Author Archives

James Combs

Akers Media Group's James Combs has been a staff writer for several local publications since August 2000. He has had the privilege of interviewing some of Lake County's many fascinating residents—from innovative business owners to heroic war veterans—and bringing their stories to life. A resident of Lake County since 1986, James recently embarked on a journey to lead a healthier lifestyle. He has lost 60 pounds and walks nearly five miles a day. In his spare time, he enjoys target shooting, skeet shooting and watching his beloved Kentucky Wildcats!

Beacon College’s “A World of Difference” will air tonight on PBS

Beacon College’s award-winning television program, “A World of Difference,” will air on a PBS station for the first time when it debuts Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 10:30 p.m., on WUCF TV. This special is airing in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. One in five children in the U.S.…

Voices of Hope

Five breast cancer patients with one thing in common: a fighting spirit. Photos: Nicole Hamel With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’ll undoubtedly be bombarded with statistics, studies, and stories about the latest treatment methods. Sometimes, the human element…

All Fired Up

Members of the Eustis Gun Club feel at home on the range. Photos: Nicole Hamel On the rifle range, Leesburg resident Jeff Binneveld’s Remington 40X rests on a sighting vise. Looking through a high-powered scope, he zeroes in his rifle…

Spirits: Bubble up to mimosas

Creativity is everything for the owners of Bubbles + Juice in Mount Dora. Photos: Anthony Rao Ben and Jenny Falcone are palate pleasers. Their first business venture took them to farmer’s markets throughout Central Florida, where they sold homemade pies…

Final Thought: Shame on vaccination shamers

Quit needling people into getting the jab. Are these coronavirus vaccines worth a shot? That’s a question millions of Americans were forced to answer last spring when several biopharmaceutical companies rolled out vaccinations. For myself, the answer was obvious. Being…

Chess Mates

For one Villages club, it’s all about capturing a knight, attacking a king, and queening a pawn. Chess tournament photos provided by Mike Moschos Herbert Menendez carefully processes information and plots his next move. He attempts to outthink and outmaneuver…

Mister, tear down that wall

Men need to effectively communicate when stressful situations arise. For most of your adulthood, life has been one smooth ride. You were gainfully employed and now you’re happily retired in The Villages, better known to some as the “Disney World…

Breaking bud

By operating a hemp farm, a Umatilla family is helping give flower to the people. Photos: Nicole Hamel As Jammie Treadwell enters a 25,000 square-foot greenhouse in rural Eustis, her eyes light up as she walks past rows of healthy…

Final Thought: Just say no… to Facebook

Hello, my name is James, and I’m a Facebook-a-holic. It’s a terrible addiction. Unlike the high produced by drugs, Facebook consistently delivers a devastating low. The daily dose of hard-core political opinions, boring status updates, goofy selfies, and annoying invites…

Local Talent: Fowl play

When it comes to painting, one local artist has some serious game. Photo: Nicole Hamel Actors have the Oscars. Musicians have the Grammys. Wildlife artists have the Federal Duck Stamp Contest. John Harris has created his own duck dynasty. Since…