53 doors, 36,000 sq. ft.: Averitt expands big
Averitt will open its newest facility in Ocala, Florida, Feb. 2, marking the first time since 2017 the company has constructed a new service center in a market where it didn’t already have a facility. The service center features a 53-door facility with 36,000 square feet of dock space.
Leesburg commissioners to review addition to controversial development
Leesburg commissioners will review an addition to the controversial Lake Margaretta Estates during Monday’s meeting. The Leesburg Planning Commission has recommended that the Leesburg Commission approve the expansion of the Lake Margaretta Estates by 75 single family homes. The property is located south of County...
Ocala speed skaters take stage at Winter Olympics this week
Fresh off her flag-bearing honor on Friday, Ocala’s Erin Jackson and her hometown teammate Brittany Bowe have officially stepped onto the world stage at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, with both athletes scheduled to hit the ice in different events this week. Jackson, the defending Olympic champion,...
Suspect arrested in months-long golf cart theft operation in Sumter County
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. - What started as a routine, unrelated call turned into what deputies describe as a full-blown chop-shop operation. According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a home on Clarke Street and discovered what they believe was a months-long theft operation tied to stolen golf...
Pedestrian struck and killed on busy roadway in Leesburg
A 53-year-old man was struck and killed Friday night on a busy roadway in Leesburg. Michael Anthony of Leesburg was struck at about 7 p.m. by a white 2016 van which was traveling southbound on U.S. Hwy. 27 at County Road 48, according to a press release from the Leesburg Police Department. He had been crossing the...
Officers surround woman’s home after ex-boyfriend traps her in bedroom
A Leesburg man was arrested after allegedly walking into his ex-girlfriend’s house uninvited and trapping her in her bedroom. The sister of 60-year-old Robert Lee Butler’s ex-girlfriend was standing outside her sibling’s Leesburg residence when she saw Butler walking down the street around 9:50 p.m. Wednesday,...
Patient bites and scratches several staff members at LifeStream
A Clermont woman was arrested after lashing out at four LifeStream staff members attempting to inject her with court-ordered medication. An officer responded to LifeStream, located at 2020 Tally Rd., when 67-year-old Daniela Saint-Fort hit and bit four staff members around 12 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, according to an...
Florida alumnus represents USA as flag bearer in Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies
A University of Florida alumnus received the highest honor an athlete can get. Not only is speed skater Erin Jackson representing the United States of America o
Two years for former MCSO deputy who robbed Ocala bank
A former Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy who stole over $5,000 from an Ocala bank has been sentenced to prison. Last week, a federal judge sentenced 41-year-old Christina Gates Thagard to 24 months’ imprisonment for bank robbery. She was indicted by a grand jury in May of 2025, and she pleaded guilty to the...
Price of water going up in The Villages due to drought
Due to the declaration of a Phase II “Severe” Water Shortage by the Southwest Florida Water Management Distric, additional water-use restrictions and rate adjustments are now in effect. Where the Restrictions Apply in The Villages. The restrictions apply to residential and general commercial customers in The Villages...
