‘It’s not a safe place’: Ocala mother protests All Stars Learning Center after teacher...
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - The mother of a nine-month-old baby says her infant was held face-down on the mattress at All Stars Learning Center. Naomi Smith says her daughter attended the facility for less than a month, and this happened. “I was very angry. I mean the teacher saw an...
Out-of-state sons trying to clean up deceased father’s home in The Villages
The sons of a deceased Villager are trying to clean up the property they have inherited. The home at 299 Leesville St. in the Village of Caroline was the subject of a deed compliance hearing Friday before the Community Development District 6 Board of Supervisors at SeaBreeze Recreation Center. A...
Walmart shoplifting suspect tracked down by police after Fourth of July theft
A Leesburg woman was arrested for theft this week after stealing a speaker from Walmart on the Fourth of July. Officers responded to a theft at Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., around 5:40 p.m. Friday, July 4, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. An asset protection associate gave...
Long-time Radio host killed in State Road 200 crash, co-host seriously injured
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Company officials confirm former radio host Larry “The Giant” Whitler was killed in a crash on State Road 200 in Ocala, and his co-host Robin MacBlane was seriously injured. Florida Highway Patrol troopers say the two 70-year-olds were headed eastbound on State Road 200...
Ocala passenger killed after car runs red light on SR 200
A 70-year-old Ocala passenger was killed and a driver was seriously injured on Thursday night after their vehicle was struck by a pickup truck that ran a red light on State Road 200. The fatal accident occurred near the intersection of SR 200 and SW 103rd Street Road in Ocala...
State Road 200 is a nightmare of gridlock, speeders, and unnecessary hazards
I’ve lived across from the Paddock Mall, behind the Wells Fargo Bank, for 21 years now. State Road 200 is the only main road out of our neighborhood. I drive a lot for work, therefore I am extremely familiar with the problems on SR 200. While waiting for the...
Man arrested for charges including fleeing and drug trafficking pleads no contest, receives 5...
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - A man arrested for leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase near the Ocala National Forest earlier this year pleaded no contest in court and received his sentence. Officials with the 5th Judicial Circuit Court say Jeremy Walker, 36, will spend six years in prison for...
Ocala woman asleep in running car outside Waffle House charged with DUI
An Ocala woman was arrested on DUI and battery charges after she allegedly fell asleep in a running car outside a local Waffle House and punched a law enforcement officer who attempted to wake her up. On Tuesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a Kia sedan in the...
MCPS unveils nearly $5M mental health plan to better support students in 2025-26
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) is putting student health first -both in body and mind. The district is taking a proactive approach to support the overall well-being of students through its 2025-26 Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan, in compliance with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas...
Woman allegedly attacks man who accused her of taking $10 from him
A Leesburg woman was arrested for battery after allegedly attacking a man who accused her of taking $10 from him as he slept. Dispatch received several 911 calls about a battery in progress in Leesburg around 8 a.m. Sunday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. The caller stated...
