This week marked the last week in Washington for the month. Next week we celebrate Independence Day with events throughout the district, and I look forward to seeing many of you at parades and July 4th celebrations next weekend.
This week was another busy one in Washington, with many groups from Florida’s Third in town, from FFA students to the winner of our 2024 Art Competition. We showed some students from Bronson FFA around the Capitol and attended the celebration for our top artist as the 2024 art pieces were hung in the tunnel to the U.S. Capitol. You can see photos from those visits below.
On Tuesday, Olympic legends Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt testified before the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations about how other nations aren’t held to the same standard by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). As the Olympic Games in Paris approach next month, it’s important that the athletic competitions are fair. You can take a look at the remarks from the hearing below. Continue reading
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Early this morning, the House Agriculture Committee completed its full committee markup of the 2024 Farm Bill, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024. Congresswoman Cammack voted to pass the bill, joining her colleagues for a final bipartisan vote of 33 to 21.
Congresswoman Cammack spoke during the opening remarks for Members during the markup, lauding the bill’s provisions that will support Florida’s farmers, ranchers, and producers. View her full comments here.
Included in the bill are several wins for Florida’s specialty crop producers, including the establishment of a specialty crop committee, funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, more funding for specialty crop mechanization and automation research. Additionally, the bill ensures AGI (adjusted gross income) waivers for disasters and eliminates the AGI limitation for farmers who make more than 75 percent of their income from agriculture. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—As the deadline for award nominations rapidly approaches, Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging Floridians to submit applications and sign up to attend the 2024 Human Trafficking Summit. Friday, June 28, is the final day to submit nominations. Awards will be presented at the summit to individuals who made a difference in the past year to fight human trafficking in the state of Florida.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Each year, we recognize outstanding Floridians for their extraordinary work in the fight to end human trafficking. The deadline to submit award nominations is rapidly approaching, so don’t delay! You can learn more about each award and submit nominations, as well as reserve your spot for our virtual event, by visiting HumanTraffickingSummit.com.” Continue reading
TALLLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution today secured a strong prison sentence against a woman operating a million-dollar pool contracting scheme. The Honorable Judge Dan L. Vaughn sentenced Chrystal Washburn, owner of Amore Pools, to 30 years in prison for defrauding Florida homeowners. Chrystal, alongside husband and co-defendant Brian Washburn, took deposits and payments for pools—often leaving dangerous debris piles and gaping holes in victims’ backyards. In total, the duo stole more than $1.2 million in unaccounted-for cash.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This couple promised to deliver dream pools, but left holes in Floridians’ hearts and backyards, by abandoning pool projects and stealing more than $1.2 million in cash. Thanks to our Statewide Prosecutors, Chrystal Washburn, the owner of this pool company, will now serve 30 years in prison for operating this scheme.” Continue reading
This week, our Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the arrest of six fraudsters for stealing nearly $250,000 from Florida seniors through grandparent scams.
The defendants contacted seniors posing as lawyers or legal representatives of one of the victim’s grandchildren. The fraudsters told the targets that the grandchildren needed bail money after being arrested for hitting a pregnant woman with a vehicle, then arranged for the victim to send payment.
These fraudsters knew that most grandparents would do anything to help a grandchild in need, and through a convincing imposter scheme they used fear and family to extort Florida seniors—stealing nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Working with our great law enforcement partners in South Florida, we were able to shut down this far-reaching grandparent scheme and now the six fraudsters will have to answer for their crimes. Continue reading
JUL 3
Freedom on the Waterfront
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Elizabeth Evans Park in Mount Dora
Enjoy live music from Inner Circle and All-4-One, delicious food trucks, family-friendly activities, and a spectacular fireworks finale.
JUL 4
Star Spangled Spectacular
4:00 PM – 9:30 PM Ski Beach Park in Leesburg
Join the City of Leesburg, Thursday, 4th of July for a Spectacular Event! 4pm at Ski Beach Park. Featuring carnival rides, a water ski show, and more.
JUL 5
Exploration Hike
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Ferndale Preserve in Montverde7/58/29/610/4 PLUS MORE
Join staff to explore the habitats and species of Ferndale Preserve.
JUL 6
CleanUp Eustis
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Ferran Park Bandshell in Eustis
CleanUp Eustis is having our next CleanUp group event, and we need YOUR help! Grab your community groups and neighbors and help for an hour or two!
JUL 6
Stroll Along the Bluff
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Sabal Bluff Preserve in Leesburg
Join staff on a leisurely stroll along the bluff. No facilities. Limited to 15 participants. Reservations required.
JUL 6
Laugh Freely Clean Comedy Show Experience
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM PLAZA THEATRE EUSTIS in Eustis
Join us for an unforgettable night Saturday July at the beautiful Plaza Theatre Eustis for the Laugh Freely Clean Comedy Show Experience.
JUL 7
Exploration Hike
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM PEAR Park Gateway in Leesburg7/78/49/110/6 PLUS MORE
Join staff on an early evening hike to get some exercise while exploring nature at PEAR Park.
JUL 10
Water Wednesday
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Hickory Point Recreational Park in Tavares
Using an enviroscape model, learn about the impact that our everyday lives has on the environment. Coloring activity pages will be provided.
JUL 10
Movie Night – I Heard the Bells
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM First Presbyterian Church Mount Dora in Mount Dora
Known as America’s Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow leads an idyllic life, until the day his world is shattered by tragedy.
JUL 10
Movie Night-I Heard the Bells
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Dora in Mount Dora
Known as America’s Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow leads an idyllic life, until the day his world is shattered by tragedy. With a nation divided by the…
JUL 11
The Process of Building a DIY Website, Step by Step, Start to Finish
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ONLINE
A step-by-step guide to building your own website, steering clear of all the hassle and confusion.
JUL 13
Florida Military Collector Show
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Renninger’s Antique Center in Mount Dora7/1310/12
The Florida Military Collector show is a one day event on Saturday.
JUL 13
Quarterly Bird & Butterfly Survey
7:30 AM – 11:00 AM Pasture Reserve in Groveland7/1311/16
Assist park staff with surveying the birds and butterflies that inhabit Lake County’s conservation lands.
JUL 15
Succulents (UF/IFAS Master Gardener)
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Umatilla Public Library in Umatilla
Succulents require minimal care and come in many shapes and sizes. Learn more about these fascinating plants and how to add them to your plant collection.
JUL,16
BINGO!
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Umatilla Public Library in Umatilla
Back by popular demand. Play BINGO for small prizes. Perfect for senior citizens and all adults are welcome.
JUL 17
Reading with Naturalist
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Hickory Point Recreational Park in Tavares
Come join the Naturalist for a reading of “A Drop Around the World
JUL 19
Summer Yard Sale
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Renningers in Mount Dora7/197/207/21
Don’t miss Renninger’s Summer Yard Sale Clean out your unwanted items and sell them at this show Antique Center- Flea Market Free Admission
JUL 19
Downtown Clermont Wine Strolls
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM Downtown in Clermont7/198/179/2010/19 PLUS MORE
Explore historic Downtown Clermont while sampling 25 different wines at participating shops.
JUL 28
Take Flight, Birds of Summer
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Lake May Reserve in Eustis
The birds that stick around for the summer months and raise their young are a hardy lot.
MORE EVENTS AT https://www.lakecountyfl.gov/calendar
Lady Lake Chamber Networking Luncheon was a great success. Forty five business people attending, door prizes were abundant. Many people bring door prizes and some even win door prizes. This month the luncheon was held at the Longhorn Steakhouse at 590 US 441 Lady Lake Fl.
By tomL
I Had a Dream! Not I have a dream! I had a dream about what is going on in the world and our country.
Remember the song “Just a Dream / Just a dream. All our Plans and all our Schemes??????
The way the dream started was right after the Trump verdict I could not sleep. I sat down in my recliner that night with Fox News on slept and woke up every once in a while and it seemed the news was part of my dream. Scholars and legal analyst came from everywhere saying the trial was not real, maybe it was just a dream. Mine was a dream! So what comes next? Do they finish crucifying him, or do they want to drag him through the streets of New York some more. Do they want to lock him away out of hearing and out of sight. I think the cause would just keep growing!
Well that happened to me. Once up on a time there was a man who loved his Coun Continue reading
Meet BeBo CJ Johnson Photographer new puppy. I ask Kay if she had any photo’s she would like to share. She said she has a picture of her new puppy named BeBo. Just look at this photo BeBo is cute as a button. The photo of course was excellent. CKJ-13 Kay Johnson takes great photos for us. We are blessed.
Memorial Day at the Veterans Park in downtown Ocala. This photo is a solider setting up the wreath In honor of the fallen. Our deadline held us back from having photo’s in our June issue but we have plenty in the July issue. CKJ-13 Kay Johnson went out and took pictures for us and it made me feel like I was almost there. Many of the World War two veterans were attending and showing support their brothers in arms. Honoring those who did not come home, and remembering. A lot of Vietnam veterans were honored. I saw photos of Howard who we honored on our front page last month. He had just turned 100. Many County, state and federal representative were in attendance. I was pleased to see them there. We have more photos on pages 6 & 7 in this issue. Share our digital newspaper with your friends. We are as close as your smart phone.
Tom Loury said that.
