This week, working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, we arrested nine individuals on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges associated with the illegal baiting, taking and molestation of black bears by use of dogs for commercial and recreational purposes.

According to the year-long investigation, the defendants lured black bears by placing drums of dog food, doughnuts, pastries and peanut butter in various areas throughout Baker, Flagler, Marion and Union counties. The defendants used large packs of dogs to chase bears up trees. They would then beat the trees, some higher than 50 feet, causing bears to fall to the ground, where they would force dogs to maul the bears. Continue reading

Put on by the Lady Lake Chamber, the day started out pretty cool, but as the sun came up it warmed to a comfortable temperature. Some 50 vendors participated in the expo and hundreds of visitors showed up to visit the booths. Lots of free gifts were handed out to the visitors. You could get your hearing checked, talk about your health insurance, check out the travel company and find out where you can go and for how much, etc. There were food trucks serving and selling food all day. I enjoy the sausage sub that is normally offered. The barbecue was delicious. It was all good. The expo was held under tent at the St. Timothy’s Catholic Church on 441 Villages. Cute – there was a lady dressed like a bumble bee selling honey. Lot of fun was had by all. If you see a picture of someone you know tell them about it.

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Lady Lake Residents Are Shocked!

By TomL

Town people are shocked. Many are asking why? Why would the Chief of police of seven years walk in one day and hand in his resignation and walk out? No notice! No reason! I can’t print a rumor and don’t believe in them, but if someone out there has some facts I would like to hear them.

Apparently the Town Manager Chris Kollgart doesn’t know why. I ask by email and she said and I quote, “Chief McKinstry left. I think he just needed a new challenge. He did a lot of good for the Town and I know he will be missed.” Kollgart has named Capt. Robert Tempesta as acting Chief. I’m not finished with this story! Continue reading

Spoken on the internet

One janitor that works for the State Department worries about paying bills.

One person laid off had lunch with others that were laid off.

One person considered growing a shutdown beard.

One said tweet Trump about shutdown (pro or con).

One Park Ranger’s wife says they have two children and don’t know when they will get their next check.

One TSA employee and family going without. Continue reading

The Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 3 PM in the Marion County Public Library, Room C, 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.  We are pleased to present Family Tree Maker on Tour, an interactive presentation with Mark Olsen.  Mark will answer questions about Family Tree Maker, North America’s most popular family tree software, and products will be available for purchase at special show pricing.  For further information, go to www.mcgsocala.org (or contact Joel Swanson at (352) 897-0840 or president@mcgsocala.org).

A friend sent me this poem and I thought it worth printing.

 

I have a list of people

All written in a book –

And every year at Christmas time

I go and take a look.

 

And that is when I realize

That those names are all a part –

Not of the book they’re written in

But of my very heart. Continue reading

January 1st 2019 – Happy New Year!

I’m not a big fan of lame-jokes, but why not start 2019 with a chuckle (or maybe a laugh?)

-Is your cup half-full or half-empty? – With a half-cup of hot toddy – Who cares?

-They say ‘Always start the New Year off on the right foot’. But I’m left-footed!

-Is it a ‘New Year’ if it’s just the same as the last one?

-It’s always dumb to lie to yourself – But New Year’s resolutions are the exception. Continue reading

Dear Friends,

Quick update for you. Constituent service remains our number one priority. Our office has three staff members located in Tallahassee, Lake County, and Marion County that are always ready to serve you and answer any questions or concerns that you may have. I am your Senator, and I work for you. As always, I am available to meet with you personally, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office to schedule an appointment.

This past month, we completed our first week of committee meetings (along with some Senator training sessions) and we also received our assignments from Senate President Galvano. I am happy to report that your Senator was named Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Elections. With the passage of Amendment 4 and the elections debacle in Broward and Palm Beach counties, we anticipate that this committee chairmanship will allow us to play a key role in protecting the integrity of Florida’s elections. I am committed to defending our elections process by making it easy to vote and hard to cheat. Continue reading

During this holiday season, I am often asked at parties “Where do you work?” While many people are aware of the CEP, I find a number of people are confused by our initials and who we are. It is easy to assume everyone knows who we are and what we do, but that is not always the case. The CEP is an acronym for the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (now you know why we use CEP!). We are the community’s chamber of commerce as well as its official economic development organization. The CEP was formed just over six years ago with the merger of the former Chamber and Economic Development Council. While this version is only six years old, our roots go back 130 years to the founding of the Ocala Board of Trade in 1887.

The driving factor behind the merger of the two organizations was to create a unified, single voice for the business community. One entity that could assist businesses locating to our community, growing in our community, starting in our community, and thriving in our community. In fact, the basic structure of the CEP is with teams dedicated to Business Attraction, Business Retention, Business Creation, Business Advocacy, and Business Services. It was this approach in part which lead to the CEP being named Florida’s Chamber of the Year 2018 and a finalist last year for National Chamber of the Year. Continue reading

A Veteran at work!

Once in a while I like to help give a business a boost by highlighting the owner with a picture or some comments. This month’s spotlight is on George Marshal owner of SIGNS44. I have known George for many years, selling his flags as publisher of the newspapers I believe we should do business with guys like this. He has always been a patriot and likes to be a part of the local business scene. Let me list what I like about George.

You can count on what he says!

He believes in buying USA supplies!

These Flags are made in America. Many of the Flags are made by Veterans!

The Flagpoles are made in USA!

The man that sets up the flag pole is a Veteran!

So thank you for helping the Veterans! And thank you for helping a veteran!

Shop at Signs44 on Hwy 441 in downtown Lady Lake. See the ad in this paper! Continue reading

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CEP – Click to learn more

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