Demonstrators motivated by love for country stage rally in The Villages
About 500 people showed up Saturday for the Valentine’s Day: Love for Our Country rally on County Road 466A near Morse Boulevard in The Villages. The rally was sponsored by the Democratic Club of The Villages. Participants traveled from across the length of The Villages, including Kim Smith from...
Suspected thief caught with stolen $13,881 golf cart in Wildwood
A Wildwood man was arrested for theft after a deputy discovered he had a stolen $13,881 golf cart in his possession. A deputy responded to Northeast 56th Drive in Wildwood to follow up on a case at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, he found...
Marion felon arrested 2 years after allegedly shooting man in home
A 34-year-old convicted felon from Marion County has been arrested on aggravated battery and firearm possession charges, two years after he allegedly shot another man in his home. Back on January 12, 2024, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence after a female neighbor reported hearing...
Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado Risk For Central Florida
ORLANDO, Florida – The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has issued a Severe Weather Outlook for Central Florida on Sunday, February 15, 2026, due to a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Scattered thunderstorms are anticipated across the Florida Peninsula, influenced by...
Marion County Pets: Callie, Dutchess, and Beaver
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Let’s take a look at some adorable adoptable animals from Marion County looking for their new loving homes. Callie is a five-year-old girl who’s focused, down to earth and would make a good office companion. Dutchess is a two and a half-year-old kitten who...
AED programs in The Villages struggling due to thinning volunteer ranks
AED groups, which can provide lifesaving care before an ambulance arrives, are facing challenges. Retired firefighter Scott Jones told Community Development District 4 supervisors Friday it’s often difficult to find volunteers in an age-restricted community like The Villages. “You’ve got to be able to bend over and...
Water levels along the Withlacoochee River could be headed toward record low levels this...
DUNNELLON, Fla. — Conservation leaders say lakes, rivers and the aquifer in Citrus County could be headed toward record low levels by this summer. A recent hydrologic report from the Southwest Florida Water Management District shows that current water levels along the Withlacoochee River are 2 to 3 feet lower than a...
Dunnellon vice mayor gives first report on railroad tie cleanup
DUNNELLON – Vice Mayor Tim Inskeep on Feb. 11 gave his first report to council, residents and others concerned about the fallout from the Feb. 1 fire that destroyed some of the creosote-treated railroad ties that have been stored in both the city and Marion County. Appointed Feb. 9 to oversee the cleanup, Inskeep...
Very small business owners hope for ‘berry good Valentine’s
Lori Beasley takes a day off from her full-time job to allow herself enough time to make orders. She uses the time to prepare dozens of hand-dipped, chocolate-covered strawberries for customers of her home bakery, Busy Bee Bakery in Fort McCoy, Florida. Like Beasley, small dessert business owners across...
Former Marion County firefighter supervisors contest firings after hazing incident
OCALA, Fla. — Two former Marion County firefighter supervisors have filed grievances for mediation with the county after they were fired in connection with an alleged hazing incident last year. A total of 10 Marion County Fire Rescue employees were fired after a 19-year-old rookie firefighter reported an assault...
