The City of Mascotte celebrated its second annual Cinco De Mayo festivities on Saturday During a time when the city is celebrating its Centennial birthday all year long the residents came together under the majestic oak trees on the civic center grounds to enjoy an afternoon filled with food flavors Mexican style dancing and music was provided by the Flamingo Dancers and Mariachi Nuevo Guadalajara performers while the youngsters enjoyed a kid size – foam safe hatchet throwing competition fit for a youngster The Kids Corner also provided free pinata fun for the children Age size opportunities made for a lot of fun for youngsters trying their luck at breaking the candy and treat filled decorations Brian Smith of Deeze Nuts snacks was the lucky winner of the Loteria games a traditional Mexican board game of chance but played with a deck of cards instead of numbered balls Each card has an image of an everyday object Each player has at least one board with a randomly created grid selected from the image cards but it was a great opportunity to share a little cultural lesson among the participants Mayor Steven Sheffield was pleased with the community’s attendance at the event “This is our second year with this family-friendly event and it will continue to grow as we learn and grow from the experience of each event,” says Mayor Sheffield The City of Mascotte recently hired a new Parks and Recreation Coordinator to assist in organizing and creating community events Wellington has an extensive background in youth programs and organizing volunteer activities for non-profit organizations The City of Mascotte has several community events planned throughout the year, including an upcoming car show in June to continue celebrating the city’s 100th birthday. Please visit www.CityofMascotte.com for further information 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 Get ready to indulge your sweet tooth and show off your baking skills is hosting its Second Annual Cake Bake-Off Contest on Saturday Bakers from the community are invited to compete for sweet prizes with the First Place Winner receiving a $25 gift card and a medal Second Place earning a $15 gift card and a medal and Third Place taking home a $10 gift card and a medal All entries must be homemade cakes—no box mixes allowed—and participants are required to submit a list of ingredients along with their entry Ingredient disclosure will not affect eligibility for the contest The registration fee for contestants is $10 and the deadline to register is the day of the event community members are invited to sample the cakes for just a $5 donation giving everyone a chance to enjoy a variety of delicious You don't have permission to access this page Fla.—Lake Erie Road is closed in both directions near County Road 565 outside of Groveland as the Florida Highway Patrol investigates a fatal crash A 31-year-old Leesburg man was driving a 2020 Ford F350 westbound on Lake Erie Road and failed to maintain his lane while negotiating a curve He went off the road and hit a tree around 5:20 p.m The driver was transported to Orlando Health – South Lake Hospital with serious injuries and his passenger Copyright © 2025 Inside Lake | Powered by Compass Creative Group Archbishop Rino Fisichella officially presented the mascot of the 2025 Jubilee was designed with the intention of reflecting pop culture and brings with it a message of hope and welcome Luce is a pilgrim dressed as a typical traveler: a yellow anorak to protect herself from the elements dirty boots that bear witness to the path she has already traveled a missionary cross around her neck and the pilgrim's staff in her hand which shine with an intense light: they symbolize the hope that is born in the heart of every pilgrim and reflect the desire for spirituality and connection with the divine They act as a reminder of the universal message of peace and brotherhood The choice of a mascot like Luce is part of a broader context aimed at reaching new generations and promoting intergenerational dialogue The mascot not only represents the Jubilee SUPPORTERS AND OFFICIAL LOGO LICENSEES OF JUBILEE 2025 The iubilaeum2025 website uses technical or similar cookies to make navigation easier and guarantee the use of services and also technical and third-party analysis cookies. If you want to know more click here By closing this banner you consent to the use of cookies ORANGE COUNTY – Several cities in Central Florida are marking a significant milestone this year as they celebrate their 100th birthdays in 2025 Oviedo and Fruitland Park are just some of the places hitting triple digits this year With that many places turning 100 — it got our newsroom thinking what was happening 100 years ago when all of these cities and towns were established “In order to understand what was happening you kind of have to go back even further into like the 1870s 1880s to really understand,” said Orange County Regional History Center Historian [EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos] Williams said in the late 1800s Florida was going through its first land boom “People start moving here to take advantage of the citrus groves and the citrus industry “There was also already developed or established cattle industry But what really was taking it off was the citrus.” Williams said there was a ‘Great Freeze’ that killed off several orange groves She said there was a major decline in the population until Florida’s second land boom just after World War I the Model-T was an affordable vehicle for middle class families and people could travel from Chicago to Miami thanks to the Dixie Highway contributed to the growth during this time period “People are seeing the opportunity again in Florida through those orange groves that are starting to be built up again and so that’s what really pushes this land boom,” Williams said But before Central Florida was home to castles and princesses Florida’s natural beauty was a main driver for tourism “We didn’t have Disney World in those days but it was more so just the beautiful nature of Florida,” Williams said people were a lot more interested in coming here for all of those reasons There was also another reason that made Florida an attractive place to live 100 years ago Florida residents voted to prohibit income tax here which was more of a draw for people to move here and invest in the land,” Williams said Here’s a list of some of the cities and towns turning 100 in Central Florida this year: 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 (This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.) Check out updates for Tuesday, Oct. 8 here. which is expected to cut across the Florida peninsula The other Florida counties under a hurricane warning are Charlotte Lake County will open 15 shelters for those who need accommodations during the storm Residents are encouraged to bring necessary supplies such as medication call the Citizens Information Line at 352-253-9999 •  East Ridge Middle - 13201 Excalibur Road •  Round Lake Elementary - 31333 Round Lake Road •  Spring Creek Elementary - 44440 Spring Creek Road •  Treadway Elementary - 10619 Treadway School Road •        Lost Lake Elementary - 1901 Johns Lake Road •  Astatula Elementary - 13925 Florida Ave. •  Villages Elementary - 695 Rolling Acres Road Free Lake Xpress rides to sheltersLakeXpress will be providing free rides on Wednesday to travelers who state they need to be taken to a shelter Free rides will continue to be given until conditions become unsafe Riders must tell the driver they are going to a shelter to use the free ride The Sumter County Citizens Information Center is open 24/7 and can be reached at 352-689-4400 Meteorologist Denis Philips offers a helpful list of tips to make life more comfortable in the event of an extended power outage For the full list, click here. What to do outside your home before Milton's arrivalThe National Weather Service offers tips on how to prevent flying debris during high winds and Log House facilities will be open from 7 a.m Central County: 13130 County Landfill Road Sandbags should be used to restrict floodwaters from entering houses via doorways Sandbags are not to be used to provide a barricade around homes or property Sumter County will have self-service sand and sandbags available at the Lake Panasoffkee Regional Recreation Park Sandbag operations will be available during this time according to weather conditions Residents can also view a helpful sandbag operations video on YouTube.Residents will need to provide proof of residence within Sumter County and should bring a shovel if they have one to fill sandbags Lake County public schools will be open on Tuesday and closed the rest of the week for students in anticipation of Hurricane Milton’s arrival in Sumter County Tuesday is an early release day with schools closed Wednesday and Thursday is a pre-scheduled student day off and a teacher planning day Teachers may work from home or at their school site on Friday if it’s safe for them to do so All after-school activities for Tuesday are canceled except for Extended Learning Centers (ELC) which will remain open until normal closing hours Select schools will open as shelters on Tuesday Timing and locations will be determined by Lake County Emergency Management Sumter County public schools will be closed Wednesday and Thursday Friday status will depend on weather conditions and community status More at lake.k12.fl.us for Lake County Hurricane Milton live updates: Florida evacuations ordered as storm now 175-mph Category 5 some businesses will try to capitalize on their customers' panic and desperation by arbitrarily raising prices on their goods and services "Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to civil penalties of $1,000 per violation and up to a total of $25,000 for multiple violations committed in a single 24-hour period," Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a press release If you encounter an unusual increase in pricing during the lead-up to Hurricane Milton, you can report it at the state attorney general's website. Click here for more information Lake-Sumter State College will close all campus locations and cancel all classes and activities beginning at 4 p.m Any classes scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. or later on Tuesday, Oct. 8 are canceled. Forthcoming updates will be sent through the LSSC Alert system, email and social media, and available at lssc.edu/storm Hurricane Milton has strengthened to a Category 5 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center A subtle wind shear might bring the intensity down Where the storm will make landfall on the Florida west coast after leaving the area of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico A list of shelters opening in Lake and Sumter counties will be coming soon A hurricane watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere in the Lake County area within the next 48 hours What to expect: Potential strong tropical storm-force wind with peak winds at 45-60 mph and gusts around 80 mph; can range anywhere from 74 to 110 mph "Efforts to protect life and property should now be rigorously underway," Lake County Emergency Management says "Prepare for considerable wind damage," the county says adding we should plan for "considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings and garage door failures leading to structural damage Damage from airborne projectiles is possible Some locations may be uninhabitable for weeks Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs may blow over Some roads will be impassable from large debris and more within urban or heavily wooded places causeways and access routes may also be impassable Large areas with power and communications outages are anticipated Major flooding rain with peak rainfall expected to pool 4 to 8 inches or higher Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places The following sandbag sites will be open daily from 7 a.m it's recommended that residents bring shovels Lady Lake Parks and Recreation announced that it will provide sand and bags from 9 a.m Note: No official sandbag location from Lake County or any of our municipal partners will ever ask you to pay to fill up sandbags call your city government's non-emergency phone number Several boat ramps will be closed as of Oct The following boat ramps will remain closed until water levels recede and it is safe to launch and retrieve watercraft A notice will be posted once the ramps are scheduled to reopen call Parks and Water Resources at 352-253-4950 To ensure yard debris is picked up across the County before conditions deteriorate residential waste (household garbage) collection will be suspended on Tuesday Yard debris will continue to be picked up on Tuesday and Wednesday or until conditions become unsafe Residents can report set-out yard waste by emailing garbagecollection@lakecountyfl.gov City of Leesburg Electric, 2010 Griffin Road, Leesburg; customer service: 352-728-9800; report outages: 833-223-1313; website: leesburgflorida.gov/electric Mount Dora; customer service: 352-735-7151; report outages: 352-612-5739 local: 352-685-2111; customer service: 800-224-4917; report outages: 888-434-9844 Duke Energy: customer service: 800-700-8744; report outages: 800-228-8485 Sumter Electric Cooperative: report outages: 800-732-6141; real-time outage reporting: SECOStormCenter.com (This story was updated to add new information) (This story was updated to change or add a photo or video) The City of Mascotte invites residents and visitors to join in commemorating its 100th anniversary with a festive Centennial Celebration on Thursday This milestone event honors Mascotte’s rich history while bringing the community together for a day filled with excitement The festivities start at 10 am with a parade starting at Mascotte Charter School and community groups showcasing the spirit of Mascotte Line the streets to cheer on the participants and revel in the city’s pride and heritage attendees can enjoy a wide array of attractions The City of Mascotte’s Centennial Celebration is not just an event—it’s a tribute to the community’s shared history Whether you’ve lived in Mascotte for decades or are visiting for the first time this is an opportunity to celebrate the city’s legacy and look forward to its bright future and join us in making this Centennial Celebration a memorable occasion contact the Mascotte Civic Center or visit the city’s website 11may9:00 am1:00 pmDowntown Clermont Farmers Markets The celebration continued with a “Mascotte in the Past” celebration at the Mascotte Civic Center on North Sunset Avenue The celebration kicked off with a welcome message from Mayor Steven Sheffield Mayor Sheffield shared a reflection on the rich history of the city Mascotte was founded with a vision of creating a place where families could grow adapting to the changing times while holding tight to the values that have made us who we are today – community and a deep love for our beautiful Florida surroundings,” said Sheffield Entertainment for all ages included displays with local vendors along with trackless train rides around the complex interactive performers provided by Orlando Youth Circus and face painting booths surrounded the pavilion that provided a historical glimpse of yesteryear Mascotte Public safety displays included the Lake County Fire Department’s “Randy” fire engine affectionately named in honor of longtime Mascotte Fire Chief Randy Brasher Along with plenty of food options and games for all ages the crowd was entertained by theAmerican Bombshells a trio of singers who perform USO-style shows for the military The Bombshells not only provide great entertainment but the non-profit organization also provides programs that provide service dogs for veterans with PTSD and many other services to our Nations heroes which includes the unveiling of a new city logo designed by Sasha Grossi will consist of two more festivities planned for June 21st  with a theme of “Mascotte in the Present” and November 18th as “Mascotte in the Future” Please visit www.CityofMascotte.com for a full listing of events The Mascotte Police Department hosted the 5th Annual Cruiser for the Cause on Saturday October 5th at the Mascotte Police Station The event is held annually to raise awareness in the community in the fight against cancer we are expanding our support to all those affected by any type of cancer,” says Ofc Kenia Abreau of the Mascotte Police Department The department has long supported the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation (GCCF) and this year is no exception To assist in recognizing October as the month that emphasizes year-round support the department rolled out a new style t-shirt this year that includes a lavender ribbon that symbolizes the department’s commitment to fighting all cancers The shirts are available for a starting price of $22 through $27 100% of the proceeds are donated to the GCCF please get in touch with the Mascotte Police Department at 352-429-3393 The event included members from the GCCF who were on hand to provide information about financial assistance scholarship opportunities for family members and counseling support for patients and their families who are dealing with cancer The GCCF was founded in 2004 by a small group of concerned local citizens who had a heart for cancer patients The organization is composed entirely of volunteers with a sole mission to help those in the South Lake Community who are coping with cancer “The Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation appreciates and is grateful for the continued support of the Mascotte Police Department,” says Kay Simpson which gives 100% of donated funds back to the community is hosting several fundraisers this month in recognition of October’s cancer awareness month Visit www.GCCF.us for a full listing of events and assistance offered by the Greater Clermont Cancer Foundation The City of Mascotte proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Black History Program bringing the community together to celebrate culture along with Desery Benjamin and Darlene Benjamin was a heartfelt tribute to the significance of Black history and its impact on future generations The event featured speeches from esteemed local leaders each delivering powerful messages of motivation and empowerment: The program also showcased a special performance by the RIF Dancers of RIF Elite Academy from Orlando Their dynamic performance added an artistic and cultural depth to the celebration A variety of local vendors participated in the event offering a diverse selection of goods and services: Attendees enjoyed the event’s vibrant atmosphere with music provided by DJ Nate who kept the energy high throughout the celebration The City of Mascotte’s commitment to recognizing and honoring Black history remains evident through events like these so does the impact of these celebrations in fostering unity The City looks forward to welcoming the community again next year for another meaningful celebration of Black history Mark your calendars for an opportunity to make a difference in South Lake County Groveland and Mascotte will host a Community Cleanup Day on Saturday The event will take place at two convenient locations: This community-driven initiative invites volunteers to help clean up the area Volunteers are essential to the success of this event your participation will have a positive impact attendees can take advantage of several free services: Bulk Drop-Off and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Unit Bring your unwanted bulky items and household hazardous waste to the designated drop-off locations These services are free for Lake County residents and provide a convenient way to tidy up your home and yard The HHW Mobile Unit will accept items such as: Dispose of your old tires responsibly to reduce mosquito breeding grounds and improve the community’s appearance Residents can drop off up to 24 non-commercial tires (less than 40 inches) per household free of charge This is your chance to give back to your community and enjoy a rewarding morning with friends and neighbors we can create a cleaner and greener Groveland and Mascotte For more information, visit www.keeplakebeautiful.com/#events players and coaches from the South Lake High School Football Team demonstrated their commitment to the community by volunteering in the Keep Lake Beautiful event The team spent the morning picking up debris and trash throughout the downtown areas working alongside dedicated volunteers to help beautify the local community Their efforts not only contributed to a cleaner environment but also showcased the importance of teamwork and civic responsibility beyond the football field SLHS Football Coach Bradley Lord extended a special thank you to Groveland Mayor Keogh and the Keep Lake Beautiful Volunteers for including the SLHS Eagles in this impactful event and providing them with the opportunity to give back Discover how Paris 2024 became the most media-covered Olympic Games in history See how the Olympic Games’ communications team supported by Wiztrust’s tailored PR platform overcame complex challenges-from synchronizing teams and managing thousands of 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blockchain-backed technology Save your team and yourself some precious time Learn more about Wiztrust in our case study The pre-war home had major structural issues when it was last sold in 2019 One of Brisbane’s “grandest homes” has sold for five times what it fetched just five years ago in a new suburb record for the city at 45 Garfield Dr in Paddington has just sold for circa $12m to a local family living in the area declined to comment on the buyer or the sale price An aerial shot of ‘Mascotte’ at 45 Garfield Dr The view from ‘Mascotte’ at 45 Garfield Dr RELATED: Why buyers are buying total hovels “I think it’s a wonderful result for the area “There is plenty of demand in that top end and that also trickles through to the rest of the market.” Mr Hadgelias said the renovation had only been completed in the past 12 months is understood to have introduced the buyer MORE: Footy great Darren Lockyer sells Brisbane home for $6m-plus Paved in gold: City’s richest streets revealed Property records show the home last sold in 2019 when it was dire need of a restoration and was even listed with a warning — “not for the faint hearted” Mr Hadgelias said ‘Mascotte’ would have been one of Garfield Drive’s grandest homes back in its heyday This is what ‘Mascotte’ looked like before it was renovated Images of the completed renovation reveal a five-storey black with multiple entertaining terraces that maximise the city views and a floating lap pool with a water feature The previous highest residential sale in Paddington was when a property at 34 Howard Street sold for $10.35m in 2009 The suburb last made headlines for its property market late last year when NRL great and TV commentator Darren Lockyer sold his home in Agars Street to a local buyer for $6.4m Paddington recently became Brisbane’s newest $2m suburb reaching a median house price of $2m this month REA Group economist Angus Moore said it was surprising to see more suburbs of Brisbane entering the $2m club which had traditionally been dominated by Sydney “Both [Perth and Brisbane] have seen really strong growth in recent years,” he said “Prices in both are up just shy of 80 per cent since March 2020 “That’s pushed a lot of suburbs in what were traditionally more affordable cities up into the $2m dollar range.” The new home has multiple entertaining areas to maximise the view third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. imaginary characters symbolizing the spirit of the modern Olympic Games have been a fixture since the 1968 Winter Games These mascots are often animals indigenous to the region where the Games are held reflecting local culture and history while embodying the ideals of Olympism and the Paralympic Movement While the first appearance of a mascot at the Olympic Games dates back to 1932 in Los Angeles with a young dog named Smoky it was in Grenoble in 1968 that an official mascot was created was chosen to better represent the Isère environment This French initiative paved the way for a long series of mascots that continue to enliven the Games to this day Other attempts at unofficial mascots included a dolphin named Dof for Grenoble and figurines for the Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972 Games From Waldi the dachshund at the Munich Games, through Samthe eagle at the Los Angeles Games, to Bing Dwen Dwen the panda at the Beijing Games and the futuristic Miraitowa in Tokyo, mascots come and go. You can find all the mascots from different countries and years on the Olympics page Olympic mascots continue to capture the imagination and reflect the cultural identity of host cities little creatures inspired by the Phrygian cap symbolize both the history and the revolutionary spirit of France The creation of mascots is not just a design exercise but also a way of bringing people together and inspiring them through strong portrayed by the Marianne in town halls and on stamps is deeply rooted in our history and culture there's no denying Phryge is living her best life during these Paris 2024 Olympics Remember: in November 2022, when the Phrygians the mascots of the Olympic and Paralympic Games the Paris 2024 Committee elicited mixed reactions to these "clitoral" looking creatures Its anthropomorphic appearance provoked criticism with the Paris 2024 Games in full swing and the mascot making appearances all over the country and French islands the negative comments have definitely gone out the window: the Phryge has become the star of the summer and they're being snapped up everywhere declarations of love for this giant pseudo-clitoris are multiplying addAsync('//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js'); the invention of the Olympic mascot by France in 1968 with "Schuss" marked a turning point in the history of the Games adding a playful and emblematic dimension to each edition remain a central element of the Olympic Games celebrating diversity and unity through unique and endearing characters and in particular the Olympic and Paralympic Phrygians who are the emblem of the world's most beautiful Olympic Games (yes Refer your establishment, click herePromote your event, click here Editor's note: This story has been updated since it was originally published to include information from a representative for the property seller MASCOTTTE – The Villages has purchased 900 acres here for $7 million lists the buyer as Buffalo Hide and Cattle Co. a real estate arm of the mega retirement community The company is trustee for Carter-Lake 918 Highway 333 Land Trust who is listed on property records as the trustee said he has been asked by the buyer not to comment on its plans Development pressure: Leesburg in the midst of significant growth and development Earlier coverage: The Villages starts building thousands of homes on land it bought from Leesburg in 2018 The Villages did not respond to an email query from the Daily Commercial about the purchase City Manager Ann Marie Reno said the city has not been contacted by the retirement developer it will have to submit plans to apply for zoning on the undeveloped site According to its website "with much growth planned to create future commercial and industrial growth as well as the supporting residential population." The land The Villages purchased is west of the developed area of the city part of a huge block of property that extends northward to near the Leesburg city limits The Villages last year started building 3,200 homes in its Villages West development on 1,200 acres it purchased from Leesburg for $7.5 million at Florida’s Turnpike and County Road 470 in 2018 Plans on that property include a $100 million It links up across the turnpike and Sumter County border with The Villages’ massive Southern Oaks development and some of its other neighborhoods MASCOTTE – The city of Mascotte on Wednesday warned residents of a person impersonating a code enforcement officer the city said the incident happened in Cardinal Pines where the impersonating officer tried to “deceive a homeowner regarding alleged violations of home color codes which do not exist.” The city said the person also flew a drone in the homeowner’s backyard “Please note that the City of Mascotte does not mandate specific colors for residential homes the city does not employ the use of drones for code enforcement purposes,” the city wrote you are asked to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 352-429-3393 or 911 if it’s an emergency “We believe this incident to be a scam of an individual attempting to impersonate a city code enforcement employee and does not reflect the practices of the City of Mascotte We appreciate your cooperation in remaining vigilant and helping to maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods,” the city said Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved 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 Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a Leesburg woman and seriously injured a Mascotte woman Monday afternoon a 36-year-old Leesburg woman was driving a 2008 Chevrolet HHR southbound on County Road 33 near Soto Road in unincorporated Groveland when she failed to maintain her lane and hit and 2015 Ford Fusion being driven by a 43-year-old Mascotte woman Both drivers were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where the Leesburg woman succumbed to her injuries The crash closed County Road 33 for nearly seven hours – Tucked in between Groveland and Leesburg the small city of Mascotte is feeling the pressure of urban sprawl coming to South Lake County commercial development in the city that has a population of only about 6,600 approved the first reading of a city’s ordinance that would change the current zoning of 944 acres from Agricultural to Planned Unit Development Community Mixed-Use consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map “The first thing to take place is the first reading of the zoning ordinance that would essentially change the approximately 944 acres known as the Langley Estates PUD from agricultural zoning to Planned Unit Development Community Mixed-Use zoning This took place at last night’s meeting,” Annamarie Reno Mascotte’s City Manager explained in an email to News 6 past the orange groves and down the road from the only traffic light in the City of Mascotte residents reeled over the proposal outside the Rainbow Diner saying it could easily double the population of Mascotte who has lived in Mascotte for more than 50 years This is agriculture country and it ought to stay agriculture country.” there is already too many people now,” Maudie DeLeon said “I moved from Orlando to get away from the traffic and the traffic got worse.” “We don’t have the schools we don’t have the pump stations we don’t have the roads.” the lack of infrastructure is what many residents cited when describing their opposition to what would be the largest single development in the city’s history Roy Cruz is a local business owner who spoke at the meeting Tuesday night We have one fire department that is not Lake County they are putting septic tanks in the ground If you want to build something build a Rec Center for our kids Councilwoman Pamela Terry was the one against it “I was the one vote against it,” Terry said We have two officers covering this entire city at nighttime That’s 6,500 people that they are covering for No one else from the city including the mayor or other council members were available to speak on camera regarding the issue or their vote in favor of the first reading to change the zoning Tuesday night the city manager did release this statement to News 6 if approval goes through with the Langley Estate this will be the largest single development the city has seen,” wrote Reno “I feel confident in moving forward with the possible development of this property that Council staff and our planner will take into account the concerns of residents and do what they feel is best for the growth and development of our city while protecting the health the city council will have a second reading which will be the final step to changing the zoning from agricultural to mixed-use That meeting will be advertised and posted ahead of time for public comment Agenda Item Report - PDF by Thomas Mates on Scribd Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Agenda Item Report - PDF by Thomas Mates on Scribd MASCOTTE — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office released the name of a man Monday arrested for a Saturday shooting that left one dead and another wounded earlier that morning was charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon He was placed on bond of more than $1 million The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Mascotte Police Department responded Saturday around 1:40 a.m to reports of gunfire on North Sunset Road in Mascotte They found two victims lying on the ground with gunshot wounds was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center for treatment Aguilar was arrested in Sumter County just hours after the shooting occurred A witness at the scene gave a description of a vehicle to deputies that left just before law enforcement arrived which is just a few miles from Mascotte on State Road 50 Sumter deputies found the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop but the second person was not identified by Jones who cited the investigation is still ongoing Details about the weapon used and whether one was recovered were also not revealed though Jones said investigators believe the shooting was the result of an ongoing dispute between the victims and Aguilar Aguilar has only been arrested for one other violent crime in Lake County He was convicted of assault on a law enforcement officer in 2014 A real success for this adorable red emblem who can't stay more than 30 minutes under this rather cumbersome costume are so much more lively than our own summer addAsync('//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js'); The phrygia is escorted out by the Prefecture of Police The phrygian attempting a little weightlifting Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More – An internal investigation into the allegation of excessive force by a Mascotte Police Officer was released Monday The report determined there is not enough evidence to prove or disprove the claim The city launched its investigation after Spectrum News 13’s Watchdog reporter Stephanie Coueignoux began asking questions months ago The investigation involves an incident captured on body camera video showing Mascotte police pfficer Alvin Silverio using force against a man he was arresting spoke to Spectrum News 13: “I never pushed him Monday’s report describes the body cam video as showing Ramirez spitting on Officer Silverio “…you can see Officer Silverio swing at Mr Ramirez 3 times only making contact with the 3rd strike to the rear of Mr “Officer Silverio was responding to an aggressive physical attack based on the fact that spit is known to carry blood borne pathogens.” Mascotte City Manager Jim Gleason says he’s satisfied with the outcome of the investigation but wishes the police department hadn’t waited until months later to start it Gleason credits Spectrum News 13’s inquiry into the incident for prompting the process The report also outlines why it’s unclear if excessive force was used—including lack of witness cooperation One of the witnesses listed in the report is Silverio’s colleague who also responded to the incident Officer Jody Beyer was let go from Mascotte Police soon after The report states she “did not participate in the investigative process” and that “Ms Beyer failed in her duties as a sworn officer to report what she allegedly perceived to be a violation of department policy and violation of a citizens rights.” Spectrum News 13 has learned Beyer is now suing the City of Mascotte under the Whistleblower’s Act claiming she was fired for “objecting to the actions of Officer Silverio…and the attempted cover up” Beyer claims she witnessed Silverio “beating Eduardo Ramirez upon his face Gleason told Spectrum News 13 he wasn’t aware Beyer was suing the city He says while he takes every lawsuit seriously and is pushing for better officer training and procedural improvements he has full confidence in Police Chief Eric Pedersen and the police department Beyer’s attorney told Spectrum News 13 he doesn’t have a comment at this time Chief Pedersen also did not return our request for an interview Officer Silverio is now undergoing counseling about filing reports in a complete and timely manner Mascotte Coffee With A Cop was held on November 11 from 9-11 am The event was held at The Rainbow Restaurant 704 E Myers Blvd.,Mascotte and hosted by owner Linda Johnson Many of the Mascotte Police Department (MPD) attended along with a broad cross-section of the public Notable attendees included former councilperson Sally Rayman and former mayor Barbara Krull “this is a great opportunity to interact with the public addressing the issues or concerns they have or get an opportunity to just speak.” “I feel that we are impacting the community and we are doing an excellent job just trying to reach out to the public This is one of those events where we are just trying to be vulnerable and let people know that this is who we are.” The event was well attended with about 30 community members coming and going throughout the 2 hours.  These events will continue on a regular basis.  The public is welcome to contact the MPD through 352-429-3393 or email the Chief at eric.pedersen@cityofmascotte.com or kenia.abreu@cityofmascotte.com or follow Mascotte Police Department on FaceBook or on the internet at cityofmascotte.com Annamarie Reno was approved as city manager for Mascotte effective January 26 after an extended executive search by the city Finance Director Dolly Miller had been the interim city manager for the last several months Annamarie is one of many new city and county managers put in place locally in recent months She brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the position.  She has an extensive background in economic development and city government and management Annamarie was Township manager in Richland Township Hemlock Michigan for 7 years.  Prior to that she was Clerk/Executive manager for Lyon Township These cities had different structures but throughout that time she was engaged in managing and helping those cities grow Annamarie stated “I’ve enjoyed every position I have ever had.”  Adding “the communities I’ve had the privilege of managing become home and many of the residents are like family.”  She has a married daughter living in Sumter County who is a health educator in Ocala and is expecting her first child in June of 2022 Annamarie also has two sons from her husband’s previous marriage living outside the area and is the proud grandmother of 8 She and her husband are currently residing in Wildwood and look forward to being long-term and permanent residents of the Central Florida area The new city manager has been very active in community events This is a welcome change from prior city management She has been attending events and seeking public input from the onset of her employment Among the events she attended were Coffee with a Cop in February at the Rainbow restaurant the American Legion Auxiliary Charter presentation in March at the Groveland-Mascotte American Legion post 239 and the Autism Awareness program presented during April.  She has also attended several South Lake Chamber of Commerce meetings and functions throughout her tenure.  Annamarie is joining with officer Kenia Abreu of the Mascotte Police Department to begin the  “Community Outreach with the Manager” program The goal is to visit every city based company and organization to better understand their needs and how they visualize the city going forward She joins Groveland city manager Mike Hein for monthly meetings.  The two bordering cities share significant history and services under their joint services agreements.  Groveland is providing much of the wastewater treatment capacity needed to support the impending large-scale growth of Mascotte.  Road and school issues as well as emergency services and response are also intertwined.  the City has embarked on a future planning and visioning process.  The current Planning (Land) Development Code was adopted in April of 2008.  The current City Council agreed it was time to review the code.  The process will evaluate both the Code and Comprehensive Plan.  The goals are to eliminate inconsistencies update the code and plan and consider the city’s vision for the future.  The City Council held a productive workshop on March 23rd.  At that workshop it was agreed that a follow up workshop April 27 will focus on getting resident and local citizen input.  A series of surveys in different formats may also follow.    There are also plans to enhance and improve the Sunset Park area of downtown and the Mascotte Recreational Complex creating more use and citizen benefits The plan will consider the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to upgrade and enhance these facilities to meet the needs of the city going forward.  Reno is also uniquely aware of the challenges facing the current residents These challenges are highlighted by frequent public comment about the condition and capacity of the road system through and around Mascotte She is also aware of the challenges with school capacities and access going forward She intends to ensure that the city is well represented at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) local Municipal Planning Organization (MPO) to get a voice in the use of the county regional and state money available for road improvements.  This is also timely as the city prepares for the impending arrival of the Florida Coast to Coast (C2C) trail largely funded by the FDOT The trail will pass directly through downtown Mascotte and will provide the residents with safe access to other regional trails throughout Florida The C2C trail development has been a significant economic driver in other cities throughout Lake County and Florida She reminds us that “the City of Mascotte has a manager/Council form of government” meaning that every resident should understand that “this is your town.” the City of Mascotte Police Department (MPD) held their Coffee with a Cop event and introduced the new City Manager at the Rainbow Family Restaurant to 11 am.  Those present had many good things to say about the City of Mascotte Police Department Mascotte Police Officer Kenia Abreu acted as the host.  Linda Johnson the owner of The Rainbow Family Restaurant ensured that everyone was well fed and served This is the latest in an ongoing series of outreach meetings presented by Mascotte Many of the MPD officers including Chief Eric Pedersen were present.  New City Manager Annamarie Reno was also in attendance and was introduced to members of the community attending.  She commented at the administrative level we only hear complaints.  It was a pleasure to meet with so many Mascotte citizens and hear their stories of how well they feel our Police Department is doing.  I look forward to getting out in the community and meeting more of our citizens.” community relations representative from US Representative Daniel Webster’s office David Colby CEO and president of the South Lake Chamber of Commerce former mayor Barbara Krull and other community leaders were also in attendance.  The City Council was further represented by former council person Sally Rayman and current member Ellen Cruz along with local business owner Roy Cruz Other people attending the successful turnout were Pastor Feliz Ramirez – La Primera Iglesia Bautista de Mascotte Chaplain Darrell Sheeley – Bay Lake Baptist Church Pastor José B Mejia – Iglesia Pentecostal Jesus es mi Redentor  Heidi Manaf – T-Mobile Home Expert  Monica Gamez – Los Compadres Meat Market Contact information for Annamarie Reno is annamarie.reno@cityofmascotte.com or by phone at 352-429-3341 extension 100.  Contact information for the Mascotte Police Department is 352-429-3393 or emergency at 911.  The MPD is located at 529 E Myers Blvd. 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 MASCOTTE, Fla. — Homeless camps are starting to pop up in a small Lake County city and police officials in Mascotte say it's an alarming trend Along American Legion Road in the city of Mascotte a small indentation in the woods is your first clue a well-worn path will lead you through a trail of debris where you’ll eventually walk up to a full-size camping tent for a family of five but in this case it's hard to tell just how many people are living here Residents living nearby said they've seen several dozen people go in and out of the homeless camp neighbors say people living in the camp wander into their yards and rummage through trash containers Local police say they're well aware of the situation but that their hands are tied trying to get through all the red tape “So generally we'll have to get ahold of the owner That normally involves sending a phone call or sending some certified mail and then we wait to hear from the owner,” said Mascotte Police Chief Eric Pedersen To date, the Mascotte Code Compliance department still has not found the owners of the property, and police say the process might take months.​ Paralympic Winter Games Mar 6 - 15, 2026 the Mascots of the Olympic and Paralympic Games of Milano Cortina 2026 are ready to set off on an incredible journey visiting the places that will host the 2026 Winter Games.  these two friendly stoats will begin their exciting tour visiting the key people and places of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games for the first time Tina and Milo will go on an incredible adventure to meet children young people and the institutional representatives of the communities that will host the great sporting event.  The first stop in Tina and Milo's journey will be Cortina d'Ampezzo They will then visit wonderful places such as Brunico Here is the programme of the Milano Cortina 2026 Mascots Tour: 10:30 - activities with children at the Ice Stadium12:30 - greeting with the children in the Kids Tofane Area 14:30 - meeting with Mayor Lorenzi at the Council Chamber 16:00 - meeting with children for the carnival party at Piazza della Conchiglia  17:00 - arrival of the Town Band   19:45 - pre-match Ice Hockey League derby @Intercable Arena Brunico: HC Pustertal Wolfe vs HCB Sudtirol Alperia  09:15 - photo shoot with the Mayor and the Organising Committee at the Südtirol Arena Alto Adige in Anterselva di Sopra  12:00 - group photo at the tolling of the bell "Concordia 2000" - Kronplatz  15:00 - presentation of the Mascots in Piazza Walther and greeting from the Mayor of Bolzano  Saturday 17 February - VAL DI FIEMME (TESERO E PREDAZZO)  09:30 - Start of HS66 jumping competitions at Stadio del Salto G From Ben di Predazzo followed by the award ceremony for the 6 boys jump race at the Predazzo Stadium 11:30: Start of 4/5km cross-country races (second part of the Nordic Combined race) at the F Canal Cross-Country Stadium in Tesero followed by the cross-country award ceremony for 6 boys at the Tesero Stadium - visit "Le Gallerie" in Trento and the "Records" Exhibition dedicated to the Olympics and Paralympics Milano Cortina 2026  09:30 - 12:30 - meeting with elementary and middle schools at Cinelux in Livigno  18:00 - presentation to the public of the Mascots c/o snowfarm area  18:30 - Freestyle and snowboard show with the team of the Italian National Team and the boys of the snowboard and freestyle sections of the Sporting Club Livigno + photo opportunity with the mascots  15:30 - Meeting with children from the nursery school in Bormio and baby dance moment 16:30 - Parade with the Mascots to the Ski Stadium17:30 - Small demonstration of Olympic disciplines that will be hosted in Bormio in the parterre of the Stelvio run to involve local children/teenagers Photo opportunity with the Mayor in front of the Arena di Verona The two cuddly stoats will be warmly welcomed by the local communities will participate in engaging initiatives and share exciting moments with young people of all ages and make festive appearances in different squares and competition venues.  They will be welcomed by the engaging enthusiasm and great warmth typical of the people of the places they will visit Tino and Milo's fans will have the opportunity to take part in a unique experience: meet the mascots of the most important sporting event in the world in person take photos with them and learn about their exciting stories.  She represents the 2026 Winter Olympic Games and believes that beauty has a magical power to transform everything he has learned to walk with his tail and there is nothing which can stand in his way "Obstacles are just simply stepping stones" With just under two years to go until the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games gets underway these two adorable stoats are ready to transport the energy enthusiasm and warmth of the Italian Spirit around Italy They will be involved in so many fun and promising activities for an unforgettable experience have fun and discover the true spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 Log in to the Fan26 Digital Community and get all the news and updates on Milano Cortina 2026 Terrific Kids is a Kiwanis-sponsored program that encourages kids to become the best version of themselves Congratulations to the Mascotte Charter School Terrific Kids for November Presenting the Awards: Kiwanis Club of Clermont Members: Mrs Florida—A teeneger suspected of firing multiple shots at a Mascotte residence and shooting a man in the foot earlier this month was arrested Friday Mascotte Police Department responded to the 300 block of Betty Lane on a report of a shooting they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the foot and multiple witnesses came forward and identified the shooter as Luis Antonio Lopez The investigation revealed a fight occurred between multiple people and as the fight was ending the victim heard another gunshot and felt a bullet strike his foot It is unclear what started the altercation Video backed up the victim’s claims and showed Lopez firing two shots from outside the Altima and entering the passenger seat Lopez fired multiple shots and an unidentified person began shooting at the Altima as it fled the scene At least one bullet struck a home on Betty Lane entering through the garage and eventually stopping in the master bedroom The homeowner was also inside the residence watching a movie with her daughter The people inside the home were not injured Lopez was picked up Friday in Mascotte on the warrant for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon shooting into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; he was transported to the Lake County Jail This is the second time in 18 months Lopez has been charged in a shooting Lopez was accused of shooting at another home in Mascotte; a shot grazed one man and another struck a juvenile male in the lower calf The juvenile told MPD that shooting was over a girl and possibly a fight between older family members One of the victims positively identified Lopez as the shooter and he was charged a few days later with attempted felony murder aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public Lopez was arrested for four counts of tampering with or harassing a witness and one count of assault in a separate case all the charges in both cases were later dropped Mascotte Coffee with a Cop was well attended by both Mascotte Police Department (MPD) and citizens The event provided an opportunity for individual citizens and local stakeholders to interact one-on-one with patrol officers Lieutenant Rafael Betancourt and the Police Chief Eric Pedersen The meeting ran from 9 AM until well after 11 The event was held at the Rainbow Restaurant in Mascotte Owner Linda Johnson was on hand to ensure that the event was well served She did remind us that the Rainbow has reopened their lunch buffet from 11-3 Monday through Friday and 6-3 on weekends Their hours have been changed to 6 AM to 3 PM 7 days a week The restaurant is a Mascotte tradition in continuous operation since 1964 when Linda’s family opened it ”we are pleased that the current demographic of the MPD reflects the demographic of the city.” He continued “we were blessed to be able to add Officer Kenia Abreu to the force Officer Abreu has been designated a community outreach officer by the MPD She is working with Alicia Mendenez of the Groveland PD We want to do more of these outreach efforts.”   Groveland Police Chief Shawn Ramsay added separately “community policing remains the backbone of the Groveland PD philosophy Providing outreach and relationship building in the areas we service will and should be a priority.” Chief Pedersen was kind enough to spend time answering questions from the public who were not able to attend due to jobs or other challenges The citizen questions were provided to this reporter in person and by social media in advance Q1)  Can a citizen visit the police department by walking up in person Anyone is welcome to visit the police department the MPD office is currently open for appointments only This is in response to the Covid situation to protect the health and safety of our officers and citizens There is signage on the office door with specific instructions in both Spanish and English on how to contact the department Also listed are the hours of operation Monday through Thursday 7 AM to 5:30 PM an officer may be dispatched or an officer present may come out to meet the citizen outdoors Q2)  The Code Enforcement Office (CEO) was put under the MPD chain of command in September What is the plan for integration and enforcement going forward Of course we will respond to address any citizen complaints as we do with the PD The  CEO will also self initiate complaints when they see a violation in the course of their duties We are responsive to the Community and Council It is not specifically up to the City Council to direct us but we do want and expect guidance A good start for us is to receive direction and know what the citizens and council want If the council directs us to aggressively go out and look for certain issues they want addressed Q3)  Can you explain the phone call routing at MPD it will be answered by an automated system If the menu option selected is busy or no one is available to take the call in person the call is forwarded to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center and EMT calls from most of the cities within the county are routed to this county manned dispatch center All calls to that facility are handled by trained personnel on recorded lines This protects and preserves any case or crime information The dispatch facility is fully connected ensuring that inter-department mutual aid agreements and common radio platforms are used to provide immediate aid when needed “please remember that we all pay county taxes whether we live in the City or not We appreciate those county dispatch services.”  Using dispatch services that are already in place is cost effective rather than duplicating them and paying for them again Q4)  A local business owner asks:  How is the MPD keeping up with the growth occurring here in Mascotte We also have to monitor the officers’ committed and non-committed time This is a difficult number to actively and accurately monitor We also rely on a ratio of sworn officers to citizens We just added a new position this fiscal year Q5)  How can a citizen best express a non-emergency You can attend an outreach function like this I am also present at City Council meetings I receive and monitor notification of emails on my cell phone Citizens are welcome to call and leave a message on my line and I do return citizen calls We have recently designated a community outreach officer community outreach has been somewhat restricted the citizens expect us to be out in the field Outreach and community policing is important There is a “Report a Concern” button on the front page of the City website where you can express concerns complete a citizen request and expect a response from the correct department or a visitor…what can I do to help MPD do their job Your best tool is being aware of what is going on around you If you see something out of place or unusual It is really back to basic crime prevention Brenda Argueta – A 16-year-old boy was shot early Thursday by a homeowner during a home invasion according to the Mascotte Police Department along Pine Needle Drive in the West Cardinal Pines subdivision Police found the teen had been shot by the homeowner and he was taken to the hospital The department said the teen may be connected with another call they received earlier Thursday of an attempted break-in at another residence in the area The occupants of the home on Pine Needle Drive were not injured and are cooperating with police Anyone with information is asked to call Chris Villafane at the police department at 352-557-8893 Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Obituaries | Jan 25 where she resided and received Alzheimer’s care She graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart and Trinity College Sarah was married to John Pierre (Jake) Mascotte on April 23 Over the course of their 51 years of marriage the couple resided in Fort Wayne and Leo of New York City; five beautiful grandchildren; and her brother Sarah is preceded in death by her son Matthew The family will be holding a small private family service in Aspen and in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain Columbia University Medical Center 710 West 168th Street Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.hillandwood.com Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage are you considering any property transactions this spring View Results The students and faculty of South Lake High School’s construction academy recently turned over the keys to a new home in Mascotte.  The build was sponsored by Habitat For Humanity Lake-Sumter FL and many local community support partners.  New homeowner “I’m excited!”  When asked about the process she added “Has this been a long road?  In general yes but with Habitat it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.  It’s been over a year but I also can’t believe that a year ago I was sticking a shovel in the dirt.”  She is anticipating moving in with her son Mason and daughter Skyla.  Habitat For Humanity Lake-Sumter CEO shares “This day is the most exciting day of the year.  The day we get to celebrate the students.  For all of their hard work and everything they’ve learned over the course of the year.”  Looking over at Ms “We also get to bless the family as they move on to this next phase which will be moving into the house.”  construction teacher at South Lake High School shared his perspective.  “We’re here at the third dedication ceremony we’ve had.  This is a great program working with Habitat For Humanity  I’m super proud of the students and all the community support we’ve gotten.”  He shifted to thoughts of the Construction Academy program at South Lake High School.  “This is one of the best learning environments for students that want to be in construction.  Without our partners and the students’ dedication this doesn’t happen.  We are excited to start our fourth house next year.  The program has just gotten more and more popular at school.  This year I had the greatest application numbers for students that want to be in this program.  It’s nice to see the excitement taking place at school.”  SLHS principal shared his feelings.  “We’re here to celebrate the third house today we will be turning over the keys from our students who worked incredibly hard to build this home.”  Lake County School Superintendent Diane Kornegay added “Today we get to turn over the keys to the family.  Who gets to call this place home.”  School Board member Tyler Brandeburg chimed in “A great day for Lake County schools.  These are really really special days.  The opportunity for these students to change the lives of a family is really special.” Assistant Principal at LSHS who is over the Construction Technology program then shared “We’re just really proud of these students and the program being our third habitat house that we built.  We’re really excited about the progress they’ve made.  For some of these students this is the second house they have participated in building.  So all the skills they have learned are going to be readily transferable to life after high school.  Whether it is a personal skill or a profession it’s going to be things they will be able to take with them going forward.” The event was very well attended including the SLHS cheerleaders and many staff members from Habitat For Humanity.  Groveland/Mascotte American Legion recently added Auxiliary Unit 239 to its Post Ellen Cruz is the new Commander of the Auxiliary she is also a Mascotte City Council member The Auxiliary will support the Legionnaires and their programs “bringing the Auxiliary to Post 239 is going to give us additional volunteers to work and depend on”.  Legionnaires and members of the community mixed and mingled to celebrate the newly established auxiliary Mayor Evelyn Wilson represented the city of Groveland and Mayor Steven Sheffield represented Mascotte Mascotte Police Department Community Relations and Outreach officer Kenia Abreu, along with many other guests celebrated the newly charter auxiliary Auxiliary member Karin Biega is their treasurer and dual member  When asked what about the future of the auxiliary “This is going to jump-start the Legion.  We have the women who are going to learn and former state president for the American Legion Auxiliary “The Groveland/Mascotte American Legion has had its post for a number of years and now it has a new auxiliary…..that’s a BIG Deal”.  part of the welcoming party proudly stated that he served his country for 22 years 2 months and twenty-seven days with the Air Force.  Another member the sixth district president from Saint Cloud Florida said how excited she was to welcome a new unit to charter American Legion Auxiliary Department of Florida president handed the new charter to Ellen Cruz with an assurance to assist her when needed  Legion Post Commander Shawn McNeil thanked everyone for their support and both the State of Florida and District Auxiliary board members for taking time to swear in and activate the Unit American Legion Post 239 is located at 307 American Legion Road, Mascotte. Find them on FaceBook at THIS LINK or contact them at 352-557-4668 The Legion is open Tuesday through Sunday every week with many functions and event nights each week.