The college is seeking nominations for outstanding alumni who exemplify excellence, leadership, service, and dedication. The celebration honors those who have helped strengthen Lake-Sumter State College’s legacy through their professional accomplishments, community involvement, and commitment to education.

Community members, colleagues, friends, and family are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals for consideration. The Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Celebration serves as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people who continue to make Lake-Sumter State College a source of pride throughout the region.

Nominations must be submitted by August 14. Those interested in nominating a candidate can visit the college’s nomination page for additional information and submission .  ClickHere.

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 Lake Technical College is proud to announce the receipt of a $3.7 million state appropriation to support continued construction of the Lake Tech South Campus in Clermont, continuing the college’s commitment to expanding workforce education opportunities in one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities. 

The funding, included in Florida’s 2026-2027 state budget, will support the continued transformation of the South Campus into a premier career and technical education facility designed to prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers while meeting the workforce needs of local employers. 

Lake Technical College extends its sincere appreciation to Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Taylor Yarkosky for their leadership and steadfast support in securing this important investment for Lake County. 

Representative Yarkosky shared, “A strong economy begins with a strong workforce. This investment helps prepare the next generation of skilled professionals while supporting the businesses that drive our local economy. I was honored to advocate for this funding because it is an investment in our students, our employers, and the long-term prosperity of South Lake County.” 

This investment builds on the momentum already underway at Lake Tech South and moves the college closer to its vision of a 55,000-square-foot regional workforce training campus serving South Lake County. The expanded campus will provide modern instructional space and advanced training environments for high-demand career programs that support the economic growth of Central Florida. 

“Workforce education is one of the smartest investments we can make in Florida’s future. Lake Technical College has a long history of preparing students for meaningful careers, and this funding will help ensure that even more residents have access to the skills employers need in our growing region,” said Senator Truenow. 

“This appropriation is an investment in people,” said DeAnna Thomas, President of Lake Technical College. “Every classroom we build, every lab we establish, and every program we expand creates new opportunities for individuals to build rewarding careers while helping employers find the skilled workforce they need. We are grateful to Governor DeSantis, Senator Truenow, Representative Yarkosky, and the Florida Legislature for believing in the mission of workforce education and in the future of our community.” 

This investment comes at a particularly meaningful time as Lake Technical College celebrates its 60th Anniversary. For six decades, the college has partnered with business and industry to prepare thousands of students for successful careers. The continued expansion of Lake Tech South reflects the college’s unwavering commitment to innovation, economic development, and workforce excellence for generations to come. 

Lake Technical College is a public, post-secondary institution that offers high quality training for over 30 career and technical programs, as well as, adult education classes for GED and ESOL. The main campus is located at 2001 Kurt St., Eustis. The Institute of Public Safety is located at 1565 Lane Park Cutoff, Tavares. The Lake Technical College South Campus is located at 1000 Bloxam Av., Clermont. Visit the website www.laketech.org for more information

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The indoor event provides an opportunity for vendors to showcase and sell handmade crafts, unique gifts, jewelry, home décor, and other specialty items while supporting a community fundraising effort.

Vendor spaces are currently available. Those interested in becoming a vendor or seeking additional information can email info@thingsnblingsfl.com.

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Clermont Main Street took home three statewide awards and was named host of the 2027 Annual Preservation on Main Street Conference during the Secretary of State’s Dinner, held July 23 as part of this year’s conference.

The Secretary of State’s Dinner is one of the signature events of the Annual Preservation on Main Street Conference, recognizing Main Street programs from across Florida for outstanding achievement in downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and community engagement. Clermont Main Street was recognized in three separate categories this year, a rare showing that highlights the depth and reach of the organization’s work in downtown Clermont.

Thomas Paine Telling Your Story Award

Clermont Main Street received the Thomas Paine Telling Your Story Award for its website rebranding, completed in partnership with Roots Creative Co. The award recognizes excellence in communicating a Main Street program’s identity, mission, and impact to the public, and reflects a yearlong effort to give Clermont Main Street a modern, cohesive digital presence that better tells the story of downtown Clermont.

Celebrating Main Street Award

The organization also earned the Celebrating Main Street Award for its America250 Flag Walk, a community event created to honor the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The event brought residents together in downtown Clermont for a patriotic celebration that organizers say set the tone for a series of America250 programming still to come.

Four Point Patriot Award

Clermont Main Street received the Four Point Patriot Award for Clermont on Screen, a project born out of a historic structures survey conducted in partnership with Dalton Studio, LLC. That survey uncovered a lost piece of local industry: more than 50 films were shot in Clermont over the years, a chapter of the city’s history that had faded from public memory. Clermont Main Street brought that history back to life through Clermont on Screen, a dedicated website where residents and visitors can now explore the city’s film legacy. You can find the website at https://www.clermontonscreen.com.

In addition to the three awards, Clermont Main Street was announced as the host organization for the 2027 Annual Preservation on Main Street Conference, a distinction that will bring Main Street leaders, preservationists, and downtown advocates from across Florida to Clermont for the statewide gathering.

“These awards belong to our entire downtown community. Every one of them reflects work our team has poured ourselves into over the past year, from reimagining how we tell our story online to creating new ways for residents to connect with downtown Clermont. To be recognized three times in one night, and then be trusted to host our peers from across the state in 2027, is an incredible honor for this organization.” said Natalie Kahler, Executive Director of Clermont Main Street.

“On behalf of the board, I couldn’t be prouder of what this team has accomplished. These awards are a direct reflection of the vision and dedication that Natalie and her team bring to downtown Clermont every single day, and hosting the 2027 conference gives us the chance to show the rest of Florida what makes our Main Street program special,” said Patrick Bianchi, President of the Board of Directors for Clermont Main Street.

Clermont Main Street will spend the coming months preparing to welcome Main Street programs from across the state for the 2027 Annual Preservation on Main Street Conference, building on the momentum of this year’s recognition.

More information on Clermont Main Street’s programs, including the America250 Flag Walk and Clermont on Screen, is available at www.clermontdowntown.com.

About Clermont Main Street

Clermont Main Street is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit driven by Downtown Clermont business owners, local entrepreneurs, and residents who believe in the power of investing in the city’s historic core. Guided by the nationally recognized Four-Point Approach to revitalization—Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality—the program works to cultivate a thriving, connected, and resilient downtown. Its efforts are made possible through a blend of public funding, grants, memberships, sponsorships, and proceeds from community events that bring Downtown Clermont to life.

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Panther Run, the largest development within Lake County’s Wellness Way corridor, will transform one of the region’s most significant land acquisitions into a mixed-use community while preserving nearly three-quarters of the property as permanent open space.

The property, purchased by Fort Lauderdale-based GT USA for $165 million in September 2024, represents the largest land sale in Lake County history.

The development is expected to become a major employment center for South Lake County, featuring more than one million square feet of commercial and employment space capable of supporting more than 3,000 jobs.

County officials anticipate the project will attract employers in sectors including healthcare, finance, technology, research and development, advanced manufacturing, hospitality and tourism. The community also includes tourist-home accommodations projected to generate approximately $6 million annually in tourist development tax revenue. According to Doug Bruk, COO of GT USA, Pulte Homes is under contract to purchase some of the property for a Tourist Home community.

“We appreciate this opportunity to partner with Lake County on the execution of this portion of Wellness Way, where GT USA has designed a site with the stakeholders’ needs in mind,” said Bruk. “Our priorities include employment opportunities, improved roadways, expansive open spaces and a wildlife corridor that will benefit residents throughout Lake County.”  Bruk said the company is also working with Lake County on plans for a proposed public safety complex and a new high school to serve the area’s growing population.

A defining feature of Panther Run is its commitment to environmental preservation. Approximately 72.5 percent of the 2,241-acre property will remain undeveloped, encompassing lakes, wetlands, uplands, conservation areas and more than two square miles of protected open space.

The development will include a wildlife corridor designed to close a critical gap in the Florida Wildlife Corridor, supporting wildlife movement between North and South Florida. A two-mile nature trail will provide public access through portions of the preserved landscape.

Developers note that, despite the project’s name, Florida panthers do not inhabit the property. The name “Panther Run” was chosen to reflect the community’s emphasis on conservation and environmental stewardship.

Residential development will occupy approximately 16 percent of the site, with about 2,600 homes planned under Lake County’s Wellness Way Comprehensive Plan first adopted in 2016. The neighborhoods are designed to accommodate a range of residents, from first-time homebuyers to working professionals and retirees.

The community plan includes:

• More than 11 miles of walking, jogging and cycling trails.
• Twenty neighborhood parks.
• Low-density residential neighborhoods integrated with preserved natural areas.
• Extensive open space promoting outdoor recreation and healthy lifestyles.

Infrastructure improvements are expected to provide significant traffic relief for South Lake County.

More than four miles of new roadway will extend County Road 455 and create a direct connection to State Road 516, improving access throughout the Wellness Way corridor while reducing congestion in south Clermont and surrounding Sawgrass Bay neighborhoods.

Project representatives emphasized that Panther Run is consistent with Lake County’s long-term planning objectives and does not require amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

“The county provided the vision for Wellness Way in its Comprehensive Plan, first approved in 2016,” said Tara Tedrow, a land-use attorney with Orlando-based Lowndes, which represents the project. “The Panther Run plan meets, and in some cases exceeds, the county’s requirements. We are not seeking amendments to the Comprehensive Plan, only the planned unit development approval required under county policy.”

In addition to residential and employment uses, Panther Run reserves land for future public facilities, including:

• A proposed high school serving South Lake County.
• An eight-acre public safety complex with a fire station and sheriff’s substation.
• Expanded roadway infrastructure supporting regional growth.

Looking Ahead: GT USA expects construction on Panther Run to begin during the first quarter of 2027. The company will host a public open house on August 10 from 5 to 7 pm at the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center, where residents can learn more about the proposed development and its plans for the Wellness Way corridor.

As the largest project within Lake County’s Wellness Way initiative, Panther Run is positioned to become a model for balanced growth—combining job creation, transportation improvements, environmental conservation and thoughtfully planned neighborhoods into a community designed for future generations.

Based on materials prepared by Doris Bloodsworth, New Florida Media

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• United States Senator –  Ashley Moody
  
• Representative In Congress District 6 – Randy Fine
  
• Representative In Congress District 11 – Carey Baker
  
• Governor and Lieutenant Governor – Byron Donalds
  
• Attorney General – James Uthmeier
  
• Chief Financial Officer  – Blaise Ingoglia
  
• Commissioner of Agriculture – Wilton Simpson
  
• State Representative District 25 – Taylor Yarkosky
  
• State Representative District 26 – Nan Cobb
  
• State Representative District 27 – Richard Gentry
  
• Board of County Commissioners District 2 – Sean Parks
  
• Board of County Commissioners District 4 – Leslie Campione
  
• North Lake County Hospital District Board of Trustees (Northeast Territory, Seat 2) – Reginald A. Ward
  
• North Lake County Hospital District Board of Trustees (Northwest Territory, Seat 4) –  Ricky Harper
  
• Circuit Judge, 5th Judicial Circuit Group 27 – Nicole M. Morris
  
• School Board District 1 – Pat Kelley
  
• Clermont City Council Seat 3 (Mayor) – Tim Murry
  
• Clermont City Council Seat 5  – William “Bill” Petersen
  
• Groveland City Council District 1 (Mayor) – Keith “Chef” Keogh 
• Groveland City Council District 3 – Barbara Gaines
  
• Groveland City Council District 5 – Amy Jo Carroll
  
• Lake County School Board Resolution 2026-02 – Yes

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Sgt. Landis Delp manages the yearly event that includes a tropical-themed setting and a car show that can keep vintage vehicle enthusiasts busy for hours. This year’s event drew 50+ themed cars, trucks and jeeps of all kinds and varieties. Marcos Pizza and other area vendors provided yummy treats and giveaways for the well-attended event.

 

Sgt. Delp gives credit to the dozens of annual supporters, volunteers, city employees and sponsors that make the program a success every year.  Ace Hardware not only provides outdoor space for the event but also provides a large toy drop-off stage inside the store that includes Rudolph, a sleigh and a background beach scene complete with Florida-style Christmas palms.

 

The program served 300+ families last year, including 1,447 children that otherwise might not have had a joyful Christmas morning complete with toys.

“We don’t just provide a variety of toys for the parents to choose from. We have an application process that allows parents to indicate what their child or children would like to have, and we make every effort to make that happen for them,” says Sgt. Delp. The program also provides a bag of toys per child, when possible, versus just one favorite.

The application process will begin in October and can be found on the City of Groveland’s website at www.Groveland-FL-Gov.

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Sponsors and individual supporters who would like to help can reach Sgt. Delp at 352-429-4166 or email Landis.Delp@Groveland-FL.Gov.

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In November, Florida voters will decide whether to increase the state’s homestead property tax exemption. If approved, the proposed constitutional amendment could significantly reduce the property tax revenue that cities like Groveland rely on to operate. Current estimates indicate the city could receive approximately $3.5 million less in revenue in Fiscal Year 2028 and more than $6 million less by Fiscal Year 2029, making it important that we begin planning now. 

Be assured, no decisions have been made. Earlier this month, rumors swirled that the council was considering eliminating public safety services. That was never the case and it was sparked by an opinion piece from a single council member. I can assure you any future discussions will take place openly and transparently.

But the potential drop in revenue means we must do our homework. Whether or not the amendment passes, we have a responsibility to carefully evaluate every opportunity to improve efficiency and reduce costs. We will explore a wide range of ideas and weigh each one based on its financial impact, its effect on city services and what’s in the community’s long-term best interest. 

Please stay informed and plan to join our council meetings and workshops where these discussions take place. See “Stay Engaged With Us” for days, times and locations. 

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