Good morning, Crystal River! A new Home Depot is set to open October 15 in Lecanto, one of 12 the chain is opening this year, while across town Crystal River is in the middle of a genuine growth spurt, with more than 400 new hotel rooms expected within two years.

Lake Rousseau remains at the center of a long-running fight over how much aquatic vegetation is too much, and Citrus County drivers are feeling gas prices cross the $4 mark for the first time since June. On a brighter note, What the Fox Wildlife Rescue just completed its first community cleanup along the stretch of Crystal River Highway it recently adopted.

In Public Safety, missing Crystal River woman Betty Hamby has been found safe, and Citrus County Fire Rescue has a generator safety tip worth reading before the next storm. Plus tonight's free Chamber career panel for students, and a full slate of events this week. Let's get into it.

Home Depot Sets October Opening Date in Lecanto
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
A new Home Depot is set to open October 15 at the northeast corner of State Road 44 and Kensington Avenue in Lecanto, at 136,980 square feet, one of the chain's 12 store openings this year. The project's new raised median on Kensington Avenue drew pushback from FDOT, county engineers, and nearby business owners before commissioners voted 3-2 to keep it in place.
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Growth is coming fast. Can Crystal River keep up?
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
Crystal River is in the middle of a growth spurt, with more than 400 new hotel rooms expected within two years across projects like Home2Suites, the Port Hotel and Marina, and a reopened Plantation Inn. Mayor Meek and City Manager Curts say the city's bare-bones 43-person staff and stalled infrastructure funding are struggling to keep pace.
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How much hydrilla is too much?
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
Lake Rousseau remains at the center of a long-running fight over how much aquatic vegetation is too much, pitting boaters who want clearer navigation against anglers who value hydrilla as fish habitat. The state has spent about $5.62 million on herbicide treatments since 2014, and Citrus County's aquatic services director is now exploring ways to cut back on spraying.
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Gas Prices Cross $4 a Gallon in Citrus County
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
Florida's average gas price crossed $4 a gallon for the first time since June, driven by a nearly 20% jump in crude oil tied to rising Middle East tensions. Citrus County drivers are feeling it directly, with prices ranging from about $4.03 in Homosassa to $4.19 in parts of Inverness, Crystal River, and Lecanto.
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What the Fox Wildlife Rescue Completes First Community Cleanup After Adopting Crystal River Highway Stretch
Nature Coaster
What the Fox Wildlife Rescue completed its first community cleanup along the stretch of Crystal River Highway it recently adopted, expanding the rescue's mission beyond animal rehabilitation and into caring for the roadside habitat around it.
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Missing Crystal River Woman Found Safe
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Citrus County Sheriff's deputies have located 81-year-old Betty Hamby safe, closing out the Silver Alert issued for the Crystal River woman.
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Preparedness Tip: Generator Safety After a Storm
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue's latest hurricane-prep tip focuses on generator safety, reminding residents that a portable generator can keep essential equipment running after a storm-related outage, but only if it's used the right way.
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Chamber Hosts Free Career Panel for Students Tonight
Citrus County Chamber of Commerce
Citrus County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free "Monday Meetup: Careers" panel tonight for middle and high schoolers to talk with real local professionals about career paths they may not have considered, with parents welcome to join.
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Plant Swap
Tuesday | September 15, 2026 | 4 PM – 5 PM
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Plant Swap 🌿 Swap plants. Meet neighbors. Grow together. Bring a plant, cutting, seed, pot, or gardening goodie to trade, and take home something new to grow. 🪴
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Mosquito Control Facility Tour
Wednesday | September 16, 2026 | 10 AM – 11 AM
968 N Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461
Join us for a presentation and tour of our mosquito control facility.
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Grace & Grub Ministries - Mobile Soup Kitchen at Old Schoolhouse Community Center
Wednesday | September 16, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 1 PM
Club Recovery
2415 N. Florida Ave, Hernando, FL 34442
U-Turn for Christ, Grace & Grub Ministries - Mobile Soup Kitchen
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BNI - Small Business Networking Meet-up in Citrus County
Thursday | September 17, 2026 | 7 AM – 9 AM
American Legion Post 155 Crystal River Florida
6585 E. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429
Come visit the best small business networking group in Citrus County! Visitors are always welcome.
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Tater Tot Thursdays at Herman B Oberman Public Library
Thursday | September 17, 2026 | 10 AM – 12 PM
4040 SW Deepwater Ct, Dunnellon, FL 34431
Fun, Enrichment, And Stimulation for toddlers at RLE Community Center
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Business Builders Citrus at Luigi's Family Restaurant
Thursday | September 17, 2026 | 12:01 PM – 1:01 PM
Luigi's Family Restaurant
4538 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446
Come out have some lunch and tell the group about your business. The group and meet ups are free, we just ask that you share the event and invite some people.
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Ocala Blue Star Mothers Fundraiser at Five Guys
Thursday | September 17, 2026 | 4 PM – 8 PM
1838 N Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461-9680
20% of your purchase goes to Ocala Blue Star Mothers and will be used to support our veterans and military service members. Lecanto location only.
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RLE Advisory Board Meeting
Thursday | September 17, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
4040 SW Deepwater Ct, Dunnellon, FL 34431
If you wish to speak at an upcoming Advisory Board meeting, please contact the RLE District Office at 352-489-4280. You will be given 5 minutes.
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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.

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Not seeing your favorite restaurant listed? Reply to this newsletter and let us know your go-to place for date night.

Belly Dancing Class -- EVERY THURSDAY
Thursday | September 17, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Homosassa Civic Club
5530 S. Mason Creek Rd., Homosassa, FL 34448
Posting on behalf of a friend: BELLY DANCING CLASS $5, mention this ad and your first class is free. Thursdays, 5:30 beginners & 6:30 Advanced at: $5.
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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team