Tavares K9 Bruce leads officers to meth trafficking arrest, $601K bond
TAVARES, Fla. — A traffic stop for a stop sign violation led to the arrest of a Leesburg man on trafficking and other drug charges Sunday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Joshua D. Franklin, 41, was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine over 28 grams, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop. According to the affidavit, a Tavares K9 officer stopped Franklin’s silver passenger car around shortly before 8 p.m. after seeing it fail to stop behind the stop bar at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Sinclair Avenue. Franklin denied
Mount Dora man dies after crash on U.S. Highway 441 in Tavares
TAVARES, Fla.— A Mount Dora man was killed late Thursday afternoon after attempting to cross several lanes of traffic and colliding with a truck near AdventHealth Waterman, according to Tavares Police Department. Shortly after 5:30 p.m., William Pyle, 84, of Mount Dora, was pulling onto U.S. Highway 441 from Waterman Way in a 2016 Nissan Sentra when he failed to obey a right-turn-only sign and attempted to cross the northbound lanes to turn left into the southbound lanes. The Nissan was struck by a 2018 GMC pickup truck traveling in the inside northbound lane, driven by Charles Green, 39, of
Grand jury indicts man in killing of Eustis woman; prosecutors seek death penalty
TAVARES, Fla. — A Lake County grand jury has indicted Shahidul Islam in the 2025 killing of Monica Islam, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Islam, 44, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm in Monica Islam’s May 2, 2025, death. Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the indictment alongside Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. According to the State Attorney’s Office, Islam was transferred back to Lake County after being sentenced in his most recent federal criminal case for unlawful reentry into the
Crimeline tip leads to arrest of Leesburg man accused of sexual act involving dog
LEESBURG, Fla. — A 19-year-old Leesburg man was arrested Wednesday after investigators say he recorded and posted a Snapchat video depicting a sexual act involving a dog. Isaiah Chaitram Nimnauth is facing charges of animal cruelty: sexual contact with animal and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. According to an arrest affidavit, a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective received a Crimeline tip June 24 reporting a Snapchat video allegedly showing Nimnauth engaging in a sexual act with a dog. The detective reviewed the video before identifying Nimnauth through the Snapchat account and confirming his residence through Florida driver’s license
Howey-in-the-Hills searching for new police chief after resignation
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. — The Town of Howey-in-the-Hills is searching for a new police chief after former Chief Michael Giddens resigned last month while under investigation. Giddens submitted his resignation June 3 and Town Manager Sean O’Keefe provided Inside Lake with a copy of his resignation letter. The town has posted the police chief position and is accepting applications. O’Keefe said the town’s investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. In his resignation letter, Giddens wrote that his “private life is being targeted by anonymous individuals driven by personal and political agendas,” and after 32 years in
Astor man killed in head-on crash on State Road 40
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 30-year-old Astor man was killed in a head-on crash with a truck Wednesday morning in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. on State Road 40 west of Check Station Road. Troopers said the Astor man was driving a 2004 Buick Rendezvous eastbound on State Road 40 when, for unknown reasons, the SUV traveled onto the south shoulder of the roadway. The driver then overcorrected to the left into the westbound lane and into the path of a 2017 Ford F-350 pulling a trailer. The front of the
News Briefs
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
Mount Dora to celebrate America’s 250th with Freedom on the Waterfront
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Mount Dora’s annual Freedom on the Waterfront celebration returns Friday, July 3, with live music, food vendors, family activities and a fireworks and drone show over Lake Dora as part of America’s 250th Anniversary celebration. The free event will be held from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 N. Donnelly St., Mount Dora. This year’s event will feature live performances by Tonic and opening act Cat Ridgeway, along with food vendors, local vendors, community exhibitors and a Family Fun & Kids Zone. The evening will conclude with a patriotic fireworks and drone
Lake Amateur Radio Association to host 24-hour Field Day exercise in Tavares
TAVARES, Fla. — The Lake Amateur Radio Association will host its annual Field Day event from 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27, through 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at the Lake Technical College Institute of Public Safety Range Campus, 13000 Frankies Road in Tavares. The public is invited to attend the event, which serves as amateur radio’s annual open house and emergency preparedness exercise. LARA and several local agencies will showcase mobile command and communications vehicles while amateur radio operators attempt to contact as many stations as possible during the 24-hour event. More than 40,000 amateur radio operators, commonly known as
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.
Around The County
Tavares K9 Bruce leads officers to meth trafficking arrest, $601K bond
TAVARES, Fla. — A traffic stop for a stop sign violation led to the arrest of a Leesburg man on trafficking and other drug charges Sunday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Joshua D. Franklin, 41, was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine over 28 grams, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop. According to the affidavit, a Tavares K9 officer stopped Franklin’s silver passenger car around shortly before 8 p.m. after seeing it fail to stop behind the stop bar at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Sinclair Avenue. Franklin denied
Mount Dora man dies after crash on U.S. Highway 441 in Tavares
TAVARES, Fla.— A Mount Dora man was killed late Thursday afternoon after attempting to cross several lanes of traffic and colliding with a truck near AdventHealth Waterman, according to Tavares Police Department. Shortly after 5:30 p.m., William Pyle, 84, of Mount Dora, was pulling onto U.S. Highway 441 from Waterman Way in a 2016 Nissan Sentra when he failed to obey a right-turn-only sign and attempted to cross the northbound lanes to turn left into the southbound lanes. The Nissan was struck by a 2018 GMC pickup truck traveling in the inside northbound lane, driven by Charles Green, 39, of
Grand jury indicts man in killing of Eustis woman; prosecutors seek death penalty
TAVARES, Fla. — A Lake County grand jury has indicted Shahidul Islam in the 2025 killing of Monica Islam, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Islam, 44, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm in Monica Islam’s May 2, 2025, death. Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the indictment alongside Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. According to the State Attorney’s Office, Islam was transferred back to Lake County after being sentenced in his most recent federal criminal case for unlawful reentry into the
Tavares K9 Bruce leads officers to meth trafficking arrest, $601K bond
TAVARES, Fla. — A traffic stop for a stop sign violation led to the arrest of a Leesburg man on trafficking and other drug charges Sunday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Joshua D. Franklin, 41, was arrested for trafficking methamphetamine over 28 grams, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop. According to the affidavit, a Tavares K9 officer stopped Franklin’s silver passenger car around shortly before 8 p.m. after seeing it fail to stop behind the stop bar at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Sinclair Avenue. Franklin denied
Mount Dora man dies after crash on U.S. Highway 441 in Tavares
TAVARES, Fla.— A Mount Dora man was killed late Thursday afternoon after attempting to cross several lanes of traffic and colliding with a truck near AdventHealth Waterman, according to Tavares Police Department. Shortly after 5:30 p.m., William Pyle, 84, of Mount Dora, was pulling onto U.S. Highway 441 from Waterman Way in a 2016 Nissan Sentra when he failed to obey a right-turn-only sign and attempted to cross the northbound lanes to turn left into the southbound lanes. The Nissan was struck by a 2018 GMC pickup truck traveling in the inside northbound lane, driven by Charles Green, 39, of
Grand jury indicts man in killing of Eustis woman; prosecutors seek death penalty
TAVARES, Fla. — A Lake County grand jury has indicted Shahidul Islam in the 2025 killing of Monica Islam, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Islam, 44, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm in Monica Islam’s May 2, 2025, death. Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson announced the indictment alongside Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. According to the State Attorney’s Office, Islam was transferred back to Lake County after being sentenced in his most recent federal criminal case for unlawful reentry into the
Crimeline tip leads to arrest of Leesburg man accused of sexual act involving dog
LEESBURG, Fla. — A 19-year-old Leesburg man was arrested Wednesday after investigators say he recorded and posted a Snapchat video depicting a sexual act involving a dog. Isaiah Chaitram Nimnauth is facing charges of animal cruelty: sexual contact with animal and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. According to an arrest affidavit, a Lake County Sheriff’s Office detective received a Crimeline tip June 24 reporting a Snapchat video allegedly showing Nimnauth engaging in a sexual act with a dog. The detective reviewed the video before identifying Nimnauth through the Snapchat account and confirming his residence through Florida driver’s license
Howey-in-the-Hills searching for new police chief after resignation
HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. — The Town of Howey-in-the-Hills is searching for a new police chief after former Chief Michael Giddens resigned last month while under investigation. Giddens submitted his resignation June 3 and Town Manager Sean O’Keefe provided Inside Lake with a copy of his resignation letter. The town has posted the police chief position and is accepting applications. O’Keefe said the town’s investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. In his resignation letter, Giddens wrote that his “private life is being targeted by anonymous individuals driven by personal and political agendas,” and after 32 years in
Astor man killed in head-on crash on State Road 40
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 30-year-old Astor man was killed in a head-on crash with a truck Wednesday morning in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. on State Road 40 west of Check Station Road. Troopers said the Astor man was driving a 2004 Buick Rendezvous eastbound on State Road 40 when, for unknown reasons, the SUV traveled onto the south shoulder of the roadway. The driver then overcorrected to the left into the westbound lane and into the path of a 2017 Ford F-350 pulling a trailer. The front of the