Tavares man killed in Orange County rollover crash
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Tavares man was killed Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash in Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just after 5:30 p.m., the 33-year-old man was driving a 1999 Ford F-350 westbound on Jones Avenue approaching Dirt Drive when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of the truck and ran off the road, FHP said. The truck overturned and landed on its roof. The man was transported to AdventHealth Apopka, where he was pronounced deceased. The crash remains under investigation.
Wanted home invasion robbery suspect taken into custody in Clermont
CLERMONT, Fla. — A man wanted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was taken into custody Thursday afternoon with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team. Agents with the FDLE Task Force located Malikai Gaskins, who was wanted on an FDLE warrant for armed home invasion robbery, at an apartment at 760 South Grand Highway in Clermont around 3:30 p.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. According to Earley, Gaskins barricaded himself inside the apartment. Agents with the FDLE Task Force and detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau
Missing person investigation ends with victim, suspect dead near Mount Dora
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A missing person report Wednesday led Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the discovery of two deceased people, including the missing person and a neighboring resident identified as the suspect, according to the sheriff’s office. Around 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a residence in the area of Bay Road in unincorporated Mount Dora after receiving a report of a missing person, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley said. When deputies arrived, they discovered a bullet hole in the passenger-side window of the victim’s vehicle and blood inside. While searching the vehicle, deputies found the victim deceased
Amazon delivery driver dies after being found unresponsive near Fruitland Park
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — An Amazon delivery driver who was found unresponsive inside a delivery vehicle Monday evening near Fruitland Park has died, but investigators say the cause of death remains unclear. Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the area of Clark Road in unincorporated Fruitland Park after receiving a report of an Amazon delivery vehicle running while stationary for an extended period of time, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. When deputies arrived, they found the female driver unresponsive inside the vehicle. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was later
Gas leak prompts evacuations, road closures in Eustis
EUSTIS, Fla. — Eustis Fire Department is responding to a gas leak late Tuesday morning in the area of Key Avenue and South Grove Street that has prompted evacuations and road closures. Residents in the area have been evacuated, according to the fire department. The following roads are closed: South Center Street from Lemon Avenue to Fernshaw Avenue Key Avenue from South Grove Street to South Mary Street EFD said updates will be provided as they become available.
Amazon driver found unresponsive near Fruitland Park
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after an Amazon driver was found unresponsive inside a delivery vehicle Monday evening near Fruitland Park. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Clark Road in unincorporated Fruitland Park after receiving a report of an Amazon delivery vehicle running while stationary for an extended period of time, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. When deputies arrived, they found the driver unresponsive inside the vehicle. The driver was transported to a local hospital, Earley said. The driver’s name has not been released. Lake
News Briefs
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
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.
Around The County
Tavares man killed in Orange County rollover crash
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Tavares man was killed Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash in Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just after 5:30 p.m., the 33-year-old man was driving a 1999 Ford F-350 westbound on Jones Avenue approaching Dirt Drive when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of the truck and ran off the road, FHP said. The truck overturned and landed on its roof. The man was transported to AdventHealth Apopka, where he was pronounced deceased. The crash remains under investigation.
Wanted home invasion robbery suspect taken into custody in Clermont
CLERMONT, Fla. — A man wanted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was taken into custody Thursday afternoon with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team. Agents with the FDLE Task Force located Malikai Gaskins, who was wanted on an FDLE warrant for armed home invasion robbery, at an apartment at 760 South Grand Highway in Clermont around 3:30 p.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. According to Earley, Gaskins barricaded himself inside the apartment. Agents with the FDLE Task Force and detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau
Missing person investigation ends with victim, suspect dead near Mount Dora
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A missing person report Wednesday led Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the discovery of two deceased people, including the missing person and a neighboring resident identified as the suspect, according to the sheriff’s office. Around 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a residence in the area of Bay Road in unincorporated Mount Dora after receiving a report of a missing person, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley said. When deputies arrived, they discovered a bullet hole in the passenger-side window of the victim’s vehicle and blood inside. While searching the vehicle, deputies found the victim deceased
Tavares man killed in Orange County rollover crash
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Tavares man was killed Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash in Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just after 5:30 p.m., the 33-year-old man was driving a 1999 Ford F-350 westbound on Jones Avenue approaching Dirt Drive when, for unknown reasons, he lost control of the truck and ran off the road, FHP said. The truck overturned and landed on its roof. The man was transported to AdventHealth Apopka, where he was pronounced deceased. The crash remains under investigation.
Wanted home invasion robbery suspect taken into custody in Clermont
CLERMONT, Fla. — A man wanted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was taken into custody Thursday afternoon with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team. Agents with the FDLE Task Force located Malikai Gaskins, who was wanted on an FDLE warrant for armed home invasion robbery, at an apartment at 760 South Grand Highway in Clermont around 3:30 p.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. According to Earley, Gaskins barricaded himself inside the apartment. Agents with the FDLE Task Force and detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau
Missing person investigation ends with victim, suspect dead near Mount Dora
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A missing person report Wednesday led Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies to the discovery of two deceased people, including the missing person and a neighboring resident identified as the suspect, according to the sheriff’s office. Around 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a residence in the area of Bay Road in unincorporated Mount Dora after receiving a report of a missing person, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley said. When deputies arrived, they discovered a bullet hole in the passenger-side window of the victim’s vehicle and blood inside. While searching the vehicle, deputies found the victim deceased
Amazon delivery driver dies after being found unresponsive near Fruitland Park
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — An Amazon delivery driver who was found unresponsive inside a delivery vehicle Monday evening near Fruitland Park has died, but investigators say the cause of death remains unclear. Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the area of Clark Road in unincorporated Fruitland Park after receiving a report of an Amazon delivery vehicle running while stationary for an extended period of time, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. When deputies arrived, they found the female driver unresponsive inside the vehicle. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was later
Gas leak prompts evacuations, road closures in Eustis
EUSTIS, Fla. — Eustis Fire Department is responding to a gas leak late Tuesday morning in the area of Key Avenue and South Grove Street that has prompted evacuations and road closures. Residents in the area have been evacuated, according to the fire department. The following roads are closed: South Center Street from Lemon Avenue to Fernshaw Avenue Key Avenue from South Grove Street to South Mary Street EFD said updates will be provided as they become available.
Amazon driver found unresponsive near Fruitland Park
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after an Amazon driver was found unresponsive inside a delivery vehicle Monday evening near Fruitland Park. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Clark Road in unincorporated Fruitland Park after receiving a report of an Amazon delivery vehicle running while stationary for an extended period of time, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley told Inside Lake. When deputies arrived, they found the driver unresponsive inside the vehicle. The driver was transported to a local hospital, Earley said. The driver’s name has not been released. Lake