No injuries reported in mobile home fire near Mount Dora Thursday
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A mobile home was engulfed in flames Thursday morning on Melanie Lane in unincorporated Mount Dora, Lake County officials said. Lake County Fire Rescue received several calls about the fire just before 9 a.m. Crews were still assessing the scene as of the county’s 12:45 p.m. update. Tavares Fire Department, Eustis Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police Department also responded. The emergency response closed a portion of Bay Road for several hours. No one was injured in the fire.
Lake County deputy shoots burglary suspect in Minneola
MINNEOLA, Fla. — A Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot a suspected car burglar early Thursday after finding the suspect inside the car and chasing them through a yard, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called to the area of Cumberland Circle around 3:45 a.m. for a car burglary in progress. A deputy arrived and found the suspect inside the car, Deputy Stephanie Earley said. The suspect ran through the yard, and the deputy caught up after a short chase. The sheriff’s office said the deputy shot the suspect but did not say what led to the
Eustis man turns himself in, facing manslaughter charge in deadly Tavares shooting
TAVARES, Fla.—A Eustis man turned himself in Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a Leesburg man Sunday. Edwin Hypolite Francillon, 34, was taken into custody at the Lake County Jail around 10:15 a.m. on charges of manslaughter with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm, according to the Tavares Police Department. Police responded to Caroline Court Apartments, 1000 East Caroline Street around 2:20 a.m. Sunday, after a caller reported a man had been shot. Officers found De’Angelo Donta McKnight, 26, wounded and attempted lifesaving measures along with Lake County EMS and Tavares firefighters. McKnight was transported to
Eustis man arrested on accessory charges in fatal Tavares shooting
TAVARES, Fla. — An Eustis man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of De’Angelo Donta McKnight at Caroline Court apartments early Sunday. Jonathan Erickson Louis, 24, was arrested around 8:55 a.m. on two counts of accessory after the fact, according to Tavares Police Department. Louis was on felony probation, and detectives arranged through his probation officer to meet him at the state probation office on County Road 561 in Tavares. He was arrested there and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond. Much of the five-page affidavit was redacted, including
Eustis father accused of helping son evade arrest in DeLand double murder now facing ammo charge in Lake
EUSTIS, Fla. — A Eustis father previously arrested on allegations he helped his teenage son evade law enforcement after a DeLand double murder was booked into the Lake County Jail Tuesday on an ammunition charge. Daytron Winston Etkins, 41, is charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. He was released on $10,000 bond. According to a probable cause affidavit, detectives found 36 rounds of ammunition while searching his Bates Avenue home in August. A Ruger handgun box containing nine .44 Magnum rounds and three .40 Smith & Wesson rounds was found in a storage room, and a Phoenix
Eustis woman accused of choking roommate’s kitten; Pumpkin still missing
EUSTIS, Fla. — A Eustis woman was arrested on an aggravated animal cruelty charge after police said surveillance video showed her shaking a kitten off a towel and leaving the animal motionless on the ground. Candie Roseann Pryce, 29, was arrested Saturday after she returned to the residence she shared with the kitten’s owner, according to an arrest affidavit. The kitten, named Pumpkin, had not been found when the affidavit was written. Eustis Police Department responded to the residence on East Key Avenue Friday night after the facility’s manager reported that Pryce may have harmed the kitten. The manager showed
News Briefs
Mount Dora to honor veterans at Salute to Service celebration
MOUNT DORA, Fla.—Mount Dora will honor military veterans with free food, live music and a special tribute during its annual Salute to Service celebration on Veterans Day. The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Gilbert Park, 310 S. Tremain St. The Mount Dora High School Jazz Combo will perform, and the celebration will recognize veterans from all branches of the U.S. military. Salute to Service is presented by the City of Mount Dora with support from Adult Medicine of Lake County, Hillcrest Insurance Agency and WFLA NewsRadio 93.1 FM.
Eustis to honor veterans with expanded First Friday celebration, charity dash
EUSTIS, Fla.—An expanded First Friday celebration and a charity dash will bring music, family activities and a tribute to veterans to Eustis this weekend. The First Friday Salute to Veterans is scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in downtown Eustis. Road closures begin at 3 p.m. The event will feature two stages of entertainment, including the Dallas Tyler Band, Divas Musical Tribute to the Troops and Greg Warren Band. Military vehicle displays, a Wreaths of Honor program, food trucks, vendors, inflatables and an Extreme Game Truck are also planned. On Saturday, Nov. 7, the city’s Parks and
Lake County Animal Shelter offering $7 senior pet adoptions throughout November
LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—The Lake County Animal Shelter is offering $7 adoptions for pets 7 years and older throughout November in recognition of National Adopt a Senior Pet Month. The “Fall in Love with a Senior Pet” promotion includes spay or neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, a microchip and a personalized identification tag. “Senior pets have so much love left to give, and they deserve the chance to spend their golden years in a loving home,” Lake County Animal Services Director Whitney Boylston said. Adoption counseling is available from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1 to
Both lanes of Haynes Creek Bridge to reopen Thursday after repairs
LEESBURG, Fla. — Both lanes of the Haynes Creek Bridge will reopen Thursday afternoon, Oct. 15, following completion of required bridge deck repairs, according to Lake County. A temporary weight restriction of 33,000 pounds will stay in effect while project consultants prepare a new load rating report for review by the Florida Department of Transportation. For more information, contact Lake County Public Works at 352-253-6000.
Lake County Circuit Judge Heidi Davis to retire Nov. 30
TAVARES, Fla. — Circuit Judge Heidi Davis will retire Nov. 30 after more than 16 years on the bench, the Fifth Judicial Circuit announced. Appointed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist in September 2010, Davis became the first female judge in Hernando County before transferring to Lake County, according to the announcement. Davis served as Lake County’s administrative judge during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped create and presided over the Lake County Drug Court. She began her legal career in 1998 as a judicial law clerk in Lake County, later entered private practice and became a judicial magistrate in 2004. She
Astatula officials to address DOGE report at public workshop Thursday
ASTATULA, Fla. — Astatula officials will address a Sept. 30 DOGE letter and accompanying report concerning the town during a special Town Council workshop Thursday. The workshop begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Astatula Community Center, 13251 Park Ave. According to the town’s announcement, officials plan to provide documentation, additional context and responses to statements in the DOGE materials. Members of the media are invited to attend and ask questions about the letter and the town’s response. The workshop will be for discussion and information only. No formal council action or vote is anticipated. The town selected the
Around The County
No injuries reported in mobile home fire near Mount Dora Thursday
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A mobile home was engulfed in flames Thursday morning on Melanie Lane in unincorporated Mount Dora, Lake County officials said. Lake County Fire Rescue received several calls about the fire just before 9 a.m. Crews were still assessing the scene as of the county’s 12:45 p.m. update. Tavares Fire Department, Eustis Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police Department also responded. The emergency response closed a portion of Bay Road for several hours. No one was injured in the fire.
Lake County deputy shoots burglary suspect in Minneola
MINNEOLA, Fla. — A Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot a suspected car burglar early Thursday after finding the suspect inside the car and chasing them through a yard, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called to the area of Cumberland Circle around 3:45 a.m. for a car burglary in progress. A deputy arrived and found the suspect inside the car, Deputy Stephanie Earley said. The suspect ran through the yard, and the deputy caught up after a short chase. The sheriff’s office said the deputy shot the suspect but did not say what led to the
Eustis man turns himself in, facing manslaughter charge in deadly Tavares shooting
TAVARES, Fla.—A Eustis man turned himself in Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a Leesburg man Sunday. Edwin Hypolite Francillon, 34, was taken into custody at the Lake County Jail around 10:15 a.m. on charges of manslaughter with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm, according to the Tavares Police Department. Police responded to Caroline Court Apartments, 1000 East Caroline Street around 2:20 a.m. Sunday, after a caller reported a man had been shot. Officers found De’Angelo Donta McKnight, 26, wounded and attempted lifesaving measures along with Lake County EMS and Tavares firefighters. McKnight was transported to
No injuries reported in mobile home fire near Mount Dora Thursday
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A mobile home was engulfed in flames Thursday morning on Melanie Lane in unincorporated Mount Dora, Lake County officials said. Lake County Fire Rescue received several calls about the fire just before 9 a.m. Crews were still assessing the scene as of the county’s 12:45 p.m. update. Tavares Fire Department, Eustis Fire Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police Department also responded. The emergency response closed a portion of Bay Road for several hours. No one was injured in the fire.
Lake County deputy shoots burglary suspect in Minneola
MINNEOLA, Fla. — A Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy shot a suspected car burglar early Thursday after finding the suspect inside the car and chasing them through a yard, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called to the area of Cumberland Circle around 3:45 a.m. for a car burglary in progress. A deputy arrived and found the suspect inside the car, Deputy Stephanie Earley said. The suspect ran through the yard, and the deputy caught up after a short chase. The sheriff’s office said the deputy shot the suspect but did not say what led to the
Eustis man turns himself in, facing manslaughter charge in deadly Tavares shooting
TAVARES, Fla.—A Eustis man turned himself in Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a Leesburg man Sunday. Edwin Hypolite Francillon, 34, was taken into custody at the Lake County Jail around 10:15 a.m. on charges of manslaughter with a firearm and aggravated battery with a firearm, according to the Tavares Police Department. Police responded to Caroline Court Apartments, 1000 East Caroline Street around 2:20 a.m. Sunday, after a caller reported a man had been shot. Officers found De’Angelo Donta McKnight, 26, wounded and attempted lifesaving measures along with Lake County EMS and Tavares firefighters. McKnight was transported to
Eustis man arrested on accessory charges in fatal Tavares shooting
TAVARES, Fla. — An Eustis man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the fatal shooting of De’Angelo Donta McKnight at Caroline Court apartments early Sunday. Jonathan Erickson Louis, 24, was arrested around 8:55 a.m. on two counts of accessory after the fact, according to Tavares Police Department. Louis was on felony probation, and detectives arranged through his probation officer to meet him at the state probation office on County Road 561 in Tavares. He was arrested there and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on no bond. Much of the five-page affidavit was redacted, including
Eustis father accused of helping son evade arrest in DeLand double murder now facing ammo charge in Lake
EUSTIS, Fla. — A Eustis father previously arrested on allegations he helped his teenage son evade law enforcement after a DeLand double murder was booked into the Lake County Jail Tuesday on an ammunition charge. Daytron Winston Etkins, 41, is charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. He was released on $10,000 bond. According to a probable cause affidavit, detectives found 36 rounds of ammunition while searching his Bates Avenue home in August. A Ruger handgun box containing nine .44 Magnum rounds and three .40 Smith & Wesson rounds was found in a storage room, and a Phoenix
Eustis woman accused of choking roommate’s kitten; Pumpkin still missing
EUSTIS, Fla. — A Eustis woman was arrested on an aggravated animal cruelty charge after police said surveillance video showed her shaking a kitten off a towel and leaving the animal motionless on the ground. Candie Roseann Pryce, 29, was arrested Saturday after she returned to the residence she shared with the kitten’s owner, according to an arrest affidavit. The kitten, named Pumpkin, had not been found when the affidavit was written. Eustis Police Department responded to the residence on East Key Avenue Friday night after the facility’s manager reported that Pryce may have harmed the kitten. The manager showed