THE VILLAGES

A person was shot and killed near The Villages, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Most Central Florida law enforcement agencies have purchased drones because they've found they cannot do without them. Even Sumter County is investing in the newest and best drones.

An 89-year-old The Villages man was seriously injured when he turned his golf cart and hit a car, according to troopers.

A 66-year-old man living in The Villages won a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery’s “A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR” scratch-off game, according to a news release.

A man from The Villages has been arrested after a senior died from his injuries due to a beatdown at a nearby country club, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

High gas prices at the pump aren’t much of a surprise for Florida's drivers.

A fire sparked after a lightning strike destroyed a home in The Villages last week, according to rescue crews.

Expect to dodge a few thunderstorms for Father's Day weekend!

Firefighters in The Villages released a statement ahead of the weekend that describes what they saw when responding to a burning home in Linden late last month.

A man and woman were found fatally shot in The Villages in what appeared to be a murder-suicide, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

A traffic crash in The Villages has the southbound lanes of Buena Vista Boulevard closed on Sunday afternoon, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Diapers, formula, and clothes were just some of the many items donated by residents for The Villages' largest baby shower.

A Silver Alert has been issued for an 80-year-old man last seen at a restaurant in The Villages, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

In The Villages, one woman caught the wild moments last week when an alligator was captured after it was found lounging at someone’s door.

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 Sheriff’s Office.

Lady Lake police released new details on Monday regarding the investigation into the fatal shooting of a man at an Applebee’s restaurant in The Villages late last month.

An 80-year-old bicyclist of The Villages died after a crash involving a golf cart, troopers say.

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival in The Villages is bringing a sham-rocking time to the Spanish Springs Town Square, 1120 Main St.

According to a release by the police department, 38-year-old Dishaun Marquis Hudson arrived at the restaurant just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday.

Police say a patron at an Applebee’s in The Villages shot and killed a man who entered the restaurant after he was involved in another shooting.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help locating a woman they said lifted 8 bottles of champagne from a Walmart in the Villages.

A Florida Silver Alert was issued Thursday for an 87-year-old man missing out of The Villages who may be driving north, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Sumter County deputies announced Tuesday that they are searching for a man reported missing who was last seen in The Villages.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to speak at an event in The Villages on Tuesday evening to discuss the "Florida Blueprint."

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

An estimated 44 million Americans age 18 and older provide unpaid assistance and support to older people and adults with disabilities.

Marie Bogdonoff started Villagers For Veterans in 2015.

All four residents of The Villages charged with voting twice in the 2020 election have now admitted to the crime, court records show.

Plan to import cheaper drugs still in stasis, DeSantis says

A 27-year-old man was killed and three others were seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash on County Road 466 in The Villages, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

A 73-year-old man from The Villages was killed in a Lake County crash Saturday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

As a cold front closes in on Central Florida, early showers and storms are expected to strike Monday night.

The Sumter County Board of Commissioners approved a local declaration of emergency as Hurricane Ian is moving closer to the Florida gulf coast.

A silver alert was issued Monday evening for a 91-year-old Sumter County man, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Using electronic data extracted from those voter rolls, “Totes Legit Votes” 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.

Group visits same McDonald's daily and honors employee for her great service.

Rep. Daniel Webster faces two challengers: conservative firebrand Laura Loomer and Gavriel Soriano.

A crash in Bunnell on Saturday forced lane closures on State Road 100 West, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

The National Hurricane Center designated a disturbance in the the western Gulf of Mexico as Potential Tropical Cyclone Four.

A third resident of The Villages has admitted to voting twice during the 2020 election, court records show.

Rep. Daniel Webster faces two challengers: conservative firebrand Laura Loomer and Gavriel Soriano.

Volunteers pack shoeboxes of toys and school supplies to send off for Operation Christmas Child

A 75-year-old The Villages woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Marion County, troopers say.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to sign off on Florida’s $112.1 billion state budget in The Villages Thursday afternoon.

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.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference in The Villages.

Two residents of The Villages now admit they voted twice during the 2020 election, court records show.

Leesburg High School students celebrated Women’s History Month by attending an important reenactment. First-year teacher Jacob Finegan learned about a women’s suffrage procession reenactment happening in The Villages, and immediately knew he wanted his students to experience it firsthand.

Sumter County detectives on Friday asked the public for help as they worked to identify a man they said was a suspect in an alleged battery in The Villages, according to the sheriff’s office’s social media.

A treatment long used to treat decompression sickness, serious infections and brain injuries is now being used to help veterans with PTSD at a clinic in The Villages.

Miranda Delee Farleigh, 25, was arrested in November after being indicted in federal court last month.

Police identified the body of a construction worker trapped in a hole at a bridge construction site in Lady Lake on Wednesday.

Baby, it's waaayyy cold outside.

The crime is a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Six people were injured in a Pine Hills crash on Wednesday night, according to Orange County Fire Rescue.

A man was shot and killed in Orlando on Wednesday night, according to the Orlando Police Department.

A man was shot and injured Wednesday afternoon in Orlando, according to the police department.

A fourth resident of The Villages has been arrested for allegedly casting multiple ballots in the 2020 election.

A man was shot and killed in southwest Orlando.

The cold front that brought in the rain will continue to move out of Central Florida Tuesday evening.

A short-lived tornado touched down in southwest Florida Tuesday morning, leaving more than $500,000 worth of damage in its wake, according to the National Weather Service.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 15-year-old girl who was last seen Saturday morning.

An anonymous email sent to Florida’s secretary of state led to the arrests of at least three voters accused of casting multiple ballots in the 2020 general election.

Darrell Day and his wife, Lisa, are bringing their tie-dyed ice cream shop to a new Lake County community in 2022.

Multiple Orlando homes were struck by gunfire Tuesday night after a person allegedly fired shots from a vehicle, according to the Orlando Police Department.

A 72-year-old man from Deland was killed in a motorcycle crash this evening.

Several property development companies are bidding for a chance to construct the third phase of a riverwalk in Port Orange.

A nightmare come true: Christmas and Halloween join forces in a “creepy” maze running for its final weekend.

Three residents of The Villages have recently been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into voter fraud, court records show.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.