Leesburg police identify man found shot multiple times
LEESBURG, Fla.— Leesburg Police Department has released the identity of the man found shot multiple times Wednesday. LPD responded to Parkside Apartments, 706 West Dixie Avenue, on a report of a man shot multiple times, just after 1 a.m., and found Jody L. Ross outside on the ground with “several” gunshot wounds. Ross was transported to UF Health Leesburg Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, LPD Lt. Shannon Walsh said. LPD detectives are continuing the investigate the shooting, Walsh said. If you have information, call LPD detectives at 352-728-9862 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may
Man found shot multiple times; Leesburg police investigating
LEESBURG, Fla.— A man has died after being shot multiple times, Leesburg Police Department said Wednesday. Just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, LPD responded to Parkside Apartments, 706 West Dixie Avenue on a report of a man shot multiple times, LPD Lt. Shannon Walsh said. Officers arrived and found a 37-year-old white male outside on the ground with “several” gunshot wounds. He was transported to UF Health Leesburg Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, Walsh said. The man’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Walsh said detectives are interviewing residents and potential witnesses. If you have
Lady Lake man struck and killed on Rolling Acres Road
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A pedestrian walking on Rolling Acres Road was killed Monday after being struck by a vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 25-year-old Lady Lake man was walking south near Abeble Road shortly before 12:45 p.m. when he was hit by a 2008 Ford Edge being driven southbound by an 18-year-old Lady Lake woman, FHP said. The impact caused the man to collide with a fence, and he was pronounced deceased on the scene. The woman was not injured.
Steamroller overturns, kills Ocala man near Clermont, FHP says
CLERMONT, Fla. — A man was killed after a construction steamroller overturned and struck him, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 35-year-old Ocala man was operating the steamroller on private property near County Road 455, west of Hancock Road, around 11:30 a.m. Monday, FHP said. He was attempting to drive the steamroller up an embankment when it overturned. He was struck during the rollover and suffered fatal injuries, FHP said. The incident remains under investigation.
Pair charged in deadly Leesburg park shooting
LEESBURG, Fla.— The two persons of interest in the murder of a Grand Island teen have been formally charged, according to Leesburg Police Department. D’Yuntre Wright has been charged with second degree murder and James Fenderson IV has been charged with principle to murder in the third degree and unlawful possession of a firearm by a delinquent, in the death of Juan Gomez Jr., LPD Lt. Shannon Walsh said. Gomez Jr., 18, of Grand Island, was found dead shortly before 1 p.m. Dec. 14, 2025 in a vehicle at Berry Park, 2121 Johns Avenue, after LPD responded to a report
Five years after Melissa Nease’s murder, her family is still waiting for justice
TAVARES, Fla. — Five years ago, Feb. 28, 2021, was just another Sunday as Amy Harris went about her day — until a phone call changed everything. On the other end was her sister Melissa Nease’s best friend, Abby Henderson, telling her something had happened. Harris couldn’t get answers, so she started driving. She knew it was bad, but she didn’t know she was driving toward something she would spend the next five years trying to understand. As she pulled up to her sister’s home in Ocklawaha on that warm February afternoon, she saw the blue lights. The law enforcement
News Briefs
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
Leesburg Blue Foundation Blue Runway 5K scheduled for Saturday night
LEESBURG, Fla.—The Leesburg Blue Foundation is gearing up for its one-of-a-kind Blue Runway 5K scheduled for Saturday night at Leesburg International Airport. Participants can walk, jog or run on the airport’s runways while supporting the nonprofit organization that provides resources to support Leesburg Police Department. The race begins at 7 p.m., and all proceeds will benefit the Leesburg Blue Foundation, which is an independent nonprofit organization that provides resources to support Leesburg Police Department, LPD Lt. Shannon Walsh said last year. “The organization aims to help innovate and improve the quality of its services; build bridges with the community; and
Fruitland Park Centennial Celebration continues Friday
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla.—Fruitland Park will continue its Centennial Celebration Friday with food, fun, giveaways and a drone show. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 810 West Berckman Street, the event will include free laser tag, food trucks, vendors, games, a DJ, and a drone show. Parking will be available at nearby churches, and a free golf cart shuttle will be provided for drop-offs and pickups from the event. A waiver is required to participate in laser tag and can be completed prior to the event by visiting: laser tag waiver. For more information, call Fruitland Park Parks and
Around The County
Leesburg police identify man found shot multiple times
LEESBURG, Fla.— Leesburg Police Department has released the identity of the man found shot multiple times Wednesday. LPD responded to Parkside Apartments, 706 West Dixie Avenue, on a report of a man shot multiple times, just after 1 a.m., and found Jody L. Ross outside on the ground with “several” gunshot wounds. Ross was transported to UF Health Leesburg Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, LPD Lt. Shannon Walsh said. LPD detectives are continuing the investigate the shooting, Walsh said. If you have information, call LPD detectives at 352-728-9862 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. Crimeline callers can remain anonymous and may
Man found shot multiple times; Leesburg police investigating
LEESBURG, Fla.— A man has died after being shot multiple times, Leesburg Police Department said Wednesday. Just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, LPD responded to Parkside Apartments, 706 West Dixie Avenue on a report of a man shot multiple times, LPD Lt. Shannon Walsh said. Officers arrived and found a 37-year-old white male outside on the ground with “several” gunshot wounds. He was transported to UF Health Leesburg Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased, Walsh said. The man’s name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Walsh said detectives are interviewing residents and potential witnesses. If you have
Lady Lake man struck and killed on Rolling Acres Road
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A pedestrian walking on Rolling Acres Road was killed Monday after being struck by a vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 25-year-old Lady Lake man was walking south near Abeble Road shortly before 12:45 p.m. when he was hit by a 2008 Ford Edge being driven southbound by an 18-year-old Lady Lake woman, FHP said. The impact caused the man to collide with a fence, and he was pronounced deceased on the scene. The woman was not injured.