Local News & Events

March 1, 2017

Learn about Africa’s plant-based diet

Last year, I taught a class called Taste of African Heritage for Black History Month, which focused on the plant-based diets of Africans. Africa is a vast continent and offers many flavors, but nearly all of the regions have a plant-based diet.I love teaching this class, which is from Oldways, …

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Feb. 12, 2017

Clermont-bred Shih Tzu to compete at Westminster

Cody, a nearly two-year-old Shih Tzu from Clermont, is headed to New York City on Thursday to strut his stuff on the stage of the Westminster Dog Show.

Cody, accompanied by his handler Leslie LeFave, will be competing in the conformation contest — aka beauty contest — and is …

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Feb. 9, 2017

Why is golf cart insurance a new thing?

American Integrity Insurance Company, a Florida-based insurance provider, recently launched a golf cart insurance program, claiming it's the only Florida-based homeowners insurance company out of more than 50 that offers standalone coverage. The golf cart insurance policy has similar coverage types as auto insurance policies.

In Florida, …

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Jan. 27, 2017

Commissioner wants to speed up construction of South Lake Park

Lake County commissioners remain open to Commissioner Sean Park’s proposal to move up the timeframe for the construction of South Lake Regional Park by exploring the feasibility of a public-private partnership.

If approved, the county would enter into an agreement with a private developer to take over the property …

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Jan. 27, 2017

Mount Dora looks to uncover hidden gem of Grandview

J.T. Williams, with his wife, Tina, owns and operates Sugarboo’s Bar-B-Q, a restaurant that for 16 years has been located on Grandview Street in Mount Dora.

Williams said people come from all over to sample his cooking.

Williams said he believes that notoriety comes from social media marketing …

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Jan. 26, 2017

County officials: local economy rebounds with job growth

Lake County’s economy added nearly 4,000 jobs in the past year, the highest year over year percentage job growth in nearly a decade, according to county officials.

Furthermore, the unemployment rate in the county dropped to 4.8 percent.

Robert Chandler, Lake’s Economic Growth director, said annual wages also …

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Jan. 26, 2017

Reed: "Where the big bass bite"

Years ago, the town motto was “Leesburg – Where the Big Bass Bite.”

Apparently they’re still biting. The Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Open commenced on the Harris Chain on Thursday and goes until Saturday.

But national bass tournies are nothing new to Leesburg. In fact, Leesburg first …

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Jan. 23, 2017

Upcoming Events

Central Florida is constantly expanding and improving. Often, unless we see it on our Facebook timeline in some viral post, we aren’t aware of the new things that are happening in our own city. This year, we have a lot to look forward to. From new sports stadiums to Frankie …

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Jan. 20, 2017

Kids learn to play chess at the Fruitland Park Library

Even after seven years of helping teach more than 100 students how to play chess, Jim Mayo still finds fulfillment in teaching children the game.

"It's a really fun game to play," Mayo said. "I enjoy trying to get other people interested in the game. It really does teach …

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Jan. 20, 2017

Big things ahead for Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park in 2017

Eustis is welcoming a bushel of new businesses to town and brightening up the city with almost 300 new street lights. Clermont is creating a gateway to downtown and embarking on a massive stormwater and recreation project called Victory Pointe. And little Astatula is sprucing up and building recreation fields.
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