Lady Lake Chamber held it 7th Annual Business to Business Expo at the Water Oak Recreation Center. It is a huge room holding all our vendors. Almost every booth had a great door prize to give out during the drawing. Our Chamber Executive Director was out sick, Janet Fraley her assistant did a good job running the event with a lot of volunteers to help with the event. We have some 38 pictures to show you. Each vender got two minutes to present a speech about there business. Some did not need that much time and other needed twice that time. It really went well. After listening to everyone’s speech we had a couple of breaks, then the Water Oak Residents were invited to come in for the last hour. It was a good show! Don’t miss next year.
I had to rewrite my column from the Ocala newspapers. I have been worried about a young friend who had a substantial 401K. In watching the market I kept thinking this man could be losing everything he has in the 401K. I got into a conversation with him the other day, I said to him every time I see the stock market going crazy I thought of you and was worried about you losing all you gained in the past years. He said I gained $400,000 while Trump was in office. Then comes Biden I lost $50,000 the first year before I could put it in a save fund without disturbing the 401K. So he said he lost some of what he gained which would probably help with his children college education. A loss of 25% of investment because Biden’s hate for Trump and his poor decisions first year. The young man did not say anything nasty but I did!
To the general public out there and here, vote for people who want to bring back America’s economy and if a politician lied to you don’t believe them a second time. Don’t let them buy your vote. If they paid your college debt they will get it back from you some way. The United States is in crisis so look and pay attention of how you vote and don’t forget the past. Continue reading
The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, along with CareerSource and Duke Energy, partnered together to thoroughly examine the underlying reasons for a persistently low labor force participation rate (LFPR) in Marion County. The three components used to conduct the LFPR analysis consisted of an assessment of local, regional and national data related to workforce, demographics and employment trends; interviews with local employers to examine the actual recruiting and hiring experience; and a large-scale survey of the working-age population.
The CEP and our partners know that by understanding why individuals are not in the workforce, we can better prepare our workforce and increase the overall economic vitality throughout the Ocala Metro. Continue reading
-Air B&B in The Villages?
Apparently, many residents feel that short-term rentals in The Villages should be stopped.
Over-all management of residential districts and amenities in The Villages is controlled by several ‘CDD’s.
These ‘Community Development Districts’ are appointed by the Developer.
Obviously, that being the case, their primary function is to protect the best interests of the ‘Developer/Ownership/Management.
So far they have not addressed the short-term rental market issue. Continue reading
Lake County sheriff’s detectives are investigating an incident that left two people dead from apparent gunshot wounds last night (August 25) in the northeast part of Lake County. The incident occurred at 45918 Pennsylvania Road in Altoona at approximately 9 p.m.
Deputies responded to the residence after receiving a report of two people at the home being shot. Upon arrival, two male victims were found deceased. The deceased victims have been identified as 34-year-old David Thomas Mikell of Umatilla and 41-year-old Shane Eugene Clements of Altoona.
Detectives have developed leads and are following up on the information. The shooting was not a random act and the two persons of interest do not reside at the residence.
The investigation is active; therefore, no further information is being released at this time. Further details will be provided once they become available.
A 16-year-old male student from Lake Hills Academy in Mascotte was arrested today for having a handgun on a Lake County school bus this morning. The school’s administration was notified after another student on the bus saw the student with the gun. By that time, the bus had already departed from the school.
Deputies had reason to believe that the gun was left on the bus and not brought into the school. They quickly began investigating the claim and responded to the bus parking lot located on Golf Links Avenue in Eustis. Upon searching the bus, a Glock handgun was located on the back seat, concealed in a sweatshirt. The gun was holstered and unloaded; no ammunition was found.
Deputies continued investigating and were able to review footage from the bus’s security camera, which showed 16-year-old Trace James Richardson removing his sweatshirt and leaving it in that same seat.
ased upon witness statements and the video evidence, Richardson was arrested and charged with possessing a firearm on school property. He will be detained by the Division of Juvenile Justice.
Lake Hills Academy is an alternative school located at 513 Albrook Street in Mascotte.
Detectives assigned to the Lake County sheriff’s Cyber Crimes Unit recently concluded a 4-day operation targeting subjects online attempting to meet children for sexual activity. The investigation, dubbed Operation Welcome to Detention, resulted in six arrests for various sex-related crimes.
Detectives conducted the operation August 24-27, during which time they posed online as either a 13- or 14-year-old child. The subjects traveled to the predetermined location with the intent to have sex with whom they thought was the child and were taken into custody upon arrival. All suspects were arrested without incident.
This operation would not have been possible without the cooperation and support from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other member agencies of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Saturday, October 15th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.
Limited to 20 individuals per tour.
Join us as we share the ORIGINAL horror story of Ocala and follow along the treacherous path laid by The Great Fire.
Three (3) libations included in ticket price.
Walking Tour – The Great Fire
$35.00
Join us as we share the ORIGINAL horror story of Ocala and follow along the treacherous path laid by The Great Fire.
Admission fee includes 3 cocktails & 2-hour Guided Walking Tour
10/28/2022 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fort King National Historic Landmark
3925 E Fort King St.
Ocala, Florida 34470
It’s movie time! Join us for FREE movies throughout the year at different City of Ocala parks. Be sure to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. We will have concessions available for purchase like snacks, popcorn and soda. No registration is required to attend our movies, simply show up, get comfortable and enjoy the show!
Residents in a 19th-century Pennsylvania town are terrified that they’ll be attacked by mysterious creatures in the nearby woods, despite an uneasy pact they’ve made with the beasts. Rated PG-13
For questions, please call 352-368-5517.
10/07/2022 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downtown Square
1 SE Broadway St., Ocala, Florida 34471
Various artists will be setting up easels / stations and work on arts / crafts throughout Downtown Ocala. Performance on the Downtown Square. For details, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department’s Cultural Arts Division at 352.629.8383 or visit First Friday Art Walk.
