LADY LAKE — The Town of Lady Lake’s Water Utility recently underwent a comprehensive sanitary survey inspection by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The review, conducted by three inspectors on June 6, included visits to all three of the Town’s water treatment plants.
The inspection evaluated all major aspects of the Town’s water system, including water sampling plans, maintenance records, emergency preparedness, and cross connection control. Lady Lake’s water utility staff provided documentation demonstrating that the Town is maintaining and operating its water system in accordance with state requirements and public health standards.
The inspection reviewed the Town’s: Continue reading
Forward Momentum
By Tamara Fleischhaker
In Ocala, horses are more than just a backdrop—they’re the rhythm of daily life, the foundation of local identity, and the lifeblood of a multi-billion-dollar economy. But thanks to the CEP’s Equine Initiative, they’re also becoming a source of inspiration for the next generation. What began as a simple effort to educate business partners about the equine industry’s scope has grown into something far greater, a community-wide movement that reaches classrooms, sidewalks, and civic events.
Where Hooves Meet Literacy: In a county with more than 80,000 horses, not every child has the chance to meet one. But that’s exactly what happens through the CEP’s literacy outreach, developed in partnership with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses. These tiny, trained therapy horses visit schools to promote reading, kindness, and confidence. The result is a heartwarming experience where children, some reading aloud for the first time without fear, share books with a patient four-legged listener by their side. This unique program doesn’t just teach literacy—it fosters empathy, curiosity, and a newfound love of horses among students who may never have had that opportunity otherwise. Continue reading
LADY LAKE – On the two-year-anniversary of the Town’s only unsolved homicide, the Lady Lake Police Department is asking the public for help in solving this tragic crime.
20-year-old Bryson “Swift” Leverette was one of two victims shot at 104 Caroline Ave. on June 30, 2023. Lady Lake Police responded within minutes and performed life-saving measures, however Leverette was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim survived their injuries.
The initial investigation revealed that both victims were leaving the home in the Skyline Hills area of Lady Lake at around 12:44 a.m. when they were attacked by a group of suspects armed with several different firearms. The suspects fled the scene in unknown vehicles.
Since his death, Leverette’s girlfriend gave birth to their son. Leverette’s mother, family and friends continue to grieve their loss and eagerly await news of an arrest. Continue reading
By TomL
I love the CEP series about the schools interview with Lori Conrad. Many years ago while Obama was in office the Obama team led by Micheal Obama decided every child needed a college education.
So meanwhile while they were going through high school some passed algebra or trigonometry. I took a poll of people and ask 20 people if they had ever used either of these subjects in their lives. 99% said no never used it, one said he did, he was a pilot. They said that students had to pass algebra to graduate. They were stuck, who do they go to if they can’t do a math problem. “Their parents? Their parents had never had it in school so many children got discouraged and just quite. They were left behind only to finish their high school education outside the school system. Are beginning to get the point. Then COVID hit!
Back then I started saying we needed to look at the curriculum, it was then I started saying in my papers that it would not work. Boys and Girls or men and women graduate from college and there was not enough jobs requiring a college education. Who is going to drive trucks? Who is going to do jobs that you does not require a college degree. Of course the college graduate does not want to drive a truck or work in construction so they don’t take a job that back then for $5 or $6 per hour. After all they were a college graduate so the one’s without jobs floundered for a while until they had to take a job they did not want or starve. They applied their learning skills and wound up OK! Continue reading
The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP) was honored this week as a finalist for the 2025 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). The Chamber of the Year award, presented by GrowthZone, is the most prestigious recognition in the chamber industry, celebrating outstanding leadership, impactful programs, and community advancement efforts.
Winners were announced on Wednesday, July 23, during the Awards Show at ACCE’s Annual Convention in Philadelphia, and while the Ocala Metro CEP was not selected as this year’s overall winner, being named a finalist places the organization among the top chambers in the country.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a finalist for this national honor,” said Tamara Fleischhaker, Interim CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. “This distinction is a testament to the strength of our business community, the dedication of our team, and the bold, collaborative work happening across the Ocala Metro to create a more prosperous future.” Continue reading
Hi AI
Can you set up a local emergency alert system for a fifty mile radius for a flood?
From TomL
In my opinion they need to build Cell tower while rebuilding along the flood area! To make sure emergency alerts work. They could even put sirens on the towers.
I ask AI if a localized (50 miles or less) emergency alert with that blast sound that goes through you, could it be set up. What was in place in Texas was not effective for a disaster like this.
Here what AI’s response was.
Yes, AI and related technologies can help localize emergency alerts within a 50-mile radius, and in fact, systems like Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) already do so with a high degree of accuracy.
Here’s how this is achieved: Continue reading
Networking Lunch at The Rose Plantation 150 Rose Ave, Fruitland Park, FL. Networking with Business Professionals, bring a friend! Door prizes are always welcome
By TomL
God I want to do business with you! I think you have sent me several signs, but life is moving so fast it is hard to tell. My goal is to spread truthful information. In our speed along life world we are going to fast to react to some of the things happening today.
AI is a force to be controlled and no one is sure how to do it. I say it is here and we can’t stop it so use it as a tool and don’t let it make your decisions, but use it to inform yourself of useful information then make your own educated decisions. I think you should message AI that you made the decision not AI. AI only know’s what we teach it and of course there are those that will try to weaponize it. Right now AI isz sectionalized to certain businesses or activity’s. Like Publishing, war, religion, here is one zI think we need to endorse religion to AI and tell it not to make it’s own designs but a board make decisions.
Someone needs to teach AI about religion and god from the Bible with the agreed meaning of things. Not to analyze it but believe it! Study what you teach it with a panel Religious scholars not one person. Continue reading
Many Americans have been celebrating the ascendancy of the first American Pope, Leo XIV. However, that ascendancy highlights some problems with the Internal Revenue Code and brings to light an additional reason why we need to eliminate the federal income tax. In an article in Tax Notes, the following information was provided:
* Beyond saving souls, the new pope might need to save his receipts in the event of an IRS audit.
* A primary question arises over the treatment of his papal salary. We don’t know exactly how much the pope earns, although it’s rumored to be in the vicinity of $400,000 per year.
* It’s unclear whether the pontiff has chosen to accept or decline the salary or to accept and donate the funds to charity. For US tax purposes, a decision to decline salary may not be sufficient to prevent the earnings from being treated as gross income.
* Additional concerns involve the application of section 107 (rental value of parsonage), section 119 (meals and lodging furnished for the convenience of employees), section 170b (percentage limitations on charitable deductions), section 911 (the foreign earned income exclusion) and section 6039F (the duty to report gifts from non U.S. persons) Continue reading
Friends of the Ocala Public Library is holding its next clearance book sale beginning on Friday, August 1 for Friends members only, (but memberships are available at the door) from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm, and then opens to the general public on Saturday, August 2, 10 am-2 pm. Sale is held in the Ocala Public Library headquarters meeting rooms, 2720 Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
Proceeds of the sale benefit children and adult programs, materials, audio and ebooks, and staff development at Ocala main, Reddick, Ft. McCoy, and Sankofa branches of the Marion County Public Library system.
All childrens books and all paperback books are 25 cents each, and all hardbacks are 50 cents each. Cash and checks only.
