Murder suspect returned to Lake County more than a year after woman’s death
TAVARES, Fla. — The man accused of killing his sister-in-law last year is back in Lake County and in the custody of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Shahidul Islam, 43, was extradited from federal custody to Lake County Sunday, LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. He is being held on no bond in the Lake County Jail. LCSO detectives obtained an arrest warrant more than a year ago after Monica Islam, 44, was found murdered in unincorporated Mount Dora after being reported missing from Eustis. She was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road on May 2,
LCSO executes narcotics search warrant at Tavares home
TAVARES, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics-related search warrant Tuesday morning at a residence in Tavares. The warrant was executed at a home in the 100 block of Bloxham Avenue, according to LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon. Few details were immediately available Tuesday. Vachon confirmed the operation was a narcotics search warrant but no additional information was released.
Eagle One helps track Clermont man to Eustis after fleeing traffic stop
EUSTIS, Fla. — A Clermont man with multiple outstanding warrants out of Georgia was arrested Monday night after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and traveling through several Lake County communities before hitting stop sticks in Eustis, according to an arrest affidavit. Brandon Stuart Brown, 32, is facing charges of fleeing to elude, attaching tag not assigned, driving while license suspended, canceled or revoked as a habitual offender and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. Around 10 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Office corporal observed a dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe traveling north on U.S. Highway 27 near State Road 19 with no
Man sentenced to 25 years for shooting at deputies, officers in Mount Dora; murder case still pending
Editor’s note: The video below contains graphic images and language. Viewer discretion is advised. TAVARES, Fla. — The man accused of shooting at Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Mount Dora Police officers in 2022 when he was just 18 years old, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his Lake County crimes, according to court records, but his legal troubles are far from over. Jonny Ze Guiseppe Santiago, now 22, pleaded no contest last week to two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding and discharging a firearm from a vehicle after
Umatilla honors historic undefeated Bulldogs with monument dedication
UMATILLA, Fla. — It was 70 years in the making. Umatilla High School’s Bulldog football team was honored Wednesday with a monument dedication ceremony marking its undefeated 2025 season — the school’s first undefeated season in 70 years. The monument, purchased by the City of Umatilla, was manufactured by Set in Stone Monuments, owned by UHS alumnus Colton Hartog. Hartog was on hand for the dedication, along with Umatilla Vice Mayor Zack Durbin, UHS Head Football Coach Eric Samuels, UHS Principal Brent Frazier, the UHS Marching Band, UHS Cheerleaders and the UHS Bulldog football team. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents
Dad sentenced to 12 years in 2022 crash that killed two sons, injured third
TAVARES, Fla. — The man who was drunk and behind the wheel when he killed his two sons on Easter Eve 2022 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. David Shawn Pelfrey, 25, of Fruitland Park, was picked up on a warrant in February 2024, nearly two years after the crash that killed his sons, Damian, 4, and Dominic, 2, and seriously injured their brother, Daylen, 1. Pelfrey was charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license causing death; he was scheduled to stand trial May 11 and pleaded no contest
News Briefs
Tavares Splash Park closed for maintenance
TAVARES, Florida—The Tavares Splash Park is temporarily closed for maintenance until further notice, the city announced Tuesday. A reopening date has not been set and will be announced when available. Residents can sign up for Splash Park notifications here.
See ya later, alligator! Mount Dora police relocate front porch guest Sunday
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — You never really know what you’re going to find when you look out the front door in Florida. Mount Dora Police Department Bravo shift officers responded Sunday after a large alligator decided to make itself at home on a resident’s porch. Officers safely secured and relocated the gator.
Lake County Schools district phones out of service Wednesday for emergency maintenance
TAVARES, Fla.— The telephone network provider for Lake County Schools will be performing emergency maintenance to all Lake County school and office phone circuits on Wednesday and possibly continuing through Thursday. Schools and district offices will not be able to send or receive external calls on landlines during this time. Each location will be assigned a temporary cell phone, and principals will contact parents with the temporary phone number for their child’s school. The temporary number for the district office will be 352-630-5020, effective Wednesday. The district’s Communications team will notify all parents once landline phones are fully functional again.
Tickets on sale for Taste of Lady Lake Speakeasy
LADY LAKE, Fla. — The Town of Lady Lake will host a new event, the Taste of Lady Lake Speakeasy, part of a weeklong celebration marking the town’s 100th anniversary. It’s scheduled for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Lady Lake Library. Guests 21-and-over will enjoy samples from local restaurants and caterers, a cash bar, and live music by Sofia and The Speak EZ Band. Tickets are $20 in advance and are on sale through Nov. 5. Four VIP sit-down tables are available at $180 per table, tables seat six people. The 1920s themed evening celebrates Lady Lake’s century-long
Eustis police to host National Night Out Tuesday in Ferran Park
EUSTIS, Fla.— Eustis Police Department, along with Eustis Fire Department, Tavares Police Department, Mount Dora Police Department, Umatilla Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are scheduled to participate in National Night Out beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday in downtown Eustis. The event, a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen community partnerships and promote positive relationships between residents, businesses, and law enforcement will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., at Ferran Park, 250 Ferran Park Drive, Eustis, EPD Cpl. William Starling said. The event will feature a variety of specialized units and equipment from participating agencies, including the Crisis
Lake-Sumter State College names 2025 Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame honorees
LEESBURG, Fla.— Lake-Sumter State College and the LSSC Foundation are proud to announce the 2025 Honorees for the Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Awards. “Pursuing higher education, earning a degree, and achieving success is the core of the mission of Lake-Sumter State College,” said Dr. Laura Byrd, executive vice president, LSSC, and executive director, LSSC Foundation. “We are proud to celebrate the successes and impact of our alumni, faculty, staff, and partners, who showcase how this great institution is transforming lives and futures throughout our community.” DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI HONOREES Scholar Award – Reanna Lynn Boardway ‘08 Boardway is the
Around The County
Murder suspect returned to Lake County more than a year after woman’s death
TAVARES, Fla. — The man accused of killing his sister-in-law last year is back in Lake County and in the custody of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Shahidul Islam, 43, was extradited from federal custody to Lake County Sunday, LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. He is being held on no bond in the Lake County Jail. LCSO detectives obtained an arrest warrant more than a year ago after Monica Islam, 44, was found murdered in unincorporated Mount Dora after being reported missing from Eustis. She was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road on May 2,
LCSO executes narcotics search warrant at Tavares home
TAVARES, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics-related search warrant Tuesday morning at a residence in Tavares. The warrant was executed at a home in the 100 block of Bloxham Avenue, according to LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon. Few details were immediately available Tuesday. Vachon confirmed the operation was a narcotics search warrant but no additional information was released.
Eagle One helps track Clermont man to Eustis after fleeing traffic stop
EUSTIS, Fla. — A Clermont man with multiple outstanding warrants out of Georgia was arrested Monday night after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and traveling through several Lake County communities before hitting stop sticks in Eustis, according to an arrest affidavit. Brandon Stuart Brown, 32, is facing charges of fleeing to elude, attaching tag not assigned, driving while license suspended, canceled or revoked as a habitual offender and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. Around 10 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Office corporal observed a dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe traveling north on U.S. Highway 27 near State Road 19 with no
Murder suspect returned to Lake County more than a year after woman’s death
TAVARES, Fla. — The man accused of killing his sister-in-law last year is back in Lake County and in the custody of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Shahidul Islam, 43, was extradited from federal custody to Lake County Sunday, LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon said. He is being held on no bond in the Lake County Jail. LCSO detectives obtained an arrest warrant more than a year ago after Monica Islam, 44, was found murdered in unincorporated Mount Dora after being reported missing from Eustis. She was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road on May 2,
LCSO executes narcotics search warrant at Tavares home
TAVARES, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotics-related search warrant Tuesday morning at a residence in Tavares. The warrant was executed at a home in the 100 block of Bloxham Avenue, according to LCSO Sgt. Jim Vachon. Few details were immediately available Tuesday. Vachon confirmed the operation was a narcotics search warrant but no additional information was released.
Eagle One helps track Clermont man to Eustis after fleeing traffic stop
EUSTIS, Fla. — A Clermont man with multiple outstanding warrants out of Georgia was arrested Monday night after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and traveling through several Lake County communities before hitting stop sticks in Eustis, according to an arrest affidavit. Brandon Stuart Brown, 32, is facing charges of fleeing to elude, attaching tag not assigned, driving while license suspended, canceled or revoked as a habitual offender and operating an unregistered motor vehicle. Around 10 p.m., a Lake County Sheriff’s Office corporal observed a dark-colored Chevrolet Tahoe traveling north on U.S. Highway 27 near State Road 19 with no
Man sentenced to 25 years for shooting at deputies, officers in Mount Dora; murder case still pending
Editor’s note: The video below contains graphic images and language. Viewer discretion is advised. TAVARES, Fla. — The man accused of shooting at Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Mount Dora Police officers in 2022 when he was just 18 years old, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his Lake County crimes, according to court records, but his legal troubles are far from over. Jonny Ze Guiseppe Santiago, now 22, pleaded no contest last week to two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding and discharging a firearm from a vehicle after
Umatilla honors historic undefeated Bulldogs with monument dedication
UMATILLA, Fla. — It was 70 years in the making. Umatilla High School’s Bulldog football team was honored Wednesday with a monument dedication ceremony marking its undefeated 2025 season — the school’s first undefeated season in 70 years. The monument, purchased by the City of Umatilla, was manufactured by Set in Stone Monuments, owned by UHS alumnus Colton Hartog. Hartog was on hand for the dedication, along with Umatilla Vice Mayor Zack Durbin, UHS Head Football Coach Eric Samuels, UHS Principal Brent Frazier, the UHS Marching Band, UHS Cheerleaders and the UHS Bulldog football team. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents
Dad sentenced to 12 years in 2022 crash that killed two sons, injured third
TAVARES, Fla. — The man who was drunk and behind the wheel when he killed his two sons on Easter Eve 2022 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. David Shawn Pelfrey, 25, of Fruitland Park, was picked up on a warrant in February 2024, nearly two years after the crash that killed his sons, Damian, 4, and Dominic, 2, and seriously injured their brother, Daylen, 1. Pelfrey was charged with DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle without a driver’s license causing death; he was scheduled to stand trial May 11 and pleaded no contest