Suspect in Florida deputy stabbing has history of violence with members of law enforcement, records show
Read full article: Suspect in Florida deputy stabbing has history of violence with members of law enforcement, records showThe man accused of ambushing a Marion County deputy and then stabbing him multiple times is being held without bond, and now News 6 is learning this isn’t the first time he’s been violent with a member of law enforcement.
Central Florida drought deepens, prompting tighter watering rules in Phase Three counties
Read full article: Central Florida drought deepens, prompting tighter watering rules in Phase Three countiesCentral Florida’s drought is deepening, and the St. Johns River Water Management District says its work is being stretched across all of its main responsibilities.
‘My vest got it:’ Florida deputy ambushed, stabbed in chest after stepping out of patrol car, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: ‘My vest got it:’ Florida deputy ambushed, stabbed in chest after stepping out of patrol car, sheriff’s office saysThe moment the deputy stepped out of his vehicle, Heriberto Medina Marquez, 38, lunged at him with a knife, knocked him to the ground, and stabbed him multiple times in the chest, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Street racing charge dropped against man who accused Orlando police of brutality
Read full article: Street racing charge dropped against man who accused Orlando police of brutalityRodney Davis, the Marion County man who accused Orlando police of brutality after an incident during Florida Classic Weekend, is no longer facing street racing charges. Davis and his attorney, Rajan Joshi, told News 6 on Wednesday that a charge of operating a vehicle during a street takeover was dropped.
‘It’s sugar:’ Florida man blows fentanyl in deputy’s face outside Publix, video shows
Read full article: ‘It’s sugar:’ Florida man blows fentanyl in deputy’s face outside Publix, video showsAn Ocala man has been jailed after he reportedly blew fentanyl into a deputy’s face outside Publix late last month, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
‘No one saw anything:’ Shooting erupts at 100-person party, Marion sheriff says
Read full article: ‘No one saw anything:’ Shooting erupts at 100-person party, Marion sheriff saysA shooting broke out at a home in Reddick over the weekend, though investigators are being left with little to work with, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
LIVE RADAR: Summerlike feel continues in Central Florida with storms popping up
Read full article: LIVE RADAR: Summerlike feel continues in Central Florida with storms popping upCentral Florida faces a risk for isolated severe storms, with damaging winds and hail possible. Highs in the lower 90s continue, with even hotter conditions expected for the weekend, according to News 6 meteorologist Michelle Morgan.
Florida Legislature OKs new redistricting map ahead of November election
Read full article: Florida Legislature OKs new redistricting map ahead of November electionThe Florida House and Senate passed a bill to redraw congressional district lines on Wednesday, with potentially big implications for the November election.
CSX removes final rail ties from property near Dunnellon, nearly 3 months after toxic fire
Read full article: CSX removes final rail ties from property near Dunnellon, nearly 3 months after toxic fireNearly three months after a fire burned a large number of creosote-soaked railroad ties from a property near Dunnellon, CSX has removed the rest of the railroad ties.
President Trump coming to The Villages Friday to talk taxes
Read full article: President Trump coming to The Villages Friday to talk taxesSenior citizen stronghold The Villages will get a visit from the president on Friday. According to the Republican Party of Florida, Trump’s visit will center on promoting policies like “no tax on tips” and “no tax on social security.”
VIDEO: Former Marion County school employee arrested at Waffle House on 20 child porn counts, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: VIDEO: Former Marion County school employee arrested at Waffle House on 20 child porn counts, sheriff’s office saysPhillip Duncan previously worked as a paraprofessional at Oakcrest Elementary School in Ocala.
Marion County principal struck by vehicle during carline procedures, district says
Read full article: Marion County principal struck by vehicle during carline procedures, district saysAccording to the district, the principal was transported to the hospital following the incident and is expected to make a full recovery and sustained only minor injuries.
Death penalty sought against Citra man accused of killing 3-year-old
Read full article: Death penalty sought against Citra man accused of killing 3-year-oldJeroen Coombs is now charged with sexual battery on a child under the age of 12, on top of existing charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. It is unclear whether the new sexual battery charge involves the toddler or another child.
Woman considered endangered after disappearing from Marion County campsite
Read full article: Woman considered endangered after disappearing from Marion County campsiteConcerned family members said they hadn't heard from her since last week, and deputies reported her supplies were left about 1 mile from her campsite.
Suspected hit-and-run driver arrested after woman killed crossing US-27 in Leesburg, police say
Read full article: Suspected hit-and-run driver arrested after woman killed crossing US-27 in Leesburg, police sayAccording to Leesburg police, the woman was crossing U.S. 27 when she was hit by a gray Hyundai sedan that was traveling northbound on the highway.
‘Despicable’ Central Florida man gets life in prison for child trafficking scheme
Read full article: ‘Despicable’ Central Florida man gets life in prison for child trafficking schemeAn Ocala man has now been convicted after he raped a child last year, according to the State Attorney’s Office on Monday.
9 students hurt in hit-and-run crash with Marion County school bus
Read full article: 9 students hurt in hit-and-run crash with Marion County school busA pickup truck hit a Marion County school bus and took off, the Florida Highway Patrol says, sending nine Marion County students to an area hospital. FHP is looking for the truck.
3-year-old struck, killed by reversing pickup truck in Ocala driveway, deputies say
Read full article: 3-year-old struck, killed by reversing pickup truck in Ocala driveway, deputies sayAccording to FHP, a pickup truck was backing out of the driveway when it struck the child, who was standing behind the vehicle.
Nearly 70 horses seized from Central Florida rescue during abuse case
Read full article: Nearly 70 horses seized from Central Florida rescue during abuse caseTwo people have now been arrested months after nearly 70 horses were seized from a Central Florida rescue, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Hundreds of rodent droppings found at Central Florida restaurants last week
Read full article: Hundreds of rodent droppings found at Central Florida restaurants last weekLast week, over a dozen more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.
Ocala woman shatter stereotypes on wheels during Women’s History Month
Read full article: Ocala woman shatter stereotypes on wheels during Women’s History MonthAfter their full-time 9-to-5 jobs, a group of women in Ocala head to a different kind of workplace —one defined by strength, speed, and sisterhood, otherwise known as the Ocala Women’s Roller Derby League, Brick City Rollers.
This Central Florida city just had the biggest population boom in America
Read full article: This Central Florida city just had the biggest population boom in AmericaOn Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new report showing where people are moving — and one Central Florida city had the biggest boom nationwide.
Ocklawaha restoration debate expected to continue as bill to restore river dies in Legislature
Read full article: Ocklawaha restoration debate expected to continue as bill to restore river dies in LegislatureA scheduled draw-down at the Rodman Reservoir, northwest of the Ocala National Forest and bordering Marion and Putnam Counties, revealed a secret landscape along the Ocklawaha River: hidden spring boils, drowned forests and remnants of a decades-old plan to cut across Florida.
Ocala man made ‘sexual propositions’ to boy in gas station bathroom, deputies claim
Read full article: Ocala man made ‘sexual propositions’ to boy in gas station bathroom, deputies claimAn Ocala man was arrested after he was caught sexually propositioning a young boy in a gas station bathroom, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Decades after a Florida canal project was abandoned, advocates are trying to reunite 3 rivers
Read full article: Decades after a Florida canal project was abandoned, advocates are trying to reunite 3 riversEnvironmentalists want to permanently open a dam built for a canal that was supposed to cut through the middle of Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf.
Suspicious death: Possible overdose warrants further investigation in Marion County
Read full article: Suspicious death: Possible overdose warrants further investigation in Marion CountyMarion County deputies found an unidentified woman dead on Silver Road after a possible overdose Friday evening, and Major Crimes detectives are investigating the case as a suspicious death.
‘Crappy plan:’ Man caught on camera stealing septic tank in Florida, deputies say
Read full article: ‘Crappy plan:’ Man caught on camera stealing septic tank in Florida, deputies sayAfter his first attempt failed, deputies said Alfio Nocifora returned with a rented U-Haul truck and successfully loaded the septic tank and about $2,500 worth of electrical pipe.
🐒Monkey business at Silver Springs: The search for Florida’s wild macaques
Read full article: 🐒Monkey business at Silver Springs: The search for Florida’s wild macaquesEvery day, Wild heads to Silver Springs State Park to find its infamous monkeys. After a long, mosquito-heavy search, the park’s rhesus macaques finally make an unforgettable entrance.
Marion County couple loses nearly $30,000 after buying stolen truck on Facebook Marketplace
Read full article: Marion County couple loses nearly $30,000 after buying stolen truck on Facebook MarketplaceA couple says they lost nearly $30,000 after buying a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado on Facebook Marketplace that turned out to be stolen and had a fake title and vehicle identification number.
Citizens disappointed by lack of legal action taken by Dunnellon as railroad tie fire cleanup continues
Read full article: Citizens disappointed by lack of legal action taken by Dunnellon as railroad tie fire cleanup continuesMore than a month later, the city of Dunnellon is still dealing with the fallout from a massive fire fueled by thousands of railroad ties.
Babysitter Arrested in Felony Child Abuse Case
Read full article: Babysitter Arrested in Felony Child Abuse CaseThe Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested Viviana Harumi Ortiz-Lopez, 30, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, on a charge of felony child abuse after a baby left in her care returned home with significant bruising to the face.
Warm weekend ahead for Central Florida, but rip current risk remains high
Read full article: Warm weekend ahead for Central Florida, but rip current risk remains highCentral Florida is heading into a warm and mostly dry weekend, but if you’re headed to the beach, be careful. A high risk of rip currents will continue this weekend as steady onshore winds keep surf conditions rough at times.
Community urges Marion County School Board to reconsider Sparr Elementary closure
Read full article: Community urges Marion County School Board to reconsider Sparr Elementary closureAfter hours of discussion and emotional testimony, community members voiced strong concerns to the Marion County School Board over a proposal that could have possibly lead to the closure of Sparr Elementary School next year.
Marion County mom arrested after 3-year-old girl beaten to death, deputies say
Read full article: Marion County mom arrested after 3-year-old girl beaten to death, deputies sayA Marion County mother was put behind bars this week after her 3-year-old daughter was beaten to death last month, according to the sheriff’s office.
Dunnellon says no to county’s push for injunction after CSX rail tie fire
Read full article: Dunnellon says no to county’s push for injunction after CSX rail tie fireThe Dunnellon City Council voted Monday night not to join Marion County in seeking a court injunction against CSX following last month’s rail tie fire.
Class action lawsuit filed after massive Dunnellon railroad tie fire
Read full article: Class action lawsuit filed after massive Dunnellon railroad tie fireA class action lawsuit was filed against CSX Transportation, seeking $50,000 after a massive tie fire in Dunnellon prompted a toxic smoke warning and a state of emergency.
Graphic videos show Marion County daycare worker abusing children, deputies say
Read full article: Graphic videos show Marion County daycare worker abusing children, deputies sayOfficials say new surveillance videos released by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office show instances of abuse by a 31-year-old daycare.
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Here are safe meetup sites for online sales in Central Florida
Read full article: COUNTY-BY-COUNTY: Here are safe meetup sites for online sales in Central FloridaSeveral law enforcement agencies throughout Central Florida have set up exchange zones in their parking lots to offer safe places to conduct online sales transactions.
Marion County daycare worker caught on video abusing children, deputies say
Read full article: Marion County daycare worker caught on video abusing children, deputies sayA 31-year-old daycare worker was arrested after surveillance footage showed multiple instances of alleged abuse involving children at a learning center, deputies said.
SEWAGE and RODENTS: 7 Central Florida eateries shut down over health violations
Read full article: SEWAGE and RODENTS: 7 Central Florida eateries shut down over health violationsLast week, seven more restaurants across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.
America’s most dangerous invasive lizard lives in Florida. Here’s why it’s a big problem
Read full article: America’s most dangerous invasive lizard lives in Florida. Here’s why it’s a big problemFlorida residents are no strangers to invasive reptiles. But this 6-foot-long African lizard poses an especially big threat.
Man in custody for questioning after girl dies in Marion County, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: Man in custody for questioning after girl dies in Marion County, sheriff’s office saysA man is in custody after allegedly harming a girl who later died in Marion County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Woman accused of animal cruelty after dead dogs found in Marion County
Read full article: Woman accused of animal cruelty after dead dogs found in Marion CountyA 32-year-old woman was arrested after Marion County deputies found two dead dogs and another dog inside a cage at a residence in Ocklawaha, according to the sheriff’s office.
Handcuffed woman who shot Marion deputy with hidden gun gets prison sentence
Read full article: Handcuffed woman who shot Marion deputy with hidden gun gets prison sentenceA woman who shot a Marion County deputy while handcuffed in a patrol car last year will now spend several decades behind bars, according to court records obtained by News 6.
TRAFFIC ALERT: SR-19 still closed in Marion due to brush fires, officials say
Read full article: TRAFFIC ALERT: SR-19 still closed in Marion due to brush fires, officials sayState Road 19 remained shut down in both directions Sunday due to brush fires, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
US Forest Service battling brush fire in Ocala National Forest; road closures reported
Read full article: US Forest Service battling brush fire in Ocala National Forest; road closures reportedHeavy smoke from a brush fire forced officials to close S.R. 19 south of Salt Springs on Saturday as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Central Florida husband, wife realtors reunited after monthlong ICE hold
Read full article: Central Florida husband, wife realtors reunited after monthlong ICE holdA husband and wife who practice real estate in Central Florida were reunited Thursday for the first time since they were detained by federal immigration agents in early January.
Marion County couple’s retirement plans disrupted by highway
Read full article: Marion County couple’s retirement plans disrupted by highwayA Marion County couple’s retirement dreams have been shattered after discovering their recently purchased home will soon sit alongside a four-lane highway, a development they say came without warning.
Woman, 4-year-old daughter killed in Ocala by estranged ex-husband who shot himself in Georgia, police say
Read full article: Woman, 4-year-old daughter killed in Ocala by estranged ex-husband who shot himself in Georgia, police sayA man who shot and killed his ex-wife and her 4-year-old daughter in Ocala was tracked by law enforcement to Georgia, where he then took his own life in a traffic stop, according to police Chief Mike Balken.
Water shortage declared in Marion, nearby counties as groundwater levels drop
Read full article: Water shortage declared in Marion, nearby counties as groundwater levels dropAccording to the district, groundwater levels in parts of Marion and Duval counties have dropped below the 15th percentile, meeting the district’s criteria for a shortage.
CSX cleanup plan approved after massive Dunnellon fire
Read full article: CSX cleanup plan approved after massive Dunnellon fireState environmental officials approved CSX Rail’s cleanup plan Monday following a massive fire that burned thousands of chemically treated railroad ties in Dunnellon, as city officials moved to join legal action against the company.
‘Far from over:’ More details come after Marion County teen set on fire by friend
Read full article: ‘Far from over:’ More details come after Marion County teen set on fire by friendAfter a 17-year-old was arrested over setting his friend on fire last month, more details have been revealed in a fundraiser for the victim and his family.
Teen, 2-year-old among 4 dead in home near Ocala, sheriff’s office says
Read full article: Teen, 2-year-old among 4 dead in home near Ocala, sheriff’s office saysDetectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the “suspicious” deaths of two adults and two children outside of Ocala.
Florida bill protects public-sector employees who don’t use people’s preferred pronouns, citing beliefs
Read full article: Florida bill protects public-sector employees who don’t use people’s preferred pronouns, citing beliefsA bill moving through the Florida Senate would prohibit “adverse personnel action” against public-sector employees or contractors who choose to not use a person’s preferred pronouns.
Dunnellon railroad tie fire: What to know about cleanup, safety
Read full article: Dunnellon railroad tie fire: What to know about cleanup, safetyCity officials said no evacuations were necessary, and air quality monitoring conducted by an independent consultant contracted by CSX and local first responders showed no readings above action levels.
‘Get in the lake!’ Video shows Marion County teen setting his friend on fire
Read full article: ‘Get in the lake!’ Video shows Marion County teen setting his friend on fireNew footage released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office shows a 17-year-old setting his friend on fire with gasoline, according to investigators.
These Central Florida restaurants were closed down last week over health concerns
Read full article: These Central Florida restaurants were closed down last week over health concernsLast week, five more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.
Suspect arrested after shooting at Ocala bar leaves 1 injured, police say
Read full article: Suspect arrested after shooting at Ocala bar leaves 1 injured, police sayA 34‑year‑old man was arrested early Friday after a shooting outside an Ocala bar left another man injured, according to the Ocala Police Department.
Marion County declares state of emergency after 40,000 railroad ties catch fire in Dunnellon
Read full article: Marion County declares state of emergency after 40,000 railroad ties catch fire in DunnellonThe emergency declaration, coordinated with the city of Dunnellon, comes as officials estimate 30,000 to 40,000 railroad ties caught fire early Sunday, prompting immediate response from Marion County Fire Rescue and Hazardous Materials teams.