[1998 photo by Susanne Tobin] Mark Wallace, who died in Tuesday's crash, conducts a training session in 1998 in Citrus County.

April 27, 2000

Rescue workers mourn Bayflite crew
The three people who died Tuesday in the crash of a medical helicopter were familiar faces to many in Citrus County.

Workshop will focus on rise in impact fee
Some say county services need more funding. Others fear builders and home buyers will be hurt. Today's workshop will hash it out.

Pending tax bills could cost county millions
One proposal would give a tax break to utilities such as Florida Power. Another would reduce the county share of intangible taxes.

Study shows drugs for animals cost less
"They're comparing apples to elephants," a spokeswoman for the pharmaceutical industry says of the report.

Bail reduced to $50,000 in triple-fatal DUI case
INVERNESS -- Circuit Judge Patricia Thomas on Wednesday reduced to $50,000 the bail set for Shaun McElrath, accused of killing three people and injuring a fourth while driving drunk on Croft Road in February.

Man to serve three months on fraud charge
INVERNESS -- A man accused of making checks on his computer, depositing them in two banks, then withdrawing $15,000 against them will spend three months in jail under a plea agreement. Paul Gasperini, 49, of Crystal River agreed to return the roughly $15,000 he withdrew against the phony deposits, which had been seized as evidence.

Sports
Citrus threesome has speed and can lead
They form part of a very fast 4x100 relay team and are credited with instilling a will to succeed in their teammates.

Hernandez to get her wish: a leg in 4x400
In her final season with the Lecanto track team, Sarah Hernandez will get to run her favorite race, the 4x400 relay. Coach Freddie Bullock will make sure of that at today's Class 2A, Region 2 meet.

Ex-homecoming queen returns to Lecanto
LECANTO -- Traci Riggs got a call last September that sent her back to high school.

School news
Two students win poetry contest
BEVERLY HILLS -- Citrus County middle and high school students were invited to participate in the Poetry Writing Contest for Young People, through the Central Ridge Library. The entries were judged by the National League of American Pen Women and the contest was sponsored by the Citrus Times. The following two poems were the middle school and high school division winners.

Teaching method focuses on independence
Project CHILD helps children become self-starters and lets them "explore their personalities," teachers at Hernando Elementary say.