Blog Posts

MOUNT DORA BUSINESS OWNER HELPS NAB DOWNTOWN VANDALS

12/3/2019

ABOVE: Business owners Phil and Kate Barnard. (Mount Dora Buzz photo)

It’s an unexpected sight. Vandals aren’t too common in downtown Mount Dora, and spotting a pair tagging buildings with graffiti in broad daylight in the bustling historic district would be, well unusual to say the least.

That’s exactly what happened at approximately 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, when an alert Mount Dora business owner spotted vandals doing exactly that and quickly gave chase.

Phil Barnard, co-owner of Magical Meat Boutique, a British Pub, walked out of his business to discover a man and woman apparently vandalizing a wall on a private parking area along downtown’s Dora Drawdy Alley.

Barnard confronted the pair and pursued the male, but lost sight of the female suspect. Mount Dora Police arrived to arrest Josef Weiss, 20, of Eustis, for six counts of criminal mischief. After being read his Miranda rights, Weiss quickly told police he was merely the lookout for his girlfriend. Officers discovered large markers on Weiss that matched the colors of the tagging.

ABOVE: Arrested suspect Josef Weiss, 20 of Eustis.

Later, it was discovered the bold pair had allegedly tagged several downtown locations on that afternoon. In all, four businesses were affected by Saturday’s vandalism spree, including Magical Meat Boutique, Lake County Arms, Papilio and Barrel of Books and Games. All of the small business owners signed affidavits that expressed their intention to prosecute.

Weiss was transported to Lake County Jail. This article will be updated upon the arrest of the female involved.

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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MOUNT DORA CARJACKER NABBED WITHIN 2 HOURS OF VICTIMIZING ELDERLY WOMAN

11/22/2019

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ABOVE: Mugshot of arrested suspect, De'Angelo McKnight

UPDATE 11/25/19: The suspect arrested is De'Angelo McKnight, 19, of Mount Dora. He was charged with carjacking, assault or battery on a person 65 years of age or older, petty theft, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and criminal use of personal identification information.
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It was a hideous crime. At approximately 3 p;m this afternoon a 93-year old woman was returning to her car in the parking lot of the T.J. Maxx and Hobby Lobby Shopping Center on the southwest corner of U.S. 441 and Eudora Road in Mount Dora.

As she neared her car, she was approached by a male suspect who knocked her to the ground and took off with her purse, phone and Lincoln SUV. With the teamwork of Mount Dora Police, Eustis Police and Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a suspect would be in custody less than two hours later when the stolen vehicle was spotted and five occupants bailed from the SUV near State Road 44 in Eustis. A foot-chase ensued and law enforcement apprehended all of them.

The elderly victim had lacerations on her head and was transported to the hospital.

Mount Dora Assistant Police Chief Mike Fewless said MDPD would request the State Attorney’s Office seek the maximum penalty for the crimes.

This is the time of year when crime spikes and shoppers need to be extra vigilant of their surroundings.

Here are some safety tips to remember:

At night, park in well-lit areas.
Have your car keys in your hand before you leave the store or restaurant.
Walk to your car with other people.
Do not be distracted while leaving a store or entering your car.
Never leave purses or bags on or behind your car seat. Place them in locked trunk.
Do not fight someone over your purse. Your life is more important.
Lock your cars doors.

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.

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MOUNT DORA POLICE INVESTIGATE MISSING FUNDS FROM YOUTH BASEBALL PROGRAM

10/22/2019

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Mount Dora Police are investigating allegations that the Mount Dora Babe Ruth (MDBR) organization was the victim of grand theft --between $20,000 to $100,000 -- by one of the youth league’s own officers.

The investigation began on October 21 after the local baseball league’s vice president, Frank Remsen, met with police regarding allegations the all-volunteer group’s treasurer took funds from its bank account for personal use. According to the MDBR board, the missing funds were to benefit every child in the league.

“It was discovered over the last few days that our, now former, Mount Dora Babe Ruth Treasurer, Holly Jukuri, inappropriately and wrongfully misappropriated almost all of our league funds for personal use without the consent, approval or knowledge of any current MDBR Board Members,” alleged a message to parents and players from the MDBR board on October 21. Jukuri’s children participated in the league.

After being alerted to the problem, the board investigated the lack of cash deposits with its bank and ensured no additional funds could be jeopardized. The league often generates cash for bank deposits from the fields’ concession stand sales.

The board met in an emergency board meeting on October 20 in which Jukuri did not answer any questions on the advice of her lawyer, nor did she submit requested receipts. She voluntarily resigned and the board voted to remove her husband, Nick Jukuri, from the Board and as a coach due to an alleged conflict of interest and pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the board’s message and minutes from the meeting.

The board credited MDBR’s system of checks and balances with the uncovering of the alleged crime. Mount Dora Police Department could not release additional information due to the pending investigation.

“The season will continue on and games will be played. We will have umpires for games. Our coaches will still give their hearts and time to the children, practice after practice and game after game,” wrote the MDBR board.

Mount Dora Babe Ruth was founded in 1957 and solely relies on volunteers for coaching, field preparations, fundraising and other operations. In communities across the U.S. and Canada, close to a million young baseball and softball players participate under the Babe Ruth League umbrella every season. The program uses regulation competitive rules, teaches skills, mental and physical development, a respect for the rules of the game, and basic ideals of sportsmanship and fair play.

If anyone would like to make a donation to Mount Dora Babe Ruth, please contact the organization directly here.

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.

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MOUNT DORA POLICE MAKE QUICK ARRESTS FOR ARMED CARJACKING

9/19/2019

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It was brazen, in broad daylight, and resulted in a swift arrest.

On September 16 at approximately 2:30 in the afternoon, Mount Dora Police Officers responded to a report that an armed carjacking had occurred in the Loch Leven Publix parking lot located at U.S. Highway 441 and Donnelly Street.

The victim, John Miller, told police that he was in his car in the parking lot when another car, driven by a white female, pulled up behind his car. Two white males got out of the car and one got into the front passenger seat and pointed a gun at Miller’s head. Miller got out of the car and the suspect drove away. The second suspect got back into the other car and also fled the scene.

Police were alerted to the description of the victim’s car and told that it was headed north on U.S. Highway 441 with the other suspect’s vehicle following it.

While officers were still on the scene, another MDPD officer was driving south on the highway and noticed two cars that matched the descriptions turn into the nearby Target parking lot. Police officers detained the occupants of both vehicles and the victim was then taken to their location where he positively identified them. (scroll down for rest of article)

ABOVE: Alleged suspects, Michael Knapp (left) of St. Cloud and Michael Mulhern of Mount Dora.

Upon searching the victim’s vehicle, a handgun and other contraband were found. Police arrested MIchael Knapp, driver of the victim’s vehicle, on charges of carjacking. Knapp, a St. Cloud resident, was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver of the second car, Michael Mulhern of Mount Dora, was arrested for being an alleged principal in a carjacking. The female driver was not located or indentified.

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.

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TEEN GIRL IN UMATILLA ARRESTED FOR SOLICITATION TO KILL HER PARENTS

9/10/2019

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ABOVE: Mount Dora Buzz stock photo

Detectives from the Lake County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) arrested a 17-year-old girl on two counts of Criminal Solicitation for Murder. As the investigation progressed it was learned the suspect allegedly solicited two different individuals to commit the crime.

According to the arrest affidavit, LSCO was contacted by a juvenile witness that advised the suspect allegedly gave her friend (another witness) a "a lot of money" to find someone to kill her parents. The affidavit further stated that the juvenile suspect stole her parents debit card and made two separate transactions withdrawing funds to pay the individuals to carry out the murder.

The affidavit claimed the juvenile defendant completed two debit card transactions: one for $503.00 and one for $926.40, which were later identified as money given to two different individuals to kill her parents. The defendant was arrested by Umatilla Police Department for the theft.

Yesterday, a LCSO detective found the suspect at her residence. She admitted in a recorded interview that she had stolen her parents debit card and made the two transactions. She elaborated that $100 was used to buy cocaine and $400 was given to her friend to give to someone to kill her parents. She also stated to the detective that since the act was never carried out she gave the other $900 to another male to kill her parents.

The juvenile suspect was placed in custody and transported to the Lake County Jail where she was processed and turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

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

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THE HURRICANE TIPS YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW

8/1/2019

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ABOVE: Stock photo of unknown storm.

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. 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, 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 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.
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: Put these lights in the bathrooms, on nightstands and everywhere else to remove the risk of fire that regular candles pose.
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. Then upload onto your cloud storage for safe keeping.
Gasoline availability: A good way to stay up-to-date- on which local station have gas is www.gasbuddy.com .
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.
Do all your landry: You know those 5 loads of laundry piling up? Now is the time. Remember, you may not have water or power after the storm.

“Photos are an easy way to show the condition of your home and to create a home inventory; you can also complete a written inventory with forms available from your insurance company,” said Lynette Barba of Allstate Insurance in Mount Dora. “Also, have valuable papers like your home and auto insurance with you in case it is necessary to file a claim off site.”

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.

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SUSPECT ARRESTED IN 2018 MURDER OF MOUNT DORA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT

5/24/2019

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ABOVE: Justis Garrett, 16

After a thorough and detailed investigation, FDLE agents will issue a warrant today for the arrest of Robert Nixon Kern, Jr., 40, for the murder of 16-year-old Justis Garrett of Sorrento.

Kern was taken into custody in February by the Suffolk County (NY) Police Department on fraud charges stemming from a case in Volusia County. He was extradited to Florida this Friday afternoon. FDLE agents have a signed arrest warrant for a second-degree murder charge.

“Robert Kern, Jr., is responsible for the cruel and brutal murder of Justis Garrett, who was smart, caring and loved by so many,” said FDLE Orlando Special Agent in Charge Lee Massie. “The agents on this case were relentless and worked long hours to see Justis’ murderer arrested so he could ultimately be held responsible for her untimely death.”

“It is our duty and our mission to hold the defendant accountable for the murder of our Victim in this case,” said State Attorney R.J. Larizza. “The combined efforts of our law enforcement partners and our homicide prosecutors in this case was nothing short of extraordinary.”

Justis was reported missing on Saturday, April 14, 2018, by her mother to the Mount Dora Police Department (MDPD). She was last seen the day before, on Friday, April 13th, when Kern told investigators he had taken Justis to Mount Dora High School.

Four days after she was reported missing, a group of hikers discovered a body in a wooded area off Service and Gasline roads in DeLand. On May 7th, forensic analysis determined the body was that of Justis.

ABOVE: Robert Nixon Kern, Jr, 40

The MDPD advised FDLE on April 24th, that the 16-year-old student had been reported missing. Eventually, due to the multiple jurisdictions involved, FDLE became the lead investigative agency on the case.

During the course of the investigation, agents learned Kern gave inconsistent statements regarding his whereabouts on April 13, 2018. Kern was the last known person to have contact with Justis.

In interviews with Justis’ mother and others, agents encountered additional inconsistencies in statements Kern provided to law enforcement. Agents then reviewed phone records and social media accounts that led to evidence linking Kern to Justis’ murder.

Kern is in the Volusia County Jail on a no-bond status. The Office of the State Attorney, 7th Judicial Circuit, will prosecute the case.

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.

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BULLET TRAIN ROUTE APPROVED THROUGH MOUNT DORA

4/1/2019

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Mount Dora's long history of trains dates back to 1887, but the next chapter for this historic Central Florida town is undoubtedly more modern.

After a long series of hearings and approvals, construction will begin in late 2019 on new tracks for high-speed rail through the city and beyond. A station is not planned for Lake County, but new tracks and infrastructure will be added to support the aerodynamic bullet train that will travel from Orlando to Gainesville until it eventually runs parallel to the I-10 corridor in north Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana before ending in Houston, Texas, until additional sections are funded.

“The bullet train’s approval reflects a commitment to improving and advancing transportation, as well as mitigating congestion in Florida’s rapidly growing metropolitan areas,” said Iam Keading, Southeastern Director of Urban Project Development at USHSR of the almost $26 billion project. No local funds are used to finance the new train or its route.

The sleek, French-made trains will be scheduled for three daily trips, travelling at speeds ranging from 225 to 275 miles per hour depending on the tracks and topography, according to Keading. Central Florida’s bullet train will be significantly slower than the fastest trains in operation that currently travel at speeds approaching 400 mph.

Due to stipulations with funding, the new trains are expected to be running by the third quarter of 2020. Read more important details about the area’s high speed rail here.

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.

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ARMED ROBBERS LEAVE EMPTY-HANDED IN MOUNT DORA

1/10/2019

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ABOVE: Two of the three suspects.

.Although bold and brazen, three armed robbery suspects are no richer after they pulled a gun at a Dollar General store in Mount Dora just after 8 p.m. yesterday.

The trio entered the store, located at 21850 U.S. Highway 441 just south of Robie Avenue, wearing jeans, black hoodies, gloves and ski masks and then ordered an employee to open the cash register at gunpoint. Employees were unsuccessful in opening the register and the suspects left without cash or merchandise.

ABOVE: Two of the three suspects on surveillance footage.

It was not immediately available whether the three left on foot or in a vehicle. Stay tuned to Mount Dora Buzz for updates.

Anyone with information pertaining to the identity of the suspects should call Mount Dora Criminal Investigations Unit at 352-735-7130 regarding Mount Dora Police case 19MD01268

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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LAKE COUNTY DEPUTY THWARTS WOMAN WITH GUN AT EUSTIS HIGH SCHOOL

12/3/2018

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An alert Lake County sheriff's school resource deputy is credited for his swift action this afternoon following a fight that occurred at Eustis High School near dismissal time.

Deputy Sheriff Adam Tytler responded after two male students were sent to the office for fighting. As Tytler made his way to the office, he noticed a young woman, who was apparently upset over the fight, making her way from the office to a vehicle waiting in the pick-up line. The woman, who doesn’t attend the school, had allegedly threatened one of the males saying she was going to get a gun and shoot him.

The deputy followed and watched as 20-year-old Tershia Richmond reached into the car, obtained a handgun, and then placed it in her pocket as she turned to head back to the school. Tytler immediately drew his firearm, ordered the Richmond to the ground, and secured her. Tytler then took possession of the firearm, which was discovered shortly thereafter to be stolen out of South Carolina.

Richmond, from Georgia, was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school property, possession of stolen property, and carrying a concealed firearm without a permit.

The two males involved in the fight have had ongoing verbal confrontations over the last week. Richmond, a family friend of one of the students, sought revenge over the scuffle and never intended to target anyone else at the school, according to Lake County Sheriffs Office.

The incident is still under investigation and additional charges are possible. For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here.