I-75 in Marion County reopens after multi-vehicle crash
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A multi-vehicle crash involving four semitrucks and a Honda Civic shut down all northbound lanes of Interstate 75 for hours in Marion County on Wednesday evening, according to a news release. Officials from the FDOT said the crash was reported in the northbound lanes of...
In juvenile detention, these students say they’re not learning — and it’s keeping them...
Education Juvenile Detention Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. To earn his freedom, 15-year-old Cayden Gillespie had to complete three school assignments a day. But school had gone virtual for Cayden and other incarcerated young people in Florida. And sometimes, he didn't understand it. One...
Ocala financial advisor accused of stealing $200K from client
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has launched a fraud investigation after the owner of an Ocala-based financial advisory firm was accused of stealing nearly $200,000 from one of his clients. On Tuesday, August 12, MCSO stated on social media that a Marion County resident recently reported that Michael Hainsworth,...
Man on probation in 3 counties arrested after allegedly trying to drive away while...
Floyd Russell Hill, 57, was arrested early this morning for battery on two police officers and other charges after allegedly trying to drive away from a traffic stop while officers were trying to remove him from his vehicle. The post Man on probation in 3 counties arrested after allegedly trying to drive away while...
Gainesville man sentenced to over 35 years in prison for drug trafficking, firearm, and...
Lagarius Joseph Johnson, 21, was sentenced to 35 years and 3 months’ imprisonment in federal court for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of controlled substances, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug...
Ten fixes Marion County Jail could make—now
Marion County does not lack evidence that the operation of its jail needs urgent reform. In recent years, our newsroom has documented preventable suffering and deaths among those being held behind those walls—people including Scott Whitley, Maniesa Fletcher, Jacob Oakie, Juan Miranda-Valentín, Dennis DiGenova and...
Newberry coach and parent arrested after allegedly instigating fight at track meet
UPDATED: Melissa Danielle Nattiel, 42, has been charged with child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and disorderly conduct after allegedly instigating a fight among juveniles at a Santa Fe High School track meet in March. The post Newberry coach and parent arrested after allegedly instigating fight...
Rochelle community rallies to honor, give context to historical cemeteries with slavery, segregation and...
The grave of Madison Starke Perry, Florida’s fourth governor, with an iron cross from the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Perry owned a plantation in what is now Rochelle, Florida and fought in the Civil War for the Confederacy. (Hailee Papa/WUFT News) Members of the Rochelle community want to preserve...
Ocala man arrested for bomb threat just hours after being released from jail sentence...
Joshua Raymond Snavely, 40, was arrested yesterday for shoplifting and making a false threat to bomb the Tampa airport; he was released from jail the previous evening after serving a five-month sentence for doing the same thing in March. The post Ocala man arrested for bomb threat just hours after being released...
Firefighters battle blaze amid explosions at Marion County feed store
Dozens of firefighters battled a large commercial fire Tuesday in Marion County.