Community News
Thursday, August 20, 2026 · Leesburg
Update: Four Emergency Units Now Dispatched to Pinellas County Medical Emergency Overnight
Four emergency units are now officially dispatched to a medical emergency in Pinellas County, according to a recent update.
Largo Medical Emergency: Reduced Response & What It Implies
A medical emergency in Largo has seen its emergency response reduced to three units, suggesting the immediate critical phase may have passed, though details remain scarce.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Dania Beach Brush Fire: Rapid Response Underway
A brush fire on N Federal Highway in Dania Beach is under active response with Quint 1 and Battalion Chief 17 on scene, though no injuries or structural damage have been reported yet.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Crews Confirm Gas Leak, More Units Dispatched to 5705 17 Way S #B in Gulfport
Gulfport Fire Rescue confirmed a gas leak at 5705 17 Way S #B, dispatching two additional units to the scene.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
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.
Thursday, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 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, August 20, 2026
DeSantis Signs 9 Key Florida Laws on Safety, Schools and Traffic
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday in Tallahassee, tackling unlicensed drivers, church security and body camera privacy amid rising public safety concerns. Most take effect July 1, joining nearly 60 others passed this year. From stricter traffic penalties to expanded school guardians, the measures aim to bolster security across the Sunshine State.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Florida's Lab-Grown Meat Ban Survives Federal Court Challenge
Nearly two years after Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation banning cultivated meat sales in Florida, a federal appeals court upheld the controversial law as constitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge from California-based Upside Foods, cementing Florida's status as the first state to prohibit lab-grown meat—a move critics say protects the traditional livestock industry rather than consumers.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Florida Launches Mandatory Hurricane Drills Across All 67 Counties
With hurricane season looming just weeks away, Florida's Division of Emergency Management has rolled out mandatory public safety drills statewide to sharpen readiness. The initiative targets all 67 counties, urging residents to stock seven days of supplies and master evacuation protocols. Officials warn that recent storms underscore the need for swift action amid rising threats.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
DeSantis Greenlights UFC, Colleges in Florida's New License Plates
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill unleashing eight new specialty license plates, from UFC fighters to South Florida high schools and military academies. Drivers can start pre-ordering Oct. 1, but only if 3,000 vouchers sell in two years. With over 2.3 million special tags already on roads, these could boost scholarships, mental health and more.
Thursday, August 20, 2026