News

Florida is experiencing a population boom like never before. The Sunshine State was the fastest-growing in the nation last year, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Florida grew 1.9% from July 2021 to July 2022, as the state added more than 400,000 residents to reach an estimated …

The Villages High School girls’ weightlifting team continued its postseason dominance Friday, claiming both traditional and Olympic titles at the Class 1A regional championship.

This year’s tax season is in full swing, and the Internal Revenue Service is reminding people they should be on alert for tax-related scams as they file their taxes.

The Sumter County School District is helping even more students walk across the stage with a diploma in hand.

Debbie Duket’s 13-year-old granddaughter soon will have her own room for the first time. Duket’s family is receiving one of the homes students with The Villages High School’s Construction Management Academy are building in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. “She and I have…

A staple in the community is returning to Lady Lake.

The Sumter County Commission is moving forward with plans to make it more convenient for residents in the southern end of the county to access key services such as renewing their driver’s license, paying their property tax or registering to vote. 

The Villages Public Safety Department’s new fire chief, Brian Twiss, stood with a smile on his face as his wife, Minneola Fire Department Capt. Misty Morningstar-Twiss, pinned him during his swearing-in ceremony at VPSD Station 44.

Today is the first day taxpayers can file their 2022 returns for the 2023 tax season. More than 168 million tax returns are expected to be filed this year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. And several local resources are available for tax assistance, such as Villages Tax Aide. Seni…

Not much more than an hour into existence, the new Mickylee Pitch & Putt already had its first hole-in-one. Tom Turner, of the Village of McClure, staked out a slice of history when The Villages’ newest golf offering opened to the public Saturday. A wedge from 62 yards away at the 11th h…

Even before finishing their first dinner at Coastal Del Mar Seafood Grill on Jan. 4, Sherri Mulholland and Susan Gallagher were planning a return trip. “We will definitely be back — without question,” Mulholland said. Mulholland and Gallagher, of the Village of St. Catherine, had come from t…

Residents’ property tax dollars next fall in Sumter County will continue to support firefighters in The Villages.

What’s Donald Trump’s path to victory in 2024? 

Luther Tinsley was one of the more than 200,000 people who joined Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 in his March on Washington.  Wearing an American flag baseball cap with a pin of a portrait of MLK on it, Tinsley was ready to march again Monday for the annual MLK Day Parade in Royal at Royal Park.

Villagers seeking a change of scenery from Earth may find it by looking up at the sky.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is no stranger to bold legislation, and he promised on Thursday that more is on the way. 

Former Vice President Mike Pence is still undecided on a 2024 White House run, but remains certain about one thing: Washington must do better by America’s seniors.

Long after serving their country, many veterans continue to give back to their communities. And veterans in The Villages are no exception. Whether its cooking meals, greeting people at the door or presenting the colors at a funeral or ceremony, veterans have plenty of opportunities to volunt…

The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center is bringing in several Grammy-recognized artists this week in the midst of yet another season of high-quality entertainment. David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Johnny Mathis and Chris Botti will perform their signature music and share some of their exp…

Every two seconds, a patient in the United States needs blood. Donated blood is vital for traumatic injuries, surgeries, transfusions and treatments for a variety of diseases and conditions, according to the American Red Cross. But the U.S. is facing a critical shortage of blood — in fact, t…

Congregants at Christ Lutheran Church in Summerfield have been enthusiastic participants in the Feed My Starving Children MobilePacks at Live Oaks Community Church’s Woodridge campus in Oxford for the past few years. So when they pitched the idea of hosting a MobilePack of their own, Christ …

A nationally known performer who got his start in The Villages is returning to the place where it all began. Local residents have followed Fernando Varela’s career since he was 17 years old and can hear the singer perform live once again later this month at The Sharon L. Morse Performing Art…

Just when Nina and John Sabin thought they had been to every pool in The Villages, another one would open.

Those looking to end the year with a bang will find something for everyone to enjoy. Anyone spending the last few days of the year in the tri-county area has plenty of options for how to celebrate, from music jams to bull riding championships, galas and live entertainment. Morgan’s Music Jun…

If you missed previous live performances of “More Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber … An Encore,” “Menopause The Musical” or “The World of Musicals,” you’re in luck. These popular musical shows are returning to The Villages in January, at Savannah Center or The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Cen…

Each year those in and around The Villages give generously to people in need. Whether it’s making sure children have gifts for Christmas, helping animals find a loving home, checking in on neighbors or donating food  to area food pantries and soup kitchens, residents help out in big ways. He…

Closing in on his first anniversary at St. George Episcopal Church, The Rev. Jim Taylor has wrapped up the most important sermon of the church year — the Christmas sermon. Taylor took the role of rector at the church Jan. 1.  “It’s been a great year at St. George Episcopal,” he said. “We’ve …

Steve Munz knows what it’s like to want something more and to work for it. He said he sees that same hunger from families and kids in Sumter County, and for more than 10 years, he has done something about it. Each year around Christmas, Munz, owner of Galaxy Home Solutions in Wildwood, and h…

Every time Monica Buchanan sees donations for Toys for Tots, she imagines the look on a child’s face as they see that gift under the tree on Christmas morning. As the coordinator for Toys for Tots Lake and Sumter Counties, she imagines those excited children often while donations are being c…

Santa took a break Saturday from prepping for his busiest day of the year to bring joy and presents to the SoZo Kids Christmas party. And St. Nick had gifts to distribute at the party in Ocklawaha thanks to the efforts of members of the Friends of SoZo Kids Club, who have been fundraising an…

Jerry Driggers is a fifth-generation Sumter County resident who found himself with more time on his hands a few years ago.

It may not have been cold, but with a little magic, cloudy skies seemed to provide a bit of snowfall on Brownwood Paddock Square during the Tree Lighting Festival held Saturday night. The artificial flakes came from a nearby snow machine, helping to enhance the fun of the event sponsored by …

Don Wiley wants to make sure first responders who can’t be home with family this Thanksgiving get the same delicious meal at work. He and dozens of other Villagers are donating Thanksgiving dinner to firefighters working the holiday at all of The Villages Public Safety Department’s fire stat…

U.S. Army veteran Sven Tilly never will forget experiencing the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. He got the opportunity to watch the silent, solemn ceremony at the Tomb  of the Unknown Soldier during a Villages Honor Flight mission in April. “It was unbelievable,” said T…

First Baptist Church at The Villages is known for its Easter and Christmas productions. But the church’s worship pastor, Charles Foster, wanted to do something similar for Veterans Day to honor congregants and others who have served our country.

Opera Club of the Villages is getting the word out that it is here to help aspiring musicians.

Local eighth-grader Bella Brantley recently spent nine hours helping remove a banyan tree that had fallen on a Hurricane Ian survivor’s roof. She is part of a group of volunteers who are members of the Ocala Florida Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has been helpi…