GROVELAND

Deputies arrested a Lake County man who they say shot and killed his neighbor's dog for digging through his trash can.

GROVELAND, Fla. — A 10-year veteran of the Groveland Fire Department has been placed on leave after he was arrested on suspicion of driving drunk. While speaking to the driver, later identified as 39-year-old Jason Balcauski, officers noted he had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and was slurring his speech. Balcauski was then placed in custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. A spokesperson for the City of Groveland confirmed Balcauski has been an engineer with the fire department since 2011. READ: Police investigate deadly Friday night shooting in OrlandoHe’s been placed on leave pending the outcome of an administrative hearing.

A nightmare come true: Christmas and Halloween join forces in a “creepy” maze running for its final weekend.

A horse was found shot and killed in a pasture at a Groveland home, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

A Lake County student was arrested after making a bomb threat on Tuesday morning.

GROVELAND, Fla. — A Groveland police officer who resigned following allegations of inappropriate communication with an underage girl will not face criminal charges. Channel 9 first brought you the story in May when the officer handed in his resignation. The criminal investigation is now complete and that officer, Conrad Perez, won’t face criminal charges. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<However, the Groveland Police Department conducted its own internal investigation and found the allegations of officer misconduct were sustained. Read: New FTC report: Communities of color disproportionately affected by fraud, consumer problemsThe girl told investigators officer Perez also kissed her once on the lips.

GROVELAND, Fla. — Police in Groveland responded to an ultralight plane that crash-landed Saturday morning at around 10:40 a.m.WATCH: Newly released documents shed light on Miya Marcano disappearanceThe crash occurred near Garden Way Road, not far from the Florida Flying Gators Ultralight Airport on Homestead Drive, according to a report. WATCH: Lucy in the sky! Lucy blasts off on a 12 year mission across the universePolice did not give a cause for the crash. Channel 9 will continue to monitor this plane crash and give updates on Eyewitness News. READ: Florida man accused of standing in girl’s room after break-inClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been more than 70 years since the men who the world knows as the Groveland Four were accused of kidnapping and raping a white woman named Norma Padgett Upshaw in Groveland, a rural community in Lake County. Only 9 Investigates obtained a summary of the FDLE investigation into the Groveland Four case. The review started nearly three years ago and could help determine whether the four Black men should be exonerated. READ: ‘A very worthwhile journey’: Groveland Four monument unveiled in Lake County“I am asking for exoneration because it never happened,” said Dr. Beverly Robinson. The FDLE probe focused on tracking down new leads and previously unreported information about the case handled by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Groveland Police.

COVID-19 has impacted many first responders in Central Florida, now agencies are encouraging vaccinations and the wearing of masks.

If approved it would be the first vaccine to go from emergency use authorization to full FDA approval.

CLERMONT, Fla. — State Road 50 is closed in both directions due to police activity in the area. Clermont police said the road is closed between Citrus Tower Boulevard and Hancock Road. READ: Johnson & Johnson and Guillain-Barre warning: What you need to knowOfficials said Clermont police, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Groveland police are all responding to the area. Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates. READ: Orlando police make arrest in 2 sexual battery cold cases involving man known as ‘Woodline rapist’

A family in a Groveland neighborhood is asking for information from police and the community after a bullet sliced through their home this past Sunday.

There was a lot to get mad over in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' heavy-handed use of the line-item veto on this year's state budget. Glaring...

When the officer was notified of the internal investigation he submitted his resignation with the Groveland Police Department, according to the city.

GROVELAND, Fla. – Deputies discovered a man’s body in the trunk of a burned vehicle near Groveland Saturday, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities received a call at 9:15 a.m. about a white SUV near Honeycutt Road and Tuscanooga Road. According to the caller she then observed a male run away from the vehicle. See it below: @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/KA7vvfSSqu — Brian Didlake (@News6Brian) March 27, 2021The fire department and deputies arrived and found the SUV with fire damage inside the vehicle. The body of Luther was found in the trunk of the SUV.

GROVELAND, Fla. – Groveland police are asking for help finding a woman last seen in Orlando who has been missing for more than a month. Lori Crumpton, 41, was last seen Feb. 26 in the area of West Colonial Drive and Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando, according to a news release. She is known to frequent Groveland, Mascotte, Leesburg and Orlando, officers said. AdCrumpton is homeless and does not own a vehicle, officers said. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Groveland Police Department at 352-429-4166.

On Thursday, the Pring family said they had a bit of trouble with their dryer, which was blowing an excessive amount of lint. Over the weekend, the family said they sought the help of Sea Star Air and Appliances to fix the dryer. News 6 caught up with Cobble from Sea Star Air and Appliances and he said this was something he wasn’t expecting. This is not the first-time News 6 has talked with the Pring family. The Pring family said they’ll be watching out from now on and possibly put mothballs out because they can’t clog the airway for the dryer.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Lake County said its Groveland Amazon site will be closed effective immediately due to lack of supply. The health department said the site is expected to be closed until Feb. 15. Site operations are set to resume once the location receives its next shipment, which health officials say should be early next week. TTY users can use 833-476-1031. AdThe health department said it will continue to schedule and administer second dose appointments at St. Patrick Catholic Church as well.

Empty vials of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are seen at a first come first serve drive-thru vaccination site operated by the Lake County Health Department on January 28, 2021 in Groveland, Florida. Pfizer expects to sell about $15 billion in coronavirus vaccine doses this year, the company announced in releasing its fourth-quarter earnings Tuesday. Revenue rose 12% to $11.68 billion from $10.44 billion during the same quarter last year — better than analysts expected. Pfizer has said it expects to deliver 200 million doses of its two-shot vaccine to the U.S. by July 31. Novavax said Thursday its vaccine was only 49% effective against B.1.351, the highly contagious strain found in South Africa.

GROVELAND, Fla – Two days after opening, a vaccine site at a Groveland Amazon distribution center will no longer offer first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. The Department of Health-Lake County released a statement Friday reading, “Due to overwhelming demand for 2nd doses, 1st doses will no longer be available at the Groveland Amazon site.”[TRENDING: Video shows deputy Tasing student | How to get the vaccine in Fla. | NASA tests new moon rocket]AdDue to overwhelming demand for 2nd doses, 1st doses will no longer be available at the @FLHealthLake #COVID19 Groveland Amazon site. Eligible residents interested in 1st doses can preregister at https://t.co/6zjL24SU7g to be contacted when an appointment becomes available. — Florida Health Lake (@FLHealthLake) January 29, 2021When the site first opened on Wednesday, the plan was to administer first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine in the morning, cutting off the first-come, first-served line once capacity was reached and then reopening exclusively for second doses in the afternoon. [MORE: Complete coronavirus coverage]Anyone who got their first shot at a Lake DOH site will receive a call with appointment information.

GROVELAND, Fla. – Amazon teamed up with the Florida Department of Health-Lake County to administer vaccines to seniors on Wednesday. Vaccinations took place via drive-thru on a first-come, first-served basis at the Amazon distribution site in Groveland, which reached capacity about 40 minutes before the event began. “This site is first come first served and it’s open until further notice,” Aaron Kissler with FDOH Lake County said. Magdalena Contreras and her husband, Juan, drove from Pasco County to Lake County Wednesday morning to get their first shots. Health officials announced Wednesday that the center will be open Monday through Friday until further notice.

Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesNearly 3 million Americans appear to have fallen off the unemployment benefits cliff after Christmas, a scenario many had feared amid delays in pushing through another Covid relief bill. U.S. Labor Department data issued Thursday provides the first glimpse of how delays from Congress and the president affected benefits. More than 1.7 million people dropped off Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, a program paying benefits to self-employed, gig, part-time and other workers, between Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, according to the Labor Department. Roughly 1.1 million stopped receiving Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which offered extra aid to those who ran out of their standard allotment of state benefits. Roughly 1.2 million people filed a new application for state jobless benefits two weeks ago, a level above the peak of the Great Recession.

GROVELAND – The City of Groveland didn't host a big Fourth of July celebration because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it did put on two dueling fireworks displays for residents to watch safely from their own homes. “In previous years, our tradition has been to gather for the best things the Fourth of July in Groveland has to offer: food, fun and fireworks,” Wilson wrote. They pinpointed two secret locations where they could set off the fireworks so everyone in the city can watch from their homes. The city estimates more than 21,000 people will enjoy the dueling fireworks display safely from their front porch or backyard. As the fireworks went up in Groveland, the same could not be said through much of Central Florida.

The City Of Groveland Provided A Safe Way To See FireworksIf you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. Hail hit Orange County for the second day in a row. Storms were scattered from Groveland to Orlando around 6:20 p.m. on Friday. The storms Orange County has seen the past two days are more like a summer day than late spring, according to News 6 Chief Meteorologist Tom Sorrells. Hail on Thursday produced hailstone of 1.25. Chances of precipitation for the next three days are at 20 percent and temps could hit the 90s on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Kevin Moore, 26, was located in a wooded area east of State Road 19 in Groveland by a Lake County Sheriffs Office K-9 and apprehended. Kevin Moore, 26, was located in a wooded area east of State Road 19 in Groveland by a Lake County Sheriffs Office K-9, bitten by the dog and apprehended by deputies. Eventually, Moore turned westbound onto Cherry Lake Road, where officers caught up to him and attempted a traffic stop. As the pursuit continued onto State Road 19, officers said Moore turned into orange groves east of the State Road 19 and officers lost visual contact with him. A Groveland police officer said he saw someone matching Moores description run into a patch of woods south of Cherry Lake Road, east of State Road 19.

With social distancing and self-isolating at home the norm for now Hope International Church in Groveland, along with the city of Groveland and local business teamed up to give residents a chance to escape and grab some dinner, while still following current mandates. That was the case Friday when Hope International Church, the city of Groveland and countless local businesses teamed up for Community Unity Good Friday Family Night. "Ive always been so proud to be part of this community; one that leads and serves when people need it the most," said Tony McCoy, pastor of Hope International Church. Cars began lining up in front of the church on State Road 33 in Groveland an hour before the giveaway began. Other local businesses who chipped in to help included Corellis Italian Restaurant and Steel Worx Solutions, which provided the sodas.

GROVELAND City leaders have implemented a new program dubbed "Operation Reach Out." Its a bottle swap, meaning they bring an empty plastic bottle with a lid and trade it for filled with hand sanitizer. Glen and Susan Ricci, also Groveland residents, said called the citys reach-out efforts nice and thoughtful. City officials are in communication with local restaurants, food trucks and farmers willing to deliver food to Groveland residents and communities. Groveland Police Chief Shawn Ramsey said when he came to Groveland three years ago, he immediately realized his main focus community policing.

GROVELAND City leaders have implemented a new program dubbed "Operation Reach Out." Its a bottle swap, meaning they bring an empty plastic bottle with a lid and trade it for filled with hand sanitizer. Glen and Susan Ricci, also Groveland residents, said called the citys reach-out efforts nice and thoughtful. City officials are in communication with local restaurants, food trucks and farmers willing to deliver food to Groveland residents and communities. Groveland Police Chief Shawn Ramsey said when he came to Groveland three years ago, he immediately realized his main focus community policing.

Interim District 5 Councilman Randolph Waite won an official seat on the board in the March 17 Primary Election. GROVELAND The coronavirus pandemic has changed the course of peoples everyday thoughts, lives and focus, but in the midst of that, a few notable things have happened. This week, Waite said he is proud of the positive and professional campaigns he and Jones conducted preceding the March vote. Until then, Waite said hell continue on with his mission of fostering Grovelands charming atmosphere and continuing with his investment in the community. To do that, Waite said he plans on finding ways to get citizens more involved in all city happenings.

GROVELAND, Fla. – Groveland city leaders are trying to ease their residents into a new normal built by the coronavirus pandemic, and their efforts include phone calls, free sanitizer and food. “The City of Groveland is the City with Natural Charm. Citizen Check-In LineApart from making sure residents have clean hands, city leaders also created a way for residents to feel supported through what’s called a Citizen Check-In Line. Since City Hall is closed, city leaders have invested in a Ring video doorbell at its entrance to assist residents who may stop by with questions. For more information on how the City of Groveland is committed to serving its residents, visit www.groveland-fl.gov.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Groveland man was arrested after a deputy found him naked inside of a parked car with a 15-year-old girl, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said Michael McDole, 22, traveled to Winter Haven to meet the victim after the two made initial contact on the social media app Snapchat. The victim managed to sneak out of the house in the middle of the night, according to a news release. McDole was found with the teen early Sunday morning after deputies received reports of a suspicious vehicle in the area of 30th Street Northwest and Avenue F Northwest, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said an examination of text messages between the two revealed that McDole was aware that the girl was 15 years old.

YOUR FORECAST: Itl be a warm weekend with highs in the high 80s and lows in the 60s. CATCH A RIDE ON A BALLOON: The Lake County Balloon Festival kicks off on Friday at 5 p.m. at Sheets Airport in Groveland. It starts at the same time Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20 per car and includes parking. Tethered balloon rides are available for $20 in advance or $30 at the event.

A monument recognizing the wrongdoing against the Groveland Four, four black men accused of raping a white woman in Groveland in 1949, is set to be dedicated at 10:30 a.m. Feb 21 in front of the old courthouse in Tavares. TAVARES A dedication ceremony for a Groveland Four monument will take place next month, about one year after Chairwoman Leslie Campione first proposed the idea to the board. Im happy to tell you that the construction of the Groveland Four monument is being completed, Cole said. Campione said the date and time for the dedication was carefully considered based on board member and Groveland Four family schedules. In 2016, both the city of Groveland and Lake County adopted proclamations asking that the Groveland Four be exonerated.

Investigators reportedly found more than 10,000 dumped tires, many of them containing still water, which creates a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes among other things. GROVELAND A Groveland business owner was arrested for illegally dumping tires following an investigation which began Dec. 12, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday. The DEPs Central District Environmental Crimes Unit arrested Ron Weeks, owner of Ron Weeks Tire and Disposal and Sales, for one count of felony littering for commercial purposes and economic gain, a misdemeanor charge of nuisance injurious to health, and one charge of operating without a permit. We will not tolerate purposeful harm to the environment or threat to public health, DEP Central District Director Aaron Watkins said. Since last July, DEPs new Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Response has effectively joined forces with our regulatory staff to ensure protection of the environment and public health, and has resulted in over 75 felony and misdemeanor charges.

The countys agency for economic prosperity is putting on the program at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the agencys Visit Lake office, 20763 U.S. 27 in Groveland. TAVARES Lake County is hosting an application learning session on the Lake County Tourism Development Capital Projects funding program. The countys agency for economic prosperity is putting on the program at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, at the Visit Lake office, 20763 U.S. 27 in Groveland. Organizations with publicly owned and operated capital projects that will enhance Lake County as a tourist destination can apply for funding. For more information about the program, visit this shortened, case-sensitive link: bit.ly/CaptialProjectsFundingProgram.

In the past year alone, Cherrylake representatives say they have sold nearly 14,000 Miss Chlo magnolias from their Groveland location. In the farms early years, Michel, Veronique and their three children would collect magnolia seeds from neighbors' yards in Clermont. The team believed such a name would tie in well with the tradition of naming the Southern magnolias after Southern belles. And so, the cltf1 magnolia cultivar joined the ranks of other Southern magnolias as Miss Chlo. In the past year alone, Cherrylake representatives say they have sold nearly 14,000 Miss Chlo magnolias from their Groveland location.

1st Class Elthon Rivot Del Valle has been named veteran service coordinator at Cornerstone Hospice. In his Cornerstone role, he is responsible for training staff on specialized care for veterans, including honors rendered former members of the Armed Forces. The former police officer and member of the Puerto Rico National Guard also serves as liaison to the national We Honor Veterans program. CHAPS TENTFrom the quill of Altoona's retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Join Keith Friday mornings on 1410 AM with station manager James Floyd and Air Force Vietnam veteran Bob Peters.

This wonderful City has made tremendous strides to get to its current state, but is not finished. I look forward to being a part of a great team and assisting to bring the community of Groveland closer together, said newly appointed interim District 5 Councilman Randolph Waite. GROVELAND On Nov. 4, local daycare owner and high school teacher Randolph Waite was unanimously appointed by city council members to take the reins of Seat 5. Groveland spokeswoman Khrystyna Tremaine said Waite has stated his intention to qualify for the permanent Seat 5 replacement. At that time, Radzik was nominated and elected by his peers to serve as the Vice Mayor for the upcoming year alongside Groveland Mayor Evelyn Wilson.

A traffic stop in Groveland became a major drug bust as police uncovered thousands of grams of THC oil and other drugs in the mans car. GROVELAND A routine traffic stop in Groveland turned into a major drug bust Thursday night after Groveland police officers said they found more than 3,000 grams of THC oil and hundreds more of marijuana during a search of the mans vehicle. Police arrested Minneola resident Anthlone Washington Wade, 25, about 9:30 p.m. during a traffic stop on State Road 50 near Montevista Road. Guns and drugs are a bad combination, Groveland police Chief Shawn Ramsey said in a statement released by the city. All told, police said they found 3,209 grams of THC oil, roughly 273 grams of marijuana, about 25 grams of mushrooms and 16 grams of LSD tablets.

Carl Jamison Elder, 24, willingly turned himself into the Lake County Sheriff's Office after a 16-year-old girl came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct. MASCOTTE A Groveland firefighter turned himself in Friday after a 16-year-old girl told investigators he had inappropriately touched her at a party on Bay Lake Road southwest of Mascotte. According to the probable cause affidavit from a Lake County detective, the incident involving Carl Jamison Elder, 24, took place on Oct. 5 at a birthday party at a property off Bay Lake Road used for mudding. Elder turned himself in Friday afternoon according to the Lake County Sheriffs Office, and he was charged with simple battery. Groveland Fire Chief Willie Morgan provided a statement Monday saying that pending the criminal investigation and an internal department investigation, the fire department has placed Elder on leave.

GROVELAND Willie Morgan said he never really had aspirations of becoming a firefighter, let alone fire chief. After volunteering for a short while, Buck Tomlinson, the volunteer chief at the time, resigned to take a paying job in Winter Garden. He would later go on to serve on the City Council for nine years and has acted as interim city manager when needed. Forty-three years later, Morgan, now 67, is passing the torch but not until after he makes sure the departments future is nicely set. Morgan submitted a resignation letter to Groveland City Manager Mike Hein on July 24 in order to give the city plenty of time to find a replacement.

There will also be an economic savings to the public, he added, speaking of the way municipal elections are handled by the local elections office when held on odd years. In Mascotte, the qualifying period is from noon on Aug. 12 to noon on Aug. 16. The seats up for re-election there are the mayoral seat, currently held by Nick Girone; one at-large council seat currently held by Harmon Massey; plus the District 1 and 4 seats, held by Laurie Tillett and Marc Crail. In Tavares, qualifying is from noon on Aug. 1 to noon on Aug. 15. The seats up for re-election are three at-large council positions currently held by Jim Ley, Judy Smith and Allen Hartle and the mayoral seat currently held by Joe Wyncoop.

GROVELAND A large crowd of guests from all over Lake County joined city officials Wednesday afternoon for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of a new and long-awaited Public Safety Complex Grovelands biggest project to date. The councils been so generous and supportive of public safety. It will offer decontamination safety features designed to allow first responders to cleanse themselves of possible cancer-causing agents after calls. Once complete, the Public Safety Complex will be a safe haven for citizens, a landmark for visitors and a professional workplace for the men and women who put their lives on the line each and every day. Morgan, who started in Groveland more than 40 years ago, said the project marks a huge move forward for the citys future.

Groudbreaking in Groveland draws crowd from across Lake CountyGROVELAND A large crowd of guests from all over Lake County joined city officials Wednesday afternoon for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of a new and long-awaited Public Safety Complex Grovelands biggest project to date. The councils been so generous and supportive of public safety. Todd English, who served as interim prior to his arrival, and Tommy Merrill, the longest serving police chief in the nation before his retirement from the Groveland PD. Once complete, the Public Safety Complex will be a safe haven for citizens, a landmark for visitors and a professional workplace for the men and women who put their lives on the line each and every day. Morgan, who started in Groveland more than 40 years ago, said the project marks a huge move forward for the citys future.

Independence Day festivities Thursday include Leesburg, Clermont Eustis, Groveland and Tavares. Here's a look at what's On Tap this week:LeesburgThe city of Leesburg lights up the night at Celebration at the Lakefront at Venetian Gardens on Thursday. There will also be a free kids' play zone and free ice cream, while supplies last. The free event includes local celebrity Kayslin Victoria, who was recently on The Voice, leading the national anthem. GrovelandA Star-Spangled Spectacular with dueling fireworks is planned for Grovelands Independence Day Celebration from 4 to 11:45 p.m. at Lake Catherine Blueberries, 5849 Lake Catherine Road in Groveland.

David A. Montes, who turns 35 on July 3, was designated a sexual predator. Following a plea deal, a Groveland man will serve six years in prison, followed by nine years of probation for attempted lewd, lascivious molestation of a child less than 12. Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti also designated David A. Montes, who turns 35 on July 3, as a sexual predator on Monday. Montes was originally charged with lewd, lascivious molestation of a child less than 12, which carries a life sentence. Montes told MCSO Inspector Erik Dice that he had his hands outside the victim's clothing several times and may have touched her inappropriately.