Ocala Star Banner

The East Florida Banner began its weekly publication in 1866 in Marion County, Florida, under the guidance of printer and editor Francis Eppes Harris (1846-1928). This publication is the direct ancestor of the current Star-Banner. George W. Wilson acquired the East Florida Banner in 1881, and it was rebranded as The Florida Banner-Lacon after merging with The Florida Lacon. In 1883, the name changed again to The Ocala Banner. By 1890, The Ocala Banner transitioned to a daily newspaper format. In 1895, a rival publication called The Ocala Evening Star was launched. On September 1, 1943, The Ocala Star-Banner was formed by merging both newspapers and has continued to serve as the daily news source for Marion County ever since.

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Marion County School Board approves names for the two new elementary schools

1 day ago | ocala.com | Austin L. Miller

The new elementary schools in southwest Marion County have been named Ross Prairie Elementary and Winding Oaks Elementary. The names were chosen through a public survey and committee recommendations. The schools are expected to open within the next few months and will help alleviate overcrowding. Ross Prairie Elementary is located at 14320 SW 70th Avenue Road, and Winding Oaks Elementary is at 7200 SW 49th Avenue Road.
Local branch of NAACP will hold annual Freedom Fund Awards & Banquet on April 25

2 days ago | ocala.com | Austin L. Miller

The Ocala NAACP branch will hold its 43rd annual Freedom Fund Awards & Banquet on April 25. The event will take place at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala. U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, D-Orlando, will be the guest speaker. The theme of this year's banquet is "Seeing Beyond Today."The local branch of the NAACP is hosting its 43rd Freedom Fund Awards & Banquet on April 25 at 6 p.m. at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala.
By jilting Tennessee, Nico Iamaleava gets schooled in art of negotiation | Toppmeyer

6 days ago | ocala.com | Blake Toppmeyer

If you think NIL deals and the transfer portal are antithetical to what college should be about, well, Nico Iamaleava just received better schooling in the real-life art of negotiation than he’d ever learn from a classroom. Make no mistake, the former Tennessee quarterback got schooled throughout this process.
School board selects Danielle Brewer, a local administrator, for interim superintendent

6 days ago | ocala.com | Austin L. Miller

The Marion County School Board selected Danielle Brewer as interim superintendent. Brewer, currently the senior executive director of high schools and secondary curriculum, was chosen from seven candidates. The board will vote on a proposed contract for Brewer on April 29, with a salary range between $125,897 and $169,333. The board aims to appoint a permanent superintendent by spring 2026.
Dunnellon council says yes to the sheriff providing law enforcement services

1 week ago | ocala.com | Austin L. Miller

The Marion County Sheriff's Office will take over law enforcement duties for the city of Dunnellon starting May 13. Dunnellon police officers are on paid leave until May 13, while sheriff's deputies patrol the city. Capt. Ron Bray was appointed as Dunnellon's chief of police/community resource officer. Bray will act as a liaison between the city council and sheriff's office and manage the police department budget.
No way: Marion County Commission won't allow residential development at old landfill site

1 week ago | ocala.com | Jim Ross

Marion County Commission unanimously rejected a rezoning request for a 73-home development on a former landfill. Residents voiced concerns about soil contamination and unsuitable building conditions on the 27-acre site. The developer stated the landfill was properly closed and further environmental compliance would be addressed. Commissioners cited public interest and incompatibility with surrounding properties as reasons for denial.
Without Bobby Jones' punishing 1930 slam, Rory McIlroy might not have had a Masters to win

1 week ago | ocala.com | Ken Willis

Rory McIlroy's Masters win brought him immense relief, comparable to Bobby Jones's relief in 1930. Jones's success and subsequent fame likely contributed to the creation of Augusta National and the Masters Tournament. In terms of a single golfer’s singular goal, Rory McIlroy’s Masters win delivered the biggest relief a golfing giant has felt in 95 years. And you can make a case for this: If the 1930 stress-reliever didn’t come off, there may never have been a Masters around for Rory to win.
'Trump Bible' is more than 'Saturday Night Live' sketch: What to know, how much it costs

1 week ago | ocala.com | Jennifer Sangalang |Antonio Fins

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SEC announces dates, coach lineups for 2025 media days in Atlanta

1 week ago | ocala.com | Austin Curtright

About Your PrivacyClicking on the "Reject All" Button retains the default setting of only strictly necessary cookies. We and our 183 partners store and access personal data, like browsing data or unique identifiers, on your device. Selecting Accept All enables tracking technologies to support the purposes shown under we and our partners process data to provide. Selecting Reject All or withdrawing your consent will disable them.
One person killed early Tuesday in Dunnellon house fire

1 week ago | ocala.com | Austin L. Miller

One person was killed and two others were able to escape a house fire early April 15 in Dunnellon. Here's what we know:Where was the fire? Marion County Fire Rescue officials said it was in the 20600 block of West McKinney Avenue. When were first responders dispatched? Fire officials said they were called at 12:51 a.m. and arrived at 12:55 p.m. Officials said the call was about a home fully engulfed in flames. Two people had escaped and a third person was trapped inside.