The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in Brookridge, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
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Eco-friendly & clean work area.
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PDCA Certified Member.
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Your Go-To House Painting Company in Brookridge, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
![House Painters Brookridge, FL House Painters Brookridge, FL](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/painting-company-brookridge-fl-2.jpg)
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
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Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in Brookridge, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
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The Premier Commercial Painting Company in Brookridge, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
![Painting Company Brookridge, FL Painting Company Brookridge, FL](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/painting-company-brookridge-fl-5.jpg)
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
![Residential Painting Brookridge, FL Residential Painting Brookridge, FL](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/painting-company-brookridge-fl-6.jpg)
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
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03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
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![House Painters Brookridge, FL House Painters Brookridge, FL](/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/painting-company-brookridge-fl-10.jpg)
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Latest News in Brookridge, FL
Brookridge community’s monthly Gospel Jubilee set for May 16
Megan Husseyhttps://www.hernandosun.com/2022/05/11/brookridge-communitys-monthly-gospel-jubilee-set-for-may-16/
Back in the 1960s, Ben Hamar scored a hit record with “Sugar and Spice,” a cover of a Searchers song recorded with his group The Grasshoppers. But now Hamar sings only for the Lord and at the side of his wife Phoebe at the Brookridge Gospel Jubilee; a musical show performed on the third Monday of each month at the Brookridge Clubhouse, in the Brooksville community of Brookridge. Brookridge community is located at 7300 Brookridge Central Boulevard in Brooksville. The next Gospel Jubilee will be celebrated at 6 pm on May 16 and it ...
Back in the 1960s, Ben Hamar scored a hit record with “Sugar and Spice,” a cover of a Searchers song recorded with his group The Grasshoppers. But now Hamar sings only for the Lord and at the side of his wife Phoebe at the Brookridge Gospel Jubilee; a musical show performed on the third Monday of each month at the Brookridge Clubhouse, in the Brooksville community of Brookridge. Brookridge community is located at 7300 Brookridge Central Boulevard in Brooksville. The next Gospel Jubilee will be celebrated at 6 pm on May 16 and it is free and open to the public.
“This is a two-hour concert of all gospel music. It may be jazzy, country, pop or messianic. But it’s all gospel,” said Phoebe Hamar, a vocalist who has co-staged these performances with her singer/guitarist husband for five years. She identifies her husband Ben, a native of the Netherlands, as a lifelong music enthusiast. He was a lead guitarist and a featured vocalist for The Grasshoppers. The Grasshoppers’ version of “Sugar and Spice” charted a no. #1 place in 1968 on Minnesota radio stations KDWB and WDGY. The group was named “Best New Band Of The Year” at the Connie Awards, broadcast on WCCO TV on May 27,1968. “Now God has led him to sing only the gospel. We sing his original songs at the Gospel Jubilee,” shared Phoebe. Phoebe said that she discovered her own musical talent during her courtship with Ben. “He asked me if I could sing while we were dating. At the time, I said no,” she said. Adding with a chuckle, “I rely on the Lord to make my voice sound good.”
Aside from their live performances, which also feature stints from special guest performers who share their own vocal and instrumental talents, the Hamars can be seen and heard on their YouTube channel. Ben Hamar’s creativity also extends from the stage to the easel, as he is a painter of oil and acrylic portraits mostly depicting beach scenes from throughout central Florida. His award-winning paintings, completed in a photorealistic style, can be seen in the YouTube video titled “Benno Hamar Photo Realist Artist” and on the Harmar’s business card, where he presents his portrait of their dog Sir Winston. And while Phoebe Hamar encourages all in the community to “take a break” and enjoy the tunes at the Gospel Jubilee, she stresses that this presentation is about more than just music. “We don’t think of the Jubilee as a concert, as much as it is a musical ministry,” said Phoebe, who notes that she and Ben are also pastors at the Brooks and Springs church services in Brookridge, and have appeared at other churches across the area. Phoebe stated, “Gospel music brings His people together in one accord.”
From flooding to sinkholes, Hernando residents continue to feel Debby's effects
Tony Marrerohttps://www.tampabay.com/news/weather/hurricanes/from-flooding-to-sinkholes-hernando-residents-continue-to-feel-debbys/1237363/
Marion Bastiani sat in the cool, dry confines of her granddaughter's car Tuesday afternoon as rain pelted the windshield.About a hundred yards away, Bastiani's house sat in the middle of the new lake that has submerged Brookridge Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares in the Brookridge community, west of Brooksville. On Sunday evening, as Tropical Storm Debby pelted Hernando County with rain, water started seeping into the home. Sheriff's deputies helped Bastiani onto a giant six-wheeled truck and drove her to safety.Now, Bas...
Marion Bastiani sat in the cool, dry confines of her granddaughter's car Tuesday afternoon as rain pelted the windshield.
About a hundred yards away, Bastiani's house sat in the middle of the new lake that has submerged Brookridge Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares in the Brookridge community, west of Brooksville. On Sunday evening, as Tropical Storm Debby pelted Hernando County with rain, water started seeping into the home. Sheriff's deputies helped Bastiani onto a giant six-wheeled truck and drove her to safety.
Now, Bastiani watched from the water's edge as an insurance adjuster dressed in waders surveyed the damage. The water had subsided somewhat, but Bastiani's house and several others were still inaccessible by car.
"I'm just praying for it to stop raining," she said.
Storm-weary Hernando residents can relate, yet Debby's slow movement has stretched out the typical headaches that come with foul weather.
Across the county Tuesday, many of the dozens of residents who fled their homes due to rising water had yet to return, while others were starting to clean up.
Many homeowners were on edge — in some cases literally so — after sinkholes opened up in their neighborhoods.
And other residents on the coast and along the banks of the Withlacoochee River kept a wary eye on water levels as Debby slogged east and made landfall near Steinhatchee on Tuesday evening. Forecasters called for sustained winds of 40 mph along the coast, with gusts up to 60 mph.
Since Friday, the storm has dumped in excess of 15 inches of rain on parts of the county. The deluge has caused inland flooding at levels that longtime residents say they haven't seen in decades.
In the area near U.S. 41 and Powell Road, floodwaters in some homes were as deep as 5 or 6 feet.
"I feel for folks that lost their homes and suffered damage," county Commissioner Dave Russell said. "It's one of those events that's impossible to adequately plan or prepare for."
At least 30 sinkholes had appeared on county property by Tuesday morning, forcing several road closures, county engineer Brian Malmberg said during Tuesday's County Commission meeting. One of the largest swallowed both southbound lanes of Mariner Boulevard at Little Road, about a mile north of Spring Hill Drive. One opened under a home on Little, though the house had not collapsed by Tuesday evening.
Three more sizable chasms consumed sections of taxiway at the Hernando County Airport. The airport remained open.
And in Trillium, a subdivision along County Line Road, just east of the Suncoast Parkway, at least 15 sinkholes opened in retention ponds, then near homes bordering the area.
The county late Monday afternoon declared a local state of emergency, hoping to eventually land federal relief funds.
"I think the worst of it is over, but we have a lot of repairs to do," said County Commission Chairman Wayne Dukes, who signed the declaration.
At one point Sunday night, some 2,000 Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative customers in Hernando County were without power, according to spokesman Dave Lambert. By Tuesday afternoon, only a few Hernando customers served by WREC or Progress Energy were without power.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter Monday evening for people displaced by flooding, but no one had arrived by Tuesday afternoon. It was unclear Tuesday evening how many residents had to leave their homes. Teams comprised of staffers from the Property Appraiser's Office and the county Development Department had begun to assess damage.
Debby had little impact on Hernando's coastal areas by Tuesday afternoon, though water covered much of the beach at Alfred A. McKethan Park at Pine Island, prompting officials to close the park.
Water pushed up to the top of seawalls in Hernando Beach at high tide on Monday, but did not flow over them, said Carl Honeycutt, service manager at the Hernando Beach Marina.
Residents were asked to be wary during high tides over the next two days as Debby's winds change direction and start to push water onto the coast, said Bay News 9 meteorologist Mike Clay.
"Certainly there's going to be a risk of coastal flooding through (Tuesday) evening, and things should be better with each tide cycle after that," Clay said.
The threat of sinkholes weighed heavily on many residents.
On Tuesday morning, 46-year-old Chris Cook peered over the edge of a sinkhole that opened late Monday in the back yard of his home on Nodding Shade Drive in Trillium. Cook's wife and children went to stay with family members.
"Everybody's really worried; nobody wants to stay in their house," Cook said. "I'm probably eventually going to go, too."
Later, as a light rain fell, Nadine Mercader snapped photos from behind yellow caution tape circling the chasm on Mariner.
Mercader, 58, lives about a block away and has been unemployed since she was laid off from her sales manager job about two years ago. Citizens, the state's insurer of last resort, recently canceled her policy, she said, because her roof is too old. She has a mortgage and has been living on savings and money scraped together by working odd jobs.
She said it was hard not to think about all of that as hurricane season starts and sinkholes opened up around her.
"Am I worried?" she said. "I don't sleep."
The sinking earth comes as little surprise given the nature of the geology on the Nature Coast.
Florida is in the prime of its annual sinkhole season in late spring and early summer. Water in the aquifer supports layers of clay and sand on top of limerock, but that buoyancy effect disappears when levels in the aquifer drop, leaving underground voids, said Dave Arnold, professional geologist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Heavy rain in a short period adds significant weight to the soil above the voids, causing the surface to give way.
"The voids are pretty much ready to go," Arnold said. "They just need a trigger mechanism to make it collapse."
Staff writer Barbara Behrendt and staff photojournalist Will Vragovic contributed to this report. Tony Marrero can be reached (352) 848-1431 or tmarrero@tampabay.com.
5 Great Hikes in Florida's Hernando County
visitflorida.comhttps://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/outdoors-nature-top-5-state-parks-hernando-county-fl/
Florida's Hernando County, sited in the central-west part of the state, has an abundance of parks, preserves and state-managed lands to explore, with excellent hiking trails providing a corridor into wild places.To get a feel for Hernando County's natural beauty, spend some time on the following five paths.When it comes to outdoor recreation, Hernando County parks and protected areas will not disappoi...
Florida's Hernando County, sited in the central-west part of the state, has an abundance of parks, preserves and state-managed lands to explore, with excellent hiking trails providing a corridor into wild places.
To get a feel for Hernando County's natural beauty, spend some time on the following five paths.
When it comes to outdoor recreation, Hernando County parks and protected areas will not disappoint.
1. Chinsegut Nature Center Tract
Start your exploration at the Chinsegut Conservation Center Tract, located seven miles north of Brooksville. Along the start of the trail, near the conservation center, you’ll pass by the remains of the 1850s Bishop Homestead, with two cisterns and a chimney still intact. The path connects to the main 1.7-mile loop trail around May’s Prairie, where herons, ibis and massive flocks of sandhill cranes can often be seen. The Chinsegut Conservation Center offers a variety of conservation education programs and festivals throughout the year.
2. Chinsegut Big Pine Tract
Just a few miles away, the Chinsegut Big Pine Tract features a 1.25-mile loop weaving through towering old-growth longleaf pines, aptly named the Longleaf Loop, with several short side trails to explore. Keep a lookout for Red-headed or Pileated woodpeckers tapping away high in the pines and the white flag of a deer’s tail as it bounds away into the brush. A 2-mile Prairie to Pines connector trail joins the Nature Center and Big Pine Tracts. Park in the middle at the U.S. 41./C.R. 481 trailhead and hike both trails on the same day. Alternate parking is available for Big Pine Tract is located on Old Crystal River Road approximately one mile north of US 41. Scheduled guided walks and programs are provided through the Chinsegut Conservation Center.
3. Croom Hiking Trails
For a challenge, head to the Croom Hiking Trails in the Withlacoochee State Forest, also located near Brooksville. Start your hike at the popular multi-use Tucker Hill Trailhead and set out on a potential 22.69-mile hike among the trails' three loops over just-rugged-enough terrain. Turkey oaks and longleaf pines dominate sections of the trail that pass over steep sandhills, making this a favorite of hikers and trail runners in the area. The loop can be broken up into three shorter hikes (referred to as A, B and C loop) using connector trails.
4. Perry Oldenburg Mitigation Park
The Perry Oldenburg Mitigation Park was set aside to protect gopher tortoise habitat, and you’ll encounter many along – and in – the trail, making it one of the best Hernando County parks for turtle lovers. A 1.5-mile loop trail and a short half-mile section of the Florida National Scenic Trail can be found on this small but important tract of protected land. Besides looking for gopher tortoises, watch for wild turkeys, indigo snakes and Sherman’s fox squirrels. The park is approximately five miles north of Brooksville. Take US 41 to Deer Run Road and continue east and follow the signs to the park.
5. Chassahowitzka Wildlife
If you are lucky, you may catch a peek at a Florida black bear at the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area. This property is said to be the home of the smallest population of bears in the state-- a mere 20 or so. Follow Indigo Lane to the hiking trailhead, where two trails are located. Along the 1.5-mile Cypress Circle Trail, swallow-tailed kites soar overhead in the summer months as you trek around a cypress dome. As the name suggests, the Wild Turkey Trace Trail is a good place to spot wild turkeys and deer, as well as gray foxes.
When You Go...
Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website for more information at myfwc.com.
For more ways to help plan your trip to Hernando County, visit floridasadventurecoast.com or call 800-601-4580.
During Irma, most in Hernando came through relatively unscathed
Megan Reeveshttps://www.tampabay.com/news/weather/during-irma-most-in-hernando-came-through-relatively-unscathed/2338197/
After Hurricane Irma's visit to Florida, the Tampa Bay Times checked in with people and agencies across Hernando County to see how they endured. While the area saw many downed trees and some flooding, most residents and officials reported no major damage. Megan Reeves, Times staff writerWeeki Wachee State ParkOther than several downed trees and a lot of scattered plant debris, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park sustained no damage, said spokesman John Athanason.The park closed Friday, Sept. 8, ahead of the sto...
After Hurricane Irma's visit to Florida, the Tampa Bay Times checked in with people and agencies across Hernando County to see how they endured. While the area saw many downed trees and some flooding, most residents and officials reported no major damage. Megan Reeves, Times staff writer
Weeki Wachee State Park
Other than several downed trees and a lot of scattered plant debris, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park sustained no damage, said spokesman John Athanason.
The park closed Friday, Sept. 8, ahead of the storm and reopened Saturday, after the grounds were back to normal.
"It took a good week of our staff and volunteers working to clean it up, but we are up and running again," Athanason said.
Mobile homes
Overall, mobile homes in Hernando County fared well through the storm. The outlier was Clover Leaf Forest RV Park off Broad Street in Brooksville. Much of the community saw major flooding, with some residents' homes taking on several inches of water. Other homes were damaged by fallen trees and debris.
Larger mobile home communities in the county — including High Point and Brookridge, both off State Road 50 — only saw minimal damage, like displaced lawn ornaments, bent awnings and shifted carports.
Boyett's Grove and Citrus Attraction
Irma damaged citrus crops across the state, but Hernando's quintessential Florida orange crop was largely spared. Kathy Oleson, owner of Boyett's Grove in Spring Lake, said that while the property lost power and water, there was no major damage to structures or plants.
"We planned for a whole week in advance because we know that we have so much vulnerability," Oleson said.
No animals at the attraction were injured either. Oleson said smaller animals, like birds, ferrets and bunnies, rode out the storm inside the gift shop. Windbreaks were made out of large, circular hay bales for larger animals that had to stay outside.
The grove will reopen once fallen trees are removed and debris cleanup is complete.
Hernando Beach
Residents in Hernando Beach woke up grateful on Sept. 11 after Hurricane Irma passed over the Tampa Bay region. Besides a few sunken boats, the community saw little damage compared to past storms, said waterfront resident and county port authority vice chairman Frank Santo.
Santo said even the lowest areas of Hernando Beach, like Eagles Nest, experienced almost no flooding, likely because the storm surge and high tide did not come at the same time.
Chinsegut Hill
Chinsegut Hill's 1850s-era manor house and seven lodging cottages — the latter rented to evacuees during Hurricane Irma — braved the storm unharmed, said Brooksville Mayor Natalie Kahler, who also serves as manager for the historic property.
But the winding, wooded driveway to the house was a different story. Irma left it so littered with fallen trees and debris that it was blocked to traffic for days.
"We think a little tornado came through there," she said, adding that many trees had been snapped in half.
Kahler said the house reopened to the public this week, once power and water had been restored. Volunteers will continue cleanup while county workers remove larger downed trees.
Kahler said while the storm didn't do any severe damage to the house on the hill, more than five canceled events before and after the storm will cost the nonprofit organization that operates the property money that will be difficult to recoup.
Health services
Nina Mattei, emergency planner for the Hernando County Health Department, said no major health-related issues arose during Hurricane Irma. Only one health care facility, Atria Evergreen Woods assisted living facility in Spring Hill, evacuated residents in what was called "an abundance of caution."
Many other facilities in the county, Mattei said, opened as shelters to a few hundred special-needs evacuees from partner facilities in South Florida. Mattei said that before, during and after the storm, Health Department representatives kept in touch with medical agencies countywide to "support their efforts to prepare, respond and recover from the storm."
Contact Megan Reeves at mreeves@tampabay.com. Follow @mareevs.
FHP: Human smuggler arrested for transporting 8 undocumented immigrants into Florida
Fox 13 News staffhttps://www.fox13news.com/news/fhp-human-smuggler-arrested-for-transporting-8-undocumented-immigrants-into-florida
Florida troopers arrested a man who they say was caught smuggling eight undocumented immigrants into the state.Around 6:45 p.m. Thursday, two Florida Highway Patrol troopers spotted a white passenger van with blacked-out windows driving south on Interstate 75 in Hernando County....
Florida troopers arrested a man who they say was caught smuggling eight undocumented immigrants into the state.
Around 6:45 p.m. Thursday, two Florida Highway Patrol troopers spotted a white passenger van with blacked-out windows driving south on Interstate 75 in Hernando County.
When they pulled the van over, they noted that all of the windows behind the driver were completely non-transparent, and had American flag stickers on each of the seven windows.
The troopers said the driver, 40-year-old Javier Palma Jenaro, handed over a Mexican passport and an expired Mexican driver's license. He told the troopers he was the owner of the van, and had eight other people with him.
Jenaro said the group was traveling from Marianna, Florida, down to Naples, and had been working all day.
FHP notified US Border Patrol, who responded to the scene and helped interview the occupants of the van, who investigators determined were all in the U.S. illegally. The occupants told the Border Patrol agent they had traveled from Alabama into Florida.
When FHP checked the van's Arizona license plate, it had previously been detected traveling eastbound on I-40 in New Mexico on Tuesday, and then in Alabama on Wednesday.
Investigators searched the van and found several ledgers, which included names, destinations and prices. They said all of the interior windows had "command hooks" on them to hold curtains in order to further conceal the inside of the van.
After agents told Jenaro about the license plate readers picking up the van's whereabouts, he agreed to talk to investigators.
Previous coverage: FHP busts human traffickers in Hernando County
FOX 13's Evan Axelbank reports.
Jenaro said he got a call while he was in Milwaukee, telling him to drive to Arizona to transport a group of undocumented immigrants to Florida -- something he says he'd done several times before. He said he makes $250 per person he transports.
He picked up the eight occupants at a park in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday. Before being stopped by FHP, he said he dropped off three other people in Florida.
Jenaro told investigators he uses his cell phone to coordinate pickup and drop-off locations, and was supposed to drop off the remaining eight people at a truck stop in Fort Myers.
Troopers arrested Jenaro and transported him to the Hernando County Jail. They found $3,700 in cash in his pocket, along with an additional ledger.
Jenaro is charged with eight felony counts of smuggling an illegal individual into the state, along with the use of a two-way communications device to commit a felony, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. He is being held on $90,500 bond.
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