New Dutch Bros. now open in east Ocala
The first Dutch Bros. Coffee drive-thru in Ocala is officially open for business. Dutch Bros. Coffee, the Oregon-based drive-thru chain known for its energetic “broistas” and customizable energy drinks, has soft-opened its first location in Marion County at 2400 NE 49th Terrace, within the Six Gun Corners plaza on...
Boy, 5, Dead and Over a Dozen Injured After Crash Causes RV Carrying 15...
A 5-year-old boy has died and more than a dozen others were critically injured after a motorhome collided with another vehicle on a Florida highway just days after Christmas. The crash happened around 5:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, Dec. 27. According to a Florida Highway Patrol crash report, a motorhome carrying...
Ocala man attacks DoorDash customer in church parking lot, deputies say
A 68-year-old Ocala man was arrested in a church parking lot after he allegedly swung a metal rod at another man who was waiting for a DoorDash order. A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to Queen of Peace Catholic Church (6455 SW Highway 200 in Ocala) at around 11 p.m. on Friday, December 26, in...
Armed robbery suspect arrested following police chase in Florida
FLORIDA — A man was taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit that ended with a PIT maneuver in Marion County, authorities said. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop when the driver, identified as Arnaldo Benitez, fled, leading officers on a chase through...
Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission to Consider Development Rezoning Request
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Marion County Planning and Zoning Commission will consider a rezoning change for a proposed 329-unit development at their meeting Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. The owner, Midway 65, LLC, has requested a zoning change from single-family dwelling to planned unit development (PUD) for a maximum...
Fast-Casual Latin Cuisine Arriving In Ocala
OCALA, FLORIDA — Tacos Y Mas, a fast-casual Latin restaurant, is planning a Jan. 1 opening at 3100 SW College Road Unit 3094, Ocala, FL 34474, owner Kevin Hudson told Business Debut. Hudson said the new spot will be connected to the former Sears space at Paddock Mall, which has been converted into a multi-unit...
Woman allegedly pushes over $350 display cases to steal necklace from Bealls
A Leesburg woman was arrested after allegedly causing a ruckus at Bealls so she could steal a necklace. A deputy responded to the parking lot of Bealls, located at 13687 U.S. Hwy. 441, Lady Lake, for a disturbance caused by 22-year-old Shalee Marie Casey at 3:55 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the...
Woman arrested in Christmas Day stabbing that sent man to hospital
A Leesburg woman was arrested after allegedly stabbing a man who was giving a friend money on Christmas Day. A deputy spoke with the victim of a stabbing at UF Health Leesburg Hospital, located at 600 E Dixie Ave., at around 12:35 p.m. Thursday, Christmas Day, according to an arrest report from the Lake County...
Ocala Police Department Investigating Drowning Death of 72-Year-Old Woman
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Police Department is reportedly investigating the death of a 72-year-old woman who drowned in a residential swimming pool on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. According to multiple reports, the OPD responded to call on Sunday about a woman who had drowned in a pool...
Outsiders’ access to pools in The Villages prompt calls for change
The perception that outsiders are enjoying easy access to pools in The Villages, prompted calls for change in 2025. It was our No. 4 story of the year. John Rohan, head of the Recreation Department, has long insisted that statistics show that there are few outsiders actually taking a dip in the pools in Florida’s...
