Riverland News

11/30/2024

🎁✨ This holiday season, let’s support our community by shopping local 🛍️

Small businesses are the heart of Dunnellon, offering unique gifts and personalized service. Keep your dollars local and make a big impact!

Historic Village Shops of Dunnellon: https://tinyurl.com/mtnf67pn

11/28/2024

George Jones knows the exact moment he decided that he needed to complete the requirements to become an Eagle Scout.

https://www.chronicleonline.com/weeklies/riverland_news/local_news/determined-local-student-fulfills-commitment-to-become-eagle-scout/article_63a7b140-71fc-5748-93e4-74b8a91c415d.html

11/28/2024

🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from the Riverland News🦃

This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for our wonderful community, our dedicated readers, and the opportunity to share stories that bring us all together. Thank you for trusting us to keep you informed and connected.

From our family to yours, may your day be filled with love, laughter, and gratitude. ❤️

11/27/2024

Gruffs Tap and Grille in Dunnellon, along with Raci Lewis and her volunteers, sponsored a recent fundraiser benefiting a local charity, Michelle-O-Gram.

Gruff’s Tap and Grille in Dunnellon, along with Raci Lewis and her volunteers, sponsored a recent fundraiser benefiting a local charity, Michelle-O-Gram.

11/27/2024

The Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop donated $20,000 to five area food pantries in time to help with holiday food boxes and dinners.

Finishing the year, The Dunnellon Community Thrift Shop donated $20,000 to five area food pantries in time to help with holiday food boxes and dinners.

10/14/2024

As a precaution due to Withlacoochee River Flooding, Citrus County is closing its boat ramps in the affected area.

The following ramps will be closed at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, until further notice:

Goldendale Ave.
12199 N. Goldendale Ave.
Dunnellon, FL. 34433

Spruce Dr.
4863 E. Spruce Drive
Dunnellon, FL. 34434

Turner Camp Rd.
9460 E. Turner Camp Road
Inverness, FL. 34453

Trail's End
12300 E. Trails End Road
Floral City, FL. 34436

Withlapopka
10851 E. Gobbler Dr.
Floral City, FL. 34436

10/11/2024

Marion County to Open Citizen Tree and Vegetative Debris Sites Following Hurricane Milton

Roadside Pick up to Start on Major Roadways Beginning Wednesday, October 16, 2024

This weekend, all Marion County recycling centers will resume normal operating hours and will be open on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, from 9 AM to 5 PM to accept household garbage.

The Baseline Transfer Station will also return to its regular hours, operating on Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM but will be closed on Sunday, October 13.

In response to Hurricane Milton, we are also setting up designated drop-off locations for vegetative debris for citizens to use if needed.

These sites will be available from Sunday, October 13, through Sunday, October 27, 2024, and will be open daily from 8 AM to 7 PM.

The drop-off locations are as follows:

• Next to Belleview Public Library - 13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview, FL 34420
• SW Hwy 484 and SW 57th Ave Road - 5700 SW Hwy 484, Ocala, FL 34473
• NE Jacksonville Road - 5823 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala, FL 34479

Additionally, our teams are preparing for roadside debris pickup from public roads throughout Marion County. We will begin collecting tree and vegetative debris from our major road network starting Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Please note that this service is specifically for tree debris and vegetative material and does not include yard clippings, construction debris, household garbage, or lot clearing.
We appreciate your cooperation as we work to clear our community of debris and restore normalcy following Hurricane Milton.

For more information or questions, please visit our Hurricane information webpage at: www.marionfl.org/emergency.

10/11/2024

The Two Rivers Music Festival & Food Truck Rally is still on for Saturday.

Thank you everyone for your patience.
The Two Rivers Music Festival & Food Truck Rally IS BACK AT ERNIE MILLS PARK &
E. PENNSYLVANIA AVE. Please join us on Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 5 pm. – 10 pm. For Food & Music Located at Ernie Mills Park. Along E. Pennsylvania Ave. At the Go For Donuts Plaza, Badcock Furniture, and ending at Exit Realty. For questions or more information please call (352) 489-2320.
https://dunnellonchamber.com/new-venue-for-the-two.../

10/10/2024

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management is now at a Level 2 partial activation as crews continue to restore power and clear debris across our county.

Government Office Openings:
The following offices will reopen tomorrow, October 11, 2024:

Marion County Sheriff’s Office
Marion County Offices
City of Belleview Offices
City of Dunnellon Offices
Marion County Courthouse
Marion County Federal Courthouse
Marion County Tax Collector’s Office
Marion County Property Appraiser’s Office

The City of Ocala Offices will remain closed tomorrow and reopen on Monday, October 14, 2024.

The Marion County Courthouse, Clerk of Court and Comptroller, and 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office announced they will be closed tomorrow, October 11, 2024, and reopen Monday, October 14, 2024.

The Baseline Transfer Station, along with the Dunnellon, Davis and Newton Recycling Centers, will be open from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. today.

Citizens Information Line:
The Citizens Information Line will close at 3:00 p.m. today. To report trees and power lines down, please call the non-emergency line at (352) 732-9111. As always, please call 911 for emergencies.

10/10/2024

Property Damage Self-Reporting:
If your property sustained damage due to Hurricane Milton, please document the damage with photographs as soon as it is safe to do so. Additionally, citizens should make emergency repairs such as covering broken windows and damaged roofs and, if the home is uninhabitable, seek safe lodging.

To report damage to the Marion County Property Appraiser:
File a report at www.pa.marion.fl.us/damageassessmentreport.aspx
Call: 352-368-8300
Email: [email protected]
Download the Marion County PA app on a smartphone.
Visiting their website or using the app on a smartphone are the fastest ways to report damage.

Report Power Outages:
To report power outages, citizens are directed to contact their utility service providers at the numbers provided below:
Ocala Electric Utility: (352) 351-6666
Duke Energy: (800) 228-8485
SECO: (352) 237-4107
Clay Electric: (888) 434-9844
Withlacoochee River Electric: (352) 796-4382

Citizens Information Line:
The Citizens Information Line is open today for questions and assistance relating to the impacts of Hurricane Milton in Marion County. As always, please call 911 for emergencies.

10/10/2024

Due to Hurricane Milton, Waste Management has suspended collection services for trash, recycling, and yard waste for Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 9-10. This includes Marion and Citrus County.

10/09/2024

The National Weather Service in Jacksonville has issued a flash flood warning for Marion County.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include:

Ocala, Rainbow Lakes Estates, Lynne, Fort McCoy, Citra, Juniper Springs, Anthony, Sparr, Santos, Silver Springs Shores, Ocala Airport, Lake Weir, Ocklawaha, Moss Bluff, Cross Creek, Weirsdale,
The Village of Briar Meadow, Orange Springs, Belleview and Dunnellon.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.
Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely.

10/08/2024

10/08/2024

Due to the anticipated impact of Hurricane Milton, the following government offices in Marion County have announced closures:

Marion County Sheriff’s Office – Closing at noon on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, will remain closed on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

Marion County Offices – Closed on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office – Closing at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, will remain closed on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Marion County Courthouse – Closing at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, will remain closed on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller – Closing at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, will remain closed on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Marion County Tax Collector’s Office – Closing at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, will remain closed on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Marion County Property Appraiser’s Office – Closing at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, will remain closed on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024.

Additional updates regarding closures will be posted to marionso.com/hurricane-milton.

The following locations will open at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2024, as emergency shelters in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Those seeking shelter should bring their own medications, food, and other essentials. Pet owners seeking shelter for animals should bring their own pet supplies, inclu...

10/08/2024

Marion County Public Schools and CF have announced they’re closed through Friday, Oct. 11. See message below from MCPS:

Marion County Public Schools announced that schools will be CLOSED on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Thursday, October 10, 2024, and Friday, October 11, 2024.

Based on the latest weather predictions, Hurricane Milton will impact our area on Wednesday and Thursday.

Because of the anticipated impact, Marion County Public Schools will remain closed Friday for sheltering reasons and to allow crews to safely inspect and determine damages to any campus or access roads. The weekend will allow for adjustments as necessary based on those inspections.

Unless otherwise noticed, all schools and departments will reopen with normal schedules on Monday, October 14, 2024.

10/07/2024

EVACUATION UPDATE (5:15 p.m. Monday Oct. 7):

Marion County issues Mandatory Evacuation for mobile homes and RVs

Due to the current projected path of Hurricane Milton, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order for those living in mobile homes, RVs, modular-type homes, and any structure in which the resident feels unsafe.

Those living in these homes should know that if they remain in these locations, emergency personnel will not respond to their location until it is deemed safe to do so. Residents are encouraged to first seek shelter with family or friends. If that option is not available, Marion County has several shelters listed below for residents to utilize.

Shelter Locations:
The following locations will open at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2024, as emergency shelters in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Those seeking shelter should bring their own medications, food, and other essentials. Pet owners seeking shelter for animals should bring their own pet supplies, including crates.

General Population Shelters:
Belleview Middle School, 10500 SE 36th Avenue, Belleview, FL
Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL
Fort McCoy School, 16160 NE Highway 315, Fort McCoy, FL
Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, 365 Marion Oaks Drive, Ocala, FL
Liberty Middle School, 4773 SW 95th Street, Ocala, FL
Madison Street Academy, 401 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Ocala, FL
North Marion Middle School, 2085 W Highway 329, Citra, FL

Special Needs Shelters:
West Port High School, 3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala, FL (pets of special needs residents allowed)

Pet-Friendly Shelter:
Lake Weir High School, 10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL
Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL

Sexual Offender and Predator Shelter:
The MCSO Sexual Offender and Predator Unit will close to the public for registration activities on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. and will open as an emergency shelter for Registered Sexual Offenders and Predators at 6:00 p.m. that day. Please contact the unit by phone during normal business hours to request early acceptance. Emergency acceptances will be handled as needed after the shelter opens.
MCSO Sexual Offender and Predator Unit, 3300 NW 10th Street, Ocala, FL

Sexual Offenders and Predators at this shelter should bring any prescribed medication, and no medical ma*****na, alcohol, or weapons are allowed. They should also bring food and snacks, a pillow, a blanket, a sleeping bag, and hygiene items. Once inside the shelter, they will not be able to leave until the storm passes and it is safe to travel. They will NOT be able to bring any guests with them. If the storm increases in severity, the shelter will move to the Marion County Jail. If the shelter is moved to the jail, to***co products and cell phones will not be allowed.

The Sexual Offender and Predator Unit will be available 24 hours a day by phone at (352) 368-3517 beginning 8:00 a.m. Tuesday until the storm has passed. They will also be available to field any emergency registration requests; however, non-emergency requests will be handled during normal business hours beginning 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024. Thursday’s hours will be determined after the storm assessment is completed for safety purposes.

10/06/2024

Marion County schools and shelter update

Marion County Public School Closures:
Marion County Public Schools announced that schools will be CLOSED on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024.

All extra-curricular, after-school activities are canceled on Tuesday, except Marion Afterschool Programs, which will operate as usual.

Shelter Information:
The following locations will open as emergency shelters in preparation for Hurricane Milton. Citizens with special dietary needs should bring a supply of food with them.

Special Needs Shelter: Westport High School, 3733 SW 80th Avenue, Ocala, will open at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Small pets are also allowed into the shelter with proper documentation.

Pet-Friendly Shelter (open 6 p.m. Tuesday): Vanguard High School, 7 NW 28th Street, Ocala, FL 34475.

General Population Shelter (open 6 p.m. Tuesday): Fort McCoy School, 16160 NE County Road 315, Fort McCoy, FL 32134

Citizen information Line:
The Marion County Emergency Management Citizen’s Information Line will open Monday, October 7, 2024, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For non-emergency inquiries related to the weather event, please call 352-369-7500. For emergencies, always dial 911.

10/06/2024

Emergency Management announces sandbag location in Dunnellon

Sandbag locations
The Marion County Sheriff's Office Division of Emergency Management is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Milton and has announced the opening of nine sandbag locations across Marion County.

The sandbag locations will begin operations at 12:00 p.m. today. These locations are self-serve, bags are provided, and a limited number of shovels will be available at the sites. However, citizens are encouraged to bring their own. Officials request that each person limit their use to 10 bags per vehicle.


Dunnellon Public Works, 11924 Bostick St., Dunnellon, Florida 34431
Tuscawilla Park (Reilly Arts Center), 800 NE Sanchez Ave, Ocala, FL
ED Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW Fourth St, Ocala, FL
Jervey Gantt Park- 2200 SE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470
Wrigley Field, 405 County Rd East 316, Citra, FL
John Van Fleet Sports Complex, 14445 NE 14th Street Road, Ocala, FL
Belleview Sports Complex, 6501 SE 107th St, Belleview FL
Martel Recycling Center, 296 SW 67th Ave Rd, Ocala, FL
Marion Oaks, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, FL (Behind the Community Center)

For continued updates about Tropical Storm Milton, visit the Marion County Sheriff’s Office page. Residents are also encouraged to sign up for Alert Marion, the county’s emergency notification system, at

Receive time-sensitive emergency alerts to your cell phone, home phone, business phones, email and/or text message.