Bears in your area? Follow these tips
Juvenile black bears may turn up in unexpected places this time of year as they leave their mothers’ home ranges in search of their own territory. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers annual reminders on how to be BearWise as bears grow more active.
To help prevent conflicts:
• Never feed or approach bears.
• Secure food, garbage and recycling.
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
• Never leave pet food outdoors.
• Clean and store grills and smokers.
• Alert neighbors to bear activity.
Having trouble with bears? Call the FWC regional office nearest you. To find the number for your region, go to MyFWC.com/Contact and click “Contact Regional Offices.”
To report an injured, orphaned or dead bear, a threatening bear, or someone harming or intentionally feeding bears, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
County seeks Planning and Zoning Commission member
The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners is accepting applications from residents who want to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission. One regular member seat is open.
The five regular members’ terms coincide with those of the five elected county commissioners and their districts; the board appoints the two alternate members countywide. The District 2 seat expires Dec. 31.
The commission advises the county commission on rezoning and other land-use issues. Applicants must be residents and registered voters of Hernando County. The positions are unpaid, and some may be designated as alternate seats.
Applicants must have computer access and basic computer skills, as all agenda packets and correspondence are prepared and distributed digitally. Members must provide their own laptops for meetings.
Applications are available at the County Administrator’s Office, 15470 Flight Path Drive, Brooksville; by calling 352-754-4002; or online at HernandoCounty.us/committees. Completed applications may be emailed to Administration@hernandocounty.us by 5 p.m. Friday, July 10.
Habitat launches free homebuying resource
Pathways to Homeownership, a new online learning portal from BayCare and Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, is now live.
The free, self-paced program helps individuals and families build the knowledge, confidence and financial readiness to pursue homeownership. It is separate from Habitat’s Foundations First modules — an optional resource anyone can use to learn about the homebuying process.
Pathways offers easy-to-follow guidance on buying a home; tools to strengthen financial confidence and decision-making; lessons on credit, budgeting, mortgage basics and home maintenance; and short, mobile-friendly modules.
The portal is available at https://tinyurl.com/2p9rcp6t.
Sheriff’s Office warns of phone scams
BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office says it will never call residents to ask for or demand money. If a caller does, it’s a scam. Hang up.
The agency has received complaints from residents who got calls from people claiming to be sheriff’s officials. The caller tells the victim they missed jury duty or a court date, that a “bench warrant” signed by a local judge is on file, and that they face arrest. To clear the warrant, the caller says, the victim must pay over the phone. Some victims received the message by voicemail.
The caller ID is spoofed to appear as though the call comes from the Sheriff’s Office, and the suspect leaves a message asking the victim to call back. Those who call the number reach either a person posing as an HCSO official or a recording that says they’ve reached a sergeant, lieutenant or captain at the office.
The Sheriff’s Office urged residents not to give financial information to anyone who requests or demands money by phone.
DEP to hold webinar on Mud Lake nutrient limits
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will host an online public meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, July 13, to present draft nutrient total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for Mud Lake (WBID 1467) in the Withlacoochee River Basin. The TMDLs will be adopted under Rule 62-304.640, Florida Administrative Code.
Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5379799799550531671. The agenda is at https://floridadep.gov/dear/water-quality-evaluation-tmdl/documents/mud-lake-tmdl-public-workshop-agenda, and the draft nutrient TMDL report is at https://floridadep.gov/dear/water-quality-evaluation-tmdl/documents/mud-lake-draft-nutrient-tmdl-report.
Submit comments by July 27 by email to Eric.Simpson@FloridaDEP.gov or by mail to:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Attn: Eric Simpson Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3555 Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400