Suspected shoplifter tracked down after fleeing Publix in The Villages
A suspected shoplifter has been tracked down after fleeing with a cartload of stolen merchandise from a Publix grocery store in The Villages. Tony Oriana Venus Diamond, 20, of Ocala, was arrested Monday by Sumter County sheriff’s deputies on a charge of theft. She fled the store at Colony...
U.S. Secret Service targets card skimmers in Orlando stores
SANFORD, Fla. - United States Secret Service members were in Central Florida to investigate the illegal act of capturing and recording card data – known as "skimming." The U.S. Secret Service – along with the Orlando Field Office and local law enforcement – conducted an operation on Dec. 2 to remove skimming devices....
Amrit Palace in Ocala: Put This on Your Florida Bucket List
For a few decades now, I’ve driven past the billboard for Amrit Palace on I-75 in Ocala and wondered, “How good can an Indian restaurant at an Interstate exit actually be?”. Last month, I found myself with some extra time in Ocala, so I decided the time had...
Ocala Board to Consider Amending Redevelopment Plans for Four City Areas
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The City of Ocala‘s Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board will consider a resolution to amend the respective community redevelopment plans for West Ocala, East Ocala, Magnolia and downtown during a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. The city believes there are a number of...
Marion County to Consider Request from Tractor Supply for Increased Sign Size
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A variance request will be considered by the Marion County Board of Adjustment the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. The meeting will be held in the Marion County Growth Services Training Room at 2 p.m. The variance request was filed by the applicant Shaw...
Florida Man Guilty of Murder, Victim Found Lying Face Down, Lifeless, Ablaze
A Central Florida man was found guilty of murder, in a case where the victim was found by law enforcement lying face down, lifeless, and ablaze. A jury recently rendered its verdict, finding 32-year-old Darion Dontae McGee, of Leesburg, guilty of First-Degree Murder for the death of 38-year-old Mustafa Hasan Connelly.
Ocala woman sues Chinese buffet over slip-and-fall on wet outdoor tiles
An Ocala woman has filed a lawsuit against a local Chinese buffet, claiming she allegedly slipped and fell on wet tiles outside of the establishment. Ivette Escobar-Givens filed the lawsuit against China Lee Buffet, Inc., in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County in mid-October. According to the...
Marion County firefighters accused of battery, released on bond
Four Marion County firefighters were arrested on Nov 26 in connection to beating, waterboarding and kidnapping a fellow employee. They were arrested, with bail set at 100,000, but as of Dec. 1, they've all been released from jail on bond.
4 Emergency responders arrested for waterboarding and whipping coworker after posting a TikTok
A 19-year-old rookie firefighter in Marion County, Florida thought he was just being teased for a goofy TikTok dance video.
Leesburg woman stopped in unregistered vehicle with tag assigned to another car
A Leesburg woman was arrested after being stopped in an unregistered vehicle with a tag assigned to another car. An officer stopped 51-year-old Tammy Marie Long for speeding in a white vehicle on State Road 44 at 11:40 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department.
