St. Petersburg Times Online: News of Citrus County

Florida Manatee Festival

[Times file photo: Bill Serne]
County a 'poster child' of manatee protection
CRYSTAL RIVER -- Nowhere in Florida has the debate over manatee protection raged longer and hotter than in Citrus County.
Sacred cow
Crystal River honors its favorite marine mammal with the Florida Manatee Festival, featuring music for Buffett fans, boat tours and exhibits.
Sea cow souvenirs are hot and going fast
Gift shop owners say tourists who love the gentle herbivores constitute a big part of their business. And, yes, there really is a manatee-inspired hot sauce.
Manatees, humans to share festival
Visitors can enjoy fine arts, crafts, food, entertainment, boat rides all focused on manatee and wildlife education.
Manatee protection more than just writing tickets
For the officers who watch boaters, divers and manatees, awareness is a critical part of enjoying of the gentle creatures.
Volunteer group helps raise funds, educate
The Friends of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex was formed three years ago to help raise funds to support environmental education, volunteer programs and other public outreach activities at the Chassahowitzka and Crystal River national wildlife refuges.
Where to see a manatee

Manatee interaction rules

Legal protection

Manatee facts

How to adopt a manatee

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Manatee-related Web sites

Where to go locally for
What to do if you see an injured manatee

2002 Manatee Festival Entertainment Schedule

Jan Glidewell
Unmasking the silliness of enforcing state's laws
Okay brother cons, gather around the table in the day room here and I'll tell you about how I wound up here.

Stabbing case goes to jury
INVERNESS -- Jurors are expected to begin deliberations today in the trial of Alexander Whaley, the Crystal River man accused of breaking into a 23-year-old woman's apartment and stabbing her 15 times.

Condo project draws more fire
HOMOSASSA -- At one time it was one of F. Blake Longacre's best arguments.

Citrus digest
More charges possible in dike removal

School trip ratio policy is examined
INVERNESS -- How many adults does it take to make sure that children on a field trip are safe?

Quintet offers mix of classical, contemporary
The brass band will bring an extensive repertoire Sunday to Curtis Peterson Auditorium.

Comets still rock around the clock
An oldies and rockabilly concert brings Bill Haley's Original Comets, one of the first rock 'n' roll bands.

This week
PLAYHOUSE 19: The Mystery of Edwin Drood will run Thursday through Sundays through Jan. 27 at Playhouse 19 community theater, 865 U.S. 19 S, Crystal River.

Out of the district race, Citrus wants third seed
The race for the top seed in Class 3A, District 6 is all but over -- for Citrus that is.

Lecanto braces for rough road
Lecanto's schedule is about to get tough.