Newsworthy

Meet Mount Dora Buzz's 2022 Person of the Year!

12/23/2022

In an effort to recognize some extraordinary Mount Dora residents that embody community spirit and selflessness, Mount Dora Buzz is introducing its Person of the Year. Individuals considered for this surprise recognition make a positive impact through true altruism or selfless community efforts without any self-promotion.

Mount Dora Buzz’s Person of the Year for 2022 is awarded to an impressive young resident: Franco Garcia. The very mature and driven 15-year-old Mount Dora High School (MDHS) sophomore successfully developed, implemented and executed a prolific recycling program at the school with a team of dedicated fellow students. Garcia’s initiative helps fill the void created when the City of Mount Dora ceased its curbside recycling program in February, 2021.

Garcia and his team launched their program early in the 2022 school year, and soon recycle bins were in every classroom on campus for weekly collection. A few short months later, Franco added three large receptacles for aluminum can recycling and placed them next to the campus’ vending machines. The large containers were funded with donations by generous local residents.

“Mount Dora High hasn’t had recycling for over a decade. Franco’s efforts have made a tremendous impact on the school and community over the last few months and will continue to in the future,” said MDHS Principal, Marlene Straughan.

With a GPA over 4.0, Garcia is a product of Mount Dora’s public schools including Triangle Elementary and Mount Dora Middle School. Garcia also volunteers at Eustis Elks Lodge and gladly does whatever is needed.

It was just last year when Garcia aspired to be an aerospace engineer, but now his sights are more focused on entrepreneurship and politics. “He’s such a good kid. I love that kid.” said Straughan. “He’s such a likable kid, he’s always smiling and possesses so many leadership qualities. He’ll definitely go far in life.”

Mount Dora Mayor Crissy Stile, also a local recycling activist, formed a friendship with Garcia through their recycling efforts. “I'm thankful to have been introduced to Franco because he gives me hope for the next generation. He has been a great partner in various local environmental projects,” said Stile.

Congratulations, Franco and thank you for your efforts!

Publishers note: Mount Dora residents interested in participating in a grass roots monthly recycling program can email Mayor Stile for recycling pick up information.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram for more local info.

Lake School District extends school closures through Friday due to hurricane

9/26/2022

With Hurricane Ian expected to intensify, Lake County Schools has confirmed plans for early student dismissal on Tuesday and school closures Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

On Sunday, the district announced tentative plans for an early release day and two days of school closures because of the possibility that many schools would be used as storm evacuation shelters this week.

Today, after reviewing updated weather forecasts, district officials confirmed those plans and decided to close schools an additional day – Friday – to allow time for staff to clean up once the schools are no longer needed as shelters. Parents were notified by email and phone call on Monday afternoon.

All schools will follow a Wednesday schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 27, so students are dismissed an hour early and the district can start preparing schools to be used as evacuation shelters. Extended Learning Centers, or ELC, will maintain regular operating hours on Tuesday, and all other after-school events including sports will continue as planned.

Schools and district offices will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 28; Thursday, Sept. 29, and Friday, Sept. 30. All after-school events will be canceled Wednesday and Thursday. Officials will continue to monitor the weather, including flooding conditions, and a decision will be announced later regarding football games and other activities scheduled for Friday night.

The district expects to resume normal school and district office operations on Monday, October 3.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram and Twitter for more local info.

The best 16 hurricane hacks

8/1/2022

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 tips to prepare for a hurricane:

Hurricane Hacks:

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.
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.
Peanut butter & jerky: Forget the jelly. Non-perishable proteins are hard to find. Grab a few jars of peanut butter and bags of jerky and protein bars, but no need to eat them together!
Cold brew coffee: When the power is out, cold brew is the easiest way to get your caffeine fix in the morning. Big bottles are usually available at your local grocery store.
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.
Paper plates & cups: If you lose running water, these are essential to bypass the pile-up of dirty dishes.
Lysol or Clorox wipes: It’s the best way to clean surfaces if there’s no running water.
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.
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.
External phone chargers : We can’t imagine you’ll forget, but remember to charge all of your external phone chargers.
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.
Be a shutterbug: Prior to the storm, 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.
Gasoline availability: A good way to stay up-to-date on which local stations have gas is by using the GasBuddy app on your phone.
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.
Extra pool chlorine: Hurricanes can dump a lot of rain. Be prepared to add some chlorine to your pool’s water after the storm is over.
Stash important papers: Place your homeowners insurance policy and other important documents in a ziplock bag and put them in your dryer for elevated safe-keeping.

“Know your insurance policy - ideally, talk with your agent now to understand what's covered and what's not and how much your hurricane deductible could cost you; keeping in mind you may not have internet, have the insurance company claim phone # and your policy numbers on hand in your 'go' bag,” said Lynette Barba of Allstate Insurance in Mount Dora.

Floridians are also advised to have one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days and a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered NOAA weather radio, a flashlight, a whistle to signal for help, a can opener, extra batteries in case of a long power outage and a ziplock bag with your insurance policy and other important documents.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram and Twitter for more local info.

Central Florida wildlife rehabs and rescues

6/1/2022

Lake County is home to an abundance of beautiful wildlife and caring residents often come across animals in need of assistance, but don't know where to turn. In Florida, rehabilitation of all wild animals, except squirrels, requires a permit, so it’s best to reach out for help if you discover an injured animal.

Below is a helpful list of established rescues and rehabs for animals ranging from birds and turtles to bats, snakes and other creatures.

BATS

City Bat Conservancy
407-409-0373
Species: All bats

BEES (HIVE REMOVAL)

Beelicious Honey
saltzberryj@yahoo.com

Ju-Bees
Judy Kemper
352-800-1246

Dan Backhaus
dan@barnwoodbbq.com

Lake County Bee Keepers
Lakecountybees@gmail.com
http://lakecountybeekeepers.com

BIRDS

Ahopha Rescue Inc
386-233-1054
DeLeon Springs area

Audubon Birds of Prey Center
407-644-0190
Species: Hawks, owls, eagles, osprey and other birds of prey.
Services: For help transporting birds to Birds of Prey to Center call Carol Hawk 352-409-4216 or 352-357-1541.

Avian Reconditioning Center or Carol McCorcall
407-461-1056, 323 West Lester Rd, Apopka
Species: Hawks, owls, eagles, osprey and other birds of prey
Services: No pick- up services, bird must be delivered to the center.

Back to Nature
407-568-5138, Bonnie
Orlando (Southeast of airport)
Services: All native birds, including sandhill cranes and water fowl.

Featherland Avian Rehab Center or Anita DeVillegas
352-229-4477
Species: Baby song birds are not accepted.
Services: Pick up available depending on distance.

Jan O'Connell
352-589-0199, Eustis
Species: Water fowl and other birds

Jean Hopkins
407-948-3354, Clermont
Species: Song birds

Owl's Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife
Text details to 813 - 598-5926, Kris Porter
rkporter1@verizon.net
Odessa, FL
Services: Various Birds

Sea World
407-351-3600, select option 4 and leave detailed message.
Services: Accepts native birds including sandhill cranes and water fowl. Also accepts injured manatees.

SNAKES

Snakes Alive
Howard Riley
407-591-2050

SQUIRRELS

Animal Clinic of Lady Lake
414 Teague Trail, Lady Lake
352-753-5333
Services: Must deliver animal to clinic

TURTLES & TORTOISES

Carissa Kent
407-529-5006
Services: Gopher tortoise relocations prior to property development

Crazy Critters
Ken Purvee, Eustis
crazycritters@crazycrittersinc.com
Species: Exotic animals including various reptiles

Swamp Girl / Kim Titterington
321-624-2502
Species: Turtles and tortoises including injured ones

Friends of Nature, Astatula
Connie Ferguson
407-947-5435

Animal Clinic of Lady Lake
414 Teague Trail, Lady Lake
352-753-5333
Services: Reptiles or hooved animals. No pick up services.

Debbie
352-357-2213 or text cell 407-619-0596
Services: Willing to pick up turtles

Logan's Turtle Rescue
352-483-7434
Services: Turtles and tortoises in the Golden Triangle area of Lake County.

GENERAL ANIMAL RESCUES

Back to Nature
407-568-5138
Services: Any native wildlife

Crazy Critters
Ken Purvee, Eustis
Species: Exotic animals including various reptiles
crazycritters@crazycrittersinc.com

Uncle Donald’s Farm
352-753-2882, Lady Lake

Carol Hardee
Wildlife rehab in Christmas (near Titusville)
407-568-3200
www.wildlifecenterflorida.org

Critter Encounters Wildlife Rescue
Jason Hoffman
904-254-9245

Jim Palmer Rescue, Clermont
352-429-5566
Services: Tortoises

Eastside Animal Hospital
731 E Hwy. 50, Suite A, Clermont
352-394-6624

nuisance animals

If you spot a nuisance animal that is not injured, here are some resources. Please note, bears reported as a nuisance are not relocated, they are euthanized by FWC. Removing sources of food like bird feeders and securing garbage cans in neighborhoods will result in bears leaving an area. Read more

Beehives
Lake County Bee Keepers
Lakecountybees@gmail.com
http://lakecountybeekeepers.com

Nuisance Wildlife or Domestic Animals
Lake County Animal Services
352-343-9688

Humane Society
352-589-7400
16435 McKinley Rd, Umatilla
Services: Cats and dogs only

FWC
352-732-1225
Rabid Wildlife: 352-589-6424
Nuisance alligators: 866-392-4289
Aggressive bears: 888-404-3922 (Do not report unless aggressive). Bears reported as a nuisance are not relocated, they are euthanized by FWC. Removing sources of food like bird feeders and securing garbage cans in neighborhoods will result in bears leaving an area. Read more
Dead Birds: (also call Health Dept.) 352-589-6424
Wildlife Alerts: 888-404-3922

Copyright Mount Dora Buzz 2022

Please email any updates to this list to mountdorabuzz@yahoo.com. 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.

ALERT FOR LOUD BLASTS

3/1/2022

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:

MARCH 1-16, 2022

MARCH 1
9-10:30 a.m.– Inert
3:30-5 p.m. – Inert

MARCH 2
10-11:30 a.m.- Inert
2:30-4 p.m. - Inert

MARCH 3
9-10:30 a.m.- Inert
3:30-5 p.m. - Inert

MARCH 7
9:30-10:30 a.m.– Inert
3:30-5 p.m. - Inert

MARCH 8
10-11:30 a.m.– Inert
2:30-4 p.m. – Inert

MARCH 9
9-10:30 a.m.- Inert
3:30-5 p.m. - Inert

MARCH 10
10 a.m.-Noon - Inert

MARCH 16
8:30 a.m.-10 p.m.– Inert

During bombing periods wildlife may be temporarily displaced, according to the U.S. Navy. Drivers should use extra caution when travelling through the Ocala National forest and surrounding areas for wildlife and residents should secure items around homes that attract wildlife.

RELATED: 10 Things to Know about Pinecastle Bombing Range

This post is updated according to the current bombing schedule, so refer back to this page for future dates. 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.

Local Entertainment Calendar

Suspect arrested in connection with Mount Dora crimes

9/27/2021

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On September 14 2021, four male subjects posing as members of a youth basketball team began harassing customers within Mount Dora area businesses by soliciting monetary donations for a youth basketball league. It has now been confirmed this was a fraudulent enterprise. This group was also witnessed on video camera committing theft from several of these businesses and burglary to a vehicle.

Through collaborative efforts, it was determined these same subjects are connected to several crimes within Lake and Polk Counties, where vehicles and firearms were stolen.

Lewis Hicks of Orlando was arrested on September 23 and all other subjects have now been positively identified in the related Mount Dora cases. Criminal charges will be forthcoming for the instances that occurred in the City of Mount Dora, according to a press release issued by the City.

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.

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AdventHealth reports “swift increase” in COVID-19 cases in its Central Florida hospitals

7/26/2021

ABOVE: AdventHealth Waterman Hospital in Tavares (Mount Dora Buzz file photo)

According to today’s press release, AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division continues to see a significant and swift increase in COVID-19 cases in its hospitals throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk, Volusia and Flagler counties. Additionally, the daily positivity rate at AdventHealth Centra Care remains at near all-time highs.

As of this morning, AdventHealth has 862 COVID-19 inpatients across the Central Florida Division. This is near the peak of approximately 900 the health system saw in January.

In response, AdventHealth will defer non-time-sensitive elective outpatient surgeries at hospitals throughout the Central Florida Division effective Tuesday, July 27. (An example of a non-time-sensitive elective outpatient surgery would be an elective knee surgery.) Patients will be notified if their procedure will be rescheduled. Preapproval from campus medical leadership is required for non-time-sensitive/urgent or non-emergent procedures.

AdventHealth is taking these measures, which mirror those made earlier in the pandemic, to safeguard our physicians and team members, and greater community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: Is hospital capacity at risk?
A: While the rising number of hospitalized patients is evidence of the risk still posed by the virus in our community, it is not cause for alarm in terms of hospital capacity. Our hospitals are designed in such a way that spaces are flexible and expandable. AdventHealth has an extensive health care system in Central Florida, so we can locate patients to the facility that best matches the level of care they need.

Q: What percentage of COVID inpatients are vaccinated?
A: Some 94% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across AdventHealth’s nationwide system are unvaccinated.

Q: Is AdventHealth administering COVID vaccines?
A: AdventHealth continues to offer COVID vaccines for the public at six Centra Care locations. AdventHealth also is offering COVID vaccines to inpatients at its hospitals throughout the Central Florida Division.

Q: Do you have enough supplies and ventilators?
A: We have sufficient supplies of ventilators, monitors and other specialized equipment in order to quickly convert spaces in the hospital to both standard and ICU level rooms, should they be needed.

Follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram. 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 PARKING SHORTAGE GETS TEMPORARY HELP

4/1/2021

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It’s been a years’ long problem, but now Mount Dora’s parking shortage will be getting some temporary relief until a permanent parking garage can be built.

An agreement was finalized this week with Scherzo Parking, Inc. to lease a municipal parking barge to be moored on Lake Dora near the downtown core with access from the west end of Dora Court.

The Italian company, with a manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, will transport the two-level barge with 323 parking spaces, in sections before launching and assembling it in place. The vessel will be secured with steel cables tethered to the lake's bottom just north of the 4th Avenue docks. Scherzo Parking has successfully installed temporary floating parking solutions in four other Florida cities, as well as its expansive, permanent vessel in Venice, Italy.

The 1.85-acre Mount Dora barge and its 48-foot steel ramp will be nautical-themed and finished in white and gray shiplap to complement Mount Dora’s historic charm. The two parking decks will be constructed of recycled plastics salvaged from the ocean and waterways and feature solar-powered LED lighting.

The term of the lease will be terminated upon construction of a permanent parking structure in the city’s downtown core. The barge is expected to be fully operational in 5 weeks.

The City currently has a Request for Proposals (RFP) for developers to submit their ideas for a permanent garage on a site at Third Avenue and Baker Street. Read more important information on the parking barge, click here.

Follow Mount Dora Buzz on Instagram.  For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, visit the area's website and download the area's free mobile app.

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POLICE RELEASE SKETCH OF SUSPECT N MOUNT DORA ABDUCTION

3/2/2021

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At approximately 9:40 p.m on. Sunday, February 28, Mount Dora Police Department, was alerted about a possible abduction. Police said the victim texted a friend saying that someone was potentially following her and to call police.

As the victim was walking near Highland Street and 9th Avenue, a Hispanic male approached her from behind, grabbed her by the neck and took her in the backyard of a residence. The victim was able to escape when the subject left her alone.

Officers attempted to locate the victim for a few hours. Around 11:50 p.m. she was found walking on Clayton Street.

Yesterday, the City of Mount Dora stated the female reported being abducted by a Hispanic male and then "dropped off", but today MDPD updated the information to reflect her escape and release the sketch of the suspect. If you have any information about the identity of the person from the sketch please contact the Mount Dora Police Department at 352-735-7130.

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.

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SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR GRUESOME THEFTS AT MOUNT DORA GRAVESITES

1/7/2021

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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.

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.