🌱 Why Wildwood says Villages officials should fund this Okahumpka Run path
The Villages, Florida Patch AM: a 5 min readGood morning The Villages! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Wildwood says Villages officials should fund this Okahumpka Run path
- Prosecutors weigh hate crime charges after Villages veteran attacked at home
- Villager’s easy ice-cube trick keeps your fresh flowers blooming longer
Also on today's calendar: TC and Sass Saturday Night Dance Party!.
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's The Villages Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's The Villages Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near The Villages.
- Wednesday: An afternoon t-storm or two, with a high of 85 and low of 65 degrees.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 88, low: 62. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 91 and low of 67 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Wildwood officials contend PWAC should pay for walking path in The Villages (villages-news.com) — Wildwood commissioners have declined, for now, to fund a blacktop walking path along Okahumpka Run in The Villages’ Village of St. Johns, despite a resident petition with over 120 signatures. City leaders argue the Project Wide Advisory Committee and CDD 13 should pay, since the area is within The Villages’ amenity system, leaving safety concerns for walkers unresolved. 
2. Florida man accused of attacking 80-year-old veteran in possible hate crime (fox35orlando.com) — An 80-year-old veteran in The Villages, Dr. Otis Lane, says he was punched outside his home after a man allegedly made a derogatory remark about him living there. Deputies arrested the suspect on a charge of battery on a person 65 or older, and prosecutors are now weighing whether to add hate crime charges based on possible prejudicial motives.
3. Make fresh flowers last longer (dailypress.net) — A Villages resident shares a simple trick for keeping cut flowers fresh longer by adding ice cubes and changing cloudy water, and the columnist enthusiastically passes it along. The same column offers additional household tips, from keeping milk cold to thoughts on thank-you notes and customer service frustrations.
4. Realtors Predict House Prices Could Cool Off In These 7 Popular Retirement Towns (financebuzz.com) — If you live in or are eyeing The Villages, real estate experts say home prices here may soften even though it remains a top retirement draw. They highlight the community’s many housing options but urge buyers to factor in amenity fees and other ongoing costs before committing, especially as Florida’s broader retirement markets recalibrate.
📸 Around The Villages
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
The Villages
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
TC and Sass Saturday Night Dance Party! →
Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St, Ocala
7:00 pm
Saturday May 16
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Villages Cruise-In — May →
Spanish Springs Town Square, 1120 Main St, The Villages
9:00 am
Saturday May 16
📣 The Villages Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
BUSINESS @ BREAKFAST - B@B (MAY 2026)
First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, 1000 E 1st Avenue, Mount Dora
7:00 am -
AFTERNOON IN PARIS - The Mount Dora Bistro
The Mount Dora Bistro, 341 Alexander St, Mt Dora
11:00 am -
THE CHEF'S TABLE - The Mount Dora Bistro
The Mount Dora Bistro, 341 Alexander St, Mt Dora
12:00 pm -
SHINE Program →
Lady Lake, FL Calendar, 225 W Guava St., Lady Lake
2:00 pm -
Live Music at Whiskey Kitchen
Whiskey Kitchen Location Description: Mount Dora is a laid-back downtown Mount Dora favorite known for its Southern-inspired comfort food, craft cocktails, and one of the best whiskey selections in the area. The energetic but cozy atm
6:00 pm -
Trivia With Pete! at Eden Abbey
Eden Abbey Brewing Community, 405 S. Highland St., Mount Dora
6:30 pm -
Wetland Wonders: Turtle Talk →
Lady Lake, FL Calendar, 225 W Guava St., Lady Lake
2:00 pm -
TEA APOTHECARY - The Mount Dora Bistro
The Mount Dora Bistro, 341 Alexander St, Mt Dora
2:30 pm -
Chef Danny's Cooking Class
Grove House Restaurant, 10400 County Road 48, Howey-in-the-Hills
6:00 pm -
Live Music at Eden Abbey
Eden Abbey Brewing Community, 405 S. Highland St., Mount Dora
6:30 pm -
Spring Yard Sale
Renninger's Antique Center
8:00 am
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
Friday May 15
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- What a brave and caring young man.
I saw a baby duck fall into the sewer today and looked down in there and saw eight baby ducks in there A nice young man that works for A-Z cleaning… (Nextdoor Bradford Loop) - The public is being asked to no longer feed the stray cats around the Oxford Post Office.
Official complaints have been made. Although you may think you're doing a good deed, it's causing problems for the Post Office staff. These cats… (Nextdoor Tall Trees)
- Kentucky Fried Chicken posted a job opening for Team Member in The Villages. Apply here.
- Jacobs posted a job opening for Sanitation Worker II in The Villages. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near The Villages here.
Ok The Villages! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.