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Hernando briefs for April 8

 
Published April 6, 2016

COUNTYWIDE

Visitor centers now Visit Florida certified

Visitor information centers for Florida's Adventure Coast are now official Visit Florida certified travel information centers. The certification program boosts destination recognition and provides staff with promotional benefits as part of a statewide network.

The two centers — at 31085 Cortez Blvd., east of Brooksville, and at 6131 Commercial Way, inside the gift shop at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Weeki Wachee — cover the east and west sides of Hernando. The centers offer maps, brochures and information and are open seven days a week.

"Having both of our visitor information centers become Visit Florida certified is a great honor for Florida's Adventure Coast," said Tammy Heon, manager of tourism development for the county.

For information or to partner with the centers, call (352) 754-4405 or visit floridasadventurecoast.com.

Team will examine detention center

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office has announced that a team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission will arrive April 27 to examine all aspects of the Hernando County Detention Center's policies and procedures, management, operations and support services.

The detention center has to comply with approximately 260 standards in order to receive accredited status. As part of the on-site assessment, agency members and the general public are invited to offer comments to the assessment team.

For a copy of the standards, contact the Hernando County sheriff's public information officer at (352) 754-6830. For information regarding the commission or for those wishing to offer written comments, write to: FCAC, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302, or send email to info@flaccreditation.org.

Weeki Wachee

Food Truck Fiesta coming May 13

The third annual Hernando County Food Truck Fiesta will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. May 13 at Weeki Wachee High School, 12150 Vespa Way.

The event will include food trucks, music by local high school bands and choral groups, free games and activities, and the Hernando's Got Talent show. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Chamber Education Training Association, which provides grants to school organizations. Bring a lawn chair.

To register for the talent competition, call Dawn Badami at (352) 796-0697.

BROOKSVILLE

Blueberry Festival to close library

Lykes Memorial Library, 238 Howell Ave., will be closed April 15 to accommodate Florida Blueberry Festival activities.

Patrons can receive library services at other available library locations that will be open that day — the West Hernando, Spring Hill and East Hernando branches. For information, visit hernandocountylibrary.us or call (352) 754-4043. The main library will resume normal hours April 18.

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Taste and Toast event planned for April 16

The GFWC Historic Brooksville Woman's Club will host its second annual Taste and Toast of Brooksville from 2 to 4 p.m. April 16 at the club, 131 S Main St,.

Tickets are $20 per person or two for $35, and include wine tasting and an hors d'oeuvres contest among local restaurants. For information, call Adele Van Sciver at (352) 293-2240 or Ana at (727) 485-3158.

SPRING HILL

Event makes party out of petitions

A petition-signing party fundraiser will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. April 14 at Marker 48 Brewing, 12147 Cortez Blvd.

Visitors will be able to meet the 2016 Hernando County political candidates and help them reach their goal of obtaining more than 1,200 signed petitions to qualify for candidacy. Tables will be set up for each participating campaign, and those visiting will be issued a "passport" to be stamped by each candidate after signing their petition. Completed passports can be used as an entry ticket for door prizes.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Beverages will be available for purchase. All service personnel — including military, teachers and law enforcement — will receive a 20 percent discount on any purchase.

The event also serves as a fundraiser for the Hernando County Education Foundation.

For information, call (352) 797-7313 or visit hernandoeducationfoundation.org.

Parks department wins two state grants

The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department was recently awarded two $50,000 grants from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, for a sod replacement and landscaping project on four soccer fields at Anderson Snow Park.

The 100-acre park is one of Hernando County's newest multi-functional sports complexes for baseball and soccer. It hosts recreational soccer, competitive soccer, soccer for students with special needs and adult soccer. The park has six soccer fields and six ball fields, picnic shelters, pavilions, two restroom/concession buildings, a press box, a playground/tot lot and walking and bicycle trails.

The estimated cost for the project is approximately $250,000. In July 2015, the Hernando County Commission approved funding of $100,000. The grants will help cover the additional costs. The project is expected to start this month and be completed by June.

Times staff