UMATILLA

For orange growers, every fruit counts toward a good harvest.

An Umatilla man died Thursday morning after he lost control of a car and it crashed into a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Orange juice prices are increasing as demand grows, but the supply has been squeezed by a disease wiping out Florida's crops.

A gun raffle is causing controversy in Lake County after a group of parents posted about the fundraiser on social media.

An Umatilla man died Saturday morning after an ATV he was riding overturned in Lake County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

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.

A dispute between neighbors turned deadly on Wednesday in Umatilla in Central Florida.

A woman faces a murder charge after she sold fentanyl to a Leesburg man who ended up dying from an overdose, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Orange growers ended this year’s season on a sour note, but anticipate a sweeter 2022. On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued its last outlook of the 2020-21 citrus

Health officials in Marion County say a raccoon in the area recently tested positive for rabies.

The shine on Florida’s orange gold increased over the last year, even with fewer oranges harvested. Despite statewide production declines, Florida oranges and orange juice commanded a greater economic impact

What started out as a first day of school exercise, turned into a month's long project, resulting in a book called, "Through Their Eyes."

Authorities are searching for the gunman behind Wednesday's shooting in Umatilla. (Lake County's Sheriff's Office)LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A person was critically wounded during a shooting in Umatilla Wednesday morning and now deputies are looking for the gunman, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the shooter went to the victim’s residence on Highland Avenue around 11:20 a.m., shot him or her and then fled in a dark-colored sedan with tinted windows. LCSO released a photo of the vehicle that fled the scene, asking for the public’s help in finding it. Detectives are urging anyone with information about the shooting to call the sheriff’s office at 352-343-2101.

(AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)UMATILLA, Fla. – A Central Florida school district will not reinstate a middle school teacher who lost his job last year after making “lewd and offensive” TikTok videos that were seen by his students. The Lake County School Board agreed last month to uphold the termination of Todd Erdman's teaching contract, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Telfer heard two days of testimony and then ruled in November that the school district had just cause to fire Erdman, the newspaper reported. “Those TikTok videos contain lewd and offensive material,” he wrote in his Nov. 6 order. “Those TikTok videos made their way into the public sphere, and were viewed by students and parents in the school district, as well as school district personnel.”Erdman was overseeing the middle school’s in-school suspension program when he was removed from his post in 2019.

Pat Todd was recently named boys basketball coach at Umatilla, replacing Brian Morris who led the Bulldogs for the past four years. UMATILLA Pat Todd has won nearly 500 games as a high school and college basketball coach. Todd was recently named boys basketball coach at Umatilla, replacing Brian Morris who led the Bulldogs for the past four years. Umatilla High School is extremely proud to have coach Todd as our new varsity boys coach, said Umatilla Athletic Director Deta Brunson. We are lucky to have found a coach with as much coaching experience and leadership quality as coach Todd.

The Combat Caf' has an almost spiritual vibe about it; the camaraderie and oft-unspoken memories going on inside that right-sized, military-themed eatery are almost palpable. Bruce and Beth's place certainly has been an ideal venue for many a' vet interview in support of LZ LAKEHAWK. I moved and changed as events happened unannounced and unplanned and thats the way it is in combat and in all of life. But rest assured that one thing that is constant in a world of change is God and His unchanging love for you and me. Join Keith Friday mornings on 1410 AM with station manager James Floyd and Air Force Vietnam veteran Bob Peters.

The day-long event, which serves as a prelude to Leesburg Art Fest a week later, will feature students from Leesburg, Umatilla, Eustis and Tavares High Schools, who will participate in eight artistic challenges. LEESBURG Teams from four Lake County high schools will compete in the second Leesburg Art Olympics on Saturday. The day-long event, which serves as a prelude to Leesburg ArtFest a week later, will feature students from Leesburg, Umatilla, Eustis and Tavares High Schools, who will participate in eight artistic challenges, including transforming trash into fashion, making pottery and creating a product and a logo for a fictitious company. The students creations will go on display at the Leesburg center for the Arts during the 43rd annual Leesburg ArtFest on March 14-15. More information about the artfest can be found on the festival website, www.LeesburgArtFest.com.

UMATILLA City council members Tuesday will vote on a proposed 41-acre light industrial park that could bring jobs and cha-ching to the tax rolls of the sleepy little town. Duck Box is just a name we came up with, Purvis said with a laugh. I said, Why not Duck Box? He said, I like it, Dad.The Duck Box plan includes 3.45 acres for wetlands. One of the reasons Purvis said he decided to create the park was so his sons business could grow. Michael started Specialty Fabrication and Welding as a small shop doing small jobs, like welding trailer hitches.

Boys SoccerEliminated from district tournamentSouth Lake, Lake Minneola, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, Umatilla, Real Life Christian, MDCA, First Academy of Leesburg. In Class 4A-5, South Sumter, the districts top seed, will play Inverness Citrus in Weeki Wachee at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Class 5A-5Second-seeded Leesburg will play Ocala Lake Weir, the districts seventh seed, at 6 p.m. on Monday at Belleview. South Sumter, the districts third seed, will play sixth-seeded Inverness Citrus at 7:30 p.m. on Monday in a quarterfinal contest. First Academy of Leesburg, the districts third-seeded team, will play Real Life Christian at 7 p.m. Monday at Winter Garden Foundation Academy.

LEESBURG The Leesburg High School girls weightlifting team won six of 10 weight classifications and won the Class 1A-Region 5 championship on Friday in the Hive. Wins on Tuesday and Thursday would mark MDCAs first unbeaten regular season since 2015-16 when the Bulldogs went 25-0 in the regular season. College BaseballAfter opening the season with three victories, Lake-Sumter State College dropped two straight games, including a 15-3 loss to Polk State College on Sunday in Winter Haven. LSSC played Indian River State College in Fort Pierce on Monday and will travel to Avon Park to play South Florida State College on Wednesday, before home at 3 p.m. Friday to play Eastern Florida State College. Next up for LSSC, which evened its record at 2-2, is a doubleheader against Polk State College at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Winter Haven.

A man suspected of robbing a Umatilla convenience store last week was arrested over the weekend on unrelated charges in Leesburg. During the holdup last Thursday, the robber pulled back his hood and provided a clear view of his face. After the viewing surveillance video, a deputy recognized Hall as the robber. Wearing a hooded jacket and a long coat, the robber walked around the store for several minutes. A deputy watched the stores surveillance video and identified Hall.

A man suspected of robbing a Umatilla convenience store last week was arrested over the weekend on unrelated charges in Leesburg. During the holdup last Thursday, the robber pulled back his hood and provided a clear view of his face. After the viewing surveillance video, a deputy recognized Hall as the robber. Wearing a hooded jacket and a long coat, the robber walked around the store for several minutes. A deputy watched the stores surveillance video and identified Hall.

The holdup occurred Thursday evening at Umatilla Groceries, 21075 SE County Road 42. An employee at a convenience store in Umatilla was robbed at gunpoint by a male robber who escaped with an undetermined amount of cash on Thursday. Marion County sheriffs deputies said that, when they arrived at Umatilla Groceries, 21075 SE County Road 42, a clerk told them the business had been robbed. At 7:12 p.m., the robber entered the store, took a drink from the cooler and approached the counter with the item, the clerk said. The clerk took money from the cash register and gave it to the armed male, who ran away.

Bradley Douglas scored 20 points and Cory Robinson added 18 on Friday to lead Eustis to an 88-71 win against Umatilla in Class 4A-District 7 contest at the Panther Den. With the win, Eustis improved to 10-4, while Umatilla slipped to 9-12. EUSTIS Bradley Douglas scored 20 points and Cory Robinson added 18 on Friday to lead Eustis to an 88-71 win against Umatilla in Class 4A-District 7 contest at the Panther Den. With the win, Eustis improved to 10-4, while Umatilla slipped to 9-12. Eustis led from start to finish, but Umatilla stayed within striking distance until late in the first half.

A Umatilla man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of having sex with a teenage girl. The Marion County Sheriffs Office received a report in July about a 13-year-old girl being sexually battered by Adcock, according to a report by Detective Frank Scala. The teen told an official with the Lake-Sumter Child Protection Team that Adcock had sex with her at a home and described other inappropriate behavior. After the reported sexual encounters, the girl said, Adcock asked the girl if she wanted to be with him and she told him no, according to the arrest report. The report said Adcock also directing a message to the girl, asking her to keep it a secret.

First Academy of Leesburg had players in double figures Tuesday to lead the Eagles to a 73-68 win against Umatilla at the Family Life Center. With the win, First Academy avenged its only loss of the season and improved to 5-1 on the season, while Umatilla fell to 5-6. LEESBURG First Academy of Leesburg had players in double figures Tuesday to lead the Eagles to a 73-68 win against Umatilla at the Family Life Center. With the win, First Academy avenged its only loss of the season and improved to 5-1 on the season, while Umatilla fell to 5-6. Eustis 66, Mount Dora 34Bradley Douglas and Nate Rembert scored 12 points apiece to lead the Panthers to the win.

Many cities are celebrating with parades, festivals and even bringing in snow to get residents in the holiday spirit. The holiday festivities continue this weekend as Santa is lined up with guest appearances all around the county. Many cities are celebrating with parades, festivals and even bringing in snow to get residents in the holiday spirit. The event takes place at the Log Cabin Park, 106 US-27/US-441 in Lady Lake. This free event will also feature an ice skating rink, kids play area, food vendors and Santa.

MOUNT DORA A roadside sign posted near the outbound gate at many large Marine Corps bases is emblazoned with three simple words: SHARE THE RIDE. Carl Ludecke (LOO-da-kee), a highly successful businessman, wartime Leatherneck (Motor transport officer for the 1st Tank Battalion at Chu Lai) and prolific giver in ways big and small. Drivers on US 441 in Mount Dora can easily spot the Marine Corps flag flying just below Old Glory in front of the "Charlie Johnson Builder" headquarters. Like so many USMC veterans Ludecke, 78, displays his beloved Eagle, Globe and Anchor in the office, den, on vehicles and apparel augmented by his still-commanding posture, open-hearted demeanor and purposeful energy. "I owe it all to Carl," said Marine Col. Jerry Webb, raised in Umatilla and now retired in Alabama.

Learn about what walks, flies and crawls beyond your front door at the Florida Wildlife Festival Saturday in Umatilla, and AdventHealth Waterman's Pink Out 5K run/walk returns to Tavares Thursday. Learn about what walks, flies and crawls beyond your front door at the Florida Wildlife Festival Saturday in Umatilla, and AdventHealth Waterman's Pink Out 5K run/walk returns to Tavares Thursday. Here's a look at what else is on tap this weekend:Florida Wildlife FestivalSee the wild side of Florida with the Florida Wildlife Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Cadwell Park in Umatilla. Tickets: $1, with half going back to the schoolsDetails: lakeartmuseum.comMental Mount Dora Murder Mystery DinnerThe Mental Mount Dora Murder Mystery Dinner will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at Mount Dora Plaza Live, 2728 W. Old Highway 441. Cost: $57 and includes a buffet dinnerDetails: mountdoraplazalive.comThe Broadway Bunch BrunchBrunch with the Broadway Bunch at Mount Dora Plaza Live features America's only family friendly drag show at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

Eustis downed Palatka in three games and Tavares beat Umatilla in four games on Monday. VOLLEYBALLEustis 3, Palatka 0Cayla Colbert and Allison Bobbitt had standout performances in Eustis 25-11, 25-10, 25-15 win over Palatka in Mondays Class 4A-District 9 quarterfinals. Colbert had 12 service points, four kills and two digs. Eustis improved to 16-5 with the win and will play Port Orange Atlantic at 7 p.m. Tuesday in one district semifinal at the Panther Den. Tavares, seeded fourth in the district, will play top-seeded Menendez at 5:30 p.m. in the first semifinal.

CHAPS' TENTFrom the quill of LZ LAKEHAWK Chaplain, Altoona's Lt. Cmdr. In every ideology, in every theology, in every position, our guide ought to be love: Gods love for me and my love for others. What I think we need to do today is to get back to the root of the New Covenant. When you walk outside your house and look down your neighborhood street, there are people who need be loved. Join Keith Friday mornings on 1410 AM with station manager James Floyd and Air Force Vietnam veteran Bob Peters.

Dabney StadiumLast week, Leesburg lost to South Lake in overtime 17-14. Lecanto (2-3) at Lake Minneola (2-2)7 p.m., Hawks StadiumLast week, Lake Minneola blasted Eustis 56-7. Ocala Forest (2-2) at South Lake (2-2)7 p.m., Eagles StadiumLast week, South Lake beat Leesburg 17-14 in overtime. In last weeks win against Leesburg, South Lake running back Wyatt Watson was a workhorse, with 92 yards on 27 carries. Next week, South Lake travels to Eustis.

UMATILLA Its no secret that Umatilla has struggled on the football field over the past three-plus seasons. In fact, the Bulldogs entered Fridays game against Belleview with only one win in their past 32 games and was in the throes of an 18-game losing streak. That streak is over and first-year Bulldogs coach Charlie Cerney hopes a new one a winning streak has started. These kids deserved that win, Cerney said. Mac Harris, quarterback, The Villages: Harris passed for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the Buffalos 42-21 win against Lecanto.

Alyssa Hatcher, 17, of Umatilla, Florida, is facing charges for stealing nearly $1,500 from her parents and using the money to pay two people to kill them, authorities from the Lake County Sheriffs Office said. This was just somebody, who for whatever reason, just didn't want her parents around," Lake County Sergeant Fred Jones told WFTV. It all started when Hatcher, a student at Umatilla High School, withdrew more than $500 and $900 in two different transactions, the arrest affidavit reported. When the first plan failed, she gave the other $900 to someone else to kill her parents, the document reported. Authorities said they then caught wind of the alleged plan when another student at the high school told a school resource officer.

Marion County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the crash at 1:02 p.m.A single-vehicle crash on Marion County Road 42 near Southeast 261st Avenue in Umatilla claimed the life of at least one man early Friday afternoon. Officials said the vehicle left the road and struck a concrete object. Marion County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the crash at 1:02 p.m., according to the county's website. A Florida Highway Patrol web page indicated the road was blocked.

Marion County Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the crash at 1:02 p.m.A man was killed early Friday afternoon when the car he was driving veered off County Road 42 in Umatilla and struck a large concrete utility pole. Florida Highway Patrol troopers identified the victim as Mark Vaningan, 61, of Umatilla. Rescue officials said the victim was removed from the wreckage by pulling the vehicle away from the concrete pole and cutting the doors. Friday's crash was less than two miles east of another fatal crash, on July 20, in which a minivan left the roadway and struck a tree. Anthony Ippolito, 21, also of Umatilla, died in that single-vehicle accident, at CR 42 and Southeast 248th Terrace.

TAVARES A man accused of using his cellphone to record a woman in a Kohl's dressing room was arrested in Umatilla on July 20, just days after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Paul Anthony Lyles, 26, a Umatilla resident, was taken in by Umatilla police on a charge of video voyeurism. Staff at Kohl's, 2700 E. Burleigh Blvd., said Lyles entered a women's changing room in the store's intimate section and put his phone under the door of the adjoining room, where a woman was trying on bras and underwear. When confronted, Lyles ran out of the dressing room and out of the store, police said. He was released from Lake County Jail on July 21 after posting a $5,000 bond.

The crash occurred when the driver failed to negotiate a curve. UMATILLA A single-vehicle crash claimed the life of a Umatilla man late Saturday night. An FHP trooper on scene said a 1999 Toyota Sienna minivan was traveling east on County Road 42 at Southeast 248th Terrace when Ippolito failed to negotiate a left-hand curve. Marion County Fire Rescue spokesman James Lucas said first responders were dispatched at 9:36 p.m. and arrived at 9:44 p.m. The spokesman said when crews arrived, they went to the vehicle and began their extrication.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A 27-year-old Umatilla man who was lying in a road was run over and killed late Monday in Lake County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Troopers said Larry Howard died in the incident, which was reported at 10:20 p.m. on State Road 19 near Ravenswood Road. According to the FHP, Howard was lying in the road for an unknown reason and was run over by a 2005 Dodge pickup truck driven by a 45-year-old Alachua man who never saw him. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - A 27-year-old Umatilla man who was lying in a road was run over and killed late Monday in Lake County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Troopers said Larry Howard died in the incident, which was reported at 10:20 p.m. on State Road 19 near Ravenswood Road. According to the FHP, Howard was lying in the road for an unknown reason and was run over by a 2005 Dodge pickup truck driven by a 45-year-old Alachua man who never saw him. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene. Copyright 2019 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

PITTMAN A Umatilla man lying in the road was killed Monday night when a car ran him over. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Larry Howard, 27, was lying on State Road 19 near Ravenswood Road for an unknown reason. Randall McClelland, 45, of Alachua, was driving south on SR 19 around 10:20 p.m. McClelland was unable to see Howard and ran him over. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.