Bear harvest permit applications open Sept. 11
Bear harvest permit applications for Florida’s 2026 regulated bear hunting season will open at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 and can be submitted through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 21, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.
A bear harvest permit is required to harvest a bear in one of the four selected bear harvest zones during the Dec. 5-27 season. A hunting license is also required unless the hunter is exempt.
Applicants must be at least 18 by Oct. 1 and may apply as many times as they wish at $5 per application, plus handling fees. Permits will be awarded by random drawing. Only one nontransferable permit may be issued per person, at $100 for residents and $300 for nonresidents, plus handling fees. No more than 10% of permits issued will go to nonresidents.
Hunters may apply online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com by logging in to their account and choosing “Apply for Limited Entry/Quota Permits,” or by completing an application worksheet and presenting it to a license agent or tax collector’s office.
For more on how to apply, visit MyFWC.com/License and click on “Limited Entry and Quota Permits.” For more on bear hunting in Florida, visit MyFWC.com/BearHunting.
Bilirakis to hold veterans resource fair
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will hold a veterans resource fair from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 26, at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes.
All veterans, active-duty service members and military families are welcome.
Help will be available with health care, veterans claims services, educational benefits, job placement and employment services, and housing and social services.
U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are co-hosts.
To RSVP or for more information, call Bilirakis’ office at 727-232-2921 or email FL12.RSVP@mail.house.gov.
Citizens’ academy accepting applications
BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County is accepting applications for its 2026-27 Citizens’ Academy, an educational program that gives residents and local workers a behind-the-scenes look at county government.
Community members 18 and older who live or work in Hernando County are invited to take part in a series of sessions on the roles and responsibilities of county departments, from the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport to efforts to protect the county’s natural resources. Class size is limited to 15 participants.
Applications will be accepted through Monday, Sept. 14. Completed applications may be emailed to Amy Baldwin at ABBaldwin@HernandoCounty.us or dropped off at the Hernando County Administrative Building, 15740 Flight Path Drive, Brooksville.
For more information, visit EngageHernando.com/CitizensAcademy.
Weeki Wachee park to host mermaid tea party Sept. 18
SPRING HILL — Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will hold its Magical Mermaid Tea Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Coral Room.
Each registered child gets a mermaid makeover that includes hair and makeup, a mermaid dress and tiara, and a goody bag. The event also features a buffet, treats, arts and crafts, music and a choice of water, iced tea or mermaid juice.
The cost is $150 per child, which includes one adult, plus $25 for each additional adult. Park admission is not included. Space is limited.
For more information, visit weekiwachee.com.
Private provider review contracts end Oct. 1
BROOKSVILLE — ICI/Sjur Solutions/VIP will stop accepting new private provider review contracts in Hernando County effective Oct. 1. Existing contracts will be completed.
VIP inspection services will continue and remain available to the public as contracted inspection services through the Hernando County Building Department. The change applies only to private provider services performed by ICI in Hernando County.
UF/IFAS Extension to host 11th annual coastal cleanup
BROOKSVILLE — The UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County office will host its 11th annual coastal cleanup, held in honor of International Coastal Cleanup Day, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19.
Check-in is at Linda Pedersen Park, 6340 Shoal Line Blvd. Volunteers may work on land or on the water and are encouraged to register in advance at forms.office.com/r/apK9N0fuyV. In-person registration will be available the day of the event.
Volunteers working on the water may clean areas reachable only by boat, kayak or other paddle craft and must provide their own vessel and safety equipment. Prearranged groups, including diving and airboat groups, should contact Brittany Scharf at bhallscharf@ufl.edu about debris disposal and collection tallies.
The event is open to all ages, but youths must be supervised by an adult. Trash bags and gloves will be provided at check-in, and volunteers are asked to return all debris to the check-in station so it can be properly disposed of and counted.
For more information, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/Hernando.
FWC launches event request portal
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has launched an online portal that lets organizations, schools, community groups and event organizers request the agency’s participation in public events.
The FWC Event Portal is a centralized system for requesting speakers, educational exhibits, outreach activities and other appearances. Organizers submit their event’s dates, location, audience and requested topics, and FWC staff review the requests based on staff availability, resources and how well the event aligns with the agency’s mission and outreach priorities.
Organizers will receive confirmation that a request has been received, along with notifications as it moves through review. The agency asks that requests be submitted as early as possible to allow time for review and coordination.
To submit a request or learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Contact/Event.