Free parking is a perk many visitors and business owners have come to expect in downtown Sanford. But that could change

Last week, half a dozen Central Florida eateries were forced to shut down temporarily after a visit from a health inspectors, according to state records.

A Sanford city employee charged in a deadly hit-and-run involving a bicyclist was granted a $15,000 bond during her first court appearance Wednesday. Sanford police said Shawannia Smith was driving a city-owned garbage truck on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard when she struck a bicyclist who was attempting to turn onto Airport Boulevard.

According to police, a City of Sanford garbage truck was traveling northbound on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and struck a bicyclist who was also heading north and attempting to make a right turn onto Airport Boulevard.

On Monday, a redesigned food pantry and lounge was unveiled at Seminole High School’s 9th Grade Center — one of five schools across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia, and Lake counties to receive a makeover through the foundation’s Renovate to Educate program. The renovations were made as an estimated 20,000 students across those five counties are currently experiencing homelessness.

Last week, nearly a dozen Central Florida eateries were forced to shut down temporarily after a visit from a health inspectors, according to state records.

Over a dozen more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close down after receiving a visit from a health inspector last week, according to state records.

Three days after a 60-year-old man was shot in Sanford’s Goldsboro neighborhood, investigators say they are still working to determine exactly what happened — and who is the victim or the suspect.

Orlando leaders say a proposed Florida property tax overhaul could create major budget shortfalls, leading to hiring freezes, service cuts and delayed projects.

Sanford has been down this road before — twice, in fact. Now, with a sweeping Florida property tax reform measure headed to voters this November, city leaders are once again weighing whether a fire assessment fee is the answer to a looming budget crisis.

Police in Sanford say one person is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a shooting Saturday. Police say it happened near W. 14th Street and Bell Avenue.

The City of Sanford is taking up a proposal as construction is set to begin on a project to build a Costco at the largely vacant Seminole Towne Center.

Veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War can apply now for a free trip to Washington, D.C. through Honor Flight Central Florida.

Sanford police have confirmed a man was found dead inside an SUV Wednesday morning after an investigation in a public parking lot near the Seminole County Courthouse drew attention from passersby.

A suspect fled a traffic stop in Sanford Tuesday, ending with a crash that killed two innocent bystanders on U.S. 17-92 in Casselberry. From the beginning, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said it did not actively pursue the suspect, 26-year-old Marquavious Wheaton, as he allegedly sped through Seminole County at speeds exceeding 100 mph. However, witnesses told News 6 that law enforcement swarmed the crash scene quickly, leaving some to wonder how. Now we know.

A Sanford mother and daughter, connected to Venezuela by birth, have transformed their home into a local relief hub — collecting critical donations and coordinating with a global organization to ship supplies to earthquake survivors thousands of miles away.

Volunteers spent months caring for a neglected herd of cattle in Sanford, Florida, alerting authorities multiple times about malnourished animals, including a pregnant cow. Despite repeated warnings, local officials and the Florida Department of Agriculture consistently found no evidence of criminal neglect, though best ranching practices were questioned. This ongoing struggle culminated in the deaths of a mother cow and her calf, prompting further scrutiny of the property owner and the hospital that owns the land. Both the property owner and hospital did not respond to requests for comment as authorities pledged continued monitoring.

Sanford police say a driveway ripped up at a woman’s home earlier this year was part of an alleged scam tied to someone in Nigeria - and the homeowner was not the intended victim. It's an update to a story News 6 Investigator Erika Briguglio told you about.

Sanford police are continuing to investigate after a woman in her late 60s was found dead inside her home Friday evening.

Sanford police jumped into action on Friday evening after receiving a report of a woman’s death, according to the department.

Sanford Fire Rescue has opened a new station, a move leaders say will improve emergency response times and reduce call volume for nearby crews as the area continues to grow.

The City of Sanford is voting on a request that would clear the way for an 80-unit affordable senior housing complex.

Sanford police are investigating a fatal crash after a pedestrian was struck late Saturday and later died at a local hospital.

Sanford police are investigating an early-morning shooting that sent one person to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A Seminole County deputy shot and killed an armed man early Saturday morning after gunfire broke out at a large block party in Sanford’s Midway neighborhood.

The Florida Department of Transportation, along with federal transportation officials, broke ground on the first facility in the Interstate 4 Truck Parking Relief Program. The project is designed to create additional safe and reliable parking options for commercial truck drivers traveling through one of Florida’s busiest transportation corridors.

A wall-raising ceremony was held for Sanford's Legacy Square neighborhood, which is bringing 19 affordable homes to Seminole County.

Another of the sloths from Sloth World has died. The Central Florida Zoo in Sanford announced that Willow, one of 14 sloths that arrived at the zoo in April, had to be put to sleep.

New details are emerging about a deadly double shooting in Sanford’s historic Goldsboro neighborhood early Sunday morning from the witnesses who called 911 for help.

Seminole County deputies responded to two separate swatting incidents Sunday — one targeting the Central Florida Zoo and another targeting a private residence — in what experts say is part of a growing and increasingly dangerous national trend.

Sanford police are investigating two early-morning shootings Sunday near Historic Goldsboro Boulevard that left one man dead and another seriously injured, and they are asking witnesses to come forward.

Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff warns that a proposed constitutional amendment to expand Florida's homestead exemption could cost his city more than $15 million in property tax revenue over two years — threatening cuts to parks, public safety staffing, and other essential services residents depend on daily.

A crash and a fist fight in Sanford led to a separate crash in downtown Orlando just hours later on Thursday, according to law enforcement.

A missing 2-year-old was found in a lake on Friday, according to the Sanford Police Department.

A Sanford family is demanding accountability — and action from the city — after a 12-year-old rescue dog was attacked at a local dog park, leaving a 91-year-old woman and her beloved pet traumatized.

Last week, another three Central Florida restaurants were forced to shut their doors after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

A small Sanford business that once had big plans with Sloth World is now channeling that disappointment into action — helping raise thousands of dollars for the sloths that survived.

The popular Sanford restaurant Shantell’s Just Until is shutting down after 13 years, but owner Shantell Williams says it’s not goodbye forever and a new concept could open as early as next month.

Central Florida Zoo officials say Mr. Ginger, one of the dozen or so sloths from Sloth World under the zoo’s care, has died. The zoo announced the youngest of the Sloth World sloths died despite round-the-clock efforts, including being hand-fed every few hours and spending time much of his time in an incubator to regulate his body temperature. Mr. Ginger was believed to be only four to six months old.

For those who can’t make it to the Sanford Welcome Center, the shirts are available for purchase online through the Sanford Main Street website.

The owner and chef said the restaurant's last day will be on Friday, though she also teased there were other plans in the works.

Sanford police have released body camera footage from the night a man allegedly set fire to a Buddhist temple before speeding off and leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through multiple counties.

The Seminole County school superintendent is urging parents to talk to their kids after two students at two different high schools were arrested Thursday, accused of having firearms on the campuses.

Goodwill has submitted an application to build a development at the former site of Flea World in Seminole County.

Strong storms are moving through Central Florida.

Williams said she is grateful to be back at her restaurant as the driver accused of hitting her faces DUI-related charges.

The shirts, priced at $35 in unisex sizes, are available at the Sanford Welcome Center in downtown Sanford.

Orlando and central Florida are set for another round of summer-like heat heading into the weekend, with forecast highs in the low to mid-90s and increased chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms.

The Pride host North Carolina and offer first-time fans free tickets.

Altamonte Springs is voting on a measure to keep its local gas tax funds, as Seminole County has asked other cities to help pay for a project that would link S.R. 417 to the Sanford airport.

Newly released security video captures the moment a man set fire to a Buddhist temple in Sanford before leading law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit across multiple counties.

A second sloth has died after being taken to a central Florida zoo for rehabilitation.

An Atlanta man is facing arson and burglary charges in connection to a fire at Wat Navaram Buddhist Temple in Sanford and led officers on a multi-county chase before being arrested.

The City of Sanford will vote on more than $500,000 in electrical repairs at its North Water Reclamation Facility.

Oviedo city leaders will discuss a request from Seminole County to pay toward a project that would connect State Road 417 to the Orlando Sanford International Airport.

According to the affidavit, the student said Da Silva stood behind her in the elevator and told her “he wanted to touch her” — then grabbed her from behind.

A woman says someone ripped out her driveway then took off, but she never hired anyone to do the job.

A man arrested for killing his ex’s new boyfriend will now spend the rest of his life behind bars, according to the State Attorney’s Office.

Following a two-week break, the Pride enter a tough seven-game stretch before another month-long pause.

Low humidity and windy conditions are raising the risk of fires across Florida. In Central Florida, officials warn that any fire that starts can spread quickly.

Amtrak train routes are running in and out of Florida again after large brush fires in the northeast part of the state forced their cancellation Monday.

Sanford commissioners are considering a request to pay toward the cost of the SR-417 extension to the Orlando Sanford International Airport.

Signs outside the former JOANN fabric store near Seminole Towne Center Mall in Sanford signal that a Diadem Pickleball Complex, or DPC, is “coming soon.”

The fan-favorite Caribbean-themed restaurant chain now has just over a dozen locations left nationwide.

Law enforcement agencies in Seminole have reopened the eastbound lanes of I-4, after concerns about explosives in a truck on the interstate.

Trooper Steve on Patrol got a firsthand look at one of the most physically demanding competitions in public safety during a preview of the inaugural All American Challenge & Training Camp.

Sanford officials temporarily closed Paw Park to treat a surge of tussock caterpillars after reports of skin irritation and concerns about pet safety, with plans to reopen the park Friday afternoon.

Celebrate the season with festive Easter fun, family adventures, and exciting events happening all across Central Florida.

A Sanford man is considered missing and endangered after he was last seen on Wednesday evening, according to the police department.

After city leaders in Sanford scrapped a major development in the downtown area, commissioners are once again discussing what could happen to the properties where the Heritage Park project was once planned.

This weekend’s Trooper Steve on Patrol took us to the heart of historic downtown Sanford, where the 14th annual Pints and Paws craft beer festival brought together thousands of people and plenty of four-legged friends—for a cause that continues to grow in a big way.

Sanford police said James Charles Caldwell was arrested after he slapped a protest sign onto the back of a woman’s head during a confrontation at the “No Kings” protest in downtown Sanford.

A group of neighbors who first reached out to our News 6 Neighborhood Network and then took their concerns to Sanford’s City Commission — got the result they wanted.

Three airports in Florida take part in a private security program.

From festivals and food to boats, cars, magic, and pups!

Rideshare and food delivery drivers are being offered relief.

Seminole County leaders begin long-awaited drainage project after years of flooding problems in the Midway community.

On today’s Trooper Steve on Patrol, I had the chance to roll through Sanford with Paul Williams, the founder of one of Central Florida’s most unique and impactful events: the 14th Annual Sanford Pints n’ Paws Craft Beer Festival.

After a heavy bout of flight delays, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has posed a question: why not let airports handle their own security screenings?

Last week, eight more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

A Sanford man now faces over 1,000 years in prison after detectives raided his home last week, according to the Florida attorney general.

A fire broke out at the Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Sanford early Wednesday morning.

Florida Attorney General struck out at a state representative for how she voted on a bill to crack down on sexual predators in the state.

A “career criminal” was put behind bars yet again after serving only two years in prison, according to Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.

The final day for the Bahama Breeze restaurant located on Rinehart Road in Sanford was Sunday, March 15th, a representative with Darden Restaurants confirmed with News 6.

Storms and rain didn’t stop some cities from tying heat records

Two people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting outside a Sanford barbershop near a Walmart on Orlando Drive, police said. Witness Natonia Smith said she heard two gunshots, then saw two young men struggle over a gun as she called 911 and recorded video. Police said the incident appears isolated and involved people who know each other.

Two people were injured after a shooting in front of a barbershop on Orlando Drive.

A Sanford family is leaning on their community after the local restaurant owner of Shantell’s Just Until Restaurant & Lounge, Shantell Williams, was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash during Bike Week in Daytona last week.

Will the record-breaking heat continue this week?

A recent report reveals that Florida is the top destination for fleeing NYC residents.

A popular Sanford tiki bar has declared that it will close for good next month.

A possible sinkhole shut down traffic in Sanford on Tuesday evening, according to the police department.

Some much-needed improvements could soon be underway for Sanford’s troubled wastewater treatment facility. At a meeting on Monday, commissioners will vote on funding to harden infrastructure against future hurricanes.

Neighbors in Sanford are pushing back against a proposal to build a gas station and convenience store near their homes. Plans submitted to the city of Sanford show where a 7-Eleven would be built near E. Lake Mary Boulevard and Skyway Drive.

Police announced that they’re searching for a “suspicious person” involved in an incident with two children over the weekend at a Sanford park.

Time is running out for Bahama Breeze in Florida.

A motorcyclist was hospitalized in critical condition as the driver accused of rear-ending them on Interstate 4 in Seminole County — with westbound lanes shut down for hours as a result — was arrested to face criminal charges including DUI, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Police in Sanford are investigating a shooting at the 7-Eleven on West 25th Street near West Airport Boulevard.

The state attorney’s office in Seminole County will not pursue charges against a stepfather seen on video hitting a young girl that Sanford police described as a “disturbing interaction.”