Winn-Dixie making a comeback in Eustis with new store
EUSTIS, Fla. — A grocery store favorite is returning to Eustis. The Winn-Dixie Company confirmed to Inside Lake Friday morning it is returning to the city it called home for decades, but an opening date has not been released. “The Winn-Dixie Company is excited to confirm plans to open a new grocery store in Eustis, marking another significant step in the grocer’s continued investment and growth across Florida,” the company’s Media Relations team said in an email to Inside Lake. According to a lease obtained by Inside Lake, the store, along with a liquor store, will be located in the
Man killed in deputy-involved shooting near Leesburg identified
LEESBURG, Fla. — A man who was killed in a deputy-involved shooting near Leesburg Thursday afternoon has been identified as 32-year-old Erik Leopold Sharpe, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to 10110 Morningside Drive after receiving a 911 call reporting an armed domestic battery. When they arrived, they were confronted by Sharpe, who was armed with a firearm, LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. According to Vachon, Sharpe’s actions forced deputies to discharge their firearms. Sharpe was killed, and the deputies were not injured. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting,
Armed person confronts Lake County deputies during domestic call near Leesburg
LEESBURG, Fla. — Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responding to an armed domestic battery call near Leesburg discharged their firearms after being confronted by an armed person Thursday afternoon, according to LCSO. Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to 10110 Morningside Drive after receiving a 911 call reporting an armed domestic battery. “Once our deputies arrived, they were confronted with an individual armed with a firearm whose actions forced our deputies to discharge their firearms,” LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. The deputies were not injured. The armed person is deceased, Vachon said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate
Chad Farnsworth selected as next Lake County Schools superintendent
TAVARES, Fla. — Lake County Schools Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth will be the district’s next superintendent following a unanimous vote by the School Board Wednesday. Farnsworth will succeed Superintendent Diane Kornegay, who is retiring at the end of the 2026-27 school year after leading the district for a decade. Farnsworth has served as deputy superintendent since 2024 and previously spent seven years as the district’s assistant superintendent and chief of staff. He also served four years as superintendent of Bradford County Schools. The School Board received seven applications for the position, with Farnsworth and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Chief of
Amazon driver found unresponsive near Fruitland Park identified; cause of death still unknown
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — An Amazon delivery driver who was found unresponsive and later died has been publicly identified, but her cause of death is still unknown more than a week after she was found. Jaylene Vargas Gonzalez was found unresponsive inside an Amazon delivery vehicle around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10. Deputies responded to the area of Clark Road in unincorporated Fruitland Park after receiving a report that the vehicle had been running while stationary for an extended period of time, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake last week. Gonzalez was transported to a local hospital,
Umatilla man killed in CR 439 crash Monday
UMATILLA, Fla. — A 49-year-old Umatilla man was killed Monday afternoon in a head-on crash on County Road 439 near Umatilla, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 5:45 p.m., the Umatilla man was driving a 2020 Ford Escape northbound on County Road 439, south of Freeman Drive, while a 22-year-old Lake Mary man was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado southbound, FHP said. According to FHP, the Umatilla man failed to maintain his lane and entered the path of the Silverado. The front left sides of the vehicles collided, causing both vehicles to overturn. The Umatilla man was pronounced deceased
News Briefs
FWC invites anglers to reel in recognition with Big Catch program
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is encouraging anglers to put their freshwater catches to the test through its Big Catch recognition program. The family-friendly program recognizes anglers who catch qualifying fish from more than 30 freshwater species found throughout Florida. Fish must meet or exceed qualifying length or weight requirements. To participate, anglers must catch a qualifying fish using an active hook-and-line method, take a photo and submit the catch through the Big Catch program. Participants receive recognition and a printable certificate. Youth anglers under 16 have separate, easier qualifying sizes, allowing younger fishermen
Lake County Fire Rescue to celebrate opening of new Station 71
LEESBURG, Fla. — Lake County Fire Rescue will celebrate the opening of its new Fire Station 71 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house Sept. 2. The event is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. at the new station, 33661 County Road 473 in Leesburg. Members of the public are invited to tour the station, meet Lake County Fire Rescue firefighters and first responders, and view fire apparatus and emergency equipment. “Events like this allow our community to see firsthand the people, equipment, and facilities that stand ready to serve them when they need us most,” Lake County Public Safety
2 Lake County intersections transitioning to all-way stops
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Two Lake County intersections will permanently transition to all-way stops beginning Thursday, Aug. 20, as part of recommended safety improvements. The intersections are Radio Road and Treadway School Road in Leesburg and East Crooked Lake Drive and Country Club Road in Eustis. Message boards are already in place to alert motorists of the upcoming changes. Drivers are encouraged to use caution and be prepared for the new traffic patterns beginning Thursday.
Dinosaurs return to Mount Dora library through August
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Dinosaurs are on display at the W.T. Bland Public Library through Aug. 31 as part of a free prehistoric exhibit for visitors of all ages. The exhibit includes a 20-foot-long Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, a juvenile T. rex, an in-flight pterosaur, a fossil dig panel and a giant dinosaur egg photo opportunity. Dinosaur-themed bookmarks and educational materials are also available. The library will host “All About T. rex” at 2 p.m. Aug. 29, featuring paleontologist Jimmy Waldron of Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome. The program is designed for adults and children ages 8 and older and will
Orlando Health South Lake Hospital to add Lake County’s first NICU
CLERMONT, Fla. — Orlando Health South Lake Hospital will begin construction in August on Lake County’s first neonatal intensive care unit, bringing specialized newborn care closer to home for local families. The 7,200-square-foot, 10-bed Level 2 NICU will be located inside the hospital’s Center for Women and Babies and is expected to open in 2027. The unit will care for premature infants, babies with low birth weights and newborns with other medical conditions requiring specialized treatment. It will operate in partnership with Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies, allowing patients access to advanced neonatal services when needed.
The Modiste Market returns to historic Lakeside Inn this Sunday
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — The Modiste Market returns to the historic Lakeside Inn on Sunday, June 28, offering visitors a Regency Era-inspired shopping and entertainment experience. The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeside Inn, 100 N. Alexander St., and features local artisan vendors, live music, dance lessons, themed refreshments and photo opportunities throughout the property. New this year is the Embroidery Salon, sponsored by Gary Sligh Fabric Arts, where guests can enjoy a hands-on experience inspired by the artistry of the Regency era. The first 100 attendees will receive a collectible gold charm to mark
Around The County
Winn-Dixie making a comeback in Eustis with new store
EUSTIS, Fla. — A grocery store favorite is returning to Eustis. The Winn-Dixie Company confirmed to Inside Lake Friday morning it is returning to the city it called home for decades, but an opening date has not been released. “The Winn-Dixie Company is excited to confirm plans to open a new grocery store in Eustis, marking another significant step in the grocer’s continued investment and growth across Florida,” the company’s Media Relations team said in an email to Inside Lake. According to a lease obtained by Inside Lake, the store, along with a liquor store, will be located in the
Man killed in deputy-involved shooting near Leesburg identified
LEESBURG, Fla. — A man who was killed in a deputy-involved shooting near Leesburg Thursday afternoon has been identified as 32-year-old Erik Leopold Sharpe, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to 10110 Morningside Drive after receiving a 911 call reporting an armed domestic battery. When they arrived, they were confronted by Sharpe, who was armed with a firearm, LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. According to Vachon, Sharpe’s actions forced deputies to discharge their firearms. Sharpe was killed, and the deputies were not injured. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting,
Armed person confronts Lake County deputies during domestic call near Leesburg
LEESBURG, Fla. — Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responding to an armed domestic battery call near Leesburg discharged their firearms after being confronted by an armed person Thursday afternoon, according to LCSO. Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to 10110 Morningside Drive after receiving a 911 call reporting an armed domestic battery. “Once our deputies arrived, they were confronted with an individual armed with a firearm whose actions forced our deputies to discharge their firearms,” LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. The deputies were not injured. The armed person is deceased, Vachon said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate
Winn-Dixie making a comeback in Eustis with new store
EUSTIS, Fla. — A grocery store favorite is returning to Eustis. The Winn-Dixie Company confirmed to Inside Lake Friday morning it is returning to the city it called home for decades, but an opening date has not been released. “The Winn-Dixie Company is excited to confirm plans to open a new grocery store in Eustis, marking another significant step in the grocer’s continued investment and growth across Florida,” the company’s Media Relations team said in an email to Inside Lake. According to a lease obtained by Inside Lake, the store, along with a liquor store, will be located in the
Man killed in deputy-involved shooting near Leesburg identified
LEESBURG, Fla. — A man who was killed in a deputy-involved shooting near Leesburg Thursday afternoon has been identified as 32-year-old Erik Leopold Sharpe, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to 10110 Morningside Drive after receiving a 911 call reporting an armed domestic battery. When they arrived, they were confronted by Sharpe, who was armed with a firearm, LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. According to Vachon, Sharpe’s actions forced deputies to discharge their firearms. Sharpe was killed, and the deputies were not injured. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting,
Armed person confronts Lake County deputies during domestic call near Leesburg
LEESBURG, Fla. — Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responding to an armed domestic battery call near Leesburg discharged their firearms after being confronted by an armed person Thursday afternoon, according to LCSO. Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to 10110 Morningside Drive after receiving a 911 call reporting an armed domestic battery. “Once our deputies arrived, they were confronted with an individual armed with a firearm whose actions forced our deputies to discharge their firearms,” LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. The deputies were not injured. The armed person is deceased, Vachon said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement will investigate
Chad Farnsworth selected as next Lake County Schools superintendent
TAVARES, Fla. — Lake County Schools Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth will be the district’s next superintendent following a unanimous vote by the School Board Wednesday. Farnsworth will succeed Superintendent Diane Kornegay, who is retiring at the end of the 2026-27 school year after leading the district for a decade. Farnsworth has served as deputy superintendent since 2024 and previously spent seven years as the district’s assistant superintendent and chief of staff. He also served four years as superintendent of Bradford County Schools. The School Board received seven applications for the position, with Farnsworth and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Chief of
Amazon driver found unresponsive near Fruitland Park identified; cause of death still unknown
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — An Amazon delivery driver who was found unresponsive and later died has been publicly identified, but her cause of death is still unknown more than a week after she was found. Jaylene Vargas Gonzalez was found unresponsive inside an Amazon delivery vehicle around 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10. Deputies responded to the area of Clark Road in unincorporated Fruitland Park after receiving a report that the vehicle had been running while stationary for an extended period of time, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake last week. Gonzalez was transported to a local hospital,
Umatilla man killed in CR 439 crash Monday
UMATILLA, Fla. — A 49-year-old Umatilla man was killed Monday afternoon in a head-on crash on County Road 439 near Umatilla, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 5:45 p.m., the Umatilla man was driving a 2020 Ford Escape northbound on County Road 439, south of Freeman Drive, while a 22-year-old Lake Mary man was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado southbound, FHP said. According to FHP, the Umatilla man failed to maintain his lane and entered the path of the Silverado. The front left sides of the vehicles collided, causing both vehicles to overturn. The Umatilla man was pronounced deceased