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Following Debby, parts of the city of Wildwood see severe flooding for first time
WILDWOOD, Fla. — Some residents in the city of Wildwood in Sumter County say they are dealing with flooding issues that have never been a problem in the past. Some residents in the city of Wildwood say they saw severe flooding for the first time following Debby. They say...
Teen driver charged in fatal hit- and-run Palm Bay crash after father tried to take blame
A 17-year-old Palm Bay driver was arrested Thursday after police said he struck and killed a 23-year-old pedestrian earlier this week while traveling up to 90 mph and then drove away from the crash site. The teen’s father, 37-year-old Narrian Sabdull, returned to the site of the 8:35 p.m. Aug. 9 crash,...
Unwelcome fishermen remain sore subject at pond in The Villages
Officials and residents of The Villages are frustrated at the lack of options for dealing with unwelcome fishermen at a pond in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. Community Development District 10 supervisors are seeking solutions for residents who are unhappy about unwelcome fishermen visiting the pond behind their home. Residents of...
Bad golf cart parking at Colony Plaza
Handicapped drivers need that designated overflow area in the parking lots for their vehicles, including loading and unloading wheelchairs. There’s a reason it’s marked off. Please be considerate. Share your Bad Parking photos at news@villages-news.com.
💯Good news and local 'big dad energy'
🎉Happy Friday, everyone! Big congratulations to Addition Financial Credit Union’s Renovate to Educate contest winner, Morgan Hebner, who teaches fifth graders at Sorrento Elementary School. In her entry essay, Hebner wrote, “Brown is not the color that inspires great learners to become engineers, artists, and astronauts” and wanted to replace the bland palette she had...
K-9 helps sniff out drugs after vehicle pulled over for seatbelt violation
An Altoona man was arrested for drug possession after a K-9 was called to the scene of a traffic stop and discovered meth and marijuana. A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a green 1997 Ford SUV because the driver was not wearing a seatbelt while operating the motor vehicle around 8:18 p.m. Monday, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The Rich Hippie in Downtown Leesburg Announces Closing
The Rich Hippie, a boutique located at 1012 west Main Street in downtown Leesburg, has announced its upcoming closure. After opening its doors in 2022, the store curated a selection of unique and stylish items. While the exact closing date has not yet been determined, the store is quickly liquidating, until all inventory is sold out.
Shoplifting suspect apprehended after fleeing on bicycle from Walmart in Leesburg
A Leesburg man was arrested on a bicycle after he fled Walmart once he was spotted stealing batteries and mouthwash. Officers responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Boulevard, regarding an individual who took batteries and deodorant without paying around 7:05 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The business told dispatch that they would like to prosecute and trespass the individual, later identified as 43-year-old Andrew Shona Meredith, due to him stealing from the store before.
🎂Happy Bday to a living Leesburg legend
🎂Happy Throwback Thursday! Happy Birthday to Halle Berry ("hallelujah!"), who's a stunning 58 this week. According to Holiday Insights, Aug. 15 is the birthday of Napoleon Bonaparte, Julia Child and living celebs Debra Messing, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lawrence. Madonna turns 66 on Friday, and her ex/super-actor Sean Penn turns 64 on Saturday. ...
DeSantis pushes state university system to look into former UF president Ben Sasse’s expenses
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is pushing his state’s university system to look into former University of Florida (UF) President Ben Sasse’s expenses in the wake of reporting from a student newspaper on the subject. “We take the stewardship of state funds very seriously and have already been in discussions with leadership at the university […]
Mark Woods: School board races already are political. Do we want to make them partisan?
One thought I haven’t had lately: If only we could find ways to make things even more partisan. There’s an election Tuesday. It isn’t the one everyone is focusing on. But this is an important election. It includes races for some hyper-local positions, like four of the seven school board seats in Duval County. ...
Planning a beach trip this weekend? Best to stay out of the water: Hurricane Ernesto effects
Hurricane Ernesto, which strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane on Thursday, Aug. 15, is over 800 miles off the shore of Florida. However, warnings have already been issued of strong rip currents and dangerous surf along the Atlantic Coast. The hazards will begin Friday and continue through the weekend as the hurricane moves north. ...
26-year-old suspect in Colorado fire likely sparked by illegal fireworks arrested in Florida
On the evening of July 31, a scary situation unfolded in Boulder when a fire was started near Panorama Point with evidence pointing to illegal fireworks being a factor. Thankfully, that blaze was extinguished relatively quickly, though the incident prompted local authorities to start an investigation into who might be to blame. Eyewitness video captured that night appeared to show people in the area lighting fireworks with flames visible. At that point, authorities stated that they were seeking to talk to people who may have...
Missing Florida woman has been found safe in Allendale County
ALLENDALE COUNTY, S.C. — A 27-year-old Florida woman who had been reported missing on Tuesday, August 13, has been found safe in Allendale County, according to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Jessica Rapsys was reported missing after not arriving at her aunt's home on Tuesday. Her car and...
Florida residents spent over $315 million buying property in NYC
Not very long ago, real estate analyses showed New York residents flocking to Florida. Now, like baggy jeans, vinyl turntables and the Dodge Challenger, that trend apparently is being reversed. According to a study by PropertyShark, a real estate database and research tool used by investors, brokers and appraisers, those...
Northeast Florida unemployment rises to post-pandemic high
Jacksonville’s unemployment rose in July to its highest level since the coronavirus pandemic. The jobless rate in the Jacksonville metropolitan area of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties rose from 3.6% in June to 3.8% last month, the Florida Department of Commerce reported Aug.16. That’s the highest...
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