New School Zone Signals Live and a Record Weekend for Recycling

Lecanto, FL · April 13, 2026

Happy Monday—hope you had a chance to enjoy the sunshine yesterday. Keep an eye on the speedometer near the high school this morning as those new flashing safety signals are officially operational for the school week.

The Lead

Over 400 residents participated in the county-wide Spring Clean-Up this past Saturday, with the Lecanto landfill seeing record-breaking drop-offs of household electronics and tires. This annual push significantly reduces illegal dumping in the Withlacoochee State Forest, which has been a growing concern for local conservationists. County officials noted that the volume of recycled materials increased by 15% compared to last year, signaling a stronger community commitment to keeping our corridors clean. If you missed the event, the landfill remains open for standard disposal today, but the fee waivers for hazardous waste have now expired. Looking ahead, the results of this weekend’s efforts will be presented at tomorrow’s commission meeting to help secure further funding for rural beautification grants.

Local Pulse

  • CR 491 Paving Shifts Today Crews have reached a new phase of the expansion project near the Educational Complex. Expect lane shifts and flaggers between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM today. Plan for an extra ten minutes if you are heading toward Gulf-to-Lake Highway.

  • Testing Season Prep Begins Lecanto High and Middle schools begin final preparation sessions this week for upcoming state assessments. Parents should check the updated bus schedules for after-school tutoring routes, which begin their new afternoon rotations starting today.

  • Spring Watering Restrictions in Effect Citrus County Utilities issued a reminder this morning about the twice-a-week watering schedule as we enter the driest part of the season. Residents with addresses ending in even numbers are cleared for Thursday and Sunday only.

Today's Outlook

  • High 82°F · Low 61°F A perfect Florida spring day with low humidity and a light breeze from the northeast. It is a great afternoon for a walk at the park before the evening clouds roll in.

What's On Around Town

  • Monday Morning Tech Help Central Ridge Library, 425 W Roosevelt Blvd 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Bring your tablet or laptop for one-on-one assistance with local librarians. It is a low-pressure way to troubleshoot those pesky software updates or learn how to access the county’s digital catalog.

  • Inverness: City Council Workshop Government Center, 212 W Main St 1:00 PM A short drive away to hear the latest on the proposed downtown annexation plans. These workshops are often more informative than the formal evening votes for those who want the full context.

  • Crystal River: Sunset Guided Paddle Hunter Springs Park, 104 NE 1st Ave 6:00 PM Head toward the coast for a twilight tour of the springs. With the manatees mostly moved on for the season, the waters are quieter and the bird watching is at its peak.

  • Monday Night Trivia Lollygaggers Sports Pub & Grill, 4610 S Suncoast Blvd 6:30 PM A local favorite for a competitive but friendly start to the week. Teams fill up fast, so arriving early for dinner is recommended if you want a table near the host.

Spotlight & Story

  • Black Diamond Ranch
    • While many know it as a world-class golf destination, the land itself tells the story of Florida’s industrial past. The famous "Quarry Course" is built directly into the remnants of limestone mines that operated here decades ago. The dramatic 80-foot cliffs and deep turquoise pools aren't just for show—they are a literal window into the Florida aquifer and the geological layers that define our region’s landscape.

Lecanto Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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