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Ben Baugh

Ben Baugh is a journalist who has worked across a variety of platforms during his career. A graduate of Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, he has covered a variety of topics, including politics, public safety, education, religion, entertainment, equestrian sport and sports. Baugh has worked in Ohio, New York, South Carolina and Florida. A resident of Belleview, he can often be found at an equestrian sport venue on his days off. You can reach Ben Baugh at benbaugh@352today.com

On the left a grassy median, in the background, live oak trees with Spanish moss, in the foreground a tanker, and in the middle a paver laying down asphalt and resurfacing the road.
Community
2 months ago
Road Resurfacing and Future Projects Aim to Improve Infrastructure in Marion County

The Marion County Office of the County Engineer is involved with a number of projects that will make life easier as people navigate their way around the county.

A road sign with arrows pointing in different directions, in the background, vehicles, waiting at a traffic light, trees to the left and right, with a street sign to the right.
Community
2 months ago
Marion County Office of the County Engineer Works Toward Connecting the Corridors

Flyovers and interchange projects would make life much easier for commuters to get from one side of the county to another. The good news is that there are some projects planned, but they do take time.

Tall buildings, cranes, palms, turf and tapeta courses in the background, with horses racing over a dirt racetrack in front of a sizable finish line marker.
Local
2 months ago
Equine Groups Fight Decoupling Legislation that Endangers Marion County Legacy Industry

A bill has moved forward in the Florida State House of Representatives that would allow Florida thoroughbred tracks to cease racing while keeping their other gambling facilities in operation.

Circle, with insignia, blue lettering in white background. In middle, red, white and blue number, white lettering on blue background, white and red stars on blue background.
Community
2 months ago
Liberty Lives Here: How Marion County Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary

A host of activities will be part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration with Liberty Lives Here, America 250 Marion County, FL.

The front entrance of Ocala’s City Hall in the background with “CITY HALL” displayed on an arch above the double door entrances on the left and right. There are short red brick walls in front of the entrance with stairs leading up to the doors on either side. In the foreground are trees on either side of the City Hall arch and a beige and blue horse statue facing left.
Local
2 months ago
Ocala City Council Denies Amendment to Ordinance to Allow for Aboveground Incinerator

The Ocala City Council denied an applicant’s request that would have allowed for an aboveground air curtain incinerator.

Glass door to the left, bring wall with a numbers on a placard above large placard with letters and numbers.
Community
2 months ago
Marion County Board of County Commissioners Receives Update on Dunnellon Railroad Tie Fire

Agencies provided the Marion County Board of County Commissioners with an update on the railroad tie fire at the MCBOCC meeting on Feb. 3, 2026.

Front view of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners building in Ocala, Florida
Community
2 months ago
Marion County Commissioners Approve Injunction to be Filed Against Defendants in Dunnellon Fire

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved filing an injunction against those defendants who should be held accountable for last weekend’s railroad tie fire in Dunnellon.

A beige background, with blue to the left and right, with flag on either side of the center beige background. A multi-colored insignia with writing an images in the center, in front of the beige background, with a gray wall underneath the insignia at the bottom of the background.
Community
2 months ago
The Dunnellon Railroad Tie Fire: A Timeline

A timeline regarding the railroad ties in Dunnellon, leading up to the railroad tie fire Feb. 1, 2026, was presented at the Marion County Board of County Commissioners meeting on, Feb. 3, 2026.

American Olympic speed skater Brittany Bowe from Ocala
Sports
2 months ago
Ocala’s Brittany Bowe Looks to Add to Enduring Legacy with Final Bow at 2026 Winter Olympics

Brittany Bowe will be competing in her fourth Winter Olympics in Milan- Cortina d’Ampezzo. The speed skater has won two Olympic Bronze medals, appearing on the podium in 2018 and 2022.

Sports
2 months ago
Ocala’s Erin Jackson, First Black Woman to Win an Individual Gold Medal at the Winter Olympic Games, Returns to the World Stage

Ocala’s Erin Jackson became the first Black woman ever to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics, will attempt to bring home the gold again at the 2026 games.

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