From Bill Gray
To Thomas Loury
It’s cold and quiet in Hillsdale, Michigan. I hope you’re staying warm, and that you and your family are doing well. Our students have headed home for a much-needed break, and I wanted to send you a quick note as we approach the close of 2024.
The end of one year and the beginning of another is a natural time to reflect. When I think back over the year that was, I never could’ve predicted we’d be where we are today. Did you think we’d see…
Campus protests, legacy media censorship, wars in Europe and the Middle East, and multiple assassination attempts of a presidential candidate?
I certainly didn’t!
At the same time…
This year ended with so many Americans showing they haven’t given up on this country. A renewed hope is in the air. There is a feeling that we can and will accomplish great things again. Continue reading
Ocala, FL – HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital today announced a $10,000 donation to Interfaith Emergency Services to fight hunger in the Ocala/Marion County community.
For the 2024 Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food and Nutrition Drive, HCA Healthcare hospitals nationwide were encouraged to get creative and build sculptures with cans and boxes of food donated by their colleagues. The winner in each division received a $10,000 grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation for a food bank serving its community. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is the winner for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division and selected Interfaith Emergency Services’ food bank for the $10,000 donation.
Nursing managers at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital built a food structure in the shape of a smiling turkey to recognize the importance of helping neighbors during the holiday season. Continue reading
Lindsay Loury decided to show her sons Lane and Kash icicles, so she turned the sprinkler on and the results were great. I shot this picture from inside the front door of my house. It has been under freezing for four mornings in a row, WOW. I dumped some ice out of my cooler four days ago and it is still there in the yard. Too cold for me to go out. Good job Lindsay, the boys have something to remember! The Polar Ice blast came and took over the weather in north central Florida last week and we don’t know when it will warm. Maybe tomorrow?
Calling all cheese lovers and culinary wizards! The Billy Berg Mac N Cheese Festival & Business Showcase is your golden ticket to not only showcase your cheesy creations but also to connect with the vibrant Lady Lake community!
Join us for this exciting cook-off, where local businesses can strut their stuff, art and craft vendors can shine, and competitors can battle it out for cheesy supremacy!
Saturday, March 8, 2025 – 10 AM – 2 PM
Log Cabin Park, 106 S. US HWY 441/27, Lady Lake
Just one week ago today, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody honored our School Resource Unit and its vape-detection canine, Samba, with the Back the Blue Award for Samba’s outstanding performance in detecting vapes and THC in our schools. Today, Samba and her handler, Erica Stamborski, who also received the Back the Blue Award, again proved Samba’s value and demonstrated why she’s deserving of such a prestigious honor!
Earlier today, K9 Handler Stamborski and Samba responded to Leesburg High School for a routine scheduled visit to proactively walk areas of the campus. K9 Samba alerted to a backpack in the media room, which was absent of any students at the time, in an area where students typically leave their belongings. A search of the backpack was conducted, and located inside was a loaded Glock 9mm handgun, which was later determined to be stolen out of Lake County. This alert led to a felony arrest of a student by officers with the Leesburg Police Department.
In addition to locating the firearm, Samba also found three vapes and a cigar in other backpacks.
We are incredibly proud of K9 Samba’s and Handler Stamborski’s efforts and their unwavering dedication to ensuring a safe learning environment for children in Lake County.
(Pictured left to right: Handler Erica Stamborski, K9 Samba, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Captain Michael Marden, and Sheriff Peyton Grinnell)
LADY LAKE — Residents are invited to connect with Lady Lake Mayor Ed Freeman during a special “Meet the Mayor at the Market” event on Tuesday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lady Lake Farmers & Crafts Market, located at 250 Rolling Acres Road.
This casual gathering provides an opportunity to discuss local topics, share ideas, and hear updates about news and events in the community directly from the mayor.
While there, visitors are invited to peruse the market, which features a wide range of offerings including fresh produce, baked goods, preserves, handmade crafts, and artisanal products. Food truck vendors will serve options such as barbecue, hot dogs, and international cuisines.
The market is accessible by golf cart via The Villages at Palermo Place through Chula Vista or Del Mar Drive.
The Lady Lake Farmers & Crafts Market is held every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to support local vendors while enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.
For more information, visit www.ladylakefl.gov or contact market@ladylake.org.
Lady Lake, FL – The Lady Lake Police Department celebrated several milestones during last night’s town Commission meeting, including the department’s annual recognition awards, the introduction of new officers, and nearly reaching full staff.
The Department proudly recognized several officers for their outstanding contributions and service to the community. Chief Steve Hunt reflected on the department’s growth and success in overcoming recent challenges.
“The department was at a crossroads not long ago,” said Chief Hunt. “Thanks to the unwavering support of Mayor Freeman, the Town Commission, and Town Manager Lawrence, we’ve been able to not only retain our valued officers but also attract top talent from across the nation. This has ensured our ability to continue providing the high level of service our residents deserve.”
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards recognizing the exceptional efforts of the department’s team, including:
Officer Joshua Higgins and Sergeant Heather Couch: Meritorious Service Award for actions that saved a life. They were able to de-escalate a situation with a suicidal caller and convinced the individual to surrender a fully loaded handgun, saving his life. Continue reading
LADY LAKE – The Town of Lady Lake invites the community to its inaugural “Rock That Resolution” event, set to take place on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Snooky Park, 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd.
This new community event is designed to inspire attendees to start 2025 on the right foot with motivational and fun activities to help stay on track with their New Year’s resolutions. Whether you’re looking to travel more, start a new hobby, go back to school, improve your financial health, enhance physical and mental wellness, volunteer, or read more books, the Town of Lady Lake is here to help you “Rock That Resolution” with a perfect mix of entertainment and resources to reach your goals.
The event will feature:
- Free mini classes include Tai Chi at 11:30 a.m., yoga at 12:30 p.m. and Zumba at 1:15 p.m.
- Live music from the “Think Big” Band
- Delicious eats from local food trucks Lil Fatz BBQ, Weirsdale Weinery, and PDixon Desserts
- Exciting bounce houses for kids
- Opportunities to connect with organizations, resources, and vendors to support your goals.
LADY LAKE – For the 20th year, Lady Lake has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. To receive the prestigious designation, a Tree City must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita and on Arbor Day observation and proclamation.
According to Tree City USA, a commitment to tree helps lead to cooler temperatures, cleaner air, higher property values and healthier residents.
“It is a great honor to receive Tree City USA designation for the 20th year,” said Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske. “It represents our dedication to protecting the town’s historic trees and collaborating with residents to plant and nurture new ones, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.”
Together with community partners, Lady Lake plants trees annually at various locations during its Arbor Day celebration every April. In 2024, the town joined Lake County in planting several trees outside Lake County Fire Station 52 in Lady Lake.
The Town hosts a tree raffle annually, offering winners $200 gift certificates to purchase trees at a local nursery. The Lady Lake Tree Raffle is made possible by the town’s tree bank, which is funded by developers who are required to donate if they cannot meet the town’s stringent tree code.
The Town’s land development regulations require developers to put money into the town’ tree bank to mitigate any tree loss. This is a way in which the town enforces responsible development and tree conservation.
PHOTO: Mayor Ed Freeman (left) and Commissioner Mike Sage (right) assisted in planting trees at Lady Lake’s Arbor Day celebration at Lake County Fire Station 52 on April 25, 2024.
JUNO BEACH, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced updates on Florida’s efforts to restore the Everglades and enhance the supply and quality of the state’s water resources, unveiling key budget recommendations for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The Governor also highlighted Florida’s commitment to work with the incoming Trump Administration to accelerate the completion of critical Everglades restoration projects by garnering authority over the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in an effort designed to save both time and taxpayer dollars.
“I’m proud to keep advancing these efforts in Everglades restoration and water quality, which will have lasting benefits to our state for years to come,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I promised to leave Florida better than we found it, and we’re keeping that promise for future generations.”
“Floridians understand the Everglades better than anyone else. We live, work and recreate here, and we are committed to the land that sustains this,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Florida has the experience, urgency and determination to get the job done. We have proven our ability to manage restoration projects efficiently.” Continue reading
