State council recommends conserving more Central Florida land
More than 2,000 acres of additional land in the Central Florida region are now on the state’s shortlist of properties to protect from development. Members of the state’s Acquisition and Restoration Council, ARC, voted unanimously Friday to approve the additions to the state’s public land acquisition program, Florida...
One of Australia attack victims had connection to Central Florida
WINTER PARK, Fla. — As the world reels from the Bondi Beach shooting that left 15 people dead and 27 others injured, in what officials are calling a terror attack against Jewish Australians, local Jewish organizations in Central Florida are not backing down. The Chabad of Greater Orlando officials...
I reconsider taking State Road 200 every time I’m faced with using it
I moved to Marion County from South Florida three years ago. At the time, I didn’t see a problem with traffic here, only around the entry to I-75, naturally so. But the traffic on State Road 200 is ridiculous. I have to travel on there to get to the businesses there. There are aggressive drivers and then those that...
County to vote on proposed 72-home development in Ocala
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners will decide the fate of a proposed 72-home development in Ocala during its regular meeting on Tuesday. The project, Capozolli Hills, is planned for a 19.62-acre site at 7325 SW 80th Street, less than a mile west of the busy intersection of State Road 200 and SW 60th...
Proposed Veterans Hall of Fame would honor Marion County residents
Local leaders will consider a measure to create a new veterans’ hall of fame that would honor military veterans not solely for their military service, but for their leadership, community involvement, and civic contributions specifically within Marion County. The proposal, which is in partnership with Veterans Helping...
Two Leesburg women nabbed with crack cocaine after rolling through stop sign
A pair of Leesburg women was arrested on drug charges following the discovery of crack cocaine at a traffic stop. Officers pulled over 35-year-old Amanda Michelle Lowery and 57-year-old Rosa Lee Taylor at 2300 Waitman Avenue for passing a stop bar around 1:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the...
New Villagers thrilled to get Christmas stocking from neighbor
Four months ago, John Yackiel and Anthony Grabowski moved into their home at 628 San Pedro Drive in the Village of Rio Grande. They were excited to decorate their new home for the holidays. “We love it here,” Yackiel said. They were also touched to receive a special gift...
Mother in missing daughter case found new life with revered Villager
A mother charged with abducting her daughter in 1983 built a quiet life in The Villages, married to a man who became a revered figure in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. New details continue to come to light about 66-year-old Debra Newton who was arrested Nov. 24 at her home in the Village of Piedmont. Newton was the...
Teen found dead inside vehicle in Leesburg, police say
Leesburg Police confirm an 18-year-old man was found dead from a gunshot wound inside a vehicle at Berry Park in Leesburg today, according to local police.
Central Florida can expect dramatic temperature drop, windy conditions Sunday night
ORLANDO, Fla. – Get ready, Central Florida — change is in the air. A cold front is moving in from the north and west on Sunday, and it’s expected to bring a sharp drop in temperatures across the region overnight Sunday into Monday. Morning travelers should also...
