News for Cedar Key, Levy County and Florida's Nature Coast.https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/en-usFri, 04 Sep 2026 11:38:12 GMTeditor@cedarkeybeacon.com (Florida & Cedar Key News)editor@cedarkeybeacon.com (Florida & Cedar Key News)Copyright 2026 Florida & Cedar Key News60https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/state-university-board-drafts-campus-safety-rule-tightens-admissions/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/state-university-board-drafts-campus-safety-rule-tightens-admissions/A new Board of Governors regulation reaching every Florida public university, including UF, will set safety and enrollment rules that touch Levy County students long before any campus incident occurs.Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:38:12 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/fwc-s-holiday-reminder-give-sea-turtles-shorebirds-room-on-nature/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/fwc-s-holiday-reminder-give-sea-turtles-shorebirds-room-on-nature/With nesting season still active and a long weekend bringing more beachgoers, state wildlife officials are asking Cedar Key-area visitors to keep lights down, dogs leashed and gear off the sand.Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:37:45 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/seagrass-beds-sea-grant-touts-statewide-are-the-same-grass-flats/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/seagrass-beds-sea-grant-touts-statewide-are-the-same-grass-flats/A University of Florida Sea Grant post on seagrass ecology doesn't mention Cedar Key by name, but the fisheries and monitoring program it describes run straight through the Nature Coast's grass flats.Wed, 02 Sep 2026 11:41:51 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/florida-sea-grant-highlights-seagrass-science-that-underpins-cedar/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/florida-sea-grant-highlights-seagrass-science-that-underpins-cedar/A new Florida Sea Grant post on statewide seagrass habitat and its citizen-science monitoring program points to the underwater meadows that sustain Cedar Key's fisheries and scalloping.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:39:04 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/florida-sea-grant-remembers-communications-leader-whose-work-touched/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/florida-sea-grant-remembers-communications-leader-whose-work-touched/Dorothy L. Zimmerman helped translate the science behind oyster collapses, algal blooms and seafood safety rules that shaped programs still used along the Nature Coast.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:38:35 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-31/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-31/The county commission, planning commission and workshops scheduled in the days ahead, with dates, times and locations.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:40:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-31/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-31/The National Weather Service forecast for Cedar Key and Levy County, with any watches or warnings in force.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:20:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-31/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-31/High and low water at the Cedar Key gauge for the seven days from August 31, 2026, with the week's biggest and smallest tides.Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/suwannee-river-water-district-posts-sole-source-procurement-notice/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/suwannee-river-water-district-posts-sole-source-procurement-notice/A district that reaches into northern Levy County has opened a 15-day comment period on a no-bid contract, but the posting itself says little about what's being bought.Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:41:06 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/two-cross-city-men-die-in-crash-with-semi-north-of-bell/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/two-cross-city-men-die-in-crash-with-semi-north-of-bell/A Florida Highway Patrol report says a sedan failed to yield at a stop sign on CR 340, sending the crash into the path of a northbound tractor-trailer on US 129.Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:37:46 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/uf-launches-atlantic-red-snapper-tagging-study-but-it-s-not-the-gulf/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/uf-launches-atlantic-red-snapper-tagging-study-but-it-s-not-the-gulf/A new University of Florida tagging project offers a $250 reward for reported catches, but it targets Atlantic red snapper, a separate stock from the Gulf fish caught off Cedar Key.Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:39:51 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/uf-wins-1-79m-federal-grant-for-ai-water-carbon-forecasting-tool/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/uf-wins-1-79m-federal-grant-for-ai-water-carbon-forecasting-tool/A new NSF-funded UF project will use artificial intelligence to model how land-use and climate changes affect water and carbon systems statewide, with no Cedar Key-specific application yet named.Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:38:54 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/uf-ifas-rolls-out-new-plant-and-pollinator-app-for-florida-friendly/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/uf-ifas-rolls-out-new-plant-and-pollinator-app-for-florida-friendly/A free UF/IFAS tool merges three older apps into one guide for choosing plants that fit local soil, sun and water conditions - useful for anyone gardening near the Gulf.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:41:20 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/motorcycle-ride-through-bronson-inglis-to-raise-money-for-rural-food/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/motorcycle-ride-through-bronson-inglis-to-raise-money-for-rural-food/The Aug. 29 fundraiser rolls through four Levy County-area veterans posts to support The Children's Table, marking the Bronson food bank's 30th year.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:37:42 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-24/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-24/The county commission, planning commission and workshops scheduled in the days ahead, with dates, times and locations.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:40:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-24/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-24/The National Weather Service forecast for Cedar Key and Levy County, with any watches or warnings in force.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:20:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-24/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-24/High and low water at the Cedar Key gauge for the seven days from August 24, 2026, with the week's biggest and smallest tides.Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:00:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/water-district-opens-2027-calendar-photo-contest-including-levy/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/water-district-opens-2027-calendar-photo-contest-including-levy/The Suwannee River Water Management District wants photos of its public lands - some of which sit in Levy County - for its 2027 calendar, with entries due Sept. 25.Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:39:38 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/business/uf-ifas-asks-cattle-producers-to-watch-pastures-for-spreading-mealybug/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/business/uf-ifas-asks-cattle-producers-to-watch-pastures-for-spreading-mealybug/A new UF/IFAS sampling effort tracking pasture mealybug across 22 Florida counties has implications for Levy County's cattle operations, even without confirmed local infestations.Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:39:11 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsBusinesshttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/suwannee-river-district-lists-surplus-parcels-none-yet-in-levy-county/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/suwannee-river-district-lists-surplus-parcels-none-yet-in-levy-county/A regional water agency with jurisdiction reaching into Levy County has nine tracts for sale or under contract in four neighboring counties, none on this coast yet.Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:39:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/no-active-disturbances-in-the-atlantic-as-hurricane-season-s-peak/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/no-active-disturbances-in-the-atlantic-as-hurricane-season-s-peak/The National Hurricane Center's twice-daily outlook shows a quiet Atlantic basin heading into the season's historical peak, even as forecasters track development elsewhere in the Pacific.Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:38:28 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/stage-west-one-seat-over-premiere-2026-08-22/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/stage-west-one-seat-over-premiere-2026-08-22/Brian S. Brijbag, who has had plays staged off-Broadway and abroad, premieres "One Seat Over" at Stage West Playhouse on 22 August, the anchor of the theatre's New Works Festival on the Nature Coast.Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:15:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/suwannee-river-water-management-district-issues-water-use-permit-for/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/suwannee-river-water-management-district-issues-water-use-permit-for/A new individual water use permit for a Levy County property is among two dozen issued by the district in the past month, with a 21-day window for affected parties to request a hearing.Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:01:58 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/no-storms-brewing-in-the-atlantic-as-nature-coast-hits-peak-hurricane/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/no-storms-brewing-in-the-atlantic-as-nature-coast-hits-peak-hurricane/The National Hurricane Center's latest outlook shows a quiet Atlantic even as the calendar turns toward the season's historic peak.Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:00:33 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/us-news/snap-admin-cost-shift-florida-comment-2026/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/us-news/snap-admin-cost-shift-florida-comment-2026/A proposed USDA rule would cut the federal government’s share of SNAP administrative costs from half to a quarter. It does not touch anyone’s benefits, but it changes who pays to keep the program running, and the comment window is open.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsUS Newshttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-school-new-year-2026/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-school-new-year-2026/Levy County students returned to class on 12 August. On the island, "the schools" means one building, the pre-K-through-12 Cedar Key School, and here is the year ahead.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:30:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/atlantic-hurricane-season-peak-cedar-key-2026/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/atlantic-hurricane-season-peak-cedar-key-2026/NOAA is holding to a below-normal 2026 season. Cedar Key’s three worst storms in living memory all arrived in the back half of the calendar, and the back half starts now.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:00:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-17/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-17/The county commission, planning commission and workshops scheduled in the days ahead, with dates, times and locations.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:40:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-17/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-17/The National Weather Service forecast for Cedar Key and Levy County, with any watches or warnings in force.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:20:01 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-17/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-17/High and low water at the Cedar Key gauge for the seven days from August 17, 2026, with the week's biggest and smallest tides.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:00:02 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-14/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-14/The county commission, planning commission and workshops scheduled in the days ahead, with dates, times and locations.Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:56:30 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-14/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-14/The National Weather Service forecast for Cedar Key and Levy County, with any watches or warnings in force.Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:56:23 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-14/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-14/High and low water at the Cedar Key gauge for the seven days from August 14, 2026, with the week's biggest and smallest tides.Fri, 14 Aug 2026 22:55:56 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/us-news/noaa-aquaculture-opportunity-areas-comment-2026/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/us-news/noaa-aquaculture-opportunity-areas-comment-2026/NOAA wants public input on where to look for new Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. It has already mapped 13 of them in the Gulf, and the distinction between federal and state waters is the part that matters here.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsUS Newshttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/business/cedar-key-clam-industry-economic-data-gap/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/business/cedar-key-clam-industry-economic-data-gap/The clam farms support hundreds of jobs and most of Florida’s production. The most recent economic studies we can find are from 2012 and 2018, which matters now that crops are failing.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:30:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsBusinesshttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/suwannee-water-district-permits-how-to-read/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/suwannee-water-district-permits-how-to-read/The Suwannee River Water Management District lists every permit it grants, with the project name, the county and the full application. It is also where the objection window opens.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/pollinator-census-august-2026-levy-county/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/pollinator-census-august-2026-levy-county/The Great Southeast Pollinator Census runs on 21 and 22 August. UF/IFAS wants all 67 counties taking part this year, Levy County included.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:30:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-clam-mortality-research/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-clam-mortality-research/Growers reported below-average survival and total crop losses after the summer of 2024. Five research projects are now funded, run from the biological station in the middle of town.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Keyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-budget-workshop-eight-august-25/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-budget-workshop-eight-august-25/The commission meets twice that day. Under Florida law the county has until the end of September to set its millage rate and adopt a budget, after two public hearings.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-comprehensive-plan-workshops-august-2026/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-comprehensive-plan-workshops-august-2026/The county commission meets on August 13 and the planning commission on August 17. The plan they are working on sets what can be built in Levy County, and where, for the next twenty years.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:30:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/blue-springs-henry-beck-parks-reopen/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/blue-springs-henry-beck-parks-reopen/Both Levy County parks returned to normal hours on Friday, though the county says water levels remain elevated and the water is darker than usual.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-11/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/levy-county/levy-county-public-meetings-2026-08-11/The county commission, planning commission and workshops scheduled in the days ahead, with dates, times and locations.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:33:11 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsLevy Countyhttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-11/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/florida/cedar-key-weather-outlook-2026-08-11/The National Weather Service forecast for Cedar Key and Levy County, with any watches or warnings in force.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:33:10 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsFloridahttps://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-11/https://www.cedarkeybeacon.com/cedar-key/cedar-key-tide-times-week-of-2026-08-11/High and low water at the Cedar Key gauge for the seven days from August 11, 2026, with the week's biggest and smallest tides.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:33:10 GMTFlorida & Cedar Key NewsCedar Key