The Covington Estates Annual Spring Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 30th from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.

We are in the middle of the El Niño season, which may result in higher than average rainfall. The tips below will help you protect your family and property from potential flooding. For more information about El Niño and additional useful tips, visit HillsboroughCounty.org/StaySafe.

Hillsborough County is one of several locations in Florida where individuals have been identified with the Zika virus.  All of those infected acquired the illness while traveling internationally.  At this time there are no cases of locally acquired Zika reported in Florida, and we have no reason to believe our local mosquito population is carrying the virus. Hillsborough County Mosquito Control operates in coordination with the Florida Department of Health to implement policies and procedures to prevent and control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.

Avoiding mosquito bites is the best prevention against Zika. Mosquito Control sprays insecticides to kill  mosquitoes, but we always need the public’s help to remove breeding habitats in residential areas.

Here’s how you can help:

• Drain: water from garbage cans, gutters, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots, or any other containers where water has collected.
• Discard: Old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances, and other items that aren’t being used.
• Empty and Clean: Birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least once or twice a week.
• Protect: Boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
• Maintain: The water balance (pool chemistry) of swimming pools. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.
• Clothing: Cover up – always wear socks and shoes, long pants, and long-sleeved sleeves.
• Repellent: Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label.
• Travelers returning from international locations are cautioned to wear mosquito repellent for two weeks after they return home.

For information on the Zika virus & mosquito bite prevention:www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/zika-virus/index.html.

For tips to help eliminate backyard mosquito breeding sites:www.HillsboroughCounty.org/MosquitoNinja.

From the Department of Business and Professional Regulation:

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation is the agency charged with licensing and regulating businesses and professionals in the State of Florida. Our mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly.

Unlicensed activity exists within various professions regulated by the department but is most commonly found in the construction and electrical trades. Unlicensed activity affects law-abiding, state-licensed professionals by taking away their business and causes personal and financial harm to consumers. Through our attempts to increase public awareness and by engaging in proactive enforcement, our department works to eliminate unlicensed activity.

• Some of the construction trades requiring a state license are: air-conditioning, building contractors, general contractors, electricians, plumbers, home inspectors, mold-related services, pool contractors and roofers.
• Before you hire a contractor, ask to see the state-issued license. Also, verify the license number with DBPR and check for any complaints. Check with your local building department for any local license and to verify whether a permit is required for the work being performed.
• Get a written estimate from several licensed contractors. Make sure the estimate includes the work the contractor will do, the materials involved, the completion date and total cost.

Unlicensed activity is against the law. The department urges you to report any suspected unlicensed activity by emailing ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com or calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at 1 (866) 532-1440.

For a complete list of the professions regulated by the department please visit our website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

As the holiday season is approaching, this quick reference guide will help residents plan ahead to recycle the usual containers, cans, and cardboard boxes, and provide tips on what to do with those unique holiday items. Recycling and disposal options for Hillsborough County Solid Waste customers are available at www.HillsboroughCounty.org/RecycletheHolidays or by calling (813) 272-5680.

Solid Waste Facility Holiday Closures:

All Hillsborough County solid waste facilities, including Community Collection Centers, yard and wood waste, transfer stations, resource recovery, and the Southeast County landfill, will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26; Friday, Dec. 25; and Friday, Jan. 1.

Recycling Food and Beverage Containers in Blue Curbside Cart:

Recyclable food and beverage containers should be emptied and rinsed before placing them loose in the blue recycling cart.

• Plastic bottle and containers No. 1-7
• Aluminum, tin, and steel cans
• Cartons, such as those for soy milk, juice boxes, chicken broth, etc.
• Glass bottles and jars
• Plastic bags, film, or shrink wrap are NOT recyclable in the cart

Recycling Paper and Cardboard in the Blue Curbside Cart: 

Place all items loose in the blue recycling cart.

• Any paper that is clean and easily tears
• Newspaper, office paper, junk mail, paperback books, magazines, etc.
• Flattened cardboard boxes
• Paperboard food boxes, cereal boxes, and paper towel rolls
• Greeting cards and wrapping paper, as long as it is free of ribbons, foil, and other non-paper items
• Gift bags, tissue paper, ribbons, and bows are NOT recyclable in the cart

Recycling Electronics:

• Items containing a digital display or circuit board, including televisions, computers, laptops, mobile devices, stereo equipment, gaming consoles, VCR/DVD players and printers, may be safely recycled at any of the Community Collection Centers for no additional fee.
• Small bathroom and kitchen appliances such as toasters, crock pots, electric skillets, blenders, hair dryers, and curling irons may be discarded in your gray garbage cart.

Recycling Live Christmas Trees:

• Curbside pickup of live Christmas trees is available by following these steps:
  • Remove all decorations, lights, and tinsel
  • Cut the tree into sections no larger than 4-feet long and 6-inches in diameter
  • Place curbside on your regular yard waste collection day
• Drop off live trees at one of the following Yard Waste Processing Facilities, after removing all decorations, lights, and tinsel:
  • 346 Falkenburg Road in Tampa
  • 13001 U.S. 41 in Gibsonton
  • 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa

Tips for Other Items:

• Styrofoam packing materials can be disposed of in the gray garbage cart or dropped off for recycling at the Dart Container Corp. facility, 4610 Airport Road in Plant City. Styrofoam food trays and egg cartons can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins.
• Oversized and large volumes of flattened cardboard boxes may be recycled at any of the Community Collection Centers for no additional fee.
• Used household cooking oil may be recycled at the County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers or at any CORE station for no additional fee. Visit www.HillsboroughCounty.org/CORE for locations.
• Plastic bags and film can be recycled at most local supermarkets in special bins. Loose and soiled bags and film should be placed in the trash cart.
• Strings of holiday lights may be safely disposed of in the gray garbage cart or recycled as electronics at any of the Community Collection Centers for no additional fee.
• Pre-lit and artificial trees should be discarded as trash.
• Holiday decorations and ornaments should be discarded as trash.
• Excess trash that will not fit in the gray garbage cart may be disposed of at any of the Community Collection Centers when accompanied by a copy of the resident’s Hillsborough County Tax Bill. Fees may apply for food waste.

Complete details on Hillsborough County Solid Waste facility locations, hours, and disposal guidelines are available at www.HillsboroughCounty.org/SolidWaste.