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Historic Merrywood Estate Sold for $15 Million to Lake Osceola Holdings LLC, Future of Lot Split Uncertain

Historic Merrywood Estate Sold for $15 Million to Lake Osceola Holdings LLC, Future of Lot Split Uncertain

The historic Merrywood estate in Winter Park, Florida, has been sold for $15 million to Lake Osceola Holdings LLC. This company is linked to an Orlando attorney and an estate advising firm, Cypress Row Advisors. The sale, documented in a deed filed on August 18, names Raymond and Cathleen Gilmer as the sellers. The property's previous contract holder, Tara Tedrow, who had sought a lot split for the nearly 4-acre property, is now expected to request that the discussion be tabled at the upcoming City Commission meeting. Tedrow had been pursuing a change to the city's comprehensive plan to allow for the subdivision of the lakefront lot, a move that had drawn opposition from historic preservationists concerned about the 90-year-old estate designed by architect James Gamble Rogers II. The buyer, Lake Osceola Holdings LLC, was established in June, shortly after the Planning & Zoning Board recommended approving the lot split.
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Orange County Mayoral Race Heads to November Runoff After No Candidate Secures Majority

Orange County Mayoral Race Heads to November Runoff After No Candidate Secures Majority

The 2026 Orange County mayoral race will proceed to a runoff election in November, as no candidate achieved the required 51% of the vote. Former U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy, who represented Florida's 7th Congressional District, conceded the race on Tuesday evening after securing just over 26% of the vote. The top two finishers, Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina, will now compete in the runoff. Moore Russell currently leads with 31.77% of the vote, while Messina follows with 27.50%. Other candidates included Mayra Uribe, who is stepping down as District 3 Orange County commissioner, and Moore Russell, who is set to step down as Orange County clerk of court. The runoff election will coincide with the November general election.
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Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina Advance to Orange County Mayoral Runoff

Tiffany Moore Russell and Chris Messina Advance to Orange County Mayoral Runoff

Clerk of Court Tiffany Moore Russell and tech entrepreneur Chris Messina have secured spots in the November runoff election for Orange County Mayor. Moore Russell garnered nearly 32% of the vote, while Messina, the sole Republican candidate, received approximately 28%. This outcome means former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, despite spending close to $1.9 million on her primary campaign, finished third with about 26% of the vote, falling short by roughly 2,500 votes. County Commissioner Mayra Uribe placed fourth with about 15%. Moore Russell celebrated her victory by emphasizing that the election could not be bought, highlighting her campaign's success against significant financial disparities. Messina also noted the efficiency of his campaign's spending compared to his opponents. The primary election saw a turnout of approximately 22%, with over $3 million collectively poured into the contest by all candidates.
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St. Petersburg Mayoral Race Shaped by Policy Decisions and Incumbent Challenges

St. Petersburg Mayoral Race Shaped by Policy Decisions and Incumbent Challenges

The St. Petersburg mayoral election is being significantly influenced by a series of policy decisions and controversies surrounding incumbent Mayor Ken Welch since he took office in early 2022. Welch, the city's first Black Mayor, won his initial election by a substantial margin but has since faced challenges that have set the stage for a competitive race with five challengers. Key issues include Welch's decision to cancel former Mayor Rick Kriseman's Tropicana Field deal and the Moffitt Cancer Center deal, with opponents criticizing the latter for depriving St. Pete of cancer care. Other controversies involve the resignation of Deputy Mayor Stephanie Owens amid bullying accusations, Welch's physical presence at City Hall (reported as 34% of workdays), and his handling of hurricane responses. The collapse of the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal after Hurricane Milton damaged Tropicana Field, and the subsequent discovery of reduced insurance coverage, further fueled criticism. Financial issues also arose with th...
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Sarasota and Manatee County Voters Reject Grassroots Candidates in Primary Elections

Sarasota and Manatee County Voters Reject Grassroots Candidates in Primary Elections

Voters in Sarasota and Manatee counties in Florida largely rejected grassroots and outsider candidates in recent primary elections, instead favoring establishment-backed incumbents and candidates. This outcome marks a significant shift from 2024, when voter dissatisfaction with rapid development and flooding led to a wave of victories for underdog candidates. In Sarasota County, incumbent District 4 Commissioner Joe Neunder was defeated by challenger Jim DeNiro, a retired police sergeant who campaigned as a grassroots alternative but also received support from the local Republican establishment and developer-linked entities. Conversely, District 2 Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith secured another term, surviving an aggressive challenge. In Manatee County, incumbent commissioners Amanda Ballard and Mike Rahn won easily, and developer-linked candidates prevailed in several commission races. Even in statewide races, grassroots enthusiasm, such as that for 'Matt The Welder,' failed to translate into elec...
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Moore Russell and Messina Advance to November Runoff for Orange County Mayor

Moore Russell and Messina Advance to November Runoff for Orange County Mayor

Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell and entrepreneur Chris Messina will compete in a runoff election for Orange County mayor in November. In Tuesday's primary election, Moore Russell, a Democrat, secured nearly 32% of the vote, while Messina, a Republican, garnered just over 27%. Both candidates surpassed former Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, who received 26%, and District 3 County Commissioner Mayra Uribe, who finished with under 15%. Moore Russell, who has served as the county's clerk of courts for over 12 years and previously as a county commissioner for two terms, expressed confidence in her experience. Messina emphasized his campaign's focus on fiscal discipline, enhancing trades education, and attracting more jobs to Orange County, and is the only mayoral candidate supporting Amendment 3, a proposed property tax overhaul.
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Motorized Scooter Rider Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on SR-16 in St. Johns County

Motorized Scooter Rider Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash on SR-16 in St. Johns County

A 41-year-old St. Augustine man riding a motorized scooter was killed in a hit-and-run crash on State Road 16 near Downs Corner Road in St. Johns County, Florida. The incident occurred on Tuesday night around 10 p.m. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), an SUV traveling westbound struck the rear of the scooter, propelling both the scooter and its rider into the grass and a ditch along the right shoulder. The SUV driver did not remain at the scene of the accident. The scooter rider was pronounced dead at the scene, and FHP noted that he was not wearing a helmet. The westbound lanes of State Road 16 were closed for several hours following the crash but reopened before midnight. FHP identified the SUV driver as a 47-year-old St. Augustine woman, who was not injured in the collision, though the method of her identification was not detailed in the agency's release. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Florida Times-Union Florida Times-Union
Democrat Mone' Holder wins Jacksonville City Council special election

Democrat Mone' Holder wins Jacksonville City Council special election

One of the at-large Jacksonville City Council seats flipped from Republican to Democrat when Mone' Holder won a special election.
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Ellott Rodriguez Wins Democratic Nomination for Florida's District 27, to Challenge Maria Elvira Salazar

Ellott Rodriguez Wins Democratic Nomination for Florida's District 27, to Challenge Maria Elvira Salazar

Ellott Rodriguez has secured the Democratic nomination for Florida's District 27. This victory positions him to challenge incumbent Maria Elvira Salazar for her seat in Congress in the upcoming general election. The District 27 race is expected to be a closely watched contest, as both candidates prepare to campaign for the congressional seat. Rodriguez's win in the primary sets the stage for a significant political battle in a district that is often considered competitive. His campaign will now focus on mobilizing Democratic voters and appealing to a broader electorate to unseat the current representative.
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Representative Lois Frankel Faces Primary Challenge in Florida's Redrawn District 23

Representative Lois Frankel Faces Primary Challenge in Florida's Redrawn District 23

Representative Lois Frankel, a Democrat and strong supporter of Israel, is confronting a primary challenge in Florida's newly redrawn District 23. Despite the redistricting efforts initiated by Republicans and Governor Ron DeSantis, Frankel is expected to secure the party's nomination. Her challenger is progressive attorney Victoria Doyle. The new district boundaries closely resemble Frankel's previous district, and Doyle has not garnered significant support to pose a substantial threat. Frankel has served in the U.S. House since 2013 and holds influential positions within the House Appropriations Committee. This primary is part of a broader trend where established Democratic figures are facing challenges from a voter base expressing dissatisfaction with the party's status quo. The state's LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, for instance, has withheld endorsements in several races, including Frankel's, despite her historically positive relationship with the group.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
Jared Moskowitz wins Dem primary, will face Scott Singer in November

Jared Moskowitz wins Dem primary, will face Scott Singer in November

Jared Moskowitz wins Dem primary, will face Scott Singer in November