Homeless man who attempted to steal Villager’s purse headed to state prison
A homeless man who broke into a Villager’s home and attempted to steal her purse is going to state prison. Craig Steven Johnson, 53, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Florida Department of Corrections for the horrible incident that occurred on The Villages’ Historic Side this past August.
Village of St. Johns residents sign petition calling for safer walkway
A group of Village of St. Johns residents pressed Wildwood commissioners Monday to approve a walking path extension along Okahumpka Run. Commissioners referred the request to City Manager Jason McHugh for review. Ken Ivins said 300 people have signed a petition supporting the extension between the road and a retention...
Florida Man Falls Asleep at a Green Light, Gives Cops a Fake Name, and...
A Miami man was arrested in Wildwood, Florida after being found asleep at the wheel in the middle of a busy intersection, only to make things worse by giving police a fake name and driving on a suspended license.
Ocala man posing as ‘mobile mechanic’ breaks into SUV, deputies say
An Ocala man claiming to be a “mobile mechanic” was arrested after he allegedly broke into an SUV that was parked outside a local residence. On Tuesday, April 7, multiple Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home located on SW 52nd Street in Ocala in reference to a vehicle burglary incident. Upon arrival, one of the deputies allegedly observed a man, later...
Marion County man struck killed by truck while mowing his lawn
MARION COUNTY, Fla. - A 73-year-old man was killed in a violent and unusual crash while mowing his lawn. A truck lost control and struck him in front of his home, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The backstory:. Investigators said the driver came around a curve before crashing into...
VIDEO: Car fatally rams into golf cart at The Villages intersection
THE VILLAGES, Fla. – News 6 has obtained new footage of a brutal wreck involving a golf cart in The Villages late last month. The video — submitted by viewer Robert Serina — shows the crash near the intersection of Martinez Drive and North Morse Boulevard, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Non-residents are using pickleball courts in The Villages
Last week, while playing pickleball, I waited in a long line at Big Cypress for my turn to play. The person behind me was a 36-year-old from Wildwood who proudly bragged that he plays throughout The Villages and has never once had anyone ask for a resident card. We Villagers...
‘Despicable’ Central Florida man gets life in prison for child trafficking scheme
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – An Ocala man has now been convicted after he raped a child last year, according to the State Attorney’s Office on Monday. In a release, officials with Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit announced that a school resource officer was tipped off to the incident back in October.
Serial shoplifter suspected of skip scanning at Walmart in The Villages
A serial shoplifter suspected of skip scanning was arrested at a Walmart in The Villages. Joyce Reddick Freeman, 61, of Fruitland Park, was arrested Sunday morning on a felony charge of theft at the Walmart at Sarasota Plaza. She went to the self-checkout aisle at the store and failed to...
Three women charged in Waffle House seat dispute that sent diner to hospital
Three Wildwood women have been arrested for their involvement in a seat dispute at Waffle House that erupted in a brawl, ultimately sending a customer to the hospital. Four women, three of whom have been identified as 21-year-old Au’chyna Gordon, 20-year-old Ber’niya Rowe and 20-year-old Justice Akira Wilson, walked into Waffle House, located at 7954 NE Eighth Way...
