Good morning, Crystal River! It's Wednesday, October 28, and we're starting partly cloudy with a high of 82 before showers return Thursday and hang around into the weekend. Today is also National First Responders Day and National Chocolate Day, so here's a question: which one gets your thanks first? Start with the responders. Citrus County Fire Rescue just promoted paramedic Katy Graves to Community Paramedic, and a Homosassa family got out of a garage fire safely thanks to working smoke alarms.

In the news, Crystal River's City Council appointed Troy Slattery as the next city manager for an initial three-year term, the Spruce Drive boat ramp could be renamed for an Army lieutenant, and 800 business leaders gathered for the Chamber's B.A.M. BBQ. At school, Crystal River won the War on 44 over Citrus, two golf teams won district titles, and Lecanto High has an early dismissal today.

Tonight brings two Trunk or Treats, one at Texas Roadhouse in Lecanto and one at the Sheriff's Office in Inverness, so keep the chocolate stocked. Friday adds a Halloween glow party, Paint Night, and live music at Brooks Dockside and KC Wine Bistro. No food trucks are on the list today, so reply and tell us who we should chase down. Have a great Wednesday!

Crystal River Appoints Troy Slattery as City Manager
City of Crystal River - Government
Crystal River City Council appointed Troy Slattery as the city's next City Manager at its Oct. 26 meeting. Slattery, who has served as Assistant City Manager and Public Works Director, takes over after the resignation of Audra Curts and will serve an initial three-year term through Oct. 26, 2029.
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County Recognizes Veterans Appreciation Week
Citrus County Government (FB Page)
County commissioners recognized Veterans Appreciation Week at Monday's Board of County Commissioners meeting, ahead of Veterans Day on November 11. The board also honored Commission Chair Diana Finegan and Commissioner Rebecca Bays for their years of public service.
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Spruce Drive Boat Ramp Could Be Renamed for Army Lieutenant
Citrus County Chronicle
County commissioners have taken the first step toward renaming the Spruce Drive boat ramp in honor of a young Army lieutenant. The Chronicle calls it a forgotten piece of Citrus County history that could soon get its due.
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Mystery Walk Comes to Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Citrus County Chronicle
Think your kids can solve a mystery? A new Mystery Walk at Crystal River Archaeological State Park combines clues, codes and Native American history, and young detectives are needed to crack the case.
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800 Leaders Gather for Chamber's B.A.M. BBQ in Lecanto
Citrus County Chronicle
More than 800 business and community leaders gathered at M&B Dairy in Lecanto for the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce's annual B.A.M. BBQ. Barbecue, live music and networking were on the menu as the chamber closed out Business Appreciation Month.
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County Thanks Library Friends Volunteers
Citrus County Government (FB Page)
County Administrator Steve Howard stopped by to thank the Friends of the Citrus County Library System while volunteers sorted books. The Friends groups raise funds for and support the library system, and they are looking for more volunteers. Learn more at citruslibraries.org or email [email protected].
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Katy Graves Promoted to Community Paramedic
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue Paramedic Katy Graves has been promoted to Community Paramedic, effective October 24. She joined the department in October 2021 and will help support its Community Paramedicine Program, which connects residents with health resources beyond traditional emergency response.
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Battery-Related Garage Fire in Homosassa
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue responded to a garage fire on Celosia Ct. in Homosassa early Tuesday. Working smoke alarms let everyone get out safely, and no injuries were reported. The fire was battery related, starting where an e-bike battery and a lawn blower battery were charging. Fire rescue is urging safe battery charging.
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School Board Weighs $1.6 Million in Employee Raises
Citrus County Chronicle
More than $1.6 million in raises could be coming for Citrus County school employees, but shrinking reserves and rising health insurance costs loom as the School Board prepared to vote Tuesday.
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Student Trip to Italy: Info Meeting Thursday
Lecanto High School
Students from Lecanto, Crystal River and Citrus high schools are invited on a county trip to Italy this summer, with a Germany, Austria and Switzerland trip planned for Christmas 2028. An informational meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Mrs. Miller's room (97-106), with a $250 enrollment discount for attendees.
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Lecanto High Early Dismissal Today
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High School reminds families that today, Wednesday, Oct. 28, is an early dismissal day. Students will be dismissed two hours earlier than their normal dismissal time.
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Crystal River Wins the War on 44
Citrus County Chronicle
Crystal River won the "War on 44" football rivalry over Citrus and took home the Stalcup-Hicks trophy. The Chronicle posted a video with the coaches and Pirate senior Grayson Stack reacting after the win.
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Nolan DeForest Wins District Golf Title
Citrus County Chronicle
Nolan DeForest won the individual title on the first playoff hole at Monday's District 2A-8 Championships, capping an outstanding day for the Crystal River boys' golf team. The Pirates also took the team title, according to the school.
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Lecanto Girls Golf Wins District Championship
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High School announced its girls golf team won the District Championship, crediting the team's hard work, dedication, teamwork and determination. Congratulations to the Panthers on a district title.
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Olivia Byron Advances to Diving Regionals
Crystal River High School
Crystal River High School announced that diver Olivia Byron placed third at the district diving playoff meet, earning a spot in the regionals. Congrats to Olivia on advancing to the next round.
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Boys State Applications Open to Juniors
Crystal River High School
Boys State applications are now open to juniors, Crystal River High School announced. The school shared a link to the Florida American Legion Boys State channel for more information. Interested juniors should check the link in the post.
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Trunk or Treat at Texas Roadhouse Lecanto
Wednesday | October 28, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Texas Roadhouse Lecanto
Families can enjoy Halloween crafts, a haunted house and trick-or-treating at Texas Roadhouse in Lecanto. The event is free.
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CCSO Trunk or Treat at Citrus County Sheriff's Office Main Operations
Wednesday | October 28, 2026 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Citrus County Sheriff's Office Main Operations
Families are invited to join Citrus County Sheriff's Office deputies for the CCSO's very first Trunk or Treat at its Main Operations in Inverness.
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JUMP FIT HALLOWEEN GLOW PARTY!
Friday | October 30, 2026 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Sculpt & Flow Studios
28 NE 4th Street, Crystal River, FL 34429
Jump Fit is an upbeat, low-impact cardio class on rebounder boots, and costumes are encouraged. Classes run 6 to 7 PM or 7 to 8 PM. $35 if you need boots, $15 if you own boots.
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Paint Night at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Friday | October 30, 2026 | 6 PM – 9 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
Paint & sip style paint night at Bree's Riverside Restaurant, Nobleton.
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Know a food truck that should roll into the spotlight? Reply to this newsletter and let us know where it’s serving next so we can share it in a future issue.

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.

Open Music Jam at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Open Music Jam
Wednesday | October 28, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
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Karaoke at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Karaoke
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 6 PM – 9 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
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LIVE Music! with Jim Green at Brooks Dockside Seafood
Friday | October 30, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
Jim Green blends classic rock, oldies, blues and country. Food truck on site, beer and wine at the Best Catch Club. No car cruise-in this week; Trunk or Treat Cruise In is Sat 10/31.
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Memphis Style Music at KC Wine Bistro
Friday | October 30, 2026 | 6 PM – 9 PM
KC Wine Bistro
564 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
Live music at KC Wine Bistro in downtown Crystal River. The event listing describes it as "Memphis live" with the tagline "Music sounds better here."
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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team