Sumter Sun Times

Sumter Sun Times Weekly, local community newspaper with a focus on Sumter County, Florida The Times was established in 1881 and has been a county newspaper ever since.

The Times focuses on issues that are important to Sumter residents, whether it's hard news or feature, government or sports. Times readers encompass a wide variety of demographics, from the descendants of the pioneer families, to families who are new to the area. The Times publishes several special interest sections each year. Those sections include, but are not limited to, Discover Sumter County,

a high school graduation section in the spring, a football section in the fall, a Bushnell Fall Festival section in October. Deadline for the printed Times is Friday at 5 p.m. for advertising and Monday at noon for editorial content. Please submit editorial content as early as possible, because we are unable to guarantee that an item will run a particular week in the printed publication. Comments posted on the Sumter Sun Times webpage or page may also be published in the printed edition, the e-edition or on the webpage of the Sumter SunTimes, along with the person's name.

Community mourns Porter's passingClick the image for story information and obituary information.
07/17/2025

Community mourns Porter's passing

Click the image for story information and obituary information.

After more than 40 years and thousands of cases, probation and parole officer Conrad Porter retired from service in Sumter County in 2024. Community-minded and servant-oriented, known by thousands of

Grace Cafe in Bushnell - Click the image to read the story and see images of some of the menu items.Excerpts from the st...
07/14/2025

Grace Cafe in Bushnell - Click the image to read the story and see images of some of the menu items.

Excerpts from the story: Among the highlights on the menu - the authentic Cuban sandwich, made with bread from La Segunda Bakery, a legendary bakery founded in 1915 in Tampa’s Ybor City. This commitment to tradition sets their Cuban sandwich apart, earning rave reviews from guests.

Another favorite is the Tripleta, a Puerto Rican classic featuring ham, pork and chicken stacked on toasted Cuban bread and topped with crunchy potato sticks, lettuce, cheddar cheese, mayo and ketchup - customized to the guest’s liking.

By Susan League

07/09/2025

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, Bushnell - this week!

July 12, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pine Needle Basket Class
Traditional pine needle basketry is taught by Dade’s experienced volunteers. All materials are provided to make a long-leaf pine needle basket. Cost is park entry at $3/vehicle or Florida State Parks Annual Pass plus $10/person activity fee. Group size is limited to 12. Pre-registration is required – call 352-793-4781 or email [email protected].

July 12, Saturday, 10 a.m. – Noon
Living Historian-Led Guided Walk Program
Join us on a reenactor-led guided walk/program on the Fort King Road. Program included with park admission fee of $3/vehicle (or Florida State Parks Annual Pass).

July 13, Sunday, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Ice Cream Music Jam
Bring your instrument or just your voice and ice cream topping and join us for a music jam session and cranking out homemade ice cream. Program included with park admission fee of $3/vehicle (or Florida State Parks Annual Pass).

July 17, Thursday, 10 a.m. – Noon
Pioneer Sewing Class
Traditional sewing is taught by Dade’s experienced volunteers. Learn the basic stitches used in historical sewing that still have modern applications for quilting and other projects. You will be introduced to five basic historical stitches and how they are used, along with how to hand sew a buttonhole. Cost is park entry at $3/vehicle or Florida State Parks Annual Pass plus $5/person activity fee. Group size is limited to 20. For ages 16 and up. Pre-registration is required – call 352-793-4781 or email [email protected].

Wildwood Spotlight: Zechariah Poyser - “God is with me!! I can’t lose.”Click the image to read about what Zechariah is ...
07/09/2025

Wildwood Spotlight: Zechariah Poyser - “God is with me!! I can’t lose.”

Click the image to read about what Zechariah is up to these days...

WILDCAT SPOTLIGHT: Zechariah Poyser

Obituaries posted in the July 3, 2025 edition of the Sumter Sun TimesClick the image
07/02/2025

Obituaries posted in the July 3, 2025 edition of the Sumter Sun Times
Click the image

Timothy Scott Noell, 62

Fun, fish, family and friends at the lake - annual Panfish Challenge results are in - click the image to see the photos ...
06/27/2025

Fun, fish, family and friends at the lake - annual Panfish Challenge results are in - click the image to see the photos and read the story.

There’s plenty of local tradition to go around – from the Panfish Challenge on Lake Panasoffkee to the annual cemetery picnic in Linden.

Obituaries posted in the Sumter Sun Times on June 26, 2025
06/25/2025

Obituaries posted in the Sumter Sun Times on June 26, 2025

Jerry Alton Galvin, 79

Obituaries posted June 19, 2025 in the Sumter Sun Times
06/25/2025

Obituaries posted June 19, 2025 in the Sumter Sun Times

Edith Wynne (Cannon) Greene, 64, of Wildwood

Humane Society Jukebox Bingo this Friday - for tickets:Tickets: go.yhsspca.org/Freaky
06/11/2025

Humane Society Jukebox Bingo this Friday - for tickets:
Tickets: go.yhsspca.org/Freaky

Howdy Snax - made right here in Bushnell ... click the image to read the story.
06/11/2025

Howdy Snax - made right here in Bushnell ... click the image to read the story.

How in the world would anyone believe that some of the world’s best jerky, Biltong and Droëwors is made in Bushnell?

Address

Sumterville, FL

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+13527932161

Website

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Our Story

The Times was established in 1881 and has been a county newspaper ever since. The Times focuses on issues that are important to Sumter residents, whether it's hard news or feature, government or sports. Times readers encompass a wide variety of demographics, from the descendants of the pioneer families, to families who are new to the area. We also publishe several special interest pages or sections each year. Those sections include, but are not limited to, Discover Sumter County in November, a high school graduation section in the spring, a football section in the fall, a Bushnell Fall Festival section in October, an Easter/spring events section and a Sumter youth livestock section earlier in the year.

Deadline for the printed Times is Friday at 5 p.m. for advertising and Monday at noon for editorial content. Please submit editorial content as early as possible, because we are unable to guarantee that an item will run a particular week in the printed publication. Editor Brenda Locklear has been with the Sumter County Times for the 33 years, just moving into the editor position last year. She is a fifth generation Floridian and moved to Sumter County from Tampa in 1980.

Through the years, the Sumter County Times and staff have been honored with several awards, in a variety of categories. The newspaper has been recognized for general excellence and layout, special sections and ad design.

Locklear has been honored with writing and creative awards, from news and features to special sections.