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Ocala Police say 27-year-old Caleb Ray is accused of grooming a child for years after first meeting the victim at church. Detectives say the victim, now a teenager, reported first meeting Ray when the child was nine years old. According to the arrest report, investigators believe Ray maintained contact for years using Snapchat.

A Central Florida Realtor says she is getting hit with as many as 80 to 90 spam calls a day — and her attempts to stop them are starting to cost her business.

Ocala's police chief has provided more information after a shooting over the weekend left one person dead and two others hurt.

Two people have been arrested in a drive-by shooting in Ocala where a mother and a five-year-old child were shot. Police arrested Kentrai Patterson, 28, and Kedonte Davis, 26, in connection with the Sept. 14 shooting on SE 11th Avenue.

According to an Ocala police social media post, a family of three — a father, mother, and their 5-year-old child — was traveling south when a vehicle behind them opened fire, striking their car multiple times.

Police said the shooting was reported around 2 p.m. near a home on NW 12th Avenue in Ocala. When officers arrived, they found one man shot to death outside the home. Another man with gunshot wounds was rushed to a hospital.

According to FHP, the 22-year-old Ocala man was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when he ran into a 57-year-old Texas woman driving a Land Rover.

Police in Ocala say they are investigating a bomb threat at the College of Central Florida. The Ocala campus has been evacuated.

With more locations expected in Florida, Buc-ee’s CEO Arch “Beaver” Aplin III said the fan-favorite convenience store chain will focus expansion efforts on business-friendly, “conservative” states.

Last week, a dozen more Central Florida eateries were forced to shut down (at least temporarily) after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

Severe weather toppled trees and damaged homes in Ocala on Saturday, say fire safety crews. Officials say multiple fire engines were called to Southeast Eighth Street after a tree cracked and fell onto a home, taking down power lines.

This year, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new report showing where people have been moving — and one Central Florida city had the biggest boom nationwide.

A street race last weekend led to the death of a 77-year-old woman, and both of the suspected drivers have finally been caught, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

A shooting was reported at a grocery store in Ocala on Tuesday, leaving one person seriously injured, according to the police department.

One driver is facing pending charges and troopers are looking for another driver in a multi-vehicle crash that killed a 77-year-old woman in Ocala over the weekend.

Law enforcement arrested a Spring Hill man after over 26,000 pounds of litter was found dumped in the Ocala Wildlife Management Area, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Last week, half a dozen Central Florida eateries were forced to shut down temporarily after a visit from a health inspectors, according to state records.

A federal survey shows that, on average, U.S. households spent 12% of the family budget on food in 2024. For very-low-income households, it was 33%. And over the past year, as food costs continued to rise, a new federal law pushed hundreds of thousands of Floridians out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, America’s food security safety net. This article from Central Florida Public Media looks at those issues. It also focuses on the congressional options one voter affected by food insecurity will have on this year’s General Election ballot.

Deputies said security camera footage showed Duvall approaching the victims, pointing the weapon at them, and hitting the metal cable that was pulling the truck, all while getting within a few feet of them.

A Central Florida man who ignored what he thought were junk shipping emails said boxes began showing up at his Ocala home - and he soon discovered about $1,200 in credit card charges for items he says he never ordered.

Marion County deputies trying to stop an Amber Alert suspect used a PIT maneuver to disable his vehicle Monday evening — and shots were fired as they moved in to arrest him, according to the sheriff's office.

One of the eateries — a Chinese restaurant in Orlando — suffered its fourth closure this year, according to state records.

A strong storm hit Ocala Saturday evening, knocking out power to thousands and damaging homes with downed trees. Crews are working to restore service.

Downed trees and power lines — that’s what Ocala fire officials say was left behind after storms swept through the area Saturday. Photos show trees on some homes and sprawled across roads.

According to Ocala Fire Rescue, crews arrived on scene and found a one-story home with flames burning through the roof.

After months of work, company officials revealed that eight supermarkets have now been converted into Winn-Dixie stores.

Apollo, a 13-year-old dog from Ocala, Florida, was found more than 1,000 miles away at a police station in Long Island, New York, months after disappearing from his home. His owner, Nicholas Josey, flew to New York to bring him back, and the family is now celebrating Apollo's safe return. The Joseys are still investigating how Apollo ended up so far from home and plan to share their findings with local authorities. For now, the family is focused on reuniting and preparing to celebrate Apollo’s upcoming 14th birthday.

A Marion County family is reuniting with their 13-year-old dog, Apollo, who was found in New York nearly two months after disappearing. Surveillance footage showed a woman taking Apollo, and he was later discovered in Hempstead with a tag bearing a different name. The family is incurring significant expenses to bring him home and is seeking answers about his journey, while expressing relief and excitement at his return. Authorities have not yet updated their previous determination that no crime occurred.

The cult-favorite convenience chain Buc-ee’s is set to open several new locations in the Sunshine State — but one location in particular may be a good fit for the company, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Despite its Texan upbringing, Buc-ee’s has been a smash hit for many Florida residents since its debut in St. Augustine years ago.

Marion County and state officials on Thursday announced the arrest of more than 50 people in what is being called the largest child predator sting in the county’s history. Sheriff Billy Woods said the suspects included fathers, teachers, coaches and even a high school student.

A father and son were taken into custody this week after investigators said they uncovered a local RV scam, according to the Ocala Police Department.

According to organizers, the event will have a heavy focus on Florida's legendary "Skunk Ape."

A lightning strike over the holiday weekend severely damaged Larry Mull's Ocala property, destroying his shed and the well pump and filtration system that supplied his home with water. Mull and his family were left without running water for days and had to rely on a neighbor's supply while facing costly repairs. The incident occurred at a challenging time, delaying insurance and repair responses. Despite the destruction, Mull expressed relief that no one was hurt and that two full propane tanks in the shed were unharmed.

A 68-year-old Ocala man died after his motorcycle overturned on Maricamp Road near Locust Place on Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

An Ocala church already recovering from a major electrical fire is now dealing with what church leaders describe as a hateful act of vandalism involving racial slurs and threatening messages. Leaders at St. Paul A.M.E. Church said someone broke into the church overnight and vandalized the property with racist language and symbols just days after a fire forced the church to close temporarily.

A crash along Interstate 75 left an ambulance overturned on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Ocala Fire Rescue.

The project — later dubbed "Florida's Folly" — nearly caused the Sunshine State to be split in half.

An electrical fire broke out late Saturday at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Ocala, leading officials to condemn the building because of extensive damage.

Central Florida is packed with exciting events this weekend, from cultural festivals and live performances to sports and family-friendly fun.

An 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.

A pregnant woman, a man and three dogs were rescued from the Ocala National Forest last week, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Ocala police released images of three persons of interest after someone waved a gun during a heated argument.

Police said someone waved a gun during a heated argument inside the mall. The incident prompted the mall to close temporarily.

Despite initial belief that no crime occurred, the family is urging investigators to revisit the case as weeks have passed without information.

Storms producing heavy rain and gusty winds

Central Florida is known for horsepower. And no, we’re not talking about the Daytona 500.

An Ocala high school was forced to lock down on Friday afternoon after a bomb threat was reported, according to the police department.

One of the child patients was rushed to the hospital as a trauma alert due to the "mechanism of injury," according to fire officials.

A change of plea hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m., where prosecutors are expected to reveal details of a plea agreement.

Two 18-year-olds are facing criminal charges after a pair of social media stunts caused property damage and endangered people at two businesses on SW College Road.

Phillip Duncan previously worked as a paraprofessional at Oakcrest Elementary School in Ocala.

According 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.

How would you feel if a person wearing a face mask got up close to you and started filming you without your permission?

Months after a chain-reaction crash along Interstate 4 left multiple people dead, troopers announced that the offending driver may have finally been caught.

An Ocala man has now been convicted after he raped a child last year, according to the State Attorney’s Office on Monday.

According to FHP, a pickup truck was backing out of the driveway when it struck the child, who was standing behind the vehicle.

The ACSI has ranked the best convenience stores for customer satisfaction. But it turns out that Buc-ee's wasn't rated the top pick.

Two 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.

It turns out that one Central Florida city is the second-most popular place for movers, according to this year's ranking.

Last week, over a dozen more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

After 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.

On 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.

In a release, the company announced that the first customers in line will receive a Winn-Dixie "mystery gift card" of up to $100.

A 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.

An 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.

Six Florida supermarkets are set to become Winn-Dixie stores, according to the company this week.

Ocala Police have closed SW 3rd Street from S Pine Ave. to SW 7th Ave for a death investigation.

Marion 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.

Last week, seven more restaurants across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

An Ocala man armed with an axe was arrested after a “car wash conflict” over the weekend, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Whether you’re craving great food, live music, outdoor adventures or a unique night out, there’s something for everyone.

A man was killed by a steamroller in Lake County on Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Police say a bicyclist was struck and killed late in Ocala.

Firefighters say two people were injured and a family dog died in a burning home in Ocala.

New photos show Ocala firefighters putting out a burning abandoned home.

Last week, seven more restaurants across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

A vehicle fire on Interstate 75 in Marion County prompts authorities to issue an alert.

U.S. Congressman Randy Fine (R-Florida) is now being sued after he blocked a Republican candidate on social media, according to court records obtained by News 6.

Heavy 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.

A 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.

Last week, four more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

A 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.

After 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.

Detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the “suspicious” deaths of two adults and two children outside of Ocala.

A 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.

Marion County firefighters find a cat dead in a home that caught fire near Ocala.

Ocala police say a 40-year-old man died when his car rear-ended a tractor-trailer that was stopped at a red light.

Last week, five more eateries across Central Florida were forced to close after a visit from a health inspector, according to state records.

A 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.

A boil water notice was issued Friday after a water main break in Ocala.

A midday fire damaged a double‑wide mobile home in northeast Ocala on Monday, displacing a family of four but causing no injuries, according to Marion County Fire Rescue.

Three people were taken to the hospital after being shot in Marion County on Sunday afternoon, according to the sheriff’s office.

A man who was found guilty of trying to rob an Ocala Taco Bell with a rock has been sentenced to four years in prison.

The ACSI has ranked the best convenience stores for customer satisfaction. But it turns out that Buc-ee's wasn't rated the top pick.

An Ocala man was arrested late last week as part of a human trafficking investigation, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Proposals that would allow single-family homes on some property zoned for agriculture and make it more difficult for local governments to increase impact fees started to move forward Tuesday in the Florida Senate.

Ocala police Chief Mike Balken shared a video statement to social media updating his agency’s investigation of a man’s fatal shooting last week.

People living in Marion County experienced several hours of sub-freezing weather as the coldest air in years swept through the region.