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 →

The Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), in partnership with the City of Ocala, is in the running for a second year to bring a 10-week live music series to Ocala during the summer of 2018.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2017) – The Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), in partnership with the City of Ocala, is in the running for a second year to bring a 10-week live music series to Ocala during the summer of 2018.

Sponsored by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a national foundation dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of America through free live music, the Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards is a matching grant opportunity created to serve small to mid-sized towns and cities with populations up to 400,000 residents. Up to 15 non-profit organizations will receive $25,000 each in matching funds to produce their own Levitt AMP Music Series – an outdoor, free concert series featuring a diverse lineup of professional musicians.  MCA and the City of Ocala are vying to qualify as one of the 15 winning organizations. Continue reading →

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) will celebrate the second annual Mobility Week Saturday, Oct. 28 through Friday, Nov. 3, 2017.

Post Date:10/18/2017 4:09 PM

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2017) – What moves you and how do you get from here to there? The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) will celebrate the second annual Mobility Week Saturday, Oct. 28 through Friday, Nov. 3, 2017. During Mobility Week, events will be hosted within the nine-County central Florida region including Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties.

The Mobility Week initiative is a grassroots effort to promote awareness of safe and sustainable transportation choices and how those choices can build stronger communities, reduce traffic congestion and improve community health.  Continue reading →

Tuesday, Oct. 17, the City of Ocala Water Resources Department began work to replace a water main valve. However, due to the age of the pipe, this project was not able to be completed and will resume Friday, Oct. 20.

Post Date:10/18/2017 8:46 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2017) – Tuesday, Oct. 17, the City of Ocala Water Resources Department began work to replace a water main valve. However, due to the age of the pipe, this project was not able to be completed and will resume Friday, Oct. 20. Due to this project, NE First Avenue, between E Silver Springs Boulevard and NE First Street, will be closed Friday, Oct. 20 from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Detour routes: Continue reading →

The City of Ocala and Feel Downtown LIVE will host the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival Saturday, Nov. 11 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park located at 500 NE Sanchez Ave.

Post Date:10/13/2017 1:59 PM

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2017) – The City of Ocala and Feel Downtown LIVE will host the annual Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival Saturday, Nov. 11 from 1 to 10 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park located at 500 NE Sanchez Ave.

This year’s Harvest Fest event will feature two stages of live blues, rock and country music with Aaron Tippin and Georgia Satellites headlining the evening’s festivities. Other national, regional and local artists scheduled to perform include Hollis Brown, Lawrence, Savants of Soul, Jamie Davis, Bailey Callahan, Bob Green and the Whiskey Conspiracy, and the Doug Adams Band. Continue reading →

Monday, Oct. 16, the City will begin the second phase of decommissioning, which consists of cleaning out the digesters at WRF #1 and is expected to be completed in early December 2017.

Post Date:10/13/2017 10:30 AM

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2017) – The City of Ocala’s Water Reclamation Facility #1 (WRF #1), located at 1220 NW Fourth Ave., has been offline since April 2016. The City began the first phase of the decommission process in June 2017. Monday, Oct. 16, the City will begin the second phase of decommissioning, which consists of cleaning out the digesters at WRF #1 and is expected to be completed in early December 2017.

During this time, there is a potential of a strong, organic odor, which may affect the immediate area surrounding the facility. There are no health concerns regarding this potential odor.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Water Resources Department at 352-351-6772.

(OCALA, Fla.) October 11, 2017 – A fire reported this morning at 2841 NE 7^th St. left a family of four displaced.

Ocala Fire Rescue arrived at 9:44 AM, to Berkley Point Apartments, where a structure fire was reported. Upon entry into the apartment complex, firefighters found a smoke and flames showing from a first level corner unit. With medics verifying the wellbeing of the occupants who self-evacuated, firefighters began attacking the flames. The fire, originating in one of the apartment’s bedrooms, was knocked down within six minutes of arrival, and completely extinguished by 9:54 AM.

Fire and smoke damage in the unit of origin and the unit directly above it rendered both apartments uninhabitable. Because the second-floor unit was vacant, only one family was displaced. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Continue reading →

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE TEAM CONDUCTING FOLLOWUP WITH CITIZENS

MARION COUNTY, Florida (October 11, 2017) – A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Team will be at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office-Emergency Operations Center (692 NW 30th Ave, Ocala, FL 34475) on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 through Friday, October 13, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The FEMA Assistance Team will be assisting with follow-up on Individual Assistance Program for residents that have applied for FEMA assistance. The team can also assist with first time registrations for residents suffered damage to their homes and property during Hurricane Irma. The Individual Assistance Program can provide financial help or direct services to those who have necessary expenses and serious needs if they are unable to meet these needs through other means. Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2017) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:

• 6 to 6:30 p.m. – The Arts District, a performing arts studio, will present a zombie-themed dance performance.
• 6 to 9 p.m. – The Appleton Museum of Art, Painting with a Twist and the Marion County Public Library will provide free, hands-on art activities for all ages.
• 6 to 9 p.m. – Textur Hair Studio will be doing a hair and makeup demo creating a live character in the window of Ocala Homes and Farms Realty, 108 E Fort King St.
• 6:30 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Adam Rountree on the main event stage.

Continue reading →

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2017) – Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) will host a Customer Appreciation Day Friday, Oct. 6 at Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola, Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m. This event will be held in collaboration with Public Power Week happening Sunday, Oct. 1 through Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017.

To show appreciation for its customers, OEU will be providing free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks on a first come, first serve basis. Entertainment will be provided, along with family-friendly activities and attendees can even take a ride in one of OEU’s bucket trucks! Educational items and giveaways will also be available while supplies last.  Continue reading →