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At their October 20 meeting, Levy County commissioners voted to transmit the proposed 2050 Comprehensive Plan to the Florida Department of Commerce for state review.

A comprehensive plan serves as a county's long-term blueprint, guiding decisions about land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure, conservation, and future development.

In a county where rural character and growth are frequent topics of conversation, those decisions matter.

Residents raised concerns about moving forward with a plan they felt needed more extensive revisions and public participation. The county's Planning Commission had also recommended against the version presented to commissioners.

County staff acknowledged that funding allocated for the consultant's work had been exhausted.

Commissioners nevertheless voted to advance the document, while discussing additional public workshops beginning in January 2027.

Transmittal begins the state review process. The county will still have opportunities to consider changes before a final adoption decision.

The county has also advertised a public hearing concerning the 2050 Comprehensive Plan for Tuesday, November 3, at 9 a.m., at the Levy County Government Center in Bronson.

For residents concerned about development, land preservation, or the future of their communities, the upcoming hearing and workshops will be worth watching.

Sources: Levy County 2050 Comprehensive Plan documents | WUFT reporting

On October 19, the Brooksville City Council approved an ordinance establishing the South Brooksville Community Redevelopment Trust Fund.

The fund creates a way to direct a portion of future increases in property-tax revenue toward improvements within the redevelopment area.

It's a financing approach known as tax-increment financing.

Rather than automatically creating a new tax, the mechanism captures a designated share of additional tax revenue generated as property values increase.

The city's redevelopment priorities include issues such as drainage, flooding, housing, parks, and neighborhood infrastructure.

There is an important catch: the funding will take time to build.

City contributions are expected to begin in the fiscal year starting October 2027, and officials have cautioned that early revenues may be limited.

Hernando County is also pursuing redevelopment efforts for the unincorporated portion of South Brooksville through a separate arrangement.

Sources: Brooksville City Council meeting | Hernando Sun reporting

Pasco County commissioners approved a preliminary agreement on October 20 outlining how the two counties and the Florida Department of Transportation could share costs for widening County Line Road from Mariner Boulevard to the Suncoast Parkway.

The proposed project would expand the roadway to four lanes.

Current estimates identify approximately $85 million in additional costs, including:

The proposed financing arrangement includes contributions from Hernando County, Pasco County, and FDOT, along with potential borrowing through the State Infrastructure Bank.

Hernando County previously approved the preliminary agreement.

The agreement is nonbinding. It establishes a proposed funding framework, not a final construction contract or confirmation that all the money has been secured.

Additional agreements and funding decisions will be required before construction can move forward.

Sources: Hernando County agreement | Hernando Sun reporting

According to the meeting discussion, the contractor encountered problems removing water from dredged material, forcing changes to the project's dewatering approach.

The county granted a 90-day extension after the project fell behind its original completion schedule.

Officials also discussed the possibility of temporarily suspending dredging work and reopening the boat ramp while outstanding issues are addressed.

That reopening has not been confirmed or approved.

The county's tourism website continues to list the Shell Mound paved boat ramp as closed for channel dredging.

Sources: Levy County Commission meeting recordings | Visit Levy County boat ramp information

The Crystal River City Council unanimously approved a new rental vessel safety ordinance aimed at improving oversight of commercial rental activity on local waterways.

The rules address several areas, including business permits, liability insurance, customer safety instruction, emergency planning, and vessel identification.

Rental vessels must also display identifying information so operators can be more easily recognized on the water.

The changes come as Crystal River prepares for another busy manatee season, when recreational activity and wildlife protection become particularly important.

Sources: Crystal River City Council meeting | Bay News 9 reporting

Sometimes a good photograph can make all the difference.

Three members of the Art Center Shutterbugs—Mike McFarland, Kim Wischman, and Ken Voegele—recently visited Joshua's House Golden Retriever Rescue in Lecanto to photograph dogs looking for their next homes.

The volunteers are donating their photography skills to help the rescue showcase its dogs through social media and promotional materials.

The hope is that better photographs will help connect the animals with potential adopters, foster families, and supporters.

Joshua's House cares for golden retrievers and golden retriever mixes, including dogs requiring rehabilitation and specialized care.

And if there's one thing the internet could probably use more of, it's good pictures of dogs.

Source: Art Center Shutterbugs — press release submitted directly to Nature Coast Digest by Mary Ann Gilfillan.

Photo: Introductions by Ken Voegele / Art Center Shutterbugs.

Come see us at Scarecrow Fest — weather permitting!
5 to 9 Designs is planning to be at Scarecrow Fest in downtown Crystal River this Saturday with handmade coastal and seasonal home décor.
Stop by the booth, see what Becky's been making and say hello.

Saturday, Oct. 31 · 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · Heritage Village
Weather note: Check for the latest festival updates before heading out.

See more at 5to9designs.com

5 to 9 Designs is another local small business run by the folks behind Nature Coast Digest.

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and communities across the Nature Coast are celebrating with haunted houses, festivals, trunk-or-treats, and plenty of opportunities to show off those costumes.

Cooterween — Inverness
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 5–8 p.m.
📍 Downtown Inverness
💲 Free

Downtown Inverness celebrates Halloween with an evening of costumes, trick-or-treating, and family-friendly festivities.

Official city event

Citrus Springs Community Trunk or Treat
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 4–7 p.m.
📍 Citrus Springs Community Center, 1570 W. Citrus Springs Blvd.

A community trunk-or-treat offering a convenient stop for families celebrating Halloween.

Grace Methodist Church Trunk or Treat — Homosassa
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 5:30–7 p.m.
📍 5030 S. Memorial Drive, Homosassa

A family-friendly trunk-or-treat hosted by Grace Methodist Church.

🎬 Ghostbusters Movie Night — Brooksville

Friday, October 30 | Activities begin at 6:30 p.m.
📍 Tom Varn Park, Brooksville

Bring a blanket or lawn chair for an outdoor screening of Ghostbusters, with Halloween activities before the movie.

Event link: Florida's Adventure Coast event listing

🚤 Haunting for Hunger Halloween Boat Parade — Hernando Beach

Friday, October 30 | 7–9 p.m.
📍 Hernando Beach canals

Decorated boats bring Halloween festivities to the waterways during this community boat parade.

Event link: Hernando Sun event listing

Fright Nights at HarvestMoon — Masaryktown
📅 Friday, October 30 | 7–10 p.m.
📍 15990 Stur Street, Masaryktown
💲 $24.95 plus tax, ages 3 and older

HarvestMoon's Halloween attraction returns with an evening of spooky entertainment. Gates close at 9 p.m.

Official event and tickets

Hernando Beach Haunted House
📅 Friday, October 30 | 4–9 p.m.
📍 4340 Calienta Street, Hernando Beach

This pirate-themed haunted house includes a separate, more intense attraction called the Butcher Shop.

Event information

Car Show & Trunk or Treat — Masaryk Winery
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
📍 Masaryk Winery, Masaryktown
💲 Free admission and parking

Classic cars and Halloween fun come together for a daytime trunk-or-treat.

Event information

Trick or Treat Carnival — Brooksville
📅 Friday, October 30 | 6–7:30 p.m.
📍 The Grande, Brooksville
💲 Free

A Halloween carnival offering families another opportunity to celebrate before Saturday's festivities.

Yankeetown Haunted Trail
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 7–9 p.m.
📍 Children's Park, behind Yankeetown Town Hall

Explore a haunted trail organized by Yankeetown Parks & Recreation.

Haunted Walk & Carnival — Dunnellon
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
📍 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 7525 S. US 41, Dunnellon

A Halloween evening featuring a haunted walk and carnival activities.

Event information

First Methodist Church Trunk or Treat — Dunnellon
📅 Saturday, October 31 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 First Methodist Church, Dunnellon

A family-friendly trunk-or-treat for local families.

Event listing

Sonic Trunk or Treat — Port Richey
📅 Friday, October 30 | 5–9 p.m.
📍 6919 Ridge Road, Port Richey
💲 Free

A Halloween trunk-or-treat hosted at Sonic.

Faith Lutheran Church Trunk or Treat — New Port Richey
📅 Friday, October 30 | 6:30–8 p.m.
📍 5443 Sunset Road, New Port Richey

An evening of Halloween treats and family-friendly activities.

Event listing

Event details can change, especially with outdoor activities. Check with organizers before heading out.

Looking for Halloween plans that don't involve taking the kids trick-or-treating? Here are a few options for a grown-up night out.

Friday, October 30 | 8 p.m.
📍 1346 Epiphany Way, Trinity

DJ Louie will provide the music for an evening of dancing, costumes, and Halloween fun. The party includes a costume contest with gift-card prizes.

Event listing

Friday, October 30 | 6 p.m.
📍 Cancun Beach Bar & Grill, 5330 Treadway Drive
💲 Free entry

Celebrate Halloween with karaoke, dancing, food, and drinks. Dress up for a chance to win the best-costume prize.

Friday, October 30 | 6:30–9:30 p.m.
📍 Brooksville Elks Lodge #2582, 13383 County Line Road
💲 $5 admission

DJ Shuffler provides the entertainment for an evening featuring a costume contest, a membership drive, and a charity fundraiser.

Friday, October 30 | 7–11 p.m.
📍 Starts at Kangaroo, 5781 Nebraska Avenue
💲 $20 advance / $25 day of event

Dress as your favorite zombie and make your way through participating downtown establishments for a Halloween-themed bar crawl.

Event details are subject to change. Check with organizers before heading out.

There's more than trick-or-treating happening around the Nature Coast this weekend. From a pirate invasion in Cedar Key to fall festivals and live music, here are a few events worth checking out.

🏴‍☠️ Cedar Key Pirate Invasion — Cedar Key
📅 Friday–Sunday, October 30–November 1
📍 Cedar Key City Park
💲 Free admission

Cedar Key transforms into a pirate gathering for three days of reenactors, live entertainment, vendors, demonstrations, and activities for all ages. The festivities continue through Sunday.

Official Cedar Key Pirate Fest website

🍂 Scarecrow Festival — Crystal River
🕙 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Heritage Village

The rescheduled Scarecrow Festival returns to Heritage Village with local vendors, fall festivities, and family-friendly activities.

We'll be there, too! Stop by the 5 to 9 Designs booth to see some returning favorites and a few new creations. If you're attending, come say hello!

5 to 9 Designs is operated by the publisher of Nature Coast Digest.

Scarecrow Festival information

🍁 Chiefland Methodist Church Fall Festival — Chiefland
🕓 4–6 p.m. | 707 N. Main Street

A community fall festival with family-friendly activities.

October 31 event listing

🎶 Saturday Night in Town Square — Crystal River
🕔 5–9 p.m. | Crystal River Town Square
💲 Free

Enjoy an evening of live music featuring The Mordigans Band in downtown Crystal River.

Official event listing

Event details and schedules may change. Check with organizers before heading out.

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Nature Coast Digest reaches local readers across Citrus, Hernando and Levy counties every week. If you own a local business and want to reach them, we'd love to talk.

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Whether you're heading out for Halloween festivities, exploring a local festival, or just enjoying a quieter weekend, there's plenty happening around the Nature Coast.

Have a local story or upcoming event we should know about? Hit reply and tell us about it. We're always looking for news, events, and good things happening in Citrus, Hernando, Levy, and our neighboring communities.

And if you enjoyed this week's Digest, forward it to a friend or neighbor. It's one of the easiest ways to help us grow and keep more people connected to what's happening locally.

Have a great weekend, stay safe, and Happy Halloween!

— Mike
Nature Coast Digest

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