Homeless woman wanted on warrant found with crack pipe in pocket
A homeless woman in Leesburg is due in court next week for a crack pipe found on her person during an arrest last December. An officer noticed three women walking north on Tuskegee Street at 10:50 a.m., Dec. 28, according to a case report from the Leesburg Police Department. One of them he recognized as 33-year-old...
Pair of suspected thieves claims scanner had an issue at Walmart
A Leesburg woman and man will appear in court next week for allegedly skip-scanning $36 worth of merchandise at Walmart. An officer responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., regarding a theft around 8:55 a.m. Dec. 21, according to a case report from the Leesburg Police Department. He met with loss...
New Walmart in Ocala seeking liquor permit as structure nears completion
As a new Walmart Neighborhood Market in southeast Ocala nears completion ahead of its scheduled opening, the retailer is seeking city approval to sell beer, wine, and liquor at its new location. During the Ocala City Council’s upcoming meeting on Tuesday, January 6, council members will consider a request from...
Florida man to spend life in jail for deadly robbery caught on camera
Alex Lopez was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found he murdered Raied Shihadeh, the owner of a convenience store during an armed robbery in 2024. (1/5/26)
Plans underway for I-75 overpass in southwest Marion County
MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Marion County leaders are planning a new overpass in the southwest part of the county to alleviate congestion on County Road 484 at I-75. One driver, Barry Owens, said using CR-484 to get to I-75 or across to the other side is the only option for many drivers in that area.
‘Absolutely Unacceptable’: 10 Florida First Responders Fired, Four Charged After 19-Year-Old Whipped with His...
Four Florida firefighters have been charged, and their colleagues were fired, after a 19-year-old firefighter reported that he was kidnapped, beaten, and waterboarded, all because […] ‘Absolutely Unacceptable’: 10 Florida First Responders Fired, Four Charged After 19-Year-Old Whipped with His Own Belt and...
Ocala family advocates for rural pedestrian infrastructure after tragedy
OCALA, Fla. — Data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shows over 6,000 crashes happened in Marion County in 2025, resulting in 78 deaths. 133 of those crashes involved pedestrians. 18 resulted in pedestrian fatalities, with five of those being in Ocala. One local family...
Wingstop Now Serving Up Flats and Drummies in Summerfield
SUMMERFIELD, FL (352today.com) – When we posted our list of new businesses that opened in the 352 in December, we missed a pretty good one: Dallas-based restaurant franchise Wingstop opened its third location in the Ocala area on Dec. 23, 2025. Wingstop is known primarily for–what else?–its wide spectrum...
Villager awarded $70,000 in cross battle wants to protect other homeowners
A Villager awarded $70,000 in his fight to keep his little white cross wants to protect other religious displays from homeowners from going through a protracted legal battle. The Community Development District 8 Board of Supervisors in November voted to settle with Wayne Anderson of the Village of Tamarind Grove, who...
Drinking leads to arrest of woman who allegedly punched man friend
Drinking led to the arrest of a woman who allegedly punched her man friend. Robin Lynne Carroso, 69, of Lady Lake, is facing a charge of battery following her arrest this past week by Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. When deputies arrived at Carroso’s home, they found a man who...
