Residents push to remove railroad after multiple derailments in Ocala
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Residents are proposing converting a railroad in Ocala into a community space after multiple train derailments. Two trains have derailed in Ocala since June. Some of the cars involved in the latest derailment last month, involving Florida Northern Railroad Company, are still lying beside the...
Marion County firefighters battle house fire in Belleview
BELLEVIEW, Fla. (WCJB) - A home in Belleview burst into flames on Wednesday morning. Marion County Fire Rescue crews say neighbors called 911 at 6:20 a.m., reporting smoke and flames coming from the back of an abandoned home on Southeast 155th Street. Minutes later, firefighters arrived to find about half...
Villager’s nightmarish pool project serves as warning to fellow residents
This information is intended to alert fellow Village homeowners to the unacceptable performance of KC Keystone Construction Homes Group (also known as KC Keystone Construction and Maintenance Inc.). We are sharing our experience with their mishandling of our pool installation project in the hope that no other...
Villager ordered to remove rock at home out of compliance since 2017
A Villager has been ordered to remove rock at her home which has been out of compliance since 2017. The home owned by Glenda Banta at 8209 SE 169th Palownia Loop in the Merry Oak Villas in the Village of Calumet Grove was the subject or a deed compliance hearing this week before a special master at the District...
Costco rakes in $1.5 million in sales on opening day in The Villages
Costco officials estimate that 7,000 customers spent $1.5 million on opening day at the new store in The Villages. Looking at the parking lot, they were probably right on the money. People were in line at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday at the new store which opened at 8 a.m. at Buffalo...
Golf carts are traveling at dangerous speeds in The Villages
I have been living in The Villages for six years and throughout this period I have constantly read and in some cases seen how The Villages’ morons drive on the local highways. If you drive defensively your chances increase to 50 percent of not being involved in an accident. But no one cares.
Fast-food favorite temporarily shut down due to discovery of numerous insects
An inspector temporarily closed Wendy’s on the Florida Turnpike in Wildwood due to numerous insects in the restaurant. The inspector ordered all operations to be stopped upon discovering 30 small flying insects near the lemonade and tea station, ice cream machine, handwash sink, and on the walls and ceiling...
So you really want to ban ‘outsiders’ from The Villages?
Note: this letter is not intended for all Villagers, my target readers know who you are. I too believe all “outsiders” should be banned from ever entering The Villages. You have all worked so hard to enjoy your peaceful retirement in the safe confines of Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. That ban should also include,...
Search for stolen vehicle ends with homeless suspect cornered in Berry Park
A homeless man in Leesburg was arrested after the search for a stolen vehicle ended with him parked at Berry Park. An officer was informed of a stolen orange Hyundai Santa Fe near Center and North 14th Streets around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The driver...
Driver with multiple DUIs claims car he’s driving was gift from dead mother
A driver who didn’t have a license, registration or insurance claimed the car he was driving had been given to him by his late mother. An officer observed 61-year-old Brian Monroe Neumann of Yalaha in a white Honda Civic stopped at a traffic light in Wildwood around 10:40 a.m. Friday, according to an arrest report...
