Inside Lake’s guide to fall and Halloween events
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Pumpkin patches, haunted trails, fall festivals and plenty of candy! Communities across Lake County have a full calendar of fall and Halloween events planned. Inside Lake will update this list as more events and details become available. Updated Oct. 6, 2026 Oct. 10–31: Pumpkin Patch | Fruitland Park Community United Methodist Church’s 24th annual pumpkin patch will offer pumpkins, gourds and new photo opportunities. Pumpkin sales benefit local children and youth. Time: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday–Friday, 1–7 p.m. Location: Community United Methodist Church, 309 College Ave., Fruitland Park Cost: Pumpkins and gourds available for purchase.
Man killed crossing U.S. 27/441 in Lady Lake
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A 72-year-old man was killed Monday morning when he was struck by a car while attempting to cross U.S. Highway 27/441 near Longview Avenue, according to Lady Lake Police Department. Jimmy Edwards was crossing the highway when a northbound 2016 Lexus E350 driven by Larry Wilson, 63, of Lady Lake, struck him in the inside lane, police said. Edwards suffered fatal injuries. Wilson was not injured, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to police. Police said Edwards was not in a designated crosswalk when he was struck. The crash is under investigation.
Groveland names police chief
GROVELAND, Fla. — Groveland has selected Lt. Sammy Anderson as its new police chief, promoting a 15-year veteran of the department. Anderson has 23 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served as Groveland Police Department’s special operations lieutenant, according to the city. Fire Chief Kevin Carroll, who served as interim public safety director following former Chief Shawn Ramsey’s departure, has been named permanent public safety director. The city said Carroll spent weeks interviewing department employees individually and assessing the department’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats before preparing a recommendations report. A recurring theme was employees’ desire to see
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
News Briefs
Looking for a new best friend? Lake County Animal Shelter cuts October adoption fees in half
TAVARES, Fla. — Bringing home a shelter pet costs a little less this month, with Lake County Animal Shelter offering half-price adoptions through Oct. 31. The promotion celebrates Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Each adoption includes spay or neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, a microchip and a personalized identification tag. “There’s something special about giving a shelter pet a second chance and welcoming them into your family,” said Whitney Boylston, director of Lake County Animal Services. “We’re proud to celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and help more deserving shelter dogs find the loving families they’ve been waiting for.” Potential adopters
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.
Around The County
Inside Lake’s guide to fall and Halloween events
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Pumpkin patches, haunted trails, fall festivals and plenty of candy! Communities across Lake County have a full calendar of fall and Halloween events planned. Inside Lake will update this list as more events and details become available. Updated Oct. 6, 2026 Oct. 10–31: Pumpkin Patch | Fruitland Park Community United Methodist Church’s 24th annual pumpkin patch will offer pumpkins, gourds and new photo opportunities. Pumpkin sales benefit local children and youth. Time: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday–Friday, 1–7 p.m. Location: Community United Methodist Church, 309 College Ave., Fruitland Park Cost: Pumpkins and gourds available for purchase.
Man killed crossing U.S. 27/441 in Lady Lake
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A 72-year-old man was killed Monday morning when he was struck by a car while attempting to cross U.S. Highway 27/441 near Longview Avenue, according to Lady Lake Police Department. Jimmy Edwards was crossing the highway when a northbound 2016 Lexus E350 driven by Larry Wilson, 63, of Lady Lake, struck him in the inside lane, police said. Edwards suffered fatal injuries. Wilson was not injured, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to police. Police said Edwards was not in a designated crosswalk when he was struck. The crash is under investigation.
Groveland names police chief
GROVELAND, Fla. — Groveland has selected Lt. Sammy Anderson as its new police chief, promoting a 15-year veteran of the department. Anderson has 23 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served as Groveland Police Department’s special operations lieutenant, according to the city. Fire Chief Kevin Carroll, who served as interim public safety director following former Chief Shawn Ramsey’s departure, has been named permanent public safety director. The city said Carroll spent weeks interviewing department employees individually and assessing the department’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats before preparing a recommendations report. A recurring theme was employees’ desire to see
Inside Lake’s guide to fall and Halloween events
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Pumpkin patches, haunted trails, fall festivals and plenty of candy! Communities across Lake County have a full calendar of fall and Halloween events planned. Inside Lake will update this list as more events and details become available. Updated Oct. 6, 2026 Oct. 10–31: Pumpkin Patch | Fruitland Park Community United Methodist Church’s 24th annual pumpkin patch will offer pumpkins, gourds and new photo opportunities. Pumpkin sales benefit local children and youth. Time: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday–Friday, 1–7 p.m. Location: Community United Methodist Church, 309 College Ave., Fruitland Park Cost: Pumpkins and gourds available for purchase.
Man killed crossing U.S. 27/441 in Lady Lake
LADY LAKE, Fla. — A 72-year-old man was killed Monday morning when he was struck by a car while attempting to cross U.S. Highway 27/441 near Longview Avenue, according to Lady Lake Police Department. Jimmy Edwards was crossing the highway when a northbound 2016 Lexus E350 driven by Larry Wilson, 63, of Lady Lake, struck him in the inside lane, police said. Edwards suffered fatal injuries. Wilson was not injured, stayed at the scene and cooperated with investigators, according to police. Police said Edwards was not in a designated crosswalk when he was struck. The crash is under investigation.
Groveland names police chief
GROVELAND, Fla. — Groveland has selected Lt. Sammy Anderson as its new police chief, promoting a 15-year veteran of the department. Anderson has 23 years of law enforcement experience and most recently served as Groveland Police Department’s special operations lieutenant, according to the city. Fire Chief Kevin Carroll, who served as interim public safety director following former Chief Shawn Ramsey’s departure, has been named permanent public safety director. The city said Carroll spent weeks interviewing department employees individually and assessing the department’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats before preparing a recommendations report. A recurring theme was employees’ desire to see
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