LADY LAKE — In celebration of National Arbor Day on April 25, the Town of Lady Lake is announcing its annual Tree Raffle, reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community beautification.

This year, the Town Commission doubled the award to $10,000, allowing 50 residents to win $200 in gift certificates to Fairfield Farms Nurseries in Oxford, where they may choose from a variety of trees and plants. Winners must arrange for pickup and planting

How to Enter:

Open to Lady Lake residents only (addresses will be verified).

One entry per household (previous winners from the last two years are not eligible).

Submit raffle tickets to the Town Clerk’s Office at 409 Fennell Blvd. no later than 6

p.m. on April 14, 2025.

The drawing will take place on April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall

Commission Chambers (409 Fennell Blvd., Lady Lake). Winners will be notified and do not

need to be present.

Entry forms can be found online at www.ladylakefl.gov and at Town Hall.

For the 20th consecutive year, Lady Lake has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, highlighting its dedication to urban forestry, tree preservation, and responsible development. The Town’s tree bank, funded by developer contributions, supports initiatives like the annual tree raffle to ensure a greener future for Lady Lake.

“Being named a Tree City USA for 20 years solidifies our ongoing commitment to protecting our environment,” said Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske. “This raffle is a wonderful way to engage residents in beautification efforts.”

Elisha Pappacoda

OCALA, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the groundbreaking of over 31 miles of new auxiliary lanes to be added to I-75, from State Road 44 in Wildwood to State Road 326 in Ocala. This latest Moving Florida Forward project has been fully funded and is beginning 10-15 years ahead of schedule.

“We launched Moving Florida Forward in 2023 to accelerate road projects with an emphasis on alleviating traffic. We are accelerating this I-75 project near Ocala because residents and visitors alike need relief from the congestion,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This project was not slated to begin for another 10-15 years, but thanks to our program, construction is now underway.”

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, congestion relief along I-75 will be delivered 10-15 years ahead of schedule,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “With nearly 114,000 vehicles driving the corridor daily, these improvements will make traveling easier and bring a $2.3 billion economic impact to the region.” Continue reading →

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced he is recommending pay increases for state law enforcement officers and firefighters in his Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
“We support the men and women who keep our streets and communities safe,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Throughout my time in office, I have delivered on my promise to support law enforcement and first responders. Therefore, in the coming fiscal year, I am recommending a well-earned pay raise.”

The Governor’s Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends $118.3 million in pay increases for more than 4,700 state sworn law enforcement officers and more than 730 state firefighters. This includes a:

• 20% pay increase for state entry level sworn law enforcement officers; and
• 25% pay increase for veteran sworn law enforcement officers and all state firefighters.
  These pay increases will build on the support already delivered to support law enforcement and first responders. As a result of these initiatives, Florida continues to have record-low crime rates; continues to be a great place to live, work, and raise a family; and remains the friendliest state in the country for first responders.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida continues to be the top destination for travelers from all over the world as it welcomed a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors in 2024. This marks a 1.6% increase over 2023, the previous record annual visitation in the state’s history.

The fourth quarter of 2024 also set a new benchmark with 33.1 million visitors, surpassing the previous record for a Q4 period—setting the highest visitation for any fourth quarter. The record-breaking visitation was fueled by 29.9 million domestic visitors, 2.5 million overseas visitors, and 742,000 Canadian visitors.

“The results are clear—Florida is the best place to visit, live, and do business,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Another record-breaking year is proof that leadership matters, and the Free State of Florida is a model for the nation.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) announced significant progress for the future of the McGriff Channel, also known as ‘Wadley Pass,’ where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Suwannee River in Dixie County, Florida.

Mid-last year, Rep. Cammack secured the votes for inclusion of McGriff Channel in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). In December of last year, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) included the matching provision in the Senate year-end package. This measure secured a federally required economic impact study by the Army Corps of Engineers for the McGriff Channel, which is a necessary step to keep the project moving. This move follows the 2021 study, which concluded that dredging was not economically feasible and no action could be taken. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Kat Cammack and Greg Steube reintroduced their plan to expand access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for five million lower-income Americans.

The Affordable Care and Comprehensive Economic Support through Savings Act (ACCESS Act) empowers individuals by giving them the option to receive direct contributions to an HSA instead of relying on reduced cost-sharing under government-controlled health insurance exchanges. This commonsense reform removes bureaucratic restrictions imposed by the ACA, allowing individuals to take control of their health care dollars and use them as they see fit.

“Access to affordable care has diminished over the past decade, as the prices of medical care have skyrocketed and provider networks have shrunk,” said Rep. Cammack. “But with money in an HSA, you can obtain the personalized services you need, and see the doctors you trust, even if they’re not covered by your health insurance plan. For working families in my district and across the country this option is a lifesaver and will give many the flexibility to afford visits and procedures they may not be able to otherwise. I am proud to introduce the ACCESS Act today for many reasons, but mostly because it provides more access and more freedom for families whose health care needs aren’t being met by government-controlled health care programs.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured a 5-year prison sentence for a Romanian crime ring member. Vasile Bricage stole more than $38,000 in smartphones and other items from six Walmart locations across five Florida counties — all within the span of six days.

Acting Attorney General John Guard said, “This member of a Romanian crime ring targeted Walmart locations spanning five Florida counties — causing more than $38,000 in losses. Now, thanks to our Statewide Prosecutors, he will pay for his crimes.”

Vasile Bricage, working alongside co-defendant Antonio Briceag and two unknown female accomplices, stole smartphones and other items from Walmart locations in Citrus, Okaloosa, Pinellas, Santa Rosa and Sarasota counties. In several cases, Bricage and his accomplices entered the stores and proceeded to the electronics department. Then, members of the group would distract employees or act as lookouts while using an unknown implement to defeat the anti-theft devices at the phone display.

In one Citrus County incident, the group used a different strategy. Bricage, after browsing the electronics department, proceeded to the hardware section of the store and selected a black crowbar. The defendant then went back to the electronics department and pried two locked phone cabinets open, and the group stole 26 iPhones — valued at more than $22,000. The damage to the cabinets totaled more than $1,600. Continue reading →

There is a list of action taken by either Ashley Moody  and  James Uthmieir

February 14, 2025: Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution

Secures a 5-Year Prison Sentence for Member of Romanian Crime Ring.

February 13, 2025: Florida Attorney General’s Office Warns Floridians About Romance Scams Ahead of Valentine’s Day.

February 13, 2025: Florida Attorney General’s Office Secures Order Prohibiting MV Realty from Enforcing Liens or Encumbrances on Homes After Deceiving Florida Homeowners.

February 10, 2025: Florida AG’s Office Announces Shutdown of Fraudulent SunPass Websites with FDLE and Releases New Scams at a Glance: SunPass Safety.

February 07, 2025: Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution Secures 12-Year Prison Sentence for Child Predator.

February 06, 2025: Florida Attorney General’s Office Secures More Than $350,000 for Florida Medicaid from Pharmaceutical Company Over Kickback Allegations.

February 05, 2025: Florida Attorney General’s Office Secures More Than $2.3 Million in Multi-state Action from Pfizer-Owned Bio-haven Pharmaceutical Company. Continue reading →