CLERMONT — Call Harold and Kumar, White Castle is breaking ground in Clermont It's the second White Castle to open in Florida The company plans to open the "highly anticipated" White Castle in late summer 2025 In case you haven't visited a White Castle it's the first fast-food hamburger chain in Billy Ingram launched the family-owned business with $700 and the idea of selling 5-cent square hamburgers that are easy to eat in Wichita He invented the term "sliders" and sold them by the sack White Castle's signature small square burgers are made with a unique steaming method that involves shaping patties with holes to absorb flavor and they steam on a bed of onions on the grill for enhanced flavor Why aren't there more White Castles?Its owners The largest free-standing White Castle in the world opened in southwest Orlando in 2021 The new 3,220-square-foot restaurant will include indoor and outdoor seating and two drive-thru lanes And the Clermont White Castle will sport the chain's iconic tower "in a sleek modern industrial-style architectural design," the company's press release said Hello, Hollywood: TV supercouple Gerald McRaney and Delta Burke pop in on the Lake County Sheriff's Office The Clermont White Castle will be located at 4551 Collina Terrace in the Plaza Collina development at State Road 50 and Plaza Collina Boulevard ambassadors ("and a surprise guest or two") will welcome elected officials and development partners to celebrate a groundbreaking on April 9 Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Ohio — The Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services is awarding a Clermont County Municipal Court Judge with the 2025 Champions of Hope award this week Champions of Hope is given by the nonprofit to community leaders whose "vision and commitment help improve opportunities and outcomes for those who struggle with mental illness substance abuse disorder and homelessness." Judge Anita Bechmann is the administrative judge of the county’s municipal court where she presides over specialized cases involving mental health issues and violations for operating a vehicle while impaired Bechmann started the mental health docket in 2023 “Judge Bechmann brings a vision and personal passion to the work,” said Alicia Fine chief program officer and senior vice president for GCBHS in Clermont County “She challenged us to come together with new strategies to build a new approach.” Those sentenced from Bechmann’s specialized dockets receive help from service teams and clinical leaders from Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services when she became the first female judge in Clermont County Municipal Court history Bechmann was elected to the balance on the unexpired term in 2023 Bechmann graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1992 with her law degree and received her undergraduate degree from the College of Mount Saint Joseph She will receive the award at a gala on April 25.  Kurtsty Ayers loved watching war movies as a kid — and found her eyes always drawn to the good guys “Being the one to step up and handle situations that most people wouldn’t want to.” Ayers told herself that if she didn’t have a career path by age 21 she would follow her childhood passion and enroll in the military After graduating from Cincinnati’s Western Hills High School and spending some rudderless time in community college she kept her self-promise and joined the Army National Guard in 2010 Six years of service and a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan later She welcomed a son and began working for the Hamilton County Justice Center as a corrections officer Ayers knew that earning a peace officer certification would expand her career opportunities in the field She applied to the University of Cincinnati Clermont College Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in 2020 The academy is one of several criminal justice offerings by the college in addition to associate degrees focused on corrections and law enforcement Ayers found a relaxed environment and knowledgeable and supportive peers and instructors which allowed her to work throughout the program When Ayers tore her calf muscle in the middle of the program and other faculty and students were understanding — even showing up to cheer Ayres on when she had to complete her physical fitness test alone Instructors stay in contact still to see how I’m doing UC Clermont Police Academy Commander Bill Dunkman shares a similar path to Ayers — he started his career with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in 1979 after receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S After 34 years in the field working as both an officer and traffic crash reconstructionist He said Ayers’s grit grew during her time in the academy I noticed that she became more determined and driven,” Dunkman said she did an excellent job when it came to critical thinking and working out solutions to complex problems While Ayers thought she would continue as a corrections officer hearing her instructors’ experiences led her to seek a career as a police officer After graduating with her certificate in 2021 Ayers landed a job with the Forest Park Police Department Thanks to UC Clermont’s balanced program mix of classroom and hands-on training she says she felt prepared to work as an officer on day one She even plans to complete training to become a peace officer training instructor herself Ayers is aware that just as she watched her heroes in military movies growing up another set of young eyes is on her now — and her son has served as motivation through every step of her journey “My son thinks it’s awesome that mom is a police officer; he tells people,” Ayers said “I hope that he sees in me to be confident in yourself and go for whatever you want to go for Featured top image: UC Clermont Police Academy graduate Kurtsty Ayers now serves with the Forest Park Police Department UC Clermont College is in the center of Clermont County on 95 beautifully wooded acres in Batavia Township. The college is an accredited, open-access institution offering more than 60 programs and degrees. UC Clermont is part of the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati. For more information, call 513-556-5400 or visit www.ucclermont.edu Alex Lewis lost her 82-year-old grandfather to Covid-19 just five weeks before her dream school showed up on the front steps of Roger Bacon High School to tell the senior that she has been admitted to the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing as part of a touching Decision Day surprise effort this year The University of Cincinnati Clermont College men’s baseball team has taken second place in the 2021 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Small College World Series Becca Costello’s path to on-air reporter for Cincinnati’s WVXU started as young child — sledding down the hill behind the University of Cincinnati Clermont College University of Cincinnati | 2600 Clifton Ave LAKE COUNTY – A 56-year-old Clermont woman was killed Tuesday in a two-vehicle Troopers said the fatal two-vehicle wreck happened around 5:35 p.m at Schofield Road and Five Mile Road in Clermont the woman was driving a Mercedes GLA Class west on Schofield Road [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] the Mercedes veered into the eastbound lane and the vehicles collided head-on The driver of the F-150 was taken to ORMC in stable condition Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021 TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group CLERMONT – Central Florida is facing its worst drought in almost a decade with extreme conditions taking a toll on farms and communities across the region watering times have tripled to ensure the plants are getting enough water This has become the new normal as team members work overtime to protect the crops and the business More than half of Florida is now experiencing drought-like conditions, with burn bans in effect across numerous counties the prolonged dry spell is more than just a weather headline it’s a daily struggle to keep fruit and flowers healthy and stress-free we try to water the best we can early in the morning so it doesn’t evaporate real quick because that’s when the plants want it,” said David Hill “But we’re finding we have to turn the water on three times a day because it’s so dry and the plants need to get through the stress.” Southern Hill Farms is one of the few farms that can rely on both a drip irrigation and reclaimed water system keeping crops alive has required extra effort Workers have been closely monitoring soil sensors and weather stations adjusting irrigation schedules to combat the relentless dryness While the drought poses challenges for growers said the lack of rain has made it easier to enjoy outdoor activities “I could drive an hour to Clermont and not have to worry about an hour drive back home in the rain,” Smisek said “I just went in the pool yesterday and then sat out in the sun it’s already 4 o’clock and it hasn’t rained yet.’” The drought has also increased the risk of brush fires which sometimes flare up as close as across the street from the farm “You have the stress of worrying about the land around you because normally you don’t have a fire on your land if you have irrigation you can have a fire at the drop of a hat,” Hill said it leaves Florida’s natural green lush at risk I’ve never seen something so green burn so fast,” Smisek said Jayna Manohalal joined WKMG in December 2024 you have something to vote on in the May 2025 primary election Early voting starts April 8. Check out what's on your ballot Ohio Issue 2 could extend $2.5B public works program What's on the ballot in Butler County What's on the ballot in Clermont County Who's on the ballot in Hamilton County What's on the ballot in Hamilton County Who's on the ballot in Warren County What's on the ballot in Warren County A man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Clermont County according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol died as a result of the April 24 crash just after 12:30 a.m on Starling Road near Parsons Road in Tate Township Spencer was driving a 2007 Mazda 3 northeast on Starling Road when it failed to negotiate a curve and traveled off the left side of the roadway He was wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred 07mar(mar 7)6:30 pm26dec(dec 26)9:30 pmVFW Bingo March 7 (Friday) 6:30 pm - December 26 (Friday) 9:30 pm 25apr(apr 25)6:30 pm13feb(feb 13)9:30 pmVFW Bingo April 25 (Friday) 6:30 pm - February 13 (Friday) 9:30 pm 05may7:00 pm9:00 pmGroveland City Council Meeting meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays' of the month meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays’ of the month 06may12:00 pm1:30 pmLunch With Clermont Mayor Murry Join Mayor Murry on the first Tuesday of each month for lunch and City updates at rotating Clermont restaurants (subject to change – check with the city of Clermont for updates) 06may12:00 pm1:30 pmLunch With Clermont Mayor Tim Murry Clermont residents are invited to join Mayor Tim Murry for his monthly open forum community lunch held on the first Tuesday of every month at noon The May luncheon will be held on May 6 at Amores Italian Restaurant These informal gatherings provide a valuable opportunity for residents to hear updates on city plans learn about the opportunities and challenges facing the Clermont City Council Mayor Murry will share key developments and initiatives happening throughout the city offering insight into ongoing and future projects that impact the community the mayor encourages attendees to bring their questions “This is a time for open conversation,” said Mayor Murry “I want to make sure residents feel heard and informed about what’s happening in their city.” The casual setting fosters meaningful dialogue and helps strengthen the connection between city leadership and the community contact the city’s official website or call 352-227-2003 08may10:00 am11:30 amBuild Your Bones! 10may7:00 am1:00 pmThe Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - U.S. Postal Service The Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive will take place on Saturday simply leave a bag of non-perishable food next to your mailbox for Some Ohio homeowners impacted by recent flooding may be eligible for property tax relief Hamilton and Clermont County auditors are accepting applications for property value reductions for flood-damaged houses and mobile homes “State law authorizes our office to reduce real property values for properties that have been damaged or destroyed due to this recent flooding,” Hamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda said will result in a lower tax bill for the tax year of 2026.” She says the lower taxes last until a property is repaired to its prior condition “Hopefully folks will be turning in their claims to their insurance companies and getting their damage fixed as soon as possible,” Miranda said The auditors’ offices are able to help with the relief application process and fill out this form or ask any questions that they may have of our staff and [their] property will get an adjustment in value based on the damage that they have to their homes,” Miranda said Campbell and Kenton counties' property valuation administrators say there is not currently property tax relief available for affected Northern Kentuckians Impacted homeowners will need to fill out the applications known as a DTE Form 26 for houses and a DTE Form 49 for manufactured homes Both are available on the Hamilton and Clermont County auditors’ websites Hamilton County applications should be sent to: Clermont County applications should be sent to: Clermont County Auditor101 East Main St.Batavia Copyright © 2025 Duquesne University Athletics Accessibility and Legal Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Clermont’s newest all-you-can-eat restaurant has officially opened its doors at 2475 S US Highway 27 Good Town Buffet offers a large variety of food choices at an affordable price making it a great option for families and buffet enthusiasts.  The restaurant provides ample seating with plenty of tables and booths to accommodate both small and large parties The interior is inviting and the food selection is generous A recent visit to the buffet revealed a pricing structure that makes it an appealing choice:  had the opportunity to visit for lunch the experience was overall enjoyable and very FILLING Clermont is continuing to evolve with the addition of new businesses and services that will enrich the lives of its residents and visitors From comfortable lodging options to fresh dining experiences and essential services Clermont is becoming an even more attractive destination for both short-term visitors and long-term residents Here are some of the planned and newest additions to the community: promises to provide top-tier accommodations for extended-stay travelers just west of the Hammock Ridge Road and US-27 intersection this hotel will offer 72,000 square feet of floor space spread across four stories on a 2.50-acre site each designed with the needs of extended-stay guests in mind The Learning Experience – A New Educational Facility for Young Children is opening soon at 3444 S US Hwy 27 The educational facility will cater to children ages 6 weeks to 6 years offering a nurturing environment designed to promote early childhood development and learning AdventHealth Expands Access to Healthcare – Healthcare services in Clermont are also expanding AdventHealth is preparing to offer more access to urgent care and medical services This addition will help ensure that residents have convenient options for medical needs and emergencies strengthening the community’s healthcare network Sprouts Farmers Market has plans to open its first location in Lake County will be located in the Shoppes at Hammock Ridge Sprouts will undoubtedly be a hit with residents looking for a convenient and nutritious grocery shopping experience Gunther Volkswagen of Clermont – A New Destination for Automotive Services is building a new dealership on a spacious 8.6-acre lot located northwest of the US 27 and SR 50 intersection This state-of-the-art facility will offer various services including sales and maintenance for Volkswagen vehicles With direct access to US 27 from Highland Avenue Gunther Volkswagen’s location will be easy to access for local and visiting customers alike Foodies in Clermont have plenty to look forward to with several new dining establishments coming soon to the area Another Broken Egg Café – A  brunch destination Bonefish Grill will open at 1201 E Highway 50 which also includes Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s Italian Grill White Castle – Clermont residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of White Castle which is rumored to be opening near Costco Marriott TownePlace Suites will be situated on a 4.07-acre site approximately three-quarters of a mile east of U.S This planned four-story hotel will feature 112 rooms and offer guests a range of amenities including a pool and an outdoor tiki bar area creating a relaxing and enjoyable experience the development will include a 294-seat sit-down restaurant catering to both hotel guests and local residents.  Clermont West Investments has two more hotels on a site accessible from an existing driveway on Hooks Street These hotels will significantly bolster the area’s lodging capacity will soon open in the former Red Lobster location in Clermont Landings.  Clermont residents can look forward to a more vibrant community with something for everyone Stay tuned for more updates as these new establishments begin their operations If your business is not yet listed in the South Lake Tablet Directory be sure to call 352-241-8900 to have it added so you can be part of the exciting growth in Clermont construction and openings are subject to change due to permitting Authorities say a medical emergency caused a head-on crash in Clermont Thursday morning that left a Blairsville man critically injured Hall County Sheriff's Office officials said wreck happened around 8:30 a.m was going south on Cleveland Highway in a Kia Optima when he suffered a medical emergency and crossed the center line into the northbound lane He then hit a northbound Mack truck that was towing a trailer with a cherry picker on board The collision caused the truck to go into the ditch Ehlers was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment The wreckage left Cleveland Highway closed intermittently for nearly eight hours with officials not completely clearing the scene until almost 4:30 p.m The scene was reportedly complicated by a fuel leak that was spotted after officials removed the Mack truck and cherry picker from the ditch Construction is nearly complete for a new town hall building in the Town of Clermont Clermont Mayor James Nix says town officials have been operating out of the current town hall building on King Street near since 2013 He said it has several deficiencies that led to the decision to build a new facility "It's a smaller building and not set up and organized as an office for a town hall nearly as well as what we think we're getting now with the new one," Nix said "We don't even have an extra room to have a meeting in if someone wants to come in and meet with me or one of the council members." 254) next to the Clermont Historical Society and the Chattahoochee Center, will be just under 3,000 square feet who was first elected as Clermont mayor in 2005 "It's hard to compare the place that we're working out of now and the new one The new facility is being built at a cost of around $900,000 being built by Clermont-based Scroggs & Grizzle Contracting It's being paid for by SPLOST and American Rescue Plan Act dollars Nix said while the exact completion date is uncertain they are hopeful the new facility will be ready within the next month Construction on the project began in December of 2024 While not even 3,000 square feet may not sound like a large building Nix said it will be more than sufficient for the small town staff Census listed Clermont's population at just over 1,000 people We've got a clerk and the assistant clerk that work out of it and then there will actually be a place that the mayor and some of the council members can have an office that they could use," Nix said Nix said a ribbon-cutting is planned to be held but there is no set date for it at this point until a completion date is known Exciting news for nightlife and sports enthusiasts—Mullets Sports Bar & Liquor Store is set to open soon at 732 W Montrose Street in Downtown Clermont This new establishment will bring an interactive sports bar experience along with a fully stocked liquor store Mullets Sports Bar aims to be more than just a bar; it will be a gathering place for sports fans and socializers alike Guests can look forward to a variety of games A dedicated dart league and live music performances will add to the lively atmosphere. a humidor and cigar patio will provide the perfect setting to unwind Owner Frankie Liz is passionate about supporting other local businesses and has partnered with Corelli’s Pantry and Daniel’s Cheesesteak Express to offer food options Patrons will be able to place orders through a convenient kiosk system allowing them to enjoy meals from these and other nearby restaurants including the recently relocated Black Bear Kitchen Designed to be the ultimate game-day hangout Mullets Sports Bar will feature multiple screens broadcasting major sporting events  Whether you’re stopping by to grab a drink the liquor store will provide a wide selection of alcoholic beverages including a private barrel program for exclusive offerings Stay updated on the grand opening and future events by visiting Mullets 11may9:00 am1:00 pmDowntown Clermont Farmers Markets (Renewal) – To fund public infrastructure capital improvements by permitting the issuance of general obligation bonds – 10 yr (Additional) – Operating and maintaining police protection – 2.9 mills/continuing period of time General permanent improvements – 0.25% income tax/30 yrs Current and future expenses – 1.76 mills/37 yrs Local liquor option – Sunday sales for wine and mixed beverages off premises Local liquor option – Sunday sales for wine and mixed beverages Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBATAVIA Ohio (WXIX) - A Clermont County man seeking to clear his name and overturn misdemeanor convictions related to a 2023 fire at his mobile home is out of jail pending the outcome of his appeal Christopher Longnecker appeared Tuesday for a brief bond hearing before Clermont County Municipal Court Judge Nathan M Judge Little ordered his release from the Clermont County Jail late last week “I am so happy to be out of jail,” Longnecker “But this has been absolutely devastating to my wife Emotionally and financially I have been absolutely ruined The Clermont County Sheriff’s Office arrested Longnecker at the scene of a fire in which his grown son was seriously burned on July 31 They charged him with two felonies: assault (involving a deputy) and resisting arrest as well as misconduct at an emergency Both felony charges were dropped the following week after a grand jury heard the case and issued a no-bill Longnecker was convicted last fall in a jury trial of misconduct at an emergency aggravated menacing (involving a volunteer firefighter) and menacing his attorney filed an appeal that remains pending Prosecutors say he impeded law enforcement at the fire scene and repeatedly dismissed first responders telling them to leave despite an active fire investigation being underway at his mobile home at Country View Mobile Home Park off State Route 133 in Tate Township A Washington Township firefighter took the stand and testified Longnecker kept trying to get into an area he was securing for the fire investigation The firefighter said Longnecker screamed at him to the extent he feared he would wind up in “critical condition” at a hospital Longnecker did not testify at his trial but insists none of that happened sided with prosecutors and convicted him on all charges Longnecker served 141 of his 210-day sentence He worked in the jail’s kitchen to earn credit toward early release amassing 103 days of credit that should have released him on March 7 he wound up serving another month before being released two county judges including Little denied his request for early release writing in court filings they lacked jurisdiction now due to his pending appeal Longnecker’s attorney gave it another try and recently filed a motion to suspend his sentence pending the outcome of his appeal or to grant him intermittent confinement so he could begin working again and be with his family The Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office did not object to his release or file a motion in response to his attorney The judge opted to release him on intermittent confinement but it’s all on hold until his appeal plays out Prosecutors and the sheriff’s office including Sheriff Christopher Stratton who was just elected last fall and was not the sheriff when Longnecker was arrested have mostly been quiet about his case now due to his pending appeal The only one who commented on the case was Assistant Prosecutor David Gast Gast said he could not discuss Longnecker’s felony charges or explain why they were dropped because he does not handle felony cases He said he could only discuss the misdemeanor cases he handled and those were prosecuted professionally and fairly with the facts and witness and victim testimony The reason for the eight-month gap between the initial misconduct charge and the menacing ones is simply because prosecutors didn’t learn about the firefighter’s experience with Longnecker until then The firefighter only disclosed it when prosecutors questioned him and all other fire personnel who were at the fire scene as prosecutors prepared for Longnecker’s trial on the misconduct charge Gast said when he asked the first responder if he wished to press charges so the sheriff’s office took an incident report that resulted in the other two charges Longnecker said he doesn’t buy it and feels like menacing charges were tacked on to ensure he would do jail time if convicted He said the firefighter who claimed he made the first responder fear for his safety offered him something to drink while he buried his pets “This has all been contrived and I’ve been conspired against,” he said “They needed a victim because the misconduct at emergency charge was so weak I am going to leave it to the (appeals) court.” When fire crews first arrived at the burning mobile home they saw flames and smoke showing from the 920-square-foot structure Neighbors told them there was only one person inside at the time and he was hurt The “person is sitting across the street and is yelling in pain,” the report states Longnecker’s son confirmed he was the only one home at the time “The person stated that he was cleaning glass bottles and a knife with a torch and rubbing alcohol The victim got burnt from the chest area all the way to his ankles and also his arms The cause of the fire is due to the victim using an open flame near rubbing alcohol.” The report also states: “(The) occupant states that he saw a TicTok video where people were using rubbing alcohol and lighters to clean something and that was how it started.” Damage was listed at $10,000 to the mobile home and another $5,000 to contents inside Investigators determined “the fire was started in the bedroom,” the report reads and the person who was home when the fire began was burned responded and began their investigation with the assistance of firefighters according to the report which lists him as the homeowner “attempted to stop fire investigators and first responders from conducting the investigation and is detained and later arrested by deputies on scene.” The firefighter told the sheriff’s office Longnecker arrived after his son was airlifted to the hospital and “immediately” tried to get into an area the firefighter was securing to preserve the fire scene for the investigation He said he kept Longnecker back by talking with him and advised him that he could not enter the trailer but it was difficult due to Longnecker being “extremely agitated,” the report states the firefighter told the sheriff’s office according to the incident report “had an extremely aggressive posture with his chest raised and was demanding (the firefighter) tell him where his son was.” He “was extremely agitated and aggressive and continued to yell at him demanding that (the firefighter) tell him information (The firefighter) advised that (Longnecker) stated “If you don’t tell me where my son is I will beat/ bash your face in,’” the report states Longnecker vehemently insists he threatened no one and has never used the phrase “bash your face in’ in his life: “All of this was fabricated.” The firefighter also testified at Longnecker’s trial that Longnecker kept screaming at him anytime he tried to talk and repeated that he felt physically threatened “I thought I was going to be finding myself in the hospital in critical condition,” the firefighter said on the stand according to a copy of the trial transcript I mean probably brain swelling and stuff like that because I would have had blunt force trauma with how strong and hyped up he was I feared that I wasn’t going to go home that day or I was not going to be able to go home for a week or weeks at a time.” Gast asked the firefighter on the stand if he felt Longnecker was going to hit him He responded “Yes,” but then conceded under cross-examination he didn’t report it at that time to the deputies on the scene See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description Thanks for visiting Get ready for a “PAW”sitively delightful day as the City of Clermont presents Pups in the Park This exciting event for dogs and their owners will take place on Saturday Clermont. Festivities kick off at 8:30 am Pups in the Park offers activities tailored for furry friends and their humans and a chance to enjoy a Puppuccino with a Cop Additional fun dog-friendly activities and engaging experiences for pet lovers will round out the morning of canine camaraderie Make plans to bring your four-legged friends to Lake Hiawatha Preserve for a day filled with tail-wagging fun and memorable moments visit the City of Clermont’s website or check out the event flyer — A standoff between a gunman and Clermont police officers on Wednesday at the Cottonwood Clermont Apartment complex ended after four-plus hours The Clermont Police Department said the incident started Wednesday afternoon when they received a call about a woman screaming for help while being chased by a man in his late 20s they found a bloody trail that led them to an apartment where they found the woman shot to death.  The suspect then began shooting at the police officers “They were immediately met with gunfire by an adult suspect at the top of the stairs,” says Clermont Police Captain Malcolm Draper The suspect ran into a nearby apartment building on Hooks Street after officers returned fire Other law enforcement agencies — Lake County Sheriff’s Office the Groveland Police Department & the Mid-Florida SWAT team — then arrived on scene to assist We used different types of intel gathering technology Law enforcement evacuated nearby buildings out of precaution and told some tenants to shelter in place police entered the building where they found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound detectives believe the man and woman were romantically involved and shared an apartment together at Cottonwood No other injuries occurred during the shooting.  The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now investigating the officer-involved shooting Clermont city council approved an ordinance Tuesday that makes way for backyard chickens throughout the city council members allowed residents in developed single-family homes to keep up to five female chickens Clermont joins cities like Orlando and Winter Garden in giving residents the option to raise the bird. The city previously touched on the idea in 2018 but Tuesday evening’s discussion came amidst national talk of rising egg prices and H5N1 bird flu City council member Bill Peterson voiced his unease in potentially dealing with the illness “Bird flu is a big word out there,” he said although he voted in support of the ordinance Harrison Creek Farm in Groveland specializes in chicken Owner Kimberly Harrison said the illness and its effects have been on her radar since November – and the impact from Hurricane Milton has not helped she encouraged residents who wish to raise chickens to take precautions like proper disposal of waste and vigorous hand washing She said despite bird flu’s notoriety at the moment residents should be mindful that it is not the only illness that could affect their birds Grocery chains like Aldi and Trader Joe’s have placed limits on the number of egg cartons a patron can buy. The Clermont chicken ordinance will do little to help those without backyard chickens — it prohibits residents from selling any product from their birds Prospective chicken owners will also need a coop and any associated chicken run cannot exceed 100 square feet City council amended the law to require a “simple application,” but there was no addition of a permit for the coop or birds that omission was one of many problems she had with the ordinance She said it simply didn’t make sense not to require a permit or when someone goes on vacation and has to leave the birds?” Ringwood is the president of one of Clermont’s homeowners associations (HOA) She said the law creates a new burden for HOA leaders as there is no clear indicator on how to enforce the ordinance the law states it is up to each HOA to determine if residents can actually add the feathery friends onto their property Clermont’s backyard chickens will be implemented as a two-year sunset pilot program; the city will revisit the program in two years to see if its implementation was successful and worthy of keeping around For those who want to get into the chicken-owning game Harrison Creek Farm’s Harrison said anyone who wished to raise the bird needs to be prepared for reality; she warned that proper protection from predators and at least half-an-hour of daily upkeep are key to chicken care people will get chicks thinking it’s cute,” she said Chickens must be removed after three violations of the law in three separate events the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released footage showing exactly what happened the shooting happened shortly after midnight on April 12 in Clermont with deputies being called to Via Roma Circle over a report of a “suspicious person.” “The individual was reported to have been standing in the roadway yelling at passing vehicles before approaching a nearby home,” investigators said “We received another call regarding this individual who was at the time reported to be pounding on a nearby resident’s door.” deputies ordered the man — later identified as Eric Escobar deputies said that Escobar pulled out a handgun as deputies tried to communicate with him the sheriff’s office released body-worn camera video providing insight into how the shooting took place The video kicks off with Escobar yelling at deputies that “there’s a (expletive) woman in there,” while pointing at a nearby home Escobar: “There’s a (expletive) chick that went in there Deputy: “She called me and said that you were chasing her and you were —” She’s the one that called me and told me you were banging on her door.” I’m ready to like...” (Scoffs and turns away) Escobar: (Turns back toward deputy) “There’s a (expletive) woman in there!” As the deputy continues trying to speak with Escobar he stumbles back and forth along the street screaming while holding an apparent phone in his hand though Escobar fails to follow the directive “Turn around and face away from me now!” the deputy commands “It was a (expletive) woman!” Escobar shouts in response The exchange continues until Escobar appears to calm down with the deputy introducing himself and asking for Escobar’s name “I’m not gonna (incoherent) with that Taser,” Escobar responds though he keeps insisting that the deputy go inside the house The deputy once again orders Escobar to put his hands up threatening to shoot Escobar if he doesn’t follow his directions But Escobar simply states that he won’t shoot the deputy again insisting that “there’s a (expletive) woman in there.” But I can’t do that while you’ve got that gun.” Escobar begins stumbling away toward the house while continuing to scream The deputy yells at Escobar to get away from the front door of the home telling him that he’s “gonna get shot” if he keeps it up He can then be seen pulling out an apparent handgun from his pants the deputy involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave pending a review by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement A case report shows that the victims in the home didn’t know Escobar the report states that Escobar had committed attempted armed burglary and aggravated assault on law enforcement during this incident News 6 has included the body-camera video at the top of this story Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway announced Monday he has accepted the position of Kissimmee’s next Police Chief who joined the Clermont Police Department in 2010 as a captain and was promoted to Chief in 2012 expressed how important Clermont has been to his law enforcement career (for further information, VISIT  CHIEF BROADWAY) The City of Clermont hosted an Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 19, at Lake Hiawatha Park, bringing together residents of all ages for a day of environmental awareness, action, and fun. The free, family-friendly event, held at 450 12th Street, featured a wide range of activities aimed at inspiring the community to care for and protect the local environment. One of the highlights of the day was the community Lake Cleanup which welcomed individuals and groups at no cost Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and competed for prizes in three categories: most weight collected All participants were required to register and sign a waiver to join the eco-conscious effort attendees explored educational exhibits from environmental organizations and danced along to music provided by a live DJ Eco-conscious vendors and groups were also on hand sharing green living resources and handing out environmentally friendly giveaways The Earth Day event served as a reminder that meaningful change starts at the community level By blending education with hands-on action Clermont continues to encourage residents to take an active role in preserving the planet for future generations To learn more about future environmental initiatives and community events, visit the City of Clermont website To learn about “What’s happening in Your World” — Volunteers at a food pantry in Clermont are asking the community for help after shelves were wiped dry during spring break Diane Speranza, a long-time volunteer at New Beginnings said stocking shelves has never been more important “There’s a great need for food in the community especially now since we just got over spring break and the kids were home,” said Speranza She said anywhere between 50 and 100 families stop by every week Volunteers fix up bags for free based on the food pantry's supply but Speranza said their shelves are limited at the moment The team is reaching out for help on social media, and with more than 100 shares on Facebook and posts in multiple groups store manager Jenny Hightower says donations have been pouring in everybody was called to action,” Hightower said “We’ve had so many come in and make donations to us because of that post She said the food pantry partners with Second Harvest Food Bank to stock up on meats but they rely on donations to keep shelves full “We get to the point where the pantry is empty — we’re like what are we going to do?'" Hightower said "We have a family come in — we can’t provide the food that we normally do They accept anything as long as it’s nonperishable and not expired Donations can be dropped off during store hours from 9 a.m They split the food with their second pantry at the Woodwinds apartments but leaders say that site is only available for low-income families and residents Cornell Law Celebrates Kevin Clermont’s New Book On “Forming Beliefs in Truth” Around Cornell News directly from Cornell's colleges and centers Cornell Law School celebrated the release of Kevin Clermont’s new book A General Theory of Evidence and Proof: Forming Beliefs in Truth his book addresses the time-honored debate over how humans analyze the pursuit of truth is “Should you proceed by belief or by probability?” Tracing probability’s later origins to 17th-century mathematicians Pascal and Fermat Clermont highlighted its evolution from supplanting belief analysis in education to its influence in law While lawyers have contributed to probability’s development courts still grapple with finding facts by “inner convictions of truth,” he noted The essential message of his book is that law has crafted a sound model of non-additive “The book has two main claims that are remarkable in their juxtaposition,” said George Hay “The first is that law scholars who write about evidence or at least some of the more prominent ones which is supposed to help us sleep better at night judges and juries actually get it right most of the time “Kevin lifted the veil from my eyes and made me realize it is possible to think that what the law is doing actually makes sense and is just and that the problem is probability’s product rule,” said Michael Dorf The big takeaways from Clermont’s book are that “the intuitive approach to evidential proof makes theoretical sense after all.” Clermont stressed that “the standard of proof can be applied to each element or to the party’s whole case Inferences can be cascaded upon inferences without invoking the product rule.” When applying this to everyday life Clermont said to trust belief functions as they pertain to factfinding Clermont is one of the leading experts on civil procedure in the United States Clermont also celebrated the launch of the George Washington Fields autobiography Children: The Autobiography of George Washington Fields” back in February — a book he edited Get Cornell news delivered right to your inbox Clermont Police have identified the man and woman killed in the apparent murder suicide Wednesday at a Clermont apartment As both the suspect and victim recently moved from Nashville it appears to be an isolated domestic violence situation “This was a truly terrible incident and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families,” Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway said.  officers responded to a report of an adult female screaming and running from an adult man at the Cottonwood Apartment complex they immediately observed what appeared to be blood and a spent bullet casing outside of an apartment,” Chief Broadway said “They began to conduct a well-being check but received no response from inside.” Additional officers arrived and were able to gain access through the front door while making clear statements of police presence officers observed an adult female in the entryway appeared to be deceased from a gunshot wound.  Officers continued to announce their presence as they made their way up the stairs where they observed additional blood and evidence of a struggle officers forced open an interior door and were immediately met with gunfire “We believe this to be an ambush,” Chief Broadway said “They returned fire and did a tactical reset.” Additional officers and resources began to arrive at the scene to evacuate nearby apartments and plan a coordinated and safe response to the situation Attempts by negotiators to communicate with the shooter or any other occupants were not successful Mid-Florida Tactical Team officers were able to reach the female who was confirmed deceased and the shooter dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound One firearm was located near the shooter who was identified as Christian Steeler Filson Filson was arrested for aggravated battery and reckless endangerment by discharging a firearm in a 2017 Tennessee incident He has no known criminal involvement in Florida Chief Broadway shared his appreciation and admiration to the men and women of the Clermont Police Department as well as those from partnering agencies for their bravery and commitment to their profession.  “I would like to thank the Lake County Sheriff’s Office the Mount Dora Police Department as well as fire and EMS personnel from Clermont and Lake County for all of their assistance,” Chief Broadway said “This was truly a team effort and through this joint effort a safe entry was made and no officers were injured.” Chief Broadway said the investigation continues and his department is working closely with both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the State Attorney’s Office The officer who fired his duty weapon is on administrative leave as per protocol “I would like to commend the resident who called police after witnessing the disturbance and remained at the scene to provide crucial information to our responding officers,” Chief Broadway said “as well as our community for your patience as we investigated this incident knowing your safety remains paramount.” “A portion of the officers’ body cam footage is provided but I have to warn it may be too disturbing for some to watch,” he said “It is important as it shows the bravery and courage our officers exhibit every day and even while knowing they are approaching danger and evil they still put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve our community.” The City of Clermont hosted the 9th annual “Great Clermont Campout” on Saturday February 1st at Waterfront Park on 3rd Street with a sold-out attendance of 60 families This yearly event is one with lots of anticipation from both the city staff and the attendees Many of the adventurists are repeat visitors to the outdoors-style event that is complete with tents of all shapes and sizes along with campfire rings that are the perfect size for making s’mores and telling fireside stories for fun with a movie theme of “Little Giants” in recognition of next weekend’s Superbowl football game was complete with football touchdown contests and field-goal competitions Paddleboarding and kayaking brought fun ripples and laughter to the usually calm and quiet Sparkling Water Lake as families of all ages tried out their water sports skills in friendly races and agility contests and staffed by the City of Clermont’s Park and Recreation Department and DJ activities as part of the family bonding time City of Clermont Events and Recreation Manager Cory Cody applauded the event “as a time that families get to come out here and have a great bonding experience while having a good time.”  Events Coordinator Heather New admires the joy that the children have at the Great Campout and proclaims the event as one of her favorite projects of the year as she serves dinner to the guests and prepares the traditional s’mores snacks for an evening of yummy treats The Great Clermont Campout was presented by the City of Clermont and sponsored by Tetra Tech along with a commemorative T-shirt and a care bag for each family The City of Clermont’s Parks and Recreation team works hard to coordinate events for all ages to enjoy throughout the year The next big event on the calendar is the annual Pups in the Park Bring your pup to the free event starting at 8:30 am This “PAW”Sitively event will feature a dog lure course and  lots of other fun dog activities is set to open at 658 West Avenue—the former site of Los Reyes The addition to historic downtown Clermont promises to offer a unique mix of freshly baked goods The space is being designed to celebrate German culture While there’s no official opening date just yet the owners are hard at work preparing the location for its debut the Level 1 Lake County Indivisibles will host a two-part “Hands Off” Rally and March in Clermont as part of a nationwide day of mobilization The event is intended to send a unified message of opposition to what organizers describe as threats to U.S Morning Kickoff at Center Lake Park – 10:00 amThe day’s events will begin at 10:00 am at Center Lake Park located along State Road 50 between 8th Street and West Avenue and their most creative protest signs reflecting the “Hands Off” theme—such as “Hands Off Social Security,” “Hands Off Our Justice System,” and “Hands Off Our Allies.” Parking is available in Clermont’s Historic Downtown area organizers strongly advise against crossing SR 50 on foot Main Rally at Clermont City Hall – 5:00 pmThe primary rally will take place later that day at 5:00 pm in the parking lot of Clermont City Hall (685 W The event will feature a peaceful demonstration followed by a march through Historic Downtown Clermont The gathering is scheduled to conclude at 7:30 pm A shorter rally will remain at City Hall for those unable to participate in the march Attendees are again asked to bring “Hands Off”-themed signs A limited number of bullhorns will be provided and participants are welcome to bring their own will also be a focal point along the rally route A Peaceful Call to ActionOrganizers emphasize that the rally is rooted in nonviolence and community solidarity They are calling on all participants to remain peaceful and to help de-escalate any tensions that may arise Residents are invited to attend and bring friends who share similar values visit the Level 1 Lake County Indivisibles’ social media platforms First Southern Bank DBA FSB Bank is coming soon to Clermont with a late February scheduled opening First Southern Bank is the oldest financial institution under continuous operation in the Shoals They got their start in January of 1935 as First Federal Savings and Loan Association after seeing considerable growth by investing in the area’s families First Federal Savings and Loan changed its name to First Southern Bank and transitioned to a state commercial bank First Southern was purchased by a group of Shoals-area businessmen and investors who were committed to providing financial services for businesses and individuals in all the regions they now touch Their vision for the bank and for the economic vitality of the regions has allowed First Southern Bank to increase its ability to serve our customers with excellence they are committed to maintaining intentionality with the customers they have been known for First Southern Bank provides full-service banking to individuals and businesses at their branches in Alabama Our team here at FSB Bank in Clermont is incredibly excited to offer a full line of banking and insurance products to the people of Clermont and the greater South Lake County market South Lake is thriving and growing at a pace never seen before “We look forward to helping our customers realize their dreams and playing a key role in the growth and prosperity of Clermont and the surrounding communities” says Ryan Pikunis the Vice President/ Commercial Banking Officer at the new Clermont branch Give FSB Bank a visit and let them help you with all your banking needs or visit their web-site at https://www.firstsouthern.com/ Thanks for visiting Clermont residents will soon have a fresh new option for grocery shopping as Sprouts Farmers Market is set to open its first Lake County location This exciting addition will be part of the Shoppes at Hammock Ridge Sprouts Farmers Market is known for its natural and organic foods offering high-quality products that cater to health-conscious consumers will be located next to the Staybridge Suites hotel currently under construction.  Sprouts Farmers Market is more than just a grocery store The company employs 35,000 workers and operates stores in 23 states demonstrating its strong presence in the natural foods market The store’s private-label brand includes over 2,400 items and its selection of beef ranges from choice cuts to grass-fed options A standout feature of Sprouts is its commitment to fresh produce which constitutes about 25% of the store’s business Customers can expect a diverse selection of approximately 200 varieties of organic produce one-third of the store’s stock is always on promotion The new Clermont location represents a significant step in bringing natural and organic food options to the community Sprouts Farmers Market aims to meet your needs Stay tuned for updates on the store’s grand opening and be ready to explore all that Sprouts has to offer right here in Clermont CINCINNATI (WKRC) — A mix-up involving Clermont County property tax payments has led to confusion among residents and businesses after payments were mistakenly sent to Cleveland The issue arose when an outside printing company used an outdated file resulting in incorrect bar codes on the envelopes according to Clermont County Treasurer Jeannie Zurmehly "They pulled the old file from last year which put the wrong bar code on the envelope It caused the payments to go to the Cleveland Post Office to a PO box that we closed last year," Zurmehly said and while the exact number of returned payments is unknown Zurmehly estimated it could be in the thousands Many residents pay their taxes online or in person Zurmehly advised residents who receive their tax payment back with a "return to sender" sticker not to discard the envelope The postmark will serve as proof of timely mailing residents could face a 5% fee within 10 days of the due date and 10% thereafter I'm not using the same printer." She also urged residents not to pay online again as it would register as a late payment and incur penalties nor has it affected county revenues or payments to school districts and other entities "It's not really costing us any extra It's just in some anguish and we've had lots and lots and lots of phone calls," Zurmehly said "Some people are upset but for the most part people have been understanding and realize it's not our fault." Postal Service to prevent future payment returns and expressed gratitude for residents' patience Pig on the Pond Community Festival is a 3-day family-friendly festival held at Waterfront Park in Clermont at 100 3rd St The event is hosted by Project Scholars a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to “Nurture Dreams through Education.” Project Scholars each spring awards four-year scholarships to four deserving south Lake County students This popular event is the largest in South Lake County and fireworks in addition to dozens of sponsored activities ALL YOU CAN RIDE WRISTBANDS  – Everbrite Online FRIDAY: 5-10 PM.  SATURDAY: 10AM-10PM.  SUNDAY: 11AM-5PM (Shuttles will start 30 minutes before the event opens and run 30 minutes after it closes.) who has dedicated nearly 30 years to advancing community health across Ohio received the 2025 Boonshoft School of Medicine Outstanding Alumna Award from the Wright State University Alumni Association Receiving the award brought back memories of her time as a student, balancing full-time work with her studies in the Master of Public Health program at Wright State I was working a full-time job,” Nesbit recalled “My daughter was born while I was in the middle of the program She was read public health textbooks for the first year of her life.” Nesbit’s career reflects a profound dedication to fostering healthier communities and a sustainable public health infrastructure She earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental management from Ball State University and a Master of Public Health from Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine She is also a registered environmental health specialist Nesbit has led Clermont County Public Health as health commissioner advocates for essential funding and policy reforms and collaborates with community leaders to ensure public health needs are met “We provide over 30 different public health programs through administration and our environmental health services,” Nesbit said she served as assistant health commissioner in Clermont County where she spearheaded new program development worked in emergency preparedness and standardized personnel and operational policies streamlining agency functions and improving service delivery She began her public health career at the Warren County Combined Health District received the 2025 Boonshoft School of Medicine Outstanding Alumna Award Reflecting on her Boonshoft School of Medicine experience Nesbit credited Wright State’s Master of Public Health program with playing a pivotal role in her professional growth “Wright State’s program is really practical,” she said “I feel it really helped me to advance my career.” Receiving the Outstanding Alumna Award was a humbling experience for Nesbit “I was somewhat speechless because within the Master of Public Health Program there are so many extraordinary professionals who have gone through Wright State’s program,” Nesbit said “I truly think it’s an honor to be recognized for the work that we do in public health.” Nesbit lives in Blanchester with her husband and three dogs and has a daughter studying at Miami University Wright State’s Boonshoft School of Medicine is ranked #1 in Ohio for producing primary care physicians in the 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings from U.S. News and World Report. Continue reading → National Trustee and and Premier Health physician Anuj Goyal was re-appointed to a four-year term on the Wright State University Board of Trustees by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. Continue reading → Wright State President Sue Edwards challenged the class of 2025 to dream boldly and embrace their potential for greatness while acting with kindness and integrity. Continue reading → The Board of Trustees approved a balanced university budget plan that supports Wright State’s academic mission and continues investing in student success and career readiness.   Continue reading → Wright State engineering students showcased their technical expertise and creative problem-solving at the annual Senior Design Expo. Continue reading → Clermont has a new business in town with an extraordinary theme is home to the previous marketplace in the historical downtown district Kraig and Joyce Woodrow have an extensive history in ax throwing While bringing the second location to Clermont from its original location in Lakeland the business offers 16 lanes of air-conditioned ax-throwing pits for both personal fun and competitive talent Each pit has a World Axe Throwing League (WATL) target and axes Coaches are there for you every step of the way to build your confidence and record your scores such as the “100-throw challenge,” are offered during the week to eager throwers The challenge offers a chance to beat the standing score and potentially win a t-shirt and free pit time The venue also offers dozens of structured games and competitions that are fit for couples or multiple-person teams While the exterior of the building remains much the same as it did originally the interior has been completely remodeled to introduce a rustic atmosphere with a touch of modern-day flair The open-air floor plan includes several large television screens throughout the pit area that are tuned in to live sports across the nation A beautiful wood-carved stairway has been added to the interior that leads to a loft area above the pits covered outdoor area includes the Blade & Barrel Bar managed by Brittany Meal Brittany and co-worker Jennifer bring a lot of positive personality to the patio area and will surely make patrons feel welcome while enjoying their favorite beverage from the large selection of beer and wines offered The patio includes several seating areas for patrons while they enjoy a rest or a wonderful meal from the Los Reyes Restaurant which recently moved to the new location Plans for a second food venue are underway and may include the Los Reyes family the family would like to add a second choice of food options inflatable-style target pit for the younger-aged throwers who haven’t quite reached the level of full-grown axes yet Pet owners will be pleased to see that the “puppy bath and fountain” will remain The convenient stop for dog-walkers on the nearby fitness trail is always a welcomed site during the heat of Florida summers Patrons can refresh and bathe their four-legged friends while enjoying the shade themselves under the large pavilion and oak trees located in the area One positive quality of business that was immediately noticed while touring the facility was the outpouring of friendliness and hospitality of the staff at every station Each staff member was accommodating to questions and even offered demonstrations for the amateurs in our tour.  Please visit www.axcaliber.com for a full listing of prices