Latest news with #Ocala
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Minivan driver killed in Ocala crash: police
The Brief A driver is dead following a crash overnight in Marion County. The crash happened shortly before 2:45 a.m. along USS 411 in Ocala. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. OCALA, Fla. - A driver is dead following a crash early Sunday morning in Marion County. What we know Shortly before 2:45 a.m., officers with the Ocala Police Department responded to a fatal accident on North U.S. 441 in Ocala. According to authorities, a Mazda minivan was traveling northbound on U.S. 441 at a high rate of speed and was allegedly being driven recklessly. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a concrete culvert, went airborne, overturned, and then collided with a palm tree and a concrete wall. Police said the driver was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. What we don't know The identity of the driver was not immediately released. It's also unclear whether any factors such as impairment or weather contributed to the crash. What they're saying "Our hearts go out to the driver's family and loved ones during this difficult time," police said in a statement. "Please drive safely and stay alert." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by the Ocala Police Department on June 1, 2025.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Driver crashes into sign, tree in deadly Marion County accident
Florida Highway Patrol officers responded to a fatal accident in Marion County after a driver crashed into a tree for reasons that remain unclear. The 51-year-old woman was taken to Ocala Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The crash location can be seen on the map below. According to troopers, the woman driver was approaching the stop sign at the intersection of County Road 42, but for unknown reasons, she failed to stop and drove north through the intersection instead. She then left the road and drove onto the north grassy shoulder, where her vehicle's front end hit a warning sign and then a standing tree shortly vehicle came to a final halt against the additional information regarding the incident has been released at this here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. According to troopers, the woman driver was approaching the stop sign at the intersection of County Road 42, but for unknown reasons, she failed to stop and drove north through the intersection instead. She then left the road and drove onto the north grassy shoulder, where her vehicle's front end hit a warning sign and then a standing tree shortly after. The vehicle came to a final halt against the tree. No additional information regarding the incident has been released at this time. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
3 injured in Ocala shooting, deputies say
The Brief Three people were hospitalized in the shooting, according to deputies. The shooting happened around 3 a.m. in the 3900 block of Maricamp Road. No suspect or victim information has yet to be released. MARION COUNTY, Fla. - Three people were sent to the hospital after a shooting in Ocala early Saturday morning, according to officials with the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said the victims were shot inside a vehicle in the 3900 block of Maricamp Road around 3 a.m. The shooting remains under investigation. Victim or suspect information has yet to be released.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Medicaid expansion would be a lifeline for Floridians; that's why we're suing
Let's not sugarcoat it: Florida's healthcare policies are failing us. They're failing the single mother in Ocala who earns $15,000 a year working part-time and was recently diagnosed with cancer — but can't afford the treatment she needs to survive. They're failing rural hospitals on the brink of collapse. And they're failing the hundreds of thousands of Floridians stuck in the 'coverage gap'— earning too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private insurance. And now, to make matters worse, our state's lawmakers have passed a law that aims to take away one of the last tools Floridians have to fix it: the power of citizen-led constitutional amendments. That's why Florida Decides Healthcare filed a federal lawsuit challenging the dangerous new law known as House Bill 1205. This isn't just about getting Medicaid expansion on the ballot. This is about defending the very foundation of our democracy: the people's right to be heard and to shape their own future. This law, signed by the governor, isn't reform. It's repression. HB 1205 is a cynical effort to make it harder for everyday Floridians — teachers, nurses, veterans, parents — to participate in their own government. It buries citizens in red tape, threatens them with criminal penalties, and intimidates them for simply trying to collect signatures. It's designed to silence us, to shut down grassroots movements, and to keep power locked in Tallahassee's political elite. But we're not backing down. Because we know what's at stake. Medicaid expansion could transform lives in every corner of Florida—from the Panhandle to the Keys. It would bring billions of our own federal tax dollars back to our state — money we're already sending to Washington, only to fund healthcare in other states. It would help stabilize struggling hospitals, especially in rural areas where 135 hospitals have closed since 2010. It would let people see a doctor without risking bankruptcy. This isn't welfare — it's common sense. More than 60% of the people who would benefit from expansion are part of working families. Medicaid helps people stay healthy enough to work, care for loved ones, and contribute to their communities. And study after study has shown that expansion wouldn't raise taxes — it would grow Florida's economy. Floridians get it. Nearly 8 in 10 — Republicans, Democrats and independents — support Medicaid expansion. It's not a partisan issue. It's a people issue. And when our elected officials refuse to act, the people have not just the right, but the responsibility, to do it themselves. That's what Florida's citizen-led amendment process is for. It's how we raised the minimum wage, legalized medical marijuana, and protected our land and water. It's a tool for communities to drive change when politicians won't. HB 1205 is not about accountability or transparency. It's about fear of the people and the power they hold. This law hacks away at a process that may need refining, but not destruction. It puts up traps and hurdles to ensure only the wealthy and politically connected can get an idea on the ballot. It is a direct assault on the will of the people. And if it's allowed to stand here, you can bet it will spread across the country. This is how democracy erodes — not in one sweeping moment, but in a thousand paper cuts to participation, voice, and power. But we're not letting that happen. We filed this lawsuit because we believe in the power of the people. We believe the single mother in Miami, the bus driver in Fort Myers, and the veteran in Jacksonville deserve a voice in the laws that shape their lives. Floridians — not politicians afraid of accountability — should have the final say. This lawsuit is our declaration: We will not let them rig the rules. We will not be silenced. We're collecting signatures. We're building coalitions. We're taking this fight from the courtroom to the streets to the ballot box. Because Medicaid expansion isn't just smart policy — it's a moral imperative. And the citizen initiative process isn't just a political tool—it's a right we will defend. Mitch Emerson is executive director of Florida Decides Healthcare.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Feisty duck relocated after ruffling feathers in Florida neighborhood
The Brief A young Muscovy duck known for aggressive behavior was removed from a Cape Coral neighborhood. Animal rescuers relocated the hand-raised duck, now named Jimmy, to an Ocala sanctuary. Locals expressed relief, calling the bird and others like it "vicious." OCALA, Fla. - A Muscovy duck that gained internet fame for terrorizing a Cape Coral neighborhood has found a new home in Central Florida. What we know A Muscovy duck that was reportedly harassing residents in a Cape Coral neighborhood has been safely captured and relocated to an animal sanctuary in Ocala. The duck, now named "Jimmy," was taken in by Mark Quadrozzi of Remarkable Rescues after gaining viral attention on social media for its aggressive behavior. Quadrozzi estimates Jimmy is three to four months old and was likely hand-raised. What we don't know It remains unclear who originally raised or released the duck in the Cape Coral neighborhood. Officials have not confirmed whether other aggressive ducks remain in the area or if any future wildlife removal plans are in place. The backstory Residents in the neighborhood had been dealing with the duck's hostile behavior for some time, with reports of people being pecked and chased. Male Muscovy ducks are known to be more aggressive than females, which may explain the confrontations. Once the story aired and video footage spread online, it attracted the attention of animal rescuers. Big picture view Though native to Central and South America, Muscovy ducks are commonly found in Florida, where their presence sometimes leads to friction with the locals. After a local news story aired and footage of the feisty duck spread on social media, an animal sanctuary in Ocala stepped in to relocate the bird. Mark Quadrozzi with Remarkable Rescues drove to Cape Coral and successfully captured the duck, which has since been named "Jimmy." "You're just kind of at the mercy of what they're going to do that day," Quadrozzi said of the unpredictable behavior of Muscovy ducks. "Even if somebody knows a particular animal's schedule from their observations, each day." It took more than an hour of searching before the young male duck, estimated to be about three to four months old, was safely taken into custody. Quadrozzi believes Jimmy was likely raised by humans. "When you have a duck that actually wants to make physical contact with a person like that, but in a way with its beak, that's more of a social thing, it's kind of a given that it was hand raised by someone," he said. Residents in the neighborhood have reported injuries and aggressive behavior, particularly from male Muscovy ducks, which Quadrozzi says are generally less gentle than females. Cape Coral resident James Sepulveda expressed relief over the removal. "Finally we got him!" he said. "But I'm happy they are getting rid of ducks in this area, because they are vicious." What's next The duck will take up residence among other Muscovy ducks at the Ocala sanctuary. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by Mark Quadrozzi with Remarkable Rescues, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and resident of Cape Coral.
