[Times photo: Maurice Rivenbark]

May 13, 2000

Fire 'was a very close call'
Sparks from a light fixture alerted the group of girls, parents and instructors to flee, but only moments before a window- and roof-shattering explosion. The two-story warehouse was heavily damaged and will be demolished.

Swiftmud backs renaming preserve
A drive to rename Weekiwachee Preserve after a woman who fought for its survival moved forward Friday.

Health care earns top legislative billing
Bills sponsored by local lawmakers touch on prescription drug costs and HMO reform, as well as the judicial system.

Teen gets 8 years for home invasion
Police say he helped two other teenagers steal from an elderly couple to buy food.

Man, 21, charged with forcing 13-year-old girl into sex acts
SPRING HILL -- A man has been accused for the second time in less than a week of molesting a girl.

Gas leak evacuates Western Way Plaza
SPRING HILL -- Nine businesses and 50 people in the Western Way Plaza were evacuated Friday morning because of a gas leak.

Inshore flats hold snook, other fish
As springtime temperatures start to warm up, inshore flats fishing begins to move from the backwaters to the beaches and deeper flats as fish go in search of cooler water and abundant food.