News Archive

Boomers are still obsessed with retiring in Florida, even though many of their peers have been priced out of the state

Retirees just can’t quit Florida. Whether it’s the endless appeal of roasting under the sun or screaming out Jeopardy answers in an overly drafty apartment decorated in pastels from the 1980s, boomers are still moving to the Sunshine State for their post-workforce lives. That’s all despite the fact that some of their peers have been increasingly priced out of their (cheeseburger in) paradise.

Farm City Week

Farm City Week is celebrated this year from Nov. 15 through Nov. 22. It is a week to express appreciation for the beneficial partnerships between rural and urban communities. Farmers and ranchers rely on essential partnerships with urban communities to supply, sell and deliver finished products across the country and around the world. Consumer purchases, in turn, make sustainable farm enterprise possible…

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Manufacturing Month Proclamation

The Board of County Commissioners commends and supports this important, targeted industry, as well as organizations involved in advocacy and support of educational and career advancement opportunities in the manufacturing sector. Click here to read the proclamation presented by the Sumter County Commissioners on October 10, 2023.

Businesses Hiring for Busy Holiday Season

In anticipation of a busy holiday season, extra sets of hands are starting to appear at local businesses.

National chains and small businesses already are hiring and training seasonal workers to serve the influx of customers that typically starts around Thanksgiving…

Florida Automated Weather Network About to Get Even More Accurate

A new algorithm is set to further bolster the credibility of the Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN), a system that farmers count on for such data as temperature, humidity, wind and rain.

Among other improvements, the technology will send an email to FAWN technicians, letting them know when readings are out of a normal range, said Rick Lusher, director of the UF/IFAS-run system. It will also review historical meteorological data in a matter of minutes – rather than days – to check if readings are outside normal parameters.

Back to School Sales Tax Break is Just Around the Corner

The 2023 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins on Monday, July 24, 2023, and ends on Sunday, August 6, 2023. There will be a second Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday starting Monday, January 1, 2024, and ending on Sunday, January 14, 2024. During this period, certain items will not include a tax; for example, things like clothing, school supplies, learning aids, and personal computers will be included in the sales tax break. However, certain restrictions apply; for example, the computer must be under $1,500, or clothing pieces must be $100 or less to receive the tax. If you want more information on what qualifies for the tax, please click the link below.

2023 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday