Could Pine Hills become its own city? That's what local leaders are asking
Read full article: Could Pine Hills become its own city? That's what local leaders are askingA growing movement is pushing for Pine Hills to break away from Orange County and become its own municipality, following in the footsteps of cities like Belle Isle and Winter Park.
Sanford Police Department’s ‘Neighborhood Response Unit:’ Dealing with problems
Read full article: Sanford Police Department’s ‘Neighborhood Response Unit:’ Dealing with problemsThe Sanford Police Department credits a long-running special tactical unit – the Neighborhood Response Unit – with lowering crime.
‘He was my world:’ Community rallies in 26-hour ruck for fallen first responders
Read full article: ‘He was my world:’ Community rallies in 26-hour ruck for fallen first respondersCommunity members pushed their limits in a 26-hour endurance event to honor Orange County SWAT Deputy Michael Milmerstadt and Lt. Ellie Shea.
Bell tower on brink of collapse at 139-year-old Altamonte Chapel. What’s being done to save it?
Read full article: Bell tower on brink of collapse at 139-year-old Altamonte Chapel. What’s being done to save it?You may have driven by the historic Altamonte Chapel on State Road 436 countless times and never known its story.
Pine Hills community holds discussion on crime 2 years after fatal shootings
Read full article: Pine Hills community holds discussion on crime 2 years after fatal shootingsTwo years after the tragic shooting deaths of 9-year-old T’Yonna Major and journalist Dylan Lyons, the Pine Hills community gathered Wednesday evening to discuss ways to combat rising crime in West Orange County.
What happened in my neighborhood? There’s an Orlando police app for that
Read full article: What happened in my neighborhood? There’s an Orlando police app for thatOrlando Police Chief Eric Smith insisted crime has decreased significantly since he took over in 2022, and lately his new app has continued to drive down the numbers.
Petition to light up baseball and soccer fields at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs gets 1,000+ signatures
Read full article: Petition to light up baseball and soccer fields at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs gets 1,000+ signaturesMore than 1,000 parents, athletes, and coaches are petitioning Winter Springs commissioners to get the lights turned on at Central Winds Park's baseball and soccer fields.
‘We’re asking you to stay away:’ In Astor, opponents bash Spring Protection Zone
Read full article: ‘We’re asking you to stay away:’ In Astor, opponents bash Spring Protection ZoneIn a meeting that was well over capacity, hundreds of people packed tightly together inside the Astor Community Association Thursday to weigh in on the future use of the Silver Glen Springs.
Long-running, free police self-defense class teaches hundreds of women in Ormond Beach
Read full article: Long-running, free police self-defense class teaches hundreds of women in Ormond BeachIt’s one of the longest-running self-defense classes in Central Florida taught by police, and it’s also one of the most popular programs at the Ormond Beach Police Department.
Melbourne city council holds workshop to discuss local homelessness
Read full article: Melbourne city council holds workshop to discuss local homelessnessBilled as a "special workshop," the meeting lasted nearly four hours, as the mayor, city council members, and residents weighed in on the current state of affairs and potential solutions.
Residents, commissioner discuss future of troubled Orange County condo complex
Read full article: Residents, commissioner discuss future of troubled Orange County condo complexCommissioners are considering forcing the sale of the complex, located off Texas Avenue, to allow for redevelopment of the area.
More than just jails: Florida Corrections Department team tackles problems in communities
Read full article: More than just jails: Florida Corrections Department team tackles problems in communitiesWhen criminals are released from prison, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is tasked with keeping a close eye on them, especially sex offenders and career offenders.
Housing, utilities help top calls into Orlando-area United Way’s 211 hotline
Read full article: Housing, utilities help top calls into Orlando-area United Way’s 211 hotlineA guide to community resources across the tri-county area is just a phone call away. Heart of Florida United Way wants you to remember 2-1-1 when you need help.
‘Total control:’ $1 million Florida condo scandal sparks manhunt, fee spikes for residents
Read full article: ‘Total control:’ $1 million Florida condo scandal sparks manhunt, fee spikes for residentsDetectives searched the COA president's condo unit last year, though by that time, he'd already fled, according to the sheriff's office.
Cocoa Beach considers higher fees for short-term rentals amid resident concerns
Read full article: Cocoa Beach considers higher fees for short-term rentals amid resident concernsThe city of Cocoa Beach is considering raising fees for short-term rental properties in response to growing complaints from residents about noise, parking issues, and other disturbances.
‘Small but powerful gesture:’ Milelong Orlando heel walk supports domestic violence survivors
Read full article: ‘Small but powerful gesture:’ Milelong Orlando heel walk supports domestic violence survivorsSlipping into their finest stilettos, dozens of men and women strutted down Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando Thursday night to send a message: they will walk side by side with survivors of domestic violence.
‘I don’t know where they came from:’ Man recounts dog attack in Mount Dora
Read full article: ‘I don’t know where they came from:’ Man recounts dog attack in Mount DoraA man in Mount Dora has to receive two more shots as part of a rabies vaccination series following an attack by two dogs that he suspected were stray.
Casselberry police introduce full-body harness for safer restraints. Here’s how it works
Read full article: Casselberry police introduce full-body harness for safer restraints. Here’s how it worksIn a significant advancement in law enforcement techniques, the Casselberry Police Department has adopted a new method for restraining individuals who resist arrest.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office new fingerprint machine finds, photographs prints in 4K
Read full article: Flagler County Sheriff’s Office new fingerprint machine finds, photographs prints in 4KFlagler County Sheriff’s Office CSI Supervisor Paulo Santos called it a “game-changer” – a new fingerprint machine that can pick up prints in a fraction of the time and record a 4K image to send around to state and national databases to catch more bad guys faster.
Leesburg police using bags, cabinets to block cell signals so crooks can’t remotely wipe phones
Read full article: Leesburg police using bags, cabinets to block cell signals so crooks can’t remotely wipe phonesThe Leesburg Police Department is one-upping crooks who try to wipe the contents of a cell phone remotely after a crime.
No charges filed against driver in crash that killed Sugar Mill Elementary student
Read full article: No charges filed against driver in crash that killed Sugar Mill Elementary studentThe 70-year-old driver involved in a crash that killed a fourth-grade student near Sugar Mill Elementary School last year will not be charged, Port Orange police said.
Concrete-filled drainpipe finally fixed in Longwood. What’s next for the woman responsible?
Read full article: Concrete-filled drainpipe finally fixed in Longwood. What’s next for the woman responsible?A woman who admitted to pouring concrete into her neighborhood's drainage system will have to pay Seminole County for its time, even though the problem has finally been fixed.
Fake school threats: How Flagler County detectives track down callers
Read full article: Fake school threats: How Flagler County detectives track down callersVeteran Flagler County Sheriff’s Office detective Joe O’Barr has a wake-up call for anyone thinking of starting off the New Year by making a fake threat against a school: You’re not gonna get away with it.
Well-known Marion County pop warner coach mourned after accidental death
Read full article: Well-known Marion County pop warner coach mourned after accidental deathHe apparently died at work on Jan. 4. The family is going through an especially hard time since his daughter had just passed away before Christmas.