The McTureous Homestead Museum and Memorial Park are located in Altoona, Florida.

The culmination of a five-year project by a local community organization will be celebrated Saturday to mark federal recognition of the natural and historic significance of the region's roadways.

WHAT: Black Bear Scenic Byway celebration and ribbon-cutting. WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct.

T hey are some of the tiniest towns in rural Lake County, yet outposts such as Paisley, Lake Mack and Altoona - towns that rim the Ocala National Forest - are ground zero for a deepening problem.

County commissioners won't mothball Lake's historical museum yet. The tax-funded museum, located on the first floor of the historic courthouse on West Main Street, and its curator were slated to become budget casualties Oct.

As we continue our 60-part series on early Lake County history, once more we'll let Jesse Hunter, a longtime Lake County judge and lawyer get us started as we look briefly into his review of the county's history.

Lake County residents have a bit more access to public transportation. A new bus route for LakeXpress has been unveiled.

Lake County hopes to win nearly $4 million in federal grants to build fire stations in communities where response times are slow.

A Lake County man tried to run from narcotics agents out of a shed containing a meth lab Tuesday but was caught, a sheriff's spokesman said.

Beginning July 1, bus passengers can travel between Altoona and Zellwood and stop anywhere along the way on a new route that connects east Lake County with the regional LYNX system in Orange County.

Lake County Fire-Rescue Assistant Chief Jack Fillman said there are no emergency flooding issues around the county right now.