Fishing Lake Jessup: Where Big Bass Swim in Gator Country
Just outside Orlando, surrounded by cypress trees, wetlands and sprawling marsh, Lake Jessup is one of Central Florida’s most unusual fishing destinations. It is also one of the places in Florida where anglers are reminded that they are sharing the water with some very large—and very numerous—alligators.
Off-duty Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood scales fence to rescue toddler trapped in Ocoee pool...
A two-year-old girl wandered into an Ocoee community pool area, and the gate locked behind her, leaving her mother helplessly trapped on the outside. Off-duty Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood was finishing a 40-mile bike ride nearby when he heard the mother's screams for help. Sheriff Chitwood used his bicycle...
Central Florida back to school hits a stormy snag
Most Central Florida public school districts open for the 2026-27 year on Monday, Aug. 10, with Orange County and Polk County starting a day later on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The staggered return comes during an unsettled stretch of weather, with forecasters tracking scattered storms through the weekend and into the first day
Central Florida back-to-school guide 2026: First day dates, bus routes, key info
Public schools across Central Florida will start the 2026–27 school year on Monday, Aug. 10, with Orange County Public Schools beginning one day later on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Districts have released essential back-to-school information for families, including bus schedules, meal programs, and academic calendars. Local upd
More than 200 Seminole County students take part in annual Shop with the Sheriff...
Over 200 Seminole County students received back-to-school clothes and shoes at the 19th annual Shop with the Sheriff event.
Orange County Voters Face Major Choices as Aug. 18 Primary Nears
ORLANDO — Orange County voters have just 10 days remaining before Florida’s Aug. 18 primary, and many will find considerably more on their ballot than the high-profile race for governor. County commission contests, school-board races, judicial seats and other local offices will be decided or narrowed alongside statewid
Strong Thunderstorms, Excessive Rainfall Risk For East Central Florida
ORLANDO, Florida – Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will develop through the afternoon and evening today as the sea breeze pushes inland. Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall may produce minor localized flooding. Highs will be in the low to mid 90s°F. The National Weather Service in Melbourne...
Sanford Officer Rescues Toddler Wandering Deltona Road
An off-duty Sanford Airport Police officer driving to work in the pre-dawn dark spotted something no commuter wants to see: a small child, completely alone, walking along a residential road in Deltona. Officer Chris Jaques pulled over near Lake Helen Osteen Road around 4:30 a.m. on the Saturday in late July and found a
Sanford Man Cited For Undersized Lobster In The Florida Keys
Spiny Lobster A Sanford, Florida, man received a mandatory court citation on Saturday morning after...
UCP of Central Florida Celebrates Grand Opening of New Inclusive Education Campus in Kissimmee
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — On Friday, UCP of Central Florida celebrated the grand opening of its new UCP Kissimmee Dr. Don & Cindy Diebel Campus, marking a major investment in inclusive education and pediatric therapy services for children and families across Osceola County. The celebration brought together community leaders fr
