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.

A sign for the Ocala Police Department with a digital message board below. The top of the sign displays the Ocala Police logo with the words "Integrity, Courage, Character" and large text reading "OCALA POLICE." The digital board underneath shows a scrolling message in red text that reads, "WE'RE HIRING: 911 DISPATCHERS." The sign is supported by red brick columns and surrounded by trees in the background.
Crime & Safety
1 month ago
Online sting to protect children: 15 arrested in Ocala operation

Police say suspects believed they were meeting minors after engaging in explicit online conversations with undercover officers.

An illustration depicting an online romance scam. A man in a suit, holding a rose and resembling a celebrity, appears on a smartphone screen with a red background. The bottom of his figure pixelates into digital blocks. Speech bubbles say “You have a new notification” and “You look familiar.” Scrabble-like letter tiles spell out “SCAM.” A shadowy figure stands behind the phone, symbolizing deception. Surrounding elements include emoji faces with heart eyes and dollar signs, emphasizing the emotional and financial manipulation common in such scams. The bottom-left corner reads "THE PERFECT SCAM."
Crime & Safety
1 month ago
“Keanu Reeves” romance scam dupes victims out of $160K — including Marion County woman

AI-powered con used mobile games and fake video chats to trick women into sending money to a scammer posing as the Hollywood star.

A colored image of three individuals, one adult woman and two children, hand feeding a group of fallow deer.
Features
1 month ago
Defunct Ocala: Tommy Bartlett’s Deer Ranch offered roadside charm before Florida’s theme park boom

Long before mega-parks took over, this petting zoo near Silver Springs gave travelers a gentle wildlife experience, now only remembered in photos and postcards.

A bank manager in a suit and green striped tie smiles while speaking with two clients seated across the desk. A nameplate reading "Bank Manager" is visible in front of him, and a green plant is in the background.
Ask The Expert
1 month ago
Cogent Bank: What every Ocala business owner should know about lending

Cogent Bank’s Nick Blaser says strong relationships and preparation are key to small business lending. In a growing Ocala market, the bank offers flexible, personalized solutions to help businesses succeed.

Black and white photo of a calm river bordered by dense trees on both sides. A wooden dock or platform stretches into the water on the right, with a small figure standing nearby. Reflections of clouds and vegetation are visible in the water, suggesting a peaceful, rural setting.
Features
1 month ago
Defunct Ocala: Juliette helped build Dunnellon, then vanished without a trace

Once a booming phosphate hub near Rainbow Springs, this forgotten community faded quietly into local legend.

A nighttime security camera image shows a person wearing a hood, mask, and light-colored clothing approaching a parked black SUV in a residential driveway. The individual appears to be holding a flashlight. Nearby are other parked vehicles, a fenced yard, and illuminated houses in the background. The timestamp on the image reads "2025-07-21.
Crime & Safety
1 month ago
MCSO seeks help identifying suspects in Summerfield vehicle burglaries

Two guns stolen during string of break-ins on SE 142nd Lane; surveillance video released as investigators urge public to come forward.

Garden courtyard with palm trees and chapel-like buildings at the Prince of Peace Memorial, part of the mid-century roadside shrine near Silver Springs.
Features
2 months ago
Defunct Ocala: Prince of Peace Memorial blended faith and art near Silver Springs

Sculptor Paul Cunningham’s Prince of Peace Memorial quietly welcomed mid-century travelers with handcrafted dioramas and spiritual serenity before vanishing from the landscape.

A display combining beaded jewelry and decorative skulls in a lively booth setup.
Local
2 months ago
Weird, wild, and wonderfully handmade: Ocala Oddities Market packs downtown with curious crowds

From skull lamps to spell jars, Friday night’s funky market mixed the mystical and macabre with live music, food trucks and a whole lot of handcrafted cool.

Judge points during courtroom sentencing as defendant in orange jumpsuit stands before the bench, surrounded by law enforcement and legal personnel.
Crime & Safety
2 months ago
Marion County man sentenced to prison after pleading no contest in high-speed pursuit case

Jeremy Donye Walker received six years in prison and four years of probation after a last-minute plea to charges including fleeing law enforcement and drug possession.

A teenage boy with medium brown skin and long dark hair pulled back, wearing a black t-shirt, stands in front of a neutral-colored wall. He has a serious expression on his face.
Crime & Safety
2 months ago
Deputies search for teen suspect in Marion Oaks burglary involving stolen AR-15

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating 15-year-old Juelz Lee Cotto, accused of stealing a rifle and knife during a May home burglary.