Good morning, New Port Richey, and happy Wednesday! It's a mostly sunny one with a high near 80 and a low around 61, which sounds like perfect weather for National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day. Where in West Pasco do you go for the best slice?

In the news, Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson and its families are asking Pasco commissioners to pave unpaved Matis Road. A launch tracker lists Tuesday's SpaceX Bandwagon-5 liftoff as a success at 7:04 a.m., a bit later than first reported. Port Richey crews plan tree work on Bay Boulevard Wednesday morning, River Ridge volleyball plays a regional quarterfinal at 7 p.m., and the Pasco Sheriff's Office is recruiting teens for Explorer Post 916.

On the calendar, Witches Brew and the Kids Monster Mash bring a little Halloween fun, and Rita Jane King shares Weeki Wachee mermaid history at Peace Hall. Ezee Dogs Hotdogs is serving lunch at the West Pasco Government Center, Yummy Thai Food Florida is at Craft Life Brewing in Hudson, and an open blues jam is on tap in Tarpon Springs. Friday brings a Riverside Concert by the Cotee River. No restaurant specials made the list, so tell us your favorite spot. Here's to a sunny rest of the week.

Hudson Ranch Families Ask Pasco to Pave Matis Road
Bay News 9 (Pasco)
Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson, which has served children, adults and veterans with special needs since 2010, says unpaved Matis Road is keeping some families from reaching it. Founder Tammy Sliger and families took the concern to Pasco commissioners on Tuesday. The county says it maintains the road and about 185 miles of unpaved roads, and sets paving priorities each year.
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Pasco News Shares SpaceX Launch Video From West Pasco
Pasco News (FB Page)
Pasco News posted a video on Facebook titled SpaceX launch from West Pasco on Tuesday morning. Next Spaceflight lists the Bandwagon-5 launch as a success at 7:04 a.m. EDT Tuesday, a little later than the 6:30 a.m. time in earlier reports. The post does not say which launch the video shows.
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Lily Holbrook Plays Riverside Concert by the Cotee River October 23
New Port Richey Public Library
The New Port Richey Public Library has Lily Holbrook playing a Riverside Concert by the Cotee River this Friday, October 23, at 6 p.m. The library says her set will feature a mix of original songs.
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Free Art Closet at Centennial Park Branch Library Offers Craft Supplies
Pasco County Library System
Pasco County Library System is promoting the Free Art Closet at Centennial Park Branch Library, a spot to pick up supplies for your next art project or try a new craft hobby without breaking the bank. Check the library system's post for what is stocked and how to visit.
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Pasco Reminds Residents That Books and Magazines Go in the Recycling
Pasco County Government (FB Page)
Pasco County says curbside recycling takes more than you might think. Hardcover and softcover books, magazines, newspapers and even old textbooks can go in the recycling, so when you are done reading, skip the trash.
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Pasco Sheriff's Office Recruiting Students for Explorer Post 916
Pasco County Sheriff's Office (FB Page)
The Pasco Sheriff's Office is recruiting students ages 14 to 21 for Explorer Post 916, pitched as a place to develop skills that carry them through life. Sign-up details are in the Sheriff's Office Facebook post.
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Port Richey Plans Tree Work on Bay Boulevard October 21
City of Port Richey
The City of Port Richey says its Public Works Department and a third-party vendor will do tree work on Bay Boulevard on Wednesday morning, October 21. The city's Facebook post describes the affected stretch, so check it before you head out.
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River Ridge Volleyball Is District Champion, Plays Regional Quarterfinal October 21
River Ridge High School (FB Page)
River Ridge High School's volleyball team is district champion and plays its Regional Quarterfinals game at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, at River Ridge High School. The school is inviting fans to come out and support the team.
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Wendell Krinn Tech Invites Future Girls Basketball Players to Meet Coach Allen
Wendell Krinn Technical HS (FB Page)
Wendell Krinn Technical High School invites students interested in girls basketball to meet Coach Allen during lunch on Wednesday, October 21, in Room 106. The school says the meeting covers important information about tryouts.
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Fivay Teacher Marissa Taylor-Walker Named Bay News 9 A+ Teacher
Bay News 9 (Pasco)
Fivay High School language arts teacher Marissa Taylor-Walker, who also leads the school's color guard, is Bay News 9's latest A+ Teacher. She pushes students to act with integrity, and junior Michael Bevan says her kindness and positivity helped him feel more confident.
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Fivay Fire Science Students Get an Inside Look at a Fire Hydrant
Fivay High School (FB Page)
Fivay High School's Fire Science Academy students got an inside look at a fire hydrant, thanks to a visit from Pasco County Public Utilities. The school thanked the utilities staff for the visit.
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Every time you fill up or open your power bill, an energy company gets paid. Gas prices just set an October record. Iran is firing on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Russia's oil exports are getting choked off by attacks on its tankers and oil infrastructure.

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Professional Women in Business Networking Lunch
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 11:15 AM – 1 PM
HCA Florida - Trinity Hospital
9330 FL-54, Trinity, FL 34655
A monthly networking lunch for professional women, with this month's guest Dr. Toni Zetzsche, Chief Communications and Community Engagement Officer for Pasco County Schools, speaking about community engagement and partnerships. Registration is required at www.greaterpasco.com, and attendees are invited to bring a new school supply item for the Back-to-School Supply Drive. Arrival, networking and lunch begin at 11:15 AM.
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Witches Brew
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 12 PM
Gulf Harbors Civic Association
4610 Floramar Terrace, New Port Richey, FL 34652
An annual Witches Brew Luncheon hosted with neighbors from Gulf Harbors. Wear your best witch's costume for a chance to win prizes in categories such as best overall costume and best witch's hat. Entry is $15, collected at the door, and lunch is provided by the Women of the Woodlands. RSVP to Nancy Theisen at 407-461-2220.
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Kids Monster Mash at the Kangaroo
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 5 PM
The Kangaroo
5748 Main Street, New Port Richey, FL 34652
A Halloween dance party for the little monsters. The Kangaroo opens early for one day only with a kids' DJ, music, photo ops, free face painting, free pumpkin painting and free soda. Admission is free when you bring a Halloween costume to donate to Imagination Station of Florida.
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History of Weeki Wachee Mermaids - Rita Jane King
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 6 PM
Peace Hall
5600 Sims Ln, New Port Richey, FL 34652
Former mermaid Rita Jane King shares the history of Weeki Wachee Springs and its Mermaid Attraction, which began in the 1940s. She became a mermaid in the 1960s and still plays an important role in the attraction, which is now part of a Florida State Park.
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Baronial populace and business meeting at Tarpon Springs Public Library
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 8 PM
Tarpon Springs Public Library
138 E Lemon St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
A baronial populace and business meeting held in person at the Tarpon Springs Public Library and in the group's Discord meeting channel.
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Hudson Huddle Network Meeting - Calling 40 Businesses! at Circle S BBQ, LLC
Thursday | October 22, 2026 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Circle S BBQ, LLC
14630 US 19, Hudson, FL 34667
A free networking event for local business owners, the fifth Hudson Huddle, with room for 40 businesses. To reserve a spot, comment "I'm Coming!" on the event post, tag your business and say how many are in your party. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead if your plans change so another business can take your place.
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Countryside Moms Monthly Gathering - OCTOBER
Thursday | October 22, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Countryside Moms
425 Riviere Rd, Palm Harbor, FL 34683
The monthly Countryside Moms gathering. The $5 fee per meeting covers breakfast snacks, activities and childcare. Register at countryside.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3558675.
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Baby Sign Language at Tarpon Springs Public Library
Friday | October 23, 2026 | 10:30 AM
Tarpon Springs Public Library
138 E Lemon St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
A baby sign language program for children from birth to age 3, presented with the Deaf Literacy Center of the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative. Registration is required at the Youth Services desk or by calling (727) 943-4922.
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October Tour of France at Water's Edge
Friday | October 23, 2026 | 7 PM
Water's Edge
9019 Creedmoor Ln, New Port Richey, FL 34654
The monthly Tour of France meeting, held the fourth Friday of each month, features a tasting of five French wines with classic pairings. And yes, there will be Bordeaux.
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Ezee Dogs Hotdogs and Catering (Hot Dogs | Sausages)
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
West Pasco Government Center
8731 Citizens Dr., New Port Richey, FL 34654
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Yummy Thai Food Florida (Thai | Asian)
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 5 PM – 9 PM
Craft Life Brewing Company
6810 Tower Dr., Hudson, FL 34667
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Mel & Tony's Subs, Skewers & More (Subs | Skewers | Burgers)
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Pointe West Condominium Association
11945 Paradise Point Way, New Port Richey, FL 34654
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Which local restaurant do you love and recommend to everyone? Reply to this newsletter and tell us, and we may feature it in a future issue.

Tropics of Tarpon Springs Full Band Open Blues Jam with Bourbon & Bones
Wednesday | October 21, 2026 | 7 PM – 10:30 PM
Tropics Tarpon Springs
501 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
An open blues jam hosted by Drew Bolognini and the Bourbon & Bones band, with a full backline provided.
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Dwarf Wrestling at Circle S BBQ
Thursday | October 22, 2026 | 7 PM
Circle S BBQ, LLC
14630 US 19, Hudson, FL 34667
The Dwarfanators bring their wrestling show to Circle S BBQ. All ages. Doors open at 6 PM and the show starts at 7 PM. Tickets are $30 for general admission in advance (it goes up $5 at the door) or $50 ringside, and are sold only at www.dwarfanators.com.
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Audiostar at Sponge City Brewing
Friday | October 23, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Sponge City Brewing
501 South Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Nick and Ben make their debut as Audiostar on Friday night with great tunes and a lot of laughter. Grab some food and have a beer.
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TL Jentgens - Port Richey, FL - Art's Tap House North
Friday | October 23, 2026 | 9 PM
Art's Tap House North
6935 Ridge Rd. (CR-524), Port Richey, FL 34668
Free, all ages, with free parking and no tickets needed. Call Art's Tap House North at (727) 848-2566.
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