A 16-year-old male student from Lake Hills Academy in Mascotte was arrested today for having a handgun on a Lake County school bus this morning. The school’s administration was notified after another student on the bus saw the student with the gun. By that time, the bus had already departed from the school.
Deputies had reason to believe that the gun was left on the bus and not brought into the school. They quickly began investigating the claim and responded to the bus parking lot located on Golf Links Avenue in Eustis. Upon searching the bus, a Glock handgun was located on the back seat, concealed in a sweatshirt. The gun was holstered and unloaded; no ammunition was found.
Deputies continued investigating and were able to review footage from the bus’s security camera, which showed 16-year-old Trace James Richardson removing his sweatshirt and leaving it in that same seat.
ased upon witness statements and the video evidence, Richardson was arrested and charged with possessing a firearm on school property. He will be detained by the Division of Juvenile Justice.
Lake Hills Academy is an alternative school located at 513 Albrook Street in Mascotte.
Detectives assigned to the Lake County sheriff’s Cyber Crimes Unit recently concluded a 4-day operation targeting subjects online attempting to meet children for sexual activity. The investigation, dubbed Operation Welcome to Detention, resulted in six arrests for various sex-related crimes.
Detectives conducted the operation August 24-27, during which time they posed online as either a 13- or 14-year-old child. The subjects traveled to the predetermined location with the intent to have sex with whom they thought was the child and were taken into custody upon arrival. All suspects were arrested without incident.
This operation would not have been possible without the cooperation and support from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other member agencies of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Saturday, October 15th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.
Limited to 20 individuals per tour.
Join us as we share the ORIGINAL horror story of Ocala and follow along the treacherous path laid by The Great Fire.
Three (3) libations included in ticket price.
Walking Tour – The Great Fire
$35.00
Join us as we share the ORIGINAL horror story of Ocala and follow along the treacherous path laid by The Great Fire.
Admission fee includes 3 cocktails & 2-hour Guided Walking Tour
10/28/2022 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Fort King National Historic Landmark
3925 E Fort King St.
Ocala, Florida 34470
It’s movie time! Join us for FREE movies throughout the year at different City of Ocala parks. Be sure to bring a blanket or chairs to sit on. We will have concessions available for purchase like snacks, popcorn and soda. No registration is required to attend our movies, simply show up, get comfortable and enjoy the show!
Residents in a 19th-century Pennsylvania town are terrified that they’ll be attacked by mysterious creatures in the nearby woods, despite an uneasy pact they’ve made with the beasts. Rated PG-13
For questions, please call 352-368-5517.
10/07/2022 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Downtown Square
1 SE Broadway St., Ocala, Florida 34471
Various artists will be setting up easels / stations and work on arts / crafts throughout Downtown Ocala. Performance on the Downtown Square. For details, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department’s Cultural Arts Division at 352.629.8383 or visit First Friday Art Walk.
10/01/2022 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala, Florida 34471
Join us for our Hispanic Awareness Senior Wellness Informational Fair. We have partnered with over 10 agencies to provide information to include: Fitness, Health Care, Insurance and Social Services, specifically for the Hispanic population. Local health professionals will speak every hour on a variety of subjects plus local entertainment for you to enjoy. Please call (352) 456-8679 for more information or questions.
I am a small publisher of monthly newspaper. I am continuously trying to bring attention to the stress the Turnpike Authority brings to Central and North Florida residents / Ranchers / Farmers.
I live near the Rainbow river, our lives have been riddled with attempts from the state to build through this area. Big business have been speculating on how they can make money on these events.
I ask when the Turnpike Organization was started it’s job was to build a road. They built the road, they built bridges, they built Exits. They are running out of thing to do so here they come again with the Turnpike Extension. Oh no it’s political season so let’s pause it and come back later.
What happens the people in this area are being harassed by this project. They are selling their house got get away from the stress of it all. IT”S NOT FAIR! We are tax paying citizens and don’t deserve the pressures put on by these project. Continue reading
Walking is a part of many of our trips each day, and for some it is their primary mode of transportation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, October is Pedestrian Safety Month. The goal is to increase awareness around pedestrian safety and remind drivers to watch for pedestrians every time they are behind the wheel. There are many residential neighborhoods, shopping plazas, and other areas where pedestrians become drivers and vice versa. Here are a few tips as a reminder of how you can remain safe and keep others safe as well.
Everyone Is a Pedestrian
At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Whether it’s walking to your car, walking to the office, or walking for exercise. Everyone deserves to get to their destination safely.
To do this, drivers must:
Look for pedestrians. Children and teens can be less predictable and run out into the roadway without looking. Be especially careful around schools, residential neighborhoods, and near parks and playgrounds. Buckle up, watch the posted speed limits, focus on the driving task, and drive sober. Lives depend on it. Continue reading
On September 14, 2022, in News Releases, by Staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that U.S. News and World Report released their 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, with Florida Public Universities earning top spots across multiple categories. The Best Colleges rankings placed the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) among the top 20 public universities in the country. UF earned the number 5 ranking on the list and FSU earned the number 19 spot. The University of South Florida was ranked among the top 50 public universities in the country at number 42, rising four spots from last year and breaking into the list of the top 100 public and private universities for the first time ever at number 97. The University of Central Florida (UCF) and Florida International University were also in the top 100 public universities nationally, coming in at 64 and 72 respectively. As of 2021, Florida has been ranked the number one state for higher education for five consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report. Continue reading
On September 13, 2022, in News Releases, by Staff
Continue the Mission recruits veterans, military spouses and former law enforcement officers to serve as CPIs, APIs, DCF case managers and mentors
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis highlighted the success of her Continue the Mission initiative, which launched in June 2022 to recruit veterans, military spouses and former law enforcement officers to be child and adult protective investigators and case managers, as well as mentors to children in need, new case managers and child and adult protective investigators. Since the start of the initiative, nearly 250 individuals have applied to work to protect Florida’s most vulnerable children. This follows several recruiting events hosted by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and successful marketing with local partners. To learn more about this program, Visit:
https://www.myflfamilies.com/continuethemission/. Continue reading
