Suspect gives deputies false ID three times during investigation
An Altoona man was arrested after giving deputies false ID three times during an investigation into a disturbance. Deputies responded to a verbal disturbance involving 46-year-old William Crawford Penley at a residence on County Road 44 in Leesburg at 5:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, according to an arrest report from the...
$52,000 lottery ticket sold at Wildwood truck stop remains unclaimed
A winning lottery ticket worth more than $52,000 that was sold recently at a Pilot Travel Center near The Villages is still unclaimed several days after the drawing. The winning Fantasy 5 lottery ticket worth $52,437.58 was sold for the evening drawing on Tuesday, Jan. 20. According to the Florida...
Shoplifting suspect takes cartload of items from Walmart in The Villages
A shoplifting suspect was arrested after taking a cartload of items from a Walmart in The Villages. Alice Green, 58, of Leesburg, who has a long history of shoplifting arrests, at about 5 p.m. Thursday was arrested at about 5 p.m. Thursday after she pushed the cart loaded with merchandise out of the Walmart at...
352Eats: 1890 Tea House Merges Historic Charm and Modern Dining in Ocala
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A new tea house has taken over the historic Diamond Suites building at 917 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala. The 1890 Tea House merges elegant dining with the charm of rich bites and classic teas. The 1890 Tea House offers outdoor seating with a large...
Suspect tracked down in stabbing that sent victim to The Villages hospital
A suspect has been tracked down in a stabbing that sent a man to the hospital in The Villages. Charles Randall Phifer, 49, of Oxford, was arrested earlier this month on warrants charging him with aggravated battery and battery. Phifer had been living in Georgia, but returned to Wildwood this...
‘Dirty soda’ chain Swig opening first Ocala location in shuttered coffee drive-thru
A rapidly expanding “dirty soda” franchise is bringing its popular customized drinks to Ocala, taking over a former coffee drive-thru location that recently shuttered. Swig will open its first Ocala location at 920 N Pine Avenue, occupying the building that formerly housed OLA Drive-Thru Coffee. Corporate records...
National Realtor organization sees cooling demand for homes in The Villages
The Villages’ population is nearing 200,000 which likely would have seemed unfathomable decades ago to the first settlers in Harold Schwartz’s Orange Blossom Gardens mobile home park. Houses are still selling and there seems to be no end in sight to the Developer’s desire for construction. However,...
Homeless people may be harder to find in 2026 point-in-time count, agency projects
ORLANDO, Fla. — The annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count of the homeless population is set to begin on Monday in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. The survey’s goal is to count the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in communities nationwide. It helps to develop programs and services for...
Nestled Between Orlando And Gainesville Is Florida’s Affordable Town With Golf Courses And Peaceful...
Many travel experts are choosing the state of Florida as America's best affordable getaway for good reason. But if you've already done the tourist trails in Miami and Orlando (or just want to discover a new destination), Lady Lake provides a scenic getaway far from the overcrowded attractions. Situated in Lake...
Woman who shattered elbow during networking event sues Belleview church
A Marion County woman has filed a lawsuit against a Belleview church, alleging that a fall during a business networking event left her with a shattered elbow that required total joint replacement. Kristine Sandberg filed the complaint against Ramah Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. on Nov. 20 in the Fifth Judicial...
