4th arrest made in pair of Eustis shootings, more charges filed against adult suspects
EUSTIS, Fla. — A fourth arrest has been made in a pair of Eustis shootings last week and additional charges have been filed against the adult suspects, according to Eustis police. Von’tayvian Silas-Edwards, 15, was arrested late Tuesday afternoon and charged with principal to shooting into an occupied dwelling. His arrest follows the Friday arrests of Elijah Hood, 18, on a charge of principal to shooting into an occupied dwelling, and Malachi Aiden Hughes, 15, and Jordan Larry Hayes, 18, on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling stemming from the shootings at
Lady Lake police seek information on vehicle involved in fatal crash
LADY LAKE, Fla. — Lady Lake police are asking for the public’s help following a fatal pedestrian crash early Tuesday. Shortly before 3:30 a.m., the driver of a gray 2023 Toyota Tacoma was traveling on U.S. Highway 27 near Hartsock Mill Road when she saw a man wearing dark clothing and standing in the middle southbound lane, according to Town of Lady Lake Communications Director Elisha Pappacoda. There are no streetlights in the area, Pappacoda said. The driver attempted to avoid the man but was unable to and struck him. She stopped and called for help while her passenger checked
Collision with guardrail and trees kills Lady Lake man, seriously injures woman
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A Lady Lake man was killed Sunday evening and his passenger was seriously injured when their SUV struck a guardrail and several trees, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred on Griffin Avenue near Grays Airport Road. FHP said an 81-year-old Lady Lake man was driving a 2026 Subaru Forester eastbound on Griffin Avenue, shortly before 7 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a right-hand curve, The SUV left the roadway and collided with a guardrail before striking several trees, according to FHP The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a
Man dead, 3 seriously injured in fiery wrong-way crash near Clermont
. CLERMONT, Fla. — A wrong-way driver was killed and three other men were seriously injured in a fiery head-on crash Sunday morning near Clermont, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at 6:20 a.m. on State Road 33 near Bakers Lane in unincorporated Clermont. FHP said a 24-year-old Orlando man was driving a 2026 Toyota Camry northbound in the southbound lane of State Road 33 when he collided head-on with a 2016 Dodge Journey. The impact caused the Dodge to catch fire, according to FHP. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene. His
Fatal crash shuts down SR 33 near Clermont
CLERMONT, Fla. — A fatal crash has shut down State Road 33 in unincorporated Clermont, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. near Bakers Lane. At least one person was killed. State Road 33 is closed in both directions between Laws Road and Ott Williams Road as troopers investigate. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. This is a developing story.
Teen dispute at Carver Park led to pair of Eustis shootings Thursday night, police say
EUSTIS, Fla. — A dispute between two groups of teenagers at Carver Park escalated into two shootings less than two hours apart Thursday night, resulting in the arrests of two suspects and more charges are expected, according to Eustis police. Malachi Aiden Hughes, 15, and Jordan Larry Hayes, 18, were arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling following shootings at 701 E. Hazzard Ave. and 1502 E. Lakeview Ave. No one was injured in either shooting. According to arrest affidavits, witnesses told investigators the conflict began earlier Thursday at Carver Park,
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
4th arrest made in pair of Eustis shootings, more charges filed against adult suspects
EUSTIS, Fla. — A fourth arrest has been made in a pair of Eustis shootings last week and additional charges have been filed against the adult suspects, according to Eustis police. Von’tayvian Silas-Edwards, 15, was arrested late Tuesday afternoon and charged with principal to shooting into an occupied dwelling. His arrest follows the Friday arrests of Elijah Hood, 18, on a charge of principal to shooting into an occupied dwelling, and Malachi Aiden Hughes, 15, and Jordan Larry Hayes, 18, on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling stemming from the shootings at
Lady Lake police seek information on vehicle involved in fatal crash
LADY LAKE, Fla. — Lady Lake police are asking for the public’s help following a fatal pedestrian crash early Tuesday. Shortly before 3:30 a.m., the driver of a gray 2023 Toyota Tacoma was traveling on U.S. Highway 27 near Hartsock Mill Road when she saw a man wearing dark clothing and standing in the middle southbound lane, according to Town of Lady Lake Communications Director Elisha Pappacoda. There are no streetlights in the area, Pappacoda said. The driver attempted to avoid the man but was unable to and struck him. She stopped and called for help while her passenger checked
Collision with guardrail and trees kills Lady Lake man, seriously injures woman
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A Lady Lake man was killed Sunday evening and his passenger was seriously injured when their SUV struck a guardrail and several trees, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred on Griffin Avenue near Grays Airport Road. FHP said an 81-year-old Lady Lake man was driving a 2026 Subaru Forester eastbound on Griffin Avenue, shortly before 7 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a right-hand curve, The SUV left the roadway and collided with a guardrail before striking several trees, according to FHP The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a
4th arrest made in pair of Eustis shootings, more charges filed against adult suspects
EUSTIS, Fla. — A fourth arrest has been made in a pair of Eustis shootings last week and additional charges have been filed against the adult suspects, according to Eustis police. Von’tayvian Silas-Edwards, 15, was arrested late Tuesday afternoon and charged with principal to shooting into an occupied dwelling. His arrest follows the Friday arrests of Elijah Hood, 18, on a charge of principal to shooting into an occupied dwelling, and Malachi Aiden Hughes, 15, and Jordan Larry Hayes, 18, on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling stemming from the shootings at
Lady Lake police seek information on vehicle involved in fatal crash
LADY LAKE, Fla. — Lady Lake police are asking for the public’s help following a fatal pedestrian crash early Tuesday. Shortly before 3:30 a.m., the driver of a gray 2023 Toyota Tacoma was traveling on U.S. Highway 27 near Hartsock Mill Road when she saw a man wearing dark clothing and standing in the middle southbound lane, according to Town of Lady Lake Communications Director Elisha Pappacoda. There are no streetlights in the area, Pappacoda said. The driver attempted to avoid the man but was unable to and struck him. She stopped and called for help while her passenger checked
Collision with guardrail and trees kills Lady Lake man, seriously injures woman
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A Lady Lake man was killed Sunday evening and his passenger was seriously injured when their SUV struck a guardrail and several trees, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred on Griffin Avenue near Grays Airport Road. FHP said an 81-year-old Lady Lake man was driving a 2026 Subaru Forester eastbound on Griffin Avenue, shortly before 7 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a right-hand curve, The SUV left the roadway and collided with a guardrail before striking several trees, according to FHP The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger, a
Man dead, 3 seriously injured in fiery wrong-way crash near Clermont
. CLERMONT, Fla. — A wrong-way driver was killed and three other men were seriously injured in a fiery head-on crash Sunday morning near Clermont, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at 6:20 a.m. on State Road 33 near Bakers Lane in unincorporated Clermont. FHP said a 24-year-old Orlando man was driving a 2026 Toyota Camry northbound in the southbound lane of State Road 33 when he collided head-on with a 2016 Dodge Journey. The impact caused the Dodge to catch fire, according to FHP. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the scene. His
Fatal crash shuts down SR 33 near Clermont
CLERMONT, Fla. — A fatal crash has shut down State Road 33 in unincorporated Clermont, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 6:30 a.m. near Bakers Lane. At least one person was killed. State Road 33 is closed in both directions between Laws Road and Ott Williams Road as troopers investigate. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. This is a developing story.
Teen dispute at Carver Park led to pair of Eustis shootings Thursday night, police say
EUSTIS, Fla. — A dispute between two groups of teenagers at Carver Park escalated into two shootings less than two hours apart Thursday night, resulting in the arrests of two suspects and more charges are expected, according to Eustis police. Malachi Aiden Hughes, 15, and Jordan Larry Hayes, 18, were arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied dwelling following shootings at 701 E. Hazzard Ave. and 1502 E. Lakeview Ave. No one was injured in either shooting. According to arrest affidavits, witnesses told investigators the conflict began earlier Thursday at Carver Park,