LADY LAKE — The Lady Lake Police Department has made its first arrest using the department’s new license plate reader (LPR) camera system, demonstrating how technology can assist officers in identifying stolen vehicles and apprehending suspects.
On March 10 at around 3:30 p.m., Lady Lake officers were alerted by the department’s Safety LPR system that a stolen vehicle was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 27/441 near Avenida Central. The car had been entered into the National Crime Information Center database as stolen through the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers conducted a search of the area and found the car in the parking lot of Publix on Bichara Boulevard. Sgt. Heather Couch located and arrested the vehicle’s driver, later identified as suspect Stephanie Lynn Barbee, 37.
During the investigation, officers determined Barbee had been in possession of the car for two days. A search of the vehicle uncovered a bag containing a crystal-like substance that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine and weighed 1.29 grams. Officers also recovered pills later identified as benzodiazepine. Continue reading
LADY LAKE – The Lady Lake Police Department, in partnership with American Legion Post #347, are hosting the second annual “Shred it and Forget it,” a free drive-through shredding event to help protect seniors from scams.
The event will take place on Saturday, April 25 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. (or until capacity is met) at Post 347, located at 699 W. Lady Lake Blvd. Residents are invited to drive through with a limit of two banker boxes of documents to be shredded, free of charge. The event is open to all area residents and will be held rain or shine. Last year, approximately 1,000 people attended, successfully shredding 20,000 pounds of documents.
The event is another opportunity offered by the Town in its ongoing efforts to help residents avoid scams and fraud.
“This shredding event gives residents a simple, secure way to dispose of sensitive documents and protect their personal information – especially during tax season,” said Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt. “Properly shredding old financial records, medical paperwork and other confidential materials helps prevent identity theft and keeps private information out of the wrong hands.” Continue reading
The Orange Blossom Lions Club of Lady Lake recently donated $5,500 to fully fund the Lady Lake Library’s 2026 Children’s Summer Reading Program. Their generous support will help inspire thousands of children in the community to keep reading and learning all summer long.
Pictured: (Left) Barbara Crewel, president of the Lions Club of Orange Blossom Gardens/Lady Lake and (right) Aly Herman, Lady Lake Library director.
Lady Lake to host second cybersecurity training focused on phone safety
The Town of Lady Lake will host the second installment in its cybersecurity training series on March 26 at 2 p.m. at the Lady Lake Library. The session will again be led by Howard Davis, the Town’s IT cybersecurity expert.
Based on feedback from the previous training, this presentation will focus specifically on phone cybersecurity, providing residents with practical tools to protect their personal information while using smartphones and mobile devices. Davis will cover common phone-based scams, suspicious text messages, malicious apps, and ways cybercriminals attempt to gain access to sensitive data through mobile platforms.
Attendees will also learn best practices for securing their devices, identifying red flags, and reducing the risk of identity theft or fraud.
The training is free and open to the public and is designed for users of all experience levels. Registration is not required.
For more information, contact Howard Davis at ladylake.cybersec@gmail.com.
The Town of Lady Lake has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 21st consecutive year, continuing a long-standing commitment to urban forestry, environmental stewardship and community beautification.
To earn the designation, communities must meet four core standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation: maintaining a tree board or department, adopting a tree care ordinance, investing at least $2 per capita in a community forestry program, and observing Arbor Day annually.
The Town of Lady Lake celebrates Arbor Day each April with community tree plantings. Over the last several years, the Town has planted trees in public spaces such as Lake County Fire Station 52 and Lady Lake Town Hall. This year, Parks and Recreation joined Public Works in a large-scale landscaping project along County Road 466, planting palm trees, crepe myrtles and zoysia grass, as well as updating the irrigation system.
On April 23 at 9:30 a.m., the Town invites the public to a tree planting ceremony outside the grounds of The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake. Continue reading
By Matt McCormick
If you ask ten people what drives Ocala’s economy, you’ll probably get ten different answers:horses, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing,small businesses, tourism, construction, or the arts and culture. And the truth is that every one of-those answers is right.But beneath the industries, the headlines, and the economic data, there’s something even more powerful at work.
People.
Ocala’s economy isn’t driven by a single
sector or a single success story. It’s driven by the entrepreneurs who take risks, the employers who invest here, the educators who prepare our workforce, and the leaders who choose collaboration over competition. It’s driven by the belief that this region’s best days aren’t behind us—they’re being built right now.
Yes, we are proud of our roots. Our equine industry is world-renowned and continues to anchor our global reputation. Our healthcare and manufacturing sectors are growing, creating new career pathways and strengthening our regional resilience. Our logistics advantages, central location, and quality of life make us increasingly attractive to companies looking to expand or relocate. Continue reading
Jackass says My name is Obstructionist
Elephants name is Uncle Sam I’m known for my memory, strength and Grit!
The Asses name is Obstructionist.. He earn’s his name every day. He is stubborn and kicks out at everyone.! Why would any group in their right mind have a Jack Ass as the cymbal of their political part? They just recently really started earning the name even more. The Socialist Communist Democratic Party? Obstructionist (the Asses) job is to Shut down the Government, Shut down Fema, shut down ICE, shut down the transportation (Airport) Shut down Home Land Security. The airports are still flying but at a snails pace and most are working free. Giving the taxpayer money to the illegals thru welfare and legal Americans can get it. Try to spread propaganda about our leaders in hopes they can win the election.
Obstruct the Republican Party and President Trump. They act like the evil dictators do. They let all those millions of criminals come into out country in an effort to make them voters. They are not United States Citizens. They cannot vote! When people any people come across our border without permission they come under a criminal act of illegal entry! A warrant should be sworn out right away and pick them up and charge them and deport them. When they are arrested that makes them ineligible to enter this country ever again. They have not constructed anything in years without abusing then tax payers. They are abusing Americans by allowing our money to be stolen and given to the enemy! The Tax payers are eating peanut butter and jelly while they criminal’s are living a life of luxury with our tax money. Continue reading
I Wonder Why? Let’s ask AI?
Why Do Troubled People Do Drastic Acts of Violence?
By TomL
I believe most people who have troubled minds are mostly caused by actions of others close to them. If you pay attention you will see it displayed. I ask AI if troubled person could be hypnotized into preforming voilent deeds? AI’s answer was “not likely.”
So the only other conclusion I can come to is “brain washing.”? I ask AI Is it possible that a troubled person can be brain washed with Social Media? AI said yes it is possible to Brain wash a troubled person. Keep repeating a message over and over in front of the target person so maybe they will finally crack or believe you to the point of wanting to take action. Then they make a suggestion. So maybe they respond to you. The Brain washer responds you will would be famous if you did this or that deed. How do we deal with this problem. We have to put regulation on social media! There is a legal battle going on right now. Continue reading
Wendy Netherclift, a long time employee of TomL publishing and Bob Irwin, Owner of Bobs Coins and Jewelry, after 14 years has finally made it official!
A medieval wedding, complete with jousting, ax throwing, archery and ring toss was held on their 10 acre farm February 28, 2026.
The “King And Queen” Out riders were none other than Kailah and Skyler Netherclift. Wendy’s children of whom both also worked for TomL Publishing for a number of years.
It was an amazing fun filled event for all that attended and will be remembered for many as a “first time I’ve EVER been to a wedding like that!!”
Bob and Wendy thoroughly enjoyed a cruise to 9 different Caribbean islands on their honeymoon.
The February Networking Lunch at Glenview Country Club featured so many lucky winners! Guests are always welcome to join in on the fun!
