MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 25, 2017) – On the morning of Wednesday, October 25, 2017, detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes Unit arrested Basil A. Franks (DOB: 04/26/1998) and Terell A. Angus (DOB: 07/02/1997) after they committed an armed robbery at a Dollar General store while wearing Halloween masks Tuesday evening. Both suspects have confessed to multiple robberies in Marion County, and detectives with the MCSO and the Ocala Police Department (OPD) will be evaluating additional charges against them for those cases.
At approximately 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24th, two armed, masked suspects, later identified as Franks and Angus, entered the Dollar General store located at 6725 SE Maricamp Road and committed an armed robbery. Witnesses say that Franks wore a “Freddy Krueger” mask and Angus wore a “Scream” mask, and Franks was armed with black handgun with a chrome chamber. Franks threatened the store employees with the firearm while Angus took money from the cash register and placed it into a blue cloth bag. The duo then fled the store. Continue reading
The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host a Senior Fishing Derby Monday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at Tuscawilla Park located at 800 NE Sanchez Ave.
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 25, 2017) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host a Senior Fishing Derby Monday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at Tuscawilla Park located at 500 NE Sanchez Ave.
This free catch-and-release event is open to adults ages 50 and older. A limited supply of fishing poles and bait will be available, however, participants are encouraged to bring their own. A complimentary lunch will also be provided. Prizes will be awarded for the smallest fish, biggest fish, the most fish caught and more. Continue reading
The City of Ocala’s ‘Let’s Skate Ocala’ ice rink will open to the public Saturday, Nov. 11 in conjunction with the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival. The skating rink will be located at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 31.
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2017) – The City of Ocala’s ‘Let’s Skate Ocala’ ice rink will open to the public Saturday, Nov. 11 in conjunction with the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival. The skating rink will be located at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 31.
Admission is $5 per person for a two-hour session. The rink will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m., Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. The rink will be closed Mondays and Wednesdays for private rentals and parties. For more information about venue rentals, please contact Bridgett Griffin, Therapeutic Recreation Programs Supervisor, City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department, at bgriffin@ocalafl.org or 352-368-5517. Continue reading
$1.7 Billion for Florida’s World-Class Beaches, Springs, State Parks, Everglades and Natural Treasures
NAPLES, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that he will propose more than $1.7 billion to protect Florida’s environment as part of his 2018-2019 recommended budget. This $1.7 billion funding for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is a more than $220 million increase over the current year.
The proposed funding will include:
- A historic investment of $55 million for Florida’s springs;
- A historic investment of $100 million for Florida’s beaches;
- A record $355 million for Everglades restoration;
- A record $50 million for Florida’s state parks; and
- $50 million for Florida Forever to help preserve and protect our natural lands
The following is a list of road closures that will be in effect for the Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) festival, taking place downtown Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29.
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 23, 2017) – The following is a list of road closures that will be in effect for the Fine Arts For Ocala (FAFO) festival, taking place downtown Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29.
Road closures effective Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 a.m. to Sunday, Oct. 29 at 11:30 p.m. –
- SE First Avenue, from SE Third Street to E Silver Springs Boulevard
- E Broadway Street, from SW First Avenue to Osceola Avenue
- E Fort King Street, from Magnolia Avenue to Osceola Avenue
- SE Second Street, from Magnolia Avenue to Osceola Avenue
- SE Magnolia Avenue, from E Fort King Street to Silver Springs Boulevard
Date:10/28/2017 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Downtown Ocala
100 SE 1st Ave.
Ocala, Florida 34470
The Ocala Art Festival brings artists from across the United States to historic downtown Ocala. In addition to 155 professional artists’ displays, this event includes live entertainment, food trucks, children’s art activities, student at competition and performances. For details, please contact FAFO at 352-867-0355. Have a wonderful time!
Date:10/28/2017 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Fort King National Historic Landmark
3925 East Fort King Street
Ocala, Florida 34470
Bring your scary self out to the haunted trail filled with candy treats, scary tricks and FUN for the whole family. The trail gets scarier as it gets darker, so bring the little ones early. Then stay and watch “Beetlejuice” on the huge outdoor screen. Call Keifer Calkins of Ocala Recreation and Parks at 352-368-5533 for the event itself. Have a spooky time!
Stopping human trafficking in our state is a top priority of mine, and has been since I became Attorney General. Florida is a zero-tolerance state for this terrible crime that robs victims of their freedoms, and my office and our partners are working diligently to rescue victims and lock up the monsters who traffic them. Just this week, working with local, state and federal partners, we arrested a man charged with recruiting women online and then forcing them into the sex trade.
The facts of this case are appalling. The defendant is charged with preying on women and, in some cases, using violence to force them into sex trafficking—all while depositing large amounts of cash into his bank account. According to the investigation, the defendant recruited victims using online advertisements seeking to hire young women to work as dancers or companions. Victims who answered the ads, in some cases, were forced through violence to perform sex acts to profit the defendant. Continue reading
The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the second annual Spooktacular Fort and Haunted Trail event Saturday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark located at 3925 E Fort King St.
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2017) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the second annual Spooktacular Fort and Haunted Trail event Saturday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Fort King National Historic Landmark located at 3925 E Fort King St. Test your wits through this spooky trail. The darker it gets, the scarier it becomes!
This free, family-friendly event is intended for all ages. However, younger children are encouraged to attend earlier in the evening as the trail will become scarier as it gets darker. Those wishing to trick-or-treat should come dressed in costume prepared for candy and other treats. Continue reading
The Friends of the Historical Evergreen Cemetery, Sons of Confederate Veterans Pvt. William R. Milton Camp 741 and the United Daughters of the Confederacy Marion Dragoons Chapter 2311, in partnership with the City of Ocala Public Works Department, are sponsoring an Evergreen Cemetery volunteer clean
OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2017) – The Friends of the Historical Evergreen Cemetery, Sons of Confederate Veterans Pvt. William R. Milton Camp 741 and the United Daughters of the Confederacy Marion Dragoons Chapter 2311, in partnership with the City of Ocala Public Works Department, are sponsoring an Evergreen Cemetery volunteer cleanup day Saturday, Oct. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers will meet at the Evergreen Cemetery, located at the 300 block of NW Eighth Street at 8 a.m. Volunteers will assist with cleaning headstones, raking leaves, picking up fallen tree limbs and cleaning up debris. Continue reading
