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Deputies searching for 59-year-old man in Marion County

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is searching for 59-year-old Wendell Jackson, who was last seen at his home Sunday morning. Authorities said Jackson was last seen at 3680 NE 41st Street around 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Jackson weighs around 150 pounds, is six feet and two inches and has salt and pepper short hair. Deputies ask if you have information on Jackson to contact law enforcement immediately. AT 3680 NE 41ST ST AT AROUND 7:30 AM T

Missing 14-year-old Apopka girl found safe

UPDATE: A missing 14-year-old Apopka girl has been found safe, according to police. ORIGINAL STORY: Zaraya Marie Manderville, 14, is missing from Apopka and was least seen Sunday evening. According to police, Manderville was last seen at the Borga Court in the Country Address Subdivision. Manderville has long black hair that could be in a pony tail and was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, according to police. If you have information on her, please contact the Apopka Police Department at 407-703-1771 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).

‘Our hearts go out:’ Missing toddlers die after being pulled from Longwood pond

LONGWOOD, Fla. – Two sibling toddlers who were reported missing have died after being pulled from a pond Sunday evening in Seminole County, according to sheriff’s officials. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call around 7:20 p.m. about a 3-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother who were missing at the Highcroft Point Townhomes on Wekiva Springs Road in Longwood. She said her son and daughter have autism and tend to gravitate toward a nearby pond. AdDeputies immediately went to the pond and found the boy floating in the water first, then found the girl. They were both rushed to Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital, where they were pronounced dead within minutes of each other at about 8:30 p.m.“Our hearts go out to the family,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Missing 12-year-old Orlando girl found safe

ORLANDO, Fla. – UPDATE: A missing 12-year-old girl has been found safe, police announced Monday. Trenity Amayah King was reported missing last week but was “located in good health,” according to Orlando police. GOOD NEWS: We are happy to inform our residents that Trenity was located in good health. — Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) January 25, 2021ORIGINAL STORY:The Orlando Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 12-year-old girl. Trenity Amayah King was last seen around 3 p.m. Sunday in the 5100 block of Rosamond Drive at the Village Springs apartment complex.

Harry P. Leu Gardens ‘Dazzling Nights’ ends in success, date announced for 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – Organizers at the Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando are celebrating a huge success over the holiday season. The creators of the popular “Dazzling Nights” event said after 36 days, the nighttime light show brought in more than 35,000 people from Central Florida and beyond. “Dazzling Nights” was an outdoor holiday event consisting of a 3/4-mile walking journey featuring a 65-foot-long light tunnel, lasers, interactive light installations, more than a million points of light, snow and live entertainment. Creators from the Creative City Project and The Memoir Agency worked with people at the city of Orlando, Leu Gardens and AdventHealth to make the event happen. Click here to learn more about the Harry P. Leu Gardens and events coming this year.

Man, 61, shot dead while working on car in Titusville

A man was found shot inside a car parked at the Forest Park Apartment Complex in Titusville, according to police. Titusville police found the gunshot victim around 3 p.m. Sunday inside a maroon 2003 Saturn Ion parked at the apartment complex on Rock Pit Road. A preliminary investigation found that Starks was making repairs to the vehicle and was shot by the unknown suspect, according to authorities. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital and later pronounced dead, according to police. There was a lot of kids outside playing and a whole bunch of grown people out there and all of a sudden I just heard pow pow pow and I ran to the door and locked my door up,” one woman said.

Community comes together to help widower, father of 2 through Sanford Relief Fund

Fortunately, thanks to the help from his Sanford community, the holiday season will be a little less stressful than Aaron Butler initially thought. Natasha Trythall, who works in human resources for Advanced Composite Structures, explained the need for the community to pitch in to keep the fund going. Now that Butler and his girls are adjusting to a new life, he’s thankful for having his Sanford community. I don’t know what I would do without them.”In addition to the $5,000 check in the envelope, the Sanford Relief Fund also gave Butler an additional $2,000 so he can make sure his girls have the merriest Christmas possible. You can also donate to the Sanford Relief Fund using this link.

15-year-old boy shot to death at Ocala apartment complex identified

OCALA, Fla. – A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed Sunday at an apartment complex in Ocala, prompting a homicide investigation, according to police. Ocala police said Monday that Chris “Chevy” Chevelon Jr. died in the shooting, which happened around noon Sunday at the Sutton Place apartments off Northeast 3rd Street near State Road 40. Rest In Peace Chris Chevelon Jr. you will be missed but never forgotten by your friends, family, teammates and coaches. Once a Knight always a Knight in life and death. “Rest In peace Chris Chevelon Jr. You will be missed but never forgotten by your friends, family, teammates and coaches.

29-year-old motorcyclist dies in crash in Sumter County

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A 29-year male from Brandon, Florida died in a motorcycle accident on I-75 in Sumter County, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Authorities said the man was riding his motorcycle on I-75, just north of exit 321, when the accident happened. The driver lost control of the motorcycle and collided with the guardrail in the northbound lane, according to troopers. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash. Authorities did not give a reason for the crash happening.

66-year-old man dies after car accident, according to FHP

A 66-year-old man died Sunday after a car accident on State Road 417 in Seminole County, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Authorities said the man was driving southbound on State Road 417 when the accident happened. While driving, the left front side of the car hit the wall barrier on the side of the highway and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to FHP. There was a passenger in the car who sustained minor injuries. Troopers said they are investigating to see if the driver suffered a medical issue before the accident happened.

Can you pitch in? Community’s help needed to save Orlando woman’s home

ORLANDO, Fla. – Last week, the City of Orlando was weeks away from condemning Theresa DeFairia’s home. District 5 Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill grew up in the same Orlando neighborhood. “We are a united Orlando and when we stand together, here in Orlando, miraculous things happen,” Hill said. If you’d like to help Ms. Theresa, you can contact Commissioner Regina Hill with the City of Orlando. If you would like to donate, DeFairia has a GoFundMe page.

Here’s how Central Florida firefighters are sparking conversation about fire safety

ORLANDO, Fla. – Firefighters across Central Florida are kicking off Fire Prevention Week with new programs and demonstrations to promote fire safety. “We want to encourage that in kitchen safety here today as well as throughout the home, sprinklers absolutely save lives,” Kilbury said. In Orlando, firefighters have launched a new program designed to save lives from fire or carbon monoxide. Through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Orlando Fire Department is the first fire department in Central Florida to offer free carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to residents. To request a carbon monoxide and smoke detector from the City of Orlando, visit Orlando.gov/fire.

Orlando-area first responders grateful to be back home after assisting in Hurricane Laura response

ORLANDO, Fla. – One week ago, the Texas-Louisiana border was ravished by Hurricane Laura, which lashed the Gulf Coast, leaving more than a dozen dead, many injured and numerous buildings and homes destroyed. The team was deployed to some of the hardest-hit areas impacted by Hurricane Laura, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm. [READ MORE: ‘A time to pick up:’ Hurricane-hurt Louisiana begins cleanup | Red Cross of Central Florida deploys volunteers to assist Hurricane Laura victims]“Our initial assignment was to that of Lake Charles. During their mission, task force four discovered extensive wind damage to homes and buildings. So we want to thank them so much for that,” Jimmy Madriaga, a task force member, said.

Winter Park small businesses feeling impacts of mandated closures amid virus outbreak

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The sidewalks on Park Avenue in Winter Park Saturday were nearly silent, except for the sounds of restaurants stacking up chairs on what was supposed to be a busy sidewalk art festival weekend. She is also paying close attention to what is happening in Washington, D.C., where senators spent Saturday negotiating a possible economic stimulus package and agreeing to offer a payroll tax holiday for small businesses. Meanwhile, Klinger said the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce has alerted businesses about Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Small businesses in Winter Park struggle to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. Ron DeSantis announced he is setting aside $50 million to help small businesses in Florida immediately, while the federal government works out its economic relief plan.

Here’s how you can help domestic violence victims during the coronavirus pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla. – Harbor House of Central Florida is asking for the community’s support as the nonprofit continues offering services to domestic violence victims during the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the guidelines laid out by the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding limiting social gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic, Harbor House has had to postpone some of its fundraising events. Harbor House could receive money back for orders placed through Amazon Smile, according to the release. “Whatever you give, know that it makes a big difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors at Harbor House,” Harbor House officials said. If you or someone you know is being abused, you can reach a Harbor House advocate by calling 407-886-2856.