A facelift for Inverness [Times photo: Steve Hasel] Leonard "Big Rock" Rockmore gives directions as fill dirt is unloaded on Old Main Street in Inverness near the Historic Courthouse. The work is part of the restoration of the downtown that will make parts of some streets one-way. On Monday, Old Main St. between N Pine Avenue and N Apopka was converted to one-way eastbound. The project, which includes new street lights, benches and bike racks, is scheduled to be completed in late July.

Panel declines Wesch ethics case
The Florida Commission on Ethics has declined to investigate a charge against County Administrator Richard Wesch, saying it didn't handle those kinds of complaints.

Crystal River fires city official
Saying his "follow-through is deplorable," City Manager Susan Boyer terminates the Public Works director after a stormy tenure.

Citrus theater group tries to stabilize
Playhouse 19 seeks new directors to pull it through lean and bitter times. Esprit de corps will lead to grants, some say.

Driver charged 7 months after wife's death
HOMOSASSA -- Nearly seven months after the car crash that killed his wife, a Homosassa man now faces one charge of driving under the influence-manslaughter and two charges of DUI-serious bodily injury, according to authorities.

Relay looks ahead
The Hurricane quartet is undefeated and needs to stay that way through districts to reach its goal of a strong state showing.

Fla. Southern gets Lyons
INVERNESS -- Tony Lyons was the area's most dominant cross country runner the past two seasons. He hopes to have the same success in college.

Panthers play like top-seeded team
When the Lecanto boys entered their district tournament this week as the top seed, the Panthers were in familiar territory.

County is warned: Repair ponds or pay
A survey finds the retention ponds near the Stovall Building, which will house some county offices, are deeper than regulations allow.

Reading pays off for children
Linda VanAllen just wanted to do something to help children realize the importance of reading. From that idea came the Rockin' Readers program.

Teens' event promotes two agendas
High school students hope to persuade others to learn from other cultures and avoid tobacco use.

Citrus digest: Man who exposed self in parking lot gets jail term
INVERNESS -- The man arrested in March on charges that he exposed himself in the Inverness Wal-Mart parking lot has been sentenced to serve five months and 29 days in the Citrus County jail, according to court records. Authorities said Henry Harold Parkhurst Jr., 59, masturbated while seated in a car in the parking lot off State Road 44. Parkhurst pleaded no contest last week in county court, records showed. County Judge Mark J. Yerman also sentenced Parkhurst, who has a history of indecent exposure charges, to serve 12 months' probation. The judge also recommended Parkhurst receive treatment. According to his arrest report, Parkhurst was wanted in Indiana on a charge of child molestation.

Editorial: Half-days at school produce little learning
The arguments are compelling. They need more time to further their education. The paperwork demands exceed the time allotted during the normal school day. The extra requirements at the end of each semester are daunting.