Crystal River, FL -- On Tuesday, July 19, The National Association of Retired Law Enforcement Officers-Citrus County Chapter #1 (NARLEO) invites the public to the formal dedication of Trooper Ronald Gordon Smith Bridge.

The twin span structure of Route #19 crosses the Florida Bridge Canal north of Crystal River, and is named after the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper who gave his life just south of the bridge during a gunfight with two escaped felons from Oklahoma on Dec. 23, 1973.

In October 2010, NARLEO membership and the local community dedicated a monument to Trooper Smith at the actual site of the tragic event, where Basswood Drive intersects Route #19 (Suncoast Highway). 

On Tuesday, June 21, Governor Rick Scott announced 19 reappointments and two appointments to eight regoinal planning councils throughout the state.

For the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council, Region 5 area, Scott appointed/reappointed the following members:

• Avis M. Craig, 60, of Crystal River, is the director of public affairs for the Citrus County Property Appraiser’s Office. She is reappointed for a term beginning June 21, 2011, and ending October 1, 2012.
• Edward “Bill” Murray, 70, of Lecanto, is a member of the Citrus County School Board. He is reappointed for a term beginning June 21, 2011, and ending October 1, 2012.

Inverness, FL -- An Inverness man was critically injured after being hit on his motorcycle while traveling east on State Road 44 on Monday, May 30.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, around 12:09 p.m., 77-year-old Ronald Hannon, of Inverness, was heading east on SR 44 in the left turn lane attempting to turn onto Croft Avenue.

Hannon turned left and into the path of 47-year-old Melvin Lowe's 2009 Honda motorcycle. Lowe's motorcycle hit the right rear of Hannon's 2005 Chevy sedan.