Community News
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 · Sumter County
Collier Clerk Urges Hurricane Prep as County Upgrades Courts, Discusses Budget
Collier County Clerk Crystal Kinzel reminds residents to prepare for hurricane season as the county upgrades courtrooms and prepares to discuss departmental budgets.
Citrus County Moves to New Website, Seeks Public Feedback
Citrus County launched a redesigned website April 8 with improved mobile access and new navigation. Officials are asking residents to complete a survey on county communications.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Palm Beach County Elections Office Opens Tours to Public
Palm Beach County's elections office is offering public tours of its voting equipment, security procedures, and vote-counting operations.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Citrus County Launches Text and Email Alert System
Citrus County residents can now receive alerts on everything from burn bans to transit closures by signing up at citruscounty.gov/notify.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Sumter County Opens Service Center in Sumterville, Consolidating Library and Court Services
Sumter County consolidated library, tax collector, and clerk of court services under one roof Tuesday in Sumterville, opening a 32,441-square-foot facility designed to improve residents' access to county government.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Wildwood Residents Should Prepare Now for Wildfire Season
Wildwood residents living near forests should clear dead vegetation, harden their homes against fire, and prepare evacuation plans now, the Florida Forest Service said.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Sumter County Achieves Rare Level 3 Safety Recognition
Sumter County joins only two other Florida organizations in earning Level 3 safety recognition from the FMIT Safety Excellence Initiative.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Wildwood Animal Services Seeks Adult Home for 6-Year-Old Dog Named Boone
Wildwood Animal Services seeks an adult home for Boone, a 6-year-old mixed breed who enjoys walks and couch time. All adoptions are free and include medical care.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 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.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026