OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 21, 2017) – Monday, Nov. 20 the City of Ocala began construction to upgrade the air system at Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) #3 located at 3100 SW 67th Ave. This project is expected to be completed by early April 2018.

“This project will upgrade the aeration equipment at WRF #3,” said Robyn Preston, Plant Supervisor, WRF #3. “This upgrade will allow for a better waste water treatment and nutrient reduction and will also ensure optimum treatment for current and future flows.” [Read more…]

This family-friendly holiday program will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays Dec. 5 through 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the downtown square.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 13, 2017) – ‘Santa on the Square’ returns to Downtown Ocala this December. This family-friendly holiday program will take place Tuesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19 and 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the downtown square.

Children of all ages will enjoy music, snacks and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! This event is free and open to the public. Guests must be in line by 8 p.m. to get their picture taken with Santa and are encouraged to bring their own camera to capture this special visit.

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

Date: 11/18/2017 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Location: Downtown Ocala
100 SE 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida 34470

Light Up Ocala
Saturday | November 18 | 4 – 9p.m.

Join us for the 34th annual Light Up Ocala! Featuring live entertainment on four different stages throughout the event zone, over 100 vendors, all kinds of food trucks, and street performers throughout the area including the Living Angel Statues, dog acts, Punch and Judy, jugglers and more! There will be a kids zone with bounce houses, slides, and laser tag too. [Read more…]

The On Top of the World Concert Chorus will present an encore performance of their winter concert entitled “All-American Christmas” on Sunday, December 10 at 3:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 5200 SW College Road, Ocala, 34474.  This concert will include a collection of Christmas songs all by American composers.   This is a free concert but a good will offering will be collected.

This concert is open to the community and all are welcome to attend.  For information contact 352-854-8718.

The new church year begins on Advent Sunday, December 3, 2017.  Advent is the time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.  The term is a version of the Latin word “coming.”

During Advent there will be the usual Sunday worship services of 8:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The service and sermons will have the message within the theme of “Moving Toward the Manager.” [Read more…]

This program assists low to moderate income citizens with home repairs to eliminate life, safety and health hazards.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2017) – The City of Ocala is accepting applications for its Housing Rehabilitation Program. This program assists low to moderate income citizens with home repairs to eliminate life, safety and health hazards.

Eligible household repairs include roof leaks, inoperable heating and air, exterior window/door replacement, electrical repairs, water/sewer connections, plumbing repairs and ADA accessibility, such as bathrooms and ramps. [Read more…]

The third and final pass for debris collection began Wednesday, Nov. 1 and will be completed by Saturday, Nov. 18. Regularly scheduled collection for yard waste, junk and debris is expected to resume Monday, Nov. 20 for City of Ocala residents.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2017) – The City of Ocala and its FEMA-approved debris management contractor, Crowder-Gulf, are continuing to collect hurricane debris in all four quadrants of the City limits following Hurricane Irma. The third and final pass for debris collection began Wednesday, Nov. 1 and will be completed by Saturday, Nov. 18. Regularly scheduled collection for yard waste, junk and debris is expected to resume Monday, Nov. 20 for City of Ocala residents.  [Read more…]

MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 31, 2017)- Detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office

(MCSO) Major Crimes Unit arrested South Carolina resident John David Madura (DOB: 06/28/1979) after he had sexual intercourse on multiple occasions with a 15-year old female Marion County teenager. Madura was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for Possession of Child Pornography and during that investigation, Minneapolis detectives discovered videos on Madura’s phone of him having sex with the teenager and of her posed in lewd positions. An analysis of the videos revealed that they were taken at a residence in Marion County, initiating MCSO’s investigation.

[Read more…]