North of Tampa Officials: Problems plague nightclub Patrick's Beach Club, a north Tampa dance club, has been the scene of several arrests for serious crimes, authorities say. But the club says it's being unfairly singled out. Rail station to become home sites CARROLLWOOD -- An old railroad switching station may soon become the latest addition to Whispering Oaks. Tempers flaring on tax board Disputes among members of the Northdale Special Tax District may come to a head Monday night.

Solomonson Arcuri Nehls The politics of silliness Three candidates kick off capricious campaigns to become the next Lutz guv'na. Funny money does some serious good The guv'na campaign chests continue to grow, topping $17,000 last year and pumping money into projects all over Lutz.

Week in review
SALVAGE LOT BLAZE: A brush fire spread through a Carrollwood auto salvage yard Thursday afternoon, burning cars and occupying two dozen firefighters for more than an hour.

Crews adding missing link to recreational path
Someday the Upper Tampa Bay Trail may connect to another trail heading north to Hernando County.

Commission to review anti-sprawl guides
Development guides for Keystone/Odessa and Lutz are the focus of a public hearing this week.

Fire was no problem, but it was a close call
Firefighters standing around at the station smell smoke and discover it's coming from shrubs burning two doors away.

County fields customer complaints about pool company
Three customers file complaints against Pools by Andrews, and three more inquire about how to file, a county official says.

$5-million library will take root on sylvan site
Members of the family that founded the Winn-Dixie grocery chain were on hand for the groundbreaking; the family donated $3-million for the project.

Plans are back on for USF-area clinic
UNIVERSITY NORTH -- How hard would you fight for $1.75-million?

Sports
High school football teams get a jump on next season
PEBBLE CREEK -- Baseball may be the game of spring, but for a few weeks in May, you can also find high school football players sweating out spring practice.

Area schools place 23 in state meet
Twenty-three athletes from area high schools finished fourth or higher in last week's Class 3A, Region 2 track meet held at Seminole High School. The 13 boys and 10 girls now qualify for next weekend's state meet in Gainesville.

Prep notebook
TAMPA -- Chamberlain's softball team won't get a chance to better last year's runner-up finish in the state tournament. Costly errors derailed the Chiefs in a playoff game Thursday against Countryside. Chamberlain (27-4) played uncharacteristically, committing six errors that led to four runs in a 6-2 loss in the Class 5A, Region III semifinals.