Clumping bamboo expected to grow in popularity and as a Florida crop
When most people think of Florida, they might think of palm trees, the ocean and citrus. But a new potential crop is growing in popularity for both commercial and recreational plant growers: bamboo. Citrus farmers in South Florida have been struggling with greening, which is a disease that infects citrus...
Florida Teen Accused Of Staging Abduction, Shooting His Own Leg To Make It Credible
A Florida teenager, 17-year-old Caden Speight, is accused of staging an abduction in Marion County. Allegedly, Speight deliberately claimed he had been abducted by four men and stuffed him into a van, with the teen even going as far as shooting himself in the leg to make his ruse more credible.
Deadly bicycle accident near I-75 under investigation, troopers say
MARION COUNTY, Fla. - Florida Highway Patrol Troopers are investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred on County Road 326, approximately one mile west of Interstate 75. According to officials, a Ford Fiesta was traveling westbound on County Road 326 when a bicyclist suddenly crossed the roadway into the path of...
Marion County creating ‘Put Down the Phone Day’ to disconnect kids from screens
Ocala and Marion County officials are creating a new “Put the Phone Down” campaign to disconnect local children from screens, with reports suggesting kids ages 8 to 12 spend an average of 4 to 6 hours a day on screens, and teens spend up to 9 hours a day.
Tallahassee man on pre-trial release arrested for battery and then charged with damaging ASO...
Miguel Angel Marin, 21, of Tallahassee, was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly battering two employees of a downtown bar and then damaging an Alachua County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle. The post Tallahassee man on pre-trial release arrested for battery and then charged with damaging ASO patrol vehicle...
Enrollment down at Central Florida’s public schools. Most blame voucher program
Enrollment is down in all but one of Central Florida’s public school districts this year, with most blaming the state’s universal voucher program for siphoning away students and funds. Public schools in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion and Polk counties all had lower school...
Ocala Cyclist Fatally Struck by Car on County Road 326 in Marion County
A tragic incident unfolded in Marion County in the early hours of Sunday, when a 26-year-old Ocala man was fatally struck by a car while riding his bicycle. The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the crash occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. on County Road 326, roughly one mile west of Interstate 75. As reported...
Marion County, FL, Outback Steakhouse in Ocala cited for 10 violations during state inspection
Outback Steakhouse at 4899 E Silver Springs Blvd in Ocala, Marion County, was cited for 10 violations during a Sept. 4, 2025, inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, including one high-priority violation that led to an administrative complaint recommendation.
For Florida fans rooting for change, beating top-10 Texas had to feel like a...
GAINESVILLE — “The Bummer Bowl” felt like a harsh, but fair title for Saturday in The Swamp. In August, Arch Manning and DJ Lagway were considered among the top quarterbacks in the sport heading into 2025. At the time, it wasn’t crazy to think that their Week 6 showdown in Gainesville could have major Heisman Trophy...
Letter: Surprised by deputy’s compassion and commenters’ assumptions
Dustin Baker-Gray tells his side of the incident that led to his recent arrest, including appreciation for the compassion of ASO deputies and dismay at assumptions made by commenters The post Letter: Surprised by deputy’s compassion and commenters’ assumptions appeared first on Alachua Chronicle .
