Revving it up [Times photo: Brian Tietz] Roy "Chubby" Carrier Jr. pumps out zydeco music as the Swamp Bayou Band kicks off the Blues in the Canyon Festival Friday at Rock Crusher Canyon. The festival continues today with performances by several artists, including Koko Taylor.

Light turnout of 20 percent predicted
Citrus voters have three races: Both parties vote for a District 5 county commissioner and Democrats also cast ballots for tax collector.

2 stride different paths to runofff
One Democratic commission candidate concentrates on beautification issues, while the other says budget cutting is his priority.

King hopes commission seat is next stop
Millie King has held many jobs, including ones in civil service. She hopes her next is as a county commissioner.

Adams says his past is his edge
Businessman and commission candidate Scott Adams says his unconventional style and lack of political experience will work to his advantage.

King, Wooten best choices
Although there is only one race on the ballot for Tuesday's primary runoff election, it is an important one, and registered Democrats and Republicans should not pass up the opportunity to choose a candidate to represent their party in the Nov. 7 general election.

This week, hot issues jumped out and bit us
What can you say about a week that starts with an unfortunately named former Citrus resident shooting up a gay bar, veers into a fatal duel between an armed pawnshop owner and a sword-wielding customer, shudders as a teen is accused of killing his baby, trips over the EDC's long-expected self-destruction, chokes on a needle found in a school fundraiser candy bar and staggers home with a man jailed for eight months for a bank robbery he didn't commit?

Was it hurricane planning or just hurricane party?
Editor: After your story in the St. Petersburg Times about Crystal River department heads and their families staying at the Citrus Hills Lodge in the center of Citrus County while waiting for hurricane Gordon to pass, another newspaper carried an editorial in September headlined (in big print) "Planning prepared us well for the worst."

Defending champ's foes are craving the Lollypop
CRYSTAL RIVER -- Though defending champion Barbara Breesman has dominated the Lollypop Invitational like no other golfer in recent years, her competitors aren't planning to let her off easy this time.

Heroes and Happenings
Without a doubt, the play of the game for Crystal River in its 35-14 win over Dunnellon was senior A.J. Davis' second-quarter fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Bail ruling a victory for judge
The state Supreme Court sides with Judge Peyton Hyslop, who has been criticized for lowering bail amounts.