Happy Labor Day, Crystal River! Schools and most local offices are closed today, so if your Monday feels a little slower than usual, that's by design. Enjoy the extra day off, and maybe a snook or two if you're headed out on the water.

Elsewhere around town: a developer wants to give a busy Homosassa corner a much-needed facelift, and two national favorites might be moving in. Citrus County's cold weather shelter is already recruiting volunteers for the season ahead, snook season kicked off Sept. 1 along most of the coast, and Crystal River High's Pirates picked up a nice financial win from T-Mobile.

We've got all of it, plus what's happening around town this week, below.

Florida orders removal of license-plate readers from state roads
The Florida Department of Transportation revoked permits for automated license-plate readers on state highway rights-of-way on Aug. 31, giving local agencies 30 days to take them down over concerns about camera proliferation, misuse and privacy. Responses vary by county: Levy County is pulling readers from state roads and moving to drop the rest entirely, while Marion and Hernando counties are removing only the state-road units and keeping others in place. Sumter County had already suspended its program before the order, after a former detective was accused of improperly accessing the database. Citrus County officials say they're reassessing the technology, though no local agency has announced a specific plan yet.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Busy Homosassa corner could get a makeover
A developer called One Oak Homosassa LLC wants to demolish the aging commercial buildings at the corner of U.S. 19 and West Homosassa Trail, including a decades-old office building and a four-bay car wash, and replace them with new commercial space. Chipotle Mexican Grill and Starbucks have both expressed interest in opening at the site, though no leases are signed yet. The plan would also shift the corner's traffic access, adding a new entrance from West Homosassa Trail and relocating driveways on West Aqueduct Street and South Pittsburgh Avenue. County commissioners are set to consider the plan Tuesday at 5:01 p.m. at the Citrus County Courthouse in Inverness.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Cold weather shelter season prep starts now, BASICS United says
BASICS United, which runs Citrus County's overnight cold weather shelter out of Nature Coast Community Church in Homosassa, is already recruiting volunteers for the 2026-27 season after last winter set a record with 36 shelter openings between November and March. Executive Director Kristy Jocelyn says the county now has more than 900 identified homeless individuals and expects demand to climb again this winter. Volunteer orientations are set for Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1-4 p.m. at the church, 5113 S. Suncoast Blvd. Volunteers help with meal prep, setup, cleanup, laundry, check-in and overnight watch; anyone interested can call 352-234-3099.
Citrus County Chronicle
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Snook harvest season open Sept. 1
Snook harvest opened Sept. 1 in all east coast management regions and most west coast regions, including the Gulf waters off Citrus County, and runs through Nov. 30 on the west coast (Dec. 14 on the east coast). Anglers are limited to one snook per person per day, and fish must measure between 28 and 33 inches to keep on the west coast (28 to 32 inches on the east coast). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission manages the fishery through seven regional zones so it can adjust rules to local conditions. Full regulations are posted at MyFWC.com/Snook.
Citrus County Chronicle
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No public safety alerts or advisories to report in Crystal River today. We'll keep you posted if that changes.

Crystal River High health-careers students rack up certifications
The Academy of Health Careers at Crystal River High School is celebrating a wave of new student certifications, according to the Citrus County School District. The program lets students work toward healthcare career credentials while still in high school.
Citrus County School District
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Lecanto High School sets Open House for Sept. 21
Lecanto High School will host an Open House for students in all grade levels on Monday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Parents and guardians will be able to walk through their child's class schedule and meet teachers during the event.
Lecanto High School
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Crystal River High Pirates land $5,000 from T-Mobile, chase $25,000 more
Crystal River High School's Pirates picked up a $5,000 check from T-Mobile and are now in the running for an additional $25,000 sweepstakes prize. The school is asking the community to help by sharing its announcement online to boost the Pirates' chances.
Crystal River High School
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Garden Club
Tuesday | September 8, 2026 | 1 PM – 2 PM
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Do you love gardening or want to learn more about growing plants in our Florida climate? Join the Rainbow Lakes Estates Garden Club and connect with fellow garden lovers in the community!
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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team