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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English

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#125413

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#26632

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#1224

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Articles

Florida billionaire poop stinks. They just got out of paying to fix it. | Opinion

2 days ago | ocala.com | Frank Cerabino

Observing the affluent and their effluent has long been a hobby of mine. Wherever the ultra-rich gather you can bet they’re handling their poop issues with the kind of alacrity you’d expect from people who expect everything in life to come up smelling like roses. This takes many forms. Back in the 1990s, The Town of Palm Beach tackled this ours-doesn’t-smell issue by getting the town’s public works department to deploy one of four different fragrances to the sewer system every week.
Flying or driving for Fourth of July in Florida? Here’s the best time to leave, what it’ll cost

4 days ago | ocala.com | C. A. Bridges

• A record 72.2 million Americans are expected to travel domestically for the July 4th week, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. • Nearly 4.6 million Floridians will travel for the holiday, with Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami among the top destinations. • Gas prices are currently lower than last year, but instability in the Middle East could impact prices closer to the holiday. Hitting the road for the long July 4 weekend? There will be a lot of Floridians out there with you.
I've got three tips for Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce on Boca Raton living | Opinion

1 week ago | ocala.com | Frank Cerabino

I've got three tips for Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce on Boca Raton living | Opinion We get our share of celebrities here in Boca Raton, even though some of them move away after high school, like Ariana Grande did. As a longtime resident of Boca Raton, I would like to welcome the recent arrival of pop icon Taylor Swift and her pro-football-player boyfriend, Travis Kelce.
Feds: 16 indicted for illegal reentry after sweeping Florida immigration crackdown

1 week ago | ocala.com | Ana Goni-Lessan

The cases are being investigated by a panoply of state and federal law enforcement agencies. Sixteen people from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua have been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States after they were previously deported.
Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees odds, picks and predictions

1 week ago | ocala.com | Skip Snow

The Los Angeles Angels (35-37) and New York Yankees (35-37) meet Wednesday for Game 3 of a 4-game series in the Bronx. The first pitch from Yankee Stadium is slated for 7:05 p.m. ET (Prime Video). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's MLB odds around the Angels vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets. Los Angeles was swept by the Yankees in a 3-game set at Angel Stadium May 26-28.
New Costco in The Villages may open before end of summer

1 week ago | ocala.com | Julie Garisto

New Costco in The Villages may open before end of summerTHE VILLAGES — Residents of The Villages have been enthusiastic about the new Costco store nearing completion at the Buffalo Ridge Shopping Plaza on County Road 466. The bulk-savings superstore is opening up in The Villages at the Buffalo Ridge Shopping Plaza on Wedgewood Lane (by the Hobby Lobby and KFC on County Road 466, unincorporated Sumter County, between Oxford and Wildwood).
US Open picks, predictions, odds: Who wins at the rugged beast known as Oakmont Country Club?

2 weeks ago | ocala.com | Garry Smits

Scottie Scheffler has never played the Oakmont Country Club as a professional. But as the world's No. 1-ranked player and the leader on the PGA Tour in the FedEx Cup race and earnings, he's the clear favorite to win the U.S. Open June 12-15 at the historic Western Pennsylvania course. Scheffler is a +275 on the money line by BetMGM, with defending champion Bryson DeChambeau next at +750. Past U.S. Open champions Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy are +1200 and Xander Schauffele is +2200.
Operation Parental Advisory: 20 men accused of soliciting kids online for sex

2 weeks ago | ocala.com | Austin Miller

• Twenty men aged 25 to 69 were arrested in Ocala as part of "Operation Parental Advisory," a sting operation targeting online solicitation of minors. • Undercover officers posed as children online. The defendants are accused of communicating with them on social media platforms and traveling to meet them. • Nine vehicles were seized in addition to the arrests. Twenty men have been arrested in a sting operation designed to combat adults going online to solicit juveniles for sex.
Looking up, Ocala: July 4th fireworks in the city are back on

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

• Ocala's July 4th fireworks celebration will be held at Tuscawilla Park from 6-10 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.• Attendees should bring chairs and blankets, but no tents, alcohol, or personal drones are allowed. • Free shuttle services will be available from various locations to the park. • The event is a partnership between the city, Ocala Main Street, Marion County, and the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau. July 4th fireworks in the city of Ocala? Yes, it's happening.
SE Marion: E-bike rider hit/killed by car. Vehicle driver charged with DUI manslaughter

3 weeks ago | ocala.com | Austin L. Miller

• A 34-year-old Belleview woman was arrested for DUI manslaughter after a fatal crash involving an e-bike rider. • The crash occurred on County Road 25 in southeast Marion County, Florida, around 2 a.m. on June 7. • This marks the 28th traffic fatality in unincorporated Marion County in 2025. A man riding an electric bike was hit by a vehicle killed just before 2 a.m. June 7 in southeast Marion County.