What to do with Bears

Good info.....Dave


Q&A: What to do in face-off with a bear?

  By Stephen Hudak Staff Writer

     In the wake of Florida’s most serious bear attack on record, you’re probably wondering whether it’s safe to be outside — especially in the Seminole County neighborhoods where black-bear sightings are most common.

   I live on a street where bears are frequently sighted. Should I walk my dog at night?

   Not if you can avoid it, said bear expert John Beecham, who has studied them for more than 40 years.

   Bears are more likely to be prowling after the sun goes down.

   They don’t like to have their meals interrupted, and they aren’t dog-lovers.

   “They’re mortal enemies, and [bears] will defend themselves,” said Beecham, past president of the International Association for Bear Research and Management.

   So what should I do?

   If you’re walking after dark or before dawn, bring a bright flashlight. And pay attention.

   Don’t walk alone, said Mike Orlando, a wildlife biologist and bear specialist
 

  with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Black-bear attacks are very rare, but walking with a buddy is usually a good idea.

   Carry bear spray, a hot-pepper concentrate effective within 25 feet. You can buy bear spray online or at outdoor and camping-supply stores. It costs about $32 at Walmart.

   Beecham recommends carrying a radio or other noisemaker that can produce an audible warning to the bear because no one wants a surprise bear encounter. A startled bear might strike
  because it perceives you to be a threat to itself, its cubs or its food.

   What do I do if I have a bear encounter?

   It depends. A number of scenarios could occur: You could startle a bear and have little time to react before it attacks. You could see the animal before it spots you. Or you and the bear could eye each other at the same time.

   Experts have different advice for those encounters.

   What if I startle a bear and it pounces on me without warning?

   If that happens, the best strategy is to play dead, Beecham said. If you’re playing dead, the bear likely will conclude that you are not a threat and back off.
  “When the bear perceives the threat is gone, the animal runs away,” Beecham said. “But there are no guarantees.”

   I’m confused. State wildlife officials say not to play dead.

   Beecham’s advice does seem to conflict with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, which states that you should not play dead. But the agency’s advice is based on a bear encounter — that is, you see a bear and it sees you — but not the rare scenario when you have surprised a bear, it feels threatened and it attacks suddenly. In that case, state wildlife officials deferred to Beecham’s advice.
 

   What if I see a bear but it doesn’t see me?

   Stop and assess the animal’s behavior. If the bear hasn’t noticed you, back off and move away.

   What if the bear sees me?

   Be calm. The bear might stand up on its hind legs, but that’s not an aggressive action, Beecham said. “He’s simply trying to figure out what you are,” he added. Stand your ground. Speak to it in a firm voice.

   But what if it doesn’t?

   Back away slowly while facing the bear, Beecham said. If the bear starts walking toward you, stand tall. Raise your arms. Shout. “You want to make yourself look like a formidable foe,” Beecham
  said.

   What if the bear then attacks?

   Fight your hardest and yell for help. This may seem contradict the earlier advice to “play dead” during an attack. But the scenarios are very different, experts say. In
  this case, the bear has had time to size you up and decided you are prey. In that case, you fight.

   Should I run away?

   No, you can’t outrun them, Beecham said.  shudak@tribune.com  

credit cards

Info on credit cards, please be careful.... Dave

ORLANDO, Fla. -
Target shoppers may be at risk from a security breach that extends to most of their stores nationwide after the retailer was hit by an extensive theft of credit and debit card information over the past few weeks.
[RELATED: 4 things to do after your credit card has been hacked]
Target said on Thursday that up to 40 million card accounts may have been affected by that data breach, which occurred from Nov. 27 to Dec. 15.

Target said it is working closely with law enforcement and financial institutions and has identified and resolved the issue.  The store said it's also partnering with a third-party forensics firm to conduct an investigation.

The security breach is believed to have happened on or around Black Friday and may have gone on until last week, putting millions of customers at risk.
Hackers apparently gained access to data that is stored on the magnetic strip on the back of credit and debit cards, potentially allowing them to make copies. If they got PINs, they could possibly recreate a card and withdraw cash from an ATM machine.
“Target’s first priority is preserving the trust of our guests and we have moved swiftly to address this issue, so guests can shop with confidence. We regret any inconvenience this may cause,” said Gregg Steinhafel, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Target. “We take this matter very seriously and are working with law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.”
Elizabeth Marks visited the store right after Black Friday and was shocked to hear the news.

“It's very frightening, I'll be honest with you, that something like that could happen so close,” said Marks. “I come twice a week.”

“That's terrible. Especially on the holidays and during this time to have things like that going on with people's hard earned money,” said frequent Target shopper Wolf Louis.

Reports indicate that online customers have not been affected because the thieves used the magnetic strip on the back of the card to store the information.
Guests who suspect unauthorized activity should contact Target at 866-852-8680.  More information is also available at Target’s corporate website.

Info for being safe

I received this from Orange County Sheriffs Office, hope it helps.... Dave

Doing your last minute shopping?  Keep drapes closed and avoid leaving wrapped presents in plain view.

Heading out of town?  Be sure your home appears occupied.  Place lights on timers, and ask a neighbor to park in your driveway and pick up mail.  Request a free "House Check" to have a deputy do regular checks on your home while you are away. Call 407-254-1001 between the hours of 9am-4pm to schedule this service - we provide it all year round.

Don't broadcast your upcoming travel plans on social media sites and don't "check in" at locations when you're away from home. 

After the holidays, place empty boxes from TVs, electronics, and other new purchases inside garbage bags.  Leaving them by the curb could tip crooks off to the fact that pricey items are inside the home.

Car parked outside or on the street?  Lock it, remove all valuables, and don't leave the garage door opener inside the vehicle.

Does someone or something look out of place?
Report suspicious activity immediately to 407-836-4357 (non-emergency) or 911 (if you feel it is an emergency).


Thanks,

D/S Alberta Gilbert, FCPP, FCP

Orange County Sheriff's Office
Crime Prevention Unit
Sector One
Office:  407-254-1001
alberta.gilbert@ocfl.net

The empty boxes

ORLANDO, Fla. —Instead of putting big, empty boxes at your curb, the Orange County Sheriff's Office wants you to drop them at large recycling containers around the county.

• Don't leave boxes at curbs, deputies say

• 

  More            

Operation Burglar Box was organized in attempt to protect possible victims from criminals looking to burglarize homes and steal holiday gifts.
"Don't set it out as you bought it. That's a calling card for later," said Stan Murray, Sheriff's Office spokesman. "You see these things burglars would see, get ahead of the game and let your neighbors know about it."
Below is a full list of recycling container locations.

Recycling containers currently out:

• 5101 West Colonial Drive, Pine Hills Shopping Center
• 7022 West Colonial Drive, Home Depot
• 475 South Kirkman Road, Rotary Club
• 413 North Alafaya Trail, Subway
• 5190 South Conway Road, CVS
• 7825 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Kmart

These locations will get a container Tuesday, Dec. 3:

• 11000 Lake Underhill Road, EOS
• 12981 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Sedano's Super Market

Info for the Holidays

I got this from the OCSO, and they wanted me to pass it on..... Dave

Online holiday shopping continues to grow in popularity. According to American Express, for the first time, more people are expected to shop online on Cyber Monday than visit brick and mortar stores on Black Friday.[1]  Shoppers are expected to spend nearly $62 billion online throughout the holiday season this year, up more than 15% from 2012. The use of mobile devices for online shopping (ecommerce) is projected to reach almost $10 billion for the 2013 holiday season[2], as more consumers are using these devices to compare prices, research products, locate stores, and make purchases to a larger degree than ever before.

 

Whether you’ll be conducting transactions from your desktop, laptop or mobile device, keep these tips in mind to help protect yourself from identity theft and other malicious activity on Cyber Monday, and throughout the year:

 

• Secure your computer and mobile devices.  Be sure your computer and mobile devices are current with all operating system and application software updates. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software should be installed, running, and receiving automatic updates. Ensure you use a strong password and unique password, which is not used for any other accounts. Set a timeout that requires authentication after a period of inactivity.
• Use mobile applications with caution. As devices such as smartphones and tablets, continue to gain popularity for online shopping, so too will the volume of attacks against them.  Malware could be downloaded onto the device from seemingly legitimate shopping apps that can steal credit card and other sensitive information for transmission to cyber criminals. Update all apps when notified and disable Bluetooth and Near Field Communications when not in use to reduce the risk of your data—such as credit card number—being intercepted by a nearby device.
• Know your online merchants.  Limit online shopping to merchants you know and trust. Only go to sites by directly typing the URL in the address bar. If you are unsure about a merchant, check with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.  Confirm the online seller’s contact information in case you have questions or problems.
• Consider using an online payment system or credit card.  Where available, you may want to use online payment services, which keep your credit card information stored on a secure server, and then let you make purchases online without revealing your credit card details to retailers.  If you do pay online directly to the retailer, use a credit, not debit card.  Credit cards are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act and may reduce your liability if your information is used improperly.
• Look for “https” before you click “Purchase.” Before you submit your online transaction, make sure that the webpage address begins with “https.” The “s” stands for secure, and indicates that communication with the webpage is encrypted.  A padlock or key icon in the browser’s status bar is another indicator.  Also, make sure your browser is current and up-to-date. 
• Do not respond to pop-ups.  When a window pops up promising you cash, bargains, or gift cards in exchange for your response to a survey or other questions, close it by pressing Control + F4 on Windows devices, or Command + W for Macs.
• Do not use public computers or public wireless access for your online shopping. 
• Public computers and Wi-Fi hotspots are potentially insecure. Criminals may be intercepting traffic on public wireless networks to steal credit card numbers and other sensitive information
• n. Care should be taken that the settings on your computer or device prevent it from automatically connecting to Wi-Fi hotspots.
• Secure your home Wi-Fi.  Make sure you control who has administrative access, and that any users on your network authenticate with a strong password. Encryption settings should be enabled and strong - using WPA2 is recommended.
• Be alert for potential charity donation scams. Cyber criminals try to take advantage of people’s generosity during the holiday season and can use fake charity requests as a means to gain access to your information or computer/device. Think before clicking on emails requesting donations. Don’t give your financial or personal information over email or text.   Contribute by navigating to the trusted address of the charity, never through a link in an email.  To check if an organization is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions, visit the IRS website.

Holiday tips

I received this from OCSO, have a wonderful day.... Dave

With the holiday season approaching I wanted to share with everyone some holiday safety tips.  It would be great if everyone could get this message out to their communities because like I always say, an informed and educated community is a safe community.  The following is an article I recently submitted to a local newsletter.

Well it’s holiday season again, and this is the season of giving.  However, when giving lets be sure not to give to those burglars, purse snatchers, and crooks.  By following a few tips for a safe and happy holiday season, you can be sure that your gifts end up in the right hands.

When shopping stay alert of your surroundings.  Park in a well-lit area, and be sure to lock your car doors and close those windows.  Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.  If you must place your shopping bags in your car, make sure it is well hidden and secured in the trunk when possible.  If you are placing shopping bags in your car and you are going to continue shopping at the same location, consider moving your vehicle to a different parking area.  This may give a lurking criminal the impression that you are leaving.  If leaving the store after dark, walk with other shoppers to the car.

This time of the year means crowded malls, and crowded malls mean it’s easy for a child to get separated and lost.  If you are shopping with young children be sure to have a plan in place in case you get separated.

Now holiday safety tips is just as important after the holidays.  Avoid leaving boxes and bags of expensive items (trash) outside before garbage collection days.  A good idea is to actually discard those valuable item boxes such as TV’s, laptops, and video game console boxes, at the waste department directly. 

The holiday season is a good time to inventory those valuables in your household.  Take photos or make videos of items and list descriptions and serial numbers. If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Make sure things like TVs, DVD players, computers, I Pads, tablets, jewelry, and gaming consoles, are inventoried. 

During the month of December, many of us are sharing festivities with our family and friends, and this means that many are sharing an alcoholic beverage as well.  When it comes to holiday safety and happiness, it’s important to remember to ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

As always safety tips such as these can be found by visiting our website at www.ocso.com. Have a happy and safe holiday. 

All the very best,

When can I water

Please note the new watering...... Dave

Orange County, FL – Mandatory one-day-a-week watering restrictions will begin on Sunday, November 3, for Orange County residential and nonresidential properties. When clocks return to standard time, from Sunday, November 3, to Sunday, March 9, homes and nonresidential properties in Orange County must adhere to the following watering schedule:

• Homes with odd-numbered or no addresses water only on Saturday;
• Homes with even-numbered addresses water only on Sunday;
• Nonresidential properties water only on Tuesday.

Watering is restricted to no more than one hour per zone and is prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. These restrictions apply to private wells and pumps, ground or surface water, and water from public and private utilities.

For more information, please visit www.occonservewater.net or send an email to Water.Division@ocfl.net. Orange County Utilities Water Division is also available at 407-254-9850 (select option 1, then option 2).

Time Change

Halloween info

Here is some safety tips for Halloween, have fun... Dave

gas stations

Please be careful.... Dave


After seeing a disturbing trend of people being robbed while pumping gas, police are asking Central Florida residents to always lock their cars — regardless of how safe the situation feels.

"Generally the perpetrators are looking to remove purses, computers or any other valuables left in plain view," said Ormond Beach police spokesman Keith Feder.

Cops said thieves will crawl or crouch down next to a car, open a door and steal anything they can grab quickly while commuters are fueling their vehicles at local gas stations.

•  

Texting laws

Please be advised that effective October 1, 2013, a new law is going into effect.
It’s the “Texting While Driving Law” and 4 offense codes have been added to Odyssey as follows:
 316.305(3)(A)-A - TEXTING WHILE DRIVING - 1ST OFFENSE
o Nonmoving Violation
o $114.00 Fine - Fines/Fees mail able within 30 days
o No points
 316.305(3)(A)-B -TEXTING WHILE DRIVING - SUBSEQUENT W/I 5 YEARS
o Moving Violation
o Subsequent offense within 5 years of conviction
o 3 points or 6 points if offense resulted in a crash
o $164.00 Fine - Fines/Fees mail able within 30 days
 316.305(3)(A)-C - TEXTING WHILE DRIVING - SCHOOL ZONE 1ST OFFENSE
o Nonmoving Violation
o No points or 2 points added to primary offense because moving violation occurred in a school zone
o $114.00 Fine - Fines/Fees mail able within 30 days
o No Points
 316.305(3)(A)-D - TEXTING WHILE DRIVING - SCHOOL ZONE SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE
o Moving Violation
o 3 points or 5 points added to primary offense because moving violation occurred in a school zone
o $164.00 Fine - Fines/Fees mail able within 30 days

 

Home inspection

Here is some info from OCSO, thought you might be interested .... Dave

Just got this from OCSO, thought you might be interested.....Dave

 

CALL 407.254.1023 for a FREE HOME SECURITY CHECK. 

 

~Sign up for a FREE SECURITY SURVEY~
for Residential & Commercial Properties by appointment.
CPO's are Certified by the State to do these surveys that take about 60 minutes, call her...

"BOB" The Bent Oak Bear

Hi,

 

  BOB has struck again, please be careful with all of your pets, and you be careful also. They are wanting to fatten up for winter....... Dave  

 

 

   This happened on Crooked Pine Ct. called to report that about 3:00 A.M. on Sunday morning a 300-400 lb bear had come thru the front fence to her back yard where her two eight week old puppies were out taking a break.  She heard a noise and called the pups back in the house.  Apparently the bear had heard the pups yipping and came to investigate.  Her husband scared the bear by making loud noises that sent the bear crashing thru the back portion of her fence and headed towards Wekiva Springs Road.  Obviously scared to death she wanted to put the word out to as many folks as possible.  She did not have any food in her backyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sidewalks

It is getting that time of the year when the dreaded sidewalks get covered in that "yucky stuff" that needs to be cleaned off. Please check your sidewalks to see if they are getting that "yucky stuff". They get real slippery and someone could get hurt, thank you...... Dave

Good information

I just came across this, hope it helps, be safe.... Dave

WRITTEN BY A COP: Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life. In daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation... This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, & everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips,... forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1. Tip from Tae Kwon Do :The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse,
DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM. Toss it away from you... Chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse.
RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy.. The driver won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.
DON'T DO THIS!) The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head,
and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR ,
LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE..

If someone is in the car with a gun to your head DO NOT DRIVE OFF, Repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF! Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it. As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:
A.) Be aware:look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor ,
and in the back seat.
B.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door.
Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women
are attempting to get into their cars. C.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side.. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN!
The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; and even then,
it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP It may get you raped, or killed. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked 'for help' into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point: Someone just told me that her friend heard a crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late
and she thought it was weird.. The police told her 'Whatever you do, DO NOT
open the door..' The lady then said that it sounded like the baby
had crawled near a window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said, 'We already have a unit on the way,
whatever you do, DO NOT open the door.' He told her that they think a serial killer
has a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby.. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night.

10. Water scam! If you wake up in the middle of the night to hear all your taps outside running or what you think is a burst pipe, DO NOT GO OUT TO INVESTIGATE! These people turn on all your outside taps full blast so that you will go out to investigate and then attack.

Main Entrance

This is getting crazy at the main entrance, please do your part, and obey the signs. It is a shame we have had to have the signs put in.  But it is getting to be a very big problem there. Please think of the children that are walking home from school, it is so bad with the traffic that is there at the corner. PLEASE OBEY THE NO PARKING SIGNS, before it is too late...... Dave

Coyote in the neighborhood

I received this from Sara, so please be careful of your cats.... Dave

Hello all,

 

Just received a phone call from Kim at  Burnt Tree Lane, she said that a coyote has been seen in the neighborhood and two of her neighbor’s cats are missing.  She asked that we post a sign at the bulletin board, which I will be able to do tomorrow.  Florida Fish and Wildlife considers these animals part of the natural wildlife and unless it is aggressive they will not assist.  Anyone have additional thoughts on this? 

 

Regards,

 

Sara

Thought for the school year

Can you believe summer is over, and it's time to back to school, here is some things you should know...... Dave

Safety tips for students:

• Be alert to traffic. Check both ways for cars before stepping off a bus.
• While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
• Never go near or under the bus to retrieve something you've dropped.
• Tell your parents and other trusted OCPS staff about any suspicious persons or situations.
• Stay with a buddy, a group, or parents at the bus stop.
• Report strangers who are hanging around school or regularly passing by a school bus stop.
• Walk or bike along a route that your parents or your school has determined is safe.
• If you are bullied, tell the bully to stop; then walk away and tell an OCPS employee or parent.

Safety tips for parents:

• Give school officials accurate contact information so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
• Get to know the parents of other students and school bus riders.
• Team up with other parents to monitor bus stops and bus routes.
• Get to know your school's transportation coordinator and your child's bus driver.
• Keep school phone numbers handy in case a bus is delayed or in the event of an emergency.
• Talk to your child about your personal emergency notification arrangements and let your child and school officials know if you anticipate being unavailable or difficult to reach for an extended period of time.
• Stay informed about potentially serious situations, such as inclement weather.
• Monitor local media when serious conditions arise at school or in the community that might result in school evacuation, early dismissal, or school closing.
• Notify school officials if you see or hear of anything that could create a danger at school. If you prefer, you may call the anonymous Speak Out Hotline at 1-800-226-7733.

Be sure to visit ocps.net for updates and information on future school events.

New Scam

Please be on guard..... Dave

ORLANDO, Fla. -

We have a warning about a new scam that's going after consumers in Central Florida.

It's so unique -- even investigators admit that they've never seen anything quite like it before.

"I think people are going to fall for this," says Carl Fritsch, who was targeted by thieves in latest scam to hit our area. "But then, when they get their bank statement, then it's too late."

The whole thing started with a phone call.

"I get this robotic type voice," says Fritsch.

The voice told him that his debit card had been cancelled, and the only way to reactivate it was to type in the full card number, PIN number, and expiration date.

Doing something like that can secretly give crooks full access to your bank account.

"I was just totally blown away with that," says Fritsch.

But he knew that something wasn't right, and didn't fall for the scam. Instead, he contacted Local 6.

Local 6 traced the caller ID to a mortgage company in New Jersey called Financial Freedom.

The company denies any involvement in the fraud, instead saying that its phone number has been hijacked by thieves.

It isn't the only new scheme in town. A similar one is going after customers at Fairwinds Credit Union, which just sent out an e-mail alert about the fraud.

The idea is the same -- your debit card has been suspended, and you need to enter your personal information to get it back.

"It really would not be difficult for somebody to pull off this type of scam," says Special Agent Steve Brenton with the FDLE'S Cyber Crimes Unit.

He admits that he's never seen this kind of twist before.

But, if you're sharp, you can easily spot the warning signs.

"Generally, a bank is not going to send you any information regarding your account using a recorded type message," says Brenton. "Banks are going to use a real person to call you."

Also remember -- a legitimate agency will not ask you for your account numbers or passwords over the phone.

Brenton says that if the caller is suspicious, hang up right away.

"When it involves your money, you've gotta protect yourself," says Brenton.

Just a Reminder

With July 4th fast approaching I want to pass this information out on fire works..... Dave

Fire Works Information

What kinds of fireworks can I use legally? The short answer: not many. Fireworks generally approved for use by consumers include sparklers; small fireworks that emit colored smoke only; and "glow worms," which burn in bright colors without exploding. The state fire marshal has a full list, including brand names, at myfloridacfo.com/sfm/sparklerindex.htm. "These are the only items consumers without a permit can legally use," said Nina Ashley, a fire marshal's spokeswoman. Other, more high-powered fireworks are permitted only for industrial use or by professionals in public displays. So everything else is off limits? If it explodes, flies or lifts off, the law prohibits you from lighting it. That includes the popular Roman candles. "There is no approved list of 'whiz, boom, bang or stuff that leaves the ground' for the retail public," said Bart Wright, the Maitland Fire Department's assistant chief of administration. "Florida Statute 791 is explicit about that. Consumer purchase and use of such material is unsafe, a threat and, most importantly, illegal in this state."

Dog information

Please be careful of your pet dogs, I am getting information that some have come up missing, so when you leave your dogs out, please keep an extra eye on them, I just hope we do not have a "Dog Napper" in the area. I have heard from another development they are having the same problem.... Dave

Evening Walks

With the nice weather we are having now, there are a lot of people walking in Bent Oak, and sometimes after dark, so here is a safety tip for you. Please wear lite clothing and carry a flashlight, if you walk in the street. This is so the vehicles can see you, this is for your safety, wearing dark clothing and at night is a bad mix. So please be safe, thank you Dave

From OCSO

Just got this from OCSO, good info..... Dave

Do you have unwanted prescription drugs around the house? Need a place to go to get rid of them? Here’s your chance.

There are now drop boxes in 5 locations around Orange County.

This is the one located in the lobby of the

OCSO Central Ops: 2500 W. Colonial Drive

Other locations:

2400 West 33rd Street Orlando;

475 West Story Road Ocoee;

11000 Lake Underhill Road Orlando;

1111 North Rock Springs Rd. Apopka.

All are open Monday-Friday 8 am – 5 pm.

Surveys indicate that 70% of people 12 and older who abuse prescription drugs get them from a family or friends, and after marijuana prescription drugs are the most commonly abused substances by Americans over the age of 14.

These boxes will provide Central Florida citizens a convenient and safe place to dispose of those unwanted drugs and to keep them away from those who might abuse them.

Expressway Authority meeting

I received this from the Expressway
Authority thought you might be interested.... Dave

TheOrlando-Orange County Expressway Authority will hold a community open-house meeting for the first section of the Wekiva Parkway (State Road 429), located from just north of US Highway 441 near Plymouth Sorrento Road to north of Kelly Park Road.

The 4.6-mile project will feature all electronic tolling and an interchange at Kelly Park Road. Construction on this $224.7 million project is scheduled to begin by late 2014 and finish in 2016.

The meeting will be held onThursday, March 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the cafeteria at Apopka High School located at 555 W. Martin St., Apopka, FL 32712. The public may review maps, drawings and other pertinent information about the 60% complete design plans for this project. Members of the project team will be available to answer questions.

For more information, please contact Public Information Officer Mary Brooks at 407-694-5505, via email atinfo@wekivaparkway.com or log on to www.wekivaparkway.com.

A Date To Remember

March 12, 2013 is the Annual Homeowners Association meeting, please do not forget. The meeting is at Clay Springs at 7:00PM, and sign in starts at 6:45PM. If you can not attend please send in your proxy, it is very important that we have a quorum, if not then we have to reschedule another meeting, and that costs the association money. So please put the date on your calender, thank you....... Dave

info on raccoons

Here is more informatiion on Raccoons, hope it helps.... Dave

Spray the interior of the trash can with ammonia. Alternatively, place ammonia-soaked cloths inside the trash can or pour ammonia in neat.[4]Ammonia smells like urine to a raccoon, making it highly offensive to them.[5]You can also spray other areas where raccoons seem to congregate, to discourage them from entering your yard in the first place

Sprinkle a raccoon repellent around your trash cans. Raccoonswill not like the taste of almost any type of commercial repellent product