Flood of suspicious package reports has Marion, Ocala officals scrambling

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — The Ocala Police and Fire departments, along with the Marion County Fire and Sheriff's departments, were kept busy Tuesday afternoon after reports of suspicious packages came in from a number of locations in the county.
 
Investigators said a total of nine suspicious packages and envelopes were reported at Lake Weir, Forest and Westport high schools, the Elks Lodge, the Marion County Courthouse and the Ocala Star Banner.

Other locations were Belleview High School, Blessed Trinity School and Hillcrest School.
 
Officials said the county hazmat unit aided in the investigations and so far no packages contained any threats.
 
According to the Ocala Fire Department the substance found in a package at Lake Weir High School turned out to be a "grocery product."

WFTV