HAWTHORNE, Fla. – Less than a week after a Florida man was accused of throwing five newborn kittens in the trash, he ended up back in jail after deputies said he threatened to kill a family member.

The backstory:

On April 25, 2026, deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office went to a Hawthorne home after a witness told them she had removed two plastic bags containing five kittens from a trash can after hearing the animals whining inside.

The deputy said that the kittens still had umbilical cords attached and were not thriving.

Putnam County Animal Control went to the home and determined that the kittens were about five hours old. The mother cat was not located.

According to PCSO, the person who found the kittens tried to get them emergency medical help, but four died. The fifth kitten was being treated at a veterinary office in Ocala.

A neighbor who lived on the property said that he caught Tyler Holtz, 36, placing the bags in the garbage can.

Holtz was arrested on May 1 and charged with five counts of animal cruelty and abandoning an animal to die.

He was released on a $12,500 bond, on the condition that he wouldn’t commit another crime.

Dig deeper:

Approximately three days later, deputies said Holtz sent text messages to a family member stating that the victim was “a dead man walking” as well as giving details of firearms and access to weapons.

The victim reportedly told deputies he was scared for his life and that Holtz was known to have a firearm.

Deputies located Holtz during a traffic stop. He was charged with sending a written threat to kill. He is being held at the Putnam County Jail on no bond.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Over the past couple of years, experts have noticed a heavy decrease in lovebugs across Central Florida.

However, that trend may have just been reversed.

Lovebugs are known for flying through the air while getting “stuck” together during their explosive breeding seasons, causing plenty of splatters on the front of people’s cars.

But in recent years, Florida natives have noticed a stark drop in the number of these pests flitting about.

During a 2024 conversation with Dr. Norman Leppla — a professor at the University of Florida specializing in pest management — he explained that lovebugs’ disappearance was part of a larger trend.

“I really don’t know why, but we’re having a crisis globally with the loss of insect species and all kinds of other organisms just plain disappearing. And we’re quite worried about it,” he said at the time.

[ Where did all the lovebugs go?]

But this week, News 6 reached out for a follow-up after several members in the newsroom noticed more lovebugs in the air this year.

“Your newsroom members are correct in noticing more lovebugs than last year,” Leppla wrote. “I have seen some in North Central Florida during the past couple of weeks where there were none last year. They certainly aren’t abundant, however.”

According to Leppla, the number of lovebugs you see flying around depends on the survival of larvae, which in turn depend on continuous moisture to feed and develop.

Female lovebugs can lay hundreds of eggs, but if the environment is too dry or submerged for too long, the larvae end up dying — resulting in fewer lovebugs.

Typically, lovebug season pops up twice per year in Florida: in April to May, and August to September.

Per Leppla, lovebugs actually reached nuisance levels last month down south in places ranging from the Florida Keys up through Ft. Myers.

“They probably occurred in swarms along the lower east coast, as well,” he continued. “They will continue to be relatively abundant in local habitats where larvae can develop. Lovebugs will exist as far north as the climate will enable the larvae to survive.

However, lovebugs aren’t originally from Florida.

They actually hail from the Yucatán in Mexico, having traveled into the Gulf Coast through Texas during the early-to-mid 1900s. In the Sunshine State, they weren’t seen until around 1950.

That means that even if lovebugs really did disappear from Florida, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re gone for good.

“They live in that tropical habitat, and they came here as our habitat became more conducive to lovebugs,” Leppla previously explained. “That’s usually what happens. And so they spread, and they can certainly just recede right back to the tropics.”

[ Don’t touch these fuzzy Florida bugs!]

But that begs the question: what are the impacts of lovebugs possibly disappearing from Florida?

The short answer? Not much.

In fact, lovebug guts reportedly contain an enzyme that can eat through the clearcoat of a vehicle, which can damage the vehicle’s paint. As such, it could be good news for drivers.

“It’s not going to cause a lot of issues for the folks here in Florida,” Leppla stated. “Only the car wash people.”

Leppla gave News 6 a few tips to keep the pesky insects away. Here’s what you should know:

• Lovebugs are attracted to light colors, so you can avoid wearing light-colored clothing and being near light-colored walls to not draw them in

• They are also bad flyers, so you can use a fan to blow them away

• Lastly, lovebugs don’t fly at night and take a break around noon, so if you limit outdoor exposure during the morning and afternoon times you may be able to avoid them

When does voting end for 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida? 5 pm ET Friday, June 19, 2026, on hgtv.com and foodnetwork.com.

Voting is underway for the 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Florida − who’s going to win?

The home and garden network’s sweepstakes contest began last month, and those interested in the $1.3 million grand prize − a fully furished poolside paradise near Orlando and some cool cash − have just over a month to try their luck.

Voting continues twice a day at HGTV and Food Network sites. Here’s what we know.

Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt tell all: Go behind the scenes of HGTV’s Smart Home 2026 in our exclusive video

What to know about 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Florida

The three-bedroom, three-bath HGTV Smart Home in Apopka, which is about 20 miles from Orlando, boasts a so-Florida vibe with its upscale tropical, relaxed decor. But what makes it a “smart home?” The state-of-the-art technology, functionality and mindful use of space when it came to the design. Or so says the designers and hosts of the 2026 HGTV special, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt. The HGTV reality show hosts, who live in Tampa, made the inside and outside living spaces comfortable and compatible with Florida’s relentless summer heat, yet magazine cover-worthy.

Over the years, the Kleinschmidts have hosted “100 Day Dream Home,” “White House Christmas 2024,” “100 Day Hotel Challenge” and “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge,” all on HGTV. Their inside knowledge as Florida residents came into play with the 2026 HGTV Smart Home design.

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It’s not the first time the home and garden network picked a site in the Sunshine State for its sweepstakes contest: Most recently, the 2024 HGTV Dream Home was on Anastasia Island, Florida, near St. Augustine, and the 2021 HGTV Smart Home was in Naples on the West Coast of the state.

How much is 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida, worth?

The grand prize for the 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Apopka, Florida, is worth more than $1.3 million. The newly built, fully furnished resort-style home about 20 miles from Orlando is a 3,000-square-foot three-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a pool and outdoor living space. The winner of the HGTV Smart Home sweepstakes contest will receive the keys to the home, the furnishings and decor inside and out, plus $100,000 in cash.

The home was built by Hartizen Homes with interior design by husband-and-wife HGTV stars Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt.

The outside living space includes a swim-up bar, outdoor projector, putting green and gourmet grill station. Inside, the HGTV Smart Home evokes an upscale Florida design featuring a game room, movie theater lounge with multiple screens, open-concept living spaces and lots of skylights.

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What does 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Florida look like? Tour it with hosts Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt

HGTV Smart Home 2026 sweepstakes in Florida. See features, video tour

HGTV Smart Home in Apopka, Florida, by Orlando is worth $1.3 million. Voting is April 21, 2026, through June 19, 2026, at hgtv.com and foodnetwork.com

Video courtesy of HGTV

When does voting end for 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida?

According to sweepstakes contest rules, voting for the HGTV Smart Home 2026 giveaway runs 9 a.m. ET Tuesday, April 21, 2026, to 5 p.m. ET Friday, June 19, 2026. During that time, viewers can enter twice daily at hgtv.com/smart and foodnetwork.com/smarthome. A one-hour special about the 2026 HGTV Smart Home sweepstakes contest aired April 24, though streaming is available on HBO Max and Discovery+.

Photos of 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida

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Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.