Florida News

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.

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.

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 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.

Police are searching for two people of interest in connection with the weekend murder of an 18-year-old in Lake County.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).