Ocala News
One morning, at approximately 9 am, our deputies responded to a call in the 900 block of NE 144th Court in Silver Springs. It was in response to a situation involving a suspect accused of Battery by Strangulation. The suspect was located in the backyard, where he initiated gunfire towards our deputies, injuring K-9 Leo in the exchange. Responding with necessary force, deputies returned fire, resulting in the apprehension of the suspect, who was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Leo has been rushed to UF Veterinary Hospital, where their dedicated team is doing everything possible to save him; we hold onto hope and pray for his recovery.
Leo isn’t just a member of our force; he’s family. His loyalty, cour
age, and unwavering dedication to his duty embody the very essence of what it means to serve and protect. His sacrifice today reminds us of the dangers our deputies face each day to keep our community safe.
Let’s rally together as a community, sending love and prayers to K-9 Leo and his dedicated handler.”
K-9 Leo passed away on February 20, 2024, and his service was on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in front of our Main Operations located at 692 NW 30th Ave, Ocala.
Strawberry season is here. The 10th annual “Habitat Ocala Strawberry Festival” was held March 2nd. The weather was perfect, A crowd of 20,000 plus attended, 850 Strawberry flats were sold, 235 venders some food vendor’s some local businesses, some county service’s. Strawberry shortcake was being all day. Games for the children and grown ups. Live bands playing, very large patriotic American flags. Car show, some great old vintage cars and trucks. On our front page a crowd of visitors were standing with their hand over their hearts for the National Anthem. More pictures on page 6 & 7. IT WAS A GREAT FAMILY DAY!
Photos by CKJ-13 Kay Johnson
It is always fun to attend the Parade of Senior Services. The event was held at the Ewers Century Center at the College of Central Florida. Hundreds of seniors attended probably over 400. There were 41 vendors that were explaining their free services, some were county, city, services for seniors and some were venders in the health care industry. This was the 41st year. Watch for next year about this same time.
Photos by CKJ-13 Kay Johnson
Agile and quick horses at the FL Cutting Horse Association Show.
Photos by CKJ-13 Kay Johnson
Florida Horse Park USPC. Local Pony Clubs test their knowledge and skills of horse riding. Photos by CKJ-13 Kay Johnson
Feel the Love from Rex this Valentine’s Season! Sign your child up by February 8th to receive a special valentine in the mail from Rex himself!
*Postcards are limited to 500 cards total and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents must provide a valid recipient’s name and mailing address. The city is not responsible for lost or late mailers.
Ocala Polo Club
(Ocala, FL) – The Ocala Polo Club’s Winter Circuit is underway. They kicked off their Winter season on December 3rd with a very special Polo Match by partnering with Run for the Ribbons to support the Florida Thoroughbred Transfor-mation Expo, an opportunity for previously raced Thoroughbreds to showcase their new careers in Polo, Show Jumping, Eventing, Dressage, and Western. The Ocala Polo Club will have matches every Sunday through the end of March. Match-es start at 1pm and all are welcome! Opportunities to purchase VIP tailgate spaces are available online at https://www.ocalapolo.com/watch-polo.html. After watching a game, if you discover your new passion, private polo lessons on a Team Resolute Polo pony can be scheduled with Coach David.
(Ocala, FL)- Tickets are on sale for Florida’s premier Draft Horse Show, Grandview International, taking place February 1st through the 3rd. Twenty-one wagons and six to eight one ton Belgians, Clydesdales, and Percherons will compete under the covered arena in what some describe as “organized chaos”. Some Hitches have a single horse while others have an eight horse hitch, and everything in between. Hitches are put into competition based on the breed of Draft horse, number of horses in their hitch, and gender of the driver. Gates will open every morning at 8am and the show will begin with opening ceremonies followed by the action. This is a great event to bring the entire family to! To purchase tickets and check out the schedule visit https://grandviewinvitational.com/schedule/.
Fort King National Historical Landmark
Public Archaeology Day
Saturday, Feb. 10
10 AM – 3 PM | All Ages | Free
Join Gulf Archaeology Institute archaeologist as they excavate Fort King looking for artifacts. You’ll be able to see how excavations are done, data is recorded and how the information is used to learn about the past.
Fort King National Historical Landmark
Pioneer Games Day
Saturday, Feb. 10 | 10 AM – 3 PM
All Ages | Free
It’s a Pioneer Game Day! A family friendly event that will teach all ages about games and toys from the 1800s. Games included: skillet toss contest, tomahawk throwing, potato sack races, and more!
