Good morning, Crystal River! It's Thursday, October 29, and the day looks partly cloudy with a few showers around, a high of 84 and a low of 68. It's also National Cat Day, so we have to ask: who really runs your house, you or the cat?

In the news, Gov. Ron DeSantis visited the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to announce $50 million in springs restoration grants, including $3 million for Citrus County Housing Services' septic-to-sewer upgrades and $2 million each for the Homosassa River Restoration Project and Save Crystal River's Kings Bay Restoration Project. Crystal River is also searching for a new city attorney after Robert Batsel's resignation, and county commissioners want to revisit tree, buffer and drainage rules. In school news, WTC students heard from an Iron Workers apprenticeship coordinator and the Pirates girls golf team wrapped up its season.

Tonight, Crystal River Primary hosts its fall festival and trunk-or-treat from 5 to 7 PM, and karaoke starts at 6 PM at Bree's Riverside Restaurant. Friday brings the Jump Fit Halloween Glow Party in Crystal River and Memphis style music at KC Wine Bistro. On Saturday, Scarecrow Fest fills downtown from 10 AM to 5 PM, and The Mordigans Band plays Saturday Night in Town Square. Food trucks today include Unlimited Shaved Ice Cafe in Homosassa and Brooks Dockside Seafood in Inglis. Pick your costume early, Crystal River, because this Halloween weekend is stacked!

Scarecrow Fest (moved to Halloween)
Saturday | October 31, 2026 | 10 AM – 5 PM
Downtown Crystal River
Crystal River's free downtown fall festival, moved to Halloween, with 50+ craft vendors, food trucks, live music, games, a kids costume contest and 400 pumpkins.
View Event Details →

Citrus County Lands $3 Million in Springs Restoration Grants
Hometown Citrus
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced $50 million in springs restoration grants at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, and Citrus County Housing Services landed $3 million for septic-to-sewer upgrades that should support 385 more households. Two $2 million awards also went to the Homosassa River Restoration Project and Save Crystal River's Kings Bay Restoration Project.
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Crystal River City Attorney Resigns, Citing Ethical Concerns
Citrus County Chronicle
Crystal River is searching for a new city attorney after Robert Batsel announced his resignation, citing ethical concerns over potential conflicts of interest. Read the Citrus County Chronicle's report for the details.
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Commissioners Want to Revisit Tree, Buffer and Drainage Rules
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus County commissioners want to revisit tree protections, landscaping buffers and drainage concerns in the county's development rules when two new board members take office. Could tougher standards help protect neighborhoods? The Citrus County Chronicle has the story.
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Fire Rescue Crew Honored for Lifesaving Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Three Citrus County Fire Rescue members earned lifesaving recognition at the National First Responders Day ceremony hosted by VFW Post 10087 in Beverly Hills. Captain Ryan Olding, Driver Engineer Reed Elwell and Firefighter Camden Labonte were honored for a September 9 call, when the Engine 5 crew forced entry, removed an unconscious resident to safety and started medical care.
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Camp Spirit 5K Draws More Than 150 Runners and Walkers
Citrus County Chronicle
More than 150 runners and walkers hit the course Saturday at Black Diamond Ranch for the sixth annual Camp Spirit 5K, benefiting Camp E-Nini-Hassee. The Citrus County Chronicle has the race coverage, including Citrus High's Tavin Houchin and Rachael Chiles.
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UF/IFAS Flags Pasture Mealybug as an Emerging Concern
UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County (Lecanto)
Pasture mealybug is an emerging concern for Florida forage producers. UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County shares how to recognize potential symptoms and why correctly identifying a problem matters before choosing a management strategy.
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No advisories or safety notices for the Crystal River area today.

Citrus Swimmers Earn Regional Bids at District Meet
Citrus County Chronicle
Several Citrus County swimmers earned automatic regional bids at Tuesday's District 2A-4 Championships with top-two finishes, and plenty of others will likely earn at-large bids to the next step. Read the Citrus County Chronicle's coverage to see who advanced.
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Iron Workers Coordinator Talks Careers With WTC Students
Withlacoochee Technical College
Iron Workers Local 397 apprenticeship coordinator Mark Terry visited Withlacoochee Technical College to talk careers with students from the welding, advanced welding, HVAC/R, electrical and industrial machinery controls programs. He covered fields such as structural steel erection, power plants and utilities, and industrial maintenance, followed by a question and answer session.
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Pirates Girls Golf Wraps Up Season at District Tournament
Crystal River High School
The Pirates girls' golf team wrapped up its season Tuesday, competing in the District Tournament at Hernando Oaks. Aubrey Diaz led the way with a team-low 117.
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Girls Flag Off-Season Workouts Start Monday, November 2
Crystal River High School
Girls flag off-season workouts start Monday, November 2, after Super Snack. Athletes meet in the cafe at 2:45 and must be cleared by athletic clearance to participate.
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Lecanto High Highlights Red Ribbon Week
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High School is highlighting Red Ribbon Week, the national campaign held each October to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and encourage students to live healthy, drug-free lives.
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Lecanto High Reminds Families of Tardy Policy
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High School is reminding families about its tardy policy: students receive a referral with in-school suspension after 10 unexcused tardies in an academic quarter. Check the school's post for the full details on follow-up referrals.
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Books and Babies
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 10 AM – 10:30 AM
Coastal Region Library
Free baby storytime at Coastal Region Library for ages 0 to 30 months and caregivers, 10 to 10:30 AM Thursday.
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Annual Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 5 PM – 7 PM
Crystal River Primary School
Crystal River Primary PTO fall festival and trunk-or-treat with games, food, a bounce house, music and candy, 5 to 7 PM Thursday.
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2026 Environmental Jeopardy
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 8 PM
College of Central Florida (Citrus Campus)
3800 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461
Citrus County Education Foundation's annual middle and high school environmental quiz contest is open to the public. 5:30 to 8 PM Thursday.
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Belly Dancing Class (weekly, Thursdays)
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 5:30 PM
Homosassa Civic Club
5530 S. Mason Creek Rd., Homosassa, FL 34448
Weekly belly dancing class at the Homosassa Civic Club. Beginners at 5:30 PM, advanced at 6:30 PM, $5 per class.
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Second Annual Homosassa Witches Dance
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 6 PM – 8:30 PM
MacRae's of Homosassa
Homosassa Water Witches host a costume dance night starting at MacRae's, with a pontoon river ride to local brewers. 6 to 8:30 PM Thursday.
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Fall Festival
Friday | October 30, 2026 | 4 PM – 9 PM
LDS Church
Fall Festival at the LDS church in Lecanto, 4 to 9 PM Friday. Check the event page for details.
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River School After Dark
Friday | October 30, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 9 PM
Halloween night for kids 5 to 12: night fishing, lighted kayak paddle, haunted golf cart ride, pumpkin archery and costume contest. $75 per child.
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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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Hilthon Haunt Kids Night
Friday | October 30, 2026 | 7 PM – 9 PM
Kids Night at the Hilthon Haunt in Homosassa, 7 to 9 PM Friday. $5 donation.
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Nightmare on the River with Nino Breeze Project, Youngin Itz, Kenon
Friday | October 30, 2026
Nightmare on the River with Nino Breeze Project, Youngin Itz and Kenon, Friday and Saturday near Three Sisters Springs. Check the event page for start times.
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Scarecrow Fest (moved to Halloween)
Saturday | October 31, 2026 | 10 AM – 5 PM
Downtown Crystal River
Crystal River's free downtown fall festival, moved to Halloween, with 50+ craft vendors, food trucks, live music, games, a kids costume contest and 400 pumpkins.
View Event Details →

Crystal River Blocktoberfest (Free Fall Festival!)
Saturday | October 31, 2026 | 5:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Join us for our annual Blocktoberfest - Crystal River Edition! FREE food, bounce houses, rock-wall experience, laser tag, candy, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, and so much more!
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Unlimited Shaved Ice Cafe (Shaved Ice | Smoothies | Desserts)
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 9:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Village Toyota Homosassa
2431 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34448
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Brooks Dockside Seafood (Seafood, Southern, Cajun)
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
View Appearance Details →

Unlimited Shaved Ice Cafe (Shaved Ice | Smoothies | Desserts)
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Eagle Buick GMC
Homosassa, FL 34448
View Appearance Details →

Brynn's Bytes (American | Seafood | Wings)
Thursday | October 29, 2026 | 1 PM – 8 PM
Low Key Hideaway
12050 FL-24, Cedar Key, FL 32625
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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.

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.
View Event Details →

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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Wooten & Wise at Silver Moon Tavern
Wooten & Wise
Saturday | October 31, 2026 | 2 PM – 6 PM
Silver Moon Tavern
3025 S US 41, Dunnellon, FL 34432
Live Music Duo
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LIVE Music! with Dusty Starr Williams at Brooks Dockside Seafood
Saturday | October 31, 2026 | 4 PM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
LIVE Music with Dusty Starr Williams! Brooks Dockside Seafood Food Truck. Beer & Wine available at the Best Catch Club. Fans & Swamp Coolers Dockside.
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The Mordigans Band at Saturday Night in Town Square
The Mordigans Band
Saturday | October 31, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
Crystal River Town Square
559 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
The Mordigans Band performs at Saturday Night in Town Square's Halloween edition, with a costume contest, 5 to 9 PM, free.
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Halloween with Karmic Revenge at Maguire's Sports Bar
Karmic Revenge
Saturday | October 31, 2026 | 7 PM
Maguire's Sports Bar
48 Hwy 19 South, Inglis, FL 34449
HALLOWEEN NIGHT JUST GOT LOUDER! Get ready for a spooky night of killer music, cold drinks, and Halloween chaos as KARMIC REVENGE takes over Maguire’s Sports Bar LIVE at 7PM!
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Halloween Party with Florida Rhythm Band
Florida Rhythm Band
Saturday | October 31, 2026
Copp Brewery & Winery
7855 W Gulf To Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429
Florida Rhythm Band plays 7 to 10 PM at COPP Brewery and Winery, with a costume contest and prizes. Costumes encouraged.
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