Mount Dora Arts Festival brings hope to struggling artists
MOUNT DORA, Fla. – The 46th annual Mount Dora Arts Festival will welcome art lovers and artists on Saturday not just from Florida but from outside the Sunshine State as well. Ronald Weltmer, a woodwork artist who lives in Eustis, is excited to be attending the iconic festival for the first time. Organizers from the Mount Dora Center for the Arts said their priority is the public’s safety. Deborah Barnes, a jewelry artist in Mount Dora, has been part of the festival for more than 40 years and is looking forward to her first show in a year. Visitors are asked not to stroll around the festival with food or drinks to prevent them from taking off their face coverings.
Deputy’s use of Taser on Eustis High School student within agency policy, sheriff’s office says
EUSTIS, Fla. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy was justified in using his Taser on a Eustis High School student while trying to break up a fight on Tuesday. The video appears to show the student slapping at the deputy’s face and kneeing him, which is also described within the incident report. The video ends when both the deputy and the student get back to their feet and the deputy draws his Taser. According to the report, Brown gave the student verbal commands to stop, threatening to use the stun gun if she did not listen. According to the report, the student later apologized to Brown claiming she “blacked out” in a fit of anger.
Senior residents at Eustis nursing home receive second dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Residents at Lake Eustis Health and Rehabilitation Center received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 13, 2021. EUSTIS, Fla. – Several residents at the Lake Eustis Health and Rehabilitation Center received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday. Aalbrand said she couldn’t be happier to receive the second dose because this will mean more family time for her from now on. Lake Eustis Health and Rehabilitation Center is home to 71 seniors. Several staff members were also scheduled to get the second dose on Wednesday.
Police identify suspect after stray bullet hits woman at ‘Light-Up’ Eustis
Officers with the Eustis Police Department said they are looking for a 17-year-old accused of shooting a woman at “Light-Up” Eustis. LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Officers with the Eustis Police Department said they are looking for a 17-year-old accused of shooting a woman at “Light-Up” Eustis. A woman was rushed to the hospital after a shooting on Nov. 27, according to the police department. Eustis police the victim was shot in the arm around 9:38 p.m. on Nov. 27. The woman was standing several hundred feet from where the shooting happened and was not the intended target, according to officials.
Grammy award-winning musician saves State Theatre of Eustis with $20,000 donation
EUSTIS, Fla. – After weeks of fundraising, the State Theatre of Eustis is no longer at risk of closing its doors at the end of the year, thanks to a generous donation. We can’t get to 76% if we only have 55 seats available.”Among those who watched the story was Grammy award-winning pianist and conductor Peter Nero. The 86-year-old acclaimed musician has called The Villages home for several years and has never set foot inside the State Theatre of Eustis. To celebrate the occasion, Jaggers and operations manager Sue Wharff surprised Mr. Nero at his house with an oversized check for him to keep. “He donated $20,000 to keep our theatre afloat,” Jaggers said.
Woman shot at ‘Light-Up Eustis’ event was not intended target, police say
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman was rushed to the hospital after a shooting in downtown Eustis at the “Light-Up” Eustis event, according to the police department. [TRENDING: Video reveals huge hammerhead shark circling clueless swimmer in Florida | Florida reports latest coronavirus numbers | ‘Disturbing’ video sent to Seminole students]Eustis police the victim was shot in the arm around 9:38 p.m. on Friday. The woman was standing several feet from where the shooting happened and was not the intended target, according to officials. Investigators said she was transported to the Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford. Anyone with information is asked to contact Eustis police or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
State Theatre of Eustis at risk of final curtain call
Due to the pandemic, the State Theatre of Eustis is on the brink of closing its doors. Becky Jaggers serves as president of the Bay Street Players, which has called the theatre home since 1975. “Right now, we are struggling.”“(The) Bottom line is we here at the State Theatre are in a world of trouble right now,” Bay Street Players Vice President Jim Quinlan added. As their set goes up, many worry when it’s over, the curtain will fall for good on this 98-year-old theatre. “We want to save our theatre,” Jaggers added.
Two 14-year-olds dead, 1 critically injured following Eustis crash
EUSTIS, Fla. – The Eustis Police Department responded to a crash Sunday that left two 14-year-olds dead and a third teen seriously injured. “At this time two fatalities have been confirmed and one is labeled in critical condition,” investigators said. Eustis police later identified the victims as Amari Traemaine Bedford, 14, who was the driver, and NY’Juan J. Hodge, 14, who was the front passenger. The third 14-year-old, Torian Harp, remains in critical condition. Friends and family of the victims held a vigil at the crash site Monday evening.
Lake County man stabs house guest with kitchen knife, deputies say
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A 32-year-old Lake County man is facing charges after deputies say he stabbed another man in an argument over comments about his girlfriend. Sheriff’s deputies say the scene unfolded Sunday at a home along the 2700 block of Grand Island Shores Road in Eustis. Hays' friend told deputies he was the one who invited the two men over to the home. Deputies say Joseph Teyssier worked to break up the fight, kicking Hays away from his brother as he pushed him in the opposite direction. Deputies say Hays likely used the kitchen knife found on the dining room table to stab Pierre.
Here’s how to build your hurricane kit on a budget
EUSTIS, Fla. – As Central Floridians prepare for Hurricane Isaias, many families are struggling to make ends meet because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts say you can still be prepared for this hurricane season without breaking your budget. We recommend seven days’ worth of food, water, and medicine.”Preparing for the hurricane season is different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Building a hurricane kit or getting prepared doesn’t have to be expensive. Carter said you can get the essentials you need for your hurricane kit for less than $30.
‘Destruction everywhere:‘ Eustis nonprofit nature center vandalized
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A Lake County nonprofit, already struggling from hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic, is dealing with another big blow. The Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis was vandalized sometime Sunday night, according to the center’s Executive Director, Eileen Tramontana. "I came into work yesterday here at the nature center and I found my doors wide open in my education building. The loss comes at a time when the center's donations are down due to classes, school field trips and environmental education programs being canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The 230-acre property has offered walking trails and environmental education opportunities for 32 years.
Eustis boy receives unforgettable birthday surprise when truck drivers came together
EUSTIS, Fla. – Ever since the coronavirus pandemic began, birthday celebrations have had to be canceled or changed. For two parents in Eustis, their creativity brought together a community of truck drivers and caring strangers, to celebrate their son’s fifth birthday. What the family didn’t know, is that his post would be shared by others. “The field was full of trucks and I just-- I didn’t know and they came just to celebrate him. Some of the trucks that showed were such high caliber, they were literal monster trucks, I mean, I'm just glad We were able to do it," Raley said.
1 person injured in Eustis shooting, police say
EUSTIS, Fla. – The Eustis Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a person injured, according to a news release. Officers responded to Rose Lane and Johnson Avenue Wednesday at 1:30 a.m. for a report of a person shot, investigators said. Police said a victim suffering from a gunshot wound was found and taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call police at 352-483-5400 and reference case number E20032464. It was not immediately clear if any any arrests were made, if police located a person of interest or what led up to the violence.
71-year-old man stalked 17-year-old girl, Eustis police say
EUSTIS, Fla. – A 71-year-old man repeatedly went to a teen girl’s work for several months, causing her to be so afraid for her safety that her coworkers would have to hide her when he arrived at the store, according to the Eustis Police Department. Police said Larry Yennior, 71, had been targeting the 17-year-old girl over the course of a year beginning in March 2019 when he noticed her at the grocery store where she works. According to documents, Yennior would go to the store and seek out the teen, even buying small, insignificant items so that he could go through her check-out lane. He’d ask the girl personal questions about her age and whether her parents would approve if they were to begin a romantic relationship, records show. Police said the behavior got so bad that employees would watch out for Yennior and when he entered the store they would say a code word over the intercom so the girl could hide.
Good Samaritans who helped officer after being shot share their stories
EUSTIS, Fla. – On Dec. 19th, a Eustis police officer, Captain Gary Winheim, was shot while on the job. But while that was happening, good Samaritans sought to help law enforcement that day, and those heroes were recognized at the Eustis City Commission meeting. King said his brother ended up following the shooter, while on the phone with 911, helping to let the police know where the shooter ended up, near a junkyard. Pastor Brooks Braswell of the First Baptist Church of Umatilla said his church served as a central hub for law enforcement during the man-hunt. Pastor Braswell said it was thanks to the generosity of local restaurants, that they were able to provide law enforcement with hot meals.
‘How did this vehicle get here?’ Answers sought after Apopka man, 13-year-old found dead in pickup
EUSTIS, Fla. – A friend of a man found dead alongside his 13-year-old nephew says she’s heartbroken and searching for answers while a double homicide investigation is underway in Lake County. A white full-size 2001 GMC Sierra pickup truck being towed away on County Road 437 in Lake County. “(The deputy) looks in the bed of the vehicle and that’s when he notices a body and then he notices two bodies in the vehicle,” Lake County sheriff’s Sgt. Deputies said the victims lived in Apopka and investigators are trying to determine why they were in Lake County. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the white 2001 GMC Sierra truck between Friday at 9 p.m. and 3:20 a.m. Saturday to come forward and call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
13-year-old killed in Eustis double homicide
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies with the Lake County Sheriffs Office are investigating a double homicide at the intersection of County Road 437 and County Road 44A in Eustis. Deputies said around 3:20 a.m. Saturday a deputy pulled behind what he thought was a disabled vehicle on the side of County Road 437. When deputies walked up to the full-size pickup truck, they discovered two Hispanic males in the bed of the truck deceased. The victims have been identified as 26-year-old Jesus Pantoja and 13-year-old Christopher Gutierrez, both of Apopka. All he wanted to do was be able to provide for them, to give them a better life,” said Rodriquez.
Eustis police captain who was shot in ear returns to work
EUSTIS, Fla. – A Eustis police captain who had to have a bullet removed from his back after a suspect shot him in the neck is back on the job less than a month after he was released from a hospital. The Eustis Police Department posted a picture on its Facebook page showing Capt. “Ladies and gentlemen put your hands together and let’s welcome back Captain Winheim to full duty,” the caption read. Colvin pulled over his truck down the road -- even though Winheim did not have the lights activated on his unmarked patrol truck -- then got out and shot Winheim, according to authorities. He was killed in a shootout with authorities after they found him hiding under a canoe near a lake in Umatilla.
Caught on camera: Bear makes midnight garbage-snack run
EUSTIS, Fla. – A Eustis family caught a furry encounter on video when a young bear visited their home in search of food. Quan Nguyen, who lives near Eustis Middle school, said he woke up to find his garbage knocked over and trash littered everywhere. When he checked his home’s security cameras, he saw a young bear tip over the can, flip the lid, and take off with a bag full of garbage. Nguyen said the bear seemed hungry and may have been frightened by construction near his home. He said his kids are cleaning up the furry thief’s mess, totally unbothered that the bear made a midnight visit.
Manhunt ends: Man accused of shooting Eustis police captain dies in gun battle
EUSTIS, Fla. – A man accused of shooting a Eustis police captain was killed in a gun battle with deputies, bringing a manhunt that lasted more than six hours to an end, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities were unable to immediately provide information about who fired their weapon first and how many times Colvin was shot. Gary Winheim, who was in the area of North State Road 19, heard gunshots coming from outside a nearby Shell gas station. Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell said that after shooting Winheim, Colvin fled the scene in Eustis, drove up to County Road 450 and bailed out of his vehicle near Baker Road. At about 4:15 p.m. Thursday, deputies said they believed they had Colvin “contained” in an area near County Road 450 and State Road 19.
1 person hospitalized after incident involving stolen vehicle, Eustis police say
EUSTIS, Fla. – One person was taken to a hospital after an incident involving a stolen vehicle Saturday, according to the Eustis Police Department. A patrol officer was in the area of McDonald Avenue and Cardinal Street at about 4:39 p.m. where they spotted a stolen vehicle, officials said. The officer entered the tag information and confirmed the vehicle was stolen. Officers observed the vehicle on the bypass and believed the vehicle had crashed. Officials said that as officers arrived at the bypass, the vehicle rolled over on Cattail Drive.
Smokey Jr. growing stronger, may be released in late Fall
The little bear cub that was injured in a fire in Eustis could be released by late November or early December, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said on Tuesday. Smokey Jr., or S.J., was 6 pounds and 2 to 3 months old when he was found in mid-April after a 140-acre fire spread to the Royal Trails subdivision. was found with singed fur and burned paws and was relocated to the Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo in mid-April. He was transferred to Homosassa State Park, where he remains today. “Smokey Jr. is doing very well since Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated him to Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park,” Tampa’s Lowery Park Zoo veterinarian Dr. Ray Ball told WKMG.
Bishop Moore Hornets dominate Eustis Panters
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Bishop Moore Hornets rolled to 9-0 with a 56-0 shutout of Eustis in College Park. [VIDEO: 6-Yard Line]Bishop Moore's speedy tailback Trilion Coles set the tone in the first quarter, sprinting for a 47-yard and a 38-yard touchdown. This sets up a battle of unbeatens in Week 11 as the 9-0 Hornets travel to Altamonte Springs to take on the 9-0 Lake Brantley Patriots.
Gator's Dockside restaurants add health care surcharge to tab
CLERMONT, Fla. – Customers of some Gator's Dockside restaurants in Central Florida are now being charged more to cover worker health care costs. A 1 percent surcharge had been added to checks at Gator's Dockside restaurants in Clermont, Eustis, The Villages and Lakeland, informing customers that the cost will cover health insurance that the owners will be required to provide for employees under the Affordable Care Act. We want everyone to know this is what its going towards," said Clermont Gator's Dockside General Manager Chayse Neal. Gator's Dockside has around 500 employees with locations in Central Florida and in the Jacksonville area. The group that owns several Gator's Dockside restaurants in Central Florida, including Baldwin Park, Dr. Phillips, Winter Springs, Waterford Lakes, Hunter's Creek, Lake Mary, Apopka, Ocoee and Four Corners, has not added the surcharge.