Life in the foxhole: 97-year-old Villages veteran reflects on D-Day, Battle of the Bulge
Irving Locker?s backyard turtle preserve is what you would call his happy place. Just off his backyard in The Villages, at any moment you can spot a handful of the reptiles moving about the expansive field. It was December of 1944, nearly 77 years ago. Locker had just survived D-Day months before, landing on Utah Beach with his gun battalion. To this day, he can recall the chaos of the wounded on the beach.
Irving Locker?s backyard turtle preserve is what you would call his happy place. Just off his backyard in The Villages, at any moment you can spot a handful of the reptiles moving about the expansive field. It was December of 1944, nearly 77 years ago. Locker had just survived D-Day months before, landing on Utah Beach with his gun battalion. To this day, he can recall the chaos of the wounded on the beach.
Families of the 'Groveland Four' overcome with emotion after convictions dismissed
New evidence found in the case helped overturn the wrongful convictions made over 72 years ago.
New evidence found in the case helped overturn the wrongful convictions made over 72 years ago.
Florida judge approves motion to dismiss 'Groveland Four' convictions
The names of four African American men could be cleared as a hearing will be held on a motion to remove the guilty verdicts and indictments from the ‘Groveland Four.’
The names of four African American men could be cleared as a hearing will be held on a motion to remove the guilty verdicts and indictments from the ‘Groveland Four.’
AdventHealth opens Clermont ER
If you live in Clermont, you will soon have a new place for emergency care. AdventHealth announced the opening of a new ER there next year. The 19,000 Square foot facility has 24 patient rooms and two child-friendly rooms.
If you live in Clermont, you will soon have a new place for emergency care. AdventHealth announced the opening of a new ER there next year. The 19,000 Square foot facility has 24 patient rooms and two child-friendly rooms.
'I have no words": Couple mourns beloved horse shot, killed inside enclosure
A Groveland couple is heartbroken and angry after their horse was shot and killed inside her enclosure.
A Groveland couple is heartbroken and angry after their horse was shot and killed inside her enclosure.
3 major events light up Central Florida
Central Florida plays host to three huge events this weekend. In Orlando, the Electric Daisy Carnival is expected to draw thousands to Tinker Field. Thousands more are enjoying music at the Welcome to Rockville festival at the Daytona International Speedway while Leesburg will welcome bikers to Bikefest 2021.
Central Florida plays host to three huge events this weekend. In Orlando, the Electric Daisy Carnival is expected to draw thousands to Tinker Field. Thousands more are enjoying music at the Welcome to Rockville festival at the Daytona International Speedway while Leesburg will welcome bikers to Bikefest 2021.
Veteran raises $50,000 for military families by offering water to cyclists
Harry Fenstad is a U.S. Air Force veteran. The 83-year-old never really rode a bike but that didn’t stop him from raising more than $50,000 for military families through cycling.
Harry Fenstad is a U.S. Air Force veteran. The 83-year-old never really rode a bike but that didn’t stop him from raising more than $50,000 for military families through cycling.
Veteran raising money for military families
At 312 feet above sea level, Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the highest points on the geographic Florida Peninsula. The hill is in Lake County, near the town of Clermont. A resident who lives near Sugarloaf Mountain has set up a water station for cyclists and collects donations for military families.
At 312 feet above sea level, Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the highest points on the geographic Florida Peninsula. The hill is in Lake County, near the town of Clermont. A resident who lives near Sugarloaf Mountain has set up a water station for cyclists and collects donations for military families.
Deputies: Florida teenager killed family dog with sword
Deputies said the mother and stepfather of the teenage boy wanted to prosecute after the family dog's body was found in a wooded area.
Deputies said the mother and stepfather of the teenage boy wanted to prosecute after the family dog's body was found in a wooded area.
On journey to save husband from COVID, woman unexpectedly meets late daughter's heart recipient
A woman’s fierce love for her husband saved his life. A search for life-saving equipment helped her husband survive a battle with COVID-19, but it also reunited her with a special part of her daughter who passed away a few years ago.
A woman’s fierce love for her husband saved his life. A search for life-saving equipment helped her husband survive a battle with COVID-19, but it also reunited her with a special part of her daughter who passed away a few years ago.
School districts in Central Florida overcoming challenges from supply chain issues
Supply Chain issues are squeezing some cafeteria meal services and requiring districts to get creative to make sure your child is fed. There is food available, but sometimes some food items are harder to get.
Supply Chain issues are squeezing some cafeteria meal services and requiring districts to get creative to make sure your child is fed. There is food available, but sometimes some food items are harder to get.
Oviedo Mayor Sladek secures another term; Stile ousts Mt. Dora Mayor Hoechst
Crissy Stile has secured a victory in the race for Mount Dora mayor, ousting incumbent Cathy Hoechst, by winning 59% of the vote while incumbent Megan Sladek easily won a second term as Oviedo's mayor fending off two opponents, Abraham Lopez and Kevin Hipes, by winning 68% of the vote.
Crissy Stile has secured a victory in the race for Mount Dora mayor, ousting incumbent Cathy Hoechst, by winning 59% of the vote while incumbent Megan Sladek easily won a second term as Oviedo's mayor fending off two opponents, Abraham Lopez and Kevin Hipes, by winning 68% of the vote.
1 dead in fatal overturn crash in Lake County, FHP says
According to FHP, the 44-year-old driver was traveling eastbound on SR-46 and for an unknown reason left the roadway and overturned.
According to FHP, the 44-year-old driver was traveling eastbound on SR-46 and for an unknown reason left the roadway and overturned.
Prosecutor seeks to toss out convictions, indictments of 'Groveland Four'
State Attorney William Gladson, whose circuit includes Lake County, filed a motion Monday to toss out convictions and indictments against African-American men known as the “Groveland Four” in one of the most notorious cases from Florida’s Jim Crow era.
State Attorney William Gladson, whose circuit includes Lake County, filed a motion Monday to toss out convictions and indictments against African-American men known as the “Groveland Four” in one of the most notorious cases from Florida’s Jim Crow era.
Deputies: Central Florida man dies after being shot during fight with wife
Deputies say the wife told them that she attempted to take the gun from her husband and that's when a struggle for the gun ensued.
Deputies say the wife told them that she attempted to take the gun from her husband and that's when a struggle for the gun ensued.
Central Florida police officer goes the 'extra mile' to bring back Publix scooter
One Tavares police officer went the “extra mile” to bring a Publix scooter home.
One Tavares police officer went the “extra mile” to bring a Publix scooter home.
Officials: Florida correctional officer caught selling tobacco products at facility
Lake County Sheriff's Office undercover detectives say they discovered Officer Alex Webber had been bringing the tobacco products in since approximately July.
Lake County Sheriff's Office undercover detectives say they discovered Officer Alex Webber had been bringing the tobacco products in since approximately July.
Central Florida man wins $1M on scratch-off, will splurge on new toothbrush
He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $795,000.
He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $795,000.
Eustis police officers use Taser on man with autism
Eustis Police tased a man with severe autism multiple times Saturday in what Police Chief Craig Capris calls a "perfect storm."
Eustis Police tased a man with severe autism multiple times Saturday in what Police Chief Craig Capris calls a "perfect storm."
Clermont man battling COVID-19 receives ECMO treatment in Connecticut
A Clermont, Florida man who was flown to Connecticut for a treatment which his family said saved his life is now out of the hospital.
A Clermont, Florida man who was flown to Connecticut for a treatment which his family said saved his life is now out of the hospital.