EDITOR'S NOTE: Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to the property owner for comment and did not hear back by the time story was published.

They have now told us they did plan to build a parking lot, but there was also an exclusive offer to donate the building to the Hernando Historical Museum.

However, both parties could not agree on a timeline.

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Downtown Brooksville is known for its history and historical sites.

Preserving the old has been a goal for organizers and event planners in the area.

The Garrison House is believed to be the oldest building in the area — and it’s hanging on by a thread.

Local historians and residents are not happy with its condition. Chris Rhodes has studied history for years.

“A lot of historians believe that this was here when the Garrison’s first moved to Hernando in 1830-1840s. This is one of the pioneers of Brooksville,” he said.

Rhodes said he’s proud to call Brooksville home because of its history.

“Oh my God, this is devastating,” he said while looking at the torn-down home.

“Which is something that Brooksville just doesn’t need,” Rhodes said.

He understands the owners have a right to do what they want with their property, but he thinks there are so many other possibilities to preserve this piece of history.

“This doesn’t have to be a home,” he continued on. “It could be a restaurant, it could be a small business, it could be a small retail shop, it could be a photo studio again.”

Back in the 20s, Albert Haskell, a well-known photographer, turned the house into his ‘Photo Shop.’

Rhodes said now is the time to bring back Brooksville’s old charm, not tear it down.

“As the downtown area is starting to revitalize and reawaken the heart of Brooksville, it’s monstrous to have this occur,” Rhodes expressed.

“This property needs love. This property needs to be respected.”

A grant was filed in 2021 by Brooksville Main Steet to protect and save the property by moving it, but the owners did not agree to the timeline, so the old home will be gone forever.

Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to the property owner for comment. They said they did plan to build a parking lot, but there was also an exclusive offer to donate the building to the Hernando Historical Museum.

However, both parties could not agree on a timeline.

Authorities gathered more than 525 traps all belonging to the boat captain.

HERNANDO BEACH, Fla. — Four people aboard a boat stone crab fishing in a closed zone were arrested this month, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported.

On Tuesday, April 5, FWC officers aboard a patrol vessel and aviation unit noticed a stone crab vessel in closed zone 2 in the closed areas of the Big Bend stone crab – shrimping zones. Authorities said they saw the boat making circles in the area to retrieve their traps from the bottom, actively fishing their traps in a closed area.

“When the vessel crew of the 'Nauti Crab' noticed our patrol vessel headed toward them, the crew dropped all of the stone crab gear to the bottom,” Lt. Scott Smith said. “The captain stated they had broken down and just fixed their vessel. They insisted they had not been crabbing in that area.”

However, FWC officers saw that all crew members were wearing slickers, common when working stone crab traps.

"They were using a long line gear setup, with 60 to 80 traps all connected on one line underwater and invisible to the eye," Smith said. "Each line should be marked by a buoy; however, not a single line we located was marked."

Officers documented the evidence and followed the Nauti Crab vessel back to its home port of Hernando Beach where authorities seized the boat's GPS units along with drugs and paraphernalia for evidence.

Using the GPS coordinates, FWC officers were able to follow the direction of where the crew was working. Dragging a grapple behind the patrol vessel, officers found 57 stone crab traps. Officers continued to discover traps in the closed zone and discovered more than 525 traps, all belonging to the same vessel.

Andrew Bertine, 54, of Lecanto; Scott Lefke, 53, of Homosassa; Matthew Bransfield, 40, of Citrus Springs; and George Boynton, 48, of Homosassa were each arrested and transported to Citrus County Jail.

They were charged with 10 misdemeanors and two felonies for possession of undersized stone crab claws, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no aerial display of stone crab numbers or buoy.

Under regulation, a stone crab harvester can take a daily bag limit of 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less. Each vessel may also use up to five stone crab traps per person.

The minimum claw size limit is 2 7/8 inches. Recreational and commercial stone crab harvest season remains open through May 1.

Among the main infrastructure issues Hernando wants to address: Building elevation and coastline preservation.

Florida’s new chief resilience officer toured Hernando County last week. He's visiting local communities throughout the state to discuss resiliency goals.

In November, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Wesley Brooks as the state's new chief resilience officer, after nearly two years of not having a full-time person in the position.

Brooks was director of federal affairs at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and he also worked with U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio on environmental initiatives.

The governor's office said in an email that Brooks is meeting with local officials across the state to learn about their specific regional needs.

“Governor DeSantis created the Chief Resilience Officer position with the direction to coordinate statewide response to better prepare for the environmental, physical, and economic impacts of flooding in Florida,” said Jared Williams, deputy communications director for DeSantis’ office.

“To implement this mission, Dr. Wes Brooks has been visiting, and will continue to visit and coordinate with, local communities throughout the state to discuss our shared resiliency goals, including recently in Hernando County.”

James Coleman, Hernando County's emergency manager, said he discussed flooding and sea level rise with Brooks, as Hernando is in the Withlacoochee River Basin.

"One of the things that Dr. Brooks brought up was, we're not just looking at coastal flooding and incidents of that nature, but also inland flooding," he said.

Brooks toured Hernando County Fire Station #6, which is being demolished and rebuilt to the basic flood elevation of 15 feet.

"From there, we went and looked at a home that's being elevated … put on piers or stilts, and it's right at the water's edge. It's one of these homes that has a canal that comes right up to the back of the house,” he said, adding that it’s part of the mitigation and remediation that needs to take place, especially in older communities.

The county wants to also focus on finding ways of preserving the coastline.

Coleman said he’s hoping to get some grant funding through The Resilient Florida Program, legislation that was signed into law in May. It ensures coordination in coastal and inland resiliency.

“Dr. Brooks, talked at length about the grant programs that The Resilience Program is coming out with — they're usually 50/50 grants, and they can be used for projects or for planning purposes,” he said.

The governor recently announced the award of more than $404 million for 113 projects through the program.

“One of the things that the governor mentioned was, he was going to try to leverage that $404 million into over $800 million, with the rest of the state budget with monies that could be appropriated towards the resiliency of the state. So that is really exciting. I mean, that's almost a billion dollars,” said Coleman.

In thinking about storm preparation, he said counties across the state are “all in it together.”

“When these storms hit, it's a regional approach to response and recovery,” he said. “Hernando County doesn't do by themselves. We get with Citrus County, Sumter, Pasco, Pinellas. I mean, everybody jumps in together and it's a regional approach to wherever the disaster hits.”

One of the more popular waterside parks in Hernando County has been closed since last year. One of the few beach areas for residents to enjoy, the park features white sand and is a safe place to visit multiple species of fish. It is also a spot to get a close-up glimpse of manatees in the winter when Jenkins Creek becomes a cold-weather refuge for the chubby creatures. The closure of Linda Pedersen Park’s beach and boardwalk area was due to “a number of broken and deteriorated planks along the boardwalk,” according to the county. Still, some wonder why the county did not make temporary repairs and leave the park open to the public rather than shutting it down for the better part of a year.

Instead, the county opted to make the entire area located within the park at 6300 Shoal Line Boulevard near Hernando Beach off limits to residents as the apparently complex and time-consuming procedures of design, permitting and construction ever-so-slowly play out.

“I think they could have fixed a few planks and left the thing open. We (the family) used to come out here at least once a week and check out everything from snook to manatees,” said Eddie Dunne, pointing at the creek beyond multiple signs warning visitors to “Keep Out.”

The park was closed in April of 2020. Meanwhile, weeds have cropped up above the white sand, the orange temporary fencing is fading, and large signs warning people of snakes and alligators are the only outward signs of progress made since the area was closed.

Unfortunately for those who enjoy viewing manatee and other wildlife from this popular venue, the park’s reopening is still months away. While all bids were received earlier this month they are still under review. Although Lyric Service Inc. is the lowest bidding company, work will not begin for several months, according to Community Services Director Christopher Linsbeck.

“I’m anxious to get this one moving along,” said Linsbeck on Friday, Dec. 4.

There also has to be a Recommendation for Award presented as an Agenda item to the County Commission for the project to move forward. Linsbeck also says the county is putting in a request for additional funding to the Department of Treasury and that has to be done before the boardwalk item goes to the BOCC for awarding of work to the selected bidder.

As to the project’s scope, works include the “replacement of the existing, dilapidated boardwalk, sheet pile wall, swim platform and sidewalk at Linda Pedersen Park.” The majority of the project is to be constructed in the same footprint as the existing structures.

There is a reason that Florida's Nature Coast has its name, featuring many picturesque coastal towns that offer major natural exploration opportunities. These less-visited bucket-list getaway towns in the state with hundreds of miles of tranquil remoteness, less crowds, and pure natural beauty are mentioned below.

Cedar Key

A busy port in the past, Cedar Key is a charming enclave along the Nature Coast, with a quaint vibe and old-fashioned atmosphere that artists and writers adore for inspiration among unspoiled natural beauty. This picturesque town in Levy County is spread over a cluster of islands and is a known fishing mecca and a hotspot for amazing seafood. Representing a slice of traditional Florida, it is set off the beaten path, accessible by Route 24, with a small downtown area cozily lined with century-old oak trees and boutiques. Multilevel houses sit on stills overhanging the Gulf of Mexico, while the beachfront airport makes a great spectacle from the white sand with quiet, gentle waters. The Lil Shark Park city park is a perfect getaway for families with a playground and more white sand beachfront. Nature lovers will love visiting the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and the Cedar Key Museum State Park to see flocks of the endangered spoonbills flying over the area and even landing on the beach. The numerous beaches are best viewed during a Floridian orange sunset.

Crystal River

This tourist hotspot on the Nature Coast of Citrus County is widely known for its West Indian manatee sightings. One can see the gentle giants and float with them in water on an eco-tour at the Three Sisters Springs. Tucked away within the residential district, it provides a warm and safe hideaway for the manatees during wintertime's cold temperatures at the Gulf, while the surrounding boardwalk makes them great to spectate from. Easily reachable by the Three Sisters Springs Trolley, the recent wetlands expansion restored the natural habitat for the animals and added to the experience of watching them. The town has one of the purest and clearest spring-fed water systems in its Crystal River, with kayaking and snorkeling year-round. The quieter Homosassa River and the Rainbow River are full of fish, turtles, aquatic plants, and natural spring vents nearby. The Crystal River State Archaeological Park displays the remnants of Florida's Native Americans through an insightful perspective highlighting the historical significance of their early life in the area. Coming inclusive with stelae, burial mounds, middens, and a paved walkway throughout the 61-acre site, there is also a stairway to the scenic view from the top of Temple Mound "H."

Fish Creek

Known as a "spring-breakers" town, Fish Creek is perfect for any taste, whether one is looking to have fun or relax in the laid-back atmosphere, including those passionate for fine art, entertainment, culinary experience and excellence, and intoxicating culture. The town of Fish Creek comes complete with exquisite storefronts and quirky eating places, along with Boutique clothing stores, art galleries, specialty shops, and home décor retailers along its picturesque downtown streets. The Adult Night at Hands On Art Studio is a spanned-out interactive workshop set within a refurbished picturesque barn held on Friday nights with beer, wine, music, and a variety of art to try, such as metalwork, painting, and ceramics. Another sought-after experience in town includes stocking up on the locally sourced cheeses, bakery items, and gifts at the stress-free atmosphere of the family-owned Lautenbach's Orchard Country Winery & Market, with complimentary wine and product tastings.

Hernando Beach

Off the path and out of sight, the picturesque oasis of Hernando Beach town is a best-kept secret of the state. Set on the west coast along the Weeki Wachee River and Springs, it is a shrimping mecca that offers direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and Gilligan's Island, while its picturesque houses are lined along the canal, a la Venice. Prior to becoming a waterfront canal community, it was all wetlands before 1950s when a developer Charlie Sasser purchased the area and had it ready by 1970. The restrictions on wetland development came next year, with state claiming ownership and the Army Corps of Engineers accusing the developer of not having the proper permits. Sesser was ordered to restore the land to its natural state, as he built a dike around the 144 acres to separate it from the gulf. Although some say that the town should not exist, those who visit to see the shallow sand bars glistening from the clear turquoise waters, along with the proximity to the scallop patches, would argue otherwise. Perfect for boating, it is also home to the Hernando Flats, which will make one think they've landed in the Caribbean.

Homosassa

Set near the southern end of the Big Bend on Florida's Gulf Coast, Homosassa is known for its several state parks. The Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park offers manatee viewings through an underwater observatory, while the Yulee Sugar Mill State Park gives one a tour of a sugar mill that served troops during the Civil War. The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features various animals including alligators, black bears, red wolf, key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes, and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The town was also a popular train stop in the early 1900s, where people would debunk not for a smoke break or some fresh air, but for swimming and fishing in the place, even then, known as one of the most beautiful spots in Florida. Today, the town with great scalloping opportunities and the quintessential springs still has the air of a "throwback to simpler times". The "Florida Cracker Riverside Resort" is a hot spot especially during the scalloping season, set on water, with a private boat ramp, and boats for rent.

Horseshoe Beach

Horseshoe Beach is known (or not) for its extreme remoteness of a peninsula that juts out from the nearest main roadway into the Gulf for 20 miles, where a sparsely-populated fishing and boating community sits at the tip in a secluded area. Nevertheless, there is a restaurant, a full-service marina, an athletic area, and a park, while rocks and walls surround the town's beach for a dramatically picturesque setting right out of a movie. The park comes with a boat ramp, picnic areas, and water views, although there is no actual beach for swimming. The only natural beachfront is reachable by driving to the end of the County Road 351, or the town's Main Street.

Steinhatchee, Florida

Set on the Gulf of Mexico at the southern end of State Road 51, Steinhatchee, Florida, is a little fishing village on the north side of the Steinhatchee River, with some 1,000 residents. Commercial and sport fishermen on the river and the gulf represent the export and the tourism that "feed" the town's economy, with fishing as its biggest industry. The Gulf's shallow waters brim with scallops, stone crabs, and blue crabs, where tourists come to snorkel for scallops during the season. The Steinhatchee River has a large trout and redfish population. The surrounding wilderness, teeming with alligators, panthers, hogs, turkeys, and all kinds of shorebirds, makes one think they have landed in Africa's Amazon. Artists love this town to capture Old Florida and the "jungle" images. The streets are wonderful for biking and walking to marvel at the Victorian homes set along the river. For a laid-back weekend, one can stay at one of the charming Old Florida B&Bs, while fishing, exploring, cycling, or just getting away from it all in this picturesque place with a quintessential charm that suits its name.

By visiting Florida's Nature Coast, one will see the difference between the terms "wild" and "unspoiled," often used interchangeably. While some towns are more rugged and others simply untouched, they all make for a unique experience in the Sunshine state's very picturesque natural place.