TRENDING

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

GOING TO THE DOGS

The Friends of Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont host the fi rst annual Poochapalooza, designed as a day of fun to honor man’s best friend on Sept 19, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Guests can visit vendors and exhibitors as well as take their canine companions on a short trail hike, designed for dogs of all abilities. All dogs must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash and up to date on all vaccinations. For more information, visit www.southlakechamber-fl .com.

Top-Cop Drama

Though the city council of Webster voted Though the 3-2 against granting the job to Interim 3-2 agains Police Chief Mark Newby amid rumors Police Ch he was gay, creating a tornado of controhe was gay, versy, the situation seems to have died versy, the s down—for now. Newby recommended down—for Steven G. Greenwood III to replace him as Steven G. Gr chief of police, and Greenwood was acceptchief of polic ed. Newby continues to work in the departed. Newby co ment as deputy chief of police. Mayor Kelly ment as depu Williams offered her support to Newby, Williams of stating he had excellent credentials and stating he h has improved the police department, parhas improve ticularly in the evidence area, she said she ticularly in th is satisfi ed with the resolution. “They are is satisfi ed w doing an excellent job, working well togethdoing an exc er to improve the police department for er to impro the City of Webster,” she said. Meanwhile, th he City of W Newby has fi led a lawsuit against the city. Newby has fi

ECOTOURISM ON THE RISE

Kn now wn to include d “see” an and “h hea ar” activi v tie es, , th ht is yea e r the Florid da Bl Blac a k Bear & Wi W ldlife Conser rvation Fe F st s ival l in Umatil i la l w wi ill l inc clude ed som me “ “do o” ” ac ctivitie es, suc u h h as s: Fr F ee e paddleboard d tou ur rs at Alexand der e Sp pri in ng gs, a guide ed d h hike k on the Fl F orida Trail l at Cle ear rwater r Lake, and a a guid i ed ride at Pa ai isl ley y Wood ds Bike Trail. All he eld Oct. 10. For r mo ore in i formation and d to o register, , visi it t ww ww. w umatil ll lac chamber. r or ro g.

CASE CLOSED

Assistant State Attorney Mark Simpson, supervisor M of the Public Interest Unit, of concluded his investigation co of allegations of Sunshine of Law violations by the Mount L Dora City Council. According D to Simpson, the allegations to involved the fi ve city council in members discussing a new m assistant city manager position as created specifi cally for Mark cr Reggentin, who was then the R city’s planning and developci ment director, outside a formal m city council meeting, was in vici olation of the Sunshine Law of ol Transparency. Simpson further Tr states the allegation arose from st each city council member askea ing the same question to two in candidates up for city manager: ca Are you in favor of having an A assistant city manager? The as fear was they colluded together fe to ask the question. After a to thorough interview of everyone th involved, Simpson could not in prove a violation occurred. p “Claimants get to speculate or assume,” said Simpson. “I cannot do that.” Simpson went on to say he found during his investigation that the creation of an assistant city manager position was discussed previously, so “the idea that it formulated or coalesced out of nothingness is not true.” According to Simpson, each council member said it also was brought up at the April 17 meeting, and members thought it was a good idea. Thus, a violation could not be proven without eyewitnesses of council members gathered in private. “I asked each one of the claimants if they had anybody who heard or overheard conversations take place or saw them together,” said Simpson. “All of the claimants responded no.”

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

Welcome! Terri L. Gordon, Realtor, joins the ERA Grizzard Real Estate team in Mount Dora.

The popular Night Owl Caribbean Cuisine food truck has now opened as a restaurant. Owner Richard Wright opened Night Owl Caribbean Restaurant in Eustis, located at 929 Bay Street.

Landscaper Devin Dodd, who reportedly defrauded residents of The Villages out of more than $10,000, was caught. He allegedly took money up front and did not return to do the work.

Closed for two years, Harper’s Alley has reopened next to 1884 in Eustis. Harper’s Alley was known as the “Best of the Best Bar” in Lake County. Owners Ken and Trish Hardy plan to reclaim the title with a hip, outdoor venue, 137 different microbrews, and live entertainment Thursdays - Saturdays. Located at 24 E Magnolia Avenue.

Tavares Chamber of Commerce rolls out the red carpet for their ninth annual Business of the Year Gala at Lake Receptions, honoring local businesses and Chamber volunteers; Sept. 10, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Olivia’s in Eustis closed. A sign says “Magnolia Café coming soon.” Speculation has circulated for some time to determine who the new owner is. We have confi rmed it is one of the partners of One Flight Up, in Mount Dora.

MILITARY MARVEL

An 85-year-old marine widow and Eustis resident generously donated her home to an injured army veteran she had never met to show her gratitude for his service. Veteran Tommy Travis will receive the Purple Heart for a brain injury he suffered after a grenade hit his Humvee in Iraq, killing two of his friends. The story is featured on the Lifetime TV show, “Designing Spaces: Military Makeovers,” set to air in October. For Travis, his wife, and two daughters, the generosity of the mortgage-free home means an end to continuous relocations and a more stable life.

Catastrophy Averted

Leesburg residents Ron and Dot Gilbert heard meowing coming from their garden. Upon investigation, they found a kitten trapped in the fence. They freed it, but heard more cries. Unable to locate others, the Gilberts called Lake County Fire Rescue. Fire Rescue had to dismantle the fence to reach two more kittens trapped two feet underground, wedged inside a post anchored in cement. Firefi ghter Valerie Ligi not only rescued the kittens but also adopted one she named Pickles.

JAMES COMBS’ SEPTEMBER

THEHITLIST

1// A 22-YEAR-OLD LEESBURG man won $1 million on a scratch-off lottery ticket. Hopefully the state won’t be cheap and agree to pay him $1 for the next million years.

2// A YOUNG MAN IN MAINE launched a fi rework off the top of his head and fatally injured himself. While this is certainly a tragic story, there’s no denying that he went out with a bang.

3// IN MISSOURI, A 60-POUND carp was found lying in a roadside ditch that connects to a lake. Let’s hope the person who spotted the fi sh won’t try to convince friends that he caught it using a rod and reel. Talk about something smelling fi shy.

4// A PENNSYLVANIA MAN was charged with trespassing, public drunkenness, and incident exposure after being caught drinking beer in a hog barn among pigs. You don’t reckon the little oinkers “squealed” on him, do you?

5// A FLORIDA MAN ENTERED a retail store, stuck a golf club down his pants, and fl ed the scene. Police arrested him later that day. No doubt, this troubled young man is on “par” to lead a troubled life.

6// ALL EMERGENCY SHELTERS in Lake County are pet-friendly. This was a doggone good idea by county offi cials and a purr-fect solution for pet owners.

MISS USA TRUMPED

g g something smelling fi shy. e

Ay Caramba! Viewership for Miss USA dropped a whopping 83 percent from last year. A mere 925,000 watched the 2015 Miss USA pageant on Reelz according to Nielsen, down from 5.56 million last year. NBC and Univision dropped the Miss Universe pageant after Donald Trump, a part owner of the pageant, made disparaging remarks about Mexican immigrants. Will more come crashing down as the real estate mogul’s house of cards begin the crumble in the wake of the faux pas?

J JOSH TAKES ON:

A AN ADMITTEDLY ASKEW POINT-OF-VIEW FROM THE MIND OF ILLUSTRATOR JOSH CLARK

4// A PENNSYLVANIA MAN was charged with trespassing, public drunkenness,