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 Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 0:05:35 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Show Breaking News BarCloseLocal NewsEmily McLeod LAKE COUNTY – Some students at Lake Minneola High School have been afraid to return to class after their names were found on a classmate’s “kill list” last week According to a report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office a school resource officer on Thursday was asked to speak to the parents of a student who had a journal with the statement of ‘I will kill,’ along with a list of students' and teachers' names two seniors at Lake Minneola High School whose names were on the list “It’s just really nerve-wracking when the doorbell rings I’ve been having trouble sleeping and I haven’t had the energy to get up and go.” “None of us have been to school these last few days,” Ella said the deputy said the student who wrote the list said they were not threats to kill and that they were just names of people who have bulled them The report goes on to say that the student told the deputy they would never hurt someone “These kids are not bullies,” Shannon said “I can really only speak for Landon — not all of them But I know Landon has just been racking his brain over the last few days about what he could have done to trigger him to have him be so upset that he wrote his name on this list.” some of the kids who were on the list and their parents said they wish the school had handled the situation differently But Shannon said since things have escalated “They’re saying he’s not coming back to school; they’re going to offer them some mental health services and things like that now but none of that was being offered until we got you all involved and all of this started to happen,” Shannon said which said in a statement: “We conducted a behavioral threat assessment in this case as required by statute and we notified law enforcement The specifics of those consequences are part of the student record and by statute cannot be made public But the student is not on campus today and has been alternatively placed.” A spokesperson for the district also said: “I understand that one of our Mental Health Liaisons met with students and encouraged them to reach out to the guidance counselors if they needed additional support Counselors were out for training part of last week so it’s possible some may have been late getting the information about the incident.” The Lake County Sheriff’s Office told us the deputy who interviewed the student determined they had multiple cognitive and developmental disabilities They said no arrest was made because it was determined the student lacked criminal intent and the ability to fully understand the gravity of the situation 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 For Kay Barnett -- the newly appointed chief executive officer for AdventHealth Minneola -- leadership goes beyond a job title perseverance and empowering others along the way Her journey is one of growth and resilience -- a path shaped by mentorship it will mark a new chapter in Barnett’s career one she never imagined when she first stepped into the health-care world I never really expected or envisioned myself to be a woman who had a demanding career," she said I became really inspired by seeing people in health care make a difference." That inspiration caused her to consider the impact that she might have on the lives of others Shortly after graduating from Union College in Lincoln Barnett went to work in internal communications at AdventHealth From writing team member communications to helping plan town hall meetings at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs she found herself drawn to the organization’s mission and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact Barnett quickly advanced into business development strategy and executive leadership roles that positioned her to take on her most significant challenge yet -- opening AdventHealth Minneola Barnett credits the mentorship she received throughout her career as a defining force in her success "My mentors have been invaluable," she said "Getting to hear their journeys and how they've navigated different dynamics has been so impactful They've pushed me to think deeply about how I can grow and not allowed me to take the easy way out." She said that there are two mentors that stand out to her: AdventHealth Celebration CEO Amanda Maggard -- her first leader at AdventHealth and a continuing source of inspiration -- and longtime AdventHealth executive Terry Owen who has invested time in helping her develop as a leader "Both have inspired me and have become great friends," Barnett said "Both are not afraid to have tough conversations and provide the feedback you need exactly when you need it Honesty and guidance are qualities I truly appreciate." As she prepares to open a hospital from the ground up Barnett said that she is focused on not just operational excellence but also fostering a culture that will define AdventHealth Minneola for years to come "I want people who come to AdventHealth Minneola 20 years from now to really think look at the team and the culture that has been built here,' and how this is a team that knows what it's like to extend empathetic care and make this community feel whole," she said Barnett’s story exemplifies the value of embracing mentorship and how it can serve as a guiding light in one's career "To every woman who has a desire to grow into leadership positions you have more power than you can even imagine," she said "Focus on where you are today and doing your absolute best That's going to be what carries you forward into greater opportunities to extend those talents into new and different places." AdventHealth is expanding its nursing workforce enhancing hands-on training programs and reinforcing its commitment to exceptional patient care our organization embarked on multiple global mission projects that made a significant impact on the lives of two families in need we honor the extraordinary acts of kindness and compassion demonstrated by our nurses across the region Three remarkable nurses from AdventHealth Avista's surgery center have embarked on.. A local nurse and a CEO were recognized by the Central Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce the new senior executive officer of AdventHealth for Children speaks with Becker's Hospital Review about the future of pediatric care AdventHealth North Pinellas achieves elite national status as a straight- ‘A’ for patient safety  All AdventHealth hospitals in Pasco County continue to earn straight ‘A’ hospital safety grades from The Leapfrog Group Fish Memorial and New Smyrna Beach earn top marks from national watchdog AdventHealth is using a new simulation system to train and retain nurses in an effort to fight against Florida's nursing shortage AdventHealth Waterman Foundation honors Dr Jonathan Schroeder and Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute for their transformative philanthropy Dawn Owens Robinson -- an OB/GYN with AdventHealth Avista -- speaks about the importance of informing expectant mothers about C-sections AdventHealth President/CEO David Banks saw early on how caring for others with compassion and purpose could make a difference Our website uses cookies. Please review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use Browsing our website means you accept these terms Please give a warm welcome to Lake Minneola High’s new head boys basketball coach Kewaski Jackson👏💪🔥 With over 15 years.. Jackson spent the past three seasons coaching at Altamonte Christian where he posted a record of 44-34 (.564) winning percentage in his tenure with the Eagles Jackson is coming off an 11-17 record this past season where they failed to make the regional playoffs Before heading over to Altamonte Christian Jackson served as an interim head coach at East River High School under Scooter Hartman from 2020 to 2022 as well as serving as the program's JV head boys basketball coach Jackson served as an assistant coach at Foundation Academy and Lorain Community College (JUCO) in Lorain Jackson is a graduate of Woodlawn High School in Birmingham Alabama where he was a multi-sport athlete where he was a standout wide receiver on the football field as well as a key component on the 2000 State Championship team on the basketball court Jackson is a two-time Coach of the Year in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference (SSAC) where he took home the prestigious award in 2023 and 2024 Follow High School On SI throughout the 2024-2025 high school boys basketball season for Live Updates the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school boys basketball news To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App 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 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National healthcare leader PAM Health has announced plans to build a 42-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in Minneola The new hospital will create approximately 80 new jobs including medical professional and support staff positions.  "Bringing another hospital to the Orlando region is an exciting milestone," says Anthony Misitano "We look forward to offering residents and visitors access to impactful rehabilitation services." PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Minneola will offer inpatient rehabilitation services individualized treatments aim to enhance patient recovery and outcomes The hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries PAM Health hospitals are also known nationally for their workers' compensations programs assisting injured employees regain their optimal potential National healthcare leader PAM Health has announced plans to build a 42-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in Carmel National healthcare leader PAM Health has announced plans to build a 42-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation hospital in Port St Medical Pharmaceuticals Health Care & Hospitals Do not sell or share my personal information: MINNEOLA — Minneola Mayor Pat Kelley chatted with parents and LCS staffers at a Lake Couny Schools open house earlier this year He said a new K-8 school "has been part of a long-term vision in the city," adding that the project goes back to his predecessor That next public school scheduled to open in Lake County now has a name. The School Board has accepted the recommendation of Principal Andrea Nelson and approved “Minneola Horizon Academy K-8.” Input from a city survey circulated to families of students who will be zoned to attend the school led to the decision The School Board voted unanimously to adopt the name at its Oct “That name incorporates the city name and really creates that connection to community and then the word 'horizon' symbolizes new opportunities exploration and discovery,” Principal Andrea Nelson said in a press release “I also think the name suggests a forward-thinking and innovative environment where students are inspired to aim high think beyond the limits and pursue new possibilities.” and Nelson is considering two mascot options:  falcons because of their speed and agility; and explorers because of their innovation and discovery Minneola Horizon Academy is under construction on Keystone Pass Boulevard to help relieve crowding at nearby schools The school's kindergarten-8th grade classes will all have a degree of focus on aviation One of its priorities is to “cultivate curiosity and passion for aviation and space exploration through a strong foundation in STEAM (science Minneola Horizon Academy will benefit from the district’s partnership with Space Florida the state’s aerospace finance and development authority The district signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Space Florida in August to begin implementation of the Space Florida Academy Program which aims to connect students with high-demand credentials and skills necessary to work in the aerospace industry credentials that may not have been traditionally associated with the industry the arts and mathematics) will be embedded throughout the school day at all grade levels and offered through clubs and family engagement activities Principal Nelson plans to purchase a curriculum that will offer three pathways to students – coding drone and engineering design process – at every grade level with a focus on collaboration the construction company hired to build the school She is seeking funding for the purchase of the remaining two pathways Minneola Horizon Academy K-l8 is expected to open to students in Fall 2025. For more Lake County Schools, visiting lake.k12.fl.us Some projects need to go through a process The City of Minneola council recently went through the status and tentative timelines on open projects to get some clarity on what to expect and when Two major projects hit significant milestones on their way to transforming the local landscape Both AdventHealth Minneola Campus and Crooked Can Brewery are on track to open late 2025 promising to bring new energy and opportunities to the community The Minneola City Council Members requested to receive an update on planned projects at upcoming council meetings Choose the health content that’s right for you elected officials and community members gathered today to celebrate a significant milestone in the construction of AdventHealth Minneola The ninth AdventHealth campus in the Central Florida community has now reached its full height of four stories attendees signed a structural beam marking the occasion “AdventHealth is proud to be Minneola’s partner in health and I am excited to help bring a world-class health care facility to South Lake County,” said Kay Barnett “AdventHealth is committed to providing convenient wherever consumers live in Central Florida.” A topping-out ceremony signifies that the highest point of the structure has been reached The milestone celebrates the construction and design team’s achievement since the project began in December 2023 The hospital will be located on Hancock Road at Florida’s Turnpike The facility will be approximately 204,000 square feet and will include an emergency department; full-service imaging; operating suites; endoscopy services; outpatient laboratory; heart catheterization labs; 80 private inpatient rooms including critical care beds and surgical suites “Delivering care in a convenient location close to home is a key part of our mission,” said Dr chief medical officer for AdventHealth Winter Garden and Clermont “We understand that having loved ones nearby for emotional support during a hospital stay is essential to the healing process.” The Minneola campus joins AdventHealth’s growing network of inpatient and outpatient services in the South Lake community the hospital will bring approximately 500 jobs to the community The architect is ESa and the general contractor is Brasfield & Gorrie AdventHealth Minneola is scheduled to open in late 2025 Baby Mattie needed a liver transplant but was too sick to even get on the list For the nurses at AdventHealth for Children her organs were shutting down and her little body was fighting a battle that seemed insurmountable AdventHealth Carrollwood has been awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade by The Leapfrog Group a national nonprofit upholding the standard of excellence in patient safety in hospitals and ambulatory.. Dozens of community members and several organizations came together to help support the AdventHealth Lake Placid and Wauchula Foundations during the 11th annual Clays and Camo fundraiser AdventHealth is proud to join Nemours Children’s Health System as the official medical services provider for the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona The spring 2025 Leapfrog grades have been released and four AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region hospitals have achieved top honors for patient safety The City of Minneola invites you to join the festive fun at the 7th Annual Moonlight Parade on Saturday traveling from Virginia Street to Pearl Street in a dazzling display of holiday spirit This holiday tradition promises an evening of joy and community togetherness the festivities continue with Santa’s Workshop Bring your family and friends to meet Santa Claus and enjoy holiday activities attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift to help fill Santa’s sleigh Your generosity will brighten the holidays for families in need Don’t miss this magical evening of celebration and giving in Minneola visit the City of Minneola’s website or follow their social media updates the award-winning craft brewery based in Winter Garden marked a major milestone this week as it broke ground on its new 40,000-square-foot destination brewery and headquarters in Minneola and community leaders to celebrate the start of what promises to be a transformative development for the area located at a soon-to-be bustling site in Minneola is set to become a vibrant hub for locals and visitors alike The planned development will feature a spacious beer hall and a food hall — all designed to create a dynamic social experience Crooked Can Brewing Company got its start inside Plant Street Market in Winter Garden and quickly gained a loyal following with its traditional brewing methods the brewery distributes to over 700 points throughout Central Florida The Minneola project represents a significant investment in the local economy the new brewery is expected to bring new jobs and a unique gathering place for the community attendees were treated to architectural renderings of the future site and a ceremonial dirt-turning with branded shovels — a visual nod to the brewery’s next big pour Built upon the founder’s passion for craft beer Crooked Can Brewing Company is a local craft brewery built inside the Plant Street Market located in downtown Winter Garden The brewery represents a unique image and creates a cultural following for a way of life Get ready for a night of thrills and chills as the City of Minneola hosts its annual Safe Night Out this Halloween Minneola Trailhead Park (315 Madison St) will transform into a festive wonderland from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm for an evening of safe family-friendly fun that the whole community can enjoy This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever with plenty of activities for kids and adults alike and try your hand at the variety of games and activities that will be available It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween with your family and neighbors Admission is simple: Bring a non-perishable food item per person to donate and help make a difference in the lives of those in need so don’t forget to bring your furry friends along Minneola’s Safe Night Out is a great way to celebrate Halloween in a safe and spirited environment Don’t miss out on this spooktacular evening—mark your calendars and be part of the celebration visit the City of Minneola’s website or follow their social media pages Both AdventHealth Minneola Campus and Crooked Can Brewery are on track to open by December 2025 AdventHealth Minneola Campus recently celebrated a significant construction milestone with a topping-out ceremony marking the completion of the building’s full height located on Hancock Road near Florida’s Turnpike at the Minneola interchange represents a major investment in the community’s health and well-being a traditional event in the construction industry signifies that the highest point of the structure has been reached This milestone is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the construction and design teams who have been working diligently since the project broke ground in December 2023 full-service facility will feature 24 emergency room bays and is expected to bring 500 clinical and nonclinical positions to the area is set to become a major destination for craft beer enthusiasts and locals alike The new 40,000-square-foot facility will serve as the brewery’s headquarters and will include a range of attractions that are sure to draw crowds The plans for Crooked Can Brewery include live entertainment all designed to create a vibrant community space the brewery is expected to become a popular gathering spot for both residents and visitors contributing to the area’s economic and social vitality Both the AdventHealth Minneola Campus and Crooked Can Brewery are on track to open their doors by the end of 2025 Lake Minneola High School recently teamed up with Keep Lake Beautiful for a park clean-up initiative aimed at enhancing the natural beauty of Minneola Trailhead Park Students joined forces to remove litter and improve the area demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and community pride The clean-up event provided a hands-on opportunity for participants to give back to their surroundings while raising awareness about the importance of maintaining public spaces The initiative not only improved the appearance of Minneola Trailhead Park but also served as a reminder of how small acts of service can create a lasting impact By taking an active role in preserving local green spaces Lake Minneola High School students set an example of civic responsibility and environmental care Keep Lake Beautiful continues to encourage local engagement in similar efforts greener community starts with the dedication of its residents For more community news and upcoming events, visit The South Lake Tablet.  Share your stories, news, and public service events by contacting news@sltablet.com The South Lake Chamber of Commerce held its July Breakfast at the picturesque Sterling Event Venue a Tuscan-inspired wedding destination located at 20524 CR 455 and stakeholders to present ongoing and upcoming projects in the thriving community One of the major announcements was the purchase of a new Tower Truck for the city’s fire department Mayor Kelley introduced Minneola’s new Fire Chief who proudly discussed the department’s expansion located next to City Hall at 800 N US Hwy 27 enhancing the city’s emergency response capabilities Mayor Kelley also revealed the creation of a new city logo The new logo aims to represent Minneola’s rapidly growing community Residents and visitors can view logoed products at Everything Local The breakfast covered several significant developments Evolving concepts for the Minneola Town Center and Minneola Ridge showcasing the city’s vision for continued growth and development The event highlighted Minneola’s commitment to creating a vibrant welcoming community with a range of amenities and services to support its residents’ needs Minneola is poised to become an even more attractive place to live The Minneola City Council recently approved the journey which marks a significant commitment to enhancing public resources and community engagement This endeavor involves repurposing the existing schoolhouse library to better complement its surrounding area This move ensures that the library’s facilities align seamlessly with modern educational needs and community expectations Funding for this ambitious project received a substantial boost through three library impact fee grants This financial support is earmarked specifically for the construction and renovation of the new Minneola Library located at the former site of the old city hall and public works buildings the city is committed to covering the difference through cash allocations Powell Studio Architecture was selected to spearhead the design of the new Minneola Library Powell Studio Architecture has been instrumental in various local projects Clermont’s Meet in the Middle initiative Their collaborative approach and attention to detail ensure that the new Minneola Library will not only meet but exceed the community’s expectations for a modern The Minneola Library project is poised to generate community pride and educational excellence It represents a bold investment in Minneola’s future promising to enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike.  – Kay Barnett has been named CEO of AdventHealth’s planned hospital in Minneola 80-bed facility that will bring inpatient care to the growing south Lake County community beginning in late 2025 CEO of AdventHealth Winter Garden and the Northwest Market of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division “AdventHealth is focused on bringing care closer to home for the people we serve,” Vargas said “The new Minneola hospital will meet the significant health care needs of the area and bring new jobs into the community under the leadership of an experienced Barnett currently serves as vice president of strategy and emerging operations for the Northwest Market of AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division she leads all strategy and growth functions for the market AdventHealth Altamonte Springs and the upcoming AdventHealth Minneola Her previous experience includes serving in divisionwide roles as vice president of strategic planning and executive director of network development as well as progressive business development roles at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs “It’s been a pleasure serving our Northwest Market this past year and building strong relationships with local community and physician leaders,” Barnett said I’m committed to deepening these relationships compassionate care team to deliver high-quality whole-person care to Minneola and south Lake County residents.” Barnett earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in communications from Union College in Lincoln She is a 2022 graduate of the AdventHealth Executive Leadership Program and is an active member and volunteer of the WholeLife Seventh-day Adventist Church We are proud to announce that AdventHealth Avista’s emergency room has received the Pediatric Advanced COPPER recognition The Colorado Pediatric Preparedness for the Emergency Room (COPPER) is a.. a dietitian at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission is dedicated to promoting health through nutrition and was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Team Member Award If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email in the box below and click "Send" Click here to learn more: Documentation (opens in new tab) 6 May 2025 0:06:58 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); “Murals on the Trail” (MOTT 2025) Art Fest will be held in the park The festival is FREE and will be held in Minneola’s Trailhead Park at 315 Madison St ​The festival will also highlight the plight of the homeless in our community There will be six local non-profits set up to educate the community and to help those in need find local resources There will also be art activities for kids Don’t forget to explore the 20 unique works by local artists in this one-of-a-kind outdoor mural gallery located under the Highway 27 overpass on the South Lake trail The festival is brought to you by Minneola Artworx a group of local arts advocates whose mission is to create an arts scene that brings Minneola together and encourages the growth of local businesses in Minneola that are supported and funded by public and private partnerships A great big thank you to our platinum sponsor and the Music Store for their contributions For more information go to Minneola Artworx website www.minneolaartworx.org or contact Josephine Dix at the Minneola Library at 352-432-3921 or email jdix@minneola.us Kick off your holiday shopping in Minneola this October Grab your friends and check out the Library’s Fall Book October 5 from 9 am until 2 pm at the Minneola City Hall Gym located at 800 N There will be over 60 vendor tables full of handmade crafts and gift items Don’t forget to purchase tickets for the fall basket and quilt drawings Expect the usual array of delicious cookies and drinks will also be available for purchase including our famous pulled chicken BBQ sandwiches The Friends of the Minneola Schoolhouse Library sponsor this fundraising event You can join the Friends for only $5 a year All money raised from the sale pays for library materials and programming The Fall Sale will be held at the Minneola City Hall Gym at 800 N. US-HWY 27 in Minneola. For more information contact Josephine Dix at jdix@minneola.us or call the library at 352-432-3921 6 May 2025 0:07:17 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); Leesburg-News.com A juvenile from Clermont was arrested for threatening to “slit someone’s throat” with a steak knife he brought to Minneola Charter School A deputy was notified by school staff that a 13-year-old boy whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile had a weapon on the campus of Minneola Elementary Charter School according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Contact was made with the school administrator who advised he was informed by a teacher that a student had a steak knife on school campus The administrator went to the classroom and approached the juvenile The juvenile admitted to having it before taking it out of his backpack and handing it over The juvenile was then escorted to the front office The student allegedly made threats to several female students The deputy met with the juvenile and several school administrators The juvenile advised that he brought the steak knife to cut lunch food but admitted to making the statement about cutting someone’s throat He stated he was joking and did not want to harm anyone He also brought the knife to school on Monday The knife was described as having a black handle with a five-inch serrated blade The juvenile was subsequently placed under arrest for possessing a weapon on school property He was processed at the Lake County Detention Center and released back to a parent — A garage near the Minneola Town Hall caught fire around 10 p.m According to the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office located north of Zumbrota on the 16000 block of Sherwood Trail Law enforcement did not observe anything suspicious and no one was home at the time of the fire The Zumbrota Fire Department responded to the fire and will consult with the Fire Marshal 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 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tri Pointe Homes® (NYSE: TPH) one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S. announced today the acquisition of 178 single-family detached homesites in the Sugarloaf Mountain planned community in Minneola This milestone follows Tri Pointe Homes’ entry into the greater Orlando market a strategic expansion driven by the area’s robust growth and demand for high-quality housing options Tri Pointe purchased the sites from Richland Communities is anticipated to feature 15.87 acres of open space and topography that complements its unique setting Plans for the community include three distinct homesite sizes — 45- and 65-feet — with detached floorplans designed specifically for the needs of premium entry level and move up homebuyers in the Central Florida market The amenity center is anticipated to offer a pool enhancing the outdoor lifestyle that Pine Ridge at Sugarloaf Mountain aims to deliver will further support this personalized approach by offering Orlando metro area homebuyers access to curated design options that reflect their aesthetic preferences and lifestyle needs “Tri Pointe Homes believes this location provides an exceptional opportunity to introduce our premium lifestyle offerings to the greater Orlando market,” said Tri Pointe Homes Orlando Division President Joel Underwood “Minneola’s population increased dramatically following the pandemic With its proximity to major developments and employment hubs Pine Ridge at Sugarloaf Mountain offers a desirable community designed to meet the needs of homebuyers in a region that’s experiencing dynamic expansion and rising demand “We are extremely pleased to be working with Richland Communities a development company known for investing in premium locations,” said Underwood “As a customer-centric company whose mission is to deliver life-changing experiences this gives Tri Pointe the ideal opportunity to design premium lifestyle homes that are tailored specifically to the land on which they are built and to the buyers in this region As we begin the design process for our homes at Pine Ridge we will be capitalizing on the Sugarloaf Mountain location which is one of the highest elevations in Central Florida This unique setting will allow us to deliver the kind of premium experience that defines Tri Pointe Homes and informs how we design communities that speak directly to the markets where we operate.” Tri Pointe’s expansion into the greater Orlando market is part of the company’s broader strategy to increase its presence in high-growth regions across the U.S The company has established a track record of expansions in markets like Utah supported by its guiding principle of the “Best of Big and Small.” This approach allows Tri Pointe’s regional divisions to benefit from local expertise and decision-making backed by the resources and stability of a nationally recognized homebuilder Florida’s strong economic foundation and population growth make it a strategic fit for Tri Pointe Homes and advanced manufacturing driving job creation in the region Tri Pointe Homes is well-positioned to serve a market with a demand for premium lifestyle homes Construction at Pine Ridge is expected to begin in mid-2025, with model home construction slated for mid-2026 and a grand opening anticipated in September 2026. For more information, visit tripointehomes.com/orlando 1 U.S. Census Bureau: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/minneolacityflorida/PST120223 Update: The suspect has been taken into custody Fla.—Two schools are on lockdown “out of an abundance of caution” as Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies are attempting to take a subject into custody on a warrant at a home in Minneola Lake Minneola High School and Grassy Lake Elementary are currently on lockdown due to their proximity to the incident location off of Hancock Road Copyright © 2025 Inside Lake | Powered by Compass Creative Group A Minneola teen was arrested this week for allegedly sexually battering a female student at Lake Minneola High School was arrested on a warrant Monday morning at Lake Minneola High School according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County A female juvenile victim alleged that he forcibly restrained her against her will deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to South Lake Hospital The victim advised that while still on campus after school the day before the juvenile followed her into a bathroom and forced her to have sex with him This bathroom was later found to be near the track on the school campus the victim and the juvenile had sexual intercourse about one year prior to the investigation The clothing she was wearing at the time of the incident was taken from her residence and placed into evidence the victim was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center in Leesburg where a forensic interview and sexual assault examination with an investigator took place She told the investigator that she was at the interview to be “checked out” due to being “raped,” becoming visibly upset at this point She defined rape as someone forcing someone to do something someone did not want to do more specifically “sex,” the affidavit said the victim went to another person’s house to pick up some items before going back to the school for practice She went to the bathroom near the tennis courts and bleachers before practicing The juvenile texted the victim asking where she was when she was walking to the other person’s house possibly asking for a “vape.” When she went to the bathroom She went into the large stall in the bathroom The juvenile asked the victim if she wanted to have sex with him to which she said “no” and that she did not do that with him anymore The juvenile choked the victim and tried to get her to perform oral sex on him he took her phone and blocked the door to the stall He stated that she could either perform oral sex or have sex with him he went into a larger stall again and placed the phone on the toilet and he pointed to it saying it was there while calling her “stupid” and a “dummy,” the affidavit said She slept at her friend’s house and went to school the next day to try not to deal with the situation Her mother eventually found out what happened This incident happened between 3 and 4 p.m The victim stated that she met the juvenile through her sister and best friend including that the juvenile put her into a corner of a large stall and touched her “butt” over the clothes He tried touching under the clothes but was not successful when the juvenile pushed her down in front of the toilet He held both her wrists with one hand in front of her body He picked up her phone and prevented her from grabbing it when she tried the juvenile tried getting the victim to perform oral sex on him He instead made her touch his penis before she was eventually able to get around him in the first small stall He took her into another small stall and sexually battered her The juvenile then washed his hands in the big stall and placed the victim’s phone on the toilet the victim called her sister back because she tried to call her multiple times during the incident and she told the victim that the juvenile tried to do this to her Her sister was in a relationship with the juvenile in the past The findings at the CAC were positive for child-on-child sexual battery though the victim mentioned that she bled after the incident Detectives went to the incident location where surveillance videos were observed This showed the juvenile and victim in the incident location at the same time The juvenile came into the front office of the LCSO and gave an interview after being told he did not have to speak with law enforcement He advised that he knew the victim from her sister but denied ever having any sexual relations He eventually went to the track for practice at “three something” with two other male students and went back into the lobby of the weight room He was with one of the males the entire time The juvenile saw the victim at some point during the day He tried to go into the bathroom of the incident location but the door was locked to the men’s bathroom the juvenile stated that she and his old friend were together but had a “falling out.” She had been telling people about the allegations He again confirmed that nothing happened whatsoever with the victim stating his DNA would not be anywhere on or in the victim or her clothing The detectives next spoke with one of the male students that was with the juvenile on the day of the incident He confirmed that he was at track practice after school with him stating he was by the boy’s bathroom at the incident location The juvenile was at the track for a certain amount of time and at the bathroom for 10 to 15 minutes a Florida Department of Law Enforcement report was completed using the victim’s clothing and a sexual assault examination kit The DNA results from a stain showed that at least one male and female detectives went to the home the victim visited on the day of the incident The male who lived there stated that he and the juvenile were friends in the past but had a falling out the victim arrived at the home at about 6 p.m. The male’s mother found out that the victim stated she was sexually battered by the juvenile This was when she called the victim’s mother to discuss the situation A search warrant was then obtained for the juvenile’s buccal swabs These were obtained and turned into evidence A comparison FDLE request was submitted for the juvenile’s swabs for comparison to the initial FDLE results The juvenile was named as a possible contributor to the mixed DNA from the stain on the victim’s clothes The mixed DNA profile was “greater than 700 billion” times more likely to have been from the victim and the juvenile than someone else The juvenile was charged with sexual battery The New York native was processed at the LCSO and released with no bond 6 May 2025 0:08:25 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString());  by Crooked Can Brewery – Minneola the planned 40,000 sq ft facility with a tap room near the Publix Shopping Center on Hancock and the Turnpike October 9th will be a night that many will not soon forget  Milton’s impacts were far-reaching inland well before his arrival to Florida’s Gulf Coast with feeder bands that held strong wind gusts and tornadic activity that ravaged parts of the south Florida and Atlantic coast areas The category 3 hurricane made its trek across south central Florida throughout the evening and into the early morning of Thursday The greatest impacts seemed to be hitting the south Lake community at approximately 2:00 am with torrential downpours of rain and wind forces that have not been felt in the area since the hurricane season of 2004 in a way that only a natural disaster could provide Many in the community suffered damage to their homes and businesses while others realized the catastrophic loss of trees that were decades old Residents located along bodies of water would not feel the full impact of the storm for several days as water levels continued to rise natural drainage from the surrounding hills and the Green Swamp area continue to feed the chain of lakes located in Clermont The chain is connected to a series of waterways that flow northward from south Florida into the Green Swamp the water continues northward into the Lake Harris Chain and eventually into the St Milton or the infrastructure damaged iconic displays throughout the area was crippled that helped protect many of them from the elements The replica Statue of Liberty that once adorned the Presidents’ Hall of Fame on US-27 near the Citrus Tower campus The statue was once used in a patriotic parade in downtown Clermont that was held in support of the nation and the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on September 11 Damage to the statute is unknown currently The city of Clermont’s docks on Lake Minneola were heavily damaged or destroyed due to the high winds and large were flooded with some reports of pavement collapse The floating docks utilized by several area rowboat teams near the Row House at Victory Point were destroyed A 40–60 foot gorge was dug out by flooding rains behind the Dunkin’ Donuts located at 1110 East SR-50 Initial observations appear to be a failed storm drain that collapsed allowing waters to travel down the steep embankment that leads to a small pond at the bottom of the hill that is part of the Jacks Lake trio of Lakes The John’s Lake system overflowed its banks causing the closure of the public boat ramp located on Lake Boulevard October 13th to close the public boat ramp located on Lake Minneola at East Avenue The closures are believed to be an effort to protect homes that are suffering from rising water damage along the waterways of the chain of lakes Concerns of floating debris and sunken boats are also potential hazards The ramp closure will be reevaluated on Friday Although some county-maintained boat ramps are still open Lake County Emergency Management issued a countywide statement on Sunday October 13th declaring that “A countywide No-Wake Zone is in effect All vehicles – including those on roads – should travel at idle speed if they are within 100 feet of shoreline for all waterbodies in the County Driving at idle speed will help ensure your car doesn’t push water from flooded roads into nearby homes.” is an age-restricted (55+) community that enjoys easy and quick access to the chain of lakes This easy access also allows for easy encroachment of high waters especially during the Florida summer months that are known for excessive A wet summer that was capped with a hurricane that dumped an estimated 13 inches of rain in 24 hours was too much for the already swollen lakes Water continued to rise on Sunday the 13th to the point that a joint evacuation was coordinated between the City of Clermont’s police and fire departments Some residents on the Emerald Lakes peninsula waded through waist and knee-deep waters to safety The City of Clermont provided temporary shelter for the residents until a more definitive approach could be reached What is next for the Emerald Lakes Community remains a mystery but one thing for certain is the fact that there will be more wet summers and there will be more tropical systems that move through our community in the future Lake levels will once again rise while property and lives are once again put into jeopardy Perhaps it is time to reevaluate our lakefront property development and practices A piece of historic downtown Clermont’s history was revealed among the damage located at 757 West Montrose Street The façade of the former Hanks Electric business was partially removed by the wind the remaining face of the building was removed the hand-painted identity of the former Badcock store was revealed The Badcock store was located in the 1920’s era building from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s before moving to a newer and larger location on West SR-50 in Clermont along with the adjoining building that once housed Newbold’s 5 & 10 store The Hanks family occupied the building for several decades before restructuring the business in 2023 and moving to a new location The storm has also revealed that in a time with so much division in the community neighbors will still come together and help each other out Friends and family will still join forces to assist others who are less fortunate A related topic that is prominent in the social media world right now is the wake zones on our beautiful chain of lakes Respect for others goes a long way in hard times when tempers are short Both sides of the “No Wake” issue have valid points but somewhere in the middle compromise should prevail over anger and disregard for others property Disaster relief resources can be found at www.LakeCountyFl.gov. FEMA Disaster Recovery Center information can be found at www.FEMA.gov/DRC