Good morning, Crystal River! The Betz Farm saga took another turn this week: the county's Planning and Development Commission voted to recommend denial of the developer's revised plan for the 348-acre property, though a final decision from the County Commission is still to come. Meanwhile, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office is asking for help finding 17-year-old Brooke Harding, a local teen reported missing Thursday evening. If you have any information, please contact CCSO at 352-249-2790.

In other Public Safety news, a Dunnellon man was sentenced to five years for firing shots at utility linemen restoring power last December. On a lighter note, 2022 Citrus High School grad Emily Shelton is being celebrated for her calm under pressure: an engine failure forced her to land a small plane on a Pensacola interstate during her student's first flying lesson, and everyone walked away safe.

It's also National Be An Angel Day, a fitting theme with two local philanthropy stories in today's issue: CC Blessings quietly feeds over 3,000 local students every weekend, and the Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop just donated $7,000 for new water stations at Rainbow Springs State Park. Down below you'll find the weekend's live music, a food truck, and everything else happening around town. Have a great Saturday!

Betz Farm Development Denial Recommended by County Planning Commission

The long-running Betz Farm saga took another turn this week. The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission voted Thursday to recommend denial of the developer's revised plan for the 348-acre property, citing too many unanswered questions and a failure to meet the county's comprehensive plan. The recommendation is a significant setback for the project, though a final decision from the County Commission is still to come. It's the latest chapter in a fight that has already spanned a 60-day continuance request and months of debate over road capacity and county procedure. Read More -->

CC Blessings Feeds Over 3,000 Local Students Each Weekend

Citrus County Blessings has been quietly fighting childhood hunger in the county for 25 years, and its Silencing Weekend Hunger program now reaches more than 3,000 students across 31 local schools. Each Friday during the school year, participating students take home bags of food to get them through the weekend, with school staff confidentially identifying children in need and about 400 monthly volunteers handling the logistics. The need is significant: roughly 80% of Citrus County public school students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and about half of county households fall below the federal poverty line or qualify as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). The organization says a $250 donation covers one child's meals for an entire school year. Read More -->

Citrus High Grad Praised for Emergency Highway Landing

Emily Shelton, a 2022 Citrus High School graduate who became a flight instructor before turning 22, is being recognized for her composure during a mid-air emergency. On August 3, an engine failure forced Shelton to land a 1974 Piper Cherokee on Interstate 10 near Pensacola during her student's first flight lesson, radioing air traffic control, "We're not making the airport; we are going down on I-10." She maneuvered the powerless aircraft under an overhead highway sign and around traffic before bringing it down safely, with no injuries to anyone aboard or on the ground. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office presented Shelton with its Sheriff's Medal for her skill and composure under pressure. Read More -->

Dunnellon Thrift Shop Donates $7,000 for Rainbow Springs Water Stations

Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop volunteers voted to donate $7,000 to Rainbow Springs State Park to help fund two new water drinking stations. Each station will include a water bottle filler, two bubblers, and a pet-friendly water bowl, giving visitors and their four-legged companions a place to cool off and refill during their visit. The donation is the latest example of the thrift shop's ongoing support for local parks and community spaces. Read More -->

Free 'Bite Back' Mosquito Control Talk Set for Aug. 31 in Beverly Hills

Citrus County Mosquito Control is hosting a free public presentation, "Bite Back: Winning the War on Mosquitoes," on Monday, Aug. 31, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Central Ridge Library, 425 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Beverly Hills. The talk will cover the county's mosquito-control strategies, including the use of mosquito fish and specialized bacteria to target larvae before they become a nuisance. The event is free and open to the public. Read More -->

CCSO Seeks Help Finding Missing Teen Brooke Harding

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating a missing runaway juvenile. Brooke Harding, 17, was last seen Thursday, Aug. 20, around 5:30 p.m. wearing a black Def Leppard T-shirt, blue Stitch-print pants, and rainbow Crocs. She is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes, and investigators believe she may be heading toward Marion County. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Citrus County Sheriff's Office immediately at 352-249-2790, referencing case #26-00008681. Read More -->

Dunnellon Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Shooting at Utility Workers

Immanuel Zachariah Smith, 30, was sentenced Friday to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections plus two years of felony probation after being convicted of two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charges stemmed from a December 5, 2025 incident at his North Nicosia Point property in Dunnellon, when two utility linemen arrived in a marked bucket truck to repair a power outage. According to the State Attorney's Office, Smith confronted the workers and fired multiple shots as they took cover behind a recreational vehicle, even after they repeatedly identified themselves; investigators later confirmed the crew never trespassed on his property. State Attorney Bill Gladson said, "Linemen shouldn't have to worry about being shot at while doing their jobs...No worker should ever have to fear for their life." Read More -->

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FREE PHH Level 1: Active Threat Awareness for Churches | Dunnellon, FL
Saturday | August 22, 2026 | 9 AM – 12 PM
Sign up here: https://phhtraining.com/event/free-phh-level-1-active-threat-awareness-seminar-dunnellon-florida/ Be Prepared - Stay Safe - Take Action Join us for a Dynamic and eye-opening 3-hour se…
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Fiber Craft Society Club
Saturday | August 22, 2026 | 1 PM – 3 PM
Rainbow Lakes Estates Creative Arts Center
24654 SW Shorewood Dr., Dunnellon, FL 34431
🧶 Fiber Craft Society – Rainbow Lakes Estates 🧵 Join fellow craft lovers at the Fiber Craft Society at the RLE Creative Art Center! This welcoming group is perfect for anyone who enjoys working wit…
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Monday Night Scramble at ZenSprings Golf Club
Monday | August 24, 2026 | 5:30 PM
ZenSprings Golf Club
20650 SW 80th Place Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34431
⛳ MONDAY NIGHT SCRAMBLE AT ZENSPRINGS GOLF CLUB ⛳ Looking for a fun way to kick off your week? Grab your friends and join us every Monday evening for our Monday Night Scramble! Whether you're a seas…
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Authentic So. Cal Flavors (Mexican)
Sunday | August 23, 2026 | 1 PM – 9 PM
Low Key Hideaway
12050 FL-24, Cedar Key, FL 32625
View Food Truck Info -->

Guitar Mike & Friends at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Guitar Mike & Friends
Saturday | August 22, 2026 | 4 PM – 8 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
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Matthew McCartney at Brooks Dockside Seafood
Matthew McCartney
Saturday | August 22, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
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Barker Boyz @ Norton's Riverside
Barker Boyz
Saturday | August 22, 2026 | 6 PM – 10 PM
Norton's Riverside Sports Bar and Grill
16 NE 5th St, Crystal River, FL 34429
The Barker Boyz debut at Nortons Riverside!
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Echo/Sixx Band at St. Johns Tavern
Echo/Sixx Band
Saturday | August 22, 2026 | 8 PM – 12:00 AM
St. Johns Tavern
572 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
Pack the house out for an incredible night
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Captain Johnston Band at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Captain Johnston Band
Sunday | August 23, 2026 | 3 PM – 7 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
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The Younger Gang at Brooks Dockside Seafood
The Younger Gang
Sunday | August 23, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
View Event Details -->

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