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The Three-Point Stance: The game and player you need to watch for Week 1 of high school football
This season, we’re taking a new stance on some of the Star Banner's high school football coverage, looking beyond the predictions to highlight different aspects of the game. There will be revolving topics throughout the season, but this new weekly feature, called the "Three-Point Stance," highlights players, coaches, and fan experiences that stoke...
District introduces new alternative learning plan for 2024-25 school year
Students who are expelled, suspended or require accommodations will no longer attend the two alternative learning schools in Marion County, after the district dissolved the sites and instituted a new alternative learning plan. The district’s previous alternative learning schools, New Leaf and Silver River Mentoring & Instruction, were dissolved over the summer after the expiration […]
Ocala Man Indicted On Federal Charges For Attempted Enticement Of A Minor
OCALA, Fla. – Jhon Astudillo, a 45-year-old man from Ocala, has been indicted on charges of attempting to entice a minor into sexual activity. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison. According to court documents, Astudillo initiated contact...
Detectives try to identify more victims after Ocala man arrested for sex trafficking
A man from Ocala is facing more than 50 felony charges after deputies say he was arrested for sexually abusing teenage girls in a sex trafficking operation. Investigators believe he has more victims. Morani Hopkins, 21, was booked into Marion County Jail on 56 charges including human trafficking.
Ocala man arrested on I-75 after stealing truck from gas station to visit daughter
A 44-year-old Ocala man who was arrested on Interstate 75 in a stolen pickup truck says he took the vehicle from a local gas station to visit his daughter in Fort Myers. On Friday, August 9, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to Diamond Oil located at 2780 SE 58th Avenue in Ocala in reference to a vehicle theft incident. Upon arrival, the corporal made contact with a male victim who advised that his Ford F-150 work truck had been stolen from the gas station’s parking lot, according to the arrest report.
United Way of Marion County hosts the Annual Giving Campaign Kickoff
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - United Way of Marion County highlighting those who have assisted with yet another successful year under their belt. At the annual meeting, groups with the city of Ocala, Belleview employees, and others were thanked for their hard work and proceeds to the organization. United Way Chairman...
Marion County will get new circuit judge
Marion County resident, Barbara Kissner Kwatkosky defeated Ben Boylston for Group 20 Circuit Judge seat 105,690 votes to 97,737. Her term will begin Jan. 1 upon the retirement of Judge Gary Sanders at the end of the year. The judicial race was nonpartisan and all voters in the 5th judicial circuit had the choice on […]
Woman allegedly stabs boyfriend she suspected of cheating
A woman has been tracked down and arrested after she allegedly stabbed her boyfriend. Darleen Stroud, 52, of Ocklawaha, suspected her boyfriend had been cheating on her with other women, according to an arrest report from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The couple has been in an “on and off” relationship for three to four years, the report noted.
Raising funds and hope for Marion County Fire Rescue employee battling cancer
WEIRSDALE, FL (352today.com) – For a quarter of a century, one woman’s kindness, compassion and competence has helped her colleagues at Marion County Fire Rescue succeed. Now those colleagues are stepping up to help her in the fight of her life. Angela Knight is battling Stage 4 cancer.
Ocala man indicted for attempting to entice a minor in online sting operation
OCALA, Florida - A 45-year-old Ocala man has been indicted on charges of attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Jhon Astudillo faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison if convicted. According to court documents, on July 24, 2024, an undercover detective with the Marion County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) posed as a 15-year-old girl on an online messaging application. Astudillo contacted the undercover detective's account, and after learning the fictitious minor was 15 years old, Astudillo responded, "I like young girls like you."...
Ocala man accused of having sex with 15-year-old girl he met on Facebook
A 27-year-old Ocala man is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly had sex and smoked marijuana with a 15-year-old girl he met on Facebook. On Sunday, July 28, a woman contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and reported that her 15-year-old granddaughter was missing. The woman advised that her granddaughter had left the residence several times during the month, and that she had “pieced together” that her granddaughter was in a relationship with a man who was later identified as 27-year-old Jeremy Philip Schinse, according to the arrest report.
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