In our community, family means everything. It’s the bond that carries us through challenges, the love that comforts us, and the commitment that strengthens us. For many of us, pets are part of that family story. A loyal dog guarding the front porch or a gentle cat warming our lap is more than companionship—it’s family. And just like any family member, they deserve care, protection, and love.
Browsing: Local News
As of September 25, 2025, open carry became legal in Florida. A person can now carry a firearm anywhere, including government buildings or government-owned outdoor areas in the State – as well as any privately owned business, unless they opt out. So what does that mean for “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown?” Well, imagine someone having consumed one too many at a town square and that someone is openly carrying a firearm when he/she spies someone wearing a tee shirt with a saying s/he doesn’t like? What could possibly go wrong? So just to be clear, according to The Villages administration, open carry is allowed everywhere in public facilities in The Villages.
Eugene K. Pettis, a Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, has been elected to the 15-member Board of Regents of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). He will represent Region 7, which includes Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, for a four-year term. Eugene has been an ACTL Fellow since 2007.
During Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session, legislators passed Senate Bill 2514 (see flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/2514 for more information), which includes a provision that medical marijuana patients should be aware of. Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, it introduces the prospect of some patients immediately losing the ability to legally use medical cannabis if convicted of involvement in illegal drug activity.
Get ready to witness history. Florida Memorial University and St. Johns County Government will officially sign the lease for the first-ever Florida Black History Museum, marking an extraordinary milestone in the state’s cultural and historical legacy. This event cements Florida’s commitment to honoring and preserving the profound contributions of African Americans — from past struggles to present triumphs.
A pepper spray incident inside a classroom at Blanche Ely High School on Thursday sent 12 students to the hospital, officials confirmed.
The 2025 Black Achievers Awards will honor exceptional individuals who have made lasting contributions in arts and culture, business, community service, and education.
Nearly 50 longtime members filed a lawsuit on September 23, 2025, against Rev. Dr. Ezra L. Tillman, Jr. and the church’s Board of Deacons, alleging financial misconduct and violations of Piney Grove’s constitution.
Coconut Palm K-8 Academy in Homestead transformed its STEM education after winning an FPL STEM Classroom Makeover Grant for the 2024-25 school year. The school created an innovative hydroponics lab where students engage with sustainable agriculture technology, exploring hands-on learning opportunities that connect to future careers in environmental science and agricultural innovation.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to give God the leftovers of your life? The prayers you utter while rushing out the door, the quiet thanks whispered between texts and emails, the small pieces of attention left over after a busy day. We wouldn’t serve guests yesterday’s cold food and call it a meal, so why would we offer God anything less than our best? He deserves the main course of our hearts, fresh, intentional, and overflowing with love.