The Florida Island Where Wild Monkeys Still Roam
Silver Springs State Park: America’s Unlikely Primate Paradise Silver Springs State Park: America’s Unlikely Primate Paradise (image credits: pixabay) Deep in the heart of Florida lies a place where you might catch a glimpse of something completely unexpected swinging through the trees. Silver Springs State Park...
Number of homeschool students grows in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. — As teachers across Central Florida gear up for the new school year, parents who homeschool are also getting ready for another year. In Florida, the latest data shows 155,000 students participated in homeschool during the 2023-2024 school year. In the last five years, that number has increased by 46%.
Officials in The Villages to discuss ‘controlled access’ for amenities
Officials in The Villages have set a date to discuss “controlled access” for some amenities here in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. Residents’ cries about “outsiders” invading pools and pickleball courts have grown louder in recent years. The Amenity Authority Committee and the Project Wide Advisory...
National Night Out returns to Ocala with free family fun and community connection
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Police Department (OPD) is inviting the community to come together for this year’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Family-friendly and free to attend. This free, family-friendly event offers residents...
Driver with suspended license arrested near Mulberry Grove Plaza
A Summerfield man was arrested near a shopping plaza in The Villages after being stopped for driving on a suspended license. A deputy spotted a blue Scion XB traveling east on Southeast Highway 42 near Mulberr6 Grove Plaza around 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s...
Blue-green algae detected at Lake Weir boat ramp, health officials urge caution
MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion) is warning residents and visitors to exercise caution after blue-green algae was detected at the Hope Boat Ramp on Lake Weir during testing conducted July 28, 2025. While no toxins were found at the time of testing,...
Suspect walks out of Lowe’s pushing cart with $582 in stolen merchandise
A Leesburg woman was arrested on a warrant Wednesday for stealing $582 in merchandise from Lowe’s. On the morning of July 9, officers with the Leesburg Police Department responded to Lowe’s, located at 9540 U.S. Hwy. 441, Leesburg, regarding retail theft, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake...
Persistent panhandler arrested after unwelcome return to Circle K
A Summerfield man with a long history of persistent panhandling was arrested after his unwelcome return to a local Circle K. A deputy responded to Circle K, located at 14870 U.S. Hwy. 441, Summerfield, regarding a trespasser on the property around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Marion...
The Villages won’t hesitate to sell homes to families with children
The Villages Developer is mainly concerned about two things, their money and their images, they lose both fighting their rules and would gladly give those issues to us. They are building Eastport with homes in The Villages that will have underage children living here. The door has been opened by the Developer to...
Ocala man claims he was racially traumatized, denied schizophrenia meds during ‘unlawful’ jail stay
An Ocala man has filed a federal lawsuit against the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, claiming he was unlawfully detained for two days, that he experienced racial trauma and humiliation, and that he was denied psychiatric medications for schizophrenia and anxiety despite posting a “valid bond” of $25,000.
