News from 352today

6 hours ago in Community, Local

Manatees are on the move this November; go slow and look out below

A female manatee watches the Silver Springs Professional Dive Team perform their monthly cleaning in the main spring at Silver River State Park Sunday January 27, 2025, in Silver Springs, FL.

Florida’s manatees are heading to warm-water springs and refuges as temperatures drop - here’s how boaters and paddlers can stay safe and protect the gentle giants during Manatee Awareness Month.

1 day ago in Crime & Safety, Local

Warrant issued for third suspect in Villages golf cart theft ring

Jeffery Vincent Woods, 47, is wanted by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office on an arrest warrant related to a series of golf cart thefts in the Lake Sumter Landing area of The Villages. Officials say he may have left the Marion County area.

1 day ago in Business, Community, Food & Drink, Local

Former Lodge building in downtown Ocala to reopen as new restaurant by December

Historic brick buildings with a mix of red brick and white facades, with green awnings over storefronts. A sign for "The Lodge" bar and restaurant is visible on a white building to the right. A "One Way" street sign points left and colorful flower planters decorate the sidewalk.

Former Lodge building on Magnolia Avenue in downtown Ocala to reopen as a new restaurant by December under renovations by BWC Construction.

1 day ago in Community, Entertainment, Local

Ocala Metro Ballet Theatre brings The Nutcracker back for a magical holiday run

dance alive national ballet gainesville florida

Ocala Metro Ballet Theatre will perform its second annual production of The Nutcracker Nov. 27–28 at the Dassance Fine Arts Center, featuring guest artist Emanuel Bracho.

1 day ago in Community, Equine, Features, Local

Horse Farms Forever’s 2026 Conservation Summit draws community together to protect Ocala’s horse country and Florida’s working lands

Horse Farms Forever’s 2026 Conservation Summit in Ocala highlighted the O’Farrell family’s Acorn Conservation Award, Carlton Ward Jr.’s keynote on the Great Florida Cattle Drive, and the shared work of protecting Marion County’s horse farms and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

2 days ago in Community, Education, Local

Marion County School Board approves $52.5 million Belleview Elementary replacement and $6.4 million HVAC project at Belleview Middle

Marion County Public Schools front signage

The board authorized a new 950-student campus combining Belleview Elementary and Belleview-Santos Elementary, along with the first phase of a major cooling system upgrade at Belleview Middle School.

3 days ago in Community, Education, Local

Marion County School Board approves modest raises for non-represented staff amid tight budgets and state funding shortfalls

The Marion County School Board approved roughly 1% raises for non-represented employees after discussing tight budgets, inflation, and more than $50 million in annual general-fund shortfalls for transportation and exceptional student education.

3 days ago in Community, Features, Health & Wellness, Local

Ocala’s 5 a.m. MIM Run Club draws hundreds downtown for movement and community

MIM: Movement Inspires Many Group picture

MIM Ocala Run Club: How a 5 a.m. gathering grew from 2 friends to 200-plus runners.

News

1 day ago in Entertainment

Meet the new ‘Bachelor,’ a quarterback for the Washington Commanders

After a troubled year for "The Bachelor" franchise, the ABC reality dating show is going back to a familiar well: the NFL. The network announced Friday that Sam Hartman, a quarterback for the Washington Commanders, will be handing out roses on the 30th season of the show.

1 day ago in Entertainment

A tiny hand, baby Vans and a new chapter for Avril Lavigne — motherhood

Avril Lavigne — the princess of pop-punk — has a new title: mom. The eight-time Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter revealed on Instagram on Friday that she has welcomed her first child, a baby girl.

1 day ago in National, Trending

Flights halted at airports across US due to air traffic control communications problems, FAA says

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights nationwide Friday afternoon because of communications problems at regional air traffic control centers. The FAA notice said the ground stop was being imposed "due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety."

1 day ago in National

The Microsoft outage means no incessant email chimes or message pings, but still we stayed online

Microsoft 365 teetered on the edge of becoming Microsoft 364 as the global outage stretched from Thursday into, ironically (or fittingly, depending on your personal outlook), Friday the 13th. Thousands used the 21st century technology of social media to complain about the 20th century invention of email.

1 day ago in Sports

McIlroy shares lead with Hatton at season-ending World Tour Championship on European tour

Rory McIlroy recovered from a back-nine wobble to birdie No. 18 and share the 36-hole lead at the season-ending World Tour Championship on Friday, leaving him well-placed to win a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai golf title.