Ocala sees nearly 5% drop in violent crime despite population surge
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – As Ocala continues to experience rapid growth, the Ocala Police Department (OPD) is seeing results in its efforts to maintain public safety, reporting a nearly 5% drop in the violent crime rate over the past year despite a growing population. Crime rate falls as city...
Form details financial woes of customer who refused to pay for hairdo
A court form has detailed the financial woes of an unhappy customer who refused to pay for a hairdo at a salon in The Villages. Carolyn Deborah Harmelin, 72, who lives at the Lake Sumter Apartments on County Road 466, is facing a charge of theft after an incident in March at the Tenaj Salon Institute on County Road...
More Ocala area children in running for Toddler of the Year
Several local children are in the running for a chance to win a national competition for the most adorable toddler in the nation, which will award the winning toddler with a $25,000 prize and the opportunity to star in a national ad campaign. Earlier this week, Ocala-News.com reported that 3-year-old...
Ex-boyfriend arrested after allegedly threatening to kill estranged gal pal
A hammer-wielding ex-boyfriend was arrested after allegedly breaking into a woman’s home and threatening to kill her. James Oliver Richardson, 39, of Weirsdale, is facing a felony charge of battery and a misdemeanor charge of simple assault following his arrest Thursday by Marion County sheriff’s deputies. The woman...
Free backpacks, supplies at back-to-school events in Marion County this weekend
There are several back-to-school events planned for this weekend across Marion County, with most featuring free backpacks and school supplies, among other community resources and giveaways. Here are a few of the locations that will host drives:. First Baptist Weirsdale, located at 13725 SE 164th St, in Weirsdale,...
Robber threatens Taco Bell employees with a rock, Ocala PD officers say
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Ocala police have shared body cam video of officers arresting an armed robbery suspect on Thursday at a fast food restaurant. Authorities say Kewarren Anderson, 40, attempted to rob a Taco Bell on Southwest College Road while carrying a large rock on July 8. Witnesses say he entered through the...
Wildwood man arrested after dispute over food stored in refrigerator
A Wildwood man was arrested after a domestic dispute over food stored in a refrigerator. James Daniel Mayo III, 23, is facing a charge of assault as a result of the altercation which took this past Sunday at a shared residence at 4760 County Road 121D, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s...
Villager refuses to submit to breath test after found passed out in car
A Villager refused to submit to a breath test after she was found passed out in a car. Chelsea Ann-Marie Monschein, 32, who lives in a villa in the Village of St. Johns, was found at about 2 a.m. Sunday slumped over in her car in the parking lot of Rural King, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police...
Two men nabbed after attempted theft of vacuum cleaners at Walmart
Two men landed in jail after the botched theft of more than $1,000 in merchandise at Walmart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza in The Villages. Martin Anthony Hering, 49, of Summerfield, entered the store at about 5 p.m. Thursday and began loading a shopping cart with merchandise, including two vacuum cleaners, according to an...
New local Walmart site part of $51 million acquisition of six store locations
LQ Commercial has announced the successful completion of six significant land holdings on behalf of Wal-Mart Stores, totaling 150 acres with a combined transaction value of $51 million. “The strategic acquisitions span multiple markets and reinforce Wal-Mart’s aggressive expansion strategy in Florida,” the company...
