Ocala News
A Catholic Church with predominately mature parishioners always community minded and supportive!
Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6455 SW State Road 200, Ocala, Florida.
On Saturday, July 11th, around 7:30am, a horrific attack on this peaceful community minded Church. Regardless of your faith or belief, there is no foundation for the criminal act of violence and hate putting innocent lives at risk.
Our Priest witnessed the entire chain of events and I urge you to view the video on YouTube, link and title provided below. The video is an accurate first hand account of the attack on parishioners in the torched church structure and premeditated harm of this individual’s act.
As our country, is in biased turmoil over opinion based news and radical politically funded movements, derails the foundation of the United States. The emotionally charged movements seem to have lost focus on right from wrong. Our judicial system seems to undermine law enforcement efforts to keep people safe. Although, the act on Queen of Peace and innocent church members inside worshiping. We must thank GOD and the FIRST RESPONDERS. Marion County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department and 911 for their fast response. Firefighters were on the scene within minutes to contain the heated blaze. Sheriff Deputies transmission of critical information, provided a description of the vehicle and person. The vehicle was seen by other Deputies. The perpetrator wouldn’t stop. Started a dangerous chase down our public streets. Fortunately, the trained Deputy, utilizing the PIT maneuver, which pinned the vehicle minimizing additional injuries. The suspect was apprehended and arrested. Continue reading
The Martin’s from Dunnellon Florida have come up with a formula for Lowering Blood Sugar. The young Ladies have been on Shark Tank, the Investors for the first time all wanted to invest. Pictured are girls during the Shark Tank program and you can see the surprised look on their face. From what I understand they have opened a health food store in Ocala Florida. I will try to make contact and maybe do a follow-up story. Here is some information on their product.
“Blood Balance Advanced Formula” has been scientifically proven to do the following: Regulate Blood Sugar Naturally; Reverse Insulin Resistance Naturally; Reduce Blood Pressure Naturally; Lowers Bad Cholesterol Naturally; Increase Good Cholesterol Naturally; It supports weight loss naturally.
MCA IS CELEBRATING OUR 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH HF 20/20
It has been 20 years since Ocala’s record-breaking public art project and auction, Horse Fever. For five months the public delighted in our herd of 53 horses, many of which still adorn the streets of Ocala. Artists and a generous business community came together to ultimately raise over $1.5 million for the arts and 27 other local charities, founding the Marion Cultural Alliance. We proudly reflect on a 20-year period of growth and consistent support through programming, grants, and scholarships enhancing art and cultural programs across every medium in Ocala/Marion County.
In celebration, we are creating a new artistic opportunity for artists and patrons. You could be among a select group commissioned to paint and embellish a life-sized horse for this celebration of our community.
Regional artists from Florida will be selected to paint and embellish one of 20 horses that will be displayed publicly in early 2021.
Interested in acquiring an anniversary horse? Please contact me or call 352.369.1500.
Post Date: 07/23/2020 5:46 PM
OCALA, Fla. (July 23, 2020) – City of Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn, will launch a monthly newsletter to provide an overview of his community engagement and updates from the Ocala Police Department.
The newsletter will be available the third Friday of each month, with the inaugural issue launching Friday, July 24.
The community is encouraged to subscribe to the newsletter by signing up online at https://www.ocalafl.org/services/advanced-components/enotification.
For more information, please contact the Office of the Mayor at 352-401-3977.
OCALA, Fla. (July 16, 2020) – The Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), in partnership with the City of Ocala, has made the decision to reschedule the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series to 2021 due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions for attending public gatherings in Florida, community reservations about attending public events, and the limited resources to execute the event. After conversations with series partners, including the Levitt Foundation, the series is being slated for 2021 to provide time to overcome the effects of COVID-19 and to secure additional resources.
In addition to the important objective of safeguarding the health of the community, the long-term sustainability of the series was also considered. Moving forward, the series will need to secure additional resources to continue the level of performances the community has come to expect and enjoy. The Levitt Foundation has committed to continued grant support of the Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series in 2021, and the City and MCA are working on additional resources to support the series. Organizations interested in supporting the series through volunteerism or sponsorship should contact Ocala Cultural Arts at 352-629-8447 or artinfo@ocalafl.org.
“Marion Cultural Alliance is the nonprofit partner of the Levitt AMP Music Series and supports the decision by the City to postpone the popular free music series until next spring,” said Jaye Baillie, Marion Cultural Alliance Executive Director. “This decision did not come easily as this concert series, now in its fourth year, is loved by thousands of friends, families, and neighbors who enjoy this free concert series. However, the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic is driving the decision. We want to ensure the people of our community, including the attendees, performing artists, sponsors, community partners, vendors and dedicated staff remain safe.”
To stay up-to-date on Levitt AMP Ocala, visit www.ocalafl.org/levittamp or follow @LevittAMPOcala on Facebook or Instagram.
Post Date: 07/10/2020 2:43 PM
OCALA, Fla. (July 10, 2020) – In order to accommodate a road resurfacing project, lane closures will be in place along North Magnolia Avenue, from State Road 40 to NE Fifth Street Monday, July 20 through Saturday, October 17.
All necessary devices will be in place to redirect traffic. Construction will take place Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with Saturdays reserved for weather delays. During construction times travelers may experience delays, noise, dust, and heavy equipment within the project areas.
For more information, please contact the City Engineer’s Office, Capital Projects Division at 352-629-8419.
OCALA, Fla. (July 10, 2020) – Due to scheduled runway and taxiway construction work, the Ocala International Airport will be closed nightly, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., during the following:
- 8 p.m. Thursday, July 16 through 7 a.m. Saturday, July 18
- 8 p.m. Sunday July 19, through 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 22
Aircrews are advised to plan accordingly to accommodate these critical airport infrastructure improvements. During these nightly closures, the airport will be closed to all fixed-winged aircraft. Rotary wing (helicopter) operations will be permitted away from construction areas. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) will be published on the FAA NOTAM website to publicize the closure to aircrews.
For more information, please contact the Ocala International Airport at 352-572-0492 or visit www.ocalaairport.com.
Held on the outdoor stage July 23 to August 1!
Vocalists are Shannon Guinn, Deion Howard, James Taylor, and Megan Wager, with Philip King as music director and pianist.
Reservations available by phone or online only
Join us for a theatrical concert featuring some of OCT’s best-known performers!
This 90-minute concert with no intermission will be held on our brand-new outdoor stage behind the theatre. Seating is limited and safely distanced at small tables (up to groups of four) on the patio around the stage. There will be outdoor concessions.
Featuring old and new favorites from All Shook Up • Annie Get Your Gun • Big Fish • Cinderella
Dear Evan Hansen • Guys and Dolls • Into the Woods • Mean Girls • On the Town • Seussical
Songs for a New World • The Sound of Music • Sweet Charity • You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown • and more!
PLEASE NOTE
Physical tickets will not be printed. You will receive an email confirmation for you records when you complete your order. When you come to the performance please check-in at the outdoor stage area and we’ll have your name on our VIP list for that performance!
Performances held on our recently renovated our Outdoor Stage located behind the theatre! Please consider making a donation at check out.
OCALA, Fla. (July 9, 2020) – The City of Ocala’s Aquatic Fun Centers are extending their summer season. Both the Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center, 2390 SW 36th Ave., and the Hampton Aquatic Fun Center, 255 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., will remain open through August 8, Mondays through Saturdays, with two swim sessions, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Facilities will remain closed Sundays to facilitate current cleaning and sanitation measures.
Beginning August 15 through September 5, both facilities will be open on Saturdays only, with two sessions, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
The final day of the season will be Monday, September 7 with two sessions, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. The Aquatic Fun Centers will close for the season Monday, September 7, 5 p.m.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, additional restrictions and guidelines are in effect for operations at both facilities:
- Temperature and health screenings at entry
- Plexiglass shields installed at customer service counters, as well as six-foot separation markers for entry
- Reduced bathing loads to 75% normal capacity that are monitored and adjusted to ensure proper social distancing
- No swim lessons
- Waterslides are closed
- Groups, camps, and field trips are prohibited
- Reduced number of chairs available with distancing guidelines in place
- Concessions are pre-packaged foods only
Admission for each swim session is $2 for ages 17 and under and $3 ages 18 and up. Admission is free for ages one and under. Facility operations are subject to change and staff continue to monitor conditions based on recommended guidelines. A detailed list of restrictions and guidelines for both aquatic centers can be found at www.ocalafl.org/aquatics.
For more information, please call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.
Cosby Hayes Begins Underpass Mural as Backdrop to Skatepark
The City of Ocala, through its Cultural Arts and Sciences Division, announces work on a new mural on the underpass behind the Ocala Skatepark. Tallahassee-based artist, Cosby Hayes will begin painting the new mural on June 8. The latest project commissioned by the Division will serve to enhance the Ocala Skatepark that the city opened in 2019. The mural was approved by City Council in September 2019 as part of the 2020 fiscal year budget with the concept approved by the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC).
The concept for the mural features a repeating pattern of multi-colored skateboard trucks. “The mural utilizes the full canvas and explores the relationship between the viewer and the subject matter. By painting the skateboard trucks much larger than life, an interesting visual contrast is created,” said Hayes. “In addition, the negative and positive space between the parts of the skateboard create a visually unique composition and, hopefully, a captivating backdrop for skateboarders and photographers alike. The colors invoke a feeling of inclusiveness and the celebration of our differences as people, and how the things that make us different are also the things that make our communities more vibrant and interesting places to live and visit.” Continue reading
