FOR INCLUSION IN COMMUNITY CALENDARS AND LOCAL EVENTS:
Friends of the Ocala Public Library is holding its next clearance book sale beginning on Friday, September 11, for Friends members only (memberships are available at the door) from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm, and then opens to the general public on Saturday, September 12, 10 am-2 pm. Sale is held in the Ocala Public Library headquarters meeting rooms, 2720 Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
Proceeds of the sale benefit children and adult programs, materials, audio and ebooks, and staff development at Ocala headquarters, Reddick, Ft. McCoy, Sankofa, and Silver Spring Shores branches of the Marion County Public Library system.
All childrens books and all paperback books are 25 cents each, and hardbacks are 50 cents each. Cash, checks, and credit cards accepted.
By TomL
The American Dream is to be born free. Get and education. Choose a career of your choice. VERY IMPORTANT! Choose something you like to do. Apply yourself and believe in the company you work for. Ninety nine percent of the time you will come out ahead.
Some careers start mowing the yard of a farm and the farm starts a company as an Equestrian Complex, surrounded by large lot Equestrian Mini Farms. Think about the possibilities Land maintenance around the complex that you might start. Go to Farrer school and learn to shoe horses. Drive one of their people carriers buses? Drive a Horse carrier. I could go on and on.
Suppose you wanted to go to college Go on line and see what is available in grants? Once you learn about Grants maybe start a business teaching the youth how to apply for grants. Maybe keep your best student to join your team teaching the youth about the possibility’s. Keep it as a positive and not a negative! Continue reading
(OCALA, FL.) Aug. 8, 2026 – Ocala Fire Rescue responded to a serious vehicle collision involving a pickup truck and a tree on SW 51st Terrace and SW 38th Street, at approximately 4:44 a.m.
Upon arrival, Rescue 4 found a white pickup truck wedged between a tree and a fence line, showing significant damage. Due to the positioning of the vehicle, one of the two occupants would need to be extricated.
Rescue 4 and Engine 4 requested additional resources, including a second transport unit, Battalion Chief 11, and Squad 7. Crews used hydraulic cutters and spreaders to safely remove the top of the vehicle’s cab and perform a dash lift to gain access to the passenger.
Both occupants were transported to the hospital – one as a precaution for further evaluation, and the other as a trauma alert.
Marion County Fire Rescue and the Florida Highway Patrol also responded.
Ocala Fire Rescue urges all residents to practice safe driving habits, especially during early morning hours when visibility may be compromised.
(OCALA, FL.) Aug. 18, 2026 – Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) has taken an emphatic step forward with the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement at the city council meeting on August 18. The agreement sets the stage for enhancing recruitment and retention of high-quality personnel.
Beginning October 1, 2026, the department will implement competitive starting pay rates that will position OFR as a top choice for firefighters in North Central Florida. Firefighter/Paramedics will start at $77,890.67, and Firefighter/EMTs at $66,270.27 – competitive compensation aimed at attracting the finest talent in the field.
The agreement also includes a groundbreaking transition to a D-shift schedule, evolving to a 24 hours on, 72 hours off work model by September 30, 2029. This change demonstrates OFR’s unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of our firefighters and to preventing the physical exhaustion and stress imposed by demanding professions like ours.
Additional contractual highlights include an annual 3% COLA for the duration of the bargaining agreement, 88 paid holiday hours, and vacation buyback availability.
“We are eager to begin recruitment of the next generation of public servants that will guard our community,” said Fire Chief Clint Welborn. “Investing in our present and emerging workforce reinforces our commitment to public safety, ensuring both those receiving services and those providing them are well-supported.”
As Ocala Fire Rescue continues to adapt to the community’s evolving needs, this ratified agreement marks a crucial step in building a resilient, well-compensated team dedicated to excellence in fire service.
For more information about Ocala Fire Rescue’s upcoming recruitment opportunities, please visit www.ocalafl.gov/employment.
By TomL
When I get up in the morning I look at my emails, read what I want to read save or delete then I go to SPAM!
I scan the list some of the filthiest teasers you would ever want to see, I choose not to read any of them. They are trash! If you are one of these people sending out trash, I hope they catch you! I turn them into State Attorneys office!
When it comes to trash there a few different types of trash. While watching TV Tray Gowdy, South Carolina he was talking about how the tax payers can’t take a walk without stepping in human feces, also known as stool or poop! Where is this coming from, I mean I know where it is coming from, but what give these people the idea they can do that? A tax paying citizen has to avoid stepping in shit to walk their dog or to just take a walk with their family! You know how they break a dog from going in the house??? The department of sanitation should give out fines or work details called clean up time for going to the bath room on the places where people walk. If they are not from this country deport them to where they would get shot for doing what they are doing here!
By TomL
In today’s world what does that mean. That means that if you want to be a Socialist, your family and friends and neighbors died in vein, in the wars in the past! Our Veterans fought and some died so you and I could be free. If you become a Socialist you can’t own anything, it’s not yours, it belongs to the Government regime! Today if you work hard and work smart you can buy a house, have a wife or husband, have children and live in a society that your children / family can be safe and free.
Good example I went to Cuba. As a young boy of 14yrs I won a Jr Optimist oratorical Contest. My subject was “Freedom our most precious Heritage”, I presented my speech at the Hotel National. Batista was there, I met him. He shook my hand and said something I did not quite get. The people in Havana seemed to be happy, a few seemed rich and most were rich in happiness. Some farmers growing fruit, produce and vegetables on the land, selling what they grew in the fresh markets on the streets, then the worst happened. At first were no one realized that Castro was fighting for Communism and for himself not the people. He appeared to be a Socialist but really he was a communist, the United States even gave him some aid. When he took over Cuba the people were happy but that changed rapidly when he took their businesses, their houses and any boy that turned 15 years of age was taken from their family and put in the military. It was a fun beautiful country back then after it took a dark look. Batista was probably just as bad but the people I saw seemed to like him, maybe they had to like him? But they did not have a choice. By the way the some of Batista family settle in Ocala Florida. Now the people of Cuba are not BORN FREE! If you do something that the government does not like, they turn the electricity off in the whole neighborhood for a week or more. There is no communication, no AC, no frozen foods, no groceries to buy, no gas, no cars that run, no TV, etc! So is that something you want and like because people like Mamdani will bring it to you. YOU WON”T BE FREE! In Iran communist country they hang people who say something they don’t like. If they demonstrate they mow them down if automatic weapons and Bulldoze the bodies to a grave. Continue reading
Governor Ron DeSantis hand delivered a joint statement signed by all public postsecondary presidents to the U.S. Department of Education, becoming the first state in the nation to affirm its commitment to academic and operational excellence in response to the National Call to Action issued to postsecondary institutions nationwide. The joint statement, signed by all 28 Florida College System presidents and 12 State University System presidents, affirms the Florida College System and State University System’s commitment to rigorous teaching, pathbreaking research where applicable, and service to the nation, while outlining the standards and priorities Florida’s institutions are committed to upholding.
“Florida’s colleges and universities offer world-class opportunities for learning, research, and career pathways. We’ve ignored the noise and focused on merit, and the results speak for themselves, said Governor Ron DeSantis.” “Today, we led the way in answering the call from the Department of Education to affirm Florida’s commitment to rigorous instruction, groundbreaking research, and service to our country in higher education.”
“Secretary McMahon’s Call to Action reinforces what matters most: higher education’s mission of educating students and serving the economic and civic needs of our state and nation, said System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.” “The State University System of Florida is proud to affirm the principles that have made our universities a national model for higher education. Florida remains focused on academic excellence through merit-based admissions, rigorous teaching and scholarship, meaningful public service, and a belief that intellectual diversity is critical to a marketplace of ideas. Our institutions will continue to offer a world-class education at the most affordable price in the nation.” Continue reading
Governor Ron DeSantis announced nearly $188 million in awards to strengthen health care in Florida’s rural communities by expanding access to care, supporting rural hospitals and clinics, and growing the state’s rural health care workforce.
The funding will support more than 80 awards serving communities across 31 rural counties, home to nearly 1.2 million Floridians. Awardees include hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural health clinics, and other health care providers and community organizations working to meet the unique needs of rural Floridians.
“These investments in rural Florida will strengthen hospitals and clinics, expand the rural health care workforce, and help ensure Floridians can access high-quality care in their own communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
The awards are part of Florida’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), administered by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Florida received $209 million through the federal-state initiative to strengthen rural health care systems, modernize infrastructure, expand access to services, and build the health care workforce. Continue reading
Governor Ron DeSantis announced $60 million in awards through the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Florida Cancer Innovation Fund and opened the application cycle for Fiscal Year 2026-27, with $70 million available for new awards, a $10 million increase over last year.
“Today, I was proud to announce the winners of this year’s Florida Cancer Innovation Fund awards and the opening of applications for next year’s awards. This promising initiative now has $70 million in funding for groundbreaking cancer research projects, $10 million more than the previous cycle,” said Governor DeSantis. “Congratulations to the awardees, and thank you for all you do to make Florida a beacon of hope in cancer research and treatment.”
Since 2019, Florida has invested more than $1.4 billion in cancer research and treatment, and funding for cancer research programs has increased by more than 175 percent under Governor DeSantis. In Fiscal Year 2026-27 alone, Florida committed nearly $228 million to cancer research and innovation. Continue reading
Governor Ron DeSantis awarded nearly $8.8 million to 12 small and rural communities across Northwest Florida to support critical infrastructure investments and community development projects. The funding, awarded through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Community Planning Technical Assistance (CPTA) Grant Program, will support projects that strengthen local infrastructure, enhance community resiliency and promote long-term economic growth.
“This morning in Bonifay, I was pleased to announce more than $8.8 million in funding for critical infrastructure and community development projects in 12 small and rural Florida communities,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “These Community Development Block Grant awards will help improve water and wastewater systems, stormwater infrastructure, roads, and workforce housing. These investments promote long-term economic growth that will help rural Florida families thrive for many years to come.”
“Strong infrastructure and thoughtful community planning are essential to creating opportunities in Florida’s small and rural communities,” said Secretary of Commerce, J. Alex Kelly. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, these investments will help communities address critical water, wastewater, roadway and infrastructure needs while strengthening economic readiness and long-term resiliency. These projects give local leaders the resources they need to build stronger communities, support businesses and create greater opportunities for Floridians.”
The following communities will receive an award through the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program: Continue reading
