Jan Glidewell: Politician's phone idea deserves to be cut off
If Florida House Speaker Johnny Byrd gets his way, taxpayers in the state that can't find its dependent children, can't pay its school teachers a living wage and thinks mass transit is a minibus service connecting malls and a few nursing homes will start spending money on telemarketing calls to tell us all what a great job the legislature is doing.

Brown-Waite's staffers plan sessions with constituents
CRYSTAL RIVER -- Staff members from U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's office will host constituent outreach meetings throughout the 5th Congressional District in the coming weeks to meet with residents and discuss their views and concerns.

New Joe's rises from ashes
Main Street mainstay Joe's Family Restaurant will reopen Monday after a fire. It will have some new touches and its familiar fare.

Juvenile facility inmates are charged in beatings
LECANTO -- Four inmates at Cypress Creek Academy, the state facility for juvenile offenders, were arrested Wednesday night on charges that they beat two other inmates. The inmates charged were Alexander J. Larry, 17, Emanuel Thomas, 18, William C. Carter, 16, and Dennard K. Brown, 17, arrest reports showed. The accused inmates were transported to the Citrus County jail. Thomas remained there Thursday afternoon, held on $2,000 bail. Larry, Carter and Brown were taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Teachers, district head to mediation
For the first time in six years, the union declares an impasse, which automatically halts contract negotiations.

Citrus park to display whooping crane
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park will receive the rare bird, and possibly a second one, for educational display.

This week: Citrus
PLAYHOUSE 19: All Night Strut, a concert featuring the hit songs of the 1930s and '40s, has its final performances this weekend at Playhouse 19, 865 U.S. 19 S, Crystal River. Show times are 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15. Call 563-1333.

Country, classics at the Pavilion
Rock Crusher Canyon Garden this weekend will feature Glenn Miller Orchestra and Johnny Cash's brother.

Preps: Tie does a number on Panthers
The tricky formula used to decide the boys district pairings came down to simple arithmetic.

Preps: Pirates get a major bonus
Big-leaguer Mike Hampton spends the week working out with Crystal River.

Letters: Don't rehash a garbage fee we already rejected
Editor: I attended the Citrus County Commission meeting on Jan. 28. I was appalled at the way the public was treated by Chairman Jim Fowler.