TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Diane Spencer and Roberta Ulrich to the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners.
Diane Spencer
Spencer, of The Villages, is a retired attorney with 36 years of experience previously working as a claim attorney for State Farm Fire and Casualty Company. She is currently elected to and serves on The Villages Community Development District #5 and previously served on the North Sumter Utility Development District. Spencer earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University.
Roberta Ulrich
Ulrich, of The Villages, is a retired mathematician. She previously worked at the Goddard Space Flight Center analyzing Mars data and has experience working in the federal government and in private industry. Ulrich earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Duquesne University.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about potential cyberattacks due to growing tensions in Europe. This comes on the heels of a warning from Washington, D.C. that Russia is exploring options for a potential attack. Critical infrastructure is thought to be the most likely target of such an attack; however, attacks can be more broad, meaning anyone with information online could be affected—leading to losses in money, private information and use of digital devices.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Cyberattacks are not always narrowly targeted. In fact, many hackers cast wide nets in an effort to steal as much information as possible. With the growing tensions in Europe and new warnings out of Washington, I want to encourage all Floridians to remain diligent in their efforts to protect identities and financial information online.”
Cybersecurity experts know that hackers cast wide nets, often ensnaring small businesses, nonprofits and private citizens when launching these online assaults. Attorney General Moody is warning consumers about the possibility of widespread cyberattacks. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about scams ahead of the 2022 tax-filing deadline. The deadline to file 2021 taxes is April 18. According to the Internal Revenue Service, millions of Americans wait until the last two weeks before the deadline to prepare tax returns. Last-minute filers are at a heightened risk of scammers fraudulently filing for a return in their name. Other less-common tax schemes also seek to exploit federal filing requirements. To avoid unnecessary hardships, Attorney General Moody is providing tips to help taxpayers spot and avoid tax scams.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The federal tax-filing deadline is just a month away and millions of Americans have not prepared their taxes. While there is still time, filing early reduces the likelihood that a scammer will steal your tax return. For more information about how to avoid common tax-filing scams, check out the tips in our latest Consumer Alert.” Continue reading
by Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM
(NAPSI)—Whether you’ve just decided to welcome a new pet to your family or you’re in the throes of early pet parenthood, like all pet parents you may experience challenges along with the joy, cuteness and many other rewarding parts of having pets. Dog, cat, bird, fish, reptile or small pet, each animal that comes into your life has unique needs, from grooming and habitat to nutrition, exercise and enrichment. Here are a few veterinarian-approved tips to help navigate every step of the way—from preparation to “Gotcha Day,” early bonding, life stage transitions and beyond—and foster long-lasting pet health and wellness.
Do Your Homework: Help start your pets’ journey off on the right paw by researching what it takes to prioritize their well-being and help them thrive.
- The process can be overwhelming at first, but a Petco pet care center and petco.com are great places to start.
- Research the pet’s breed or species to ensure that you thoroughly understand the nutrition, exercise, grooming and habitat requirements as well as any common behavioral or health issues.
- Identify a trusted veterinarian for initial exams and vaccinations, routine check-ups and in case of an emergency. In fact, enlisting a full team of pet experts, including a veterinarian, trainer and groomer you trust, such as those at Petco pet care centers, can help you feel confident throughout every milestone.
- No pet parent likes to think about a pet going missing, but it’s important to note there are resources such as Petco Love Lost, which helps reunite lost pets with their families.
COVID-19 Vaccine And Booster Myths
by the We Can Do This
COVID-19 Public Education Campaign
(NAPSI)—Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, myths and misperceptions about COVID and vaccines continue to arise and evolve on social media, online, and in daily conversation. Getting facts from a reliable source can keep myths from complicating decisions about getting vaccinated and boosted or following other prevention measures.
“Misinformation tends to spread rapidly, and it can be difficult for people to sort fact from fiction,” said Dr. Mohamed Yassin, Chief of Infectious Diseases at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Mercy. “But at this point in the fight against COVID, there is no doubt that keeping up on vaccinations gives people the strongest defense against serious illness.” Continue reading
Are You Eligible To Claim The IRS Saver’s Credit?
(NAPSI)—Here’s good news, for a change, from the IRS: It offers an incentive to lower your tax bill when you save for retirement. With pandemic-related employment disruptions last year, more taxpayers may be eligible to claim the Saver’s Credit but may not even know this tax credit exists. Also referred to as the Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, the Saver’s Credit can reduce federal income taxes for eligible taxpayers who save for retirement through a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
The 22nd Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey finds that fewer than half (48 percent) of workers are aware of the Saver’s Credit.
“People who are saving for retirement may be able to claim the Saver’s Credit and reduce their federal taxes,” says Catherine Collinson, CEO and president of nonprofit Transamerica Institute and its Center for Retirement Studies. “Perhaps people are confusing the tax credit with the tax-advantage treatment of retirement accounts. The idea of a double tax benefit may sound too good to be true but both are available to retirement savers.” Continue reading
by We Can Do This COVID-19
Public Education Campaign
(NAPSI)—Running was Rob Smith’s passion. He ran every day, ate healthy foods, and had good sleep habits. Because of his healthy lifestyle, Smith believed that it was very unlikely COVID-19 would have a serious effect on his health. In September 2020, at the age of 22, Smith contracted the virus, and his life changed forever.
“I used to run 5 or 6 miles a day. Now, when I walk up a flight of stairs, I’m gasping for air,” said Smith, who misses his daily exercise. “It feels like my brain is clouded, and I can’t think straight. It’s surreal.”
Smith is not alone. Though many healthy young people who contract COVID have mild symptoms and recover quickly, others experience a wide range of new, returning or ongoing health problems that can persist for months. This condition is referred to as long COVID. As scientists work to learn more about long COVID, many mysteries remain. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—Being a hero and helping repair the world may be easier than many people realize. How? Become a blood stem cell or marrow donor, volunteer or a supporter.
The Problem
Every three minutes, someone in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society estimates that 186,400 people will experience this frightening news just this year.
While a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant can serve as a cure for leukemia and other blood cancers, only 30 percent of patients have a matching donor in their families. The remaining 70 percent must hope that a compatible stranger can be found through the global registry.
Seeking Solutions
For the past 30 years, one organization has been singularly passionate about engaging the public to get everyone involved in curing blood cancer. Gift of Life Marrow Registry, a nonprofit based in Boca Raton, Florida, works globally to find matching bone marrow and blood stem cell donors for patients battling nearly 100 diseases, including blood cancer, immune disorders and sickle cell. Continue reading
About the Artist:
Cara Van Leuven‘s lifelong obsession with horses is probably like yours — it’s in the blood; it’s an impossible attraction and addiction. At the age of nine, Cara began taking riding lessons and knew, due to the likes of Touch of Class, Big Ben, and Abdullah, she wanted to jump. Throughout middle school and high school, Cara showed in hunters, eventually finding true love in the jumper ring.
Life with horses seemingly ended when Cara left her hometown of Ft. Wayne, Indiana to study photojournalism at Western Kentucky University. Although she did remarkably well with a camera and earned internships every summer working as a photographer at newspapers throughout the country, the loss of horses was marked.
Solace needed to be found so Cara turned to hip hop. Yes, you read that right. When she wasn’t break-dancing, she wrote graffiti in her black book and occasionally on dumpsters and walls. Her love of art wasn’t found so much in art museums, but rather on the side of trains.
After graduating, she spent time in Duluth, Minnesota, and London before settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She worked quite a bit in design but could not find comfort in the corporate environment. Eventually, a transfer to St. Louis, Missouri reshaped her lifestyle thanks to the 2008 recession. Continue reading
Flags & Flag poles is a local store in business for over 18 years and is run by the Marshall family George, Bill & Linda. George’s father Bill a vet and George’s mother linda keep’s busy with sales thanks to the strong support of local customers in the area. We urge you to buy local from family-owned businesses.
The Marshall family have been able to stay busy through the past year with sales and installing flag poles in the local area. Having a retail store in lady lake also helps so people can walk in and see the supplies the store offer’s and purchase local on site. They also offer discounts on most products when you pay by cash or check. When you buy local you help support a small business like the Marshall locally family owned and operated store.
The store hours are 8 am – 4 pm Monday – Thursday. the Marshall’s can be reached at 352-751-1876
** 211 S. Hwy 441, Lady Lake, 32159 **
