Saturday, June 29, 2013

FYI - Crime Watch Update from a concerned PHHOA Homeowner

Earlier today, a home located in the 300 block of Forest Wood Ct was broken into which set off the home's alarm system. The Hernando County Sheriff's office responded and is investigating.  You may recall that just last week there was a sheriff's crime report issued for a recent petit theft involving a different address in the 300 block of Forest Wood Ct.

Let's keep car doors locked and home & property secured.  We need to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity directly to the Hernando County Sheriff.  You're welcome to pass this along. 

Regards:
Kurt Naser 

FYI Crime Watch Update

CRIME ALERT! 2 new crimes
Type Description Case # Location Agency Date Map It
Theft/Larceny PETIT THEFT 2013-20675 300 BLOCK OF FOREST WOOD CT Hernando County Sheriff 6/22/2013 5:24:00 PM Map It
Theft/Larceny PETIT THEFT 2013-20656 13300 BLOCK OF CHIPPENDALE ST Hernando County Sheriff 6/22/2013 1:51:00 PM Map It

County Government Closings for Independence Day

County Government Closings for Independence Day

All Hernando County government offices and Hernando County Solid Waste Management facilities will be closed Thursday, July 4, 2013,in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

PLEASE NOTE THAT REPUBLIC SERVICES WILL NOT PROVIDE TRASH COLLECTION SERVICE ON THURSDAY, JULY 4TH, but will be back in operation the next regular collection day.

All County offices and solid waste facilities will reopen on Friday, July 5th.

Chicken Tests Postive for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus

Chicken Tests Postive for the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus
 

The Hernando County Department of Health and the Mosquito Control Department have announced that a sentinel chicken from a flock in eastern Hernando County has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Fourth of July Safety Tips for your pets

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:

-Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

-Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

-Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

-Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

-Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

-Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

-Never use fireworks around pets! While exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns and/or trauma to the face and paws of curious pets, even unused fireworks can pose a danger. Many types contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic and other heavy metals.

-Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Landscaping Do’s and Don’ts During Hurricane Season

Who: Sylvia Durell, coordinator of the Hernando County Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program
What: Attendees will receive tips on how to prepare their landscapes for hurricanes or severe storms and advice on how to keep potential pollutants from being washed from a landscape.

The class is free and no registration is required. First come, first seated.
When: Wednesday, June 12, 2013
10:30 a.m.
Where: Spring Hill Library Branch
9220 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill, FL 34608
Contact: Sylvia Durell at (352) 540-6230 or via email at sdurell@co.hernando.fl.us for more information.

The Florida-Friendly Landscaping program is co-funded by the Hernando County Utilities Department and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes

Florida’s rainy season is upon us, and Hernando County Mosquito Control Manager Peter Taylor wants to remind residents to check their homes, lawns and gardens to make sure they are not creating mosquito-breeding sources. “Take a look around your yard and dump out any standing water that has collected in flower pots, toys, lawn furniture or any item that holds water, including ornamental plants,” said Mr. Taylor. “Mosquitoes only need a quarter-inch of water to breed. Clogged gutters or downspouts that retain water are also a mosquito breeding ground.”

Certain types of mosquitoes can carry the West Nile Virus, which can be deadly to humans and horses. According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2012 there were 73 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Florida, resulting in three deaths.

Hernando County Mosquito Control uses several techniques including treating standing water to kill mosquito larvae in DRA's (drainage retention areas), ditches, ponds, creeks, canals, and swamps; placing mosquito-eating fish in water bodies as biological control; placing solid larvicides in the form of 6” long white tablets in breeding areas throughout Hernando County. In order to ensure that applications are effective in problem areas such as ditches, swales, culverts, retention ponds and equalizers, citizens must be careful not to remove larvicides from areas intended to control mosquito larvae. A good rule of thumb is: If you don’t know what it is, it is wise not to touch it. These applications, while harmless to humans, are deadly to mosquito larvae, and will enable Mosquito Control to effectively control larval mosquitoes before they emerge as adults.

In addition to the larvicide techniques, spray trucks operate at night to kill adult mosquitoes. If residents still have mosquitoes after checking their property for standing water, they should call Mosquito Control for staff to come to the area to inspect and treat for mosquito breeding.

Condemned swimming pools from foreclosures, left without pumps running and cages torn, have become a mosquito breeding paradise. Neighbors residing near these pools are encouraged to contact the Mosquito Control Department so that staff may treat the pool to eliminate the mosquito-breeding source.

Residents should use mosquito repellent if they plan to be outdoors both during the dawn and dusk hours. They should also wear long sleeves and long pants in the evening. For more information, please call Mosquito Control at (352) 540-6552, or check the Mosquito Control website at: http://www.hernandocounty.us/mosquito/