LAKE MONROE

The U.S. Forest Service is expected to proceed with plans for loggings and controlled burnings in parts of Indiana's Hoosier National Forest.

SANFORD, Fla. — Families and friends gathered for a good cause near Lake Monroe. The City of Sanford hosted its 13th annual Turkey Day 5K on Thursday, after the pandemic had affected the event in recent years. Photos: Sanford Turkey Day 5K supports families on ThanksgivingExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Sanford Turkey Day 5K supports family on Thanksgiving People donated canned goods and participated in the 5K Thursday morning. (WFTV/WFTV)The 5K benefited the Sharing Center in Longwood as people donated canned goods and shoes to the organization. According to the city, this is Seminole County’s largest Thanksgiving Day fun run.

SANFORD, Fla. — Channel 9′s Q McCray has been keeping an eye on conditions in areas of Seminole County, including at Sanford’s Lake Monroe. Early Thursday, he watched as water crested over the lake wall along West Seminole Boulevard near Sanford City Hall. READ: Hurricane Nicole: These Volusia County buildings have been deemed structurally unsoundNow, as Tropical Storm Nicole compounds issues brought on by Ian, vegetation from the lake is turning up on walkway around Lake Monroe. Snails near Lake Monroe Piles of snails washed up onto the sidewalk surrounding Lake Monroe in Sanford as Hurricane Nicole approached Florida Thursday morning. (WFTV Staff)SEE: Hurricane Nicole knocks down tree, blocks Kissimmee roadwayLake Monroe is making its onto Seminole Blvd bringing wildlife along with it.

It's been nearly a month since Hurricane Ian hit, and some Volusia County communities are still underwater.

SANFORD, Fla. — The Central Florida Zoo has reopened nearly a month after closing for Hurricane Ian. Watch: Health officials warn of increase in flesh-eating bacteria cases following IanZoo officials have estimated the zoo lost more than $17,000 each day it was closed. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 15 Central Florida Zoo unveils new habitat for tortoisesLauren Edwards and her 2-year-old daughter Amelia were the first to show up at the zoo when it reopened. Read: Hurricane Ian’s damage to Florida agriculture as high as $1.8 billionIan caused extensive damage around the zoo grounds and water flooded the entrance. The zoo launched a hurricane relief fund to help make up for lost revenue.

SANFORD, Fla. — The closure of the Seminole County Civil Courthouse in Sanford due to floodwaters from Lake Monroe following Hurricane Ian has been extended. The courthouse was originally scheduled to reopen on Oct. 14, but that has been extended until Oct. 28. Sanford Civil Courthouse Remains Closed through Friday, October 28. — Michelle Kennedy (@PIOFLCourts18) October 24, 2022Chief Judge Jessica Recksiedler ordered the courthouse located in downtown Sanford closed Sept. 28 due to Hurricane Ian. Read: New redevelopment plans for Flea World site in Seminole County take shapeCourt proceedings at the Criminal Justice Center and juvenile courthouse are continuing as normal.

Dead snails could be seen washed up along the edge of Lake Monroe in Sanford — another example of Hurricane Ian's impact on Central Florida.

SANFORD, Fla. — Channel 9 witnessed a contractor on Friday pumping Hurricane Ian floodwater contaminated with sewage directly into Lake Monroe in Sanford. The contractor was pumping water out of Regetta Shores Apartments. Read: Seminole County businesses deal with flooding, flickering power in Hurricane Ian aftermathThe water had been sitting in the parking lot for the last 13 days. And while pumping all that water out is helping residents, another problem may have been created. Neither Seminole County nor the St. Johns River Water Management District said they knew anything about this plan until Friday afternoon.

Nearly 10 days after historic rainfall from Hurricane Ian, parts of the St. Johns River still haven’t crested.

SANFORD, Fla. — A week after Hurricane Ian hit Central Florida, some Seminole County home and business owners are still struggling with flood waters and lights that come on and off. Lake Monroe has yet to crest, and some Sanford leaders are calling this the worst flooding in decades. Public Works crews are putting in overtime to stay ahead of the rising water. READ: ‘We’re not going to have anything’: Lake Toho to crest soon, causing more issues for Jade IslesThe flooding along the riverwalk is common, flooding from Hurricane Ian reaching up the steps of the neighboring condos. Most businesses are closed along there, and others were forced to shut down Thursday morning due to power issues.

The water from Lake Monroe washed up over the sea wall, across parts of Seminole Boulevard, and into parking lots and parks.

Seminole County Emergency Manager Alan Harris said Monday afternoon that historic flooding throughout the area is expected to continue for weeks.

A seafood restaurant in Sanford was destroyed as Hurricane Ian moved through Central Florida Wednesday night into Thursday.

Florida natives and tourists can party and take a cruise on Lake Monroe while getting in their exercise time.

Construction is now underway for the Florida Straw Project in Deltona.

Vaughxx Booker said two white men threatened to lynch him last year at Lake Monroe. He is now facing felony charges in connection to the incident.

An Indiana judge ruled last week that a Black man criminally charged in connection with a racially motivated July 2020 attack at Lake Monroe, in […]

SANFORD, Fla. — You can now head to Sanford to enjoy the new Riverwalk. City leaders cut the ribbon on the final stretch of the project on Monday. The Riverwalk also connects to a coast-to-coast trail system that stretches from St. Petersburg to the Space Coast. READ: Now hiring: Seminole County Public Works hosting hiring event today“This is a multi-mobile path. READ: National Fast Food Day 2021: Check out the freebies and dealsThe entire Riverwalk project cost about $43 million.

Vauhxx Booker, who was allegedly assaulted by a group of White men, now faces felony charges. “There’s nothing more American than charging a Black man in his own attempted lynching,” he said.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A man found dead in Lake Monroe on Jan. 17 is now being investigated as a homicide case, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said Bernard Morton was reported as missing on Dec. 10, 2020. Morton was found in Lake Monroe five weeks later, according to the sheriff’s office. More evidence was found when an autopsy was performed on Morton, according to deputies. The case is an active homicide investigation, according to the sheriff’s office.

The window rattling noise was caused by training happening at the Pinecastle Range Complex, a Navy training facility in the Ocala National Forest. Use extra caution when driving through the Ocala National Forest and surrounding areas. Secure any items around your residence that could attract wildlife,” according to the Naval Air Station Jacksonville which manages the site. “Always be mindful of larger animals including black bears and practice bearwise measures.”Seminole County Fire said it received several 911 calls from residents reporting “booms” in the Sanford area. Radar detected smoke from the Astor Farms area blowing over Lake Monroe .

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering a $5,000 reward for information about a fatal boating crash that happened in May. According to Chad Weber, of the FWC, a 43-year-old man on his personal watercraft was hit by a fishing boat around 10:30 a.m. on May 23 on Lake Monroe near channel marker 6. Weber said witnesses reported seeing a fishing boat hit a personal watercraft and then leaving the area. FWC said two good Samaritan vessels stopped to help the victim and brought him back to the Wayside boat ramp. Authorities said the boat may have front end damage or have black paint transferred on it from the crash.

FWC seeks information in fatal hit-and-run on Lake MonroePublished: May 24, 2020, 6:46 pmThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking for the public's help as it seeks information about a hit-and-run that occurred on Lake Monroe.

According to Chad Weber with FWC, the boating accident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday on Lake Monroe near channel marker 6. "FWC is trying to piece together what took place," Weber said. Weber said witnesses reported seeing a fishing boat hit a personal watercraft and then leave the area. FWC said two good Samaritan vessels stopped to help the victim and brought him back to Wayside boat ramp. Weber said FWC officers are following up on leads, but they face several challenges to solve this hit and run.