Building An Emergency Supplies Kit
Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
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Download the FEMA app to receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service.
- Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) – which requires no-sign up.
- Visit Ready.gov/hurricanes or Ready.gov/es/huracanes (en Español) for more readiness tips.
Basic Preparedness Tips
- Know your zone.
- If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.
- Snap photos of important documents and save them online or in a secure place you can access during an emergency
- Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate
- If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.
- Make a family emergency communication plan.
- Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representatives Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act to ensure that Americans with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and rare conditions are not devalued in federal health care decisions. This legislation prohibits the use of Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs)—a metric that assigns lower value to lives with disabilities— in federal programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA exchanges.
“The use of so-called cost-effective measures like QALYs threatens access to lifesaving care for the most vulnerable Americans,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “I am honored to lead this legislation alongside my colleague Rep. Kevin Hern to ensure that no patient is denied treatment simply because a mathematical formula decided their life is worth less. Every American—regardless of disability, chronic illness, or rare condition—deserves equal access to care.” Continue reading
Titusville, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier is warning would-be rioters and doxers that violence and intimidation against ICE and Border Patrol officers will not be tolerated in Florida. Over the past several days, violent displays of aggression against those officers occurred in and around Los Angeles, California, where leftist mobs obstructed major roadways, set vehicles on fire, and looted stores.
“Florida is the anti-riot state, and unlike California, we support law enforcement,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Border Patrol and ICE agents enforcing immigration law deserve protection from leftists trying to harm them. If the left doxes these agents, we will have their backs. Whether you make the poor choice to riot or publish an agent’s personal information online to bring harm, you are committing a crime in Florida. We will find you and hold you accountable.” Continue reading
Lynn Haven, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier joined Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford to announce the takedown of an illegal alien driver’s license scheme, with eight individuals arrested so far. A joint BCSO and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operation uncovered two compromised DMV employees offering illegal aliens driver’s licenses in exchange for cash.
“Florida’s Sheriffs are on the front lines of our state’s fight against illegal immigration, and Sheriff Ford is rooting out the corruption they bring into our state,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “My warning to any illegal alien coming to Florida to commit further crimes: we are going to find you, hold you accountable, and then send you back to where you came from.”
“We appreciate our partners that keep our state safe,” said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford.
Over the course of the investigation, authorities learned that two DMV employees were issuing an unusually large number of driver’s licenses. When investigators reviewed the in-house video at the DMV, they confirmed that the individuals receiving the licenses bypassed the required tests to obtain a license legally. These individuals traveled across Florida to Bay County to receive their driver’s licenses. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier is announcing the statewide results of Florida’s participation in a nationwide organized retail theft blitz operation. Working with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, authorities made 44 arrests, including three illegal aliens, and recovered more than $207,000 in stolen assets. The Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange (FORCE) played a significant role in this crackdown. The nationwide blitz operation targeted criminals, and organized crime rings that prey on retailers.
“Due to great coordination among our state law enforcement and Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange, 44 criminals were arrested as part of a nationwide organized retail theft blitz,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “The rule of law means something in Florida; this is another example of our state working with law enforcement to stop criminals.”
“FDLE was proud to take part in the National Organized Retail Crime Blitz in support of Attorney General James Uthmeier’s initiative to crack down on retail crime across the state,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “We are a law-and-order state, and together with our local and state partners are committed to protecting Florida’s businesses and communities.” Continue reading
Jul 04
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Clermont7/48/19/510/3 Plus More
Join staff and explore the habitats and species of Ferndale Preserve. Hike intensity: Vigorous. Reservations required.
Jul 04
Star Spangled Spectacular
Star Spangled Spectacular 2025 ????
???? Friday, July 4th
???? Ski Beach Park – 201 Dixie Ave, Leesburg, FL 34748
???? Festivities kick off at 4 PM
???? Fireworks light up the sky at 9 PM
???? FREE & open to the public!\
Get ready for a red, white, and BOOM celebration at Leesburg’s biggest Independence Day party! Join us at scenic Ski Beach Park for an unforgettable evening featuring:
???? Live music by the high-energy party band, Groove Slayers
???? Delicious food trucks
????️ Merchandise vendors
FREE Carnival Rides
???? Family fun and patriotic vibes all evening long
???? A breathtaking fireworks finale over Lake Harris at 9 PM
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and stars-and-stripes spirit—this is a celebration you don’t want to miss!
???? Want to be a sponsor or merchandise vendor?
Email specialevents@leesburgflorida.gov to get involved.
Let freedom ring—Leesburg style!
Friday, July 4, 2025 | 6 -10 p.m. | Free to attend
Tuscawilla Park | 800 NE Sanchez Ave.
Celebrate Independence Day with an unforgettable evening at Patriotic Skies! Enjoy a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky, live music to keep you dancing, and a fun-filled Kids Zone featuring games and activities for the whole family. Satisfy your cravings with a variety of delicious food from local food trucks, offering everything from savory snacks to sweet treats. Whether you’re relaxing with loved ones or enjoying the entertainment, this free event is the perfect way to celebrate America’s birthday in style. Don’t miss out – bring your chairs, blankets, and your patriotic spirit!
Entertainers
Bryce Mauldin, originally from Webster, FL, is bringing serious Florida fire to the Nashville country scene. As a fully independent artist, he’s racked up over 20 million streams on his original music and built a massive following across social media with a sound that appeals to fans of both classic and modern country.
From high-energy hits like “City Limits”—channeling the rock-influenced edge of Jason Aldean—to the heartfelt, steel-guitar-driven “Seeing Somebody Else,” Bryce’s music spans generations and styles while staying true to his roots. His songwriting is personal yet universally relatable, giving a voice to fans through real-life storytelling.
With his distinctive style and growing momentum, Bryce Mauldin is quickly carving out his place as one of country music’s rising stars.
Emma Forgette
In the world of country music, few voices shine as brightly and authentically as Emma Forgette’s. Born in New Jersey but rooted in Ocala, Florida, Emma is quickly making her mark on the contemporary country scene.
She began her musical journey just three years ago at age 17, exploring opera, rock, pop, and theater, but always returning to her first love—country music. Her powerful voice and wide range draw comparisons to some of the genre’s greatest female artists, and her dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry feels well within reach.
Emma’s musical foundation runs deep. She played first-chair flute through school and is now learning guitar, adding to her already impressive artistry. Offstage, she’s a true country girl—living on a family farm, collecting cowboy boots, and embracing the simple joys of rural life. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—Americans are living nearly a decade longer than they were in the 1970s. That’s great news—but staying healthy into your 80s and beyond requires extra care and an eye towards prevention. The protection provided by vaccines plays a key role in helping keep you healthy and preventing severe illness and potential long-term complications, especially for older adults and individuals with immunocompromised conditions.
As people age, their immune system naturally weakens—it becomes slower at recognizing and fighting off viruses. At the same time, lungs become more vulnerable, and chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes can make it harder to recover from illnesses such as COVID-19. Similarly, people of all ages with weakened immune systems—whether from certain health conditions or medications—face a higher risk of severe illness because their bodies also struggle to mount a strong defense. In both cases, a reduced ability to fight infectious respiratory disease increases the risk of serious complications and hospitalization. Continue reading
Ocala, FL — The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership has been named a finalist for the 2025 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). ACCE is an association based in Alexandria, Va., with over 1,600 chambers of commerce and related business and economic development organizations as members, representing more than 9,000 professionals in the industry.
The award, sponsored by GrowthZone, is the most prestigious and competitive award in the chamber industry, recognizing excellence in operations, member service and community leadership. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and impacted key community priorities, such as education, transportation, economic prosperity and quality of life.
“This year’s finalists represent excellence in the chamber industry,” said ACCE President & CEO Sheree Anne Kelly. “Each has shown how chambers can lead as community partners, forward-thinking leaders and problem solvers to drive growth and make a lasting impact on regional prosperity. We congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.” Continue reading
The Town of Lady Lake is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). This comprehensive report is designed to keep residents informed about the quality of their drinking water and the measures taken to ensure it remains safe and dependable.
“Our goal is to provide residents with a reliable supply of high-quality drinking water,” said Public Works Director C.T Eagle. “We want our community to understand the ongoing efforts we make to safeguard our precious water resources.”
The Town continually monitors for contaminants in drinking water in accordance with state and federal regulations. Lady Lake is proud to report no violations for water quality and full compliance with all federal and state drinking water standards.
Lady Lake’s drinking water is sourced from three water treatment plants, which include five wells within the community, drawing from the Floridan Aquifer—one of the most protected aquifers in the world. The water is treated using aeration and chlorination to ensure effective disinfection. Continue reading
