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Marion County Fire Rescue completes emergency radio tower construction
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - Friday, MCFR officials stated that the completed projects will increase radio clarity and coverage for 95% of Marion County. The two new radio tower projects, in Marion Oaks and on Sparr Road, will improve communications between Marion County Fire Rescue, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Ocala Fire Rescue, and the Marion County Public School bus system.
Fire ignites under mobile home in Silver Springs
Marion County firefighters responded to a mobile home in Silver Springs early Wednesday morning after flames were spotted underneath the residence. At around 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Marion County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to a mobile home located in the 16500 block of NE 58th Street in Silver Springs. According to MCFR, a 911 caller had reported that flames were spreading underneath the home.
‘Thank a Teacher’ program highlights Marion County educators
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - A Marion County nonprofit is rewarding teachers for their work in the classroom through a new program. Leaders with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC), HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital are partnering for the Thank a Teacher program. Students,...
College at Southeastern Launches Women’s Prison Program in Florida
On August 21, in the largest women’s prison in the state of Florida, the only Florida prison with inmates on death row, 20 new students of The College at Southeastern gathered for their first fall convocation. Following convocation, this coming Monday will mark both the beginning of classes and the launch of Southeastern’s third Field Minister Program, established at Lowell Correctional Institute in Marion County, FL.
Detectives try to identify more victims after Ocala man arrested for sex trafficking
OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) - 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...
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...
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