This month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes Suicide Prevention Month with its Be There campaign, reminding veterans and their loved ones that small actions can make a big difference to veterans going through difficult times.

Eustis Elks Lodge 1578 will welcome the 2020 Brotherhood Ride Oct. 4, serving the riders dinner and social time with members. Brotherhood ride has approximately 55 riders, according to the Eustis Elks Lodge, and they provide emotional and financial support to the families of firefighters, fi…

Are you ready to vote? Oct. 5 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 general election. If you’re not registered, you can’t vote.

Oct. 2, the Lake County Museum of Art will hold a 25th anniversary celebration, “Bubbles & Brews,” featuring its first pop-up exhibit spotlighting local artist Kelley Batson Howard. Enjoy food, refreshments, raffles, multiples auctions including a “Kid’s Art” artwork auction, local artis…

Monday, Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, alongside Leesburg High School and South Lake High School, celebrated their first day at two Youth Construction Academy build sites – one in Leesburg and the other in Mascotte.

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s free Thursday morning webinar series continues with discussions about agricultural innovation and how aerial imagery can help the district protect water resources.

The City of Mount Dora has Charter Referendum questions on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The city has provided information about the referendum, as well as voting options for each question, for residents to review prior to voting.

Speed networking meets business expo when Lady Lake Chamber of Commerce hosts its fifth annual business event Oct. 15, 1–4 p.m. Attendees can gain business referrals and connect with businesses during the event. The in-person expo will be at the Water Oak Recreation Center, 106 Evergreen Lan…

Lake County Schools launched a COVID-19 Data Center that shows weekly tallies of positive COVID-19 cases and related quarantine numbers in schools. New numbers will be posted late Friday afternoons, showing data reported for that week.

Central Florida McDonald’s restaurants are honoring teachers with one free, small McCafe beverage of their choice every Tuesday through September. It’s a way to honor the teachers for their dedication to shaping the minds of local youth as they adapt to a new way of learning this school year…

Eligibility criteria for businesses to obtain funding from the $16 million Lake CARES Small Business Assistance Grant Program was expanded Sept. 8 as the program moves into Phase II. The relief programs are funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The public is invited to attend an open house to learn about tutoring and educational support for students offered by Family Matters of Central Florida. The event will be Sept. 30, 2–6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 23, the Mount Dora Police Department and One Blood are hosting a blood drive at the police department, located at 1300 North Donnelly Street in Mount Dora. During the drive, OneBlood will also check blood pressure, pulse, temperature and iron count and do a cholesterol scree…

A global pandemic didn’t slow down the eight employees of Lake County Sheriff’s Office, who began Saint Leo University’s Command Officer Management Program in January.

Flooding is a natural disaster that often strikes with little, if any, warning. The environmental awareness site Natural Rivers states that floods are the most common natural hazard in North America in terms of number of lives lost and property damage. Floods can occur day or night and any t…

If you participate in Florida Prepaid College Plans, you may be due a refund. In January, the Florida Prepaid College Board announced lowered Prepaid Plan prices for certain customers, made possible thanks to successive years of lower-than-anticipated tuition and fee increases.

To help those struggling with hunger during this pandemic year, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is asking the community to help “Stock the Shelves” during September, in honor of Hunger Action Month.

The Mount Dora City Council, City Manager and department heads have been working on the city’s budget for the last several months. Discussions will continue at two meetings scheduled Sept. 10 at 4:45 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

At last week’s AdventHealth Morning Briefing, Dr. Tim Hendrix, medical director at AdventHealth Centra Care, urged residents to be prepared for the dual threat of influenza and COVID-19 during this year’s flu season.

Sept. 14, at 4:30 p.m., a regular board of directors meeting will be held at Lake Technical College. The session will take place in the college’s Tech Dining Room and online, pursuant to government executive orders and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to limit …

Lake County continues to accept applications for relief programs funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CARES funding has been allocated to assist in-dividuals and families with past due rental, mort-gage and utility assistance of up to $3,000 per household.

TC and Sass has teamed up with Sunsational Farms to present an End of Summer Concert on Saturday, Sept. 26. This outdoor event is family friendly and will feature a food truck and ice cream. Bring your lawn chairs. No outside coolers are allowed.

The 43rd Annual Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame event, presented by Junior Achievement of Central Florida, takes place Oct. 29. The program honors forward-thinking entrepreneurs and accomplished community leaders for their contributions to the Central Florida region’s economic development.

Lake-Sumter State College students can receive free food this month, as the col-lege offers drive-thru food distribution during Hunger Action Month.

Umatilla and Eustis area children ages 4 and older are invited to participate in a free twirling lesson Sept. 17 inside Umatilla ACE Hardware Lumber Yard from 4:15–5:15 p.m.