Good morning, Crystal River, and happy Sunday! Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 74 and a bit of a breeze, and the sunshine sticks around all week. It's also National Chocolate Cupcake Day, so here's a question for you: who makes the best chocolate cupcake in Citrus County?

In the news, the price tag on the Halls River Road path has climbed from $7.3 million to $12 million, leaving a $5.7 million funding gap for county commissioners. The Sheriff's Office is now using artificial intelligence to answer non-emergency calls, with more than 2,000 handled since Sept. 29. Crystal River rolled past Weeki Wachee, 40-0, in homecoming, and Citrus County Fire Rescue is celebrating Captain Curt Clendenney's 15 years of service.

Looking ahead, the 2050 Comprehensive Plan open house is Monday evening, the Friends of Crystal River State Parks board meets Tuesday, and a plant swap happens at Rainbow Lakes Estates Tuesday afternoon. Catch live music today with Groove 41 at The Shed or Curtis Frazier at Brooks Dockside Seafood, which also has its food truck out. No restaurant specials to share, so tell us your favorite spot. Soak up the sun and save room for a cupcake!

Halls River Road Path Price Tag Climbs From $7.3 Million to $12 Million
Citrus County Chronicle
A $7.3 million path now carries a $12 million price tag. With a $5.7 million funding gap, Citrus County commissioners face a decision on how to finish the Halls River Road path, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. The full story has the details.
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Citrus County Fire Rescue Celebrates Captain/EMT Curt Clendenney's 15 Years of Service
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue is congratulating Captain/EMT Curt Clendenney on his 15-year service anniversary with the department.
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Chronicle Healthy Living Show Set for Saturday, October 24
Citrus County Chronicle
Mark your calendar for the Chronicle Healthy Living Show on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Citrus County Fair Auditorium, a morning of health and wellness, according to the Citrus County Chronicle.
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Inverness Art Festival Returns November 7-8
Citrus County Chronicle
The Inverness Art Festival returns November 7 and 8 with live demonstrations, student exhibits and hands-on activities, according to the Citrus County Chronicle, which says the festival is adding something for the first time this year. The full story has the details.
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AI Now Answering Citrus County Sheriff's Office Non-Emergency Calls
Citrus County Chronicle
Artificial intelligence is now answering non-emergency calls for the Citrus County Sheriff's Office. Since Sept. 29, the system has handled more than 2,000 calls without human intervention, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. The full story has the rest.
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Crystal River Rolls Past Weeki Wachee, 40-0, in Homecoming Win
Citrus County Chronicle
Crystal River rolled past visiting Weeki Wachee, 40-0, in a homecoming victory at Bramlett Stadium, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. It was a matchup of two teams still searching for their first wins.
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Vanguard Beats Lecanto, 52-6, in Panthers' Homecoming Game
Citrus County Chronicle
Vanguard scored on the opening play and never let up, beating Lecanto 52-6 in the Panthers' homecoming game, according to the Citrus County Chronicle.
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Singer/Songwriter Jesse Ruben Visits Central Ridge Elementary
Citrus County School District
Central Ridge Elementary School welcomed Jesse Ruben, a singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, New York, for a visit the Citrus County School District describes as inspiring passions and making a difference.
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Withlacoochee Technical College Thanks Visitors After Open House
Withlacoochee Technical College
Withlacoochee Technical College says it enjoyed opening its doors to future students, families and community members at its open house, and thanked its instructors.
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Citrus County 2050 Comprehensive Plan Open House
Monday | October 19, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Citrus County Building Division
Citrus County invites residents to an open house on the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Stop by and share your input.
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Friends of Crystal River State Parks Board Meeting
Tuesday | October 20, 2026 | 4 PM
Crystal River Archaeological State Park Museum
3400 N. Museum Point, Crystal River, FL 34428
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Plant Swap at Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
Tuesday | October 20, 2026 | 4 PM – 5 PM
Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Swap plants. Meet neighbors. Grow together. Bring a plant, cutting, seed, pot, or gardening goodie to trade, and take home something new to grow.
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Brooks Dockside Seafood (Seafood, Southern, Cajun)
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
View Appearance Details →

Which local restaurant do you love and recommend to everyone? Reply to this newsletter and tell us, and we may feature it in a future issue.

Groove 41 at The Shed (Old Homosassa)
Groove 41
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 2 PM – 6 PM
The Shed (Old Homosassa)
5300 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa, FL
The ultimate in waterfront dining, right on the Homosassa River.
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Lisa Kay & the GoldTop Band at Crump's Landing
Lisa Kay & the GoldTop Band
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 2 PM – 6 PM
Crump's Landing
11210 W Halls River Rd, Homosassa, FL 34448
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Captain Johnston Band at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Captain Johnston Band
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 3 PM – 7 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
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LIVE Music! with Curtis Frazier "The Lone Rider" at Brooks Dockside Seafood
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
LIVE Music with Curtis Frazier, "The Lone Rider"! Beer & Wine available at the Best Catch Club. Fans & Swamp Coolers Dockside.
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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team