Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership Celebrating a new chapter for Legacy In Motion Dance Center. Congratulations on your ribbon cutting and the incredible impact you’re making by inspiring dancers of all ages to grow in confidence, creativity, and community. We’re excited to officially welcome Legacy in Motion Dance Center to the Ocala CEP family and can’t wait to see all that’s ahead. Join us in congratulating them in the comments and wishing them continued success!

Congratulations to Ocala Massage and Integrative Therapies on their ribbon cutting and official welcome to the Ocala CEP family!

Dedicated to helping our community feel and live their best through personalized therapeutic care, they’re a great addition to Marion County’s growing business community. We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and look forward to their continued success.

Help us welcome Ocala Massage & Integrative Therapy by congratulating them in the comments!

Life just got a little sweeter in Ocala!

We had the pleasure of celebrating the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of Häagen-Dazs, officially welcoming another exciting business to our community.

From the first scoop to the last smile, it was a great afternoon celebrating with local leaders, partners, and community members. We’re thrilled to see Häagen-Dazs join Ocala’s growing business community and can’t wait to watch them thrive.

Help us congratulate the Häagen-Dazs team, and if you haven’t stopped by yet, consider this your excuse to treat yourself!

Marion county pool teams come home in the money

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Special to the Ocala DownTown news

Five Marion County amateur pool teams traveled to Las Vegas in August to compete in the World Pool Championship, American Pool players Association world finals that took place August 4-15, and each team won cash prizes.

In the 8-ball competition, Best Served Cold and Ohana finished in their respective divisions in the 385^th spot, winning $350,  and Racks on Racksss finished 65^th, winning $1,500 for their team.

In the 9-ball competition, Cue Carnage finished in its division at 518^th, and X-Cues Us finished 385^th. Both teams won $350. Continue reading →

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.

(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.