Suspected thieves nabbed at construction site at Spanish Springs
Two suspected thieves have been arrested at a construction site at Spanish Springs Town Square. A Community Watch driver was on patrol at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when he noticed two people gathering construction materials from a clearly marked fenced-in area near The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. Spanish...
Homeowners contend airbnbs undercutting the lifestyle in The Villages
Lori Roberts admits she’s “one of those detested Airbnb owners” here in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown. But, for her, what she’s doing, makes sense. “When I’m not staying in my house, I rent it out. When I’m renting it out, I’m not there using the facilities, my guests are. It’s a swap out. The only reason there...
New Waffle House restaurant cited for high-priority violation
A new Waffle House restaurant was cited for a high-priority violation in an inspection earlier this month. An inspector visited the Waffle House, which opened earlier this year near BJ’s Wholesale in Lady Lake, on Sept. 8 and watched as an employee cracked a raw egg shell and then used her hand to pick up a clean...
Drunken Villager arrested after urinating on sidewalk at shopping plaza
A drunken Villager was arrested after urinating on a sidewalk at a shopping plaza. Phillip Hawks Elwell, 57, who lives on the Historic Side of The Villages, was found sitting on a public bench outside of Village Pack ’n Ship on the afternoon of Sept. 12 at La Plaza Grande when officers were called to investigate a...
Man allegedly punches neighbor when confronted about selling narcotics to sister
A Leesburg man was arrested for battery after allegedly punching his neighbor when confronted about selling narcotics to his sister. An officer responded to a battery involving 68-year-old James Marshall Bennington at an undisclosed Leesburg residence around 6:10 p.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the...
Claire’s at Ocala mall saved, nearly 300 other stores still closing
A company that stepped in and purchased over 1,000 Claire’s locations that were scheduled to close around the country has announced that it is keeping hundreds of the stores open, including the one at Ocala’s Paddock Mall. At the beginning of August, Claire’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy...
ICE slaps hold on unlicensed Nicaraguan who’s lived in Florida eight months
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a hold on a Summerfield man who was stopped for driving without a license. A deputy observed 31-year-old Isaias DeJesus Navarro Gonzalez driving a white Ford Escape in Wildwood at 6:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s...
Man with history of theft caught stealing pressure washer from Walmart
A Leesburg man was arrested for theft after allegedly stealing a pressure washer from Walmart. An officer responded to Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Blvd., regarding retail theft around 4:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. Loss prevention stated 44-year-old...
Incumbent mayor, councilman reelected to Ocala City Council
Two incumbents running for the Ocala City Council were overwhelmingly reelected on Tuesday night, with only around 11.6% (3,849) of all the city’s 33,301 registered voters showing up to cast their votes. Mayor Ben Marciano and Councilman Jay Musleh were both reelected to their seats after the city’s special...
Koto opens new hibachi, sushi restaurant in Ocala
A new hibachi and sushi restaurant near one of Ocala’s most well-trafficked interchanges has just opened its doors to the public, serving authentic Japanese cuisine in a contemporary setting. Koto Hibachi Express and Sushi is now open for business at 3811 SW College Road in Ocala. Ocala-News.com first previewed...
