Pup tents [Times photo: Maurice Rivenbark] Marty Engle ties support ropes to a tent Thursday at Florida Classic Park near Brooksville as he helps set up for the Florida Classic Winter Cluster dog show and obedience trials. The event, which is open to the public, runs from Saturday to Monday.

Jan Glidewell

Road not fueling homebuilding
Fewer permits were issued for new homes in 2000 than 1999, records show, despite the Suncoast Parkway.

Lawyer: County okay on severance money
One official worried that paying the EDC's ex-director might violate a contract.

Quarrel over right to speak cooling
The commission chairman apologizes, saying he never intended to muzzle a commissioner.

Board fires uncertified firefighter
SPRING HILL -- Commissioners for the Spring Hill Fire Rescue District voted unanimously Wednesday night to dismiss a firefighter suspended last month for not having a current state firefighter certification when he was hired in October.

Public is asked to help find woman’s killer
Police are asking residents for help in identifying a man who shot and killed a Brooksville woman over the weekend in a "drug deal gone bad."

Rotary sends local kids on football trip
More than 40 children from the Jerome Brown Community Center will enjoy a trip to Orlando for Saturday's third annual Rotary Gridiron Classic, thanks to the Brooksville Rotary Club.

Mountain Man Rendezvous helps revive pioneer spirit
DADE CITY -- American Indians greeted many of the fur traders who blazed the United States' frontier trail, and during rendezvous time the traders exchanged furs for supplies with their Indian friends.

Parks parking passes going on sale
The Hernando County Parks Department will offer annual parking passes for Pine Island and Rogers Park starting Tuesday. Passes are $40, including tax, and will be valid Feb. 15 to Nov. 14.

This week
STAY HERE IN THE GARDEN: The musical The Secret Garden continues Thursdays and weekends through Jan. 28 at Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill.

Popular mermaids’ car show moves to dry land
This year's show at the fairgrounds, with more than 200 classic cars, outgrew its traditional location at the Weeki Wachee Spring.

Wandering Goodson finds next opportunity in XFL
The ex-Central star is expected to report to the Memphis Maniax.