JUNE EDITION: News & events for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

​Last month, Travel & Leisure magazine named Mount Dora one of the 15 best places to retire in Florida. Kudos!

City of Mount Dora staff had preliminary discussions with a developer to bring a new shopping and dining destination to the edge of the city limits. The project could bring dozens of new restaurants and shops to the area. Read more

Mount Dora has plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for nature lovers to enjoy on its scenic lakes and trails. To help provide easier access for paddlers, a public kayak launch and wash station is currently under construction near the entrance of Palm Island Boardwalk on Lake Dora. The popular boardwalk will remain open until the project is complete in a few months.

Mount Dora is moving toward making specially-equipped golf carts legal on some of its city streets. The final details of the ordinance were still being hammered out at Mount Dora Buzz's publication deadline for this edition, but it is expected to be completed and approved by the City Council soon.

Watch for two new free-standing emergency medical facilities to open in Eustis on U.S. 441. The first is a 10,860 square-foot HCA Emergency Room under construction on a 3.11-acre site located on the north side of the highway south of Lake Woodward. The other is Eustis Emergency Department and Urgent Care which will be the transformed CVS building at the intersection of Eudora Road and U.S. 441.

Scroll down for buzz on local eateries and stores, plus local Government Buzz, and the Best of Mount Dora winners. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram for more local content.

Magic Tea Market just opened its second Lake County store with a new surprise. Besides premium boba teas and snacks, the convenient Eustis location also features the first-of-its-kind treat in the area -- fresh mochi donuts! They are to die for!  Read more

A convenient and different kind of coffee spot opened in Eustis recently. Ellianos Coffees' two drive-thru lanes help expedite your caffeine fix and get you back on the road quickly.  Read more

Ulta Beauty opened a mini location inside Target last month in Mount Dora, which is part of the retailers' goal to open at least 800 shop-in-shop locations.

Modern Schoolhouse, the "micro-school with big ideas," is moving into a new site in downtown Eustis. The new location for its pre-K through middle school students provides convenient access to the public library across the street.

Big congrats to the City of Eustis for its new partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF). Downtown Eustis will soon have a business incubator to provide free resources to local businesses and entrepreneurs to help enable their success.

Scroll down for this month's featured events, hot local government topics, stellar local businesses, new development buzz, and the Best of Mount Dora and local resources.

Local Dining Guide

Last month, Mount Dora Mayor Crissy Stile stunned her fellow City Council members and residents when she abruptly sought the termination of City Manager Patrick Comiskey. Stile alleged various issues with his performance, but did not provide supporting evidence. After listening to her concerns, the other City Council members opted instead to investigate the Mayor's accusations to determine their veracity and develop a plan for correction if needed. Comiskey is under contract and his termination could come at a cost to taxpayers, so the course of action selected by the City Council may be the judicious and fiscally responsible approach. Alternatively, Comiskey could opt to resign if he doesn't like the plan the City Council potentially approves. Read more

Last month Mount Dora named its new Fire Chief. Joseph Hightower will bring his nearly 30 years of experience in fire protection, emergency preparedness, and paramedic services to Mount Dora when he begins as the city's new Fire Chief on June 19. Huge thanks and much respect go to Interim Fire Chief Rich Loewer who served as Interim Fire Chief for nearly two years and proved himself as an impressive, dedicated, and knowledgeable leader. Loewer will stay on as Deputy Chief. Read more

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall. Scroll down for the 'Buzz' about new development.

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