Umatilla woman killed after driver flees police in pickup reported stolen, FHP says
UMATILLA, Fla. — A 44-year-old Umatilla woman was killed early Monday when the driver of a stolen pickup truck fled an attempted traffic stop and ran a red light, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Umatilla Police Department tried to stop the driver of a 2018 Nissan Frontier that had been reported stolen, FHP said. He fled south on State Road 19 and ran a red light at Guerrant Street about 4:20 a.m. The pickup struck the left side of a 2019 Jeep Cherokee headed east on Guerrant Street. The woman driving the Jeep died at the scene, FHP said.
ALDI to hold grand opening Thursday in Tavares
TAVARES, Fla. — ALDI will hold a soft opening Wednesday at its new Tavares store, followed by a grand opening Thursday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 8:45 a.m. Thursday, and the store will open at 9 a.m. The first 200 customers Thursday will receive a bag of ALDI products and a gift card through the company’s Golden Ticket giveaway. The store, located at 450 E. Burleigh Boulevard, will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offer curbside pickup and grocery delivery. The new location will offer fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy products, organic foods, pantry staples
Ocala man accused of threatening to shoot up Lake County Courthouse
TAVARES, Fla. — An Ocala man was arrested Thursday after deputies say he threatened to shoot up the Lake County Courthouse hours after he was escorted out of a hearing over a traffic citation. Shawn Lorenzo Navarro, 26, was arrested on a charge of threats of death or bodily harm, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit. Navarro was disruptive during the Thursday morning hearing and was escorted out of the courtroom, the affidavit states. He was then asked to leave the courthouse because he continued to cause a disturbance. Navarro returned about 1:10 p.m. and was verbally
Woman arrested after undercover operation at Tavares massage business
TAVARES, Fla. — A 72-year-old woman was arrested Thursday after Tavares police said she offered a sex act to an undercover detective at a massage business. Jianhua Liu was arrested on a charge of solicitation of prostitution at Gong Fu Spa Massage, 1105 Lake Harris Drive, in Dora Canal Plaza, according to a Tavares Police Department report. Tavares police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office conducted the undercover operation after TPD received a complaint about suspicious activity at odd hours in September. The call began as a parking dispute and during that call, a complainant told police vehicles were coming
Bodycam released in Minneola deputy-involved shooting; teen burglary suspect shot in the foot
MINNEOLA, Fla. — A Lake County sheriff’s deputy shot a teen in the foot early Thursday after mistaking the teen’s cellphone for a gun, according to a probable cause affidavit released Friday. Terell Johnson, 17, was arrested Thursday while being treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Herrell said. Johnson is expected to fully recover. Deputies were called to Cumberland Circle around 3:45 a.m. for a car burglary in progress. A resident reported seeing a person dressed in black and wearing a ski mask near vehicles on home security footage. A responding deputy found Johnson
No injuries reported in mobile home fire near Mount Dora Thursday
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A mobile home was engulfed in flames Thursday morning on Melanie Lane in unincorporated Mount Dora, Lake County officials said. Lake County Fire Rescue received several calls about the fire just before 9 a.m. Crews were still assessing the scene as of the county’s 12:45 p.m. update. Tavares Fire Department, Eustis Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police Department also responded. The emergency response closed a portion of Bay Road for several hours. No one was injured in the fire.
News Briefs
Mount Dora to honor veterans at Salute to Service celebration
MOUNT DORA, Fla.—Mount Dora will honor military veterans with free food, live music and a special tribute during its annual Salute to Service celebration on Veterans Day. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Gilbert Park, 310 S. Tremain St. The Mount Dora High School Jazz Combo will perform, and the celebration will recognize veterans from all branches of the U.S. military. Salute to Service is presented by the City of Mount Dora with support from Adult Medicine of Lake County, Hillcrest Insurance Agency and WFLA NewsRadio 93.1 FM.
Eustis to honor veterans with expanded First Friday celebration, charity dash
EUSTIS, Fla.—An expanded First Friday celebration and a charity dash will bring music, family activities and a tribute to veterans to Eustis this weekend. The First Friday Salute to Veterans is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in downtown Eustis. Road closures begin at 3 p.m. The event will feature two stages of entertainment, including the Dallas Tyler Band, Divas Musical Tribute to the Troops and Greg Warren Band. Military vehicle displays, a Wreaths of Honor program, food trucks, vendors, inflatables and an Extreme Game Truck are also planned. On Saturday, Nov. 7, the city’s Parks and
Lake County Animal Shelter offering $7 senior pet adoptions throughout November
LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—The Lake County Animal Shelter is offering $7 adoptions for pets 7 years and older throughout November in recognition of National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. The “Fall in Love with a Senior Pet” promotion includes spay or neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, a microchip and a personalized identification tag. “Senior pets have so much love left to give, and they deserve the chance to spend their golden years in a loving home,” Lake County Animal Services Director Whitney Boylston said. Adoption counseling is available from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to
Both lanes of Haynes Creek Bridge to reopen Thursday after repairs
LEESBURG, Fla. — Both lanes of the Haynes Creek Bridge will reopen Thursday afternoon, Oct. 15, following completion of required bridge deck repairs, according to Lake County. A temporary weight restriction of 33,000 pounds will stay in effect while project consultants prepare a new load rating report for review by the Florida Department of Transportation. For more information, contact Lake County Public Works at 352-253-6000.
Lake County Circuit Judge Heidi Davis to retire Nov. 30
TAVARES, Fla. — Circuit Judge Heidi Davis will retire Nov. 30 after more than 16 years on the bench, the Fifth Judicial Circuit announced. Appointed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist in September 2010, Davis became the first female judge in Hernando County before transferring to Lake County, according to the announcement. Davis served as Lake County’s administrative judge during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped create and presided over the Lake County Drug Court. She began her legal career in 1998 as a judicial law clerk in Lake County, later entered private practice and became a judicial magistrate in 2004. She
Astatula officials to address DOGE report at public workshop Thursday
ASTATULA, Fla. — Astatula officials will address a Sept. 30 DOGE letter and accompanying report concerning the town during a special Town Council workshop Thursday. The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Astatula Community Center, 13251 Park Ave. According to the town’s announcement, officials plan to provide documentation, additional context and responses to statements in the DOGE materials. Members of the media are invited to attend and ask questions about the letter and the town’s response. The workshop will be for discussion and information only. No formal council action or vote is anticipated. The town selected the
Around The County
Umatilla woman killed after driver flees police in pickup reported stolen, FHP says
UMATILLA, Fla. — A 44-year-old Umatilla woman was killed early Monday when the driver of a stolen pickup truck fled an attempted traffic stop and ran a red light, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Umatilla Police Department tried to stop the driver of a 2018 Nissan Frontier that had been reported stolen, FHP said. He fled south on State Road 19 and ran a red light at Guerrant Street about 4:20 a.m. The pickup struck the left side of a 2019 Jeep Cherokee headed east on Guerrant Street. The woman driving the Jeep died at the scene, FHP said.
ALDI to hold grand opening Thursday in Tavares
TAVARES, Fla. — ALDI will hold a soft opening Wednesday at its new Tavares store, followed by a grand opening Thursday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 8:45 a.m. Thursday, and the store will open at 9 a.m. The first 200 customers Thursday will receive a bag of ALDI products and a gift card through the company’s Golden Ticket giveaway. The store, located at 450 E. Burleigh Boulevard, will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offer curbside pickup and grocery delivery. The new location will offer fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy products, organic foods, pantry staples
Ocala man accused of threatening to shoot up Lake County Courthouse
TAVARES, Fla. — An Ocala man was arrested Thursday after deputies say he threatened to shoot up the Lake County Courthouse hours after he was escorted out of a hearing over a traffic citation. Shawn Lorenzo Navarro, 26, was arrested on a charge of threats of death or bodily harm, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit. Navarro was disruptive during the Thursday morning hearing and was escorted out of the courtroom, the affidavit states. He was then asked to leave the courthouse because he continued to cause a disturbance. Navarro returned about 1:10 p.m. and was verbally
Umatilla woman killed after driver flees police in pickup reported stolen, FHP says
UMATILLA, Fla. — A 44-year-old Umatilla woman was killed early Monday when the driver of a stolen pickup truck fled an attempted traffic stop and ran a red light, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Umatilla Police Department tried to stop the driver of a 2018 Nissan Frontier that had been reported stolen, FHP said. He fled south on State Road 19 and ran a red light at Guerrant Street about 4:20 a.m. The pickup struck the left side of a 2019 Jeep Cherokee headed east on Guerrant Street. The woman driving the Jeep died at the scene, FHP said.
ALDI to hold grand opening Thursday in Tavares
TAVARES, Fla. — ALDI will hold a soft opening Wednesday at its new Tavares store, followed by a grand opening Thursday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for 8:45 a.m. Thursday, and the store will open at 9 a.m. The first 200 customers Thursday will receive a bag of ALDI products and a gift card through the company’s Golden Ticket giveaway. The store, located at 450 E. Burleigh Boulevard, will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offer curbside pickup and grocery delivery. The new location will offer fresh produce, meats, seafood, dairy products, organic foods, pantry staples
Ocala man accused of threatening to shoot up Lake County Courthouse
TAVARES, Fla. — An Ocala man was arrested Thursday after deputies say he threatened to shoot up the Lake County Courthouse hours after he was escorted out of a hearing over a traffic citation. Shawn Lorenzo Navarro, 26, was arrested on a charge of threats of death or bodily harm, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit. Navarro was disruptive during the Thursday morning hearing and was escorted out of the courtroom, the affidavit states. He was then asked to leave the courthouse because he continued to cause a disturbance. Navarro returned about 1:10 p.m. and was verbally
Woman arrested after undercover operation at Tavares massage business
TAVARES, Fla. — A 72-year-old woman was arrested Thursday after Tavares police said she offered a sex act to an undercover detective at a massage business. Jianhua Liu was arrested on a charge of solicitation of prostitution at Gong Fu Spa Massage, 1105 Lake Harris Drive, in Dora Canal Plaza, according to a Tavares Police Department report. Tavares police and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office conducted the undercover operation after TPD received a complaint about suspicious activity at odd hours in September. The call began as a parking dispute and during that call, a complainant told police vehicles were coming
Bodycam released in Minneola deputy-involved shooting; teen burglary suspect shot in the foot
MINNEOLA, Fla. — A Lake County sheriff’s deputy shot a teen in the foot early Thursday after mistaking the teen’s cellphone for a gun, according to a probable cause affidavit released Friday. Terell Johnson, 17, was arrested Thursday while being treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Herrell said. Johnson is expected to fully recover. Deputies were called to Cumberland Circle around 3:45 a.m. for a car burglary in progress. A resident reported seeing a person dressed in black and wearing a ski mask near vehicles on home security footage. A responding deputy found Johnson
No injuries reported in mobile home fire near Mount Dora Thursday
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A mobile home was engulfed in flames Thursday morning on Melanie Lane in unincorporated Mount Dora, Lake County officials said. Lake County Fire Rescue received several calls about the fire just before 9 a.m. Crews were still assessing the scene as of the county’s 12:45 p.m. update. Tavares Fire Department, Eustis Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police Department also responded. The emergency response closed a portion of Bay Road for several hours. No one was injured in the fire.