Austin-Travis County EMS said on Sunday that the missing paddleboarder from Lady Bird Lake was located by APD's Dive Team at around 12:35 p.m They were pronounced dead on scene just before 4 p.m Emergency crews responded to a water rescue on Lady Bird Lake near the Interstate 35 bridge after reports of a paddleboarder struggling without a life vest on Saturday Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department responded to the water rescue at around 6:10 p.m to 0 North I-35 Service Road Southbound at East Turn near East Avenue and Nash Hernandez Senior Road First responders are actively attempting to locate an adult who reportedly went underwater and did not resurface according to a tweet from ATCEMS at 6:36 p.m the operation had transitioned from a rescue to a recovery effort This is a developing story and will be updated with more information Villages-News.com A local assisted living facility has been slapped with liens over unpaid taxes owes more than $36,000 in unpaid water and sewer bills to the Town of Lady Lake But that unpaid bill appears to be the tip of the iceberg Lady Lake commissioners discussed the issue at their meeting Monday night at Town Hall Lady Lake Town Manager William Lawrence indicated that the town has tried to work with the facility which offers assisted living and memory care He said the town proposed setting up a payment plan with Lady Lake Senior Living but those efforts have not been successful The Internal Revenue Service and Lake County have put liens on the facility due to unpaid taxes One option that Lady Lake has is turning off the tap but none of the commissioners appear ready to do that Commissioners said that it would be the residents who would suffer if they suddenly couldn’t turn on a water faucet or flush toilets Commissioner John Gourlie said he fears for the residents living in the facility “The people that reside there may not be receiving the health care they deserve,” he said Commissioners pointed out that the owner of the facility is located in Brooklyn Monthly care plans at the facility start at $3,000 In 2023, Lady Lake Senior Living ran afoul of the town’s code enforcement department when it was discovered that an emergency exit was found boarded over from the inside Emily McLeod LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – One of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives was arrested in Lake County on Saturday morning, according to a news release. The FBI said that Donald Eugene Fields, II was taken into custody after a routine traffic stop by Lady Lake police “There is no doubt this situation could have been different and their instincts paid off in a very big way,” said FBI Resident Agent Greg Frederico Highway 27/441 at Rolling Acres Road for the license plate on the vehicle he was driving not being registered to that vehicle “(The officer) also noticed -- not only did the plate not belong -- but the sticker the registration sticker was a little bit off was a little bit off,” said Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt [Everything to know about how the FBI creates its Most Wanted list] “The ID actually came back it was two years expired it was a real ID belonging to another person who looked similar to him but was a decade younger than him,” said Lady Lake Police Sergeant Michelle Bilbrey Fields was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in May 2023 The indictment accuses Fields of knowingly attempting to recruit and solicit a minor into engaging in a commercial sex act from about January 2013 until June 2017 The FBI said that Fields is also facing charges including statutory rape and witness tampering in Franklin County Circuit Court in Missouri A warrant for his arrest was issued by that court after Fields vacated his home and failed to show up for a March 3 Fields has made changes to his physical appearance and that was one of the ways he was able to evade detection and avoid accountability until his capture this weekend,” Frederico said Fields was the 531st fugitive added to the list 495 fugitives have now been apprehended or located—163 of them as a result of citizen cooperation Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021 TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBATON ROUGE (WAFB) - A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with a deadly shooting outside of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center off Essen Lane Wednesday afternoon Baton Rouge police identified the suspect as Roland Domino The victim has been identified as 58-year-old Patricia Jackson WAFB has learned she did not have any protective orders against any individuals Jackson was shot in the 5000 block of Hennessy Boulevard around 3:50 p.m in the hospital parking lot behind the Walgreens store Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse identified her as an employee of the hospital Domino shot Jackson multiple times after having a verbal argument in the parking lot near OLOL He was reportedly on the Mississippi River Bridge around around 7:15 p.m March 19 when he was approached by BRPD uniform officers and taken into custody Domino was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of 2nd-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon He has a criminal arrest history of forgery The WAFB I-TEAM found that court records show Domino and Jackson have two kids together The hospital was placed on lockdown for about an hour as a precaution Thank you again for the police for being here,” said Chuck Spicer Our Lady of the Lake Health released the following statement: “Our Lady of the Lake is a beacon of healing for our community and today that sacred space was shattered by a tragic act of violence I want to thank law enforcement for their quick response the team members who jumped into action to provide care and our security who ensured the safety of our facilities We will wrap our arms around her family and provide the rest of our team with access to any counseling and support needed.” Click here to report a typo Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsRebecca Salinas SAN ANTONIO – Our Lady of the Lake University will discontinue certain academic programs and cut “some positions” due to a realignment process OLLU told KSAT that the realignment follows a two-year evaluation due to budget deficits and disinterest in specific academic programs the university’s provost office did not say how many positions or which programs would be cut The provost’s office instead directed KSAT to a webpage titled, “Strengthening OLLU for the Future.“ The “Frequently Asked Questions” webpage on OLLU’s website states that “student services and the distribution of resources across departments” may also be affected The OLLU Board of Trustees approved the plan “with a vision of providing a rigorous slate of professional programs including a liberal arts foundation that prepares students with work-ready skills for high-demand careers,” the university’s website states Students in the affected programs can still complete their degree plan OLLU’s website states some full-time and part-time faculty staff and administrative positions will be eliminated and several job openings will not be filled but necessary decisions that will better align Our Lady of the Lake University’s (OLLU) offerings to degree programs today’s students are seeking as they prepare for their careers,” OLLU’s statement to KSAT read “These steps will help ensure that OLLU continues its 130-year mission to advance the principles set forth by the Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence.” Click here for more information Copyright 2025 by KSAT - All rights reserved Rebecca Salinas is the Digital Executive Producer at KSAT 12 News Rebecca is an award-winning journalist who joined KSAT in 2019 Email Newsletters KSAT RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us KSAT Internships Careers at KSAT Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 KSAT.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group but vibrant sandwich franchise has opened in Lady Lake 441 nears its intersection with Rolling Acres Road Potbelly Sandwich Shop serves hot and cold sandwiches salad and chili mac — unlike many sandwich shops that only serve chips on the side you can enjoy a lunch at Potbelly with variety It's comforting during chillier weather and has cooler fare for our notoriously hot summers The pick-your-pair option is great for those who can't decide between a sandwich Distinctive condiments and toppings also set the franchise apart from competitors like Jersey Mike's You can order toppings like roasted red peppers and aioli (garlic-infused mayo with olive oil) The sandwich menu ranges from simple staples like grilled cheese and PB&J the "Cubano" Cuban sandwich and a meaty collision called "A Wreck." Potbelly also serves homestyle cookies and shakes for dessert Named after the iconic potbelly stove from yesteryear Potbelly Sandwhich Shop was founded serendipitously by antique shop owner Peter Hastings in 1977 Hastings and his wife had decided to serve sandwiches to hungry customers in their Lincoln Park store in Chicago Their little business was bought around a decade later and ballooned into a huge franchise operation A vintage vibe pervades the sandwich shop of today Old-fashioned American bric-a-brac can be seen throughout The diminutive eatery seats 44 customers at tables and booths we were surprised and delighted to sit at a table dedicated to the Leesburg Yellow Jackets “Potbelly fans in Florida have been asking for a location in the Lady Lake region so we’re thrilled to bring the craveable Potbelly menu signature good vibes and friendly service to the community,” said General Manager Zain Huda in a press statement “Our shop is a neighborhood gathering spot where locals and commuters can unwind and enjoy a toasty meal We’re eager to build a team of passionate Lady Lake locals who share our enthusiasm for creating a welcoming experience for every guest who walks through our doors.” Potbelly has more than 80 shops under development agreements across the state Hours for Potbelly at Lady Lake are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Delivery, order ahead and catering are available through Potbelly.com or the Potbelly App Food from the shop is also available through third-party delivery services The Lady Lake Police Department has announced Corporal Lidia Maya as the 2024 Officer of the Year Corporal Maya was honored at the Leesburg Rotary Club’s 44th Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Program with the “Service Above Self” Award “Corporal Maya represents the very best of what it means to serve,” said Chief of Police Steve Hunt and carries out her duties with an unwavering commitment to excellence It is a privilege to recognize her contributions with this well-deserved honor.” The chief said that in addition to her work in training Corporal Maya regularly steps into a supervisory role “Her trusted judgment and integrity make her a vital part of the department’s decision-making processes,” Hunt said in partnership with American Legion Post #347 will host “Shred it and Forget it,” a free drive-through shredding event to help seniors avoid scams Community members are invited to drive up with a limit of two banker boxes of documents to be shredded “As part of our ongoing community outreach we educate seniors about the importance of shredding unnecessary paperwork that might contain sensitive information,” said Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt “This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of these documents.” “Shred it and Forget it” is made possible with the assistance of the American Legion Auxiliary American Legion Riders and Sons of the American Legion A Lady Lake man wanted on a pair of warrants was arrested at a local Wawa was taken into custody Saturday night by Sumter County sheriff’s deputies at the Wawa on U.S He was wanted on warrants charging him with trespassing and failure to appear Barton had a clear glass smoking pipe in his right front pocket He was taken into custody and booked at the Sumter County Detention Center on $2,000 bond Choose the health content that’s right for you — To support Lake County’s growing population AdventHealth Waterman opened two new specialty clinics in the town of Lady Lake to give patients new physician consultations and follow-up care These two clinics come on the heels of AdventHealth opening of a new clinic in April in Leesburg at 801 E where patients can access essential consultations and follow-up care with their physician closer to home,” said Dr “It's a privilege to build relationships with our patients and manage their medical conditions We look forward to seeing patients in this area.” All care provided will be delivered by AdventHealth Medical Group clinicians a team of nearly 400 employed AdventHealth physicians and advanced practitioners representing 30 different medical specialties AdventHealth Medical Group clinicians collectively cared for more than one million patient visits in 2023 “These new clinics exemplify our ongoing commitment to expanding access to specialized medical services ensuring individuals and families in Lake County receive compassionate care.” AdventHealth Medical Group in Lady Lake – The Summit 737 Highway 466 | Lady Lake AdventHealth Medical Group in Leesburg 801 E Baby Mattie needed a liver transplant but was too sick to even get on the list For the nurses at AdventHealth for Children her organs were shutting down and her little body was fighting a battle that seemed insurmountable AdventHealth is expanding its nursing workforce enhancing hands-on training programs and reinforcing its commitment to exceptional patient care our organization embarked on multiple global mission projects that made a significant impact on the lives of two families in need AdventHealth Carrollwood has been awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group a national nonprofit upholding the standard of excellence in patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory.. Dozens of community members and several organizations came together to help support the AdventHealth Lake Placid and Wauchula Foundations during the 11th annual Clays and Camo fundraiser we honor the extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion demonstrated by our nurses across the region Three remarkable nurses from AdventHealth Avista's surgery center have embarked on.. AdventHealth is proud to join Nemours Children’s Health System as the official medical services provider for the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona A local nurse and a CEO were recognized by the Central Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce The spring 2025 Leapfrog grades have been released and four AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region hospitals have achieved top honors for patient safety AdventHealth North Pinellas achieves elite national status as a straight- ‘A’ for patient safety  All AdventHealth hospitals in Pasco County continue to earn straight ‘A’ hospital safety grades from The Leapfrog Group Our website uses cookies. Please review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use Browsing our website means you accept these terms Officials have blessed a site plan for a new Walmart Neighborhood Market Lady Lake commissioners on Monday night gave their approval for the new Walmart to be built at the corner of County Road 466 and Cherry Lake Road The main retail space will be 45,603 square feet with a 2,9832-square-foot pharmacy drive-through and a 1,618-square-foot fuel kiosk with a canopy After some spirited debate in 2024, the developer of the new Walmart won the right to remove two Historic Trees from the 19.8-acre site, however, town leaders insisted that several of the trees be saved The developer of the Walmart has been charged a $20,800 tree mitigation fee The new Walmart will be the retail hub of the massive new Hammock Oaks development LADY LAKE — Lady Lake’s Public Works Department has picked up more than 5,000 cubic yards of Hurricane Milton vegetative storm debris 5,000 cubic yards is the same volume as 135,000 cubic feet "If you woke up one morning and saw this gigantic ice cube out on your front lawn it would add up to about 5,000 cubic yards of ice Now imagine instead a tower of yard debris that high That's a lot for a town the size of Lady Lake If you live in the northwest Lake County town but have been out of the area take note: All residents should have already set out their storm debris at the curb for pickup residents will be responsible for disposal of debris WM will continue to collect regular yard waste properly containerized Yard waste must be no more than 4 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter grass clippings and pine needles must be bagged or containerized No bag or receptacle should exceed 40 pounds WM may not pick up all bags at some homes in one day Extra bags will be collected over the next several collection cycles Just leave these bags at the curb for pickup Follow these tips from Lady Lake's administration for a smoother collection process: separate from normal yard waste like twigs and leaves Set storm debris to the curb unbagged and clear of storm drains + Keep construction and household waste separate from yard waste and storm debris Lake County’s Lady Lake convenience center at 1200 Jackson St is open during normal business hours on Tuesdays Residents will check in with an attendant or scale house staff and present ID to verify Lake County residency Residents will be directed to unload their materials Yard waste must not be in plastic bags; use only paper lawn bags or clearly marked biodegradable bags The Lady Lake Commission is ready to fill a vacancy on the Amenity Authority Committee Monday and is scheduled to vote on the appointment of William Williamson of the Village of Silver Lake to the AAC which oversees amenities north of County Road 466 in The Villages Williamson would fill a vacancy created by the recent resignation of Sandy Mott but the Lady Lake Commission has authority over the appointment to the seat which represents the Lady Lake/Lake County portion of The Villages LADY LAKE – It was a project two years in the making: Meticulously inventorying cataloguing and organizing the evidence room at the Lady Lake Police Department he posted an ad for a new evidence technician a retired police officer from Maryland who had graduated from the FBI National Academy Hunt said Kolb has proven himself to be the right person for the job [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] “Without any question you have to be detail-oriented,” Hunt said And it’s one place that we have great liability in making sure that everything is accurate because court cases depend on the accuracy of this room.” he was tasked with sorting through some 6,000 pieces of evidence Many items were from cases that had long been closed Kolb purged almost 2,000 pieces of evidence he had cleared out more than half of the unnecessary items in the evidence room Kolb said the purge and cataloging was overwhelming “It’s a team effort because I have to identify the item meet with supervisor and review the case to determine whether it can be retained or can be purged.” Kolb also invented his own organizational system Every piece of evidence is submitted by an officer with an intake form The evidence piece is now stored in an envelope rather than a plastic baggie for easier identification and each intake form is then stored in a filing cabinet I put the barcode also on the form and then I file it in numerical order [in the filing cabinet] where I have it for easy access,” Kolb said dehumidifier and exhaust fan to the evidence room to control the climate and preserve evidence He made sure all items that require cold storage are kept in a refrigerator “It’s very important because we are there to help the person who has already been victimized once,” Kolb said “It’s our responsibility to make sure that we don’t drop the ball along the way and that we can be there for that victim the case can’t be prosecuted and therefore the victim is then victimized again.” Erik von Ancken anchors and reports for News 6 and is a two-time Emmy award-winning journalist in the prestigious and coveted "On-Camera Talent" categories for both anchoring and reporting Florida police arrest Missouri man on FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives listLeesburg Daily CommercialA routine Saturday morning traffic stop in Lady Lake resulted in the arrest of a Missouri man on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list, according to a news release from the Lady Lake Police Department. was wanted on federal child sex trafficking charges and Missouri state charges including statutory rape He failed to show up for a court hearing in Missouri in March 2022 and had been classified as a fugitive ever since Michelle Bilbrey stopped Fields' vehicle at about 9:15 a.m 27 and Rolling Acres Road because the license plate was not assigned to that vehicle "This proactive policing effort resulted in the identification and capture of Fields," the release says an everyday traffic stop turns into a real game-changer is out there making a real difference,” Lady Lake Police Chief Steve Hunt said in the release “Every traffic stop is an opportunity for justice What starts as a routine encounter can quickly turn into a pivotal moment where an officer’s sharp instincts and dedication to service lead to a significant arrest — keeping our community and in this case The FBI praised Bilbrey and the police department Fields was federally indicted in St. Louis on Dec. 7, 2023, on one count of child sex trafficking, according to the FBI press release patronize and solicit a minor into engaging in a commercial sex act from about January 2013 until June 2017   Fields is also facing charges including statutory rape child molestation and witness tampering in Franklin County Circuit Court in Missouri A warrant for his arrest was issued by that court after Fields vacated his home and failed to show up for a hearing March 3 Louis field office said the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list was established in March 1950 Fields "was the 531st fugitive added to the list," the FBI said 495 fugitives have now been apprehended or located — 163 of them as a result of citizen cooperation." Lady Lake police assisted in the capture of a man wanted for murder Neville George Muirhead Jr., 22, of Lady Lake, was being sought by the Leesburg Police Department in connection with a fatal shooting in 2024. In a joint law enforcement operation at about 1:30 p.m Lady Lake police assisted in the effort to take Muirhead into custody at his home at 928 Jacaranda Drive Officers in unmarked vehicles watched as Muirhead got into a white Mazda SUV with two other people The vehicle drove away and when the officers activated the lights of their unmarked cars the Mazda SUV attempted to ram one of the unmarked Leesburg police cars Officers removed Muirhead from the SUV and took him into custody A passenger in the Mazda SUV, 23-year-old Deonte Banks of Leesburg, had a semi-automatic handgun in his front left pocket. The gun had one round in the chamber and an extended magazine with 14 additional rounds. He was also in possession of marijuana and THC wax. Banks had been arrested in a window-smashing sprees in the same neighborhood Muirhead was being held without bond at the Lake County Jail Sign up for TPR Today Texas Public Radio's newsletter that brings our top stories to your inbox each morning Plans are underway to eliminate some degrees and academic programs at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) The cuts will also result in a reduction in some faculty and staff positions Our Lady of the Lake officials said they began analyzing the economics of their degree offerings two years ago in response to declining enrollment The loss of enrollment has led to budget deficits “Our realignment follows a two-year evaluation that included faculty and outside specialists who use the latest analytical tools used across the country to help make universities stronger,” the provost’s office said in an emailed response to a request for more information about the cuts “The findings led to difficult but necessary decisions that will better align Our Lady of the Lake University's offerings to degree programs today's students are seeking as they prepare for their careers,” the office said The provost’s office did not respond to TPR's question asking which academic programs would be cut. Instead, TPR was directed to an FAQ on OLLU’s website that also does not list the specific degrees impacted by the cuts students currently enrolled in a discontinued degree will “be able to complete their coursework and graduate.” The provost's office said the planned changes are an effort to support programs that students see as valuable and relevant to their future and that some academic programs are “no longer financially viable” due to “dwindling interest.” The university has begun talks with faculty affected by the cuts and officials said more information will be shared in the days to come A Lady Lake man was arrested after being caught trespassing in the Wawa parking lot with four stolen packages of cookies An officer recognized 47-year-old Richard Andrew Hatfield walking in the parking lot of Wawa according to an arrest report from the Clermont Police Department He remembered Hatfield from a previous incident at Wawa while assisting another officer who issued him a trespass warning on behalf of the gas station’s management The officer stepped out of his patrol vehicle and approached Hatfield asking what he was doing back on Wawa property Hatfield stated he was just getting water and held up a large plastic cup with the Wawa logo on it Hatfield was searched and discovered to have four packages of cookies in the front pocket of his hoodie He stated he was hungry before being read his rights and refusing to speak further The $8.36 worth of cookies were later determined to be sold at Wawa and returned Hatfield was charged with retail theft and trespass occupied structure/conveyance The New York native was transported to Lake County Jail and released on his own recognizance He is responsible for appearing in court on March 25 He was also arrested in Dec. 2024 for trespassing at RaceTrac A new sign is up at a sandwich shop soon to open at a busy shopping plaza Potbelly Sandwich Works will be located in the shopping plaza near Starbucks at the corner of U.S 27/441 and Rolling Acres Road in Lady Lake Potbelly specializes in submarine sandwiches and milkshakes The franchise owner for the Lady Lake location reportedly has plans for four other Potbelly restaurants in Lake is rapidly rolling out new franchise locations in the United States The first Potbelly sandwich restaurant opened in 1977 in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago Bryant Keil bought Potbelly in 1996 and grew the company from one to 250 shops over the next 12 years Potbelly became a publicly traded company in 2013 An opening date for the Lady Lake Potbelly has not yet been announced In celebration of National Arbor Day on April 25 the Town of Lady Lake will hold its annual Tree Raffle reinforcing its commitment to conservation and community beautification the Town Commission doubled the award to $10,000 allowing 50 residents to win $200 in gift certificates to Fairfield Farms Nurseries in Oxford where they may choose from a variety of trees and plants Winners must arrange for pickup and planting • The drawing will take place on April 21 at 5:30 p.m in the Town Hall Commission Chambers (409 Fennell Blvd. Winners will be notified and do not need to be present • Entry forms can be found online at www.ladylakefl.gov and at Town Hall Lady Lake has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation highlighting its dedication to urban forestry supports initiatives like the annual tree raffle to ensure a greener future for Lady Lake “Being named a Tree City USA for 20 years solidifies our ongoing commitment to protecting our environment,” said Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske “This raffle is a wonderful way to engage residents in beautification efforts.” Exactly one month after a winning Powerball ticket was sold at a Publix Another Powerball ticket was sold at a Publix in Lady Lake winning $1 million in the March 24 drawing ➤ Winning numbers: Florida Lottery Powerball, Cash4Life, Fantasy 5 results for March 24, 2025 another ticket matching five numbers was sold at a Publix in Naples It wasn't the first winning Powerball ticket sold in February Three winning $1 million Powerball tickets were sold at Publix grocery stores in February Winning numbers from the March 24 drawing were: 6-23-35-36-47 Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here. The winning Powerball ticket in the Monday drawing was sold at the Publix on 1120 Bichara Blvd ➤ A Powerball win: Florida Publix ticket worth $1 million in Monday, March 24, drawing A "second-tier" win means the ticket holder matched five numbers in the Powerball drawing Lady Lake is located in north central Florida about 40 miles northwest of Orlando and about 60 miles southwest of Daytona Beach Publix sold 3 $1 million Powerball tickets in FebruaryPublix sold three winning $1 million Powerball tickets in February: How long do you have to cash in a winning Florida Lottery ticket?Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it The Florida Lottery says its scratch-off tickets and Fast Play game prizes "must be claimed within 60 days of the official end-of-game date Once the applicable time period has elapsed the related Florida Lottery ticket will expire." You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation According to Florida Lottery's website winners cannot remain anonymous: "Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner's name and amount won to any third party who requests the information." the "names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed Lottery experts and lawyers have said there are ways to remain anonymous if you win Opponents of a manufactured home community at the Grand Oaks equestrian resort were shocked when Lady Lake officials cast a decisive vote on the controversial project The emotional meeting of more than four hours Monday night was the culmination of a nearly year-long battle waged by Grand Oaks neighbors to preserve their rural way of life The overflow crowd at Lady Lake Town Hall was so large that those attending had to park their cars at the nearby Miller’s Ale House restaurant at Lady Lake Commons provided pedestrian passage across Fennell Boulevard to ensure safe access to those attending the meeting Dozens of chairs were set up outside to accommodate the spillover crowd A town official cranked the thermostat down to 60 degrees to accommodate the body heat generated by the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd lucky enough to score a standing-room-only spot inside The owner of Grand Oaks wants to create an 895-unit manufactured home community on 358 acres at the equestrian grounds Their persistence was an occasional irritant for commissioners who frequently had agendas calling for their attention to other matters Anti-Grand Oakers hired Orlando attorney Alison Yurko who has forcefully represented their interests she reminded commission members of the risks they would be undertaking by annexing a non-contiguous development that could bring with it monumental costs for water and wastewater treatment “I caution you on the floodgates that could be opened by this annexation,” Yurko said She pointed out the “non-contiguous annexation” would be “pretty extraordinary” in Florida She said the manufactured home community could present “60 times the density” of the surrounding area and on the existing Grand Oak property “Your radar should be up on this,” Yurko warned the commissioners Commissioner Mike Sage staked out his opposition early in Monday’s meeting He took on the argument of “affordable housing.” who lives on the Historic Side of The Villages said he was looking at the math as a “Dad.” He said that $175,000 for a manufactured home would require a $35,000 down payment and a loan for $140,000 he questioned how any parent could recommend such a decision by a child He also described his worries that the high-density housing, coupled with all of the other development on the table, would push the town’s wastewater capacity over the limit and Lady Lake would find itself in the difficult costly, situation that has Wildwood backed up against a wall. Commissioner John Gourlie came down firmly on the side of Grand Oaks who works in the truss plant at Ro-Mac Building Supply Commissioner Ed Regan has consistently voiced concerns about school capacity and traffic He was easier to read by the anti-Grand Oaks vote counters Mayor Ed Freeman and Commissioner Treva Roberts have been sphinx-like with Gourlie casting the lone vote in favor of annexation The anti-Grand Oaks residents were overjoyed with the vote embracing and even shedding tears in the parking lot LADY LAKE — On Sept. 16, the Lady Lake Town Commission voted 4-1 to deny proposed ordinances to annex land and allow for a residential development of manufactured homes on the scenic Grand Oaks property just outside its city limits in unincorporated Lake County Greg Beliveau presented a a conceptual draft proposal to the Town of Lady Lake The former assistant city manager of Leesburg worked on behalf of the Grand Oaks property owner's developer and laid out plans to subdivide Grand Oaks into a manufactured home park with 797 new manufactured homes Residents of the area bordering Marion County, and south of it, and people from within the Lady Lake town limits showed up wearing red to a town commission meeting in support of the Stop Grand Oaks campaign to prevent land near the county line from being annexed and developed The meeting took five hours, with the number of residents speaking against the project outnumbering those speaking in favor of it. Some commenters at the meeting voiced support for the proposed community including a medical business owner who said his employees are forced to live far from the town because they can't afford housing near work Ward 2 Commissioner John Gourlie was the lone yes vote on the commission "It started out with the local planning agency, which we are all members of, that forwards the annexation request to the commission," explained Treva Roberts, Lady Lake commissioner for Ward 1 and then when the commission meeting started it was standing room only inside and outside." An outdoor area with TV screens accommodated the spillover but even more people wearing red showed up with lawn chairs and sat outside the outdoor-designated area "She'd hold moonlight rides," recalled Jorlyn Johnson of Austin The founder of Stop Grand Oaks and a lifelong resident of the area has deep roots there More about Stop Grand Oaks' efforts: A show of unity on horseback: County-line residents ride for pastures and hobby farms Johnson said she was "ecstatic" about the meeting's outcome "I am so very grateful to the Lady Lake Commission for hearing the communities," Johnson said "They made a huge difference for our community This would've been a huge turning point in overdevelopment for that particular rural area Johnson voiced several concerns to the Daily Commercial noting the rural area adjacent to sensitive wildlife corridor areas and rural residents who preferred to keep the undeveloped character of the area She also expressed fears of insufficient infrastructure the Stop Grand Oaks advocate and her cohort Tom Nash went door to door in Lady Lake to get residential support Because they weren't constituents of the Lady Lake Commission they felt they needed support from residents in the town limits "We specifically went door to door on multiple occasions with flyers and pamphlets and handouts and had conversations with people within the city limits that had no idea about what was going on," Johnson said and we handed out roughly 50 pamphlets," she recalled "We only had one person who said they didn't care what Grand Oaks and wasn't interested Every other person that we spoke to was completely against it some of them said that they go out there all the time and enjoy the Grand Oaks Bistro and that they would be devastated if it was gone." Roberts noted the yearlong efforts of Johnson's group "I received around 60 to 70 emails in opposition and about 16 supporting it," the commissioner said there was a very large and organized effort by the Stop Grand Oaks folks." Roberts also said that one of her most salient concerns leading to her no vote involved having enough sewage infrastructure we would most definitely be over capacity of what a new plant coming online would be able to accommodate," Roberts said The developers expressed their disappointment in the commission to the Daily Commercial "We are highly disappointed with the decision made by the Town Commission based on flawed information," said a spokesperson for the Grand Oaks community project "We are currently evaluating our options to proceed forward but remain committed to addressing the critical need for quality attainable housing in Lady Lake."  Social media groups have been abuzz about a proposed community in the Emeralda Preserve area called Old Hammock Cove Johnson said she may direct her awareness-raising efforts toward opposing the project once more information comes to light The project could bring 1,000 residential units comprising townhomes villas and single-family homes to the land It would also include a golf course and a marina with access to 9,000 acres of lake Aquatic biologist Janna Owens raised concerns to the Daily Commercial that the development could impair the land's benefits as a mitigation bank."I have studied wetlands in-depth at the Sea Lab on Dauphin Island," Owens said "Talking about acres comparison does not reflect the 'environmental services' those different areas provide Development with its additional stormwater runoff and nitrogen inputs would impair that wetlands So if an existing wetland is "mitigating" destroyed wetlands then what happens if Emeralda is decreased this sounds like bad math and will result in a net loss." But all landowners have the right to apply "Our office of Planning and Zoning received a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and Rezoning application,' said Sarah Lux public information officer for Lake County regarding private property in the Emeralda Marsh Rural Protection Area The Planning and Zoning Office has verified that the project is not designated as a conservation area "Projects within rural protection areas require special consideration," Lux said "and our governing bodies must carefully weigh a private landowner’s right to develop their property with the county’s comprehensive plan and land development regulations The application is still in the very early stages of the process state agencies will also review the project and provide comments and recommendations." A county planning and zoning meeting is tentatively scheduled for early October. Details: lakecountyfl.gov/Planning-and-Zoning An opening date has been announced for a new Potbelly sandwich shop at a busy shopping plaza in Lady Lake and friendly service to the community,” said General Manager Zain Huda Potbelly has over 80 shops under development agreements across the state Regular hours for Potbelly at Lady Lake will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Delivery, order ahead and catering are available through Potbelly.com or the Potbelly App the shop has aligned with third-party delivery services A proposed family housing development could put more strain on Rolling Acres Road The Lady Lake Planning & Zoning Board on Monday night approved a plan for a family low rise development on 18.5 acres at the intersection of Rolling Acres Road and Lake View Street had been annexed into the Town of Lady Lake in 2007 it had been looked at as a future commercial development The new proposal calls for 148 residential units which would add 39 students to the local schools – 21 elementary An environmental assessment indicated there are 17 potentially occupied gopher tortoise burrows The nearest Bald Eagle’s nest is a mile and a a half away A traffic analysis indicated the housing development would generate about 1,000 “daily trips.” those trips would pour more traffic onto overburdened Rolling Acres Road which long ago was declared a “failing” road which will swallow up most of the land between County Road 466 The work has brought flagmen to Rolling Acres Road adding more backups to a very busy two-lane road Most of the cattle in the area have been removed including three donkeys who had been living in a pasture that last year became the last key parcel absorbed by Hammock Oaks The new family development proposed at Rolling Acres Road and Lake View Street is not affiliated with Hammock Oaks The Lady Lake Commission will consider the proposed family development in a first reading set for Feb Join us for the kick-off of the Austin Music Trade Alliance on Sunday March 9th at SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake OneDa from Greater Manchester, UK, will perform alongside your favorite Austin-based bands to celebrate the newly formed Alliance, an ongoing partnership with SXSW and the City of Austin Office of Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, in coordination with Visit Austin The goal of the Austin Music Trade Alliance is to build lasting global relationships between Austin’s music industry and network cities for touring The SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake is our largest stage at SXSW and is free, open to the public and family-friendly. Located at 800 W Riverside Dr. the Austin skyline serves as the perfect background to special live music showcases Bring a picnic or enjoy food from some of Austin's local food trucks and grab a cold beverage in The Beer Garden Community Concerts Lineup Read through Entry Rules & Conditions and Getting There tips before you go. Please check back regularly – contents are subject to change The Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake event is free and open to the public Community Concerts at Ladybird Lake is a large outdoor venue with natural terrain Attendance may require covering large distances over grassy The accessible viewing platform is available to patrons who use mobility devices plus one adult companion and/or minor children Seating is limited and available on a first-come The music performances at Community Concert at Ladybird Lake will be ASL interpreted featuring professional and certified ASL interpreters Accessible portable toilet facilities are provided at all outdoor SXSW produced events where there are portable toilets We encourage all attendees of the SXSW Community Concerts to travel light and leave valuables at home Larger bags and coolers may be subject to search Check out these helpful resource links and learn more information about getting to the Outdoor Stage below City of Austin Bike Information and Map City of Austin Trail Directory and Map CapMetro Suggested Bus Routes: 1 City of Austin Parking Garage and Lot Map State Parking Garage and Lot Map Take the Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail and the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge to the main entrance at Riverside Drive and South 1st Street. Bicycle parking is available at the corner of Riverside Drive and South 1st Street. See the City of Austin Bike Map for other options A dockless scooter parking area is available next to the bike parking at Riverside Drive and South 1st Street Please do not leave dockless bikes or scooters outside of the designated area The SXSW Outdoor Stage is serviced by the following CapMetro bus routes within a short walking distance: Find out more and plan your trip at the CapMetro website A free circulating shuttle service runs from Downtown and points south Let the SXSW Shuttle staff know that you are heading to the Outdoor Stage paid parking is available across the street in the Palmer Events Center parking garage Please respect our neighbors by not parking in residential areas Join us for SXSW 2025 from March 7–15 in Austin, TX. Registration is now open! Stay tuned for announcements throughout the season. Subscribe to Event Updates and community newsletters Sign up to receive the latest announcements Privacy Policy | Trademark Guidelines | Terms of Use | Copyright Notice A homeless pair wound up behind bars on drug charges after they were found to be in possession of drugs during a disturbance in Lady Lake An officer responded to an alleged battery in the 600 block of First Avenue at 6:25 p.m according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department the officer spoke with the complainant who described 39-year-old Amber Nichole Morales and 31-year-old Louis Shane McCormick She then pointed across the highway to where she saw the altercation The officer encountered the two suspects across the street at 714 S Morales had two bags in her possession while McCormick had a black jacket Morales denied consent for the officer to search her bags This led to a K-9 unit responding to sniff her belongings and a positive alert to the presence of narcotics allowed for a search of both suspects a clear pipe with white powdery residue was found in a clear bag wrapped in a Jesus pamphlet The residue tested positive for the presence of fentanyl There was also a small clear container with several yellow oval-shaped pills Morales also admitted they were gabapentin pills A search of McCormick’s jacket revealed a clear glass vial containing a crystalline substance This tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine The Lady Lake Police Department celebrated several milestones during Wednesday night’s town Commission meeting including the department’s annual recognition awards The Department proudly recognized several officers for their outstanding contributions and service to the community Chief Steve Hunt reflected on the department’s growth and success in overcoming recent challenges “The department was at a crossroads not long ago,” said Chief Hunt “Thanks to the unwavering support of Mayor Freeman we’ve been able to not only retain our valued officers but also attract top talent from across the nation This has ensured our ability to continue providing the high level of service our residents deserve.” The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards recognizing the exceptional efforts of the department’s team “Our goal is to set the standard for what a great police department should look like—embodying integrity and dedication in all that we do,” said Chief Hunt Chief Hunt also introduced eight new officers who joined the department in 2024 leaving just one position of a total 30 sworn officers to be filled who bring a combined 130 years of experience to the department The department is in the process of hiring two new lieutenant positions Lady Lake officials could barely hide their irritation Monday night when discussing a neighboring community’s need to continue reliance on help with wastewater treatment Fruitland Park is nearing the end of a 10-year agreement in which the city sends wastewater to Lady Lake for treatment Fruitland Park was supposed to bring a new wastewater treatment plant on line to increase its capacity as the community continues to grow Fruitland Park wants to extend its current agreement with Lady Lake Lady Lake is also experiencing rapid growth and leaders want to ensure the town has enough capacity for its current and future needs But we need to save our capacity for Lady Lake,” said Commissioner Treva Roberts Lady Lake is treating 550,000 gallons of wastewater per day and about 80,000 gallons per day are coming from Fruitland Park according to Lady Lake Director of Public Works C.T The Fruitland Park section of The Villages is serviced by The Villages District Utilities Fruitland Park had a wastewater plant that was failing and had been cited for state violations He said Fruitland Park turned to Lady Lake and Leesburg for help That’s when Lady Lake offered a 10-year agreement Lady Lake has another wastewater treatment plant coming on line in the future but the town also has another 4,200 residential units to be constructed and added to the usage It could take up to four to five years for Fruitland Park to build and activate a new wastewater treatment plant. Wildwood is struggling to bring a new plant online in an effort to keep pace with city’s soaring population Fruitland Park leaders are hoping for another 10-year agreement with Lady Lake Lady Lake commissioners weren’t open to another 10 years fearing another decade of procrastination on the part of Fruitland Park We should up their fees and give them a shorter contract The rate should go up so it really smarts and they have to do something,” said Commissioner Mike Sage a resident of the Historic Side of The Villages “We are going to be eating into our surplus capacity Commissioners directed Town Manager William Lawrence to negotiate a two-year contract with Fruitland Park at a higher rate A company that uses robotics and “proprietary construction technology” to manufacture modern has just purchased a multi-acre site near The Villages for over $15 million purchased the property from ROIB SFR Lake Ella according to a deed filed with the Lake County Clerk of Courts The site is located just east of Green Key Village a high-efficiency community that opened its doors just over a decade ago The deed shows that the property is actually comprised of over 130 parcels that represent Lake Ella Estates Phases 2 and 3 The parcels that comprise the site are zoned residential and have been sitting vacant for an extended period of time They are prepped for development and are technically located in the city of Lady Lake ONX-Lake Ella is registered to ONX Homes in the state of Delaware Onx Homes says it is able to build homes more quickly than the average homebuilder because of its proprietary “X⁺ CONSTRUCTION™” methodology “It takes 22 subcontractors 8 months to build the average home A coordinated process with 30 days build time,” reads a statement from the company’s website Onx has communities in at least 10 other cities across Florida homes at “On Lake Ella” will start in the high $300,000s and will feature between 3 and 4 bedrooms and anywhere from 2,442 to 2,638-square-feet of living space monolithic X+ concrete elements: Foundation+ This unique technology ensures low insurance and energy costs providing you with a lifetime of value,” reads a statement from the company about the new On Lake Ella community Onx Homes was founded less than four years ago in 2021 the facility has already developed over 5,000 new homes across Florida and Texas with “thousands more on the way,” according to its website The Town of Lady Lake will host its first ever adult Easter scavenger hunt “An Eggstraordinary Adventure,” on Saturday The new event will include a competitive egg hunt across multiple locations in town as well as compete for high-value prizes.  Tickets are $10 per person as well as compete for high-value prizes.  and at least one team member must be over 18 years of age A valid driver’s license is required to participate.  The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday Tickets can be purchased at the Lady Lake Town Hall or the Lady Lake Library.  Teams will then follow a series of clues leading them to several different locations Every business along the route will also have one golden egg which will qualify teams for prizes.  and gift cards valued at up to $200.  Participants must return to the park by 12:15 p.m All participants will be entered into a drawing for a $250 gift card The town’s annual family “Easter Eggstravanganza” will also take place the same day Snooky Park is located at West Lady Lake Boulevard To learn more, check out the Town of Lady Lake’s website LADY LAKE — If you need a pick-me-up and motivation to make good on your goals for 2025 the town of Lady Lake is hosting its inaugural Rock That Resolution a festively inspiring outdoor bash on Saturday the new community shindig "is designed to inspire attendees to start 2025 on the right foot with motivational and fun activities to help stay on track with their New Year’s resolutions the Town of Lady Lake is here to help you 'Rock That Resolution' with a perfect mix of entertainment and resources to reach your goals." The event will feature free mini-classes on Tai Chi at 11:30 a.m. rock and funky blues of the Think Big Band throughout the event Food trucks Lil Fatz BBQ, Weirsdale Weinery and PDixon Desserts will feed hungry revelers Romp around with the kids in bounce houses and connect with organizations resources and vendors who will give you tips on making your 2025 goals “ ‘Rock That Resolution’ is all about empowering our community to make 2025 their best year yet,” said Amy Alicea events coordinator for the Town of Lady Lake “We wanted to create a fun and engaging event where people of all ages can find the inspiration and tools they need to pursue their goals and dreams.” Admission to Rock That Resolution is free. Details: events@ladylake.org or 352-205-2826 A development order was issued this week allowing grading work to commence at the site of the new Walmart Neighborhood Market on County Road 466 The new Walmart will be located at the corner of County Road 466 and Cherry Lake Road There is already heavy construction going on across the street as a new medical building is under construction on the Sumter County side of Cherry Lake Road The new medical building is being constructed in front of the Lake Sumter apartment complex Area residents, some of whom live in The Villages, have been voicing concerns about the increased volume of traffic that will be added to Cherry Lake Road. Village of Caroline residents Peter and Nancy Blackmore have fought to keep a stockade-style fence behind their home due to concerns of traffic A new Walmart is also being built at Morse Boulevard and State Road 44 and has prompted concerns about traffic. There are existing Walmart stores at Buffalo Ridge Plaza and Sarasota Plaza Fla.—One of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted is behind bars thanks to proactive policing by a Lady Lake Police Department sergeant Michelle Bilbrey spotted a car with the wrong license plate around 9:15 a.m and performed a traffic stop at the intersection of U.S She identified the driver as Donald Eugene Fields II who has been on the run for nearly three years since missing a court appearance in Franklin County Fields was indicted in federal court in St Louis in December 2023 for attempting to recruit and exploit a minor for commercial sex acts for four and a half years He is also facing state charges in Missouri is out there making a real difference,” LLPD Chief Steve Hunt said where an officer’s sharp instincts and dedication to service lead to a significant arrest—keeping our community and in this case “Thanks to proactive policing by the Lady Lake Police Department one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives has been captured,” Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson said Fields is being held in the Lake County Jail and will make his first appearance in a Florida federal court Copyright © 2025 Inside Lake | Powered by Compass Creative Group Fla.BJ’s Newest Club to Open May 13 in Lady Lake Fla.Marks retailer’s fifth grand opening in 2022 The location mark's the company’s fifth grand opening in 2022 BJ’s Wholesale Club is expanding its territory in the Sunshine State Mass.-based membership warehouse club said it will open a new site a 13585 NE 86th Path in Lady Lake on May 13—marking the company’s fifth grand opening in 2022 which brings the retailer’s total number of U.S pet supplies and the retailer’s signature treasure-hunt experience for BJ’s members The club said it will also include a fueling facility as well as golf cart parking with charging ports “Our team members are thrilled to open our doors to the Lady Lake community,” said Michael Tobacco club manager of the Lady Lake BJ’s Wholesale Club “We’re looking forward to expanding our footprint in the Florida market by bringing our expansive offerings to the smart-saving members of Lady Lake.” Photographs courtesy of BJ’s Wholesale Club BJ's Charitable Foundation has donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida the YMCA of Central Florida and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to support the local Lady Lake community BJ’s said a donation will go toward summer camps provided to youth at the Frank DeLuca Family Center “We are thrilled to finally welcome BJ’s Wholesale Club to our Lady Lake Community and partner with them in support of our Power Hour afterschool program at the Leesburg branch,” said Richard Yount senior development officer of the Boys and Girls Club helping to activate our youth and promote education in this community.” BJ’s said the food bank donation is part of BJ’s Feeding Communities program a food rescue partnership where the company donates unsold perishable food to Feeding America member food banks in its footprint helping to get wholesome food onto the plates of families BJ’s has donated more than 120 million pounds of food dairy and bakery items to Feeding America member food banks,” the company said in a statement Registered in England & Wales with number 01835199 Thank you for completing the form, here is your download: "+jQuery("body").attr("docName")+" Thank you for completing the form, here is the link to your on-demand webinar: On-Demand Webinar Link Lady Lake Police Department Chief Steven Hunt Andru Eckerdt during a press conference on the arrest of Donald Fields II a man on the FBI’s list of most wanted fugitives Fields II was indicted for sex crimes in Missouri Bilbrey and Eckerdt made the arrest...(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel) — A Missouri man on the FBI’s “10 Most Wanted Fugitives” list was arrested in Lake County over the weekend for a license plate violation ending nearly three years on the run from federal charges for sex trafficking his teenage daughter was in Lady Lake on Saturday morning when he was stopped by police for having a license plate attached to a pickup truck it didn’t belong to that also had a fake expiration sticker Speaking to reporters from police headquarters on Monday Chief Steve Hunt said Fields was in a car with a woman when he was stopped by Sgt Fields then presented Bilbrey a fake expired license but his true identity was uncovered after he was fingerprinted at the scene said she was shocked a high-profile fugitive made his way to the small and otherwise relatively sleepy town “That’s not something that you come across every day so it was a little eye-opening to me that we have people like that riding around all over on our streets had been looking for Fields after he skipped a March 2022 court hearing ahead of a local trial in which he was accused of a litany of sex crimes committed as far back as 2011 including child molestation and rape of a minor under 14 he was federally indicted for sex trafficking his teen daughter between 2013 and 2016 to 64-year-old Theodore Sartori who prosecutors said was a friend of Fields Fields was placed on the FBI’s most wanted list in May 2023 with a reward for his capture set at $250,000 It’s not clear how long he was in Central Florida prior to the traffic stop “Children from Florida and Missouri and beyond are safer today thanks to the diligence and brave actions of these officers,” FBI acting Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Greg Federico said at Monday’s press conference Sartori is serving a 10-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty in August to traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct Sartori agreed in 2013 to “provide items of value to Fields” in exchange for sex with Fields’ then-14-year-old daughter Fields’ daughter was forced to work at Sartori’s home doing recordkeeping and house cleaning while he raped her where he stayed with the Fields family while still having access to the teen Federal prosecutors said the sexual abuse stopped when the victim turned 18 wrote an impact statement ahead of Sartori’s sentencing: a two-page letter submitted to the court in October that does not specifically mention Fields but alludes to her family being aware of what happened in which her name is redacted in court records details her emotions during the years of sexual abuse and also her efforts to overcome it including through treatment and finding a partner who she said “understands my past and has very carefully learned to cope with it.” I am letting you go of everything you’ve chained and locked in my brain so I can continue to heal and can move on to the next chapter of my life,” said the letter ©2025 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Copyright © 2025 Lexipol. All rights reserved.Do Not Sell My Personal Information Cleo is made a supporting character in Maddie’s second act.Illustration by Angelica AlzonaSave this storySave this storySave this storySave this storyIt’s fitting that the first time Maddie Schwartz and Cleo Johnson the two women at the center of the stylish new murder mystery “Lady in the Lake,” lay eyes on each other it’s through a department-store display window—that engine of female desire quickly makes up her mind to buy the yellow dress modelled by Cleo (Moses Ingram) Cleo’s attention is caught by the rivulet of blood on Maddie’s mustard-colored skirt suit and both will soon be on their way to political gatherings—Maddie to a fund-raiser for a Jewish civil-liberties group Cleo to a rally for Maryland’s first Black woman state senator—though nothing as nebulous as social change can fulfill either woman’s long-stifled aspirations Maddie will leave her husband (Brett Gelman) and her teen-age son and Cleo will dip her toe into a criminal underworld that quickly pulls her underwater she expresses her resentment at having been made a supporting character in Maddie’s second act: “Your writing dreams ruined your life Now you want those same dreams to rewrite it But why did you need to drag my dead body into it?” like the Laura Lippman novel on which it’s loosely based tackles a grab bag of social issues—the second-wave feminist movement nascent desegregation and the attendant white backlash—through its protagonists’ private struggles whose literary hopes were discouraged by her conservative milieu is both a textbook case of the problem with no name and the epitome of an ambition monster (“You think every story is your story,” Seth tells her ruefully.) While Maddie’s thwarted desires burn white-hot inside her sometimes seeming to leave a hole where her heart should be—she deems her son “selfish” for being destabilized by her abrupt departure—Cleo has long since laid aside her yearning for the spotlight in order to take care of her children A bartender and a bookkeeper for an influential local gangster named Shell Gordon (Wood Harris) Cleo keeps her dreams small: she just wants legitimate employment helping ordinary folks like herself it often feels like an amalgamation of tropes from the two-thousands’ golden age of television There are hat tips to “Mad Men” in its swinging-sixties palette and its attunement to that era’s misogyny; a subplot finds a financially precarious Maddie unable to sell her car without her estranged husband’s signature despite it being registered under her name created and directed by Alma Har’el (“Honey Boy”) indulges in enough oneiric sequences to rival “The Sopranos,” including one in which Maddie tells Tessie Durst that she’s no longer worth writing about: “You’re old news.” There are flashes of “The Wire,” too a comparison made inescapable by Lippman’s onetime marriage to its creator David Simon; the series’ sociological aims; and the decision to cast Harris who played Avon Barksdale for half a decade spent years as a reporter at the Baltimore Sun Her book was inspired by two real-life cases from her native city: the 1969 deaths of Esther Lebowitz a white girl whose murder received considerable attention a Black woman whose killing went ignored by the mainstream press was last seen in a pet store with two men—Stephan (Dylan Arnold) the violent son of a Polish-immigrant shopkeeper Maddie interviews him about the wartime experiences that may have contributed to his aggressive tendencies Her seeming sympathy for the alleged killer enrages Tessie’s father—an outcome that doesn’t seem to have occurred to her This amorality and obliviousness help make Maddie the show’s most interesting character She’s introduced as a classic Natalie Portman type: a perfectionist striving for straight A’s on a report card that exists only in her head Maddie’s always wanted something else—and that the staid conventional life she abandons at the start of the show is a consequence of a more reckless youth (As in her recent film “May December,” Portman is playing both to and against type her usual prim persona riven by surprising sexuality.) When she finally fumbles toward an existence that broadens her possibilities Seth dismisses the move as a “phony adventure in Negrotown.” He’s mean about it Once Maddie starts investigating the second murder by asking questions around the neighborhood Cleo’s exasperated widower (Byron Bowers) cautions “You don’t know whose floor you’re dancing on.” She’s forced to confront reality as she discovers that stories about Stephan and Tessie are an easier sell than those about Cleo This epiphany feels organic; other political subplots—like a story line that alludes to the coming campaign against antimiscegenation laws which Maddie defies in a new romance with a Black cop (Y’lan Noel) and an eleventh-hour arc about the exploitative nature of the Maryland state lottery which threatens to supplant Shell’s numbers game—have been shoehorned in “Lady in the Lake” is not a schematic parable about racial inequality but a largely well-plotted whodunnit that keeps pulling off satisfying surprises with the series making use of Portman’s gift for self-righteous sanctimony and Ingram’s ability to sell both disillusionment and swashbuckling heroism as the situation demands it Those triumphs make up for thematic messiness does the atmospheric richness: in the course of seven episodes Har’el fleshes out the book’s characters of color whose bid to better her station in life—and willingness to put herself at real risk to do so—makes her something much grander than Maddie’s foil she and her cohort are shown to be as pleasingly complicated as their white counterparts who lures his prey with false promises of Black empowerment and the “prophet” who tells Cleo that the best way to help her sickly young son is to tithe to his church especially by the drug-addled Dora (Jennifer Mogbock) who has been her confidante since the two started singing together as mere teen-agers for all her cynicism about figures like Cleo’s favored politician has become dependent on the men around her and on the heroin they provide; Cleo is attempting to warn her friend off her current path not suspecting that she herself will shortly be deemed disposable by Shell and his cronies Neither succeeds in persuading the other to abandon her hopes who daydreams of taking her talents to Paris Leaving this whole damn country behind.” She almost certainly won’t make it across the Atlantic—but “Lady in the Lake” understands the poignancy of an impossible escape A long-ago crime, suddenly remembered A limousine driver watches her passengers transform The day Muhammad Ali punched me What is it like to be keenly intelligent but deeply alienated from simple emotions? Temple Grandin knows The harsh realm of “gentle parenting.”  Retirement the Margaritaville way Fiction by F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Thank You for the Light.”  Sign up for our daily newsletter to receive the best stories from The New Yorker. (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) Check out updates for Tuesday, Oct. 8 here. which is expected to cut across the Florida peninsula The other Florida counties under a hurricane warning are Charlotte Lake County will open 15 shelters for those who need accommodations during the storm Residents are encouraged to bring necessary supplies such as medication call the Citizens Information Line at 352-253-9999 •  East Ridge Middle - 13201 Excalibur Road •  Round Lake Elementary - 31333 Round Lake Road •  Spring Creek Elementary - 44440 Spring Creek Road •  Treadway Elementary - 10619 Treadway School Road •        Lost Lake Elementary - 1901 Johns Lake Road •  Astatula Elementary - 13925 Florida Ave. •  Villages Elementary - 695 Rolling Acres Road Free Lake Xpress rides to sheltersLakeXpress will be providing free rides on Wednesday to travelers who state they need to be taken to a shelter Free rides will continue to be given until conditions become unsafe Riders must tell the driver they are going to a shelter to use the free ride The Sumter County Citizens Information Center is open 24/7 and can be reached at 352-689-4400 Meteorologist Denis Philips offers a helpful list of tips to make life more comfortable in the event of an extended power outage For the full list, click here. What to do outside your home before Milton's arrivalThe National Weather Service offers tips on how to prevent flying debris during high winds and Log House facilities will be open from 7 a.m Central County: 13130 County Landfill Road Sandbags should be used to restrict floodwaters from entering houses via doorways Sandbags are not to be used to provide a barricade around homes or property Sumter County will have self-service sand and sandbags available at the Lake Panasoffkee Regional Recreation Park Sandbag operations will be available during this time according to weather conditions Residents can also view a helpful sandbag operations video on YouTube.Residents will need to provide proof of residence within Sumter County and should bring a shovel if they have one to fill sandbags Lake County public schools will be open on Tuesday and closed the rest of the week for students in anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s arrival in Sumter County Tuesday is an early release day with schools closed Wednesday and Thursday is a pre-scheduled student day off and a teacher planning day Teachers may work from home or at their school site on Friday if it’s safe for them to do so All after-school activities for Tuesday are canceled except for Extended Learning Centers (ELC) which will remain open until normal closing hours Select schools will open as shelters on Tuesday Timing and locations will be determined by Lake County Emergency Management Sumter County public schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday Friday status will depend on weather conditions and community status More at lake.k12.fl.us for Lake County Hurricane Milton live updates: Florida evacuations ordered as storm now 175-mph Category 5 some businesses will try to capitalize on their customers' panic and desperation by arbitrarily raising prices on their goods and services "Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period," Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a press release If you encounter an unusual increase in pricing during the lead-up to Hurricane Milton, you can report it at the state attorney general's website. Click here for more information Lake-Sumter State College will close all campus locations and cancel all classes and activities beginning at 4 p.m Any classes scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. or later on Tuesday, Oct. 8 are canceled. Forthcoming updates will be sent through the LSSC Alert system, email and social media, and available at lssc.edu/storm Hurricane Milton has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center A subtle wind shear might bring the intensity down Where the storm will make landfall on the Florida west coast after leaving the area of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico A list of shelters opening in Lake and Sumter counties will be coming soon A hurricane watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere in the Lake County area within the next 48 hours What to expect: Potential strong tropical storm-force wind with peak winds at 45-60 mph and gusts around 80 mph; can range anywhere from 74 to 110 mph "Efforts to protect life and property should now be rigorously underway," Lake County Emergency Management says "Prepare for considerable wind damage," the county says adding we should plan for "considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings and garage door failures leading to structural damage Damage from airborne projectiles is possible Some locations may be uninhabitable for weeks Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs may blow over Some roads will be impassable from large debris and more within urban or heavily wooded places causeways and access routes may also be impassable Large areas with power and communications outages are anticipated Major flooding rain with peak rainfall expected to pool 4 to 8 inches or higher Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places The following sandbag sites will be open daily from 7 a.m it's recommended that residents bring shovels Lady Lake Parks and Recreation announced that it will provide sand and bags from 9 a.m Note: No official sandbag location from Lake County or any of our municipal partners will ever ask you to pay to fill up sandbags call your city government's non-emergency phone number Several boat ramps will be closed as of Oct The following boat ramps will remain closed until water levels recede and it is safe to launch and retrieve watercraft A notice will be posted once the ramps are scheduled to reopen call Parks and Water Resources at 352-253-4950 To ensure yard debris is picked up across the County before conditions deteriorate residential waste (household garbage) collection will be suspended on Tuesday Yard debris will continue to be picked up on Tuesday and Wednesday or until conditions become unsafe Residents can report set-out yard waste by emailing garbagecollection@lakecountyfl.gov City of Leesburg Electric, 2010 Griffin Road, Leesburg; customer service: 352-728-9800; report outages: 833-223-1313; website: leesburgflorida.gov/electric Mount Dora; customer service: 352-735-7151; report outages: 352-612-5739 local: 352-685-2111; customer service: 800-224-4917; report outages: 888-434-9844 Duke Energy: customer service: 800-700-8744; report outages: 800-228-8485 Sumter Electric Cooperative: report outages: 800-732-6141; real-time outage reporting: SECOStormCenter.com (This story was updated to add new information) (This story was updated to change or add a photo or video) BATON ROUGE - A woman was gunned down outside of Our Lady of the Lake hospital on Wednesday afternoon in what police say was a domestic shooting the shooting happened outside the hospital on Hennessey Boulevard around 3:45 p.m was in the parking lot leaving work when someone shot her.  someone waiting for her when she got off work," Morse said she was taken into the trauma unit at the hospital where she died Chief Morse said the suspect has not been arrested we're doing our best to try to find the person who did this very soon," Morse said "We do have a car that is the victim's vehicle The hospital was put on lockdown with an active shooter protocol for employees That mandate was lifted before 5 p.m.  Police said more information about the suspect will be released One employee from Our Lady of the Lake said employees received a text message after the shooting telling them to seek shelter when the hospital went on lockdown never have I been involved with an active shooter situation," employee Debbie Brooks said we didn't know if it was a shooting inside the hospital Our Lady of the Lake issued the following statement: “Our Lady of the Lake is a beacon of healing for our community and today that sacred space was shattered by a tragic act of violence and our security who ensured the safety of our facilities."