Lilly Hampton gets in her car and takes a drive around town in the Florida Ridge area where some residents remain without power. Five days earlier, she and her family hid in a closet while speaking on the phone with her father, who alerted them the tornado was close by “He said do not leave the closet,” said Hampton Some homes in the quiet, tree-lined neighborhood were untouched while others, just across the street, were ravaged from the EF-3 tornado that formed in St. Lucie County and veered northeast into southern Indian River County Just a few blocks east of Hampton’s home knocked down trees and overturned vehicles Nearby streets painted a disastrous scene: a huge metal roof clinging to a downed power line large trees uprooted from the earth and toppled onto homes and vehicles “My husband helped a woman whose car was trapped under a tree We’ve been volunteering with damage cleanups,” Hampton said “I wish there was more national news coverage on this for Indian River County.” Hampton said she’s thankful for the lineman working quickly to regenerate electricity to customers officials said they were aiming to restore 95 percent of power by Monday night for Indian River County The FPL power tracker showed more than 62,700 customers in the county had their power restored late Monday The site showed 1,270 customers still without power The outages from the storm impacted more than 64,000 customers in the county Hampton said the Florida Ridge community needs more help from state and federal officials. In the future, Hampton said she will evacuate instead of choosing to hunker down for hurricanes “It’s so devastating and heartbreaking what happened here in our town Nobody was prepared for these tornadoes,” Hampton said “It’s going to take a while for us to bring everything back (to normal) I’m thankful we have such a great community that’s come together to do what we can and help others who are unfortunate and going through this There are families who don’t even have homes anymore.” Privacy Policy | Copyright © 2025 32963 Media LLC All rights reserved   |    Contact: [email protected]   |   Vero Beach, Florida, USA | Orlando Web Design by: M5 This function has been disabled for Vero News JACKSONVILLE FL – You may be surprised to know about a stretch of land just west of Jacksonville that towers higher than buildings in downtown and even above the Dames Point Bridge and its towering height is a clue to Florida’s fascinating geological history It runs along the eastern side of the Okefenokee Swamp and spans into northeastern Florida extending around 100 miles and passes right near Kingsley Lake in Clay County Trail Ridge stands out for its unusual height up to about 230 feet above today’s sea level Trail Ridge is a natural formation made up of sand ridges that were created when sea levels were much higher during different periods in Earth’s history these high sea levels created beaches and dunes that eventually turned into solid landforms as the water receded the ridge stands much higher than any shoreline could have reached in recent times Scientists, including Dr. Jessica R. Creveling, Jacqueline Austermann, and Andrea Dutton have explored how Florida’s unique “karst” landscape plays a role in lifting the land Karst refers to a type of landscape formed by the dissolving of limestone or carbonate rock due to acidic water This process creates underground caves and empty spaces which can cause the ground above to lift slightly over time researchers Opdyke and his team proposed that the karst rock below Trail Ridge gradually dissolved creating empty spaces and pushing the land upwards They called this “isostatic uplift,” where the ground rises as the underlying rock dissolves Based on calculations of how much rock dissolves in Florida each year they estimated that the land could rise by about 3 feet every 38,000 years from karst dissolution alone Understanding the age of Trail Ridge has been tricky, but researchers have worked on ways to match ancient Florida shorelines with global climate changes, known as “marine isotope stages.” These stages are periods when Earth’s temperature and sea levels changed, often due to melting ice sheets. By linking Trail Ridge to these stages, scientists can learn about how old the ridge might be. In 2010, Adams and his team introduced a new model to figure out Trail Ridge’s age. This model tracked how Florida’s land responded to changes in sea level over millions of years, particularly how exposure to freshwater from lower sea levels sped up the dissolving process in the karst rocks below. They calculated that Trail Ridge might have started forming around 1.4 million years ago. Their findings matched up with some global sea level records, suggesting that Trail Ridge’s height is due to both ancient sea levels and the steady, upward lift caused by karst dissolution. Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved. After covering the weather from every corner of Florida and doing marine research in the Gulf, Mark Collins settled in Jacksonville to forecast weather for The First Coast. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us Careers at WJXT / WCWJ Closed Captioning / Audio Description WJXT Public File WJXT EEO Report WCWJ Public File WCWJ EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications Copyright © 2025 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group The day after a tornado robbed dozens of residents of their roofs the streets of the Florida Ridge neighborhood behind Indian River Academy were impassable They weren’t clogged with debris or floodwaters emergency vehicles and neighbors helping those in need Someone even hauled in a food truck to give out free meals “It was so nice to see the community come out and help,” said Noah Hamilton who has lived in the neighborhood for nine years with his family and dogs “It really put a smile on a lot of people’s faces especially the lady across the street who pretty much lost her whole house.”  EF3 tornado: Hurricane Milton's deadly tornado path grows from Fort Pierce to Vero Beach Across the street sat a home hollowed out from the destructive winds its rooms exposed behind a heap of rubble that used to be the walls and roof The surrounding block fluttered with blue tarps Thursday as over a dozen homes received some kind of roof damage during a tornado spawned by Hurricane Milton last week Once Hamilton finished cleaning debris from his backyard after the storm he helped put a tarp on one neighbor’s roof and clean the yard of another “Everyone was helping out everyone,” Hamilton said “We’re much closer with the neighbors now.” a woman pulled up to Dorene Morgan’s home to drop off filled gas canisters Another man who lives a few blocks over helped pile debris in front of her home Morgan looked out her window and could literally see the wind She wheeled her husband into the bedroom closet that’s when they heard the house quake: The roof had caved in and her husband was taken to the hospital for care ‘Is there anything I can do for you — can I help you?’ ”  Now the next major step is getting the power back on Many of her neighbors regained electricity on Monday and Tuesday but because the damage to her house was so severe she’s one of the few still without power a week after the tornado Though the repairs to come are overwhelming Morgan wasn’t ready to let the destruction weigh on her faith “My theory is that there's a message in this tornado and people have to seek out for themselves what that message is,” Morgan said “One thing I know is that this brought people together.”  Jack Lemnus is a TCPalm enterprise reporter. Contact him at jack.lemnus@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1345 Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More But the state of California produces the most peaches in the country A lesser-known state for peaches is Florida, including the Ridge Island Groves in Haines City It’s a place where anyone can come and pick peaches right off the trees “It’s fun 'cause all you do is just grab a peach Guests are given a bag and can stroll the 23 acres that Archie and Jill Ritch have dedicated to growing peach trees “Every year peach season is determined by the weather,” Archie said “Peach-picking is very unique in Florida. We have a variety called a UF one nice large peaches for a Florida peach,” Archie said The couple created Ridge Island Groves over 30 years ago Families come there for their fresh vegetables and fruits blueberry- and orange-flavored ice cream and fresh juices a lot of local people come primarily for peaches,” Archie said located adjacent to their peach and orange groves is busy with customers that come from around the state because of the freshness of what they grow “We take great pride in being able to sell what we grow," Archie said "It’s a lot of satisfaction comes from that.” Ridge Island Groves is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m Park Ridge Golf Course is a testament to ingenuity and sustainability has been transformed into one of South Florida’s most unique and challenging golf courses a welcomed and challenging sight in this flat region Park Ridge offers golfers an experience unlike any other in the area WATCH: How does the history of Park Ridge Golf Course in Wellington impact the player experience Park Ridge isn’t your typical South Florida golf course The rolling hills give it a character more closely related to courses found in the Mid-Atlantic rather than the Sunshine State The dramatic elevation changes add to the scenic beauty and require golfers to think strategically about their shots Whether it’s a steep uphill approach or a downhill tee shot that adds extra yardage Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Park Ridge is its history can be turned into something both beautiful and functional The transformation from landfill to lush green fairways showcases the power of sustainability and thoughtful land management The golf course also plays a role in conservation efforts with carefully maintained native landscaping that supports local wildlife Golfers often spot a variety of birds and other animals that call Park Ridge home adding to the experience of playing in this eco-conscious setting Palm Beach County is proud that this course is Audubon Certified a certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf "You'll see a lot of different birds out here all kinds of wonderful natural habitat that wouldn't be out here if it wasn't the golf course," Eric Rein Palm Beach County's golf operations supervisor The Solid Waste Authority told WPTV First Alert Meteorologist Frances Peyton that for a landfill to be repurposed it must go through years of stabilization and must be carefully compacted and covered to prevent environmental risks which took decades of planning and environmental protections Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or simply soaking in the unique landscape Park Ridge is far more than just a golf course and come see why Park Ridge is a must-play for golfers who crave something different "What we offer is a unique experience for some of the people who come and play from the north," Rein said An injection of federal money could bolster the protection of rare habitat in eastern Polk County has received a $25 million award from the U.S Department of Agriculture to support the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Regional Conservation Partnership Program The grant comes through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program and is one of 92 funded projects totaling $1.5 billion nationwide Wildlands Conservation said in a news release Polk County’s Environmental Lands Program pledged $7.5 million combining with several other entities in offering a combined $25 million to match the federal grant the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the state’s Florida Forever Program and Rural and Family Lands Protection Program the Green Horizon Land Trust and the Department of Defense "Collaboration is key to leveraging funding for conservation of important natural resources," said Gaye Sharpe director of Polk County’s Division of Parks and Natural Resources "The Lake Wales Ridge has always been a high priority for implementing balanced protection of these unique resources We are excited to be a contributing partner in strategizing and focusing on continuing to fill in the gaps along the Ridge This will make our local Environmental Lands Program even stronger and more effective with these types of partnerships." The Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Regional Conservation Partnership Program will deploy the five-year funding program to purchase conservation easements and protect environmentally sensitive lands executive director of Wildlands Conservation which extends about 100 miles northwest from Highlands County to Marion County reflecting a period some two million years ago when water covered the rest of the peninsula — a former “sandbar,” as Sumpter called it dry habitats that harbor a distinctive array of plants and animals you've got all these plants and animals that evolved and are adapted to only those specific conditions and they're nowhere else on the planet,” Sumpter said “from sand skinks to bluetail mole skinks to about 100 species of plants and invertebrates It’s incredibly rare and unique from a global perspective not just from a Polk County perspective or Florida perspective.” Other imperiled inhabitants of scrub land include the Florida scrub jay gopher tortoises and Eastern indigo snakes “We’re hoping that we can restore some of it back to what it was,” Sumpter said of the habitat 'This really shouldn't be rebuilt': Lakeland mobile home park residents hope for help after Milton The program sets a high priority on supporting “underserved” agricultural producers whose operations have been wracked by citrus greening disease and hurricanes Perpetual conservation easements “lock up” property while allowing agriculture operations to continue None of the funding will be used for outright land purchases Wildlands Conservation will help develop a priority list along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service staff and partner organizations While the program is primarily intended to protect rare habitat, Sumpter noted that much of the Lake Wales Ridge lies within the Florida Wildlife Corridor another reason for shielding it from development The corridor concept describes stretches of contiguous natural lands that provide the necessary range for large mammals including the endangered Florida panther and the Florida black bear The program will consider the priorities of the Polk County Environmental Lands program Florida Forever and the state’s Rural and Family Lands program administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services seeks to protect important agricultural lands through perpetual conservation easements Wildlands Conservation already manages several easements on the Lake Wales Ridge in Polk County Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13 Governor Ron DeSantis announced a response to assist North Carolina and Tennessee in the wake of Hurricane Helene Operation Blue Ridge aims to provide crucial recovery assistance to storm-affected individuals Officials reported that various Florida agencies including the Florida Division of Emergency Management Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and a Law Enforcement Coordination Task Force will spearhead a comprehensive multi-state effort authorities noted that the operation will focus on helping Floridians who need rescue in Western North Carolina It was reported that the mission will deploy a range of personnel and resources Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement: Officials are urging residents in need to access assistance by filling out a form at FloridaDisaster.org/OperationBlueRidge Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video It may seldom snow in Florida, but it does every day at Snowcat Ridge. For Sunshine State residents who want a taste of a white winter, it likely will have to be simulated. The last time snow was recorded in Florida was on Jan when there was 1 inch of snow in Pensacola when it closes for the season and what to expect when you visit The only place in Florida where you can guarantee seeing real snow is at Snowcat Ridge in Dade City all of the snow at the park is 100% real snow The park opened in 2020 and stays open for the winter season on select dates from November through February Which activities are included in your admission depends on what kind of admission you buy Here are the levels of admission for Snowcat Ridge Ticket pricing varies by date, but you can look at Snowcat Ridge’s calendar to see pricing for each day the park is open Tickets range from around $30 to $45 for general admission up to around $75 to $120 for higher-tier admission options What should you wear to Snowcat Ridge?Since Snowcat Ridge has real snow you should dress as if you’re dressing for the snow But if you don’t own even a beanie to keep you warm “Layering is also recommended, as you might start out cold and then gradually warm up as you play in the snow,” the park’s website says “You may also consider bringing a change of clothing Snowcat Ridge sells basic snow gear like hats Snowcat Ridge is about an hour-and-a-half northeast of Sarasota and just over 30 minutes north of Tampa by car What are the hours of operation for Snowcat Ridge in Dade City Florida?Snowcat Ridge is only open on select dates, so check the ticketing calendar before you plan a trip There are 29 days left for this season on the park's calendar the rest are disbursed throughout January and February Here are the hours of operation for each day of the week at Snowcat Ridge Contributing: Cheryl McCloud Peachtree Ridge brings a 0-1 record into the contest after opening the regular season last week with a 21-6 loss to Roswell (Georgia) The game at Coconut Creek starts at 4 PM Eastern Recently, the River Ridge Royal Knights announced the following slate of games for 2025 including two contests against Clearwater and rival Mitchell Among other teams on the schedule are Countryside Fivay and on the road against Wiregrass Ranch Below is the Royal Knights' 2025 regular season schedule 2025 RIVER RIDGE ROYAL KNIGHTS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news To get live updates on your phone - as well as follow your favorite teams and top games - you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App -- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi ANDY VILLAMARZOAndy Villamarzo has been a sports writer in the Tampa Bay (FL) Area since 2007 writing for publications such as Tampa Bay Times FL area and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in the summer of 2022 covering the Tampa Bay Area He has quickly become one of Florida's foremost authorities on high school sports radio programs and digital broadcasts as an expert on team rankings © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Pierre Louis announced Tuesday he'd decommitted from Florida State in favor of Florida after taking an official visit to the university on Nov Seminole Ridge has completed its 2024 regular season with a 1-9 overall record Pierre Louis is projected to play on the interior of the offensive line and is listed at 6-foot-4 Under the lights: An essential guide to Palm Beach County high school football Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com We occasionally recommend interesting products and services If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently COMMUNITY PARTNER That’s So Tampa has been the most trusted local resource for discovering All Things Good in Tampa Bay 9 tornadoes touched down three to six hours before Hurricane Milton even made landfall at 8:30 p.m They ranged from EF0 to EF3 with paths ranging from 3 miles to 31 miles The worst damage was caused by an EF3 tornado with a peak wind gust of 155 mph that touched down at 4:59 p.m and traveled northeast from Fort Pierce to Vero Beach for 21.2 miles in 31 minutes less than a mile east of 11 Mile Road and just west of the Interstate 95 interchange and went out to sea just south of the Tracking Station Beach Park in Indian River County They are listed in the order they touched down in Martin according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne Lucie)Rating: EF0Estimated peak wind: 75-85 mphPath length: 18.1 milesMaximum path width: 200 yardsStart time: 2:05 p.m.End time: 2:40 p.m.St Fort Pierce area)Rating: EF1Estimated peak wind: 80-90 mphPath length: 11.8 milesMaximum path width: 150 yardsStart time: 2:59 p.m.End time: 3:13 p.m.St Lucie County-Indian River County (Fort Pierce Vero Beach)Rating: EF1Estimated peak wind: 90 mphPath length: 6.6 milesMaximum path width: 100 yardsStart time: 3:05 p.m.End time: 3:17 p.m.Indian River County (Vero Beach)Rating: EF1Estimated peak wind: 95 mphPath length: 4.51 milesMaximum path width: 150 yardsStart time: 3:48 p.m.End time: 3:57 p.m.Martin County (Port Salerno near Stuart)Rating: EF1Estimated Peak Wind: 95 mphPath Length: 3 milesMaximum Path Width: 250 yardsStart time: 4:03 p.m.End time: 4:12 p.m.Indian River County (Vero Beach)Rating: EF1Estimated peak wind: 100 mphPath length: 3.44 milesMaximum path width: 100 yardsStart time: 4:09 p.m.End time: 4:16 p.m.St Lucie County (Fort Pierce)Rating: EF1Estimated peak wind: 95 mphPath length: 6.75 milesMaximum path width: 150 yardsStart time: 4:14 p.m.End time: 4:24 p.m.St Lucie County-Indian River County (near Fort Pierce Vero Beach)Rating: EF3Estimated Peak Wind: 155 mphPath Length: 21.2 milesMaximum Path Width: 500 yardsStart time: 4:59 p.m.End time: 5:30 p.m.Martin County-St Fort Pierce)Rating: EF2Estimated peak wind: 125 mphPath length: 31.6 milesMaximum path width: 300 yardsStart time: 5 p.m.End time: 5:50 p.m.Martin County (Jupiter Hobe Sound)Rating: EF0Estimated peak wind: 80 mphPath length: 3.95 milesMaximum path width: 100 yardsStart time: 5:21 p.m.End time: 5:30 p.m.Martin County (Hobe Sound near Stuart)Rating: EF2Estimated Peak Wind: 120 mphPath Length: 5.7 milesMaximum Path Width: 400 yardsStart time: 5:35 p.m.End time: 5:46 p.m.EF Scale for tornadoesThe Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1429, or follow her on X @gonthescene — Seminole Ridge Community High School's star linebacker Ty Jackson and offensive lineman Daniel Pierre-Louis have signed with the Florida Gators The pair announced their change together in the school auditorium Prior to this announcement, Jackson said that he had committed to the University of Southern California in a recent interview with WPTV's Todd Wilson that's another big reason," Jackson said in the interview back on Nov "It was a family decision and just wanted my family to be able to travel with me." "Time to shine, Ty Jackson," the Florida Gators said in a post on X on National Signing Day Pierre-Louis flipped from Florida State to Florida I'm ready to get to spring and everything and see how they play." Coach Chad Chieffalo said it's a special day for both players "Not a lot of kids get to go play at the next level let alone play with somebody that they know very well and have been teammates with for the last four years," he said that'll be a nice experience for those two Chieffalo said that he's happy for both players but it also gives him an opportunity to go see a couple of games in Gainesville next season Instinctive playmaker. 💯Time to shine, @Ty__Jackson ‼️#GRIND25HINE x #NSD25 pic.twitter.com/Di5eWW2L0P Powerful in the trenches. 💯Time to shine, @d_lou1s ‼️#GRIND25HINE x #NSD25 pic.twitter.com/HSMDPimyKu the Monarch Knights needed some kind of spark in Thursday afternoon's opening game of the Broward County Classic High School Football Showcase against Peachtree Ridge (Georgia) That player that gave them a spark was 4-star 2025 wide receiver Samari Reed Reed would give Monarch a lift from the Wildcat quarterback position leading the Knights to a 30-29 comeback victory at Coconut Creek High School We give you five takeaways from the game down below: Having a player of Reed's caliber certainly helps your offense in a multitude of ways but it was displayed on Thursday afternoon his ability to help wherever he is needed The Ole Miss last season caught 56 passes for 1,311 yards and scored 15 touchdowns Reed was needed to lineup at quarterback and run left right or up the middle in order to get around the Peachtree Ridge defense It worked out to perfection as Reed scored the Knights' first touchdown on a 9-yard run in the second quarter He added another with 7:13 remaining in the game to give Monarch the lead for good at 30-29 Peachtree Ridge's Darnell Kelly showed he belonged The 2026 dual-threat quarterback entered the game already being one of Georgia top 25 quarterbacks and made an impression on folks who got to see him play Kelly did everything he could to lead the Lions to a 2-0 start Kelly has nothing to hold his head down about playing one of South Florida's better programs Weather conditions led to plenty of turnovers Of course we couldn't have some high school football go on in the Sunshine State without a littl bad weather as well With the field being a natural grass surface both teams were able to shrug it off and still put on a solid performance nonetheless It was just a reminder that everyon should expect some rainy conditions all season long the Knights received a strong performance from quarterback Jack Spaeder who finished completing 18-of-29 passes for 230 yards and four touchdowns last week versus Coconut Creek having Monarch turn to Reed at Wildcat quarterback What it showed it versatility offensively as the team can switch it up when they need to What a start for the Broward County Classic but there's no better way to start things off than with a down to the wire contest Monarch-Peachtree Ridge provided that right out of the gates for folks in attendance and watching via the livestream The Knights were able to overcome a 15-0 deficit to fight their way back to a thrilling victory No better way to start off Week 1 of Florida high school football at the Broward County Classic Follow SBLive Florida throughout the 2024 high school football season for Live Updates the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news -- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl The Construction Halt Would Be the First in the Area Hang gliding helps reconnect with the natural world providing an exhilarating respite from daily life and the sensation of becoming a bird Ever wanted to escape it all and fly away like a bird? You can in a hang glider—and you may find a new sense of calm and connection to nature along the way. “For a lot of people, it’s pretty spiritual to be up there, just floating around on the currents,” explains James Tindle, owner and instructor at the Florida Ridge Airsports Park in Clewiston Hang gliders don’t have engines and remain aloft by circling in columns of warm rising air “You don’t have any real outside noises—you don’t have the motor you don’t have the stereo—just the sound of the wind and the smell of the different citrus blossoms.” If you want to reconnect to the natural world from the sky the Florida Ridge Airsports Park makes for a good day or weekend trip Tindle started his hang-gliding operation in 1988 in Miami but has been based at the current location for the past 15 years but that’s no barrier as the hang gliders tow up behind a small plane The Florida Ridge offers tandem flights to give you the experience alongside a certified instructor lessons are available for those working toward becoming a pilot and flying on their own Anyone can learn; Tindle has taught 12-year-old kids through adults in their 80s He’s even done tandem flights with people older than 100 and has completed tens of thousands of tandems throughout his time in the business Launching and landing on wheels across wide grassy fields makes hang gliding in Florida accessible for all camp or stay in a rental cabin on-site and reconnect with your surroundings on the ground through hiking or swimming the sky becomes not only your sanctuary but also your playground Solo pilots can often fly for over an hour depending on the weather are just under 8 hours for flight duration and more than 200 miles for distance Personal reactions to hang gliding have kept him in the sport for decades “People get off the glider and come over and hug me,” he says This is one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done.’” » CURRENT ISSUE » SUBSCRIBE It's a nice time for a ride with the windows down And the trip's even better riding through the countryside in a convertible But you don't really need a convertible to enjoy the Ridge Scenic Highway. It is one of nearly 30 scenic highways designated on the Florida Department of Transportation's scenic highways website: www.floridascenichighways.com The Ridge Scenic Highway (the only scenic highway in Polk and one of a dozen in the Central Florida area) It's 39 miles long and meanders along the Central Florida Ridge It is sometimes referred to as the Lake Wales Ridge named for the town that is in the middle of what used to be a sandbar and a stretch of islands millions of years ago one of the major landmarks along the ridge marks one of the highest elevations in Florida at 293 feet above sea level The Lake Wales Ridge covers about 100 miles and its white-sand outcroppings are visible from space The Ridge Scenic Highway covers only about two-fifths of the total Lake Wales Ridge which was formerly known as U.S 27 Alternate It starts (or ends) just south of Frostproof at the intersection of US riders will see Polk's historic communities: A roadmap for the highway can be found at this link: www.tinyurl.com/StateRoad17 the drive over the Ridge Scenic Highway was a drive back in time through old Florida Many of the orange groves have since turned into subdivisions but there's still enough old Florida left to turn back the hands of time Lonnie Brown can be reached at LedgerDatabase@aol.com the Lake Wales Ridge stands out as a sandy spine running through the middle of Florida rolling hills give the area a very un-Florida-like feel Parts of the Ridge -- especially in the rural southern reaches -- have some of the highest concentrations of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world the tops of these low-rising peaks were the only parts of Florida above water "This is probably, in terms of climate change, the safest place to be in Florida," said biologist Reed Bowman "It's not been under the ocean for 2 million years It's not likely to be under the ocean for that long the entire ice caps covering Greenland and Antarctica would likely have to melt But as global warming once again causes sea levels to rise the history of the Lake Wales Ridge is a cautionary tale of what the state once was and where it could be headed "It could certainly happen again, whether it's anthropogenic climate change, or whether it's natural climate change," said Bowman, who conducts research along the Ridge at the Archbold Biological Station the time frame would be millions and millions of years We could see similar consequences with just little bits of sea level rise Not so much that we're going to displace animals a gift from the grandson of the man who built the Brooklyn Bridge The station sits on nearly 9,000 acres of preserved land and is dedicated to long-term ecological research of the natural environment As Bowman bumps along the sandy roads that bisect the station he points out features of the Ridge's topography with its sandy soil and evergreen shrubs giving way to endless vistas from atop gentle rises The closest town is a crossroads called Venus The station is about 75 miles from the coast in both directions so it's hard to imagine the sea once rose to its sandy borders But Florida's coastlines have ebbed and flowed over the millennia A map created by the University of South Florida's Libraries and School of Geosciences (shown above) reveals only parts of the Lake Wales Ridge and the northern extreme of the state bordering Georgia and Alabama as above water during the last extreme event of global warming Petroniu Bogdan Onac is a professor of biology at the University of South Florida who has been researching historic sea level rise in both Florida and the Mediterranean He says with the exception of the Lake Wales Ridge and areas around Ocala and the northern edge of the state Florida was completely under water between two and three and a half million years ago As recently as 20,000 years ago - before the generally-accepted time that humans first arrived in North America - Onac says the seas were about 330 feet below the current level This would put Florida's west coast from 100 to 150 miles offshore most of that water was held into the big ice sheets which entirely covered Canada and most of northern North America," he said "Each time there was a glaciation and the ice was up when the climate came back to what we call 'interglacial' when it was warmer it was 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet) above present day." Onac says human-created record-high carbon emissions are now forcing the hand of nature then we should expect to see a kind of cycle where we could predict where it's going," he said of sea level rise "But the problem here is we are witnessing  -- since the tide gauges came on board since 1850s in some of the countries in Europe -- is we're seeing that it was slowly increasing and then there is the effect of the big ice sheets melting "This cycling that we're expecting is not entirely natural," Onac said The only change is we're forcing the evolution now." he noted Florida's flat topography means storm surge - as well as hurricane surge - will cause salt water intrusion into the state's underground freshwater aquifer researcher Reed Bowman stands on the most ancient part of Florida -- and one of its most threatened The endangered Florida scrub jay has made a stand here It's the only species of bird endemic to Florida -- and one of only 15 species found solely in the continental U.S Bowman fears that climate change is already starting to effect the birds have begun nesting earlier and earlier every year," he said "We don't know whether that's driven by climate change And we don't yet know what the consequences of that is or are they just adapting to the different climate?" Bowman said he's seeing other impacts of climate change as well "I  mean as more and more people suffer the effects of climate change close to the coasts there's going to be an inward migration of people into high ridges like the Lake Wales Ridge," Bowman said And that puts more pressure on all of our natural systems And I think that's being driven in large part by climate change." animals have to shift where they live and where they eat But because their habitat is now cut up by development and groves he said the consequences of this climate change are going to be quite different than any other period in the Earth's history -- HCA Florida West Hospital opened Pea Ridge Emergency on Wednesday -- a new freestanding emergency room that is part of HCA Florida Healthcare’s expansion across the state Pea Ridge Emergency is a 12,000-square-foot facility at 4610 Pea Ridge Connector Road which is on the corner of Highway 90 and Pea Ridge Connector Road in Central Santa Rosa County It provides a full range of medical services for children and adults It's staffed with board-certified emergency medicine physicians and nurses just like an emergency room that is housed within the walls of a hospital Physicians and colleagues treat a range of general and specific conditions including infections “As the Central Santa Rosa County community expands the need for 24/7 emergency care close to where people live and work is paramount,” said Gabe Bullaro chief executive officer of HCA Florida West Hospital “We are excited to establish a new healthcare location for all in need of emergency medical care.” Pea Ridge Emergency enables HCA Florida Healthcare to offer patient-centered high-quality care to more Floridians and expand access to HCA Florida Healthcare’s advanced treatments innovative technologies and experienced care teams Designed to meet the community’s growing healthcare needs Patients visiting Pea Ridge Emergency can expect the same level of care as a hospital-based emergency department Should the patient require in-patient treatment “We want to be here for all families in Florida and with the addition of Pea Ridge Emergency we are expanding access and bring quality care closer to home for patients in Central Santa Rosa County,” said Bullaro “While our approach to treatment has advanced local care our communities expect and deserve.” Click here for more info. While North Florida has seen snow in the past, and there's even been snow reported in Miami — in 1977 — if you really want enough to play in, then Snowcat Ridge is the place to go "Snowcat Ridge is Florida's only snow park offering a one-of-a-kind experience in the Sunshine State," said Chief Marketing Officer Jon Pianki "The park features a 60-foot-tall and 400-foot-long snow tubing hill The park truly brings the holiday spirit to locals and Florida visitors." Snowcat Ridge first opened in November 2020 The attraction's address is 27839 Saint Joe Road Snowcat Ridge opens from November through February every season In 2023, it originally planned to open Nov. 17. The opening was delayed until Dec. 3 due to delays in construction of new restroom facilities Hours and days are listed on Snowcat's website The length of the season may change depending on weather conditions The park is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas but is open on New Year's Day It also helps the park has "a lot of equipment designed specifically to freeze water from underneath the Snowy Slopes so we don't end up with a big water slide."  How much are tickets for Snowcat Ridge?Tickets range in price depending on the day Ice skate rental is not included in any of the ticket prices the park is offering 10 percent off the price of tickets if you use the promo code SNOW23 You can bring your own ice skates, or rent them for $9.95 Due limited capacity, the park recommends guests purchase their tickets online to guarantee admission tickets will not be available at the box office General admission: The general admission ticket includes a two-hour snow tubing session on Snowy Slopes and all-day access to the Arctic Igloo General Admission + Unlimited Snow Tubing: ticket includes unlimited snow tubing on Snowy Slopes and all-day access to the Arctic Igloo General Admission + VIP Fast Pass ticket includes: General Admission + VIP Fast Pass + Unlimited Snow Tubing ticket includes: When are the busiest days at Snowcat Ridge?Pianki said most guests visit in the weeks and days leading up to Christmas Yes. Preferred parking is $21 per vehicle Snowcat Ridge is open rain, snow or shine. The park does not offer refunds or rain checks to customers who do not attend due to weather If the park does close for safety considerations The park requires all guests age 2 years old and older to complete a waiver before entering. Guests under 18 must have their parent’s or guardian’s signature on their waiver Entry into the park without correctly completing a waiver will be considered trespassing Complete the waiver ahead of time at Waiver.SnowcatRidge.com Closed toes secure shoes are required on Snowy Slopes and in the Arctic Igloo water-resistant clothing including gloves and boots since it is real snow Layering is recommended since some attractions are outdoors On Feb. 13, 1899, temperatures fell to 2 degrees below zero in Tallahassee This occurred during the "Great Arctic Outbreak." Numerous all-time record low temperatures were set in several U.S Flurries were even reported from Tampa to New Orleans On Jan. 19, 1977, snow fell in South Florida for the first time in recorded history, according to the National Weather Service. Snow was seen across all of Southeast Florida as far south as Homestead and even on Miami Beach The Florida Department of Health records data tracking COVID-19 positive tests by ZIP code and by county The ZIP code reflected in the data ideally is a representation of a COVID-19 positive person's residence there are instances where the ZIP code may reflect the hospital where a person/case was admitted or tested Did you know?: Cleveland Clinic's Florida Research and Innovation Center to study cancer, dengue, COVID-19 The Florida Department of Health reported 80 new COVID-19 cases Thursday and verified five additional deaths on the Treasure Coast Palm City and Port Salerno, a total 1,288 cases of the virus have been reported since March according to Thursday's Health Department data Here are Thursday's statistics by ZIP code.  Max Chesnes is a TCPalm reporter covering health, welfare and social justice on the Treasure Coast. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes email him at max.chesnes@tcpalm.com and give him a call at 772-978-2224 If you are subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider supporting quality local journalism by subscribing here.  INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — The National Weather Service has confirmed that a brief EF0 tornado hit Indian River County on Monday night The storm struck the Midway Estates mobile home community in Florida Ridge just after 6:30 p.m. Officials said the tornado continued to the east-southeast for about four minutes along a half-mile-long track until it dissipated as it crossed into the Vero Shores residential community The tornado had a maximum width of about 100 yards and peak winds estimated between 75-85 mph "Two minutes after I heard the TV give us a warning that it was coming we gotta get in the bathroom,'" Dianne James you're just trying to figure out where you can go and I always heard to go to the center part of your trailer and that's where we laid and sat down in the bathroom and just listened to it and didn't know till it left." Cleanup crews got to work right away Tuesday Siding from homes was wrapped around trees and hurled into nearby woods Indian River County Emergency Management documented 16 homes with at least some damage with more substantial damage noted toward the southeast corner of the community The NWS report said most of these homes suffered at least some damage to their metal roofs Several carports and porch awnings were torn away from homes and lofted into neighboring yards A portion of one home's roof was lost into the neighboring woods Wayne Mann has been through his share of storms He recognized the sounds of trouble when the storm approached and knew he needed to act fast "The whole trailer started shaking really bad and violent It was pretty bad."Emergency officials in Indian River County said no one was hurt Many residents at Midway Estates only live there seasonally so the neighborhood was not at full capacity when the tornado struck "We asked the residents whether or not they received a warning and we're happy to say that the residents have reported that they received an approximately two-minute warning," Ryan Lloyd Indian River County Emergency Management coordinator neighbors were busy Tuesday helping neighbors If anyone needs assistance from the county Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome I find them by talking to old-timers and directors of two-room museums and by striking up conversations in mom-and-pop restaurants Often I hear of homesteaders who battled the wilds to establish their communities; other times I learn of heroes (and antiheroes) The 38.7-mile drive from Haines City (at the intersection of SR 92) along State Road 17 to south of Frostproof (at the intersection of SR27) weaves a patchwork of historical anecdotes: a light read bubbling with colorful characters contemporary scenes conjuring another era and lots of pretty pictures (the road’s alternate identity as The Ridge Scenic Highway proves a fitting title) Continue south on SR 17 through the Avon Park/Sebring area en route to Arcadia to continue this magical journey Seemingly endless rows of orange groves mark the approach into Frostproof where the late Ben Hill Griffin parlayed a 10-acre grove into a Florida citrus empire All I wanted to know about the town (including how it was named) and things I was hesitant to ask (like how it was bombed during World War II) a spry 80-something-year-old serving as Frostproof ’s unofficial historian Turns out that the first permanent settlers here voted to name the town Lakemont over the objection of one person (who insisted on Frostproof) this lone holdout was the horseman selected to carry the application to postal authorities in Fort Meade residents shouldn’t have been surprised to see it named Frostproof the area has experienced a few frosts over the years Air Force planes using the nearby Avon Park bombing range for nighttime practice runs inadvertently dropped some of their payload on Frostproof there were no injuries,” Felt remembered “Air Force officials showed up and apologized profusely,” Felt said it’s no fluke that settlers flocked here before (and especially after) the completion of the original scenic highway in 1918 plentiful rain and sandy soil – not to mention the land boom – settlers planted thousands of citrus trees and the seed for the region’s nickname The drive south to Avon Park shifts from this natural pictorial to a more manicured version once you hit Main Street Beautifully landscaped in downtown Avon Park Century-old trees and the town’s original wooden bandstand (constructed in 1900 and now the centerpiece of several annual festivals) crown the center island At the town’s Depot Historical Museum director Elaine Levey asked me if I knew Avon Park’s claim to fame She led me to a display case filled with baked rolls and announced “Brown ’n serve rolls were born right here.” local baker and volunteer fireman Joseph Gregor was experimenting with different kinds of dough to keep his rolls fresher he baked the rolls an additional seven minutes a General Mills salesman wrote home about it and the company patented Gregor’s recipe the scenic highway winds through the center of town and around Circle Park decorated with trimmed oak and magnolia trees applied a circular pattern to the street layout believing that all roads should lead to the city center Some of the community’s older residences line Lakeview Drive The complex includes the Highlands Museum of the Arts the Highlands Art League and the Historical Society with plans to continue restoration of other historic buildings the orange groves give way to expansive cattle ranges when raging cattle wars earned Arcadia a reputation as one of the wildest towns in Florida But a mysterious Thanksgiving Day fire in 1905 destroyed most of downtown and                                                                                                                                             It’s repeatedly ranked as one of the top antiques shopping venues in Florida more than 120 vendors join the town’s 30-some antiques shops in the high season of the Antique Fair Though the market is open the fourth Saturday of every month The town’s three-block run of antiques stores along 1920s-era Oak Street is open year ’round the cowboy heritage has not been forgotten The 2006 documentary Cowboys of Florida was inspired by the local landscape. Victor Milt was driven to direct the film after 33 years of visiting the area with his wife and producer His experience made him passionate about chronicling a vanishing breed – the cowboys who rode the ranges of Central Florida for more than 150 years (Cowboys of Florida won the Florida Choice Award at Tampa’s Independents’ Film Festival in September 2006.) It soothes my traveling spirit to know that Milt and others like him are dedicated to documenting the legends of these lands It’s easy to find the first of the historic buildings being restored as part of Sebring’s arts village Constructed by George Sebring in the 1920s the building now serves as the Yellow House Gallery and Gift Shop for the arts village Children’s Museum of the Highlands thrills with a maze and a kid-sized village that includes a fire station Constructed in 1916 to attract “well-to-do” Northerners the Mediterranean Revival-style property balances historic appeal with modern amenities Enjoy a sunset over Lake Jackson from one of the rocking chairs on the front verandah.  Tour a dining car at the Depot Historical Museum a block-long property built in 1926 and updated by its current owner South Florida Community College Foundation guests have always been welcome – including Babe Ruth and Clark Gable (and This community of 3,000 sits on “the ridge” – a series of slow-rolling hills between Lakes Clinch learn about Frostproof's settlers of 1886 and modern efforts to restore downtown For more information on visiting this area contact the Frostproof Chamber of Commerce Howard Melton wrote the book on Arcadia’s historic homes (Footprints and Landmarks) and he shows how you can trace the town’s history through its architecture from pillared Southern plantations to early Cracker residences made of pine trees cut on the property Fan out east and west from the Downtown Oak Street commercial district and you’ll discover many of Arcadia’s nearly 300 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places Copyright © document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. All rights reserved. VISIT FLORIDA® is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. | Contact Us As Tropical Storm Milton begins its fateful path toward Florida’s Gulf Coast, the state’s Governor is abandoning Operation Blue Ridge leaving the recovery mission in what he calls “Florida North” to the locals Ron DeSantis is saying that the multiagency initiative that involves the Florida State Guard Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Florida law enforcement’s efforts “to go up and to effectuate rescues of people who are not able to get out of those areas” is coming to an abrupt end with an almost certain landfall of a major hurricane in one of Florida’s major population centers “Our folks did their duty on that,” DeSantis said The abrupt end of the out of state rescue mission comes after the Governor likened Florida’s response to storm damage in the Blue Ridge Mountains to “bring people back to safety … just like we did when Oct 7 happened and Floridians were caught up in the Israel-Hamas war just like we did when Haiti started going even more haywire than normal.” DeSantis said the state didn’t need federal manpower after Helene saying the state had it “handled” “We have what we need,” he said at a presser Monday “We’re going to be bringing people to safety I don’t think they have any major way to get out of those western North Carolina places right now That’s going to require us doing the air missions.” The Governor stood up Joe Biden during his visit last week to survey storm damage The President was met by local Democratic officials in Tallahassee with DeSantis and the Cabinet seemingly unwilling to be photographed with Biden “No reason. We had this planned,” DeSantis said to reporters during a midday news conference with other state officials in Anna Maria. Though the flight down there took roughly 40 minutes apparently the event simply couldn’t have been rescheduled so he could meet the President A.G. Gancarski has been the Northeast Florida correspondent for Florida Politics since 2014. His work also can be seen in the Washington Post, the New York Post, the Washington Times, and National Review, among other publications. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter: @AGGancarski What about all those Republican voters in FL North They won’t say something about that too The state needed these people when DeSantis sent them north–people homeless and more and he did a political stunt It would have been fine to help North Carolina if Florida also hadn’t taken the brunt of this extreme storm Just makes me wonder why he left his state without this needed help And all the Floridians who will find themselves out of their homes after these storms will see more examples of lax ineffective leadership from DeSantis and his GOP predecessors when they try to use their property insurance Abort operation blue ridge and commence operation blue wave!! These are the mistakes that are made when politics get in the way of common sense about 10,000 Floridians have been without power for 11 days Taking care of Florida should trump trying to score political points and a useless waste of taxpayer dollars Don’t play political theater and keep our emergency crews at home to prepare Everyone except DuhSantis knows this is peak season and we will need to NOT waste money sending people back and forth to other states Just another hit piece of yellow “journalism” propagated by Florida Politics This is true and DeSantis announced it–they left while our state was (and still is) a mess with flooding It’s okay to help other states when your own state is doing fine My husband and I watched Governor DeSantis’ news conference yesterday in which he publicly thanked President Biden adding that he had spoken with President Biden I’ve read a reported White House statement confirming that President Biden had spoken with both the mayor of Tampa and Governor DeSantis My husband and I have fiends in the mountains of western North Carolina and those whom we were finally able to reach They thanked Floridians for Operation Blue Ridge and profusely praised our Governor the Blackhawk helicopters deployed in search & rescue operations and thousands of temporary bridges designed to reopen washed-out infrastructure to facilitate transportation while more permanent repairs can be made You probably have seen that other northern states not affected by the hurricane are there as well as FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers and countless disaster relief agencies We needed the national guard here–have you looked at videos of the impact of Helene here and so much more needs doing and now another storm approaches This was not the appropriate time for him to send our help out of state–another time perhaps but not a day or two after Helene hit directly here This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL © Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2025. All rights reserved. STAFF LOGIN The ZIP code reflected in the data ideally is a representation of a COVID-19 positive person's residence The Florida Department of Health reported 138 new COVID-19 cases Thursday and verified 11 additional deaths on the Treasure Coast Palm City and Port Salerno, a total 1,158 cases of the virus have been reported since March according to Thursday's health department data Here are Thursday afternoon's statistics by ZIP code.  Researchers in Florida have rediscovered an "ultra-rare" metallic blue bee that hadn't been spotted in years – so long that experts weren't sure it still existed.  Florida Museum of Natural History researcher Chase Kimmel found a blue calamintha bee on March 9 according to an emailed statement from Kimmel It was the first time one had been spotted since 2016 "We observed a shiny little blue bee grabbing (an Ashe's calamint flower) and rubbing its head on the top portion of the flower 2-3 times," Kimmel's statement says That behavior is unusual and a unique characteristic of the blue calamintha bee: "We were pretty shocked to see it." more of the elusive bees have been spotted but efforts to research the insect have been curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic The blue calamintha bee – or Osmia calaminthae – has unusual facial hairs that are used to collect pollen, the museum said in a release 'Murder Hornets': Some bees can 'cook' dreaded hornets, NYPD bee keeping officer explains Watch: Georgia officials are trying to stop invasive lizard that eats 'anything they want' It's a unique insect for a number of reasons Kimmel said: It collects pollen on its face relies on a threatened flowering plant and is found primarily in a habitat in central Florida: Lake Wales Ridge the museum says: "When much of the state was underwater higher elevation sand dune areas along the Central Florida ridge behaved almost like islands producing isolated habitats," according to the release The region is a threatened ecosystem that is quickly disappearing Even though help was limited during the pandemic, Kimmel says he's scouted multiple sites looking for the solitary bee which the museum says creates individual nests rather than hives The bees had previously been found in four locations Kimmel said. After extensive survey work primarily on protected state lands researches now have spotted the bees on ten properties which significantly expands their known footprint "Even though I have found the bee in multiple sites it took hours and sometimes days to find even one bee," Kimmel said This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page speckled perch fishing will take center stage on most of Florida's central lakes It is quite a sight to see the flotillas of pontoon boats heading out daily replete with dozens of cane or telescopic poles protruding in every possible direction from their railings I'm surprised the FWC still has not imposed a limit on the number of rods/poles utilized by a single angler or vessel to date there is a possession limit on the number of specks a licensed angler can have in their possession at one time.  the fresh waters all up and down the central Florida ridge harbor some top-notch speck fishing as there is some pretty decent speck action available right here on the Suncoast Backwater battles: Time for some backwaters fishing battles Winter fishing tips: Winter fishing can be a challenge Project grants: Main Hed: SBEP offering project grants Lake Manatee and Evers Reservoir both can give up respectable catches Lake Manatee is particularly good where the Manatee River flows into the lake near the SR 64 bridge Specks will feed nocturnally and many anglers will utilize lanterns from the bridge at night A hot spot in Evers Reservoir is the area where the intake pumps for the water plant are located and some of the best action can be found in North Port's canal systems The Cocoplum Waterway stands out as one of the best.  Speck fishing is a lot of fun for family fishing trips considering a handful of cane poles is more than sufficient gear A productive trip can provide some of the best messes of fish for a top-notch fish fry on the planet specks are right up there in the top five finest eating fish two Treasure Coast ZIP codes have surpassed 1,000 cases: Port St Lucie's 34953 and Martin County's 34997.  Since March, the Health Department has reported 10,272 total cases of COVID-19 on the Treasure Coast, and the death toll across the region increased to 215 Tuesday.  Here are Tuesday morning's statistics by ZIP code.  More: With region's most COVID cases, Martin County's Golden Gate gets face masks, education More: COVID-19 on Treasure Coast: What you need to know Tuesday, July 28 For more news, follow Max Chesnes on Twitter by clicking here.  A golf vacation in Florida also can be a family vacation With the Sunshine State’s 1,400-plus public golf courses — more than any other state — there are abundant opportunities Dozens of Florida resorts offer stay-and-play packages that include myriad activities for children and wellness offerings for adults And this is Florida. You’re never far from a beach and a body of water. It’s the theme park capital of the world dozens of the greatest women and men professional golfers call Florida home.The three major tours — PGA and PGA TOUR Champions — play 12 tournaments annually at Florida golf courses: and Golfweek regularly rank Florida public courses among the best in America Streamsong’s three courses are nationally recognized for their marriage of natural landscape and world-class golf Cabot Citrus Farms was one of the most highly course openings in 2024 TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course is arguably as renowned as the Players the “fifth major” tournament that Sawgrass hosts every spring Trump National Doral - Blue Monster has hosted a professional tournament for 50-plus years The Champion at PGA National Resort and Spa includes the “Bear Trap,” a three-hole stretch of closing holes designed by Nicklaus Each hole features a knee-knocking water carry A plaque lets golfers know the stakes: “It should be won or lost right here.” During the Players Championship, an amphitheater around the island green at the par-3, 137-yard 17th hole contains an estimated 10,000 spectators hoping equally for a moment that is “better than most” or a title chance that drowns in the pond No. 9, Streamsong Black A windmill is the target for approach shots on this par 4 because the green is a punchbowl and the flag is hidden from view No. 3, Cabot Citrus Farms - Karoo Course another 70 yards from the back tees if you dare A slope on the right may provide a favorable kick to the green No. 18, Innisbrook Copperhead “Copperhead” is the last of a three-hole stretch called the “Snake Pit,” one of the most difficult finishes on the PGA TOUR requires an uphill approach to a partially hidden green guarded in front by sand No. 14, Sandestin Golf and Resort - Burnt Pine The Park West Palm sounds like a neighborhood block party A group of local citizens led by the CEO of PGA of America reimagined the abandoned West Palm Beach municipal course as a gathering place for young and old from all backgrounds There are family movie nights and after-school programs and At the Nicklaus Ocean Course at Hammock Beach six holes play alongside the Atlantic Ocean but then you have to hit a golf ball in breezes that can be merciless The Palm Beach Par 3 is a precious gem between A1A the Par 3’s 18 holes range from 81 to 211 yards The 2-story Key West-style clubhouse features a pro shop on the first floor and an al fresco restaurant and bar on the second level Grande Lakes Orlando’s 18-hole championship course “is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and tests the abilities of every skill level The Orlando hotel golf club also features a clubhouse and lessons for both children and adults.” Old Corkscrew, a Nicklaus design, “is routed through the natural landscape of Southwest Florida (no homes!), serving as a habitat for dozens of exotic animals,” said Golf Digest A half-hour from Naples to the south and from Fort Myers to the north “Old Corkscrew's absence of homes and tranquil setting make it unique in Southwest Florida—and well worth the drive.” Historic Golf Trail The Florida Historic Golf Trail features more than 50 publicly accessible golf courses — from Pensacola to Miami Beach — that golfers can still play on today The Biltmore the national historic landmark in Coral Gables includes the 18-hole course that was designed by Donald Ross in 1925 More than 50 Florida resorts offer visitors the opportunity to play multiple championship golf courses — often at the same site — while enjoying the amenities of a resort vacation In northwest Florida, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort guests will have their pick of four golf courses and tennis and boating plus the white-quartz beaches of Walton County In northeast Florida, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club looks out on the Atlantic Ocean The smorgasbord of amenities includes: luxury spa offering over 100 services The resort offers bicycle tours and organized nature walks The Reservoir water park features a winding river a sushi rolling class and spa pampering for the adults The 18th hole at Hawks Landing at the Orlando World Center Marriott is a par-3 finish to an island green. After golf, join the family in a multi-person tube and navigate three slides at River Falls water park Start at some of the destinations that have multiple courses We’ve mentioned several above; here are some others: Show Breaking News BarCloseFloridaLandon McReynolds DADE CITY – Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park is preparing to open next week for its 2021 winter season The park opened last year and features a number of winter activities, including snow tubing an arctic igloo and an alpine village that you won’t find anywhere else in Florida which is in Pasco County in Central Florida The park’s reopening is scheduled for Nov. 10 and it will be open through March 27, WKMG reports Officials announced a couple of months ago the addition of two new attractions this season: the Eskimo Outpost and the Crystal Ribbon “Ice skating is the quintessential winter pastime and now you can enjoy it right here in Florida,” officials wrote on the park’s website “Lace up your skates and get ready to glide across the ice under Florida’s sunny skies during the day and under our magical music & light show at night!” guests will get the opportunity to skate on a ribbon-shaped rink or an oval-shaped area A general admission ticket is required for all guests 2 years old and older Guests will be able to bring their own ice skates or rent them all day for $9.95 Located near the Snowy Slopes attraction at the park will be the all-new Eskimo Outpost The area will include eight private igloos which can be used for large birthdays or company events The attraction will also have unlimited bottled water for guests fire pits with places to sit and access to the Refreshers: Beer On select days, tickets to Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park start at $26.95 Click here to learn more Copyright 2021 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Closed Captioning / Audio Description Contact Us Careers at WPLG Terms of Use Privacy Policy Public File FCC Applications EEO Report 1.0 Host Exhibit Copyright © 2025 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC. If you wanted to experience snow in Florida your chance will have to wait a bit longer Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park is closing for the season Monday after opening on Nov Florida’s first snow park can only operate while temperatures remain low enough to keep the snow frozen but we’re a weather-dependent park and getting ready for our next season.” Snowcat Ridge’s opening was met with much excitement as Floridians got to snow tube build snowmen and make snow angels for the first time in the Sunshine State It didn’t come without some challenges though Within days of opening, the park found itself running out of snow and had to adjust days and hours of operation to produce more snow to accommodate the influx of guests we have had an overwhelming amount of interest and guests at the park to the extent that we misestimated the amount of snow production which was required to allow the larger number of kids (and adults) to play in the snow inside the Arctic Igloo” officials said on Facebook Less than a month after opening, Snowcat Ridge was shut down due to health and safety violations Inspectors issued violations to the snow park concerning its use of temporarily modified shipping containers in the Alpine Village The Pasco County’s inspection office released photos that showed exposed electrical boxes unpermitted plumbing and structural issues with the attraction’s front entrance which features stacked shipping containers the snow park was able to fix the issues and reopen with the majority of the points pertaining to the temporarily modified shipping containers in our Alpine Village,” Snowcat Ridge officials said on Facebook “Our team worked all day yesterday and through the night to come to a resolution on these issues with Pasco County We believe we’ve handled everything on the report and have requested an inspection today with Pasco County in hopes of receiving approval to re-open the park.” the snow tubing park is where you could find yourself plummeting down a 60-feet tall snowy slope or frolicking around a 10,000-square-foot arctic igloo snow dome building snowmen and castles A Snowcat Ridge official said the park will reopen in November but the exact date is to be determined Click here for more information Full Screen1 / 15Previous photoNext photoSnow tubing at Snowcat Ridge in Dade City Florida is now open.Snow tubing at Snowcat Ridge in Dade City Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Stacy is a Social Media Producer for ClickOrlando.com and has been with News 6 since 2018 She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S in advertising and a Masters in social media/mass communications TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group