It may be a small town, but Mount Dora isn’t exempt from the national shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the current coronavirus pandemic.   Mount Dora Fire Department (MDFD) is taking the proactive step of asking for the public’s help to meet the expected shortage of basic safety equipment for first responders, as well as healthcare workers at AdventHealth Waterman Hospital in Tavares.

MDFD is asking for donations from individuals and companies that may have access to life-saving  new surgical masks, N95 masks, gowns and gloves for the people on the front lines of the battle against  COVID-19.  

Anyone with these items is encouraged to drop them off in the lobby of Mount Dora Police Department at 1300 N. Donnelly Street in Mount Dora.

​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

Thursday night Orange County residents and business owners will have a temporary new reality.  On Tuesday, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings issued an executive order that significantly restricts non-essential activities.  The stay-at-home order allows essential businesses, defined as grocery stores, pharmacies, medical offices, gas stations, banks and hardware stores, to remain open.  Take-out and food delivery businesses are also permitted. Residents can still go for walks, runs and bike rides near their homes. 

The public safety measures were put in place to help curb the fast-spreading COVID-19 virus. 

The new order is in addition to Orange County’s curfew that remains in place from 11 p.m. to  5 a.m. Health professionals, first responders and government workers are exempt from the curfew, as well as anyone working or travelling to or from work.

Orange County Public Schools announced the cancellation of all high school proms and Grad Bash events, but no decision has been made on graduation ceremonies. 

Orange County borders East Lake County, and includes  Stoneybrook Hills, an unincorporated subdivision of Mount Dora,  The Stoneybrook Hills Publix on U.S. 441 will remain open, but the non-essential businesses in the shopping center will be required to close temporarily beginning Thursday, March 26 at 11 p.m.

​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

The school district has expanded the list of sites where free meals will be offered to Lake County students during the extended statewide school closures, now expected to last until at least April 15. 

Initially, meals were to be distributed at five locations next week in response to school closures that are part of a worldwide effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Now, meals will be distributed at all traditional Lake County public school campuses, with the exception of Lake Hills School, and at Mascotte and Minneola charter schools. Addresses for the schools can be found on the district’s web site: www.lake.k12.fl.us

RELATED STORY:  Financial help resources in Lake County for COVID-19

Students should go to the school nearest their home address to get their meals.

Meals will be distributed Monday through Friday, starting March 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the car loop of each school site. Students will be given a free lunch along with a free breakfast for the next day. 

Staff  will distribute  the meals directly  to those in their vehicle (drive-through service) upon arrival. In addition, staff will hand-out meals to any walkers and/or bike riders who may lack motor-vehicle transportation. Students must be present to receive the meals. Students are not required to have parents with them when they come, but parents are not allowed to pick up meals without a student accompanying them. 

​​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

The Lake County Library System closed some locations across the county as a precaution to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The following library locations will remain closed until further notice:

Astor County Library
Cagan Crossings Community Library (Four Corners)
Cooper Memorial Library (Clermont)
East Lake County Library (Sorrento)
Eustis Memorial Library (will close starting March 16 at 8 p.m.) - Fruitland Park Library
Helen Lehmann Memorial Library (Montverde)
Lady Lake Public Library
Marianne Beck Memorial Library (Howey-in-the-Hills)
Marion Baysinger Memorial County Library (Groveland) - Minneola Schoolhouse Library
Paisley County Library
Umatilla Public Library
W.T. Bland Public Library (Mount Dora, closes March 18)

Events, meetings and gatherings that were scheduled to take place at these libraries are also canceled through March. Item reservations will be paused but will resume once libraries open. Fines at all 16 Lake County Library locations will be waived during this time.​

​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

By Marc Crail
District 4, Mount Dora City Council Representative

Our meetings this evening had a decidedly different feel. With the advent of coronavirus, we were seated about six feet apart from one another and public attendance was minimal. We are trying to comply with state and federal health/safety recommendations while continuing to do the business of our city. This is an ever changing challenge and a late breaking Executive Order from our Governor was read aloud outlining new restrictions on bars, pubs and restaurants limiting seating to 50% of capacity among other things. Many local businesses are open for business and working hard to serve their customers while keeping everyone safe. Please continue to shop locally and stay safe yourself.

I'm reporting as usual not in any official capacity on behalf of the City Council, but as just one member of the Council.

After our previous meeting, I reported my opposition to an ordinance for PUD (Planned Unity Development) approval for a development called Donnelly Woods. This development is proposed to be built on 16.69 acres fronting on Limit Road. and bordering Donnelly Street. It would include 24,000 square feet of office space and 112 apartment units in buildings up to 45' high. District 1 Council- member Pam Burtnett joined me last time voting "no". The other five members voted "yes". Tonight we were scheduled to vote on the final reading of that Ordinance. At-Large Councilmember Crissy Stile said that she had heard from numerous constituents who voiced their concerns about the PUD. Since Cal Rolfson (District 2) was absent this evening it was decided to postpone the vote on the final reading until our next meeting scheduled for April 7th. If you have opinions for or against you should feel free to contact your elected officials to put your two cents in.

We unanimously approved a Resolution for a Police Department Incentive Program. This is critically important since we have been losing many experienced police officers to other nearby departments that pay better that we do.  There are several components to this package that include a 7% pay raise as well as the opportunity to cash in 40 hours of vacation time twice a year and the opportunity to cash in 40 hours of accrued compensatory time per year. This will cost the City about $196,000 a year, but we must be able to attract and retain top notch officers. I am happy that working cooperatively with our police department, we have taken steps to help make our pay and benefits competitive. In my estimation, this will be money well spent.

We had a good initial discussion on several ways we might be able to address the need for "attainable housing" in Mount Dora. It's very early in the process, but helping to have infill homes built on empty lots by partnering with organizations like Habitat for Humanity sounds promising. Helping homeowners of modest means make repairs and improvements on their homes is another possibility. I'm looking forward to moving forward ASAP with possible solutions.

While your City Council members often agree, sometimes we don't, but in my opinion our occasional disagreements are opportunities to listen to opposing views and compromise for the betterment of our wonderful City. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a part of that process.

A friend sent me a quote from Danny Thomas who was a well known actor but will be remembered forever for his  charity work. "Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself, it's what you do for others." Tens of thousands of deserving kids and their families have benefited from Danny Thomas's generosity.

By Marc Crail
District 4, Mount Dora City Council Representative

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

In an effort to keep the public safe and be compliant with CDC guidelines, Lake County Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays has put the following safeguards in place at polling places during tomorrow’s Presidential Primary election:

• As needed, polling locations may limit the number of voters allowed in the room at one time in accordance with social distancing guidelines. 
• Every precinct polling location is well equipped with disinfectant wipes and sprays, and all equipment will be wiped down  according to CDC guidelines. 
• Voters who choose to bring their own pen to mark their ballot should use a black ink ballpoint pen.

“Rest assured, we will be able to accommodate all voters, and we take voter safety very seriously,” said Hays.

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m tomorrow, March 17.  Some polling locations have changed, so voters can find the current list of polling places at lakevotes.com.  Voters must vote at their own precinct.  

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

Lake County Schools (LCS) will provide free breakfasts and lunches for its students that are 18 years-old and younger during the extended school closure next week, from March 23 through March 27, 2020.  

The following distribution sites have been established:

• Beverly Shores Elementary at 1108 W. Griffin Road, Leesburg 34748
• Eustis Heights Elementary at 250 W. Atwater Ave., Eustis 32726
• Groveland Elementary at 930 Parkwood Street, Groveland 34736
• Grassy Lake Elementary at 13636 Education Avenue, Minneola 34715
• Lost Lake Elementary at 1901 Johns Lake Road, Clermont 34711

Meals will be available for pick-up between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the car loop of each school site.

Staff will distribute the meals directly to those in their vehicle (drive-through service) upon arrival and will hand out meals directly to walkers and bike riders. Students must be present to receive the meals, but are not required to have parents with them. Parents will not be permitted to pick up meals without a student accompanying them. 

Based on recommendations from our federal and state leaders, we are asking that all meals be taken home to eat.

In addition to the meals at schools, families in need can go to Lake Cares Food Pantry during their distribution times that are posted on their website.  Families that aren’t in need are encouraged to drop off food unopened donations of peanut butter, jelly, pasta and pasta sauce to help bridge the hunger gap during this difficult time. 

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​​

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends social distancing to help reduce person-to-person transmission, and Governor Ron DeSantis today recommended, but not mandated, that all mass gatherings be postponed.

In accordance with these recommendations, Lake County is taking precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of the current coronavirus pandemic. Lake County Government postponed County-sponsored events through the end of March.  Future County-sponsored events are tentative, pending recommendations from the COVID-19 Task Force, which the County formed in February to lead local planning and preparedness, and to provide a strong supporting role to the Florida Department of Health.

Lake County government has postposted events it sponsors including:

• Ribbon-cutting at Miracle League Field on March 14
• Engine 15 Push Back Ceremony at Station 15 on March 17
• Groundbreaking ceremony at Marianne Beck Memorial Library on March 20
•  How to Win Government Contracts seminar on March 23
• UF/IFAS Extensions Services events, including the Spring Plant Sale on March 28
• Several Lake County  libraries will also postpone March events.   Residents can visit https://www.mylakelibrary.org or contact their local branch for more information.

At the time of publication, Mount Dora's 110th Anniversary Celebration tomorrow evening and the Taste of Mount Dora hosted by Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday will still go on as scheduled.  

Today, events with over 500 people were banned and Broadway closed for a month.  Previously, a few states prohibited gatherings of over 250 people to help reduce the spread of the virus.

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

Lake County Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays determined that fraudulent Florida Voter Registration Application forms were submitted to his office and is advising voters to review their voter file available on the Lake County election website.

The fraud appears to be the work of one person who submitted false and inaccurate voter registration information such as party registration, social security and driver’s license numbers, addresses, and other information. 

“My office became aware of a potential problem last week when several voters contacted our office after receiving new Voter Information Cards indicating their party affiliation had been changed from Democrat to Republican,” said Hays. 

“Several of the voters told us that the only thing they had filled out was a Candidate Petition form, yet we received a Florida Voter Registration Application form with one or more inaccurate representations, as well as what appears to be forged signatures.”

RELATED STORY:  The Best Information for Lake County voters

On Monday, Hays turned over the information to the State Attorney’s Office for further investigation.  Hays and the State Attorney have been in contact with the third-party voter registration organization that employed the person, and they are cooperating with the investigation.  Falsifying voter information is a criminal offense in Florida. 

“After looking at these initial complaints, our staff this weekend expanded their review to recently submitted voter change forms and began to narrow in on one individual, who appears to be the source of the false registrations,” said Hays. “We have 10 official complaints from voters whose voter information appears to have been tampered with and we have identified other suspect cases, including a handful of party registration changes.” 

While the State Attorney pursues the investigation, Hays said his focus is on the upcoming election and making sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot and have their vote counted.

“I’m pleased to say that the process is working as it should,” said Hays.  

When information was submitted that contradicted other information in the system, the Supervisor of Elections office sent a letter to the voter advising them that there was unverified information on an application and requesting the voter contact the elections office. 

The most significant impact of these false registrations is that Democratic voters may have unknowingly had their voter registration changed to Republican.  The SOE office said anyone affected will be given a provisional ballot, so they can still vote in the upcoming Primary Election.  Poll workers have been carefully trained to handle this and other potential problems, according to the SOE office.

Until this fraud was detected on Friday, the SOE office would have processed the change as usual - by issuing a new voter registration card with updated information.  Hays is asking voters to check for correspondence from his office or to check their voter file here. If a voter finds any inaccurate information, or that unauthorized changes were made to their voter registration, he or she should contact the Lake County Supervisor of Elections office at 352-343- 9734. 

The primary election for both Republicans and Democrats is March 17. Early voting begins tomorrow, March 5.  Click here for early voting locations in Lake County and other election information.   

​​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​