We pray for him and his family. Art was well known in Ocala, he owned and operated a jewelry store for many years. He had many friends in the Ocala Business Leaders and around town, he owned and worked on antique car. He was a member of the Ocala Business Leaders, CEP Ocala Chamber, a woodworking club a car club. So you can tell he was a busy guy.

He will be missed! I will miss him!

The haunting will begin at 8 p.m. nightly on the outdoor stage.

Gather ‘round for not-too-terrifying twilight tales for ages 3-10 and their families… Our storyteller will thrill and chill with frightful delights by flickering jack-o’-lantern light, sharing stories from the silly to the spooky. The evening ends with the Halloween classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – and a copy of the book will follow each child home…

Tickets on sale now.
$6.00 for ages 10 and under
$12.00 for ages 11 and over
Read More and Purchase Tickets Today

Post Date: 10/12/2020 4:42 PM
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 12, 2020) – The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park will close Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to repair a subsurface subsidence. The park is expected to reopen Wednesday, Oct. 14. Hours of operation are sunrise to sunset.
Subsurface subsidence’s are an anticipated component of the park due to the karst topography below ground. They present no danger to the public or the environment.
For more information please contact the City of Ocala Water Resources department at 352-351-6772.

See a real moon rock from the Apollo 15 Moon landing mission, drive a Mars rover over rocky terrain, navigate through the international space station, travel through a wormhole and take part in hands-on challenges to see if you have what it takes to be the next generation of space explorers!

DISCOVERY CENTER PRICING

General Admission
$8.00 per person

StarLab Planetarium shows (By Reservation Only, Call 352-401-3900)
$30.00 for 30 minute show for up to 10 people in same family/group | Saturdays 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm
STEAM Saturday Special (Oct .10, Nov. 17 & Dec. 12 Only)
$3.00 add-on to general admission for 2 pm hands-on science program

(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 6, 2020 – Five Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) members were honored today at Fire Station 1 (320 NE 8th Ave.) during an intimate presentation by Hires-Baxley, in celebration of the 3rd Annual Hometown Heroes awards.

Post Date: 10/06/2020

One Firefighter, two Fire Equipment Operators (FEOs), and two Captains were recognized for efforts that proved invaluable in resolving each of the emergencies to which they responded.

• Firefighter Shantelle Nichols was recognized for his courageous actions searching for occupants in a home threatened by flames from a vacant structure on fire next door, despite being off-duty. His immediate action allowed crews to focus on containing the fire to the structure of origin. Firefighter Nichols not only assisted his teammates before their arrival, but he also remained on scene to operate a fire hose and help as needed, demonstrating an absolute commitment to his profession and community.

• Captain Jesse Blaire was recognized for his integral role in OFRs fight against COVID-19. Proposing a strike team dedicated to Coronavirus responses, Captain Blaire’s trailblazing methods proved vital in decreasing exposures to the virus for citizens and first responders alike.

• Captain John Toms, FEO Ryan Brady, and FEO Jagger Maguire were recognized for their life-saving actions during an apartment structure fire. Upon arrival at a fire scene, this crew learned that a senior was unaccounted for. As they prepared to search the building billowing with smoke, a second man was spotted attempting to evacuate through a second-floor window. FEOs Brady and Maguire laddered the window to help bring the man down safely. Meanwhile, Captain Toms searched the first-floor apartment units for the senior. Firefighter Toms located, woke, and guided the senior through the heavy smoke and out of the building. For actions that helped save two lives Captain Toms, FEO Brady, and FEO Maguire each received Act of Valor Awards.

“We are overjoyed for each of the team members recognized today,” said Public Information Officer Ashley Lopez. “Because we know that they would repeat their actions without hesitation, time, and time again.”

(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 5, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years —to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!”

Post Date: 10/05/2020

The campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“We know cooking fires can be prevented,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice-president of outreach and advocacy. “Staying in the kitchen, using a timer, and avoiding distractions such as electronics or TV are steps everyone can take to keep families safe in their homes.”

OFR encourages all residents to embrace the 2020 Fire Prevention Week theme.

“The most important step you should take before making a meal is to “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!” said Fire Chief Shane Alexander. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

OFR wants to share safety tips to keep you from having a cooking fire. Continue reading →

(OCALA, Fla.) Oct. 1, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue is launching the Ocala Recovery Project (ORP), a complimentary program for addiction rehabilitation.

Post Date: 10/01/2020

Funded by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant and the Marion County Hospital District, the ORP was designed to reduce opiate overdose deaths and dependency. Through a systematic approach comprised of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and counseling, the ORP addresses participants’ emotional, psychological, and physiological well-being.

The program aims to help recurring overdose patients, new and expectant mothers suffering from substance dependency, Substance Exposed Newborns (SEN), and anyone ready to begin the path toward recovery.

“Addiction can affect anyone, at any time,” said OFR Captain Jesse Blaire. “With a hands-on approach, including emotional support and comprehensive medical care, we are certain that participants will achieve program success.” Continue reading →

 OCALA, Fla.) Sept. 11, 2020 – Ocala Fire Rescue

(OFR) responded to reports of a fire alarm at Canterbury Circle apartment complex at 7:38 p.m.

OFR Engines 3, 4, and 6, Rescue 3, Squad 7, Battalion Chief 22, and a Safety Officer were dispatched to the call at the 3500 block of SW 38th Terrace

Upon arrival, crews encountered a strong smell of smoke near the unit that triggered the fire alarm. Without residents to facilitate access, firefighters forced entry into the unit. Upon entering, crews found a dog attempting to exit the smoke-filled staircase of the second-floor duplex unit.  The dog was removed and taken to safety.

Engine crews made their way up the stairs to find a fire in the kitchen and an active sprinkler system dousing the flames. The fire was under control by 7:52 p.m. and extinguished by 7:56 p.m.

The sprinkler system was deactivated, and overhaul operations began.

Four people (two second-floor unit residents and two from the first-floor unit) were displaced due to significant water damage. No injuries were reported.The cause of the fire is unknownThe Ocala Police Department, Ocala Electric Utility, and Marion County Fire Rescue also responded.

by TomL

The Ocala Business Leaders speaker Dr. Paul Banerjee was invited by Stacy Edmondson Cruz of Magnolia Family Urgent Care here in Ocala. Probably the most enlightening things was. “There are people who die with COVID-19 and there are people who die from COVID-19!” A person could have Heart trouble or other illnesses and because of their weakened condition they contract  COVID-19 and die of heart failure, how do you count that?   There is a lot of confusion about how it is counted according to some people. They say that if someone die’s of COVID-19 the hospital gets four times more money than if they died with COVID-19 .

Dr. Paul Banerjee is the Medical Director for Polk County Fire Rescue, Polk County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, Dr. Banerjee is board certified in Emergency Medicine and is an Associate Professor in Emergency Medicine at the University of Central Florida School of Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine and the University of South Florida School of Medicine. Dr. Banerjee was an EMS 10, 2017 Innovator of the year and the State of Florida Medical Director of the year in 2012. Dr Banerjee is also a member of the Metropolitan Collaboration of EMS Medical Directors. Continue reading →