James (Terell) Wilkins

2 weeks ago | orlandosentinel.com | James (Terell) Wilkins

Clermont will keep Interim City Manager Rick Van Wagner in the position for at least the next six months following the controversial exit of his predecessor, but the city council appears to have a permanent choice in the queue. The previous city manager, Brian Bulthuis, signed a voluntary separation agreement and left the role after just over three years, leading to Van Wagner's appointment December 10.

2 weeks ago | orlandosentinel.com | James (Terell) Wilkins

Two side-by-side big box retail stores are set as anchor locations within the Hills of Minneola's planned town center, Minneola Marketplace. With over 340,000 square feet of retail space combined, the two stores - northeast of the intersection of North Hancock Road and Citrus Grove Road, southwest of Minneola's turnpike interchange - will command over 38 acres and parking spaces for over 1,400 cars, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.

3 weeks ago | orlandosentinel.com | James (Terell) Wilkins

Hit with a $20 million estimate to build a new elections office, Lake County is eyeing an alternative that could save most of the cost: Transforming a defunct Joann fabrics store. The Tavares store, located in a shopping center along East Burleigh Boulevard just south of Lake Eustis, is one of nearly 800 such outlets closing across the country as part of the chain's bankruptcy proceedings. The store is currently in operation as a Joann location until May 31, according to landlord Robert Tamburro.

4 weeks ago | orlandosentinel.com | James (Terell) Wilkins

The source of a mystery stench that has plagued Mount Dora residents and visitors for years may finally have been identified by consultants for the city and Lake County. Now the question is what to do about it. According to the consultants' 83-page report, funded by a combined $270,000 from the two local governments, the Mid Florida Materials Mount Dora landfill on State Road 46 is likely generating the hydrogen sulfide gas that gives off the pungent odor.

1 month ago | orlandosentinel.com | James (Terell) Wilkins

Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini wants to make it illegal for undocumented immigrants to enter the county, giving local authorities a directive to assist the Trump administration in deportations. Sabatini opened discussion during Tuesday's board meeting about a potential local ordinance modeled after one previously enacted in Jacksonville. "I think, at the state and local level, we need to be doing everything we can to address this very important issue of illegal immigration," he said.