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‘Amnesty Day’ offers free tire disposal and other Hernando news

News and notes from Hernando County
 
Hernando County community news
Hernando County community news [ Tara McCarty ]
Published Nov. 24, 2019

COUNTYWIDE

Preliminary coastal flood insurance rate maps issued

The Hernando County Zoning Department announces that the preliminary revised coastal Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Hernando County have been issued. These preliminary maps were developed by the Hernando County community and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are based on updated modeling data and show coastal flood hazards more accurately than previously adopted maps.

Changes in the flood zones may affect whether flood insurance is required and the cost of flood insurance premiums.

Paper copies of the preliminary maps may be viewed at the Zoning Department office, 789 Providence Blvd., Brooksville, or digital copies may be emailed upon request. Contact the Zoning Department at (352) 754-4050 or ZoningDepartment@HenandoCounty.us to request copies or a digital comparison of your property on the current map and the preliminary map.

There is a 90-day period, ending on Jan. 15, in which property owners or lessees who believe their property rights will be adversely affected by the proposed flood hazard determinations may appeal the changes with scientific and technical data.

Visit hernandocounty.us/home/showdocument?id=5839 for a list of frequently asked questions regarding the maps and how to submit an appeal.

PHSC hosts drive to help Bahamas schools

Pasco-Hernando State College is collecting donations of school supplies to assist schoolchildren of the Bahamas. An estimated 18,000 children and their families have been displaced since Hurricane Dorian struck the islands on Sept. 1.

Donations may be brought to any PHSC campus library. Each college store is accepting donations and selling discounted supplies to anyone contributing to the drive. Needed items include backpacks, flash drives, notebooks, binders, calculators, pens, pencils, art materials and other typical classroom supplies.

Donations will be accepted through Dec. 5, and shipments will be made in December. Campuses are in Spring Hill, Brooksville, Dade City, New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel. For information, contact Lucy Miller at millerl@phsc.edu.

Computer donations wanted for the homeless

Nature Coast Community Services Foundation is collecting donations of computers with the intent to teach the homeless how to use a computer to find and keep employment. Any make or model with a Windows platform is acceptable. Obsolete models will be updated, and non-functioning computers will be repaired. Those who would like to donate a computer can call (352) 600-9555 for further information.

AARP offers driver program for seniors

The AARP Driver Safety Program will be offered at several locations in Hernando County in December. The course is open to drivers 50 and older who, upon completion, may receive a discount on their auto insurance premiums. The certificate is valid for three years. The cost is $15 for AARP members (bring membership card) and $20 for nonmembers. Space is limited; preregistration is required.

• 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 2 and 3, Salishan Retirement Living, 191 Astaire Lane, Spring Hill. Call Lawrence, (352) 835-7017.

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4, Brooksville Enrichment Center, 17222 Hospital Blvd., Brooksville. Call Marge, (352) 678-1533.

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• 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 10441 Quality Drive, Medical Arts Building, Suite 105, Spring Hill. Call Murray, (904) 535-2999.

• 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10, Hernando County Mining Association, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd., Brooksville. Call Bill, (352) 556-3050.

• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Brookridge Clubhouse, 8150 Hampton St., Brooksville. Call Murray, (904) 535-2999.

• 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17, Atria Evergreen Woods, 7030 Evergreen Wood Trail, Spring Hill. Call Bill, (352) 556-3050.

Christmas bird counts scheduled

Hernando Audubon Society is holding its two annual Christmas Bird Counts in Hernando County:

• The Brooksville Christmas Bird Count will be Dec. 14, with volunteers counting the quantity and variety of bird species within a circle with a 7.5-mile radius from Bystre Lake. To be assigned to a team or for information, contact Linda at (352) 428-2629 or lindalark85@gmail.com.

• The Aripeka-Bayport Christmas Bird Count will be Dec. 23 and will count all the birds from Pine Island in Hernando County to Crews Lake in Pasco County. For details or to be assigned to a team, contact Bev at (352) 686-0460 or bevalhansen@gmail.com.

Library hosts holiday countdown

The Hernando County Public Library System is hosting a Virtual Holiday Countdown. Printable stocking stuffers will be sent via email throughout the holiday season, featuring library products residents may not be aware of.

Those receiving the “stocking stuffers” may choose to print at home or use a printer at one of the library branches. To sign up, visit bit.ly/librarycountdown. For information, call (352) 754-4043.

BROOKSVILLE

Open house planned for airport water reclamation facility

Hernando County Utilities Department is in the design phase for an upgrade and expansion to the existing Airport Water Reclamation Facility in the Brooksville Airport industrial park on Downwind Way. Residents are invited to attend an open house from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Utilities building at 15365 Cortez Blvd. The open house will give an opportunity to ask questions and provide public comment on this project.

The property was zoned in October 1993 for a Public Service Facility Overlay and the water reclamation facility began operation in October 1999. The upgrade and expansion will be constructed at the existing facility site, on the north end of the property, and will increase its capacity from 3.5 to 6 million gallons per day. Work is expected to be complete by 2023.

For details, contact the Hernando County Utilities Department at (352) 754-4037.

Free tire disposal offered at 'Amnesty Day’

The Hernando County Mosquito Control Department, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, will host a Tire Amnesty Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St.

During this event, Hernando County residents can dispose of an unlimited number of tires, free of charge, to reduce container breeding mosquitoes and discourage illegal dumping and storage. Passenger and semi tires without the rims, preferably clean of debris and not holding water, will be accepted from residents with valid identification showing proof of residency. No commercial operators will be permitted. Mosquito Control staff will verify residency, assist with stacking the tires and provide the public with outreach materials related to protecting themselves from mosquito bites and keeping their properties clear of mosquito breeding habitats. Residents will be responsible for unloading and putting tires into containers.

Funding for the event was approved with the 2019 budget; however, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has offered to reimburse the full cost of the collection and disposal of the tires.

Outside of Tire Amnesty Day, Hernando County residents in assessed homes may dispose of up to eight tires annually, at no charge, when taken to the West Hernando Convenience Center in Spring Hill, East Hernando Convenience Center in Ridge Manor, and the Northwest Solid Waste Facility (Main Landfill) north of Brooksville. For further information, contact the Hernando County Mosquito Control Department at (352) 540-6552 or visit HernandoCounty.us/mosquito.

Symphony to kick off 2019-20 season

The Hernando Symphony Orchestra will kick off its season with the “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert Dec. 21-22 at Central High School auditorium, 14075 Ken Austin Parkway. Additional concerts include the “Spectrum” concert Feb. 22-23; and the Kaleidoscope concert April 25-26. All Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2 p.m.

Season tickets are $45 per adult. Individual concert tickets are $18 adults, $5 for students ages 5-17. For information or tickets, call (352) 584-1210 or email to hernandosymphony@yahoo.com. Visit the website at hernandosymphony.com.

Challenge set to help build playground

As the only elementary school without a playground, Chocachatti Elementary School is trying to get one built. To help, the Hernando County Education Foundation has kicked off the HCEF Chocachatti Playground Challenge.

Those who accept the challenge can wear their cowboy boots and dance the “Gitty Up,” challenge three others to “gitty up” and donate $25. Participants may dance as individuals or in a group. Videos must be uploaded to YouTube or other social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) by Nov. 30 and tag the Hernando County Education Foundation.

Those who do not wish to participate in the video challenge may still make a donation to help the effort. For further information, contact Tammy Brinker at (352) 544-6418.