A late-night house fire in Sugarmill Woods claimed one life on Tuesday, February 18, according to Citrus County Fire Rescue. Emergency crews were dispatched at 11:19 p.m. to a 2,400-square-foot residence engulfed in flames. Engine 18 from Sugarmill Woods arrived within minutes to find the home heavily involved. Due toContinue Reading
A jury found 30-year-old Connor James Vidair guilty on Tuesday, February 19, of multiple drug trafficking and firearm-related charges stemming from his 2024 arrest. Following a swift deliberation of less than an hour, Judge Joel D. Fritton sentenced Vidair to 15 years in the Florida Department of Corrections. Vidair wasContinue Reading
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has arrested 48-year-old Jennifer Ashley on eight counts of aggravated animal cruelty after deputies discovered the remains of multiple dogs inside a residence on E. Boblink Lane. On February 8, 2025, Deputy Bannon and Animal Control Officer (ACO) Gannon responded to the residence afterContinue Reading
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a residential burglary that occurred on February 6, 2025, in the area of NE 4th Street in Crystal River. Between 2:30 AM and 6:30 AM, surveillance footage captured a suspect wearing a dark-colored hoodie and jeans riding a yellow bike while entering multipleContinue Reading
On February 6, 2025, detectives with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) High Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU), in collaboration with agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), executed a search warrant at a residence in Floral City. The investigation stemmed from a Cybertip received from the National CenterContinue Reading
On January 23, 2025, detectives with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) High Tech Crimes Unit (HTCU) and agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) executed a search warrant at a residence in Homosassa. The investigation stemmed from a Cybertip received from the National Center for Missing andContinue Reading
On Monday night, January 20, 2025, Citrus County Deputy Danner initiated a short pursuit after noticing a motorcycle without a license plate in Beverly Hills. The driver, 21-year-old Cody Garret McKendree, attempted to flee but lost control of the motorcycle on N. Vonnegut Pt. and continued on foot. He wasContinue Reading
On January 14, 2025, Gavin Lee Minden, 31, was sentenced to 25 years in the Florida Department of Corrections after pleading in his 2024 attempted murder case. The sentencing took place in the courtroom of Judge Joel D. Fritton. Under Florida’s 10-20-Life law, Minden will serve his sentence in fullContinue Reading
A 36-year-old man was arrested on Thursday, January 16, 2025, for multiple counts of Lewd and Lascivious Exhibition after exposing himself to several students riding a school bus. The investigation began on January 14th when several students reported to their parents that they witnessed an adult male in a carContinue Reading
On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Judge Richard A. Howard sentenced 62-year-old James Darryl Batson, a habitual felony offender, to 30 years in prison after he was convicted of multiple crimes stemming from a series of burglaries in 2023. Batson’s conviction was the result of his involvement in the burglary andContinue Reading