Community

By SUE QUIGLEY
HERNANDO SUN WRITER

“What is often not understood is that the rampant breeding for cub petting that results in so many untracked captive animals in the U.S. is contributing to possible extinction of tigers and other big cats in the wild. The State Department has confirmed that domestic private ownership of big cats in the U.S. is problematic as they work with other nations to oppose tiger farming and trafficking”

— Carole Baskin, founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue 

Ty Evans and his family have always been around mules and donkeys at their Utah ranch. An opportunity arose, for Evans to offer lessons to riders and their mules on how to positively partner with each other. He developed a Mulemanship training clinic. Today, Evans travels throughout the country building connections between riders and their mule.  He visited Brooksville last month, conducting a three-day clinic at Spotted Dance Ranch.

by SARAH NACHIN
HERNANDO SUN WRITER

On Saturday, February 23, members of the community, students and teachers gathered at Weeki Wachee High School for the annual History Fair.  History teachers Damien Clark from Weeki Wachee High School, Suzanne Miranda from Springstead High School and Michael Cooper from Winding Waters K-8 School spearheaded the event. The theme of this year’s fair was “Triumph and Tragedy.” 

by LISA MACNEIL
Hernando Sun Reporter

On February 3, 1943, 676 souls were lost aboard the USS Dorchester.  Among the perished were four chaplains, of four different faiths, who provided prayer and comfort to the men who would die at sea with them.

by SARAH NACHIN
Hernando Sun Reporter

Although Evan Sommerfeld has been with People Helping People (PHP) for only six months, he has an expansive vision for the non-profit organization. Sommerfeld took over as Executive Director after the first of this year - the only paid employee among a large group of volunteers.

The PHP Help Center is located at 1396 Kass Circle in Spring Hill. 

A female bald eagle was struck by a car while foraging on road kill in Brooksville on Jan. 24, 2019.  This story is not only about her path to recovery, but a look at those who help save, treat and rehabilitate sick, injured or orphaned wildlife.

After the eagle was hit, she was brought to Owl’s Nest Sanctuary in Odessa, FL.

Lilly Browning of Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Coordinator at Hernando County Utilities Department held a class about attracting wildlife at Chinsegut Conservation Center. The focus was teaching residents to learn how to create a wildlife haven and with Spring is just around the corner, now’s the time to begin organizing and planning.

There are many reasons why residents should create a pollinator’s garden, and as more areas are developed, natural environs for wildlife are declining.

The title Kentucky Colonel dates back to around 1813. The Kentucky Militia had just returned from a highly successful campaign during the War of 1812. When the Militia disbanded, Governor Isaac Shelby commissioned Charles S. Todd, one of his officers in the campaign, as an Aide-de-Camp on the governor’s staff. Todd’s official rank and grade was Colonel.

The Citrus Showcase of Homes is ongoing until March 3, 2019. This year they are showcasing 15 Homes by 11 builders. The models are located in some of the major developments of Citrus County including Sugarmill Woods, Citrus Hills, Pine Ridge Estates, Heritage and Inverness Highlands.

Most people generally associate homelessness and poverty with large urban areas or the mountains of Appalachia, but Hernando County has a significant number of people who don't have a permanent roof over their heads or enough food to eat. However, there are a number of local churches, organizations, and individuals that are trying to do something about this social problem.