The Central Florida Expressway Authority has voted to move forward with Route 2A as the preferred option for a new two-mile connector linking State Road 417 directly to Orlando Sanford International Airport.

County leaders have unanimously voted to raise property taxes in Seminole County for the first time in 16 years.

Seminole County leaders are set to discuss next year’s budget, which includes a property tax increase expected to generate about $27 million in additional revenue annually.

Bright markings at trail crossings have been popping up across the county in recent years as part of an effort to put penny sales tax dollars toward safety improvements.

On Tuesday, Seminole commissioners voted 4-1 to add a 5-cent tax per gallon of gas starting Jan. 1.

Seminole County’s proposed $1.2 billion budget comes with possible tax hikes as it finds ways to maintain services, keep up with capital projects, and prepare the county for future financial needs.

For decades, we’ve added fluoride to water here in Florida — but the issue has recently gained much more traction.

Of all the roads in central Florida, I-4 is one of the busiest. And if you live in Seminole County, you've probably sat in traffic where it gets backed up over the St. Johns River Bridge.

Seminole County is looking at a major overhaul of the LYNX transportation service next year. The Board of County Commissioners wants to cut costs and one way they can do that is by cutting routes.

Emergency officials in Seminole County are urging families to prepare for Hurricane Milton’s arrival this week. Emergency Alan Harris says people should be prepared for flooding, power outages, and debris.

Elections Canvassing Boards across Central Florida have been meeting over the last several days to take a hard look at ballots that have already come in.

Seminole County is joining the list of local governments who will no longer give tax breaks to developers who offer affordable housing.

Seminole County commissioners on Tuesday approved a plan to redevelop the former site of Flea World near Sanford.

Voters in Seminole County will have to decide whether to keep the penny sales tax for the next decade.

Leaders in Seminole County want to build a multi-million-dollar indoor sports facility, and they say they don't need any taxpayer money to do it.

Seminole County leaders are now discussing the next steps in the wake of the shooting at Cabana Live over the weekend.

Plans to bring a giant mixed-use development with more than 1,000 multi-family units to the former Flea World site are getting closer to reality.

State board decides to purchase the land for conservation.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County officials are expected to give an update on the county’s coronavirus situation during a news conference Tuesday. Seminole County health officials have recently reported a spike in new coronavirus cases. Last week, Seminole County Medical Director Dr. Todd Husty said the weekly average for single day COVID-19 cases was 65, up from about 20 just a month before. On Monday, Seminole County reported 66 new cases. Seminole County has reported more than 11,000 positive cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

SANFORD, Fla. – A large in-person rally planned in Sanford Friday has been canceled after President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump revealed they have coronavirus. It’s officially postponed after President Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/PT03I7308a — Mark Lehman (@MarkLehman6) October 2, 2020The president was also scheduled to hold a rally in Gainesville on Oct. 5. John Jochem drove up from the Florida Keys for the event, slept in his car overnight Thursday, and woke to the news of the president’s positive coronavirus test. The president’s positive COVID-19 result came after a White House top aide, Hope Hicks, tested positive for the respiratory illness.

SANFORD, Fla. – Crews are preparing for President Donald Trump’s next campaign stop at the Orlando Sanford International Airport. He said this marks his 122nd Trump rally. “We will welcome the president with open arms to come to the Sanford airport and have his rally.”Zembower said the county’s mask mandate is still in place and Trump’s campaign is aware. Sanford police, airport police and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office are providing security for the rally but not sharing specific details. “I care about how he cares about my country and he truly, truly loves America and he wants to keep it America,” she said.

Leaders in Seminole County held a news conference Thursday to provide updates on the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the new cases, health officials also reported four new hospitalizations and two new deaths. Seminole County continues to have a mask mandate in place. On Monday, the county issued an executive order suspending fines and penalties for the mask mandate in accordance with Gov. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Leaders in Seminole County held a news conference Wednesday to provide county updates on COVID-19 and to discuss Seminole CARES grants. Speakers in attendance at Wednesday’s conference included Seminole County Chairman Jay Zembower, Medical Directory Dr. Todd Husty and Florida Department of Health in Seminole Health Officer Donna Walsh. Seminole County opened its portal Wednesday for families to apply for financial assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 testing sites continue to operate in Seminole County. Seminole County has had 169 deaths related to COVID-19.

All rights reserved)SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Officials in Seminole County are expected to hold a news conference to provide updates throughout the county. Speakers at Tuesdays conference include Seminole County Chairman Jay Zembower, Emergency Manager Alan Harris, Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin and Health Officer Donna Walsh. [READ NEXT: 3,838 new coronavirus cases, 219 deaths reported as Floridians head to the polls]On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health reported that there have been 7,530 reported cases of COVID-19 in Seminole County. 518 people have been hospitalized in Seminole County and 151 have died as a result of the coronavirus. All funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and Seminole County advises businesses to gather all five supporting documents in advance to prepare for the application portal opening, officials said.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. In a few weeks, Seminole County residents whove been financially impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic will be able to apply for a grant to help cover rent, mortgage and utilities cost. The grant amount will vary depending on housing costs but the maximum is $5,000. The money will be paid directly to the applicants landlord or utility provider. Also in mid-August, the portal for the second round of financial relief for businesses will open. The program will be called Seminole Cares and more information is expected to be posted about the documentation and the requirements needed to apply in the coming weeks at PrepareSeminole.org.

In the midst of a surge in coronavirus cases across Central Florida some counties have enacted mandatory mask orders, while others strongly encourage face coverings. Every person working, living, visiting, or doing work in Seminole County is required to wear a facial covering or mask, Harris said. Seminole County Chairman Jay Zembower had strong words during the news conference about many against wearing a mask. ORANGE COUNTYA week prior, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has already issued a face mask mandate. The Orange County health order was supported by Dr. Raul Pino with the Orange County Health Department, who has been following the data of new coronavirus cases.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Seminole County officials and local hospital leaders met Monday to provide an update on the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. At one point here in Seminole County, we did flatten the curve we were successful in doing that, Jay Zembower, Board of County Commissioners Chairman, said. The chairman also urged county residents to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously, despite some critics who believe the pandemic is rooted in policy. We have to do whats right.[RELATED: Seminole County requiring residents to wear masks as COVID-19 continues to spread | Were going to be New York: Seminole County officials stress importance of testing as COVID-19 cases surge]Donna Walsh, Florida Department of Health in Seminole Health Officer, said the current numbers of infection in the county is cause for worry. I mean, thats all were really asking to do whats right we really dont want to penalize anybody.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Leaders in Seminole Couty are expected to hold a news conference Wednesday to discuss county updates amid the rising concerns regarding the coronavirus. Speakers at the news conference will include Seminole County Chairman Jay Zembower, Emergency Manager Alan Harris, Florida Department of Health in Seminole Health Officer Donna Walsh and Medical Director Dr. Todd Husty. MORE: Seminole County ramps up COVID-19 testing as cases rise in Central FloridaAs of Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health reported that Seminole County has had 1,754 confirmed cases of COVID-19. On Tuesday, 516 patients were tested at Carillon Elementary and 224 were tested at Winter Springs High School, officials said. In Seminole County, a daily positive rate between 10.3-18.6% has been reported.

OVIEDO, Fla. New data from Seminole County leaders show strong signs of a surge in positive COVID-19 cases. Age breakout of new patients is as follows: 5 patients aged 0-10 43 patients aged 11-20 114 patients aged 21-30 36 patients aged 31-40 27 patients aged 41-50 14 patients aged 51-60 15 patients aged 61-70 7 patients aged 71-80 2 patients aged 81-90 1 patient aged 91-100Total patients hospitalized currently are on the rise, with 17 patients hospitalized today, up from five last Wednesday. "Our hope is this is a blip or an anomaly based on the holiday schedule," Seminole County Commissioner Jay Zembower said. County leaders said the Seminole County Office of Emergency Management has been under a local state of emergency since March 2. As we get hot spots, there will be trace testing or pop up testing sites, Zembower added.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. Seminole County leaders on Thursday will discuss the latest updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Seminole County Chairman Jay Zembower, Emergency Manager Alan Harris, Medical Director Dr. Todd Husty and Florida Department of Health in Seminole Health Officer Donna Walsh will be speak at a 10 a.m. news conference. You can watch the updates in the video above.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The plans from Seminole County leaders to reopen the county are very similar to the plans from Gov. "We are bound to do whatever the Governor hands down,” Chairman of the Seminole County Commissioners Jay Zembower said. “Seminole County is going to make cuts as necessary as we get in this economic downturn,” he said. Chairman Zembower said the county can make changes to the latest update at any moment if positive COVID-19 cases rise in Seminole County. [TIMELINE: The spread of coronavirus in Florida]In Seminole County, there are 373 known cases of coronavirus.