County commissioners to hold budget meetings
BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Commission will hold a series of meetings to set the county’s budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2027.
A special meeting to set the maximum millage rate is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 30. The first public hearing on the budget is set for 5:01 p.m. Sept. 10, and the final hearing, at which commissioners are expected to adopt the millage rate and budget, is set for 5:01 p.m. Sept. 22.
All three meetings will be in the John Law Ayers Commission Chambers, Room 160, at the Hernando County Courthouse, 20 N. Main St.
The recommended budget will be posted at HernandoCounty.us after the July 30 meeting, according to the county’s Office of Management and Budget. The approved budget will be posted after the Sept. 22 vote.
Agendas, live meeting links, recordings, minutes and schedules are available at HernandoCounty.us/BOCC. For more information, call the Office of Management and Budget at 352-754-4004.
Overnight lane closures and detours on Deltona Boulevard beginning July 14
BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Utilities Department will close travel lanes on Deltona Boulevard nightly from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. July 14 through July 17 for scheduled gravity sewer main improvements, the county said.
The closures and detours will run from Freeport Drive north to the entrances of the RaceTrac and Circle K stores on Deltona Boulevard. Drivers should use caution and follow posted detour signs, the county said.
For more information, call the Utilities Department at 352-754-4037.
School fishing program registration opens Aug. 20
Florida schools can register next month for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s School Fishing Program, which the agency says is designed to introduce students to angling and conservation.
Registered schools receive a curriculum of lessons and hands-on activities that a club sponsor can teach across the school year, according to the FWC. Students learn about ethical angling, fish habitats, aquatic conservation, equipment and casting, in both freshwater and saltwater settings.
A limited number of schools will also receive educational materials and fishing equipment to start or expand a fishing club, the agency said. The program is open to brick-and-mortar public, private and charter schools statewide.
Registration opens at 8 a.m. Aug. 20 on a first-come, first-served basis at myfwc.com/education/programs/school-fishing.
Topgolf challenge for Habitat set for Nov. 2
ST. PETERSBURG — The Golfing Fore Habitat Topgolf Challenge, presented by Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, will return from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at Topgolf St. Petersburg, 10500 Ulmerton Road, Largo.
Golfers, sponsors and supporters raised more than $122,000 at last year’s event, organizers said.
Weeki Wachee Preserve restoration project underway
BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department is removing undergrowth and dead vegetation in parts of Weeki Wachee Preserve Park as the first phase of a restoration project, the county said.
The work is intended to control nuisance and invasive species, reduce fuel that could feed wildfires, improve sightlines for visitor safety and prepare the area for future public access, according to the department.
The preserve remains open during the work, though visitors may see crews in designated areas.
For more information, visit HernandoCounty.us/community-recreation/Parks-Recreation.
Two volunteer positions open on DOGE committee
BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Commission is accepting applications for two seats on the Delegation on Government Efficiency committee.
Applicants must be Hernando County residents and registered voters. The positions are unpaid.
Applications are available at HernandoCounty.us/committees, by calling 352-754-4122 or at the County Attorney’s Office, 20 N. Main St., Room 462. Completed applications may be emailed to CAO@co.hernando.fl.us and must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, July 24.
Jeep enthusiasts rally at July 25 blood drive
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers will host Duck Duck Donate, a Jeep-themed blood drive, on Saturday, July 25 at its Hernando Donor Center, 12395 Cortez Blvd.
The blood drive runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vendors and activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature a Jeep gathering, community vendors and activities, LifeSouth said.
Donations support local patients, including trauma victims, surgery and cancer patients, and people receiving emergency care, the organization said.
County combines zoning, building customer service lobbies
BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Zoning Department’s customer service lobby has moved into the Building Department lobby at 789 Providence Blvd.
Residents, contractors and businesses needing zoning or building assistance can now handle both at that location, the county said. Business hours for both departments are unchanged.
For more information, visit HernandoCounty.us/Building-Development or call the Building Department at 352-754-4050.
Temple Beth David to hold summer Shabbaton
SPRING HILL — Temple Beth David, 13158 Antelope St., will hold a summer Shabbaton on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 24-26, a weekend of what the synagogue describes as inspiration, learning and connection for all ages.
The schedule includes services, dinner, a luncheon, a talent show, a wine tasting, an art project and a cultural arts-sponsored screening of the film “Moe Berg,” paired with a Chicago-style dinner.
For more information, call the temple office at 352-686-7034 or email Rabbi Jen at rabbi.tbdfl@gmail.com.