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<b>TRIM notices on the way; </b>home buyers workshop; VPK enrollment

 
Published Aug. 13, 2013

COUNTY PROVIDES HOME-PURCHASING ASSISTANCE: Hernando County continues to accept applications for funding assistance through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 3. The federally funded program provides assistance to acquire and redevelop foreclosed homes.

Qualified applicants may utilize the funding for a down payment, mortgage buydown, minor rehabilitation and related assistance. Applicants must attend a mandatory orientation session, as well as a home buyers workshop. Orientation will be from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the commission chambers at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 N Main St., Brooksville. No reservations needed.

The next HUD-approved home buyers workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service, 1653 Blaise Drive, Brooksville.

To reserve a seat, call (352) 726-1113 or toll-free, 1-888-563-1110.

To download an application, visit the website at hernandodownpayment.com. Applications are also available at the Hernando County Health and Human Services Department, Room 161, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N Main St., Brooksville. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. For an application to be sent by mail, call (352) 540-4338.

TRIM NOTICES COMING IN MAIL: The Hernando County Property Appraiser's Office will be mailing Truth in Millage notices to property owners on Friday. While this is a notice of proposed taxes and fees and not a bill, residents should be aware that the notice contains date-sensitive information.

The appraiser's office urges taxpayers to read the notices carefully. The office also reminds residents that market, assessed and taxable values are the only issues the office can address. Questions about tax rates and government budgets should be addressed to the appropriate taxing authority. For those who receive the low-income senior exemption, the yellow renewal card will be included with the TRIM notice. It will need to be completed and returned to the office prior to March 1.

JOIN COLLEGE CHOIR: Pasco-Hernando Community College seeks experienced singers to join its college/community chorus program. Rehearsals will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Aug. 20, in Room H-107 of the performing arts center building on the West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey.

The tuition fee is $29 for the fall semester, and includes music. Call toll-free, 1-877-879-7422 or send email to urbansj@phcc.edu.

EARLY LEARNING COALITION ENROLLING FOR VPK PROGRAM: The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties is enrolling children in the 2013-14 Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program, which is offered free for all Florida children who will be 4 on or before Sept. 1.

To enroll children, parents should bring the child's proof of age (birth certificate, original shot record or passport) and current proof of residency (driver's license, utility bill). The registration process should take between 10 and 15 minutes. The coalition has two offices in Hernando County. The Spring Hill office is at 15506 County Line Road; call (727) 233-8291. The Brooksville office is at 26 S Brooksville Ave.; call (352) 754-5068. For Pasco County locations or further information, visit the website at phelc.org/vpk.html.

ENTER RED MULE RUN: The 32nd annual Red Mule Runners Labor Day McKethan Lake 5K will be Aug. 24 at McKethan Lake Park, off U.S. 41, 7 miles north of Brooksville. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m.; the race starts at 8. Awards will be given to overall male and female winners, masters male and female winners, first through third place in various age divisions, and first through fifth place for the 14-19 age group. Refreshments and fresh fruit will be provided by Murphy's Market. The entry fee is $20 in advance and $25 on race day. T-shirts will be guaranteed to all preregistered runners. Corporate sponsorships are available and vary from $100 to $250. For race information, contact Ken Dent at (352) 382-4870 or kjdent101@earthlink.net. Registration can be done online at raceit.com.

JOIN CANCER RESEARCH STUDY: The American Cancer Society is recruiting men and women to participate in a new research study, Cancer Prevention Study-3. A kick off meeting will be at 5 p.m. Thursday at Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Enrollment will be from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 and from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the hospital. Hernando County residents ages 30 to 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer may choose to participate, and must be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which includes completing followup surveys periodically over the next 20 to 30 years. For details, visit cancer.org/cps3.

VACANCY ON SENSITIVE LANDS COMMITTEE: The Hernando County Commission is accepting applications from individuals interested in filling a vacancy on the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Committee.

Those interested should have expertise or education in one of the following areas: botany, engineering with knowledge of land development or land use, archaeology, geology or hydrology, biology, realty, ecology, forest/land management or a related natural science.

The purpose of the committee is to review and make recommendations to the County Commission regarding the potential acquisition of sensitive lands by the county and issues pertaining to sensitive lands. All committee members are volunteers.

Applications are available in the county administrator's office, Room 263, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N Main St., Brooksville, or online at hernandocounty.us/bocc/committees.htm. Completed applications must be returned to the office no later than 5 p.m. Friday. To be considered, applicants must be Hernando County residents and registered voters. For information, call (352) 754-4002.

ZOO MANAGEMENT, VETERINARY ASSISTANT COURSE: The Florida International Teaching Zoo is offering a one-year zoo animal management program with veterinary assistant certification starting in September.

The program will include lectures coupled with hands-on experience with the teaching zoo animals. Lectures will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Sundays and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the zoo, 4258 SW 52nd Terrace, Bushnell. Lab times will be a minimum of one day a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there will be one weekend public tour day per month.

The cost is $1,000 per term (four terms per year). Monthly payment plans may be requested for $350 per month.

Class size is limited to 15 students. Participants must be at least 18 years old, and due to the nature of work with the animals, certain handicap situations are not permissible.

For information, call (352) 867-7788, visit the Florida International Teaching Zoo on Facebook, email to drwislonvet@gmail.com or visit the website at floridazooschool.org.

MARCHING BAND ENTERTAINS: The Springstead High School Marching Eagle Brigade will host its annual Night of Flight on Aug. 23 at the school, 3300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.The evening will kick off with dinner in the cafeteria at 6 p.m. Afterward, the band will entertain on the football field. The band is the reining Florida Marching Band Coalition Class 2A state champion.Under the direction of Richard Dasher, this year's performance theme is "Shadows and Light," with music such as House of the Rising Sun, Intention and Nights in White Satin. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the gate. Proceeds will benefit the band. Call the school at (352) 797-7010.