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Habitat for Humanity, volunteers gift playhouses to Central Florida families for holiday season
Read full article: Habitat for Humanity, volunteers gift playhouses to Central Florida families for holiday seasonHabitat for Humanity is usually known for building forever homes, but this time the houses are a little smaller.
Habitat for Humanity creates tiny playhouses for the holidays
Read full article: Habitat for Humanity creates tiny playhouses for the holidaysFrom Jurassic Park to Minecraft, dozens built and decorated more than 20 playhouses at Tavares’ Wooten Park Thursday to be gifted to local children this holiday season.
Turnpike lanes reopen after vehicle fire near Wildwood
Read full article: Turnpike lanes reopen after vehicle fire near WildwoodTraffic is moving again after a vehicle fire on the Florida Turnpike in Sumter County forced lanes to be temporarily shut down on Saturday, according to the sheriff’s office.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE: Central Florida holiday events to get in the spirit this 2024 season
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY GUIDE: Central Florida holiday events to get in the spirit this 2024 seasonFrom markets to festivals to drive-through displays, the options are endless when it comes to holiday fun.
How Central Florida counties are protecting autistic children from water dangers
Read full article: How Central Florida counties are protecting autistic children from water dangersThe heartbreaking story of 4-year-old Waylon Childs, who was found dead a body of water in Ormond Beach on Sunday, has brought renewed attention to a critical issue: The heightened risk of drowning among children with autism.
Cash reward offered for tips leading to arrest in illegal Wildwood sewage dumping
Read full article: Cash reward offered for tips leading to arrest in illegal Wildwood sewage dumpingThe city of Wildwood has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for recent illegal sewage dumping there, and according to a city spokesperson, it’s not the first time this has happened.
Find Sumter County election results for Nov. 5, 2024
Read full article: Find Sumter County election results for Nov. 5, 2024Here’s where to find election results races on the ballot in Sumter County. Live results will start to become available in Central Florida after the polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Here’s the latest on flooding along the St. Johns River after Hurricane Milton
Read full article: Here’s the latest on flooding along the St. Johns River after Hurricane MiltonMany communities along the St. Johns River are still dealing with major flooding. Predictions show the water levels could soon drop — very slowly.
How to find an early voting site in Central Florida for the November election
Read full article: How to find an early voting site in Central Florida for the November electionOne county is seeing a steady number of voters visiting a new polling site. Election leaders are hoping the town of Eatonville will help ease traffic in the Orange County area.
Sumter County may extend state of emergency as flooding continues
Read full article: Sumter County may extend state of emergency as flooding continuesOfficials in Sumter County will consider extending the state of emergency from Hurricane Milton Monday as residents continue to deal with flooding along the Withlacoochee River.
‘Leesburg’s time in the crosshairs:’ How The Villages is driving population growth nearby
Read full article: ‘Leesburg’s time in the crosshairs:’ How The Villages is driving population growth nearbyNestled in the heart of Lake County, Leesburg is experiencing a significant surge in both population and development.
Sumter County issues voluntary evacuation order as Withlacoochee River nears historic flood levels
Read full article: Sumter County issues voluntary evacuation order as Withlacoochee River nears historic flood levelsOfficials in Sumter County put out a voluntary evacuation order for those living along the Withlacoochee River on Monday.
Downed trees block roads in Bushnell as Hurricane Milton moves across Central Florida
Read full article: Downed trees block roads in Bushnell as Hurricane Milton moves across Central FloridaRain and winds are picking up in Sumter County as Hurricane Milton makes landfall in Florida on Wednesday evening, downing trees and blocking some roads.
UPDATED COUNTY-BY-COUNTY IMPACTS: How Hurricane Milton will affect Central Florida
Read full article: UPDATED COUNTY-BY-COUNTY IMPACTS: How Hurricane Milton will affect Central FloridaMilton officially made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 hurricane on Wednesday evening, according to the National Hurricane Center.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: How Hurricane Milton will impact Central Florida
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: How Hurricane Milton will impact Central FloridaHurricane Milton will bring the potential for strong damaging winds, considerable rainfall, threat for flooding, tornadoes and even coastal storm surge through the duration of the storm.
Everything you will see on the ballot in Sumter County for the Nov. 5 election
Read full article: Everything you will see on the ballot in Sumter County for the Nov. 5 electionAre you voting in Sumter County on Nov. 5? Here is a list of candidates and amendments in Sumter County from city to federal races.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Feel the fright at these Central Florida haunted houses, trails, Halloween events
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Feel the fright at these Central Florida haunted houses, trails, Halloween eventsIt’s that time of year where the dreams switch to nightmares, pumpkins turn into jack-o-lanterns and houses become haunted.
Sumter County prepares for Hurricane Helene
Read full article: Sumter County prepares for Hurricane HeleneSumter County Chairman Craig Estep wants to make sure people in The Villages, Wildwood and all parts of the county have supplies in case they lose power or have other problems due to Hurricane Helene.
FALL GUIDE: Here are the must-do Central Florida fall festivals, events, mazes to check out
Read full article: FALL GUIDE: Here are the must-do Central Florida fall festivals, events, mazes to check outWhile Florida doesn’t really feel like fall because, well, it’s always hot here, we can make the most of the season by doing all the typical fall things.
Sausage-hauling semitruck overturns on Turnpike in Sumter County, FHP says
Read full article: Sausage-hauling semitruck overturns on Turnpike in Sumter County, FHP saysA tractor-trailer overturned and split open along the Florida Turnpike in Sumter County, spilling the food it was carrying and leading to overnight lane closures.
Central Florida school districts address safety amid threats, rumors, weapons on campus
Read full article: Central Florida school districts address safety amid threats, rumors, weapons on campusWith students at Central Florida public schools now about a month into their classes, a fair shake of primary and secondary campuses in our coverage area have already experienced some form of disruption in response to perceived threats.
These are 5 of the top flea markets in Central Florida. Here’s where to find them
Read full article: These are 5 of the top flea markets in Central Florida. Here’s where to find themFlea markets can be a load of fun. And some of the state's top flea markets can be found right here in Central Florida.
Sumter County election results in the Florida Primary on Aug. 20, 2024
Read full article: Sumter County election results in the Florida Primary on Aug. 20, 2024Superintendent of Schools, Clerk of Court and Sheriff are just some of the seats up for grabs in Sumpter County for the statewide primary on Aug. 20.
Why the fastest-growing place for young kids in the US is in the metro with the oldest residents
Read full article: Why the fastest-growing place for young kids in the US is in the metro with the oldest residentsNo one younger than age 19 is allowed to live in The Villages, the massive retirement community in central Florida which has the highest median age of any place in the U.S. Yet it is part of the fastest-growing metro area for young children this decade.
No injuries after freight train slams into Jeep in Sumter County, troopers say
Read full article: No injuries after freight train slams into Jeep in Sumter County, troopers sayA freight train rolling through Sumter County struck a Jeep that had become stuck at a railroad crossing, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Seminole County will pay $20/hour for school bus drivers. Here are the needs elsewhere
Read full article: Seminole County will pay $20/hour for school bus drivers. Here are the needs elsewhereSeveral counties across Central Florida are in need of bus drivers for the upcoming school year. Listed below are the employment needs for the different districts.
Here’s a round-up of free and reduced meals being offered at Central Florida school districts
Read full article: Here’s a round-up of free and reduced meals being offered at Central Florida school districtsHundreds of thousands of Central Florida students will be able to get free meals for the 2024-2025 school year.
Sinkhole forces short-lived closure of road in Sumter County, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: Sinkhole forces short-lived closure of road in Sumter County, sheriff’s office saysA sinkhole forced the temporary closure of a section of County Road 542 West in Sumter County, according to the sheriff’s office.
‘Dude, just stop!’ Suspected DUI golf cart driver leads deputies on chase in The Villages
Read full article: ‘Dude, just stop!’ Suspected DUI golf cart driver leads deputies on chase in The VillagesA Lake County man is facing multiple charges after he led deputies on a drunken chase while driving a golf cart in The Villages, officials say.
‘Getting lucky:’ Do people in The Villages put loofahs on their cars? Here’s what to know
Read full article: ‘Getting lucky:’ Do people in The Villages put loofahs on their cars? Here’s what to knowIt’s a popular joke in Central Florida that some residents of The Villages have been seen with loofahs on their vehicles. But is there any truth to the rumors?
The grades are in for Central Florida school districts. Here’s how they fared in 2024
Read full article: The grades are in for Central Florida school districts. Here’s how they fared in 2024The Florida Department of Education announce that schools in the state have been scored under a new grading scale.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Here are safe meetup sites for online sales in Central Florida
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Here are safe meetup sites for online sales in Central FloridaSeveral law enforcement agencies throughout Central Florida have set up exchange zones in their parking lots to offer safe places to conduct online sales transactions.
Summer break is almost over. Here’s when each of these Central Florida counties go back to school
Read full article: Summer break is almost over. Here’s when each of these Central Florida counties go back to schoolThe start of the new school year is less than a month away and soon all of the students will be back in the classroom.
Where to meet the political candidates running in your Central Florida community
Read full article: Where to meet the political candidates running in your Central Florida communityHere is a list of some of the political events and panels that allow opportunities to learn about the small- and wide-scale candidates who are going to be asking for your vote in both the August Primary and the General Election in November.
Central Florida sheriff’s offices offer safe zones for child custody exchanges. Here’s where to find them
Read full article: Central Florida sheriff’s offices offer safe zones for child custody exchanges. Here’s where to find themNearly 200 new laws are now in effect in Florida as of July 1, and one of them is aimed at keeping parents, guardians and children safe during custody exchanges.
This lakefront home will soon provide hope for homeless women veterans
Read full article: This lakefront home will soon provide hope for homeless women veteransThe 4,000-square-foot home is the latest project being built by Villagers For Veterans. Ashley’s House will be a transition home for women veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Silver Alert canceled after 86-year-old Sumter County woman found safe
Read full article: Silver Alert canceled after 86-year-old Sumter County woman found safeA Silver Alert has been canceled after a missing 86-year-old Sumter County woman was located safe, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
4 Central Florida sheriffs reelected without opposition, while 4 others face opponents
Read full article: 4 Central Florida sheriffs reelected without opposition, while 4 others face opponentsFour Central Florida sheriffs will continue to lead their respective law enforcement agencies after getting no opponents for their reelection races this week.
16-year-old boy accused of killing teen, injuring adult in stabbing, Sumter County deputies say
Read full article: 16-year-old boy accused of killing teen, injuring adult in stabbing, Sumter County deputies saySumter County deputies took a 16-year-old into custody who’s accused of killing a teen and injuring an adult in a stabbing late Saturday near Wildwood, according to the sheriff’s office.
Missing Central Florida teen found safe, say Sumter County deputies
Read full article: Missing Central Florida teen found safe, say Sumter County deputiesThe Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said authorities and volunteers were searching for Peyton O Pickard, 16, who walked away from his home near C-575 and West C-48 in Bushnell.
Florida looking into Sumter County amid school grade manipulation accusations
Read full article: Florida looking into Sumter County amid school grade manipulation accusationsThe Florida Department of Education is investigating Sumter County’s public school district amid allegations of moving low-performing students so they don’t affect school grades.
Sumter County commissioner reinstated after conviction overturned
Read full article: Sumter County commissioner reinstated after conviction overturnedGov. Ron DeSantis has reinstated a suspended Sumter County commissioner whose conviction on a perjury charge was overturned by an appeals court last year.
Bushnell man, 21, killed in crash with tree in Sumter County, troopers say
Read full article: Bushnell man, 21, killed in crash with tree in Sumter County, troopers sayA 21-year-old man from Bushnell was killed in a crash with a tree early Sunday in Sumter County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Sign up for emergency alerts in Central Florida
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Sign up for emergency alerts in Central FloridaFrom boil water notices to sand bag locations to shelters, emergency alerts are sent out by the county to get important information to its residents — especially during a major storm or hurricane.
Social services worker arrested in Wildwood, accused of child abuse, records show
Read full article: Social services worker arrested in Wildwood, accused of child abuse, records showA family care manager at a Florida Department of Children and Families partner agency in Wildwood was arrested, accused of child abuse as police say he was caught on camera hurting an 11-year-old girl.
Sex in the village? Here’s why residents in The Villages put loofahs on their vehicles
Read full article: Sex in the village? Here’s why residents in The Villages put loofahs on their vehiclesIn recent years, it’s become a well-known joke that some residents of The Villages have been seen with loofahs attached to their vehicles. But why is that?