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Citrus County is looking offshore for another way to take some of the punch out of future storms.

The county is pursuing Nature Coast Resiliency Project 2.0, a proposed series of nearshore reefs and living-shoreline features along the Gulf coast, running in segments from around the Cross Florida Barge Canal south past Ozello and the Marine Science Station toward Homosassa.

The county is seeking a $2 million Resilient Florida grant and would contribute $400,000 if it's awarded. Additional hoped-for FEMA and NOAA funding could bring the overall project to about $4 million.

Plans call for using locally sourced limestone along with recycled oyster shell and approved concrete to create reef structures designed to reduce wave energy while also providing oyster habitat.

If it all comes together, Citrus County could get a little more storm protection—and the oysters could get some new real estate.

Sources: Citrus County Aug. 25 BOCC documents

A proposed Del Webb community on roughly 268 acres along State Road 200, south of the N. Lecanto Highway intersection and across from the River Lakes Manor subdivision, is moving forward despite an earlier 6-0 recommendation for denial from the Citrus County Planning and Development Commission.

The River Oaks development calls for 667 homes in a gated, age-restricted community.

During the planning process, nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, flooding and drainage, wetlands, wildlife and whether a development of that size fits the surrounding area. Planning commissioners shared enough of those concerns to unanimously recommend denial.

County commissioners ultimately approved the project.

The latest plan still caps the community at 667 homes and requires central water and sewer, along with traffic analysis and other reviews as the project moves through development.

With nearly 700 homes planned along an already busy stretch of SR 200, River Oaks probably hasn't made its last appearance in the Local Digest.

Sources: Citrus County Aug. 25 BOCC documents

Levy County officials are considering a 12-month moratorium on new data-center development applications in unincorporated Levy County while they figure out what rules should be in place if one comes knocking.

County officials said they weren't aware of any existing data centers that would be affected by the proposal.

Among the issues they want to examine are electricity demand, cooling-water use, groundwater, infrastructure, environmental impacts and compatibility with surrounding properties.

The moratorium could end earlier if the county adopts its own regulations.

For now, Levy County appears to be trying to get ahead of the issue: write the rules before there's a project sitting on the desk waiting for approval.

Sources: Levy County Aug. 24 meeting agenda

Premier Community HealthCare is moving forward with plans for a new integrated health center in Spring Hill after Hernando County commissioners agreed to continue working toward a long-term land lease for the project.

The proposal calls for Premier to lease about 1.4 acres of vacant county-owned property for 99 years at nominal rent.

Premier would fund construction of the approximately 15,000- to 17,500-square-foot facility, which is expected to offer family medicine, behavioral health services, nutrition services and an on-site pharmacy.

The project is estimated at $9.1 million to $10.1 million and could eventually support 60 to 70 permanent jobs. Premier projects the facility could serve more than 15,000 patients annually.

This is a potentially significant expansion of healthcare access in Spring Hill.

Sources: Premier's Spring Hill health center announcement

Hernando County has completed the second required public workshop on a proposed increase to Fire and EMS impact fees as officials look for ways to pay for additional stations needed to serve the county's growth.

For a new single-family home, the proposal would raise the current $320 fee to $549.50 beginning Oct. 1, 2026, and then to $779 in October 2027.

The county has identified four additional fire stations in its long-range plans, with an estimated combined cost of about $25.2 million.

Sources: Hernando County Fire Rescue

Crystal River's plans to extend its Riverwalk through Pete's Pier are still being worked out following the property's sale to new owners.

The city has been discussing how the Riverwalk could cross the property and what an agreement with the owners might look like, including the potential cost to the city.

Sources: Chronicle Pete's Pier story

Crystal River officials are looking at Kings Bay Park as a possible location for a new motorized boat launch.

The idea could provide an alternative to the city's NW Third Avenue ramp and is part of the larger discussion about waterfront access as Riverwalk plans move ahead.

Sources: Chronicle Kings Bay Park story

The former Manning's Bar property at 2608 State Road 44 West in Inverness could finally be headed back into private hands.

The Inverness City Council will consider a $190,000 cash offer from neighboring Richie's Garage, which wants to buy the property and expand its business.

The property has been a problem spot for decades, accumulating code violations and unpaid taxes before Inverness demolished the deteriorating building in 2021 and eventually took ownership.

If approved, the sale would put the property back on the commercial tax rolls. Four council members must vote in favor for the sale to proceed.

Sources: Manning's Bar property story

Kirby Family Farm near Williston is working with Levy County to bring some of its longtime operations into compliance with county permitting requirements.

The farm has undergone state inspections for its rides and train, but county staff identified missing local permits for some structures and ride foundations. Staff recommended allowing the farm to obtain the necessary permits after the fact.

Sources: Levy County Aug. 24 meeting agenda

Three years after Hurricane Idalia came ashore, recovery work is still making a difference for Nature Coast families.

Rebuilding Together North Central Florida completed repair and rebuilding projects that helped 10 area families recover from storm damage.

Big disasters disappear from the headlines much faster than they disappear from people's lives, so it's good to see recovery work continuing long after the cameras have moved on.

Sources: Levy County Citizen recovery story

Local Girl Scouts recently traded the usual meeting room for some hands-on community service, pitching in on a project that gave them a chance to learn practical skills while helping their community.

It's exactly the sort of small local effort that's easy to miss—which is also exactly why we like putting it here.

Sources: Chronicle Girl Scouts story

Here's one for the list of things you might have driven past without knowing the story behind it.

In 1961, Elvis Presley came to Inglis and Yankeetown to film Follow That Dream. Today you can retrace part of the movie's path along Follow That Dream Parkway, the stretch of State Road 40 running west from U.S. 19 toward the Gulf.

Start near the Withlacoochee-Gulf Area Chamber of Commerce in Inglis, then head about 4.4 miles west toward Bird Creek Bridge, where scenes from the movie were filmed.

It's free, it's local, and now you have an excuse to say you're spending the afternoon chasing Elvis through Levy County.

Sources: Inglis-Yankeetown Chamber — Elvis Was Here

We've got an extra day to work with this weekend, so here are seven ways to use it around the Nature Coast.

Start the weekend on horseback with a two-hour trail ride at Tucker Hill in Brooksville, Friday from noon to 2 p.m.

Spots are limited, so advance reservations are recommended.

The Yulee Farmers Market is happening over Labor Day weekend at Sassa Swirl in Homosassa, with crafts, food, food trucks and local businesses.

A good option if your weekend plans require both shopping and snacks.

The Market at the Depot returns to Inverness' Depot District Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You'll find local vendors and plenty of reasons to wander around downtown before the Florida afternoon remembers it's still summer.

Event details → City of Inverness event page

Crystal River's Saturday Night in Town Square runs from 5 to 9 p.m. with live music, vendors and downtown activity.

The band 40 Years 2 Late is scheduled to perform, and admission is free.

Event details → Discover Crystal River event page

If your musical tastes lean toward classic rock, Sparacia Witherell Family Winery & Vineyard in Brooksville is hosting Steely Dan and Peter Frampton tribute acts Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.

Advance general admission is $25, with VIP tickets available for $40. Prices increase at the door.

Event details → Eventbrite tickets and details

Sunday's plans can include dinner for a cause.

A spaghetti fundraiser benefiting The Bridge 4 Veterans runs from 3 to 8 p.m. in Lecanto, with $20 plates, entertainment from Stephen Thomas, raffles and a bourbon and wine pull.

Proceeds will support the organization's new home for female veterans.

Finish the long weekend at the Labor Day Picnic at VFW Post 4864 in Citrus Springs, running from noon to 4 p.m. Monday.

The $11 buffet is joined by music from DJ Deb, raffles and other activities.

That's it for this week's Nature Coast Digest.

If somebody spent the weekend telling you they never know what's going on around here, forward this email to them and solve both of our problems.

Enjoy the long weekend, stay safe out there, and we'll see you next Thursday.

— Mike
Nature Coast Digest

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