Good morning, Crystal River! It's Tuesday, September 29, and it's also National Coffee Day, so pour yourself an extra cup before heading out the door. Expect a partly sunny start with a high near 87 and a chance of isolated rain showers by afternoon.

Citrus County is looking decades ahead with a draft growth plan through 2050 and a public workshop set for October 19, while downtown gears up for the annual Scarecrow Fest with a costume contest, a jeep car show, and a free concert. The Sheriff's Office pulled nearly three tons of debris out of Kings Bay and is moving non-emergency calls to a new AI system, and Lecanto's boys cross country team took third at the Weeki Wachee Invitational.

Plus a busy events calendar with Tater Tot Thursdays, a belly dancing class at the Homosassa Civic Club, and everything else happening around Crystal River this week. Let's get into it!

Gerry Mulligan Looks Back at the Leaders Who Shaped Citrus County
Citrus County Chronicle
Former Chronicle publisher Gerry Mulligan reflects on the Citrus County leaders who shaped the community over the years, including Trish Thomas, Jim Fowler, Hank Cohen, Roger Weaver, Helen Spivey, Jean Grant, and Dennis Damato.
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Citrus County Unveils Draft Growth Plan Through 2050
Citrus County Chronicle
Citrus County is unveiling a long-awaited update to its comprehensive growth plan, mapping out housing, roads, and development through 2050, with a public workshop set for October 19 in Lecanto.
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Crystal River's Annual Scarecrow Fest Returns Downtown
City of Crystal River - Government
The City of Crystal River is bringing back its annual Scarecrow Fest, a downtown tradition for more than 35 years featuring a costume contest, games, food vendors, a jeep car show, and a free country concert from the Rick Lynn Band and Ridge Country Band.
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Sheriff's Office Partners to Clear Nearly Three Tons of Debris From Kings Bay
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Citrus County Sheriff's Office Community Resource Officers and its Marine Unit teamed up with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, Citrus County Waste Management, and Sea & Shoreline to pull nearly three tons of debris out of Kings Bay during National Save Our Waters Week.
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Sheriff's Office Moving Non-Emergency Calls to New AI System
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Mike Vincent says the agency's non-emergency phone lines are transitioning to an assistive AI system called Prepared by Axon to help staff triage routine calls; true emergencies will still connect directly to a live 911 dispatcher.
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Sheriff's Office Sponsoring Police Academy Positions
Citrus County Sheriff's Office
The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is sponsoring positions in the upcoming class at the Withlacoochee Technical College Police Academy, covering tuition while recruits earn a paycheck training to become deputies; the next class begins in January 2027.
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Lecanto Boys' Cross Country Team Takes Third at Weeki Wachee Invitational
Citrus County Chronicle
The Lecanto High School boys' cross country team finished third at the Weeki Wachee Invitational at Sand Hill Boy Scout Reservation, trailing only Tavares and Trinity Catholic in a strong field.
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School Board Approves Vending Machine Agreement With Vend Force
Citrus County Chronicle
The Citrus County School Board voted 4-1 to approve a one-year agreement with Vend Force that would bring vending machines and concession services to participating campuses, with the district receiving 30% of net sales; board member Sandy Counts cast the lone dissenting vote over concerns about classroom disruptions.
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Lecanto High Student Leaders Celebrate Freedom Week
Lecanto High School
Lecanto High School's student leaders, including Senior Class President Kaitlyn Duclos and SGA Executive President Abby Shidner, led the school in reciting an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence to celebrate Freedom Week.
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Uturn Mobile Soup Kitchen - serving lunch 10:30 am-1pm every Wednesday
Wednesday | September 30, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 1 PM
Club Recovery
2415 N. Florida Ave, Hernando, FL 34442
U-turn for Christ Florida. Serving those in need with Grace & Grub Ministries - every Wednesday 10:30-1pm at Old Schoolhouse in Hernando.
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The Hangout at The Youth Center
Wednesday | September 30, 2026 | 4 PM – 6 PM
4010 SW Deepwater Ct, Dunnellon, FL 34431
Rainbow Lakes Estates Youth Center. Looking for a fun and safe place for kids to hang out, play games, and make friends? The Rainbow Lakes Estates Youth Center is open with weekly hours.
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BNI - Small Business Networking Meet-up in Citrus County
Thursday | October 1, 2026 | 7 AM – 9 AM
American Legion Post 155 Crystal River Florida
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.
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Tater Tot Thursdays at Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
Thursday | October 1, 2026 | 10 AM – 12 PM
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Fun, Enrichment, And Stimulation for toddlers at RLE Community Center
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Business Builders Citrus at Luigi's Family Restaurant
Thursday | October 1, 2026 | 12:01 PM – 1:01 PM
Luigi's Family Restaurant
4538 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446
Come out have some lunch and tell the group about your business. The group and meet ups are free, we just ask that you share the event and invite some people.
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Belly Dancing Class at Homosassa Civic Club
Thursday | October 1, 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 and 6:30 advanced.
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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.

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We're here to help support local businesses, and to see the community grow together. If there is anything that you'd like to suggest to us, just reply to this email and it'll come right to our editor.

Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team