Marion County, FL

Editor's Note: This story is part of an occasional series of "staycations" that allow Citrus County residents to spend vacation time locally this summer without the expense of traveling very far. As many of Florida’s famed theme park attractions south of the Nature Coast attract most of the attention from...

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - A crafts fair was a way for residents in Marion County to raise funds for a good cause. Last month was the first time community members in Silver Springs Shores held their “Craft Faire.” Vendors from as far as Palatka came to sell their greatest creations.

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — May is Stroke Awareness Month and the Marion County Department of Health wants residents to know the importance of knowing risk factors, symptoms and prevention tips for strokes. Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death and a major cause of serious disability for adults in...

New Smyrna Beach-based Epic Flight Academy has opened a satellite location at the Ocala International Airport for the academy's FAA Part 141 flight training program, according to a company news release. In prepared remarks, Chief Flight Instructor Vic Johnson said: "The Ocala area has a large and established aviation industry,...

On Thursday, May 19, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 95 which increases the penalties for the sale and distribution of opioids in Florida, including fentanyl. The legislation implements the following recommendations that were made by the Statewide Task Force on Opioid Abuse:. Methamphetamine has been added to the list...

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for Michelle Otter, a girl who disappeared shortly after leaving her father’s Fort McCoy residence in 1998. On the morning of May 7, 1998, Michelle left her father’s home in the 16000 block of NE 141st Street and was heading to the school bus stop. She has not been seen since.

A Wildwood man has been released on bond nearly a year after leading law enforcement on a wild chase that ended in a crash. Keon Marsh, 21, was released last week from the Sumter County Detention Center after his mother posted his $56,000 bond through Bob’s 24 Hour Bail Bond.

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Some school districts in North Central Florida are in need of more teachers and staff. Our friends at the CEP tell us about the opportunities for a new job within Marion County schools. Copyright 2022 WCJB. All rights reserved. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

OCKLAWAHA, Fla. (WCJB) - A man from Marion County was arrested by Marion County Sheriff’s deputies after they say he shot a gun at his neighbor. Deputies arrested 40-year-old Rodney Ragoobar after they say he fired a shot at his neighbor when they were in an argument. The neighbor...

DUNNELLON, Fla. (WCJB) - The Birdwell Foundation along with the Misfits held a golf scramble to help raise money for veterans and first responders battling PTSD. “We provide a path to lifelong healing really where no one heals alone that’s our motto. So we guide the veterans, first responders, and their families through treatment, through services and benefits assistance,” said Florida Birdwell Foundation director Jason White.

A Marion County sheriff's corporal who was arrested and accused of domestic violence in March won't be prosecuted any further. The State Attorney's Office dropped the charge on Friday. According to a court filing, the victim had met with prosecutors and agreed to participate in the battery case against Cpl....

Ocala’s growth is out of control. Farm land is being gobbled up at a rate never seen before, and that’s a bad thing. Housing developments are gobbling up land and resources at a pace never seen in the history of Marion County – much faster than the roads and services can keep up with.

OCALA, Fla. — Ocala Fire Rescue responded to a crash involving two vehicles late Friday night. Marion County Fire Rescue and the Ocala Police Department were at the scene also. According to OFR, there was a vehicle with a trapped driver and an overturned tractor on Northeast 14th Street.

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - The second annual Festival Latino celebration returned to the heart of Ocala with a little bit of spice. Residents of Marion County gathered for this multicultural event by getting a taste of the Latin culture. There were multiple musical performances, food trucks, vendors, and fun for the kids.

New Smyrna Beach-based Epic Flight Academy has opened a satellite location at the Ocala International Airport for the academy’s FAA Part 141 flight training program, according to a company news release. In prepared remarks, Chief Flight Instructor Vic Johnson said: “The Ocala area has a large and established aviation...

Five Marion County students have been honored by 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program, which salutes students who score in the top 3% of 1.5 million entrants from more than 21,000 high schools. Three Marion scholars are enrolled at Vanguard High School: Diego Carrascosa, Colin McLaughlin and Rushi Patel. A fourth student, Sarah McGinley, is enrolled at Forest High School and the other, Casiel Smith, attends West Port High School. ...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB) - A former Ocala police chief was inducted into the Florida Law Enforcement Officer’s Hall of Fame ceremony. Arthur Lee McGehee had a decorated history of working with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Ocala Police Department, being appointed the chief of police in 1974.

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - With severe weather in the forecast for this weekend, the National Weather Service in Jacksonville said their radar will be down for maintenance. 
. “We have a radar cooling fan that’s currently down and we have parts out right now,” said NWS meteorologist Scott Cordero.



Stirrups and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., will be part of the final leg of the 2022 Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday, June 2, at 8:30 a.m., according to a May 12 press release. Held at Stirrups ‘n Strides Quail Roost Covered Arena, 4246 W. Hwy 318,...

Aleigh Papagno, Belleview, Summa Cum Laude, BMus in Keyboard Performance, Bob Jones University. Rheanna Lee Standridge, Ocala, Master of Science, University of Southern Mississippi. President’s List. Aleigh Papagno, Belleview, Bob Jones University. Safe dining:Marion County restaurant inspections for May 9-14 'This means a lot':Ocala Salvation Army reopens dining hall...