Blessing of the beasts [Times photo: Kevin White] WEEKI WACHEE -- Swimming in the Weeki Wachee River, Niki Everitt easily can see the damage the endangered manatees who traverse the waters have suffered.

Trials on the trail put hiker to the test
Harsh weather and hardships mark a trip to raise money for ill children.

Jan Glidwell
Bask in the elections' afterglow while it lasts
Honeymoons are intended to be times of bliss in ideal surroundings, during which the participants reinforce the fairy-tale myth that they have usually painted their relationship to be.

Board member criticized on budget
A former School Board member questions Robert Wiggins' handling of the school budget issue. Wiggins says the board got bad information.

Courses must be held accountable for overpumping
The Southwest Florida Water Management District needs to add some bite to its bark about water conservation, especially for heavy commercial users.

Sheriff should serve people, not his pride
Editor: Re: McConnell quits Sheriff's Office in "bittersweet" act, Jan. 4 Hernando Times:

Impact-fee increase needed to offset heightened demand
Tuesday morning, the Hernando County Commission will hold its second and final public hearing on a proposal to raise the impact fees for fire and ambulance service.

An unknown, but not for long
Grey Gonzalez, 13,"is something to watch" as the county's new rising golf star.

Crazy about coaching
Just like his father, Andy Schmitz always has known what he wanted to do for a living -- coach football. As a student assistant at Florida State, he's well on his way.