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Villager IDs son as theft suspect caught on surveillance at Walmart
A Villager identified his son as a theft suspect caught on surveillance at a local Walmart. The 85-year-old Village of Santo Domingo resident confirmed that his son, 59-year-old Bryan Bybee, was caught on surveillance in connection with the theft of merchandise May 3 at the Walmart at Sarasota Plaza, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. A deputy went to the home for confirmation of the identity of the suspect.
86-year-old arrested after alleged attack sends wife to hospital
An 86-year-old was arrested after an alleged attack sent his wife to a hospital. The wife of Chet Sedke fled their home in the Lakes of Lady Lake and went to a neighbor’s residence after an attack left her bruised and bloodied, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department.
‘It’s off limits:’ Small Florida town fighting to prevent land from being developed
FERNDALE, Fla. – On the western shore of Lake Apopka sits a vast oasis of rolling pastureland and protected natural resources. The town of Ferndale, home to just over 600 people, is a virtually untouched mecca of old Florida, but locals are starting to feel and see something they’ve been working to prevent for generations.
Lady Lake police officer honored for law enforcement work
Lady Lake Police Officer Andru Eckerdt was honored this week during the Leesburg Rotary Club’s 43rd Annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Program with the Service Above Self Award. Officer Eckerdt was recognized for exceptional dedication, professionalism, and productivity, making significant contributions to the safety and well-being of...
Dive team recovers body after man goes missing on Central Florida lake
Law enforcement officials have ended a search after recovering the body of a swimmer that went missing in Clermont, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Suspect found sipping beer stolen from cooler at Dollar General
A suspect was found sipping a beer he allegedly stole from a cooler at Dollar General in Wildwood. A clerk at the Dollar General on Main Street called law enforcement when a suspect later identified as 69-year-old Bill Howard Dye of Wildwood entered the store at about 7 a.m. Tuesday and slipped two Bud Ice 16-ounce beer cans in the pockets of his shorts, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department. He left the store without paying for the two beers. The incident was captured on store surveillance.
Village of Newell resident shares photo of ‘Big Boy’ alligator
Pamela Avetissian of the Village of Newell shared this photo of an alligator resisting on a bank near a pond. “This is a big boy!” she exclaimed. In celebration of courtship and mating season, share your alligator photos at news@villages-news.com.
Central Florida expressways will let you drive on the shoulder
A first-of-its-kind approach to managing congestion in Florida will debut this summer on a pair of Central Florida expressways with the goal of helping motorists escape traffic jams more easily. The Central Florida Expressway Authority announced last week that flex lanes are coming to State Road 417 and State Road 429. Flex lanes allow drivers to pass accidents on the shoulder when overhead ...
Sheltering Hands hosts two cat adoption events
Sheltering Hands will be hosting two cat adoption events at PetSmart in Lady Lake. The first event is called the “Red, White Meow” adoption event, and will take place from May 17-19. The second event, the “Bring Home the Love” adoption event, will take place on June 22nd...
Florida woman, 77, accused of attacking home inspector during scheduled visit
THE VILLAGES, Fla. - A Florida woman was taken to jail after she became "upset" and attacked a home inspector during a scheduled visit, according to an arrest report. Judy Schmersey, 77, of The Villages, was arrested on a charge of battery on a person 65 years of age or older, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office said.
The cows in my backyard have been replaced with bulldozers
I’m a 20-year resident living in Summerfield and with the growth of The Villages, all of the animals that had a place to live are now gone! I have 55 acres behind me and I loved having cows for neighbors! The cows are gone and I listen to a bulldozer all day, every day and I know the houses are coming. Another residential neighborhood is under construction and this area is almost bursting at the seams. I never heard sirens and now I do on a daily basis. The road I live on is 30 miles and even the eighteen wheeler’s go over the speed limit doing 60 plus. On the weekends, I hear cars going by so fast that sometimes during the day, I can’t tell you what color the car was! I’m going to miss this place, I watched the bunnies chasing each other in my backyard. But the houses are coming, so I’m going to get going.
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