LAKE COUNTY

A 40-year-old pedestrian was killed Thursday night following a crash currently under investigation by the Leesburg Police Department.

A Wildwood man has died from injuries suffered in a crash with a car that happened Monday.

A pedestrian was struck and killed in Leesburg, police say.

With the calendar flipping to December, holiday events are in full swing.

Deputies announced they have arrested a trio accused of damaging construction sites in Lake County.

A 55-year-old man was arrested for the rape of an 18-year-old woman.

Supply chain issues, climate change, and planting decisions during the Great Recession have all contributed to the Christmas tree crunch.

Tuesday marks one year since the shooting that killed the couple who owned T&N Market in Mount Dora.

You can get a Christmas tree for $10 by cutting one down in the Ocala National Forest. But there are some things you need to know.

Farms across Central Florida will soon be flooded with delicious strawberries that you can pick yourself.

An attack on the road on Thanksgiving day has two men facing charges in Lake County, according to deputies.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Newly released records show a community volunteer coordinator used his position to abuse childrenInvestigators said 60-year-old Perry Gentry had inappropriate contact with children on multiple occasions, including having young boys stay at his home where he would then abuse them. In October, Gentry was arrested for failing to list vehicles he owned and not disclosing social media accounts on his sex offender registry. Perry Gentry sex offender registryInvestigators say Gentry used his position to take advantage of the trust of parents and children. “Everybody on the street warned me and told me he’s is a registered sex offender,’ one neighbor who didn’t want to be identified, said. Perry remains in the Lake County Jail awaiting trial.

A man who worked as a community soccer coach and teacher in Citrus County is locked up in Lake County facing child porn charges, according to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office.

A Central Florida judge on Monday exonerated Black men known as the “Groveland Four” who were falsely accused of raping a white woman in 1949.

Groveland Four A monument memorializing the Groveland Four was unveiled Friday in Lake County. (WFTV.com News Staff)LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Groveland Four were exonerated more than 70 years after they were falsely accused of raping a woman in 1949. Following that news, Channel 9 compiled nine things to know about the men involved and circumstances surrounding the case:>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<1. Shepherd, Irvin and Greenlee were tried and convicted by an all-white jury. Ron DeSantis agreed to pardon Shepherd, Irvin, Greenlee and Thomas, all of whom had been dead for years.

A judge has approved a series of motions that cleared the names of Lake County's Groveland Four, a group of young African American men wrongfully convicted of rape in 1949.

The families of the Groveland Four speak.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Families of the Groveland Four will speak following a hearing on their exoneration. In 2017, the state legislature apologized to the Groveland Four and also recommended that they be exonerated. That’s what could happen Monday following a scheduled hearing. READ: ‘A very worthwhile journey’: Groveland Four monument unveiled in Lake CountyThe hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Cryptocurrency Lake County is looking at the possibility of getting involved in the cryptocurrency business. (WFTV.com News Staff)LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County is looking at the possibility of getting involved in the cryptocurrency business. County staff are exploring how the county could accept Bitcoin for payment of fees, and the possibility of the county making its own cryptocurrency. That’s why Parks is pushing county staff to look into accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment for fees on various county services. He’d also like the county to look at creating its own “coin,” a Lake County digital currency, like the city of Miami has done.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Red-light cameras -- are they really keeping you safer on the roads or are they more of a money maker? Read: Surveillance cameras installed along Lake County roads without permission to be removed9 Investigates breaks down the numbers and camera locations live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 5. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Read: Inside the collapse of Zillow: hundreds of homes to hit Orlando market

36-year-old Devonne Walker was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Volunteers came together on Wednesday to distribute thousands of pounds of food to families in need before Thanksgiving.

Former Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders Former longtime Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders has died. (Lake County Sheriff's Office)LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Former longtime Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders has died. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<The sheriff’s office said Borders passed away peacefully Tuesday morning after a recent battle with cancer. READ: Lake County deputies looking for animal cruelty suspect after horse found shot in pastureBorders was appointed by then-Gov. Borders had previously worked as a chief deputy of Criminal Justice Operations with the Lake Sheriff’s Office and he was a long-time major with the Lake County Department of Corrections.

AdventHealth opens Clermont ER to expand healthcare access to Lake County.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture unit are looking for the person responsible for shooting and killing a horse in its own pasture over the weekend. The victims told deputies they didn’t see anything suspicious the day before and didn’t know of anyone who would shoot their horse. READ: Osceola County sheriff announces new narcotics investigation unit“I want these people caught,” owner Scotty Sanders said. “This was senseless...at this point I want them under the jail.”Deputies noted the victims had other animals that weren’t harmed. On @WFTV "We want to know why, we definitely want the people caught," Devastated owners react to the senseless death of their beloved horse Jackie, found shot in her own pasture.

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

A man charged with setting a string of fires in Umatilla in 2019 has pleaded no contest to all of the charges against him and agreed to prison time.

LEESBURG, Fla. — Starting today, thousands of motorcyclists will gather in Lake County for the return of Leesburg Bikefest. Read: Leesburg Bikefest canceled due to pandemicMerchants and bikers who were forced to take a detour from Bikefest in 2020 have a lot to look forward to this weekend. We have an amazing poker run event happening during Leesburg Bikefest this weekend called Wreaths Across America! pic.twitter.com/EJ4wlmkCLY — Leesburg Bikefest (@LeesburgBike) November 11, 2021Planners began preparing for big crowds early in the week, setting up food vendors, putting barriers around the main stage and even planting flowers. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Leesburg Bikefest 2017.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Starting next week, the Florida Department of Health will offer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at schools across Lake County. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<The CDC recently approved the Pfizer COVID vaccine for use in children between the ages of five and eleven years old. READ: Coronavirus: What are the most common side effects of the vaccine for kids ages 5-11? Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots will also be available for anyone who’s eligible. READ: Health officials give away 5K at-home COVID-19 test kits in Seminole CountyPatients are asked to complete a consent form before arriving at the vaccination site.

The Florida Department of Health in Lake County is hosting multiple free COVID-19 vaccination events across school campuses next week, according to Lake County Public Schools.

One way to prepare for the large food intake on Thanksgiving is to get out and get active before you find yourself in a turkey coma.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A 17-year-old boy is accused of killing his family’s dog with a katana-style sword and leaving its body in a wooded area behind their Lake County home over the weekend. Deputies said the boy’s parents called to report suspected animal cruelty after the 17-year-old made “jokes/sarcastic comments” about taking the dog into the woods and killing it with a sword. When deputies searched the family’s home, they said they found a single katana-style sword in a sheath between the mattress and box spring of the boy’s bed. They said the sword had dried blood, and what looked to be animal hair on its blade. Investigators said the manner of the dog’s death qualified for charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony.

Alan Hays is upset because his fellow Lake County Republicans are spreading unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about 2020 election fraud. Cry us a river. Hays contributed to America’s present-day conspiratorial psychosis, and now is upset that the Frankenstein’s monster he helped create is rampaging across the countryside. Before Hays became supervisor of elections in Lake County, he was a ...

Mount Doral Police ask for the public's help to find missing man, John Ryals, 43.

A Minneola convenience store customer reported a suspicious incident to Lake County deputies Friday night allegedly involving a female screaming in the rear of a truck.

A woman wanted as an accessory to a deadly shooting in Leesburg has been arrested in Virginia Beach, but the man who police believe pulled the trigger is still on the run, according to the Leesburg Police Department.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A Lake County judge will decide whether to set the record straight in the case of four young Black men who were accused of raping a young white woman in Groveland, Florida in 1949. Local law enforcement, led by then-Sheriff Willis McCall, arrested 16-year-old Charles Greenlee and tried to get Ernest Thomas. LIVE UPDATES: Jury finds Markeith Loyd guilty of murdering Orlando police Lt. Debra ClaytonSheperd, Irvin and Greenlee were tried and convicted by an all-white jury. “The evidence strongly suggests that a sheriff, a judge, and prosecutor all but guaranteed guilty verdicts in this case. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi requested the agency review the case after the state of Florida issued a posthumous pardon in 2019.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A 13-year-old Umatilla Middle School student has been charged with a felony after threatening to carry out a shooting at the school on social media. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<The sheriff’s office identified the student as Thea Stiles. Lake County School Resource Deputies Charge 13-Year-Old After Threatening a School Shooting A 13-year-old female... Posted by Lake County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, November 3, 2021The poster says they’ll be “shooting up” the middle school Wednesday and references being expelled for “selling nic” because of students in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes. When questioned in the principal’s office about the post, deputies say Stiles initially denied even having a phone. READ: Osceola teacher removed from class pending investigation into boys made to clean ‘untidy’ restroom“The Sheriff’s Office and Lake County Schools maintain zero tolerance for such threats,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Voters in Mount Dora will cast their ballots Tuesday for who will lead the city for the next two years.

Residents in Lake County will head to the polls in early November to vote in several races including Mount Dora mayor, Mount Dora city council and Tavares city council.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Leesburg police are investigating a drive-by shooting early Monday morning that left one person dead. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<Police responded to reports of gunfire at a home in the 1600 block of Center Street just before 1:30 a.m. Monday. Shiver was taken to UF Health Leesburg where he later died. Police say Shiver was in the home with six other people when he was shot, including four young children, but no one else was injured. Leesburg police are asking anyone with information on the case to contact them at (352) 728-9862 or call Crimeline at (800) 423-8477.

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

A 19-year-old man was shot and killed early Monday morning inside a home in Leesburg.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help identifying a man they say stole a stack of lottery tickets from a local gas station. The incident happened at a Marathon gas station in Clermont back in mid-August. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<READ: Markeith Loyd says he will testify in murder trialDeputies say the suspect walked up to the counter and initially asked to purchase lottery tickets. Another customer at the store told deputies the man left the area in a small, two or four-door light silver-colored sedan. READ: Rapper Fetty Wap arrested on federal drug trafficking chargeAnyone with information that may help deputies identify the suspect is asked to call Crimeline at (800) 423-8477.

A community is coming together to restore a piece of history some may have forgotten.

Law enforcement agencies across Central Florida have responded to at least 14 school-related threats within two months, records show.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A Mount Dora man died in a crash late Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Just before midnight, troopers said a 44-year-old man was eastbound on State Road 46 near Carroll Street when he left the roadway and overturned. They said the man was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. READ: Deputies: Florida toddlers drown in neighbor’s swimming pool after grandmother reports them missingSee a map of the scene below:READ: Police: Father beat 12-year-old, left him in laundry room to dieREAD: Police deny claims that DNA didn’t match Brian Laundrie’s remainsClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

A fatal crash is investigated by the FHP in Lake County.

A local prosecutor has filed a motion to clear the names of four African American men who were wrongly accused of raping a white woman more than seven decades ago.

The Florida Department of Health is hosting two free COVID-19 vaccination events at middle schools across Lake County.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators say a registered sex offender had children’s beds and video games in his home where he was making child pornography. According to court documents, Gentry failed to disclose a Facebook page he was using, as is required, when he registered as a sex offender with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in April. Gentry was known in his Sorrento neighborhood as a registered sex offender, nearby residents say. Perry Gentry sex offender registryREAD: Daytona Beach police establish scholarship fund in honor of officer killed in the line of duty“Everybody on the street warned me and told me he’s is a registered sex offender,’ one neighbor who didn’t want to be identified said. “They’d play in the yard.”For employment, investigators say Gentry transported bodies and dead pets for funeral homes and cremation services.

Each year, over 5,000 officers carry the torch on a 1,500-mile relay run throughout 67 counties in Florida. On Tuesday, it was Lake County’s turn.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — If you’ve been registered to vote in Florida for years, don’t be surprised if you’re asked to provide additional personal information next time you update your registration or want to vote by mail. Some Lake County residents reached out, expressing concerns about a letter they received in the mail requesting the information. In Lake County, there are more than 10,000 people who would have received a letter explaining it. READ: Differences and similarities in Florida’s dueling plans to change electionsYou do not need to provide the information if you plan to vote in person. You just have to show an approved photo ID with signature when you show up to vote.

A state attorney is still fighting to exonerate Lake County’s Groveland Four, a group of men wrongfully convicted of rape in 1949.

A Lake County man was fatally shot during a physical altercation with his wife, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Lake County man dies after getting shot during fight with his wife, deputies sayPAISLEY, Fla. — Deputies in Lake County are investigating after a man died after being shot during a fight with his wife. The shooting occurred at around 9 p.m. at a home on Veva Avenue in Paisley, according to a report. Detectives said Smith’s wife, Marina McDonald, told them she and Smith had been involved in a physical altercation, during which Smith pointed a gun at her. WATCH: Orlando fire chief resigns 2 months after suspension due to arrestMcDonald told deputies she attempted to take the gun from Smith, at which time a struggle for the gun ensued. Channel 9 will continue to monitor this deadly shooting and will provide more details on Eyewitness News.

Lake County corrections officer charged with bringing contraband into jail facility, deputies sayTAVARES, Fla. — Deputies in Lake County have arrested and charged a corrections officer for allegedly bringing contraband into the Lake County jail. Deputies said jail officer Alex Webber was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation of illegal items being brought into the Lake County Detention Center. Due to the charges, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said termination proceedings are now underway for Webber. Earlier this month, Lake County deputies charged 14 people, including corrections officer Jimmy Ankrom, in connection with bringing illegal items into the Lake County jail. READ: Deputies charge 14, including corrections officer, with bringing drugs into Lake County JailThe investigation, called “Operation Hide and Seek,” found tobacco, marijuana, methamphetamine and suboxone that were all bound for the Lake County jail.

Lake County deputies arrested a correctional officer Thursday after he was discovered smuggling tobacco into a detention center for payment, authorities said.

A family is looking for accountability from Eustis police after they tased their loved one with autism.

A man riding a motorcycle without its headlights on was killed in a crash in Clermont before sunrise Wednesday morning, Clermont police said.

A wide range of outdoor festivals are popping up across our area on Saturday.

A 66-year-old man riding a bike was killed in a crash in Leesburg, police say.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A Lake County man claimed a $1 million prize from the new “GOLD RUSH LIMITED” scratch-off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Brian Nelson, 26, of Leesburg, made the trip to Tallahassee to claim his prize with his fiancée of one month, Emily Pelton. See a map of the location below:READ: Man wins lottery twice in 2 weeksThe Quik Mart will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket. READ: $1 million winning Powerball ticket sold in FloridaThe Lottery’s newest $20 scratch-off game, GOLD RUSH LIMITED, features 32 top prizes of $5 million and 100 prizes of $1 million. Additionally, the ticket is filled with over 33,000 prizes of $1,000 to $100,000, lottery officials said.

A 39-year-old man was arrested after a bank robbery at the Insight Credit Union on Highway 441 in Eustis on Tuesday, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

This Lake County man is lucky in more ways than one.

As emergency rental assistance applications are processed, some Central Florida landlords claim the process is too complicated for some renters who need the funds the most.

A Leesburg man was arrested Thursday on the warrant for a homicide that occurred in June, according to a Lake County arrest report.

Education Avenue from US Highway 27 to Grassy Lane Road in Minneola is temporarily closed due to a hole in the road, according to a tweet from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Lake County Public School students now have access to resources from the Lake County Library System.

A woman who recently relocated to Central Florida claims she was assaulted by a mover in California shortly before he drove off with her belongings in a moving truck.

Six weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ended the moratorium on evictions, Central Florida deputies are starting to serve more notices to vacate to renters behind on their rent.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating a Tavares man’s death after reports of a shooting in Leesburg Monday morning. Deputies responded to reports of shots fired at a home on Kinne Pearce Road and arrived to find an unconscious man outside the home. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<READ: Arden Villas residents raise concerns over complex following death of Miya MarcanoThe man was pronounced dead soon after by responding paramedics. He’s been identified by the sheriff’s office as 35-year-old Joseph MitchellThe sheriff’s office didn’t specify whether the shooting was actually the cause of Mitchell’s death. READ: Man shot after getting into standoff with police during officer-involved shooting, police chief saysThough no arrests have been made, deputies say they have everyone involved in the shooting in custody.

A Tavares man was found dead after Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of shots fired at a Leesburg residence early Monday, according to a release from Lake County detectives.

A “bellwether trial is set to start Monday in federal court in Cleveland to determine whether retail pharmacy chains are liable for opioid crisis costs in two Ohio counties. Grover lives in Trumbull County, Ohio, which along with Lake County, have sued four retail pharmacy chains to recover “public nuiscance” costs the opioid crisis continues to inflict on their communities. Just to the south, the flood of prescription opioids during the same period equated to 400 pills for every resident of Trumbull County. Jim Misocky, an attorney and special projects coordinator in Trumbull County, along with Lake County Administrator Jason Boyd, said the ongoing opioid crisis has been a burden financially. When the county morgue fills up, bodies are sent to Cleveland or Lake County for autopsies.

A “bellwether trial is set to start Monday in federal court in Cleveland to determine whether retail pharmacy chains are liable for opioid crisis costs in two Ohio counties. Grover lives in Trumbull County, Ohio, which along with Lake County, have sued four retail pharmacy chains to recover “public nuiscance” costs the opioid crisis continues to inflict on their communities. Just to the south, the flood of prescription opioids during the same period equated to 400 pills for every resident of Trumbull County. Jim Misocky, an attorney and special projects coordinator in Trumbull County, along with Lake County Administrator Jason Boyd, said the ongoing opioid crisis has been a burden financially. When the county morgue fills up, bodies are sent to Cleveland or Lake County for autopsies.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after a person died in a Lake County crash early Friday. Just after 6 a.m., troopers said two vehicles crashed on U.S. 27 and Lake Minneola Shores. One person involved in the crash died at a hospital. READ: Officials: 3 Florida panthers struck and killed by vehiclesTroopers said two of the three southbound lanes were blocked on U.S. 27. Lake Minneola Shores is also blocked.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for a driver they say caused a crash in Lake County that killed two people, then left the scene. READ: DeLand 7-Eleven windows shot after shootout between two drivers, police sayTroopers say the 22--year-old driver struck a third car head-on. A passenger in the second vehicle, identified only as a 19-year-old Eustis woman, died later at Central Florida Regional hospital. The 22-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. WATCH: Leesburg city leaders considering massive new development that could dramatically transform the townWitnesses described the suspect vehicle as a red passenger vehicle, possibly a Hyundai, with damage and black paint transfer on the driver’s side.

>> Read more trending newsThomas Krob, 87, of Spring Grove, woke up with a bat on his neck in August, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Krob declined treatment, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Public Health. A Lake County man died after being bit by a rabid bat in August, the first reported human case of rabies in the state since 1954, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. But rabies exposures remain common, and approximately 60,000 Americans receive post-exposure vaccines annually, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Bats are the most commonly identified animals with rabies in Illinois, according to WBBM.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A campaign has been launched against the planned McKinnon Groves development in a rural area on the Lake County/Orange County line. Signs have been set up, and so have dedicated social media pages, including posts that target specific commissioners. County commissioners listened and suggested changes to the plans that developer and vice president of McKinnon Groves Scott Boyd already said was already a good project for the area. READ: Daytona downtown development leaders to discuss future of farmers market“It’s a very unique community, obviously, because of 357 acres, but 40% of it is open space, a lot of that open space is going to be reforested,” he said. READ: Lake County opens new trail, trailheadClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Mabel Norris Reese A bronze portrait of a Lake County journalist acclaimed for her reporting on the Groveland Four case will be unveiled in Mount Dora on Friday. (Mount Dora)LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A bronze portrait of a Lake County journalist acclaimed for her reporting on the Groveland Four case will be unveiled in Mount Dora on Friday. The event scheduled for 10 a.m. at Sunset Park, called “A Celebration of Courage,” will honor journalist Mabel Norris Reese. McCall also launched a rival newspaper to challenge Reese’s Mount Dora Topic. READ: ‘A very worthwhile journey’: Groveland Four monument unveiled in Lake CountyFunding Reese project began with donations from across the country through GoFundMe, and continued with grants from the Mount Dora Public Arts Commission, Mount Dora Community Trust, and other personal contributions.

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.

The state health department reported Friday the number of childhood virus cases appeared to decline the week before, while the number of school outbreaks in Illinois continued to climb.

Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. In Lake County, school leaders are considering a policy that varies from school to school. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 20 Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting Police were called to the Lake County School District office building after a faceoff between pro-mask and anti-mask crowds became heated. (Nick Papantonis)Photos: Anti, pro-masking demonstrators clash ahead of Lake County School Board meeting“This is all about the kids and doing every single thing we can do,” said Amanda Lauren, a parent. This is a community effort.”The school board could vote on the policy Thursday.

Officials said Thursday, Sept. 2, that's throwing the cases into disarray, and that he sent an associate, who is not a licensed lawyer, to appear before judges in his absence. Prosecutors had expressed concerns last week after John Pierce, who is representing more than a dozen people charged in the Jan. 6 riot, didn't appear in court for several days. An associate — who is not licensed to practice law — was appearing before judges in Pierce's absence. Pierce said in a legal filing Wednesday that he spent 12 days in the hospital before being released Sunday. The associate, Ryan Marshall, is not a licensed attorney and faces felony criminal charges, including fraud, in Pennsylvania state court.

Person killed in crash that shut down southbound US-27 in Lake County, troopers sayLAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A crash Sunday on US-27 left one person dead, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said a deadly two-vehicle crash happened at around 3 p.m. on US-27 and Vineyard Way. READ: Sheriff Judd: Ex-marine fatally shoots 3 adults, 1 infant and dog in unincorporated Polk CountySouthbound lanes of US-27 were blocked due to the crash investigation. Troopers said one person was pronounced dead at the scene. WATCH: Woman, 76, dies after being stabbed several times by 79-year-old roommateNo other details were released.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake County school leaders are holding a special meeting on masks. The Lake County superintendent said she does not want a district-wide mask mandate. Instead, the recommendation is if a school has a COVID-19 positivity rate above 5%, masks would be mandatory until cases are under control. Parents shared their opinions inside the Lake County Administration building. “We need freedom.”Parents are deeply divided when it comes to masks in Lake County schools.

New Lake County trail A new trail and trailhead will officially open in Lake County Thursday morning. (Lake County/Lake County)LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A new trail and trailhead will officially open in Lake County Thursday morning. Lake County is hosting a public ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. for the Neighborhood Lakes Scenic Trail and Trailhead at 26656 County Road 46A in Mount Plymouth. “I am incredibly pleased to participate in the opening of the Neighborhood Lakes Scenic Trail and Trailhead, which will serve as Lake County’s primary trailhead to the Lake Wekiva Trail System,” said Lake County Commissioner Leslie Campione. The regional trail connectivity for the site includes Coast to Coast Trail, Heart of Florida Loop, Florida Scenic Trail, and River to the Sea Loop.

Lake County and Seminole County school districts will debate mandating face masks in schools on Thursday. Last month, Seminole County school leaders said that students were required to wear masks in the classroom, unless their parents say otherwise. In Lake County, face masks remain optional. READ: Volusia County School Board approves temporary mask mandateGov. DeSantis’ order banning mask mandatesSeminole County school leaders will meet at 8:30 a.m. to discuss mandating mask.

Richard Villanueva, 57, of Waukegan, was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual assault, both felonies, Tuesday after an investigation by the Waukegan Police Department, authorities said.

A 19-year-old Chicago resident has been identified as the pregnant woman found dead in Lake Michigan earlier this month, the Lake County sheriff’s office said in a news release. The body was recovered from the lake Aug. 15 after a fisherman saw it floating in the water about three miles southeast of Waukegan Harbor. The woman who died was identified by the Lake County Coroner’s Office this ...

FHP: Two killed in crash involving tow truck along Florida's Turnpike File photo of State Trooper cruiser (� 2017 Cox Media Group.) LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Two men died and a child was hurt in a crash along Florida’s Turnpike Friday night in Lake County. Troopers said the the driver of the tow truck was outside of his truck, which was parked along the right shoulder of the Turnpike. The 34-year-old tow truck operator, of Orlando, was fatally struck near his vehicle. READ: ‘I killed the devil’: Florida man shoots grandmother in neck, investigators sayTroopers reported that the pickup truck overturned, ejecting its driver and a child passenger.

ORLANDO, Fla. — With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise, you may be wondering where you can get tested in Central Florida. Orange CountyOsceola CountyTo find more locations, click here. Brevard CountyVolusia CountySeminole CountyTo find more locations, click here. Watson Clinic Urgent Care South, 1033 N Parkway Frontage Rd, Lakeland. Watson Clinic XpressCare Highlands, 2300 E. County Road 540A, Lakeland Highlands.

Funnel cloud spotted in Lake County Channel 9 viewers sent in photos of a funnel cloud in Lake County. (wftv.com)LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A funnel cloud was spotted in Lake County Monday afternoon. Funnel cloud in Lady Lake, FL, around 2:20 today. 📸Christin King pic.twitter.com/7cH6mJkhcS — Brian Shields, WFTV (@BrianWFTV) August 23, 2021The funnel cloud was spotted around 2:20 p.m. Monday. Funnel cloud spotted in Lake County Channel 9 viewers sent in photos of a funnel cloud in Lake County.

Western Wildfires Scorched cars line a property as the Cache Fire burns on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Clearlake, Calif. The fire destroyed dozens of homes. Rows of homes were destroyed on at least two blocks and television footage showed crews dousing burning homes with water. At least 16,000 other homes remain threatened by California wildfires, which are among some 100 burning throughout a dozen Western states, fire officials said. Dozens of homes burned, according to officials, but tallies were incomplete.

Western Wildfires California Fire retardant coats a fire truck after the Cache Fire on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, in Clearlake, Calif. The blaze destroyed dozens of homes. Rows of homes were destroyed on at least two blocks and television footage showed crews dousing burning homes with water. At least 16,000 other homes remain threatened by California wildfires, which are among some 100 burning throughout a dozen Western states, fire officials said. Dozens of homes burned, according to officials, but tallies were incomplete.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Lake Emergency Medical Services crews are being taxed by long hours brought on by a severe staffing shortage. The county has launched a paid training program, added sign-on bonuses and increased pay to try to attract and retain employees. 🚑💨 Lake EMS is Now Hiring EMT’s and Paramedics! Lake County Fire Rescue had been helping out the agency, but it was not enough. Read: Coronavirus booster: What you need to know about COVID-19 booster shotsThe outside crews assist their Lake County counterparts for at least two weeks, and more crews can be added if available.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Surveillance cameras aimed at curbing crime are coming down across Lake County after county officials said they were installed on public roads without permission. READ: Federal aid for businesses struggling during pandemic helped fund Orange County gangs, records showThe Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the company approached the department about testing out its surveillance program. Emails show Flock Safety said it wouldn’t install cameras anywhere that needed permission. If not, the county would remove them and Flock Safety would have to foot the bill. The company told Channel 9 there was a miscommunication about the need for permits at some of the locations the cameras were installed.

Clermont City Center has been closed for two weeks now, and the employees relocated to the arts and recreation center. The reason: The building is settling.

At a news conference Monday, relatives of Abil Rosiles Jr. renewed their calls for the arrests of the Round Lake Beach police officers involved in his arrest. They also released a report from Dr. Michael Baden, who examined Rosiles on behalf of the family after the Lake County coroner’s office performed an autopsy.

The $1.3 million Sylvan Lake Dam Modification Project would renovate the more than 100-year-old dam in Mundelein to meet current safety standards, according to the office of Rep. Lauren Underwood, who represents the 14th District including Lake County.