The Clermont Police Department (CPD) held its bi-monthly Coffee with a Cop, a community relations event, on Wednesday, May 20 at SevenMade, 685 Seventh Street, Clermont. Coffee with a Cop is a program designed to enhance community member relationship with law enforcement officers and the citizens of the communities that they serve. Businesses throughout the area often host the Coffee with a Cop program to exhibit not only support of the community but also support of the local first responders in the community. It also provides a neutral location for real conversations about issues that matter.

 Sgt. Erin Razo, the department’s Community Relations Supervisor, announced that the department’s annual summer youth-related activities are planned and set to go beginning in June. The CPD has had a long tradition of summer programs that enhance interaction with youth and young adults.  

June 4 –  A teen summit from 5 pm – 8 pm at the Clermont Police Department, 3600 South Highway 27. The summit will include topics covering the hazards of vaping, drug education and K-9 demonstrations. Guests will also see other real-life police demonstrations up-close. Music, refreshments, giveaways and the opportunity to have real conversations with the police officers will provide an opportunity for teens to “get stuff off of their chest.” Register for the free event by clicking https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clermont-police-department-teen-summit-2026-tickets-1986824956930?aff=oddtdtcreator

June and July, each Wednesday from 9 am- 11 am. The CPD will also be hosting “Community Service Hours Opportunity” in June and July. Teens in grades 9-12 can accrue needed service hours while making a difference in our community. Sgt. Razo states that various tasks will be available for three students each day, either around the station or other safe places that will include adult supervision.  The only exception will be July 1^{s t}– there will be no availabilities on this day. Preregistration is required and can be completed by contacting Mary Verrier at mverrier@clermontfl.org.

 The 2^nd Annual “Hoops with Cops” will be returning in June. Police Chief John Graczyk implemented the youth program last summer as a trial run with great success. The free event will be held at recreation parks throughout the city from 9 am – 11 am.

The free event is open to youth  and does not require preregistration.

June 4 – Waterfront Park, 100 3^{rd Street} 

June 18 – Skyridge Park, Skyridge Valley Subdivision

 July 9 – Lake Felter Park, 1750 Johns Lake Road

July 23 – Palatlakaha Park, 1250 12^th Street-

 Contact Ofc. Antonio Robinson at arobinson@clermontfl.org for additional information.  

 The Clermont Police Department continues to seek certified police officers for hire. The beginning salary starts at $65,405 with an increase for prior experience. Benefits include participation in the department’s take-home vehicle program, specialized units within the department and a 20-year retirement plus health benefits package.

 Police cadet academy sponsorship positions are available through a candidate selection process. The Clermont Police Department will pay cadets an hourly wage to participants while they are enrolled in the police academy. Interested people may inquire further at www.joincpdfl.com.

Visit the Clermont Police Department (FL)Facebook page for continuing updates to summer season and community event schedules.

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The community is invited to gather in remembrance and gratitude this Memorial Day as the City of Minneola honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Military.

The special Memorial Day ceremony will take place on Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at the May Griffith Gazebo, located at the corner of Lake Minneola Drive and Silverton Street. The meaningful event will offer residents an opportunity to pause, reflect, and pay tribute to the heroes who gave their lives in service to our nation.

Adding to the significance of the morning, the ceremony will also feature the official dedication of the newly installed Heroes Memorial Park — a lasting tribute created to honor fallen military members and first responders whose courage and sacrifice continue to inspire the community.

Friends, families, veterans, and community members are encouraged to attend and unite in remembrance while showing appreciation for those who served with valor and selflessness.

For additional information, visit City of Minneola Parks & Recreation, call (352) 394-3598 ext. 161, or email recreation@minneola.us

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The Clermont Police Department will soon be adding a new addition to its rolling stock of patrol vehicles with the unveiling of the department’s first set of electronic bicycles, better known as e-bikes.

Police Chief John Grazcyk invited the public to attend a demonstration ceremony at Waterfront Park on Tuesday, May 5^th. The new program, funded with forfeiture assets, will begin right away with police officers who have been formally trained in the use and techniques for law enforcement e-bikes. “The first phase of the program will be education versus enforcement. We want to teach the public how to ride their own e-bikes safely. We want to ensure that the riders know the laws and safety practices of e-bike usage,” says Chief Graczyk.

A recent increase in e-bike usage has spawned complaints about youth riding bikes in an unsafe manner along the South Lake Fitness Trail and the streets of historic downtown Clermont, especially during special events. Complaints of “popping wheelies”, unsafe speed, and running stop signs have been the largest complaint, according to Chief Graczyk.

The program will include two department-operated e-bikes initially, with a trial period to determine the need for additional bikes. The e-bikes will be used for routine patrols and speed enforcement on the fitness trail and downtown streets. E-bikes, which are equipped with integrated electric motors that assist with propulsion, can travel at speeds up to 30 MPH. Speed enforcement will be conducted with both stationary and patrol-style detection systems.

The Clermont Police Department is the first agency in the southern portion of Lake County to implement e-bikes for enforcement and patrol techniques. The two Clermont police bike operators will have the capability to talk to nearby e-bike users through technology within the headgear safety helmets. The helmets contain built-in communication systems that allow riders to stay connected with others while riding. Brands like Sena and Aleck offer smart helmets that integrate Bluetooth technology for hands-free communication and music streaming.

Chief Graczyk points out the fact that state legislation is catching up to the e-bike craze with new safety statutes and regulations that will take effect on July 1^st. “Riders need to understand that e-bike operators are bound to the same traffic laws that motorists of common vehicles are bound to, plus additional regulations directed at e-bike operators,” says Chief Graczyk.

Starting July 1, 2026, new Florida e-bike laws will enforce a speed limit of 10 mph on sidewalks or pedestrian areas when within 50 feet of a person. Additionally, riders must yield to pedestrians and provide an audible signal before passing in shared spaces. Violations can result in traffic infractions, which carry a penalty of $30. Riders and parents of underage riders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Florida State Statutes regulating e-bike use.

Contact the Clermont Police Department at 352-394-5588 for additional information or questions regarding e-bike safety.

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Amanda Nethero, Live Well Foundation of South Lake

New Beginnings of Central Florida (NBCFL) today announced the launch of Pathways to Healthcare for Vulnerable Populations, a bold new initiative designed to break down medical barriers and bring quality healthcare within reach for the most vulnerable residents of South Lake County. The initiative is made possible through a $215,000 grant from the Live Well Foundation as part of a $316,500 total project budget.

The program targets uninsured and underinsured adults, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities — community members who too often delay or forgo care simply because they cannot access it. Through coordinated medical and dental services, NBCFL aims to serve 150 uninsured residents and deliver preventive health services to 100 participants in its first phase.

NBCFL will implement the initiative in partnership with a network of established healthcare providers, including Sirius Healthcare, Community Health Centers, and Apex Health DPC. Together, these partners will provide a continuum of care that coordinates primary medical visits, dental treatment, preventive screenings, and follow-up services, reducing the delays that too often leave vulnerable populations without timely treatment. Live Well Foundation Grant Chair, Susan McLean, expressed confidence in the project, noting that “New Beginnings of Central Florida has demonstrated a deep commitment to the people most at risk of falling through the cracks of our healthcare system. This grant reflects our confidence in their ability to create meaningful, lasting change for South Lake County residents who need it most.”

Beyond connecting individuals to immediate care, Pathways to Healthcare is designed with a long-term vision: reducing preventable delays in healthcare access and stabilizing the overall health of vulnerable populations in the region. By addressing both medical and dental needs in a coordinated fashion, the project recognizes that whole-person health is essential to individual and community wellbeing.

New Beginnings of Central Florida (NBCFL) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families in South Lake County by connecting them with essential services, including healthcare, housing support, and social resources. NBCFL works to remove systemic barriers and build a stronger, healthier community for all.

For more information about the Live Well Foundation of South Lake and its grantmaking initiatives, visit www.lwfsl.org.

About Live Well Foundation of South Lake – Established in 2019, the Live Well Foundation of South Lake is a private 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to improving the health and wellness of South Lake County. The Foundation fulfills its mission through strategic grantmaking that supports sustainable, community-based initiatives focused on long-term impact.

Live Well Foundation of South Lake invests in solutions that strengthen individual and community well-being, guided by a commitment to measurable outcomes and responsible stewardship. Its work is grounded in a simple return on investment: better health, for life.

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Proceeds from the event will directly benefit both organizations and their missions to support law enforcement families and officers. Central Florida C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) is dedicated to rebuilding the shattered lives of surviving family members and co-workers affected by a line-of-duty death, offering resources, counseling, and ongoing support.

The Code 4 Initiative also provides critical assistance, focusing on the well-being of law enforcement officers and their families through programs that promote mental health, peer support, and financial assistance in times of need.

The success of the Honoring the Fallen 5K reflects the community’s continued commitment to honoring fallen heroes while supporting those left behind.

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The Clermont Police Department has been an accredited law enforcement agency through the State of Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) since 2004. With that accreditation, the department takes great strides in ensuring that its officers receive the latest training in technology, de-escalation techniques, tactics, use of force, and strategies, just to name a few.

The department maintains a full-time training unit composed of in-house trainers who are, at a minimum, certified in firearms training, defensive tactics, law enforcement vehicle operations, search techniques, and legal updates. The training division is also responsible for the assignment and monitoring of new officers and their trainers in the field training portion of new-hire training.

With that training, the department also takes extra steps in providing the necessary technology required to not only keep officers safer but also provide additional options for those officers to de-escalate violent people in hostile situations with an effort to minimize injuries to both the officer and the suspect. One such option is the recently introduced Axon Taser 10 energy weapon. The taser has a 10-cartridge capability and also allows for a longer range, up to 45 feet, of capability when deployed. The increase from the previous 25-foot capacity provides more time and space for decision-making by the officer and a reduction in risk for everyone involved.

Along with the 10-cartridge capability, compared to the previous 4-cartridge ability, the new taser also has a differing sound tone when a good connection is made, alerting the officer that he or she is on target. Individually targeted probes dramatically improve accuracy and effectiveness, expanding the situations in which the taser can be utilized.

Representatives from Axon proclaim that the “Axon Taser 10 ushers in the potential for a less-lethal future, and we are confident it will be a key factor in helping to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public by 50% in the next 10 years.” Research has shown that ineffective taser deployments can result in an escalation to lethal force and that over 80% of officer-involved shootings occur within a 40-foot range.

In addition to the new tasers, the Clermont Police Department has included the Axon Virtual Reality  training package and Axon Network technology. The innovative training allows the entire department to be trained in-house, therefore eliminating travel costs, overtime and staff shortages that are often accrued when officers are required to travel to outside training sites.

Clermont Police Sergeant Ethan Bell and Lt. Daniel Moser provided a demonstration of the virtual training. Officers are equipped with virtual reality headsets that provide random scenarios for use of force and de-escalation situations. The scenarios can be monitored by nearby training staff through a standard tablet or computer screen. “The training allows officers to gain confidence and accuracy, while enhancing the officer’s proficiency. The training also helps officers to improve use-of-force decision-making while also practicing de-escalation techniques,” says Sgt. Bell.

The Axon Network function connects the Taser 10 to body-worn cameras and in-car cameras, as well as a real-time operations platform. The additional capabilities ensure that agencies never miss a critical moment on their cameras and increase visibility that supports greater transparency and accountability. The program also includes a real-time records productivity software suite that helps officers save time on compiling reports.

Another critical component of the software is the “smart holster” technology. The Taser 10 has an onboard sensor that pairs with certified holsters, allowing the Taser 10 to detect when it has been removed from a holster. Taser 10 logs the holster event and emits a wireless signal to alert local body cameras in the vicinity to begin recording. The department also requires that each officer relinquish body camera and taser memory cartridges to a secure portal in the police station that locks when the cartridge is inserted. The data is retained for a variety of reasons, including court purposes and citizen complaint investigations.

The Clermont Police Department provides extensive training opportunities for its officers, including a fully equipped, in-house workout gym that allows officers to stay fit and capable of handling the strenuous job requirements that they face on a daily basis.

Visit www.ClermontFl.gov/262/police-department for a full listing of career opportunities, accreditation information, and community activities.

(Some of the photos courtesy of Axon Inc.)

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Participating schools included East Ridge High School, Eustis High School, Leesburg High School, Montverde Academy, Mount Dora Christian Academy, Mount Dora High School, Pinecrest Lake Prep, South Lake High School, South Sumter High School, Tavares High School, The Villages High School, Umatilla High School, and Wildwood Middle High School.

Each team tackled 40 complex math problems within a 60-minute time frame, covering topics ranging from college-level algebra to advanced concepts in pre-calculus and trigonometry. The competition tested not only accuracy but also speed, as teams earned bonus points for being the first to submit correct answers—adding a strategic element to the challenge.

“Mathlympics is an opportunity for students to engage deeply with mathematics in a way that is both rigorous and inspiring,” said Dr. Megan Cavanah, Dean of Mathematics. “Our faculty take great pride in every aspect of this event, from crafting challenging problems and designing an engaging theme to creating a welcoming environment and recognizing students with meaningful awards. The event is a true reflection of LSSC’s commitment to student learning, collaboration, and excellence in mathematics.”

After an intense round of competition, Montverde Academy’s Team B claimed first place.

The top four teams were:

• Montverde Academy (Team B)
• Eustis High School (Team A)
• East Ridge High School (Team B)
• South Sumter High School (Team A)

An honorable mention was awarded to Montverde Academy Team A, which would have placed in the top four but was ineligible under competition rules limiting final rankings to one team per school.

Rounding out the top 10 were teams from Pinecrest Lake Prep, East Ridge High School, The Villages High School, Mount Dora Christian Academy, and South Sumter High School. Notably, two teams finished with identical scores, with final placement determined by a tiebreaker based on performance on the most challenging 20-point questions.

LSSC’s math faculty take pride in crafting a unique and engaging problem set each year—one that emphasizes curiosity, logic, and creativity alongside technical skill. This thoughtful approach has helped establish Mathlympics as a respected and highly anticipated academic event in the region.

“Events like Mathlympics reflect our commitment to academic excellence and community partnership,” said Karen Hogans, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “We are proud to provide a space where students can challenge themselves, connect with peers, and experience the excitement of higher-level learning. We look forward to celebrating 40 years of Mathlympics next year.”

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The Ferndale Preserve project includes the construction of a new observation tower, fishing pier, and kayak and canoe launch.

Lake County is partnering with the Town of Montverde to improve the Lake Apoka West Shore Boat Ramp after the Ferndale Preserve project is complete.

Patrons are encouraged to use the McDonald Canal Boat Ramp, located at 24600 County Road 448A, Mount Dora, as an alternative boat ramp and retrieval site for Lake Apopka.

For more information, contact The Lake County Office of Parks and Trails at (352) 253-4950.

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