Ashley Brace

Ashley is a student at the College of Central Florida and Editor-In-Chief of The Patriot Press, with experience in journalism, media and student leadership.

Crime & Safety
4 weeks ago
Deputies make multiple arrests in assault, vandalism and burglary cases

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported several arrests this week tied to separate cases of battery, fleeing law enforcement, attempted burglary and property damage.

Crime & Safety
4 weeks ago
Five taken to jail in Marion County on charges ranging from DUI to battery

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office made multiple arrests Wednesday in separate incidents involving drug possession, trespassing, theft, and battery across the county.

Aerial view of a scenic waterfront park featuring a curved boardwalk over a pond, sandy beach area, palm trees, walking paths, and several boats floating on a calm, sunlit river surrounded by residential homes and greenery.
Features
1 month ago
Debunked Ocala: The curious legacy of Hunter Springs’ “leech” rumor

Hunter Springs Park in Crystal River remains a beloved spot for swimming and kayaking, despite a lingering local myth about leeches that was never scientifically confirmed.

A diverse group of smiling school-aged children stand in front of a colorful “Back to School Immunizations” banner, promoting free vaccines offered by the Florida Department of Health in Marion County.
Health & Wellness
1 month ago
DOH-Marion hosts back-to-school immunization clinics across county

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is offering free back-to-school immunizations for children at its Ocala clinic and mobile units throughout the county.

Firefighters in a wooden area fighting a house fire in a single-wide mobile home.
Local
1 month ago
Marion County Fire Rescue extinguishes mobile home fire in Citra

Late-night fire damages Citra mobile home; no injuries reported, cause under investigation.

Illustrated recruitment poster for Marion County Children’s Alliance encouraging male mentors to apply. The poster features a cartoon image of a confident Black man with a beard, wearing a collared shirt and crossing his arms. Text reads: “Become a male mentor & change lives. Marion County Children’s Alliance is now hiring.” Job details include part-time work at $25/hour for 20 hours per week at designated school sites during school hours. A yellow thumbs-up icon appears in the upper right corner.
Jobs
1 month ago
Marion County Children’s Alliance hiring male mentor for local youth

The Marion County Children’s Alliance is hiring a part-time male mentor to guide youth ages 10–17.

A rhesus macaque monkey with its teeth bared reaches toward a small food container being held by a man in a captain’s hat and uniform. The interaction appears playful yet tense, set against leafy trees and dappled sunlight.
Features
1 month ago
Defunct Ocala: Monkey Island – Silver Springs’ accidental tourist attraction

Monkey Island in Silver Springs, Florida, is home to wild rhesus macaques introduced in the 1930s as a tourism stunt gone wrong. Though intended to stay on an island, the monkeys swam away and now roam the area. Today, they’re a curious local fixture—both a tourist draws and a public health concern.

Group photo of Douglas Law Firm attorneys and staff standing in front of the Ocala office building.
Features
1 month ago
Douglas Law Firm honored for excellence in Ocala: Trusted legal support for life’s biggest moments

Recognized across multiple categories, Douglas Law Firm offers compassionate, full-service legal guidance in family law, estate planning, criminal defense and more.

Illustrated evening scene of a mid-century modern building with floor-to-ceiling windows glowing warmly from interior lights. The structure sits beside a calm body of water, with reflections visible on the surface. Silhouetted figures can be seen seated indoors and on the outdoor patio. The setting is surrounded by large trees and palm trees, under a twilight sky with soft clouds.
Features
1 month ago
Defunct Ocala: The rise and eerie fall of Panorama Inn, Silver Lake Lodge’s ghostly past

Once a tranquil lakeside resort in Silver Springs Shores, this forgotten inn lives on through postcards, paranormal tales, and whispers of what once was.

A Marion County Sheriff's Office Forensic Unit van is parked on a rural roadside near a street sign for SE 17th Street and SE 17th Court. Yellow crime scene tape is visible in the background, partially enclosing a tree-shaded area. A "Pavement Ends" road sign stands nearby, indicating the transition from paved to unpaved road.
Crime & Safety
1 month ago
Man shot and killed in early morning Summerfield incident, deputies investigating

Marion County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is investigating a fatal shooting on SE 21st Court; no arrests have been made.