Villages/Lady Lake
By Bob Rountree on February 15, 2020
PLANT CITY — The 85th annual Florida Strawberry Festival opened to large crowds despite frigid weather on Thursday, Feb. 27, but the forecast calls for a slow but steady warming trend and clear skies over the festival’s 11-day run, which ends on March 10.
See all events and more at: https://www.floridarambler.com/florida-festivals/florida-strawberry-festival-plant-city/
Lake Sheriff’s Detectives Use DNA To Nab Suspect In Robbery Of World War II Veteran
Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating a robbery to a 97-year-old World War II veteran since July 2019. The hard work and persistence of the assigned detective paid off when a positive DNA match was made linking the suspect, 29-year-old Kevin Eugene Leeks, Jr., to the crime.
In July, the 97-year-old victim, Mr. Willard VanOrder, drove his lawnmower to a convenience store in the Okahumpka area to purchase groceries. Upon returning home, he was met at the back door of his residence by a suspect armed with a gun. Family members later found Mr. VanOrder unconscious with head injuries and it was discovered that his wallet was missing.
Detectives located a Black and Mild cigarillo tip at the scene of the robbery and collected it for processing. Continue reading
Chamber February Nothing But Networking Luncheon at Carrabas. We had so many people I think we overwhelmed the Restaurant, but we got it done, the meeting went well, the food was good. Bread was not served, I was disappointed, since that is one of their signature things on the menu. All of the networking went well. We had visitors from the local high school talking to our Chamber business people about what their business plan is. Most people I talked to were happy! March meeting will be held at the OutBack Restaurant, March 5th 11:30 am. Check the Lady Lake Chamber website for the monthly scheduled events.
The Lady Lake Police Department encourages drivers to be safe, follow the rules of the road, and remain focused when operating a motor vehicle upon the roadways of the State of Florida. One of the common causes of crashes involves distracted driving. Distracted driving is anything that takes your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, or mind off of driving. One of the most dangerous distracted driving behavior is texting and driving, as it encompasses all three of these elements. However, texting and driving is not the only cause of distracted driving. Other common causes include eating, tending to children, grooming, or checking the GPS system. When a driver is not focused on the road, it limits their ability to perceive a hazard and delays their reaction time to avoid a crash. The Lady Lake Police Department urges drivers to stay focused on driving when operating a motor vehicle.
On multi-lane streets, roads, and highways, drivers are required to operate their motor vehicle in the right half of the roadway except when passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction. Drivers must not continue to drive a vehicle in the far left lane when being overtaken by a faster moving vehicle, unless the driver is preparing to make a left turn at an intersection. Additionally, Florida law requires you to Move Over a lane — when you can safely do so — for stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles and tow trucks or wreckers. Continue reading
Business owner Kathy Haviland of Tri-County Senior Outreach Services, was holding an 8 year anniversary celebration and Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, Feb 20 from 4-6 pm at Harbor Chase in Wildwood (1477 Huey St., Wildwood). Kathy Haviland, Blake and Kate Gallaher from Luxury Diamonds and John Sokol from Bikes and BBQ 4 Autism, are coming together to present a $1500.00 check to Dream Acres for Autism (an organization that trains service dogs for autistic children). Photo by Gregg Malanczuk.
Lady Lake Area Chambers Morning Networking at Outback Steakhouse on Hwy 441 in Lady Lake. Photo by Janet Fraley.
According to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there have been 102,756 total hit and run crashes in the State of Florida between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. These hit and run crashes resulted in 21,511 injuries and 215 fatalities. The Lady Lake Police Department has responded to 61 hit and run crashes in 2019, three involving injuries and one fatality.
In Florida, anyone driving a vehicle involved in a crash is legally required to stop at the scene of an accident and provide the following information to the other driver or anyone else involved. You must provide this information whether the other person is a passenger, pedestrian or cyclist.
- Name
- Address
- Vehicle registration number
- Driver’s license or permit, if available
Florida’s laws also require drivers to provide their licenses to police on the scene and provide “reasonable aid” if necessary. This may include physically carrying an injured person away from the crash, if possible, calling 911 or transporting someone to the hospital (See Florida State Statute 316.062). Continue reading
Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Celebration for Edward Jones. Pictured cutting the Ribbon is Luke Emerson and his wife Joy at his left side. Many friends, customers, Chamber members attended. Luke says when it comes to investing, we’re in your corner – and now just around the corner! Come visit Luke at 1150 Paige Place, The Villages Fl 32159. Photo by Janet Fraley.
Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual Installation of officers. Pictured are new Board members for 2020. The Ambassadors for 2020 were also inducted at the installation .The Chamber of Commerce is active in the Lady Lake / Villages area. Businesses at Chamber events are there to share information about how they could help each other or do business with each other. New President Dennis McGee pictured center of photo. Photo by Janet Fraley.
The Special Investigations Unit along with deputies from the Street Crimes Unit conducted phase one of Operation Bassville Park. The operational focus was to target known drug areas and dealers in an attempt to stem the flow of illegal narcotics in the designated area. As a result of the operation, detectives were able to arrest two known drug dealers from the area. An additional illegal narcotics arrest was made from the area for a total of three arrests. Listed below are the arrested parties, what they were charged with, and the circumstances for the arrest.
Nicholas Bradway was charged with DWLS (Habitual Offender), Flee/Elude, Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of MDMA, Possession of Hydrocodone, Possession of Suboxone, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Surveillance units observed Bradway driving a silver Acura in the area of operation. Mr. Bradway is known to detectives for illegal narcotics and not having a valid driver’s license. A traffic stop was attempted on Mr. Bradway; however, he refused to stop and fled the area until he crashed into a tree along Carlton Court in Leesburg. Mr. Bradway was secured without incident. Detectives then conducted a search of the car, during which approximately 52 grams of methamphetamine, plastic baggies containing Fentanyl, Cocaine, MDMA, Hydrocodone pills, Suboxone pills, and numerous amounts of Drug Paraphernalia were located. Mr. Bradway had a one-stop-shop of illegal narcotics, which, based on the number of narcotics and packaging material, are indicative of illegal narcotic sales. Continue reading
