Newsworthy

MOUNT DORA PARKING SHORTAGE GETS TEMPORARY HELP

4/1/2021

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.

0 Comments

POLICE RELEASE SKETCH OF SUSPECT N MOUNT DORA ABDUCTION

3/2/2021

0 Comments

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.

0 Comments

ALERT FOR LOUD BLASTS

2/26/2021

1 Comment

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:

MARCH 1-3, 2021 (inert munitions)
Mar. 1 – 1:30-3 p.m
4-10 p.m.
Mar. 2 – 7:30-9 p.m.
Mar. 3 – 1:30 -3 p.m.
4-5:30 p.m.

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.

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

1 Comment

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR GRUESOME THEFTS AT MOUNT DORA GRAVESITES

1/7/2021

0 Comments

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.

0 Comments

BELOVED FORMER MOUNT DORA MERCHANT LOSES BATTLE WITH CANCER

11/13/2020

0 Comments

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.

Local Shopping Guide

0 Comments

mOUNT dORA sOCIAL WORKER TRADES SECRET FOR DREAM

10/30/2020

0 Comments

Human interest stories that run the gamut land on reporters’ laps every day. While many are compelling, few are as inspiring and moving as this one. It serves as a lesson in what can happen when dogged perseverance is combined with the inner struggle to do what’s right. Read more

0 Comments

MOUNT DORA WOMAN DIES IN POLICE DEPARTMENT PARKING LOT

10/24/2020

At approximately 1:24 a.m. this morning, a 46-year-old woman drove into the Mount Dora Police Department (MDPD) parking lot at 1300 N. Donnelly Street where she shot herself, according to Mount Dora Public Information Officer Lisa McDonald.

Officers immediately responded and attempted to perform life-saving measures. The woman, who resided on East 11th Avenue in Mount Dora, was transported to Waterman Hospital where she was eventually pronounced deceased.

Police investigators ruled the shooting was a suicide.

Family members have been informed, however Mount Dora Buzz isn’t releasing the name of the woman to protect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.

The free Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-273-8255. It provides free and confidential support to people in distress, as well as crisis resources for family members.

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.

TWO PEOPLE INJURED IN SERIOUS MOUNT DORA CRASH

10/21/2020

0 Comments

At approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday night, Mount Dora Police responded to a serious single-car accident near Heron Cay Bed and Breakfast on Old Highway 441.

As officers arrived on scene, they observed a 2002 GMC SUV that had sustained heavy damage as a result of crashing into a retaining wall. The two occupants of the vehicle were trapped as a result of the front impact crushing the vehicle inwards. Mount Dora Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to cut open the vehicle to remove the occupants.

The 36-year-old male driver and the 32-year-old female passenger in the front seat sustained critical injuries as a result of the crash. Both occupants were airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center to be treated for massive trauma. This afternoon the male was in critical condition and the female is stable at ORMC, according to Lisa McDonald, the City of Mount Dora Public Information Officer.

Although there were no deaths on the scene, Traffic Homicide Investigators were called to conduct a preliminary investigation. On social media, one driver alleged the driver of the SUV was excessively speeding and passed her some time before the accident. The crash remains under investigation.

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.

0 Comments

MOUNT DORA POLICE INVESTIGATING FATAL CAR ACCIDENT

8/17/2020

1 Comment

Mount Dora Police are investigating a fatal car accident that happened Sunday evening. Mount Dora Fire and Police were called to the scene of an accident that happened at 4150 North Highway 19A, between Bay Street and Triangle Drive at 6:46 p.m. The solo accident involved a Ford Expedition that rolled over.

According to a witness, the driver of the vehicle, Adrick Rojas of Eustis, was driving at approximately 80 mph when he attempted to pass another driver in a no-passing zone. Rojas, 36, crossed over a double line and lost control of the black Expedition veering off the road. He attempted to correct and left the roadway again rolling approximately three times. Rojas wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was discovered under the vehicle and pronounced deceased on the scene.

There were three other passengers in the vehicle. Two were uninjured and a third went to the hospital later to be checked for injuries. Highway 19A was shut down until the scene was cleared at 11 p.m.

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.

1 Comment

15 HURRICANE TIPS YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW

8/1/2020

0 Comments

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:

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, but no need to eat them together!
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.
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 batteries: We can’t imagine you’ll forget, but remember to charge all of your external phone batteries.
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: 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 www.gasbuddy.com .
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.
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.

“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.