Today, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office needs your help finding two missing neighbors: Rochelle Guess, last seen Tuesday in Beverly Hills, and Troy Brown, last confirmed in Orlando. Both alerts, along with tip line numbers, are in today's Public Safety section below.

On a brighter note, Jessie's Place celebrates 20 years of supporting Citrus County kids and families today, and Crystal River's own Anthony Schembri trades badges for books as he steps into his next chapter as an author. Add in a busy morning of BNI networking and karaoke tonight at Bree's, and it's shaping up to be a full day around town.

Keep scrolling for the rest of the lineup: First Friday hits Town Square tomorrow night, live music fills local stages Friday and Saturday, and Big Worley's BBQ & Burger rolls into Homosassa Distillery Co. Friday afternoon. Let's get into it.

Jessie's Place marks 20 years of serving Citrus County kids and families. The local nonprofit is celebrating two decades of providing support services for children and families across the community. Read more.

Free UF/IFAS webinar series covers storm-season prep for well water and septic systems. With storm season underway, the University of Florida extension office is offering a free series to help homeowners protect their well water and septic systems ahead of heavy rain and flooding. Sign up.

From NYPD commissioner to novelist: meet Crystal River's Anthony Schembri. The former Brooklyn detective, NYPD police commissioner, and Florida juvenile justice secretary, who later served as a Citrus County administrator, has added a new chapter to his career: author. Read his story.

How did sugar leave a landlocked Homosassa mill? A historian has a theory. Archaeologist Gary Ellis believes a narrow canal once connected the historic Yulee Sugar Mill to the Homosassa River, allowing 19th-century sugar and molasses to reach distant markets. Read more.

Old Courthouse Heritage Museum releases its upcoming events schedule. The Crystal River landmark has unveiled its lineup of programs and exhibits for the months ahead. See what's coming up.

Florida Sheriffs Association raises concerns about Amendment 3. The statewide association, representing law enforcement leaders including here in Citrus County, says it is "significantly concerned" about the ballot measure ahead of this fall's election. Read more.

Missing endangered adult: Rochelle Guess. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is asking for help locating Rochelle Guess, 54, last seen Tuesday around 5:15 PM in Beverly Hills wearing a black t-shirt and pink shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call CCSO's Major Crimes Unit at 352-249-2790, or Crime Stoppers at 888-269-8477 to remain anonymous. Read more.

Missing adult: Troy Brown. CCSO is also seeking help locating Troy Brown, 62, last confirmed in his silver 1995 Mercedes-Benz (FL tag KS 5461) in Orlando; he may also be driving a white 2001 Ford Ranger (FL tag 64DRMI). Read more.

Free college, career, and trade expo for Citrus County students. Lecanto High School is hosting a free expo connecting students with Florida colleges, career opportunities, military service, and trade schools, sponsored by the College of Central Florida's Florida College Tour. Learn more.

Countywide robotics program holds orientations Aug. 17. Citrus County Schools' robotics program is holding orientation sessions at Citrus eSchool/WTC Building 700 in Inverness for grades 4-8 (5-6 PM) and grades 9-12 (6-7 PM), open to all Citrus County students including home education. Details here.

Seven Rivers Christian football team volunteers at Key Training Center. The Lecanto-area school's football team traded practice time for community service this week, lending a hand at the Key Training Center. Read more.

CRHS Link Leaders kick off training to welcome the Class of 2030. Crystal River High's upperclassmen mentors began a two-day training this week to prepare for Freshman Orientation and help incoming ninth-graders start the year off right. Read more.

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BNI - Small Business Networking Meet-up in Citrus County
Thursday | August 6, 2026 | 7 AM – 9:00 AM
American Legion Post #155
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. You can register to visit (let us know you're coming so we can introduce you and give you some time…
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BELLY DANCING CLASS
Thursday | August 6, 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 Old Homosassa Civic Club 5530 S Mason Cre…
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First Friday
Friday | August 7, 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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SATURDAY FARM SWAP
Saturday | August 8, 2026 | 6:30 AM – 3 PM
Howard's Flea Market
6373 S. Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446
🐐🌾 Howard’s Flea Market Farm Swap 🐓🐷🥚 Calling all farmers, homesteaders, backyard chicken lovers, gardeners, and animal enthusiasts! Join us EVERY Saturday from 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM at Howard’s Fl…
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Lecanto Toddler Soccer
Saturday | August 8, 2026 | 9 AM
Lecanto Community Park
3798 W. Educational Path, Lecanto, FL
Come Join us in the Fall for toddler soccer!! Our programs will run for 8 weeks beginning Saturday August8 and ending Saturday September 26, 2026 Click on the link below to reserve a spot! The cost a…
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Back-to-School Bunco Bash
Saturday | August 8, 2026 | 11 AM – 3:00 PM
American Legion Post #155
6585 E. Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429
Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. We will have cash prizes, 50-50 and raffle baskets. There will be appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages. Doors will open at 11 AM. Dice will roll at noon…
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Karaoke at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Thursday | August 6, 2026 | 6 PM – 9 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
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Wallace Blvd. @ Eagles Post #4272
Wallace Blvd.
Friday | August 7, 2026 | 6 PM – 10 PM
Eagles Post #4272
5340 W. Grover Cleveland Blvd., Homosassa, FL
Rocking the Eagles
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Hippy Gypsy @ Papa Willie's Bar & Grill
Hippy Gypsy
Friday | August 7, 2026 | 7 PM – 10 PM
Papa Willie's Bar & Grill (Crystal River, FL)
8115 W. Ferwerda Ct., Crystal River, FL 34428
Write it down. Just to make it a little easier. Every first Friday for the rest of our lives - 7pm to 10pm. Papa Willies- Home of Hippy Gypsy. Starting in 2026
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Groove 41 at The Shed (Old Homosassa)
Groove 41
Saturday | August 8, 2026 | 4 PM – 8:00 PM
The Shed (Old Homosassa)
5300 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa, FL
The ultimate in waterfront dining, right on the Homosassa River.
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Guitar Mike & Friends at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Guitar Mike & Friends
Saturday | August 8, 2026 | 4 PM – 8 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
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Echo/Sixx Band at St. Johns Tavern
Echo/Sixx Band
Saturday | August 8, 2026 | 8 PM – 12:00 AM
St. Johns Tavern
572 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
The Vault will be rocking
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Big Worley's BBQ & Burger (BBQ | Burgers)
Friday | August 7, 2026 | 4 PM – 9 PM
Homosassa Distillery Co
8759 W. Tradeways Ct, Homosassa, FL 34448
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