[Times photo: Kevin White] Teacher aide Merry-Lyn Orlando helps prekindergarteners assemble a puzzle on the floor of their classroom at the Robert R. Moton Early Intervention Center in Brooksville.

May 7, 2000

Teachers worry fees may hamper preschools
The prekindergarten early intervention programs, once free, now will cost low-income parents $4 to $24 a week, which may keep some kids away.

Car wash to feature more buff than usual
A car wash that opens soon on Cortez Boulevard will feature scantily clad women lathering up vehicles. Officials say the uniforms meet code regulations.

Fire leaves ministry with nothing
A fire early Saturday guts a ministry for women and children. With nowhere to put donations, the agency seeks cash.

Man called salesman, not drug dealer
Friends say he bought and sold junky cars. But authorities link the man to a cross-country drug ring.

Editorial
Why the 5th Circuit needs an overhaul
Goldbricking may not be a crime, but it is nonetheless intolerable.

Letters
Will water restrictions invade other facets of life?
Editor: I wonder whether the genius who came up with the idea of watering lawns once a week is going to tell us when we can take our baths or showers.

Sports
McDonald voted best, strives to be even better
The Hernando/Citrus player of the year faces a challenging summer.

Polls a crapshoot; truth lies in playoffs
Every week for the past two months a new state softball poll has been released, and every week for the past two months I've wondered what the margin of error on something like that must be.