The City of Clermont’s Building Services Department is informing residents, property owners, contractors, and design professionals that the Florida Building Code, 9^th Edition, takes effect December 31, 2026.

The Florida Building Code establishes statewide minimum standards for building occupancy, design, construction, alterations, and repairs. The transition to the new 9th Edition will impact anyone submitting building permit applications in the City of Clermont.

Key Transition Dates:

• Permit applications submitted through 11:59 pm on December 30, 2026 will follow the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023).
• Permit applications submitted on or after December 31, 2026 will be reviewed under the Florida Building Code, 9th Edition (2026).

Clermont encourages applicants to plan ahead to ensure their submittals are complete prior to the transition deadline. Design professionals must certify that their plans comply with the code in effect at the time of permit application.

For more information on statewide code changes, visit the Florida Building Commission at FloridaBuilding.org. Local updates and resources can be found on the City of Clermont Building Services webpage at ClermontFL.gov/508/Building-Services.

Questions may be directed to Clermont Building Services at 352-241-7315 or inspection@clermontfl.org.

The post City of Clermont Urges Residents, Designers, and Contractors To Be Aware of New Building Code appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida) recognized Wellness Way with its 2026 Award of Merit for Best Practice, honoring excellence in community planning across the state. Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks and Kathleen Dial, Executive Director of Development Services, accepted the award on behalf of Lake County at a recent state conference in Miami. The City of Clermont and GAI Consultants were also recognized.

GAI Consultants, one of the award recipients, presented an overview of Panther Run on Nov. 2 to the Wellness Way Economic Development Roundtable at their monthly meeting in Clermont.

Panther Run, a master-planned community with over 72% green space, is the largest development in Wellness Way. The development by GT USA is scheduled to break ground in 2027. The community will have 11 miles of trails and 20 community parks open to the public.

The post Wellness Way Earns Statewide Recognition appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

I am truly humbled and deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue serving as your Mayor. My successful re-election would not have been possible without the prayers, encouragement, hard work, sacrifices, and generous support of so many people. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

To everyone who stood with me throughout this campaign, whether you contributed financially, volunteered your time, made phone calls, knocked on doors, shared campaign information, encouraged others to vote, or simply offered words of support, please know that your contribution made a difference. Every effort mattered, and I am sincerely grateful.

A special thank-you to everyone who participated in our road rallies. Your enthusiasm, energy, and willingness to show your support throughout our community were truly encouraging. Seeing so many people come together for a common purpose was a reminder that this campaign was about more than one individual. It was about the future of Clermont.

To my wife, Kassier, I owe you a special and heartfelt thank-you. Thank you for standing beside me throughout this journey, for your unwavering love, patience, prayers, and encouragement. Your hard work in organizing our road rallies and keeping everything moving behind the scenes did not go unnoticed. You have been my greatest supporter, and I could not have done this without you. I love you, and I am forever grateful.

To my campaign manager, Larry Oskin, thank you for your dedication and commitment over the past six years. Your 24/7 involvement, tireless campaigning, attention to detail, and constant monitoring of social media have been invaluable. You have invested countless hours into these campaigns, and I sincerely appreciate your loyalty, hard work, and friendship.

To Gregg Amann and Michael Gonzalez, thank you for your daily words of encouragement, support, and confidence. Sometimes a simple phone call or a few encouraging words can make all the difference, especially during the demanding days of a campaign. I appreciate both of you more than you know.

To our financial contributors, thank you for believing in me and investing in the vision and future of Clermont. Your generosity helped make this campaign possible.

Most importantly, to the residents of Clermont who placed their trust and confidence in me once again, thank you. I do not take your support lightly. I recognize that this victory comes with an even greater responsibility to listen, lead, serve, and work diligently on behalf of our entire community.

As I often say, leadership is not about an individual; it is about the people we serve and the difference we make together. The work continues, and I remain committed to responsible growth, strong neighborhoods, public safety, economic opportunity, and preserving the quality of life that makes Clermont such a special place to call home.

The Bible reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

I am thankful for every prayer, every contribution, every encouraging word, every campaign sign, every phone call, and every person who stood with us.

To God be the glory for the things He has done!

With sincere gratitude and appreciation,

Tim Murry
Mayor, City of Clermont

The post Clermont Mayor Tim Murry Thanks Clermont Voters For Their Support appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The results do not include:

• Military/Overseas Vote-by-Mail Ballots
• Provisional Ballots
• Ballots undergoing the Cure Process

Voters who need to resolve provisional ballot or signature issues must do so by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5th.

In accordance with Florida Statutes, the unofficial results will be certified by November 6th after provisional ballots have been canvassed. To view the unofficial results, visit https://enr.electionsfl.org/LAK/4079/Summary/. Official results are expected to be certified on November 13th.

“Election Day is more than an annual event; it gives American Citizens a direct voice in shaping local, state, and federal government agencies. Everyone who voted in the General Election played an essential role in influencing future policies and choosing the leaders who will guide our communities,” commented Alan Hays, Lake County Supervisor of Elections.

The Post-Election Voting System Audit for the 2026 General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 17th at 3:00 pm at the Supervisor of Elections Office located at 1898 E. Burleigh Blvd.,Tavares. The public is encouraged to attend.

Lake Countians with election related questions are encouraged to reach out to the Lake County Supervisor of Elections Office by phone at 352-343-9734, online at LakeVotes.gov or in person at the elections office in Tavares.

The post 2026 General Election—Unofficial Results From Lake County Supervisor of Elections appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The post 2026 General Election Projected Results In South Lake County appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Brewery

1 of 8

The post Crooked Can Brewing Company Announces New Weekly Farmers Market at Minneola Location Beginning November 15 appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

Work is officially underway on the State Road 50 realignment project around downtown Groveland, marking an important step toward improving traffic flow and creating new opportunities for the city’s downtown area.

Residents and motorists may have already noticed crews clearing the proposed route, heavy equipment arriving on-site, and detour signs being installed as construction progresses.

The project includes a new four-lane roadway designed to divert much of the truck traffic away from downtown streets, helping ease congestion and improve traffic conditions. Once the new route is complete, Broad Street and Orange Street will be transferred to the City of Groveland, opening the door for future plans to reimagine and revitalize the downtown area.

One aspect of the project receiving particular attention is the anticipated closure of Crittenden Street. Currently, the road serves as a popular cut-through for motorists, especially during the busy morning and afternoon commute. City officials recognize how heavily this route is used and are working closely with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to ensure the timing of the eventual closure takes the needs of local commuters into consideration.

According to city officials, Crittenden Street will not close before February at the earliest. Residents and motorists will receive advance notice, and any planned detours will be communicated to the public in a timely manner.

As construction moves forward, the SR 50 realignment represents more than a roadway improvement. It is also an opportunity to reshape the downtown Groveland experience, reduce through-traffic, and create a more welcoming environment for the community.

See the map for a look at the planned roadway realignment.

The post FDOT’s $27 Million Roadway Project Expected To Improve Traffic Flow in Groveland appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

After years of efforts and negotiations, Downtown Groveland’s historic train depot will be officially handed over to the City in a ceremony honoring the significance of the site and featuring both dignitaries and invested members of the public.

The train depot was built more than a century ago and has played a pivotal role in the development of Groveland. The first depot was built as the City, originally called Taylorville, became part of the Orange Belt Railway System in the early 20^th century. The second depot, which still stands today, is 101 years old and has (up until now) always been privately owned.

Groveland became connected to both Sanford and to St. Petersburg with this train depot. It was the site of the export of crops and materials like turpentine, citrus and timber.

The depot was also the site of the arrest of a member of the Groveland Four: Charles Greenlee, who was just 16 years old at the time. The name “Groveland Four” would later become synonymous with racial injustice as the 1949 incident of wrongful accusation, arrests, and prosecution of four Black men in South Lake County took place. 

Proclamations from both the City and Lake County would acknowledge the history and importance of the Four, and recent legislative efforts resulted in reparations for the descendants of the Groveland Four.

“This handoff is a momentous occasion for the City of Groveland as we take a huge step forward in preserving history,” said Groveland Mayor Keith Keogh. “Our community’s honest and real history should be recognized as we work to create a more engaged and informed City.”

Since around 2007, efforts have been made to press for and negotiate the transfer of ownership to the City, which would allow for restoration efforts to commence. After working with our partners at the Avalon Group and Carabao International, the City is prepared to take possession of the train depot site.

“So many individuals have been involved in making this dedication a reality,” said Groveland Interim City Manager Tim Maslow. “We want to thank our private partners who have worked with the City to transfer ownership, and we look forward to opening the newly renovated and reimagined train depot property to the public.”

The City has budgeted $500,000 toward the first phase of the restoration, which is slated to commence in 2027. An additional phase, including an event space, will be an immediate next step shortly after restoring the existing structure. There will also be a historic, brick pedestrian plaza surrounding the train depot to serve as a gateway and trail hub entering Downtown Groveland.

The post Historic Train Depot Site To Be Deeded To City of Groveland appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The right to vote and have your voice heard should never be taken for granted. Every vote matters, and every voter has a responsibility to make informed decisions.

Get your facts straight. Vote based on facts, not opinions. Take the time to research the candidates, understand the issues, and consider the long-term consequences of your choices.

As difficult as it may be, cast your vote with the greater good of our country in mind, not just your personal interests.

For example, lowering taxes may sound appealing, but consider the bigger picture. If taxes are reduced or remain unchanged, how might that affect the services your community depends on, such as public safety, schools, roads, and other essential services?

Also, remember that not every problem is local. Some challenges are global in nature and cannot be solved by your community alone.

Before you cast your ballot, think critically, look beyond the headlines, and consider the facts. An informed voter is an empowered voter, and a thoughtful vote can help shape a better future for everyone.

Educate yourself on politics, the voting process, the candidates and the issues. 

Get your facts straight. Vote based on facts over opinions. And, hard as it may seem, cast your vote to benefit the good of the country. 

Our country is diverse and our responsibility is to vote for the good of all.

Let your voice be heard.  VOTE by Tuesday, November 3.

To learn more, click on VOTE. 

The post Make Your Vote Count: Choose Facts Over Opinions appeared first on South Lake Tablet.

The partnership comes as residents prepare for the end of Daylight Saving Time and turn their clocks “back” one hour (remember: Spring Ahead; Fall Back). The twice-a-year ritual of changing clocks provides an important reminder for residents to test the smoke detectors in their homes, check batteries, and make sure each device is functioning properly.

“Safety is who we are at Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, and that commitment goes well beyond the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas,” Brent E. Haywood, P.E., General Manager and CEO of Lake Apopka Natural Gas District said. “By partnering with the City of Clermont and its Fire Department, we have an opportunity to put potentially lifesaving equipment directly into residents’ homes. We hope this donation also encourages every family to take a few minutes when they change their clocks to make sure the smoke detectors in their home are ready to protect them.”

The donation is part of a broader District community safety initiative with fire departments in the cities of Clermont and Apopka, with each receiving 100 to provide to their residents. Working smoke detectors provide critical early warning during a residential fire, giving occupants additional time to safely escape. The Clermont Fire Department encourages residents to routinely test their smoke alarms and follow manufacturer recommendations regarding batteries and replacement of older devices.

“A working smoke alarm can make a tremendous difference when a fire occurs because every second matters,” said David Ezell, Clermont Fire Chief. “This donation will allow our department to get smoke detectors into the hands of residents who can benefit from them. We thank Lake Apopka Natural Gas District for partnering with us and helping reinforce a simple but important message: test your alarms, make sure they are working and never take fire safety for granted.”

The Clermont Fire Department operates five stations and provides fire suppression, emergency medical response, fire prevention, safety education, and other emergency services to the Clermont community. The department responded to more than 8,500 calls for service in 2025.

For the District, the initiative builds upon its longstanding emphasis on safety for its employees, customers and communities. In addition to maintaining a safe and reliable natural gas distribution system, the District works with local governments, first responders and community organizations to promote public awareness and support programs that enhance quality of life throughout its service area.

Residents should use the changing of the clocks each spring and fall as a recurring reminder to:

• Test every smoke detector in the home to ensure it is working properly;
• Check batteries and replace them when necessary;
• Make sure smoke detectors are installed in appropriate locations throughout the home;
• Replace smoke detectors according to manufacturer recommendations; and
• Review the household’s fire escape plan and make sure everyone knows how to safely exit the home in an emergency.

The post Clermont Fire Department Receives 100 Smoke Detectors From Lake Apopka Natural Gas District to Promote Fire Safety appeared first on South Lake Tablet.