TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier awarded the 2025 Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year to Detective Eva Solis of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Ceremony honored the service of Detective Solis and 11 other brave officers who demonstrated great courage and selflessness while going above and beyond the call of duty last year.

“It is my honor to recognize Detective Solis as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and Officer Cody Poppell as our inaugural Moment of Valor Honoree,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Detective Solis’ and Officer Poppell’s commitment extends far beyond the call of duty. Detective Solis is responsible for the rescue and recovery of four human trafficking victims, and Officer Poppel stepped into the line of fire to save countless lives at FSU. I am proud to recognize their service to the Free State of Florida.”

The recognition stems from the detective’s exceptional investigative work on one of the most horrific child exploitation and human trafficking cases in Clay County Sheriff’s Office history. A citizen discovered a thumb drive locked in a safe at an abandoned storage unit. The device was turned over to law enforcement, where investigators discovered extensive material related to child sexual exploitation. Some of the key findings from the investigation include seven identified victims, one child rescued, three victims recovered, and more than two million CSAM files. Continue reading →

Letter was sent to the BCC on behalf of the MCREC, also this issue was on the agenda this week for the BCC, it was taken off the agenda for review in October (TBD).

When this issue was present in late April to the P&Z Commission the applicant rep, as well as the documentation provided by the County, mistakenly indicated the current water supply system had only on well.   This was incorrect and likely influenced the Commission to approve the project or at least voided any questions of why not just upgrade the two existing well on USFS property.

There was a Community meeting on May 14th held by the County in Salt Springs, (I attended) as asked at the meeting there are no pending letters from the USFS that the current operation at Salt Spring is affecting their operation or any request to stop operating.   The Community meeting was well run but highlighted the issues of concern and some key data gaps.

Just to be clear upgrading the wells and adding an additional storage tank to service this rural community is well-founded project, the need to change well locations lacks any substantial rational from a cost / technical basis.    Continue reading →

Sue Fullerton’s journey into the world of travel is rooted not only in a love of exploration, but in a deep understanding of what truly matters—time, connection, and the memories we create along the way. Since becoming a travel advisor in 2008, Sue has dedicated herself to helping others experience the world in meaningful, memorable ways, all while based in sunny Florida with her husband of 48 years.

Together, Sue and her husband have built a strong and loving blended family that now spans four children, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren—with another eagerly anticipated addition on the way. Family plays a central role in Sue’s life, and it’s this appreciation for togetherness that shapes how she approaches travel planning. She understands firsthand how powerful shared experiences can be, whether it’s a multi-generational cruise, a milestone celebration, or a long-awaited getaway.

Originally raised in California, Sue later made her way to New Jersey, where she met the love of her life. Their journey together has been filled with growth, change, and the kind of life experiences that give Sue a unique ability to connect with her clients on a personal level. She doesn’t just plan trips—she listens, she understands, and she designs travel experiences that reflect each client’s story, priorities, and dreams. Continue reading →

By Brigette Smith

Executive Director of the Republican Party Marion County

DID YOU KNOW:  Sewage effluent is being dumped into our Aquifer.

According to the CDC, Marion county is leading in cancer sicknesses and it is getting worse.  Boiling water won’t help remove carcinogens, according to health officials.  Best way to say it is, we have a sewage problem in central Florida, and it’s not coming from farmer’s agriculture, nor homes with septic systems.

Few people know that the University of Florida and Gainesville utilities inject vast quantities of sewage effluent every day and we are all living with this awful situation.  According to their own data, the University of Florida and Gainesville Utilities are injecting 16 million gallons of sewage effluent every single day straight into the Florida aquifer – right under where people live and drink and especially suffer downstream.  No one currently employed at the sewage treatment plants invented this method of dumping sewage effluent.  It’s been going on and increasing for many decades.  Some wastewater goes in the Alachua sinkhole into the drinking water aquifer, some goes into Kanapaha injection pipes to the drinking water aquifer, This must stop.

That’s not “recharge!” That’s chronic low-level exposure to sewage carcinogens daily for thousands of families in Ocala, Silver Springs, Lake Weir, Rainbow Springs, the Villages and Marion county now leads the nation in cancer rates for people under 50 according to the CDC and NIH. Continue reading →

Missouri is the most recent state in the process of eliminating their state income tax and replacing it with a sales tax. An amendment to their state constitution has passed the House and has advanced to the state Senate.

State Representative Bishop Davidson presented the tax plan to the House calling the in-come tax “the least fair tax” that “undermines economic growth.” “When you tax income,” Davidson said, “we tax productivity. We tax creativity.”

State legislators in Missouri are looking at Florida and other states without a state income tax and seeing their economic expansion. They understand that the state income tax is a disincentive for people and businesses to come to Missouri.  Continue reading →

What happened during President Trump’s State of the Union earlier this year is something I cannot get out of my head.

President Trump stood before that chamber and said the first duty of the United States government is to protect American citizens NOT ILLEGAL ALIENS

I was on my feet before the President finished the sentence. Every Republican stood with him.

Not one Democrat moved. WHAT A SHAME!

They sat in silence while the President declared that American citizens deserve to be protected in their own country. They could not bring themselves to stand!

I will never forget that image — and I do not think you should either.

Another image I can’t forget is when the President was shot he was holding his fist up an hollering fight fight fight! There is still an investigation on how the guy was allowed to get on the roof, other things have come up the same guy was stopped earlier one something and let go?????

That was among my images for ever!

Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked green cards of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, both relatives of the killed IRGC chief Qassem Soleimani, with ICE arresting them in Los Angeles for deportation

At least four Iranian nationals with ties to current or former Tehran government officials have lost their U.S. residency or visa privileges amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions

State Department cited public support for the Iranian regime and anti-American rhetoric, including calling the U.S. the “Great Satan,” as grounds for visa ineligibility

Iranian diaspora advocates celebrate the action as a “major win” after years of pushing for accountability against regime supporters living lavishly in America

SOUTH BAY, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to announce that all federally funded contracts for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir have been fully executed, marking a major step forward in accelerating one of the most critical components of Everglades Restoration.

“Today, alongside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, I was proud to announce that all federally funded contracts have been executed to expedite completion of the EAA Reservoir by 2029, five years ahead of the original timeline,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This milestone brings us a step closer to delivering on our commitment to restore the Everglades. The July 2025 agreement between the State of Florida and the federal government has made all this possible by cutting red tape with an all-hands-on-deck approach. This is a major victory for America’s Everglades and a testament to the progress our joint federal and state teams have made in just nine months.”

“Today will mark the day that President Trump cemented his legacy as The Everglades President, and Governor DeSantis as The Everglades Governor,” said Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “The Everglades Agricultural Area Restoration plan is truly a modern American mega-project, possible only under the leadership of President Trump and the ‘Make America Beautiful Again’ task force, along with our great partnerships with Governor DeSantis and the South Florida Water Management District,” adding that “this project is a prime example of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’s laser focus on maximizing the ability to deliver national infrastructure, and I’m so proud to help make this happen for America and the State of Florida.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the dedication of Bobby Bowden-Tallahassee International Airport in the state’s capital city. Additionally, the governor announced the first phase of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) widening and improvement project for State Road (S.R.) 263 (Capital Circle) from Springhill Road to orange Avenue would open to drivers a full year ahead of schedule, with construction on the second phase of widening Capital Circle Southwest accelerated and now underway.

“Bobby Bowden-Tallahassee International Airport is now official,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Coach Bowden was a college football legend, and it is fitting that we honor his legacy in a way that will be seen by all who travel to and from our capital city.”

“FDOT is proud to deliver Phase One of Capital Circle improvements one year ahead of schedule and to get started on the highly anticipated Phase Two,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ Moving Florida Forward initiative, this second phase is the last piece to complete the Capital Circle loop and to seamlessly connect multiple modes of travel in Florida’s capital city.”

“I spoke with my mother this past weekend, and while she is unable to attend the ceremony this afternoon, she asked me to relay her deepest appreciation for this great honor,” said State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden. “Daddy spent so many hours in the terminals of the Tallahassee airport over his 46 years in this great city, so it feels appropriate that it now bears his name. On behalf of my mother and the entire Bowden family, I want to thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership and service to the Free State of Florida, and for leading the initiative to honor our father, your Coach Bobby Bowden, in this way.” Continue reading →

LAKE WALES, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new statue honoring President Calvin Coolidge at Bok Tower Gardens, commemorating his enduring legacy, his impact on the garden sanctuary, and America’s ongoing 250th anniversary celebration. The governor was joined by members and supporters of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, which champions Coolidge’s beliefs of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and civic virtue.

“Coolidge governed as a constitutionalist, eliminated debt, balanced the budget, reduced taxes, and promoted a unified American civic tradition and culture,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I unveiled a statue honoring President Calvin Coolidge, who dedicated Bok Tower Gardens on Lake Wales in one of his last public appearances as President. As America marks its 250th anniversary, I was proud to honor President Coolidge with this new statue.”

“President Coolidge believed that places like Bok Tower Gardens help people connect with beauty and reflect on what makes our country special,” said Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “As Florida leads the America 250 celebration, this statue honors President Coolidge’s faith in the strong character of the American people and the natural beauty that continues to inspire our state.” Continue reading →