Recreational harvest of snook closed June 1
The recreational harvest of snook closed June 1 in the Northeast, Indian River Lagoon and Southeast management regions. It will reopen Sept. 1. Each region includes all Florida state and inland waters, as well as adjacent federal waters.
The regions and regulations are part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s holistic management approach for the state’s most popular inshore fisheries. Under the approach, seven metrics are used to evaluate the fishery by region, allowing the FWC to be more responsive to local concerns.
To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Snook.
Sheriff’s Office hiring veterinary tech, animal enforcement officer
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is hiring for two positions at Animal Services.
The office is seeking a veterinary technician, with a starting salary of $45,324. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/32v62z27.
It is also hiring an animal enforcement officer, also at a starting salary of $45,324. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yrak7c8z.
FWC launches Florida Wildlife Watch project
Take a break from scrolling and spend a few minutes a day contributing to wildlife research instead.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking for help with Florida Wildlife Watch, a new statewide participatory science program hosted on the Zooniverse platform.
To take part, visit Zooniverse.org/Projects/FWC/Florida-Wildlife-Watch. To learn more about Florida’s public lands or to plan a trip using the WMA Recreation Map, visit MyFWC.com/WMAs.
WREC helps bring power to Navajo Nation
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative has again sent crews beyond its Florida service area, joining Light Up Navajo 7, a national effort to bring electricity to Navajo Nation families who have gone generations without it.
A team of 18 WREC employees traveled more than 1,800 miles to some of the most remote stretches of the Navajo Nation. In two weeks, the crew energized 18 homes — the most WREC has completed in the program’s history.
“The terrain and conditions pushed us every single day, but giving up was never an option,” said Ricky Gude, district manager at WREC’s One Pasco office and the team’s leader. “Seeing the impact firsthand — the smiles, the tears, the gratitude from families experiencing power for the first time — is something that stays with you forever.”
This year’s effort was the program’s largest, with 53 electric utilities nationwide joining to address energy poverty in one of the country’s most underserved regions.
Next Brookridge social dance in August
There will be no dance in July. The next dance is Aug. 1 and will feature the Saltwater Cowboys playing a variety of music. The theme is “beach party,” and dress is casual.
Dancing runs from 7 to 10 p.m. Bring your own beverages and snacks; ice will be provided.
Halloween dance tickets are on sale now for $10 per person; call Thad at 352-645-5271. For more information or to reserve tickets, call Patty at 317-440-6586.
New map exhibit charts Florida’s role as the 14th colony
TAMPA — A new exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center traces British Florida’s role in the American Revolution through original maps and charts.
“Mapping the 14th Colony: British Florida and the American Revolution” opens July 3 and runs through Oct. 11 at the center’s Touchton Map Library.
While the 13 colonies fought for independence, East Florida and West Florida remained loyal to the British crown, making the territory a revealing counterpoint to the familiar founding narrative.
The exhibit follows British Florida from its 1763 transfer from Spain to Great Britain through the Revolution and its return to Spain under the 1783 Treaty of Paris. The America250 display also examines loyalists in St. Augustine, the Spanish capture of Mobile and Pensacola, and Florida’s often-overlooked role in the nation’s founding.
For more information, visit tampabayhistorycenter.org.