James Stockton, pastor and former congressional candidate in Marion, arrested in California
James David Stockton III, a pastor from Marion County who unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House in 2024, was arrested on Nov. 29 by Signal Hill, California police on charges of contact minor with intent sex and arrange/go to meeting with minor , according to the police department's press log. Stockton was arrested in...
Woman allegedly steals $47 in food using self-checkout at Walmart
A Fruitland Park woman will appear in court next week for stealing $47 worth of food from Walmart. A loss prevention associate was alerted to 37-year-old Sierra Baker at a self-checkout register with her daughter in Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., around 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, according to a case report...
Marion County overlooked again as Trader Joe’s expands in Central Florida
Marion County residents seeking access to one of the world’s most popular specialty grocery stores have been overlooked once again as the retailer focuses its latest expansion efforts on coastal Florida markets. Trader Joe’s has officially opened new grocery stores in Daytona Beach (November 14) and Melbourne...
Hit-and-run Driver Apprehended After Fleeing Crash Scene In The Villages
A hit-and-run driver was apprehended after fleeing the scene of an accident in The Villages. According to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, a motorist was driving on Buena Vista Boulevard at County Road 466A around 2 p.m. Sunday when she was rear-ended by another vehicle. Both drivers...
Ocala man accused of stabbing sister on Thanksgiving after argument over hat
A 27-year-old Ocala man was arrested on Thanksgiving after he allegedly stabbed his sister with a knife during an argument over a hat. Early in the morning on Thursday, November 27, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence after receiving reports of a stabbing incident. When the deputy...
Wildwood woman allegedly uses bogus bills to pay for iPhone being sold on Facebook
A Wildwood woman was arrested on a warrant Monday for using counterfiet bills to pay for an iPhone 7 being sold on Facebook Marketplace. On Sept. 9, a deputy responded to 6381 SE 142nd Lane, Summerfield, for a past fraud involving 23-year-old Dakota Brooke Williams, according to an arrest report from the Marion...
Customer who stormed out of salon in The Villages to pay steep price for...
A customer who stormed out of salon in The Villages has ended up paying a steep price for her haircut. Carolyn Deborah Harmelin, 72, who lives at the Lake Sumter Apartments on County Road 466, entered a plea of no contest to a charge of theft Tuesday in Sumter County Court. She is facing about $350 in fines and court...
Unlicensed drunk driver from Mexico backs into cop’s squad car outside Wawa
An unlicensed drunk driving suspect from Mexico was arrested after backing into a sheriff’s office patrol vehicle parked outside Wawa. An officer responded to Wawa, located at 1400 W North Blvd., when 30-year-old Arturo Briano Gonzales struck a Lake County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle in the parking lot around...
The Villages deal reached between United and Centerwell
After a deal was reached between United Healthcare and Centerwell, The Villages residents will be able to keep their insurance and doctors. Now, United policy holders will be covered at all Centerwell Medical Centers.
Attack victim shares video of scamming trio at shopping plaza in The Villages
An attack victim has shared a video from an altercation that left him with a fractured arm last month at a shopping plaza in The Villages. The man, who is in his late 60s and works as a medical professional in The Villages, was struck multiple times with a metal cane on the afternoon of Nov. 21 at Spanish Plaines...
