Police picket at City Hall
INVERNESS -- Inverness police officers picketed outside City Hall Tuesday evening, waving to honking cars as they held signs calling for higher wages.

Blaze kills senior who lived alone
The Beverly Hills woman dies inside her green one-story wood house early in the morning. The cause of the fire was still unknown.

Winds sweep through, leave mess
Meteorologists say the heavy thunderstorms created a waterspout and a tornado. An Inglis mobile home park was damaged.

Development joins water utility battle
The Sugarmill Woods community has filed a lawsuit over two Panhandle towns' bid to buy Florida Water Services, saying it is invalid and unfair.

Thurman far ahead in fundraising contest
She raises three times as much and spends about twice as much as GOP opponent Brown-Waite.

Investigating bland fries, nutritious doughnuts
Everything you ever wanted to know about school cafeterias but were afraid to ask.

Citrus briefly
Bus driver accused of sexual battery resigns

Lawyer's consistency a sign of what's to come
The moment he hopped into the No. 19 Hobby Stock machine this spring, Dean Lawyer knew he was going to have a fun ride this season. And despite the struggles that go along with putting a new car on the track, it has been just that. Since midseason, Lawyer, 39, has been among the most consistent drivers in the division. With one feature and two heat wins, he has finished sixth or better in his past seven outings. And while it's not enough to keep Richie Smith from winning his second straight championship, Lawyer and his car owner, Jeff Yearwood, are enthusiastic about a bright future.

Veteran 'Canes confident
With the Class A, District 6 tournament less than two weeks away, Citrus girls coach Tom Darby has to feel good about his Hurricanes, sitting at 14-1.

Novices serve up good place to nosh
INVERNESS -- It is very likely that the culinary arts students at Withlacoochee Technical Institute someday will be out preparing meals at local restaurants or elsewhere, so I wasn't too surprised at the delightful lunch I enjoyed there last week when I went with three co-workers.

Taking care of business
The Bunch brothers have keyed Crystal River's success.