Good morning, Crystal River! It's Wednesday, September 30, and it's also National Chewing Gum Day, so consider this your excuse to blow a bubble at your desk. Expect a mostly sunny start with a good chance of afternoon storms rolling through, highs near 89 and lows around 70. That storm pattern sticks around most of the week, so keep an umbrella in the car.

In local news, Monkey Island Holdings wants county approval to expand alcohol sales across nearly 8 acres of their Homosassa property, closer to an elementary school, a church, and a park. County planning staff recommend denial, and the Planning & Development Commission votes tomorrow. Gas prices are also stinging, with a typical fill-up now running about $65, up from $44 a year ago. And over in the pool, the Lecanto swim teams edged out our Pirates at Saturday's Citrus County Invitational.

This week brings First Friday downtown, an outdoor showing of Hocus Pocus at Liberty Park, and Brooks Dockside Seafood's food truck parked in Inglis. Have a great Wednesday, and we'll see you in the news tomorrow!

A Homosassa business wants permission to expand alcohol sales and consumption across nearly 8 acres…
Citrus County Chronicle
A major Homosassa business wants to drastically expand where they can serve alcohol. Monkey Island Holdings, which runs the Monkey Bar and The Yardarm Restaurant, is asking for permission to extend alcohol sales across nearly 8 acres of their property. This proposed expansion would put alcohol consumption much closer to an elementary school, a church, and a local park.
County planning staff are not on board, recommending denial due to setback concerns and other site issues. The Planning & Development Commission is set to weigh in on this controversial request tomorrow, October 1. Will Monkey Island Holdings get their way, or will community concerns prevail?
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Gas prices are taking a bigger bite out of Citrus County wallets. A typical Florida fill-up now cos…
Citrus County Chronicle
That pain at the pump in Citrus County? It's hitting harder than ever. A typical Florida fill-up is now costing drivers around $65. That's a whopping increase from just $44 a year ago. This past Monday, local stations were posting prices from $4.19 to $4.49 a gallon, adding real stress to household budgets.
Are these skyrocketing prices forcing tough choices for your family's budget or your plans for the upcoming weekend? Citrus County residents are feeling the squeeze. Discover the full impact and what it means for your daily drive. You won't want to miss this.
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October is Business Appreciation Month in Citrus County, and the Chamber of Commerce is inviting ev…
Citrus County Chronicle
October is almost here, and with it, Citrus County's annual Business Appreciation Month. The Chamber of Commerce is rolling out the red carpet for local businesses, and you're invited to celebrate. Get ready for a countywide business mixer, the annual Salute to Business Luncheon, and even a B.A.M. BBQ at M&B Dairy.
But amidst the celebrations, local leaders are voicing concerns. Rising costs and economic uncertainty are weighing heavily on our business climate, they say. What do Crystal River's businesses truly need to thrive right now, and how will these events address those challenges? Michael D. Bates uncovers the story.
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Electric vehicles use the same Citrus County roads as everyone else, but they don’t pay gasoline taxes to help maintain them
Citrus County Chronicle
Our local roads are facing a massive funding challenge. Citrus County boasts nearly 1,900 miles of roads, but officials say we need over $700 million in repairs to keep them safe and smooth. Here's the twist: electric vehicles use these same roads, yet they don't pay into the gas taxes that fund maintenance.
This growing gap impacts every driver in our community. Michael D. Bates from The Chronicle investigates how shrinking gas tax revenues are hitting home. What new ideas are local officials considering to ensure everyone contributes their fair share to our essential infrastructure?
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ONLY ONE MORE WEEK until National Night Out 🌙
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Mark your calendars, Crystal River! National Night Out is exactly one week from today, next Tuesday, October 6. From 6-9 PM, the Inverness Depot District and Liberty Park will transform into an interactive hub of safety and fun.
You'll get to meet local heroes from CCSO teams like SWAT, K-9, Aviation, and Forensics. Plus, our city and county fire departments will be there, showcasing incredible live demonstrations. This is your chance to see exactly what keeps our community safe, up close and personal. Which team are you most excited to see in action?
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🌀 PREPAREDNESS TIP #4 | HAVE A PLAN
Citrus County Fire Rescue
If a hurricane or emergency struck Crystal River today, would your family be ready to evacuate? As National Preparedness Month wraps up, Citrus County Fire Rescue has been drilling home a vital message: an evacuation order is not the time to start making a plan. They shared photos of their own intensive preparations during Hurricane Idalia in 2023, underscoring that if first responders prepare, so should every Crystal River household.
Do you have concrete answers for where your family would go, how you'd get there, what essential items to pack, and how you'd connect if separated? Vague ideas won't cut it when disaster looms. Don't let your loved ones be caught unprepared. Click to review the key steps CCFR says you need to finalize your plan today.
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Citrus County schools are facing a familiar problem: costs are rising while the financial cushion i…
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus County schools are sailing incredibly close to the wind financially. Their unrestricted fund balance now sits at a razor-thin 3.73%, barely above the School Board's required 3.5% reserve. Declining enrollment, soaring fuel costs, and rising health insurance expenses are all putting immense pressure on the district's budget, impacting every student and teacher.
The Chronicle Editorial Board is now calling for tighter oversight, not just here in Crystal River, but all the way in Tallahassee. They're urging lawmakers to re-examine accountability for the hundreds of millions of dollars in school voucher funding. What could these budget challenges mean for our local classrooms and programs? And how might state-level decisions directly affect our kids' education right here at home?
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The Lecanto swim teams finished on top Saturday in the Citrus County Invitational at the YMCA. The…
Citrus County Chronicle
Our Crystal River swimmers hit the pool last Saturday for the Citrus County Invitational, facing tough competition at the YMCA. The Lecanto girls narrowly edged out our Pirates, securing a 160-136 victory. It was a similar story for the boys, with Lecanto taking the win 163-121 over Crystal River, while Citrus teams finished sixth and fourth respectively.
Our local athletes put up a strong fight, but fell short of the top spot. What does this early season showdown tell us about the strength of our swim program? And how will our Pirates rebound from these results? Get all the details from the Invitational and hear what's next for Crystal River aquatics.
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⛳ Panthers, mark your calendars! ⛳
Lecanto High School
Tired of cooking? Next Monday, October 12th, grab dinner at Culver's and make it count for the Lecanto Girls Golf Team! Our Lady Panthers are hosting a special Share Night from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, and your support directly helps fuel their entire season.
This is your chance to back our outstanding local student-athletes and enjoy a delicious meal. Every single bite contributes directly to their success on the course. Will you join fellow Panthers to make this important fundraiser a hole-in-one for our community's talented golfers?
Read More →

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Uturn Mobile Soup Kitchen - serving lunch 10:30 am-1pm every Wednesday
Wednesday | September 30, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 1 PM
Club Recovery
2415 N. Florida Ave, Hernando, FL 34442
U-turn for Christ Florida. Serving those in need with Grace & Grub Ministries - every Wednesday 10:30-1pm at Old Schoolhouse in Hernando.
View Event Details →

The Hangout at The Youth Center
Wednesday | September 30, 2026 | 4 PM – 6 PM
4010 SW Deepwater Ct, Dunnellon, FL 34431
Rainbow Lakes Estates Youth Center 🎉 Looking for a fun and safe place for kids to hang out, play games, and make friends? The Rainbow Lakes Estates Youth Center is open with weekly hours and special hangout days!
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BNI - Small Business Networking Meet-up in Citrus County
Thursday | October 1, 2026 | 7 AM – 9 AM
American Legion Post 155 Crystal River Florida
6585 E. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429
Come visit the best small business networking group in Citrus County! Visitors are always welcome. You can register to visit (let us know you're coming so we can introduce you and give you some time to talk about yourself and your business) OR you can just show up.
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Tater Tot Thursdays at Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
Thursday | October 1, 2026 | 10 AM – 12 PM
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Fun, Enrichment, And Stimulation for toddlers at RLE Community Center
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Business Builders Citrus at Luigi's Family Restaurant
Thursday | October 1, 2026 | 12:01 PM – 1:01 PM
Luigi's Family Restaurant
4538 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446
Come out have some lunch and tell the group about your business. The group and meet ups are free, we just ask that you share the event and invite some people. We will be having a 15 minute discussion on top 10 tips to boost your networking.
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Belly Dancing Class at Homosassa Civic Club
Thursday | October 1, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Homosassa Civic Club
5530 S. Mason Creek Rd., Homosassa, FL 34448
Posting on behalf of a friend: BELLY DANCING CLASS $5. Mention this ad and your first class is free! Thursdays, 5:30 beginners & 6:30 Advanced. Old Homosassa Civic Club, 5530 S. Mason Creek Rd.
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First Friday
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
123 NW US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL 34428
Join us at Town Square every first Friday of the month for live music, shopping vendors, lawn games, food trucks, and visiting our downtown bars and restaurants.
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Florida Trail Team Challenge
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 7 PM
Withlacoochee State Forest
3600 S Florida Ave, Inverness, FL 34450
Information, sponsors and sign ups at www.FloridaTrailTeamChallenge.com. Provide some prizes for the top three placements and provide some raffle prizes!!
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Dominos Club
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 7 PM – 8:45 PM
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Rainbow Lakes Estates Dominoes Club 🎲 Looking for a fun way to spend your Friday evening? Join us for Dominoes Club at the RLE Clubhouse! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just learning, everyone is welcome to come play, socialize, and enjoy a great night with the community.
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Movie in the Park: Hocus Pocus
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 10 PM
268 N Apopka Ave, Inverness, FL 34450
📽️ Cootertober is coming… and so is the Movie in the Park season! 🎃 Join us on Friday, October 2nd at Liberty Park as we kick off the season with a free showing of Disney’s Hocus Pocus (1993)! Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets for a spellbinding, family-friendly evening under the stars.
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Brooks Dockside Seafood (Wild Caught Seafood)
Wednesday | September 30, 2026 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
View Appearance Details →

Not seeing your favorite restaurant listed? Reply to this newsletter and let us know your go-to place for date night.

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We're here to help support local businesses, and to see the community grow together. If there is anything that you'd like to suggest to us, just reply to this email and it'll come right to our editor.

Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team