AED programs in The Villages struggling due to thinning volunteer ranks
AED groups, which can provide lifesaving care before an ambulance arrives, are facing challenges. Retired firefighter Scott Jones told Community Development District 4 supervisors Friday it’s often difficult to find volunteers in an age-restricted community like The Villages. “You’ve got to be able to bend over and...
Water levels along the Withlacoochee River could be headed toward record low levels this...
DUNNELLON, Fla. — Conservation leaders say lakes, rivers and the aquifer in Citrus County could be headed toward record low levels by this summer. A recent hydrologic report from the Southwest Florida Water Management District shows that current water levels along the Withlacoochee River are 2 to 3 feet lower than a...
Dunnellon vice mayor gives first report on railroad tie cleanup
DUNNELLON – Vice Mayor Tim Inskeep on Feb. 11 gave his first report to council, residents and others concerned about the fallout from the Feb. 1 fire that destroyed some of the creosote-treated railroad ties that have been stored in both the city and Marion County. Appointed Feb. 9 to oversee the cleanup, Inskeep...
Very small business owners hope for ‘berry good Valentine’s
Lori Beasley takes a day off from her full-time job to allow herself enough time to make orders. She uses the time to prepare dozens of hand-dipped, chocolate-covered strawberries for customers of her home bakery, Busy Bee Bakery in Fort McCoy, Florida. Like Beasley, small dessert business owners across...
Former Marion County firefighter supervisors contest firings after hazing incident
OCALA, Fla. — Two former Marion County firefighter supervisors have filed grievances for mediation with the county after they were fired in connection with an alleged hazing incident last year. A total of 10 Marion County Fire Rescue employees were fired after a 19-year-old rookie firefighter reported an assault...
Marion County, FL, Ocean Buffet cited for 21 violations during health inspection
Ocean Buffet, a popular all-you-can-eat restaurant in Marion County, FL, received 21 violations during a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) restaurant health inspection conducted on February 9, 2026, according to recently released Florida food inspection reports.
Families of Groveland Four a step closer to getting paid millions for injustice
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Seven decades after a mob violence tore through Lake County and the state of Florida is still working to make amends. Thursday, the Florida Senate passed a bill that would allow the families of the “Groveland Four” to be paid out millions. The...
Ocala man’s boat dislodged after crash
An Ocala man’s boat was dislodged from his pickup truck onto a roadway Friday morning after he drove into the path of an oncoming car. The incident occurred at approximately 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of County Road 488 and County Road 495 in Citrus County. According to the...
Conviction of Gang Leader Secured in Central Florida
The conviction of a "Sex Money Murder" gang leader was secured in Central Florida in a multi-agency racketeering investigation. The post Conviction of Gang Leader Secured in Central Florida appeared first on West Orlando News .
Ocala Mayor’s Life Story Resonates Powerfully with Youth at Silver Springs Youth Academy
LOWELL, FL (352today.com) – Even our community’s most respected voices and leaders have had to face personal challenges. The VERB Kind is changing lives and restoring belief in today’s at-risk youth through its mentoring program. The Ocala team is looking for additional mentors, and on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, a...
