Cristina’s Deli and Smokey Drew’s BBQ in Ocala raised prices this year as wholesale food costs climbed and customers already stretched thin.
A 32-year-old Ocklawaha man died after a Ford pickup struck him in the westbound lane of State Road 25 early Tuesday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Marion County Girl Scout families can preview 2027’s first allergy-friendly cookie and first cookie for dogs at Saturday’s Girl Scout Fest in Wesley Chapel.
Ocala would replace its $50,000 downtown commercial grant with awards of up to $150,000 for retail and restaurants, but the CRA Board still has to adopt the program before anyone can apply.
Marion County School Board member Nancy Thrower says the board will vote Tuesday on consolidating Wyomina Park Elementary with Oakcrest, the plan delayed in August after parents packed the meeting.
Commissioner Craig Curry told residents Tuesday that the county has already reached population levels once projected for 2030 and that a total moratorium would recreate Great Recession job losses instead of catching roads up.
Marion County approved a 12-month moratorium on large commercial data centers of 50 megawatts or more after a 4-1 vote over smaller-plant exemptions
Businessman Clay Albright told the Ocala City Council that an “embedded cancerous culture” in code enforcement has frightened business owners and that some fear retribution, while Councilman Jim Hilty voted ‘no’ on Lee’s contract and other members said the division needs fixing but Lee should stay.
The Ocala City Council approved a 6.6177 millage rate, an $18.2 million fire assessment, and raises for City Manager Peter Lee, City Attorney William Sexton, and Police Chief Michael Balken.
Existing shops are grandfathered, though one speaker said some convenience stores “carry just products of hedonism” and should not get the same exemption.