DOLPHINS DROP HEARTBREAKER TO BILLS / SPORTS B1 50¢
LEESBURG, FLORIDA Monday, October 21, 2013 www.dailycommercial.com THE LAW: Cops nab alleged molester / A3 MIDEAST: Signs of rift between Israel, US over Iran / A7 Cops want to know: Who helped you? BRENDAN FARRINGTON Jenkins and Charles Associated Press Walker: Who forged the PANAMA CITY papers? Who helped BEACH — Back in cus- you run from police? tody after using forged What other prisoners documents to escape have gotten away with their life sentences, this? Who was coming two convicted killers from Atlanta to whisk were being grilled on you out of Florida? Sunday by law en- “I can tell you, there forcement authorities will be more arrests,” who said they expect Florida Department to make more arrests of Law Enforcement PHOTOS BY THERESA CAMPBELL / HALIFAX MEDIA GROUP in a case that has given Commissioner Ger- Curly Weimer, 55, of Fruitland Park, fixes and restores old pinball machines. He often installs a new playfield in old cabinets, and both court and correc- ald Bailey told a news is a distributor of new pinball machines. tions officials in Florida conference Sunday, a black eye. hours after Jenkins and FRUITLAND PARK Among the questions Walker, both 34, were PINBALL WIZARD being posed to Joseph SEE HELP | A2 Curly Weimer’szz ability to both build and understand his machines makes him a Shutdown must much-sought-after resource for owners and collectors the world over THERESA CAMPBELL | and most popular pin- not be repeated, Staff Writer ball machines is a lim- theresacampbell@ ited edition Star Trek dailycommercial.com (priced $4,995), which Congress warns Curly Weimer un- is generating a lot of buzz. Only 799 of these derstands the appeal PHILIP ELLIOTT shutdown ended last of pinball machines were manufactured. Associated Press week although a pos- “Half of those go on young and old sible repeat may be on overseas and only WASHINGTON — alike; those who relish the horizon. Lawmak- 400 are in the U.S.,” Leaders from both par- the colorful lights and ers approved a budget Weimer said while ties insist a sequel to unexpected sounds that keeps the lights showing the Star Trek the government shut- all while being ready on through Jan. 15 and at any moment to pinball machine to down must be avoid- Approximately 15 different pinball machines are set up at one of his regular cus- ed although a plan to lets Treasury continue press the flippers and to pay its bills through launch a shiny ball up Curly Weimer’s Fruitland Park home, from where he sells and tomers, Dario Com- dodge it is still elusive. repairs pinball machines. pain of Tampa, who “This can never hap- Feb. 7. a jackpot-activating That’s Crowne Plaza at Or- was impressed by the pen again,” ramp. distributor through his “There’ll not be another not to say Little Shop of Games, lando Universal. Ar- new game. Treasury “This is a great hob- government shutdown, there is a where he does launch- cade businesses and “I want this Star Trek. Secretary by,” said Weimer, 55, of solution Fruitland Park, who is ing parties for col- collectors are among I really like it, I love the you can count on that.” Jacob Lew at hand, one of four people in lectors and travels to his top customers. flow of it,” Compain Senate Republican Leader said. and no the U.S. trained to re- pinball expositions “I just sold and said. “The ramps are Mitch McConell Added one is pair and restore old around the country. shipped a pinball ma- very smooth, the shots Senate Re- rushing pinball machines. Over the weekend, chine to Karl Urban, are relatively easy, and publican Leader Mitch forward with alterna- He also sells hard to he hosted a pinball who starred as Dr. Mc- as you get into it, it’s a McConnell: “There’ll tives to a potential re- find parts to pinball show in Chicago. His Coy on Star Trek, in little more challeng- not be another govern- owners and collectors next big event will be the last two movies,” ing.” ment shutdown, you peat of the gridlock all over the world, and Southern Pinball Fes- said Weimer, who not- Compain noted the can count on that.” that shuttered parts Weimer is a pinball tival Nov. 22-24 at the ed one of the latest SEE WIZARD | A2 The 16-day partial SEE REALLY | A2
Bob Hurst, vice president of the Historian uses ancient map Bay County His- torical Society, points out fea- tures on a histori- to trace Florida’s oldest trail cal map of the old Spanish trail in SCOTT CARROLL So, I mean, I bypassed a lot of land. And a Panama City. The News Herald lot of the land is private, unfortunately. I wish I could get on some of it and check PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Bay County His- ANDREW it out.” JOHNSON / NEWS torical Society vice president Bob Hurst In a recently-finished project to defin- HERALD unrolled an 8-foot map, a replica of Brit- itively map the Old Spanish Trail in Flor- ish cartographer Joseph Purcell’s drawing of the Old Spanish Trail, the oldest road in ida, Hurst covered more than half of the Florida. 465-mile route from St. Augustine to Pen- Slowly, Hurst ran his fingers over the sacola. Along the way, he used aerial pho- map, recalling the hundreds of miles along tographs, topographical maps, and refer- the trail he has explored since late winter. enced Purcell’s map and other historical “A lot of times the road will be obliterat- documents to plot a more accurate path ed,” he said in a recent interview. “I’ll have of the historic trail, which is also known as to jump from another place that I have the El Camino Real and the Spanish Royal plotted, where I think it is, and go there. SEE TRAIL | A2
Vol. 137, No. 293 | 4 sections INSIDE TODAY’S WEATHER LIVING HEALTHY C1 MISSED YOUR PAPER? CLASSIFIED D1 NATION A6 HIGH Call 787-0600 (Lake County), or COMICS C6 OBITUARIES A4 87 877-702-0600 (Sumter County) CROSSWORDS D1 SPORTS B1 LOW NEWS TIP? DEAR ABBY C7 VOICES A7 69 Call Scott Callahan at 365-8203 LEGALS D1 WORLD A6 See A8 DAILYCOMMERCIAL.COM Wednesday, March 25, 2015 | B1
BASEBALL Tanaka, not Sabathia looks to be Yankees’ Opening Day starter. See page B2. SPORTS » PURSE GROWS LARGER FOR PACQUIAO, MAYWEATHER, SEE PAGE B4 ›› GOLF MONTVERDE’S BEN SIMMONS Masters getting Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the too crowded for its liking
DOUG FERGUSON Associated Press
ORLANDO — Matt Every needed a victory at Bay Hill to get into the Masters, and he was only being honest when he shared what he was thinking as Henrik Stenson faced a birdie putt on the final hole to force a playoff. “You’re already in. Miss it. I need to get in.” Augusta National would have had reason to root for Stenson. It has managed to keep the field FRANK JOLLEY at the Masters under 100 players for [email protected] nearly 50 years, a streak that is in seri- ous jeopardy going into the final two t’s about 10,000 miles from Australia to Montverde weeks. Every was the fourth PGA Tour Academy. winner in the last six weeks to qualify YEARFor Ben Simmons, it has been a trip filled with for the Masters. countless highs, including two national champion- That brings the total to 95 players ships and a trophy filled with awards. at Augusta — including Tiger Woods, IThe 6-foot-10 senior forward from Melbourne, Aus- the great unknown — heading into a trailia added another honor on Tuesday — one that will pivotal week. be difficult to top — when he was named the Gatorade This is the second and final cutoff National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. for players not already eligible for the “I imagined winning this award for a long time,” Masters to qualify through the top 50 Simmons said, after being recognized during an in the world ranking. Three players in afternoon assembly in the school’s Center for the top 50 are virtually assured of stay- Wellness and Sportsmanship. ing there — Anirban Lahiri of India “This is one of the biggest (No. 35), Bernd Wiesberger of Austria honors a high school (No. 41) and Branden Grace of South basketball player can get. Africa (No. 43). You set goals and then So that makes 98. you work hard to reach Marc Warren of Scotland (52), Harris them and (winning this English (53) and Alex Levy of France award) was definitely one (54) are all playing this week either in of my goals. the Texas Open or the Hassan Trophy “I’m truly humbled to be SEE MASTERS, B3 this year’s winner.” Simmons is the first Montverde Academy student-athlete to win the award. He is the second player from Florida to earn the honor — Brandon Knight ›› BASEBALL from Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest won in 2009 and 2010. Other winners include LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Chris Webber. In addition to Tuesday’s honor, Simmons has been chosen Pitchers on to play in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American in Chica- go and the Jordan Brand Classic in New York. He is this year’s winner of the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year award and was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year. timers in high Simmons has led Montverde Academy to a 28-1 record this season and will play in in the annual Dick’s Sporting Goods High School Boys National Tournament in April in New York City. He averaged 28 points and 11.9 rebounds per game for minor leagues the Eagles, while shooting 70.7 percent from the field. “Ben just outworks everyone else,” Montverde Academy RONALD BLUM coach Kevin Boyle said. “That was his mind-set when he Associated Press first stepped on campus three years ago and that’s what it is now. He knows there is always room for improvement and he NEW YORK — Pittsburgh Pirates strives to get better at each practice. reliever Rob Scahill thinks his mound “He doesn’t allow himself to be satisfied.” mates will do just fine at beating the SEE SIMMONS, B3 new 20-second pitch clock that will be used at Triple-A and Double-A this season, one that could lead to balls and strikes as penalties. BEN SIMMONS BY THE NUMBERS “I think it’s going to affect the hitters HEIGHT: 6-10 Two time national champion, more than the pitchers. They’re the POSITION: Forward will play for a third-straight title in ones with all the routines,” he said April POINTS PER GAME: 28 Tuesday in Bradenton, Florida, after REBOUNDS PER GAME: 11.9 2015 Morgan Wootten Award the new minor league rules were an- winner ASSISTS PER GAME: 4.0 nounced. “Step out of the box, adjust SHOOTING PERCENTAGE: 70.7 2015 Naismith Prep Player of the Year the batting gloves, look for the sign from the third base coach, take a few HONORS 2015 Gatorade National Boys 24 double-doubles as a senior Basketball Player of the Year practice swings. “Me, I just want to get the ball and McDonald’s All-American Signed with Louisiana State throw it. Work fast,” added Scahill, who split last season between the Colorado Rockies and Triple-A SEE CLOCK, B3
›› NFL Owners shoot down most replay proposals at league meetings
BARRY WILNER zone could be reviewed by the Philadelphia Eagles owner Associated Press replay official without a coach’s Jeffrey Lurie was disappointed challenge. Currently, the play the Patriots’ proposal that virtu- PHOENIX — NFL owners would be reviewed only if it was ally anything be challengeable shot down nearly every video ruled a touchdown. was not passed. replay proposal brought to their Proposals defeated were: “We sort of have an encyclo- meetings Tuesday, while ap- > increasing coaches’ chal- pedic notebook of what you proving six safety rule changes. lenges by one to three; can challenge,” Lurie said. “I Of the 13 replay alterations > replay reviews of any per- prefer challenge anything. It proposed, including extend- sonal fouls; didn’t pass and I hope someday ing the number of coaches’ > reviews of any penalty it will.” challenges and letting them resulting in a first down, with The owners approved a pro- challenge all officiating calls, no challenge necessary; posal for stopping play when the only one passed will allow > replays on fouls against a a medical adviser believes a game officials to use replay for defenseless receiver being en- player is unstable and should clock issues at the end of a half, forced when a reversal results be taken off the field. They also game or overtime if more than in an incomplete pass; approved rules prohibiting 1 second remains. > reviewing fouls against a players from pushing team- Washington’s suggestion to defenseless receiver, with an mates on the line of scrimmage use replay to review personal unsuccessful challenge not when the opponent is punting; fouls was withdrawn. Kansas costing a timeout; eliminating all peel-back blocks City withdrew a proposal to > reviewing whether time and chop blocks by running allow replay officials to review expired on the play clock before backs outside the tackle box; GENE PUSKAR / AP all potential scores or turn- the ball is snapped; and extending defenseless Referee Walt Coleman, center, enters the Instant Replay sideline booth overs. For example, a pass > using stadium-produced player protection during an to review a play during game last season game between Pittsburgh ruled incomplete in the end video for a replay review. interception return. Steelers and Houston in Pittsburgh. BOSH FINDS OFFENSIVE GROOVE, SPORTS B1
LEESBURG, FLORIDA Friday, April 25, 2014 www.dailycommercial.com DEVELOPMENT: Plans for South Lake POLL: Gov. Scott and Charlie Dora Shore area are being finalized, A3 Crist are in a dead heat, A2 LEESBURG A GUIDE TO THE 18TH ANNUAL Three-year-old LEESBURG BIKEFEST girl drowns in he first Leesburg Bikefest 18 much a music festival as a biker gath- neighbor’s pool years ago was a rather cozy affair ering. Buildings that normally offer T featuring a turnout of just 5,000 high-brow entertainment — the Op- MILLARD K. IVES | Staff Writer people, four vendors and a couple of era House, Palace Theater and the [email protected] local garage bands along Main Street. Leesburg Center for the Arts — will Cozy hardly describes the event to- be transformed into clubs where the A 3-year-old Leesburg girl day. More than 100,000 people are party continues long after the out- drowned Thursday afternoon, ap- expected for the three-day event that door venues have closed. parently after sneaking into a neigh- kicks off this morning in an area that Besides the music, there are bor’s pool. covers 30-plus blocks of downtown poker runs, a custom bike show, Leesburg police said the mother Leesburg and the Gator Harley-Da- skills events, drill teams, extreme vidson complex on U.S. Highway 441, stunts, tattoo contests and hot- was asleep when her daughter, Jay- several miles east of downtown. body contests. onna Brown, and 4-year-old son went Bikefest utilizes just about every For the safety of the bikers and two homes to the east of their Bon- square inch of outdoor space in the biker enthusiasts, the streets are naire Drive house, where they were downtown area to accommodate 250 open for motorcycles only, which able to climb into the above-ground vendors and stages that will host 70 helps produce a unique and success- pool using an attached ladder. performers in what has become as ful Lake County event. Capt. Rob Hicks said the boy no- ticed his sister was in “distress,” and A Little Perspective big money ran to the home next door and got Lake County officials estimate the total eco- help from a plumber working there, Leesburg Bikefest is a massive event that continues to grow, in no who removed Jayonna from the small part because of the welcoming approach of city leaders and the nomic impact of Bikefest at roughly $100 mil- great entertainment offerings for bikers. But Bikefest still lags behind lion based on data gathered from the 2012 pool and called for help. the largest motorcycle rallies in the nation. Bikefest TouchPoll of South Florida Survey. The The girl was taken to Leesburg Re- The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota continues to set the survey found that the average Bikefest visitor gional Medical Center, where she standard for rallies. Founded in 1938, Sturgis draws an average of spends $987.17, including $173 on food and was pronounced dead. drinks, $140 on gifts and merchandise 650,000 visitors to a town that normally features just 7,000 residents. Edward Hale, who lives across the Daytona Bike Week actually debuted a year before Sturgis, in 1937, and more than $300 on lodging. and draws a whopping 500,000 visitors. street from both homes, called the Laconia Bike Week in Laconia, N.H., is older than both Sturgis drowning a tragic accident and Jay- and Daytona but doesn’t have quite the drawing power of its younger onna “sweet” and “friendly.” sisters. Laconia, which occurs in June, annually draws between star power “She loved to walk up to you and 200,000 and 400,000 visitors. Bikefest is as much a say ‘What’s your name?’” Hale said. music festival as it is The child’s mother, identified as a biker gathering. The 22-year-old Chante Anthony, lives three-day event will fea- with her children in the middle of by the numbers ture 70 performers on stages strewn BIKEFEST T-SHIRTS SOLD: across Main Street and at Gator Har- SEE POOL | A2 More than 3,000 last year ley-Davidson. Among the prominent TONS OF TRASH GENERATED: 40 names on the roster are Jackyl, a hard rock band; Vanilla Ice, whose 1989 single “Ice, EXPECTED ATTENDANCE: Ice Baby” is considered a pop classic and LEESBURG 100,000 Uncle Kracker, whose 2001 single “Follow Me” PORTABLE TOILETS: 147 regular reached number five on Billboard’s Top 100. and 12 handicap-accessible units, Vanilla Ice, right, appears at 10 p.m. Fri- Shuttles available for a total of 159 day, Jackyl is at 10 p.m. Saturday and Uncle BAGS OF ICE USED: Kracker will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. 2,600 20-pound bags for Bikefest crowd Staff Report parking Other than riding on a motorcy- staffing Here’s a tip: If you’re not interested in Bikefest, stay away from Leesburg Bikefest is a major undertaking that requires thousands of downtown Leesburg this weekend because it will be crowded. If cle, the best way to navigate through volunteer hours and nearly as many paid staff. The Leesburg Part- you are interested, be prepared to pay for parking. There is plenty Lake County during Leesburg Bikef- nership brings on dozens of temporary, paid staff to work of on-street parking for bikers, but there is also ample parking est this weekend is in the comfort of around the clock setting up for the event. In all, the elsewhere. Thirty-seven nonprofit groups will offer parking at a LakeXpress bus. partnership estimates that it invests 2,200 hours area businesses and vacant lots for a fee. Bikers pay As in years prior, LakeXpress will be getting the event up and running. $5 to park and all other vehicles pay $10. providing shuttle services along U.S. Highway 441, with routes traveling to Mount Dora, Eustis, Tavares and The Villages throughout the weekend, El- isha Pappacoda, a county public in- formation officer, said in a press re- lease. In addition, the Gator Harley Express shuttle will run from down- town Leesburg to Gator Harley-Da- vidson at 1745 U.S. Highway 441 ev- ery 20 minutes throughout the event. Fares are $1 each way, $3 for an un- limited day pass or $8 for a 10-ride pass. Exact change is required. Stu- dents with a valid school ID ride free, and seniors and veterans ride for half price with proof of ID. Transfer pass- es are free for single, one-way trips. Buses are equipped for disabled pas- sengers and have bicycle racks. “Passengers can catch LakeXpress at any of the 54 special Bikefest bus stops, any current LakeXpress stop, or any safe location along the route by flagging down a bus by raising
WHITNEY WILLARD / STAFF GRAPHIC SEE SHUTTLES | A2
INDEX DIVERSIONS C3 OBITUARIES A4 Vol. 138 LEGALS C7 SPORTS B1 TODAY’S WEATHER CLASSIFIED C7 No. 115 50¢ BUSINESS A6 VOICES A9 Detailed forecast 86˚/64˚ COMICS C2 4 sections CROSSWORDS A6 NATION A2 WORLD A5 on page A10. Partly sunny O two areas. connections between the creatingsupports better to owner Kerry Bogard, who years inAugust, according will have beenopenfor15 Dora Museum ofSpeed Donovan said. half mileaway. downtownhistoric core a be betterconnectedtothe Highland Street area could city officialsagree thatthe of thearea’s vibe. Mayor Ryan Donovan said themselves. pub are destinationsin museum andalocalbrew on Highland a classiccar beers, south whilefurther antiques andunique maid Juice issellingboth station. gas arepurposed in owns he restaurant of the out tacos serving and fries Mount Dora’s ‘other downtown’ could see new, tighter connections to city’s historic district Kerry Bogard gives atour ofhisbusinessMountDora Museum ofSpeed onHighland Street inMountDora onThursday. Weekend’s FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 Highland Street’s Mount “We’re notthatfarapart,” Still, businessowners and “I love it,Ilove it,” Vice Across thestreet, Mer Hopes for Highland Street Highland for Hopes to patien impr err to be based At leader St TOP SEARCHING FOR PLANB [email protected] People could lose learn pr or health subsidies. See Nation, A2 re Fl ov ov s, cognized orida ill mayor is making making is mayor Dora’sMount vice Street, Highland Avenue and Fifth of corner n the SEE MOUNT DORA, A5 on ts A in iding ing UST mor turn ju ho rie Ho car Lak I w e N FULLE ad s to spital about e we as an va in us 3 Lak d ll in nced, our we trusting in Wa R our e e fe community pr Co cti terman, saf commitmen Cou DAI otect un ons - e, we ty’ . compassionate Vi CROSSWORDS COMICS CLASSIFIED INDEX patien s will our saf sit . nty’ FHW est do patien EUSTIS SLUGGERS Yellow Jackets at bay. bay. at Jackets Yellow Panthers now 6-2 after holding BLANK LEESBURG t ts
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- Variable clouds with showers. with clouds Variable [email protected] The News Service of Florida bargain prices. Free. prices. bargain vegetables and trees for sale at shrubs, plants, of Thousands 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares. O!ce’s Discovery Gardens, at the Lake County Extension 3 67 L YC See Local &State, A3 L MASTER GARDENERS J I I V M S OMME Sumter County fair I THE READY ST ˚ A 8 a.m. to noon Saturday deners Plant Sale from Gar Master County Lake opens tonight. RIDES AT PLANT SALE UN A / 51 NFO D RCIA E R RD SEE ELECTION, A5 S SEE POLICE, A5 L. ˚ C OM
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