LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for the hit-and-run driver who struck and killed a pedestrian trying to wave traffic around a tow truck Monday. The vehicle, believed to be a white Kia Soul with Indiana license plates, was going south on U.S. Highway 27 and approaching Margaux Drive in the…
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Homeless man convicted of killing 91-year-old veteran
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. — John Taylor, a 91-year-old veteran, let a homeless couple stay on his property rent free last year. Then, he was beaten to death and his car stolen. A jury Thursday did not let that stand. Bryan “Ducky” Hamill, 46, was convicted of first-degree murder and grand theft auto after a tenant…
Judge revokes bond in vehicular homicide case
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – A judge has revoked the bond of Dylan D. Katwaru who awaiting trial for allegedly causing a crash killing a teen after he was arrested on new drug charges. Katwaru will stay in jail until his trial, Circuit Judge James Baxley ruled Tuesday. The case is set for trial on March…
Driver in crash that killed teen wants bond restored
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – A man charged with reckless driving in the death of a teen had his bond revoked after a new arrest and is fighting to get it restored. Dylan Duresh Katwaru was 17 on Jan. 11, 2022 when he lost control of a 2007 BMW, hit a raised median and caused the…
Prayers for peace and justice after terrorist attack
The New Orleans terrorist attack that killed 15 and injured dozens is a stark reminder that life and the freedom to be safe from evildoers a thread tugged taut. On a day when people should be celebrating the new year and a game between two fabled college football teams, the nation is reeling. That goes…
2024 was a tough year for courts, cops
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – The year 2024 was a violent, tragic affair for cops and trial lawyers. On May 30, a man later identified as Alex Lopez burst into a Fruitland Park convenience store and mercilessly gunned down Raied “Ray” Shihadeh. Authorities also arrested a woman and charged her with helping hide him after the…
The greatest Christmas gifts
The song “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” may be a beautiful tune, but it’s a tear-jerker when you’re 1,000 miles from family. The year 1968 was like that for me. I was at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, for advanced training, a long way from Jacksonville, Fla. My parents and my brother would be…
Christmas albums that should never be considered
Christmas is joyful, especially the music, but some musicians should never, ever be allowed to belt out a holiday tune and ‘m not just talking about barking dogs. There’s Marilyn Manson, for example, Ozzy Osbourne, or any band that sounds like an explosion in the boiler room accompanied by screaming. Some of the stuff that’s…
Juvenile arrested for possessing especially disturbing child porn
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – Police in Tavares have arrested a 16-year-old and charged him with possessing 25 disturbing child pornography images, including bestiality. It’s becoming an ugly trend among juveniles. “Juveniles know how to go to the dark web,” said Detective Courtney Sullivan. Police received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited…
Life sentence for life altered forever
LAKE COUNTY, FLA. – Prosecutors with the State Attorney’s Office recently scored a conviction and life sentence in one of the most despicable crimes that plague society today. Miguel M. Ortiz, 56, was convicted of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child younger than 12 and showing the victim obscene material. It is not clear…