Good morning, Crystal River! It's Thursday, November 5, and it's National Doughnut Day, so we have to ask: which Citrus County spot makes your favorite? Grab one on the way out, because today brings a high near 85 and only a slim chance of a shower.

In the news, Kings Bay has lost more than 125 acres of islands and marshes since 1944, and the Chronicle has the story on those disappearing islands. The Healthy Living Fair is Friday from noon to 2:30 PM at the Central Citrus Community Center, and the Chronicle is giving away four tickets to the Stone Crab Jam Music Festival. We also have two milestone birthdays, with Phyllis Smith crowned Queen for a Day at 99 and World War II veteran Odessa Fischer turning 105.

Looking for plans? Three Chamber ribbon cuttings start at 4:30 PM today, and the Brooks Dockside Seafood and Brynn's Bytes food trucks are out tonight. First Friday fills Town Square tomorrow evening, live music from Flyte Band and JoJo and Jay follows on Friday, and Stone Crab Jam and Luna and The Warriors headline Saturday. Make it a good one, and save us a doughnut!

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Sensitive Information of 1,300 County Employees and Family Members Exposed
Citrus County Chronicle
Sensitive information belonging to 1,300 Citrus County employees and family members was exposed, and the county acted quickly in response, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. The story asks whether enough is being done to keep it from happening again.
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Kings Bay Has Lost More Than 125 Acres of Islands and Marshes Since 1944
Citrus County Chronicle
Kings Bay has lost more than 125 acres of islands and marshes since 1944, the Citrus County Chronicle reports. Read the full story for more on the disappearing islands.
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Healthy Living Fair Is Friday at Central Citrus Community Center
Citrus County Government (FB Page)
The Healthy Living Fair is this Friday, November 6, from noon to 2:30 PM at the Central Citrus Community Center, according to Citrus County government. Stop by and see what the fair has in store.
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Citrus County Has Open Seats on Advisory Councils and Aviation Board
Citrus County Government (FB Page)
Citrus County has open seats on the Citrus Springs Advisory Council, the Beverly Hills Advisory Council and the Aviation Advisory Board. Terms run through January 31, 2029, so now is the time to look at serving.
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Citrus County Offices Closed Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day
Citrus County Government (FB Page)
Citrus County offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, to commemorate Veterans Day, so plan ahead if you have county business to take care of.
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Citrus County Chronicle Invites Nonprofits to Apply for Giving Tuesday Spotlight
Citrus County Chronicle
The Citrus County Chronicle is inviting local nonprofits to apply to be one of 16 organizations highlighted this Giving Tuesday through newspaper coverage, its website and a special Facebook Live event. The application deadline is November 13, 2026.
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Win Four Tickets to the Stone Crab Jam Music Festival
Citrus County Chronicle
The Kings Bay Rotary Club's Stone Crab Jam Music Festival promises four live bands, local vendors and fresh stone crab. The Citrus County Chronicle is giving away four general admission tickets, and you can enter through its website.
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Crystal River's Phyllis Smith Crowned Queen for a Day at 99
Citrus County Chronicle
Crystal River's Phyllis Smith turned 99 and was crowned "Queen for a Day" as friends celebrated her birthday and decades of community service. The longtime volunteer, once the youngest "Rosie the Riveter" at her factory, was moved to happy tears.
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World War II Veteran Odessa Fischer Celebrates 105th Birthday
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus County resident and World War II veteran Odessa Fischer celebrated her 105th birthday surrounded by family and friends, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.
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No advisories or safety notices for the Crystal River area today.

Lecanto High to Offer Heart Screenings for Students Nov. 19
Lecanto High School
On Thursday, November 19, Lecanto High School will partner with Who We Play For to offer 5 minute electrocardiogram heart screenings to all students. Parents can register their child online, and the school notes the screenings are non-invasive.
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Students Compete in the Commissioners Academic Challenge
Citrus County School District
Students put their knowledge to the test at the Commissioners Academic Challenge, according to the Citrus County School District. Read More for the district's post on the competition.
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WTC HVAC/R Students Attend National Industry Conference in Orlando
Withlacoochee Technical College
The WTC HVAC/R Department took 22 students to the national RETA-RSES conference in Orlando on October 30, where they joined the event's first ever Student Day. WTC says the trip was a great experience and helped establish contacts for possible future employment.
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BNI - Small Business Networking Meet-up in Citrus County
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 7 AM – 9 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.
View Event Details →

Tater Tot Thursdays
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 10 AM – 12 PM
Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Fun, Enrichment, And Stimulation for toddlers at RLE Community Center
View Event Details →

CloudView Aerials Chamber Ribbon Cutting
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 4:30 PM
Citrus County Chamber of Commerce
915 N. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River, FL 34429
Join us in welcoming our newest member to the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce.
View Event Details →

Plum Behavior Health Chamber Ribbon Cutting
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 4:30 PM
Join us in welcoming our newest member to the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce.
View Event Details →

Working Under Pressure Chamber Ribbon Cutting
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 4:30 PM
Join us in welcoming our newest member to the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce.
View Event Details →

Belly Dancing Class Every Thursday
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Homosassa Civic Club
5530 S. Mason Creek Rd., Homosassa, FL 34448
Belly dancing class for $5, with beginners at 5:30 PM and advanced at 6:30 PM. Mention the posting and your first class is free.
View Event Details →

BYOB: Bring Your Own Boyfriend to Hot Pilates
Friday | November 6, 2026 | 6:30 AM
Sculpt & Flow Studios
28 NE 4th Street, Crystal River, FL 34429
Join Sculpt & Flow Studios for Hot Pilates and bring your guy along.
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Citrus County YMCA Prayer Breakfast
Friday | November 6, 2026 | 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM
College of Central Florida (Citrus Campus)
3800 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461
Come together in spiritual unity with fellow community members through breakfast, music, fellowship and prayer led by community leaders.
View Event Details →

First Friday
Friday | November 6, 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.
View Event Details →

2026 Lake Hernando Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Hernando Park
Saturday | November 7, 2026 | 8 AM – 6 PM
Lake Hernando Park
3699 E Orange Dr, Hernando, FL 34442
Our event includes local and regional teams coming together to race against each other in a series of heats in 11- or 21-person boats. We partner with Pan Am Dragon Boat out of Tampa.
View Event Details →

Experience Psychic Fair at Florida Army National Guard Armory Crystal River
Saturday | November 7, 2026 | 11 AM – 6 PM
Florida Army National Guard Armory
8551 W Venabal St., Crystal River, FL 34429
Join Experience Psychic Fair for a day of spiritual enlightenment at the Crystal River National Guard Armory. November 7 & 8, 2026.
View Event Details →

Handprint wooden pumpkins
Saturday | November 7, 2026 | 11 AM – 1:30 PM
Anchored Souls
611 N Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
We have more pumpkins to paint! Missed us at the Scarecrow Festival? We're bringing our adorable Handprint Pumpkins back to Anchored Souls this Saturday!
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Brooks Dockside Seafood (Seafood, Southern, Cajun)
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
View Appearance Details →

Brynn's Bytes (American | Seafood | Wings)
Thursday | November 5, 2026 | 4 PM – 8 PM
Aggregation Distilling Company
255 SE US Hwy 19, Unit 4, Crystal River, FL 34429
View Appearance Details →

Which local restaurant do you love and recommend to everyone? Reply to this newsletter and tell us, and we may feature it in a future issue.

Flyte Band at Crumps Landing
Flyte Band Tampa 2.0
Friday | November 6, 2026 | 6 PM
Crump's Landing
11210 W Halls River Rd, Homosassa, FL 34448
Enjoy a Fall night of fun music, Pop-Rock-Country-Disco with Flyte Band Tampa 2.0 at the wonderful venue of Crumps Landing!
View Event Details →

JoJo and Jay at KC Wine Bistro
JoJo and Jay
Friday | November 6, 2026 | 7 PM – 10 PM
KC Wine Bistro
564 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
View Event Details →

Stone Crab Jam Music Festival ™
Saturday | November 7, 2026 | 12 PM – 9 PM
Crystal River Town Square
559 N. Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
Are you ready??? Our committee is hard at work and we have lots of announcements coming soon. Stay tuned for music, vendors and lots of fun!!!
View Event Details →

Steel Rodeo at The Crossroads Lodge
Steel Rodeo
Saturday | November 7, 2026 | 1 PM – 5 PM
The Crossroads Lodge
11350 State Road 121, Inglis, FL 34449
Public event
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Wooten & Wise at Silver Moon Tavern
Wooten & Wise
Saturday | November 7, 2026 | 2 PM – 6 PM
Silver Moon Tavern
3025 S US 41, Dunnellon, FL 34432
Live Music Duo
View Event Details →

Luna and The Warriors LIVE at Crumps Landing
Luna and The Warriors
Saturday | November 7, 2026 | 6 PM – 10 PM
Crump's Landing
11210 W Halls River Rd, Homosassa, FL 34448
Calling all music lovers! Are you ready to unleash your inner warrior and dive into a night of electrifying music?
View Event Details →

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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team