Feb. 1 - 7, 2019

GOOFY STUFF: NOSE BIRDS AND CANINE WORDS — page 19

THE

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 Volume V, Issue V

Hernando Sun Y O U R

A W A R D

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L O C A L

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COUNTYWIDE TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY

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passion and vision for our county.”

David Gonzalez with WREC (Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative) said, “We want to be here to support Mr. Sossamon … It has a been a pleasure to work with Len over the last several years. It’s really a pleasant feeling to have an issue and be able to pick up the phone, speak with Len and for him to give us advice or support to get a problem resolved.”

Hernando County resident Karlene Nordgren said to the board, “I’ve asked around, I haven’t heard any complaints about (Len) and if he is getting double salary, he’s getting it for less than the gentleman before was.. and he’s doing a bang-up job from what I hear, and I’ve asked around. I think this is

Before the commission began their discussion of the matter, Hernando County residents and business representatives spoke in favor of retaining County Administrator Len Sossamon.

NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) representative Paul Douglas spoke in support of County Administrator Len Sossamon “He’s kept the adversarial role away from Hernando County and the NAACP, and I support him staying here. He’s just that good.”

Charles Greenwell of Hernando Beach, who ran in the last election for a board position, said, “Mr. Sossamon projects the image, makes the impression that I’m proud to have for Hernando County. He’s professional, extremely diplomatic, he’s skilled… he has a

See OUT Page 2

‘Growing’ solar FAMU leases 800 acres to Duke Energy for solar energy production.

By ROCCO MAGLIO

CENTRAL BOYS BASKETBALL

11

On September 1, 2015, the USDA Agricultural Research Service transferred their 3800 acre research facility in Brooksville to FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University).

It was reportedly “one of the single largest land transfers to a Historically Black College or University in history from the USDA.” A portion of the property transferred to FAMU approximately 800 acres of the portion known as Bankhead Jones 2 which

28 megawatt photovoltaic solar array at Vandenburg Air Force Base in California. U.S. Air Force photo by J. Brian Garmon.

See SOLAR, Page 5

S P O R T S

Springstead Cheer earns state spot ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE MARY HERDEN

Springstead Cheer earned a spot to the state tournament after competing in the FHSA Regional Competition hosted by Hudson High School. Springstead maintained their strength on the mat Friday night on January 18, 2019.

As a first-year contender in the FHSAA cheerleading competition, the Eagles have set the bar.

“It’s really exciting to be going to states,” Sophomore Kennedy Jung said.

“Everybody on the team has made sacrifices and has been working towards where we are today.”

The girls work on techniques during practice in the cafeteria.

“I think we have done very well so far including us going to state for our first year and being the only competitive team in Hernando County,” Alexia Anderson said.

With less than two weeks of practice, the team has a tremendous job ahead of them. They will have to focus on redesigning routines to fill injury spots, incorporate new techniques and push themselves even harder for this upcoming competition.

“We can always bring stuff new to the table and no matter what, we can always make something work,” Noelle Pinaud said.

Being involved in this

See CHEER, Page 12

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County administrator contract terminated

by LISA MACNEIL Hernando Sun Correspondent

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Hate-Free zones: A Small start to something big

BY SARAH NACHIN HERNANDO SUN WRITER

On Thursday evening, January 24, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spring Hill hosted a public forum on “Creating Hate-Free Zones in our Community.”

The idea of the forum was conceived by a committee of church members.

Reverend Thomas Weitzel introduced a panel of community leaders made up of John Stratton, Interim Superintendent of Hernando County Schools; Rocco and Julie Maglio, co-publishers of The Hernando Sun; John Mitten, Hernando Reverend Thomas County Weitzel Commissioner; and Morris Porton with the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce.

Hernando Rabbi Paul County Schreiber Sheriff Al Nienhuis attended the forum, along with other members of the community.

Reverend Weitzel commented in his opening remarks about the rise of hate in our society and even just a rise in disrespect.

“There was a time when we used to check each other when we were disrespectful. We’ve stopped doing that. In the process it’s allowed this other more heinous manifestation of disrespect to grow and somebody needs to stand up and say ‘No.’ We need to say this is not appropriate here.”

Several questions were addressed and a number of ideas were brought up by members of the audience and the panel during the hour-long forum. One question was “What does a hate-free zone imply?” Is it just a philosophical idea or is it a physical place?

See FORUM, Page 13

INDEX LOCAL & STATE 2 OUT & ABOUT 7 SPORTS 11 BUSINESS & COMMUNITY 13 FUNNIES 18 OPINION 19 WEATHER: FRI

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2 THE HERNANDO SUN

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Hernando Sun Staff & Contributors Julie B. Maglio: Editor, Publisher Rocco Maglio: Barrista, Publisher Sue Quigley: Layout and Writer Lisa MacNeil: Local Government and Community Cheryl Clanton: Photographer, Community and Sports Writer Andy Villamarzo: Sports Writer Melissa Fordyce: Community Writer Alice Mary Herden: Photographer, Community and Sports Writer Sarah Nachin: Community Writer Toby Benoit: Hunting Sports, Community Writer Kathryn Dentato: Government Writer Vincent Cardegin: Columnist Dr. Domenick Maglio, Columnist William Holland: Columnist

Feb. 1- 7, 2019

Long battle ahead: $11 million budget shortfall

by JULIE B. MAGLIO Hernando Sun

JAN. 22, 2019- It’s never too early for a budget session when there is an $11 million shortfall- the largest shortfall in 25 years. Budget Director George Zoettlein presented updated shortfall numberswhich amount to a little over $11 million for fiscal year Donna Snapp: Ad Sales Representative 2019. Money is expected to (352) 428-8419 run out in September if no Ellen Corsi Tutko: Ad Sales Representative action is taken. Zoettlein (614) 208-2066 presented in detail several opDali Rivera: Ad Sales Representative tions both on the expenditure (917) 604-5667 and revenue side in order to Sarah Nachin: Ad Sales Representative counteract the shortfall. The board favored looking into a Subscribe setting up a special funding We currently offer a 52 issue subscription for district with the Sheriff’s $31.50 and 26 issues for $18.90. Fill out the Office and removing the form in this issue and mail along with your Sheriff’s Office reserves from check made out to "Hernando Sun Publicathe general fund- a sizeable tions" to P.O. Box 12203; Brooksville, FL amount of $9.2 million. The 34603 Sheriff’s Office would have to maintain their reserves in For Subscription Customer Service, their own fund. CommissionPlease call (352) 238-5454 er Champion urged for the board to address the shortfall News Desk over a 3 year time period, For news tips, concerns, or corrections with a small percentage cut call: over all departments during (352) 238-5454 those three years.

Prior to the budget director’s presentation, some issues with budgetary impliHOW TO READ YOUR MAILING cations were addressed.

First the Sheriff’s Office reLABEL & YOUR EXPIRATION DATE quested a budget amendment to fund an additional full-time bailiff in Sheriff’s Office **********************************CAR-RT LOT **R 084 Budget. The additional bailiff 749 12-15-19 0048A24 46P 17T is needed because Judge Don JANE DOE Barbee Jr, 5th Judicial Circuit XXXXX 34TH ST is now assigned as a full time SPRING HILL, FL 34609-0389 judge in Hernando County.

The part time bailiff will remain due to special magistrate The information in bold is important to your subscription hearings and visiting judges. account. The number in this example: 749 is the Account The funding requested, Number. The Date 12-15-19 is the subscription expiration $57,660, was approved 5-0 date. The subscriber name and address is below. Everything for the full time bailiff- taken out of the General Fund not in bold is information the post office uses to deliver and Reserves. sort the mail such as the specific Route Number in the top Property Appraiser John right corner R 084 in this case. Your label may have a FIRM, Emerson brought some trouADC or 5-DIGIT code instead. bling news to commissioners in regards to the relatively new power plant located The Week of Feb. 1- 7, 2019 at the CEMEX mine in Brooksville. It is a wood-fired ID STATEMENT: Hernando Sun is published weekly, by Hernando Sun Publications, LLC biomass power plant that was at 13491 Simmons Lake Road, Brooksville, FL 34601.; Publication Title: converted from a coal-fired The Hernando Sun; Publication number: 16590; Issue Date: Feb. 1- 7, 2019; Statement of Frequency: Weekly; Subscription Price: $31.50 anpower plant. The conversion nual, $18.90 semi-annual; Known Office of Publication: 13491 Simmons was completed and brought Lake Rd Brooksville, FL 34601; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage online in 2015, but now Prices is Approved at Tampa Bulk Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) 5433 W Sligh Ave Ste A Tampa, FL 33634-9651; is not operational. In the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Hernando Sun P.O. Box beginning of January, there 12203 Brooksville, FL 34603 was a change of ownership on the power plant- which was owned by Florida Power “Moving on to April 2018, the Board of County Development LLC (not to be from page 1 confused with Florida Power Commissioners Chairman and Light) and is now owned stated he didn’t have faith a moot point. I hope you by a branch of CEMEX. He in the budget manager, ankeep him. We want him. other commissioner agreed, stated that the Property’s No one from the public Appraiser Office has been and myself also agreed. had an opposing opinion. in litigation with the former The next day, the budget Ultimately, the Herowners of the plant as they manager was fired, and that nando County Board of sued Emerson for the 2016, firing came six months after 2017 and 2018 tax rolls.

County Commissioners the realization of our budvoted 3-2 to terminate “We have no idea what get problems. But now we they are going to return for County Administrator know that the 2016 budget Len Sossamon’s contract their tangible return for 2019. had a similar problem with They have shut it down. It’s after lengthy discussions not producing electricity right primarily about handling of over $1-million mis-allonow. It’s off the grid so even the former Budget Manager cated. This shows that the (Pam Lee), and other issues budget was done wrong for if they did- they wouldn’t be two straight years. selling it to Duke or someone falling under his purview. like that.”

“In August and SeptemCommissioners Steve He admitted he doesn’t ber of 2018 the Board of Champion and Wayne know what that means in County Commissioners Dukes voted to retain Sossamon under his current went through a very painful value.

“In 2016 we had it assessed budget process, trying to contract. at $160 million… There is cut wherever possible, we Commissioner Jeff the possibility that in 2019, ended up with reserves Holcomb passed the gavel the assessment won’t be $160 short of our prescribed and read from a prepared million.” amounts.

The deficit will statement.

For the 2016, 2017 and carry to many future bud“My worst day as a 2018 tax assessments, Emergets, and at this point it will Hernando County Commisson says they’ve paid at about take at least three years, if sioner came in November a 50% level for each year. we’re lucky. of 2017. Individually we Allocco asked Emerson to “But based on last week’s clarify what the litigation is all met with the county meeting, we’re at least about. administrator, deputy ad$11-million short in the Emerson explained, “We ministrator and the budget current year’s budget.* We don’t have what they actually manager. We were told the now know that all the revthink it’s worth.” He said that county could not pay its they are having some appraisbills. Vendors, departments enue we’re likely to get in als done. could not be paid, although with growth is likely to be Attorney Garth Coller exused up in salary increases we were only a month into plained that the new owners given out in the past. the fiscal year. We had no will be the beneficiary of the “‘The buck stops here,’ money.

President Harry S. Truman litigation.

“The budget manager In likelihood, Emerson had a sign on his desk, with admitted that expenses the inscription meant to in- says that 2019 will also be were understated, revedicate the personal respon- part of the litigation and that nues over-estimated and sibility for the country was the dispute may last several balance-forward cash was years. overstated. The county had left up to him.

“I’m not going to give into “Citizens of Hernando mis-allocated $5-million. It any of this stuff… If anyCounty, we have now a was very apparent that the body’s going to do it- it will complete failure in our budget manager had made be a judge.” leadership in our budget. critical errors. It was only In an amended complaint One of the most important filed by the plaintiff in when other departments positions in the county is October, the plaintiff claims alerted her of the problem the budget manager. That that the appraised value did it become a known position accounts for $450 determined by the property issue. appraiser of $161,347,667 in “The budget manager left million across all of our 2017 exceeds just value. The county departments. This the meeting, and I asked owner paid property taxes in position was given to a if the budget manager was the amount of $1,155,676.51 going to be fired. I was told budget manager that was for 2017 while the combined ‘No.’ I asked if this was an incapable of doing the job taxes and assessments for that from day one.

In fact the honest mistake or if this poyear was $2,456,533.23. The sition was too complicated. interview committee did plaintiff asks for a judgement not recommend this hire.

The answer I received was, establishing the just value by ‘The budget manager didn’t They were in agreement the court. to look for an external seem to understand what Champion asked what the candidate. The responsiwas wrong until others potential loss in revenue is. bility of this hire comes had explained it, and to Emerson said he really can’t correct the issue, the budget down to one person, the tell because they might send county administrator. The manager would get more him back a $1 million tangijudgement that was used training closely with the ble return for 2019- although here by the budget managhe says just the salvage value finance department.’ Not is greater than that. what I wanted to hear.

Emerson also cautioned See OUT Page 4

OUT

that they just got word from Tallahassee that all homesteaded properties can not go up in value more than 1.9%. (Not including new construction.)

This limitation is based on the Save Our Homes cap and the consumer price index. The 1.9% is applied to the entire state of Florida. Non-homesteaded properties cannot go up more than 10%.

Using the 1.9% on the 50,000 homesteaded properties in the county and an increase of 6% for the remaining properties, he says with this scenario- you won’t get more than a 4.2% increase in real estate assessed value (not including new construction) or approximately $300 million. This would translate into a $1.8 million increase in revenue for the county. They don’t know what new construction will be yet. Last year there was about $130 million in new construction. Emerson worries that the litigation discussed earlier could offset some of the new construction gains.

Budget Planning Session Adding to the previous conversation, George Zoettlein noted that there should be an additional $2.5 to $3 million in additional revenue to the general fund next year with the inclusion of revenues from new construction.

Zoettlein began his presentation by describing some budget policy changes to institute in order to prevent future budget shortfalls.

First budgeted revenues must equal budgeted expenses and balance forward cash is not included in budgeted revenues. The reserves are not included in expenses.

He stated that any balance forward cash should be used to fund the reserves. Additionally, “If reserves needed exceed balance forward, expense budgets will need to be reduced. If balance forward exceeds reserves needed, the Board will determine how one time remaining funds are to be used.”

Zoettlein also recommended changing the budget submittal date for the Sheriff, Clerk of Court and Supervisor of Elections to June 1- per Florida Statutes. Currently they submit their budgets in May. The commissioners were in favor of these changes.

Commissioner Allocco remarked, “It’s amazing how we can take something that should be simple: balance in, balance out and make it seem so confusing. I like the simplest budgeting method…

I’m in favor of that.”

As far as the June 1 deadline, commissioners remarked that if they constitutionals are made to submit their budgets earlier, there are greater unknowns and naturally more padding will be worked into the budget to account for unknown costs. There will be less unknowns if they can submit June 1 instead of May 1. Commissioners voted 5-0 to repeal the ordinance which created the May 1 deadlinereverting the policy to June 1 deadline.

Commissioners were not in favor of giving the county administrator or a designee the ability to borrow money if “Equity in Pooled Cash” drops below an acceptable level with the commission being notified after the fact.

The fiscal year 2019 budget

General Fund Actuals

REVENUE VS. EXPENSES Year Revenue Expenses DIFFERENCE Type 1994 43,081,476 35,782,729 7,298,747 Actual 1995 36,057,933 38,299,832 (2,241,899) Actual 1996 36,829,426 37,369,496 (540,070) Actual 1997 42,552,620 37,511,942 5,040,678 Actual 1998 44,638,424 39,481,975 5,156,449 Actual 1999 46,254,873 48,052,469 (1,797,596) Actual 2000 48,383,248 48,548,465 (165,217) Actual 2001 49,471,308 49,225,878 245,430 Actual 2002 58,597,489 58,268,557 328,932 Actual 2003 59,281,090 59,042,436 238,654 Actual 2004 67,187,864 67,736,545 (548,681) Actual 2005 86,353,192 76,124,393 10,228,799 Actual 2006 86,042,217 83,043,168 2,999,049 Actual 2007 101,897,673 90,937,275 10,960,398 Actual 2008 94,232,845 95,116,966 (884,121) Actual 2009 87,588,960 94,267,555 (6,678,595) Actual 2010 83,699,742 86,271,546 (2,571,804) Actual 2011 73,717,567 77,611,293 (3,893,726) Actual 2012 78,971,675 76,584,451 2,387,224 Actual 2013 68,922,923 76,848,088 (7,925,165) Actual 2014 81,991,429 77,812,884 4,178,545 Actual 2015 81,301,604 80,879,941 421,663 Actual 2016 80,791,656 81,455,202 (663,547) Actual 2017 83,952,786 89,643,950 (5,691,164) Actual 2018* 96,074,475 91,606,384 4,468,091 Projected 2019 89,045,426 98,321,530 (9,276,104) Budget * This includes the one-time infusion of $7.9 million.

shortfall as of Jan. 8, 2019 was calculated to be $11,430,807.

This takes into account the addition of the mid year adjustment of approximately $1.4 million in revenues and subtracts $3,587,644 due to an under-budgeted reserve from the balance forward cash: already negative $9,276,104.

Zoettlein provided general fund actuals since 1994 and a budget shortfall of $11 million is by far the largest within the 25 year time frame.

In order to reduce expenditures, he gave some options: 1. Reduce all budgets by given percent 2. Consolidation of Services 3. Close or move departments 4. Reduce reserves Deputy County Administrator Rogers advocated for the consolidation of Information Technology Services by centralizing the department under the Property Appraiser’s office. He stated that he is looking at ways to minimize the potential millage increase due to the shortfall.

Commissioner Champion remarked that they should be looking at the big picture and decide strategy first. He reiterated that the board has been against raising taxes and asked “Are we going to cut $11 million all in one year?

I don’t think the board will agree to that either. Maybe it’s over 3 years.”

“Then there’s going to have to be some tough cuts in all the departments based on percentage.”

The commission did vote in favor of having Rogers do more research on centralizing the IT department under the property appraiser.

Allocco pointed out that over the last few years they have had to defer capital improvements due to the annual percentage increase in salaries.

He gave an example of the compounding effects of the salary increases.

“One high level position- 2014 it was running about $82,300. By 2018 that same position (same position not new responsibilities), $100,700. That’s a 20 percent increase and that does not include benefits. It adds up over time. We have to look at every peanut...”

A department which was singled out for potential closure was the Cooperative Extension- which would generate a savings of $325,000.

Moving departments to a Municipal Service Taxing Authority (MSTU) would remove their budgets from the General Fund, but commissioners are not too keen on it since it would be effectively result in a tax increase. Departments recommended for the MSTU include Little Rock Cannery, Chinsegut Hill, Library Services, Parks and Recreation Administration and Sensitive Lands. With a combination of MSTU and closure of departments, Zoettlein found a $6 million savings in the general fund.

Zoettlein also went through options on the revenue side including: - Millage increase - Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) - Payment in Lieu of Franchise Fees (PILOF) - Dependent Special District - Borrowing funds internally (Utilities Dept.)

Championed pushed the idea of a freeze on the general fund budget and a small percentage cut of all departments over a three year time frame.

The idea of a dependent special district for the Sheriff’s Office also generated some interest as they would be able to transfer the Sheriff’s Office reserves out of the general fund.

Zoettlein explained in regards to the $9.2 million in reserves, “We would upfront him the $9.2 million the very first year. In the second year it’s his responsibility to make sure he maintains that $9.2 million that we gave him. If he needs to use reserves, then he’d have to come to the board with a request. ” At the close of the meeting, Chairman Holcomb summarized that the goal of the board is to hash out a three year plan going forward whereby at the end of year three, actual revenues and actual expenses are equal.

Attorney Garth Coller added that a “mechanism” in regards to the Sheriff’s Office reserves will be discussed with the Sheriff’s Office.

Hernando County Crime Stoppers Please

Call !

WANTED !

Name: Adam Cronenwett DOB: 11/12/1974 Hgt: 6’0” Wgt: unk lbs.

Spring Hill

WARRANT

If you recognize this subject or have any information, please call Crime Stoppers!

You will remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD...

CALL Hernando County Crime Stoppers Toll Free 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or go to www.HernandoCountyCrimeStoppers.com Pd by CSTF

LOCAL & STATE

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com

MUHAMMAD, GENESIS MICHAEL YOB: 1999 CHARGES: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, LEAVE SCENE OF ACC W/DAMAGE Arrested at: 01/23/2019 05:57 POWELL RD & BARCLAY AVE, BROOKSVILLE, FL, 34609 Arrest Summary: On 01/23/2019, I was dispatched to an accident which occurred on 706 S Broad Street in Hernando County, Florida. It was said that a white Chrysler 300 potentially struck what appeared to be a light pole.

At this time, Deputy K.W. arrived on scene at 706 S Broad Street, and confirmed there was a white 1987 Ford F-150 bearing Florida Tag BBWF39 with minor damage to the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, a black unknown make or model pickup truck also received damage to the passenger door which contained white paint transfer. Next to the listed vehicles, Deputy.

K.W. located a gold watch on the ground.

At this time, the vehicle got into another crash at 14195 Elgin Boulevard and fled the scene. Deputies then got the defendant’s vehicle stopped in the area of Powell Road.

This deputy responded to area of Powell Road to make contact with the driver, the defendant.

Upon speaking to the defendant, he appeared to be under the influence of an unknown chemical substance.

I observed the front bumper of the defendant’s vehicle to be ripped off and was later located in the trunk of said vehicle to which he stated he put it in there. The defendant did; however, utter that he did get into a crash but it didn’t feel like a big crash as if he just bumped into something so he kept going. The traffic crash investigation was completed.

The defendant was found to be at fault. Deputy Wilson then responded to the scene with the gold watch that was left at the crash scene, and asked the defendant if the watch belonged to him to which he took full ownership of.

The defendant was then advised by Trooper Alexander #4157 that the crash investigation was completed and that we were now conducting a DUI criminal investigation to which he understood and consented to performing the exercises, which showed signs of impairment; please see Florida Highway Patrol case number FHP490FF007847.

At 5:57 AM, the defendant was placed under arrest for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. The defendant was read Miranda Warnings.

The defendant was transported to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Jail with no incident. Upon arrival to the jail, the defendant was asked to provide a breath test, which he consented. At 07:18 hours, the first breath sample obtained was 0.045 grams per 210 liters of breath. At 07:21 hours, the defendant provided a second breath sample with a result of 0.046 grams per 210 liters of breath.

The defendant was then asked for a Urine sample to which

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS

Brooksville City Council Meeting Monday, February 4, 2019, 7:00PM Location 201 HOWELL AVENUE, BROOKSVILLE, FL - JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, III COUNCIL CHAMBERS Hernando School Board Meetings 2/5/2019 Informal 11:00 AM Workshop 2:00PM Regular 6:00PM District Office-Board Room 919 North Broad Street Brooksville, FL 34601 Planning and Zoning Commission Regular Meeting 2/11/2019 9:00 AM Government Center John Law Ayers Room 20 N. Main Street Brooksville, FL 34601 Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting 2/12/2019 9:00 AM Government Center John Law Ayers Room 20 N. Main Street Brooksville, FL 34601 Hernando School Board Meetings 2/26/2019 Informal 11:00 AM Workshop 2:00PM Regular 6:00PM District Office-Board Room 919 North Broad Street Brooksville, FL 34601

he refused. At 07:31 hours, the defendant was read Implied Consent, to which he still refused a Urine Test.

The defendant was issued a court date of 02/15/2019 at 0900 hours in Courtroom “B”, and is being held on a bond totaling $2,000.00.

The defendant was issued a DUI citation (1314XBC). He was also issued a criminal citation for leaving the scene of an accident (AA0FY9E) and was issued a uniform traffic citation (AA0FY8E) for careless driving.

A traffic transmittal form was completed and turned over to jail staff along with these citations.

Could have just done the dishes

VANZILE, KEITH MARK YOB: 1958 CHARGES: ASSAULT/BATT ON PER 65 OR OLDE Arrested at: 01/24/2019 13:13 LORDINGS LN, SPRING HILL, FL, 34607 Arrest Summary: On 1/24/19, the defendant, Keith Vanzile, and the victim, his mother became involved in a verbal altercation regarding the defendant not doing the dishes. The defendant and the victim live together at Lordings Lane, Spring Hill, FL. During the verbal disturbance the defendant placed his hands on the victim’s upper chest near collar bone pinning her against large armoire in the family living room. The defendant used enough force against the victim that the large armoire moved approximately one foot.

As the defendant had the victim pinned to the armoire against her will, he repeatedly stated “You f***ing b****”.

The defendant then grabbed the victim by the biceps using both hands and threw her face down on an adjacent couch.

The victim did not suffer serious injury from the battery or require any EMS services. The defendant was placed under arrest for Felony Domestic Battery due to the victim being 80 years of age, and transported to the Hernando County Jail without incident.

The defendant was issued no bond due to the charge being domestic in nature and was issued a return court date for said charge. Nothing further.

Arrested at: 01/25/2019 15:53 UNION ST, BROOKSVILLE, FL, 34601 Arrest Summary: On 01-252019 at 1516 hours I responded to Union Street in reference to a domestic battery. The victim called the Sheriff’s Office and stated she was battered by her live in boyfriend Kenneth Robinson.

It should be noted that at 1007 hours Stephanie had called the Sheriff’s Office and stated that Kenneth had been yelling and throwing things in the home.

At that time a Deputy had driven Kenneth to a nearby restaurant to try and resolve the situation.

On arrival as I was walking up to the apartment I could hear yelling and cursing from inside.

I then made contact with the victim who stated this was the second time she had called the Sheriff’s Office about Kenneth and It’s just getting worse.

She stated that she lives in this home with Kenneth and they are going to get married.

Kenneth was seated on a couch drinking from a liquor bottle.

At this time Kenneth was still yelling and I had to ask him several times to calm down and stop yelling. The victim stated that Kenneth walked back home and was yelling at her and told her she needed

to take him to buy some cigarettes and she refused.

The victim stated that Kenneth got mad and pushed her into the bedroom wall and grabbed her by the arms and threw her to the ground. The victim did have a scratch on her upper left arm that appeared to be recent. The victim provided a sworn written statement that was placed into records.

The victim stated that she was grabbed and pushed against her will. I then made contact with Kenneth who had bloodshot watery eyes, slurred mumbled speech and the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Kenneth stated he lives in this home with the victim and they are going to get married.

Kenneth was yelling that nothing had occurred and that he never touched the victim.

It should be noted that during the entire time I was talking to Kenneth he was still trying to yell and argue. Kenneth refused to provide a sworn written statement.

Based on the fact that the victim had Injuries that were consistent with her statement I placed Kenneth under arrest for domestic battery and transported him to the Hernando County Jail without incident where he was held on a no bond status. Kenneth was issued a misdemeanor court date of 02-15-2019 at 0900 hours in Courtroom B.

BELL AVE & FT DADE AVE, BROOKSVILLE, FL, 34601 Arrest Summary: The defendant, William R. Storms Ill, called to report that his girlfriend, during a verbal disturbance at her residence, where the defendant does not fully reside, grabbed a wooden handled butcher knife and went toward him threatening to stab him.

Upon further investigation the defendant stated that it may have been a butter knife, but that he had never seen the knife. The defendant also stated that as soon as the girlfriend approached him with the knife, he ran away and called law enforcement. The girlfriend had taken a video of the event which showed that he did not run away and called law enforcement while at the residence.

The defendant stated that ha called law enforcement because he believed that his girlfriend was going to call law enforcement on him.

While transferring the defendant, William Storms Ill, from a patrol vehicle In the sally port to the booking area, the defendant would not exit the vehicle and forced Deputy Ritchie to carry him into the booking area. Once in the booking area, the defendant continued to pull away from the Deputy Ritchie and the detention Deputies.

The defendant was given a court date of 02152019, at 0900 hours, In courtroom B of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. The defendant is currently being held on a total bond of $2,000.

It could have been a butter knife STORMS, WILLIAM R Ill YOB: 1987 CHARGES: FALSE REPORT-LAW ENFORCE AGNCY, RESIST/OBSTR OFFICER W/O VIOL Arrested at: 01/26/2019 00:13

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Not the best time for a drink ROBINSON, KENNETH J YOB: 1971 CHARGES: DOMESTIC BATTERY

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Contact Elected Officials City of Brooksville Officials Main Number 352-540-3810

Phone (352) 754-4146

Smith Brooksville, FL 34601 District 34 Phone: 352-241-9230 Commissioner John Allocco Capitol Address: William Kemerer District 3 402 South Monroe Street United States Senators Mayor Second Vice Chairman 317 House Office Building wkemerer@cityofbrooksville.us JAllocco@HernandoCounty.us Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Senator Rick Scott SEAT #3 Phone (352) 754-4144 Phone: (850) 717-5034 https://www.rickscott.senate.

District Address: gov/ Joe Bernardini Commissioner Jeff Holcomb The Inverness Government B3 Russell Senate Office Vice Mayor District 4 Center Suite 208 A Building jbernardini@cityofbrooksville.

Chairman 212 West Main Street Washington, DC 20510 us JHolcomb@HernandoCounty.

Inverness, FL 34450-4855 Phone: 202-224-5274 1/29/2019 ROCKY CR.,LITTLE PINE IS. BAY,, FL 8727122 Tidal Data Print View SEAT #2 us Phone: (352) 560-6020 Phone (352) 754-4848 Email: jimmie.smith@myflorSenator Marco Rubio Help Printhttps://www.rubio.senate.gov Robert A. Battista idahouse.gov Council Member Commissioner U.S. Senate, rbattista@cityofbrooksville.us Steve Champion, District 5 Florida Senator 317 Hart Senate Office BuildSEAT #4 SChampion@ ing HernandoCounty.us Senator Wilton Simpson Washington, DC 205100001 NOAA/NOS/CO-OPS Pat Brayton Phone (352) 754-4448 Capitol Address: Phone: (202) 224-3041 Tide Predictions at 8727122, ROCKY CR.,LITTLE PINE IS. BAY, FL Council Member 420 Senate Building Tampa Office From 2019/02/01 12:00 AM LST/LDT to 2019/02/08 11:59 PM LST/LDT pbrayton@cityofbrooksville.us Florida House of | Time offsets (high: 404 Monroe Gibbons Subordinate Station | Ref. Station (Cedar Key 8727520) -20South min. low: 58 min.) | Street Height offsets (high:Sam *0.83 M. ft. low: *0.83 ft.) U.S. CourtSEAT #5 Representatives Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 house 3.0 3.0 Phone: (850) 487-5010 2.75 2.74 801 North Florida Avenue 2.69 2.81 2.79 2.79 Ingoglia Betty Erhard Representative Blaise District Address: Suite 11302.66 2.47 2.42 2.36 2.32 Council Member District 35 2.27 4076 Commercial Way2.38 Tampa, FL 33602 2.18 2.05 berhard@cityofbrooksville.us Capitol Office Spring Hill, FL 34606 Phone: (813) 853-1099 2.0 2.0 SEAT #1 317 The Capitol Phone: (352) 688-5077 402 South Monroe Street Email: simpson.wilton@ Florida Governor Hernando Board of County Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 flsenate.gov 1.06 Commission Phone: (850) 717-5035 Governor Ron DeSantis 0.93 1.0 1.0 District Office 0.80 https://www.flgov.com/con0.69United States House of Rep0.59 Commissioner John Mitten 2955 Landover Boulevard resentatives tact-governor/ 0.50 0.42 0.35 District 1 Spring Hill, FL 34608-7258 State of Florida Vice Chairman Phone: (352) 688-5004 Representative Daniel Webster The Capitol 0.0 0.0 JMitten@hernandocounty.us Email: Blaise.Ingoglia@myflor- Washington, D.C. Office 400 S. Monroe -0.24 St. -0.36 -0.46 Phone (352) -0.45 754-4143 idahouse.gov 1210 LHOB Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 -0.54 -0.56 -0.59 -0.60 Washington, D.C. 20515 (850) 717-9337 Commissioner Wayne Dukes Phone: (202) 225-1002 NOAA/NOS/Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services 12:00 AM 12:00 AM 12:00 AM 12:00 AM 12:00 AM 12:00 AM 12:00 AM 12:00 District 2 12:00 AM Brooksville Office 2/1 2/2 2/3 2/4 T. 2/5N Main Street, 2/6 Suite B 2/7 2/8 2/9 WDukes@HernandoCounty.us Representative Jimmie 15 Height in feet (MLLW)

SYLVESTER, VINCENT JOHN Sr YOB: 1961 CHARGES: POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, KNOWINGLY DRIVE WHILE LIC SUSPENDED/REVOKED Arrested at: 01/22/2019 23:35 6270 COMMERCIAL WAY, SPRING HILL, FL, 34613 Arrest Summary: On 1/22/19, while conducting proactive patrol in my agency unmarked vehicle, this affiant observed a blue, Nissan, pick-up truck bearing the Florida tag CBXA45, traveling northbound on Commercial Way. After conducting a search via DAVID, it was discovered for the registered owner to be an elderly, white, female. As this affiant neared the aforementioned pick-up truck, I observed for the pick-up truck to have an older, white male driving. After conducting a search in this agency’s ACISS software, I discovered Vincent J. Sylvester, the defendant, to be linked to the pick-up truck.

After conducting a search of the defendant’s Florida driver’s license via DAVID, it was discovered that defendant’s Florida driver’s license to be revoked on 11/18/2010.

As this affiant was conducting the aforementioned research, this affiant observed the defendant to make an abrupt lane change, improperly crossing over a solid white line, turning into the parking lot of the Winn Dixie (located at 6270 Commercial Way).

Due to observing the aforementioned traffic infraction, a traffic stop was conducted on the defendant’s vehicle.

Upon making contact with the defendant, this affiant requested the defendant’s driver’s license. The defendant immediately replied, “I don’t have a valid driver’s license man.”

The defendant was then placed under arrest for driving on a suspended Florida driver’s license with knowledge.

Upon searching the defendant, a metal container was discovered in the defendant’s front, left pocket. The defendant then spontaneously uttered while sighing, “I have some Dilaudid in there.”

Upon searching the aforementioned metal container, I observed two and one-half identical pills imbedded with “M” and “8.”

Upon researching the aforementioned pills via drugs.com, the pills were identified as Hydromorphone ( a schedule 2 controlled substance).

The defendant also stated that he did not have a valid prescription.

It should also be noted that the defendant’s Florida driver’s license was suspended 11/18/2010 for Driving Under the Influence and is currently on a ten year revocation (until 11/18/2020, also a $10,000 bond per the bond schedule).

The defendant was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center for the above offenses without incident. The defendant was issued a court date for 2/13/19, in Room E of the Hernando County Courthouse at 0830 hours. The defendant was also issued a total bond for $12,000 per the bond schedule.

It didn’t feel like a big crash

3

The data provided is only arrest information. This data does not reflect charging decisions made by the State Attorney’s Office or the outcome of criminal trials.

HCSO ARREST SUMMARIES “I don’t have a valid driver’s license man.”

THE HERNANDO SUN

Note: The interval is High/Low, the solid blue line depicts a curve fit between the high and low values and approximates the segments between.

Disclaimer: These data are based upon the latest information available as of the date of your request, and may differ from the published tide tables.

TIDE CHART

High/Low Tide Prediction Data Listing Station Name: ROCKY CR.,LITTLE PINE IS. BAY,, FL Source: NOAA/NOS/CO-OPS Action: Daily Prediction Type: Subordinate Product: Tide Predictions Datum: MLLW Start Date & Time: 2019/2/1 12:00 AM Height Units: Feet End Date & Time: 2019/2/8 11:59 PM Time Zone: LST/LDT Date

Day

Time

Hgt

Time

Hgt

Time

Hgt

Time

Hgt

2019/02/01

Fri

07:11 AM

-0.45 L

12:33 PM

2.05 H

6:38 PM

1.06 L

11:06 PM

2.69 H

2019/02/02

Sat

07:52 AM

-0.56 L

1:07 PM

2.18 H

7:28 PM

0.93 L

11:52 PM

2.75 H

8:47 PM

0.69 L

2019/02/03

Sun

08:27 AM

-0.60 L

1:38 PM

2.27 H

8:10 PM

0.80 L

2019/02/04

Mon

12:33 AM

2.79 H

08:58 AM

-0.59 L

2:06 PM

2.32 H

2019/02/05

Tue

01:10 AM

2.81 H

09:27 AM

-0.54 L

2:32 PM

2.36 H

9:22 PM

0.59 L

2019/02/06

Wed

01:45 AM

2.79 H

09:55 AM

-0.46 L

2:57 PM

2.38 H

9:57 PM

0.50 L

2019/02/07

Thu

02:20 AM

2.74 H

10:23 AM

-0.36 L

3:21 PM

2.42 H

10:31 PM

0.42 L

2019/02/08

Fri

02:56 AM

2.66 H

10:52 AM

-0.24 L

3:46 PM

2.47 H

11:08 PM

0.35 L

4

HERNANDO SUN

OUT

from page 2 er was possibly the worst judgement I’ve ever seen in this county. We have a $6 million mistake and only because the BOCC stated publicly, ‘no confidence,’ did the budget manager get fired six months after the problems were known.

Why did it take six months?

Why did it take public embarrassment to fire the budget manager? “… This is not personal, and I harbor no ill will, and I take no joy in doing this.

But it’s about what’s best for the county.”

The Chairman of the Board cannot make a motion on an item until the Vice Chairman is the acting Chair. The practice of “passing the gavel” signifies the change.

Holcomb motioned to terminate the contract of County Administrator Len Sossamon, and pay his severance based on his contract’s buyout clause.

Commissioner John Allocco seconded the motion, and immediately called for discussion. “Len, I think you’re a fantastic guy to hang out with. I get along well with you. One of the things you are exceptional at is community relations.

But since the day I got on this board, we’ve had some issues, and they directly come back to administration.” Allocco again stressed that his comments were not personal. “I was elected to make decisions that are the best for this county, and I’m very concerned about the direction we’ve gone in the last two years.”

Allocco went on to enumerate his concerns.

“OMB (Office of Management and Budget) is a huge responsibility in this county, and I’m frustrated at the direction the budgets have gone, that comes back on the board. From almost day one, I had asked you ‘is this person prepared for this job?’” Citing an almost “too easy” budget at one point, and being concerned about some of the percentages, Allocco said he recognized where revenue estimates were high, and was concerned about decreases in millage rates.

Allocco said, “When we found out the budget was miscalculated, there was nothing that was going to be done, and I had to make the suggestion, ‘is there going to be some discipline?’

It literally took an Act of Congress to get significant changes there.”

Other areas of concern Allocco stated were that high-level staff are not being held accountable for poor records, and that the legal department has been overwhelmed with human resource (HR) issues.

Large payouts for projects and poor management of DPW (Department of Public Works) employees was also on Allocco’s list.

“We had a promotion of a staff member into a position of obvious conflict, which has put other employees in bad positions, has led to a decrease in morale in the county, and we’re nowhere near close to resolving that … and that’s very concerning to me,” remarked Allocco.

Allocco concluded with, “We are responsible for only two hires as a board, and that’s the County Administrator and the County Attorney.” Speaking directly to Sossamon, Allocco promised to continue to work professionally with him should the board decide otherwise, but he recommended termination of Sossamon’s contract.

Commissioner Steve Champion said he scored Sossamon “fairly” however critically during his evaluation when it came to budget issues, and very highly when it came to community presence. “Did he make a bad decision (in hiring the budget manager)? He definitely made a bad decision, he probably shouldn’t have put her in there. But I believe he first made the decision because he thought she was the right one for the job. We make mistakes.

Things happen. You have to hold people accountable.”

Champion said that finding a new administrator would be difficult because “our history is not good here. It is going to be really

hernandosun.com

difficult to find somebody if we’re going to turn around every few years and turn them over.” Defending Sossamon, Champion said, “He’s got five bosses… five of us in his ear.” As well, Champion reported that he’s had conversations with Sossamon as late as 8:00 PM. “Do I think there should be some stern direction to get OMB under control? Of course. I just don’t think it’s in the county’s best interest to terminate him after seven years.

I think he can follow our direction. If he doesn’t, then I’ll support termination. But have we given him specific direction?

Some of these things we’re talking about … we need to look in the mirror, because it is caused by this commission, it was caused by previous commissioners.”

Commissioner Wayne Dukes recalled the scene two weeks earlier when a new chairman was elected to the board. “I’m not going to support this because I have worked with large corporations all of my life, and in that time I was in a position of hiring and firing and you did not, did not put a person in charge of staff who had a negative bias.”

Dukes was speaking of Holcomb’s recommendation to review Sossamon’s contract prior to the chairman election.

Dukes said, “I can remember many times over the last few years when the money was getting tight ... (Sossamon) would say ‘we can downsize parks … or you’ll have to raise the millage rate.’ And the commission said ‘No.’ They said ‘No’ every time … and now all of the sudden, it’s (Sossamon’s) fault that we said ‘No.’” Dukes also reported an incident that during a recent Republican meeting, where Representative Blaise Ingoglia’s father asked Holcomb, “When are you going to get rid of the administrator?” Holcomb allegedly answered, “I put the paperwork in to do that already.” Dukes ended with, “Folks, there’s something wrong with this … It smells.”

Allocco responded that the decision to review Sossamon’s contract was made by the board, and not just Holcomb. He stated that the decision to hire the budget manager was Sossamon’s decision alone, and that he “went against everything staff had said. And it didn’t work out.”

Holcomb stated that Dukes’ recollection of the exchange with Ingoglia was not true, and that his response was “It’s on the agenda, and as of right now, I don’t know how it’s going to turn out.”

He also maintained that this statements about Sossamon were solely professionally based and not borne of a personal vendetta.

Holcomb added, “I will remind you, that before Commissioner Allocco and Commissioner Champion took their seats, there was a vote to extend (Sossamon’s contract) five years. For the purpose that (this discussion) never comes up, in my opinion. I don’t think it was fair to these new board members, it wasn’t fair to the community.”

Acting as Chair, Commissioner Mitten gave Sossamon the opportunity for his statements and responses.

Sossamon stated, “When I came here in 2012, every week there was an article in the Tampa Bay Times about the million dollar or multi-million dollar that this county was receiving … depending on which week you look, it was a $6-million deficit, a $12-million deficit … a different derivative.”

Sossamon recalled his first challenge being the merging of Spring Hill Fire Rescue with Hernando County Fire / Rescue (HCFR). According to Sossamon, Dukes told him at the time that there were parameters in place and certain budgetary items regarding the fire departments that “you can’t touch.”

“I inherited at that time, a situation… where a county employee hadn’t received (a raise) in five or six years or more. I came in where really nothing from an economic development See OUT Page 6

LOCAL & STATE

Feb. 1- 7, 2019

Jan. 22, 2019 Hernando School Board meeting run down Notes & Articles of business matters from the Jan. 22, 2019 Hernando School Board meeting by Kathryn Dentato Adoption of Agenda

Pulled Items:

Board Chair Susan Duval asked to remove Item # 3535 from the consent agenda. Gus Guadagnino made the motion to approve the agenda, and Prescott seconded it. The modified agenda was approved 5-0.

Student Representative to the Board Ryan Bradley, a student at Springstead High School, shared some events from the past few weeks.

Elementary: JD Floyd – Students are using the Sunshine State Readers Program to encourage students to read more than what is required for class. Two students have already completed all 15 books.

Westside – Literacy week is scheduled for the week of 1/28, but students have already competed in a spelling bee K-8: Challenger – The Tampa Bay Lightning worked with the gym classes to teach some of their hockey skills during a visit to the school. The team also shared some life lessons with the students.

Winding Waters – They will also celebrate Literacy week beginning 1/28. The school’s cheerleaders earned 1st place at the 9th Annual Husky Cheer Challenge.

High School: Springstead – The Beta Club attended their 10th annual convention.

(They missed the convention last year due to a bus accident.) The Beta Club is community service-oriented, and students can get ideas from others around the country.

Weeki Wachee – The National Honor Society organized and hosted a coastal cleanup day at Weeki Wachee Preserve on January 12. Other clubs participated as well.

Bradley highlighted the cleanup efforts at Kass Circle on January 21.

This was a community cleanup event, and many students volunteered time on their day off for this service project.

The next delegate meetings are scheduled for 02/13/19 from 10 am to 12 pm at Weeki Wachee High School and 03/28/19 from 1 – 3 pm at Parrott Middle School. Bradley invited school board members and district staff to attend.

Approval of Minutes These were the corrected minutes from the meetings held 01/08/19.

Jimmy Lodato made the motion to approve the corrected minutes.

Guadagnino seconded the motion.

The minutes were approved with a 5-0 vote.

Expulsion Recommendation Item #3525 was a recommendation to the school board to approve the expulsion of a student. Board Attorney Denis Alfonso advised that there was no appeal filed on behalf of the student. Lodato made the motion to approve the expulsion, and Guadagnino seconded it. The vote was 5-0 in favor of approving the decision to expel the student for the rest of the 2018-2019 school year.

Citizen Input on Agenda Items There were no forms submitted.

Adoption of Consent Agenda Lodato asked for Items # 3509 and 3423 to be removed from the consent agenda. No other board members requested items to be removed.

Lodato made the motion to approve the consent agenda, minus those items. Guadagnino seconded, and the amended consent agenda was approved 5-0.

The following items were approved: 3529 : Approval of Personnel Recommendations 3513: Approval of the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan

Item #3509 was to approve salary adjustments for school based administers to be effective 01/08/19. The district administrative salary adjustments will be effective on 07/0/19, said Interim Executive Director of Business Services Lisa Becker. Guadagnino moved to accept the salary adjustment and Lodato seconded.

Item #3509 was approved 5-0.

Lodato asked for more information about Item #3423, an additional purchase order for Community Rehab Associates, Inc. In May 2018 the previous board approved $75,000 for contract services. This request was for an additional $180,000 for the remainder of the school year. Director of Exceptional Student Support Services Cathy Dofka explained that the district uses contract services to fill positions for staff to meet the needs of students with disabilities as part of the IEP. In this case, Dofka said Community Rehab Associates, Inc. is one of several agencies the district contacts for speech and language pathologists. If the specialist meets criteria, then the district may hire them through the agency. Lodato made the motion to approve this item, and Hatch seconded. Item #3423 was approved with a 5-0 vote.

Addendum Items Public Information Officer Karen Jordan asked the board to approve Item #3554, changes to the Legislative Platform. Jordan reminded the board that only one appropriation request ($2.3 million to begin updating student-used computers) was forwarded to the lobbyist.

Added to the platform is the request of $30 million for Career and Technical Education Center needs. This money will be used for incentives to hire instructors and to develop courses that will meet local workforce needs.

The second request is for $1 million toward the cost of hardening schools. Jordan acknowledged that this will not begin to cover what the mandates are, even with funding the State will provide. The $1 million will be used for items such as cameras, locks, gates, etc.

The motion to approve was made

by Lodato and seconded by Hatch.

The item was approved with a 5-0 vote.

Citizen Input (General Topics) Springs Coast Environmental Education Center Cheryl Paradis, Director of the Springs Coast Environmental Education Center (EEC), shared information on the 38 field trips attended by 1,434 Fifth Grade students. Each student is given a pre- and post-test to determine how effective the 4 ½ hour field trips are. Scores on the pre-test averaged 27% and the posttest scores averaged 85%.

The field trip required students to: Complete a survey to determine the age of a saw palmetto. Paradis said this is the same information and method used by scientists who determine habitat health.

Use their senses to examine skulls and learn the types of food eaten by the animal as well as other information.

Create a model of the water cycle.

Complete a digital scavenger hunt.

Paradis said teachers shared the importance and relevance of the field trip, saying it was “a positive learning experience for their students that provides real world application and integration of academic skills”.

Bargaining Session Vince La Borante, president of Hernando Classroom Teachers Association, brought no prepared remarks. He stated he simply wanted to thank the school board for the last bargaining session. La Borante praised the communication and tone of the meeting, specifically thanking Superintendent John Stratton. “I

sincerely believe if you look around the state, we’re in a good place. I’m very happy.”

Vocational training center Mark Johnson introduced his community based training center, T-Volt (Trades Vocational Learning Technology Center). With the planned housing construction over the next few years there will be a great need for quality contractors and helpers, Johnson said.

T-Volt will be offering classes to teach skills needed for those entry-level positions. Johnson said the classes are targeted toward those are “underemployed, unemployed, or high school seniors not college bound.” The first class offered is called “Electrical – Learn the Basics.”

The Greater Hope Church has donated space, the teacher is donating his time, and Black and Decker has donated $5,000 in tools. Johnson said there are limited scholarships available.

Future classes will be offered for carpentry, masonry, and plumbing.

Johnson also plans a four-year apprenticeship program that will cost $250 per year. At the end of the course, the student (who is already working for a journeyman or licensed master electrician) should qualify to take the journeyman test.

Johnson said he has not approached the BOCC yet because he has no figures to bring as part of a proposal. He does plan to expand the program if these first classes are successful.

General Counsel Alfonso stated they received correspondence from Nabors, Giblin & Nicholson, the board’s bond counsel, which advised one of the partners is leaving the firm. He said he will find out if the board needs to take any action, and if there might be something needed in the future.

School Board Comments Gus Guadagnino attended the Teacher of the Year dinner and said all of the teachers nominated were winners. He commended all the teachers in the district for their great work.

Jimmy Lodato attended the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade with Prescott and Stratton. He said it was a great event and recommended a change to the parade route for the next year. Lodato suggested that the parade should go through South Brooksville.

Kay Hatch had no comments.

Linda Prescott agreed with Guadagnino that the Teacher of the Year dinner was a “night of winners.” She congratulated all the teachers. Bay News 9 recognized a Spring Hill Elementary teacher as an “A+” teacher.

Ryan Bradley attended the Teacher of the Year dinner and said being with the teachers was memorable. She congratulated the teachers. Bradley thanked Paradis for her report. As an elementary and middle school student, Bradley recalled the positive impact those field trips had on her.

They were memorable and she still talks with her peers about them.

John Stratton congratulated Justen Early, the Teacher of the Year, who teaches and coaches at Nature Coast Technical High School. Stratton said during his visits to the school he has seen the interactions between Early and the students.

Stratton said that he will begin his visits to schools again. Seeing the teachers and students is something he looks forward to. He advised parents that front doors will now be locked for added security and a buzzer will be installed. Stratton suggested that board members visit the EEC to see firsthand what Paradis is accomplishing with the students.

Justen Early is Hernando School District Teacher of the Year for 2019 BROOKSVILLE – Friday, January 18th, the Hernando County Education Foundation hosted their annual Teacher of the Year ceremony recognizing all of the school nominees for 2019 and to announce the teacher who will represent Hernando as the District Teacher of the Year. Nature Coast Technical High’s teacher, Mr. Justen Early is that educator.

After attending Florida A&M, Early and his wife moved to Brooksville where he joined the NCTH Sharks in 2014. Early got the teaching bug when he first volunteered as a football coach at Central High, “I became invested in the player’s success not only on the field, but also in the classroom. So, I decided my next step should be to enter the classroom!” Ear-

ly said. Currently, Justen teaches Technology Support courses and coaches football.

“From the moment I met Justen, I knew he would be good for kids.

He is genuine, kindhearted and completely focused on students. Coach Early is greatly appreciated at Nature Coast for his humble spirit and dedication,” NCTH Principal, ToniAnn Noyes said.

“I would LOVE to thank my administration at Nature Coast Technical High School (Go Sharks!).

I would also like to thank Mrs. Poluchowicz and Coach Story for their mentorship. Last but not least, I would like to thank my wonderful family for their love and support during this process,” Early said.

From left: Tammy Brinker, Justen Early, John Stratton, Ben Prescott Photo provided by Trevor Barlow Monocle Photography

LOCAL & STATE

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com THE HERNANDO SUN

5

SOLAR from page 1

Y SE

RD

D

KE

LA

LIN

DALY RD

is located near the Lake Townsend Preserve (sometimes spelled as Lake Townsen) near the intersection of Daly Road and SR 476 is to be leased to Duke Energy for a solar power facility.

Duke Energy has two years to complete their due diligence on the property, which will expire in on February 28, 2021. During the due diligence period Duke will pay $40.00 per acre ($32,000.00) per year.

The due diligence period is followed by a construction period which is also limited to two years, it ends on February 28, 2023. During the construction period the rent will increase to $400.00 per usable acre (est $240,000.00 -- $320,000.00) per year. After construction is completed the site will enter the operation period that will last for 25 years, it ends on February 28, 2048.

During the operational period Duke Energy will pay $850.00 per usable acre (est $510,000.00 -- $680,000.00) per year.

There is an annual rent escalation of 2.5 percent per year. There are also two options to renew the lease after it expires, each of which are for a 5-year period the current contract could last until February 28, 2058.

When the USDA conveyed the acreage to FAMU, it was through a quit claim deed which incorporated a 25 year use restriction to agricultural and natural resource research. In exchange for the land, the University agreed to establish a Beginning Rancher/Farmer program serving “tribal” organizations. A large part of the agreement is to facilitate agricultural and

natural resources research.

FAMU is responsible for maintaining the property and existing facilities. They had planned to allocate $350,000 annually to maintain the research center and facilities. Buildings on the property date back to the Civilian Conservation Corps of the Great Depression’s New Deal. FAMU’s College of Agriculture and Science listed the following as their goals for the Brooksville site: 1. Conduct agricultural and natural resource research that will benefit the nation, state, and local communities; 2. Develop and implement the beginning rancher and farmer programs, and outreach projects; 3. Develop and implement socio-economic projects that will enable the Brooksville site to be

economically viable and self-sustaining; 4. Develop youth development and experiential learning and training opportunities for students at all grade levels; 5. Develop and showcase demonstrations designed for various alternative agricultural enterprises from current and future program areas in the college; and 2 6. Engage faculty from FAMU and other universities to participate in the Brooksville project.

The research they planned to conduct was to focus on livestock grazing systems, hay production systems, grapes, small fruits and medicinal plants, integrated pest management, wetland and watershed research.

ABOVE: A rough representation of the 800 acre parcel leased to Duke Energy for solar power production- depicted by yellow bars.

CORRECTION

CORRECTION: Current intersection of Jefferson and Main St. with SunTrust drive thru that is in operation 9AM to 4PM Monday - Friday.

We stated in error in the Jan. 25, 2019 issue, Revitalizing Downtown Brooksville, that the drive thru is no longer in operation. Image from the Downtown Brooksville Vision report by Community Design Solutions and Kalback Design.

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Visit OakHillHospital.com to view average ER wait times.

6

THE HERNANDO SUN

LOCAL & STATE

hernandosun.com Feb. 1- 7, 2019

OUT

from page 4 perspective was happening in the county … My record during that term was much better than anything prior to.

“I’ve mentioned at times that maybe we do reductions in force, or maybe we do curtail hours at the libraries, or hours and days at parks and (recreation). Because they weren’t making money, we had problems, but every time, it was, “No, we’re not going to close any libraries, and we’re not going to close any parks …

“Administrators can make recommendations, they can be turned down. Sometimes they get approved. I don’t take that personally. You all make the decisions, you’re elected by the people, and the people will get what they ask for… You can terminate me today, it’s your prerogative, it’s in the contract, pay me off and I’ll be out of your hair.

“Then you can select another person. But whoever that person is, they’re probably going to have to come in and play on the same playing field, and if they’re told ‘you can’t do this, you can’t do (any of the things I’ve recommended)’, then they’re probably going to have the same fate.”

Sossamon concluded with one of his budget predictions coming to pass, “I said, ‘Sure we can borrow from the utilities reserve fund, and if we do, you will turn it into your own revolving loan program.

You’ll take the money out, then you’ll pay it back, time will go by, you’ll take more money out, you’ll pay it back’, and that’s exactly what’s happened.”

Commissioner John Mitten, still holding the Chairman’s gavel, acknowledged the discussion as “awkward, but necessary.” Mitten said It is hoped that 5G will bring the bandwidth to pro- that he “would echo many vide these services at least of the comments heard on this commission, as well as at the level we are accustomed to. These additional from many in the audience.”

Having received several towers will improve the emails and phone calls in coverage and reliability of the weeks leading up to this the cell coverage. decision, Mitten said, “This The promise of 5G conadministrator has a fan club, nectivity is the reason that and I see why...” many companies stopped Mitten spoke highly of building out their fiber and Sossamon’s professionalism wired infrastructure. It and administration capabilwas cited by many of the companies as they stopped ities.

“Nevertheless, I do have building out their networks. questions … and I’d like to The tower in the photo drill down into the budget. is located near the intersection of US 98 and Lake Because ultimately, if we’re Lindsey Road. There is an- going to provide the core functions that government other tower going up near exists for, which is your Silverthorn Country Club. safety and security… it takes taxpayer money, and it takes good administration of that money.”

Mitten referred to a spreadsheet showing actual revenues, expenses and differences dating back to 1994. (See page 2 of this issue) Since Sossamon’s first budget year in 2013, which showed a deficit of $7.9-million, he and the commission have seen a 29% increase in revenues.

“Looking at the expense side, it paints somewhat of a similar story… a 28% increase,” said Mitten.

Regarding the budget shortfall leading to the firing of the budget manager and the present discussion, Mitten reiterated how the deficit was discovered three months after the passage of the budget in September of 2017. “Fast forward …

September of (2018) that budget of a $9.2-million deficit was passed by this board … I was shocked when I saw this spreadsheet. We were told it was a balanced budget, and we voted 5-0 for this $9-million deficit.”

“The question is, how much did the administrator know about the shortfall?

Who ultimately is responsible? Should this board hold anyone responsible?”

Mitten’s other questions and concerns were outside of the budget and the OMB. “In 2014 for reasons that were justifiable or unjustifiable, not arguing either way, the BOCC abolished the Airport Authority. The Airport Authority was

Cell phone towers springing up throughout the county You may have noticed that cell phone towers are springing up throughout the area. We spoke with the workers installing this tower and they are going to be involved in setting up 28 towers in the area.

Maintaining phone cable and cable lines to every house is expensive.

This is known as the last mile problem, because a significant part of the cost is maintaining the last mile of the connection to every house. If cable, phone, and Internet connections can be delivered through cellular infrastructure, it would reduce the cost of providing these services.

Library Programs SH- Spring Hill Branch Library, located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive.

WH- West Hernando Branch Library located at 6335 Blackbird Ave, Weeki Wachee, FL 34613 BV- Brooksville/ Main Library located at 238 Howell Ave, Brooksville, FL 34601 EH- East Hernando Branch located at 6457 Windmere Rd, Brooksville, FL 34602 Feb. 2 Adult Coloring for Stress Relief and Relaxation - EH 2/2/2019 10AM - 2PM Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for soothing music, a cup of herbal tea, a dollop of art therapy and maybe meet a new friend or two.

Game On! - EH 2/2/2019 10AM - 4PM Enjoy family gaming at the East Hernando Branch!

VITA - SH 2/2/2019 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - by appt. only Anime Club - SH 2/2/2019 11AM - 12:30 PM Registration is open Are you a fan of anime, manga, or Japanese culture? Join Anime Club, where you can watch, read, and enjoy anime & manga with other fans.

K-Pop Club - SH 2/2/2019 1 - 2:30 PM Registration is open Fans of Korean music & culture and those curious about this new global sensation are invited to explore the world of K-Pop. Feb. 4 Learning the Mouse - BV 2/4/2019 10AM - 12PM Registration is open Learn to use a mouse and acquire basic computer vocabulary.

Meditation Break - WH 2/4/2019 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Enjoy a 30 minute Mon-

day meditation break with us - meditation provides many health benefits for mind, body and spirit. Chairs provided or welcome to bring mat.

Medicare 101 - WH 2/4/2019 1 - 2PM For people new to Medicare or anyone who would like a better understanding of how the program works. A fun discussion with plenty of time for questions.

Understanding the Basics of Social Security Planning and Long Term Care Planning - WH 2/4/2019 2 - 3PM Understanding the latest strategies in protecting your retirement portfolio from catastrophic Long Term Care expenses.

Valentine’s Day Papercrafts for Tweens - WH 2/4/2019 4:30 - 5:30 PM Celebrate Valentine’s Day 2019 at the library by creating cards and other papercrafts that you can gift to friends and family. For Tweens between the age of 8-12.

Feb. 5 Learning the Mouse - WH 2/5/2019 10AM - 12PM Registration is open Learn to use a mouse and acquire basic computer vocabulary.

Toddler Storytime - BV 2/5/2019 10:30 - 11 AM Stories, songs, and more in a storytime program designed for children between 18 months - 3 years old.

Preschool Storytime - BV 2/5/2019 11:15 - 11:45 AM Stories, songs, and more in a storytime program designed for children between 3 - 5 years old.

Adult Coloring Class - WH 2/5/2019 1:15 - 3PM Registration is open Pick a Color, Any Color.

Florida 505 Book Discussions - SH 2/5/2019 2 - 3:30 PM Spring Hill Branch holds monthly discussions of Florida-themed writings. Ask for a copy of the assigned reading & join in.

Movies @ Your Library - EH 2/5/2019 2 - 4PM Movies on the big screen with free popcorn.

Learning Circle - BV

2/5/2019 3 - 4:30 PM Learn new skills. Together. In the Library. For free.

Learn to Sew! - WH 2/5/2019 4 - 5:30 PM Registration is open Always wanted to learn to sew? Want to try it out before you invest in that sewing machine? Come to our monthly sewing class where you can learn the basics and make a simple project to take home.

SCORE Workshop - How to Apply for a 501c3 - SH 2/5/2019 4 - 5:30 PM How to Apply for a 501c3 Feb. 6 Learning the Mouse - SH 2/6/2019 10AM - 12PM Registration is open Learn to use a mouse and acquire basic computer vocabulary.

Storytime - EH 2/6/2019 10:30 - 11AM Stories, songs, and more in a storytime program designed for children between 18 months - 5 years old.

“WooooSaaahh” Wednesdays - BV 2/6/2019 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Escape your hectic day and bring your bag lunch for a little drop in art therapy.

Financial Management Series - WH 2/6/2019 2 - 4PM This month’s topic: Small Steps to Health and Wealth Medicare 101 - BV 2/6/2019 2 - 3PM For people new to Medicare or anyone who would like a better understanding of how the program works. A fun discussion with plenty of time for questions.

Understanding the Basics of Social Security Planning andLong Term Care Planning - BV 2/6/2019 3 - 4PM Understanding the latest strategies in protecting your retirement portfolio from catastrophic Long Term Care expenses.

Kool Krafts - SH 2/6/2019 4 - 6PM Registration is open Book Art! Learn to make incredible works of art simply by folding the pages of a book. All supplies provided.

Registration required. All ages welcome!

Feb. 7 Baby Storytime - BV 2/7/2019 10 - 11AM A story-

time featuring stories, bouce rhymes, songs and more just for babies and their caregivers.

Learning the Mouse - EH 2/7/2019 10AM - 12PM Registration is open Learn to use a mouse and acquire basic computer vocabulary.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program - WH 2/7/2019 10:30 AM - 12 PM Topic: Composting Workshop Toddler Storytime -SH 2/7/2019 10:30 - 11AM Storytime time for toddlers featuring stories, songs, and fingerplays.

Preschool Storytime - SH 2/7/2019 11:15 AM - 12PM Stories, songs, fingerplays, and much more designed for children between the ages of 3-5.

Writers Workshop - EH 2/7/2019 1 - 3 PM Free and open to the public - meets every other Thursday. All levels of experience from beginners to published authors.

Our group is on-going and continuous, join at any time.

Bring pen and paper. For more information call 352-583-2441.

Medicare 101 - SH 2/7/2019 2 - 3PM For people new to Medicare or anyone who would like a better understanding of how the program works. A fun discussion with plenty of time for questions.

Understanding the Basics of Social Security Planning andLong Term Care Planning - SH 2/7/2019 3 - 4PM Understanding the latest strategies in protecting your retirement portfolio from catastrophic Long Term Care expenses.

Ukulele Strum and Sing WH 2/7/2019 4 - 5:30 PM Get together with other uke enthusiasts and enjoy strumming and singing your favorite tunes. All ages and skill levels welcome.

Socrates Cafe - SH 2/7/2019 4:30 - 6PM Guaranteed to leave you with more questions than you came with!

Socrates Cafe is an opportunity for amiable, open-minded discussion of profound issues.

Baby Storytime - WH

then immediately replaced with the Airport Advisory Council in the same meeting … But we didn’t have an Airport Advisory Council in 2015, and we didn’t have one in 2016.”

Mitten said he was stunned to learn in 2017 that the reason the Airport Advisory Council wasn’t implemented was because there “was no consensus.”

“Good governance dictates that the Administrator carries out the vote of the board.”

Addressing Sossamon directly, Mitten asked, “I would like to hear if … you’re willing to give some light, and share the ‘why’ behind what I believe is an unreasonable time frame. It seems quite a reticence to bring this Airport Advisory Council, and get it rolling.”

Sosamon responded, “Going back to 2014 … there was really no appetite really from the board’s perspective, even though they laid the foundation of what could be done, they didn’t want to push it forward. It doesn’t matter if I’m for something or against it …

Going back prior to 2014, every time there was a board meeting, people came to fisticuffs. They fought.

Literally.”

Regarding the current implementation of the Airport Advisory Council, Sossamon stated that some applicants have not followed the proper procedure,

however the irregularities have been fixed, and the matter is due to come before the board at the February 12, 2019 meeting.

“Going back to the $9.2-million deficit, (Budget Director) George Zoettlein told you that we had such a problem…” Sossamon continued to run down the list of possible remedies discussed at that meeting.

“The option by the board was to dip into those funds that were the reserves, and roll them in.”

Mitten asked Sossamon if he knew about the deficit, to which Sossamon stated he did.

Mitten stated he did not remember being told about the deficit.

Returning to the discussion of the Airport Advisory Council, Mitten asked Sossamon if he had publicly spoken against the formation of the Council.

After some history review between Sossamon’s airport duties in his home state of South Carolina and Hernando County, Sossamon said that he offered his opinion when asked, and had not recently, since he had not been asked.

Sossamon also defended his HR practices within the DPW and wished the board success before the vote was held.

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com

THE HERNANDO SUN

IN, OUT & ABOUT

A peek inside a Florida kumquat farm

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE MARY HERDEN

This 8-acre farm is focused on one little fruit from the field to the kitchen.

Once a year, Frank Gude and his family offer public tours two days before the annual Kumquat Festival.

This open house draws people from all over the country to this little town called St. Joseph, just 10 minutes east of Dade City.

“We have the opportunity to teach people what a kumquat is and how it’s grown,” said Frank Grude. Grude along with members of the Neuhofer family are the remaining owners of Kumquat Growers Inc. Visitors enjoyed hometown music from the Back Porch Pickers, homemade treats, and the offerings of other vendors. Grove and packing tours gave the visitors a view of how the farm operates as well as the opportunity to sample a variety of kumquat jams and sauces.

If you missed the open house, their gift shop is open until February 28, Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm, and Saturday’s 10 am to 3 pm.

Closed on Sundays.

Frank Gude is one of two remaining owners of the Kumquat Growers Inc.

Open House gave visitors the opportunity to see how kumquats are processed from picking to processing to packaging

Single Kumquat trees were for sale during the Open House.

THE HERNANDO

SpORTSmAN'S Club

Located 9 miles North of S.R. 50 on U.S. Hwy 19

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• 80 Acre shooting facility • Clubhouse •General Rifle/Pistol Range • IDPA • USPSA •Junior Programs & 4-H • IHMSA • Archery •Skeet, Trap & Five Stand Range • Cowboy SASS •Black Powder Rifle/Pistol • Bullseye • Steel • High Power • Rifle • Action Rifle • Fast Draw • Appleseed Rifle • Bowling Pin

More information about Kumquat Growers Inc visit their website at http:// www.kumquatgrowers. com/

HUNTERS Education Classes

Call: (352) 588-0544 Packing tours showed visitors how the workers packaged the kumquats

RANGE HOURS

Monthly Firearms classes for CCW SAT. & SUN 9AM-3PM

Tues - Fri 9AM-2PM; Tues and Thurs Eve. 5PM - 7PM www.hernandosportsmansclub.com 352-597-9931

COMING SOON TO BROOKSVILLE

“

NEW LOCATION 22255 CORTEZ BLVD, BROOKSVILLE, FL 34601 We are excited and honored to have the opportunity to provide quality John Deere equipment,

parts, and service to the Brooksville community. In late February, we hope to be a part of your journey of success with your land or business. Thank you, Brooksville, for welcoming us into your community and allowing us to begin a new chapter in the Everglades Equipment Group story.

Mike Schlechter, President

”

BROOKSVILLE | BELLE GLADE | CLEARWATER | FORT MYERS | BOYNTON BEACH | FORT PIERCE | IMMOKALEE | LEESBURG | SARASOTA | LOXAHATCHEE | NAPLES | ODESSA | OKEECHOBEE | PALMETTO | PLANT CITY | ORLANDO | ST. CLOUD

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HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com

IN, OUT & ABOUT

Feb. 1- 7, 2019

Upcoming Event Previews Everything that will get you out and about...

COWBOY COUNTRY FESTIVAL FEB. 9, 2019, 9AM-3PM FREE ADMISSION 12077 North Broad St, (US41) Brooksville, FL For Info call 352 667 1819 Live Music hosted by Bill Creel, Roping Demonstrations, Horse Riding Etiquette, Riding Lessons, Yard Sale & more A $100.00 Raffle Ticket is a chance to win a 2018 Kawasaki Mule 610 4x4. Maximum of 500 Tickets will be sold.

More items will be raffled to those still eligible. Only one prize may be won. *Don’t have to be present to win the Kawasaki.

7TH ANNUAL CELTIC FAMILY JAMBOREE - FRI. AND SAT, FEB. 8-9, 2019 AT THE SERTOMA YOUTH RANCH, 85 MYERS ROAD, BROOKSVILLE

Hosted by Celtic Heritage and Celtic Family Jamboree- Continuous music on two stages!

Bring your own food, drinks, alcohol. This is a family friendly event. Leashed dogs are welcome. RV and tent camping on site. There is also a playground for the children, campfires, bathrooms and showers; food, ice, firewood and beer available. Continuous music on two

stages! Friday evening potluck dinner -- bring a dish to share!

Free workshops are available Saturday morning. Lots of Highland athletics and sheepdog herding demonstrations. A Labyrinth. Celtic merchandise and jewelry for sale. Authentic Celtic Foods including Bridies, Fish ‘n Chips, Bangers, Haggis and more by Cameron’s British Foods and Imports. Gate times are: Fri,

Proceeds go to the Building Fund of Stable Faith Cowboy Church. We sincerely appreciate your help!

Feb. 8 (3PM-11PM) & Sat. Feb. 9 (8AM-11PM) Ticket and Camping Information. Ticket pricing for adults; kids 17 and under admitted free in the company of paid adult) Two-Day Admission: $35 Gate Camping Per Night: $40/night Gate (subject to availability) For more information: 941-625-8544

mgr@celticheritageproductions.com

HERITAGE DAY FESTIVAL BROOKSVILLE SATURDAY, FEB. 16, 2019 9 AM TO 4 PM

Walk along the Good Neighbor Trail; visit over 60 artists, crafters and vendors. There will be music and entertainment in the Gazebo. Enjoy home baked goods, a Chinese auction basket raffles.

Food trucks are also available. Lots of children’s activities. This is a free event. Pick up your free passport in front of the one-room schoolhouse museum. Face painting, Cane weaving, pony rides, pioneer gardening, spinning and having. Photo opps and a coloring contest.

Museum tour tickets: Adults $15, Children (6-12) $5.

Six stops include three historic homes, the May-Stringer House Musem; 1885 train depot museum and the one-room schoolhouse. For more information on vendors, etc., visit hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc. com. To reserve tickets, call Mary at 352.515.054.

STAGE WEST COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE THROUGH FEB. 10, 2019

66 & 70 Russell ST., Brooksville.

An American musical romantic fantasy presented at Stage West Community Playhouse through Feb. 10, 2019. Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a cold-blooded prince who has been magically transformed into an unsightly creature as punishment for his selfish ways. To revert into his true human form, the Beast must first learn to love a bright, beautiful young woman whom he has imprisoned in his enchanted castle before it is too late.

Buy tickets @ https://stagewestflorida.com/ buy-tickets/ Stage West Community Playhouse is located at 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill.

Pennsylvania Railroad Day!

Wear your Pennsylvania Railroad t-shirt for a Special Gift!

DANA’S RAILROAD SUPPLY TRAIN SHOW & SWAP MEET SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH 9:00 A.M.—2:00 P.M. OPEN HOUSE 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

4042 Deltona Blvd.

Spring Hill

(352) 684-2484 FROM OUR TABLE TO YOURS

by Cheryl Clanton

CROCK POT HONEY BALSAMIC BEEF STEW Ingredients

Directions

1 lb Stew Beef ½ stalk celery finely chopped 2 tablespoon corn starch 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 3 teaspoons minced garlic 2 tablespoon Worcester sauce 3 tablespoon tomato paste 1/3 cup honey 1 lb small potatoes /large cut in chunks 2 carrots peeled and chopped ½ cup beef broth ½ onion finely chopped 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Add your potatoes, celery, carrots, onion and beef into 4 qt crock pot.

In medium size bowl combine and mix all the other ingredients together and add to crock pot.

Easy as 123 Cover and cook on low for 8 hrs until potatoes and carrots are tender.

Service with toasted french bread

FATHER AND DAUGHTER DANCE FRIDAY - SAT., FEB. 22-23 2019 FRIDAY 7 PM TO 10 PM $20 PP SATURDAY 1PM TO 4PM $15 PP OR 7 P TO 10 P $20 PP The dance will be held at Nature Coast High School located at 4057 California St. in Spring Hill.

It will include dancing, music, dinner, drinks and photos. All ages are welcome. Advanced tickets go on sale January 22. There will be no tickets sold at the door. Registration is required.

Contact Parks and Recreation at (352) 754-4031 for more information.

CryptoQuote answer on page 15

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com

Business & Community Briefs Lecture: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Florida: State Parks and More David Schmidt, curator of the Florida Civilian Conservation Corps museum presents an overview of the CCC in Florida from 1933 until 1942, which had over 70 camps and about 50,000 workers on projects across the state. When: Thursday, February 7, 2019, 6:30pm; Where: GFWC Historic Brooksville Woman’s Club 131 S. Main St., Brooksville, FL 34601; Cost is free.

Compost Happens When: Thu, February 7, 10:30am – 11:30am Where: Hernando County Public Library - West Hernando Branch Library Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, Florida 34613 Description: Hosted by Hernando County Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program - Lilly Browning and University of Florida/IFAS Extension at Hernando County Registration mandatory. Call 352-754-4112 to register for this class.

Participants will learn how to create nutrient-rich soil from kitchen and yard scraps.

Hernando County residents will receive a free composting bin.

One bin per household.

Florida Master Naturalist Program AREA-13 FAMILY CARE COUNCIL Individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, would appreciate it if you would print this in the Community/Public events section of the paper. WE ARE SEEKING NEW MEMBERS “The Area 13 Family Care Council will meet Monday Morning, February 11th from 10am – 12pm at the Wildwood Agency for Persons with Disabilities office, 901 Industrial Drive Suite 100, Wildwood, FL 34785. All persons interested in issues of those with Developmental Disabilities and their families are encouraged to attend. SEEKING NEW MEMBERS. For more information contact SECRETARY at: secretaryfcc13@gmail.com Area 13 covers Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion and Sumter Counties. There are 15 Family Care Councils across the State, with Governor appointed volunteer members, who are individuals with a developmental disability or are a family member. Developmental Disabilities are defined as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, Prader-Willi Syndrome, Spina Bifida and Intellectual Disabilities.

Staying Alive at 55+ SPRING HILL, FLORIDA -The Nature Coast of Florida has long been one of the most desirable places to live in the Sunshine State. With tropical temperatures and sunshine almost 365 days a year, residents enjoy a “comfortable” lifestyle that only a few can live and far too many dream of.

Like much of Florida, many Nature Coast residents are displaced from states north and beyond. Many have retired and live here permanently, while others have made it their part-time home.

Demographically, the Nature Coast hosts a multitude of both seasonal soon-to-be retirees as well as those who have chosen this area as

their permanent retirement residence. As these individuals tend to be ages 55 and above, a need to develop social ties becomes ever so important (especially since many have family and friends out of the area).

The answer for these individuals comes in the form of “Alive at 55+,” a “couples only” social-networking group.

Formed in late 2018, the group continues to evolve as an active outlet for couples (including boyfriend/girlfriend status) who wish to socialize with peer members within a casual social setting. Whether attending a local music event or dining outdoors in one of the many Nature Coast’s outdoor cafes and restaurants, members have formed social contacts, which often extends beyond the group’s sponsored venues. When discussing “Alive at 55+,” organizers Daniel DiTonno and Carol LaPlatney display an enthusiasm and positive outlook that is reflective of their group.

“We have a membership of individuals who enjoy getting out and meeting others within their age group,” stated DiTonno.

The group is comprised of energetic people who are not generally “sit home and watch time pass by” types.

“The group was initially formed on the east coast of Florida and we had over 80 group activities, many of which were well attended,” explained co-organizer Laplatney.

Organizers ensure that members have a most pleasurable experience by often “checking out” local restaurants and activities and events before scheduling an activity.

Membership to “alive at 55+” is always open and there are no membership fees to join.

Even though the group is called “Alive at 55+” the organizers accept those couples whereas at least one member is age 50 and above. For more information about “Alive at 55+” you may call 772-9192838 or visit either of the group’s website at: http://www. aliveat55.net.

Saint Leo University Offering Local High School Students Chance to Compete in National Mathematics Competitions ST. LEO - Saint Leo University is sponsoring the American Mathematics Competition levels 10 and 12 exams for area students who would like to take either competitive test for free. This is a national competition.

The date and place are Wednesday, February 13, at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, St. Leo, 33574.

Students and parents need to report by 5:45 p .m. to Room 119 of Lewis Hall, a three-story building just inside the entrance to campus. Lewis Hall has a parking lot and the campus garage is nearby.

The administration of both tests begins at 6 p.m., sharp, and students need to do some paperwork first.

The AMC 10 is open to students in grades 10 and below and to those no older than 17.5 years on the day of the test. The AMC 12 is open to students in grades 12 and below and to those no older than 19.5 years on the day of the test. The AMC 12 covers all high school math curriculum, including advanced algebra, advanced geometry, and trigonometry. Both tests

are in multiple choice format.

Students are given 75 minutes to complete the tests.

To sign up, parents and students should contact Dr. Kevin Murphy of the Saint Leo University mathematics faculty by email at kevin.murphy@ saintleo.edu.

To read more details about the tests and the confidence-building benefits of competition, please see: https://www.maa.org/ math-competitions/amc-1012 Freshwater Systems Module The Florida Master Naturalist Program is offering its freshwater systems module this spring starting March 6. The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is a University of Florida/IFAS Extension environmental education program that provides training for anyone interested in learning more about Florida ecosystems.

What topics are covered?

The Freshwater Systems module provides instruction on the general ecology, habitats, vegetation types, wildlife, and conservation issues of Freshwater Systems in Florida - Marshes, Swamps, and Permanent Wetlands (Lakes, Rivers, Etc.).

What does the program include?

Registration includes detailed course manuals, classroom instruction, field trips, videos, final student project, FMNP patch and pin, FMNP certificate and a listing in the FMNP student database. Students who choose to complete all three modules become Florida Master Naturalists and receive a plaque, FMNP pin and a listing in the Honor Roll database.

What is the cost and how do I register? Registration Fees $275 Attendee Fee with Color Manual Register online and view the detailed agenda: https:// conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/ fs19-04.html Class Facility Information UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County 7620 SR 471 Suite 2, Bushnell, FL 33513-8716 352-569-6866 For more information on the Florida Master Naturalist Program, go to: http://masternaturalist.ifas.ufl. edu/ Scholarships Available Through the Florida State Association of Supervisor of Elections Shirley Anderson, Hernando County Supervisor of Elections is pleased to announce the opportunity for local college or university students to apply for a $1,200 scholarship through the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections (FSASE).

FSASE will award three $1,200 scholarships this year to Political Science/Public or Business Administration or Journalism/Mass Communication majors who have completed two years of junior college or undergraduate work. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted as full-time students in a senior college or university

THE HERNANDO SUN

9

HealtH & Wellness Briefs in Florida.

Completed FSASE scholarship applications along with two letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than March 29, 2019 to the Supervisor of Elections office in which the applicant is registered to vote. For further information, please visit www. hernandovotes.com or contact the Hernando County Supervisor of Elections office @ (352) 754-4125.

Firearms Safety Classes offered at Hernando Sportsman’s Club, Brooksville, FL The Hernando Sportsman’s Club is offering several firearms safety classes in the coming months: Next class dates include Feb. 6, Feb. 16, and Mar. 6.

A special “ladies only” firearms safety class will be held on Mar. 16.

All classes are scheduled from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cost: $60.00.

This is an introductory, “First Steps” orientation class for new shooters. All materials and equipment needed for the class and live fire training is provided to students, including the use of a .22 caliber firearm, ammo, earplugs, and eye protection.

The classes includes classroom instruction, live fire training on the range, and a lunch break.

The courses cover lessons about the basics of firearms safety around the home and the fundamentals of pistol shooting.

Lessons include: 1. Intro to Pistol Safety, Parts, and Operation 2. Intro to Ammo and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting 3. Intro to Pistol Shooting from the Seated Position 4. Intro to Pistol Cleaning & Storage Note: For experienced shooters who wish to use their own firearm in an advanced class, check out the club’s schedule for the BASIC PISTOL course.

Successful completion of either the class provides the required documentation to apply for a Florida concealed carry permit if desired.

Pre-registration is required for all classes. Please call 352-5979931 to pre-register.

All classes held at: Hernando Sportsman’s Club 16121 Commercial Way, Brooksville, FL 34614 352-597-9931 www.hernandosportsmansclub. com https://www.facebook.com/ pages/Hernando-Sports Book Drive for Goodwill Children’s Literacy Program Starts Feb. 1 Help bring the joy of reading to children who may not otherwise have books in their homes. A drive to support Goodwill’s BookWorks childhood literacy program starts Feb. 1 and runs through March 15.

To donate books, attach a note indicating they are “For BookWorks” and drop them off at any Goodwill-Suncoast store or donation site in Hernando, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Sumter, Marion or Highlands counties. For donation locations, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org or call toll-free 888-2791988.

To make a monetary gift to purchase new books for the program just visit http://bit.ly/2RCd9mG to make a donation.

To volunteer for BookWorks, call 888-279-1988 and ask for BookWorks or email bookworks@ goodwill-suncoast.com

Children’s Dental Day Date - Friday, February 8, 2019 Time - 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location - Brooksville Family Health Center (300 S. Main St, Brooksville, FL 34601) Description - “To bring awareness to National Children’s Dental Health Month in February, Premier Community HealthCare (Premier) is hosting its 4th annual Children’s Dental Day on Friday, Feb. 8 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at four of its health center locations in Pasco and Hernando counties.

The event will provide a full day of free dental services for children under 18-years-old who are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In addition to dental services, Premier will also provide games and educational activities for children, as well as provide free giveaways and prizes including kid-friendly oral hygiene supplies and community health resources.

Free dental services will be provided for uninsured children under age 18, and most insurance plans including Medicaid and Florida KidCare are accepted. Appointments must be made by calling 352-518-2000. Limited walk-in slots are available.”

Cost - Free URL - www.premierhc.org Lecture: “Movement to Take Away the Pain” A lecture entitled “Movement to Take Away the Pain” will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm.

The lecture will be held at Access Health Care’s main office at 5350 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34606 PHSC TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN HOSTS STRIDES FOR EDUCATION 5K IN SPRING HILL Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Take Stock in Children (TSIC) for Hernando County will hold the sixth annual Strides for Education 5K Walk/ Run on Saturday, February 2 at 8 a.m. at the PHSC Spring Hill Campus, 450 Beverly Court.

The event is part of a statewide effort to raise college funds for deserving middle and high school students in Hernando County. Proceeds from the annual TSIC 5K support the Hernando Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program. More than 60 Hernando County children have earned a life-changing scholarship through this innovative program.

Strides for Education 5K Walk/ Run is open to all individuals, families, companies and local organizations. The event will feature family-friendly activities, giveaways, and much more. Advance registration is $30 per person; $35 day of the race. To register go to active. com and use the keyword: Take Stock. Event day registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; the race begins at 8 a.m. Current TSIC scholars can participate at no charge.

Diabetic Teaching & Support Education Series Spring Hill, Florida (January 28, 2019) – Access Health Care Physicians, LLC offers an education series about diabetes

mellitus to be held at Access Health Care, 5382 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, at 1 pm. The series is directed to anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) and family.

The series is conducted by Verna Pedersen Runyan, ARNP-C, CDE. Ms. Runyan is a graduate of Soumi College, Clinton Community College, State University of New York at Plattsburgh, and Community General Hospital, Nurse Practitioner Program, Syracuse, NY. The next lecture in the series will be held on February 11, 2019 and is entitled “Food Combinations.”

Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to RSVP call 352-200-2190.

Prominent Social Work Educator Keynotes Saint Leo University Conference on “Transformative Social Work: Solutions, Action, Hope” Ruth Brandwein, PhD, MSW, has been nationally recognized for her leadership ST. LEO - Saint Leo University’s graduate and undergraduate social work programs are sponsoring a one-day conference, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 8, 2019, for social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, human service and criminal justice system professionals.

The conference keynote speaker, Dr. Ruth A. Brandwein, was the winner of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for her decades of work advocating for children, the homeless, women and people of color, and for her lasting contributions to the ongoing professional training of social workers. She is now retired. Dr. Brandwein, along with faculty experts from Saint Leo University and from the broader community, will give presentations throughout the day on effective solutions to social problems. The theme of the conference is “Transformative Social Work: Solutions, Action, Hope.”

The content is appropriate for continuing education (CE) credits for professionals practicing in Florida (up to five CE credits), in Georgia, and in Virginia. Florida professionals are required to satisfy their continuing education credits

by March 31.

Saint Leo University is located at 33701 State Road 52, Saint Leo, 33574, four miles east of Interstate 75 (exit 285). The full conference program and registration form is available at this link: Social Work Conference Registration.

For further information, please contact: Jilliam Gartner, Academic Coordinator, at Jilliam. gartner@saintleo.edu or (352) 588-7732.

The Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs are offered through Saint Leo University’s College of Education and Social Services.

tV’s Best Bets feB. 3 - 6 Sunday, Feb. 3 “The Office” Sports Day Sunday Marathon Comedy Central, beginning at 8am Party with Dunder Mifflin Scranton employees Michael Scott (Steve Carell), Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) and their colleagues for a Sports Day Sunday Marathon of The Office.

Puppy Bowl XV Animal Planet, pregame show 2pm; event 3pm One of the original and most beloved Super Bowl Sunday counterprogramming specials returns for its 15th installment.

Kitten Bowl VI Hallmark Channel, 2pm Beth Stern hosts Hallmark Channel’s annual celebration of feline rescue and adoption in support of its “Adoption Ever After” initiative.

Super Bowl LIII CBS, 6:30pm Live With all the pregame hype, the pricey commercials, the sharp spike in avocado consumption and the drama surrounding the halftime show, it’s easy to forget that there’s a football game in there somewhere.

Counterpart: “In From the Cold” Starz, 9pm The line between the two Howards (both played by J.K. Simmons) keeps getting fuzzier, as spy Howard Prime and Emily (Olivia Williams) inch closer to figuring out the plans of covert operation Indigo.

The World’s Best CBS, 10pm New Series!

Premiering after coverage of Super Bowl LIII, this 10-episode talent competition series features entertainment acts of all kinds from every corner of the world. The performers not only have to impress the celebrity judges, but they also have to break through the “wall of the world” — an international panel of 50 experts from all areas of showbiz —

on their quest to be the best.

James Corden hosts, and Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles and Faith Hill are the American judges.

Beat Bobby Flay: “Old Friends” Food Network, 11pm The judges become the judged! Restaurateurs Einat Admony and Michael Psilakis step away from their seats as persnickety Flay panelists and try to best Bobby.

Monday, Feb. 4 The Neighborhood: “Welcome to Fight Night” CBS, 8pm Calvin (Cedric the Entertainer) reluctantly invites Dave (Max Greenfield) to join his guys’ night at home, and Gemma (Beth Behrs) and Tina (Tichina Arnold) take their first girls’ trip to Vegas in the new episode “Welcome to Fight Night.”

Arrow: “Emerald Archer” The CW, 8pm The 150th episode showcases a documentary entitled The Hood and the Rise of Vigilantes, starring Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards).

The Resident: “Virtually Impossible” FOX, 8pm Conrad (Matt Czuchry), Kit (Jane Leeves), Mina (Shaunette Renée Wilson) and the Raptor (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) work to save the life of a med student in need of a triple-organ transplant, drawing Bell (Bruce Greenwood) back to the OR for one of Chastain’s riskiest surgeries yet.

Man With a Plan: “Wife-Proof” CBS, 8:30pm Season Premiere!

Matt LeBlanc returns for Season 3 of this comedy about an old-school guy confronting the modern challenges of parenting, marriage and family. In the season premiere episode “Wife-Proof,” Adam (LeBlanc) attempts to make the office feel more inviting since Andi (Liza Snyder) will be joining him at work every day.

I Am the Night: “Phenomenon of Interference” TNT, 9pm In the second episode of TNT’s six-part limited series, Fauna (India Eisley) has arrived in Los Angeles and is determined to track down her mysterious grandfather, George Hodel (Jefferson Mays).

The Good Doctor: “Faces” ABC, 10pm Dr. Andrews (Hill Harper) tries to convince a grieving family to donate their teenage daughter’s face to another young girl whose face was horribly disfigured in an accident.

Bull: “Prior Bad Acts” CBS, 10pm In the new episode “Prior Bad Acts,” Bull’s (Michael Weatherly) new relationship is complicated by his renewed feelings for his ex-wife, Isabella (guest star Yara Martinez), when they’re reunited by the sudden death of her father.

Elvis Goes There EPIX, 10pm New Series!

In this four-episode, hourlong series, renowned journalist Elvis Mitchell travels with A-list filmmakers and actors to places of inspiration around the world, gaining unprecedented access to explore how each location shaped the artists’ work and identity.

Manifest: “Upgrade” NBC, 10pm When Saanvi (Parveen Kaur) goes missing, Ben (Josh Dallas) suspects a fanatical group who have become obsessed with the passengers from Flight 828.

Independent Lens: “Black Memorabilia” PBS, 10pm From the South to Brooklyn to China, meet the people who reproduce, consume and reclaim black memorabilia — racially charged objects often wrapped in the protective embrace of antiquity and historical preservation.

Lost Gold: “The Missing Gold of the Little Bighorn”

Travel Channel, 10pm In Montana, Josh and Jesse Feldman track the path of famed steamship captain Grant Marsh, who rescued wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn — and possibly left behind a buried cache of gold.

Tuesday, Feb. 5 American Housewife: “The Things You Do” ABC, 8pm Greg’s (Diedrich Bader) insistence on doing the family’s taxes prompts Katie (Katy Mixon) to take matters into her own hands. Meanwhile, Oliver (Daniel DiMaggio) and Anna-Kat (Julia Butters) join forces in an attempt to win a popular radio contest.

The Flash: “Goldfaced” The CW, 8pm Barry (Grant Gustin) and Ralph (Hartley Sawyer) must go undercover as criminals in an illegal black market to purchase a device that could help them stop Cicada (Chris Klein).

Once inside, Barry and Ralph find their morality tested as they slip deeper into the criminal world, eventually having to choose between committing a crime or losing the means to defeat one of their greatest foes.

Ellen’s Game of Games: “Life As We Know or Go It” NBC, 8pm This week’s contestants play “Danger Word,” “Mount St. Ellen,” “See You Later Alligator” and “Aw Snap.” The winner of each of the first four rounds advances to “Know or Go,” and the person who wins that game advances to “Hot Hands” for a chance to win a cash prize.

Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates Jr.: “Freedom Tales” PBS, 8pm Host Henry Louis Gates Jr. delves deep into the roots of two African-American guests, actor S. Epatha Merkerson and athlete and television personality Michael Strahan. Both discover unexpected stories that challenge assumptions

about black history.

Wednesday, Feb. 6

NBA Basketball TNT, beginning at 8pm Live Two Eastern Conference contenders collide when Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors visit Jimmy Butler and the 76ers in Philadelphia. The second game of TNT’s doubleheader has the Miami Heat at the Portland Trail Blazers.

The World’s Best CBS, 8pm The new global talent competition series, which premiered after Super Bowl LIII, moves to its regular day tonight with a special two-hour episode.

State of the Union Address Various Networks, 9pm Live Postponed from Jan. 29, President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the State of the Union Address tonight.

Expect coverage from the usual broadcast and cable news networks, like ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, Fox News, NBC and PBS. American Soul BET, 9pm New Series!

This scripted drama from the producers of BET’s hit biopics The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story recounts how the iconic series Soul Train became the first nationally syndicated black music show.

Food Truck Nation: “Crepes, Indian-Spiced Meatballs and Hot Dogs” Cooking Channel, 9pm Host Brad Miller visits North Carolina for a taste of Indian street food made by an award-winning chef and checks out a larger-than-life hot dog cart that’s putting a delicious spin on the American classic. Then, he travels to Los Angeles to visit a husband-and-wife-owned truck whose authentic, buttery French crepes are winning over Californians.

My Great Big Live Wedding With David Tutera Lifetime, 10pm New Series!

Celebrity wedding designer David Tutera helps deserving couples plan lavish weddings that are worthy of their inspiring love stories. Then, the happy couple will tie the knot — live — before family, friends and all of America.

Riverdale: “Chapter Forty-Seven: Bizarrodale” The CW, 8pm Amidst preparations for their upcoming wedding, Sierra (guest star Robin Givens) and Tom (guest star Martin Cummins) receive an unsettling message, which forces “The Midnight Club” to reunite.

Meanwhile, Veronica (Camila Mendes) and Reggie (Charles Melton) take drastic measures to clean up a mess they created.

NBA Basketball ESPN, beginning at 8pm Live Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks host Bradley Beal and the Washington Wizards at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, followed by the San Antonio Spurs heading to Oakland’s Oracle Arena to face the Golden State Warriors.

Chicago Med: “Ghosts in the Attic” NBC, 8pm Dr. Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) withholds some important information from Dr. Manning (Torrey DeVitto), and she begins to question his suspect behavior.

Incredible Animal Moments Smithsonian Channel, 8pm From the arid deserts to the deepest oceans, this special counts down some of the greatest wildlife video footage ever captured in five jaw-dropping categories: Deadly Showdowns, Freaks of Nature, Gang Wars, Rough Romance and Extreme Parenting.

Chicago Fire: “The Plunge” NBC, 9pm Cruz (Joe Minoso) leads the charge in getting the firehouse to gear up for the Polar Plunge. Herrmann (David Eigenberg) has a hard time CONTINUED ON Page 10

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HERNANDO SUN

IN, OUT & ABOUT

hernandosun.com Feb. 1- 7, 2019

Calendar of Events Multiple Dates & Times Disney’s: Beauty and the Beast When: FEB. 1, 2,3, 8, 9, 10 Where: Stage West Community Playhouse 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, Florida 34606 Description: Buy tickets @ https://stagewestflorida.com/buy-tickets/ or call (352) 683-5113 Feb. 2 Brooksville Native American Festival WHEN: Feb. 2, 2019 – FEB. 3, 2019 at 17:00 WHERE: 5360 Lockhart Rd, Brooksville, FL 34602-7411 DESCRIPTION: The Brooksville Native American Festival, bringing you the best in Native American Art, Culture & History. Tickets are: Adults $8; Kids ages 5 to 12 $4; Children under 5 free. Native singing and dancing from a host of entertainers. Many vendors with traditional craftsmanship. Call (352) 238-7308 or visit http:// brooksvillenativeamericanfest.com

Railroad items are 10% off!

ALL SCALES ENCOURAGED. Table space $10.00 per table.

(Bring your own table and chair). Set up time 7:30 a.m. (352) 684-2484. www.danasrailroadsupply.com.

Temple Beth David 4th annual Nature Coast Art Show Temple Beth David 13158 Antelope St. SH is hosting the 4th annual Nature Coast Art Show Sat Feb. 9th and Sun Feb. 10th.

The show will be open to the public on Sat at 4:30pm. Join us for the artist’s reception until 8pm. Previewing and purchasing available. Join us on Sun. from 10am-5pm. Admission and parking are free. There will be food, a silent auction, and original artworks by professional artists from Florida’s Nature Coast. Info: Barb 352-686-7034 or tbdfl.org

Movie Times GTC BEACON CINEMA 12961 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34613 We apologize for the inconvenience, but we did not receive movie times this week.

Rockin Kings Bay Concert Tickets are on sale now for the Feb. 9, 2019 Rockin’ Kings Bay concert, with limited Meet and Greet packages available in addition to General Admission. Saving Abel will have special guests Generator and, Citrus Counties very own, PayDyrt opening at the Rockin’ Kings Bay concert.

Gates for Rockin’ Kings Bay, will open at 2:00pm. Local food and snack trucks will be there to serve all, with Citrus County Brookridge Sweetheart Dance Blessings pouring the wine and beer and receiving all profits.

Come join us at the Brookridge Clubhouse at 8150 Hampton Ave, Location: held at Kings Bay Park, 268 NW 3rd St, Crystal River, Brooksville on Saturday February 2nd at 7 p.m. for our SweetFL. 34428 heart Dance featuring a variety of dance music performed by An- For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.Bestgelo. BYOB, Coffee and Ice provided. Tickets for this dance are FloridaFest.com. Tickets are only $18 in advance, $25 at the available at the door for $5. Call Val at 352-616-0242 for tickets. gate.

Run For Restoration 5K Color Run 2019 WHEN: Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 8 AM – 11:45 AM WHERE: Nature Coast Technical High School 4057 California St, Brooksville, Florida 34604 Description: The Run For Restoration is an untimed fun 5K color run to support The Restoration Center of Florida (www.trcfl.com).

Join us for a great time!

Call: 352-942-4769

Good Neighbor Trail 5k Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 8 AM Weatherly Rd & Richbarn Rd Brookville. Fl 34601 Come join us for our 5th Annual Red Mule Runners Good Neighbor Trail 5K on Saturday Feb 9, 2019 at 8am. Registration race day at 6:30am.

Finisher medals to all finishers. Awards given to 1st in each 10 yr age groups. Overall and masters awards as well.

Fish Out of Water Extreme 5K When: Sat, February 2, 9am – 4pm Where: Weeki Wachee Springs 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee, Florida 34606 Description: If you want to experience an extreme course, you will love Fish Out Of Water Extreme 5K XC Race brought to you by the Friends Of Weeki Wachee and Weeki Wachee High School XC Team. In order to participate in this run you must have the ability to traverse uneven and unstable sugar sand/lime rock terrain for 3.11 miles indpendently or with little assistance of a companion.

You must have the ability to withstand exposure to the outdoors and tolerate bright sunlight for up to one hour. Please keep in mind that on this course you may have potential animal encounters. Such as but not limited to deer, coyote, bobcat, Florida panther, raccoon, armadillo, snakes; diamondback rattle snake, cotton mouth, coach whip, corn snake, rough green snake, black racer, gopher tortoise, six-lined racerunner, ticks, mosquitos, horse flies, and wasps. Strollers will not be permitted on this course.

However, well behaved leashed dogs are welcome! Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. The Friends Of Weeki Wachee is a non-for profit group that helps support the needs of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. We are happy to be partnering up with Weeki Wachee High School XC Team.

All proceeds will go to The Friends Of Weeki Wachee as well as Weeki Wachee High School XC Team.

Event details and schedule For more information: http://weekiwachee.com or call 352-592-5656

Hernando Audubon Big Day/Birdathon When: Sat, February 9, 6am – 6pm Where: 20050 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601-3834, Description: At 6 a.m. birders will meet at the Big Lots parking lot, 20050 Cortez Blvd. in Brooksville, and travel to various sites to see varieties of birds. Individuals may join or leave this team throughout the day. Sign up with Bev, 352-686-0460. This is a fundraiser for Hernando Audubon Society, with proceeds going to help fund local conservation and education programs, scholarships, and our Junior Audubon Club. A pledge form is available here: http://www.hernandoaudubon.org/Birdathon2019-letter.pdf 5th Annual Dining in the Dark When: Sat, February 9, 6pm – 10pm Where: Silverthorn Country Club, 0303, 4550 Golf Club Ln, Spring Hill, FL 34609 Description: Event created by Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind; Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Dining in the Dark provides a simulation in vision impairment which allows your sense of taste, smell, and touch to take over; you savor sensuous tastes, smells, and textures while challenging your palate to tease out the mysteries of the menu.

Proceeds from Dining in the Dark benefit the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind, a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving people who are visually impaired and blind in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. For more info call (727) 815-0303.

Valentine’s Day Family Dance Feb. 6 When: Sat, February 9, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Where: Hernando County YMCA 1300 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, Nature Explorers; Animal Tracks Florida 34609 When: Wed, February 6, 10:30am – 12:00pm Description: Come join our Valentines family Dance!!

Where: Chinsegut Conservation Center, 23212 Lake Lindsey Rd, Calling all Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and best Brooksville, FL 34601 friends! Join us for an evening of dancing and fun with your Description: Explore the variety of wildlife found in FL through the family!! Dress your best for an evening out!!! Food and drinks art of track ID. Learn how animal footprints are cast and how to provided!! Saturday, February 9th 6:30-8:30 free for members tell them apart in this fun indoor/outdoor program. Children will and $5 per person for community members. Pre-registration paint their feet in this program with water-soluble finger paints. is required and tickets must be purchased at our member serYou may choose for your child to not participate in this activity vices desk by Friday, February 1st. We can’t wait to dance away at your discretion. If you have not already registered for this pro- the night with you all!! Call (352) 688-9622 gram series call (352) 754-6722 to let us know you are coming.

2nd Annual Drag Queen Bingo benefiting CETA Feb. 8 & 9 When: Sat, February 9, 7:30pm – 10:00pm Where: Salishan 191 Astaire Ln, Spring Hill, Florida 34609 7th Annual Celtic Family Jamboree Description: Hosted by CETA and Greater Hernando County When Fri, Feb. 8 (3PM-11PM) & Sat. Feb. 9 (8AM-11PM) Chamber of Commerce. CETA is very excited to host their 2nd Where: Sertoma Youth Ranch 85 Myers Rd, Annual Drag Queen Bingo, featuring the one and only DivasBrooksville, Florida 34602 n-Dudes! A fundraiser designed to help build our funds for the Description: Hosted by Celtic Heritage and Celtic Family Jambo2018 – 2019 Education and Business Training Grant Program. ree- Continuous music on two stages! Family friendly (leashed four-legged family OK), RV & Tent camping on site, playground, We’ll have plenty of heavy hors d’orveves and beer/ wine to campfires, bathrooms/showers; food, ice, firewood & beer avail- tickle those funny bones and get you daubing those bingo able. (Or bring your own food, drinks, alcohol.) Friday evening cards.10 regular games with twists and turns will highlight the potluck dinner -- bring a dish to share! Saturday morning FREE evening. Then the showstopper will be game 11 with a super workshops. Ongoing Highland athletics demo. Herding dog prize! This is ONE night you don’t want to miss. Grab your demo on Saturday. A Labyrinth. Activities for the kids. Celtic food, friends and come out to raise money for education! merchandise & jewelry for sale. *Must be 21 or older to attend this event* CALL 941-625-8544 GET YOUR TICKETS NOW AT: www.hernandochamber.com or call (352) 796-0697.

Feb. 9 $25 - food and non-alcohol tickets $35 - food and beer/wine tickets Train Show & Swap Meet -10 Rounds of Bingo included in all ticket sales WHEN: Saturday, February 9, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Open - Daubers, Extra Game Cards, Additional Beer/Wine Tickets, House, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Raffles and Silent and Live Auction items are sold separately WHERE: Dana’s Railroad Supply, 4042 Deltona Blvd., Spring 11th Game for $5 with a GRAND PRIZE Safety Harbor Spa Hill, FL 34606 Package to win!

Description: It’s Pennsylvania Railroad Day! Wear your Pennsylvania Railroad t-shirt for a Special Gift! All Pennsylvania

Feb. 10 Safety Harbor Shabby Chic Vintage Market WHEN: Sunday, 10 February 2019 from 10:00-16:00 WHERE: Main Street, Safety Harbor Description: The Shabby Chic Vintage Market & Artisan Day returns to Main Street Safety Harbor, on February 10th, for the special curated Spring Shabby Chic Market featuring 180 artisans, crafters, and woodworkers from all over Florida. Shop handmade farmhouse décor, coastal glam, upcycled décor, vintage and antique treasures, and artisanal foods. (727) 797-6686.

2ND Annual Must Love Dogs 5K Run SUNDAY, FEB. 10, 2019 AT CREWS LAKE PARK Check-in at 8:30 a.m. The run starts at 9 a.m.

San Francis Veterinary Hospital Acupuncture and Laser Center will be hosting their second annual Must Love Dogs 5K.The event will take place at Crews Lake Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Spring Hill, Florida 34610 This is a free event ad friendly, socialized dogs on a leash are welcome to come with their owners to run/walk through gorgeous Crews Lake Park. Donations will be graciously accepted for the Angel Fund.

The San Francis Veterinary Hospital Angel Fund provides financial relief to those whose pets require medical care that causes them financial hardship. Your donation could help save a life! More info call: 352-848-0940 or 727-233-6906 COOKING WITH LOVE: PART ONE ~ TRUFFLES WITH TODD GRIFFIN WHEN: SUN, FEBRUARY 10, 6:30PM – 8:30PM WHERE: CHABAD SPRING HILL 13576 HUNTERS POINT ST, SPRING HILL, FLORIDA 34609 DESCRIPTION: HOSTED BY CHABAD SPRING HILL COOKING WITH LOVE • 3 WEEK COOKING SERIES WITH THREE HOME CHEFS SHARING THEIR STYLES AND FOODS THEY LOVE. • WATCH STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS, LEARN ABOUT EACH CHEFS STORY AND THEIR JOURNEY IN COOKING. • GO HOME WITH RECIPES, TECHNIQUES, AND SECRETS ON HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME IN THE KITCHEN. • HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATIONS AND TASTINGS. FIRST SERIES: DESSERTS DEMO WITH HOME CHEF TODD GRIFFIN. HE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO MAKE AN ASSORTMENT OF TRUFFLES WITH A VARIETY OF TOPPINGS AND CHOCOLATES. OPEN TO MEN AND WOMEN SUGGESTED DONATION: $15 PERSON ~ $36 ALL THREE CLASSES RSVP: INFO@CHABADSPRINGHILL.COM OR CALL 352 600 2779

tV’s Best Bets feB. 6 - 9 bouncing back after dealing with a tough call. Foster’s (Annie Illonzeh) personal relationships begin to interfere with her job.

Saya (Lana Condor) and Marcus (Benjamin Wadsworth) have to survive an attack on the school when Saya’s past comes back to haunt her.

NOVA: “Decoding the Great Pyramid” PBS, 9pm Stunning new archaeological evidence provides clues about the Egyptians who built the Great Pyramid of Giza — and how they did it. Join researchers as they delve into the logbook of a work crew and discover how the massive project transformed Egypt.

Thursday, Feb. 7

The Magicians: “The Bad News Bear” Syfy, 9pm Kady (Jade Tailor) gets a puppy; Quentin (Jason Ralph) meets a snake.

Song of Parkland HBO, 7pm Original Film!

This documentary follows Tony-honored drama teacher Melody Herzfeld and her Marjory Stoneman Douglas drama students as they help their community to come together and heal following a tragic shooting inside their school.

Criminal Minds: “Truth or Dare” CBS, 10pm Season Finale!

Season 14 comes to a close with the finale episode “Truth or Dare.” CBS announced that Criminal Minds will end after a 15th season of 10 episodes.

You’re the Worst: “A Very Good Boy” FXX, 10pm In the new episode “A Very Good Boy,” Jimmy (Chris Geere) attempts to prove that, despite being on the verge of becoming a married man, he has not lost his edge.

Chicago P.D.: “Night in Chicago” NBC, 10pm Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) goes undercover to bring down the longtime head of a criminal enterprise and becomes entangled in a situation that tests his allegiances as well as his conscience.

Figure Skating: ISU Four Continents Championships NBCSN, 5pm Live NBCSN has live coverage of the ISU Four Continents Championships, featuring figure skaters representing nations outside of Europe, from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 7-10.

Grey’s Anatomy: “Girlfriend in a Coma” ABC, 8pm A patient gives Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) some clarity on her dating situation around the holidays.

Supernatural: “Lebanon” The CW, 8pm Guest Star Alert!

In this special 300th episode, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) look to occult lore for a solution to their latest problem, but instead of a resolution, they find much more than either of them had anticipated. Jeffrey Dean Morgan returns as their father, John Winchester.

CBS, 8:30pm Sheldon (Iain Armitage) and Dr. Sturgis (recurring guest star Wallace Shawn) have their first fight when Dr. Sturgis marks a question wrong on Sheldon’s test in the new episode “A Math Emergency and Perky Palms.”

A Million Little Things: “someday” ABC, 9pm On the eve of the new restaurant opening, Delilah (Stephanie Szostak) tracks down a handsome expert to help with the last-minute details.

Meanwhile, Regina (Christina Moses) struggles with her overbearing mother, who causes friction by bringing up disturbing details of her past.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: “A Tale of Two Bandits” NBC, 9pm Terry (Terry Crews) believes the Pontiac Bandit is stealing cars again, but Jake (Andy Samberg) is convinced his friend wouldn’t do that. The rest of the squad fight to keep Shaw’s a police bar after some firemen stake their claim to it.

S.W.A.T.: “The B-Team” CBS, 10pm Guest Star Alert!

Hondo (Shemar Moore) reunites with an old flame, FBI Special Agent Elle Trask (guest star Tricia Helfer), when the SWAT team works with the FBI to bring in a separatist group in possession of weapons-grade plutonium. Former NFL players Willie McGinest, Eric Dickerson and James Harrison guest-star in the new episode “The B-Team.”

The Dictator’s Playbook: “Francisco Franco” PBS, 10pm Learn how Francisco Franco won the Spanish Civil War and became dictator of Spain.

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates FX, 8pm Zac Efron, Adam Devine and Anna Kendrick star in this 2016 comedy about two brothers who get more than they bargained for when they find dates for their sister’s Hawaiian wedding.

Broad City: “Bitcoin & the Missing Girl” Comedy Central, 10pm In the new episode “Bitcoin & the Missing Girl,” Ilana (Ilana Glazer) visits an old flame to cash out her Bitcoin share, while Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) drops off her laundry for the first time and loses her favorite sweatshirt.

Deadly Class: “Mirror People” Syfy, 10pm

Young Sheldon: “A Math Emergency and Perky Palms”

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: “Part 33”

NBC, 10pm As Stone (Philip Winchester) prosecutes the case of a woman who killed her abusive husband, Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and her squad wrestle with the duty of testifying against her.

The Other Two: “Chase Gets a Girlfriend” Comedy Central, 10:30pm In the new episode “Chase Gets a Girlfriend,” Chase (Case Walker) collaborates with another up-and-coming singer on a romance, forcing Brooke (Heléne Yorke) and Cary (Drew Tarver) to confront their own current (and past) relationships.

Friday, Feb. 8 One Day at a Time Netflix Season Premiere!

The acclaimed reboot of the classic Norman Lear comedy returns for Season 3. Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez and Marcel Ruiz star.

White Dragon Prime Video New Series!

This eight-episode thriller stars Doctor Who and Life on Mars alum John Simm as Jonah Mulray, a sheltered London professor whose wife has just died in a car accident on a mountain road in Hong Kong.

Hell’s Kitchen: “A Rollercoaster Ride/The Grand Finale” FOX, 8pm Season Finale!

In the 2-hour Season 18 finale, the final two chef-testants receive unexpected help for their final menus before the biggest service of their lives at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

Kingsman: The Secret Service FX, 8pm Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Samuel L. Jackson star in this 2014 action comedy about an elite, super-secret spy organization that recruits a promising street kid who just might

be what the ultra-competitive training program can use.

Blindspot: “The Tale of the Book of Secrets” NBC, 8pm Patterson (Ashley Johnson) and Rich (Ennis Esmer) embark on a Peruvian treasure hunt in a gambit to save Jane (Jaimie Alexander).

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: “I Have to Get Out” The CW, 9pm Rebecca (Rachel Bloom) supports Paula (Donna Lynne Champlin) in her time of need, despite her own personal challenges.

The Blacklist: “The Ethicist” NBC, 9pm When Red (James Spader) is sent to a federal medical institution following his request to the court for a psychiatric evaluation, Liz (Megan Boone) and Jennifer (guest star Fiona Dourif) use his time away to search for a Blacklister they believe may have valuable information about Red’s past.

Live From Lincoln Center: “Pipeline” PBS, 9pm In Dominique Morisseau’s new play, Nya, an inner-city teacher, is desperate to help her son.

2 Dope Queens HBO, 11pm Season Premiere!

Season 2 of the comedy special/talk show-hybrid, based on the hit podcast from Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams, includes appearances by Daniel Radcliffe, Lupita Nyong’o, Keegan-Michael Key, Rory Scovel, Solomon Georgio, and Lizzo.

Saturday, Feb. 9 Alliance of American Football CBS, 8pm Live CBS and CBS Sports Network air Alliance of American Football games during the eight-team league’s inaugural season.

The Story of Us Hallmark Channel, 8pm Original Film!

Maggie Lawson stars as Jamie, who learns that her first love, Sawyer (Sam Page), is the architect of a development that would change her beloved neighborhood and threaten her bookstore.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

HBO, 8pm HBO presents this highly celebrated 2018 theatrical film, which is an intimate look at the life and work of Fred Rogers.

Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter Lifetime, 8pm Original Film!

Victoria Gotti herself executive produces and narrates this biopic that details what it was like for her growing up as the daughter of infamous mob boss John Gotti (portrayed

by Maurice Benard, who also plays daytime drama General Hospital’s resident mobster Sonny Corinthos). Chelsea Frei plays Victoria in the film, which reveals the glamour, glitz and unique hardships of her world as she tried to reconcile the loving father she adored with a man the outside world was determined to bring down.

NBA Basketball: Oklahoma City at Houston ABC, 8:30pm Live ABC’s Saturday primetime NBA matchup has Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Houston to face James Harden and the Rockets.

Planet Earth: Dynasties: “Painted Wolf” BBC America, IFC & SundanceTV, 9pm This episode features a painted wolf named Tait, matriarch of one of the last great families of endangered African wild dogs in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River floodplain. Tait has ruled her dynasty and kept the peace for many years, but tensions are rising as Tait’s

SPORTS

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHERYL CLANTON HERNANDO SUN WRITER

BIG UPSET Friday night January 25, 2019, at the Bears Den. Central’s Boys Basketball team shred the fins off Sharks winning streak. From the start of the game, the court was hot. Both teams came to battle tonight. Nature Coast swarmed the court to protect their winning streak, but the Bears came out of their den hungry.

Nature Coast Shark junior #21 6’ 5” Orien Adams and Centrals Bear junior #10 6’+ Rashaad Boyce started off the game.

The battle was on from the start. First quarter Sharks junior #21 Orien Adams shoots for the first points in the game and scores. Sharks lead the end of the first quarter by six to Bears’ three. In the second quarter, Bears turn on the heat, Bears #13 senior Vince Valencia passes to Bears #10 junior Rashaad Boyce to shoot for two points. Bears #10 Rashaad Boyce blocks the shot by

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com

SPORTS

Sharks #3 senior Dedrix Hall but Boyce was called on a foul. Sharks Coach David Pisarcik and Bears Coach Matt Zandecki both up on their feet watching the battle. Bears #00 Deshawn Brown passes to #10 Rashaad Boyce to shoot for another two points.

Twenty seconds left in the second quarter, Nature Coast is working hard to complete their shots and control the ball, but at halftime Central walks off the court leading in the game with 19 and Nature Coast 11. Third quarter both Bears and Sharks come out to continue the battle.

Bears sophomore #5 Talon Bergantino throughout the game shoots and makes two and three-pointers for the Bears. The defensive plays in this quarter are intense, and the cheerleaders are breaking the sound barrier. Bears #10 Rashaad Boyce had to come off the court to clean up from bleeding. It’s a battle on the court no doubt about it. Nature Coast junior #12 Philip Scalise shoots and completes a three-pointer for the Sharks. In a long

Friday night Jan 25, 2019 boys basketball at Central, Nature Coast Sharks take on the Bears. Central Coach Matt Zandecki pumps up his team to keep going strong.

battle of passes, dribbling and blocks Bears sophomore #5 Talon Bergantino shoots but it’s blocked by Sharks junior #21 Orien Adams which in turn goes right back into the hands of Bears #5 Talon Bergantino then he passed to Bears senior #25 Kharon Coaxum which shoots and completes the three-pointer.

A few plays later running down the court is Bears senior #13 Vince Valenciahe fights through a school of Sharks and shoots and completes the shot to bring the Bears to twenty-six points against Sharks

nineteen points at the end of third quarter.

Here we go to the fourth quarter, fans are on their feet, cheerleaders cheering, coaches are not sitting down at all at this point.

Intense Battle between the Sharks and Bears. Sharks start to come back hard, can the Bears fight them off? Both Sharks and Bears putting points on the board back and forth back and forth. A lot of dribbling, passes and chest to chest blocking. Thirty-three seconds left Nature Coast has no timeouts left. Central has the ball but with only four seconds left now Nature Coast junior #21 Orien Adams steals the ball shoots and makes a three-pointer. Nature Coast desperately takes another long shot but misses. The Bears Win! The Battle ended with Central Bears 34 and Nature Coast 32.

Bears players sophomore #5 Talon Bergantino and junior #10 Rashaad Boyce said they were excited that it was a big upset for the Sharks. Bears will be losing quite a few seniors this year and Bergantino and Boyce will be leading the Bears next year.

Top 5 Prep Boys Basketball Ranking District tournaments of the regular season for prep boys basketball in the state of Florida are right around the corner. We now take a look at the Hernando Sun Top 5 Prep Boys Basketball Poll heading into the final week of the regular season.

No. 1 Nature Coast (17-5, 10-1): This Sharks’ team has been typical of past years, as they’ve for the most part breezed through the regular season and seem well on their way to winning another district championship. Nature Coast’s regular season still has four games remaining, as they will face Springstead, Lecanto, Fivay and Hudson to wrap things up.

No. 2 Springstead (10-8, 2-4): The Torain brothers of Unique and Sincere have been a tandem all season long for the Eagles. Unique is averaging a teamhigh 18.0 points per game while his brother Sincere is scoring 17.3 ppg. The Eagles have a tough stretch before district play opens up, which includes a matchup against Nature Coast.

No. 3 Central (8-9, 4-2): Winners of four out of their last five games, the Bears have been putting together a nice stretch to close out the 2018-2019 regular season. A 34-32 win over No. 1 ranked Nature Coast was a notch in the belt for a Central club aiming to end the season above the .500 mark.

No. 4 Hernando (911, 5-4): A tough 2-5 slide heading into the tail end of the regular season

11

Bears shred Shark fins

Central Sophomore #5 dribbles around Nature Coast to make a three-pointer for the Bears.

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO HERNANDO SUN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

THE HERNANDO SUN

has Hernando just below the .500 mark and trying to right the ship before districts. The Leopards defeated a winless Weeki Wachee team to get back into the win column, but has a lot of work to do if they aim to compete in the Class 6A, District 7 tournament.

No. 5 Weeki Wachee (0-19, 0-10): With no wins on the season, the entire 2018-2019 campaign has been a very tough stretch for the Hornets. Weeki Wachee has had a couple close calls, but no cigar on picking up a victory. They’ll have four more cracks at it before the Class 6A, District 7 tournament begins.

Puzzle on Page 16

High School Sports Schedules Week 2/04/2019 thru 2/10/2019

Central High School Bears MON

02/04/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

RIVER RIDGE

HOME

6PM – 7:30PM

TUES

02/05/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

FIVAY

AWAY

6PM – 7:30PM

THURS

02/07/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

GULF

HOME

6PM – 7:30PM

Hernando High School Leopards TUES

02/05/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

SUNLAKE

AWAY

6PM – 7:30PM

WED

02/06/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

SOUTH LAKE

HOME

6PM – 7:30PM

FRI

02/08/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

PASCO

HOME

6PM – 7:30PM

Nature Coast Technical High School Sharks THURS

02/07/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

FIVAY

HOME

6PM – 7:30PM

FRI

02/08/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

HUDSON

AWAY

6PM – 7:30PM

F. W. Springstead High School Eagles TUES

02/05/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

CRYSTAL RIVER

HOME

07:30:00 PM

FRI

02/08/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

RIVER RIDGE

HOME

6PM – 7:30PM

HOME

07:00:00 PM

Weeki Wachee High School Hornets MON

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail. com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.

Nature Coast 21 Orien Adams goes up against Central’s 10 Rashaad for the start of the game.

02/04/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

HERNANDO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Hernando Christian Academy Lions MON

02/04/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

WEEKI WACHEE

AWAY

07:00:00 PM

THURS

02/07/19

BOYS BASKETBALL

KEYSTONE PREP

HOME

07:00:00 PM

Centrals senior #13 Vince Valencia dribbling around and through Sharks on his way to making a two-pointer for the Bears, Friday night Jan. 25, 2019. Photo by CHERYL CLANTON.

12

HERNANDO SUN

Hunting

hernandosun.com

SPORTS

Feb. 1- 7, 2019

Weeki Wachee Girls Basketball Dominates

the Hornets.

Munro stated that going up against Tampa Catholic will be a chalJAN. 25, 2019- The lenge, especially on their Lady Hornets confronted home court. and dominated Hernando “They are a pretty good High on their home court. team,” Munro said.

Senior Mykenna CorLady Leopards still bett threw in a couple of has a secure spot in the 3-pointers for a total of district game schedule, 22 points added to Weeki however going forward Wachee’s win against the it’s crunch time for both Lady Leopards 59 to 27.

Hernando and Weeki WaThese girls are having a chee to get prepared. tremendous season, bring“All we are doing in ing 20 wins and three practice is work on our losses to their 2018/2019 shooting, and also late season and with districts game situations,” Munro just around the corner, said. “That is how we their focus is going to be prepare for the districts.” on their main competitor, Hernando gets the Crystal River. home court advantage “Number one, stay against Hernando Chriswithin our abilities and tian Academy on Februstay away from what we ary 1st. can’t do and I thought “We are going to they did that tonight,” practice all week, we said Head Coach Mike have one game, and it’s Munro. Munro is on his HCA, and we are going third year coaching the to play it like it’s our girls’ basketball team at district game,” said Head Weeki Wachee.

Coach Dominique Jacobs.

Weeki Wachee takes Jacobs is in her first year on Springstead Jan. 30 as head coach for Herand then travels to Tampa nando High School girls Catholic on Feb. 1, and basketball team. according to the stats on “We’ve got to prepare MaxPreps, Tampa Catho- these girls for districts,” lic averages around 50-60 Jacobs said. “So we are points per game as does going hit defense hard ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE MARY HERDEN

Toby Benoit is a best selling novelist and professional outdoorsman with thirty-five years of experience guiding and outfitting for big game all across America. Toby is a renowned archer and turkey hunting expert who manufactures custom game calls and is a regular judge at NWTF sanctioned turkey calling events across the Southeast.

Everglades Adventures Deer season is over, turkey season is so far away and you really haven’t a need for fresh pork, what do you do? Squirrel hunt, obviously. And, I was all set up to spend a long weekend chasing those bushy-tailed tree-rats this past weekend. That is, until an invitation was extended to me to take a ride down south and hunt Burmese pythons in the Everglades with Florida’s own, Python Cowboy, Mister Mike Kimmel.

Now Mike has been a huge part of the South Florida Water Management District’s, Python Elimination Program, via his company Martin County Trapping and Wildlife Rescue. If you’ve ever seen the TV show Swamp Mysteries with Troy Landry, Mike was his guide to catching huge pythons. Since then, Mike has been contacted by the Discovery Channel and is currently filming his hunting techniques for their upcoming series, Wild Men of the Glades.

So I assure you, it was quite an honor to me, being on the receiving end of such an invitation!

In preparation of the hunt, I was gathering my gear and had decided that a .410 shotgun with 3”, #4 shot should be enough medicine to tame the wildest serpent. However, Mike later explained to me that the hunt was to be conducted by live catch.

Yep, I was supposed to get in the swamp and catch them live with my bare hands, as he’s been doing for years. Well, I’m not entirely too fond of snakes, although they do make some killer chili, since losing part of my left foot to a cottonmouth strike back in ’97. So, I picked up my phone and called up the most fearless of all of my hunting buddies, a prime example of the liberal’s so-called, “Toxic Masculinity”, Miss Meghan Bailes.

Meghan jumped at the chance to rescue me and volunteered to brave the Everglades with the intent of catching pythons.

Friday morning arrived with Meghan and I driving South to Ochopee, Fl to meet up with Mike and begin our hunt. Now, if you don’t know where Ochopee is, don’t worry, nobody else does either!

It’s the tiniest spot of dry land in the Everglades featuring the locally famous Tippy’s Outpost, where we met. Mike was genuinely, one of the nicest guys we could have wanted to spend a day with and was an enormous wealth of information on not only the Burmese python’s, but of all invasive species throughout the region and of the environmental distress brought about by their encroachment.

Only one python was captured that morning, an eight foot long male, which Mike and Meghan handled with great care.

I’ve some awesome video of them doing the “snake dance” tiring out the snake before Meghan reached in with mongoose speed and secured the head. It was pretty intense!

I had asked Mike about any dangers inherent

Eagles Hailey Hunt in action against Weeki Wachee.

and put in a couple new tweaks to our offense and come out positive. ‘All in, all game, all season,’ that’s what our moto been about the entire time. We are not going steer away from that, there’s need to drift away now, we have to keep doing the same things that got us here.”

Weeki Wachee’s Morgan McDaniel dribbles up court during as Hernando Nakayla Roberts follows for a possible steal.

CHEER from Page 1

type of competition can be very stressful, not only on the cheerleaders but for the coach as well and after succeeding at the Regional competition, Shannon Herod knows she can trust her team.

“They tell me all time, ‘Coach trust us, we can do it,’” Herod said. “I trust them. I am listening to them, and I am learning that my first year.”

The ladies headed to the Florida High School Competitive Cheerleading State Championships at Exactech Arena (Stephen C. O’Connell Center) in Gainesville on January 31.

In practice, they have

implemented what they have learned from their previous competitions.

“We just have to be clean,” Herod said. “Right now it’s just taking those notes from regionals and applying the positive and negative feedback.”

Herod wants the team to

know that she believes in them and appreciates the support from her peers.

“This school is so great,” Herod said. “The administrators, teachers and other coaches have been so supportive, and I couldn’t ask to be a part of anything better.”

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO HERNANDO SUN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

District tournaments of the regular season for prep girls basketball in the state of Florida are right around the corner. We now take a look at the Hernando Sun Top 5 Prep Girls Basketball Poll heading into the final week of the regular season.

No. 1 Weeki Wachee (20-3, 11-1): The Hornets head into districts as the favorite to come away and win Class 6A, District 7. Before they compete in 6A-7, however, they still have two more regular season games to go against Springstead and Tampa Catholic.

Weeki Wachee should be back in the postseason if they can take care of business at districts.

No. 2 Hernando Christian (17-2, 5-1): The Lions have continued to put on one of the better seasons of any Hernando County girls basketball programs around and Hernando Christian should be a contender in Class 2A, District 4. Hernando Christian currently owns the No. 2 seed in 2A-4 right behind Bayshore Christian and could likely see them in the district final.

No. 3 Hernando (11-8, 5-5): Outside of Weeki

Wachee and Hernando Christian, Hernando is the only other Hernando County girls basketball program with a record above the .500 mark.

The Leopards compete in the Class 6A, District 7 tournament next week and will have their work cut out for them trying to upset Crystal River and Weeki Wachee.

No. 4 Nature Coast (5-15, 4-7): One of the toughest seasons the Sharks have had to go through in recent memory, as Nature Coast will be on the outside looking in come district tournament time. The Sharks have an uphill climb if they are looking to get themselves into the postseason. Nature Coast is the No. 5 seed in Class 6A, District 7.

No. 5 Springstead (5-18, 1-5): Playing out of a 4-team district in Class 7A, District 8, the Eagles are currently the No. 4 seed behind Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake and Mitchell.

Springstead would have to pull off some major upsets if they’re to make it out of the 7A-8 district tournament.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail. com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.

Hernando Sportsman’s Club Calendar 16121 Commercial Way, Brooksville, FL 34614 (352) 597-9931

““Our blood sweat and tears went into the mat.”

— Melissa Visnaw Getting routines flawless takes a lot of practice and dedication

with his job as these are predators capable of eating humans and surprisingly, he had only found himself on three occasions of getting wrapped up in the big squeeze, and immobilized.

Fortunately it wasn’t one of the days he was hunting solo and he was able to call in some help. Otherwise, he’d have been another statistic in the list of men who’ve disappeared in the Glades and not heard from again.

These invasive snakes have been absolutely wreaking havoc in the Everglades ever since Hurricane Andrew passed through, destroying some Python sanctuaries and setting the big snakes free. Mike shared with us some firsthand accounts of freeing native alligators from the death wrap of some mighty big snakes, the largest he has caught having measured just shy of eighteen feet

Top 5 Prep Boys Basketball Ranking

long! Meghan and I will be returning to the Glades with Mike in the future to try hunting them at night. It’s a trip I’m already looking forward to.

For any of you getting outdoors this weekend, I

wish you the best of luck!

And as always, I’d love to hear about your adventures and maybe see a photo or two of your successes at Toby@HernandoSun. com. God bless and good hunting!

Miss Meghan Bailes with an eight foot long Burmese Python caught in the Everglades.

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com

THE HERNANDO SUN

13

Community FORUM

ADOPT TODAY

from page 1

C#10316762 Ember is a gorgeous black DSH female cat, approximately 1 year old. She came into shelter care in August when she was abandoned by her owner in Brooksville. Ember has been treated for a medical issue and is more than ready to find her furever home. Please consider this very special girl as an addition to your family. Ember is spayed, micro-chipped, vaccinated, FeLV tested and has a 1-yr county animal license.

D#10316179 Chico is a black terrier mix, approximately 5 years old and 58 pounds. He was brought to the shelter in July by Animal Control when he was caught running loose in a Spring Hill neighborhood. Chico is somewhat underweight for his size and needs your tender loving care. He is a friendly, happy dog, but needs to be the only dog in the home. If you’re looking for a soul mate, this is your dog! Chico is neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, heartworm tested and has a 1-yr county animal license.

D#10318059 Sawyer is good-looking brindle terrier mix, approximately 2 years old and 50 pounds. He was found wandering along Broad and Wilson in Brooksville when a Good Samaritan brought him to the shelter. Sawyer loves to play in the spree area with the volunteers and is ready for a place to call home. Won’t you consider giving this very special boy a home with your family? Sawyer is neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated, heartworm tested and has a 1-yr county animal license.

Adoption fees are $50 for adult dogs over 25 pounds, $70 for puppies and small dogs under 25 pounds, $25 for heartworm positive and senior dogs, $20 for adult cats and $40 for kittens.

For more information/availability on these beautiful pets, please contact Hernando County Animal Services at 352-796-5062, or AC@ hernando.fl.us.

There was much discussion about practical ideas to make this concept a reality.

School Superintendent, Stratton, mentioned that the schools are already putting this idea into place by having signs up in the schools saying “Bully-Free Zone.”

“We work extremely hard at tolerance. We are a public school system. That means that any and all students come to us. We work closely with the Sheriff’s department to make the children feel safe. We have to be tolerant and the students have to be tolerant. We are teaching our students if you see something, say something.

It doesn’t just mean a ‘bad guy.’ It means if someone over here is mistreating someone and the students are stepping up,” Stratton remarked.

“In the area of politics we need to reach a point where we can discuss politics and understand that someone might disagree with us and they’re a reasonable person and we’re a reasonable person. Then you can actually have conversations that are meaningful,” stated Rocco Maglio, publisher of The Hernando Sun. Julie Maglio added, “Our idea with the newspaper was to put the information out there about what’s going on in our community so people are aware and don’t come up to their politicians all upset over something and it doesn’t get to that breaking point.”

Hernando County Commissioner, John Mitten remarked, “Terminology matters. As I was contemplating this discussion, I couldn’t help but think to myself. How can you define Hate? Who defines Hate? We have a tendency in our society for absolutism, so we just broad brush groups of people easily without a great deal of contemplation as to why they’re doing what they’re doing. As parents we are trying to teach them [our children], it’s one thing to have a point of view and opinion and it’s okay to disagree, but how do you go about doing it, with regard to respect and civility.

Disagreement is part of what it means to be an American, but it should never lead to hate.”

Morris Porton added to this, “We can agree to disagree.

We have to get back to family values. It’s going to be a challenge as to how to get there.”

On a positive note, Stratton commented, “I have a lot of faith and hope in our young people. There’s a resurgence of service orientation. They want to give back. They are very tolerant. I see the good that’s happening. Students are demanding tolerance from each other and from us [adults]. It has to be reinforced every day.”

Rocco Maglio brought up an interesting point in stating, “We’re discussing hate-free zones and civility, but we’re not discussing love. To me the opposite of hate is love. Tolerance and civility are somewhere in between. We need to think about how we can increase love and trust so that people

From left to right: The Hernando Sun newspaper publisher Julie Maglio, County Commissioner John Mitten and Morris Porton

feel safe around each other.”

Reverend Weitzel reiterated this, “Martin Luther King stated, ‘I don’t have to like you, but I’m commanded to love you.’

That’s a striking difference.

Hate is such an awful word. And yet to replace it doesn’t address it. That’s the Catch 22 of the whole thing. In our discussions at church the idea came up in our group that if we were to use this hate-free zone [concept], we would put a subtext underneath saying: ‘This is a Hate-Free Zone where Love abides.’ “ Mitten agreed with this idea saying, “Jesus said that we have to love our neighbor and that’s a pretty high mark. He also taught that we should not be a respecter of persons. We often take the negative of the word. He taught we should not treat someone better than someone else. It’s an interesting philosophical difference than saying we should not disrespect someone.

So if you don’t treat a person or group as better than someone else and the bar is Love then you never get to Hate.

Several members of the audience added their comments and suggestions.

Roslyn Franken, a local author, spoke about the hatred that her parents had experienced.

“My mother survived the concentration camps of Nazi Europe. My father survived the Nagasaki atomic bomb as a prisoner of war in Japan. These two people were victims of hate at its highest level. In the book I wrote about them I showed how it is so important to look at the ‘Love’ side of it, beyond just tolerance. My father told me that toward the end of the war when he was so down because he had lost so much weight and his health was so bad he didn’t know if he could continue on, he reached out to his fellow POW’s for support and he said they sat in a circle and talked about their lives before the war and their hopes and dreams for when they would regain their freedom. They talked about will power and trust in God and then they sat in silence and prayed together. He said, ‘There we were a Jew next to a Christian next to a Muslim, one with dark skin, one with light skin. None of that mattered. We didn’t care who the person next to us was praying to or the color of their skin. We

were all the same.’ There was no hate. They all treated each other with dignity and respect.

It’s about taking accountability for your own self. Everyone regardless of age needs to be accountable. People need to be kinder, more compassionate, more patient, more respectful.”

Morris Porton stated that he was in favor of having signs in businesses all over the county stating that “This is a Hate-Free Zone” and bringing it up before the chamber’s board of directors.

“We have about 1,100 members. I think if we approached the businesses they would do it 100%. I see no reason why they wouldn’t.”

A member of the audience brought up the idea of creating awareness on a wider level by having a sign at every entrance into the community stating, “You are entering a Hate-Free Zone.”

Dali Rivera spoke about a program to promote tolerance called “Every mind matters” that she helped implement in some of the schools in New York and New Jersey.

“Our kids are our future. It has to start in the classroom and the curriculum. The purpose of this program was to take away the stigma of mental illness to make sure that children with mental challenges were not bullied. A hate-free zone comes down to: We accept you. You’re okay and I’m okay. Everyone feels there is no need to discriminate against one another. All religions and ethnicities are accepted here.”

Rabbi Paul Schreiber (Reb Tuviah) of Temple Beth David spoke about the importance of reinforcing the idea of Love, Not Hate, everywhere.

“When Jesus spoke the words about loving your neighbor as yourself- those words came from Leviticus. In Judaism we have the Passover Seder, a dinner held once a year in the spring time which commemorates the Exodus of the Jews out of Egypt. We read the same verses every year.

Why do we read this story every year? The reason why we read it every single year is that we need to be reminded.

It has to start at home too.

We sometimes put too much on the schools. We don’t put enough responsibility on

parents. Signage is important because when people continually see these signs ‘Hernando county is a Hate-Free Zone,’ these are reminders for adults also. We know that kids will get this in the schools. What about the parents who are raising these children?

Mitten added, “If we can love each other as we should and treat each other as we should, then hate is no longer part of the conversation.

I would also encourage that.

Focus on the positive. You love people. It’s an active thing.”

A concrete idea that a member at the forum brought up was to have an annual festival with the theme “Abolish Hate, Create Love.”

Another audience member stated, “When you are in a store and you hear someone spewing some kind of hatred at some race or religion you need to speak up and say, ‘We don’t do that here. This is a hate-free zone.’ Say it nicely, but let them know.”

Elliot Smith commented, “In advertising and marketing you don’t sell things by putting an ad in once. What we need to do is we need to brand a Hate-Free Zone. We need to brand being positive instead of negative.”

Smith suggested starting a campaign or an event on the internet, where people do something nice, something positive - either for the community or for other people. It’s videotaped and it’s put on the internet. Something that would get people’s attention and perhaps “go viral.”

After the forum, Reverend Weitzel remarked on the success of this first discussion and what the next steps might be.

“I hope that the forum brought together potential partners in this endeavor of trying to find ways to curb hate in our community. I was thrilled by all the ideas and suggestions. I am most hopeful that the leaders who participated and others in attendance will follow through on sharing the ideas in their areas of involvement so that more people can be encouraged to stand up against hate.

By standing up and saying something maybe it will catch hold and begin to snowball. If what we do in Hernando County could begin to affect counties around us and then the whole state and maybe the nation.

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14

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com

Feb. 1- 7, 2019

Business & Community

Caring for Poinsettias after the holidays BY DR. WILLIAM LESTER UF/IFAS EXTENSION HERNANDO COUNTY

Now that the holidays are over, you may be wondering what to do with those plants that make us think about Christmas- amaryllis, Christmas cactus and of course poinsettias. It seems like stores have a greater variety of colors each year, along with the traditional red. If you purchased a poinsettia, or received one as a gift this year, you can turn it into a beautiful container or landscape plant that can be enjoyed for years to come.

The poinsettia is native to Mexico and is technically a shrub or small tree. The colorful flowers are actually leaves, or bracts, that surround the tiny flower in the center. Originally available in only red, now there are varieties in a wide variety of colors and patterns. One expert in the field, Dr. Jim Barrett with the University of Florida, hosts a field day each December to introduce commercial growers to the newest varieties and to evaluate consumer preferences.

Dr. Barrett grows more than six thousand plants and a hundred different varieties each year for the field day in Gaines-

A mature poinsettia planted outside a home. UF/IFAS Photo by Robert Annis

Solution to Crossword on page 18

ville.

Indoor care: Poinsettias are easy to care for until the end of winter in their container, as long as you remember that they are tropical. They need to be kept from freezing and cold drafts and grown in a well-lit area. Be careful not to let them dry out too much, but don’t overwater either.

After the cold temperatures have passed they will need to be repotted or transplanted to the landscape, where they can grow just fine outdoors here in Central Florida. Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are non-poisonous and non-toxic, but they do contain a sap that some people may be sensitive to.

Outdoor care: Poinsettias grow best in a location that receives full sun. In order to form flower buds and colorful bracts next fall, poinsettias require 14 hours of complete darkness a day. So avoid planting near porch and street lights. Keep the soil moist (but not soaking wet) and fertilize lightly once a month during the growing season. Poinsettias should be pruned during the months that begin with an A (April and August).

By April the spent flow-

ers and bracts should be trimmed off and in August your plant should be shaped and any leggy, diseased, or bug chewed branches should be removed. Poinsettias can get a few insect pests or diseases during the summer, but they are generally problem free. Most insects can be controlled with an insecticidal soap product, and diseases can be minimized by keeping the plant’s foliage dry and not watering too late in the day. Many people have former holiday poinsettias that thrive in their yards and create a very attractive shrub that blooms close to the holidays every year.

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Hernando County at 16110 Aviation Loop Drive, Brookville 34604.

Telephone: 352-7544433.

Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. UF/IFAS Extension in Hernando County is a free service that provides solutions for your life.

Extension programs are open to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, or national origin.

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EARLY LEARNING COALITION HOSTS FREE “STORYBOOK FOREST” AT CREWS LAKE PARK The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc. is hosting its 10th Annual “Storybook Forest” event on Saturday, March 2, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 18739 Crews Lake Drive, Spring Hill, 34610, to support Florida’s Children’s Week and Childhood Literacy.

The day will begin at 10:30 AM with a Ribbon Cutting by Board Chair, Patrick McHugh, to announce the opening of Storybook Forest.

Last year more than 2,700 attendees enjoyed stories including, “Cat in the Hat,” “Where the Wild Things Are,” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Storytellers will ignite guest’s imagination as they bring children’s stories to life. Meet and greet children’s favorite characters such as Daniel Tiger, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Emily Elizabeth, Curious George, the Man in the Yellow Hat, Madeline, Elmo, Pete The Cat, and many more!

Educators in Pasco and Hernando Counties will offer attendees interactive displays based on children’s books. Children will learn about the story through hands-on activities and will create a related make-and-take project at each display.

Children of all ages are invited to attend and actively participate.

There will be no onsite parking at Crew’s Lake Park.

Frequent shuttles beginning at 10:45 AM will be available for attendees at Crews Lake Middle School located at 15144 Shady Hills Road throughout the event.

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com

THE HERNANDO SUN

15

Water management district prepares for countywide topographical survey

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE MARY HERDEN

“We need the data,” said Al Karlin, Senior GIS Scientist with Data Collection Bureau for Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is currently preparing for a countywide LiDAR topographic data to assess/measure any new topography changes from their last data collection in 2007.

Why is this important for Hernando County residents? Flooding.

“Everyone knows that there are places in Hernando County that flood, that’s a given. There are lots of places in the immediate area that when it rains a few inches or more, there are areas that flood,” Karlin said. “The topographical data we collect make up the basis for our floodplain models.

This forms the basis of all of our watershed management program and all of our floodplain modeling for not only us but for FEMA.” A watershed is an area of land that feeds all or some

of the water running under it and draining off of it into a body of water. It also can combine with other watersheds to form a network of rivers and streams that progressively drain into larger water areas.

Staff from SWFWMD GIS department along with contractors Luke Kratky; Vice President, Jackson Beebe; Geospatial Analyst and Lance Carey: Pilot from Dowe Gallagher Airborne Data Group conducted a LiDAR calibration test of the Brooksville Airport.

This test was scheduled to ensure the calibrations and information that will be collected are correct. It involved scanning the entire airport.

“Every little detail matters,” Luke Kratky said.

“Inches matter, centimeters matter. That even falls into how to construct bridges... do you raise the road up 6 inches above what it was?

I mean it has a tidal wave effect on every bit of urban planning you do.”

Loaded in a Cessna Grand Caravan EX, equipped with high tech computers including one valuable piece of equipment; a LiDAR. The LiDAR is a remote

The LiDAR is a remote sensing technology which uses light pulses from a laser to collect measurements which are then used to create 3D models and maps of objects and environments.

sensing technology which uses light pulses from a laser to collect measurements which are used to create 3D models and maps of objects and environments. This is a multi-million dollar piece of equipment that has been able to help many agencies obtain valuable geological data.

This information is not only used by SWFWMD but other agencies like United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), United States Forest Service (USFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other federal government agencies that collect data for • Flood management and prevention • Drought preparedness • Water quality monitoring • Fire Prevention and Management • Agricultural uses and management • Forestry uses and management • Rangeland uses and management • Archaeology • Geological Risk Detection • Wildlife habitat management and protection

“This is part of a bigger project, we are actually flying the entire peninsula and Hernando County is part of that bigger project,” Al Karlin said.

“This data collection is so critical because as things are built, these are the preliminary data that our experts and scientists use in order to make sure people are protected from flooding.

One of our core missions is flood protection,” said Susanna Martinez Tarokh, Public Information Officer for Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is the scientific agency that collects the data that is utilized by community

Al Karlin, Senior GIS Scientist with Data Collection Bureau for Southwest Florida Water Management District, looks in the Cessna Grand Caravan EX plane where he and other staff members will be taking a test flight.

partners, as well as helping any residents or businesses that may have an interest in building residential and/or commercial properties.

Another aspect of all this is to visually see how the environment changes over the seven year timeline. The flow or size of rivers and lakes as well as land elevations change, which could be caused by population growth, urban development or natural occurrences like hurricanes. The information collected can help many agencies determine specific data for research and other needs.

It will take up to five days to map the entire county, which is around 800 square miles and over eight months to process the data. Once the data is processed into graphs and other informative reports, that information can be viewed on SWFWMD’s website: WaterMatters.org/ Resources.

The LiDAR is positioned in the center of the plane.

RIEGL has been producing LiDAR systems commercially for almost 40 years and focuses on pulsed time-of-flight laser radar technology in multiple wavelengths.

Schedule by mid-day.

See a doctor by sundown.* We’re making it easier than ever to see a primary care provider in the Spring Hill area.

Whether it’s for a sore throat, fever or to get your annual flu shot, if you want to see a physician today – or if you need a new doctor – we can help. All you have to do is schedule by mid-day, Monday through Friday, and you can get an appointment that same day.* Call us at 352-453-8568 or schedule an appointment, online, anytime, at BayfrontHealthPrimaryCare.com.

*Most calls will result in a same-day appointment; patients may be seen by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

16

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

Feb. 1- 7, 2019

German American Club Inaugural Ball

By ROCCO AND JULIE MAGLIO HERNANDO SUN

Hernando County is home to a variety of ethnic groups. There are social organizations that allow people who enjoy a culture to come together, this helps them to fondly remember their traditions. Also, for those who may not know much about their heritage, these organizations are an opportunity for them to learn more.

The German American Club of Spring Hill held their Inaugural Ball on Jan. 18, 2019. The club recognizes their new officers at this yearly formal and lively event.

The Club was founded in 1982 by Christa and Fritz Neumann. This is their 37th year of helping people enjoy their German heritage. There is still one charter member, Jake Eidenschink, who served as the club’s president for 15 years.

Eidenschink recalled that at one point there were nearly 300 members. His guest at the Inaugural Ball was Friedericke Bauer,

visiting from Kiefersfelden Bavaria (close to the border of Austria).

The German American Club of Spring Hill has a number of events each year including the Inaugural Ball, Valentines Dance, Heimatabend, Oktoberfest, Schlachtfest, and New Year’s Eve Ball. The events are bring your own bottle (BYOB) events and the Inaugural Ball and New Year’s Eve Ball are formal events where the entire club dresses formally.

At the Inaugural Ball, club members brought appetizers for everyone to share. Several times during the Inaugural Ball the group broke into German songs.

Heimatabend is the festival of the homeland.

Members bring something from the town or area they are from.

Schlachtfest (German Pig Roast) is a festive occasion where a roasted pig is carried around.

The German American Club of Spring Hill currently has 161 members.

They are always happy to welcome new members and you can find out more

information at http://germanclubspringhill.org/ The following events are scheduled for February: The German American Club of Spring Hill will have their monthly membership meeting on Thursday, February 7th, 7:00 P.M., at the Hernando Shrine Hall, 13400 Montour Street, Brooksville, FL. Take SR 50 to Sunshine Grove Rd. and go north for approx. 1 mile. Montour St. is the 4th Street on the left. New members welcome! You do not have to be German to be a member or attend!

For Club information call Jack Yaskulski at 352-688-3744.

German American Club of Spring Hill will have a Valentine Dance, on Friday, February 15th, 2019, at the Hernando Shrine Hall. Music by ‘Eva Adams’. Dress code: Dress to Impress! Doors open at 5:30 P.M. with dancing from 6:00 to 10:00 P.M. B.Y.O.B. Tickets in advance only: members $11.00, guests $14.00.

For tickets call Lisa Yaskulski at 352-688-3744.

Board Members of the German American Club of Spring Hill are sworn in, Jan. 18, 2019.

Elfriede and Rudy Ruf on the dance floor.

Friedericke Bauer, visiting from Kiefersfelden, Bavaria and Jake Eidenschink, former club president and charter member enjoy the festivities of the Inaugural Ball.

The talented Manni Daum provided live music entertainment, from traditional German folksongs to Frank Sinatra.

S P O R T S

PHSC Secures home-court advantage

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE MARY HERDEN

PHSC secured homecourt advantage for their Division II tournament against Florida Gateway College on February 16.

At Thursday night’s game, the court had strong point leads from both teams that went back and forth almost the entire game. With just under three minutes remaining in the game, Daniel Buchanan-Derice placed two 3-pointers to secure the Bobcats victory, 78-69.

“We started telling ourselves we are going to be really intense, but not too intense to the point where we start picking up fouls in the first half,” said PHSC sophomore Charles Grandison.

Grandison is averaging 12 points per game, just

under Daniel Jones who leads at 15 points per game.

“It was good to get the third win against Gateway, it was a nail biter there, but we pulled it off,” Coach Jones said.

“The one thing is that the whole team is contributing in helping us with these victories.”

The entire team, down to 10 from 14 at the start of the season, has noticeably upped their game, and that transition showed on the court Thursday night.

“We came a long way since November-December,” Sophomore Daniel Jones said. “This year we definitely have the team to go to regionals.”

“We came with the mindset of finishing off the game strong,” Theaplais Williams said.

“Do little things to help us

SOLUTION ON PAGE 11

Charles Grandison pushes through Gateways defense during their third game against the college. Grandison recovered 11 rebounds total for PHSC.

succeed, and we executed that.”

PHSC lost at Florida Gateway College on Saturday 65-60, however, they will face them again on their home court February 16th in the Divisional Tournament game.

Upcoming games: February 2 @ Florida State College Jacksonville February 3 @ Webber International University February 11 vs. Trinity College 7 pm February 13 @ Polk State College February 16 Tournament Game: PHSC vs. Florida Gateway College 2 pm

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Who’s it for? Raising money for the Restoration Center of Floridaa local halfway house for women trying to regain their position in the community after exiting prison or recovering from addictions. Organized by the Nature Coast Technical High School National Honor Society.

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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com THE HERNANDO SUN

LEGAL NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA

Notice of Public Sale Notice is hereby given that Storage King USA at 3663 Commercial Way Spring Hill, Fl. 34606 will sell the contents of the storage units listed below at a public auction to satisfy a lien placed on the contents (pursuant to Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes).

The sale will take place at the website StorageTreasures.com on February 11th, 2019 at 9:00 am. The sale will be conducted under the direction of Christopher Rosa (AU4167) and StorageTreasures.com on behalf of the facility’s management. Units will be available for viewing prior to the sale on StorageTreasures.com.

Contents will be sold for cash only to the highest bidder. A 15% buyer’s premium will be charged as well as a $100 cleaning deposit per unit. All sales are final. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale or to refuse any bids. The property to be sold is described as “general household items”, unless otherwise noted. Unit #0314 Ricky Schultz, #0213 Kalen Slaughter, #0288 Steven Jacobson, #0009 Richard Rogers, #0010 Richard Rogers, #0012 Richard Rogers, #3743 David White - (race cars to be sold for parts or salvage)

CASE NO. 2017-DR-25 l 2 IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF: LEEMAN MORGAN, Petitioner/Husband, and BRANDY MORGAN, Respondent/Wife, AMENDED NOTICE FOR ACTION FOR PUBLICATION TO: Brandy Morgan YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and Other Relief with Minor Child(ren), has been filed against you. You are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action on Kenneth B. Reynolds, Esq., of Reynolds Law, PLLC., Petitioner’s attorney, whose address is 13787 Linden Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609, on or before 2/28/2019, , and file the original with the clerk of this court at Hernando County Courthouse, 20 N Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601, either before service on Petitioner’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings

(01/25/2019), (02/01/2019) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2019-CP-0051 IN RE: ESTATE OF RICHARD WILLIAM ROGERS a/k/a RICHARD W. ROGERS a/k/a RICHARD ROGERS Deceased.

DATED this 17 day of January 2019.

Doug Chorvat. Jr. Clerk of Circuit Court BY: /s/ JBT Deputy Clerk

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of RICHARD WILLIAM ROGERS, deceased, whose date of death was November 16, 2018, is pending in the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 20 North Main Street, Room 247, Spring Hill, Florida 34601. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

(01/25/2019), (02/01/2019), (02/08/2019), (02/15/2019)

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA FAMILY DIVISION Case No.: 2018-DR-1642 DALE P. FERRIS, Petitioner/Father, and REBEKAH LYNN BLAIN, Respondent/Mother NOTICE FOR ACTION FOR PUBLICATION TO: REBEKAH LYNN BLAIN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Petition for Determination of Paternity and Other Relief, has been filed against you. You are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action on Kenneth B. Reynolds, Esq., of Reynolds Law, PLLC., Petitioner’s attorney, whose address is 13787 Linden Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609 on or before 3/07/2019, and file the original with the clerk of this court at Hernando County Courthouse, 20 N Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601, either before service on Petitioner’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings

The date of first publication of this Notice is February 1, 2019.

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Paul H. Nessler, Jr. E-mail Addresses: paulnessler@bellsouth.net Florida Bar No. 0603384 Paul H. Nessler Jr., P.A. 10002 Cortez Boulevard Spring Hill, Florida 34613

DATED this 24 day of January 2019.

Doug Chorvat, Jr. - Clerk of Circuit Court

Personal Representative: /s/ Yoko Mishima Rogers 1447 Bolger Avenue Spring Hill, Florida 34609

By: /s/ JBT Deputy Clerk (02/01/2019), (02/08/2019) (02/15/2019), (02/22/2019)

(02/01/2019), (02/08/2019)

OBITUARIES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2019-CP-0018 Division PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF GEORGE R. YAGER Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of GEORGE R. YAGER, deceased, whose date of death was December 14, 2018, is pending in the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 20 North Main Street, Room 247, Brooksville, Florida 34601. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is January 25, 2019.

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Paul H. Nessler, Jr. Florida Bar No. 0603384 Paul H. Nessler, Jr., P.A. 10002 Cortez Boulevard Spring Hill, Florida 34613

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION UCN: 272018CP001487CPAXMX REF#: 18-1487CPAXMX IN RE: ESTATE OF HELEN G. SHERMAN, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the estate of HELEN G. SHERMAN, deceased, File Number 18-1487CPAXMX, by the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 20 North Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601, that the total value of the estate is $16,295.11, and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are: Nancy Ann Nauman, 458 Mann Creek Hgts Road, Mansfield, PA 16933.

All persons are required to file with the clerk of said Court, WITHIN 3 CALENDAR MONTHS FROM TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE all claims against the estate in the form and manner prescribed by Section 733.703 of the Florida Statutes and Rule 5.490 of the Florida Rules of Probate and Guardianship Procedure.

ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. Publication of this Notice has begun on February 1, 2019.

Putman Alice Marie, age 76, of Brooksville, passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. She is survived by her children: Richard (Margie), Barbara, Donna (Robert), Elaine, and Katherine; 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Src; Merritt

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 2017-DR-404

MICHAEL EDWARD COOPER, Respondent/Husband.

(01/25/2019), (02/01/2019) FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Notice is hereby given that LINDSEY RAE BROADFOOT, owner, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of "BROADFOOT CLEANING SOLUTIONS" located in Hernando County, Florida, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes.

(02/01/2019)

vs.

AMENDED NOTICE FOR ACTION FOR PUBLICATION TO: Michael Edward Cooper YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Petition for Dissolution of Marriage without Dependent or Minor Child(ren), has been filed against you.

You are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to this action on Kenneth B. Reynolds, Esq., of Reynolds Law, PLLC., Petitioner’s attorney, whose address is 13787 Linden Drive, Spring Hill, FL 34609, on or before Feb. 22, 2019, and file the original with the clerk of this court at Hernando County Courthouse, 20 N Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601, either before service on Petitioner’s attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings DATED this 11th day of January 2019.

CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT BY: /s/ Vickie Deso Deputy Clerk (01/18/2019), (01/25/2019) (02/01/2019), (02/08/2019) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2018-CP-1384 Division PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF MARY ANN PETERS Deceased.

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Attorney for Person Giving Notice: /s/ Paul H. Nessler, Jr. E-mail Addresses: paulnessler@bellsouth.net Florida Bar No. 0603384 Paul H. Nessler Jr., P.A. 10002 Cortez Boulevard Spring Hill, Florida 34613

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Bentine Thomas “Steve” Stephen, age 67, of Spring Hill, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019. He is survived by his loving wife Sheila and son, Nolan. Src; Merritt Surak George R., age 80 of Spring Hill, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019. George was a United States Air Force Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Robert, Brian and Marc; and 9 grandchildren. Src; Downing Thomas Margaret T., age 96, of Brooksville, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019. She is survived by children: Frederick, James, Margaret; 6 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

Src; Merritt Parker Charles E., age 57, of Spring Hill, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2019. He is survived by his wife Danielle and daughter, Lee Anne.

Src; Merritt

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MORE EVENTS: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2019-CP-0033 Division PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN CHARLES WRIGHT a/k/a JOHN C. WRIGHT Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JOHN CHARLES WRIGHT, deceased, whose date of death was February 12, 2018, is pending in the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 20 North Main Street, Room 247, Brooksville, Florida 34601. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Paul H. Nessler, Jr. Florida Bar No. 0603384 Paul H. Nessler, Jr., P.A. 10002 Cortez Boulevard Spring Hill, Florida 34613

Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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The date of first publication of this Notice is January 25, 2019.

Archbald Sholto John, passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019. Src; Turner Leitsch Edward D. passed away on Friday, January 25, 2019. Src; Turner

Classifieds

The date of first publication of this notice is: February 1, 2019.

City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zip . . . . . . ............ . . . .

Visa

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT: All creditors of the estate of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

(01/25/2019), (02/01/2019)

Name (please print) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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NAME Eddie L. Slaughter ADDRESS 6099 S. Tropicana Avenue Lecanto, Florida 34461

Martens John L., passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019. Src; Turner

Flood Joseph M. Sr., passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

Src; Turner

NAME Micheal C. Prystupa, a/k/a Michael C. Prystupa ADDRESS 805 Freedom Way, Apartment # 3303 Brooksville, Florida 34601

Person Giving Notice: /s/ Adrianne Fay Harvey, a/k/a Adrianne F. Harvey 14486 Old Hunter Road Brooksville, Florida 34601

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TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the estate of MARY ANN PETERS, deceased, File Number 2018-CP-1384, by the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 20 North Main Street, Room #247, Brooksville, Florida 34601; that the decedent’s date of death was September 3, 2018; that the total value of the estate is $0.00 and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are: NAME Adrianne Fay Harvey, a/k/a Adrianne F. Harvey ADDRESS 14486 Old Hunter Road Brooksville, Florida 34601

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Cardillo Charles A. “Chuck” age 71 of Spring Hill, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Chuck is survived by his wife Jill, daughter Gina (Nazar), son Jason (Tim), stepson Jason (Iris), and 5 grandchildren.

Src; Turner

(02/01/2019), (02/08/2019)

(01/25/2019), (02/01/2019)

Please take notice Hide-Away Storage – Spring Hill located at 1000 Commercial Way, Spring Hill FL 34606 intends to hold a sale to sell the property stored at the Facility by the below Occupants whom are in default at an Auction. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storagetreasures.com on 2/13/2019 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods and furnishings.

Michael Siggins unit #0113; Ryan Miller unit #0441; Michael Cronin unit #0532. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

Long Angelina, age 85, of Spring Hill, passed away on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth R. Long, Sr. and her son, Frank R. Long.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth; 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Src; Merritt

Wetherell John T., passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2019. Src; Turner

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF: DEBBIE ANN COOPER, Petitioner/Wife,

Notice of Self Storage Sale

Stoffer Randy G., age 59 of Hudson, passed away on Tuesday January 22, 2019. Gathering of Family and Friends at the Downing Funeral Home from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on February 2, 2019. Src; Downing

DOREEN DOE, ESQUIRE DOREEN DOE, P.A. P.O. Box 55037 St. Petersburg, Florida 33732 (727) 520-0991 Email: ddoelaw@aol.com

Personal Representative: /s/ Patricia A. Yager, A. Yager 4648 Secretariat Run Brooksville, Florida 34609

TM

17

Personal Representative: /s/ Lesley Ann Wright 2 Cumberland Avenue Guildford, Surrey GU2 9RQ (02/01/2019), (02/08/2019)

Feb. 8-15 2019 Historic Homes Workshop Historic May-Stringer House Museum, Brooksville, Florida February 08 - 15, 2019 At the May Stringer House Museum; 601 Museum Court; Brooksville; 34601 Net proceeds of workshop will be donated to May Stringer Museum. For more info call 813-404-6498 or email steve@woodwindowmakeover.com Museum phone number: (352) 799-0129 Feb. 16 Heritage Day Festival Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 9 AM – 4 PM 66 & 70 Russell Street, Brooksville, FL Hosted by Countryman Family One-Room Schoolhouse Free Event & Free Parking Walk along the Good Neighbor Trail and visit over 60 artists, crafters, storytellers, re-enactors and vendors.

Enjoy music in the Gazebo, Chinese Auction basket raffles and home baked goods.

Breakfast and Lunch Food Trucks will be available.

Also, Historic Home & Museum Tour Tickets ONE DAY ONLY - SIX TOPS INCLUDE: Three Historic Homes open to the public The May-Stringer House Museum The 1885 Train Depot Museum The Countryman Family One Room Schoolhouse Museum Adults $15.00 and Children (6-12) $5.00 For more information or to reserve your tickets now Call Mary at 352-515-3054

18

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com

Feb. 1- 7, 2019

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Solution to Soduku on page 14

6. What did Ruth and Boaz the book of 2ofThessalonians 1.1.IsIsthe book 2 Sam- in name their son? Obed, the Old or New Testament or neither? uel in the Old or New 2. In Song of Solomon 2:1, the Hushai, Abner, Jehu Testament or neither?

Shulamite calls herself two kinds of flowers, the rose and the ...? Daisy, ANSWERS: 1) Old; 2) 2.

From 1 Corinthians 16, First; 3) Psalms; 4) Tax Lily, Cinnamon, Sage on3.which day1, did From Titus Paul Paul wrote, “Unto the pure all things to are put ...”? Gold, Righ- collector; 5) Mordecai; 6) tell believers aside Obed teous, Worthy, Pure offermoney for their 4. What archangel is mentioned by ings?

First, Third, Fifth, name in the book of Jude? Gabriel, “Test Your Bible Knowledge,” Sabbath Silas, Michael, Melchizedek with 1,206 multiple-choice 5. In 1 Kings 21, who forbade questions by columnist Wilson

Naboth to give his vineyard 3.

Which book (KJV) to Ahab?

The Lord, Jezebel, Absalom, Balaam begins, “Blessed is the 6. In that Psalmwalketh 103:5, whatnot bird’s man inyouth is renewable? Dove, Eagle, Raven, the counsel of the ungodSwallow ly”? Judges, Ruth, Ezra, ANSWERS: 1) New; 2) Lily; 3) Psalms Pure; 4) Michael; 5) The Lord; 6) Eagle

4.“Test What was Your BibleMatthew’s Knowledge,” feaoccupation before turing 1,206 multiple-choice questions by columnist Wilson Casey, is now available in stores and online. © 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

Casey, is now available in bookstores and online.

(c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

King Features Weekly Service

5. In Esther 2, who foiled a plot to assassinate King Ahasuerus? Neco, Amaziah, Mordecai, Joshua

October 15, 2018

becoming a disciple?

Tentmaker, Tax collector, Fisherman, Shepherd

(puzzle on page 14)

Feb. 1- 7, 2019 hernandosun.com

OPINION DOMENICK J. MAGLIO, PH.D.

letter to tHe eDitor

THE HERNANDO SUN

19

WILLIAM F. HOLLAND

Letters to the Editor: We welcome your comments which may be published in the newspaper and online. They should be no longer than 400 words and include the name, daytime phone number and email address of the author for verification purposes if necessary. Your submission may be edited prior to publication. Only your name and town will be published. For more information, contact Julie Maglio at 352.238.5454.

Email your letters to editor@hernandosun.com or mail them to PO BOX 12203; Brooksville, FL 34603

Traditional Realist

MINISTER / CHAPLAIN

The Lord is our strength, shield

Deep state intimidation should be confronted with courageous truth American citizens have been under direct attack for over half a century.

Our traditional cultural foundations have been turned on their head.

Freedom of religion, the sanctity of life and the family, honesty, merit, freedom of speech, industriousness, capitalism, equal justice under the law, competition, male and female interdependence have been transformed into censorship of speech, identity politics, racism, hate, gender confusion, murdering babies with federal funds, social justice, redistribution of wealth, toxic masculinity, feminazi-ism, glory of socialism and currently intimidation by deep state elites through the unelected, unchecked power of bureaucratic national agencies that has stabbed fear into the hearts of citizens.

These radical ideas are being rammed down our throats by 3035% of rabid progressives while the majority of citizens are frightened into silence and immobility. The quiet majority just wants to continue to live their everyday routines in a peaceful and stable way as they have been privileged to do. Most of the majority believes if they just remain silent and do not react, eventually these radicals will calm down after they achieve their current objectives.

This is not occurring because the more the progressives succeed; the further they move the goalposts. The ultimate goal is nothing less than establishing a totalitarian socialistic state where an oligarchy dictates the way the government is run, not the people (citizens).

The majority of citizens are ignoring the impact of the daily chipping away at our moral values and our liberties. All Americans are witnessing a double standard in our legal system, the IRS, the FBI, State Department, elite media, crony capitalism and social media’s silent invasion into knowing everything about our private thinking and lives.

This incredible knowledge about our lives can be a powerful means of controlling us.

We have reached a tipping point when our citizens who wear a MAGA hat or T-shirt to support the president of the United States are verbally attacked or refused service in a public establishment. Emotionally out-of-control progressives with no legal justification are denying free speech arbitrarily to individuals. Law and order is dissolving in front of our eyes when a 16 year-old boy representing a Catholic school is told by a media correspondent that his smile was intimidating to an untruthful, aggressive supposed Native American elder pounding a drum in the face of this confused adolescent. According to our media anyone with any expression on his face can be committing a “Face-crime” as expressed in 1984. This should chill the hearts of all Americans.

The disease of the progressive elites keeps on evilly metastasizing throughout the culture. Robert Mueller’s investigation chose to invade the home of a 66 year-old man with a 29-member swat team, armed to the gills without notifying him or his lawyers. He was being charged with a non-violent crime and had no previous criminal record at all. This hideous act substantiates that we are living in a partial police state not in the “freest, law abiding nation” in the world. We are getting used to seeing swat teams from Elian Gonzales, Ruby Ridge, Waco Texas, to Manafort, and now Roger Stone.

This should signal to every American that we must come together to fight to preserve our national freedom.

As Edmund Burke said, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

We need to express our true feelings and thoughts instead of remaining on the sidelines. When we disagree with Domenick Maglio, PhD. is a columnist carried by various newspapers, an author of several books and owner/ director of Wider Horizons School, a college prep program. Dr. Maglio has a new book, available on Amazon and other sites, entitled, IN CHARGE PARENTING. You can visit Dr. Maglio at www.drmaglio.blogspot.com.

Nose birds and Canine Words Over the last few days I’ve watched a commercial where a grandpa is snoozing in the living room and his nose is whistling classical music. A grandchild walks over, pushes the side of his nose, and the music changes to jazz. It’s so hilarious that I’ve never actually caught on to what the ad is about.

As far as I know awake, my nose has never played music, but it has fooled me into thinking there was a bird in the house.

Early last year during the low dewpoint months I heard what sounded like a bird singing tweeeeeeee… tweeeeeeee in the next room. Annoyed that it interfered with my sleepy binge of DVR shows, I explored that room, and then I heard it in the next room over so I went there. After I searched the entire house and found nothing, I tried to ignore it, but it persisted.

I wondered if the sound was coming from outside and not a bird at all, that instead it was a neighbor down a few houses using some high-pitched yard equipment that had a rheostat as a trigger. But nope.

I don’t know if it was the acoustics of the open refrigerator door or the lumps of stuff on the shelves that echoed and alerted me to the reality. It

government behavior we need to voice our opinions to our family, friends and anyone who believes government has the right to do this. We need to confront radicals that there is more enlightened and civilized ways to act in the public square. There is no excuse for us to act like sheeple since if we continue to do this we will lose our great nation. We have to just turn on the news and see what is happening to the once free and rich nation of Venezuela. It is best to speak courageous truth now than to later sacrifice our freedom, wealth and lives.

Roger Stone, Jerome Corsi, and Paul Maniforte have stood up to Robert Mueller’s fascist tactics and refused to “compose” or lie to

GOOFY STUFF

By VINCENT CARDEGIN was while I was standing there looking for leftovers that I heard the sound in my own head and knew that a bit of dried snot in the middle back of my nose was cutting the air of my exhalations into avian sound effects, and in stereo, which is why I couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

It happened twice again over the weeks.

You may ask, why did I keep falling for it? Because no two nose birds are the same. Each is as distinct as actual skyrats in the wild. I’ve since started using nasal spray to moisturize my snozzles, and that keeps them quiet.

But that’s not the only time I’ve been fooled. A week or two after my wife got her dogs, I was sitting in my recliner watching a recording of the news I made that morning (so I could fast-forward to the one item I was interested in, which they had advertised as “coming up” but didn’t show until the end of the hour—and then it was exactly the same clip as the preview!) when suddenly I thought I heard my stomach rumbling. It

gain a lighter sentence. They heroically are using the legal system to defend themselves.

They have put their faith in American justice to expose what they consider abuses by the Deep State.

With the reality of a totally progressive media and the phony tech media, a group of “like-minded” people can appear much greater than its actual numbers. The only way to put this into perspective is for the silent majority to stand up and be heard on the dinner table, their jobs, the Public Square and on social media.

This once was the freest country in the world. We must use our still existing freedom of speech or lose it all. We should encourage our fearful loved ones that we have a re-

was sort of a grrr ascending in volume, a pause, and another grrr starting loud and descending.

Normally but not always there’s a bubbly twinge to my pangs, and it’s more of a guttural whine, not a whining growl, so I was confused and even alarmed. I sat there mentally examining my entire intestinal track, exploring whether or not I needed to hurry to the bathroom, when I heard it again and realized it was Marley the Shih Tzu getting annoyed with being confined in my wife’s art room. Knowing that I do not like dogs, she keeps them both in her room when she’s at work or shopping, but instead of closing the door, she traps them there with a doggie gate, otherwise known as a baby gate, which I bought to keep them out of the kitchen when I was cooking, and she uses it to block their sniffing explorations, thank you and you’re welcome.

From what I can tell, her other dog, Willard, only knows how to bark, but Marley knows more canine words, one of which sounds like a hungry human stomach.

And while I have never been fooled again by the voice of his displeasure, that whining always makes me think I’m hungry when I’m not.

sponsibility to speak the truth if we want to remain free.

We should remember our forefathers placed everything: their families, their rightfully earned assets and their lives on the line in order to gain an independent, free nation for themselves and for future generations. Let us not give it up by turning our backs but courageously speak the truth about the abuse of power.

This small group of intimidating elites are attempting to rip away our stability, prosperity and freedom to enshrine their power and establish a police state. Free patriotic Americans cannot let this happen.

We need to have our voices heard in unison.

We have learned since childhood about the blessings of being protected. Remember when we were in the arms of our mom and dad, it seemed the dangers of the world could not reach us. Now that we are grown, we appreciate our home that gives us shelter from the elements and provides us security against whatever that might want to harm us. But of all the things in this world that can provide a sense of safety and defense, there is nothing that can compare to the power and authority of God. Psalm 23:4 helps us to see there is no need to be afraid. “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” The rod and staff are reminders that we are his sheep and Jesus is our great shepherd. He is carefully watching over his people and wants us to stay close to him.

The other night I had difficulty sleeping and as I tossed and turned all types of harassing thoughts were bombarding me and trying to interfere with my peace. I began to pray and ask God to help me and was reminded that in the Bible God is referred to as a shield. This brought me great comfort as I began to visualize being completely surrounded by this huge strong shield and I began to envision the arrows of the enemy harmlessly bouncing away. The next thing I knew it was morning. As I went downstairs and started on my first cup of coffee, I was still thinking about the shield and went into my office to look up the definition. A shield means a guard to defend and protect, to cover as a barrier, a place of shelter and security to hide behind and a way to preserve and maintain our safety. Becoming aware of this promise gives us peace even when fear and confusion is raging all around us.

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28.

In this chaotic world in which we live, it’s refreshing and encouraging to trust that God is always there for us, but if we allow ourselves to become engulfed with an overload of negative information we can become anxious and worried to the point of exhaustion. We do not always make the right choices to spend time with him but just to understand that he loves us and listens to our concerns is such a wonderful encouragement. When the storms of life are raging and we are drowning in a sea of worry and doubt, we can trust him and run into his presence.

There is a story recorded in Matthew chapter 8 about Jesus going across a lake in a boat with disciples. While he took a nap, there arose a violent storm and his friends were terrified that that boat was going to sink. They awoke him and he calmly spoke to the wind and waves to stop and suddenly it was perfectly calm. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and still has the power and desire to command “peace be still” to your storms today. “Our soul waits for the Lord: He is our help and our shield” Psalm 33:20.

Salvation is usually considered in the sense of being bornagain into a brand new spiritual creation but this covenant is not just limited to saving our spirit.

Christ gives us total salvation which includes ministering to our body, mind, and emotions.

He is concerned and ready to help us in any area we might need. If we notice the definitions of salvation we can see that Jesus is actively engaged to help, heal, restore, preserve, protect, rescue, provide a way of escape and deliver us from any type of harm or danger. He is a strong and mighty tower and if we choose to dwell in the secret place of the most-high we are at peace under the shadow of the Almighty. Whatever you are going through today, remember that God can do anything, he is our refuge and our shield of security that never fails. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him” Psalm 28:7.

To read more visit: billyhollandministries.com William F. Holland Jr., DD., C.ED.D. is a Christian minister, chaplain, and author. Discover more about his ministry at billyhollandministries.com can be contacted at P.O. Box 1394, Nicholasville, KY 40340

20

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Feb. 1- 7, 2019

Bravery. Fueled by clinical trials in the fight against cancer.

Pamela Klein was not about to let her boys grow up without a mother. She was diagnosed with stage 3B adenocarcinoma with the ROS1 gene mutation. When she heard the survival rates for her diagnosis, she immediately thought about her sons. Pamela needed medicine within days – and she needed the element of bravery. She bravely attacked an exceptionally rare form of lung cancer with a clinical trial at Florida Cancer Specialists that was for her specific gene mutation. The clinical trial targeted her cancer and her health improved quickly, proving that when hope and science join forces, great outcomes can happen.

“Research is really important – that’s the reason why I’m still here.”

-Pamela Klein, Patient & Lung Cancer Fighter

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*Patients with a new cancer diagnosis will be scheduled Monday-Friday, within 24 hours of physician referral.

All required paperwork must be provided at time of referral.

In the past 3 years, the majority of new cancer drugs approved for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials with Florida Cancer Specialists participation.