Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Swiftmud eases watering restrictions

The Southwest Florida Water Management District, commonly known as Swiftmud, first imposed the tight restrictions March 31 in the face of a severe drought and a water shortage fueled in part by problems with Tampa Bay Water's cracked reservoir.

Under the tighter rules, known as Phase IV, residents could water lawns only once a week between midnight and 4 a.m. Restrictions also hit everything from car washing to ornamental fountain use.

But the board scaled the Phase IV rules back slightly last month, allowing residents to wash cars once a week at home, use a pressure washer at home and run ornamental fountains for four hours a day. Groups like Boy Scout troops and churches could once again hold car washes to raise money.

Also dropped by Swiftmud then: a hard-to-enforce requirement that buildings with water-based air-conditioning systems set thermostats not lower than 78 degrees.

Steady summer rains convinced Swiftmud board members meeting in Brooksville Tuesday that they could revert to the slightly looser watering restrictions that were in place last year.

Under the older restrictions, known as Phase III, lawn watering is still limited to one day a week, but can occur anytime before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Sprinkling at night helps keep water from evaporating quickly in the hot sun.

The board will review the restrictions the end of September.

Current Status of H1N1 (Swine) Flu in Hernando County

Media Release

August 25, 2009

Current Status of H1N1 (Swine) Flu in Hernando County
Elizabeth A. Callaghan, M.S.,L.D.
Administrator
Hernando County Health Department
(352) 540-6814 Fax (352) 754-4088

Hernando County H1N1 (Swine) Flu Update

Current Status
· H1N1 influenza is still occurring in Hernando County
· Currently, all influenza-like illness that occurs is likely to be H1N1
· Hernando County Health Department continues to monitor the situation
· No deaths reported in Hernando County due to H1N1 this past week
· Anti-viral medicine (Tamiflu) is available and in ample supply
· REMEMBER:
o Test only individuals who may be part of an outbreak or are hospitalized
o Treat only symptomatic patients who are hospitalized and/or have high risk medical conditions
o Treat only close contacts with high risk medical conditions or in closed setting (jails, nursing homes, etc)
o Preventative treatment is not generally recommended

· To prevent transmission of H1N1 flu to other persons, public health recommends people with flu-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100°F or 37.8° C), without the use of fever-reducing medications. This recommendation applies to schools, businesses, mass gatherings and other community settings where the majority of people are not at high risk for influenza complications.

· For health care settings, public health recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain home for 7 days from symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer

Mass Vaccination Planning

· H1N1 vaccine is expected to begin arriving in mid October
· Hernando County Health Department is planning mass vaccination clinics with our community partners in health, education, emergency services, childcare and healthcare
· Vaccinations will target specific populations at highest risk for complications from the flu
· The Hernando County Health Department is working closely with community and partnering agencies to develop strategies and implement this mass vaccination campaign
· If you are interested in partnering to give H1N1 vaccination, contact the Hernando County Health Department: 352-540-6855.

Updated Guidance
Several new guidance documents were released this week for businesses and higher education. Here are some important points:

Businesses and Employers:
· Assess your essential business functions to determine at what threshold of absenteeism those functions would be threatened.
· If flu activity in our community increases, consider alternative work environments for employees at higher risk for complications (pregnant women and others with certain medical conditions)
· Workers with flu-like illness need to stay home and not come to work until at least 24 hours after their fever has resolved
· Be ready to institute flexible work and leave policies for sick workers, those who stay home to care for ill family members, and those who must stay home to watch their children if dismissed from school
· Encourage hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes . Routinely clean commonly touched surfaces
· Consider increasing workplace social distancing like moving work station farther apart, separating groups of workers and not holding face-to-face meetings, etc.
· The entire guidance: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/

Public and Private Schools (Elementary, Middle, High and Community College):
· Strategies for current flu conditions:
o People with flu-like illness should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people (“self-isolation”), except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
o Review policies for student absences and faculty and staff sick leave. Consider altering policies that make it difficult to stay home when ill or to care for an ill family member.
o If close contact with others cannot be avoided, the ill student should be asked to wear a surgical mask during the period of contact.
o Encourage hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes. Routinely clean commonly touched surfaces.

· Strategies for increased flu severity:
o Permit high-risk students, faculty, and staff to stay home when flu is spreading in the community
o Increase social distancing
o Extend the self-isolation period to least 7 days after the onset of their symptoms, even if they have no more symptoms
The entire guidance: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance

For more information on H1N1 visit: hernandohealth.org OR call the Department of Health H1N1 information line (877-352-3581)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Change in Hours for Solid Waste Convenience Centers

Media Release

August 20, 2009

Change in Hours for Solid Waste Convenience Centers
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 20, 2009

The Hernando County Utilities Department has announced that effective Tuesday, September 1, 2009, the hours of operation will change for the East Hernando Convenience Center located at 33070 Cortez Boulevard (State Road 50), Ridge Manor, and the West Hernando Convenience Center located at 2525 Osowaw Boulevard (County Road 595), Spring Hill. The new hours of operation will be:

Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The hours of operation for the Hernando County Northwest Solid Waste Facility located at 14450 Landfill Road, Brooksville, will remain unchanged. The hours of operation at that facility will be Monday through Saturday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Questions should be directed to the Solid Waste & Recycling Division, at (352) 754-4112.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Emergency Preparedness Presentation Scheduled

Media Release

August 18, 2009

Emergency Management to Present Emergency Preparedness Information
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2009

Emergency Preparedness Presentation Scheduled

September is National Preparedness Month! In support of national, state and local efforts to have a well prepared community, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Section will host a public preparedness presentation from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2009 at the Hernando County Emergency Communications and Operations Center located at 18900 Cortez Blvd in Brooksville.

The presentation will feature an overview of the Emergency Operations Center and County Government functions during disasters, Emergency Evacuation Routes & Shelters, NOAA Weather Radio. In addition, the Local Emergency Planning Council (LEPC) will present information on how to Shelter-in-Place during a Chemical or other Hazardous Materials spill or release caused by natural disaster, transportation accident or as an intentional act of terrorism. Anyone who lives near a major transportation route, or known business or facility that houses chemicals on site should attend. We will also have an overview by the County Department of Health to prepare us for the upcoming flu season.

Space is limited, please RSVP: Dianne Cox (352) 754-4083 or email dcox@hernandosheriff.org

Monday, August 17, 2009

Preston Hollow Crime Report



Preston Hollow's Irrigation Controller was stolen last Friday it was located behind one of the front walls to our entrance. We had just replaced that unit last year at a cost of five hundred dollars to the Association. Al Walker met with the sheriff’s deputy that same afternoon and filed a report. Al will make arrangements to have the unit replaced by Challenger Irrigation and determine if it can be attached more securely as a deterrent. If you saw anything unusual please let a Board Member know so we may contact the Sheriff's Office.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

The PHHOA thanks Ellis Tenenbaum

A big Thank You to Ellis Tenenbaum for calling the Florida D.O.T and getting the right of way mowed on both sides of the entrance to Preston Hollow. This was becoming a safety issue and Ellis made the phone call and got the problem taken care of. Thanks Again to Ellis for being pro active.

Local Area Crime Report

10 crimes

New crime has been reported in your area:

Type: Description: Case #: Location: Agency: Date: See it:
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2009-27745 12200 BLOCK OF SPRING HILL DR Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/4/2009 Link
GRAND THEFT 2009-27709 1300 BLOCK OF MATICO AV Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/4/2009 Link
BATTERY 2009-27621 500 BLOCK OF SPRING HAVEN LP Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/3/2009 Link
DOMESTIC BATTERY 2009-27621 500 BLOCK OF SPRING HAVEN LP Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/3/2009 Link
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2009-27560 1000 BLOCK OF CASTILLE DR Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/3/2009 Link
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2009-27552 11000 BLOCK OF KEENE ST Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/3/2009 Link
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2009-27551 11000 BLOCK OF KEENE ST Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/3/2009 Link
BURGLARY-CONVEYANCE 2009-27529 1200 BLOCK OF LANSING DR Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/2/2009 Link
DEFRAUDING AN INNKEEPER 2009-27528 10600 BLOCK OF COUNTY LINE RD Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/2/2009 Link
BURGLARY COMMERCIAL 2009-27458 100 BLOCK OF MARINER BV Hernando County Sheriff, FL 8/2/2009 Link

Hernando County Offers two water conservation programs.

The Hernando County Utilities Department's Water Conservation Office announced its Rain Sensor Installation Program and Low-Flow Toilet Replacement Program are both available to Hernando County Utilities residential customers. The Rain Sensor program offers a $50 credit on the customer's water bill if they have a rain sensor installed on their irrigation system. The Low Flow Toilet program offers up to a $200 water bill credit for replacing older toilets with new water-efficient toilets. There are certain qualifications and requirements for participation in both programs. For details, call (352) 754-4705 or visit www.hernandocounty.us/utils.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Anti-crime National Night Out event today

Anti-crime National Night Out event today

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with crime watch groups throughout the county, will sponsor the 26th annual National Night Out today. The national event is to join law enforcement, businesses and neighborhood crime watch groups to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen community spirit and help build stronger partnerships between law enforcement and the community.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Debris Removal

Please remember that yard debris, garbage, clippings from bushes or removal of trees from a homeowner's property must be disposed of properly. It is a County Code Violation to put your debris on another homeowner's private property and you could be fined by the County. If you have any questions about this please call a PHHOA Board Member.