FIRST

A sneak peek into the fascinating people who make Lake and Sumter counties great.

Person of Interest: Keshia Rytter

School resource deputy with Lake County Sheriff’s Office has heart for kids. Photo: Nicole Hamel Vital stats: Born in New York and moved to Groveland as a child. Resided in Leesburg for 14+ years before moving to Davenport last March. …

Did you know?

Grantland Rice, an early 20th-century American sportswriter, referred to the Dora Canal as the “most beautiful half-mile of water in the world” when he cruised down the subtropical waterway in the 1930s. One can only imagine how awestruck he was…

80% off for college students affected by pandemic

Kudos to Lake Technical College for partnering with Lake County to provide what school officials call an “amazing” opportunity: Elevate to Essential scholarships for students enrolled in the spring 2021 term, which starts this month. Individuals who lost their jobs…

Soup’s on!

Spend your Saturdays in cozy slippers and pajamas while you whip up a batch of soup to last the whole week. No old family recipes? Soup recipes and ideas are plentiful on the internet. Enjoy a hearty minestrone, black bean…

Rest and relaxation on the horizon

The start of a new year inspires many to take a step back and think about everything we would like to accomplish in the upcoming weeks and months. Self-care is an important part of resetting your mind and body. Light…

Promises, promises…

Do you have a New Year’s resolution in mind? If so, you are probably not alone, but did you know that the tradition is thousands of years old and started as promises to the Gods at the start of each…

Outstanding Student: Parker Kruse

FFA leader grows ambition for future. Photo Nicole Hamel Vital stats 18 years old 2020 South Lake High School graduate Plans to finish his AA at Santa Fe College in 2021 Plans to major in agriculture communications or animal science…

Sing for support

Longtime Clermont resident, dad, husband and Tuscanooga Baptist Church of Groveland’s Worship Leader Patrick Gibson, a singer/songwriter nationally known in the country music world, has expressed his support for law enforcement in a recently released song, “The American Prayer.” In…

Super memories

With the Super Bowl right around the corner, it’s appropriate to remember the only student-athletes from Lake and Sumter counties who played in the big game. Ron Dixon, a 1994 graduate of Wildwood High School, played in Super Bowl 35…

There she is… Leesburg’s 2021 representatives crowned

During the recent 34th annual Miss Leesburg Scholarship Pageant hosted at Leesburg High School, the following girls were crowned to represent the city at special events, parades, and community activities: Tiny Miss – A’Zyrani Taylor, a first-grader at Beverly Shores…