Florida News Straight From the Source
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is announcing today the postponement of the March 4 starting date to replace a bridge on State Road (S.R.) 33 over the Green Swamp in Lake County. [Read more…] about New Information: S.R. 33 Bridge Replacement
Motorists and truckers who normally use the State Road (S.R.) 33 bridge though the Green Swamp region of Lake County will need to follow a detour route, possibly for five months, as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) builds a new bridge over a portion of the Green Swamp. [Read more…] about Road Closure and Detour on S.R. 33 for Bridge Replacement in Lake County
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public hearing on proposed plans to improve safety on U.S. 27/North 14th Street at the Benton Street Trail Crossing (north of Center Street). Proposed improvements consist of reconfiguring both sides of the trail crossing, and installing a raised pedestrian refuge island in the center turn lane to include new signs and flashing beacons. [Read more…] about U.S. 27 at Benton Street Trail Crossing Public Hearing
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public information meeting on the South Lake Trail Phase IIIB. The meeting is on Tuesday, June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the E.L. Puryear Building/Community Center in Groveland. [Read more…] about South Lake Trail Public Information Meeting in Lake County
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public hearing regarding plans to improve safety along U.S. 27 at the intersection of Weston Hills Boulevard/Holly Grove Boulevard. The project addresses operational and safety concerns by converting the existing full median to a bi-directional median. This type of median guides traffic to its own dedicated turn lane instead of two directions of traffic trying to share the same turn lane. See graphic below. [Read more…] about U.S. 27 at Weston Hills/Holly Grove Boulevard Improvements Public Hearing
ORLANDO, Fla. – Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Orlando Cyber Crime Task Force today arrested Michael Douglas Hanen, 67, of 248 E. Collins Street, Apt. 33, Umatilla, on 38 counts of possession of child pornography.
Hanen was a Boy Scouts leader with a Lake County troop. Given the nature of his arrest and his access to children, FDLE is asking anyone with information about Hanen to call the Orlando office at 407.245.0888.
After receiving a tip, FDLE Agents launched an investigation and learned that images depicting child pornography were associated with Hanen. During the execution of a search warrant, agents conducted a forensic preview of a digital device and found 38 files of children who appeared to be under the age of 18 depicted in sexual images.
Hanen is being held on a no-bond status at the Lake County jail. He will be prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office, Ninth Judicial Circuit.
The Shannon Elswick Campaign today announced the endorsement of Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker. Elswick is running to succeed Larry Metz, who faces term limits, in the District 32 seat of the Florida House of Representatives.
“Shannon Elswick will be an excellent state representative,” said Baker. “He is a true servant leader whose conservative values and understanding of the toughest issues facing Florida will make him a strong voice in Tallahassee. I look forward to working with him to strengthen the communities of Lake County.”
Baker was elected to his current post of Lake County Property Appraiser in 2012. In 2000, he was elected to the Florida House, was re-elected in 2002, and was elected to the Florida Senate in a special election in 2004. He was re-elected to that office twice. After serving for 31 years, Baker retired from the Army National Guard in 2013. In 2003, he was deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the first state or federal elected official to serve while in office. At 18, he began work in his family business, the A.W. Peterson Gun Shop in Mount Dora, the oldest gun shop in the United States.
“I am honored to have Carey Baker’s support,” said Elswick. “He is a true patriot, and, as a fellow veteran, I appreciate his distinguished service to our country in the military as well as the outstanding public service he provides to our community. He understands what it takes to get things done in Tallahassee, and I welcome his insight and look forward to working with him on behalf of the residents of Lake County.”
District 32 covers the south and central portions of Lake County, including the cities of Clermont and portions of Leesburg. Republicans dominate the district with 41 percent of registered voters while Democrats make up 33 percent.
Lake County – During the week of Sept. 25, northbound and southbound traffic will be moved to the newly built northbound lanes on U.S. 27 (State Road 25) between Boggy Marsh and Lake Louisa roads. The nighttime traffic shifts will occur on two separate days.
Once traffic is completely shifted to the new pavement, the contractor, Ranger Construction Industries, will begin building the new southbound lanes.
The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to widen U.S. 27 from a four-lane rural street to a six-lane suburban highway from Boggy Marsh Road to 1,000 feet north of Lake Louisa Road.
Please note the work schedule may change due to weather or other unexpected conditions. Project updates will be posted to the FDOT’s Central Florida website, www.cflroads.com.
For media-related questions, please contact the Public Information Office at 386-943-5497 or [email protected].
The FDOT urges all motorists to use caution near any road construction. Please slow down and stay alert when driving through work zones.
