Happy Sunday, Crystal River! It's National Read a Book Day and National Coffee Ice Cream Day, a fitting pairing for a slow holiday weekend.

Today's issue mixes local history with local government. We found the local connection that may explain why Elvis Presley filmed part of a 1961 movie right here in Citrus County, plus what a wave of new state laws could mean for Crystal River's own five-year zoning code. Barbara Luckham is set to become the county's permanent budget director, an ethics complaint against a former commissioner cleared a key hurdle, and Citrus County picked up some August rain, though not enough to end the drought.

Schools are closed Monday for Labor Day, and both Crystal River and Citrus High took the field Friday night. Scroll down for how those games went, plus this week's events, food trucks and live entertainment. Enjoy the long weekend!

Barbara Luckham set to become Citrus County's permanent budget director
Citrus County commissioners are expected to make Barbara Luckham's interim role as Management and Budget Director permanent, putting her in charge of reviewing the county's roughly $546 million annual operating budget. Luckham has worked for the county since 1990 and moved into the interim post in July after serving as assistant budget director; her duties include reviewing department spending requests, building the five-year Capital Improvement Plan, and shaping budget recommendations for the board. County Administrator Steve Howard said the promotion "recognizes proven performance, extensive institutional knowledge, and demonstrated leadership." The county has received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award every year since 2005.
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
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Ethics complaint against former commissioner Schlabach clears key hurdle
Citrus County Commissioner Janet Barek's ethics complaint against former Commissioner Ruthie Schlabach found probable cause with the Florida Commission on Ethics, which ruled Schlabach may have broken state law by representing a client before the County Commission within two years of leaving office. The complaint centers on a $3 million (later reduced to $1.5 million) state funding request Schlabach coordinated as a lobbyist to widen County Road 491, benefiting a client of her firm. The panel found no probable cause on a separate lobbying-restriction claim, and separately rejected two other complaints a Citrus County resident filed against Schlabach. The finding lets the case proceed but is not a final ruling.
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
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Tallahassee keeps pulling power from local leaders
A wave of state laws is limiting how much control Citrus County and its cities have over their own land-use decisions, an Inverness lobbyist told City Council members this week. Senate Bill 180 already bars local governments from passing land rules more restrictive than what existed before August 2023, applied retroactively, and pending 2026 bills would expand enforcement further and limit local power over housing projects. State Rep. J.J. Grow said the push addresses "oversight of what's going on" in counties with limited resources, but Crystal River offers a cautionary example: the city's form-based code, finished last December after five years of public input, is already in jeopardy under Senate Bill 180, with the city attorney warning anything more restrictive in it is void.
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
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Citrus got rain in August, but not enough to end the drought
Citrus County picked up 9.6 inches of rain in August, edging out the historical average of 8.4 inches, though totals varied widely: western and central areas saw double digits while the eastern side, home to the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes, got just 6 to 8 inches. The county remains about 5 inches behind its normal year-to-date total, and the regional aquifer sits at the 21st percentile, well below last year's 40th percentile. Southwest Florida Water Management District engineer Mark Fulkerson says the Withlacoochee River is still recovering from last year's extended drought and needs much more rain before conditions meaningfully improve.
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
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Carnival connection may explain why Elvis filmed in Citrus County
A carnival friendship, not Hollywood scouting, may be why Elvis Presley's 1961 movie "Follow That Dream" was filmed around Citrus County. Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's manager, kept in touch with Curtis Velare, a former Royal American Shows carnival partner who bought waterfront property in Crystal River back in 1936. Local sites doubled as movie sets: the Port Paradise Hotel housed Elvis during filming, Crystal River High School's gymnasium became a "gambling house," Peninsular Abstract and Title Company stood in for an office, Citrus Hardware was refitted as a bait and tackle shop, and the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum in Inverness hosted the final courtroom scene. The film was originally titled "Pioneer, Go Home" before being renamed for its more marketable release.
Citrus County Chronicle (Local News)
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Abilities Fine Art Gala celebrates creativity and inclusion
Families & Friends Reaching for Abilities (FFRA) partnered with the Art Center of Citrus County in Hernando for "A Kaleidoscope of Color," an art gala celebrating the creativity and talent of people with disabilities. The event showcased artwork and performances meant to highlight inclusion within the Citrus County arts community, continuing FFRA's tradition of hosting exhibits and receptions in support of families of people with disabilities.
Nature Coaster
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Citrus County Schools closed Monday for Labor Day
Citrus County Schools will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. There will be no school for students, and all district and school offices will be closed for the holiday. Normal hours resume Tuesday.
Lecanto High School
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Crystal River football falls to Chiefland after strong first quarter
Crystal River's football team looked like it had a real shot at its first win of the season through one quarter Friday night, but visiting Chiefland took control from there and pulled away. The Pirates head into next week still searching for their first victory of the year.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Citrus High holds off South Marion 20-14 at the Citrus Bowl
With the game hanging in the balance Friday night at the Citrus Bowl, a Citrus High senior came up with two big defensive plays to seal a 20-14 win over visiting South Marion. The victory came down to the wire, with the defense stepping up when it mattered most.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Every cup from my Keurig started tasting weak, flat, stale — so I unplugged it and stuck it in a closet. Then I learned the dirty secret of grocery store K-Cups: by the time a pod reaches your kitchen, it's usually spent months going from factory to warehouse to truck to shelf. The flavor oils are long gone. Some brands even over-roast to hide it.

The fix wasn't a new machine. It was fresh pods from Angelino's, a family-owned L.A. roastery that roasts, packs, and ships within 3–5 days — straight to your door, from 39¢ a cup. Over 1,000,000 happy customers. 50+ flavors, no subscription required, and 15% off your first order, applied automatically at checkout.

Try 35¢ Pods

Rainbow Lakes Estates Garden Club
Tuesday | September 8, 2026 | 1 PM – 2 PM
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Rainbow Lakes Estates Garden Club 🌿
Do you love gardening or want to learn more about growing plants in our Florida climate?
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Authentic So. Cal Flavors (Mexican)
Sunday | September 6, 2026 | 2 PM – 8 PM
Low Key Hideaway
12050 FL-24, Cedar Key, FL 32625
View Appearance Details →

Know a local business that deserves a little love? Reply to this newsletter and let us know who we should spotlight in a future issue.

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

Agent Bonds at Crystal Harley-Davidson
Agent Bonds
Sunday | September 6, 2026 | 12 PM
Crystal River Harley Davidson
1147 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34448
test drive a new bike today!
View Event Details →

Whiskey Outlaws at Silver Moon Tavern
Whiskey Outlaws
Sunday | September 6, 2026 | 2 PM
Silver Moon Tavern
3025 S US 41, Dunnellon, FL 34432
Whiskey Outlaws
View Event Details →

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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team