Brisket, Fries, and beans from Big Lee's Barbecue
Local
1 month ago
Ocala’s Big Lee’s BBQ goes viral on TikTok, draws fans from Texas and beyond

A viral TikTok video has barbecue fans driving across state lines to try Big Lee’s in Ocala. What started as a tribute to a beloved uncle has become a must-visit destination, with pitmaster Rashad Jones earning national attention.

Background has a blue sky and white clouds, over a beige colored building, with lettering and windows, with ornamental plans in planter and a parking lot in the foreground.
Local
1 month ago
County to hold public hearing for proposed roadway project that will improve existing infrastructure

The final public hearing for a proposed roadway improvement project is being held Aug. 6, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the McPherson Governmental Campus.

Firefighters in a wooden area fighting a house fire in a single-wide mobile home.
Local
1 month ago
Marion County Fire Rescue extinguishes mobile home fire in Citra

Late-night fire damages Citra mobile home; no injuries reported, cause under investigation.

Close-up of a traffic light showing red, yellow, and green signals against a blue sky.
Local
1 month ago
Media Advisory: FDOT Event Urges Drivers to Stop on Red

To mark National Stop on Red Week, FDOT and local agencies will host a safety event in Belleview on August 6, 2025, raising awareness about the dangers of red-light running. The event will feature guest speakers, public outreach, and law enforcement at the intersection of U.S. 301 and U.S. 441 to promote safer driving habits and reduce traffic crashes.

Background is a blue sky, white clouds, shade trees behind the roof of the building, middle ground, a building with white columns, inset with window and doors and brick, in front of the building, sod and sidewalks, and in the foreground, a parking lot.
Community
1 month ago
Final public hearing for 2025-26 annual action plan scheduled before MCBOCC

A final public hearing to gather feedback on the final draft of the community services and Marion County Consortium’s annual action plan for the upcoming fiscal year is scheduled for Aug. 5, 2025, before the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.

Illustrated recruitment poster for Marion County Children’s Alliance encouraging male mentors to apply. The poster features a cartoon image of a confident Black man with a beard, wearing a collared shirt and crossing his arms. Text reads: “Become a male mentor & change lives. Marion County Children’s Alliance is now hiring.” Job details include part-time work at $25/hour for 20 hours per week at designated school sites during school hours. A yellow thumbs-up icon appears in the upper right corner.
Jobs
1 month ago
Marion County Children’s Alliance hiring male mentor for local youth

The Marion County Children’s Alliance is hiring a part-time male mentor to guide youth ages 10–17.

"Still" by Mary Helen Horne
Community
1 month ago
CF Webber Gallery to present ‘The Gap Between Art and Life’ exhibition

The College of Central Florida’s Webber Gallery will host “The Gap Between Art and Life,” a juried installation art exhibition on view Sept. 1–Oct. 16.

A logo with an arc over top of an image of a building, with lettering in the arc. Below the building, there is a flag banner with writing.
Community
1 month ago
Open house showcases Sumter County’s safety action plan

Sumter County is hosting an open house unveiling the safety action plan on Aug. 14 from 6 p,m. to 7 p.m. at the Wildwood Community Center.

Rainy view of palm trees and crepe myrtles under cloudy skies in Ocala, Florida.
Weather Updates
1 month ago
Work Week Weather: Hot Days, Afternoon Thunderstorms Expected Across Ocala

A hot and stormy pattern will dominate Ocala this week, with daily afternoon thunderstorms and highs in the 90s. Here’s your full weekday forecast.

A rhesus macaque monkey with its teeth bared reaches toward a small food container being held by a man in a captain’s hat and uniform. The interaction appears playful yet tense, set against leafy trees and dappled sunlight.
Features
1 month ago
Defunct Ocala: Monkey Island – Silver Springs’ accidental tourist attraction

Monkey Island in Silver Springs, Florida, is home to wild rhesus macaques introduced in the 1930s as a tourism stunt gone wrong. Though intended to stay on an island, the monkeys swam away and now roam the area. Today, they’re a curious local fixture—both a tourist draws and a public health concern.

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