MARION COUNTY, Florida (December 24, 2017)- Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes detectives are currently investigating an early morning shooting in Ocala that left one man dead. At approximately 12:00 a.m., on Sunday, December 24, 2017, MCSO deputies were dispatched to the Queens Garden Resort located at 3330 South Pine Avenue in Ocala in reference to a shooting. When deputies arrived on scene, they found a black male victim lying on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds. Deputies began performing life-saving measures on the victim until paramedics arrived. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. [Read more…]

The Marion Civic Chorale and Countryside Presbyterian Church Choir, both directed by Ryan Pagels  and  the Chancel choir from First Presbyterian Church, directed by David Bedenbaugh will perform on  Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 pm. at Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 S.W. Hwy 200, Ocala.  They will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra of local musicians.

The first half of the program will be a sing-a-long of favorite carols followed by “The Gift of Love,”  an original work, written by Bedenbaugh and Pagels.  This is based on the 9 Lessons & Carols.

The public is invited and there is no admission charge but a freewill offering will be taken.

For further information, please call the church office at (352) 237- 4633.

 

The Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Thursday December 14, 2017 at 2 PM at the Marion County Public Library located at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.  A brief business meeting will be followed by the holiday party. For further information, contact Joel Swanson at (352)897-0840 or [email protected].

The Senior Fishing Derby was a great success, with over a hundred reservations accounted for. And the winners are: Oldest Fisherwoman – Lillie Brooks 97; Biggest Fish – Mae Jones.

Thank-Yous out to the City, especially Grace Huff for coordinating the event. Thank you to the city crew for the set up and clean up. Thank you to Dustin Echols of Clay Electric for cooking. Thanks to BJ Trophys for the two trophys and thanks to TomL Publishing for donating fishing rods, reels and restaurant coupons for door prizes (Ocala DownTown and Seniors Voice of Ocala newspapers). See more for pictures of the event… [Read more…]

The Marion County Genealogical Society will meet Thursday January 18, 2018 at 2 PM at the Marion County Public Library located at 2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala.  A brief business meeting will be followed by the January program “Understanding and Using Your Autosomal DNA Test Results” by Drew Smith. For further information, contact Joel Swanson at (352)897-0840 or [email protected].

The City of Ocala is pleased to announce the selected sculptors and their works participating in the 2018-2019 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 7, 2017) – The City of Ocala is pleased to announce the selected sculptors and their works participating in the 2018-2019 Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition.

SELECTED ARTIST                                          LOCATION                         NAME OF SCULPTURE

Mike Hansel                                                       Middletown, RI                 Navigator

Corrina Sephora                                               Atlanta, GA                         Transcendence

John Gamache                                                  Ocala, FL                              Robustae

Claudia Lauster                                                 Naples, FL                            Job

Keith Bryant                                                       Charlotte, NC                     Leaf Boats

Richard Whitehill                                              Earlysillve, VA                    Waves

Kevin Lehman                                                    Lancaster, PA                     Monoliths: Shine

Gus and Lina Ocamposilva                            Clearwater, FL                   Arabesque

James Futral                                                       Ft. Myers, FL                      Metal Elephant

Darryl Lauster                                                    Arlington, TX                      Untitled (Monument to John Glenn) [Read more…]

Effective Monday, Dec. 11, the parking lot at the SE 31st Street Start! Walking Trail located at 2025 SE 31st St. will be closed for resurfacing.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2017) – Effective Monday, Dec. 11, the parking lot at the SE 31st Street Start! Walking Trail located at 2025 SE 31st St. will be closed for resurfacing. This resurfacing project is expected to be completed in approximately two weeks.

During construction, the walking trail will remain open to the public, however due to space limitations, there will not be a temporary parking lot available during this time.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 27, 2017) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:

• 6 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Macey Mac on the main event stage located at the downtown square near the gazebo. Macey is a 13-year-old artist who channels a unique combination of LeeAnn Rimes, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin.
• 7 and 8 p.m. – Enjoy modern fusion and gypsy-style belly dancing with swords, hula hoops, fire props and fire breathing by Belly Artist Dance Studio.
• Free hands-on art activities for all ages will be provided throughout the event by the Appleton Museum of Art, Painting with a Twist, Marion County Public Library, Karate America Ocala, Animis Foundation and the Discovery Center.

[Read more…]

Admission to this event is $5 per person. Veterans, active military and children ages five and under are free.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2017) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host ‘A Fight for Freedom: Attack on Fort King’ Saturday, Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark located at 3925 E. Ft. King St.

This two-day event will include a re-enactment of Chief Osceola’s attack on Fort King and the demise of Indian Agent Wiley Thompson, an event that led to the start of the Second Seminole War. The event will also include a Seminole village and soldier’s encampment to show what life was like back in the 1830s. Those in attendance will experience time-period crafts, traditional skills workshops, food, drinks and games, such as tomahawk throwing and horseshoes. [Read more…]