THE VILLAGES

It already had been a thrilling weekend on the water for Liz Perkins, placing 12th in the national championship regatta for radio controlled sailboats that took place in The Villages.

April Fools’ Day in the middle of a recession was the perfect time for Keith Myers to start a business. “I could blame April Fools’ Day or the recession, instead

A fire at an Orlando apartment complex has displaced several families.

A man driving a golf cart in The Villages was seriously injured Saturday when it hit a curb and he was ejected from it, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

As The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center season rolls on, it brings a few nice surprises. The venue has announced additional shows with star headliners following its season announcement

A Florida neighborhood is adapting to demand for retirement homes, but it has to balance that with protecting the environment.

A Florida neighborhood is adapting to demand for retirement homes, but it has to balance that with protecting the environment.

Jeff Cohen prides himself on being a voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves.

Less than 12 hours after watching The Villages High School football team dismantle Leesburg in the first-ever meeting between the two neighbors, I ventured out to where it all begins.

Freezing cold in Texas, fiery heat out West and destructive hurricanes on the Gulf Coast all were powerful enough to devastate the power grid in those regions. Knowing it could

Though Joe Zelezniak always knew he had a strong arm, perhaps his first tangible evidence came at sixth-grade field day.

Denise Emch, Barb Wheelus and Shirley Jones have seen firsthand the exponential growth of softball in The Villages.

As the curtains rose, eight dancers with the Jon Lehrer Dance Company held a stately pose, gaze angled toward the audience as if demanding its attention. And they kept that

If you’ve ever met Dan Comins, chances are you’ve probably seen him with saxophone.

Delores Lancaster wiped away a tear as she looked at the full trunk of food before her. The Leesburg resident was overwhelmed with relief by the thought that she would

The Villages High School football team started its season 1-0 on Friday night.

Cases continue to climb in classrooms across Central Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of another monoclonal antibody treatment center.

Osceola County sees the second largest population growth in Florida over the last 10 years, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The fastest-growing U.S. metro area is a Florida retirement community, and other 2020 Census highlights

The data also shows the share of the white population fell from 63.7% in 2010 to 57.8% in 2020, the lowest on record, though white people continue to be the most prevalent racial or ethnic group. Around 80% of metropolitan areas saw population gains, while less than half of the smaller so-called micropolitan areas did. Adults over age 18 made up more than three-quarters of the population in 2020, or 258.3 million people, an increase of more than 10% from 2010. However, the population of children under age 18 dropped from 74.2 million in 2010 to 73.1 million in 2020, a 1.4% decrease. ___HOUSING GROWTH RATE SLOWSThe housing growth rate slowed between 2010 and 2020, the result of a hangover from the 2008 housing bust.

The data also shows the share of the white population fell from 63.7% in 2010 to 57.8% in 2020, the lowest on record, though white people continue to be the most prevalent racial or ethnic group. Around 80% of metropolitan areas saw population gains, while less than half of the smaller so-called micropolitan areas did. Adults over age 18 made up more than three-quarters of the population in 2020, or 258.3 million people, an increase of more than 10% from 2010. However, the population of children under age 18 dropped from 74.2 million in 2010 to 73.1 million in 2020, a 1.4% decrease. ___HOUSING GROWTH RATE SLOWSThe housing growth rate slowed between 2010 and 2020, the result of a hangover from the 2008 housing bust.

Members of The Rotary Clubs of The Villages are setting an example for the rest of the world to follow.

The advocates of bringing veterans’ mental health services to The Villages have moved closer to launch.

Bruce Dillman always had a calling for working with people. Having served as a priest, a teacher and now as a pastor, he really enjoys getting to know others.

Parrots, parakeets and even a visiting crow were squawking and flapping with their parents Tuesday at Canal Street Recreation Center.

Two years and one day after his mother was liberated from the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz, Mark Newhouse was born in Germany.

Michele Frank enjoys what she calls “messing in the mud.” She and her husband, Jonathan, have been working with clay to make pottery, especially practical items like coffee mugs, dishes

Students in Tom Ferguson’s high school math and science courses had an uncommon ace in their pocket should they ever struggle with a concept. “Anytime during the year,” he’d tell

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Three big holes have opened up on a golf course in the Villages, prompting closures to the surrounding area. Fire officials were called out Saturday morning when the holes appeared between the Moyer Recreation Center and the golf course. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 3 The Villages Sinkhole 3“We came out and discovered three depressions within the pond area,” said Villages Fire Chief Edmund Cain. “Approximately, I would say with the three of them, they are about 200 feet in diameter, if that.”Fire officials originally identified the holes as sinkholes, but engineers said the holes are actually considered depressions. What to know about booster shots“We have not seen any growth in the three depressions,” Cain said.

A sinkhole opened up over the weekend near a golf course in The Villages.

Even against the backdrop of major calamities, Sumter County’s financial health has long fueled Florida’s economic engine — a legacy that rests in the hands of county commissioners as they

Local charities supported by Sumter County companies are breathing a sigh of relief that a 75% tax increase on new businesses has been defeated. The spike in road impact fees

Mission accomplished, it appears. And quickly.

On May 7, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., spoke at an “America First” rally with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., at The Villages retirement community in Florida.

The Camp Villages summer program is set to make its return in the coming weeks. After a summer off in 2020 due to COVID-19, Camp Villages is returning with nine

California secured a more than $75 billion budget surplus after boosts from a thriving stock market and tax revenues, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Monday.Why it matters: Last year, the governor's office projected a budget deficit of up to $54 billion due to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic — about a quarter of the entire budget. On Monday, Newsom laid out his plan to use the surprise surplus to fund what he called the biggest economic recovery package in state history.Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free.Details: Newsom's $100 billion proposal would provide $12 billion more in direct payments to residents: $600 for most people along with an additional $500 for families with dependents. The money would go to families earning less than $75,000 annually.The package would also assist renters, covering 100% of their past-due rent. What to watch: Newsom will announce the rest of his proposal in an address on Friday.What he's saying: "This is just the first of many announcements this week across the spectrum that amplify the narrative of this state truly roaring back," Newsom said at an address.Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.

The two members of Congress may not have much power on the Hill, but they get celebrity treatment from Trump supporters.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, who is currently the subject of a federal investigation into sex trafficking, took the stage in The Villages on Friday to address hundreds of supporters packed into a ballroom. The Villages is where former President Donald Trump came from one of his final Florida rallies before the November election. Joining Gaetz in The Villages was Marjorie Taylor Greene, a freshman congresswoman from Georgia. “You are not gonna put us down for loving President Trump and what he did in the last four years,” Greene said. Gaetz and Greene said this first rally is part of a new America First political movement designed to defeat both Democrats and Republicans who break with the party.

The gathering appeared to be an attempt to position the two conservatives as successors to the former president's populism. Greene shouted after walking out onto a ballroom stage in front of hundreds of supporters wearing “Trump" T-shirts and “Make America Great Again" red ballcaps. Gaetz held up himself and Greene as challengers to the establishment and successors to Trump's populism. Federal investigators are looking at whether Gaetz and his associates tried to secure government jobs for some of the women. Of Greene, Peil said, she was “a great woman" who wasn't afraid to take on Democratic lawmakers in Congress.

An 81-year-old man was seriously injured when he crashed a golf cart into a concrete wall in The Villages Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – The vaccination site that was located on Wedgewood Lane in The Villages has moved to Lake-Sumter State College. AdLake-Sumter State College, located on 1423 CR 526A, is 16 miles away from Wedgewood Lane which may not be convenient for some seniors. “Global Medical Response is now vaccinating at Lake Sumter College, Sumterville Campus. This is a mobile vaccination site we are prepared to move when necessary. Appointment times will not be interrupted; however, the location may change over the coming months from time-to-time,” Global Medical Response said in a statement to News 6.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – A 74-year-old man died in a crash involving a golf cart earlier this week in The Villages, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The crash was reported at 4:48 p.m. Monday on Morse Boulevard near Carrera Drive. The FHP said the man was driving a golf cart east on a private road and stopped at the intersection with Morse Boulevard. As he began to enter the intersection, his golf cart was struck by a car driven by a 62-year-old woman who lives in The Villages, troopers said. The man, of Holmes, New York, was ejected from his cart and taken to a hospital, where he died a day later, according to an FHP report.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – A man attempting to rip off homeowners in The Villages faces charges after damaging protected wetlands, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrested Jose Luis Carvajal Ibarra, 37, on Wednesday. The man told the victims that he received permission from The Villages to clear the land, according to the release. As the man cut down trees and cleared brush, a representative from The Villages told Carvajal Ibarra that the land was protected, records show. Deputies said Carvajal Ibarra ended up causing between $40,000 and $60,000 in damage to the protected land.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – A drive-thru vaccine distribution site in The Villages reopened Thursday -- and for good this time. Ron DeSantis, that officials reopened it permanently, with the help of more vaccine doses from the federal government. But this time it’s going to be a permanent vaccination site,” DeSantis said. The governor said last week that, on average, Florida administered about 375,000 doses a week since the rollout began. So I’m excited about the progress we can make in The Villages with this site,” the governor said.

DeSantis to feds: Florida wants more COVID-19 vaccine dosesGov. Ron DeSantis said Florida will see an increase in the number of coronavirus vaccines delivered to the state. DeSantis said during this timeframe the state has administered 375,000 doses a week. [TRENDING: Great white shark bites boat in Florida | Orange County deputy’s TikTok videos under investigation | Governor touts vaccine rollout]The governor said Florida will receive 307,000 first doses from the federal government. We just learned Florida’s vaccine allocation for next week.

Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Friday night activating the Florida National Guard in response to possible protests this weekend. The order states the National Guard will work with local law enforcement. Sheriff Marco Lopez said he has 56 deputies ready to go. Locally in Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer told News 6 he continues to monitor any reports of possible protests. [RELATED: States declare emergencies, close capitols ahead of rallies]The AP reports some investigators in the FBI are also on alert for armed protests.

click to enlarge Photo courtesy Governor's Press Officeclick to enlarge Photo courtesy Governor's Press OfficeThe governor is (probably) not scrounging for loose change. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference on Tuesday to debut a new state COVID-19 vaccination site and, to the surprise of utterly no one, it's at the Villages.One of the few places in the state that still welcomes the governor with open arms, the Villages now has its own drive-through where seniors (65 and older) and frontline health care workers can get the preventive vaccine shot.And, as a press release from the governor's office helpfully points out, the drive-through "accommodates golf carts. "The governor also took the time to chat with seniors through car windows, which made for the surreal press image below.COVID-19 numbers in Florida continued to climb on Tuesday, with 14,896 new cases reported and 156 new resident deaths.The Villages drive-through vaccine site is located at 3800 Wedgewood Lane and will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Appointments for a vaccine shot must be made online in advance.

When will COVID-19 vaccine availability be expanded to even more people in Florida? The state is expanding its availability of the vaccine as more than 50,000 people have received their second shot, strengthening their protection against the virus. The governor has maintained that Florida’s senior first strategy will also help curb the number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations and deaths within the state. HospitalizationsAs of Tuesday afternoon, there were currently 7,713 people with the virus hospitalized in Florida, according to the state Agency for Health Care Administration. VaccinationsThe Florida Department of Health recently began releasing a daily report on COVID-19 vaccines administered throughout the state.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – People in Sumter County now have a new opportunity to get a coronavirus vaccine. Through a partnership with the Florida Department of Health and Global Medical Response, those who are 65 and older can receive a vaccine free of charge at a new outdoor site. Steve and Gene Uhrick found out about the new site on Monday and right away signed up online for an appointment. As you register for the vaccine, you will also be asked how you want to receive your special PIN number. The governor assured Tuesday the site has the capabilities of administering around 800 shots a day to start.

Ron DeSantis says he hopes more Florida lawmakers will support his idea for enforced penalties against protesters. Protesters in Florida and across the country took to the streets calling for justice and changes to law enforcement tactics. Now DeSantis’ idea has legislative backing after Republicans in the Florida House and Senate filed bills Wednesday night that would enact penalties against protesters who turn violent. The “Combating Public Disorder” bill targets protesters who damage personal and business property or assault law enforcement. On funding, the legislation includes language that would allow a resident to appeal any tentative budget cuts to a municipal law enforcement agency.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A 74-year-old man is in critical condition after two golf carts crashed Monday afternoon in The Villages, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the 74-year-old man was driving a golf cart south on Fortaleza Drive around 4:10 p.m. and failed to stop at a stop sign at Enrique Drive. [TRENDING: Seniors sleep in cars waiting for vaccine | How to get vaccine in Fla. | ‘Amen and awoman:’ Backlash over prayer]When he entered the intersection, another golf cart hit the left side of his golf cart, causing the man to be ejected, records show. He was not wearing a seat belt and suffered serious injuries, according to the report. The 57-year-old man driving the other golf cart was not injured.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A 76-year-old man is accused of possessing and distributing child pornography from his home in The Villages, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber tip in September about the possible distribution of child pornography. [TRENDING: Gov: Vaccine coming to Florida ‘relatively soon’ | CDC: Avoid Thanksgiving travel | Georgia presidential race recount results]Records show a nearly two-month investigation led to a warrant being executed at John Thomas Nolan’s home on Bokeelia Place in The Villages on Friday. Based on what was found, Nolan was arrested on three counts of distribution of child pornography and seven counts of possession of child pornography.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – An Orange Springs man is facing charges in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left a bicyclist injured in The Villages last week, according to an update from the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the bicyclist suffered serious injuries. Troopers later determined 59-year-old William Joseph Croop was the driver of the Jaguar involved in the crash. Croop was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash with serious injuries. An update on the condition of the bicyclist was not immediately available.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A 42-year-old Sumter County woman was reported missing and endangered Thursday, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Jamie Pettit was last seen driving a black and red color golf cart. She is known to frequent the areas of The Villages, Lady Lake and Summerfield, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Pettit has blond hair, blue eyes and 5 feet 9 inches tall. If anyone knows Pettit’s whereabouts they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 352-793-2621.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – An 89-year-old woman from The Villages was arrested Thursday on charges of leaving the scene of a crash after Florida Highway Patrol Troopers say she struck two bicyclists. Her car had heavy damage to the front end and windshield. Troopers were able to identify the driver as Marilyn Jean Hamilton, of The Villages, on Nov. 5 and charged her with two counts of leaving the scene of the crash with injury. Her Mercedes-Benz was also found at a repair shop in Gainesville, according to the FHP. Hamilton was booked into the Sumter County Jail.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – A man riding a bicycle was seriously injured when a car hit him from behind in The Villages Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the 61-year-old man was riding a bike on the golf cart lane on Hillsborough Trail near Shale Trail Loop around 6:50 a.m. when a car entered the golf cart lane for an unknown reason, struck him from behind and then fled the scene. A description of the driver wasn’t available. Troopers said the bicyclist suffered serious injuries. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call FHP at 813-558-1800.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – Across Central Florida, voters are already turning out in huge numbers. In Sumter County, the Supervisor of Elections reported nearly 80% of people have already voted. That’s why Clark said those votes may be the best early indicator of how the election may turn out. Monday, the Sumter County Supervisor of Elections reported an early voter turnout of nearly 80%. In 2016, Trump led in Sumter County by more than 30,000 votes, according to the Department of State - Division of Elections.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – Troopers say they’re looking for a driver who hit two bicyclists in The Villages, got out to see what she had done and then drove off without helping them. A 68-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman were both riding their bikes together on Morse Boulevard near Bonita Boulevard around 11:20 a.m. Friday when a white Mercedes sedan hit them from behind, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. [TRENDING: COVID-19 closes early voting location | Can you get COVID-19 twice? Troopers said the female Mercedes driver briefly stopped, got out of her vehicle and then left the scene. Anyone with information about her or her vehicle, which will have significant damage to the right side of its windshield, is asked to call FHP at 813-558-1800.

ORLANDO, Fla. – President Donald Trump kicked off a weekend full of campaigning across Florida as both sides try to lock in votes ahead of Election Day. I like The Villages,” Trump said at a campaign stop in Marion County on Friday. “We’re going to win the state of Florida. We’re going to win four more years in the White House.”“The clock is ticking. Clark points to this weekend’s campaign schedule as proof that Florida is a battleground for the presidency.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – President Donald Trump held a campaign event in The Villages on Friday. Rewatch President Trump’s event in The Villages below“Those three counties gave him what he needed to carry Florida,” Clark said. According to 2016 elections results, of the more than 10 million Floridians who voted, Trump won over Hilary Clinton by just 112,911 votes. Jill Biden had a campaign event Joe Biden at Lake Mary last week. The candidate who has won Florida has won the last six presidential elections.

Mr. Trump declared on early voting that the campaign is "way ahead of where we are supposed to be." At the second rally in Pensacola, Mr. Trump emphasized Biden's comments from the debate on oil and fracking. Moments later, he said the U.S. can never have a "socialist president," but especially a "female socialist president," in reference to vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris. We're not going to have a socialist president, especially a female socialist president, we're not gonna' have it, we're not gonna' put up with it," he said. On Friday, Mr. Trump claimed Biden said he would shut down the country over the pandemic, which is not what Biden said.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – With Sumter County beginning its first day of early voting Tuesday, there are questions about which way the county will lean in the presidential election. In 2016, the retirement community of The Villages was a Republican stronghold, but despite recent stops by the Trump campaign, residents said they’ve also seen a lot of support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. How far that goes, I don’t know.”Across The Villages, it’s easy to find supporters on both sides. No matter the election, voter turnout tends to be higher in The Villages, compared to other communities. “Whether you are Democratic or Republican, people here do get out and vote,” early voter Mike Condon said.

WILDWOOD, Fla. – Voters lined up early Tuesday to cast their ballots as early voting began in Sumter County. The first day of in-person voting in Sumter came after every other county in Central Florida began early voting on Monday. Throughout the day, there were lines at several polling locations across the region, with some areas experiencing wait times of more than an hour. According to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections, 16,179 people cast their ballot in-person Monday. In Sumter County, there are six polling locations for early voting:Laurel Manor Recreation Center 1985 Laurel Manor Drive, The VillagesAllamanda Recreation Center 1515 St. Charles Place, The VillagesRohan Recreation Center 850 Kristine Way, The VillagesTierra Del Sol Recreation Center 808 San Marina Drive, The VillagesVillages Sumter County Service Center 7375 Powell Road, Room #102, WildwoodBushnell Annex 316 E. Anderson Ave, BushnellEarly voting in Sumter County is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Oct. 20 until Oct. 31.

But there have been warnings that older voters are in play. Mostly, it seems, older voters have been put off by Trump’s handling of the coronavirus, which affects these voters more acutely than others. In recent weeks, Democrats have seized on this softening of support and have rolled out six ads targeting older voters. Professor MacManus cautions that while some older voters have gravitated toward Biden, there are many others like Allen and Wise who are firmly in Trump’s corner. ... Any bleeding of any cohort is a red flag for that candidate.”And in this week’s golf cart caravan, the Biden flags were blue.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Vice President Mike Pence will make multiple campaign stops in Central Florida on Saturday starting with a visit to woo Latino voters in Orlando. Reverend Gabriel Salguero leads the National Latino Evangelical Coalition and understands the importance of the Orlando event for the president’s campaign. “I think the candidates are well aware of the need to reach out to central Florida Latinos and Latinas,” he said. If enough vote in one direction over the other, there goes the election.”Pence is making in-person appearances just weeks before the 2020 presidential election and come just days after the Vice President debated Democratic Vice President candidate Kamala Harris. Sky 6 saw golf carts surrounding the outdoor stage where the Vice President is expected to speak Saturday afternoon.

ORLANDO, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made his rounds Monday updating the public on the states response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and he had assistance from the White House in the form of the Trump Administrations newest coronavirus advisor, Dr. Scott Atlas. In mid-August, President Donald Trump announced Atlas had joined the White House as a pandemic adviser. DeSantis declared Monday that there is no going back for Florida now that most businesses and institutions have been able to reopen. We will never do any of these lockdowns again, he told reporters in The Villages.

Her husband, Cort Bunning, diagnosed with dementia, will turn 82 years old inside a long-term memory care center in The Villages. Its hard.Bunning said before the pandemic, she would spend every afternoon visiting her husband, sitting in the garden and talking with other residents. She said one night after a visit, she got a phone call the long-term care facility was shutting down to visitors. The task force also recommended to allow essential caregivers, the ones closet to the resident and provides bathing, dressing and eating, can also touch them. We dont have much time left, lets make it the best it can be, Bunning said.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. A man who crashed his golf cart while driving it drunk through The Villages said he was driven to drink after watching President Donald Trump on TV, according to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said they were called to a single-vehicle golf cart crash the evening of July 30 on Rainey Trail and Buena Vista Boulevard and when they questioned the driver, 82-year-old Cary De Van, he said he hit a wall inside the golf cart tunnel while driving home. De Vans red golf cart had what appeared to be a broken axle, leading deputies to believe he ran over a concrete curb, records show. The report said De Van was slurring his words and smelled of alcohol as deputies were questioning him about the crash. Breath tests showed De Vans blood alcohol content was 0.149 and 0.148 during two different tests, according to the affidavit.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – An 82-year-old man crashed a golf cart and later died after he suffered a medical emergency while driving, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said the man was driving the golf cart east on Talley Ridge Drive around 10:30 a.m. Friday when he suffered a medical emergency, which caused him to lose control and cross the westbound lane of Talley Ridge Drive then enter the north shoulder. The golf cart then crashed into a one-foot stone retaining wall. Friday’s incident marked the second deadly golf cart crash this week in The Villages. On Tuesday, a 79-year-old man driving a golf cart was involved in a crash with an SUV on Madero Drive and Zaragoza Place.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A man driving a golf cart died after he was involved in a crash with an SUV in The Villages Tuesday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said a 79-year-old man was driving a golf cart west on Madero Drive around 1 p.m. and when he approached the intersection at Zaragoza Place, he turned left into the path of an SUV. The golf cart driver was taken to an area hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries. Records show the 69-year-old man driving the SUV was not injured. Both drivers were from The Villages, according to the crash report.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Almost a fifth of Florida’s new positive coronavirus cases are in Central Florida. The recent rise in cases prompted Dr. Sanjay Shah at Premier Medical Associates to remind everyone about precautions that should be taken. From June 12 to June 18, Marion County recorded 53 new positive coronavirus cases. One month later, Sumter County recorded 208 new positive coronavirus cases from July 10 through July 16. In March, Premier Medical Associates was the first medical group in Central Florida to offer drive-up testing for COVID-19.

(Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) THE VILLAGES, Fla. Residents in The Villages will now have another option for COVID-19 testing with Statlab Mobile, a clinical laboratory on wheels working with the State of Florida and Floridas Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) on bringing mobile COVID-19 testing to vulnerable communities across the state, according to a news release. Statlab will offer free testing at the following locations on the following dates:Laurel Manor Recreation Center, 1985 Laurel Manor Dr., The Villages - Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, Wildwood - Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.A spokesperson with Statlab said the mobile unit will be offering walk-up testing.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis is making a stop in The Villages Monday to provide an update on the states response to the coronavirus pandemic. His visit comes after a record weekend of newly reported cases in Florida, which now total more than 206,000 since March. In Sumter County, the home to The Villages, one of Floridas largest retirement communities, 436 cases have been confirmed there since March. On Monday, the county reported 16 new cases and 5 new hospitalizations.

Those tensions got international attention last weekend when President Donald Trump tweeted approvingly of a video showing one of his supporters at the retirement community chanting a racist slogan associated with white supremacists. Those tensions, though, flared two weeks ago during a golf-cart parade for President Donald Trump's birthday in which a man shouted, White Power, when confronted by anti-Trump protesters. A video clip of that confrontation in Americas largest retirement community was tweeted approvingly by Trump last weekend and then taken down. In the past, when conflicting political views came up in The Villages, residents said it was best to say, I disagree, and quickly change the topic. A man driving by in a golf car responded by shouting, White Power," a racist slogan associated with white supremacists.

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Sunday tweeted approvingly of a video showing one of his supporters chanting white power," a racist slogan associated with white supremacists. The video appeared to have been taken at The Villages, a Florida retirement community, and showed dueling demonstrations between Trump supporters and opponents. Thank you to the great people of The Villages, Trump tweeted. Moments into the video clip he shared, a man driving a golf cart displaying pro-Trump signs and flags shouts 'white power." The White House did not immediately respond to questions about Trump's decision to share the video.

"Each and every single time, if you go back and look at the tapes, you'll see police officers' emotions were very heightened, almost to the point of anger." The program is different than the typical cultural training that law enforcement officers typically receive, Friedman explained. Police officers have been told for the longest time, You have to hide your emotions, Webb said. And my police partner ... tapped me out.To help officers visualize their range of possible emotions, RITE Academy instructors use a diagram of a ladder. Leaning on her sports background, Friedman encourages officers to take a breath similar to how basketball players do before shooting free throws.

Because the matter was resolved through a settlement, no official decision was made on whether PMA committed the alleged acts. In some cases, the statement said, PMA indicated in their billing that they used separate services for evaluation or case management which were never accessed in order to render their treatments. In some cases, the United States Attorneys Office alleged, the services listed did not exist. Because the matter was resolved through a settlement, no official decision was made on whether PMA committed the alleged acts. This settlement reflects our continuing efforts to protect patients and taxpayers by ensuring that the care provided to beneficiaries of government-funded healthcare programs is dictated by patient needs, not a providers financial gain, said U.S. Attorney Chapa Lopez.

LEESBURG Area Rotary Clubs are banding together to help refill the shelves of critically depleted food bank stores through a donation drive on Thursday. The drive runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at different locations in and around Leesburg and The Villages in an effort to help food banks recover their supplies exhausted in helping community members weather the COVID-19 pandemic. This is critical to help those who struggle to feed their families during this pandemic, Rotary Assistant Governor Larry Dolan said in a statement. Managed by the Leesburg Noon Club.Gloria Dei Lutheran, 130 South Lone Oak Drive. Each Rotary Club will distribute the food collected to various community food banks.

State investigation finds no reason to charge Marion County deputies who shot man after unprovoked attack at gas station in The Villages. Two Marion County Sheriffs Office deputies acted appropriately in the shooting death of a man who charged at them with a knife earlier this year, an investigation has found. Nixon said the deputies "did not have a duty to retreat before using defensive deadly force," and secondly, the man armed with the knife "had no right to assault or threaten the deputies" in the Jan. 14 shooting. Coon asked Perez if he needed help, but Perez did not answer and approached the deputies with a knife, according to the report. It showed Perez with a knife in his hand, him stopping and looking at deputies, then Perez running toward Stith.

LEESBURG -- The City Commissions two at-large seats will be all-gone if voters approve the implementation of five single-member districts on the Nov. 3 ballot. The referendum question was approved unanimously Monday by commissioners. In theory, two at-large commissioners could team up with a single-member district commissioner, say from a retirement community, and control the entire commission. Dan Robuck III, who has an at-large seat, has been the only commissioners cool to the single-member idea. I think The Villages is a great addition with talented and great people, Robuck continued.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Beginning in May, CVS pharmacies and UPS will partner to use drones to deliver prescription medications to residents living in The Villages, according to a news release. UPS made the announcement Tuesday, saying the service will use Matternet’s M2 drone system to bring prescriptions filled by CVS pharmacies to the more than 135,000 residents living in the area. The drone deliveries will comply with all FAA guidelines, according to a news release. The operation could expand to include deliveries from two additional CVS pharmacies in the area, according to a news release. “Initially, a ground vehicle will complete the delivery to the resident’s door.”The companies successfully completed their first drone deliveries in November 2019, delivering prescriptions from a CVS pharmacy to residents in Cary, N.C., officials said.

click to enlarge Photo via UPSclick to enlarge Screenshot via UPS/YouTubeA new drone delivery service from CVS and UPS is coming to The Villages, Florida's largest retirement community.The company is rolling out medication drone delivery to residents starting May 4, said The Verge . The service recently got permission from the Federal Aviation Administration and will be using Matternets M2 Drones.The first flights will be less than half a mile, and will drop off prescriptions to a location near the community, where a truck will then finish the delivery, according to CNBC . UPS, which has already started their drone deliveries in North Carolina, says the service is expanding to assist people quarantined due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.Our new drone delivery service will help CVS provide safe and efficient deliveries of medicines to this large retirement community, enabling residents to receive medications without leaving their homes, said Scott Price, UPS chief strategy and transformation officer, in a statement. UPS is committed to playing its part in fighting COVID-19, and this is another way we can support our healthcare customers and individuals with innovative solutions.The service is still in its testing phases and not ready to scale significantly, said

LEESBURG Sumter Countys coronavirus case count jumped by 21 since Saturday. Of Lakes positive cases, 51 Lake residents and three non-Florida residents have required hospitalizations. Thirty-one Sumter residents with the virus have required hospitalization. Here are the newest reported cases of coronavirus in Lake and Sumter counties. A 43-year-old Lake man who had contact with someone with a confirmed case of coronavirus.A 21-year-old Lake man.A 31-year-old Lake man.A 38-year-old Lake man.A 67-year-old Lake woman who had contact with someone who was infected.A 34-year-old Lake man who also had contact with someone with the virus.A 49-year-old Sumter man.A 30-year-old Sumter man.A 65-year-old Sumter man.A 44-year-old Sumter man.A 69-year-old Sumter man.A 63-year-old Sumter man.A 50-year-old Sumter man.A 46-year-old Sumter man.A 51-year-old Sumter man.A 68-year-old Sumter man.A 66-year-old Sumter man.Another 66-year-old Sumter man.A 47-year-old Sumter man.A 57-year-old Sumter man.A 56-year-old Sumter man.A 51-year-old Sumter man.A 54-year-old Sumter man.A 66-year-old Sumter man.A 71-year-old Sumter man.A 44-year-old Sumter man.Another 44-year-old Sumter man.

Though UF Health named a supply shortage as the reason for closing the site, its operations are continuing and in some ways expanding elsewhere in the state. THE VILLAGES UF Health confirmed the temporary closure of its experimental COVID-19 test site in The Villages Wednesday, citing supply-chain issues nationwide. The drive-thru testing site opened at The Villages Polo Club on March 23 with the stated goal of testing 2,000 Villagers and area residents. By the start of the second week, it had already tested over 2,200, UF Health revealed at the start of April. The latest reported number from the UF Health site, provided March 30, was 23 positive cases in The Villages.

click to enlarge Photo via the Villages/FacebookFloridas largest retirement community The Villages witnessed a sizable spike in coronavirus cases this week.According to the Florida Department of Health, Lake and Sumter counties, where the Villages is located, now have a combined 226 confirmed cases of coronavirus, up from 200 confirmed cases on Tuesday.Overall, 12 of these new cases are located in The Villages, which now has 64 infected residents.The University of Florida is currently conducting field tests in the retirement community, which is home to over 125,000 residents who are mostly over 65 years old.So far, UF Health has conducted roughly 2,280 tests, and has also confirmed the presence of community spread.Nine people have died from COVID-19 in Sumter and Marion counties, with the most recent coronavirus-related death occurring last Thursday, involving a resident of The Village of Winifred.In response to the coronavirus pandemic, The Villages has since limited golf hours, closed public swimming pools and even shuttered pickleball courts.All told, Florida currently has 15,456 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 309 deaths, as of Wednesday afternoon.

A day after Sumter County issued its advisory, Florida Gov. In an email, Sumter County Administrator Bradley Arnold said the statewide order didn't change anything in regards to golf. Sumter County has a median age of 67. As of Wednesday morning, Sumter County had 52 coronavirus cases, including 16 that required hospitalization. Last week, University of Florida Health conducted coronavirus tests on 2,280 people in The Villages, including those without symptoms.

In all, 25 people tested positive, including two who were asymptomatic.These results show evidence of initial community spread; however, it does not appear to be widespread, at least so far. We are continuing to closely monitor the situation, Michael Lauzardo, a doctor and deputy director of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute, said in a prepared statement.Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last week that the university over a five-day period would test people who signed up using a website. Testing for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, also was made available to asymptomatic residents who didnt meet testing requirements set by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About 900 asymptomatic people were tested over the five days, with two positive results. Another 1,400 people who met the CDC testing guidelines were tested, yielding 23 positive results.

THE VILLAGES The number of positive results for COVID-19 in The Villages last week was low compared to the number of people tested. But University of Florida Health and The Villages Health officials warn there are signs the virus is only beginning to move into the community. During the drive-up test, UF Health was conducting a voluntary study. They also eventually began showing symptoms like coughing, fatigue and/or loss of taste or smell, according to a release from UF Health. The Villages is an extremely cohesive, socially connected community, said Dr. Elliott Sussman, chairman of the board of The Villages Health and former board chairman of the Association of American Medical Colleges.

[READ: Interactive map shows Florida cities with coronavirus cases | Florida coronanvirus cases now at 5,473 with 63 deaths]Of the 600 people who were tested in The Villages, none came back positive. But this may be a counterpoint to that because there were no asymptomatic carriers in The Villages,” DeSantis said. UF has also established drive-thru testing for residents in The Villages who are experiencing symptoms and meet certain other requirements. The best way to guide this is having a better understanding of how pervasive COVID-19 is in the community. The only way to know that is more robust testing than we have been able to accomplish to date.

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – A man driving a tractor fatally struck a 71-year-old woman who was riding her bicycle Tuesday morning in Sumter County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers said a 49-year-old Summerfield man was operating a Kubota tractor with a front-end loader southbound on Morse Boulevard approaching Martinez Drive and 71-year-old Janice Lynn Card was riding her bike westbound on Martinez Drive around 9:15 a.m.At the intersection, the tractor turned left and entered the intersection as Card also entered the intersection into the path of the tractor without first stopping at the posted stop sign, records show. The front end of the tractor hit Card, according to the report. Troopers said Card, of The Villages, died at an area hospital.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – While places like the gym and recreation centers remain closed, golf courses in The Villages remain open. Pat Ries plays golf at least four times a week. We have to drive our own cart,” Ries said. Health officials recommend golfers should stay away from high fives and hand shakes while at the golf course. “You still see people on the golf course because they do social distancing in golf where everyone is in their own cart, you don’t shake hands or touch the flagstick.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Florida officials say they are gearing up to equip the state with what it needs to fight the spread of COVID-19, calling their efforts the largest logistics mission in the state’s history. Ron DeSantis announced a partnership between city health officials and the University of Florida Shands Hospital to host a drive-thru testing site in the area. “Another site is going to be opening on Wednesday in Orange County at the Orange County Convention Center,” DeSantis said. When asked if he had considered enacting a shelter-in-place for the state of Florida, DeSantis said emergency, health, and state officials are looking at different options to manage the spread of the coronavirus. “We have 20 counties with zero infections," DeSantis said, adding 23 counties in Florida have only a few confirmed cases.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – The University of Florida is offering coronavirus tests for residents at The Villages, according to a news release. As a result, we can only offer a limited number of testing appointments each day and currently only to residents of The Villages,” officials said. Ron DeSantis announced the testing site will be operational and available by residents of The Villages on an appointment only basis. Appointment slots for tomorrow’s drive-thru virus testing at The Villages Polo Club are now open to be requested at https://t.co/ugTI5cs71C. RELATED: Governor: ‘Golf cart’ drive-thru coronavirus test site at The Villages possibleAccording to the university, the testing process will consist of two arms.

click to enlarge Photo via the Villages/FacebookThe University of Florida will for a limited time begin offering coronavirus testing this week, including tests for asymptomatic elderly residents as part of research into the quickly spreading virus, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced during an appearance Monday at The Villages.Additionally, amid major concerns about the virus spreading in long-term-care facilities, DeSantis said the state is boosting supplies of masks and other protective equipment for nursing homes. And I think theyre able to do some things that some of the local or state or even federal agencies are not going to be able to do. The number of cases is growing exponentially each day as more and more people get tested.In all 10,338 people had been tested for the virus as of Sunday. Fourteen residents had died as of Monday morning.

Lunch time in The Villages came with near-silent town squares while some restaurants sat what would be some their final dine-in customers before Gov. THE VILLAGES It has never been easier to find parking in one of the three town squares in The Villages, visit with friends or check out a local business while it isnt crowded. Conversations between the few residents who decided to venture into the communitys remarkably vacant town squares made it clear that her explanation was dead on. At a grab-and-go-only Starbucks in Lake Sumter Landing, two residents discussed the disease while they waited for their orders from the three-person staff working the counter. Major chains such as Tommy Bahama in Spanish Springs and the Hanes store in Lake Sumter Landing dont intend to open again until April, based on corporate directives.

Premiere Medical Associates have set up mobile test sites in Ocala, The Villages and Leesburg. Dr. Ruben Hermann, who was one of the PMA doctors swabbing drive-up patients. “So we’ve seen a big amount, a big range of ages.”It’s important people know that the drive-thru testing is done by appointment only. Doctors said they have a limited amount of COVID-19 tests available, and can’t just test people who show up unannounced. “In each case they are waiting that amount of time.”PMA doctors say they are still waiting to see if any of the drive-thru tests come back positive for COVID-19.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – The sidewalks and town squares in The Villages would normally be packed with people celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day, but that wasn’t the case Tuesday as concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continue. Instead, all four town squares were empty after a number of group activities were canceled. “We’re just washing hands, washing hands,” said Pat Miller, who lives in The Villages. The Villages website and local newspaper are also offering residents push alerts as more information comes online. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

Retirees gather outside of Darrell's Diner amidst coronavirus-related event cancelations in The Villages, Florida, U.S., ahead of the upcoming Democratic primary March 14, 2020. REUTERS/Yana PaskovaTo Democrat Andrew Walker, Republican President Donald Trumps handling of the outbreak proves he is unfit for the White House. He cast an early vote in Tuesdays presidential nominating primary for former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic front-runner. Louis Peltola, 71, a lifelong Democrat, said he believed the coronavirus outbreak had been pooh-poohed and mishandled by Trump. Retirees play golf amidst coronavirus-related event cancellations at Fenney Recreation Center in The Villages, Florida, U.S., ahead of the upcoming Democratic primary March 14, 2020.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. – Three pedestrians were injured in The Villages on Monday when a car slammed into a shopping center. Troopers said his car traveled up onto a sidewalk, and collided with several planters which caused debris to hit and injure a pedestrian. Flying debris from the car’s impact with the pillars struck a 13-year-old, according to the crash report. “He started to get out of the car when he saw this car speed up, engine blasting,” said Schauer. It was not immediately known if Read suffered any additional injures from the crash or what his current condition is.