, Lecanto, FL 34461
  • Central Ridge Elementary School (General Population) – 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs, FL 34434
  • Citrus High School (General Population) – 600 West Highland Blvd., Inverness, FL 34452

Public shelters should be an option of last resort.  Citizens should make all preparations to shelter with family or friends and exhaust all other options before utilizing a public shelter.

Sexual Offenders must report to the Citrus County Detention Facility to seek shelter if needed. The facility is located at 2604 W Woodland Ridge Dr., Lecanto, FL 34461.

Please continue to take this weather event seriously and take the time now to get last minute essential supplies.

Our Citizen Information Lines (CIL) are open from 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. today. Citizens can call (352)249-2775 for information regarding Hurricane Ian and what they can do to prepare.

At this time, all county government buildings will be closed Wednesday, September 28th, through Thursday, September 29th.  This includes the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office main operations building in Inverness, substations in Crystal River and Beverly Hills. The Tax Collectors Office and the Department of Health will be closed (Wed. & Thurs.).

Jury Duty for the Clerk of Courts is cancelled for tomorrow.

Please ONLY use 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

Pet food donations aid pets of county’s seniors

The cat’s name is “Thumbs,” who made a decision to no longer be feral (true story). (Photo: Robby Douglas)

Each month, the Citrus County PetMeals Program provides food to the companion pets of senior homebound clients who receive Meals on Wheels.

We are in great need of unopened bags of cat and dog food at this time.

The PetMeals program began when a very thin man receiving Meals on Wheels was only taking small bites of his food and then placing his food tray on the floor for a very overweight Chihuahua to finish the meal.  When asked why he was doing this, he stated he did not have the money to buy dog food any longer and that he would rather go hungry than not feed his beloved pet.

Continue reading “Pet food donations aid pets of county’s seniors”

Resurfacing, ‘lane diet’ in Citrus Springs creates new bike/pedestrian lane

FROM LEFT: Curt Reed and fellow cyclist Bob Feldberg ride the new bike lane on Citrus Springs Boulevard. (Photo courtesy: Cyntihia Oswald, BOCC Public Information Officer)

Construction was recently completed for the County resurfacing project on Citrus Springs Blvd from US41 to Withlacoochee Trail (C39), 1.4 miles.

The project was jointly funded by Citrus County and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Small County Outreach Program (SCOP).

The bid amount for the project was $970,546 and the project was completed on time and within the allocated budget.

Continue reading “Resurfacing, ‘lane diet’ in Citrus Springs creates new bike/pedestrian lane”

Citrus County votes in Aug. 18 primary

Citrus County voters on Tuesday filled in their ballots to let their choices be known for several political positions.

Winners include Sheriff Mike Prendergast, who defeated three challengers in the primary. He will now face Lee Alexander in November. Alexander is a former police chief in Inverness.

Creg Dalton gathered the most votes in the Property Appraiser race. Sandra “Sam” Himmel won her fifth term as Superintendent of Schools. Maureen “Mo” Baird bested opponent Scott Adams for the Supervisor of Elections post.  Winning the District 3 seat for county commission was Ruthie Davis Schlabach . And winning county commission for District 5 was Holly Davis.

Continue reading “Citrus County votes in Aug. 18 primary”

Recreational Red Snapper Season starts June 11 in Gulf state and federal waters

The recreational Red Snapper Season will start June 11 in Gulf state and federal waters and remain open through July 25, closing July 26.

“I’m excited to announce the beginning of Florida’s recreational Red Snapper Season in state and federal Gulf waters beginning Thursday, June 11,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.

“Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World and we are proud to welcome Floridians and visitors to participate in Red Snapper Season as our state moves forward with the safe re-opening of our economy.”

Continue reading “Recreational Red Snapper Season starts June 11 in Gulf state and federal waters”