2007

Oct. 3

Larry Jennings

named interim

county administrator

BROOKSVILLE - To no one's surprise, Larry Jennings Tuesday was officially chosen interim county administrator.

Jennings would assume his duties as soon as outgoing administrator Gary Kuhl stepped down Nov. 10

Jennings, the deputy county administrator, told county commissioners he would not accept the county's top spot permanently. But that didn't stop commissioners from trying during a board meeting. "What if we rally around you and ask you to be the permanent (administrator)?" Commissioner Chris Kingsley asked. Jennings smiled but wouldn't commit to anything long-term.

Oct. 6

PHCC pushes to

offer 4-year degrees

BROOKSVILLE - Pasco-Hernando Community College announced it formed partnerships with other colleges and universities, enabling students to get four-year degrees without leaving the area.

The partnerships include Barry University in Miami, St. Leo University in Pasco County. The University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, USF Tampa and Hodges University in Naples, Fla.

PHCC is also in talks with St. Petersburg College and St. Louis-based Webster University, according to Burt Harres, vice president of instruction for PHCC and provost at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

Oct. 10

Six people rescued after boat capsizes in Gulf

HERNANDO BEACH - Six people were plucked from the Gulf of Mexico when their boat capsized about 22 miles offshore.

They were rescued after about 22 hours in the water, most with minor injuries such as jellyfish stings and cramps.

Oct. 11

School district

launches hiring

freeze

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando County School Superintendent Wayne Alexander issued a directive: Hold off on filling open teacher positions unless absolutely necessary.

The move was necessary because of a state funding cut.

Oct. 17

Rowden blasts administrator recruitment process

BROOSKVILLE - The path to picking Hernando County's next county administrator got off to a rough start when Commissioner Diane Rowden blasted a recruiting plan proposed by Human Resources Director Barbara Dupre.

Rowden said it should be up to the board to handle the recruitment process.

But her colleagues disagreed and decided to go along with Dupre's recommendation to form a selection committee to shortlist candidates for the post.

Oct. 17

County seeks to automate fleet department

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners agreed it is time to bring Hernando County's fleet department into the 21{+s}{+t} century by introducing an automated computer system that better tracks gas-monitoring of vehicles by employees.

But it's going to cost money. How much money will be determined after staffers research other governmental entities, including Sumter County.

The move is an attempt to correct deficiencies revealed in an audit specifically related to underuse of county vehicles.

Oct. 19

County got a 'Reality Check'

BROOKSVILLE - About 50 county government and community leaders, realtors, business people and concerned citizens gathered at Silverthorn Country Club for two hours to find out how this county will deal with the explosive growth of Hernando County during the next 40-plus years.

The focal point of the "Reality Check" event was a tabletop exercise where participants were given plastic building blocks and ribbons, all of different colors representing roads, new residents and jobs.

Divided into groups of about 8-10 people, players attached the blocks on a game board map of the county to show where they think future growth will occur, based on demographics and economic data.

Oct. 20

Staph infection prompts school cautionary announcement

BROOKSVILLE - With a potentially deadly bacterial strain hitting Sarasota schools, local school district officials advised parents not to panic.

Cases of the antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus bacterium, or MRSA, were being reported in school districts throughout Florida. The staph infection killed a Virginia student.

County School Superintendent Wayne Alexander told parents to stay alert, but don't panic.

Oct. 26

County unveils its road pavement plan

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners approved the 2007-2008 pavement management program, which outlines the timetables or road improvements in the coming months.

Many of the residential roads were last repaved in the mid- to late-1990s.

The road improvements include resurfacing on Fort Dade Avenue East from Main Street to U.S. 41; Ridge Manor Boulevard from State Road 50 to U.S. 301; Elgin Boulevard, from Tanner Road to Barclay Road; Deltona Boulevard, from Northcliffe Boulevard to State Road 50; and Mariner Boulevard, from Spring Hill Drive to Northcliffe Boulevard.

Oct. 28

Anger erupts over the Pledge of Allegiance

SPRING HILL - Some parents raised objections when students at Spring Hill's J.D. Floyd Elementary School recited the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish as part of a diversity exercise.

School officials said it was designed to broaden the horizons of young children.

But some parents were offended and said the pledge should only be recited in English.