Citrus County has confirmed its first locally acquired dengue case this year, and the response has reached Crystal River directly: the Florida Department of Health issued a mosquito-borne illness alert, and Citrus County Mosquito Control sent helicopters to drop larvicide over Crystal River, Homosassa and Chassahowitzka. Health officials want residents to dump standing water around their homes, wear long sleeves outdoors, and use EPA-registered repellent. Florida has logged 208 dengue cases statewide so far this year.

Elsewhere in today's issue: a youth football league that started with 40 players four years ago now has 1,000 kids playing across Citrus County, county commissioners voted to rename the West Citrus Government Center for the late Dennis Damato, and the Friends of the Citrus County Library System marked 25 years of supporting local libraries.

He built a youth football league. Then 1,000 kids showed up.
Corey Edwards, a 20-year coaching veteran, started 352 Legends Football League four years ago as a 40-player flag football program. It has grown to roughly 1,000 kids across Citrus County, and this fall launched its first recreational tackle season with 180 players and 140 cheerleaders, drawing about 1,500 spectators to its first game day. Registration is $175 and includes equipment. "Every kid plays," Edwards said. "No child is ever turned away because of financial hardship." Practices run at five county parks, with games on Saturdays through Oct. 17.
Citrus County Chronicle
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County commissioners rename a building for the late Dennis Damato
Citrus County commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to rename the Meadowcrest building, home to the West Citrus Government Center at 1540 N. Meadowcrest Blvd. in Crystal River, in honor of former County Commissioner Dennis Damato, who died in 2022 at age 69. Damato championed the county's 2014 purchase of the building, which now houses the Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Tax Collector and Property Appraiser. "He was one of the biggest visionaries the county ever had," Commissioner Rebecca Bays said. Commissioner Janet Barek cast the lone dissenting vote, preferring Damato's name go on the Crystal River trailhead instead, honoring his advocacy for the Rails-to-Trails program.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Citrus County's new aquatic chief wants to spray less, target better
Andrew Owens, Citrus County's new aquatic services director, is developing what he calls a 21st-century approach to managing waterway vegetation that relies less on herbicides. Working with the local environmental group TOO FAR, his plan uses aerial drone mapping to pinpoint only the vegetation that needs treatment, potentially shrinking one 8-acre spray area to 5.75 acres, along with water quality monitoring and small-scale mechanical harvesting. "I heard the complaints about the herbicides. I've taken it to heart," Owens said, though he cautioned that cutting invasive hydrilla without any chemical follow-up "will create 10 times more hydrilla." "We don't have an aquatic plant problem," he said. "We have a human problem."
Citrus County Chronicle
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Florida's rising SNAP error rate could actually help the state
Florida's unofficial SNAP payment error rate climbed to 14.49% for federal fiscal year 2026, up from 12.97% the year before and well above the expected national rate of 10.62%. That's not necessarily bad news: under the federal reconciliation law, states with 2025 error rates of 13.33% or higher get an extra year before they must start sharing SNAP costs with Washington. If Florida's 2026 rate lands above that threshold too, the state could push its cost-sharing start date back again, from 2028 to as late as 2030, helping it avoid a penalty that could have topped $1 billion. Florida's SNAP rolls fell 23% year over year, from about 2.97 million to 2.29 million residents.
Citrus County Chronicle
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The insurance gap before Medicare is wider in Citrus County than in Florida overall
About 12.8% of Citrus County residents ages 50 to 64 were uninsured in 2024, higher than Florida's 11% rate overall, representing roughly 4,579 people too young for Medicare and often priced out of other coverage. The squeeze is worse for lower earners: 20% of county residents at or below the poverty line in that age group are uninsured. Even those with coverage aren't necessarily protected. In a local survey of 100 county residents ages 53 to 63, 37% said they'd delayed dental care over cost and half had high-deductible plans. "Premiums for this age group can be up to three times the amount" charged to younger adults, said Cassandra Garza of Florida Covering Kids & Families. Citrus County's ACA marketplace renewal rate, 56.6%, is also the lowest among nearby counties.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Hemp businesses get a one-month reprieve on new federal restrictions
A congressional funding bill signed by President Trump this week delays new federal hemp restrictions that were set to take effect Nov. 12, buying hemp retailers another month before a tighter THC standard could wipe out an estimated 95% of hemp-derived products on shelves. For Michael Smith, who owns two Herban Flow stores, about 80% of sales come from hemp-derived THC products. "It's one month, and Dec. 11 is a funding deadline," Smith said. "So this isn't settled, it's postponed." Opponents of hemp-derived THC products want the ban to take full effect in December, while industry advocates hope for a longer-term fix before then.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Citrus County libraries mark 25 years of support from their Friends group
Citrus County celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Friends of the Citrus County Library System, thanking the volunteer group for its two and a half decades of support for the county's libraries.
Citrus County Government
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Crystal River Fire Department opens its doors for a family open house
The Crystal River Fire Department is inviting families to look inside the fire station and learn what firefighters do at an open house starting at noon this week. Check the department's Facebook page for the exact schedule.
City of Crystal River
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Dengue arrives locally as mosquitoes draw attention
Citrus County has confirmed a locally acquired dengue case, prompting the Florida Department of Health to issue a mosquito-borne illness alert and Citrus County Mosquito Control to expand operations, including truck fogging, aerial larviciding and helicopter larvicide drops over Crystal River, Homosassa and Chassahowitzka. Florida has recorded 208 dengue cases statewide through Sept. 2, with 66 in neighboring Hillsborough County. Health officials urge residents to dump standing water around their homes, wear long sleeves and pants outdoors, and use EPA-registered repellent, and to see a doctor if they develop fever, severe muscle or joint pain, or a rash.
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
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School Board honors Sen. Massullo for community project
The Citrus County School Board recognized State Sen. Ralph Massullo, District 11, at Tuesday night's meeting for a project the district says will have a lasting impact on the community.
Citrus County School District
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School Board opens meeting with 9/11 tribute
The School Board opened Tuesday's meeting with a moment of remembrance, recognizing the men who coordinate this week's 9/11 Memorial ceremony at the Valerie Theatre in Inverness.
Citrus County School District
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Once a Pirate, always a Pirate: CRHS grad surprised at work
Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert and members of his team surprised 2011 Crystal River High School graduate Austin Wilson at work Tuesday with a special recognition.
Citrus County School District
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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…
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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 is Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 8:30 AM, and we would love for you to join us.
Ambassador Monthly Meeting
Location: Citrus County Chamb…
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ADULT 🏔️ Mountain Wildflower Meadow Painting Class 🎨
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-ca…
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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 con…
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Dungeons & Dragons Club
Friday | September 11, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9 PM
24654 SW Shorewood Dr., Dunnellon, FL 34431
🎲 Dungeons & Dragons Club at Rainbow Lakes Estates 🐉
Calling all adventurers! Join us for Dungeons & Dragons Club at the RLE Creative Arts Center and embark on epic quests, battle fierce monsters,…
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Papa's Grill (Cheesesteaks | Burgers)
Wednesday | September 9, 2026 | 4 PM – 7 PM
Brookridge food event
8161 Hampton St, Brooksville, FL 34613
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Against the Fall debut at Papa Willie's
Against the Fall
Friday | September 11, 2026 | 7 PM
Papa Willie's Bar & Grill
4105 N Lecanto Hwy, Beverly Hills, FL
Quite possibly the best hits from the 90's and 2000's Alternative/Modern Rock charts will be played live! We're talking STP, Bush, Eve 6, 3 Doors Down, Matchbox Twenty, Collective Soul and so much mor…
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