Woman caught riding stolen bike weeks after theft from Ocala home
A 44-year-old Ocala woman was arrested after she was caught riding a bicycle that she allegedly stole from a local residence weeks earlier. On Friday, May 30, a female victim contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and reported that her mint green Nishiki Pueblo bicycle had been stolen out of her garage,...
Marion County deputies ask for help identifying Publix thieves
THE VILLAGES, Fla. (WCJB) - The Marion County Sheriff’s Office needs help identifying individuals who robbed a Publix. The theft occurred at the Publix Liquor Store on 165th Mulberry Lane in The Villages. One individual filled a bag, the other a shopping basket and walked out with more than...
Hostage Situation, Officer-Involved Shooting at Gainesville’s Butler Plaza
A dangerous hostage situation concluded last night, July 2, 2025, with an officer-involved shooting in the parking lot of Bonefish Grill in Butler Plaza (Gainesville, FL). Tyrese Da’Jon Jones, 26, is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly holding a coworker hostage for several hours. The Alachua County...
Optometry company fires employees at Marion, Sumter, Lake County stores
A Florida-based optometry company has terminated employees at 43 locations across the state of Florida, including multiple individuals in Marion County, Sumter County, and Lake County, citing the loss of a contract. Global Care Optometry filed the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Notice with the Florida...
Man caught driving golf cart on public road found to be in possession of...
A Summerfield man was arrested on drug charges after telling deputies he fixed a golf cart in exchange for fentanyl. A deputy responded to a traffic stop at 6300 SE 145th Street, Summerfield, around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, he met with...
Gainesville restaurant launching burger named after DJ Lagway
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Star Florida Gator quarterback DJ Lagway is getting recognition in hamburger form. DJ’s Cast Iron Burgers in Gainesville is launching the Lagway Burger, and for the next few weeks, some people get to try it early. People with the restaurant say it combines sweet, spicy...
Katherine Magbanua’s conviction upheld in 2014 murder-for-hire of Dan Markel
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Katherine Magbanua is remaining behind bars for the 2014 murder-for-hire of FSU law professor Dan Markel. Magbanua is one of four people in prison in connection to Markel’s death. She’s currently serving a life sentence at a prison in Marion County. The upheld conviction...
Convicted felon Hunter Destin caught after firing gun inside Marion County home, deputies say
MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – A convicted felon is back behind bars after allegedly firing a gun during a disturbance inside a Marion County home, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). MCSO says that Corporal Tripp responded to a shots-fired call in the 5400 block of...
Defunct Ocala: Ocala Gainesville Poker & Jai Alai’s final bet
OCALA, Fl. (352today.com) – Once echoing with the thunder of pelota balls and the murmur of poker chips, Ocala Gainesville Poker & Jai-Alai stood as one of the most unique entertainment venues in Marion County. From its opening in the early 1970s to its closure in 2023, it blended fast-paced sport, Florida gambling...
Alachua County kicks off inaugural Youth Academy
Alachua County launched its inaugural Youth Academy, a new initiative aimed at educating and empowering the next generation of civic leaders, on Monday at the Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center. The post Alachua County kicks off inaugural Youth Academy appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .
