Newsworthy

17-YEAR-OLD HUMAN TRAFFIKING VICTIM RECOVERED DURING LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OPERATION

8/28/2018

Detectives assigned to the Lake County sheriff's Cyber Crimes Unit recently concluded a 10-day, two-phase operation targeting subjects online attempting to meet children for sexual activity, as well as those committing acts related to prostitution. The investigation, dubbed Operation Catfish, recovered a 17-year-old victim of human trafficking and resulted in 40 arrests for various sex-related crimes.

Detectives conducted the operation from a vacant home in South Lake County, during which time they posed online as a 14-year-old child. The subjects traveled to the home with the intent to have sex with whom they thought was the child and were taken into custody upon arrival. One subject fled the area but was later identified and charged accordingly.

Detectives also seized two vehicles and recovered a stolen firearm.

This operation was in cooperation with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other member agencies of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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EMPTY SCHOOL BUS INVOLVED IN SERIOUS WOLF BRANCH ROAD ACCIDENT

8/15/2018

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Mount Dora Police are investigating a crash that happened at Wolf Branch and Britt Roads this morning.

The accident happened around 9 a.m. after a school bus dropped off kids at an area middle school. The driver of a Nissan Sentra entered the intersection off Britt Road to Wolf Branch Road and was struck by the school bus.

The driver of the Nissan was airlifted with serious injuries to Orlando Regional Medical Center. The driver of the bus suffered a non-life threatening injury and was taken to Florida Hospital Waterman by ground.

There were no children on the bus at the time of the accident. No names are being released. This crash remains under investigation.

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16 ITEMS FOR A BETTER HURRICANE KIT

8/1/2018

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Yes, it’s that time. TIme to put together another hurricane kit with the hopes you’ll never have to use it.
Here are the 16 obvious and not-so obvious items to include:

1: First Aid Kit.
2: Weather radio.
3: Water: One gallon per person for three days and additional gallons for pets. If you have well water, you’ll need even more.
4: Batteries: Extra batteries for flashlights and radio.
5: External cell phone battery: Make sure it’s fully charged.
6: Food: Three-day supply of non-perishable food. Don’t forget snacks like granola bars and jerky.
7: Can opener: Canned food without a can opener is not fun.
8: Lights: Battery operated candles and solar lights which can be recharged in the sun if electricity is out for a few days.
9: Pet food: Don’t forget Fido!
10: Loud whistle: It’s more audible than yelling, if you need help.
11: Wipes: These are a lifesaver for cleaning anything when there's no running water.
12: Wrench & pliers (in case you need to shut off any utilities).
13: Paper plates & towels: Remember, you may have no running water for cleaning dishes.
14: Plastic tarp: Just in case you need to cover a hole in your roof after the storm.
15: Deck of cards: Helpful to keep the sanity of you and your family.
16: Toilet paper: Just because you really don’t want to run out if the stores are closed due to power outage.

Get the most recent predictions for the 2018 hurricane season here. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. To get area's news in your inbox once a month, subscribe to the free month issue of Mount Dora Buzz here .

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EXPERTS UPDATE PREDICTIONS FOR HURRICANE SEASON

8/1/2018

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After an initial prediction in May for a near-average season, experts recently downgraded their expectations to a "below-average" Atlantic hurricane season in 2018. The change was based on unusually cold temperatures in portions of the Atlantic Ocean which provides less fuel for developing storms.

The July outlook includes a total of 11 named storms which is down from the original prediction of 14. Of those 11 storms, four are expected to become hurricanes, including one major hurricane which is classified as Category 3 or higher. The first of the 11 storms was Subtropical Storm Albert that occurred in May. The early prediction in May by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was for 10 to 16 named storms, five to nine hurricanes, and one to four major hurricanes.

The updated prediction was released by Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Science and researchers for its Tropical Meteorology Project. According to their report, the probability of a major hurricane making landfall on the U.S. coastline this year is 39 percent. The annual average is 52 percent probability.

Despite the new "below average" storm predictions, the report warns that residents should still prepare for storm season because even one hurricane making landfall could be a disaster.

In addition to having a good hurricane kit, residents should keep their insurance policy up-to-date and stored in a safe place.

"2017 was a year filled with record-setting disasters,” said Lynette Barba of Allstate Insurance in Mount Dora. “Now is a good time for an annual insurance review with your agent to better understand your coverages specific to hurricanes and floods."

When storms form in the Atlantic, residents can also follow these helpful websites and social media accounts:
Ready.gov - This site provides natural disaster tips.
Getagameplan.org - This site offers four different plans for enduring a natural disaster: family preparation, business preparation, mitigation and a kid-friendly checklist.
• National Hurricane Center (also Twitter & Facebook) - Stay plugged into the NHC whenever you are in the ‘cone of uncertainty’ for storm updates.
• National Weather Service (also on Twitter & Facebook) - This is a good source to keep up to date on all weather news and monitoring.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. To get area's news in your inbox once a month, subscribe to the free month issue of Mount Dora Buzz here .

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10 WAYS TO KEEP YOU (& BEARS) SAFE

7/26/2018

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Florida Black Bears have long been residents of Mount Dora and the surrounding areas. However, bear sightings have been a more frequent occurrence in recent months. In addition to nearby construction projects in bear habitats, it’s also the season when older cubs are pushed out on their own so their mothers can find a new mate. However, the sighting of a Florida Black Bear doesn’t necessarily represent a threat.

In mid-July, a young, non-aggressive, 105 pound female bear was tranquilized, transported and euthanized by officials after it climbed two trees near downtown Mount Dora.

WIth the help of the Fish and WIldlife Conservation Commission (FWC), here are some tips to help residents understand and safely co-exist with these bears:

1. Fraidy Cat
Florida Black Bears are typically not an aggressive species. They avoid humans and eat mostly plant-based foods like berries and seeds. Bear attacks on people in Florida are rare, but bears will defend themselves, cubs and their food. Mother bears will take defensive measures if they feel their cubs are threatened. Always be aware of your surroundings and maintain a safe distance. Keep dogs away from bears who may have cubs nearby.

2. Face-to-Face with a Bear
If you end up in close contact with a bear, remain standing and don't make any sudden movement. Speak to the bear in a calm assertive voice, back up slowly toward a secure area and make sure you leave the bear a clear escape route. Avoid direct eye contact - bears and other animals may view this as aggressive behavior. If your movement away seems to irritate the bear instead of calm it, stop and hold your ground. Don't run, don’t play dead and don’t climb a tree.

3. Think Before You Call
When bears are spotted they are often just passing through in search of food or a mate. Unless you have attractants (food), they will move along to other parts of their large range. Calling authorities just for sighting a bear, even a young bear, often results in the animal’s death rather than its relocation. FWC found that relocating bears to other areas isn’t an effective strategy to reduce human-bear conflicts. Additionally, locations in Florida that experience bear conflicts are in bear range, and so the chance of another bear finding that same food source is very high.

4. Scare the Bear!
Bears have very acute hearing and don’t like loud noises. If you spot a bear in your yard, get to a safe place, make sure the bear has a clear escape route, and then make tons of noise. Use car horns, sports whistles, bang pot and pans, or blare air horns to encourage the bear to continue on its way.

5. What’s the Bear Telling You?
Contrary to popular thought, a bear that feels threatened does not roar or growl. It may slap the ground, "huff" or blow air forcefully through their nose or mouth, and/or snap its teeth together. If these behaviors don't scare off the source of their unease, the bear may bluff charge, running toward the source and then veering away. Yes, that would be quite scary.

Rather than growl or make a noise, a bear that is aggressive toward humans will stare, protrude their lower lip, and flatten their ears.

Standing on their hind legs also isn’t a sign of aggression. Black bears are curious creatures and this is merely a way to get a better vantage point of their surroundings.

Females communicate with their young by grunts or moans to send their cubs up trees for safety, or to have them follow her. Cubs bawl and moan when distressed, and make a grunting purr sound when suckling.

6. “A Fed Bear Is a Dead Bear”
It may seems obvious; however, residents often don’t realize bird feeders, trash cans, and pet food left outside provide a buffet for bears. Think a bird feeder isn’t a big deal? Think again. Eighty percent of a Florida black bear’s diet is from nuts and berries, not meat.

Bears quickly learn to associate people with food, so when food-conditioning occurs, a bear can lose its life-preserving fear of humans and will return to the area as long as food is available. FWC states there is little that can be done to make these bears wild again, and they are often killed by illegal shooting, euthanasia, and vehicle collisions.

7. Bears Being Bears
Remember, the mere sighting of a bear isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. Male and female black bears have a 60-mile and 15-mile range respectively. Without finding food, they will keep passing through. However, after the bear leaves the area, be sure to double-check that there are no attractants in the area.
8. Close the Buffet
About 80 percent of a black bear’s diet comes from plants, 15 percent from insects, 5 percent from meat (opossums, armadillos, etc.). Bears and other wildlife linger in residential neighborhoods because of easy access to human-provided foods. If the unsecured food sources—garbage, bird feeders, compost piles, un-picked fruit, livestock, and pet/livestock/bird foods—are eliminated, the problem is eliminated. Bears will move out of the neighborhood to search out another food source.

Find out about getting one of Lake County's bear-resistant trash cans here.

9. Patience Is a Virtue
Once a bear has identified a food source, it can take several weeks after removing attractants before a bear understands that the source of food is no longer available.

10. Obey the Law
Intentionally placing food or garbage out to attract bears is illegal. What attracts dogs, cats and racoons will also get the attention of bears. If you see someone feeding bears, call the Wildlife Hotline at 888-404-3922.

It’s also illegal to kill a bear without an FWC issued hunting or depredation permit, unless it is to protect human life. A viable alternative to shooting a bear perceived as a threat is the use of bear spray. It’s an extremely effective deterrent and can be used at a distance of 20-30 feet.

10 Facts About Florida Black Bears:
- They are the only bear species in Florida with a population estimated at 4050 statewide.
- Adult male black bears usually weigh between 250 to 350 lbs. (the largest was 760 lbs.).
- Adult female black bears typically weigh between 130 and 180 lbs. (the largest was 400 lbs.).
- Bears see in color, but don’t see a lot of details after 30 yards.
- Mating season runs from June to August and cubs are born around late January or early February.
- Female bears have their first litter at about 3 ½ years old and can have a litter every other year.
- Bears often climb trees when they are frightened.
- A bear’s strongest sense is smell, thought to be the strongest of any land animal. They also have hearing that is almost twice as sensitive as humans.
- Black bears can sprint up to 35 mph.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. To get area's news in your inbox once a month, subscribe to the free month issue of Mount Dora Buzz here .

Below is a FWC video of a bear vs. a bear resistant trash can full of treats.

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First Responders Find 98-Year-Old Missing Eustis Woman

5/12/2018

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The dense woods of Central Florida are an unforgiving environment. Riddled with nature’s obstacles of vines, dense scrub brush and an abundance of hungry insects, let alone larger animals. Those were the daunting surroundings Elizabeth Parker, 98, disappeared into yesterday.

When her daughter Katie Wayne and Katie’s husband Gary arrived home in the early evening, they discovered the elderly woman was nowhere to be found. Parker is frail, doesn’t drive and uses a walker, so the couple immediately called 911.

Lake County Sheriff’s officers and assisting first responders fanned out to scour the nine acres on Lake Joanna with bloodhounds and a helicopter. The intense effort went non-stop until 2:30 a.m., when the search was suspended until daybreak.
The family spent an emotional night fearing for Parker’s safety. “It was not a good night, to say the least.” said Gary.
Early this morning deputies returned to the property and added divers to the search. Rescuers found Parker, who has no history of dementia, at approximately 10 a.m. this morning, lying under a large palm frond in a densely wooded area with only minor cuts and scrapes.

ABOVE: Parker (center) with Gary Wayne (left).

"The area was so dense, even a gorilla would have a difficult time getting there," said Gary of Parker's location.
After spending the night isolated in a precarious environment, Parker was remarkably unshaken by the experience. She exited the woods on her own feet with the help of rescuers and Gary. As she saw her son-in-law cry, Parker responded, “Don’t worry, it all turned out okay.”
She was transported to the hospital for closer examination.
“The rescuers were very concerned and took it real serious,” said Gary of all the first responders. “I credit them a hundred percent for saving her life. The officers were top notch.”
There is no doubt that tomorrow will be a very special Mother’s Day for the Wayne family.

For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.edit.

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MISSING MOUNT DORA GIRL FOUND DECEASED

5/7/2018

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It's not the ending that everyone hoped. Tragically, Justis Garrett, the teen missing from Mount Dora, was found deceased in a remote wooded area about a quarter mile off of Gasline Road in DeLand.

Garret, 16, was dropped off at school in Mount Dora on April 13 and did not return home. She was believed to be in the New Smyrna Beach area at the time.

At about 7:50 p.m. April 18, DeLand Police were dispatched after joggers believed they saw human remains near a running path. Police responded to the area and confirmed the discovery which had appeared to have been in the area for some time, according to DeLand Police Chief Jason Umberger.

An autopsy was performed to identify Garrett and help determine the circumstances surrounding her death. Anyone with any information is asked to call DeLand Police Department at 386-626-7400 or leave an anonymous tip at www.volusia.crimewatchflorida.com .

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MASSIVE GATOR REMOVED FROM FLORIDA NEIGHBORHOOD

5/1/2018

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It wasn't exactly a day like any other, even for Florida.

Last week, the peacefulness of a neighborhood in The Villages was interrupted by an welcome visit from a massive alligator. The reptile was discovered laying on a front lawn in the community about 30 miles northwest of Mount Dora. Reportedly, no one was home when the animal, which measured 11 feet, 7 inches, paid its visit.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission representatives 'worked' the spirited animal to tire it out before wrangling it to tape its mouth closed and haul it away.

Alligators are found in all 67 counties in Florida.

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SUSPICIOUS POWDERY SUBSTANCE RECEIVED IN MOUNT DORA DEEMED NON-TOXIC

3/7/2018

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Mount Dora Police and Fire Rescue responded to the Lake Emergency Medical Services (Lake EMS) building at approximately 11:30 a.m. today in reference to a white, powdery substance contained in an envelope.

Upon MDPD's arrival, it was determined that the envelope had arrived via the United States Postal Service.

Twelve employees of Lake EMS, located at 2761 West Old Highway 441, were exposed to the unknown substance, but did not suffer any symptoms and were not transported to the hospital.

Lake County Hazmat Unit conducted an on-site test and it was determined the powder was non-toxic. The FBI and Post Master General were advised of the situation and Lake EMS and Tavares Fire Department assisted with the scene. The substance was sent to an FBI lab for further testing.

The scene was cleared around 1:30 p.m. and all employees have returned to work.

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MOUNT DORA SEEKS SUSPECTS IN ARMED ROBBERY

2/6/2018

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The Mount Dora Police Department is currently an armed robbery that occurred on Sunday, February 4. The victim was walking through the orange groves north of Spring Harbor apartment complex enroute to Perkins Restaurant. As he walked by the east side of Walmart, he reported two black males robbed him.

The victim described one of the suspects as approximately five feet and eight inches tall to six feet tall. His face was covered by a red and blue bandana. The suspect brandished a black pistol and demanded the victim's property. The suspects then fled the area toward the rear of Walmart.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dectective Pat Thomas at Mount Dora Police Department at 352-735-7133.

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