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Florida’s manatees are one of the state’s most beloved and iconic animals. They are on key chains, license plates and T-shirts. But in past years, they have been dying at an alarming rate, leading those who love them to step up to save them and their environment. 

Read moreSaving an icon

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To keep up with a ballooning student population, Wildwood is opening a new school in the fall. The Sumter County School Board on Feb. 21 unanimously approved a proposal to create Wildwood Intermediate School for grades 4-6, absorbing students from Wildwood Elementary School and Wildwood Midd…

Read moreNew school to open in Sumter County

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When the 2004 movie “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” poked fun by showing the film’s climactic games broadcast on fictional channel “ESPN8: The Ocho,” it drew big laughs. To think, the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” could be so big as to create a whole tertiary channel to show lesser-known s…

Read morePickleball makes it to prime time

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The midterms are over; the race to the White House is on. It’s a race that, one way or another, winds through Florida and The Villages. In fact, it’s arriving Tuesday.  That’s when former vice president Mike Pence is holding a fireside chat and signing for his recently published book, “So He…

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Sometimes serving in the Senate is frustrating, Sen. Marco Rubio said Wednesday morning. Sometimes you wonder if you can make a difference or progress. “But in those moments where you do, you realize it does matter. It does matter, and it’s been a great honor to be able to do it,” he said. “…

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The media spotlight is on Florida in Hurricane Ian’s wake. For candidates, their actions now can help or hinder their political fortunes, especially for Florida’s chief executive officer, Gov. Ron DeSantis. Right now though, all that attention looks like it could give him an advantage going …

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As Florida attracts new residents, its voting power, and representation, are rising.  The same is true in the tri-county area, and in The Villages.  Today is the final day to register to vote, or to update or change your political party, before the August gubernatorial primary. After today, …

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With political candidates now locked into their respective races, campaigning and voting during the Aug. 23 primary election may seem like the next steps. However, there is more being done behind-the-scenes. Local election supervisors are diligently at work to design, proofread and produce b…

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Mayor Ed Wolf envisions a day when Wildwood ranks among the largest cities in Central Florida.  The city is well on its way. Wildwood is growing faster than any other city in the state with a population of at least 5,000, with an increase of about 57% during a 24-month period studied by the …

Read moreWildwood sets pace for Florida growth

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Sumter voters on Tuesday rejected an attempt to oust two of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ appointees from the county commission and also voted in two newcomers who have deep backgrounds in public safety. Incumbents Roberta Ulrich and Don Wiley will continue to serve in Districts 1 and 5, respectively. …