🌱 How a Lecanto Target incident cost a Citrus deputy his job

Hey hey Lecanto! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Lecanto Target incident cost a Citrus deputy his job
• Family and friends remember Ellen R. Coe's life and service
• Citrus County says goodbye to biker-bar legend and local club owner

Also on today's calendar: Cottage Food Workshop.

Today's riddle: When geese fly, one side is longer than the other. do you know why that is ? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 89 and low of 68 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Friday: Cloudy with a thunderstorm, temps: high: 90, low: 68.
• Saturday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 88 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Local yokel arrested and shitcanned (wordpress.com) — A Citrus County deputy was arrested and fired after investigators say he made sexual comments to a Target employee in Lecanto, grabbed her necklace to pull her toward him, and failed to activate his body camera. The victim reportedly appeared visibly uncomfortable and walked away as he briefly followed. An internal affairs probe and criminal complaint led to his arrest and termination the next day.
   

• Ellen R. Coe (villages-news.com) — An area family is mourning 78-year-old Ellen R. Coe, who passed away September 10 at Vitas Hospice House in Lecanto after moving to Summerfield from Miami. Remembered as a devoted homemaker and AMVETS member, she leaves behind three sisters and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Thursday in Wildwood with burial at Florida National Cemetery.
   

• Wallace 'Wally' Payne, The Man Behind a Leesburg Landmark, Dies at 90 (blueridgeleader.com) — Citrus County is remembering Wallace "Wally" Payne, longtime owner of Leesburg's iconic Payne's Biker Bar, who later settled in Beverly Hills and owned Pine Ridge Community Golf & Country Club. He was active in local veterans' and civic groups, worshiped at Gulf to Lake Church, and had his funeral there, with burial in Beverly Hills and arrangements by a Lecanto funeral home.
   

📸 Around Lecanto

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lecanto

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★ Featured events ★

Friday September 18
• CIT - Parent's Night Out for ages 5-12 - Lecanto, FL 2026 →
  Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA, 4127 W Norvell Bryant Hwy, Lecanto
  6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday September 23
• Cottage Food Workshop →
  Citrus County Extension Services, 3650 West Sovereign Path, Lecanto
  6:00 pm

📣 Lecanto Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday September 17
• Planning & Development Commission PDC
  Citrus County Public Meetings, 110 North Apopka Ave, Iverness
  9:00 am
• Teen's Night Out →
  Depot District, 300 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness
  5:30 pm
• Elvis featuring Matt Stone →
  Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness
  7:00 pm
Friday September 18
• Beginner German →
  Coastal Region Library, 8619 W Crystal St, Crystal River
  2:00 pm
• Lewis and Young Entertainment Presents: A Bad Year for Tomatoes →
  Valerie Theatre, 207 Courthouse Square, Inverness
  7:00 pm
• Small Town Slam Wrestling →
  Depot District, 300 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness
  7:30 pm
Saturday September 19
• 12th Annual Save a Heart 5K →
  Whispering Pines Park, 1700 Forest Drive, Inverness
  9:00 am
• Market at the Depot →
  Depot District, 300 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness
  9:00 am
• Crafting for Kids - Felt-Friend Hand Puppets →
  Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness
  1:00 pm
Monday September 21
• GAME DAY presented by L.I.F.T. (Living Information For Today) →
  Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast Grief Services, 8471 W Periwinkle Ln, Homosassa Springs
  3:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I need help in knowing what to do next.
  I have these bumps on my right side of my chin. Went to Lotus Dermatology and was told this is due to mature skin and there is nothing to can do… (Nextdoor Ray Michael Crystal Oak)
• So i broke my kitchen faucet.
  I want to replace it with a high arc pull down one. Who has one they really like. I would appreciate any suggestions TYIA (Nextdoor Hills of Avalon)

• National Mentor Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Dietary and Food Aide in Lecanto. Apply here.
• County of Citrus Florida posted a job opening for Maintenance Worker - Litter Crew in Lecanto. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lecanto here.

🗞 Nearby News

Crystal River

• Winners Announced In Suwannee Riverkeeper Songwriting Contest (valdostatoday.com)

Inverness

• Downtown Inverness Art Walk Returns September 19 (naturecoaster.com)
• New entrance opens at Whispering Pines Park off US-41 (baynews9.com)

Ok Lecanto! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: because there are more geese on that side (Thank you jo L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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