George A. Ellis, age 79, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at his home in Orlando.
He was born on September 14, 1944 in St. Louis, MO, son to his late parents, George A. and Violet (Foulk). On October 4, 1980, he married the former Nancy Piercy.
George was a longtime employee of the Department of Labor for the State of Florida before he retired.
He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Nancy Piercy Ellis; mother-in-law, Evelyn Piercy of Orlando; brother-in-law, Patrick Piercy and his wife, Ann, of Hilton Head, SC; and a sister-in-law, Cheryl Piercy of Winter Haven, FL.
The Orlando Police Department is searching for an 83-year-old man who has been missing for nearly a week after his flight out of Orlando International Airport was canceled.
After his flight was canceled, Bailey spent the night at a local hotel before checking out the following morning. However, the police department stated that he did not take a flight home, and he has not been heard from since.
If you have any information regarding Patrick A. Bailey’s whereabouts, the Orlando Police Department asks that you call 911.
Christopher Michael McGee, born on December 3, 1996, in Orlando, Florida, passed away on July 9, 2024, at the age of 27. Chris shared his birthday with his late father, who passed away in 2021, a bond that always held a special place in his heart.
Chris is survived by his loving wife, Darian; his mother, Angela; his brother, Dylan and his wife Kylie; his grandmothers, Anna and Barbara; and his beloved in-laws Pam and Billy. He is also remembered fondly by several aunts, uncles, cousins, and his beloved animals, who were a significant part of his life. He was an amazing “fur dad” to his babies, always ensuring they were cared for and loved.
Chris graduated from plumbing school and became a licensed plumber, a profession in which he took great pride. He had a passion for the outdoors, enjoying activities such as camping, hiking, fishing and kayaking. His love for animals was evident to all who knew him, and he found joy in their companionship.
Known for his quick wit and sense of humor, Chris was a jokester who could always bring a smile to those around him. He played football in his younger years, showcasing his athleticism and team spirit. Despite his many talents and accomplishments, Chris remained humble and kind-hearted, endearing him to everyone he met. Everyone that met him loved him.
Chris was not only an amazing husband but also a dedicated provider and Darian’s soulmate. His unwavering love and support for his family were the cornerstones of his life, and his legacy of love, laughter, and kindness will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. His presence will be deeply missed, but the memories he created will forever be cherished.
A 24-year-old Orlando man is facing up to a decade in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing unregistered machine guns.
On Friday, July 26, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Marcelo Manuel Maysonet has pleaded guilty to possession of unregistered National Firearms Act weapons, which includes a machine gun and over a dozen machine gun conversion devices.
A machine gun conversion device is an illegal conversion device that converts a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic one. Under the National Firearms Act, a machine gun conversion device is classified as a machine gun.
According to court records, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) executed a search warrant at Maysonet’s residence.
During the search, law enforcement officers discovered a 5.56 caliber AR-style pistol with a machine gun conversion device installed. In addition, they seized a total of 15 machine gun conversion devices from the home.
None of the seized items were registered to Maysonet in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.
As part of the plea agreement, Maysonet has agreed to forfeit the pistol containing the machine gun conversion device, along with the 15 additional machine gun conversion devices.
Maysonet faces a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
This case was investigated by OCSO and ATF, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.
Additionally, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.
Donald Gerald Widhalm 90, of Winter Park, Florida passed away on July 09, 2024. Donald was born on August 29, 1933, in Humphrey, Nebraska to the late Ed and Adeline Widhalm.
Donald is survived by his loving daughter; Donna Hardwick, sisters; Corrine Bumann, Carolyn Connot, son-in-law; Greg Hardwick, grandson; Grady Hardwick and granddaughter; Haley Hardwick.
Donald will be laid to rest beside his loving wife, Doris.
Clermont police are trying to identify two individuals wanted for stealing a shopping cart full of merchandise from a local home improvement store.
According to the Clermont Police Department, a man and woman traveled to the Lowe’s located at 1501 Sandy Grove Avenue in Clermont on Wednesday, June 12.
While inside the store, the two theft suspects allegedly filled a shopping cart with multiple items before exiting the store at around 4:45 p.m.
No further details were provided by Clermont police regarding the theft incident or the merchandise that was stolen.
If you have any information regarding the identity of the theft suspects, the Clermont Police Department asks that you contact Detective Clark via phone (352-394-5588) or email (aclark@clermontfl.org).
Anonymous tips can also be provided to the Central Florida Crimeline by calling 1-800-423-TIPS(8477) or clicking here to submit an online report.
Monster Jam will return to Orlando next weekend to showcase 12,000-pound monster trucks and some of the world’s best drivers.
The event will kick off with two shows at the Kia Center (400 W Church Street in downtown Orlando) on Saturday, August 3. The afternoon show will begin at 1 p.m., followed by an evening show at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, August 4, the Kia Center will host the final Monster Jam show at 1 p.m.
The event will feature the world’s most popular monster trucks, including Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Megalodon, and more, as they compete in freestyle, skills, donut, and racing competitions.
The Monster Jam event will also include freestyle motocross exhibitions.
A pit party before the event will allow visitors to meet drivers, see trucks up close, and participate in family-friendly activities.
For more information about the event, or to purchase tickets, visit the Kia Center’s Monster Jam eventwebpage.
Kay H. Bales, age 82, of Orlando passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2024 peacefully at Life Care Center of Altamonte Springs. She was the loving wife of Lawrence E. Bales, and they celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on June 24.
She was born on July 2, 1941 in Greenville, OH, daughter to her late parents, Richard E. and Harriett (Watson) Hole. Kay and Lawrence lived in Westford, MA from 1972 to 1993. There, they raised their two children, Michelle and Anthony, and Kay served as custodian at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. In 1993, the family moved to Florida, and Kay worked as a custodian at UCF for 22 years before she retired in December of 2017.
Kay had a servant’s heart. She loved helping and serving others. Most of all, she treasured time with her grandchildren and family.
In addition to her husband of 58 years, Lawrence, Kay leaves cherished memories behind to her daughter, Michelle Sheedy and her spouse, Chris Sheedy; two grandchildren, Cian Sheedy, and Declan Sheedy; a brother, Richard E. Hole, II; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Anthony E. Bales; sister, Sally Zeiter and sister-in-law, Barb Hole.
Orlando police are asking for help from the public to locate a missing 75-year-old man who suffers from dementia.
According to the Orlando Police Department, Miguel Vera was last seen in the area of S Kirkman Road and Raleigh Street in Orlando at around 2 a.m. on Friday, July 26.
Vera stands 5’7” tall, weighs 150 pounds, and has brown eyes and gray hair. When he was last seen, he was wearing a blue shirt and black pants.
If you have any information about Miguel Vera’s whereabouts, the Orlando Police Department asks that you call 911.
A multi-month investigation by Orlando police led to the arrest of a 32-year-old man after more than a dozen guns, over $20,000 in cash, and multiple drugs including MDMA and OxyContin were seized from two local homes.
According to the Orlando Police Department, an investigation was launched by the agency’s Drug Enforcement Division in February. A search warrant was then obtained for a residence, located near the intersection of Cadogan Avenue and Piedmont Street, that was frequented by Anthony Javion Littles.
Anthony Javion Littles
OPD stated that during the search of the home, officers confiscated three firearms, nearly 80 grams of MDMA, more than 2,050 grams of cannabis, 25 grams of Psilocybin, and approximately 8.5 grams of OxyContin.
In addition, a total of $6,236 in cash was found, which appeared to be “linked to criminal transactions,” according to OPD.
On Thursday, July 25, with the help of a local SWAT team, OPD detectives executed a search warrant at a second residence, located near the intersection of North Lane and Signal Road, that Littles was known to use.
Inside the second home, detectives seized 13 firearms and just over $16,000 in cash that was allegedly “made through illegal means.” The police department stated that one of the recovered guns was stolen from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Washington, D.C., and two other firearms were stolen from victims in the Orlando area and Suwannee County.
Following Thursday’s search, Littles was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail. He is being charged with trafficking MDMA with a weapon, trafficking Oxycodone with a firearm, possession of Psilocybin, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Littles is scheduled to make his first appearance in court at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 26, according to Orange County Court records.
