Gas leak contained near Ocala elementary school
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) — A gas leak near Maplewood Elementary School was contained Thursday afternoon after impacting the school’s pickup process. Marion County firefighters said they responded to the gas leak near the school around 2:30 p.m. TECO Energy crews are now on the scene. The leak impacted...
I-75 Flea Market Fair returns to Ocala
The I-75 Flea Market Fair will offer rides, games, music, magic shows, and carnival vendors in its return to northwest Ocala this week. The fair will run from Thursday, October 23, through Sunday, October 26 at the I-75 Flea Market, which is located at 4121 NW 44th Avenue in Ocala.
New Planet Smoothie under construction in Ocala
A new Planet Smoothie is under construction in a space between the Great Greek Mediterranean Grill and Crumbl locations that opened in Ocala over the past 18 months. The new smoothie shop is being built out within the Market Street at Heath Brook shopping plaza, which is located at 4414 SW College Road.
Helicopter and K-9 join in pursuit of fleeing suspect captured at hotel in Lady...
A Leesburg man was arrested after a wild pursuit which included a helicopter and K-9 unit ended at the Microtel Inn & Suites in Lady Lake. A deputy tried to stop 27-year-old Devante Shakur Bradford for swerving across all lanes on County Road 44 in a white Ford around 11:15 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report...
Leesburg woman’s drinking lands her in jail for second time this year
A Leesburg woman was arrested for DUI after being stopped for speeding and swaying while talking to law enforcement. A deputy stopped 37-year-old Aubrey Simone Puryear for speeding in Leesburg around 2:10 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. She did not initially stop when...
Homeless woman tracked down after string of local thefts
A homeless woman has been tracked down and jailed after a string of local thefts. Rosa Lee Taylor, 57, is facing theft charges in cases dating back to 2023. Taylor allegedly committed two thefts in 2023 at the Lowe’s home improvement store on U.S. Hwy. 441 in Lady Lake. In one of the heists, she made off with $549...
BBQ grill blamed in destructive fire at home in The Villages
A BBQ grill appears to be to blame for a destructive fire which erupted at a home in The Villages. The Villages Public Safety Department responded at 4:34 p.m. Wednesday to the structure fire at the home at 1310 E. Schwartz Blvd. on the Historic Side of The Villages. Multiple...
Tenant arrested after altercation with landlady in The Villages
A tenant has been arrested after an altercation with her landlady on the Historic Side of The Villages. Lisa Ruth Powers, 43, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after officers responded to her home in the 1600 block of West Schwartz Boulevard, according to an arrest report from the Lady Lake Police Department.
Teen at center of Marion County kidnapping hoax takes plea deal
MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A Dunnellon teen who is accused of faking his kidnapping last month has taken a plea deal in court on Thursday. The 17-year-old boy, who we are not naming in accordance with our Spectrum News guidelines, entered into a plea agreement on four charges connected to the alleged abduction hoax.
Death investigation underway in Summerfield after human remains found
SUMMERFIELD, Fla. (WCJB) — Marion County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating after human remains were found in a wooded area Sunday evening. The skeletal remains were discovered off South Highway 441, near Del Webb Boulevard, according to deputies. MCSO deputies, detectives, forensic technicians, and the Medical...
