Happy weekend, Sanford! In today’s happening-today edition: Fiber internet expansion, enchanted knights summer solstice, and flashlight safari + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Sanford protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Faster service coming soon: On June 18, WOW! announced plans to expand all-fiber internet to 20,000 Seminole and Orange County addresses by fall 2026, boosting reliability and speeds up to 5 Gbps -- learn more about the expansion.
A freight safety boost: FDOT broke ground Thursday on Seminole County’s first I-4 truck parking facility near Sanford’s U.S. 17-92 exit, adding spaces, restrooms, and lighting, giving truck drivers safer places to stop -- see the new truck parking.
Utility costs under review: Longwood commissioners postponed proposed water and wastewater rate hikes after residents spoke out, removing increases that could top 130% by 2029 while staff studies long-term utility costs and plant upgrades -- check the rate hike pause.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Weekend micro-adventure alert: Black Bear Campsite is a hike-in, permit-only primitive spot tucked inside the Black Bear Wilderness Area, perfect when you want a night under the stars without leaving town. Follow the blue blazes, pack bug spray, and let the St. Johns do the lullaby.
Oysters calling your name: Whether you’re craving briny grilled oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, or today’s fish tacos, Hooked Fish Camp nails that fresh-Florida-seafood sweet spot without the fuss. It’s the kind of spot you swing by when cooking feels optional and a cold drink with locals sounds like the right call.
Swing closer to home: Need a low-stress place to chase birdies right here in Sanford? Mayfair Country Club keeps it classic with walkable fairways, friendly vibes, and just enough challenge to make you text the group chat for a rematch, then brag about the one pure 7-iron that lives rent-free in your head all week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚴 Hollerbach's Radler Day Bike Ride @ Bicikleta Bike Shop | Saturday (6/20) at 7:30 AM – Earn your beer with a spin through Historic Downtown Sanford, then park it at Hollerbach’s for a Stiegl Radler, free for riders, plus prizes. Join local clubs at your pace, from an easy 15 to a spicy 48 miles. Call it cultural enrichment.
🌺 Exotic and Tropical Flower Class @ The Sweet Chalet Shoppe | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Think you can tell a real hibiscus from sugar in this humidity? Learn to craft exotic tropical sugar flowers that actually survive Florida, in a relaxed small class with hands-on guidance. Perfect for cake decorators, creative escape seekers, and anyone who wants blooms that behave.
🦆 The Great Sanford Duck Hunt! @ Sanford Museum | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Give kids or grandkids a mission that doesn’t involve screens, and hunt for rubber ducks hidden in downtown shops. Find one, take it to the Sanford Museum, and they score patriotic toys, treats, and coupons. Free, one duck per kid 12 and under, steps included.
⚔ Enchanted Knights: Summer Solstice @ Downtown Sanford | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Downtown Sanford is going full Renaissance for the summer solstice, with free admission, free parking, and more chainmail than your HOA would allow. Armored combat, stage shows, a massive artisan market, contests and sidequests with free prints. Costumes encouraged, dignity optional, quality time guaranteed.
🔦 Flashlight Safari @ Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens | Saturday (6/20) at 7:30 PM – Grab a flashlight and see who’s actually awake at the zoo after dark, you or the animals. It kicks off in the Discovery Center, then you wander the grounds to catch nocturnal cameos, odd calls, and the kind of quiet you forgot existed.
🚢 Father's Day 2026 @ St. Johns Rivership Co. | Sunday (6/21) at 11:30 AM – Father’s Day calls for ditching the grill for a cruise on the Barbara Lee, Sanford’s paddle-wheeler gliding St. Johns and Lake Monroe. Three hours with reserved seating, a full meal from appetizer to dessert, live entertainment, and your choice of river breezes or AC.
🚗 Father’s Day Car Show @ Ace Cafe Sanford | Sunday (6/21) at 4:00 PM – Expect a relaxed Father's Day car show at Ace Cafe in Sanford, with food and drink specials, and plenty of chrome to squint at. All makes and models roll in, with talk of carburetors, dad jokes, and old road trips. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Sanford report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 75°F — Precip: 59%
A slight chance of rain showers between 7am and 8am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny. High near 93, with temperatures falling to around 89 in the afternoon. Heat index values as high as 102. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2am, then patchy fog. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tomorrow — High: 92°F — Low: 76°F — Precip: 58%
Patchy fog before 8am, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis move-in ready Heatherwood gem offers 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, and 3,425 square feet of polished living space on an oversized pie-shaped cul-de-sac lot backing conservation. Fresh paint, luxury vinyl plank flooring, granite kitchen counters, and a bonus room above the garage add style and flexibility. Outside, a pool, spa, waterfall, lanai, and fire pit create a standout retreat.
Take a peek inside → |
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