
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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.