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Hi Homosassa Springs, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Manatee festival, snorkel with manatees, Sunshine State bucket list, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Industrial space shortfall highlighted: Hernando County leaders recently heard startup-boosting ideas, as an incubator expert urged a single champion and stable funding. A 2026 plan includes site-ready infrastructure, workforce development, and incentives for growth — see what’s in the plan.
Small-town shores, big savings: A recent list includes Crystal River, the Manatee Capital, among 13 Florida beach towns where couples can live on Social Security, highlighting affordable Gulf Coast living near Homosassa Springs — see the 13 towns.
Unforgettable Sunshine State moments: From swimming with manatees in Crystal River to the 68th annual Daytona 500 on February 16, 2026, explore distinctly Florida experiences to add to your 2026 bucket list — explore the full list.
Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.
Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had its best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Closure plans pulled after outcry: Chassahowitzka River Campground is now at the top of Citrus County’s state funding list. The county will seek $800,000 during the 2026 session to repair and improve storm damage. The park was hit hard by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 and will remain open. Get details on funding request.
Quiet marsh escape: If you need a low-key reset, Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge has the Salt Marsh Trails in Homosassa, flat paths and a boardwalk to Lastinger Tower with wide-open views for wading birds and whatever cruises the marsh. Bring curiosity, leave lighter.
Fade-worthy refresh: When your sides start plotting a mutiny, Scalps Barbershop is the low-key spot for classic cuts, skin fades, and clean beard work… no drama, just steady hands and barbers who remember your name. Walk out feeling sharp, like your head finally matches your calendar.
A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
📖 Tiny Tales @ Floral City Public Library | Friday (1/16) at 10:00 AM – Need an outing that burns wiggles and feeds tiny brains? Tiny Tales is a sweet storytime for the 0-to-5 crowd and their caregivers, with songs, short books, and plenty of floor time. You chat with grownups, they babble, everyone wins.
🌀 Labyrinth Experience @ El Mezcal Mexican restaurant | Friday (1/16) at 4:00 PM – If you’ve been craving a quiet reset, the Wings Grief Center’s labyrinth in Homosassa, open to all, offers exactly that, no yoga mat required. Walk, breathe, reflect, then head to El Mezcal for lunch, chips, and that post-walk exhale only salsa can deliver.
🐬 Florida Manatee Festival @ Three Sisters Springs | Saturday (1/17) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’ve been waving at sea cows since grade school or need an excuse to ditch festival crowds, slip into the Three Sisters Springs Open House. Chat with Nature World’s volunteers and animal ambassadors, enjoy boardwalk views and 72-degree water, and practice a patient voice.
🐬 39th Annual Florida Manatee Festival @ Crystal River | Saturday (1/17) at 9:00 AM – The Florida Manatee Festival is floating back for its 39th year, bringing our favorite gentle sea cows and a sea of local vendors. Expect art, bites, and small-town charm with zero rush hour vibes. Swing through, say hi to the vendors, and pretend winter exists.
🧘 Hot 26&2 @ Crystal River Yoga | Saturday (1/17) at 9:15 AM – Trade your coffee for Hot 26&2 with Suzanne at Crystal River Yoga, classic Ghosh sequence of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises in a warm room. Steady work that unkinks stubborn joints, clears the mind, and earns your brunch, thermostat set to sweat politely.
🍳 Cooking Class @ Taverna Manos Mediterranean Grille | Sunday (1/18) at 12:00 PM – Taverna Manos is firing up a hands-on Turkish köfte class where you chop, mix, skewer, and laugh. It’s $65 with all ingredients and gear, iced tea included, beer and wine for purchase. Seats go fast, cash preferred, bring an apron, a friend, and your gossip.
🎤 Zac Petty @ Tipsy Tarpon | Sunday (1/18) at 1:00 PM – Take a breather and catch Zac Petty serving country and Southern rock like a honky-tonk jukebox that paid its taxes. He’ll nail the pickin’, then play Freebird with a beer bottle so you don’t have to yell it. Good company, good sound, and zero pretense.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Homosassa Springs report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 58°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 14%
Mostly sunny. High near 58, with temperatures falling to around 51 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. Wind chill values as low as 28. North wind 2 to 8 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 58°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 58. East southeast wind around 2 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 34. East northeast wind around 2 mph.
This house is wild
This 3-bed, 2-bath 2004 mobile home spans 1,294 sf on a 16,500 sf lot, not in a park. An enclosed covered breezeway links the home to a two-car garage with electric. Updates include 2022 central heat and air, refreshed toilets and light fixtures, a new master tub, wood stairs, a breezeway ceiling fan and screen door, and new flooring in bedroom two. No lot rent and no HOA.
Outdoor perks include a hen house, storage shed, and a koi pond with goldfish. RV parking is allowed, not as a residence, and Airbnb is permitted. Quick access to the Suncoast Parkway, Home Depot, and the restaurants and shopping along US 19.
Take a peek inside →
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