LATEST NEWS
Rabies alert issued in Marion County after raccoons captured. Here’s where
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department Of Health in Marion County has issued a rabies alert after two confirmed cases in raccoons. According to health officials, the infected raccoons were captured in the Rainbow Lakes Estates and southwest Ocala areas in Marion County on April 26. The department said all residents and visitors should be aware that rabies is currently present in the wild animal population, which is being monitored.
Man and woman, both 63, found dead inside SE Marion home. Two accidental drug overdoses.
A man and woman found deceased inside a Summerfield residence in March each died from an accidental drug overdose, according to a Marion County Sheriff's Office report. Detective Daniel Pinder noted in his report the cause of death for Christopher Brian Collette was combined drug toxicity of fentanyl and amphetamine. His manner of death was listed as an accident. Collette was 63.
Summerfield woman jailed after banging on bedroom door of man friend
A Summerfield woman was jailed after banging on the bedroom door of her man friend. Barbara Jo Brown, 61, was booked early Friday morning on a charge of battery at the Marion County Jail. The South Carolina native used a breaker bar to strike the door, leaving two holes in...
Severe crash in Wildwood causes major delays on Florida Turnpike
THE VILLAGES, Fla. — A severe accident is causing major traffic delays in Sumter County. According to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office, all southbound lanes and one northbound lane are currently shut down on the Florida Turnpike at mile marker 304 in Wildwood. The crash is near The Villages.
Ocala Police: White woman threw bag of watermelon and cotton at Black child, age 11
Ocala police have arrested a white couple and accused them of harassing and stalking a Black family and others who live in a southeast Ocala neighborhood. Daniel N. and Kyndall R. Raatz were taken into custody on May 1. The husband was held on charges of aggravated stalking of a child younger than 16/hate crime and making harassing telephone calls. His wife was held on charges of assault/hate crime, aggravated stalking of a child younger than 16/hate crime, and making harassing telephone calls.
Employee at Buffalo Ridge Walmart arrested on 37 counts of theft
An employee at the Walmart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza in The Villages has been arrested on 37 counts of theft. Dominic Justice Dera, 21, of Leesburg, stole merchandise between Dec. 9 and April 7, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Dera would go on...
Summerfield man jailed after allegedly harassing fellow tenant
A Summerfield man was jailed after allegedly harassing his fellow tenant. Marion County sheriff’s deputies were called Wednesday to a property at SE 179th Place in Summerfield after 55-year-old Brian Taylor pulled a woman’s hair, according to an arrest report. In addition, Taylor, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 215 pounds, pushed the woman into a cabinet causing her to fall to the ground.
'It's very exciting': Ocala farm trained two horses competing in Kentucky Derby
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - The 150th Kentucky Derby is this weekend and some of Marion County’s top horses are making the trip to Louisville to compete. Barry Berkelhammer, owner of Abracadabra Farms in Ocala, says 15 of his horses have made it to the Kentucky Derby in his 30-plus years in the industry.
Caretaker charged with ripping off Villager suffering from dementia
A caretaker has been charged with ripping off a Villager suffering from dementia. Katelyn Marie Haire, 30, of Belleview, was arrested this week on warrants charging her with fraud and theft. Haire had been hired through Assisting Hands to work for a woman living in the Village of Pine Ridge,...
Ten puppies were found abandoned at a park, Ocala nonprofit steps in to help
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Despite animal shelters dealing with overcrowding, one organization in Marion County is taking on the extra load. Leaders at VOCAL (Voices of Change Animal League) say they received a Facebook message from a woman who found a box of ten puppies abandoned at a park in Belleview on Tuesday.
Can I drive through a parking lot to get around a traffic light?
ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated. Trooper Steve on Thursday was asked, “I think it is illegal to drive through a business...
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