As the North Central Florida region continues to grow, plenty of new businesses opened in the area in December 2025.
A suspect has been arrested by the Ocala Police Department and has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Ja’Narre Suggs, who was fatally shot on Christmas Day. The investigation remains active.
The Marion County Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval of a request for rezoning for a development that would allow for 329 detached single-family homes. The rezoning request will now go before the Marion County Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing next month.
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on SE 17th Street in Ocala around noon, but she has been transported to the hospital and Ocala police say traffic has returned to normal.
Ocala police are investigating the case of a 72-year-old woman who drowned in a residential swimming pool on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025.
If you haven’t firmed up your New Year’s Eve plans, here are some of the most interesting events going down to ring in 2026 in Ocala, Marion County and beyond.
The City of Gainesville and Star Center Theatre will stage ‘Six Triple Eight’ to open the year of America’s 250th anniversary Jan. 3-5, 2026.
Lake County will operate a cold-weather shelter at LifePoint Church in Eustis Dec. 30-31, 2025, and provide transit for residents in need.
