Nose to nose, trunk to trunk [Times photo: Janel Schroeder-Norton] Brittany Shinn, 10, left, and Morgan Drummond, 7, wait for their cue to go on stage Wednesday during It's a Jungle Out There, the PACE program's performance at Fox Hollow Elementary School. More than 53 kids, costumed as a variety of animals, performed in skits, songs and dance.

Academy buys land to build school
Carrollwood's Independent Day School officials hope the private high school in Land O'Lakes will open by 2006.

Student on life support after crash
Classmates of Charles Bartlett worry about the fate of their friend who was injured in an accident that also hospitalized his mother on Tuesday.

Five votes cast for no one
There are several reasons that blank ballots are cast, the elections supervisor says.

Arrests of exotic dancers hold firm
A judge upholds the method used by undercover deputies and refuses to dismiss charges against 11 dancers.

War stirs vivid memories for former POWs
Veterans recall their ordeals as prisoners of war while thinking of the plight of POWs in Iraq.

Wal-Mart presents options to residents
The four proposals offer combinations of road buildings and closures, along with realigned traffic lights along U.S. 19.

Sheriff's Office honors deputies, employees
The deputies rushed down a rocky incline and entered the water.

Building swap brings benefits
Approved contracts mean a new home for the health department and more land for Morton Plant North Bay Hospital are on the way.

Prison worker arrested in drug sting
ZEPHYRHILLS -- A kitchen worker at Zephyrhills Correctional Institution was trying to serve up something stronger than garden-variety herbs this week when he was arrested in a marijuana sting, according to Pasco County authorities.

Voyles replaces suspended coach
Until the investigation of Tim Stratton is complete, the Hudson football coach is also the weightlifting coach.

Nice ranking not enough
NEW PORT RICHEY -- River Ridge coach Ernie Beck scoffs at his team clinching a third straight Sunshine Athletic Conference title and being ranked No. 2 in the Class 4A poll.

New classifications, new challenges
Wesley Chapel will move up a class next year in golf and cross country and Hudson will jump one in golf. For the Wildcats, that could turn out to be a blessing.

Judges swap jobs to help one's health
Lynn Tepper needs more time to cope with her failing eyesight, so she will leave her busy unified family court post to Linda Babb.

Police reports: 4-year-old girl found in pool last week dies
A 4-year-old Orlando girl found floating in a backyard pool in New Port Richey on April 2 died on Tuesday afternoon.

Editorial: A few voters offer a lesson in ethics
Voters in three Pasco cities, or the few who traveled to the polls Tuesday, sent one clear message to their municipal officials: We put a premium on ethical behavior.

Letters: Sparse voting shows change needed
Editor: What a waste of time and resources to have these council elections by themselves. To say the voter turnout was low is an understatement. Three city races drew 11 percent. In one New Port Richey precinct, only 21 of 741 registered voters had shown up by early evening.