Ocala News

Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society of Lake County is hosting a beginners class on basic birding Sunday February 25th 2 -4 pm at Trout Lake Nature center  530 East  Cr 44. Eustis, Florida. Birding is the fastest growing activity in the US and Central Florida is a birding hot spot. Birding is a great activity because its inexpensive, easy, it connects people to nature and it can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it. Birding can be an individual hobby, a family activity, or a group event that can be done in your back yard, at a local wildlife refuge or an exotic international location Birding is  often combined with hiking, kayaking, photography and traveling so there is something for everyone. Continue reading

(OCALA, Fla.) February 4, 2018 – Ocala Fire Rescue and the American Red Cross are joining forces once more, to Sound the Alarm about fire safety.

For a period of three days (January 28th-30th) Ocala Fire Rescue firefighters and Red Cross volunteers roamed the streets of The Villas at Spanish Oaks, mobile home park, as part of a door to door smoke detector installation canvass. Installing 144 smoke alarms in the three day period, the campaign was a huge success. Nonetheless, due to the size of the property, only a portion of the homes within the park were covered. Knowing the need that exists in the area, OFR and the Red Cross have scheduled another three day canvassing event. Continue reading

MARION COUNTY, Florida (February 4, 2018)- At approximately 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 4, 2018, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies were called to a residence located at 9895 SW 151st Place in the Florida Highlands in reference to a well-being check on a possibly suicidal/homicidal individual. When deputies arrived on scene, Paul Powell (DOB: 05/07/1968) made statements that made them concerned for his well-being and for the well-being of others.

Powell also made statements about being armed. In addition to this, deputies learned that Powell had an outstanding felony warrant for Domestic Battery. Powell refused to cooperate with law enforcement and would not exit his residence. The Ocala Police Department SWAT team and the MCSO Crisis Negotiations Team responded to assist and negotiators were able to establish communication with Powell. Continue reading

The playground at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., will be temporarily closed for maintenance beginning Monday, Feb. 5.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2018) – The playground at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., will be temporarily closed for maintenance beginning Monday, Feb. 5 and is expected to re-open to the public Wednesday, Feb. 7. The remaining areas of Tuscawilla Park will be open to the public during the temporary playground closure.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.

The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the annual Cattle Drive and Cowboy Round-Up event Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2018) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the annual Cattle Drive and Cowboy Round-Up event Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave. This annual event is presented by the Rotary Clubs of Marion County.

A cattle drive will kick off the event in downtown Ocala and will end at Tuscawilla Park where the real festivities will begin. The cattle drive will begin at 10 a.m. near Jesse’s Computers and Repair located at 300 SE Eighth St. The public is invited to walk behind the cattle drive to Tuscawilla Park. Continue reading

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN MARION COUNTY REMINDS YOU TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS THIS FLU SEASON

OCALA, Fla.-In Florida and throughout the U.S., flu activity is on the rise. Marion County is currently seeing moderate flu activity that is actively increasing. From Dec. 31, 2017, to Jan. 13, 2018, county hospitals and emergency rooms reported 265 confirmed cases of influenza, an average of 19 cases per day. In December, approximately 8 were confirmed each day.

“It’s important to see your health care provider if you become sick with flu-like symptoms,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Health Officer Mark Lander. “The flu can have serious consequences even for someone who has been very healthy previously.” Continue reading

Sheriff Billy Woods talks to the local business group about what the MCSO is doing. He said he has moved money from the top to the money for officers pay. This picture supplied by MCSO. There were many questions by the attending members. In all it was a very informative event.

Pictured here is Steve Wilson of Kinetico Water speaking to the OBL Breakfast Club about the Kinetico products, water filtration and the water stats in Marion County and The Villages areas.

 

The Don Harrison Foundation 5013C Charity Presents a two-fer – 2 Golf Tournaments in one day at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

March 25- 2 shot gun starts – 4 person scramble.

Learn more about our 5 local charities that will benefit & Sign up to: Play, donate &/or volunteer

GOTO: www.donharriosnfoundation.org

The American Association of Women (AAUW) Ocala Branch will meet at the Marion County Public Library, 2720 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala, at 1:00 p.m. in Conference Room B, for their regular monthly meeting.

The speaker for this meeting will be Emmett Coyne.  He will speak on Black History. Coyne has a Master’s Degree in African-American Studies from Boston University.  He taught African-American Studies at St. Mary’s University, Baltimore and the University of Maryland.

All are welcome to attend this meeting and learn about Black History and the AAUW organization.  For further information please call 352-237-4889.