Happy Friday, Crystal River! Today is October 2, 2026, and it also happens to be National Fried Scallops Day, a fitting one for our stretch of the Nature Coast, where Brooks Dockside Seafood's food truck is parked at the water's edge today serving up the real thing.

Tonight brings First Friday to Town Square, Rocktoberfest hits the Square tomorrow evening with music from Jasmine Cain, and Liberty Park kicks off the season with a free Movie in the Park screening of Hocus Pocus. We've also got the latest on Citrus County's data exposure fallout, an aging firing range that may finally get replaced, and a friendly heads up from wildlife officials: black bears are bulking up for winter, so keep that garbage secured.

Whatever your weekend looks like, we hope it's a good one. As always, if we missed something happening around town, just hit reply and let us know.

Fall Fun Is Filling the Calendar in Citrus County
Citrus County Chronicle
Fall events are filling the calendar in Citrus County, from a guided nature hike and an outdoor "Ghostbusters" screening to the farmers market's return and a Halloween bat program.
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October Fishing Report on Florida's Adventure Coast
Nature Coaster
Florida's Adventure Coast outdoor community has a new October fishing report with the latest conditions and catches along the Nature Coast.
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Citrus County Data Exposure Fallout Continues
Citrus County Chronicle
The fallout from Citrus County's data exposure involving employees' and dependents' personal information continues, with county administration taking additional steps to address it.
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Citrus County's Aging Firing Range May Be Replaced
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus County's nearly 50-year-old law enforcement firing range routinely floods and lacks basic utilities, and a proposed regional public safety training complex could replace it.
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From the Director's Desk – October 2026
Citrus County Library System
The Citrus County library system's October "From the Director's Desk" column shares updates and reflections from library leadership.
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Volunteer Spotlight October 2026
Citrus County Library System
Citrus County's library system is spotlighting one of its volunteers for October, part of an ongoing series recognizing residents who give their time to the libraries.
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Florida Black Bears Are Bulking Up for Winter, and Your Garbage Could Be Next
Citrus County Chronicle
Florida black bears are bulking up for winter and your garbage could be their next meal, so wildlife officials are reminding Citrus County residents that a few simple precautions can help keep bears away.
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Citrus County Fire Rescue Celebrates 12 Years of Service for Captain/EMT Jon Raymond
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue is celebrating 12 years of service for Captain/EMT Jon Raymond.
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Citrus County Fire Rescue Celebrates 15 Years of Service for Driver Engineer/EMT Reed Elwell
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue is celebrating 15 years of service for Driver Engineer/EMT Reed Elwell.
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DOH-Citrus Hosts Car Seat Check Trunk or Treat
Florida Dept. of Health - Citrus
DOH-Citrus is hosting a car seat check combined with a Trunk or Treat event to help families make sure their children's car seats are installed correctly.
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DOH-Citrus Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Florida Dept. of Health - Citrus
The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County is recognizing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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Citrus County Fire Rescue Celebrates Captain/Paramedic Dustin Green's 15 Years Since Returning to CCFR
Citrus County Fire Rescue
Citrus County Fire Rescue is celebrating Captain/Paramedic Dustin Green's 15 years since returning to the department.
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Video: Seven Rivers Christian's Mariella de Beer on Her Team's Five-Set Win Over HCA
Citrus County Chronicle
In a new video, Seven Rivers Christian's Mariella de Beer talks about her volleyball team's five-set victory over HCA.
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Citrus County Schools' ESE Department Hosts Transition Fair October 10
Citrus County School District
Citrus County Schools' Exceptional Student Education department is hosting a Transition Fair on October 10 to support students with disabilities and their families as they plan for life after school.
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Crystal River High Celebrates September's Last Positive Pirates of the Week
Crystal River High School
Congratulations to September's last Positive Pirates of the Week, Mr. Davis and Ethan Montalbano, with thanks to September sponsor EBODS.
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Lecanto High's Spanish Club Welcomes All Interested Students
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High's Spanish Club welcomes anyone interested in experiencing Hispanic language and culture through fun activities and social events, whether or not they're currently taking Spanish.
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First Friday
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
City of Crystal River Government
123 NW US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL 34428
Join us at Town Square every first Friday of the month for live music, shopping vendors, lawn games, food trucks, and visiting our downtown bars and restaurants.
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Florida Trail Team Challenge
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 7 PM
Citrus County Fairgrounds Arena
3600 S Florida Ave, Inverness, FL 34450
Information, Sponsors and sign ups at www.FloridaTrailTeamChallenge.com, have your products used at challenges throughout the event!!
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Dominos Club
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 7 PM – 8:45 PM
Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Rainbow Lakes Estates Dominoes Club
Looking for a fun way to spend your Friday evening? Join us for Dominoes Club at the RLE Clubhouse!
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Movie in the Park: Hocus Pocus
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 10 PM
Liberty Park
268 N Apopka Ave, Inverness, FL 34450
Cootertober is coming, and so is the Movie in the Park season! Join us on Friday, October 2nd at Liberty Park as we kick off the season with a free showing of Disney's Hocus Pocus (1993)!
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5th Annual Jessie's Place Event at Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 10:30 AM
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Punishers LEMC is proud to announce our 5th Annual Event in support of Jessie's Place – Citrus County Children's Advocacy Center.
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Lego Build & Chill Club
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 4 PM – 7 PM
Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
LEGO Build & Chill Club – Rainbow Lakes Estates
Looking for a fun, creative way to connect with the community? Come join us for our LEGO Build & Chill Club!
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Brooks Dockside Seafood (Wild Caught Seafood)
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
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Brynn's Bytes (American | Seafood | Wings)
Friday | October 2, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
The Buoy Bar
10930 SE 201st Street, Inglis, FL 34449
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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.

Steel Rodeo at The Crossroads Lodge
Steel Rodeo
Saturday | October 3, 2026 | 1 PM – 5 PM
The Crossroads Lodge
11350 State Road 121, Inglis, FL 34449
Public event
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Dusty Starr Williams at Brooks Dockside Seafood
Dusty Starr Williams
Sunday | October 4, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
LIVE Music Dockside 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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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team