The Villages golf cart bridge over SR-44 closed for inspection after vehicle strike, sheriffโs office says
The Chitty Chatty Golf Cart Bridge, acquainted with drivers on State Road 44 as an iconic piece of signage for The Villages, is closed until further notice following a vehicle strike, according to the Sumter County Sheriffโs Office.
โTotes Legitโ tipster found 282 possible voter fraud cases in Florida; few prosecuted outside The Villages
Using electronic data extracted from those voter rolls, โTotes Legit Votesโ provided Florida elections officials with the names of 282 people who appeared to have voted in both Florida and at least one other state, emails reviewed by News 6 reveal.
Man delivering newspapers in The Villages struck by own van, suffers fatal fall, FHP says
A 76-year-old man delivering newspapers in The Villages suffered fatal injuries Sunday morning when he was struck by the door of a van he exited without placing in park first, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Leesburg High School students celebrate Womenโs History Month at suffrage reenactment
Leesburg High School students celebrated Womenโs History Month by attending an important reenactment. First-year teacher Jacob Finegan learned about a womenโs suffrage procession reenactment happening in The Villages, and immediately knew he wanted his students to experience it firsthand.
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Vaccination site in The Villages moved to Sumterville
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. โ 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. โGlobal 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,โ Global Medical Response said in a statement to News 6.
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Fatal golf cart crash
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ 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.
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Fraud scheme damages wetlands in Sumter County, deputies say
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ A man attempting to rip off homeowners in The Villages faces charges after damaging protected wetlands, according to the Sumter County Sheriffโs 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.
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Drive-thru vaccine site permanently reopens in The Villages
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ 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 itโs going to be a permanent vaccination site,โ DeSantis said. The governor said last week that, on average, Florida administered about 375,000 doses a week since the rollout began. So Iโm excited about the progress we can make in The Villages with this site,โ the governor said.
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Gov. DeSantis says Florida will see increase in number of COVID-19 vaccines delivered to state
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 deputyโs 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 Floridaโs vaccine allocation for next week.
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Gov. DeSantis activates National Guard due to possible protests
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.
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Florida expands vaccine availability as state sees rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations
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 Floridaโs 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.
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Gov. DeSantis helps debut new COVID-19 vaccine site at The Villages
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ 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.
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Gov. DeSantis condemns Capitol riots as Florida Republicans introduce anti-protest legislation
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 DeSantisโ 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 โCombating Public Disorderโ 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.
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Man in serious condition after golf carts collide in The Villages
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. โ 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. | โAmen and awoman:โ 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.
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76-year-old man arrested on child porn charges in The Villages, deputies say
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. โ A 76-year-old man is accused of possessing and distributing child pornography from his home in The Villages, according to the Sumter County Sheriffโs 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 โrelatively soonโ | 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 Nolanโs 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.
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UPDATE: Arrest made in hit-and-run crash in The Villages that left bicyclist injured
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ 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.
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Deputies: 42-year-old Sumter County woman reported missing
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. โ A 42-year-old Sumter County woman was reported missing and endangered Thursday, according to the Sheriffโs 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 Sheriffโs Office. Pettit has blond hair, blue eyes and 5 feet 9 inches tall. If anyone knows Pettitโs whereabouts they are asked to call the Sheriffโs Office at 352-793-2621.
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Woman accused of crashing into 2 bicyclists in The Villages, leaving the scene, troopers say
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. โ 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.
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Bicyclist seriously injured in hit-and-run crash in The Villages, troopers say
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ 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 wasnโt available. Troopers said the bicyclist suffered serious injuries. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call FHP at 813-558-1800.
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Sumter County early votes hit nearly 80%, may be early indicator of election results
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. โ 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. Thatโs 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.
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Troopers seek driver who hit bicyclists in The Villages
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. โ Troopers say theyโre 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.
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Presidential campaigns to crisscross Florida over weekend
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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,โ Trump said at a campaign stop in Marion County on Friday. โWeโre going to win the state of Florida. Weโre going to win four more years in the White House.โโThe clock is ticking. Clark points to this weekendโs campaign schedule as proof that Florida is a battleground for the presidency.
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REWATCH: President Trump speaks to supporters in The Villages
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ President Donald Trump held a campaign event in The Villages on Friday. Rewatch President Trumpโs event in The Villages belowโThose three counties gave him what he needed to carry Florida,โ 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.
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Will The Villages vote for Trump or Biden?
THE VILLAGES, Fla. โ 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 theyโve also seen a lot of support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. How far that goes, I donโt know.โAcross The Villages, itโs easy to find supporters on both sides. No matter the election, voter turnout tends to be higher in The Villages, compared to other communities. โWhether you are Democratic or Republican, people here do get out and vote,โ early voter Mike Condon said.
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Sumter County residents line up as early voting begins
WILDWOOD, Fla. โ 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.
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A senior warning sign for President Trump: โGo Bidenโ cry at Villages
But there have been warnings that older voters are in play. Mostly, it seems, older voters have been put off by Trumpโs 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 Trumpโs corner. ... Any bleeding of any cohort is a red flag for that candidate.โAnd in this weekโs golf cart caravan, the Biden flags were blue.
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Preparations underway for Vice President Mike Penceโs visit to Central Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. โ 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 presidentโs campaign. โI think the candidates are well aware of the need to reach out to central Florida Latinos and Latinas,โ he said. If enough vote in one direction over the other, there goes the election.โPence 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.
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New White House advisor joins Gov. Ron DeSantis around Florida for daily coronavirus updates
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.