Eustis

Eustis restaurant owner killed in Umatilla crash Thursday

UMATILLA, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a well-known Eustis business owner Thursday. Aaron Belair, 57, owner of El Marie Pizzeria in downtown Eustis and part-owner of That Place, also in Eustis, was riding a 2025 Harley-Davidson motorcycle northbound on State Road 19 near Lake Smith Road when he attempted to make a U-turn and collided with a Ford F-150 being driven southbound by a 51-year-old male of Umatilla, Trooper Migdalisis Garcia told Inside Lake. The impact caused the motorcycle to slide under the Ford, throwing Belair into the median, Garcia said. He was not wearing […]

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No one injured in shooting near Eustis campus Tuesday

EUSTIS, Fla.—No one was injured in a shooting near Eustis High School’s Curtright Campus Tuesday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. What deputies are calling an “aggravated assault” occurred on Harlem Avenue just outside Eustis city limits, and about a half of a mile away from the campus, causing the school to be placed on lockdown for more than an hour Tuesday morning. Crime scene tape and Eagle One circling overhead prompted concern from nearby residents, several of whom reached out to Inside Lake for information. At press time, a suspect had not been located or arrested, Deputy Stephanie

No one injured in shooting near Eustis campus Tuesday Read More »

Deputies and police search for shooting suspect near Eustis Tuesday

EUSTIS, Fla.— The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Eustis Police Department are searching for a suspect involved in a shooting that occurred Tuesday morning. Deputies cordoned off Harlem Avenue just outside of Eustis city limits with crime scene tape, and LCSO’s helicopter, Eagle One, was flying over the area searching for the suspect, witnesses said. Harlem Avenue is just over a half-mile from the Eustis High School Curtright Campus, and the incident caused the campus to be placed on lockdown from 10:38 a.m. until 11:43 a.m. Tuesday, EPD Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake.   No other information was released

Deputies and police search for shooting suspect near Eustis Tuesday Read More »

Investigation underway after body found in Eustis field, no foul play suspected

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating after a woman’s body was found Monday afternoon near a busy commercial and residential area. “It appears to be a natural death,” EPD Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. A passerby reported finding the woman’s body in a field near behind Tires Plus, 2000 South Bay Street, around 1 p.m. Monday. Officers responded to the scene and found the woman, who they believe died from natural causes. The medical examiner will make the final determination. The woman’s name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.

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Eustis man arrested for exposing himself…again

EUSTIS, Fla.—A Eustis man was arrested Friday, accused of exposing himself, and this isn’t the first time. Around 7:30 a.m. Eustis Police Department responded to 326 Glover Street on a report of a naked man standing outside the home. An officer spotted Mark Ronald Banks, 56, who was fully exposed, standing both inside and outside his front door. The officer yelled at Banks to put clothes on as he approached the home and Banks went inside and refused to open the door, according to an arrest affidavit. Police spoke to the complainant who said his teenaged daughters told him they

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Deputies: Brother-in-law accused of killing Eustis woman, held on federal immigration warrant

TAVARES, Fla.—An arrest warrant has been obtained for the brother-in-law of a Eustis woman found murdered in May. Monica Islam, 44, was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road outside of Mount Dora around 7:30 a.m. May 2 after vanishing from Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis around 6 a.m. the same morning. According to the missing person report obtained by Inside Lake, Islam’s daughter, Rimi Islam, reported her mother missing around 8:30 a.m. May 2. She told Eustis Police Department they left their home around 5:30 a.m. and arrived at Shell shortly after. She

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Eustis man sentenced to 15 years in prison in ‘23 drug trafficking case

TAVARES, Florida— A man arrested many times for multiple felonies but seldom convicted in past cases, was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to 15 years in prison stemming from a 2023 case, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. Emmanuel Cazeau, now 41, of Eustis, was pulled over in June 2023 by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies for a minor traffic offense as he pulled out of Circle K, at the corner of County Road 44 and County Road 473 in unincorporated Leesburg, according to an arrest affidavit. Deputies asked for consent to search Cazeau’s vehicle, which

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Wild ride in Slingshot through Mount Dora, Eustis sends Tennessee man to jail

MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A Tennessee man who police say hit three vehicles, two AC units and house while taking a drunken ride through Mount Dora and Eustis, has been released from the Lake County Jail on $9,000 bond. Shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, Mount Dora Police Department responded to a hit-and-run that reportedly occurred at 4th Avenue and Donnelly Street in downtown Mount Dora. The victim in that crash told police the front of a grey Polaris Slingshot struck the corner of the front bumper of his truck, causing approximately $2,000 in damage. The victim said the Slingshot sped

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Astatula woman airlifted following head-on crash with heavy-duty truck Monday night near Umatilla

UMATILLA, Fla.— A head-on crash with a heavy-duty commercial truck sent an Astatula woman to an Orlando hospital by helicopter Monday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 9:45 p.m. Monday, Tammie Mast, 48, of Astatula, was driving a 2010 Honda Insight northbound on State Road 19 leaving the intersection of McKinley Road when she drove into the grass median and into the southbound lanes of State Road 19, between Umatilla and Eustis, Trooper Migdalisis Garcia told Inside Lake. Mast failed to see a 2016 Dodge RAM 5500 approaching McKinley Road traveling southbound and the vehicles collided head-on, Garcia

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VIDEO: DeLand man uses skid steer to break into building at Tavares Public Works Complex, takes joyride in city truck

TAVARES, Fla.—A DeLand man was nabbed Thursday morning driving a stolen City of Tavares truck, following a break-in at the city’s Public Works Complex. According to a Tavares Police Department report, TPD responded to the Public Works Complex, 920 Captain Haynes Road after an employee reported that when he arrived shortly after 5:45 a.m. Thursday, he found Lake Technical College’s doors open, and two vehicles and a building had been broken into. Officers obtained surveillance video that showed Ronald Carlton Harmon, 43, just before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night on the complex property. More than an hour later, he is seen

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Arrest made in shooting of 14-year-old Eustis boy last month

EUSTIS, Fla.—A 20-year-old man is behind bars and is being held on no bond, accused of shooting a teenager in Eustis last month. Ja’baree Lane, of Deltona, was picked up in Volusia County on a Eustis Police Department warrant for attempted second degree murder, shooting into an occupied dwelling and discharging a firearm in public, EPD Chief Craig Capri said, and more arrests are imminent. According to a heavily-redated report, around 8:45 p.m. July 6, EPD responded to a call of a 14-year-boy who had been shot on Hazzard Avenue. As officers arrived, a woman flagged officers down and said

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Babysitter jailed after leaving baby in scorching Eustis parking lot

EUSTIS, Fla.—A babysitter accused of leaving the infant she was caring for in a Eustis parking lot has been released from jail on $2,000 bond. Wendy Michelle Kirk, 46, was arrested after someone reported a baby was left unattended in a car seat in the parking lot of Martial Arts World, 284 West Ardice Avenue, Eustis, around 4:10 p.m. Thursday, according to an arrest affidavit. When Eustis Police Department arrived on scene, a witness told officers Kirk dropped off another child at the business around 3:30 p.m. She returned about 30 minutes later, picked up several children, and left. After

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Father of Eustis boy, 5, who shot himself last month, facing charges

EUSTIS, Fla.—The father of the young boy who found a gun under a pillow and shot himself last month has turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Dexter Demond Neal, who has cooperated with the investigation, turned himself in early Sunday evening at the Lake County Jail on a warrant for child neglect and culpable negligence and is being held on no bond, Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Inside Lake was the first to report Neal’s son shot himself in the head after finding an unsecured firearm June 29 at his home

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Fatal crash closes CR 439 near Eustis Friday

EUSTIS, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol in investigating a crash that killed a Eustis man Friday afternoon. According to FHP, a 2013 Freightliner tractor-trailer being driven by a 78-year-old Orlando man was westbound on County Road 44A when it collided with a Dodge Ram just after 2 p.m. A witness told troopers the Freightliner ran the red light to turn left on County Road 439, in the direct path of a 56-year-old Eustis man driving the Dodge. The Eustis man was transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, where he was pronounced deceased. The Orlando man was transported to AdventHealth

Fatal crash closes CR 439 near Eustis Friday Read More »

LCSO: “Pastor Pete” strikes again

UMATILLA, Fla.— A local man well-known in the community and to law enforcement has been arrested again, accused of battering an elderly woman at a group home in unincorporated Umatilla. Earlier this month, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a group home in unincorporated Umatilla on a report of a sex offense complaint but the incident was later was found to be a battery, according to a probable cause affidavit. For safety reasons, the responding deputy transported two women, one a victim and the other a witness, to Umatilla Police Department to be interviewed. During the interview, both women

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Truck set ablaze after fatal crash, Eustis man turns himself in to troopers

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.—A Eustis man is behind bars in Orange County after fleeing a crash that killed an Orlando bicyclist Monday. Around 9:15 a.m., Jermaine Williams, 42, was driving a Dodge Ram southbound on South Orange Blossom Trail in Orange County and failed to stop for a bicyclist traveling westbound in the crosswalk at 43rd Street. The Dodge struck the 43-year-old bicyclist, and he was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center and pronounced deceased, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Williams fled the scene and Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies soon located the Dodge on fire behind a nearby business.

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14-year-old boy shot in Eustis Sunday, police investigating

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating a shooting that sent a teenager to the hospital by helicopter Sunday night. According to a heavily-redated report, around 8:45 p.m., EPD responded to a report of a 14-year-boy who had been shot on Hazzard Avenue. As officers arrived, a woman flagged officers down and said the teen was inside a home, suffering from a gunshot wound. Police entered the home and found the boy lying on his back with a gunshot wound to his inner thigh, according to a report. An officer rendered aid, applied pressure to the wound until Lake EMS arrived

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BREAKING NEWS: 3 airlifted, one transported by ground after Eustis crash Monday morning

EUSTIS, Fla.—Three people were airlifted to area hospitals, and one person was transported by ground following a crash at State Road 44 and the Eustis bypass near the Eleven Oaks subdivision, shortly before 7:30 a.m. Monday morning, according to Eustis Police Department. A witness told police a gold Dodge Ram had a green arrow and was turning westbound onto State Road 44/Orange Avenue from the Eleven Oaks subdivision when a red and white Ford F-150 traveling eastbound ran the light and collided with the Dodge. Three occupants in the Dodge were transported to area hospitals, two males of Eustis, aged

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Eustis boy, 5, accidentally shoots himself Sunday, in stable condition

EUSTIS, Fla.—A Eustis boy is in stable condition after accidentally shooting himself in the head Sunday morning. Around 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Eustis Police Department, Eustis Fire Department, Lake County Fire Rescue, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake EMS quickly responded to the home on Hunter’s Trail and after the boy was stabilized, he was airlifted to an Orlando hospital by Air Care Team, EPD Chief Craig Capri said. The boy’s name has not been released, and Capri said the investigation is still very active. The boy had surgery on Sunday and is now recovering. “Our prayers are with the boy

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Knife-wielding man shot at Mount Dora bus stop Thursday

MOUNT DORA, Fla.— A Winter Park man, arrested multiple times in Lake County, was shot in the leg at a Mount Dora bus stop Thursday morning and arrested, after accosting a man who first pepper-sprayed him, according to a report. William Tyler Barrett, 29, is facing a charge of aggravated assault on a person over 65 years old and is being held on $10,000 bond. Curtis Roberson, 67, of Eustis, told Mount Dora Police Department he was leaving the parking lot of Walmart Supercenter, 17030 U.S. Highway 441, around 10 a.m. when Barrett approached him and made a comment he

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Deputies break up large party outside Eustis Thursday night

EUSTIS, Fla.—Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and surrounding law enforcement agencies broke up a large party Thursday night after receiving information from a law enforcement agency in a neighboring county, according to a report. Around 10:20 p.m., Apopka Police Department (APD) shared information with LCSO it received about a large party of more than 200 teenagers who were reportedly coming from Aquatica in Orlando and headed to a party at a home at 34500 Tree Frog Lane in unincorporated Eustis. Some of that information included tips about weapons in multiple vehicles headed to the party that was promoted on social

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Grandmother seeks life insurance payout for suspects in deputy ambush

TAVARES, Fla.— The grandmother of two young women involved in the ambush of Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies last year has filed a claim on their life insurance policies, Inside Lake uncovered in a recent court filing. According to a complaint for interpleader filed by the Gerber Life Insurance Company (GLIC,) Linda Jefferson, mother of Julie Sulpizio and grandmother of Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio, is attempting to collect a total of $50,000 on two life insurance policies — $30,000 for Cheyenne Sulpizio and $20,000 for Savannah Sulpizio. An interpleader is a legal tool that allows someone involved in a lawsuit—usually

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Eustis police working to identify man who pilfered potato from restaurant

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is working to identify a man who scooted through a drive-thru window—backside first—ate a raw potato and completed his meal with a hamburger bun topped with a variety of condiments early Saturday. Around 3 a.m., after the restaurant closed for the night, the unidentified man broke into the drive-thru window at Wendy’s, 2817 South Bay Street,  and entered the restaurant backside first, knocking over a stack of condiments near the window, according to EPD. He pocketed some of the condiments, disappeared from camera view and then reappeared with a single potato in his hand. He ate

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Woman accused of murdering deputy, attempted murder of 2 others, found incompetent again

TAVARES, Fla.—The woman accused of plotting to kill Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies last year has been found incompetent to proceed to trial for the second time in three months. In an order by Circuit Judge Brian Welke, he states Julie Ann Sulpizio, “The Defendant is not competent to proceed due to Psychotic Spectrum Disorder and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, r/o Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type.” Sulpizio, 49, will be involuntarily committed to the Department of Children and Families, because she “…is manifestly incapable of surviving alone or with the help of willing and responsible family or friends, including available alternative services,

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Tavares cleaning company eases the burden for cancer patients

TAVARES, Fla.— A local cleaning company is continuing its mission of giving back to residents who are fighting cancer—and to them, the mission is personal. For the third year running, Bright Side Services Inc. of Tavares has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason, a non-profit organization that pairs residents who are undergoing cancer treatment with local cleaning companies that donate two free house cleaning sessions. Founded by Debbie Sardone of Buckets & Bows Maid Service in Texas, cleaning companies from across the country participate, including Tavares-based Bright Side Services Inc., owned by Michelle and Mike Krueger. They have participated in

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Teen reported missing from Eustis arrested in Panhandle kidnapping, 2 adults also facing charges

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.—A Eustis teenager has been arrested for kidnapping and lying to cops in the Panhandle, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said Wednesday. Kaylynn Corsi, 17, was arrested Monday, along with Lennys Cotto, 30, and Joe Trejo, 27, both of Ocala, for their roles in the kidnapping of a man who was beaten multiple times before escaping his captors early Monday morning. According OCSO, a group of masked, armed individuals entered a home on Mooney Road near Fort Walton Beach around 2:45 a.m. The intruders beat and pepper sprayed one of the occupants and then forced him

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Candlelight vigil scheduled for Eustis mom found murdered last week

EUSTIS, Fla.—The community is scheduled to come together Friday night to remember Monica Islam, the woman who was found murdered near Mount Dora last week. Islam, 44, was found shot to death near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch around 7:30 a.m. May 2 after vanishing from Shell, 1701 South Bay Street, Eustis approximately 6:10 a.m. the same morning. According to the missing person report obtained by Inside Lake, Islam’s daughter, Rimi Islam, reported her mother missing around 8:30 a.m. Friday. She told Eustis Police Department they left their home around 5:30 a.m. and arrived at Shell shortly after. She

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Woman found dead near Mount Dora is a homicide victim, deputies say

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—The woman found dead Friday was shot to death and detectives believe it was not a “random act,” according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road Friday morning after someone reported they found a woman’s body. Deputies responded and found the woman, later identified as Monica Islam, 44, who was reported missing from Eustis, Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake Friday. According to the missing person report obtained by Inside Lake, Islam’s daughter, Rimi Islam, reported her mother missing

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Mom accused of kidnapping daughters from Sorrento foster home pleads no contest, sentenced to prison

TAVARES, Fla.—The mom accused of kidnapping her two daughters from a Sorrento foster home in January 2024 pleaded no contest last month to her charges and was sentenced to three years in prison, followed by five years of probation, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records. Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives began investigating the case after Tilli and Natalia Williams’ foster mother reported them missing around 7 a.m. Jan. 25, 2024. Authorities quickly named their mother, Dixie K. Williams, as a suspect and issued an Amber Alert. They were found the next day in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana after

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LCSO deputy shot in rescue attempt of murdered deputy returns to light duty

TAVARES, Fla.—Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stefano Gargano returned to temporary light duty Monday, a little more than nine months after he was shot multiple times. On Aug. 2, 2024, Gargano was shot, suffering traumatic injuries, during a rescue attempt of Master Deputy Bradley Link. Link and K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell, along with several other deputies, were performing a well-being check at the home Julie and Michael Sulpizio shared with their adult daughters, Savannah and Cheyenne Sulpizio, located 38144 Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis, following a Baker Act of Julie Sulpizio. After finding two dead dogs in the yard,

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Eustis bicyclist killed near Leesburg Sunday

LEESBURG, Fla.—A Eustis man was killed while riding a bicycle when he swerved in front of a pickup truck Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just after 6:30 p.m., a 61-year-old Leesburg man was driving a 2020 Toyota Tacoma southbound on County Road 473 near Fountain Lake Boulevard in the Bassville Park area of Leesburg, when a 69-year-old man riding a bicycle northbound in the southbound lane, swerved in front of the truck, FHP said. The truck collided with the bicycle, and the Eustis man was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of the Tacoma was not injured.

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

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

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LCSO treating death of woman reported missing from Eustis as “potential” homicide investigation

MOUNT DORA, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the woman found dead near Mount Dora Friday and Eustis Police Department has confirmed she is the subject of its missing person investigation. LCSO responded to the area of Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road Friday morning after a caller reported they found a woman’s body. Deputies responded and found Monica Islam, 44, a woman who was reported missing from Eustis, EPD Chief Craig Capri said. LCSO detectives are working the investigation as a potential homicide, pending information from the Medical Examiner’s Office, Cpl. Chanel Martin said.

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Competency review hearing scheduled for matriarch accused of ambush attack on deputies

TAVARES, Fla.—A competency review hearing for the lone survivor of a family deputies say plotted to kill them last year is scheduled for next month. Julie Ann Sulpizio was declared incompetent to stand trial in February for charges stemming from the August 2024 ambush attack outside Eustis that killed Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link and wounded K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell and Deputy Stefano Gargano. According to Circuit Judge Brian Welke’s order to transport and notice of hearing, the court has been noticed Sulpizio “is competent to proceed, or otherwise no longer meets criteria for continued commitment…”

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3 killed, 1 critically injured in early morning crash near Howey-in-the-Hills

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla.—Three women were killed and another woman was critically injured after the SUV they were in hit a pole, overturned several times and ejected all four of them Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just after 3:15 a.m., a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound on State Road 19 near Saint Florian Lane when the driver, a 30-year-old Mount Dora woman, failed to negotiate a curve, FHP said. The Jeep ran off the road, struck a pole and overturned several times, ejecting the driver, and her three passengers, a 32-year-old woman, a 28-year-old woman, and a 26-year-old

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Eustis Elementary celebrates 100 years

EUSTIS, Fla. – Eustis Elementary will celebrate 100 years of “Continuing Our Legacy” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the school campus, 714 E. Citrus Avenue. Families, friends, teachers, staff and alumni are invited to attend. Eustis Mayor Willie Hawkins will open the festivities in front of the school at 10 a.m. with the reading of a proclamation. The celebration will continue with historical tours, performances, games, food, music, art and more. “Eustis Elementary has served so many in our community for so many years, and it continues to be a bright light in the lives of our

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Social media monitoring sparks investigation: Multiple tips result in Eustis man’s arrest

EUSTIS, Fla.— A Eustis man is facing 10 counts of possession of obscene and lewd materials, following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The suspect was identified and arrested after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received multiple tips about accounts linked to a man, later identified as Randall Lee Small II, 38. According to a probable cause affidavit, FDLE began investigating tips that came into NCMEC’s CyperTipline (CT) from multiple social media platforms last year, including Facebook, TikTok and Snapchat.  A tip came from Facebook in May 2024, regarding one of its users

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Man accused of terrorizing Eustis female joggers and attempting to run down cop pleads guilty

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of attacking three women and trying to run down a Eustis police officer in 2023 will spend the next 15 years of his life in prison – and when he gets out, he will be labeled a sexual predator and serve 15 years of probation, according to Lake County Clerk of Court online records. Jephson Seguin pleaded guilty to attempted sexual battery, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and fleeing or attempting to elude on Monday. Seguin, of Eustis, is accused of attacking two women in the spring of 2023 and a third woman on

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Major traffic shift for this year’s Eustis Georgefest Parade

EUSTIS, Fla.—Motorists will experience a new traffic shift during the City of Eustis Georgfest Parade scheduled for Feb. 22. Beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 22, State Road 19 (Bay Street) southbound will be shut down between County 44 and Herrick Avenue and travelers will be diverted onto either westbound or eastbound County Road 44, at the intersection that includes 7-Eleven, Burger King, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Northbound traffic on State Road 19 (Grove Street) will not be affected. Drivers should expect delays and plan an alternate route, Capri said. This is a

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Orlando man convicted of Umatilla murder, sentenced to life in prison

TAVARES, Fla.—One of the men accused of murdering a Umatilla man in 2022 will spend the rest of his life in prison, according to Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson’s Office. “The actions of this defendant were calculated, deliberate, and devoid of remorse,” said Walter Forgie, Chief Assistant State Attorney. “Justice demands accountability for such actions.” Undray Benson, 53, of Orlando was found guilty in the first-degree murder of Antwain “Lil Daddy” Hart, 31, Thursday following a bench trial, and he was sentenced to life in prison by Judge James Baxley. Only Inside Lake was on the scene Nov.

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CR 439 shut down near Eustis as FHP investigates fatal crash involving dump truck

EUSTIS, Fla.—An Altoona woman was killed Tuesday morning after a dump truck veered into her lane and slammed into her head-on outside of Eustis, shutting down County Road 439. Just before 8:30 a.m., a 1994 dump truck was northbound on County Road 439, when the driver, a 28-year-old Leesburg man, attempted to brake for traffic stopped ahead near County Road 44A. He veered into the southbound lane and hit a 2019 Toyota Corolla head-on. The driver of the Toyota, a 23-year-old Altoona woman, was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, where she was pronounced deceased. The Leesburg man was not

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Man accused of syphoning gas in Eustis gets free ride to Tavares Thursday night

EUSTIS, Fla.—A boat owner timed a trip to get dinner just right when he spotted a man syphoning gas out of his boat as he drove by a Eustis storage facility Thursday night. Around 5:15 p.m. Thursday, the boat owner was driving by Campus Storage, 36622 County Road 19A when he saw a man at the rear of his boat syphoning gas. He circled back around to the storage facility and the man was gone, he told Eustis Police Department. He checked his boat and found the motor cover lifted and the fuel line removed and dripping gas, according to

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Cold weather shelter and warming station scheduled to open this week

EUSTIS, Fla.—A cold weather shelter and warming station are scheduled to open this week in anticipation of colder temperatures, officials with Lake County government announced late Monday morning. According to the U.S. National Weather Service, lows in Lake County are expected to be between 33 and 38 degrees between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. Tuesday. The cold weather shelter is scheduled to be open from 5 p.m. to 7.a.m. Monday through Friday at LifePointe Church, 2551 East Orange Avenue, Eustis; and the Salvation Army will open a warming station from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 2605 South

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Eustis woman killed in wrong-way Christmas Eve crash in Orange County

TANGERINE, Fla.—A Eustis woman was killed late Christmas Eve night after a wrong-way driver crashed into her near the Orange County/Lake County line, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, a 62-year-old woman was driving a 2018 Audi Q3 southbound in the outside lane on Orange Blossom Trail, also known as U.S. Highway 441, north of Wadsworth Road when a 2008 Kia Optima, traveling northbound in the southbound lane, collided with her head-on. The Eustis woman was pronounced deceased on the scene; the driver of the Kia, a 39-year-old Orlando man, was transported to Orlando Regional Medical

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BREAKING NEWS: Santa Claus is coming to town

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—At press time Christmas Eve, the jolly fellow best known as Santa Claus was last spotted in Lithuania and had delivered more than 3 billion gifts, according to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD.) Little boys and girls can track the big guy’s movements online as he makes his way across the world with his trusty reindeer crew, by visiting NORAD Tracks Santa. NORAD began tracking Santa in 1958 after taking over the duty from the U.S. Air Force.

BREAKING NEWS: Santa Claus is coming to town Read More »

FHP finds driver who caused deadly crash outside Eustis, charges pending

EUSTIS, Fla.—A tractor-trailer driver who caused a deadly crash Wednesday and left the scene told the Florida Highway Patrol he did not know he hit anyone, according to a press release. Just after 1:45 p.m., a 58-year-old Miami man was driving a 2017 Volvo tractor-trailer eastbound on State Road 44 and attempted to slow down for traffic. The driver lost control of the trailer, causing it to veer into the westbound lane of State Road 44 near Forest Ridge Road in unincorporated Eustis. The trailer struck a 2014 Nissan Sentra being driven westbound by an 89-year-old Eustis woman, and the

FHP finds driver who caused deadly crash outside Eustis, charges pending Read More »

Hit-and-run crash causes head-on collision, kills woman, and shuts down SR 44 Wednesday

Update: FHP finds driver who caused deadly crash outside Eustis, charges pending – Inside Lake   EUSTIS, Fla.—A hit-and-run driver caused a chain reaction crash that killed a woman Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just after 1:45 p.m., a tractor-trailer with a blue cab and silver trailer was eastbound on State Road 44, and attempted to slow down for traffic. The driver lost control of the trailer, causing it to veer into the westbound lane of State Road 44 near Forest Ridge Road in unincorporated Eustis. The trailer struck a 2014 Nissan Sentra being driven by a

Hit-and-run crash causes head-on collision, kills woman, and shuts down SR 44 Wednesday Read More »

Man with ties to Mount Dora and Eustis killed in South Florida hit-and-run crash

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.— West Palm Beach Police Department is investigating after a man who grew up in Mount Dora and Eustis was killed in a hit-and-run Friday night, just three days before his birthday. At 11:05 p.m. Friday, a 911 caller reported that a man was unconscious and lying in the roadway of the 2700 block  45th Street, just west of Interstate 95, WPBPD said in a press release. West Palm Beach Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced Drew Robert Winters, 44, deceased on the scene. WPBPD Traffic Homicide investigators believe Winters was crossing 45th Street

Man with ties to Mount Dora and Eustis killed in South Florida hit-and-run crash Read More »

Tipster, “alarmed” by threats against officers, alerts Tavares police

TAVARES, Fla.—A transient Mount Dora woman is in the Lake County Jail on no bond after making multiple threats against three Tavares Police Department officers and one Mount Dora Police Department officer on Facebook Wednesday. A tipster reached out to TPD on its Facebook page just before 9:45 p.m. Wednesday and stated, “Someone I know has made some alarming threats against your officers on Facebook. I would like to remain anonymous, but here are the threats on Facebook. Her name is Ernesta Presy.” The tipster followed the message with 11 screenshots from Presy’s Facebook page. A tip also came into

Tipster, “alarmed” by threats against officers, alerts Tavares police Read More »

Affidavit: Man accused of child sex crimes admits misdeeds in texts, controlled phone call and interview

UMATILLA, Fla.—A 29-year-old man who has ties to Eustis and Umatilla is in the Lake County Jail on no bond accused of multiple sex crimes against children. Arsenio Quinones, who lives in Umatilla, but has a Eustis mailing address, was arrested by a Lake County Sheriff’s detective Thursday after agreeing to meet with the detective at a home in Umatilla and admitting he committed sex crimes against two separate juvenile victims, according to a heavily redacted arrest affidavit. Both victims’ names, ages and addresses are redacted from the affidavit to protect their identities. In October 2023, victim one reported Quinones

Affidavit: Man accused of child sex crimes admits misdeeds in texts, controlled phone call and interview Read More »

Eustis police sergeant OK after suspect slams into marked patrol truck

EUSTIS, Fla.—A Eustis Police Department road patrol sergeant is OK after a suspect slammed into his marked patrol truck while he was at a stop sign early Sunday morning. An EPD road patrol officer was patrolling the area of Center Street and Orange Avenue at 12:50 a.m. Sunday when he spotted a white Ford speeding and driving recklessly eastbound on Orange Avenue, according to an arrest affidavit. The officer notified his sergeant, L. Arnold, the vehicle was traveling toward Abrams Road and the officer lost sight of it around Glover Street, according to an arrest affidavit. Arnold was traveling on

Eustis police sergeant OK after suspect slams into marked patrol truck Read More »

Fatal motorcycle crash shuts down SR 44 outside of Eustis Saturday

EUSTIS, Fla.—A motorcyclist was killed Saturday afternoon after striking a concrete mailbox, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man was riding a 2020 Harley-Davidson FXLRS on State Road 44 when he failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the road, and hit the mailbox near Bottany Woods Drive, in unincorporated Eustis, shortly after 5 p.m. He was transported to AdventHealth DeLand, where he was pronounced deceased, FHP said. The crash closed State Road 44 and it was still closed nearly three hours after the crash.

Fatal motorcycle crash shuts down SR 44 outside of Eustis Saturday Read More »

Police on the hunt for Eustis triple shooting suspect

EUSTIS, Fla.—A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the man who police say shot three people Friday night. Gary “Pookie” Davis, 46, is wanted for attempted murder, three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public, EPD Chief Craig Capri said. EPD responded to a report of a shooting in front of 604 Kensington Street around 10 p.m. and found three people shot. Delmetrius Brown, 41, was shot multiple times and airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center; he underwent surgery and is expected to survive. Rashida Henderson, 47, was shot in the

Police on the hunt for Eustis triple shooting suspect Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: 2 shot in Eustis Friday night

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating after two people were shot Friday night. EPD responded to the area of Kensington Street around 10 p.m. and found a male and a female suffering from gunshot wounds, EPD Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Capri said the scene was “active and fluid” and little information was available late Friday night. The victim’s names and the extent of their injuries have not been released, but at least one person was airlifted for treatment, he said. Units were still on scene around 11:30 p.m., “They are canvassing the area for evidence,” Capri said. No

BREAKING NEWS: 2 shot in Eustis Friday night Read More »

Umatilla motorcyclist killed, another seriously injured after wrong-way driver causes late night crash

EUSTIS, Fla.—A wrong-way crash killed a 20-year-old man and sent a 41-year-old man to the hospital shortly before midnight Saturday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 49-year-old Eustis man was driving a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 westbound in the eastbound lane of State Road 44 when he struck a 2024 Harley-Davidson Sportster head-on, near Hammond Lane. The 20-year-old rider was killed; a second motorcyclist, a 41-year-old man riding 2003 Suzuki VL800K, swerved and laid the bike down on the roadway, FHP said. The 20-year-old Umatilla man was pronounced deceased on the scene, the 41-year-old man, also of Umatilla, was

Umatilla motorcyclist killed, another seriously injured after wrong-way driver causes late night crash Read More »

Mom accused of Sorrento kidnapping extradited to Lake County

TAVARES, Fla.—The mom accused of kidnapping her two daughters from a Sorrento foster home in January is back in Lake County to face her charges. Dixie Krista Williams, 42, is accused of kidnapping her two daughters, Tilli and Natalia, in the early morning hours of Jan. 25 from their foster home in Sorrento, triggering an Amber Alert and large law enforcement response. The girls were missing for more than a day, until Williams was captured in Louisiana on Jan. 26. Through its investigation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office discovered information that Williams may be traveling in a silver Nissan Rogue

Mom accused of Sorrento kidnapping extradited to Lake County Read More »

Police release name of motorcyclist killed early Monday

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department has released the name of the man killed while riding a motorcycle Monday morning. Graman Matos Mangual, 38, of DeLand was riding a 2001 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on U.S. Highway 441, north of David Walker Drive around 6:30 a.m. Monday when a black GMC pickup truck struck the motorcycle as the truck attempted to turn left into Eustis Village plaza, EPD Capt. Ken Toler said. Mangual was pronounced deceased on the scene, the driver of the truck, Anthony Campbell, 55, of Astatula was not injured. The crash remained under investigation at press time Wednesday.

Police release name of motorcyclist killed early Monday Read More »

Tempers and flames flare up in Eustis domestic incident Tuesday, according to police

EUSTIS, Fla.—A couple is in the Lake County Jail, accused of battering each other and police say one of them intentionally set an apartment on fire. Shortly after 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Eustis Police Department responded to Crazy Gator, 402 North Bay Street on a report of a domestic battery in progress, according to an arrest affidavit. When they arrived, they found Ashlee Pringle, 35, crying with multiple injuries to her face and neck and she told police her boyfriend, Christopher Walantus, 42, hit her multiple times. She told police the altercation began Monday, and Walantus, under the influence of alcohol

Tempers and flames flare up in Eustis domestic incident Tuesday, according to police Read More »

Motorcyclist killed in Eustis crash Monday

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating a crash that killed a motorcyclist before daybreak Monday. The motorcyclist was riding a 2001 Suzuki motorcycle northbound on U.S. Highway 441, north of David Walker Drive around 6:30 a.m. when he was struck by a black GMC pickup truck attempting to make a left turn into Eustis Village shopping plaza, EPD Capt. Ken Toler told Inside Lake. The plaza contains Publix, Sonic and numerous other restaurants and retail businesses. The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased on the scene; his name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. The driver of the

Motorcyclist killed in Eustis crash Monday Read More »

Eustis police investigating after multiple shots fired Saturday afternoon

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating after multiple shots were fired just after noon Saturday while dozens of youth cheerleaders and football players enjoyed their Saturday game day just a few blocks away. EPD received multiple calls about shots fired beginning at 12:01 p.m. Saturday and callers believed the shots were at Carver Park and officers rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the shots actually occurred on Wall Street between Virginia Avenue and Hollywood Avenue after finding multiple shell casings and speaking with witnesses, Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Carver Park is on Bates Avenue, and a

Eustis police investigating after multiple shots fired Saturday afternoon Read More »

State to seek death penalty in August ambush attack on deputies

TAVARES, Fla.—The woman accused of helping mastermind an ambush attack on Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies may pay for her alleged crimes with her life. Fifth Judicial Circuit Assistant State Attorney Kenneth Nunnelley filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty late Tuesday afternoon in the case against Julie Sulpizio. Sulpizio, 48, is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis on Aug. 2. LCSO responded to the altercation and during a well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot and

State to seek death penalty in August ambush attack on deputies Read More »

Small business advocate and friend to the community, Nina Rosania loses her battle with kidney disease at 43

Publisher’s note: Nina Rosania touched many lives in her short 43 years, including my own. I thought it was important to recognize her for the imprint she left on this community and the hole it now has to fill with her absence. I wanted to give people the opportunity to share stories and their feelings about Nina, so those who missed out on meeting her would know what a caring, selfless person she was. I met Nina after I started Inside Lake. She barely knew me in the beginning, and she’d come to my defense in these ever-so-popular word of

Small business advocate and friend to the community, Nina Rosania loses her battle with kidney disease at 43 Read More »

No signs of abuse or neglect at group home, Eustis police chief says

EUSTIS, Fla.—A social media post about a Eustis group home set off a firestorm of comments earlier this week in the popular Facebook group Eustis FL Word of Mouth. A member of the group posted about an interaction she had with young resident of the home and expressed her concerns that the child may have been abused. Inside Lake reached out to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri and he said “there are no signs of abuse” at the Press Forward group home that houses teen and preteen girls. “It doesn’t appear any there is any abuse or neglect,” Capri told

No signs of abuse or neglect at group home, Eustis police chief says Read More »

Mount Dora man sentenced to three decades in prison for attempted murder

TAVARES, Fla.—A man convicted of shooting a woman twice in Mount Dora last year has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. In March 2023, Mount Dora Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Pine Avenue on a report of a shooting and when they arrived, they found a woman in a 2010 Nissan passenger vehicle suffering from two gunshot wounds. The victim told police “Jason,” later identified as Jason Jameel Ganga, shot her while she was attempting to leave. There were two bullet holes through her driver’s side window,

Mount Dora man sentenced to three decades in prison for attempted murder Read More »

Eustis police chief rides for fallen deputy

MARYLAND—For 13 years, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri has been riding his bicycle to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and fallen law enforcement officers around the country during the Tour de Force 9/11 Memorial Bike Ride, and this year the ride means a bit more— he is riding for fallen Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link. The memorial ride started in 2002 and has since evolved into honoring both the victims of 9/11 and law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. “This year I’m dedicating my ride to Master Deputy Link,

Eustis police chief rides for fallen deputy Read More »

LCSO deputy released from the hospital Monday

TAVARES, Fla.—Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stefano Gargano has been released from the hospital. More than 100 fellow law enforcement officers, friends and family members lined the sidewalk to welcome Gargano as he was released from HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, exactly one month after he was shot while attempting to rescue Master Deputy Bradley Link Aug. 2 from a home outside of Eustis. He was escorted to Lake County by multiple law enforcement agencies across Central Florida under a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Gargano was shot multiple times, as he and a team entered

LCSO deputy released from the hospital Monday Read More »

Tip leads Eustis police to pair of thieves who ratted each other out

EUSTIS, Fla.—Two accused burglars are behind bars after a tip from a Mount Dora homeless camp led a Eustis Police Department detective straight to one of the suspects. On Sunday, EPD road patrol officers responded to Ace Hardware, 18691 U.S. Highway 441 on a report of a burglary. Officers found muddy tire tracks that appeared to be from a lawnmower, a broken fence, a blue mask and a camera sprayed with a white substance, likely paint, according to an arrest affidavit. Video footage showed a man, later identified as Roy “Saint” Perrott, 23, wearing a black t-shirt with “original recipe”

Tip leads Eustis police to pair of thieves who ratted each other out Read More »

Man wanted for raping woman he met on dating app turns himself in to Eustis police

EUSTIS, Fla.—A Jacksonville man wanted by Eustis Police Department for sexually battering a woman he met on a dating app turned himself in to EPD Tuesday. On Aug. 16, a woman reported she had been “raped” by a man named Jeffrey James of Jacksonville. EPD responded and she told a female officer she met James on the dating app “Hinge,” and they matched about three weeks prior and began messaging and talking on the phone on Aug. 14, according to a probable cause affidavit. She said James, 36, seemed “nice” and “easygoing” and “not the aggressive type.”  They agreed to

Man wanted for raping woman he met on dating app turns himself in to Eustis police Read More »

Eustis police searching for man wanted in connection with sexual battery

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is searching for a man wanted in connection with a sexual battery. Jeffrey James, 36, is a white male, 6 feet, 1 inch tall, and may be driving a 2021 grey GMC Canyon, license plate PDUA71. James is believed to be in the Jacksonville area, EPD said. If you have information on James’ whereabouts, call Det. W. Perry at 352-483-5400.

Eustis police searching for man wanted in connection with sexual battery Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: Matriarch indicted for ambush of deputies

TAVARES, Fla.—A Lake County grand jury has indicted Julie Sulpizio for her role in the death of one Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy and the attempted murder of two others on Aug. 2. Sulpizio is now officially charged with principal to premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of  principal to attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit murder, battery on law enforcement officer, three counts of battery. The battery charges stem for her original altercation with neighbors. Sulpizio has been held on no bond since her arrest Aug. 5 after she was medically cleared

BREAKING NEWS: Matriarch indicted for ambush of deputies Read More »

FHP confirms identity of man killed on SR 44 early Sunday

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol has confirmed the identity of the man killed while walking across State Road 44 Sunday morning. Robert Hawkins Jr., 32, was walking north across the westbound lane of State Road 44 near Lakeview Drive when he was struck by a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan being driven by a 43-year-old DeLand woman, around 3:45 a.m.; Hawkins was not in a marked crosswalk, Trooper Migdalisis Garcia said. Hawkins was pronounced deceased on the scene; the DeLand woman was not injured.

FHP confirms identity of man killed on SR 44 early Sunday Read More »

Eustis man killed walking across SR 44 early Sunday

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—A Eustis man was struck and killed early Sunday morning while walking across State Road 44, outside of Eustis, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly after 3:45 a.m., the 32-year-old man was walking north across the westbound lane of State Road 44 near Lakeview Drive when he was struck by a 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan being driven by a 43-year-old DeLand woman. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene; he was not in a marked crosswalk. The DeLand woman was not injured, Trooper Migdalisis Garcia said.

Eustis man killed walking across SR 44 early Sunday Read More »

Man found deceased in Eustis Thursday morning, police investigating

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating after a man was found deceased near some businesses Thursday morning. The male, in his 60s, was found just after 7:15 a.m. by some bystanders walking by 2105 East Orange Avenue, EPD Capt. Jon Fahning told Inside Lake. His death does not appear to be suspicious. Police have identified the man, but are not releasing his identity, pending notification of next of kin.

Man found deceased in Eustis Thursday morning, police investigating Read More »

Celebration of Life and Service for fallen LCSO deputy held Saturday

CLERMONT, Fla.— “Let us remember Bradley as a true hero for his courageous actions.” Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Stephanie Earley spoke about her dear friend and field training officer Master Deputy Bradley Link at his Celebration of Life and Service Saturday. Thousands of people were in attendance. Earley spoke about the relationship she and her husband had with Link, and his wife, Brittany. The times they spent together playing Catch Phrase and, “our beach days together were the best,” she said. Deputy Matthew Layman, who was Link’s zone partner when he was in the road patrol unit, spoke about

Celebration of Life and Service for fallen LCSO deputy held Saturday Read More »

Celebration of life and service for fallen deputy livestream available for those who cannot attend

CLERMONT, Fla.—A celebration of life and memorial service for fallen Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link will livestream at 11 a.m. today. The livestream will be available for those who cannot attend in person. You may watch by clicking here. Hundreds of people are attending the service, including community members, dignitaries and law enforcement officers from across the country, in addition to family and friends. Link, 28, was a 2015 graduate of Lake Minneola High School, served in the Army Reserves and became a deputy sheriff for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in 2017. He was hired at

Celebration of life and service for fallen deputy livestream available for those who cannot attend Read More »

Injured K9 deputy releases first public statement

TAVARES, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office released a video of K9 Master Deputy Harold Howell leaving the hospital, along with his first statement to the public Wednesday. “Hello all— it is bittersweet to finally be home after this event. I would like to thank my Lake County Sheriff’s Office family for their unending love and support,” Howell said. He also had a message for the community that has rallied behind him, Deputy Stefano Gargano and the family of fallen Master Deputy Bradley Link. “To everyone in Lake County, as well as state and even nationwide—I have seen and heard your

Injured K9 deputy releases first public statement Read More »

Matriarch now facing charges in “horrific nightmare” ambush of deputies

TAVARES, Fla.—Julie Sulpizio, the woman who set Friday night’s tragic events in motion, has been arrested and is a facing a litany of charges. Sulpizio is facing charges of principal to premeditated murder of a law enforcement officer, seven counts of attempted murder, battery on law enforcement officer, battery by strangulation, and two counts of battery. She was arrested Monday afternoon at AdventHealth Waterman and transported to the Lake County Jail in Master Deputy Bradley Link’s patrol truck and cuffed with his handcuffs, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said at a press conference following her arrest. Link’s unit, Agriculture and

Matriarch now facing charges in “horrific nightmare” ambush of deputies Read More »

Suspects named in deputy ambush

TAVARES, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the suspects who shot three deputies Friday night. Michael Sulpizio, 49, Savannah Sulpizio, 23, and Cheyenne Sulpizio, 22, were all found dead by LCSO’s SWAT team after they made entry at the home where Deputy Bradley Link, 28, lay wounded after all three suspects opened fire on deputies Friday night, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said. Deputies responded to a home on Brookside Drive in the Orlando Hills neighborhood in unincorporated Eustis, on a report that Julie Sulpizio, 48, attacked a resident at that home. Deputies took Julie into custody

Suspects named in deputy ambush Read More »

Fundraisers set up for deputies shot in the line of duty Friday night

TAVARES, Fla.—Fundraisers have been set up to benefit the deputies who were shot Friday night outside of Eustis. Lake County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Bradley Link, Master Deputy Harold Howell and Deputy Stefano Gargano were shot in the line of duty Friday night. Link and Howell were ambushed while conducting a well-being check related to another call for service. Gargano was shot multiple times while attempting to rescue Link, who was trapped inside the home. Link was rescued and succumbed to his injuries. On Saturday, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said Howell was in stable condition and Gargano was in critical

Fundraisers set up for deputies shot in the line of duty Friday night Read More »

LCSO releases names of deputies who survived ambush Friday night

TAVARES, Fla.—The two Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies who survived after being shot in the line of duty Friday have now been identified. Master Deputy Bradley Link and Master Deputy Harold Howell were shot Friday night while conducting a well-being check at a home on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis. Link was trapped in the home and Deputy Stefano Gargano was part of a rescue team put in place to extract Link from the home. Howell, 41, was shot in the arm and is currently awaiting surgery; he is listed in stable condition. He began working for LCSO in 2005

LCSO releases names of deputies who survived ambush Friday night Read More »

Deputy killed in the line of duty identified

TAVARES, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deputy killed in the line of duty Friday night. Master Deputy Bradley Michael Link, 28, joined LCSO as an Explorer and after graduating from Lake Minneola High School in 2015, he served in the Army Reserves before becoming a deputy sheriff for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. He joined LCSO in 2019, “where he quickly became part of our family and faithfully served our citizens with courage and zeal,” LCSO said in a Facebook post. “Brad, as our Sheriff’s Office family knew him, touched the lives of all who were blessed

Deputy killed in the line of duty identified Read More »

Lake County Sheriff: 3 deputies shot, 1 killed Friday night outside Eustis in a “hail of gunfire”

EUSTIS, Fla.—The collective heart of the community is heavy today after three Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies were shot Friday night, one of them tragically killed. LCSO Sheriff Peyton Grinnell spoke to reporters early Saturday morning, his sorrow apparent, and explained what happened around 8 p.m. Friday, while Major Glenn Hall, Major Todd English, Lt. John Herrell, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods and 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson stood close by. Deputies first responded to a disturbance at a home on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis. “While they were conducting their investigation, they were alerted to a home,

Lake County Sheriff: 3 deputies shot, 1 killed Friday night outside Eustis in a “hail of gunfire” Read More »

PHOTO: Shannon Cook/Special to Inside Lake

SUV crashes into unoccupied bank building in downtown Eustis Friday afternoon

EUSTIS, Fla.—A driver and a pedestrian are OK after an SUV crashed into a Bank of America building in downtown Eustis Friday afternoon. Shortly before 2:15 p.m., an elderly driver lost control of her SUV and careened into the glass double doors of the building, located at 100 North Bay Steet. A pedestrian was near the building and suffered minor injuries, Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri said. The building has been unoccupied for several years, and according to Bank of America’s website, only an ATM is available at that location for customer use. The driver and pedestrian, whose names

SUV crashes into unoccupied bank building in downtown Eustis Friday afternoon Read More »

Father of young girl found dead in Montverde last month arrested on unrelated charges

TAVARES, Fla.—The father of a young girl found dead in Montverde last month was arrested last week on unrelated charges out of Polk County, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office online booking records. Lojuan Jamario Sessions, 26, father of 9-year-old Jamaria Sessions, was picked up at his job in Eustis Wednesday by Eustis Police Department on two warrants for violating probation, stemming from a 2019 Polk County case. In January 2019, Sessions was accused of fleeing from a Haines City Police Department officer after the officer found a bag of drugs, later determined to be amphetamine, in plain view in

Father of young girl found dead in Montverde last month arrested on unrelated charges Read More »

Astatula man killed Friday morning after rear-ending dump truck in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.—A 30-year-old Astatula man was killed before daybreak Friday morning after he rear-ended a dump truck near Zellwood, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly after 5:30 a.m., the Astatula man was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Jones Avenue near Jewel Foliage Road when he entered the eastbound lane, traveling above the posted speed limit, to pass another vehicle, FHP said. He reentered the westbound lane, failed to slow down and rear-ended a 1985 dump truck being driven by a 38-year-old Eustis man. The Astatula man was transported to AdventHealth Apopka and pronounced deceased; the Eustis

Astatula man killed Friday morning after rear-ending dump truck in Orange County Read More »

Accused murderer back in Lake County

TAVARES, Fla.—The man police believe is responsible for the murder of a Leesburg store owner was booked into the Lake County Jail Friday morning. Alex Lopez, 25, is facing charges of premeditated murder, armed robbery and two other weapons offenses, and is being held on no bond. Lopez was on the run for nearly a month, while Leesburg Police Department worked with state, federal and local agencies to track him down and finally located him at a motel in Kissimmee around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Leesburg Police Department Sgt. Shannon Walsh said. He was taken into custody by the FDLE/Orlando –

Accused murderer back in Lake County Read More »

Driver who caused crash that shut down Grove Street Monday night arrested for DUI

EUSTS, Fla.—The driver of the truck that took out an electrical pole, a fire hydrant, and shut down Grove Street for more than 10 hours Monday has been arrested for DUI. Tyler G. Cook, 29, of Eustis, was arrested early Tuesday morning after being released from the hospital, where he refused a blood draw, according to an arrest affidavit. Around 6:30 p.m. Monday, EPD responded to a crash one Grove Street near North Eustis Street and found a power pole lying across the road, a fire hydrant spewing water and a blue Chevy truck on its roof, with an open

Driver who caused crash that shut down Grove Street Monday night arrested for DUI Read More »

Truck takes out electrical pole, fire hydrant, flips over and shuts down Grove Street in Eustis Monday night

EUSTS, Fla.—A state road is shut down Monday night after a speeding truck took out an electrical pole, a fire hydrant, and flipped over; and the driver may have been drunk, according to Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri. An adult male, who has not been publicly identified, was traveling northbound on Grove Street near North Eustis Street at a “high rate of speed” in a pickup truck around 6:30 p.m. when he lost control, hit the pole, the fire hydrant and flipped over, Capri told Inside Lake. The driver and his passenger were transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares with

Truck takes out electrical pole, fire hydrant, flips over and shuts down Grove Street in Eustis Monday night Read More »

Dump truck driver swerves and hits pickup head-on, killing DeLand man Friday morning

DeLAND, Fla.—A 35-year-old DeLand man was killed Friday morning after a dump truck swerved and hit the pickup truck he was driving head-on, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 7:15 a.m., a 23-year-old Deltona man was driving a 2018 Kenworth dump truck eastbound on State Road 44, approaching Misty Lane in the DeLand area of Lake County, when he swerved left to avoid stopped traffic, FHP said The dump truck crashed head-on into a 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 traveling westbound, killing the Ram’s driver. The dump truck driver was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares with minor injuries. Earlier

Dump truck driver swerves and hits pickup head-on, killing DeLand man Friday morning Read More »

Eustis family trying to rebuild their lives after loss of home and dog to devastating fire

EUSTIS, Fla.—A Eustis family is trying to rebuild their lives after losing their home and beloved dog to a devastating fire around midnight Monday. Amanda and Joe Mitchem and their son, Joey, 16, were able to escape the blaze, but lost everything they owned and their pup “Bitty Dog,” in the fire. Their daughter, Joni, 18, did not live at the home but was storing most of her belongings there, Amanda told Inside Lake.  The Mitchem family does not have insurance.   Joe and Amanda heard their breaker box making a “buzzing” sound late Sunday night and when Joe opened

Eustis family trying to rebuild their lives after loss of home and dog to devastating fire Read More »

Lake County jury convicts man of shooting woman in Mount Dora last year

TAVARES, Fla.—A man accused of shooting a woman twice in Mount Dora last year was convicted by a Lake County jury Wednesday, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. In March 2023, Mount Dora Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Pine Avenue on a report of a shooting and when they arrived, they found a woman in a 2010 Nissan passenger vehicle suffering from two gunshot wounds. The victim told police “Jason,” later identified as Jason Jameel Ganga shot her while she was attempting to leave, and he was inside. There were two bullet holes through

Lake County jury convicts man of shooting woman in Mount Dora last year Read More »

Sorrento man accused of taunting friend after running him over last week in Eustis, victim airlifted

EUSTIS, Fla.—A man was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center last week after his friend ran him over—and Eustis Police say it was intentional. Around 6:30 p.m. May 19, EPD responded to the intersection of Clay Boulevard and Pine Grove Road on a report of someone being hit by a vehicle and when they arrived, they found Frederick Correll lying on the ground, bleeding, with road rash all over his body. His injuries were so severe he was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to an arrest affidavit. His condition at press time was unknown. Correll’s friend was on

Sorrento man accused of taunting friend after running him over last week in Eustis, victim airlifted Read More »

Lake County Golden Triangle Rotary awards scholarships for 2024-25 school year

MOUNT DORA—The Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle awarded $26,000 in scholarships to 13 central Florida residents who are pursuing higher education degrees in the 2024-25 academic year. The awards are based on criteria including scholastic ability, responsibility toward education and financial need with a special emphasis on community service Morris W. Dunbar established a Nursing Scholarship in honor of his wife. The recipient is Reyna Green, a Mount Dora High School graduate, studying at the University of South Florida. The Richard Earhart Endowment provides a scholarship to students from Mount Dora. The recipient is Kari Martinez, a Mount

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Eustis man killed in early morning wrong-way crash

ZELLWOOD, Fla.—A Eustis man was killed early Sunday morning in a head-on crash, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 42-year-old Eustis man was driving a 2013 Kia Optima northbound in the southbound lanes of Orange Blossom Trail/U.S. Highway 441 approaching Jones Avenue just before 2:30 a.m., when he collided with a 2012 Toyota Rav 4 being driven by a 51-year-old Orlando woman. The Eustis man was transported to AdventHealth Apopka, where he was pronounced deceased; his next of kin has not been notified. The Orlando woman and her passenger, a 72-year-old woman, also of Orlando, were transported to Orlando

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Eustis Police investigating apparent suicide at Eustis gas station

EUSTIS, Fla.—Eustis Police Department is investigating after a body was found Thursday morning at a busy gas station and police believe it was a suicide. “It appears to be a suicide and there is no danger to the public,” EPD Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. The body of a male in his 30s was found by a store employee around 9 a.m. Thursday in the area of the dumpster at 7-Eleven, 2002 North Highway 19, EPD Capt. Jon Fahning said. His name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. If you are struggling or having suicidal

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5th Annual Lake County Back the Blue (and Red) Walk scheduled for Saturday; Firefighters added this year

TAVARES, Florida—For the fifth year in a row, law enforcement and supporters will join forces for the annual Lake County Back the Blue Walk at Wooton Park Saturday morning, and this year firefighters will join the fun.  Scheduled for 9 a.m., this is one of many law enforcement events around Lake County held in May during Law Enforcement Appreciation Month and this year, Organizer Shannon Cook wanted to add firefighters to the appreciation walk to coincide with the Lake County Board of County Commissioners proclaiming May 4 “International Firefighters’ Day” in Lake County, she told Inside Lake. “I figured what

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