LCSO SWAT responds after man accused of firing rifle at brother near Groveland
9:20 p.m. update: The suspect was taken into custody without incident. GROVELAND, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to a home near Groveland Tuesday after a man allegedly fired multiple rounds toward his brother during an argument. Deputies responded to 7023 State Road 33 around 12:15 p.m. and learned the brothers had argued over an allegation of theft, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley The victim threw a ceramic bowl toward his brother as the argument escalated. The suspect then returned to his residence, retrieved a rifle and fired multiple rounds toward the
Pedestrian killed, motorcyclist seriously injured in SR 429 crash
SORRENTO, Fla. — A pedestrian was killed and a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash on State Road 429 early Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 41-year-old Winter Garden man was riding a 2020 Harley-Davidson southbound in the outside lane near mile marker 42 shortly just after 12:45 a.m. when he struck a pedestrian in the roadway, FHP said. The pedestrian, a 26-year-old Carrollton, Georgia woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Vickie Williams sentenced to life for murders of retired Mount Dora couple
TAVARES, Fla. — Vickie Lynn Williams was sentenced to life in prison Friday for the stabbing deaths of retired Mount Dora couple Darryl and Sharon Getman after a jury recommended life rather than the death penalty. Williams, 53, was convicted earlier this week of two counts of first-degree murder. The jury deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts. Following the penalty phase, the jury recommended a life sentence and Lake Circuit Judge Cary F. Rada sentenced Williams to life in the Florida Department of Corrections. The State Attorney’s Office had sought the death penalty. “Darryl and Sharon
Jury finds woman guilty in slaying of elderly Mount Dora couple; death penalty proceedings begin Thursday
TAVARES, Fla. — A Lake County jury needed only about 30 minutes Tuesday to find Vickie Lynn Williams guilty of murdering an elderly Mount Dora couple inside their Waterman Village home nearly four years ago. Williams, 53, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of Darryl Getman, 83, and Sharon Getman, 80. The State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty. Proceedings will resume Thursday for the jury to consider whether Williams should be sentenced to death. “This verdict brings accountability for the brutal deaths of Darryl and Sharon Getman,” State Attorney Bill Gladson said.
Woman sentenced to life in prison in Leesburg fentanyl death
TAVARES, Fla. — A Umatilla woman was sentenced to life in prison last week for selling fentanyl that killed a Leesburg man in June 2021. Eleven days after his death, the woman’s 2-year-old daughter also died from fentanyl toxicity. A Lake County jury found Jalynn Nichole Davis, 41, guilty Thursday of death caused by the unlawful distribution of fentanyl. She was sentenced the same day to life in state prison with credit for 1,892 days served, court records show. The case stemmed from the June 2, 2021, death of Wesley Brown. Brown bought $20 worth of what he believed was
Lake County Jail inmate accused of offering $5,000 to have witness killed
TAVARES, Fla. — A Clermont man jailed on an aggravated assault charge is accused of offering another inmate $5,000 to kill a witness in the case that led to his incarceration, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
News Briefs
Businesses remain open during Eudora Road roundabout construction; intersection closure planned for February
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Businesses near Old U.S. Highway 441 and Eudora Road remain open and accessible as Lake County continues work on a new roundabout and other transportation improvements. The county has installed five signs reminding drivers that businesses in the construction area are open. The project includes a roundabout at Eudora Road and Old U.S. Highway 441, drainage improvements and a smaller roundabout on Bay Road to accommodate a detour. Nearly 100 crashes have been reported in the project area since 2015, according to Lake County. The county has also received complaints about serious flooding and drainage problems.
Florida to begin issuing redesigned driver licenses Wednesday
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida will begin issuing newly designed driver licenses and identification cards at service centers statewide Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Residents are not required to replace their current licenses or identification cards. Existing credentials will remain valid until they expire. The new design features Castillo de San Marcos, a Florida orange, a manatee and an alligator incorporated into the REAL ID star. The back features Space Shuttle Discovery and the motto “Let Us Alone,” which appeared on Florida’s first unofficial state flag. The cards also include an image of the
LSSC announces 2026 Distinguished Alumni, Hall of Fame honorees
Lake-Sumter State College has announced the recipients of its 2026 Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame awards. The recipients will be honored Oct. 8 during the Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Celebration. The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are: James “Jimmy” Conner, ’74 — Community Engagement Award Chief Henry Rains, ’25 and ’26 — Valor Award Jessica Noblin, ’05 — Scholar Award Andrew Brinkley, ’18 and ’20 — Graduate of the Last Decade Award Rodney Drawdy, ’84 — Professional Achievement Award The Hall of Fame recipients are: Jessica Terrell — Faculty Award Christopher McGuire — Staff Award Fay Paquette, ’93
Lady Lake library to host cybersecurity Q&A Oct. 15
LADY LAKE, Fla. — Residents can get answers to their online safety questions during a free cybersecurity program at the Lady Lake Library next month. “Cybersecurity Unlocked: Ask Our Expert Anything” is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 15 at the library, 225 W. Guava St. Howard Davis, the Town of Lady Lake’s cybersecurity expert, will answer questions about online scams, suspicious emails and text messages, password security, smartphones, social media, online banking and shopping, and safe internet browsing. The event is part of the town’s cybersecurity awareness series and coincides with Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The program is open to all
25 years later, Lake County to honor lives lost in Sept. 11 attacks
TAVARES, Fla. — Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Lake County will hold a remembrance ceremony Friday morning to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. in the rotunda of the Lake County Administration Building, 315 W. Main St. in Tavares. Mount Dora High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets will perform a Table of Honor, a solemn tribute to those who are no longer with us. Lake County Teen Court participants will also take part in the observance by reading the names of victims of the Sept.
Mount Dora High to recognize partners behind $6 million stadium renovation
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Community partners who helped make a $6 million renovation of Mount Dora High School’s football stadium possible will be recognized Friday during the Hurricanes’ game against rival Eustis High School. The newly renovated W.T. Bland Jr. Stadium at Mount Dora Community Trust Field, 700 N. Highland St., was officially unveiled during a ribbon-cutting last week attended by school district leaders and community partners. “This renovation was a massive undertaking, and honestly, it wouldn’t have happened without the hard work of so many people,” Mount Dora High School Principal Kyle Bracewell said. Those who contributed to the
Around The County
LCSO SWAT responds after man accused of firing rifle at brother near Groveland
9:20 p.m. update: The suspect was taken into custody without incident. GROVELAND, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to a home near Groveland Tuesday after a man allegedly fired multiple rounds toward his brother during an argument. Deputies responded to 7023 State Road 33 around 12:15 p.m. and learned the brothers had argued over an allegation of theft, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley The victim threw a ceramic bowl toward his brother as the argument escalated. The suspect then returned to his residence, retrieved a rifle and fired multiple rounds toward the
Pedestrian killed, motorcyclist seriously injured in SR 429 crash
SORRENTO, Fla. — A pedestrian was killed and a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash on State Road 429 early Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 41-year-old Winter Garden man was riding a 2020 Harley-Davidson southbound in the outside lane near mile marker 42 shortly just after 12:45 a.m. when he struck a pedestrian in the roadway, FHP said. The pedestrian, a 26-year-old Carrollton, Georgia woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Vickie Williams sentenced to life for murders of retired Mount Dora couple
TAVARES, Fla. — Vickie Lynn Williams was sentenced to life in prison Friday for the stabbing deaths of retired Mount Dora couple Darryl and Sharon Getman after a jury recommended life rather than the death penalty. Williams, 53, was convicted earlier this week of two counts of first-degree murder. The jury deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts. Following the penalty phase, the jury recommended a life sentence and Lake Circuit Judge Cary F. Rada sentenced Williams to life in the Florida Department of Corrections. The State Attorney’s Office had sought the death penalty. “Darryl and Sharon
LCSO SWAT responds after man accused of firing rifle at brother near Groveland
9:20 p.m. update: The suspect was taken into custody without incident. GROVELAND, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to a home near Groveland Tuesday after a man allegedly fired multiple rounds toward his brother during an argument. Deputies responded to 7023 State Road 33 around 12:15 p.m. and learned the brothers had argued over an allegation of theft, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley The victim threw a ceramic bowl toward his brother as the argument escalated. The suspect then returned to his residence, retrieved a rifle and fired multiple rounds toward the
Pedestrian killed, motorcyclist seriously injured in SR 429 crash
SORRENTO, Fla. — A pedestrian was killed and a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash on State Road 429 early Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 41-year-old Winter Garden man was riding a 2020 Harley-Davidson southbound in the outside lane near mile marker 42 shortly just after 12:45 a.m. when he struck a pedestrian in the roadway, FHP said. The pedestrian, a 26-year-old Carrollton, Georgia woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Vickie Williams sentenced to life for murders of retired Mount Dora couple
TAVARES, Fla. — Vickie Lynn Williams was sentenced to life in prison Friday for the stabbing deaths of retired Mount Dora couple Darryl and Sharon Getman after a jury recommended life rather than the death penalty. Williams, 53, was convicted earlier this week of two counts of first-degree murder. The jury deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts. Following the penalty phase, the jury recommended a life sentence and Lake Circuit Judge Cary F. Rada sentenced Williams to life in the Florida Department of Corrections. The State Attorney’s Office had sought the death penalty. “Darryl and Sharon
Jury finds woman guilty in slaying of elderly Mount Dora couple; death penalty proceedings begin Thursday
TAVARES, Fla. — A Lake County jury needed only about 30 minutes Tuesday to find Vickie Lynn Williams guilty of murdering an elderly Mount Dora couple inside their Waterman Village home nearly four years ago. Williams, 53, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of Darryl Getman, 83, and Sharon Getman, 80. The State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty. Proceedings will resume Thursday for the jury to consider whether Williams should be sentenced to death. “This verdict brings accountability for the brutal deaths of Darryl and Sharon Getman,” State Attorney Bill Gladson said.
Woman sentenced to life in prison in Leesburg fentanyl death
TAVARES, Fla. — A Umatilla woman was sentenced to life in prison last week for selling fentanyl that killed a Leesburg man in June 2021. Eleven days after his death, the woman’s 2-year-old daughter also died from fentanyl toxicity. A Lake County jury found Jalynn Nichole Davis, 41, guilty Thursday of death caused by the unlawful distribution of fentanyl. She was sentenced the same day to life in state prison with credit for 1,892 days served, court records show. The case stemmed from the June 2, 2021, death of Wesley Brown. Brown bought $20 worth of what he believed was
Lake County Jail inmate accused of offering $5,000 to have witness killed
TAVARES, Fla. — A Clermont man jailed on an aggravated assault charge is accused of offering another inmate $5,000 to kill a witness in the case that led to his incarceration, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.