Mermaid Route drops Sunday, holiday service
BROOKSVILLE — TheBus’ Mermaid Route (Route 9) no longer operates on Sundays or observed holidays.
Route 9 provides direct service to Pine Island Park, Rogers Park, Bayport Park and Jenkins Creek Park, and offers a park-and-ride option at Linda Pedersen Park. The route will continue to run its regular Monday through Saturday schedule, except on holidays.
All other routes also will continue on their normal Monday through Saturday schedules, except on holidays.
TheBus does not operate on New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Those dates are subject to change. Holiday schedule information is at hernandocounty.us/living-here/transit-thebus/holiday-schedule.
Information about TheBus and its services is available at hernandobus.com.
Public invited to weigh in on community appearance rules
BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County will hold a town hall and community roundtable Thursday, Aug. 20, on a proposed rewrite of Chapter 10, the county’s community appearance regulations.
The session runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hernando County Utilities Department, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Residents, property owners, builders, community organizations and other interested parties are invited.
The proposed ordinance would repeal and replace Chapter 10 with updated standards for landscaping, tree preservation and protection, buffers, land clearing, irrigation, invasive plant species and fences, along with related administrative and enforcement procedures. The county says the rewrite is intended to provide clearer, more consistent standards while supporting responsible growth, environmental stewardship, property rights and community character.
To preregister and take the comment survey, visit arcg.is/v5mij0. The draft and an online comment form are at engagehernando.com/trees.
Participants can join on Microsoft Teams using meeting ID 229 152 490 169 566 and passcode PN3V7vs7. Virtual participants are asked to enter their full first and last names so their questions and comments can be identified for the public record.
WREC school supply drive outfits Hernando students
Students at Deltona Elementary School in Spring Hill started the year with fresh notebooks, backpacks and crayons, courtesy of their electric utility.
Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative has wrapped up its second annual back-to-school supply drive, delivering donated classroom supplies to Deltona Elementary and to schools in other counties the cooperative serves. Employees and members collected the items over the summer.
Donations included notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, folders and backpacks.
“As a cooperative, our mission extends beyond providing resilient electric service,” said David Lambert, WREC general manager. “We are committed to making a positive difference in the communities we serve. The incredible support shown by our employees and members during this year’s supply drive reflects the caring spirit of our cooperative and our shared commitment to investing in the next generation.”
WREC launched the drive last year. The cooperative is based in Dade City and serves customers in Hernando and several neighboring counties.
Suncoast Harmony Chorus membership drive continues
SPRING HILL — The Suncoast Harmony Chorus, which finished third in the Small Chorus Division at the Region 9 competition in Orlando in the spring, is continuing its membership drive with an open house next month.
The chorus will welcome women singers of all ages from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, and says it is especially eager to recruit younger voices.
The 40-year-old chorus rehearses from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Salishan, 191 Astaire Lane, Spring Hill, and draws members from Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties.
“Our chorus thrives on community connection, both within the group and with the wider region. We’re passionate about welcoming new singers and sharing our music far and wide through performances that brighten local events,” said Cheryl Redding, the chorus’ director.
The chorus also performs for hire at birthday, anniversary, holiday and office parties; banquets; conventions; art fairs; local festivals; women’s groups; and senior living facilities across the region. For pricing or booking, call 352-597-4376.
Hernando Helps family fair set for Aug. 22
BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County Housing and Supportive Services Department will hold a free “Hernando Helps Family Development Fair” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place.
The fair offers resources on employment, education, health and life skills. Attendees can take part in financial literacy and credit counseling workshops, explore job training and educational opportunities, connect with employment resources and learn about mental and physical health treatment and prevention services. Homeownership workshops are set for 11:15 a.m., noon and 12:45 p.m.
Participating organizations include Pasco-Hernando State College, Wilton Simpson Technical College, CareerSource Pasco-Hernando and HOPE Services.
For more information, call 352-540-4339.
Jenkins Creek boat ramp closed for emergency repair
BROOKSVILLE — The Jenkins Creek boat ramp has been closed since Aug. 10 for an emergency repair and will remain closed until further notice.
The county will notify the public when the ramp reopens. Information about Hernando County waterways and boat ramps is at hernandocounty.us/community-recreation/natural-resources. Updates are also posted at facebook.com/HernandoCoGov.
Sheriff’s Office analyst recognized
BROOKSVILLE — Savannah Kling, a senior intelligence analyst with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, was named Gang Analyst of the Year by the Florida Gang Investigators Association on Aug. 4.
Kling played a key role in a long-term investigation into narcotics trafficking and organized criminal activity in Brooksville, the Sheriff’s Office said. Her research and analysis helped investigators identify targets and criminal associates and map the structure of a gang operating in Hernando County.
Her work contributed to numerous search warrants, the closure of a business tied to the operation and the seizure of firearms, narcotics and cash.