Court backs award to family in fatal car crash
An appeals court affirms a verdict and large judgment, but a state cap on damages could give the husband and son no more than $200,000.

Consortium won't give up on water utility
The Florida Governmental Utility Authority will offer $416-million. A legal snag is holding up the sale to two towns.

Dive flag flap to get a gander
Crystal River will consider the dive shop owners' complaint that the banners are not like other signs.

Hernando man arrested in series of burglaries
The break-ins involved three homes and Crystal River Bingo, where $30,000 was stolen.

Need passion? Play is the thing
Special effects and professional costumes make for a Broadway-caliber musical/drama about the life of Jesus Christ.

Temperature and angling opportunities are on rise
North Suncoast weather is steadily improving, and the fishing is beginning to pick up. It appears as if the long, cold winter is nearing an end.

Take it easy on bedding bass
February-May can be a great time for bass fishing. Largemouth are predictable, and anglers seeking trophy-fish experiences find the best opportunities. During this period, Florida bass are spawning, preparing to spawn or have just finished. The largest fish generally are the females. Males entice them to the nest, then protect the young after breeding. There lies an issue for ethical anglers: Should we disturb breeding fish? In a perfect world, the answer is no. It is up to the public to mitigate any adverse impact by limiting or eliminating the negatives. Bass nest in the shallows. The offspring will stay a short time before going to their existence. Many external forces dictate the length of stay, with nature playing a tremendous role. Males perform their instinctual traits, building beds and providing protection. The fish with the most secure nests get the attention of the females first. While staging before breeding occurs, females go about preserving their strength and feeding heavily. Imagine thousands of anglers working prime water in spawning months, moving breeding fish off their nests. Research indicates that disrupting a black bass can reduce nesting success. Such failure can occur even when fish are caught and released.

Citrus digest: Crystal River officer wins reinstatement
CRYSTAL RIVER -- An arbitration panel Friday reinstated Crystal River police Officer Mack Ballard to sergeant and awarded him back pay stemming from a June 2002 demotion to patrolman. But the panel said Ballard must complete domestic violence and DUI enforcement training and courses in teamwork. Ballard, a 13-year veteran, was reprimanded for his handling of two domestic violence cases and for incorrectly issuing a citation during a DUI arrest. He acknowledged some responsibility Friday, but his defense also placed blame on Chief Jim Farley, dismissing his motives as political. Brian Koji, who represented the city administration in the hearing, said the city was disappointed with the decision but the burden is now on Ballard to live up to his pledge to be a better employee.