By Erik Lehane
I remember the day my world came crashing down. Johnny Picaro, my third grade bestie spilled the beans. Johnny had caught his old man placing his GI Joe with kung Fu grip under the Christmas tree in the wee hours of the morning. Santa was a fraud and the Easter Bunny and Tooth fairy were his accomplices. What next… is Elvis really alive?
Years later I had a similar epiphany, this one more attuned to a sledgehammer smacking me upside the head. I held Betty almost to the same standards of Santa, albeit in a different context. As a physical therapist, one yearns for the perfect client- someone who can muster the strength to leg press 250 lbs., effortlessly palm the floor and gracefully navigate an obstacle course. At the prime age of 78, Betty was all that and more. Continue reading
Have you ever thought there is so much good about the FAIRtax that, when someone asks you about it, you are tongue-tied because you don’t know where to begin? Imagine getting a question about the FAIRtax while riding in an elevator, and you have twenty seconds before the door opens.
Why Democrats Should Support the FAIRtax
AFFT president Steve Hayes’ testimony before the House Ways and Means subcommittee on taxation was largely political theater. Both sides used the occasion to advance their own talking points—Republicans touting the success of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and Democrats attacking the FAIRtax at every turn. Continue reading
On December 19th and 20th, 2023, detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investiga-tions Bureau, in conjunction with our City/County Investigations Bureau detectives from Mt. Dora, Eustis, Leesburg, and Clermont Police Department, conducted an undercover operation utilizing an un-derage confidential informant. The confidential informant attempted to purchase an alcoholic beverage or a vape from convenience stores throughout Lake County.
As a result of the operation, detectives visited 71 stores throughout Lake County, 29 of which sold to the underage buyer. Out of those 29 stores, 66% of the time the clerk did not ask for identification to verify the correct age, and 34% of the time the clerk requested identification; however, they still sold the alcoholic beverage to the minor even though their license clearly identified them as underage. Additional-ly, of those 29 sales, 25 individuals were issued a misdemeanor summons to appear in court, three indi-viduals were physically arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail, and one received a warning. Also, of those 29 individuals, one subject was the same individual who sold a vape to an underage con-fidential informant during the last undercover operation in March 2023. Continue reading
12/28/2023On December 27, 2023, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau executed a lawful search warrant at the residence of 38945 Pine Street Umatilla, Lake County, Florida. Detectives with Homeland Security and the Mount Dora, Eustis, Leesburg, and Clermont Police departments assisted with the six-month investigation, which stemmed from Crimeline tips and complaints from concerned citizens that indicated the main subject of this investigation, Robert Donaldson (DOB 02/06/1977), was distributing large quantities of narcotics from the residence. In the early morning hours, the Lake County SWAT Team secured the residence and Robert Donaldson, Joana Silva (DOB 04/08/2001), and Lashonda Gaston (DOB 03/12/1979) were located inside. Once the scene was secured, detectives conducted a search of the residence. Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $35 million in funding from the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program will be allocated to Florida school districts and Florida College System institutions to create or expand semiconductor-related instructional programs for students. Because of the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is already #5 in the US for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and #3 in the nation for semiconductor establishments. This investment will help cultivate a highly skilled workforce, which is integral to sustaining Florida’s growing semiconductor industry.
“By providing workforce education in our classrooms, students learn skills they can use to obtain high-paying jobs in growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This investment continues our commitment to making Florida number one for workforce education and positioning our state at the forefront of innovation.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $20 million through the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement Grant Program to strengthen ongoing efforts to restore water quality in the bay. Since 2019, the state of Florida has invested more than $70 million for targeted water quality projects in Biscayne Bay. To ensure restoration efforts continue, Governor DeSantis has again included $20 million for Biscayne Bay in his Focus on Florida’s Future budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
“The Biscayne Bay is a hub for sport and commercial fishing and tourism,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Our comprehensive approach to addressing water quality statewide and our investments in targeted estuaries, such as the Biscayne Bay, Indian River Lagoon and the Caloosahatchee, will ensure Florida’s economic vitality and Floridians’ way of life for decades to come.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the record-breaking success of his three-month Great Outdoors Initiative, providing 50% discounts on Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses and Annual State Park Passes. First announced on October 14, 2023, the Great Outdoors Initiative encouraged Floridians to get outdoors and explore Florida’s natural resources by saving Florida families money. The discount lasted through January 13, 2024, and was the highest discount ever provided for these licenses and passes in Florida history. More than 75,000 Gold Sportsman licenses totaling $24 million and more than 55,000 state park passes totaling $2.86 million were sold during the initiative. More than 23,000 of the hunting and fishing licenses purchased were for first time license holders.
“Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World and is home to some of the best recreational lands in the country for Florida families to enjoy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The success of this initiative is impressive and I am happy to see so many families take advantage of these savings to enjoy our great outdoors.” Continue reading
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is linked to cancer and other diseases. Unfortunately, these substances may have contaminated the water of several Florida military bases, putting service members and their families at risk.
Rep. Cammack joined U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin, asking about PFAS remediation efforts at Florida’s military installations and clarifying the extent of the health impacts of PFAS exposure on service members and their families.
“Our service members, and their families, deserve full information on the health risks of PFAS, as well as a commitment by the DoD to mitigate any harm that may be caused by PFAS exposure on military installations. As such, we request a full accounting of the progress for PFAS remediation efforts on each of Florida’s military installations.”
GAINESVILLE, FL — Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced the City of Ocala received a $104,000 grant from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
The City of Ocala will use the grant to conduct supplemental planning to develop a city-wide Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) and a Speed Management Plan targeting safer speeds in residential areas and around schools.
“I’m excited to see the City of Ocala making excellent use of this grant,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. “Safer roadways are important for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in Ocala, ensuring everyone makes it to their destination and back home safely. I look forward to seeing the City’s thoughtful planning in action.” Continue reading
ALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today sent a public records request to the Atlantic Coast Conference demanding the college athletics organization immediately turn over public records currently being withheld from Florida State University. Attorney General Moody is seeking the release of the conference’s “ESPN Agreement” and several other agreements, amendments and documents crucial to FSU’s legal battle to leave the ACC. The conference is refusing to turn over the documents—instead demanding that FSU officials travel to North Carolina to view the documents in secret and under ACC supervision.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “One of Florida’s top universities is facing the possibility of forfeiting more than half a billion dollars, and the ACC is refusing to hand over the agreements at the center of this astronomical financial penalty. They are unlawfully keeping these documents locked away in North Carolina. However, North Carolina and Florida state laws are clear that these agreements are public records and must be handed over immediately. Today, I am taking action to ensure FSU and the public are able to review these agreements.” Continue reading
