Community News
Thursday, June 18, 2026 · Lake County
Lake County cuts irrigation to one day per week as drought deepens
Lake County residents must cut landscape irrigation to one day per week under a new drought order from the St. Johns River Water Management District.
UF Professor Carves Wooden Comfort Symbols for Shands Cancer Patients
A UF professor carved over 200 wooden comfort symbols for cancer patients at Shands Hospital while recovering from long COVID. Students packaged the handcrafted carvings with encouragement messages for delivery to patients undergoing treatment.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
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Thursday, June 18, 2026
Two motorcyclists arrested after fleeing Brandon traffic stop
Deputies used helicopter surveillance to track two fleeing motorcyclists in Brandon on June 13. One suspect abandoned his bike; the other was stopped by an oncoming train.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Astatula tightens watering to one day a week under drought order
Astatula residents face stricter watering limits starting now: one day per week instead of two, with specific days based on address type and a ban on daytime irrigation.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Polk County opens $4.7M housing program July 1
Polk County opens a $4.7 million housing assistance program July 1, funding an estimated 72 home purchases, repairs, and reconstructions through 2027.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Polk County Opens $4.7M Housing Assistance Program
Polk County opens applications July 1 for $4.7 million in state housing assistance, funding home purchases, repairs and reconstruction through 2027.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake County Elections Office Wins National Award for Accessible Voting
Lake County's Elections Office won a national Clearinghouse Award for an accessible voting program that increased absentee ballot use among voters with disabilities by 38 percent.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lady Lake Officers Rescue Puppy from Hot Car, Arrest Owner
Lady Lake Police rescued a puppy from a hot parked car on May 16 and arrested the owner on animal cruelty charges. The dog had been locked inside for at least 40 minutes in 92-degree heat.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lady Lake Officers Break Into Hot Car, Arrest Owner for Animal Cruelty
Lady Lake Police arrested a woman on animal cruelty charges after rescuing her puppy from a locked car in 92-degree heat on May 16. The dog had been trapped inside for at least 40 minutes.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Groveland Finishes Water Meter Tower Installation Early
Groveland completed installation of 17 water meter towers in early June, ahead of schedule. The towers will enable faster leak detection and more accurate billing once system testing begins.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Groveland Finishes Water Meter Tower Network Ahead of Schedule
Groveland completed installation of 17 water meter towers ahead of schedule, part of a larger infrastructure upgrade that will provide customers real-time access to water usage data by 2027.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Sumter County Public Works Saves $340,000 Building Culverts In-House
Sumter County Public Works crews replaced corroded culverts on County Road 311 in-house, saving $340,000 compared to outside contractor costs.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Sumter County Public Works Saves $340,000 on Culvert Project
Sumter County Public Works saved $340,000 by completing a major culvert replacement project with its own crews instead of hiring a contractor.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Sumter County Fire & EMS Earns American Heart Association Award
Sumter County Fire & EMS earned a Silver Achievement Award from the American Heart Association for its rapid response and evidence-based care in cardiac and stroke emergencies.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Groveland Designates Over 60% of Land as Protected Open Space
Groveland protects over 60% of its land through conservation designations, balancing growth with open space preservation while attracting new residents and businesses.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lady Lake Police Warn of Senior Fraud as Scammers Target Local Residents
Lady Lake Police investigate fraud cases targeting seniors. Scammers impersonate banks, government agencies, and relatives to steal money through phone calls and online schemes.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Sumter County Public Works Splits Duties Among Four Divisions
Sumter County Public Works operates four divisions that manage infrastructure, from road maintenance to park upkeep.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Leesburg Fire & EMS Names Leadership Team
The Leesburg Fire & EMS Department announced its leadership structure, with Fire Chief Rob Hanson heading the department and five deputy and division chiefs overseeing key operations.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
John Drury Manages Tavares as City Administrator
John Drury oversees Tavares municipal operations as City Administrator, managing a budget approved by the City Council and supervising 11 department heads.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake County Sheriff's Office to Post In-Custody Death Reports Online
Lake County Sheriff's Office will publicly report in-custody deaths online under state law, posting details within 10 days of an incident.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake County Sheriff's Office Enforces Zero-Tolerance Policy on Sexual Misconduct
The Lake County Sheriff's Office enforces zero-tolerance on sexual misconduct in custody, accepting reports from inmates and the public through multiple channels including an anonymous hotline at 888-485-7733.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake County Health Officials Urge Residents to Get Vaccinated as Measles Cases Rise
Lake County Public Health urges residents to stay current on vaccinations as measles cases rise. Walk-in vaccine clinics operate Wednesdays; call (707) 263-1090 for information.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake County Sheriff Seeks Tips on Missing Persons
The Lake County Sheriff's Office is asking residents to report any sightings of missing persons. Call (707) 263-2690 with information.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Toro Toro Miami
Toro Toro Miami will offer a four-course prix fixe menu with live entertainment for New Year’s Eve 2024, featuring dishes like Wagyu Short Rib and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Lake County Elections Office Wins National Award for Ballot Accessibility
Lake County's Elections Office won a national award for its accessible ballot system that lets voters with disabilities mark ballots remotely using screen readers and voice navigation.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Leesburg Dedicates Safe Haven Baby Box at Fire Station
Leesburg dedicates a Safe Haven Baby Box on March 24, providing an anonymous option for parents in crisis to surrender healthy infants up to 30 days old.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Groveland, Lake County Face Phase III Water Restrictions
The St. Johns River Water Management District declared Phase III water restrictions for Lake County and Groveland effective May 11, 2026. Residents must cut water use significantly, affecting irrigation, car washing, and outdoor activities.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Groveland, Lake County Face Phase III Water Restrictions
Groveland and Lake County residents must comply with strict new water restrictions following a Phase III Extreme Water Shortage declaration by the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
DeSantis Rejects Florida Gas Tax Pause Amid $4/Gallon Spike
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shot down calls to suspend the state's 25-cent gas tax, warning drivers won't feel relief at pumps hitting $4 a gallon. Despite pleas from Democrats and Palm Beach County leaders, he cited past failures and oil market volatility. As global tensions rise, Florida motorists brace for pain at the pump.
Thursday, June 18, 2026