SEMINOLE COUNTY

SANFORD, Fla. — Orlando Fire Lt. Benjamin Wootson said he was glad to be in the right place at the right time when he drove past a crash Saturday morning. Seminole County Deputy Matthew Luxon had crashed his patrol car into an overpass bridge around 10:30 a.m. near Orange Boulevard and Wayside Drive in Sanford. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said Luxon suffered a medical emergency before crashing his vehicle. Read: Seminole County deputy suffers medical episode prior to fiery crash, deputies sayPure fate put him in place to save Luxon’s life. (Orlando Fire Department /Orlando Fire Department)Read: ‘Right place at the right time’: Orlando firefighter saves Seminole County deputy from vehicle fireThe deputy’s patrol car burst into flames seconds after Luxon was pulled from it.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing woman last seen in Valkaria. Deputies said Karen Hiza, 43, left her home on Sunday around 3:45 a.m.Brevard County deputies said she was wearing a nightgown with no shoes. Read: Drugs, alcohol could be a factor in deadly Brevard County high-speed head-on crash, police sayThe sheriff’s office said Hiza suffers from a mental health condition and did not take her prescribed medication. Read: Seminole County deputy suffers medical episode prior to fiery crash, deputies sayThe Brevard County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information to call Agent Joseph Wynn through the Communications Center at 321-633-7162. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

SANFORD, Fla. — An Orlando Fire lieutenant is credited with saving a Seminole County deputy seconds before his cruiser burst into flames Saturday morning. Read: Seminole County deputy pulled from vehicle fire following crash, troopers sayThe Orlando Fire Department said a lieutenant was driving his son to a soccer game when he saw the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office deputy crash into the bridge. Read: I-Drive hotel evacuated after balcony fire, Orange County Fire Rescue saysAccording to a news release, the car ignited and caught on fire after the SUV struck a bridge support. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deputy was not on his way to a call or responding to anything when he crashed. Orlando Firefighter Lt. Wootsen, who was off-duty, stopped his personal vehicle and pulled the deputy out of his patrol car.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Fire Rescue battled a fire at a hotel on International Drive. According to a social media post, firefighters received the call around 3:40 p.m. Saturday. Read: Seminole County deputy pulled from vehicle fire following crash, troopers sayThe hotel was evacuated as firefighters removed the smoke from the building. Fire officials said the fire is out, and there are no reported injuries. ©2023 Cox Media Group

A 33-year-old Seminole County deputy was hospitalized Saturday after a patrol vehicle he was driving crashed and caught fire near Sanford, prompting a roadblock on South Orange Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — If you’re looking for a pet outside of the typical dog or cat? Seminole County Animal Services has you covered. Shelter officials encourage adopters of the “pocket pets” to do their research on the animals before theu chose to adopt. Read: Pick Nick: Orange County shelter hosting adoption event for longest residentClick here for more information about how to adopt. These rabbits, rats are up for adoption in Seminole CountyExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Rabbits and rats for adoption Shelter officials encourage adopters of the “pocket pets” to do their research on the animals before they chose to adopt.

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — Winter Springs has received $19 million for infrastructure, but has only spent $9.8 million of that money since 2014, Channel 9 has learned. City officials said once the audit is completed by the county, it will show the money was spent properly. However, Channel 9 found that the infrastructure money was spent on police cars and equipment and other things not on their list of proposed projects. The money and how it has been spent has been the focus of an audit by Seminole County, which started after question arose over several bridges that failed during Hurricane Ian last year. READ: Off-duty pilot steps in when on-duty pilot has medical emergency mid-flightVideo: Winter Springs city manager resigns week after county orders audit of city The Winter Springs city manager resigned a week after Seminole County ordered an audit of the city.

The Oviedo Mall announced plans to host a premiere event for the debut of the new Dungeon and Dragons movie.

An 18-year-old student was arrested after he was found with a weapon at Seminole High School on Thursday, according to Sanford police.

Central Florida is a lightning hot spot. Finland-based Vaisala recently named Four Corners the lightning capital of the United States.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A new method of learning another language is now popping up in libraries across Seminole County. Language Learning Pods have arrived at the county libraries thanks to the generosity of immigrants from Poland. READ: DeSantis moves to expand law critics call ‘Don’t Say Gay’ into high schoolsThe Altamonte Springs City Library will also debut a language learning pod in the future. Us of the pods is free to the public, but a library card is required. READ: Board weighs how to use $287M in Orange County tourism tax moneyVIDEO: Senators launch inquiry into health impact on military families in unsafe housing U.S.

The Taste of Oviedo is coming back for its 29th annual festival with over 150 vendors and more than 20 restaurants that the whole family can enjoy.

Ring video given to News 6 by a Winter Park resident, showed a man, identified by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office as 40-year-old James Danforth, entering into a home off of Tangerine Avenue through the sliding glass door.

A busy stretch of U.S. Highway 17-92 in Sanford is expected to be closed in both directions Tuesday through 7 p.m., according to Seminole County officials.

Seminole County officials celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new tax collector’s office on Tuesday.

Deputies said that on March 15, they arrived at a home in the Howell Branch Woods subdivision of Winter Springs after receiving a call about an armed burglary.

Energetic, small and full of playfulness. What’s not to love about puppies?

The Longwood Pirate Seafood Festival is set to return this weekend and its going to be an arr-mazing time.

OVIEDO, Fla. — Residents came out to celebrate the luck of the Irish in Seminole County. The City of Oviedo hosted a free festival on Friday and Saturday to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The city showed live entertainment from Fiddler & Crossroads, Paddy O Furniture, Bangers and Mash, the Byrne Brothers and Finnegan Academy’s Irish step dancers. Read: Orange County Fire Rescue welcomes 100th class of new firefighters with graduation ceremonyGuests enjoyed activities like face painting, a photo booth and stilt walker performances. Read: AAA offers ‘Tow to Go’ service to help keep drivers safe during St. Patrick’s Day weekendLocal food vendors served Irish cuisine at Center Lake Park.

Fifth annual “Hot Rods for Heroes” event honors military members.

There will be two days of festivities at Center Lake Park, featuring the live entertainment of Fiddler & Crossroads, Paddy O Furniture, Bangers & Mash, The Byrne Brothers and Finnegan Academy's Irish Step Dancers at the Cultural Center Stage.

Check out this week's Sonic Prep Player of the Week featuring Amari Turner of Seminole High School.

According to plans submitted to the city, a proposed storage facility would create more than 100,000 square feet of storage units.

A 32-year-old man was arrested in connection with the 2011 shooting death of another man in his Seminole County home, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

Monday night, the Winter Springs City Commission discussed how to recruit a qualified person to take the vacancy.

A Sanford man won $1 million in a Florida Lottery scratch-off game.

SANFORD, Fla. — A Seminole County man won a $1 million top prize while playing a Florida Lottery scratch-off game. Florida Lottery officials announced announces that Tyrone Bouie, of Sanford, claimed a $1 million top prize from the $5 MONOPOLY DOUBLER scratch-off game. Read: Seminole County woman wins $1 million playing lottery scratch-off gameBouie bought the winning ticket from Conrad Mobil on North Dixie Freeway in New Smyrna Beach. The retailer who sold the winning ticket will also receive a $2,000 bonus. Read: Lake County woman cashes in after winning $1M from a Florida Lottery scratch-off gameThe $5 MONOPOLY DOUBLER game started on July 4, 2022, and features more than $132 million in cash prizes, including 12 top prizes of $1 million.

News 6 meteorologist Candace Campos and Seminole County fire officials both agree there’s still a possibility of a fire risk.

Seminole County Animal Services have moved dogs back into its shelter after the facility went through renovations in hopes of getting results for the animals.

Daylight saving time is set to begin and that means a change to Seminole County’s watering restrictions.

Sheryl Kurland’s mom once told her, “if you want to feel better, put a little lipstick on.”

A man has been arrested in connection to a shooting on Sunday that left one person dead and another badly hurt, according to the Sanford Police Department.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia County man claimed a $1 million scratch-off prize this week. Florida lottery officials said Jose Dominguez Rios, 35, of DeLand, won the Gold Rush Limited Scratch-Off game prize. They said Dominguez Rios decided to get his winnings as a one-time, lump sum of $795,000. Officials said Dominguez Rios bought his winning ticket from the 7-Eleven located at 331 W. Silver Star Road in Ocoee. Read: Seminole County woman wins $1 million playing lottery scratch-off gameThe gas station will get a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.

Over the years, Becky Ward climbed the ladder.

The owner of Hotter Than El Handcrafted Hot Sauces, Dino Ferri, is taking his love of heat in a new direction by opening a specialty grocery store in Sanford focused on spicy foods from around the world.

A Seminole County woman won $1 million in a Florida Lottery scratch-off game, officials announced Wednesday.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A Seminole County woman is feeling lucky after winning a $1 million prize from a scratch-off lottery ticket. Florida Lottery officials announced Altamonte Springs resident Annette Hagmann, 68, claimed a $1 million prize from the Gold Rush Limited game. Florida Lottery announces 4 new scratch-off gamesHagmann bought her winning ticket from the Circle K at 1140 South County Road 427 in Longwood. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket. Read: Lake County woman cashes in after winning $1M from a Florida Lottery scratch-off gameThe $20 scratch-off game started in September 2021 and features 32 top prizes of $5 million and 100 prizes of $1 million.

Monday, Longwood city commissioners discussed creating a code that would prevent smoke shops and dispensaries from sitting so close together.

Hours before a public meeting, the city of Oviedo told News 6 that it hopes there will be no opposition to the annexation of the Boston Cemetery.

Sanford police investigate a double shooting at an apartment complex.

SANFORD, Fla. — A shooting at a Seminole County apartment complex left two people injured, the Sanford Police Department said. Officers responded to the Bel-Air Apartments on East Airport Boulevard and Sanford Avenue Sunday night. Police said the incident appeared to be “domestic” in nature and that those involved are known to each other. READ: Update: Man dies after shooting in unincorporated Cocoa, sheriff’s office saysThe two shooting patients were rushed to a hospital and at last report, were in critical condition, according to Sanford police. Sanford domestic shootingPolice added that others involved in the case were accounted for.

Police did not say how many vehicles were involved or if there were any injuries.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County Public Schools hosted an empowerment workshop Wednesday for young girls. The Finding Your Voice Girl’s Summit was a free group session for fifth and sixth-grade girls to know what resources are available. Read: Seminole County Public Schools increase mental health resources for studentsThe school district said the workshop helped students understand the tools they need to resolve conflict and feel confident. Read: Three students arrested after fight at Seminole High School, officials saySCPS said they created this program in response to the nationwide increase in violence on school campuses. For more information about other workshops in Seminole County schools, click here.

Federal authorities say a Pennsylvania man admits packing explosive materials, fuses and a lighter into a suitcase he checked for a commercial flight to Florida.

A Pennsylvania man was arrested after law enforcement said he tried to bring explosives onto a flight bound for Florida, according to court records.

An officer with the Orlando Police Department was arrested Tuesday in Seminole County, accused of driving under the influence after attempting to pick his daughter up from after-school care, crashing into a parking space and worrying school employees, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2020, Anderson was officially elected to office as the first African American constitutional officer in Seminole County.

An 8-month-old pit bull mix named Gunner is recovering at Luv-N-Care Animal Hospital in Seminole County after he was shot in the face.

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — The Winter Springs city manager resigned a week after Seminole County ordered an audit of the city. Read: Audit to look deeper into spending of Winter Springs’ infrastructure improvement funds“I think that he acted on his options, he was a professional. Our city staff undergoes some incredible pressure,” McCann said. Read: Winter Springs city commission set to discuss using FEMA money to fix roads and bridges“They are well-financed, they’re using their political clout at the county and state level to really push the city of Winter Springs to abandon its brand,” McCann said. VIDEO: Audit to look deeper into Winter Springs spending of infrastructure improvement funds Audit to look deeper into Winter Springs spending of infrastructure improvement fundsClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The Winter Springs city manager announced his retirement on Monday amid a city audit by the state.

People celebrating the St. Patrick's Day come together with food, parties, parades and performances.

An associate of former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg was sentenced to nine years in federal prison Monday after pleading guilty to multiple fraud charges.

Officials with the Seminole County Fire Department said there are many small factors that will contribute to an increased wildfire risk in the coming days.

A missing woman with Alzheimer’s was found safe and in good health, the Oviedo Police Department said in a tweet.

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and Oviedo is hosting an unforgettable celebration you don’t want to miss.

A 36-year-old Orlando man died in a crash early Sunday that forced an hourslong closure of State Road 417 in Seminole County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Two children are dead and a man is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a Sanford crash on Friday, according to the police department.

In 2007, just one month shy of her 22nd birthday, Joe Gallagher said his daughter died by suicide.

Alarming new numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show our children are far worse off after the pandemic than most experts thought.

The housing crisis across Central Florida appears to only be getting worse and residents tell us in many ways it’s impacting their mental health.

Who needs a stadium when you have a porch?

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. — Seminole County leaders want to know if the city of Winter Springs misspent millions of tax payer dollars. The state recently launched an operational audit of the city’s finances after complaints from residents. READ: Death investigation underway at Lake GriffinNow, the county wants to look at how the city spent $19 million in penny tax money that is supposed to go to infrastructure improvements. A bridge on Northern Way that recently reopened after it failed during Hurricane Ian is one of the projects the county gave $1 million in penny tax to. Commissioners want to make sure the city used the money for that purpose.

Seminole State College of Florida and Seminole County Public Schools partnered to give 700 high school seniors the tools to take the next step in their education.

A crisis response team made up of licensed mental health counselors and school social workers will be available to students in Seminole County this week following the death of a student.

Seminole County Clerk of Courts announced Operation Green Light, a program aimed at helping residents reinstate their suspended driver license while saving on fees.

Florida law already allows law enforcement to charge drug dealers with the death of someone they sold to overdoses and dies from fentanyl. However, one sheriff wants to rewrite the law to target drug dealers even further. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma has made taking drug dealers off the streets one of his top priorities, have already charged 35 suspected drug dealers with murder under that law. Now, he wants to go a step further, pushing for drug dealers to be punished even if their buyer survives a fentanyl overdose. “We wanted to add in there, which is incredibly important, is to hold the drug dealers accountable,” Lemma said.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County officials are working on a project to prevent future flooding in parts of the county that typically sees flooding after heavy rainfall and hurricanes like Ian and Nicole. The project is part of the county’s hazard mitigation program where the county identifies hazard areas and when they receive FEMA money, those dollars are earmarked for those projects to prevent future flooding. This is one of several projects planned in the Geneva area. “We have the Seminole County resiliency working group, and it’s made up of all the seven cities. We have citizens that sit on that board as well as other organizations, nonprofits, and we look at mitigating across the county for all different types of hazards,” said Seminole County Emergency Operations Manager Alan Harris.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Police are conducting an investigation after someone reported a woman’s death at a hotel over the weekend in Seminole County. Officers responded to the Altamonte Springs Hotel and Suites along Douglas Avenue, the Altamonte Springs Police Department said. Channel 9 watched as detectives gathered in the parking lot outside of the hotel Sunday night. Altamonte Springs Hotel & Suites (WFTV)READ: Backup of rental car reservations leaves travelers stranded at Orlando International AirportChannel 9′s Jeff Levkulich is working to collect more details from police and will continue to provide live updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at Noon and on WFTV.com. ©2023 Cox Media Group

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — There’s been an infusion of money into our schools to help teachers close the learning gap. Mental health is complicating the work teachers are trying to do to close the gap. Jones asked about the role mental health is having on students who are behind. Video: The push to close the pandemic learning gap Every school district across the country is still working to close the learning gap caused by virtual learning during the pandemic. Together, they determine which direct services students need to improve mental health, which in turn should help enhance their academic performance.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — For decades, cities, counties and schools were required to publish all public notices in the local newspaper, but a recent change by the state legislature could keep millions of taxpayer dollars from being spent. As of the first of the year, public notices can be placed on a county’s website for free instead. Seminole County Commissioner Jay Zembower said the county spent at least a million dollars last year on public notices. Read: Mistaken identity: Seminole County deputies arrest wrong woman in front of her sonBut so far only one county in the state has made the switch: Sarasota County. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators are working to find out what started a fire Tuesday night in Seminole County. Firefighters released video showing a Quonset hut on fire in the Chuluota area. Quonset huts are steel structures known for its semi cylindrical cross-section shape. Read: Walmart closing seven locations; last pickup and delivery-only locationsFire crews were called to the incident on Daycream Cove around 6:30 p.m. They quickly got water on the fire to keep the flames from spreading to a home that was about 200 feet away.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Three students were taken into custody after several fights broke out at Seminole High School Friday, district officials said. In a message to parents, staff members said an incident between two students on the 9th-grade campus “stirred the pot” and led to a bigger skirmish. School staff said the district and Sanford Police continued investigating the incident and those involved. Read: Missing Brevard County boy, 4, last seen near junkyard found safeSeminole High School has been the site of other big fights in recent years. School administrators said steps taken to quell violence on campus had been working but did not provide evidence to support their claim.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — We’re just now starting to see the impact of a bill signed last year that states if you sell to someone and they die, you’re responsible. However, a drug-free initiative in Osceola County says there are mixed feelings about the law. Crystal Hernandez is running the first drop-in rehabilitation center in Osceola County. READ: Man receives longest fentanyl-related sentence in Seminole County history“The whole situation is tragic,” she said. VIDEO: Man receives longest fentanyl-related sentence in Seminole County history Man receives longest fentanyl-related sentence in Seminole County historyClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A man has been sentenced to 15 years for selling drugs laced with fentanyl. Prosecutors said this is the longest sentence in Seminole County history for charges related to the drug. Terry Williams pleaded no contest to charges related to the death of 30-year-old Arielle Osteen. READ: Sheriff: Cocoa Beach man arrested after breaking into gas station, leaving debit card behindWilliams will now spend 15 years on multiple charges related to the drugs he sold to Osteen that killed him. Osteen’s family helped investigators catch Williams after setting up another buy for drugs his Osteen’s phone nearly two weeks after his death.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A driver has been taken to the hospital in stable condition after a crash in Seminole County, the fire department said. Firefighters said a white Ford 250 crashed into fencing on and power lines went down, causing traffic to stop westbound on State Road 436. Seminole County Fire Department said Duke Energy had been notified of the incident. Officials said Altamonte Police Department has two tow trucks heading to the scene. SCFD said State Road 436 is expected to reopen in the next 20 to 30 minutes.

And for several Central Florida firefighters, it led to their deaths. Within just a few weeks, two Marion County firefighters recently committed suicide. The news of their deaths surfaced as 9 Investigates was already working on a special report about the horrific suicides of three Orange County firefighters within just a few months in 2022. “They were already mowing, we noticed there were a pair of tire marks that had creeped into the water,” Vazquez recalled. Losing that patient brought back memories of that first water rescue, where Vazquez told us, he felt like a failure.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A woman who was found along a Georgia highway 37 years ago has been identified thanks to genealogical DNA analysis. On May 14, 1985, a passerby found a woman injured and unconscious along Highway 91 near Newton, Georgia. After the tests did not develop any leads Investigators turned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a genealogical DNA analysis. Read: Florida could end unanimous jury requirement for executionsIn October 2022, investigators were able to identify the woman as Mary Anga Cowan, a Seminole County woman who had been missing since 1985. Body found in Georgia 37 years ago identified as missing Seminole County woman (Georgia Bureau of Investigation)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The body of a woman who died after being found unconscious along the side of a highway in Georgia has been identified as a Florida mother who went missing in 1985.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A serious crash involving a semi hauling milk shut down part of a busy Seminole County roadway Thursday. Officials said one person inside the semi received minor injuries. Read: Lake Mary student arrested for selling pot brownies on campus, sending 1 to the hospitalThe cause of the crash is still under investigation. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 4 Photos: Rollover crash of semi hauling milk shuts down parts of major roadway in Seminole County (Seminole County Fire Rescue)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ©2022 Cox Media Group

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s a crime gaining traction in some Central Florida neighborhoods: attacks on mail carriers. Thieves are looking for the postal arrow key, which can be used to open up community mailboxes. READ: Postal carrier attacks on the rise nationwide: Here’s what most robbers are afterThe most recent attack was on a mail carrier last week at an apartment complex in Altamonte Springs. But at the Altamira Apartments an hour later, the men matching the same descriptions were successful in getting the postal arrow key at gunpoint. The three men, all wearing masks and about 20 years old, approached the mailman and demanded at gunpoint for his postal arrow key.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orlando Sanford International Airport helped inspire the local community on Saturday. Seminole County students and families attended Aerospace and Aviation Day at the airport and learned about careers in mechanics and avionics. Read: LYNX Air takes off from Toronto to Orlando International AirportThe event displayed more than 25 aircraft. Read: Fresh-picked: Orlando Squeeze pickleball team chooses head coachChildren went inside cockpits, met pilots and took part in flight simulators at the hangar. Read: Red Cross, fire department Sound the Alarm for fire safetyStudents also signed up for a flight above the airport.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Attorney Ben Crump has threatened to sue Gov. Ron DeSantis over the rejection of AP African-American Studies courses in public schools. READ: Orange County approves new ‘Tenants Bill of Rights’ ordinance to protect rentersVIDEO: Gov. DeSantis addresses controversy after AP African American studies course banned in Florida Gov. DeSantis addresses controversy after AP African American studies course banned in FloridaClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County is notifying residents near Deep Lake of blue-green algae bloom. Officials learned of the bloom after water samples showed evidence of the possible contamination. -Avoid getting water in your eyes, nose, or mouth-Keep pets and livestock away from the waters where there is a bloom. READ: How Disney is using recycled glass to touch up resort horse trailsBlue-green algae is a common occurrence in freshwater environments throughout Florida and can appear year-round. More information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications can be found here.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County officials are sounding the alarm after a fire at a waste station likely sparked by rechargeable batteries caused nearly $500,000 in damage. READ: SpaceX to launch GPS satellite for U.S. Space ForceBefore they hauled away the twisted, charred trailers, county officials used them as a backdrop for an opportunity to discuss the dangers and proper disposal of rechargeable batteries. “Right now, the most plausible culprit is rechargeable batteries such as lithium batteries, or perhaps a lead acid battery in one of the trailers,” Seminole County Fire Marshal Christina Diaz said. Lithium-ion batteries (like the ones in e-bikes🛴) can cause fires in bins, garbage trucks, and waste facilities. Diaz recommends taking lithium ion batteries and charges to the county’s household hazardous waste facility at the transfer station for free.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office does not believe a shooting at a busy intersection early Monday morning was random. Deputies said six people were shot inside a transport van just before 2:30 a.m. at the intersection of State Road 46A and Rinehart Road. The five other victims remain in stable conditionVIDEO: 1 dead, multiple injured during shooting along busy Seminole County road 1 dead, multiple injured during shooting along busy Seminole County roadAlthough deputies do not believe this was a random shooting, they have not released a motive. Deputies told Channel 9 that multiple search warrants have been executed in the area and investigators are following active leads. Read: Deputies investigate deadly shooting in KissimmeeOn Monday afternoon, a vehicle that may be connected to the shooting was recovered and processed.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — At least one person is dead after a shooting along a busy Seminole County road early Monday, deputies said. It happened just before 2:30 a.m. on County Road 46-A at Rinehart Road. The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t said how many people were shot, but that at least one person has died. READ: Deputies investigating deadly shooting in Seminole CountyDeputies said the people in the two cars were involved in an altercation, and shots rang out injuring multiple people and killing one. It’s not clear yet if this was a road rage incident or what the motive is, but deputies did confirm this was not a random shooting.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Florida Supervisors of Elections Association announced four $1,200 scholarships, according to Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson. The scholarships will be awarded to college students for the 2023 school year. According to a news release, applications must be submitted to the elections office of the county in which the applicant is registered to vote. Each county will select one finalist to send to the FSE Scholarship Committee for consideration. Read: Temps stay below average Sunday, plenty of sunshineApplications are available online at www.voteseminole.gov/scholarship.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said it is on scene of a shooting Wednesday afternoon. It happened around 4 p.m. at a home in the 2400 block of Jennifer Hope Boulevard in unincorporated Longwood. These 113 people are missing from Central FloridaDeputies said they are attempting to communicate with the shooting suspect. The shooting is believed to be domestic in nature and isolated to the home. READ: Teen shot at Orange County high school wasn’t target, sheriff saysNo further information was immediately available.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County firefighters believe a battery charger caused a house to go up in flames. Smoke was seen coming from this charred home near Bithlo on Tuesday afternoon. Photos: Firefighters say battery charger likely cause of house fire in Seminole CountyExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 9 Firefighters say battery charger likely cause of house fire in Seminole CountyInvestigators said a battery charger in the garage started the fire. Watch: Most flights delayed, canceled at Orlando International Airport after FAA nationwide system failureCrews from Seminole, Oviedo, and Orange County all responded. Read: Passengers stuck on delayed Amtrak train nearly 29 hours to arrive in Central FloridaOnly one person was inside the home as the fire broke out.