Thursday, January 7, 2010

Crime Watch FYI

2 crimes

New crime has been reported in your area:

Type: Description: Case #: Location: Agency: Date: See it:
THEFT-COIN OPERATED DEVICE 2010-00435 13000 BLOCK OF COUNTY LINE RD Hernando County Sheriff, FL 1/5/2010 Link
TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS 2009-46504 11100 BLOCK OF SPRING HILL DR Hernando County Sheriff, FL 12/29/2009 Link

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Cold Weather Heating Tips from the American Red Cross

Heat home safely

• All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, fireplaces and stoves.

• Place portable space heaters on a hard, level, nonflammable surface. Do not put space heaters on rugs or carpets, near bedding or drapes, and keep children and pets away. Look for a model that shuts off automatically if the space heater tips over. Do not use heating equipment to dry wet clothing.

• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.

• Never leave portable heaters, wood-burning stoves or fireplaces unattended. Turn off before leaving or going to bed.

• Keep the fire in the fireplace by using a glass or metal screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

Cut heating bills

• Eliminate drafts. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround windows and door moldings. Cover your windows with plastic sheeting. If you have storm windows or storm doors, get them up to keep the cold out.

• Make sure heat vents aren't blocked by furniture.

• Turn down the thermostat.

• Close off any rooms that aren't in use and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms.

• Insulate your light switch and outlet plates with foam pads. Cold air can seep into the house through them.

• Use heavy curtains to keep cold air out. Open them during the day to let the sun help warm your home, and close them at night. Use fabric snakes or old carpets in front of windows and doors to help eliminate drafts.

• Turn off vent fans in the kitchen and bathroom when they are no longer needed.

• Set ceiling fans to blow air down.

Dress properly, and don't forget others

• Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing. Don't forget gloves or mittens, and a hat that covers your ears.

• Bring pets indoors. If that's not possible, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they can get to unfrozen water.

• Check on people who require special assistance such as elderly living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Source: American Red Cross

How to prepare for Bad Weather Presentation

As part of its campaign to prepare residents for major storms and other dangerous weather events, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office will take part in a statewide tornado drill on Jan. 27.

The drill will be conducted by the National Weather Service starting at 10:10 a.m. as part of Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The sheriff's Emergency Management Division will also host a presentation on how to prepare for severe weather from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Emergency Operations Center, 18900 Cortez Blvd.

Dan Noah of the National Weather Service will be a presenter, and there will be a message from U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite. There will also be information about NOAA weather radios, a chance to win a radio and a presentation on the Hernando County Storm Ready Re-Certification.

Special programming related to severe weather awareness will also be broadcast on the local government channel — Bright House Channel 622 — and streamed on the county government's Web site. Check the program schedule at www.hernandocounty.us/cr/hcgb/program.asp for the latest information.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Water Awareness Session Scheduled

Media Release

December 28, 2009

Water Awareness Session Scheduled
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 28, 2009

Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010

The Hernando County Utilities Department and Citizens for W.A.T.E.R. invite the public to the third session of the Hernando County Water Awareness Series 2010 presentation on Friday, January 8, 2010, from 10:00 AM to Noon. The seminar will be held at the Hernando County Utilities Department, 21030 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Light refreshments will be provided. The topics will be: “Florida Friendly Landscaping™ in Deed-Restricted Communities” and “Interpreting Senate Bill 2080.” Learn how Florida Senate Bill 2080 affects homeowners’ landscaping choices and homeowners associations’ rules. The seminar will be presented by John Korycki with the Hernando County Extension Service and by Michael Molligan, Communications Director, Southwest Florida Water Management District. Please call (352) 754-4705 and make your reservations to attend.

Directions: To Hernando County Utilities Department-Administration Office
From Spring Hill, travel east on Hwy 50 to the East 50 Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd). Turn right on the Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd.) and continue on for approximately 2.5 miles (past Broad Street/U.S. Hwy 41). The Hernando County Utilities Department is on the right at the corner of South Main Street/Mitchell and Cortez Boulevard. Turn right at the traffic light. 352-754-4037

Sunday, January 3, 2010

2010 Severe Weather Awareness Week Observance

Media Release

December 31, 2009

2010 Severe Weather Awareness Week Observance

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
December 31, 2009

Hernando County Emergency Management Announces
2010 SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management Division, announced today the observance of Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week - January 24-30, 2010.

The annual public awareness campaign will be held in conjunction with the Florida Department of Emergency Management and will include a presentation about how to prepare for severe weather on Monday, January 25th from 1-4 pm at the Emergency Operations Center, located at 18900 Cortez Boulevard, Brooksville, Florida. The agenda will include presentations by Dan Noah of the National Weather Service, a message from Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, information about NOAA Weather Radios and a chance to win one of several FREE Weather Radios, presentation of the County Storm Ready Re-Certification and a resolution recognizing Severe Weather Awareness Week by County Commissioners.

Special programming related to severe weather awareness will also be broadcast on the local government channel – Bright House Channel 622 – and webstreamed on the County government website. Check the program schedule at http://www.hernandocounty.us/cr/hcgb/program.asp for the latest information.

The weather awareness program also includes Hernando County’s participation in the statewide Tornado Drill to be conducted by the National Weather Service Offices in Florida at on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 10:10 a.m. Eastern Time (9:10 a.m. Central Time).

For more information on Florida’s 2010 Severe Weather Awareness Week go to
www.FloridaDisaster.org/SWAW2010 or speak with the Emergency Management staff at (352) 754-4083.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

H1N1 Vaccinations Now Available to All

Media Release

December 15, 2009

H1N1 Vaccinations Now Available to All
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ann-Gayl Ellis, PIO
352-540-6817

December 14, 2009

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccine Now Available To All

The Hernando County Health Department announced Monday that priority group restrictions for H1N1 vaccinations have been lifted and all Hernando County residents and visitors are now eligible for vaccination. According to Elizabeth Callaghan, Health Department Administrator, “Initially, we had limited supplies of the vaccine so we concentrated on vaccinating those who are considered to be at highest risk of getting sick with H1N1. Now that those populations have had the opportunity to be vaccinated and vaccine availability is greater, we are able to offer vaccine to anyone who wants it.”

Many local health care providers including physicians, pharmacies and walk-in clinics have the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccine administration at one of these facilities will cost between $10.00 and $22.00.

The Health Department will continue to sponsor H1N1 vaccination clinics in January. Dates, times and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on the H1N1 virus or vaccination, call the Hernando County Health Department, 352-540-6855. Also, visit MyFluSafety.com or call the Florida Flu Information line 877-352-3581.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Five Preston Hollow Elves at work bringing Christmas Cheer





A big thanks to Al Walker, Jim Glenn, Tyrone Ricks, Charlie Vidiksis and Bob Cooper who not only helped but provided me with these photos for donating their time to make Preston Hollow a better place.