EUSTIS – A student was found with a loaded firearm on campus at Eustis High School on Wednesday the school explained that two of the student’s peers had come forward to administrators though additional details have been provided about the incident at this time A transcript of the call to families reads as follows: I’m calling to let you know that one of our students was found with a loaded gun on campus today It was found quickly as a result of two responsible students coming forward to administration When the student was searched by school officials Please remind your students that weapons and dangerous instruments are not allowed on campus and we take all safety violations very seriously Safety concerns can be reported to any adult on campus or anonymously through the speakout hotline at (800) 423-TIPS Thank you for working with us to keep our campus safe." Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved 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 Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the woman found dead near Mount Dora Friday and Eustis Police Department has confirmed she is the subject of its missing person investigation LCSO responded to the area of Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road Friday morning after a caller reported they found a woman’s body a woman who was reported missing from Eustis LCSO detectives are working the investigation as a potential homicide pending information from the Medical Examiner’s Office Islam was reported missing to EPD by her daughter Friday morning and detectives and a crime scene investigator were at Shell Islam was at the store visiting with her daughter “She walked out of the store and never came back ,” Capri said Video surveillance showed Islam walking out of the store but did not capture any potential suspects Islam’s body was found a short time later but the exact time was not available at press time If you have information on Islam’s disappearance Crimeline callers may be eligible for a reward Previous story: Deputies conducting death investigation near Mount Dora; Eustis police working missing person case, unconfirmed if cases are related – Inside Lake Copyright © 2025 Inside Lake | Powered by Compass Creative Group A famous stunt pilot died after crashing his custom-built experimental aircraft at Joint Base Langley-Eustis on Thursday just days before he was scheduled to perform during an air show at the Virginia military installation a multicompetition-winning aerobatic pilot who had performed in front of millions of audience members according to a post on his company's Facebook page He was scheduled to perform at the Air Power over Hampton Roads air show this upcoming weekend "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I am sharing that Rob Holland lost his life today in an accident," the post on his company's Facebook page said "Rob was one of the most respected and inspiring aerobatic pilots in aviation history." Read Next: Fort Cavazos Soldier Gets Life in Prison After Horrific String of Attacks on Female Troops in Barracks told reporters Thursday that the crash occurred around 11:30 a.m local time during final approach to the base's runway ahead of the air show "Tragically, in that loss, we lost a great friend to the Air Force," Altman said "On behalf of all of Joint Base Langley-Eustis Altman told reporters in a follow-up press conference Friday that the Air Power over Hampton Roads show this weekend would still be going on as planned "I've always had a deep respect for those who fly I've gained even more of a tremendous appreciation for the aviators and professionals that orchestrate these air shows and the air show community," Altman said "Based on consultation and their strong recommendation consultation with the NTSB and our team's preparedness to execute a safe air show National Transportation Safety Board Air Safety Investigator Daniel Boggs told reporters during that same press conference on Friday that an investigation is ongoing into how the pilot lost control during landing and crashed on terrain between the taxiway and one of the runways at the military base single-engine MSX experimental aircraft that was "specifically built and designed for air shows," adding that it had nearly double the horsepower of a typical plane its size The pilot was coming in for a standard landing and was not performing any acrobatic functions at the time of the crash A final report into the cause of the crash is expected within 12 to 18 months a six-time World 4-minute freestyle champion Aerobatic Team Member and a 2015 World Air Games Freestyle Gold Medalist president of the International Council of Air Shows told Military.com in an interview that Holland was a legendary member of the air show community and we were all very fortunate to be able to watch him perform for these last 25 years or so," Cudahy said "He was sort of the personification of professionalism just amazing attention to detail as far as safety and his own practice and preparation." Related: Do Air Shows Really Help Military Readiness and Recruiting? Congress Plans to Find Out. A small boat believed to be carrying migrants capsized off San Diego's coast and left three people dead and four injured.. President Donald Trump wants to convert Alcatraz back into a federal prison decades after the California island fortress was.. An Israeli plan to seize the Gaza Strip and expand the military operation has alarmed many in the region Cities from London to Moscow will be awash with parades flyovers and memorials this week as the world marks the 80th.. a former Fox News host and National Guardsman has attempted to reframe the role of the.. Amid a downsizing campaign that’s poised to overhaul streamline and — in some cases — eradicate bedrock federal agencies.. It's time to get back in step with the veteran community -- not with fanfare Juan Gabriel Orona-Rodriguez is charged with one count each of distribution and possession with intent to.. 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Visit our Customer Support center for solutions or to contact us WASHINGTON — A pilot was killed Thursday while attempting to land a civilian aircraft at Joint Base Langley-Eustis when the aircraft landed in preparation for the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show scheduled for the weekend The pilot was the only person on board the aircraft and died as a result of the crash The name of the pilot is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification the official Facebook page of aerobatic pilot Rob Holland posted that he was the person who died in the crash at the base we lost a friend of our Air Force family,” said Col I want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this incredible aviator.” The National Transportation Safety Board said in a post on X that it is investigating the crash of an experimental “MX Aircraft MXS” near Hampton The Australian company specializes in sport The airshow is scheduled at the base for Saturday and Sunday The base is composed of the Army’s Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base which sits near the southwestern edge of the Chesapeake Bay The installation is home to squadrons of F-22 Raptor fighter jets One of them shot down a Chinese spy balloon over the Atlantic Ocean in 2023 The Associated Press contributed to this report Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is in unincorporated Mount Dora conducting a “death investigation” regarding a deceased adult Multiple tipsters reached out to Inside Lake about the large law enforcement presence near Scenic Hills Drive and Wolf Branch Road Limited information was released late Friday morning “The scene is secure and there is no danger to the public,” Martin said “It doesn’t appear to be a result of natural cause Detectives are on scene trying to gather more information.” There is also a large law enforcement presence at Shell Eustis; Inside Lake reached out to Eustis Police Department Chief Craig Capri and he would not confirm if the two scenes are related “We are working a missing person case and it’s a fluid and active investigation I can’t confirm at this time if they are related,” Capri told Inside Lake This website is unavailable in your location It appears you are attempting to access this website from a country outside of the United States therefore access cannot be granted at this time WAVY.com A local farm needs help picking their strawberries the city of Virginia Beach experienced a tragedy when police officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese were shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop A dispatcher who was working that night spoke with 10 On Your Side about the moment the call came in A Chesapeake family is thanking the community after getting support following a house fire last month dispatchers received reports of a house on fire off of Country Mill Run Road at approximately 12:10 p.m Moyock Fire Department and Navy Regional also responded to help with water supply and fire extinguishment two recent child drownings in Chesapeake remind all of us that water safety should be top of mind A bill concerning Flock cameras and the data they hold was just signed into law by Virginia Gov The law is meant to regulate the data and add restrictions How loved ones spend their last days in Medicare and Medicaid supported facilities is top of mind for local members of Congress who represents voters in Virginia's first congressional district said he went through this with his parents Newport News police responded to a home on Cedar Avenue and found a toddler unconscious on a mattress with paramedics arriving soon after and pronouncing him dead before medical efforts could be made Zai-Twond Perry was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and felony child abuse the father's side of the family of 20-month-old Khaza Lindsay-Holliday has been in an uphill battle to get answers about what happened to him Fla.—A Eustis man was killed while riding a bicycle when he swerved in front of a pickup truck Sunday a 61-year-old Leesburg man was driving a 2020 Toyota Tacoma southbound on County Road 473 near Fountain Lake Boulevard in the Bassville Park area of Leesburg when a 69-year-old man riding a bicycle northbound in the southbound lane and the Eustis man was pronounced deceased on the scene This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — Many residents in Eustis are wondering why dead fish are turning up around the shore of Lake Eustis Hundreds of fish are creating a stench is some places making some wonder what might be killing off the animals Eustis Lake resident Daniel Whitlow has been using a net to remove the dead fish from his waterfront property “I would say 80% of the kill I see is baby bluegills,” Whitlow said Whitlow says the fish have been turning up everywhere and wonder if the recent algae bloom is the cause “It’s probably five days ago they sprayed for hydrilla I went to the fishing store and talked to them And they said they would never put anything in these lakes that would ever harm them,” said Whitlow Florida Fish and Wildlife is investigating the fish kill on lake Eustis and released this statement: and we thank the public for reporting these events."  Lake Eustis Chamber of Commerce CEO Marie Aliberti says she remembers previous fish kills occurring But this is more than normal,” said Aliberti Florida Fish and Wildlife plans to get the test results back early next week and share their findings Sarah Eustis is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Main Street Hospitality 5000 List of fastest Growing Companies in 2023 and has become a leader in the independent hospitality industry in less than ten years Sarah’s career has spanned three decades and has included leadership roles at some of the most prestigious apparel companies in the world she led significant turnarounds and the repositioning of successful brands generating growth of mature brands through innovative extensions and expansion into new markets Sarah was able to synergize creative innovation and analytic and bottom-line driven processes to yield exceptional results This skill became a strength and a signature during this period and remains a key element of her effectiveness as a leader and entrepreneur Sarah returned from her executive role at Etam in France to lead the third generation of her family’s hospitality business she has strengthened the family ethos of conscious operations enabled a successful transfer of ownership and leadership to the third generation and managed bottom line performance in all aspects of the businesses Sarah’s core strategic leadership skills include mergers and acquisitions cash flow and profit & loss management family and generational transition/ownership of businesses Connect on LinkedIn A certified therapy dog from USO Fort Eustis in Newport News that can be counted on to provide emotional support to service members and their families was named the USO’s Canine Volunteer of the Year The best part is she doesn’t care about any awards or anything The only thing she needs from me is to get her from point A to point B who is a nurse for Semper Fi & America’s Fund Leader’s nomination by USO Fort Eustis came as a surprise to Zimmerman who didn’t know until her dog was among the top 10 contenders She said any of the nominated dogs would have been equally deserving and are a good representation of what therapy dogs can do “Everyone at Fort Eustis is over the moon excited that Leader won I can’t think of anybody else who deserves this more than Renice and Leader,” said Nikki Jones center operations specialist at USO Fort Eustis Leader and Zimmerman have contributed over 130 volunteer hours with the USO’s Canine Program at Fort Eustis since August 2023 More than 100 USO canine volunteers collectively contributed over 5,000 volunteer hours in 2024 we do our best to be there,” Zimmerman said Zimmerman said Leader “has a knack” for picking out people who need her the most She has the ability to connect with people of all ages — but especially with children “She [Leader] really connects and looks at people so they feel noticed,” she said “She just has that ability to make everybody feel important If I take her and drop her leash when she’s in a room she’ll literally go from person to person and say hello all on her own But she’ll sit and hang out with somebody that she feels needs more from her.” Mutts with a Mission and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors “Renice and Leader do so much more outside of the USO which just shows the dedication that Renice specifically has toward our service members with all the different groups that she volunteers with,” Jones said her volunteer work with Leader is a way to continue staying connected with the military community after serving in the Army and becoming a Gold Star spouse in 2006 From having an active-duty spouse to being a widow The military is a major part of my life,” Zimmerman said Leader and Zimmerman will continue volunteering with the USO Canine Program in the future Zimmerman has an 8-month-old puppy in training who she plans to also certify as a therapy dog Follow along at High School On SI for live updates throughout the afternoon to see who will be representing in the Class 4A championship game on Thursday Eustis has returned to the Final Four for the first time since 2008 Gibbs is back in the Final Four for the second consecutive season (Keep refreshing page for live game updates) The Class 4A boys basketball semifinal between Eustis and Gibbs will tip-off at 7:02 p.m O'Neal Delancy (Gibbs) gets the scoring started.. Cornelius Hines (Eustis) answers right back to put the Panthers on the board.. Gibbs leading 11-8 with 4:29 left in the opening quarter Gibbs leading 20-18 with 7:17 left in the half 29-28 Gladiators with 1:31 remaining in the half Eustis 50: Gibbs advances to the Class 4A Championship Game against Stranahan on Thursday at 7:00 p.m ROSS VAN DE GRIEKRoss Van De Griek has been a high school sports writer covering the state of Florida since 2021 Ross also has been scouting high school basketball and Grassroots Basketball across the Southeast Region since 2022 Ross has been covering basketball and recruiting for High School on SI since August 2024 and On The Radar Hoops throughout his scouting career You can follow him on X @rossvdg14 or reach him via email rossvdg14@gmail.com for story ideas © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER EUSTIS, Fla. – Looking for a berry good time? Amber Brooke Farms in Eustis will celebrate springtime with its annual blueberry festival “Enjoy a day filled with U-Pick blueberries, delicious farm-fresh treats, live music, family-friendly activities, and more. Whether you’re a blueberry lover or a foodie, we got you covered!” the event’s website reads Here are some scheduled activities to enjoy each festival day: There will be a variety of activities for the family Parking is complimentary and admission tickets are available online for a discounted rate. Click here to learn more festivals and more by signing up for our Central Florida Happenings newsletter Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021 She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday An official website of the United States government Latest Earthquakes Geological Survey is pleased to announce the selection of Christine Eustis as the new Associate Director (AD) for the Office of Communications and Publishing (OCAP) Christine Eustis has been named the Associate Director (AD) for the Office of Communications and Publishing (OCAP) and scientific publishing activities at the USGS She will be responsible for developing and implementing the USGS’s outreach and communication strategies for external audiences and customers and for engagement strategies and publishing functions within the USGS Eustis has been acting in the AD role for OCAP since July She has more than 28 years of science communication experience.  she served in several communication leadership roles at the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service including as the Deputy Assistant Director for the Office of External Affairs and the Chief of Congressional and Legislative Affairs.  Eustis started her federal career as a Presidential Management Fellow for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and spent a year with the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee working on the Endangered Species Act reauthorization.  LAKE COUNTY – People living on Lake Eustis are asking questions after fish started dying and washing up along their shorelines After receiving a tip about the dead fish from a viewer News 6 decided to head up to Eustis and talk to people who live on the lake The people we spoke to said they had never seen anything like this and even though she has seen the dead fish floating around her family’s dock for the last couple of days Amber said she first noticed something was off when she went fishing on Friday [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] maybe they just dropped their bait off into the water.’ No bites Amber said that over the last couple of days the number of fish washing up has increased “I started noticing the fish washing up on the shoreline on Saturday,” Amber said Amber as well as other neighbors said they’ve spoken with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about the fish kill and then they told me that they collected some samples of the water and then some samples of the fish and to get them tested and they didn’t have a word yet on what’s going on,” Amber said Johns River Water Management said it is aware of the reported fish kill “We expect to have more information once FWC completes its analysis of the samples,” the agency said News 6 also reached out to the Florida Department of Health but they were closed for the New Year’s holiday and Lake County for any additional details and will report them as soon as they become available Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved This work, 18th Airborne Corps Brigade Separates Best Squad Competition 2025 Kicks Off at Fort Eustis, by SPC Andrew Clark, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright Editor's note: One Thirteen Coffeehouse is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m An earlier version of this story listed incorrect hours EUSTIS — Rae and Daniel Chimento have opened a new cafe in downtown Eustis and word of mouth has been pretty favorable so far The owners of One Thirteen Coffeehouse say they want their cafe to be known as the place "where love community and conversations brew together." "Our name comes from the numerical of the building but also from our founding scriptures in 1 Corinthians 13 "We offer coffee with a purpose," she added, "from Palate Coffee roasters out of Sanford whose aim is to help end human trafficking my husband is a 23-year veteran of Lake County Fire and is still active." Co-owner Daniel is a special operations firefighter and EMT with Lake County Fire Rescue Rae emphasizes that One Thirteen Coffeehouse is a family run business which she not only operates with her husband but also with their youngest daughter Camryn "She is a senior at First Academy in Leesburg," Rae shared about Camryn adding that the family's space serves pastries from a local pastry baker and chicken salad croissants made from her own recipe heavy wooden bench seating and tables team up with cream-colored sofa seating Sleek iron lighting illuminates the coffeehouse One Thirteen is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m and the space is available as a rental Sunday-Tuesday for private hourly rentals "My family had our first taste of One Thirteen Coffeehouse this morning and it was a wonderful experience!" said one reviewer on Facebook "The Cappuccino was one of the best I’ve ever had and the Dulce De Leche Pastry was so yummy!" Rae professes that they're "not just a grab-and-go spot we want you to sip She said they don't want to be like the coffee chains that favor trendy concoctions over meticulous brewing and full-bodied flavor there will be seasonal brews that add a little variety with handcrafted drinks perfected just for you We’ll let the competitors chase the wild side of coffee while we focus on what truly matters flavor One Thirteen Coffeehouse is located at 113 N Eustis; call 352-455-2276 or email 113Coffeehouse@gmail.com for more information (This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) I woke up excited. It was the first day of school, August 31, 1965, and from my bedroom windows I could see orange groves on two sides and Eustis High School across the street In just a couple of hours I’d begin my first day as an eighth grader in this typical small-town Florida high school More than a decade after the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v I was set to head to class when someone knocked at our front door I opened it to find a Black boy about my age on our doorstep The boy was impeccably dressed and carried a small satchel His mother nudged him forward and introduced him as Kenneth Broomfield accompanying him to school on his first day at Eustis High Maybe it was simply because we lived across the street Broomfield knew at least a little about our family Like most white folks with an average income or above our family hired a Black woman to help around the house was a feisty woman who would later become the head of the local NAACP She would also be the first maid in Eustis to be given time off for vacation whether at her urging or on my father’s initiative the word about this benefit spread quickly in the Black community and over the next few days my father fielded a series of angry phone calls from prominent white residents each one taking him to task for raising the expectations of the help were insisting that their employers meet my father’s offer A particularly stark reminder of this divide in the white community had come during the 1960 presidential race between John F When I told a close friend that my parents were planning to vote for JFK he responded: “Only (n-word) lovers are for Kennedy.” when our sixth-grade class learned of Kennedy’s assassination while the girls in the classroom were in tears was a bastion of the Jim Crow South would be an understatement Lake County had a reputation for racial intolerance due in no small measure to the long-serving sheriff whose abuse of the African-American population landed him on the pages of Life magazine and between the covers of "Devil in the Grove," Gilbert King’s Pulitzer-Prize winning book on racial injustice in Central Florida But if Sheriff McCall was the brutal enforcer of the norms of segregation all of us in the white community participated in the everyday folkways that separated the two races we all understood that white women like my mother could chauffeur our maid home but only if the maid sat in the back seat instead of the front And while white children could eat with the Black help at the kitchen table Jim Crow did not prevent the two races from working side by side in white homes and in the fields; in fact my grandfather in this period worked alongside African-Americans picking citrus But where people slept was a different matter Eustis had two Colored Towns reserved for African-Americans one a small warren of streets on the west side of town near the railroad tracks and the other a larger collection of houses and a small Black business district on the north side of town in areas known as “Egypt” and “East Town.” Until the mid-1960s it was here that most African-Americans in my hometown resided and were educated – in the case of older kids Although there was no formal boundary separating white and Black residential areas the dividing line was obvious: streets in the white sections of town were paved while Colored Town had dirt roads all contact between the races in the neighborhoods bordering both communities A few months before Eustis High School was due to integrate a few of us gathered at Lukey Grinstead’s house within sight of the tiny Black business district and started to play pick-up football in the lot behind his place A group of African-American boys our age approached and asked to join the game we divided into Black and white teams and played a game that we all understood was testing the limits of Jim Crow a time when sports competition between the races was taboo in our part of the world and the local public pool had closed down rather than integrate I don’t remember who won that football game but I do recall the rush that I felt from breaking our own color barrier The years leading up to school integration created something of a frenzy The most visible public displays of resistance to what most local whites considered the unwelcome federal dictates on the mixing of the races occurred on Friday nights in the fall the all-white crowd in the stands listened respectfully as Mr Kinney led the band in the Star-Spangled Banner while some waved the Confederate battle flag the drum section would begin the familiar roll that led into a boisterous rendition of Dixie It’s not clear exactly when sports in the South became tied so closely to these regional symbols and rituals, but football fans my age remember when the Florida Gators championed the Lost Cause while playing Penn State in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville in 1962 just as pressures to integrate public schools were building in Florida the Gators affixed rebel flags to their helmets and the University of Florida band led the team onto the field playing Dixie Writing about the Gators’ upset win against a long de-segregated Penn State team a journalist from the Tampa Tribune wrote that “Angry Confederate flags glistening from their helmets routed Pennsylvanians like no one since Bull Run….” it’s hard to describe the emotions that overcame many of us in the white community as we observed these acts of defiance and social solidarity I was so carried away one fall Friday evening that I accompanied an older high school student as he circled the football field with a rebel flag while Dixie was played getting caught up in this delirium was not so much about making a statement on the issues of the day whether race or states’ rights or Southern sectionalism but engaging in a ritual that made us feel part of something bigger and edgier than our ordinary small-town lives Waving the battle flag and singing Dixie were also ways of turning the Civil Rights Movement on its head by encouraging a view of white Southerners as the victims a strategy championed by George Wallace and other southern politicians of this era whose race-based populism resonated among the most vulnerable and impressionable members of white society resistance to school integration was about racial prejudice Late one afternoon in my seventh-grade year Coach Smith asked all of us on the junior high school football team to assemble in the locker room The announcement gave me a sense of foreboding The last time this happened he had brought the team together to make an example of me Wearing his trademark shorts and white t-shirt and with pomade in his hair and a freshly-shaven face that always seemed to glisten from after-shave he stepped out of the coaches’ office to berate me in front of my peers My offense was getting out of practice for what he considered to be the flimsiest of excuses – my doctor had told me not to play football until the second-degree infection on my leg had healed Coach Smith had a very different message: he was announcing his resignation he explained that he was resigning on a matter of principle With Eustis High School due to integrate the next school year he said that he could not in good conscience coach Black students but to leave his position at Eustis High for a coaching job at an all-white Christian academy in Brevard County Coach Smith made his announcement with a solemnity and sanctimony that I had only encountered before in church and I left the locker room both relieved that he wouldn’t return to torment me and confused by why he found the prospect of coaching Black students so objectionable and my own doubts about how a truly integrated society would function in my deeply divided hometown as a 12-year-old boy I was more than a little excited about the prospect of being part of a social experiment like few others in American history this experiment was to have a very modest beginning – only four Black students were due to start at Eustis High School that fall Little did I know that one of them would show up at my door on opening day When she came to the threshold and heard Mrs Broomfield repeat her request that I walk with her son to school I don’t know exactly what she was thinking at that moment but I do remember that it didn’t take her long to say When I looked back at her I saw a panicked expression on her face the panic of a mother who couldn’t fathom that someone would try to enlist her eldest son in a fight that she didn’t consider our own No doubt my mother’s reaction reflected in part a discomfort with what was for her generation of Southerners the novel idea of Black and white children studying and playing together She also knew that in the minds of many whites there was only one thing more dangerous to the existing order than Blacks who didn’t know their place: the white “do-gooder,” a seemingly innocuous term that in this place and time had a special sting of opprobrium But her reaction also revealed her own vulnerabilities as a divorced mother of four with no means of support – several years earlier my father had left the house and gone bankrupt My mother suddenly found herself in a position that was both socially and financially precarious While she depended on the generosity of relatives for an income she relied on a circle of friends to maintain her position in what might be termed polite society She understood intuitively that her continued acceptance by this community would have been threatened by allowing her son to befriend a Black boy And so Ken Broomfield walked alone into the halls of Eustis High School on opening day as did his three Black classmates – Gessner Martin As they approached the entrance to the aging two-story school some white students were hanging out the second-floor windows the taunting and petty acts of aggression gradually faded but not the social isolation that these four Black students experienced Even those of us who did not wish them ill tended to limit our contact to a quick hello in the hallway or the occasional pleasantry in class At least for the first months of this trying year no white student was willing to sit with them in the cafeteria the daily challenges of integration for these four Black students did not end with the last bell of the school day The boys playing sports faced abuse from some of their teammates the long walk home alone through white neighborhoods surrounding Lake Gracie left particularly painful memories as did the times that her father picked her up from school only to be pulled over by Eustis police apparently intent on sending a message to a Black family that dared to challenge Jim Crow Coming exactly a century after the end of the Civil War this treatment is not what these kids or their families in Eustis Florida deserved – or what the other African-American kids and families integrating schools in countless other towns and cities across the country deserved – but it is the hand that history dealt them Only with the passing of time did those of us in the white community who were witnesses to these events come to appreciate the sacrifices that these students made for all of us They were the unheralded child freedom fighters of the Civil Rights Movement whose names and stories should be celebrated for their contributions to the righting of one of the country’s most insidious wrongs Interviewed many years after this fateful day in 1965 Ken Broomfield’s mother may have said it best: “Integration came Thank God for the children who weathered the storm.” was the first Black person to complete the ROTC program at Florida A&M University and was commissioned as a Naval officer Gessner (Martin) Harris became a federal civil servant where one of her assignments was to brief Gen Tyrone Ware became an engineer and the first Black professional employee of the Florida Department of Transportation is a professor emeritus of political science at Stetson University he also taught in the areas of ethnicity and politics and American populism In their first region finals since 2007, the Atlantic Sharks fell just short on the road against top-seeded Eustis 56-50 The loss dropped them from the Region 2-4A bracket 2 seed after winning a district championship earlier this month Atlantic jumped to a 17-9 lead in the first quarter before Eustis flipped things with a 22-7 second quarter Watch Florida regional basketball games on NFHS Network The Sharks pulled the margin back to one basket by the end of the third quarter The Panthers entered the final period with a 43-41 lead Eustis locked down the victory by outscoring Atlantic 13-9 thus booking a trip to the state final four The Sharks closed their season with a 22-8 record the most wins and highest state ranking (97th) of any Volusia-Flagler boys squad It reached the region finals by beating Tavares and North Marion in the first two rounds New Smyrna Beach’s girls club is the only area basketball team remaining in the playoffs It will play its region final Friday night We occasionally recommend interesting products and services If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently – A suspect was taken into custody Saturday following a shooting that left three people hurt the prior night in Eustis to a shooting reported out of the 600 block of Kensington Street the Eustis Police Department said in a news release Out of three gunshot victims located at the scene one of them was struck by fragmentation and suffered minor injuries another victim was struck in her upper-right leg and was taken to Waterman Hospital and a third victim who had been shot multiple times was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition adding it’s believed he’s going to make it A warrant was issued for the suspect — Gary Davis 46 — who was taken into custody on Saturday discharging a firearm in public and three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon According to Eustis police Chief Craig Capri Davis got out of a car and “came right up with the gun” before the shooting describing the victim who was airlifted as Davis’ alleged target was the target,” Capri said at a news conference “(...) You have other people that are just there at the location and you got somebody firing into a crowd; unfortunately Note: This map depicts the general area of this shooting and not necessarily its exact location joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021 The stretch of Eustis Street in Lauderdale between Larpenteur and Hoyt avenues is scheduled for repaving this coming summer with a sidewalk planned for the east side from Hoyt to Idaho Avenue Temporary traffic lights at the intersection of Eustis and Larpenteur will likely limit turns for vehicles and cause traffic disruptions on nearby streets for six to eight weeks during construction Lauderdale and Ramsey County staff have been planning the project for more than two years including extensive negotiations over payment and ongoing maintenance County officials initially attempted to persuade Lauderdale to assume ownership of the stretch but the city rejected that request as too costly given its limited budget The county then reduced the scope of the work and proposed charging the city some $600,000 citing the city’s ownership of Eustis north of Larpenteur which is affected by work at that intersection by various state and county policies for charging cities for road work Lauderdale staff and city council members negotiated that figure down to about $185,000 During a 45-minute discussion at its regular meeting on Nov the council expressed frustration that cities under 5,000 population do not qualify for the state street maintenance aid that larger cities receive will extend the sidewalk that stops at the city boundary north of Como Avenue although not all the way up the hill as some residents had hoped It will address some drainage problems around the apartment buildings on the east side of Eustis and will improve the intersection at Eustis and Larpenteur to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Lauderdale Administrator Heather Butkowski said there will be “a lot of utility work” in the area around the roadway in addition to the road construction Butkowski clarified the state aid issue for the Bugle in early December “Cities over 5,000 (in population) get somewhere around $40-$60 per capita annually for road improvements,” Butkowski said “There is no reason residents of smaller cities should pay more for street repairs than larger city residents.” council members expressed interest in asking the county to partner with them in seeking to eliminate the state’s disparity in street aid They also aired annoyance with what they felt was disrespect from the county “It sticks in my craw,” said council member Evan Sayre “[The county] just dictates these policies.” “I struggle with the contemptuous tone” from the county “I think this project is going to be in the best interest of our citizens.”  Anne Holzman is a freelance writer who covers Lauderdale government news for the Bugle Photo cutline: A stretch of Eustis Street in Lauderdale is scheduled for construction this coming summer and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" DONATE to the BUGLE RECEIVE our print edition by mail FIND our print edition near Park Bugle ARCHIVES (1974-2025) SUBMIT your event Here are our Bugle deadlines for the next three issues we appreciate when writers and readers submit their articles early Please note our publication dates represent when the newspapers go out for delivery Mail distribution of the paper may take up to several business days bulk drop-offs of the paper around town are usually completed two to three days after publication SUBMIT your story a 69-year-old man from Leesburg fatally struck a pedestrian while driving eastbound on County Road 44 toward Cypress Drive in a 2015 Ford Focus according to a Florida Highway Patrol News release It remains unclear why the 40-year-old woman from Wildwood would cross the road near the Florida Food Products plant and Eustis residences many hours after most businesses are closed for the evening and about 45 minutes from the address listed on her driver's license "For unknown reasons," the FHP release says She was transferred to Leesburg Regional Medical Center and pronounced deceased The FHP news releases do not include the names of people involved in crashes Leesburg-News.com Three women were killed and one was critically injured in a rollover crash in the wee hours Sunday morning in Lake County A 30-year-old Mount Dora woman was at the wheel of a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee at 3:16 a.m on State Road 19 at Florian Lane south of Howey-in-the-Hills when she failed to negotiate a left curve and ran off the road according to an accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol The vehicle struck a pole and overturned several times The driver and one of the passengers were pronounced dead at the scene Two passengers were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center a 26-year-old Eustis woman was in critical condition Sunday morning The other passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital The two deceased passengers were identified as a 32-year-old Eustis woman and a 28-year-old Eustis woman – The City of Eustis kicked off its 123rd Georgefest on Friday Georgefest is the longest-running celebration of George Washington’s birthday in the state and it’s also the longest-running celebration of its kind in the United States Eustis Vice Mayor Gary Ashcraft said it didn’t always start out as a celebration for George Washington’s birthday it was actually a celebration for the snowbirds and the visitors that would live down here for four months,” Ashcraft said Ashcraft said the festival originally started as a way to thank tourists for visiting Eustis “It was during that time that they had this big parade and a nice thank you for them,” Ashcraft said “Because Eustis actually early was big on tourism they transitioned over to being a celebration around Presidents Day and George Washington’s birthday.” Ashcraft said the festival has grown over the years we are at a week-long celebration,” Ashcraft said Eustis Mayor Willie Hawkins said Georgefest is great for the local economy “We have people from all over Central Florida that come here just for this,” Hawkins said it’s great for all of our local businesses We even have spillover into our neighbor Mount Dora and Tavares One of the businesses benefitting from Georgefest is Magnolia Breeze in downtown Eustis This is the restaurant’s first Georgefest after opening up three months ago “It’s nice because they do bring us business and like people that don’t usually come to Eustis and they usually end up coming back,” said Kendal Belton Georgefest kicked off on Friday and runs through Saturday Hawkins said that during the parade on Feb the city will attempt to break the world record for the most people wearing a tri-corner hat at once during the parade Hats will be given away for free to people participating in the world record attempt For a full list of events for Georgefest 2025, click here Skip the diet this weekend and go hog wild at the Blues B-Q and Taste of Lake in Leesburg It's also your last chance to attend Eustis' big event of the year get in touch with Lake County's natural side with a side of food trucks and shopping at the Eco Expo in Groveland Indulge in some of the best fare served by Lake County-area restaurants and other businesses at a delicious annual expo hosted by the Leesburg Area Chamber of Commerce Eateries compete for the best of the best in categories like Best Entree you can "stroll through our beer garden and try a variety of local craft beers check out local businesses and enjoy a night of community connections." Register to attend at members.leesburgchamber.com/events/details/7th-annual-taste-of-lake-11047 Eustis commemorates George Washington’s birthday during its weeklong annual fete Georgefest The family-friendly celebration is the longest-running celebration of George Washington’s birthday in Florida and the most enduring in our nation the 123rd Annual Georgefest Parade will take to the streets at 10 a.m.-noon beginning at the intersection of Bay Street and Norton Avenue heading north on Bay Street in the southbound lanes For more information on the carnival, wristbands, and operating times and other GeorgeFest entertainment, call 352-357-3434 or email assistant@eustischamber.com. More details: eustisgeorgefest.org 22 | 2025 Lake County Eco Expo in GrovelandExplore learn and celebrate nature at Lake David Park in Groveland and conservation groups.Watch a film festival and get free family photos taken Get up close to some of Florida’s wildlife and bring your appetite for food trucks and farmers' market (open until 1 p.m.) Admission is free Street parking can be found downtown or near the Farmer's Market at Crittenden Street The city of Leesburg grills up a sizzling good time at Blues & Q on Saturday Along with mouthwatering barbecue meats and other items for purchase from food trucks you can enjoy live music from David Julia Band Andrew Williams Band and Dale Bandy & the Blue Cans The event also features the Street Dreams Cruisin' classic car show and free admission to enjoy it all Details: SpecialEvents@LeesburgFlorida.gov March 6 | Lewis BlackIrascible but lovable comedian Lewis Black has endeared fans with his cleverly rendered dispenses of outrage Catch the two-time Grammy award-winning performer and writer on his "Goodbye Yeller Brick Road Tour" in The Villages on Thursday Email details and photos to news@dailycommercial.com Life and art can offer compelling and undulating textures The opening of her new studio in downtown Eustis marks a new chapter in Batson's career and celebrates her perseverance Before taking on the full-time role of a professional fine artist almost a decade ago Batson channeled her creativity into her work as a marketing director for her family’s greenhouse business producing graphics and other communication Since 2017, the Eustis resident has been making a living as an artist and now does business as KBatsonArt (see her works at kbatsonart.com) she occupied a space as an artist in residence at the Leesburg Center for the Arts "My time at the Leesburg Center for the Arts allowed me space to do some experimenting with oil and cold wax that I didn't have in my local studio," she told the Daily Commercial "I had time there to play and learn while doing." The center, she reminded us, went through a period of upheaval while she was there, when "a wonderful guy," Richard Colvin, took over as director "Richard was one of the first people to critique my work when I came out of the garage to show my work locally," she reminisced "so I was super excited to see the direction he would take the LCFA I was distracted due to a family health issue It left me without the necessary time to dedicate to the Center as a resident artist should in November 2023 I moved from the space and literally my daughter got the call for her liver transplant Richard found a wonderful watercolor artist to fill the space Good news: Batson's daughter is on the mend Her one-year anniversary was December 15th Batson is ready to get seriously back to work and a little voice keeps telling her something "I keep hearing 'retreat and create.' Not sure what that will bring Batson's first solo brick-and-mortar studio can be found in a charming nook locals know as McCulloch's Alley and her opening celebration coincides with Eustis' First Friday-April 2025 celebration "My new spot in downtown Eustis is absolutely a dream come true!" Batson proclaimed "This space overlooks a brand new coffeehouse that has just opened Hoping that will generate some interest in what's happening up there The space has a wonderful energy to it and it is more than twice the space I'm used to It will allow me to invite visitors in regularly to see my completed work and what I'm working on I plan on doing an open house during each First Friday event monthly and the Eustis Wine Walks as they happen." The Lake County-based painter hopes to partner with other downtown businesses but I've decided it is time to stay closer to home to help drive some much-needed traffic to our area as the city works hard to beautify it It's time to bring art enthusiasts to me instead of the other way around "There are layers and layers of textures in our world if we would only stop long enough to see them Those textures and layers are what I strive to show the viewer."   Her paintings transcend mere decorative wall hangings but are also pleasing to look at and accent a room She has experimented with technique and texture Some paintings appear like a horizon through a half-dreaming gaze “I’ve discovered I paint from a place of emotion that I must share with the viewer,” Batson says in her artist statement adding that she wants to elicit a “flashback to a memory For those who question anything that isn't literal think of her approach this way: Batson likes to paint what she describes as “glimpses of memory all using many layers of transparent paint and making marks into the paint." the Alabama native is anything but pretentious she is as down to earth as much as her works appear otherworldly Though she's not crazy about the self-promotion aspects of her profession she enjoys talking about her process in a descriptive but conversational She delights in telling us that it was created using acrylic paints and acrylic gel medium to create a heavy 3-D look in her works "Each piece begins with a base layer of texture and color wash and is added to layer by layer," she explained "Each application of paint changes the piece There's always something new with each layer and decisions to make about what to do next They are about what happens when you add water add alcohol and then reacting to that change." she paints with a sense of recognition from her mind's eye 'Gilded Wildflowers' was never really complete until it received the gold-colored rub at the very end that homogenized the piece I had no idea that one act would make it a completed painting That gold rub changed everything that went before it." from her minimalist landscapes to the textured pieces in her new series are inspired by a love of nature and the textures around us The City of Eustis is excited to announce a world record attempt during this year’s Georgefest Parade at 10:30 a.m. As part of the festival’s “Out of This World” theme the city will attempt to break the current record for the largest gathering of people wearing tricorn hats a title held by The George Washington University  This world record attempt will be an exciting highlight of the festival as thousands of participants don their tricorn hats and join the parade in this one-of-a-kind celebration of history and fun With the theme “Out of This World” guiding this year’s festivities breaking a world record is the perfect way to make this year’s celebration feel truly extraordinary and memorable for all involved will volunteer their time to help us achieve this record-breaking moment They will be on hand to distribute tricorn hats and hype up the crowd from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. ensuring the energy is high and the excitement is contagious as the parade gets underway Tricorn hats will be handed out at the parade itself Simply show up and get your hat to participate in the world record attempt “Georgefest is always an exciting time for Eustis we’re taking it to the next level,” said Miranda Muir City of Eustis Events and Communications Director “Not only are we celebrating the history of George Washington and the spirit of community but we’re doing it in a way that’s truly out of this world Breaking this world record will be a thrilling and unforgettable moment for everyone involved.”  sailors and civilians during the time of George Washington Its distinctive three-cornered design has remained a lasting emblem of America’s revolutionary spirit the City of Eustis invites residents and visitors to join the parade wear their tricorn hats and be a part of this out-of-this-world experience live entertainment and more as the parade makes it downtown The parade will follow its traditional route through downtown Eustis where thousands of hat-wearers will gather to make history For more information about Georgefest, visit Eustis 123rd Annual Georgefest – Eustis FL The streets of Downtown Eustis came alive Saturday as thousands of residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the annual Georgefest Grand Parade part of the city’s weeklong Georgefest festivities bringing a festive atmosphere to the historic downtown area followed its traditional route north on Bay Street from Badger Avenue enjoying pre-parade strolling entertainment before the procession officially commenced and schools participated in the celebration showcasing creative floats and performances that delighted attendees of all ages “This year’s Georgefest Grand Parade was a tremendous success,” said Jamie Lanford Public Relations Manager of City of Eustis “We are thrilled to see such strong community participation and enthusiasm Events like this bring people together to celebrate our city’s history and spirit.” As the longest continually running celebration of George Washington’s Birthday Georgefest continues to honor the legacy of President George Washington while fostering community pride Traffic delays were expected throughout the downtown area due to road closures but city officials worked to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees Georgefest remains a cherished tradition in Eustis bringing joy and a sense of community to all who attend The festival’s enduring popularity is a testament to the city’s vibrant spirit and dedication to celebrating history and culture Get our Weekly Top Picks of Things to Do Around the Orlando Area One of our favorite ways to spend some time outdoors is at Amber Brooke Farms in Eustis My family and I have visited Amber Brooke Farms in Eustis multiple times and fun activities that we can experience at events throughout the year Located approximately 45 minutes from the heart of Orlando (or just 30 minutes from Lake County), Amber Brooke Farms is not your average u-pick farm While strawberry and blueberry season is a highlight The Fall Festival is one of our absolute favorites in the area the Winter Fest offers a chance to celebrate the season among the beauty of a real Florida farm Head to Amber Brooke Farms Eustis for their signature Strawberry Filled event each February This is an event that is ripe for your attendance Race down the slide hill with burlap sacks in hand let the kids mine for gems or practice their archery skills Amber Brooke Farms offers an array of activities that make it the perfect destination for family outings from late September through the entire month of October you can browse an adorable pumpkin patch and explore the crop maze There are tons of fall photo opportunities too When the holidays roll around head back to Amber Brooke Farms for a precious Winter Fest with the delicious Sip and Savor event not far behind And in the spring you can enjoy blueberry and strawberry festivals in May a sweet corn festival is hosted at the farm Each time we visit Amber Brooke Farms we have a blast exploring the farm's family-friendly attractions The slide hill with burlap sacks in hand is always a hit and usually the first thing that grabs our attention along with unique playgrounds are great for the kids to get some energy out offering endless entertainment before you even step into the flower or strawberry fields Plus during special events like the Sip and Savor Event and the Strawberry Festival providing a fun and friendly way to shoot at targets For ages 7 and older there is archery with a real bow and arrow The new archery activity is great for adults My husband amazed me with his unexpected archery skills Florida's strawberry season typically runs from December through March the farm's friendly crew will provide containers for your freshly picked strawberries The rows of strawberries come in different varieties and levels of sweetness making it a delightful experience for everyone Blueberry picking becomes available in March and usually lasts until May don't forget to capture some photos or videos against the backdrop of the picturesque scenery Once you've gathered your desired quantity where you'll be charged $4.95 per pound for the strawberries you've picked If you find yourself hungry during your visit Amber Brooke Farms has you covered with options like lunch Amber Brooke Farms has their own food trailers and often brings in local food trucks during busy weekends and events don't miss the opportunity to explore the farm's gift shop To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable visit There are also portable hand washing stations but bringing along your own hand sanitizer is helpful Most events require tickets usually starting at $15 so be sure to check the farm's calendar for details Keep in mind that Amber Brooke Farms is a cashless venue so be sure to have a debit or credit card for payments This local family business is so charming and relaxing Amber Brooke Farms is a year-round experience you won't want to miss Immerse yourself in a berry-filled wonderland at the annual Blueberry Festival savor the aroma of freshly baked blueberry cobbler and take part in the exhilarating blueberry activities and games Take part in blueberry centered activities and treats, face painting, and pick your own blueberries in our acres of blueberry fields. It's a two-weekend extravaganza of blueberry magic you won't want to miss creating sweet memories that last a lifetime Tickets are $15 when purchased online, and $18 when purchased at the gates.  Purchase online now for savings and a guaranteed spot We can't wait for the Sweet Corn Festival, we went during its debut in spring of 2024 and it was lots of fun. We met the Corn Mascot, enjoyed fresh picked sweet corn from the farm, and had a blast with the family activities. And usually early on in the corn season you can still pick your own blueberries in their acres of blueberry fields.  More info coming soon September – early November 2025 (to be confirmed soon)$15 – Saturday & Sunday (ages 3 and older) Everyone in Orlando jumps at the chance to celebrate fall is quickly as possible after surviving the summer the Fall Festival at Amber Brooke Farms Eustis is one of our favorite ways to welcome fall The sunflower fields are lovely this time of year Enjoy farm traditions like sliding down the hill so wear sunscreen and comfortable clothing Adorable photo opportunities are everywhere The most wonderful time of the year is even better on this beautiful farm walk in a winter wonderland with snow flurries and enjoy a sip of hot chocolate while listening to seasonal music And you can even pick your own strawberries and sunflowers in the fields ClausCome between the hours of 11am and 4pm on event days to see the Father of Christmas in his farm cottage Gourmet Hot ChocolateSip and savor unique flavors of hot chocolate at our Hot Chocolate Bar At Sip and Savor try your favorite craft brews and wines from local breweries and wineries and taste delectable dishes from various food vendors all admission tickets for guests 21 and up include a FREE wine/beer flight sampler which includes 3 2oz samples of your choice pours of beer and/or wine from local Central Florida brewers and wineries It’s a great way to support our local businesses and try some new sips and flavors We really liked the unique options from Orange County Brewers Admission to the event also includes access to food truck vendors fire pits and dozens of other farm activities for all ages the strawberry fields were ripe for the picking so we had no issue filling our bucket The food trucks had lots of variety — from lobster rolls and Puerto Rican food to açaí bowls and rolled ice cream (813) 949-4400info@datenightguide.com320 W The City of Eustis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have worked together to adjust the construction schedule for the ongoing safety and operational improvements on State Road 19 in response to concerns raised by the community about potential traffic disruptions during the upcoming Georgefest Parade Georgefest is the longest continuously running celebration of George Washington’s Birthday in the entire United States state attorney’s office saysJephson Seguin sentenced to 15 years in prisonLeah Sudhir EUSTIS, Fla. – A man has pleaded guilty to attempted sexual battery and attempted murder in a string of attacks out of Eustis in 2023 according to the State Attorney’s Office of Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit Jephson Seguin, 22, was arrested on multiple charges and tied to at least three attacks on women since April that year The most recent incident happened in June 2023 where a victim contacted the police department after she was attacked along Morningview Drive in Eustis a man wearing a surgical mask — later identified as Seguin — ran up behind the woman while she was walking groped her and then threw her on the ground When the victim yelled at him to let her go The victim told officers she heard gunshots a few moments after (PREVIOUS COVERAGE | STORY CONTINUES BELOW) they said they spotted a man in a pickup truck hiding behind the dash who matched the suspect’s physical description When police approached him, he fled and attempted to run over an officer, who then opened fire Home surveillance footage showed Seguin running from the attack location to his vehicle An arrest warrant for Seguin was issued and he was found two days later with a bullet wound He was hospitalized and admitted to being in the driver’s seat when he was shot Seguin was also accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was jogging at Country Club Road and Club Hills Drive in April 2023 and attacking another on May 1 Seguin was arrested to face charges of attempted sexual battery with force while wearing a mask attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a weapon while mearing a mask and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement He pleaded guilty to all three charges on Monday according to the Lake County Clerk of Court Seguin was sentenced to 15 years in prison — to be followed by an additional 15 years of sex offender probation — and has been designated as a sexual predator “The sense of security taken from this victim by this defendant and the crimes he committed after that are deserving of this 15-year sentence,” Walter Forgie More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter – As Eustis Elementary school celebrates 100 years the school is seeking input from parents and community members when it comes to upgrades “Aside from the incredible people inside the building it’s just charmful,” said Eustis Elementary School Principal Reanna Boardway “There’s so much history and so much charm inside the building that we’re excited for an upgrade Boardway said she wants to maintain the iconic front porch of the elementary school “I feel like when the community hears ‘Eustis Elementary,’ this is kind of like the first vision that pops into their head,” Boardway said one of the things that I want to see really maintain is this iconic (porch) like this is the first thing that you see.” Boardway said she feels the front porch of the school is important to the community and has also served as a backdrop for many class pictures throughout the school’s history The upgrade project aims to preserve the school’s charm while providing modern features Boardway said she would like to see a larger cafeteria to accommodate community and school events and they come and support us,” Boardway said This school is just — they don’t make them like this anymore.” New technology is also on the list of desired upgrades “Our school really wants to see more of the smartboards and some of the bigger interactive displays that students can actually get up and interact with their curriculum on the board,” Boardway said The Eustis Elementary project is unique for a couple of reasons It’s located in the middle of a residential neighborhood and Boardway said some of the students who currently attend the school have parents and grandparents who also attended Eustis Elementary She said hearing from the community and getting their input on the upgrades is a big part of this project it raised their grandkids — our assistant principal her grandkids went here — so I think there is no other way to do it than to have the community have a huge say in what the future of Eustis Elementary looks like.” Eustis Elementary will hold a community meeting on Thursday in the school’s cafeteria to gather thoughts and suggestions for the school’s upgrades You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: JBLE-EUSTIS — Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE-Eustis) the Natural Resources team plays a critical role in environmental stewardship taking care of more than 3,000 acres of land filled with diverse flora and fauna While many may associate military bases with defense operations fewer realize the significant conservation efforts in place that protect endangered species and vital ecosystems the Environmental Element chief for the 733rd Civil Engineering Squadron at JBLE-Eustis Watch: Sea turtles nest at Dam Neck under watchful eyes of NAS Oceana “Most people think of the military only in terms of combat and training But we also manage extensive natural areas," he told me Calder and his team of 15 dedicated professionals are responsible for overseeing all environmental programs on the installation This insight highlights how the team's military background enriches their approach to managing the natural resources critical for the military's operational success notes that JBLE's expansive land coverage plays a crucial role in conservation efforts it creates opportunities for the conservation and preservation of rare and endangered species," she explains Watch: Chesapeake Bay takes step forward for National Park designation military bases in the United States are home to 65 species that are either threatened or endangered Every day presents new challenges and opportunities The team engages in diverse conservation projects including shoreline restoration and the development of pollinator habitats A notable success story is the recovery of the wild turkey population which was reintroduced to the area in the 1990s Garcia advocates for an evidence-based approach to wildlife management reflecting the team's proactive stance on issues like controlling the deer population deer can pose traffic hazards and spread diseases "We are responsible for making sure that we help to conserve those populations," said Garcia even support and facilitate the recovery of those populations." Watch: TFC recycling centers work with residents to reduce impact on America Recycles Day Garcia expresses pride in her current role with the Air Force She sees it as an opportunity to support national security while contributing to the preservation of biodiversity "I want the bird song we hear today to be the same that my son's children hear in the future," she shared "I've always believed that to the extent that it's possible we should try to leave things better than we found them and that we should try to serve something larger than ourselves." To learn more about the critical environmental work being done at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, or to discover ways you can help manage local wildlife populations, you can check them out here