65 Florida faith leaders have already signed up to support Donalds’ campaign.
NAPLES, FL – Today, the Byron Donalds for Florida Governor campaign launched a Faith Leaders Coalition consisting of individuals who lead their community in prayer, volunteer at their church or faith community, serve as clergy, or lead a faith-based organization. 65 faith leaders have already signed up to be a part of the coalition, which will hold weekly prayer calls led by rotating faith leaders.
“God calls us to pray for our leaders. This is not about politics. It is about standing in the gap and covering Byron Donalds’ leadership in prayer as we seek God’s best for our state of Florida,” said Pastor J, Jearlyn Dennie, Founder of She Leads Florida.
“We are called to pray for our leaders, and Congressman Byron Donalds is a fearless leader who shares our values and needs our prayers. In order for Florida to continue succeeding, common sense values of faith, family, and freedom must be reflected at the highest levels of state government in order to serve the public good,” said Anthony Verdugo, Founder of the Florida Christian Family Coalition. “Policy decisions impact the lives of everyday Floridians from vulnerable communities to houses of worship, and our state needs a proven leader like Congressman Donalds who listens and leads with the conviction of a man on a mission to strengthen our state. He respects the critical role faith institutions play in our state to help shape our culture and character, thus, this coalition exists to lift up Florida in prayer and support for a leader who shares and practices our values.”
The Faith Leaders for Byron Coalition follows the launch of the Veterans for Byron Coalition, co-chaired by elected officials who have served our country as part of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Navy JAG.
In polling and in fundraising, Byron Donalds is the clear front-runner in the race for Governor with endorsements from President Trump, Elon Musk, 75% of the Florida House Republican Caucus, top Florida sheriffs, 17 members of Florida’s congressional delegation, U.S. House Leadership, and leading Florida and national conservatives.
Celebrating Years of Service – Thank You, Team Lady Lake!
We proudly recognize and congratulate our dedicated Town of Lady Lake employees for their years of service to our community. Their commitment, professionalism, and institutional knowledge help ensure the high level of service our residents expect and deserve.
Years of Service Honorees:
5 Years Kourtney Fehr
10 Years Jacob Jackson
15 Years Brad Weeks
20 Years Johnny Gosneigh and Van Kao
25 Years Adam Cronk and Travis Lacey
30 Years Debbie Lopez
From the publisher – This is one persons opinion and they have the right to see it in print!
Draft Letter to the Editor — The Villages & Local Newspapers
Subject: Concerns Over Promotion of Unlicensed Businesses in “The Villages Word of Mouth” Facebook Group
To the Editor,
I am writing out of deep concern for the safety and fair treatment of residents in The Villages, particularly regarding the growing issue of unlicensed businesses being promoted—and in some cases protected—within one of the community’s largest online recommendation groups.
“The Villages Word of Mouth,” a Facebook group with tens of thousands of members, has become a primary resource for residents seeking trustworthy referrals for contractors, and other service providers. Many Villagers, especially older residents, rely on these recommendations believing they come from an unbiased, community-driven platform. Unfortunately, recent experiences suggest the opposite.
As a long-time contributor to the group and a licensed business owner, I have watched administrators selectively allow certain businesses to be recommended while deleting legitimate concerns or negative experiences posted about others. Several businesses, despite being unlicensed or uninsured, are freely promoted—sometimes aggressively—while licensed competitors are silenced or removed without explanation. In my own experience, I was blocked from the page after pointing out that a promoted company was operating not in compliance with licensing and insurance requirements in the state of Florida. Meanwhile, the unlicensed business was permitted to continue advertising to unsuspecting residents. Continue reading
Jan 01
Open House
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Ellis Acres Reserve in Paisley
Nature center will be open and a naturalist will be on site to answer questions.
Jan 02
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Montverde
Join staff on a morning exploration of habitats and species at Ferndale Preserve.
Jan 03
Wetland Excursion
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Lake Norris Conservation Area in Eustis
Ring in the New Year with a hike at Lake Norris Conservation Area. Limit 15 participants. Reservations required. No facilities. Hike intensity: Moderate.
Jan 04
Exploration Hike
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM PEAR Park (Gateway) in Leesburg
Joint staff on an early evening hike to get some exercise while exploring nature at P.E.A.R. Park.
Jan 05
Take Flight, Birds of Winter
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Lake May Reserve in Eustis
Many bird species use Florida in the fall, winter and spring as they refuel and rest along migration routes.
Lady Lake Police use drone to locate driver who fled serious crash
LADY LAKE — Lady Lake police officers used drone technology Saturday night to locate a driver who fled into a wooded area after a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 27/441.
Around 7:40 p.m., officers responded to a crash where a Chevrolet Tahoe was seen driving at a high speed before rear-ending a Ford F-150 on U.S. Highway 441 near Longview Avenue in Lady Lake. Officers found the Tahoe unoccupied and discovered ammunition, an empty prescription bottle, and personal property inside the vehicle linking it to a local man. The Tahoe’s driver had left the scene on foot, according to witnesses.
Witnesses reported seeing a man run into nearby woods. Officers searched the area and deployed the department’s drone, which detected a heat signature in dense brush. Sgt. Heather Couch and Officer Steven Johnson located a man lying on the ground. Davis appeared impaired and was treated for injuries before being transported by EMS to Ocala Regional Medical Center.
The suspect will face several charges upon his release from the hospital and pending blood alcohol testing, including failing to stop for a crash involving bodily injuries and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.
Chief Steve Hunt praised officers for their swift response and effective use of new department technology.
“Our officers showed exceptional professionalism during a chaotic scene,” Hunt said. “Their decision to deploy the drone allowed us to quickly locate the individual and bring this situation to a safe conclusion. This is exactly how technology enhances public safety.”
The Lady Lake Police Department is in possession of the following found or abandoned property. Unless ownership is claimed and verified, these items will be disposed of in accordance with Florida State Statute 705 on their scheduled purge dates.
If you believe any of these items belong to you, please contact the Evidence Section at (352) 751-1576 with proof of ownership.
An iPhone was recovered on October 16, 2025, on West Lady Lake Boulevard. If unclaimed, it will be purged on January 14, 2026.
A credit card was recovered on October 30, 2025, on Avenida Central. It is scheduled to be disposed of on January 18, 2026.
On December 15, 2025, an iPhone, identification cards, a passport, credit cards, and keys were recovered along U.S. Highway 27/441. These items will be purged on March 13, 2026, unless claimed.
A bicycle was recovered on December 19, 2025, on LaGrande Boulevard. If unclaimed, it will be disposed of on March 29, 2026.





