Hernando County, Florida-- Hernando County Utilities staff has received word from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that the well sample from the Brookridge #2 well has tested negative for the Escherichia Coli  bacteria. 
The Boil Water Notice issued yesterday for...more Brookridge residents is now rescinded.
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Boil Water notice issued- E. Coli found in well water sample

Hernando County, FL -- The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is now taking applications for anyone interested in becoming an alternate School Crossing Guard.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, knowledge of basic traffic laws and safety procedures, and the ability to work...more with little to no supervision.
For more information or to fill out an application, you can visit hernandocountysheriff.org.

 
Hernando County, Florida-- Hernando County Utilities received notification that Escherichia Coli bacteria was found in one well sample collected on May 8, 2012.
The County was notified today, May 14, and the well was immediately removed from service.
The utilities services...more reports that these bacteria can cause sickness and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.
What should Brookridge residents do?DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea,

 
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A Tampa Bay area man has been convicted for murdering a teen during a carjacking.
A Hernando County jury found 21-year-old Steven Wesolek guilty Friday of first-degree murder, attempted murder, carjacking with a firearm and robbery with a deadly weapon. He...more faces a possible death sentence.
Authorities say 18-year-old Enrique Acevedo and then-18-year-old Skyler Collins were driving along a rural highway in June 2010 when they picked up Wesolek - along with his former girlfriend, 16-year-old Sabrina Dicus, and her mother, 40-year-old Sherrie Dicus.
Authorities say the three new passengers attacked Acevedo and Collins, fatally wounding Acevedo.
Sabrina Dicus was allowed to plead guilty to lesser charges last fall in exchange for testimony against Wesolek and her mother, who still awaits trial.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Brooksville, Florida -- The Brooksville City Council has announced they are now accepting applications for the following advisory boards or commissions.
The positions are on a volunteer basis only.
Beautification Board
One (1) vacant position expiring December 31, 2015.
Good...more Neighbor Trail
One (1) vacant, non-expiring position. There are no terms of office for the appointed members, who shall serve through completion of the implementation of the Good Neighbor Trail and Trailhead management plan. The committee meets as necessary in the City Council Chambers at City Hall at 5:30 p.m.
Planning & Zoning
One (1) vacant, Alternate position for an unexpired four-year term of office through December 31, 2013.
Brooksville Housing Authority
One (1) vacant full-time position to fill an unexpired 4-year term of office through May 31, 2015.
More information on each Advisory Board and its function can be accessed under "Boards & Commissions" on the left

Hernando County, Florida -- The Hernando County Fire Arts Council announced Saturday it has leased an office, gallery and meeting space in the Brooksville area.  
Starting June 1, the new spaces include a fully furnished office connecting to a reception area, a large art gallery suitable...more for exhibits, musical programs and other events, and an adjacent area to be used as the official meeting room for the council’s monthly meetings.
The building is located at 7468 Horse Lake Road, in the Nicholson Engineering Building, just south of the western leg of 50 bypass or Cortez Boulevard. Easily accessible to all areas of the county, it is situated in a park-like setting and the gallery areas can easily accommodate events for 50 people.
“After a few years of being shuffled about, the Council now can present a professional face to the cultural community,” Chairman Roger Sherman said in a release.
The council says Executive Director Jan Knowles will establish regular office

 
Hernando County, Florida-- It’s no myth. A woman, minority and service-disabled certification could present opportunities for your business, but there is a process to becoming certified.
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Small Business...more Development Center presents: Intro to Certified Business Enterprise on Tuesday, May 22nd from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Chamber office, 15588 Aviation Loop Dr, Brooksville 34604.
During this FREE workshop, you will learn how to complete the state of Florida’s application and certification and see how you can use this certification to seek business with the private sector and government.
The seminar is presented by Eileen Rodriguez, Director of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida.  There is no cost for this workshop, but registration is required.
To reserve your seat today, please contact the Chamber at 796-0697.
Release courtesy of the Hernando

Brooksville, Florida -- A 17-year-old Central High School student was arrested Wednesday for stealing a janitor's phone.
The Head Janitor of Central High School in Brooksville stepped out of his office on Tuesday, and returned to find his cell phone, charger, and a set of keys...more missing. Sprint used its GPS on the janitor's phone to track it to the teen's home.
Deputies arrived at the home and made contact with the student and his mother. At first, the student claimed he found the phone and keys on the floor of the school's cafeteria.
Later, police say the student changed his story, and admitted he went into the janitor's office and stole the phone, valued at $350. The student told deputies he lied the first time because he did not want to disappoint his parents.
The teen was arrested for grand theft and the stolen items were returned to the janitor.

Hernando County, Florida-- Mix and mingle with the chamber!
On Thursday, May 17, the HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Spring Hill will sponsor May's "After Hours Mixer" with the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. 
The event will be held at 12440 Cortex Blvd., Brooksville, Florida 34613 at 5:30 p.m.
Chris Ballish can provide additional information at 592-4250. 

Hernando Beach, FL -- The Hernando Beach Property Owner's Association and several other groups will hold an event to celebrate the completion of the Hernando Beach Channel Dredge Project.
The event will be held on Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at the Hernando Beach Boat Ramp (985 Calienta...more Street).
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony along with food, drinks, and cake.
The event is free and open to anyone interested in celebrating the project, which took many years to accomplish.
The Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary will be holding an open house with free boat inspections and safety checks from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

 
Hernando County, Florida-- Exchange Brochures with The Chamber of Commerce this month of May!
Brochure Exchanges will take place on Wednesdays, May 9  and May 16  from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Beef O’ Brady’s, 7601 Horse Lake Road, Brooksville.
Attendees will pay $10 at the door to participant and enjoy lunch.   
For more information contact Lauren Jolly at 796-0697.

Brooksville, Florida -- Brooksville Police arrested a man who they say stole the change machine off the wall of a local laundromat.
Police on Saturday were called to the Cheapest Wash in Town Laundromat in response to a theft. Officers found the change machine had been ripped off the wall...more and stolen. They also noticed a vending machine was damaged, and it looked like someone tried to open the machine's bill storage area.
While at the laundromat, officers were advised that someone was banging on something metal behind the building. Police responded to the area and found Anthony Culbertson standing over the change machine, apparently trying to break it open with two crowbars.
Witnesses said they saw Culbertson in the laundromat just before the change machine went missing.
Culbertson was arrested for grand theft, two counts of criminal mischief, and damaging a coin operated machine.

Spring Hill, FL -- Space is still available in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park's Adventures Under the Spring Mermaid Camp.
The camp is open to children age 7 to 10 and runs the weekend of May 17th and 18th.
The camp will teach kids what it's like to be an underwater performer at Weeki...more Wachee Springs through training sessions in the water each day.
On the last day of camp, the underwater theater will be open for all parents and friends to watch the performance the campers have learned.
Each child will receive a "Mermaid Makeover," a self-portrait and a group shot of their camp. Children not comfortable in the water should reconsider attending the camp.
Click this Link  for more information about the camp, or call 352-592-5656.

Brooksville, Florida -- Lylah Ray's Salon and Boutique will host a Mother's Day plaza-wide rummage sale.
Twenty percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Dawn Center of Hernando County, which supports victims of rape, sexual crisis, and women and their children who are victims of...more domestic abuse.
Money raised will help mothers in their care celebrate Mother's Day.
Ten businesses will be joining Lylah Ray's for the sale on Saturday, May 5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The event is located in the Killingsworth Insurance Plaza in Brooksville, off Truck By-pass 50.