Local News - The Ocala Star-Banner

OCALA - In contrast to last year's first budget hearing - when the County Commission almost failed to agree on a property tax rate - Thursday night's vote on a rate for fiscal year 2009 was done quickly.

OCALA - It's Friday night.The chalk carefully lines the yard markers, cheerleaders bounce around the sidelines and noisy sounds are burped out from the band as they warm up, waiting for their teams to hit the field.

OCALA - The Southwest Florida Water Management District is cracking down on counties that use too much water.

OCALA - The career of one of the greatest athletes ever produced in Marion County looks to have ended. Former Vanguard standout Daunte Culpepper announced his retirement from the NFL in a statement sent via e-mail on Thursday morning.

OCALA - A day after Shells closed its doors on Southwest College Road, another longtime establishment said goodbye.The Hops Grill and Brewery at 2505 S.W. College Road served patrons lunch Thursday, then locked the doors. The space will become a Cody's Original Roadhouse, which should open next month.

OCALA - Taking just two hours to reach a verdict, a jury on Thursday convicted former school mentor and youth baseball coach Robert C. Ragle on four felony counts involving child sex-abuse.

GAINESVILLE - Friday promises to start out as any other ordinary day for Rob Davis, when the second-year University of Florida law student will set out on a run, as he usually does to unwind, and eat a small breakfast.

SANFORD - No one wants the case of the State of Florida v. Andrew Allred to be over more than Allred himself.So, for a second time in recent months, Allred has tried to fire his attorney, frustrated with what he deems a slow pace.

OCALA - Lawyers spend their lives arguing cases, but you can't argue with Mother Nature.That's what a legal advocacy group has discovered, as sinkholes have opened under their building.

OCALA -- A man tired of cars blocking his driveway while lining up to pick up students at Dr. N.H. Jones Elementary School has been arrested and charged with threatening one of the drivers with a 2-by-4.

OCALA - A day after Shells restaurant closed its doors in southwest Ocala, another longtime establishment on State Road 200 said goodbye for good.

OCALA - A pro bono gift from Mother Nature has forced a local legal advocacy group to look for a new home.

MIAMI - Daunte Culpepper, who starred for the Minnesota Vikings before a major knee injury in 2005 curtailed his career, retired from the NFL on Thursday.

Larry Cornelius has had a steady flow of phone calls wishing him good luck from friends and colleagues around the country as they learn he is one of five nominees for a top award recognizing professional dog handlers.

OCALA - The Marion County Sheriff's Office has closed the case involving an 8-year-old boy whose parents did not seek medical attention after he was burned over 15 percent of his body.

OCALA - Bob "Dr. Jam" High served in the military then retired from a career as a pharmaceutical representative for Bristol-Myer. He keeps busy now volunteering to help youngsters learn to roller skate.High entered the U.S. Army in 1945 at 18, after graduating high school. He and his father both reported to the draft board for physicals.

Fort McCoy - The VFW Retirement Home's second annual "Ever Vigilant" tribute to first responders begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at 12801 N.E. 139th Place, Fort McCoy.

OCALA - Now that the primary is over, Republican Executive Committee member Anthony Tortora has withdrawn as a write-in candidate for County Commission District 5.

OCALA - A jury on Thursday convicted former school mentor and youth baseball coach Robert C. Ragle on four felony counts involving child sex abuse.