
Joe Byrnes
ReporterJoe Byrnes came to WMFE/WMFV from the Ocala Star-Banner and The Gainesville Sun, where he worked as a reporter and editor for several years. Joe graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans and turned to journalism after teaching. He enjoys freshwater fishing and family gatherings.
Recent Stories from Joe Byrnes

Pieces falling in place for increase in Lake County’s mass vaccination effort
So far, at least 32,000 Lake County residents have gotten a shot.

Polk County firefighter of the year arrested, accused of falsifying coronavirus vaccine records
County Fire Chief Robert Weech says Joshua Colon got involved in something that did not really benefit him at all.

Your Friday coronavirus updates: More than 25,000 Floridians have died with COVID-19; Lake County plans second doses; Seminole cancels text alerts
More than 25,000 Floridians have died with COVID-19 As of today, more than 25,000 Floridians have died with COVID-19. The state added 272 residents to its death toll — and five non-residents. The number of new cases in Florida rose each day this week. The Florida Department of Health reported 13,719 new cases from Thursday. Orange County added 36 deaths in today’s coronavirus report. So far 893 county residents have died. Statewide the test positive rate was 12.4 percent on Thursday. It was above 11 percent throughout Central Florida. Sumter County was the region’s worst with 17.7 percent of new test results coming back positive. Osceola was next with 17.1 percent. About one and quarter million people have received …

Marion County school buses are running late due to COVID-19
Quarantine and recovery times keep the driver absentee rate at about 20 percent.

Marion County School Board balks at replacements for Sanford Harmony program
On Thursday, the board struggled to replace that free and highly rated curriculum for its students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Sabatini will seek to rename U.S. 27 as the President Donald J. Trump Highway
Back in 1999, the Legislature designated U.S. 27 as the Claude Pepper Memorial Highway.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office tries a simpler, cheaper way to shut down internet cafes
Despite pushback from the businesses, commissioners favor the new ordinance.