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The Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its 9th Annual Business to Business Expo. 50 businesses were in attendance for this speed networking event, with a twist. Vendors had the opportunity to market to local businesses and the community, and as part of their vendor fee, they also received an updated headshot. Thank you to our event sponsors: Water Oak Country Club Estates, Merideth Nagel and The Legacy Legal Team & Concierge Title, Trustco Bank. Thank you to our headshot sponsor: Citizens First Bank.

TAVARES — Nearly 43,000 students were expected to report to Lake County Schools classrooms on Monday, Aug. 11, to kick off the 2025-26 school year.

Here’s what’s new:

A-rating: Lake is starting the school year as an A-rated district for the first time since 2008! Lake students showed improvements in all tested areas, and the district more than doubled the number of schools that earned an “A” for the 2024-25 school year compared to the year before. In 2023-24, three district-operated Lake Schools earned an A. In 2024-25, seven did. The A-rated district operated schools for 2024-25 are Cypress Ridge, Treadway, and Villages of Lady Lake elementary schools; East Ridge Middle; East Ridge and Mount Dora high schools, and Lake Virtual School.  Continue reading →

LADY LAKE — Step back in time for an unforgettable evening of glitz, glamour, and memories at the Town of Lady Lake’s Roaring ’20s Father-Daughter Dance on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Held at the Lady Lake Community Building, located at 237 W. Guava St., this year’s event invites fathers and father figures to treat their daughters to a dazzling night inspired by the jazz age. Dress in your best flapper dresses, feathered headbands, pinstripes, and fedoras for a chance to win the costume contest and take part in a fun selfie challenge with great prizes.

The evening includes dancing, dinner, and themed décor that will transport guests back to the 1920s.

Tickets are $10 per person and must be purchased in advance by Wednesday, Sept. 10. Tickets are available at the Lady Lake Library and Town Hall during regular business hours.

“This event is such a special opportunity for fathers and daughters to spend quality time together in a fun and festive atmosphere,” said Amy Alicea, Events Coordinator for the Town of Lady Lake. “We can’t wait to see everyone dressed to the nines and ready to dance the night away!”

For more information, contact Amy Alicea at 352-205-2826 or email events@ladylake.org. Visit www.ladylakefl.gov for updates on this and other upcoming events.

The Lady Lake Police Department issued 91 warnings and 59 citations during a weeklong traffic enforcement campaign aimed at reducing speed-related crashes.

From July 14–20, officers dedicated approximately 80 hours to traffic enforcement as part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s annual Operation Southern Slow Down. The campaign is a multi-state initiative involving law enforcement agencies across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee.

During the enforcement, Lady Lake police issued 39 citations and 91 written warnings for speeding, 13 citations for aggressive driving, and seven citations for seatbelt violations. No DUI arrests were reported during the campaign.

The goal of Operation Southern Slow Down is to curb dangerous driving behaviors that continue to be a leading factor in traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities across the state. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, speeding and aggressive driving contributed to 437 traffic deaths in Florida in 2023.

“This campaign gives us an opportunity to remind drivers that speeding and aggressive driving put everyone at risk,” said Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt. “Enforcement is just one piece— awareness and personal responsibility are just as important.”

The Lady Lake Police Department encourages all motorists to drive within posted speed limits, wear seatbelts, and avoid aggressive behaviors behind the wheel.

For more information on Operation Southern Slow Down, visit www.flhsmv.gov.

LADY LAKE – The Town of Lady Lake, The Lady Lake History Society, and the Lady Lake Garden Club invite you to the Town’s first-ever History Haul to commemorate our Centennial.

As part of a weeklong celebration of events in November, residents are asked to bring old photos, documents, and artifacts of the history of Lady Lake to Heritage Park (135 Old Dixie Highway), on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 3 to 6 p.m. The items may be permanently donated or temporarily loaned to the Historical Society to help share personal stories of the Town as we continue to celebrate our 100th year.

Items can include, but are not limited to:

• Photos taken in Lady Lake with identifiable locations and/or names
• Old newspapers
• Family heirloom owned by a known resident
• Ephemera such as postcards, ticket stubs, notebooks, diaries, receipts, etc. linked to a resident or the town
• Items or artifacts connected to a notable building or business (example: church pew, school desk, farm tool)

During the event, the Lady Lake Garden Club will generously provide free refreshments and present a talk on the history of the Heritage Park and its beautiful historic garden.

Help us with our mission to preserve Lady Lake’s unique history for generations to come.

Anyone with questions may contact events@ladylake.org or visit the Historical Society Museum from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays, located at 107 S. Old Dixie Highway, Lady Lake.

As part of the Lady Lake Library’s annual “School Supplies for Fines” initiative, the library collected and donated 26 backpacks—its largest donation to date—filled with more than 1,000 school supplies to students of The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake. Donated items ranged from everyday essentials like notebooks, pens, and glue to more unique contributions such as headphones, Clorox wipes, and tissues. The program also forgave $791.55 in library fines, offering patrons a chance to give back while reducing barriers to library access.

“The school was incredibly grateful—and so are we! We’d like to thank our community for helping us give back in such a meaningful way,” said Library Director Aly Herman.

Pictured left to right: Kourtney Fehr, Youth Library Assistant; Aly Herman, Library Director; and Mary Shaner, Bookkeeper for The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake.

Elisha Pappacoda

LADY LAKE — A 53-year-old man was arrested on Friday after he forced his way into a 78-year-old woman’s home, attempted to steal her purse, and injured her during the struggle.

Lady Lake Police officers responded to a home on St. Andrews Boulevard around 3:28 p.m. on Aug. 8 after the victim reported that a man had knocked on her door asking for her vehicle keys. Police say he then pushed his way inside, grabbed her purse, and tried to find the keys.

The victim bravely fought to hold on to her belongings, stating  “You’re not getting my car keys.” She was able to push the suspect back outside and call 911. Police responded quickly and located the suspect nearby. The victim identified the suspect at the scene.

She suffered swelling and redness to her hand.  Continue reading →