Good morning, Crystal River, and happy Monday! Expect mostly sunny skies today with a high near 77, and the sunshine sticks around all week. It's also National Seafood Bisque Day, so here's a question for you: where in Citrus County do you find the best bowl of seafood bisque?

In the news, Crystal River officials want to turn years of Kings Bay recommendations into action on overcrowding, manatee protection and tourism, with up to $15,000 on the table. Betz Farm's future is on hold after too few commissioners were available to hear the proposal. The Library Friends groups are in the spotlight, the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins are worth a stop in Homosassa, the school district's Beyond the Bell series salutes principals, and over in Inverness the new Home Depot is open.

Looking ahead, the 2050 Comprehensive Plan open house is this evening, the Friends of Crystal River State Parks board meets Tuesday, a plant swap fills Rainbow Lakes Estates Tuesday afternoon, and the Mosquito Control facility tour is Wednesday morning. Wednesday evening brings the Open Music Jam at Bree's Riverside Restaurant. No food trucks or restaurant specials today, so tell us your favorite spots. Soak up the sun and save room for a bowl of bisque!

More Studies or Real Solutions for Kings Bay? Up to $15,000 Is on the Table
Citrus County Chronicle
Crystal River officials want to turn years of Kings Bay recommendations into action on overcrowding, manatee protection and tourism, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. Up to $15,000 is on the table. Will it mean more studies or real solutions? The full story has the details.
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Betz Farm Isn't Dead, but Its Future Is on Hold
Citrus County Chronicle
Betz Farm is not dead, but its future is on hold, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. With too few commissioners available to hear the controversial development proposal, the hearing ended without a decision. So what happens next? The full story has the answer.
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Citrus County Library Friends Groups Help Libraries Thrive
Citrus County Government (FB Page)
Citrus County Government is shining a light on how the county's Library Friends groups help make local libraries places where literacy and community thrive. A link in its post has the details.
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Stop by Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park in Homosassa
Friends of the Crystal River State Parks
The Friends of the Crystal River State Parks suggest a stop at Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park in Homosassa. Pick up a sugary drink beforehand, sip it as you walk among the ruins and read the park's signage, according to the group's post.
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Inverness' New Home Depot Is Officially Open
Citrus County Chronicle
Inverness' new Home Depot on State Road 44 is officially open after months of construction, and shoppers wasted no time packing the aisles last Thursday, according to the Citrus County Chronicle.
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No advisories or safety notices for the Crystal River area today.

Beyond the Bell Episode 9: Celebrating Our Principals
Citrus County School District
What makes a principal special? Just ask their students. The Citrus County School District's Beyond the Bell video series celebrates principals in Episode 9, in honor of National Principals Month.
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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

Citrus County 2050 Comprehensive Plan Open House
Monday | October 19, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Citrus County Building Division
Citrus County invites residents to an open house on the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Stop by and share your input.
View Event Details →

Friends of Crystal River State Parks Board Meeting
Tuesday | October 20, 2026 | 4 PM
Crystal River Archaeological State Park Museum
3400 N. Museum Point, Crystal River, FL 34428
View Event Details →

Plant Swap at Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
Tuesday | October 20, 2026 | 4 PM – 5 PM
Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Swap plants. Meet neighbors. Grow together. Bring a plant, cutting, seed, pot, or gardening goodie to trade, and take home something new to grow. This is a relaxed, welcoming event for all experience levels. Free to attend.
View Event Details →

Mosquito Control Facility Tour
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 10 AM – 11 AM
Citrus County Mosquito Control District
968 N Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto, FL 34461
Join a presentation on mosquito control practices and how you can prevent mosquitoes at home, then finish with a tour of the equipment, lab and helicopters. Free and open to everyone. The event is geared toward adults, though interested children are welcome. RSVP by calling 352-527-7478 ext. 315.
View Event Details →

Know a food truck that should roll into the spotlight? Reply to this newsletter and let us know where it’s serving next so we can share it in a future issue.

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.

Open Music Jam at Bree's Riverside Restaurant
Open Music Jam
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
Bree's Riverside Restaurant
29250 Lake Lindsey Rd., Nobleton, FL 34661
View Event Details →

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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team