Latest news with #ArtWoodruff
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Lightning strike causes fireworks to explode early at Sanford July 4 celebration
The Brief Lightning hit some of the fireworks prepped for Sanford's July 4th fireworks show, causing some of them to ignite early, officials said. Remarkably, no one was hurt or killed in the explosion. The fireworks portion of Sanford's event has been canceled, officials said. The live music and vendors will go on as planned, officials said. SANFORD, Fla. - Lightning from a strong thunderstorm hit some of the fireworks prepped for the City of Sanford's Fourth of July celebration, causing them to ignite early and explode, according to Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff. What we know A severe thunderstorm disrupted Sanford's Fourth of July plans when lightning struck a palm tree, sending an electrical current into the circuit board controlling the fireworks, Mayor Woodruff told FOX 35 Orlando. The surge caused some of the prepped fireworks to ignite and explode prematurely. No one was hurt or killed in the explosion, according to the mayor and the Sanford Police Department. However, due to the damage, the fireworks portion of the "Star Spangled Sanford July 4th on The Riverwalk" event was canceled just under an hour before the celebration was set to begin. In a short video message on Facebook, a spokesperson for the Sanford Police Department said the "Star Spangled Sanford July 4th on The Riverwalk" event would still go on with live music and vendors, but that the fireworks display has been canceled. The spokesperson said a lot of the equipment was damaged in the explosion. Despite the incident, crowds began to gather at Fort Mellon Park around 6 p.m., where vendors and entertainment remained open to the public. What we don't know Officials have not yet detailed how many fireworks detonated or the full extent of the damage to the launch equipment. It is also unclear whether the fireworks vendor or the city will conduct a detailed investigation into the system failure or implement changes for future events. The backstory Sanford's annual Independence Day celebration, held along the scenic Riverwalk, typically draws large crowds with a full schedule of family-friendly activities, live music, food, and a fireworks' finale. What they're saying A Sanford Police Department spokesperson said the "Star Spangled Sanford July 4th on The Riverwalk" event would still go on, but that the fireworks display has been canceled. "We still want you to come out and celebrate safely," said Bianca Gillett in post on Facebook. "Come enjoy some great food. Some entertainment. But please do not bring any fireworks with you. They will not be permitted at the event." The event opens at 7 p.m. in historic downtown Sanford along the Riverwalk. Fireworks were scheduled for 9:15 p.m. There will be live music, food and drink vendors, and a Kids Play Zone, according to Sanford's website about the event. The Source The information in the article comes from Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff, Sanford Police Department, and the City of Sanford.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Costco coming to Seminole Towne Center
The Brief A new Costco location is coming to the Seminole Towne Center. The new Costco will be approximately 156,454 square feet and will include a gas station and 847 parking spaces. The new Costco is expected to open in 2026. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - The Seminole Towne Center Mall is getting a makeover, and the upgrades include a new Costco. What we know A new Costco Wholsesale location is set to join the Seminole Towne Center Mall. The new Costco will be approximately 156,454 square feet and will occupy the space of the former Macy's building and adjacent parking lot. The Costco will also include a gas station and 847 parking spaces. The new Costco is expected to open in 2026. Big picture view The new Costco is expected to contribute to the revitalization of the Seminole Towne Center and bring more traffic to the area. The planned business is part of a larger redevelopment plan for the Seminole Towne Center, which also includes a hotel. What they're saying The City of Sanford's Economic Development Director Brady Lessard said the city is looking to revitalize the property and beyond. "This will be a place that people will visit on a weekly basis, a daily basis in many cases," Lessard said. "We've had this rumor going around for a while; it's sort of the worst-kept secret in Sanford really," Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff said. "It's exciting to see it finally coming along." He says the upgrades are just the beginning, and the economic impact the new changes will have on the local economy cannot be overstated. Business owners in the area are already looking forward to the potential boost. "It's exciting, and I would love to see what comes out of it," Ian Schneider, owner of Chianti's Pizza & Pasta, said. Dig deeper Costco opened its first location in 1983 in Seattle, Washington. Since then, Costco has expanded with more than 600 stores across the United States and more than 30 in Florida. Costco is a membership warehouse club that offers a wide variety of products at discounted prices to its members. They are known for selling bulk items, including groceries, electronics and clothing. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the City of Sanford in interviews with Mayor Art Woodruff and Economic Development Director Brady Lessard, as well as local business owner Ian Schneider, of Chianti's Pizza & Pasta.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oviedo, Sanford urge legislators to kill ‘horrendous' rural development bills
Elected leaders in two of Seminole County's largest cities — Sanford and Oviedo — are blasting proposed state legislation that would make it easier to develop the county's rural lands. 'They are certainly developer driven,' Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek said regarding proposed Senate Bill 1118 and companion House Bill 1209, which would overturn many land development regulations, including some that have been in place for decades. On Monday, she joined fellow council members and Sanford commissioners in support of sending sharply worded letters to state legislators, calling on them to reject the bills. 'I would rather increase density in the city, where it is less costly to provide services than in rural areas. This is what our constituents have said they want,' Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff said before his city's commissioners also voted unanimously in opposition to the proposed legislation at a separate meeting. David Bear, president of the non-profit Save Rural Seminole, urged Oviedo and Sanford — whose borders either abut or are close to the county's rural boundary — to send the missives. He called the bills 'horrendous.' The proposed legislation 'doesn't automatically eliminate Seminole's [rural boundary] line. However, it makes the line functionally irrelevant through a Tallahassee approval process,' Bear said. A developer 'wouldn't have to come in front of a Seminole County board for a public hearing.' Established by voters in 2004, Seminole's rural boundary covers nearly one third of Seminole, much of it east of the Econlockhatchee River and Lake Jesup. Development densities within the boundary are mostly limited to one home per five acres or one home per 10 acres. Last November, Seminole voters overwhelmingly approved charter amendments to tighten the rules, requiring supermajority votes by county commissioners — or at least four votes on the five-member board — to remove and develop property within the boundary. The proposed Senate bill, filed by Sen. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, would wipe out the 2024 referendums. It would leave Seminole's 2004 rural boundary in place, but with a significant modification. Under the legislation, a developer's request to develop an agricultural enclave — land that abuts existing zoning for residential, industrial or commercial development — would not even require a public hearing, Oviedo officials said. Local governments have long been required by the state to have land development regulations — known as comprehensive plans — that can be amended only through public hearings before local boards, Oviedo City Manager Bryan Cobb said. But the proposed legislation 'says that doesn't matter. You will approve this [development] without any due process,' he said. In Orange County, the proposed Senate bill would undo two charter amendments approved by voters last year — one that created a rural boundary and another that limited annexations initiated by developers. The proposed bills have been a priority for the Florida Home Builders Association and Deseret Ranches, the real estate arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which owns hundreds of thousands of acres of land spread across east Orange. The Senate bill was quickly approved in its first committee hearing last month. But as of Tuesday, neither bill has been scheduled for additional committee hearings. 'They would like to develop in the rural boundary,' Oviedo Council member Natalie Teuchert said of bill supporters. 'It disregards what voters voted on.' Sanford Commissioner Claudia Thomas was more blunt. 'Put it in all caps and in bold face,' she said in recommending how Sanford should write the letter in opposition.
