Marion County Moves to Foreclose on Summerfield Property
Marion County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to begin foreclosure proceedings against a Summerfield property carrying nearly $34,000 in code-enforcement liens and administrative costs.
County records describe a years-long series of violations involving junk, debris, unserviceable vehicles, recreational vehicles and zoning issues.
The approximately 0.21-acre property has been the subject of enforcement action dating back to 2020, and the county has previously conducted cleanups at the site.
County Attorney Matthew Minter said the foreclosure process could take approximately 12 to 18 months.
Commissioners also defended the county’s broader enforcement efforts, saying Marion County has increased action against illegal dumping and serious litter violations.
Residents Push to Preserve Historic Central Elementary Building
Community members are asking Marion County Public Schools to carefully consider the future of the former Central Elementary School and district headquarters in downtown Ocala.
The building at 512 Southeast Third Street is approximately 119 years old and is described by the Historic Ocala Preservation Society as Marion County’s first brick-and-mortar school.
It later served as the headquarters of Marion County Public Schools before closing in December 2022 because of facility and environmental concerns.
The School Board is considering selling the property.
However, the building is not currently listed for sale and no buyer has been identified.
Residents and preservation advocates attending Tuesday’s public discussions urged the district to consider options that would preserve the historic structure rather than risk demolition.
New Aerial Photography Shows Marion County's Recent Growth
The Marion County Property Appraiser’s Office has released new 2026 high-resolution aerial imagery covering the county.
The new photography is the first countywide imagery update since 2024.
The updated pictures document two years of residential construction, commercial development, road changes and land clearing throughout Ocala and Marion County.
Residents, property owners and real-estate professionals can view the imagery through the Property Appraiser’s Map It+ Online Mapping System.
The mapping system allows users to search individual parcels and compare property boundaries and building footprints with surrounding development.
The Property Appraiser cautions that the system is intended primarily for assessment and reference purposes and is not a replacement for an official survey or title search.
Oakcrest Students Participate in Walk and Roll to School Day
Marion County Public Schools is participating in International Walk and Roll to School Day today.
Students, parents and guardians from Oakcrest Elementary School are gathering at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion before walking or bicycling to school.
The activity is designed to encourage physical activity while teaching students about safe walking and bicycling practices.
The international event is observed by schools and communities around the country.
Ocala Man Claims $105,641 Fantasy 5 Jackpot
An Ocala resident has claimed a Florida Lottery Fantasy 5 jackpot worth $105,641.18.
Florida Lottery records identify the winner as Miguel Angel Rumenos of Ocala.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Publix Super Market at Heath Brook Commons, 5400 Southwest College Road.
Rumenos selected the winning numbers himself — 11, 12, 15, 22 and 32 — for the September 24 evening drawing.
The win is one of several sizable Florida Lottery prizes sold in the State Road 200 corridor this year.
Tuesday I-75 Rollover Caused Major Traffic Disruption
A tractor-trailer overturned inside the Interstate 75 construction zone north of Ocala Tuesday morning, completely blocking the southbound interstate near mile marker 356.
The crash caused significant backups before one southbound lane reopened Tuesday afternoon.
The Florida Highway Patrol said wet conditions were present at the time. No additional information about injuries or the cause of the rollover had been released in the latest reports reviewed for this newscast.
