If you live in Citrus Springs and haven’t kept up with your deed restrictions, the county is asking you to catch up by September 30. Enforcement of the community’s covenants is resuming after a lapse, and violations like unapproved structures or landscaping changes can now draw fines of up to $1,000. CSCA President Robert Childers says the association paused enforcement only while attorneys confirmed the decades-old restrictions were still valid, and they concluded the rules are enforceable, so residents have until the end of the month to fix flagged violations before notices go out.

There’s plenty of other local government news today too. Amendment 3, the property tax measure headed to Florida voters this November, could reshape how much money Citrus County has to run its own services if it passes. County commissioners take that up, along with their regular business, at Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting at 1 p.m. On a lighter note, veterans get a fresh reason to hit the links: the PGA HOPE program is offering free golf instruction this fall, and a local conservation columnist is marking National Public Lands Month with a reminder to get outside and enjoy it.

Closing out the day: keep an eye out for Micrathena, the spiky, brightly colored spider showing off at Crystal River Preserve State Park, and mark your calendar for the Citrus County Chronicle’s Home & Garden Show later this month. Lecanto High students are gearing up for Fall Play auditions and a growing Spanish Club, and the Lecanto and Citrus cross country teams both came away from Saturday’s invitational with something to build on. Scroll down for the week’s events, including a garden club meetup, a veterans network gathering, and a mountain-meadow painting class.

Your property tax bill could shrink under Amendment 3. So could county services.
Amendment 3, on the November 2026 ballot, would expand Florida's homestead exemption and needs 60% voter approval to pass. County officials say Citrus County could lose up to $289.3 million over five years if it passes, $263.1 million of that from county government alone. Commissioner Holly Davis said the county “can't” absorb a hit that size without cutting services or adding fees, while Commission Chair Diana Finegan cautioned against shifting the tax burden onto middle-class families and small businesses. Possible cuts on the table include closing a public library, trimming parks maintenance and delaying road resurfacing.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Citrus Springs deed-restriction violations face fines starting Oct. 1
The Citrus Springs Civic Association is ending its pause on enforcing the community's decades-old deed restrictions, originally set by developer Deltona Corp. and covering things like setbacks and minimum home sizes. Residents have until Sept. 30 to fix violations reported over the past six months before certified notices go out Oct. 1, with fines up to $1,000 that can accumulate. CSCA President Robert Childers said the association had paused enforcement while attorneys checked whether the restrictions were still valid under Florida's Marketable Record Title Act; they concluded the rules are enforceable.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Citrus County commissioners meet Tuesday at 1 p.m.
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners meets Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. at the Citrus County Courthouse, Room 100, 110 N. Apopka Ave. in downtown Inverness. Residents can attend in person or follow along online.
Citrus County Government
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Free PGA HOPE golf program for veterans returns in October
PGA HOPE, a free national program that introduces veterans and active-duty military to golf, kicks off its next Citrus County session Oct. 8 at Skyview Golf Course in Hernando, meeting Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. through Nov. 12. Lead instructor Charlie Meade, who brought the program to Citrus County in 2022, said the sessions build camaraderie along with golf skills: “By the end of the week they've developed relationships and they start to play golf together and open up.” No skill level, VA disability rating or combat experience is required, and more than 100 veterans have graduated from the local program since it started. Registration closes at 9 a.m. Oct. 7 at pgareach.org/pgahope.
Citrus County Chronicle
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A local conservation advocate's ask for National Public Lands Month
September is National Public Lands Month, and Nature Coast conservation writer Joe Murphy is urging Floridians to do more than just enjoy the outdoors. In a Citrus County Chronicle column, Murphy points to recent proposals for commercial development inside state parks and controversial land swaps as reasons to speak up, and suggests sharing public-lands stories on social media, writing letters to the editor, and contacting state legislators directly. He's asking readers to push for full funding of programs like Florida Forever and against future land swaps or sales.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Meet Micrathena, the colorful spider at Crystal River Preserve State Park
Friends of the Crystal River State Parks is spotlighting the array of spiders found at Crystal River Preserve State Park, including a colorful, spiky-bodied orb-weaver known as Micrathena. The group shared the sighting as a reminder of the park's biodiversity heading into fall.
Friends of the Crystal River State Parks
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Citrus County Chronicle's Home & Garden Show returns Sept. 26
The Citrus County Chronicle's Home & Garden Show runs Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with vendors and ideas for home improvement projects big and small.
Citrus County Chronicle
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No public safety alerts or advisories to report in Crystal River today. We'll keep you posted if that changes.

Lecanto High School holds Fall Play auditions this week
Lecanto High School is holding auditions for its Fall Play after school on Sept. 8 and 9, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Students interested in trying out can stop by room 143 to schedule an audition time.
Lecanto High School
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Lecanto High's Spanish Club is welcoming new members
Lecanto High School's Spanish Club is recruiting new members, offering students a chance to experience Hispanic language and culture and build Spanish fluency through hands-on activities.
Lecanto High School
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Lecanto, Citrus cross country teams get a confidence boost at Crystal River Invitational
The Lecanto Panthers and Citrus Hurricanes cross country teams both came away with a confidence boost after Saturday's Crystal River Invitational meet.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Garden Club
Tuesday | September 8, 2026 | 1 PM – 2 PM
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Rainbow Lakes Estates Garden Club 🌿 Do you love gardening or want to learn more about growing plants in our Florida climate? Join the Rainbow Lakes Estates Garden Club and connect with fellow garden lovers in the community!
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Coffee & Conversations
Wednesday | September 9, 2026 | 10 AM – 11 AM
4040 SW Deepwater Ct, Dunnellon, FL 34431
☕ Coffee & Conversation Join us for a cozy morning of Coffee & Conversation at the Rainbow Lakes Estates District Office! This relaxed community gathering is a great opportunity to enjoy free coffee and snacks, meet your neighbors, and chat with RLE staff in a welcoming environment.
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Ambassador Monthy Meeting
Thursday | September 10, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
915 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River, FL 34429
Join the Citrus County Chamber Ambassadors Our next meeting begins at 8:30 AM, and we would love for you to join us.
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Mountain Wildflower Meadow Painting Class for Adults
Thursday | September 10, 2026 | 10 AM
Inglis, Florida
🌸🌲🎨 MOUNTAIN MEADOW, COME PAINT THE MOUNTAINS WITH ME! 🎨🌲 Okay, my creative people, this one is going to be FUN! 💕 We’re painting Mountain Meadow, a gorgeous little escape filled with snow-capped mountains, towering evergreens and a whole field of happy wildflowers.
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FVNCC Monthly Community Meeting
Thursday | September 10, 2026 | 1 PM
Faith Lutheran Church
957 S Crystal Glen Dr., Lecanto, FL 34461
🇺🇸 FVNCC Monthly Community Meeting Join us this month for connection, camaraderie, and support 💙 The Female Veterans Network of Citrus County (FVNCC) brings women together to build meaningful connections and a strong sense of community.
View Event Details →

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