Wildwood woman lands in jail after caught back behind wheel
A Wildwood woman was arrested for driving with a suspended license for the third time. An officer spotted 33-year-old Crystal Marie Roberts in a red Kia sport utility vehicle traveling north on U.S. 301 around 7:25 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Wildwood Police Department. A record check showed...
Final days of anguish and anxiety
Newly released records indicate that a woman inmate at the Marion County Jail whose death was reportedly due to “complications from epilepsy” had numerous altercations with corrections officers during which she was repeatedly hit with pepper spray while struggling with apparent psychotic episodes. Maniesa Fletcher,...
Wanted man tased four times while resisting deputies sent to arrest him
A Summerfield man wanted for failure to appear was arrested after pushing and resisting deputies to the point of being tased four times. Deputies responded to 9625 SE 160th Pl., Summerfield, regarding a warrant check on 51-year-old Darrius Deon Reid around 10:20 p.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the...
Woman defies restraining order and shows up in man’s bedroom
A Leesburg woman was arrested for violating a no-contact order by showing up to pick up some of her things and sleeping in his bedroom. A deputy responded to a violation of a no contact order at an undisclosed Oxford residence around 2:30 p.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s...
New Walmart in Ocala part of $51 million, six-store acquisition
A new Walmart that is under construction in southeast Ocala has been purchased as part of a six-store deal worth over $51 million. LQ Commercial announced the acquisition, which includes multiple land holdings, on behalf of Wal-Mart Stores on July 24. In total, approximately 149.7 acres of property were purchased...
New school cell phone rules spark mixed reactions from Marion County parents
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Starting this school year, Marion County Public Schools will restrict some students from using cell phones during the entire school day and for middle schoolers, that includes arrival, dismissal, and class transitions. District leaders say the new policy, in line with a new state law, aims...
Driver with history of license suspensions stopped at Okahumpka Service Plaza
An Orlando man was arrested for driving with an indefinitely suspended license after being stopped at the Okahumpka Service Plaza. An officer observed a grey Nissan minivan traveling southbound near the Okahumpka Service Plaza, located at 299 SR 91, around 3:50 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the...
Ocala’s Big Lee’s BBQ goes viral on TikTok, draws fans from Texas and beyond
OCALA, FL (352 TODAY) – Big Lee’s Barbecue isn’t just a local favorite anymore – it’s become a regional food destination, thanks to a viral TikTok video that’s got barbecue lovers driving from as far away as Texas. The TikTok video, which currently has...
Ocala woman guilty of forging signatures for casino gaming petition
Marion County jurors found an Ocala woman guilty of over a dozen counts of fraudulently using personal information, a few years after she took part in a petition fraud scheme tied to a casino gaming initiative. On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, following a jury trial, 26-year-old Maria Guadalupe Bautista was...
Deadly crash on I-75 blocks traffic southbound in Marion County
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - State troopers are reporting a deadly crash on Interstate 75 that blocked southbound lanes on Monday evening in Marion County. Troopers say the crash happened at Mile Marker 333 near the Villages. Troopers blocked lanes and started diverting traffic at the Highway 484 Exit in Marion...
