Good morning, Crystal River! It's Saturday, October 24, and the forecast calls for mostly sunny skies with a high of 79 and a breeze up to about 18 mph. It's also National Make A Difference Day, National Food Day and National Bologna Day. Are you a fried bologna sandwich fan, or does that one stay in the lunchbox?

In the news, county commissioners will consider a proposal Monday to house up to 119 ICE detainees at the Citrus County jail, and county planners unanimously approved an alcohol setback variance for the West Citrus Elks' proposed new lodge in Homosassa. Citrus County also earned the Triple Crown Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting, and more than 30 local artists are turning chairs into art for CASA's Chair-ity Silent Auction, a fitting story for Make A Difference Day. On the field, Lecanto's girls and Crystal River's boys won the inaugural Citrus County Cup in golf.

Today's event list is packed, from the Skelebration Fall Festival & Haunted Forest Walk at Lecanto Community Park to YogaThon at Crystal River Town Square, the Central Ridge farmers market and 7 Nights of Frights tonight. Live music includes Guitar Mike & Friends at Bree's Riverside Restaurant, with Jorge Valentine at Crystal Harley-Davidson on Sunday. Hungry for National Food Day? Georgia Boy Southern BBQ & Seafood and Sip Away are at Central Ridge. Grab a plate, pick a pumpkin and make a difference out there!

Skelebration Fall Festival & Haunted Forest Walk
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 12 PM – 9 PM
Lecanto Community Park
Families & Friends Reaching for Abilities hosts one of Citrus County's biggest fall events, with games, live bands, costume and pumpkin contests, inflatables, a petting zoo, hayrides and vendors.
View Event Details →

Commissioners to Consider Housing Up to 119 ICE Detainees at Citrus County Jail
Citrus County Chronicle
Up to 119 ICE detainees could be housed at the Citrus County jail, potentially generating $370,000 annually for the county, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. County commissioners will consider the proposal Monday. The full story has the details.
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West Citrus Elks Clear a Hurdle for a New Lodge in Homosassa
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus County planners unanimously approved an alcohol setback variance for the West Citrus Elks, clearing a hurdle for the club's proposed new lodge in Homosassa, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. The full story has the details.
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Citrus County Awarded Triple Crown Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting
Hometown Citrus
The Citrus County Clerk's Office and Citrus County Government have won the Triple Crown Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting, according to Hometown Citrus. The full story explains the recognition.
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Crystal River Wants Your Input on the Little Springs Park Playground Rebuild
City of Crystal River
The City of Crystal River is inviting residents to Little Springs Park today to give input on the creative playground rebuild, according to the City's Facebook post. Check the post for the time and details.
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Health and Wellness Morning at the Citrus County Fair Auditorium
Citrus County Chronicle
Today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Citrus County Fair Auditorium hosts a morning dedicated to health, wellness and healthy living, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. Forty vendors will be on hand to explore.
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More Than 30 Local Artists Turn Chairs Into Art for CASA's Chair-ity Silent Auction
Citrus County Chronicle
More than 30 local artists are turning ordinary chairs into works of art for CASA of Citrus County's inaugural Chair-ity Silent Auction, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. The full story has the details on the good cause.
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These Citrus County Photographers Help Rescue Dogs Find Forever Homes
Nature Coaster
Art Center Shutterbugs are donating their photography skills to help dogs at Joshua's House Golden Retriever Rescue in Lecanto find forever homes, according to Nature Coaster. Meet the Citrus County photographers behind the effort in the full story.
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Archaeological State Park Trails Are Calling in Cool, Dry Weather
Friends of the Crystal River State Parks
It's a great time to walk the trails and climb the mound at the Archaeological State Park, according to Friends of the Crystal River State Parks. Mornings are cool, days are warm and humidity is low, though it may be a bit breezy. Their Facebook post has more.
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Fire Prevention Month: Small Precautions, Big Difference
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue is reminding residents during Fire Prevention Month that preventing a home fire often starts with the little things. Small precautions can make a big difference, according to the Fire Rescue Facebook post, which has the details.
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Deputies and Drone Team Members Visit Local Schools
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff's deputies and members of the Sheriff's Office Drone Team visited local schools this week and spent time connecting with students, according to the Sheriff's Office Facebook post. The post has photos from the visits.
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Lecanto Girls and Crystal River Boys Win the Inaugural Citrus County Cup in Golf
Citrus County Chronicle
The inaugural Citrus County Cup golf championships ended with a runaway victory for the Lecanto girls and a slim victory for Crystal River in the boys' meet at Citrus National Golf Club, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. The full story has the details.
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Crystal River High Honors Chemistry Students Research, Create and Collaborate
Crystal River High School
Mrs. Grimsley's Honors Chemistry students at Crystal River High School put their learning into action this week by researching their topics and creating educational posters, according to the school's Facebook post. The post has the rest of the story.
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How a Soap Bubble Helps Crystal River High Students Understand Cell Membranes
Crystal River High School
How can a bubble help explain a cell membrane? Crystal River High School AP Biology students investigated the properties of cell membranes this week using soap bubbles as a model, according to the school's Facebook post.
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Citrus Springs Middle Life Skills Students Put Their Cooking Skills to Work
Citrus Springs Middle School
Life Skills students at Citrus Springs Middle School spent time in the kitchen mixing, baking and putting their cooking skills to work, according to the school's Facebook post. The post has more on how students followed recipes and worked together.
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Citrus Springs Middle 8th Graders Dig Into a New Agriculture Course
Citrus Springs Middle School
Citrus Springs Middle School 8th graders are digging into a new Fundamentals of Agriculture class, according to the school's Facebook post. Students learned to use soil texture charts as part of the course. The post has the details.
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Lecanto High's Panthers RISE Celebrates Positive Referrals
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High School is celebrating Panthers who go above and beyond to make a positive impact on the school community through its Panthers RISE positive referrals, according to the school's Facebook post. The post has the recognition details.
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Activism Day #3 at Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 7 AM
Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
4150 South Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446
Visit the lagoon at 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd. in Homosassa during the day. Admission is $5 for children and $13 for adults. You're invited to a day of purpose and connection.
View Event Details →

YogaThon 2026
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 7 AM – 7 PM
Crystal River Town Square
559 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
A full day of movement, energy, community and fun! YogaThon 2026 is a one-day event designed to move your body.
View Event Details →

Central Ridge Community Park Farmers Market
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM
Central Ridge Community Park
592 W Lake Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, FL 34465
View Event Details →

Enchanted Broom Workshop at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 11 AM – 1:30 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
Seasonal craft workshop at Bree's Riverside Restaurant, Nobleton.
View Event Details →

Skelebration Fall Festival & Haunted Forest Walk
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 12 PM – 9 PM
Lecanto Community Park
Families & Friends Reaching for Abilities hosts one of Citrus County's biggest fall events, with games, live bands, costume and pumpkin contests, inflatables, a petting zoo, hayrides and vendors.
View Event Details →

3rd Annual 7 Nights of Frights for 7 Gifts of Kindness
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 6 PM – 9 PM
Manatee Meat Co.
9369 N Cacalia Dr, Crystal River, FL 34428
Approximately 1 acre trail open for visitors. Start the evening at the boneyard and stroll past the cemetery.
View Event Details →

Fishing and Fellowship at Fort Island Trail Park
Sunday | October 25, 2026 | 8 AM
Fort Island Trail Park
12073 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429
Come as you are! Join us for fishing and fellowship! Bring your poles or use ours! We provide poles, bait, and water! Chairs are recommended to bring if you want them!
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Graveyard Glow up at Bowlero (Crystal River, FL)
Monday | October 26, 2026 | 6 PM
Bowlero (Crystal River, FL)
7715 W. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL
Bowlero is shutting down spooky season with an epic glow-in-the-dark graveyard scene, starting at 6 PM.
View Event Details →

Georgia Boy Southern BBQ & Seafood (Southern BBQ | Seafood)
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM
Central Ridge Community Center
77 Civic Cir., Beverly Hills, FL 34465
View Appearance Details →

Sip Away (Dirty Sodas | Coffee | Beverages)
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM
Central Ridge Community Center
77 Civic Cir., Beverly Hills, FL 34465
View Appearance Details →

Brynn's Bytes (American | Seafood | Wings)
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 12 PM – 10 PM
Low Key Hideaway
12050 FL-24, Cedar Key, FL 32625
View Appearance Details →

Brooks Dockside Seafood (Seafood, Southern, Cajun)
Saturday | October 24, 2026
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
View Appearance Details →

Unlimited Shaved Ice Cafe (Shaved Ice | Smoothies | Desserts)
Saturday | October 24, 2026
Howard's Flea Market
6373 S. Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446
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.

Guitar Mike & Friends at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Guitar Mike & Friends
Saturday | October 24, 2026 | 4 PM – 8 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
View Event Details →

Jorge Valentine at Crystal Harley-Davidson
Jorge Valentine
Sunday | October 25, 2026 | 12 PM – 3 PM
Crystal Harley-Davidson
1147 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34448
Come sing and dance along to all of your favorite Rock, Pop and Country songs.
View Event Details →

JoJo Jones and Jay at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
JoJo Jones and Jay
Sunday | October 25, 2026 | 3 PM – 6 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
View Event Details →

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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team