The next meeting of the Lady Lake Garden Club is Wed October 1st at the Lady Lake community Building 237 W. Guava St, Lady Lake, FL. Members and guests share in refreshments at 1 PM and the meeting begins at 1:30 PM. The program will be presented by Horticulturist Elly Carroll on “How to Grow and Care for Phalaenopsis Orchids” All interested gardeners and prospective new members are welcome. If you would like more information, contact Teri Mallory, President at 781-630-2108 or terinp@verizon.net.

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.

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 on St. Andrews Blvd. The victim was able to identify the suspect at the scene.

The victim suffered swelling and redness to her hand.

Craig Steven Johnson, 53, who is listed as homeless, was taken into custody and charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling with battery, robbery by sudden snatching, and battery on a person 65 years or older.

Johnson told officers he had been fleeing from law enforcement when he broke into the home.

The victim sent a letter to the Lady Lake Police department thanking all five officers involved in making the arrest. “Because of their fast response and my detailed description of this person, he was apprehended within 20 minutes or so…” she wrote.

“This was a frightening and unacceptable attack on one of our senior residents,” said Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt. “I am proud of the quick response from our officers, which ensured the suspect was apprehended before anyone else was harmed.”