How Gary Sinise Foundation helps first responder families
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FOX 35's Marley Capper talks to actor Gary Sinise about his foundation, the Gary Sinise Foundation, the "Snowball Express," and how the foundation helps those families -- and why.

Former Sanford police officer jailed for alleged fraud scheme
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A longtime Sanford police officer was arrested and fired this week after authorities accused him of stealing tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds by submitting fraudulent work claims over several months.

Ex-Sanford officer accused of 80 counts amid FDLE investigation
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Sanford Police Officer Ronny Neal was arrested on Dec. 16 in connection to a fraud scheme involving being paid with city money for off-duty services Neal didn't do. The police department is now saying invoices showed that Neal worked overtime hours at Lofts at Eden – an apartment complex in Sanford – and "fabricated the detail." FOX 35 News+ spoke with reporter Chris Lindsay about the ongoing investigation.

$5K reward issued after Osceola woman missing 4 years later
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It's been four years since Paola Marie Miranda-Rosa went missing on Dec. 17, 2021. She was last seen near leaving her grandmother’s home near South Semoran Boulevard in Orlando, Florida. Now, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office says they're trying to bring life to the investigation and are looking for any further information.

Alex Lopez Trial: Jury reaches verdict : Full
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A Lake County jury reached a verdict on Wednesday in the trial of Alex Lopez, who was accused of shooting Raied "Ray" Shihadeh during a robbery at the M&M Food Mart in Leesburg in May 2024. Surveillance video from the store showed a man walking into the store and shooting Shihadeh, who was on FaceTime with his wife at the time. The man is then seen hopping over the counter before fleeing the store, according to authorities. Shihadeh, a father of five, died from his injuries after being taken to a hospital. Lopez evaded police for weeks before he was arrested in June 2024 at a hotel in Osceola County. A jury convicted Lopez of murder and robbery.

Sanford Police Chief talks officer's arrest for fraud | Full press conference
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The Sanford Police Department said the alleged fraudulent actions of one of their own – which has prompted a criminal investigation – has tarnished the reputation of trust the department has worked for in the community. During a Dec. 17 press conference, Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith spoke about the department's investigation into Officer Ronny Neal – in tandem with the Secret Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement – to look into how long Neal had been using city money to pay himself for off-duty hours that he didn't serve.

District considers closing school amid falling enrollment
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Seven Orange County public schools could close by the end of the current school year as the district grapples with declining enrollment, officials said. The Orange County School Board voted this week to move forward with plans that could lead to school consolidations, setting the stage for rezoning students before the next academic year.

Community prays for boy recovering from severe burns
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A 6-year-old boy who was severely burned in a bonfire accident in Osteen earlier this month has been released from the intensive care unit and is continuing his recovery in the hospital, according to his church. Carlos Adrian was injured Dec. 6 and has been hospitalized since the incident.

Sanford police officer arrested on 80 felony charges
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Sanford police investigators have arrested Ronny Neal on 79 counts of official misconduct and one count of organized fraud, following an investigation into unpaid vendor accounts linked to off-duty details.

Leesburg Police seek 2 for questioning in teen's death
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Police are searching for two people of interest in connection with the weekend murder of an 18-year-old in Lake County.

Investigators on finding missing children decades later
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A woman accused of kidnapping her young daughter more than 40 years ago in Kentucky has been arrested in Central Florida after living under a different name for decades, authorities said. Officials emphasized the importance of public tips in long-term missing persons cases, noting that continued attention can lead to resolutions even decades later.

Environmentalists oppose rocket wastewater discharge into lagoon
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Environmental advocates are raising concerns over a proposed permit that would allow space companies to release industrial wastewater into the Indian River Lagoon, a fragile ecosystem already the focus of billions in cleanup efforts.

Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center hosts Frontyard Holiday Festival
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The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has launched its Frontyard Holiday Festival, offering free holiday entertainment to the community throughout the season. The outdoor festival features more than 80 local performers from across Central Florida. It includes nightly snowfall effects, live music, games, food and beverages, fire pits for roasting marshmallows and storytelling sessions with Santa Claus. The event is open to guests of all ages at no cost.

Retired nurse, 67, stabbed, hit on head with wine bottle
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A retired nurse was stabbed and killed in his Davenport home by a young man he took in, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Tuesday. The nurse's 19-year-old former roommate is facing charges in connection to the man's death.

Delivery drones make first official drop in Orlando
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A drone delivered a small package — containing hot cocoa and chocolate — to Mayor Buddy Dyer outside City Hall on Tuesday, in what city leaders called Orlando’s first official drone delivery. The drones are operated through a partnership between Walmart and Wing (Alphabet's drone company).

Landfill near Mount Dora addresses Wolf Branch Sink worries
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Lake County officials are raising concerns about a landfill they say could threaten a nearby aquifer. Commissioners and water officials worry that stormwater and leachate from the Mid-Florida Materials construction and demolition landfill near Mount Dora could seep into Wolf Branch Sink, a sensitive feature where water drains directly into the aquifer rather than filtering naturally through soil.

Driver rescues pilot, passenger after small plane crash in DeLand
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New details are emerging about a small plane crash in DeLand after a woman who witnessed the incident rushed to help pull the occupants from the aircraft. The crash happened shortly after 2 p.m. Dec. 8 on Jacobs Road near Plymouth Avenue.

District considers closing schools to address enrollment decline
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Orange County school leaders are weighing whether to consolidate or close several underenrolled public schools as student enrollment continues to decline, putting pressure on district finances.

Mims flooding fixes could cause tax hike, leaders say
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Brevard County officials say a massive infrastructure funding shortfall is slowing efforts to address persistent flooding in northern parts of the county, frustrating residents who demanded answers from commissioners this week.

Testimony underway in store clerk's murder trial
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New details emerged Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of killing a convenience store clerk in Leesburg, as the victim’s widow testified while facing the man prosecutors say shot her husband.