Two Injured in Ocklawaha Dog Attack
Two people were hospitalized following a dog attack in Ocklawaha over the weekend.
Marion County Fire Rescue responded at approximately 1:30 p.m. Sunday to the 17000 block of Southeast 79th Street Road.
Firefighters found a man and woman suffering from bite injuries. One of the patients was transported by UF Health ShandsCair helicopter, while the second was also taken to a hospital for treatment.
Marion County Animal Services and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded and secured the dogs involved.
Officials had not released additional information about the patients’ conditions as of Monday afternoon.
Two Marion County Residents Face Federal Obstruction Charges
Two Marion County residents have been charged in federal court with obstruction of justice.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Monday that 22-year-old Ashley Dillard of Dunnellon and 28-year-old Jahlique Debanairr Lawson of Ocala have been indicted.
Federal prosecutors allege that between August 11 and August 22, the two intimidated, pressured and threatened a person they believed was a witness in a pending federal criminal case in an effort to influence or prevent that person’s testimony.
If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
Both are being detained while the case proceeds. The investigation involves the Drug Enforcement Administration and Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team.
An indictment is a formal accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Ocala Man Killed in Southwest Marion County Crash
A 28-year-old Ocala man died in a single-vehicle crash early Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the crash happened at approximately 2:32 a.m. on Southwest 140th Avenue near Southwest 20th Street.
Investigators say the man was driving north when, for reasons still under investigation, his sedan left the roadway and traveled onto the grass shoulder before striking a utility pole.
The impact ejected the driver from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
FHP reported that the driver was not wearing a seat belt.
Teen Seriously Injured While Filming Social-Media Haircut Video
An unusual crash on Southwest College Road left an 18-year-old seriously injured Sunday night.
Ocala Police responded at about 8:10 p.m. near the Ocala West Plaza in the 2500 block of Southwest College Road.
Police say a Chevrolet Silverado traveling west collided with a Lexus SUV entering the intersection from the plaza. The collision caused the pickup to strike an 18-year-old standing on the median.
Investigators learned that the teen and two other young adults had been filming a social-media video and were giving a haircut on the median immediately before the crash.
The teen was transported to a hospital in serious condition. No other injuries were reported, and police said there were no signs that either driver was impaired.
The crash remains under investigation.
Navy Bombing Exercises Continue in Ocala National Forest
Residents near the Ocala National Forest may hear military aircraft and explosions as U.S. Navy training continues this week at the Pinecastle Range Complex.
Naval Air Station Jacksonville scheduled both live and inert bombing exercises beginning Monday, September 28.
The Pinecastle complex is routinely used by military aircraft for training, and residents in surrounding communities can sometimes hear the exercises from several miles away.
College of Central Florida Blood Drive Continues
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers continues its three-day blood drive today at the College of Central Florida’s Ocala campus.
The bloodmobile will be near Building 11 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. today and Wednesday at 3001 Southwest College Road.
Donors must meet eligibility requirements; CF notes that donors can be 16 or older, with additional requirements applying to younger donors.
