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Two Gilchrist deputies slain

Corrected spelling of Deputy Taylor Lindsey's last name

Corrected age of Sgt. Ramirez

Added shooters name.

Local track and field standouts...

At the district championship meet Wednesday, April 11, at Oak Hall School, the following Chiefland athletes qualified in one or more events for the regional championship meet April 25 in Wesley Chapel: Courtney Hayes; Reagan Hudson; Lauren Jones; Jaycie Anderson; Aubrey Hudson; Banner Hodge; Tramaine Brown; L.J. Jenkins; Jalen Rutledge and Lane Studstill.

Hayes is the district champion in the girls high jump, while Reagan Hudson and Lauren Jones were district runner-ups in multiple events (see detailed list of finishes below).

The top four individual finishers or relay teams from each event earned a bid to regionals, and the top eight earned medals.

The Chiefland girls 4x100-meter relay team of Chamirra McQueen, Aubreigh Brown, Sierra Norris and Courtney Hayes was a near shoe-in to qualify, as the talented quartet has been winning meets in style all season, including the Levy County Championship. But they were ruled out for a false start before the race even began.

Bronson qualifiers included: Yelena Thomas; Mahki Bostic; Jasmine Glover; Deziah King and Keyera Hutto.

Wild Hog Canoe Race begins its...

It’s a grueling 15-mile trek down the Waccasassa River, where canoers and kayakers paddle, drag, lift, wade and swim their way through the elements, including occasional snakes and alligators.

The Wild Hog Canoe Race, a fundraiser for the Arc of Levy County, which assists Levy residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, launches in Bronson at the Waccasassa Bridge on State Road 24, and finishes up at the event property where the Waccassa crosses U.S. 19, north of Gulf Hammock.

Despite the challenging terrain, many who participant in the annual spring event are hooked for life.

This year’s race takes place on April 28, with pre-race registration from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. A rule review begins at 9:15, followed by the start of the race at 9:30.

The water level was down in last year’s race, which marked its 40th anniversary and set a new record in boaters, making it a particularly difficult iteration. Race coordinator Keith Maynard says that may be causing some reluctance among potential returning participants, as pre-race sign-ups are down some from last year.

Science students get lessons in...

By Lita Weingart, CMHS Science Teacher

On April 13th, Chiefland Middle High School science students from Stacy Drummond and Lita Weingart’s classes went on a field trip to visit the new University of Florida Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key.

Our schools superintendent, Jeff Edison, took time out of his busy schedule to help chaperone our trip. We were given a tour of the new research facility and students got to talk with scientists about the research they are conducting.

Students also visited Joe Rains Beach and, with the assistance of UF scientist Hannah Healy and educational specialist Katherine Hellgren, collected and identified local marine life using a seine net.

In addition, the students conducted a transect study to determine the amount of biodiversity found on the shoreline.

We would like to thank Mr. Edison for spending the day with us and the UF personnel for sharing their expertise. A great time was had by all!

Beta Club seeks donations for...

By Sarah Lourcey
CMHS Beta Club

The Chiefland High School Senior Beta Club, with encouragement from Beta sponsor Stacy Drummond and chaperone Jan Flemming, sent twelve members to Orlando in January for the Florida Senior State Beta Convention, and came away with four awards, including a pair of state championships by sophomore Reagan Hudson and a couple of top-3 honors in team competitions.

The club is now seeking funds through GoFundMe to support a trip to the National Beta Convention in June in Savannah, Georgia.

The state convention features students from all over Florida competing in numerous competitions, ranging from purely academic to talent oriented.

Hudson competed in individual competitions, which tests students’ knowledge on different academic subjects, in Agriculture and Science, and placed first in both.

Running with the Bulls

When the name Brian Norris, Jr. rang out of the PA speakers at Corbett Stadium on the University of South Florida campus, you could hear a distinct cheer from one section of the crowd.

The Chiefland faithful – family and friends and former coaches and teammates of Norris – were on hand to see the USF early-enrollee in his first spring football game as a Bull.

Norris, a 6-foot-2, 228-pound freshman running back who will graduate with his class at Chiefland next month, made the most of his opportunities, gaining 16 yards, including a tackle-breaking first down run, on three carries. He also blocked on a play-action pass play.

The Bulls pit their offense players versus their defensive players in the spring game, with the team defense earning points for plays such as tackles for a loss and interceptions. Norris’ offensive group came from behind to prevail 46-45.

After the game, second-year Bulls head coach Charlie Strong complimented the performance of all the runnings backs, which include former Gator Jordan Cronkrite.

CPD chase in city reaches 100 mph

Christopher A. Hall, 39, of Wooster, Ohio, was arrested April 6 on a felony charge of fleeing and eluding and three misdemeanor charges for giving a false name, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, and resisting an officer without violence.

According to an incident filed by Chiefland Police Officer Kyle Schultz, he was doing a business check at the North Marathon when a red passenger car enter the parking lot and stopped.

“As I watched the vehicle, the occupants exited and entered the store. A short time later, a white female and a male entered back into the vehicle and left the business. As the vehicle left I found the drivers actions to be strange. The driver left from the adjacent exit, then made a U-turn on 19 then began traveling south,” Schultz stated. “As I followed the vehicle, it turned left into the Walmart entrance and approached the intersection of NW 11th Dr. The vehicle then failed to stop at the intersection, which was marked with a stop sign. The vehicle continued into the parking lot before I activated my emergency lights signaling the vehicle to stop.

High benchmarks

A lot of superlatives fit Austin Collins.

The Bronson senior is a natural leader, a team player, a loyal Bronson Eagle, and is matured well beyond his 18 years.

He’s also a Renaissance Man, as he juggles varying areas of pursuit – brewer, trainer, builder, musician – with potential career stakes in any of them.

But the label he wears the best – and proudest – is his newest: state champion.

On April 6, at Arnold High School in Panama City Beach, Collins became just the third Bronson Eagle on record to win an individual state title in any sport, as he prevailed in the 238-pound weight division to claim a Class 1A boys weightlifting crown.

It was his third straight trip to the state finals, and he could feel this one was his for the taking.

“I knew going in this year that I was at least in the top 3,” the senior said.

Collins posted a bench press of 385 and a clean and jerk of 295, giving him a combined tally of 680 pounds.

It wasn’t even a personal record for Collins – his best bench press is 395. But it was enough.

Chamber Banquet is Saturday

RSVP now for the Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Banquet April 21 in the Haven Hospice Community Building at 311 NE Ninth Street. Sarah & Korey, an acoustic duo, will provide entertainment. Please call the Chamber at 352-493-1849 for more information.

Laughter is medicine for...

By Lori Prevatt, Citizen Correspondent

It has often been said that laughter is the best medicine. A good dose of laughter can relieve anxiety and tension. No one knows this better than speaker, Luther Beauchamp who has traveled the United States speaking to churches and many other organizations. The Chiefland native is a member of the National Speakers Association and retired attorney.

On April 12, Beauchamp shared his humor and personal stories of caregiving with the local Alzheimer’s support group that meets the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Edward Jones in Chiefland. Financial adviser and caregiver Kathryn Lancaster is the group leader.

Beauchamp said he was once a caretaker for his father-in-law, mother-in-law, his mother and father at different times. He told of some personal and comical family stories with the group, but turned serious with he talked about the importance of depending on God while caring for elderly loved ones.

“God gives us humor so that we can endure what we are going through. 1 Peter 5:7 says give all your worries to God for he cares for you,” Beauchamp said.