THE VILLAGES

A statue of Dan Marino stands sentry outside the south entrance of Hard Rock Stadium, holding a football aloft as though saluting the Miami Dolphins faithful. And if you stand

The upcoming Middleton neighborhood will use the same form of local government that has been successful throughout The Villages.

Like the builders of The Villages, the community’s wildlife gardeners create homes.

A gray labradoodle named Vinnie recently got his 15 minutes of fame.

One of the largest resident lifestyle clubs in The Villages recently lent a helping hand to a popular community service group.

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

Brian Breed was baptized last month as part of a formal water baptism ceremony at First Baptist Church of Leesburg’s South Leesburg Campus. Breed said the baptism was decades in

The Villages Public Safety Department has a brand new, bright and shiny crimson ambulance — the first of 12 to come. VPSD’s gold and black name and logo glittered in

Two Florida men confessed to committing voter fraud by voting twice in the 2020 presidential elections. Charles Barnes, 64, and Jay Ketcik, 63, are both...

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

Decked out in red, white and blue decorations, The Dachshund Club of The Villages prepared for its biggest event of the year.

Community United Methodist Church in Fruitland Park is opening up its Harvest of Hope Community Garden to city residents and needs a few green thumbs to make it a reality.

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.

Not quite four months after Southern Oaks Golf Club opened, Tyler Krager acknowledges he’s still getting accustomed to the rhythms of The Villages’ southernmost golf offering. “That’s something we’ve been

Marshall Lindrooth went to a quarterly meeting at Freedom Pointe at The Villages for staff and residents on Thursday surprised to find out he was there to receive an award.

Julie Schmied gets excited when she heads to LovExtension every month.

COVID-19 symptoms are not going away for millions of patients worldwide.

If you were at Lake Sumter Landing on Valentine’s Day, you may have spotted a group of adorable dogs dressed up and parading along the boardwalk.

A local Olympic competition that took place Thursday featured plenty of gold—and not just in the form of medals.

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

Egrets and ibises are not puppies.

The Villages Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America is the largest chapter in Florida. But the members aren’t stopping there.

Organizations like Your Humane Society, The Villages Parrot Heads and local crafting groups are planning to facilitate more adoptions for furry friends, donate more blood and craft more items for

Florida gives its youth football players passageways to the professional ranks better than any other state. The Sunshine State once again led the nation in NFL Draft selections in 2021,

Cat O'Neill's original path wasn't supposed to lead her to yoga, but these days she teaches classes throughout The Villages.

Baby, it's waaayyy cold outside.

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

The community’s newest fishable bodies of water are on their way to becoming fishing destinations. Villagers looking to cast their rods and reels close to home have more places to

In the Dr. Seuss book, “The Lorax,” the titular character speaks for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.

The Evening Rotary Club of The Villages is helping those who served the country by supporting a local program.

Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks to supporters at ‘America First’ rally in The Villages Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz took the stage in The Villages on Friday to address hundreds of supporters packed into a ballroom. ORLANDO, Fla. — An ex-girlfriend of Rep. Matt Gaetz entered an Orlando federal courthouse where a grand jury is meeting, alongside her lawyer on Wednesday, according to reports from CNN. CNN reported that a source familiar with the case previously said Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend, a former Capitol Hill staffer, was expected to testify before the grand jury investigating Gaetz. READ: Texts, voicemail link Rep. Matt Gaetz, former Seminole County tax collector Joel GreenbergMultiple people familiar with the case told CNN that a grand jury has been meeting at the George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse regarding the Gaetz investigation. CNN reported that the lawyer for the ex-girlfriend, Timothy Jansen, declined to comment, as did a Justice Department spokesman.

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.

Charles Barnes Charles Barnes, 64, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of fraud for casting more than one ballot. (Sumter County Jail)SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — Another resident of The Villages is accused of casting more than one ballot in an election. Charles Barnes, 64, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of fraud for casting more than one ballot. Barnes is the fourth resident of The Villages in the past month to be charged with voter fraud related to casting multiple ballots. READ: Florida election supervisors question need for new $6 million election police forceA conviction could mean up to five years in prison.

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

Tom Bovee started out as a student in the martial art of taekwondo. Now he passes on what he has learned.

Driving down Spring Lake Road in Fruitland Park, a large green sign becomes noticeable as one drives toward Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

Christmas Eve is a day filled with traditions, families and friends, and residents of The Villages have traditions of their own.

The hawk-like, beige bird with an appetite for snails struck the curiosity of several Village Birders. They expected an eventful day of birding that September along the Hogeye Preserve Pathway,

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.

WILDWOOD, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis will speak in Central Florida Wednesday morning. READ: Osceola County sheriff launches anti-bullying campaign after school fight video goes viralThe event will be held at the Ezell Regional Recreation Center in Wildwood. Channel 9 will livestream the news conference when it begins. READ: Central Florida becoming the Wild West of real estate scamsClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.

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.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A canoer who went missing over the weekend has been found dead in the Banana River, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Alain Charles, 34, of Pompano Beach, was located by FWC’s dive team Wednesday around 1:30 p.m.READ: 3 residents of The Villages accused of voting twice in 2020 presidential electionThe investigation is ongoing and additional details will be released when available, FWC said. READ: Family finds venomous snake in their Christmas treeThe search for Charles began Sunday. READ: Mount Dora man arrested after being found at Dairy Queen with missing child, 2 othersClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

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

ORLANDO, Fla. — Three residents of The Villages were recently arrested and face charges of casting more than one vote during the 2020 election, according to affidavits. Joan Halstead, Jay Ketcik and John Rider all face felony charges of casting more than one ballot in an election, arrest reports provided by the office of Ocala-based State Attorney Bill Gladson show. The complainant against the ...

Voter fraud arrests Three residents of The Villages are free on a $2,000 bond after officials said they voted twice in the 2020 presidential election. (WFTV.com News Staff)SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — Three residents of The Villages are free on a $2,000 bond after officials said they voted twice in the 2020 presidential election. Investigators said all three Florida residents cast ballots in October 2020 in Sumter County but each voted again by sending in absentee ballots to other states. READ: Florida election supervisors question need for new $6 million election police forceInvestigators said there’s no indication that the three residents know each other. Voter records show Rider is not affiliated with any party, while Halstead and Ketcik are registered Republicans.

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

Three residents of The Villages were arrested for allegedly voting multiple times in the 2020 election. Jay Ketcik, Joan Halstead and John Rider range in...

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

Presenting a wreath at a memorial service, fundraising for families who live in poverty and leading the largest American Legion post in the world are just a few examples of

St. George Episcopal Church will begin 2022 with a full-time rector and spiritual leader in place. The church announced this week that its vestry, or church council, unanimously agreed to

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

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

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

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

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.