April 2020

On Wednesday, April 30th, in a letter to seniors and their families, Superintendent John Stratton shared,“Because commencement is such an important milestone for students and families, we have taken great care in deciding how best to create a memorable experience for the Class of 2020.

This graduating class has lost out on several key senior events and we cannot match the disappointment of missing spring sports, prom and Grad Bash but we hope to do everything we can to send you off with our congratulations and well wishes for a happy and healthy future. “

The Governor's Executive Order 20-112, the Plan for Florida's Recovery Post COVID-19, takes effect on Monday, May 4, 2020.

Read the FAQ to find out how this may affect you:
https://www.flgov.com/…/2020/04/Exec-Order-20-112-FAQs-1.pdf

On Monday, April 20th at 2:15 p.m. a drive-by was orchestrated to celebrate the life and legacy of David Feinberg. This was put together in a matter of days by the Feinberg family, a post from daughter Haydn read, “For those who don’t know, my dad David Feinberg was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer this past October.

At the regularly scheduled Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting Tuesday, April 28, 2020 the board voted to extend the current state of emergency for an additional seven days as is required by Florida law.  They also voted to reopen parks and beach areas, such as Alfred McKethan Park and Pine Island.   Pine Island’s beach has been closed, however remained open to launch watercraft.  Both votes were unanimous.

Hernando County Fire Chief Scott Hechler advised the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on Tuesday, April 28, 2020  that Hernando County Fire-Rescue (HCFR) is the recipient of funding from the CARES Act.  The BOCC unanimously approved this funding and additional funding from reimbursements from Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance companies.  The appropriate budget resolutions were passed.

TAMPA- If you were hoping for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to continue loading up on skill players (like I was), you were entirely let down by the NFL Draft 2020. The Buccaneers made sure to draft players to continue providing more talent around newly acquired quarterback Tom Brady, but also adding some much needed protection on the offensive line. 

Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources has reopened select park locations as of Wednesday, April 22, with two of these locations found in Spring Hill.  A week later, Hernando County opened all of their parks for public use once again.  Both counties list several recommendations for visitors to heed, while enjoying the public green space.

For our fourth section of wildflowers blooming in Hernando County, we take you to those wildflowers that thrive in sandy soils. Areas like the longleaf pine and sandhill habitats are perfect locales for these flowering plants. Just in time to show off their beautiful colors and provide an abundance of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. 

April 29, 2020

by Jim Turner, NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE --- Voicing support for the state’s struggling citrus industry, Florida Republicans and Democrats are opposing a federal decision to allow the importation of certain fruits from China.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott on Tuesday sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to reverse a decision to let five varieties of citrus fruits be imported from China.