Features

Stories about the people who live, work and make a difference in Lake County.

6th Annual Lake County Back the Blue & Red Walk scheduled for Saturday

May 2, 2025 No Comments

TAVARES, Fla.—For the sixth year running, public safety and its supporters will join forces for the annual Lake County Back the Blue & Red Walk. Scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at Wooton Park in Tavares, this is one of many law enforcement-related events around Lake County held in May during Law Enforcement Appreciation Month and last year, Organizer Shannon Cook added firefighters to the appreciation walk. The walk began in 2019 to show support for law enforcement during a time when the “defund the police” movement was making its way across the country, Cook said, representatives from several law enforcement

National Safe Boating Week kicks off Saturday

May 18, 2024 No Comments

LITTLE LAKE HARRIS, Fla.—The unofficial start to summer is upon us and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding boaters to stay safe during National Safe Boating Week that begins Saturday. Inside Lake had the opportunity to speak with FWC’s Kristen Turner and Chad Weber, along with Hunter Bland of the National Safe Boating Council Friday about staying safe on the waterways. Florida is the “Boating Capital of the World,” with more than 1 million vessels registered in the state, according to FWC. Florida does have some requirements for boating but common sense and taking simple precautions

5th Annual Lake County Back the Blue and Red Walk

May 5, 2024 No Comments

Photos from the 5th Annual Back the Blue and Red Walk. Organizer Shannon Cook has been supporting law enforcement since 2019 with this walk. This year, firefighters were added to the event, and the name was changed. PHOTOS: Bonnie Whicher/Special to Inside Lake

“We’re Going to Need Somebody to Come Forward,” is Key to Solving 3-Year-Old Double Murder, Mount Dora Police Detective Says

November 30, 2023 No Comments

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—Three years ago, Mount Dora was rocked by the double murders of two beloved store owners who were staples in the community and the identity of the person or people responsible for their murders remains a mystery. Minh “Tina” Nguyen, 47, and Khiem “Ken” Ba Trinh, 56, were shot around 9 p.m. Nov. 30, 2020, at their popular store, T & N Market, 1345 North Grandview Street, just a few blocks from Mount Dora Police Department. The couple was found behind the counter suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and Nguyen was pronounced dead on the scene. Trinh was

Benefit for LCSO Deputy Diagnosed with Cancer Scheduled for Saturday

November 15, 2023 No Comments

EUSTIS, Fla.—An event to benefit a Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year is scheduled for Saturday. What started as chest pain in 2022 turned into a terrifying diagnosis last summer for LCSO Cpl. Adam Tytler. In November 2022, Tytler went to a cardiologist for ongoing chest pain, and after a EKG showed his heart was in good shape, the cardiologist told him the pain was likely gastrointestinal. The next month, on Christmas Eve, Tytler discovered a swollen lymph node on his neck and by February the lymph node had not gotten

Lake-Sumter State College Foundation Honors Hall of Fame Recipients and Distinguished Alumni Tuesday Night, Including Inside Lake’s Own Marilyn Aciego

October 11, 2023 No Comments

LEESBURG, Fla.—The Lake-Sumter State College Foundation honored its Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame recipients Tuesday night in a ceremony held at the Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center at the college’s Leesburg campus. Nine individuals and a community organization were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the community in front of a large crowd that enjoyed a three-course dinner and video testimonials from the recipients. Each year, the LSSC Foundation Board of Directors select the recipients from nominations made by the public to receive distinguished alumni awards. For the first time its 12-year history, two people were awarded the

Ham Radio Field Day at Lake County Institute of Public Safety Showcases Lake Amateur Radio Association’s Ham Communication

July 13, 2023 No Comments

TAVARES, Florida—The Lake Amateur Radio Association (LARA) hosted its annual Ham Radio Field Day event June 24 and 25 at the Lake County Institute of Public Safety, drawing enthusiasts from far and wide. The event, captured in a captivating photo, featured the club’s president, Glenn Casselman, and his spouse, Laura, who is also a Ham radio enthusiast. The picturesque location provided the perfect backdrop for a day filled with showcasing mobile command vehicles from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Fire Rescue, and, of course, the Lake Amateur Radio Association. Established in 1952 by a group of Lake County/City

Law Enforcement Agencies Need Your Vote for K9 Grant

June 2, 2023 No Comments

LAKE COUNTY, Florida—Several local law enforcement agencies are counting on the public to help them grow their K9 units with a grant from a national biohazard clean-up company. Five agencies in Lake County are competing for a $2,500 grant that can be used for their K9 units, such as purchasing equipment and other needs for their pups. The grant will be provided by Aftermath Service LLC, a national company that provides biohazard clean-ups from incidents such as crime scenes and unattended deaths. Eustis Police Department, Fruitland Park Police Department, Lady Lake Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tavares Police

“It is Black Friday Every Week,” at New Leesburg Store, the First of Its Kind in Lake County

April 27, 2023 No Comments

LEESBURG, Florida—Shoppers have a new place in town to hunt for bargains. The first of its kind in Lake County, Bin Pickin, 1015 West North Boulevard, Leesburg, is a new concept for the area, Jennifer Wooten, who owns the store with her husband, Jamie, told Inside Lake this week. The Wootens purchase truckloads of overstock and returns from Amazon, Kohl’s and CVS Pharmacy and offer all the items for one price three days a week, Wooten said. Fridays, each item is $10, Saturdays, items are $7 and Mondays, they are just $3. Items are placed on large tables and shoppers

Fruitland Park First Friday Market Set to Begin this Week

February 28, 2023 No Comments

FRUITLAND PARK, Florida—A new, daytime monthly market is set to begin this Friday in Fruitland Park. Orange Blossom Market Co. has partnered with the City of Fruitland Park to create the Fruitland Park First Friday Market. The market is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Friday of each month at Fruitland Park City Hall, 506 West Berckman Street and will run through May, taking a break during the sweltering summer months and kicking back off in September, Orange Blossom Market Co. Founder and Organizer Sheena Willis told Inside Lake. “The market will be a place where locals

Hundreds of People Come Out for Eustis African American Heritage Celebration

February 20, 2023 No Comments

EUSTIS, Florida—The crowds were large Saturday and the weather was beautiful for the 28th Annual Eustis African American Heritage Celebration. Beginning with a parade of nearly 150 entries, paradegoers were treated to candy and appearances by Parade Marshal Verma Evans, the Eustis African American Heritage Festival Committee, Eustis Junior Panthers players and cheerleaders, Magic Boyz, along with Eustis City Commissioners, Eustis Police Department, Eustis Fire Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. For the second year running, Inside Lake participated in the parade. The fragrance of all the scrumptious food available at the festival wafted through the air during the

Tavares Police and LCSO Join Forces for Operation Aware

September 22, 2022 No Comments

Operation Aware will provide wristbands and a database for first responders and the special needs community. TAVARES, Florida—Two law enforcement agencies have joined forces to provide a new tool to the community that will give first responders valuable information when responding to calls for service in the special needs community. Nearly a year in the making, Tavares Police Department began its Operation Aware initiative in November 2021 and has since teamed up with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to provide wristbands to members of the community that may require a different response from law enforcement. “We are big on community

Third Generation Tavares Native Sarah Coursey Becomes City’s First Female Police Chief

September 8, 2022 No Comments

TAVARES, Florida— Sworn in to a standing ovation at Tavares City Hall, Sarah Coursey made history Wednesday as she became the city’s first female police chief. Coursey, a 13-year veteran of Tavares Police Department, was surrounded by friends and family as her 8-year-old daughter (almost 9!) Kaelyn pinned her Wednesday afternoon at the Tavares City Council meeting. Kaelyn was beaming with pride as she pinned her mom and when she spoke to Inside Lake. “I feel really proud of my mom. It’s a big part of my life and hers. I can’t believe she’s chief!” A large crowd came to

Violent End to August as LCSO Investigates 5 Homicides in 6 Days

September 4, 2022 No Comments

LAKE COUNTY, Florida— It was a bloody and violent end to August in Lake County, as the sheriff’s office continues to investigate five homicides that occurred in just six days from one end of the county to the other. Numerous sources have told Inside Lake there was yet another homicide in unincorporated Fruitland Park Saturday, but LCSO did not respond to an email or a text all day Sunday to confirm. Altoona, Aug. 25 Around 9 p.m. Aug. 25, Shane Eugene Clements, 41, of Altoona, and David Thomas Mikell, 34, of Umatilla were found dead at a home at 45918

Missing Nearly 16 Years, Trenton Duckett’s Family Celebrates His 18th Birthday Without Him

August 10, 2022 No Comments

Publisher’s note: This story was republished Dec. 27, 2022 as a part of Inside Lake’s Top 10 stories of 2022. LEESBURG, Florida—Nearly 16 years ago, Leesburg and Lake County were thrust into the national spotlight when a mom going through a divorce and custody battle reported her tiny toddler missing. Over the next two weeks those close to the boy would go through a whirlwind of emotions as police found sonogram pictures in a dumpster, accused the boy’s father of taking him and investigated the mother’s suicide. Wednesday, Josh Duckett should be eating cake and watching his oldest son Trenton

First Day of School Introduces New SROs to Eustis Middle and Eustis High

August 10, 2022 No Comments

EUSTIS, Florida—Eustis Middle and Eustis High school students will see some new faces this school year, as Eustis Police officers take over the role of school resource officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. EPD Chief Craig Capri, who has been chief a little more than a year, said it was important to him to have EPD officers in the schools. “I want our own officers in our own schools. One of the most important things is protecting our children from evil. We will engage all threats immediately,” he told Inside Lake Capri said having his officers at EMS and

Tavares Police Train for the Worst Case Scenario

July 16, 2022 No Comments

TAVARES, Florida—While a lot of people are out enjoying the Florida summer, law enforcement agencies around Lake County have been training and preparing for the “what if?” Tavares Police Department invited Inside Lake to join them in active shooter training this week at Tavares Elementary School. They trained two days, for eight hours each, in the blazing July sun. “We do this once a year,” TPD Lt. Sarah Coursey said Thursday, “Each sworn officer goes through the training.” TPD invited other local agencies to join them in the training, including Astatula Police Department, Eustis Police Department, Howey-in-the-Hills Police Department and

EXCLUSIVE: Fiancé of Man Killed Last Month Says, “My Father was No Hero.”

July 6, 2022 No Comments

LEESBURG, Florida—“It feels like I’m in hell.” Lauren Carlton spoke exclusively to Inside Lake this week about the death of her fiancé, Austin Graham, at the hands of her father, James Carlton last month. Carlton was accused of shooting Austin in the head and killing him after Austin stopped to talk to Carlton in the middle of Whitney Road in unincorporated Leesburg June 22. Austin, 26, recognized Carlton’s truck, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Fred Jones said last month, and stopped to talk to the grandfather of his children. After a brief conversation, Carlton, who was known to carry a

Lasting Effects 2 Years After Ambush Attack On Eustis Police Captain

December 19, 2021 No Comments

EUSTIS, Florida–Two years ago Sunday, it was a normal Thursday for Gary and Stephenie Winheim; a warm December day, just six days before Christmas. Little did they know, their lives would never be the same. It is a struggle every day, Stephenie Winheim told Inside Lake earlier this week. One crazy afternoon and their lives forever changed, she said. Below is an exclusive interview with the Winheims and Inside Lake Publisher Marilyn. M. Aciego that previously published on Lake Legal News on Dec. 22, 2019. Eustis Police Captain Gary Winheim is grateful to be alive and grateful to the community

Mom Of Man Missing 3 Years Wants Answers

December 15, 2021 No Comments

LADY LAKE, Florida—It has been three years since Mariann Decker heard her son, Danny’s voice. December is an extra hard month for her; her son’s birthday is Dec. 6, the anniversary of his disappearance is Dec. 15 and of course, Christmas. “It’s not a great time of year,” she said. Daniel “Danny” Decker, who was 34 at the time of his disappearance, has not been seen or heard from since the early morning hours of Dec. 15, 2018, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Detective Clay Watkins told Inside Lake earlier this week. Double D, as Decker was affectionately known, literally gave a homeless

Family Of Murdered Mom Celebrates Her Birthday With Balloon Release Monday

December 14, 2021 No Comments

EUSTIS, Florida—Melissa Nease would have turned 30 Monday. Instead of celebrating this milestone birthday, Nease’ children and their father Shane Jenkins, her big sister Amy Harris, her mom Lisa Nease, best friend Abby Henderson and more than three dozen loved ones, sang “Happy Birthday” and released more than 100 balloons at her gravesite at Greenwood Cemetery Monday afternoon, many wearing memorial pink—Nease’ favorite color—shirts. Nease’ mom, had a special “#1” balloon to signify a long-running family joke. Nease always made cracks about being Lisa’s number one daughter, Harris said with a smile. Several of Nease’ loved ones held back tears

Mount Dora Traffic Fatality: Wife And Children Open Up About Losing A Man Who Was “Just Amazing”

September 28, 2020 No Comments

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. EUSTIS, Florida — Seventeen years ago Adrick Rojas pushed his best friend’s sister down on a bed and kissed her. And there began a love story spanning nearly two decades that included the couple moving to Lake County and bringing four children into this world who are loved dearly. “Our first kiss! We were sitting in my brother’s room and my brother walked out for whatever reason. Adrick pushed me down on the bed and kissed me! Then [he] looked at me and yelled, ‘You kissed me!” “I didn’t kiss you! You kissed me!”

Saying Goodbye After 24 Years, Eustis Police Captain Shane McSheehy Leaves To Become Iowa Small-town Chief

July 1, 2020 No Comments

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. For nearly 24 years, Eustis Police Capt. Shane McSheehy protected and served the residents of Eustis and on Tuesday, he said goodbye. Lake Legal News sat down with McSheehy Tuesday morning on his retirement day and spoke about his time at Eustis Police Department and his plans for the future. After a five-month search for a chief position, McSheehy is now the chief at Pella Police Department in Pella, Iowa. He is scheduled to start later this month. McSheehy had a good feeling about Pella from the start; he is

Lake County Inmates Help With Dire “Around The Clock” Need For Covid-19 Masks

April 5, 2020 No Comments

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. Inmates at the Lake County Jail are doing their part to help in the battle against the global pandemic COVID-19. Partnering with non-profit Lake Support and Emergency Recovery Inc. — better known as LASER — the Lake County Sheriff’s Office inmate sewing program is making face masks to provide to area healthcare workers, said LCSO Lt. John Herrell in a press release. With a nationwide shortage of face masks in the fight against COVID-19, “The initial goal for the inmates is to quickly produce 1,000 masks and then continue making

Social Media Shows The Lighter Side Of Lake County Law Enforcement

February 13, 2020 No Comments

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. Social media sometimes gets a bad rap, but it has opened doors for law enforcement they never imagined. While most law enforcement agencies in Lake County have a Facebook page, there is just something different about the Tavares Police Department and Eustis Police Department pages. Eustis Police Officer Lauren Brown has created an alter ego — Major Trooper — who comes with his very own set of policies. Brown has used the character to have fun with the community, both on Facebook and in person. Major Trooper has attended many

Lake’s School Resource Deputies And K9 Max Work Straight Through The Summer

January 30, 2020 No Comments

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. From August to May each school year, Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputies (SRDs) are in Lake County public schools protecting children and keeping the schools safe, but what are they doing during the summer? Master Deputy Tim McCaig and his K9 partner Max are riding the streets of Lake County helping the patrol unit and nosing around for illegal narcotics, McCaig told Lake Legal News Friday; most often, they back up other deputies upon request. Max is a single-purpose passive K9, which means he does not bite and chase people,

Meet A Public Information Officer: Lauren Brown

January 4, 2020 No Comments

The following story was previously published on Lake Legal News. As a young boy watching airplanes at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines in South Florida, Eustis Police Officer Lauren Brown imagined one day he would be flying one of those planes, but happening upon a vehicle crash changed everything. Born in Jamaica, Brown, 35, moved to Fort Lauderdale when he was only 10 years old. “My parents wanted to get out of there. [They] wanted to give me a better life,” Brown tells Lake Legal News. He had a love of airplanes and wanted to be a pilot, even building model