Hernando County offices, services closed for Independence Day
BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County government offices will be closed Friday, July 3, and reopen Monday, July 6.
TheBus will operate regular routes and schedules Friday, July 3, but will not run Saturday, July 4. Normal service resumes Sunday, July 5.
All library branches will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4. The Main Branch reopens Monday, July 6, and the Spring Hill and East Hernando branches reopen Tuesday, July 7.
The Main Landfill and the West Hernando and East Hernando solid waste convenience centers will be closed Saturday, July 4. Coastal Waste & Recycling collection will not be affected because Independence Day falls on a Saturday, though heavier trash volumes may delay pickups the following week.
District extends Modified Phase 3 water shortage
Residents will remain under one-day-per-week watering restrictions and reduced watering hours through Oct. 1.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board voted to extend its Modified Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage through Oct. 1 because of ongoing drought across the region. The order requires all residents, including those on private wells, to follow one-day-per-week restrictions and reduced watering hours.
Unless a city or county already enforces stricter hours, watering is limited to 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Properties smaller than one acre may use only one of those windows.
The restrictions apply to all of Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Sumter counties; portions of Charlotte, Highlands and Lake counties; the city of Dunnellon and The Villages in Marion County; and the part of Gasparilla Island in Charlotte County.
Sheriff’s Office seeking part-time crossing guards
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office is seeking candidates for part-time school crossing guard positions.
To apply, visit hernandosheriff.org/joinourfamily.aspx. The office is an equal opportunity employer.
Florida Python Challenge returns in July
The 2026 Florida Python Challenge runs from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 10, through 5 p.m. Sunday, July 19, giving registered participants a chance to win a share of $25,000 while removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades. Registration stays open through the final day.
The competition, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District, offers a grand prize of $10,000 to the participant who removes the most pythons. Additional cash prizes go to those who remove the most and the longest pythons in three categories: novice, professional and military.
This year’s event marks the return of Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official competition locations.
Registrants must complete required online training, available with educational material about Burmese pythons and the Everglades at FLPythonChallenge.org.
Corporate Boulevard to close July 6-8 between Anderson Snow Road, Aerial Way
BROOKSVILLE — Corporate Boulevard will be closed between Anderson Snow Road and Aerial Way from 6 a.m. July 6 to 6 p.m. July 8 for utility work tied to the Anderson Snow Road and Corporate Boulevard intersection improvements.
Traffic will be detoured at Spring Hill Drive and Aerial Way. Drivers should allow extra time and use caution in the area.