Around Florida

A sex offender was booked into the Lake County jail after failing to update his address with authorities. Read more: Sex offender arrested for failing to report address change in Leesburg

Candidates running for Ocala City Council will speak at a forum tonight hosted in northeast Ocala. The local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 129 will live stream the event beginning at 6 p.m. Read more: Ocala Fraternal Order of Police live-streaming candidates forum

A Leesburg woman has been charged with third degree felony child abuse for allegedly beating a 5-year-old boy with her platform stiletto heel. Read more: Leesburg woman arrested after allegedly beating child with stiletto heel

Brick City Center for the Arts, which is located at 23 SE Broadway Street, was equipped with a new awning that displays a mural designed and painted by artist Nichole Westfall.  Read more: Brick City Center for Arts sporting new awning mural

Ocala police are looking for a man who allegedly burglarized a victim’s vehicle and used debit cards fraudulently. Read more: Ocala police looking for man who broke into car, used debit cards fraudulently

“Back when it was privately owned, there were things to do at Silver Springs and all the local hotels and businesses were busy. Since they closed down, there's nothing to do but pay to ride the glass bottom boat, and walk around an empty amusement park. Now the area is

A new study indicates that 1 out of 1,690 properties in the county had foreclosure filings through the second quarter of 2021, which is is tied for 26th worst among 564 counties measured.  Ocala MSA, which includes Marion County, was tied as having the 35th worst foreclosure rate with 100

For over 50 years, Lake Technical College has prepared individuals in Lake and Sumter counties for rewarding careers. Read more: Lake Technical College continues 50 years of preparing student for rewarding careers

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners will meet at Venetian Center and roads will be a primary topic of discussion. Read more: Lake County Board of County Commissioners to meet at Venetian Center

The Ocala Symphony Orchestra will soon sell tickets for performances this fall at the Reilly Arts Center, marking the first full orchestra performances since February 2020. Read more: Ocala Symphony Orchestra selling tickets for first full orchestra, on-stage performances since before COVID pandemic

Ocala Park Rangers will host a class to teach the basics of fishing next week at Tuscawilla Park. All children and teenagers ages 6 through 16 are welcome to attend the event, which cost $10. Read more: Fishing for Beginners class coming to Tuscawilla Park

An Ocala woman was arrested after she was caught driving on a suspended license, fled the scene, and punched and choked a deputy after he tased her and attempted to remove her from her vehicle.  Read more: Ocala woman arrested after fleeing scene, punching and choking deputy while tased

Live music and art will be on display once again from the popular Couch Sessions series next week, this time at a local gym. Read more: Live artist, music coming to Crossfit Iron Legion during next Couch Sessions

An Ocala man was arrested on a felony criminal mischief charge after he admitted to spray-painting a mural on a road without first obtaining permission from the county. Read more: Ocala man arrested for spray painting mural on road without permission

“Pints for Paws” will be held Saturday, July 31 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Black Sheep on Broadway. Proceeds from the event will support the Humane Society of Marion County. Read more: Pints for Paws will have on the spot animal adoption

Marion County Parks & Recreation will unveil “Slugger,” a Horse Fever 2020 horse, at Rotary Sportsplex on August 2 at 8 a.m. Read more: Horse Fever statue ‘Slugger’ to celebrate new home at Ocala Rotary Sportsplex

A 76-year-old Missouri woman who claimed she hadn’t “done anything wrong except drinking and driving” was arrested in Leesburg on a drunk driving charge. Read more: Leesburg police arrest Missouri woman on DUI charge 

A Leesburg man was arrested after allegedly trying to steal crab legs and steak from a local Walmart. Read more: Leesburg man arrested after allegedly stealing crab legs and steak

The Summer S.T.A.G.E. 2021 youth production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is live on-stage July 30 through August 1 at Ocala Civic Theatre.  Read more: Ocala Civic Theatre hosting youth production of ‘Narnia’ this weekend

The City of Ocala has multiple vacancies across committee and advisory board positions within the city government., including a position on the Municipal Code Enforcement Board. Read more: City of Ocala needs residents to volunteer for advisory committees

An Ocala man is facing a cruelty charge after claiming that the bruises on a baby's face and forehead were caused by an attempt to swat a mosquito. Read more: Ocala man arrested for cruelty after claiming he was swatting mosquito off child’s face

Nonprofit organizations across Ocala, Marion County, and surrounding communities are encouraged to take part in this year’s Give4Marion campaign, which raised over $310,000 for 81 nonprofits in 2020. Read more: Give4Marion returning for second year after raising $310,000 for nonprofits in 2020

Habitat for Humanity of Marion County has submitted a proposal to develop 33 single family homes near downtown Ocala as part of the city of Ocala’s Imagine North Magnolia. Read more: Habitat for Humanity hoping to develop 33 single family homes as part of Imagine North Magnolia improvement project

Ocala's First Friday Art Walk, which will return this September, is still accepting applications for artists. The deadline to submit an application to participate in the upcoming series is Saturday, July 31. Read more: Deadline to participate in Ocala First Friday Art Walk is Saturday

A drug-sniffing dog helped put a Leesburg woman behind bars on drug possession charges. Read more: Drug-sniffing dog helps police arrest Leesburg woman

A former Lake County school bus driver has been arrested after he was accused of inappropriately touching little girls on his bus. Read more: Lake County school bus driver accused of inappropriately touching little girls

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is thanking the public for its help in identifying a 59-year-old woman who stole nearly $300 in merchandise from a local Walmart. Read more: Marion County Sheriff’s Office thanks public in identifying woman who stole $300 in Walmart merchandise

A planning organization representing east central Florida is asking the public for feedback on "personal values and priorities" and an evaluation of current community planning efforts. Read more: East Central Florida planning organization looking for public feedback

Three suspects are being sought by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the theft of a purse from a shopping cart at a local Walmart and multiple fraudulent credit card purchases.  Read more: Marion County Sheriff looking for suspects who stole purse from cart, made fraudulent credit card

The Young Professionals of Ocala business networking organization raised $300 for the Dignity Center as part of a volunteer day with Ocala non-profit organization Wear Gloves, Inc. Read more: Young Professionals Ocala raise $300 for Dignity Center