All's well that ends well, and a huge sigh of relief could be heard coming from the Crescent Lake area of Umatilla on Wednesday, March 22, when pilot Jim Knopke emerged safely from his single-engine amphibian plane that was upside down in the lake.  Knopke, returning home from a brief flight to the Umatilla Municipal airport for fuel, saw his plane overturn upon landing after the plane's dry land landing gear, which had failed to retract after leaving Umatilla, plowed into the water and flipped the plane over.
    The plane, which witnesses de  More...

    “It takes a lot longer walking.”
    Umatilla Public Library employee Ralph Howard was all smiles last Thursday, March 23, when he was presented a bicycle to replace the one that had been stolen while he was at work a day before.  Howard was called next door to the Lubemaster II drive-through oil change outlet just after arriving at work at 1 p.m. for a surprise presentation put together by Lubemaster owner Chad Sines and his friend Brian Jensen.
    Sines was still grumbling at himself that he didn’t s  More...

    A fun weekend lies ahead for the northern regions of the readership area.  Both Astor and Barberville will host special events this weekend, with the public invited to come out for activities ranging from blacksmithing demonstrations to rubber ducks racing on the St. Johns River.
    Here’s a breakdown of the activities:
    - The Astor Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Spring Festival on Saturday, April 1.  From 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., the Big River Marina on the shores of the St. Johns River will be the p  More...

    The City of Umatilla has announced that its new wastewater hookup with the City of Eustis was expected to go active this week.  The estimated $7 million project that has featured the construction of a wastewater line from Umatilla’s processing plant on Golden Gem Drive south on SR 19 to the city of Eustis, and will allow Umatilla to abandon its wastewater plant going forward.
    “We are looking to open the sewage flow to Eustis tomorrow afternoon,” said Aaron Mercer of the City of Umatilla on Monday.    Howeve  More...

    The Umatilla City Council on Tuesday night gave initial approval to an ordinance that seeks to ban the practice of smoking or vaping in city parks.  The move comes after the council heard a recent presentation from Umatilla Middle and High School students seeking such a move to increase public health.
    Citing a variety of data and threats to humans of all ages, the Students Working Against Tobacco asked the city to consider such a ban, a request that was met with broad approval within the city.

    The largest wooden boat show in the country will return to the Tavares shoreline this weekend, when the 42nd Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival returns for a three-day run.  Antique boats, classic and custom cars, seaplanes, and more will all be a part of the event.
    The event is sponsored by the Sunnyland Chapter of the American Classic Boat Society.
    “There’s something for everyone,” said Debi Weinert, who is coordinating the volunteer corps necessary to pull of the big event.  “There a  More...

    A popular access to Lake Yale has been closed, and is expected to remain so.  Lake County officials this week confirmed that the Lake Yale boat ramp lying at the end of Lake Yale Boat Ramp Road has been permanently closed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
    "FWC has closed the ramp and is reverting the property back to the landowner," said Lake County Commissioner Leslie Campione.  Campione said the FWC has operated the ramp via an easement with an adjacent property owner.  That agreement has been  More...

    Lake County is moving ahead with plans to create a new road in East Lake County.  The Lake County Commission on Tuesday approved a right-of-way acquisition agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation that looks to create a path for a road running north of Wolf Branch Road up SR 44.
    The $4,000,000 acquisition project includes $2 million in grant funds with the balance to be paid from county impact fees and sales tax revenue.
    The project will begin at Round Lake Road and travel north through an area th  More...

    Central Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association President John Miller, accompanied by Maria Haun, selection committee chair Fire Chief Mike Johansmeyer, and 2020 award recipient Retired Chief Matt McGrew, presented the 2022 Chief Craig E. Haun Leadership Award to Lake County Office of Fire Rescue - Fire Chief Jim Dickerson at the March 9, general membership meeting.  The bestowment of this award was in recognition of Chief Dickerson’s leadership, his personal passion and care for the “boots on the ground” and his career accomplishments at LCFR spanni  More...

    Drought conditions are intensifying locally, as Lake County, along with much of the Florida peninsula, continues to be bereft of regular rainfall.  Data released on Monday by the United States Department of Agriculture indicate Lake County joins much of Florida in what is now a ‘moderate’ drought, with no immediate end in sight.
    Lake County's situation as defined by the percentage of the area experiencing drought conditions has more than doubled since the start of the calendar year, from just under 30% to now approaching 65%.  More...

    “It’s done better than I ever dreamed.”
    Marathon Electrical Services owner John Davis, III, this week was all smiles about the company, which is celebrating its fifth year in business.  A full-service electrical service provider with residential, commercial, and industrial branches, the company is experiencing explosive growth that has included its recent move from Eustis to Umatilla, where it now resides in a new building inside the Gateway Commerce Center.
    Davis, a Tavares native, created Mar  More...

    Florida’s Citrus crop continues to sink to ever-smaller outputs.  The United States Department of Agriculture’s February forecast for Florida citrus showed a continued decline through this seasons, with the latest estimates showing the crop to produce just 16 million boxes.
    That estimate is down $2 million boxes from just a month earlier, and if proven correct by the end of the season will represent a 61% decrease since last season.
    The industry continues to grasp with a variety of challenges, includi  More...

    “We have some uncertain times ahead.”
    Lake County’s Executive Director for Economic Development Mary Ellen Stern on Tuesday indicated Lake County may see less of an impact from an expected national slowing of the economy, but it won’t be completely spared.
    Stern, during a presentation on Tuesday to the Lake County Commission, stated that while it is impossible to know what the future holds, Lake County's economy is in a position to weather economic uncertainty with less pain than other parts o  More...

    Nearly 100 sales,  on the grounds around the Umatilla Public Library and throughout the broader community, will take place on Saturday, as the annual Umatilla City Wide yard sale returns for another day of bargain hunting in the name of supporting the library.  The event has grown into one of Umatilla’s largest days of commerce, with large crowds flocking to the community for sales held both at the library and at homes.
    Umatilla Public Library Director Amy Stultz in the past week said the event was looking at another sellout of  More...

    A proposed high-density apartment complex in Umatilla has been scrapped.  The proposal, for 116 units at the intersection of CR 450NE and Fletcher Road, which had been widely criticized by residents in the area, will not move forward.
    “They’ve officially withdrawn it.  They are going to regroup,” said Umatilla City Manager Scott Blankenship while speaking on the topic in the past week.  The item had been set to be up for consideration during the Umatilla City Council’s March 7 meeting, after being tabled a  More...

    The big weekend has arrived in Eustis, as this year’s GeorgeFest heads for its climax.  Nearly a month of activities has led up to the arrival of a downtown carnival, a large street parade, and days of special live entertainment as the community celebrates the 121st edition of the Washington’s Birthday Festival.
    This year’s Georgefest will feature premiere entertainment from Little Texas, Friday, February 24, at 8 p.m., and Chase McDaniel on Saturday, February 25, at 7:30 p.m., free of charge at the Alice McClelland Bands  More...

    The East Lake Historical Society will present the book launch of “Images of America: Sorrento, Mount Plymouth, and East Lake County” by Bob Grenier and the East Lake Historical Society.  The book is published by Arcadia Publishing.
    The book launch is Tuesday, March 7, from 6-8 p.m., at the East Lake Chamber of Commerce located at 24214 Sorrento Avenue in Sorrento.  The book will be available for purchase for $20 each.  Author, Bob Grenier will be on hand to give a short presentation about the book, give a sample readin  More...

    A single-vehicle crash claimed a Paisley couple during the nighttime hours of Friday, February 10, or early Saturday, February 11.  A 24 year-old female and a 45 year-old male were northbound in a Chevrolet Malibu when for unknown reasons the vehicle left the road at the Live Oak Ranch Road intersection, ran into a ditch, jumped over a berm at the intersection, and then traveled through a wooded area before coming to rest.
    The crash wasn’t discovered until around 8 a.m. on Saturday by a property owner at the site, who found pieces of  More...

    A raucous meeting was convened last Wednesday night, February 8, at the Cadwell Park community building in Umatilla.  Developers of a proposed high-density apartment complex on Fletcher Road hosted a public meeting to solicit input on their plans to place a 116-unit apartment complex at the CR 450NE intersection, but the estimated 100 people in attendance were far more interested in discussing scuttling the project.
    Just five minutes into the meeting, which was led by attorney Alison Yurko on behalf of the developer, Umatilla resident Mary  More...

    After falling short of earning an automatic bid to the state playoffs, the Umatilla High School varsity boys basketball team received good news on Sunday, when it was announced the team had earned an at-large bid.  The boys will play on Thursday, February 16, at North Marion High School in the first round of the playoffs.  Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
    Umatilla, now 21-5 on the season, lost in the second round of last week's class 4A District 6 playoffs, falling to Eustis by a score of 58-44.  Eustis would lose on Friday night in the  More...

    The female driver of an SUV was transported from the scene of a crash on Friday, February 3.  The driver, unidentified by the Florida Highway Patrol, was southbound on SR 19 around 11:30 a.m. when she struck the back of a southbound truck, careened off the road, and struck the front of a building that houses the Laura’s Sweet and Spicy Emporium.
    The store is located at the southwest corner of the CR 42 and SR 19 intersection, and saw the northeast corner of its building broken away as the driver, who didn't appear to attempt to slow  More...

    After nearly two years of permitting delays, Palmer's Astor Marine is set to begin construction of its new location.  Business owners Rick and Georgia Palmer welcomed friends and business partners to a special groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, February 3, marking the official beginning of the project that will see the business move from its temporary quarters in Astor Park to a new, three-acre site on SR 40 at the intersection of River Road.
    “We jumped through all their hoops,” said Rick Palmer on Friday, while discussing the  More...

    “We waited a long time.  Until it made economic sense.”
    United Southern Bank CEO Greg Nelson spoke this week on the bank’s upcoming project that will see its Umatilla branch become home to a large solar project.  Being constructed in partnership with area firm Jack’s Solar, the project is expected to bring an estimated 160 panels to the roofs of the branch and result in a reduction of traditional electric usage of over 20%.
    The project, years in the discussion, is expected to begin n  More...

Ed. Note:  The north end of unincorporated Lake County has been experiencing several months of disjointed garbage collection.  Lake County continues to work to smooth over the rough edges in its curbside service provided by its new hauler, and this week Leslie Campione, whose district covers much of North Lake County, provided an update regarding the county’s efforts.
    By Leslie Campione, Lake County Commissioner - District 4
    To say it has been a difficult transition from the county's last trash hauler to the current haul  More...

    A woman was airlifted from a serious crash that occurred on Wednesday, January 25, at the intersection of SR 19 and Beach Street north of Umatilla.  The woman, unidentified by the Florida Highway Patrol, was southbound on SR 19 when her vehicle, a white Chevrolet, left the roadway on the right shoulder, eventually striking a concrete pillar and a tree.
    The intersection serves as an entry to the Silver Beach Heights neighborhood, and the concrete pillar was part of the neighborhood’s entry monument.
    The cra  More...

    The newest member of the Carter’s ACE Hardware family arrived this week, when the Carter family opened its location at 1750 North SR 19 in Eustis.  The store, located just south of the Publix grocery store complex, is the 11th location in the chain, which also features stores in Umatilla, Mount Dora, Tavares, Sorrento, downtown Eustis, and beyond.
    The store features a wide range of home and hardware supplies, outdoor grilling inventory, paints, and more. The new store also includes an expansive outdoor garden center, which is stocked  More...

    Fears over the status of the columns at its historic courthouse, Lake County in the past week has begun taking measures to stabilize cracking pillars and closing walkways below while it considers its options regarding how to move forward.
    The pillars, which are prominent load-bearing features of the Lake County Historic Courthouse, are showing large cracks, outright separations, and other signs of decay.  A contractor was on site beginning late last week to cut samples from the pillars to gauge their condition, a move which was followed wi  More...

    A 22-year-old Eustis woman is facing arson charges in connection with a fire at 2220 Titcomb Street in Eustis.  Autumn Walker has been charged with starting a fire that severely damaged the home and reportedly confessed to the crime shortly afterward.
    Reports indicate Walker, who has lived at the home with her grandfather, intentionally ignited a mattress in her bedroom on January 16 after becoming angry with her grandfather, James Kilfoyle, over the sale of an inoperable Jeep. 
    Walker was seen by witnesses  More...

    Residents living in the area of a proposed apartment complex in Umatilla have announced a Facebook page designed to serve as a central communication spot for those interested in helping impact future growth in town.
    ‘Umatilla Residents For Responsible Growth’ is now active on the social media platform.
    “It’s a private group,” said Scott Ede, a Fletcher Road resident whose house sits directly across from a proposed 116-unit complex.  Ede, and others in the immediate area, are hoping  More...

    The application for a controversial high-density, multi-family complex at the intersection of CR 450 NE and Fletcher Road in Umatilla was due before the Umatilla City Council on Tuesday night, as the project’s applicant was set to pursue a zoning change on the estimated 10 acre site. 
    However, when the item came up on the council’s agenda, attorney Alison Yurko, representing Fletcher Grove Development, LLC, requested the hearing on the application be moved to March 7.  The purpose of the request was to allow the developer  More...

    The Great Florida Cattle Drive…that name conjures up images of 150 years ago, cowboys rooting Cracker Cows out of the palmettos and swamps of a yet uninhabited free-range Florida, back in the days when panthers, gators, and red wolves were taking as many baby cows as they could catch.
    One would think with all the subdivisions, theme parks, and high-rise beach condos that we see today, there wouldn't be a place left that was big and wide and open enough to still make a cattle drive possible, but there is still a little bit of wild Florida left!  More...

    A new County Library being developed in Astor will include new amenities to serve residents of the area. The facility will feature a 5,600-square-feet open floor plan, the first library drive-thru window for both drop-off and pick-up in Lake County, space for computers, flexible seating for readers and laptop users, a study room, and a 280-square-foot conference room.
    Additionally, the plans include a community services room to help residents to meet with Housing and Human Services, Veterans Services, and other non-profit resources.
&n  More...

    First was the North Lake Regional Park, built in 2005 outside Umatilla.  In the years that followed, other large parks have been built around the county, and as of Tuesday, the Golden Triangle is set to receive its dose of high-end county recreation.
    The Lake County Commission on Tuesday voted to move ahead with plans to purchase the site of the Lake County YMCA, located at 1465 David Walker Road in Tavares, at a cost estimated at $4.8 million.  The move fulfills the county's desire to create a regional park in the area, dating back t  More...

    An early morning fire damaged a Umatilla home on Saturday, when a fire in a Sunshine Avenue home’s fireplace escaped. Multiple units from Lake County responded to 41420 Sunshine Avenue around 7 a.m. on Saturday and were able to extinguish the fire, but not before it spread to at least two rooms of the home and damaged a portion of the home’s rafters.
    No injuries were reported from the fire.
    Temperatures were in the upper 30’s early Saturday, and homeowner Tim Coleman reported he had started the fire  More...

    The winter season had brought an uptick in COVID cases in Lake County, but the most recent data available from the Center for Disease Control indicated that last week, at least, cases have declined here.
    CDC data indicates that during the week that ended January 4, Lake County reported 322 COVID cases, down just over 15% from the week prior.  Exact death tolls were not available, with the CDC only showing ‘less than ten’ as a data point.
    However, data indicates that while Lake County's positivity rate  More...

    The largest apartment complex proposed in Umatilla in over a decade is slated to come before the Umatilla City Council on January 17, the first in what could be several hearings that if approved would lead to the largest multi-family construction in the town in a generation.  The proposal, for a site located at the northwest corner of CR 450NE (Collins Street) and Fletcher Road, near the Umatilla Health Department, looks to develop just under 10 acres of land for the purpose of building an apartment complex.
    If approved, the site would be  More...

    An interesting visitor welcomed residents coming home Monday evening in a section of downtown Umatilla.  A black bear was reported in the area of Cassady Street and Orange Avenue around 5:30 p.m., making its way south through the eastern section of town.
    “I was getting groceries out of my car,” said North Orange Avenue resident Rosie Short, “A man stopped to tell me a bear was coming this way.”
    Sure enough, a few minutes later the bruin made its way past Short's home.
    More...

    For the first time since Hurricane Ian blew through the area in late September, the St. Johns River in Astor has receded below flood stage.  According to data supplied by the US Geological Survey via a monitoring station in Astor, the river receded below flood stage on December 29, around 7 p.m.
    Anything above two feet is considered ‘actionable’ by the USGS, with flooding considered ‘minor’ when rising above 2.3 feet.
    The river has been in steady decline for many weeks, and by Tuesday aft  More...

    Temperatures dipped into the low 20s on Christmas morning, marking the coldest holiday since the Christmas freeze of 1989.  Unlike that year, when a hard freeze brought temperatures into the teens and decimated the area’s citrus industry, early reports on the impact of the Christmas freeze of 2022 indicate less damage to what’s left of the area’s citrus industry, and mostly spared strawberry and other winter crops.
    The Christmas freeze was bookended by two other freezing mornings.  On Saturday, Christmas Eve, pockets  More...

    Umatilla High School is in the midst of enjoying its strongest start to a season in a generation or more, and this past week capped off its early season perfection by winning its own holiday tournament.  Umatilla dispatched Mount Dora on Thursday night by a score of 60-48 to win the Lake County Tournament of Champions and push its record to 9-0 heading into a Christmas break.
    “The kids play hard for us,” said Umatilla coach Pat Todd after Thursday’s win.  “We compete, but we have a long way to go.”
More...

    North Lake County residents spent the early part of this week prepping for frigid temperatures that are expected to dip below freezing for up to three nights in a row. With lows potentially dropping into the mid 20's in some areas, and daily highs Friday through Sunday not expected out of the 40's as of press deadline Tuesday, this year is expected to be the coldest Christmas in well over a decade.
    While residents considered the need to cover pumps and fragile outdoor plants, the area’s governments and agricultural interests were busy tak  More...

    The congregation of the First Baptist Church of Umatilla on Sunday was able to take a first walk-through of the church’s latest expansion.  The first phase of a $14.5 million expansion, a building that will house a 1,278 seat sanctuary, classroom space, baptismal, and ancillary facilities is taking shape, with the expectation that the building could be occupied by the middle of 2023.
    The project, which will immediately be followed by a renovation of the church’s events center to add a second floor and additional classroom space  More...

    The Umatilla High School football program will have a new leader, after Umatilla High School announced the resignation of Charlie Cerney.  Cerney, who led Umatilla to a 5-5 record this past season after taking the Bulldogs to the state playoffs in 2021, leaves Umatilla with a 14 win, 25 loss record over four years while resurrecting a beleaguered Umatilla football program.
    “I’m proud of the work me and my staff did,” Cerney said on Friday, while commenting on the school’s official announcement.  “I can st  More...

    Garbage customers in the City of Umatilla will soon see their collection day shift from Tuesday to Thursday.  The move is part of a larger amendment made to the contract between the city and its hauler, GFL Environmental, that will also see a hike in charges to the city.
    An amended contract was approved during a meeting of the Umatilla City Council on Tuesday, December 6. 
    The city had previously agreed to an increase charged by GFL, brought about due to increased fuel, labor, and other charges being experi  More...

    The Umatilla High School boys varsity basketball team's season-opening hot streak continued Friday night, when the Bulldogs dispatched the visiting Lake Weir Hurricanes by a score of 70-45.  After a tight first quarter that saw Umatilla leading by just two points, 11-9, the Bulldogs broke open the game with a 23-point second quarter, leading 34-16 at the break.
    Lake Weir turned the tables on Umatilla in the third quarter, outscoring Umatilla by 23-9, but the Bulldogs outscored the visitors 27-6 in the fourth quarter, pulling away to a comfo  More...

Fat Lighter
    Long before the packaged FireStarter logs came about, everyone relied on the real deal. A natural product of growth and time, fat lighter. You might know it by a few other names such as lighter(ed) knot, pitch pine, fat pine or heart pine. Humans couldn’t remake something this awesome if they tried. It makes starting a fire a breeze, even in a breeze. And most people have a stash that they rely on for their fire starting material.
    This valuable product is created when the sap is high in the pine tree and the tree either  More...

    “The money was gone.”
    Umatilla Babe Ruth board volunteer Nick Guerrina on Monday was succinct  in describing how the league in recent weeks has become aware of money being taken out of its bank account in what is believed to be in an inappropriate manner. 
    Guerrina, who was installed as the organization’s president on Monday night as the league attempts to unwind what is believed to be a months-long pilfering of its bank account, said the organization’s board of directors only became  More...

    Lake County’s agricultural history is rooted in the citrus industry, but today’s farmers are bringing to market a growing variety of produce that is giving area residents fresher options and greater assurance of where their food is coming from.
    In recent years, seasonal u-pick operations have brought selected items, like blueberries and peaches, to the forefront, but those crops have a more limited scope.  Now, farmers are bringing to market a growing list of everyday produce items, raising hopes that local agriculture is enter  More...

    The biggest day of the year in Umatilla arrives on Saturday, December 10, when the annual Cracker Christmas Celebration returns to downtown.  Featuring a parade on SR 19 through downtown and an all-day arts and crafts show in Cadwell Park, the event, now in its 47th year, serves as Umatilla’s largest celebration of the holiday.
    The fun begins at 9 a.m., when the annual Dog Jog takes to the northbound lanes of SR 19. The public is invited to bring their vaccinated pooch and join the fun, as decorated walkers are welcome for the four-l  More...

    Tuesday brought a landmark moment to the Astor community.  US Geological Survey data indicated that on Tuesday the St. Johns River receded out of 'major' flood stage, the first time the river had done so since Hurricane Ian arrived in late September. 
    On Tuesday, the river was at three feet, continuing a steady decline that began shortly after Tropical Storm Nicole passed through the area a few weeks ago.  Three feet above flood stage is considered the high-end of ‘moderate’ flooding, with ‘minor’ flooding  More...

    With a series of delays hopefully in the rearview mirror, the City of Umatilla hopes that the new year will bring a conclusion to its wastewater connection project with the City of Eustis.  Supply chain issues, weather, and manpower issues have left the multi-million dollar project months behind schedule with officials now eyeing a February 2023 completion date.
    “The project should be completed in February of 2023 and put into service in March of 2023,” said Umatilla’s director of development and public services Aaron Mer  More...

    Growing things in the garden can be beneficial to your health in more ways than one. Not only is the exercise and fresh air helpful, but the food you produce can be very nutritious and delicious.
    We got to observe two examples of this Thanksgiving. One such example was in Umatilla where local gardener Eli Reed grew Seminole pumpkins in his yard and then turned them into pumpkin pies for his family's holiday dinner. Beautiful pies full of locally sourced goodness and nutrition.
    Another example was at our friend Sue's ho  More...

    This year’s 35th Annual Light-Up Eustis will be held in Ferran Park on Friday, November 25, from 5 - 9:00 p.m. A ceremonial tree lighting will be at 6 p.m., followed immediately by the arrival of Santa. Porter’s Cameras Cards & Gifts will again be providing free photos with Santa during the event.
    This year’s event will feature community favorites like the snow slide and there will also be a simulated snowfall in the park.  The magic of the holiday season will come alive as guests enjoy 10-minutes of snowfall every ho  More...

    Spring Creek Charter School has announced it will honor the recently deceased Jerry Hatfield.  Hatfield, who was the school’s founding principal, will have the school’s future gymnasium named for him.
    Current Spring Creek Principal Wesley Locke announced the move in a public letter this week, which proclaimed the building will be named the Jerry Hatfield Community Athletic Center.
    Hatfield passed away on November 11.
    Locke’s letter announcing the naming of the buildin  More...

    The congregation of Umatilla’s Calvary Chapel of the Lakes gathered Sunday for a special service marking the reopening of its historic chapel.  The building, located at the corner of Guerrant Street and Kentucky Avenue in Umatilla, has been refurbished in recent months to make it suitable for church and public use.
    The building is part of the property that originally served as the grounds of the First United Methodist Church of Umatilla.  Several years ago, Calvary Chapel of the Lakes took over the property, which includes a new  More...

    Customers of Lake County’s garbage system living in north and northeast Lake County will soon receive a refund for the equivalent of one month’s cost of service.  The Lake County Commission on Tuesday approved the refund after a recent transition of haulers in the area resulted in service disruptions.
    Residents in the Umatilla, Tavares, Sorrento, Pine Lakes, Paisley, Mount Plymouth, Mount Dora, Altoona, Astor, Eustis, and surrounding areas will receive a check from the county in the amount of $16.83, part of a $405,000 fund all  More...

    Hurricane Nicole won’t go down in history as Lake County’s most damaging storm, but its path remnants brought the one thing the Astor community didn’t need:  More rain and northerly winds.  
    The St. Johns River in Astor swelled into major flooding status last week, as Nicole’s wet impact arrived. US Geological Survey tracking indicated that as early last Tuesday, the river began to rise in Astor, due in large part to a northerly wind that was pushing water south from Lake George, and also slowing the river&rsquo  More...

    Lake County has announced a public meeting to solicit input on the planned North Lake Trail.  Officials will be on hand on December 8 in Umatilla, where the public will be able to hear about the ongoing plans for Phase 3 of the trail, slated to run from Umatilla to Astor.
    The purpose of the PD&E Study is to evaluate the potential impacts of the trail alignments proposed in the Corridor Planning Study (2019), resulting in a preferred trail alignment. The study will consider engineering analysis, environmental review, and public input as  More...

    Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives were looking for a suspect Tuesday afternoon, after a man succumbed to injures suffered in a Tuesday afternoon shooting at 38946 Merrell Avenue in Southside Umatilla.  The victim, identified on Wednesday as 31-year-old Antwain Jamar Hart, died while in transport to the hospital after the incident. A white Jeep Cherokee stolen from the scene on Tuesday was later recovered in Eustis.
    “Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area... just after 3:25 p.m. this afternoon regarding  More...

    Saturday saw the Umatilla High School JROTC program dedicate a new shooting range to program founder Carl Ludecke.  Ludecke, who conceived the program and ushered its foundation through the many Army and Lake County Schools required hurdles, saw the new range building dedicated to him during ceremonies hosted on Saturday.  The building, located next to the JROTC’s  home on Smith Street, was donated by Lake County Schools and will serve as the home of the program’s new marksmanship element.  Above, Ludecke is pictured at center with program  More...

    Veterans Day will be marked throughout the area this week.  The official day arrives on Friday, November 11, and the public will have the chance to show its appreciation to veterans at events both on Friday and over the weekend.
    The largest event on the local calendar is the City of Eustis' Salute To Veterans festival on Saturday, November 12.  Running from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. in downtown Eustis, the special day will include a parade, a special honor ceremony, food and vendors, a historic military vehicle display, live entertainmen  More...

    “We have made a ‘pivot’ to reinvest in the Umatilla facility with a $30 million expansion.”
    Florida’s Natural CEO Bob Behr last week announced that Florida’s Natural has moved beyond simply confirming it will maintain its Umatilla Packaging operations.  Behr, speaking at the annual meeting of the Umatilla Citrus Growers Association last Monday, said the project, which will include the installation of a new packing line in 2023.
    The announcement comes after a year of questions su  More...

    Homecoming arrives at Umatilla High School this week, with a series of traditional activities filling the schedule, with a twist.
    The traditional Homecoming Parade will be held on Thursday as in years past, but the 2022 edition of the festive event has moved off of SR 19 due to ongoing construction.  Instead, this year's parade will be held one block east, and run north on Trowell Avenue from Lakeside Avenue to the high school.  The parade will roll off at its traditional 5:30 p.m. time, with the public invited to sit along Trowell Av  More...

    A long weekend of Halloween and/or fall activities is coming to North Lake County, with special events dotting the calendar through the weekend and into Monday evening, when Halloween officially arrives. Locals of all ages are invited to come and experience costume contests, entertainment, and much more.
    Here’s a rundown:
    Saturday, October 29:  Fall Festival at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Eustis, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Celebrating the congregation’s 140th anniversary, the event will include a scarecr  More...

    A generator stolen from the City of Umatilla during Hurricane Ian’s pass over Florida has left the city’s police department itching for an arrest, and department officials this week updated the investigation that in the past week has included interviews with individuals who may know about the incident.
    “This one really bothers me,” said Umatilla Police Chief Adam Bolton this week.  “I take it as a personal offense.”
    The city had placed the 3500-watt generator at the intersecti  More...

    Your mind is a garden.  You can grow weeds or you can grow seeds.  I remember my mom saying something to that effect recently.  Oh, how true it is.  Watching for weeds in our minds is a lot like watching for weeds in the garden.
    A friend was recently visiting my garden and as we walked around and talked I would reach down and pull any weeds that I saw popping up.  He remarked on how I really hated weeds.  Well, it's not so much that I hate them, it's just that it's easiest to get them while they ar  More...

    As the St. Johns River in Astor continues its frustratingly slow retreat from record flood levels, recovery agencies have formalized a presence in town to support those impacted by the flood waters brought by Hurricane Ian.
    In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Lake County government opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) last Friday at the First Baptist Church of Astor, located at 24731 Ann St. in Astor. The Disaster Recovery Center will provide disaster surviv  More...

    Umatilla’s most prominent downtown building is going to get a new look.  The historic three-story structure located at 9 North Central Avenue is set to undergo a facade upgrade that will include a change from a dark red color to a neutral, light greay look.
    The project is being partially funded by the City of Umatilla Community Redevelopment District grant program.  On Tuesday night, the Umatilla City Council, meeting as the town CRA board, approved a $10,000 request submitted by building owner Jonathan Jennings via Umatilla Col  More...

    An estimated 350 supporters of Lake County agriculture gathered in Eustis on Monday night, when the Farm Bureau of Lake County hosted its annual fall meeting.  Local and state-level members of Farm Bureau were joined by members of the public and area 4H and FFA members at the Lake County Fairgrounds to celebrate agriculture and raise awareness of the importance of agriculture.
    Florida State Senate President Wilton Simpson, who is currently campaigning to become the state’s next commissioner of agriculture, served as the event’s  More...

    Area storm collection is underway, with municipal governments and Lake County well into the process of clearing roadsides from vegetative debris caused by Hurricane Ian.  Differing from 2017, when Hurricane Irma’s widespread damage resulted in a large, federal response, the current cleanup is being managed by local government agencies.
    Lake County, in partnership with area municipalities, has in place an overarching agreement that triggers applying for FEMA response.  However, Ian’s impact hasn’t been seen as damagin  More...

    “We got lucky.”
    Kris Sutton of Umatilla's Faryna Grove Care and Harvesting joined Lake County's broader agricultural interests in breathing a sigh of relief that the worst of Hurricane Ian's impact on the state's farming industry was confined to areas south.  Sutton, speaking on the potential damage to county citrus this week, said the local area's damage was nonexistent compared to southern counties that saw a large percentages of the coming year's citrus crop blown off trees.
    "I've heard down s  More...

    Several local residents have partnered to deliver support to those impacted by Hurricane Ian.  Altoona resident John Parrish III, his son Logan Lambert have returned from the Northport and Arcadia areas, where they cooked 700 meals for hurricane victims, donated supplies including 200 rolls of toilet paper, 100 bags of rice, 100 bags of beans, 100 gallons of fuel, a case of batteries, bug spray, feminine hygiene products, diapers, tarps, cases of water, 60 loaves of bread, 200 candles, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food kits, five tents, seven cots, and more.  More...

    Two weeks after Hurricane Ian rolled across Central Florida, Astor is still reeling from massive amounts of water brought to the area by the storm.  After having peaked at 4.72 feet above flood stage, a new recorded record, in the days following the storm, the St. Johns River in Astor has remained frustratingly high.
    On Tuesday, the river was at 4.5 feet, well above the 4.0-foot level that the US Geological Survey defines as 'major'.  The river was expected to stay in the 4.4 into the weekend, when it could dip to 4.3 feet above flood  More...

    Hurricane Ian passed east of Lake County overnight last Wednesday and into Thursday, largely sparing area residents the worst of the storm's wrath.  While power outages lasted for a day or two and were reported throughout areas of North Lake, the worst of the storm's damage descended on Astor, where the riverfront community is experiencing record flooding in the storm's aftermath.
    "This is the worst I have ever seen it," said James Powell, a life-long resident of the community, current president of the Astor Area Chamber of Comme  More...

    The flood event currently underway in Astor is unprecedented, at least in the time of recorded history.  The St. Johns River has reached record flood levels since Hurricane Ian passed through late last week, leaving many hopes, and their utility services underwater. But if there is a bright spot in the middle of the otherwise dire circumstances, it can be found in the fact that the area’s utility system has stood up to the generational test.
    St. Johns River Utility provides water and wastewater services to the vast majority of residen  More...

    “The men of experiment are like the ant; they only collect and use. But the bee...gathers its materials from the flowers of the garden and of the field, but transforms and digests it by a power of its own.”- Leonardo da Vinci
    There are so many gardening proverbs and maxims about bees. For centuries they have been revered by gardeners and for good reason. Did you know there are over 320 different types of bees that live in Florida and over 4,000 in the whole United States? We didn’t.
    There are so many  More...

    Storm tracks that showed Hurricane Ian moving inward across north Central Florida on Tuesday were bad news for residents along the St. Johns River.  While the storm's final impact on the area was unknown at press deadline on Tuesday, any movement that put the storm further away from the river was welcome, and tracks that showed it coming across the state were most unwelcome.
    The St. Johns River in Astor has remained at flood stage in the past week, with an expected decline from 2.5 feet in water level not materializing, and in fact, the ri  More...

    Lake County spent the early days prepping for the possible impact of Hurricane Ian.  Official agencies, utility providers, and citizens all took measures in advance of the potential arrival of the storm during the second half of the week.
    At press deadline Tuesday, the storm was expected to impact the area starting Wednesday and could remain in the area until some time later in the week.
    “The latest track for Hurricane Ian shows the storm traveling directly over SECO Energy's Central Florida service area,&  More...

    The SR 19 rehabilitation project running through downtown Umatilla entered a new phase in the past week, as contractors with the Florida Department of Transportation began the process of milling sections of the highway.
    The FDOT is reworking just over 1 mile of SR 19 from Golden Gem Drive in the south to Palmetto Street in the north, with new pavement, new curbing, and improvements at the Bulldog Lane intersection among highlights of the $3 million project.
    Work began several months ago on the project, with undergrou  More...

    We have heard about a lot of people getting those fall gardens in the ground this week. The end of September is a good planting time in Florida. Turn the soil, plant shallow, water, and add mulch once the sprouts come up. It really doesn't matter what you plant. Gardening is just fun to try.
    Andy Palmer is having fun growing some peppers and tomatoes from seeds. He said that he has just been saving the seeds from peppers he has bought and dried them out. He said that the sprouting number has been very good. Tomatoes, too, are doing well. Sounds  More...

    Steady, and sometimes heavy, rains throughout Central Florida in the past week have raised the St. Johns River in Astor into flood stage.  The US Geological Survey’s data complied at the SR 40 bridge indicate the river rose into flood stage last week, and peaked on Monday at 2.52 feet above flood stage.
    The river gathers rainfall from tributaries throughout Central Florida, water which flows north before eventually entering the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville.  Astor’s unique geography, lying south of Lake George in an area  More...

    The City of Umatilla, after meeting with officials with Umatilla High School, has announced a provisional route for this fall’s Umatilla High School Homecoming Parade. The parade, slated for November 3 this year, might have to be moved if a SR 19 repaving project isn’t complete by the time the parade arrives.
    The Florida Department of Transportation is currently undertaking improvements to SR 19 through downtown Umatilla, a project that is including new pavement in addition to roadside curb improvements.  City officials have sa  More...

    Four young ladies were selected on Saturday to serve as ambassadors for next year's Lake County Fair.  The annual fair queen pageant, held this year at the First Baptist Church of Umatilla, featured a variety of opportunities for judges to work with entrants, including interviews, stage presence, and question-and-answer sessions.
    In the end, Umatilla High School student Michaela Melchiorre was selected as Lake County Fair Queen, and will spend much of the coming year helping promote the 2023 Lake County Fair.  Emily Show, Chloie Sebre  More...

    An ongoing effort to prevent gun raffles from raising funds for Lake County School students is gaining little traction, as the Lake County School Board continues to distance itself from any direct connection with the activity and, at least in Umatilla, those conducting the raffles showing little interest in discontinuing the practice.
    In Lake County, gun raffles have been shown to be a highly profitable way to raise money for community support groups.  Locally, the Umatilla Kiwanis Club, Umatilla Chamber of Commerce, Project Graduation, an  More...

    Following on the heels of increased residential development in North Lake County in recent years, an uptick in commercial development can now be seen in the local landscape.  In both Umatilla and Eustis, commercial expansion is just the latest indicator of the area's growth.
    In Umatilla, a Pizza Hut that has been in service for several decades on SR 19 was razed in the past week.  That property will make way for a new joint-use dining structure that will house a smaller Pizza Hut and a new KFC restaurant.  The site is being total  More...

    With autumn approaching, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds residents and visitors that the state's black bears are more active in their search for food. You can help prevent negative interactions with bears and other wildlife by securing garbage, removing food attractants, and following other BearWise® practices.
    During the fall, bears start consuming more calories to pack on fat reserves for the winter, even if they are not hibernating as they do in colder climates. Any accessible food source, such as unse  More...

    A jet at the Umatilla Municipal Airport? Yes, and no.
    Umatilla's social media outlets were astir last Wednesday, August 31, when a small jet was seen making multiple approaches at the Umatilla airport.  The plane, which never landed or got below several hundred feet of altitude, undertook several flyovers of the airport.
    The incident raised public concern that the newly lengthened airport, now at 2,800 feet in length, could support the takeoff and landing of certain small jets.  While that may or may not be  More...

    A Eustis man was transported from the scene of a serious crash on SR 19 in Umatilla that occurred on Wednesday, August 31.  Nathan Alviles, 20, suffered incapacitating injuries after a motorcycle he was riding struck a concrete power pole near the intersection of SR 19 and Turtle Run south of downtown.
    Umatilla Police indicated that Alviles and another man on a second motorcycle were traveling southbound on SR 19 at a high rate of speed just before 4 p.m. Alviles apparently lost control of the 2001 Suzuki GSXR100 he was riding before leavi  More...

By Annette Codding
How Prepared are You?
    Every year around this time people start talking about being prepared for hurricane season. Gas, food, water, and a reliable generator are all on the list of things we need to get through. Storm season comes and goes and many times we never needed the things we gathered. But then there are other times when we are either thankful that we had the foresight to prepare…or wish we had. Let's do some things now so that the bumps in the road are a little easier to deal with later.
    Most people  More...

    The skies around Umatilla were buzzing Saturday morning, when dozens of flights took to the air during a special day at the Umatilla Municipal Airport.  The Experimental Aircraft Association welcomed an estimated 100 children for flights as part of its Young Eagles ‘get young people interested in aviation’ program, and pilots from the Spruce Creek fly-in community brought 15 planes over in that community’s largest ‘visit Umatilla’ day yet.
    The event brought a large crowd of participants, their parents, and gen  More...

    The Lake County Commission has approved a proposal forwarded by Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell that will see 108 automated license plate reader cameras placed around Lake County.  The cameras will read license plates from vehicles traveling through intersections throughout the county, and transmit them to a database, with the results showing if vehicles that are being searched for by local, state, or federal authorities are traveling through the county.
    The approval came during last week's meeting of the county commission, with only m  More...

    A quick-acting passerby is being credited for saving a dog, and potentially a neighbor, when a fire broke out at a Umatilla duplex last Thursday afternoon.  The fire, reported on August 18 around 3:15 p.m., damaged the duplex, which is located near the Lakeview Street and Lakeshore Avenue intersection.
    Units from Umatilla, Eustis, and Lake County responded to the scene, where a fire was raging in an attic area. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within 20-30 minutes, and no injuries were reported.
    The  More...

    Officials with Florida’s Natural this week announced that the firm, which had previously announced plans to sell its Umatilla plant and eventually cease operations here, has instead changed course and plans to remain in the community long term.
    “We are excited to announce that we will keep the Umatilla facility in order to support our long-term strategy,” said Nikki Hayde, Senior Marketing Manager for Florida’s Natural Growers, “Our Board of Directors approved our recommendation.”
     More...

    Lake County voters wrapped up primary voting on Tuesday, with registered voters taking to the polls to select party representatives for November, and to attempt to settle non-partisan races.  Lake County Supervisor of Elections D. Alan Hays reported  66,271 votes were cast, with a turnout of registered voters at  24.38%.
    Many elections on the ballot Tuesday covered multiple counties or were even statewide.
    On Tuesday night with all 91 precincts reporting around 9:30 p.m., the following results were avail  More...

The first day of public school in Lake County saw nearly 3,000 more students in attendance than the first day last year, yet another sign of growth coming to Lake County.

      Lake County Schools data from Wednesday, August 10, showed 43,770 students attending school, up from 40,932 the first day a year ago.  The gains were near across the board, with only alternative programs Lake County Virtual School 7004 seeing a decline of 328 students, near half its enrollment from the first day of last year, and Lake County Virtual Franchise 7001 having two fewer stu  More...

         Longtime Umatilla-area resident Priscilla Getchell was the guest of honor on Monday when the Umatilla Kiwanis Club gathered for its weekly meeting. Getchell, a fixture in the community since she and her husband Ralph moved to the Pittman area in the early 1960’s, celebrated her 101st birthday on August 9.  The mother to nine sons, a Navy WAVE during World War II, and a longtime staff member at Umatilla High School, Getchell was celebrated for her many accomplishments.
         &ldquo  More...

    It started this time last year as a small produce stand that offered ceramic and products from a few local artisans.  Today, the Dona Vista Market has bloomed to feature nearly 75 local farmers, artists, and artisans in a combined co-op market.  The market's first anniversary will be celebrated this Saturday, August 20, beginning at 6 p.m. with a ribbon cutting that will give way to an evening of celebration.
    And everyone is invited.
    “How better to celebrate but by throwing a big party?” said ma  More...

    Filmmakers are in Umatilla this week working on a short film that is expected to be a part of the upcoming Orlando Independent Filmmakers JOLT challenge.
    ‘The Persistence of Time’ is expected to be a nine-minute piece about a pair of time-traveling detectives who are sent to investigate a cold case murder in 1956. 
    Among the sets of the film is Umatilla’s Fox Den Country Inn, and crews were in town early this week shooting scenes at the historic downtown motel.
    The i  More...

By Asa Newby
    If you were a reader of my column back in the day—or maybe just back in the spring of 2021—you may remember an article where I discussed the "Valiant Air Command," a vintage warplane museum in the shadow of the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, Florida. That article covered many attributes of the museum, but our visit was rushed by the lateness of the day, and we were given just forty-five minutes to literally jog around the property in order to glimpse the highlights of the collection. This left us unsatisfied, and we resolved  More...

    Imagine going out your home's door to pick a fresh bag of fruit and vegetables to eat daily. Now imagine those items are packed with nutrition, vitamins, minerals, and natural immune system boosting elements that no store offers. Sound pretty good?
    We visited such a garden in a most unexpected place this week. Nestled 1,000 yards or less from the shores of Lake Umatilla, in a shady oak hammock, we stepped into a lush food forest brimming with tropical and sub-tropical plants. This is no everyday garden, in fact, upon first glance, it looked mor  More...

    Regular visitors to the Ocala National Forest know it is not uncommon to see areas that have been vandalized or otherwise negatively impacted by other users.  A decades-old problem, the issue has only grown more severe as the forest becomes more and more popular as more people move to Florida and discover the unique outdoor opportunities of the Big Scrub.
    This week, it was reported that a vehicle was vandalized while parked near Blue Sink, a once popular recreation area in the forest.  Blue sink is technically closed to use, but like  More...

    Umatilla and Eustis’ new wastewater connection is nearing completion, with officials with the City of Umatilla this week voicing hope that the new system could be up and running in October.
    For several months, contractors have been working to construct a wastewater line from Umatilla's wastewater plant on Golden Gem Drive south on SR 19 to Eustis and east on CR 44, where it will connect with a Eustis wastewater facility.  The estimated $7 million project will allow the city to mostly abandon its current wastewater operations and inst  More...

    The State of Florida's annual Back To School Sales Tax Holiday is underway, with a variety of school-related items available for purchase tax-free through August 7.  The annual holiday is authorized through state legislative action each year, and has become a fixture on the calendar during the last decade.
    Here is a breakdown of the holiday, via answers to some frequently asked questions about the holiday.  Information courtesy of the Florida Department of Revenue:
 2022 Florida Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
F  More...

    An Altoona man is facing a variety of charges this week in connection with the theft of a vehicle, a subsequent chase, and eventual apprehension by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office K-9 animal. 
    Dennis Imhoff, 36, was charged with grand theft auto, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and resisting without violence after deputies made contact with him at his Lake King Road home on Tuesday, July 19.
    Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies came to 18736 Lake King Road on that date during the mid-morning hours to  More...

    Lake County is wrapping up its first Pride in America Month, and on Tuesday morning hosted a special flag retirement ceremony.  The event was held in front of the historic Lake County Courthouse and featured a short ceremony before dozens, if not hundreds of flags, were retired by burning.
    "We are the only county we know of," said Lake County Chairperson Sean Parks during remarks that noted Lake County's unique place in providing a month-long celebration of the nation.  "One day just isn't enough," Parks said, refe  More...

    What is a Homesteader? In the old days, it meant someone striking out into the wilderness to carve out a new place to live. And while the wilderness has mostly been settled in 2022, the idea of homesteading is alive and well. In fact, homesteading has a new incarnation that is simply said “a renewed interest in being self-sufficient.” Modern homesteaders are trying to grow, restore, harvest, gather and become more self-reliant. This rebirth of desire for self-sufficiency and learning the arts of agriculture and hands-on crafts is a lovely tip of the hat to the  More...

    A search warrant of a Royal Trails home found booby traps, incendiary devices, and a large stash of bomb-making materials that reportedly were being gathered for an eventual, large-scale explosive event.
    Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the home of Markus Fricke at 30927 Tulip Avenue, in the East Lake County area of Eustis on July 15 after a resident there fled the home when they became concerned about what was being assembled and statements by Fricke that he was planning to commit suicide by blowing himself up in the ho  More...

    A years-in-the-making split of the United Methodist Church, delayed in recent years due to COVID and other factors, has officially begun.  In Florida, churches tired of waiting for a broader settlement to leave the church for the new, Global Methodist Church, have filed suit seeking separation.
    One hundred and six United Methodist churches filed suit in Bradford County last Friday against the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  The lead plaintiff is Grace United Methodist Church in Lawtey, Florida, founded in 18  More...

    The Lake County Sheriff’s Office this week arrested an Altoona man on manslaughter charges in connection with a fatal shooting in May on East Altoona Road.  Jesse Hill, 42, resident at 19331 East Altoona Road where the shooting took place, is facing charges of manslaughter and tampering with evidence in connection with the fatal shooting of Ernie Wilburn. 
    The incident occurred on May 4, at Hill's and Wilburn's residence at 19331 East Altoona Road. Deputies responded to the home after receiving two calls from Hill, calls that re  More...

    Area School Grades - 2022
Eustis Elementary:  C
Sorrento Elementary:  C
Eustis Heights Elementary:  C
Seminole Springs Elementary:  B
Round Lake Elementary:  A
Mount Dora High:  B
Tavares High:  I
Tavares Middle:  C
Umatilla High:  B
Mount Dora Middle:  C
Triangle Elementary:  D
Tavares Elementary:  C
Umatilla Elementary:  B
Umatilla Middle:  C
Spring Creek Charter:  C
Eus  More...

    Baking Christmas cookies in December is time-consuming when moms and grandmas have many extra tasks pulling at their time. We often reach New Year's longing to have spent more time in the kitchen baking, instead of time in stores shopping. We know time management is part of the issue, but sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day.
    Fast forward to July, when the hot sticky hours drag on endlessly because the springs are full, the yard is hot, and friends are away on vacation. Now is the easy time to turn frowns upside down, by schedulin  More...

    On Monday, July 4, the body of a missing boater was recovered in Lake Yale.  The had been missing since Saturday when a boat he was in capsized.
    The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to the Lake, which lies between Eustis and Umatilla, around 3:15 p.m. on Saturday.  One of two boaters in a small, Jon boat style craft was recovered safely, but the other occupant could not be found.
    "The victim stated that an additional occupant, an adult male, w  More...

    Lake County Schools no longer qualifies districtwide for the program that has allowed all Lake students to eat free breakfasts and lunches at schools since the 2018-19 school year, but the district will use other food service funds to cover the costs for all students to continue to eat free for at least another year.
     The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a key provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that allows the nation's highest poverty districts and schools to serve all students free meals without the burden of co  More...

    There was very little need to worry about unintended fires starting from Independence Day fireworks this year.
    Another weekend of dousing rainfall in north Lake County was a welcome sight for anyone worried that a stray spark from the ever-growing number of private firework shows would start a wildfire.  A wet start to the 2022 rainy season has left the area with soil moisture levels rarely seen in early July.
    This weekend’s rains were devoid of the lightning, wind, and power outages that descended on the a  More...

LAKE COUNTY DETECTIVES MAKE LARGEST FENTANYL BUST IN LAKE COUNTY HISTORY

Lake County sheriff’s undercover narcotics detectives, in collaboration with multiple local and federal law enforcement agencies, recently wrapped up a four-month investigation that targeted high-level traffickers of dangerous drugs operating throughout Lake County. The investigation began in February as part of an ongoing, aggressive stance to combat those who are responsible for dealing this poison in Lake County and the results of this operatio  More...

    A new tradition in Astor is expected to see explosive growth this year, as organizers are expecting the second edition of the community’s Independence Day lighted boat parade to more than double in size.  To be held this coming Saturday, July 2, on the St. Johns River, the event is free to join,  isn’t judged, and is just a chance to celebrate the holiday in a uniquely River Country way.
    “It’s just something I thought would be fun,” said Patti Small, who conceived the event that started last year with 19  More...

By Asa Newby
        It is perhaps fitting that my reappearance on these pages would feature trains or railroads in some form; it's nice to know I haven't changed! There are still adventures to be had, though, so I'm still here to share them.
        On a quiet avenue next to Lake Eustis, the rusty pair of rails that run along the shore recently served as entertainment for us boys in a moment of distraction. Walking along the wooden ties and smelling the sticky creosote, we came upon a very rare sight indeed; a  More...

    What once was lost, has now been found.
    Members of the Calvary Chapel of the Lakes congregation in Umatilla put on their archeology hats on Wednesday, June 22, to find a time capsule that had been buried back when the church was still known as the First United Methodist Church of Umatilla. The time capsule had been buried on August 16, 1992, and was originally scheduled to be opened one hundred years later.
    But it had been forgotten until a member of the Collins family, Leslie  Oaks discovered the capsule’s  More...

    The last day of operations of all three Florida Department of Health in Lake County (DOH-Lake) Covid-19 vaccines and testing sites will be Thursday, June 30. The schedule until that day will be as follows:
•DOH-Lake Community Health Site located at 560 W. DeSoto Street, Clermont, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•DOH-Lake Leesburg Site located at 2113 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
•DOH-Lake Umatilla Site located at 249 E. Collins Street, Umatilla, Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 8  More...

    “It’s a waste of government money.”
    Bea Carlson, owner of Bz's Happy Plants in Dona Vista, this week is struggling with new Florida Department of Transportation signage that eliminates the historic parking in front of her nursery.  Carlson, who has operated at the location for many years, is concerned the new restrictions will negatively impact the ability of customers and delivery trucks to access her location.
    She’s not alone.  Next door, Barbara Walker’s Signature Designs emb  More...

    Collecting is a time-honored tradition.  From spoons and pens to classic vehicles and, yes, tractors, North Lake County residents have a rich history of preservation.  On Sunday, Umatilla resident Rusty Robinson was seen tootling along SR 19 atop he and wife Martha's newest edition to their growing tractor collection, a 1962 Oliver model 1850.
    "It got here Friday," Robinson said of the tractor, which was shipped from Iowa, just a few miles from the Oliver plant where it was manufactured.  The tractor is the second Olive  More...

    Work is progressing on a new bridge over the St. Johns River in DeLand.  The Florida Department of Transportation is in the midst of a $45 million project that will see a new permanent span built over the river on SR 44, and replace the current draw bridge at the location.
    The project, not slated to be completed until late in 2023, so far has featured two large dirt berms being built on either side of the river, and concrete pilings being installed in the river.  More recently, large support structures have been put in place.
 More...

    Two months into his time as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Altoona, Robert ‘Bert’ Hickman is enjoying getting to know the community and his congregation.  A Georgia native, Hickman brings 11 years of pastoral experience to a congregation that has deep roots in the community and which is looking to embark on a new era of service.
    “I came to a church that was holding its own, and now we’re seeing growth,” Hickman said this week from his office at the historic church campus.  He has found the church f  More...

    Container gardens can be a whimsical and charming part of your garden while being practical as well. We used to enjoy going to Uncle Donald's Farm when the boys were little. Every old container that would naturally kick around a barnyard was made into a planter or container garden at that place. Old washtubs that had sprouted rust holes, were put to use in a new life as flower pots. Old baskets, wheelbarrows, rusty tools, and even old pots and pans would be home to ferns, spider plants, ivy, and more, depending on where they came to rest.
    Of cou  More...

    Work has begun on the newest Carter’s Ace Hardware store in the area.  To be located north of downtown Eustis along SR 19, the 15,000 square foot store is the latest addition to the growing chain of family-owned stores, with the Carter family operating in a footprint that will soon include 11 stores stretching from Apopka to Crystal River.
    Dubbed ‘North Eustis’, the store is envisioned to serve customers in that growing area as well as service residents along CR 44 west to Grand Island. Along with stores in Umatilla, down  More...

    An energy not seen in many years, or even decades, has arrived at the City of Umatilla’s city pool complex.  The pool is just reopening for its first full summer season after undergoing an extensive rehabilitation over the last two years, and the public is being invited to a special open house this coming Saturday to help celebrate the improvements.
    The city has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the complex, rebuilding the pool from the plumbing up,  upgrading its decking surfaces, rehabbing its bathhouse, installing  More...

    A $100,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant from the State of Florida is funding a variety of recreation upgrades in Umatilla.  Two town parks, Cadwell and Southside, are receiving upgrades from the funds.
    At the Southside park facility, located along SR 19 and north of Ball Park Road, the city is replacing a basketball court, will add playground pieces, and install upgrades to the dugout facilities at the baseball field there.  Cadwell Park, located downtown along Cassady Street, will receive new playgr  More...

    Where Umatilla stands with potential housing units and how it might grow in the future are an ongoing topic of discussion inside city hall.  With long-dormant infill lots finally being built on, and the city regularly hearing from developers looking to bring large projects into the city limits, city leaders have been more and more vocal about development in the city and what it should look like going forward.
    At a meeting of the Umatilla City Council on Tuesday, May 17, members heard a city staff presentation on potential housing units alr  More...

       When we were very young, we always loved going to the library, and that passion has carried into adulthood. Though we’ve graduated from the children’s books to more advanced material, visiting our local libraries remains one of our favorite summer activities. During a recent visit to W.T. Bland Public Library, located in Mount Dora, we were delighted to see all of the different ways that they are helping visitors to foster new interests, making themselves into a gathering point for a community united by their love of discovery.
 &nbs  More...

    Sue and Rick Kiefer live in one of Umatilla's more historic homes. It is a beautiful rural backdrop for the never-ending garden that Rick tends. When he isn't planting vegetables, he is improving the landscape. Over the years, he has cultivated oranges, pineapples, tomatoes, nectarines, and lots of sunflowers as well as other pretty flowers. Sue is very busy as well. She is the lady who runs Tall Pines Soapery and makes things to wash with that look incredible.  At present, Rick is having success with his variety of sunflowers including some red ones called Red Sun,  More...

    Memorial Day was observed throughout Lake County on Monday, with several special services held throughout the day.  The public turned out in large numbers to recognize those who lost their lives in military service to the country.
    The day began with a sunrise service in Mount Dora a the AW Peterson Gun Shop.  Elected officials including Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker and state senator Dennis Baxley were on hand for the event, which included the retirement of flags through a flag burning ceremony.  Attendees were invit  More...

    Memorial Day will be recognized at a sunrise service on Monday, May 30.  The event will be held at Peterson’s Gun Shop in Mount Dora.  There will be guest speakers, playing of Taps by AJ Rohe, and other activities will convene beginning at 6:15 a.m.
    Lake County Commissioner Leslie Campione will serve as keynote speaker.
    Included in the ceremony will be a bagpipe performance by Bob Cunningham.
    Peterson’s Gun Shop is located at 4255 West Old US 441.

&  More...

    North Lake County experienced storms and heavy rains throughout the second half of last week, with rain totals approaching 10 inches in some areas.  The rain ended a spring drought that had persisted through April and Much of May.
    Through last week, over nine inches of rain was reported in reader gauges west of Umatilla.  A Florida Forest Service rain gauge in Leesburg reported over eight inches on Thursday and Friday alone, and rain tracker and Pittman resident Johnny Bates logged almost 7.5 inches for the week.
    More...

    Lake County and City of Eustis fire engines joined Umatilla units in response to a 911 call Tuesday morning at the Umatilla Post Office.  Employees reported seeing smoke and smelling hot electric at the office around 9 a.m.  
    Eustis deployed its ladder truck to access the post office’s roof, where air conditioning units could be accessed and inspected.
    No injuries or damage was reported.

    We had a nice note from Myrtle Quinn this week. She has an easy do-it-yourself pickle tip to share. She takes 1 qt. of store-bought Dill Pickles and pours off all the juice into a pot. She then slices the pickles back into the jar in smaller bites. She then adds 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 tsp. of mustard seeds to the juice. Bring it to a low boil and then pour it back over the pickles in the jar. Let them refrigerate for 2 or 3 days and you will have a fine homemade tasting pickle with more pizzazz. Myrtle has been enjoying her pickles this way for years. Thanks for sharing  More...

This crash occurred on SR 19 in Altoona Friday late afternoon.  The crash, which took place about a quarter mile north of the Ravenswood Road intersection, involved these two trucks in a head-on collision.  It was reported that two people were airlifted from the crash, but the Florida High Patrol had not made any details available as of press deadline on Tuesday. 

    Years ago, when Pug’s Pub was still open near downtown Eustis, the bar was home to ‘Mere’ cat, the business’s mascot and regular sight among patrons.  When that establishment closed, Mere needed a home that didn’t involve dogs chasing her, which led to her moving in at the Humane Society of Lake County’s shelter in Dona Vista.  Years later, Mere is still going strong, and on Saturday the shelter celebrated the cat that is believed to be 16 years old.
    “When the bar closed, Mere needed a place t  More...

    Umatilla High School’s Class of 2022 was honored during a special awards ceremony last Friday, May 13.  Members of the class were recognized for academic and athletic achievement, as well as received dozens of local and institutional scholarships.
    “We’re going to give away around $250,000 today,” said principal Brent Frazier in kicking off Friday’s festivities.  Frazier also announced this year’s Valedictorian - Allison Shields, and Salutatorian - Grace Kessinger.
    Here&rs  More...

    Umatilla’s Cadwell Park wood carvings have been in various states of repair/removal in recent months, as the city looked to preserve what it could of the unique wildlife art carvings.  Termites and other pests, as well as Florida’s heat and rain had conspired to bring a large amount of decay to the carvings, leaving the city scrambling to preserve what it could of the popular art pieces.
    In recent weeks, carvings that had been removed and ‘restored’ have found new homes on the back porch of the city’s Cadwell  More...

    Two separate incidents of violence in Altoona during the past week left one person dead and two others airlifted for hospital treatment. 
    The first incident occurred on Wednesday, May 4, at 19331 East Altoona Road in Altoona.  Deputies came to the scene in the morning hours in reference to a deceased person at the home, and found the body of Ernie Wayne Wilburn, 44.  Witnesses at the home could not provide an explanation as to what had happened to Wilburn.
    “Detectives say that the circumstances s  More...

    The reclusive Florida Panther for years had mostly been confined to a range in South Florida.  However, as its population has slowly grown, so have reported sightings in other areas of the state.  While local sightings have been rarely reported and sometimes questioned, when a panther was killed on I-95 several years ago in Flagler County it became clear that the state’s largest predatory cat had increased its range and could be assumed to also be in the expansive Ocala National Forest.
    And today, even closer.
 &nb  More...

    One of the area's fastest-growing companies this week announced plans to move its operations to Umatilla.  RCM Utilities, currently based in Eustis, has purchased an estimated 10 acres in Umatilla with plans to construct a 30,000 square foot building to house its three-dozen employees.
    “We’re laying the groundwork to move back into town,” said Chris Creech on Monday.  Creech, who founded RCM in 2018 said Umatilla is where RCM “needs to be.”
    "Most all of us are Umatilla peo  More...

    Properly marking and identifying gravesites is a time-honored tradition.  However, with passing years and patchy record availability, keeping everything just as it should be can get complicated. This week, the City of Umatilla is working to unwind questions around four buried veterans of the Confederacy after an effort was undertaken to mark the long-since buried men.
    The city operates two cemeteries in town.  However, some of those buried in what are now city cemeteries predate the city’s legal founding in 1904.  As such,  More...

    Plans to replace Umatilla's current Pizza Hut with a combination Pizza Hut/KFC are moving forward.    The City of Umatilla on Tuesday released preliminary drawings that indicate a new combination building will be placed on Pizza Hut's current location, with Pizza Hut being carry out only in a section closest to SR 19 and KFC having a drive-through at the rear.
    The project is set to have its first appearance in front of the Umatilla City Council on May 17, when a request will be brought forward to allow for the drive-through. More...