The City of Ocala is excited to announce the near completion of the South Magnolia Avenue Mobility Improvement Project. S Magnolia Avenue, from SE Broadway Street to E Ft. King Street, will re-open to normal traffic patterns Monday, June 12 at 9 a.m.

Post Date:06/09/2017 7:43 AM

OCALA, Fla. (June 9, 2017) – The City of Ocala is excited to announce the near completion of the South Magnolia Avenue Mobility Improvement Project. S Magnolia Avenue, from SE Broadway Street to E Ft. King Street, will re-open to normal traffic patterns Monday, June 12 at 9 a.m. Several remaining amenities await installation on the sidewalk portions of the project block, but the work needed to re-open the avenue is now complete.

Due to several ongoing public and private projects still in progress on the block, an official grand opening celebration will be scheduled at a later date when the majority of these added improvements are also complete. Media and the public will be notified once plans for a grand opening are finalized.

For more information, please contact the City Engineer’s Office at 352-629-8419.

Monday, June 5, Osmose Utilities Services will begin conducting inspections of wood utility poles in the City of Ocala. Osmose will be working to identify poles that are decaying and will also estimate the strength of the current utility poles in use.

Post Date:06/02/2017 3:06 PM

OCALA, Fla. (June 2, 2017) – Monday, June 5, Osmose Utilities Services will begin conducting inspections of wood utility poles in the City of Ocala. Osmose will be working to identify poles that are decaying and will also estimate the strength of the current utility poles in use.

Inspectors with Osmose will provide wood pole maintenance, remedial treatments and will also determine the lifespan of the utility pole. Some of these inspection methods include visual inspections, sound and bore inspections, partial excavation, excavation to a depth of 18 to 24-inches, and inspection with electronic devices. If the pole is more than 15 years old, a more extensive inspection will be performed. Continue reading →

(OCALA, Fla.) May 31, 2017 – A tree fell on moving vehicle traveling on 19^th Avenue in Ocala.

At 7:19 PM Ocala Fire Rescue responded to a vehicle accident on the 2200 block of NE 19 Avenue. Upon arrival firefighters encountered driver and child shaken, but safe, after narrowly escaping a tree falling on their vehicle. Skidding approximately 25 feet, the driver was able to avoid injury. The tree, however, landed on the hood of the car. The Dodge was totaled. No injuries were sustained.

Authorities are working to remove the tree, which is still blocking the road. Please avoid traffic in the area.

OCALA, Fla. (June 1, 2017) – CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion is pleased to announce the award of $20,800 from the Duke Energy Foundation in support of public school career programs throughout the region.

The award will be presented at CareerSource CLM’s June 14 board meeting at the Klein Conference Center at the College of Central Florida in Ocala.

Funds will underwrite production of Career Awareness-Talent Pipeline videos highlighting public school programs that prepare students for careers in manufacturing, logistics and information technology.

The Duke Energy Foundation invests in a number of core priorities including “K to Career” educational and workforce development initiatives.

“Duke Energy is proud to support CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion,” said Harry Sideris, president of Duke Energy Florida. “We invest in workforce development initiatives to help create a skilled workforce and make a positive impact in the communities we serve. These programs enable local residents to receive training in high-demand fields and land opportunities with businesses in the region.” Continue reading →

(OCALA, Fla.) May 31, 2017 – A family of three was displaced after a kitchen fire rendered the home uninhabitable.

At 1:17 PM Ocala Fire Rescue responded to the scene of a kitchen fire at 1610 NE 14th Ave. Upon arrival firefighters encountered a single story wood frame home with heavy smoke.

Learning from bystanders that two dogs had been rescued by a neighbor, and no people where in the home, firefighting operations continued. Firefighters from Rescue #1 commenced a primary search, while Engine #3 and Rescue #3 crews deployed the hose lines and doused the flames with water.

The flames, which managed to expand past the kitchen, into the living area, were knocked down by 1:25 PM. Fire Rescue personnel continued to search for, and cool down, hot spots to prevent any flames from rekindling. Continue reading →

As of Wednesday, May 31, the Hampton Aquatic FUN Center, located at 1510 NW 4th St., is now open to the public. This facility was originally scheduled to open Sunday, May 28, but was delayed due to unexpected repairs.

Post Date:05/31/2017 5:03 PM

OCALA, Fla. (May 31, 2017) – As of Wednesday, May 31, the Hampton Aquatic FUN Center, located at 1510 NW 4th St., is now open to the public. This facility was originally scheduled to open Sunday, May 28, but was delayed due to unexpected repairs.

The Hampton Aquatic FUN Center, as well as the Jervey Gantt Aquatic FUN Center, located at 2390 SE 36th Ave., are typically open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The entry fee for both facilities is $2 for children and $3 for adults, which allows for one two-hour swim session, as available. Summer pool passes, which allow for 10 one-time swim sessions, are also available for $15 for children and $25 for adults

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

The City of Ocala Water Resources Department will begin work to replace a sewer force main Wednesday, June 7. Construction is expected to be completed by Friday, June 30 and will occur along NE 3rd Street, between NE 18th Avenue and NE 25th Avenue.

Post Date:05/31/2017 2:21 PM

OCALA, Fla. (May 31, 2017) – The City of Ocala Water Resources Department will begin work to replace a sewer force main Wednesday, June 7. Construction is expected to be completed by Friday, June 30 and will occur along NE 3rd Street, between NE 18th Avenue and NE 25th Avenue.

During this time, there may be potential odors, dust and noise around the construction area. Residents should also be advised of slow traffic patterns and potential detours in the area. In the event of a road closure or detour, all necessary devices will be in place to re-direct traffic.

“This section of sewer force mains has been in use since 1978,” said Stacey Ferrante, Central Lines Chief, City of Ocala Water Resources Department. “Due to the age of this pipeline, replacing it is an essential part of force main break prevention.”

Construction will not occur during any city-recognized holidays and will be limited to weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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

FREE Concerts every Friday night May 19 – July 21! For a full line-up, visit the website at: http://concerts.levittamp.org/ocala

There were 36 in attendance at this week’s meeting. We listened while Michelle Stone, Marion County Commissioner for District 5  told us about a few things that are happening in Marion County. She touched on two of the topics the Commission is focused on; Public Safety and Economic Development.

The 1 cent sales tax is helping fund Public Safety. With 60% of the money raised to help with improvement of roads and infrastructure, 20% to the Sherriff’s Department and 20% to Fire Rescue.

To help with Economic Development, the County has welcomed new commerce such as Chewy and Auto Zone. They are also reviewing options to develop tracts of land in Belleview. Michelle recognizes how important it is to preserve land while offering opportunities for development.

In her fight to protect our water Michelle is learning a lot about how to appropriately develop space at Silver Springs in a protective manner. She reminded us all that we will soon be a part of the 220 miles of biking trails across Florida. Continue reading →