UPDATED 1/14/2021:​
​Navy training schedules indicate that live or inert bombing will take place at the Pinecastle Range Complex located in the
Ocala National Forest the following dates and times:

Two men were charged with four counts of Disturbing the Contents of a Grave and four counts of Abuse of a Dead Human Body for the thefts at gravesites that occurred on December 6, 2020 at Edgewood Cemetery just outside of Mount Dora.​
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Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office had been investigating the crimes since the incident.  At the time of the initial processing of the scene, crime scene investigators collected items, including cigars, that were left behind and sent them for laboratory DNA testing.

The DNA samples were submitted into the database for comparison and recently one sample came back as a match to 43-year-old Brian Montalvo Tolentino, who resides at 115 Walpole Loop in nearby Davenport.
On January 6, Lake detectives contacted The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, whose detectives obtained a search warrant for mouth swabs from Tolentino for a direct DNA comparison.
Lake detectives then met with and interviewed Tolentino, during which he confessed to going to the cemetery with another individual, 39-year-old Juan Burgos Lopez, of 5170 Timberlane Road in Lake Wales, and committing the crimes. Tolentino stated that Lopez used a crowbar to open the vaults and then removed the heads of the deceased. He stated they removed four heads from the four graves and then returned to Lopez’s residence. He stated the heads were taken for religious practices.

Polk sheriff’s detectives were then able to obtain and execute a search warrant for Lopez’s residence last night in an effort to locate and recover any of the human remains. During the search, detectives located a total of six skulls, a hand, partial arm, and multiple other large bones within what appeared to be some sort of religious shrine. Lopez identified four skulls as being those obtained from the Edgewood Cemetery and stated the other two skulls were obtained from other practitioners. He also had an additional skull that he claimed was fake.

Both men were arrested on the Lake County warrants by Polk sheriff’s deputies and were transported to the Polk County Jail where they were booked in with bonds of $40,000 each. Both were charged with four counts of Disturbing the Contents of a Grave and four counts of Abuse of a Dead Human Body. Polk County Sheriff’s Office may be adding criminal charges for their jurisdiction as well. 

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

For years the couple was a fixture in downtown Mount Dora.  As the owners of two different stores, The Olive Branch and Noni Home and Bath, Mike and Susan (Suzie) Brown were beloved members of the merchant community.    On November 11, Suzie passed away at 70 after a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer.

The couple stocked their stores with unique artisan finds from their trips across the globe.  Among their most popular items were the original paintings made by elephants.  The well-travelled couple later decided to combine the two stores into one to become Noni at the Olive Branch, which was later sold to its current owners in 2014.   

Suzie, an Indiana native, is survived by her husband, daughter Lori Rowley, and granddaughters Kara and Lyla Rowley.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers,  the family has requested donations to pancreatic cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.  ​​​​ For local things to do, click here and for the area's free mobile app, click here.  ​

Every year, Florida residents hear the standard basics of hurricane preparedness-- “fill up your gas tank,” “buy batteries,” or “get cash from the ATM.”  Below are the lesser known yet important ways to prepare for a hurricane:

1. Hand sanitizer & baby wipes:  Imagine no running water, no A/C and 90+ degrees outside.  Need we say more?  If you have no running water, it’s the best way to wash your hands and surfaces.   Keep them in the kitchen and in every bathroom.
2. Gasoline additive:  When filling up gas cans for generators, be sure to include the necessary additive so the gas doesn’t go bad.   Yes, gas goes bad sitting in gas cans.
3. Peanut butter & jerky:  Forget the jelly.  Non-perishable proteins are hard to find.  Grab a few jars of peanut butter and bags of jerky, but no need to eat them together!
4. Cold brew coffee:  When the power is out, cold brew is the easiest way to enjoy a perfect cup of joe in the morning.  Big bottles are usually available at your local grocery store or Target.
5. Frozen jugs:  Fill empty plastic jugs, Tupperware containers or Ziplock bags with tap water and store in your freezer.  They can serve as ice packs to keep your freezer cold and then become your drinking water. Be sure to leave space in the containers for expansion in the freezer.
6. Paper plates & cups:  If you lose running water, these are essential to bypass the pile-up of dirty dishes.
7. Lysol or Clorox wipes:  It’s the best way to clean surfaces if there’s no running water. 
8. Chainsaw:  Make sure you have fuel.  If you don’t have a chainsaw, quickly make friends with someone who does and keep their phone number handy.
9. Battery-operated candles & solar powered garden lights:  Put these lights in the bathrooms, on nightstands and everywhere else to remove the risk of fire that regular candles pose.  If you use solar lights, just put them in the yard during daylight hours to recharge them daily until your electricity is back.
10. External phone batteries:  We can’t imagine you’ll forget, but remember to charge all of your external phone batteries.
11.  Alerts: Sign up for your county’s emergency push-alerts to be texted to your phone.  That way when power is out, you’re still in the loop.
12. Be a shutterbug:  Take photos of the interior and exterior of your home for insurance purposes. Also snap a photo of all of your insurance policy numbers. Then upload the pics onto your cloud storage for safe keeping.
13. Gasoline availability:  A good way to stay up-to-date- on which local stations have gas is www.gasbuddy.com .
14. Do all your laundry: You know those five loads of laundry piling up?  Now is the time.   Remember, you may not have water or power after the storm, but at least you’ll have clean underwear.
15. Stash important papers:   After putting your insurance policy and other important documents in a ziplock bag, put them in your dryer for elevated safe keeping.  
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“In your hurricane preparation, ensure you have a 'go bag' of important items that you will need if you choose to evacuate,” said Lynette Barba of Allstate Insurance in Mount Dora.  “And be sure to have your homeowner, auto and flood insurance policy numbers handy in case you have to file a claim and you don't have the policies with you.” 

​​Sign up for the free Mount Dora Buzz' monthly updates here.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.  ​​​​

​Mount Dora Police are investigating a shooting incident that happened Tuesday evening within the city.

Around 9:44 p.m., July 7, 2020,  Mount Dora Police responded to a 911 call about two people that had been shot in the area of Grant Avenue.  Upon arrival, police discovered a 43-year-old female and 22-year-old male that had been shot.  Both were taken to ORMC.  The female was treated and released.  The male remains in critical but stable condition at ORMC.

Police have identified the suspect and a warrant for an arrest has been issued.  This is an open investigation and police are not releasing any further information at this time.  This is considered and isolated incident however the motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.

Police are asking anyone with any information to call them at 352-735-7130.

​For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.  ​​​​ For local things to do, click here.  For the area's entertainment calendar, click here.​

Through an extensive, ongoing epidemiological investigation, the Florida Department of Health has identified a positive COVID-19 case that may be associated with Daytona Bike Week 2020.  The 63-year-old man, a New York resident, is currently in isolation in St. Johns County and will remain there until medically cleared.

The popular event is currently underway until March 15 and draws an estimated 500,000 people from across the country.  

The Department recommends all individuals experiencing symptoms who attended this event to immediately call their County Health Department or health care provider and self-isolate for 14 Days.   Although the mortality rate is at least ten times that of the flu, most people recover from COVID-19 without needing special treatment. The elderly and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, respiratory issues,  heart problems and diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.

RELATED STORY:  Lake County cancels events it sponsors in March

COVID-19 can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, including when an individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces. Other people may contract COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days following exposure.The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The Department recommends everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
• Staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with persons in poor health;
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then disposing of the tissue;
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, and after coughing or sneezing;
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty; and
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
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A vaccine to prevent COVID-19 is not expected to be available for another 12 to 18 months. 

​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.  ​​​​