The CEP/Ocala Chamber celebrated the opening of Columbia Bank with a Ribbon Cutting and open house. Pictured is the Ribbon Cutting and as you can see everyone was excited and having fun.

Columbia Bank formed in Lake City (Columbia County) in 1911 and has remained a true community bank for 105 years.  Up until 2017, the only branches were in Lake City until Ocala and Gainesville joined the ranks for a total of six locations in three counties.  Columbia Bank believes “slow & steady” is the best path, but hopes to add another Marion County branch in the next two years.

Columbia Bank is led by CEO K.C. Trowell.  The Ocala branch consists of Teresa Stephens (Market President), Felecia Judge (Branch Manager), Lakisha Carpenter (Asst. Branch Manager), Britany Harrell (Head Teller), Katie Ragdale (Loan Assistant), Sarah Fern, Jared Shorb and Debbie Muir finish the team as Personal Bankers.

Welcome to Ocala!

YOGA IN THE PARK

Tuscawilla Park | 500 NE Sanchez Ave. Saturday | July 15 and Aug. 12 | 9 a.m. Sunday | Sept. 10 | noon Celebrate summer with Yoga in the Park instructed by Power Yoga Ocala. Bring some water, a yoga mat and wear comfortable clothes. Meet under the large oak trees next to the pavilion.

BACK TO SCULPTURE WALK AND EDUCATIONAL SCAVENGER HUNT

Tuscawilla Park | 500 NE Sanchez Ave. Now through Sept. 17th | Sunrise-Sunset Take a stroll in Tuscawilla Park and enjoy the sculptures on display. Complete the sculpture scavenger hunt (sponsored by Family Times Magazine and Philip D. Breske Photography) and receive your complimentary family admission to the Appleton Museum. Download your brochure at www.ocalafl.org/ outdoorsculpture or pick up a copy when you start your walk at the Discovery Center (701 NE Sanchez Ave.), Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center (830 NE Eighth Ave.) or at the Recreation and Parks administration building (828 NE Sanchez Ave.)    Continue reading →

Second Annual Business to Business Expo A Great Success. Pictured from left Chrissy Thibodeau, Jaclyn Searcy and Laura Schenck of Community Bank and Trust of Florida. Some 56 businesses made it into the expo, though some did not. Only 56 businesses would fit the then large room that housed the Expo. Many contacts were made; business transactions were set up. Each business there had time to talk to all 56 other businesses in attendance. All remarks that were passed around were positive and all were looking forward to 2018 expo. The great food was furnished by Eaton Beach Catering, Too Jays Catering, Water Oak, Sam Club, Honey Bake Ham and Chick-fil-A the Villages.

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

The City of Ocala has installed a new municipal services payment drop box at City Hall located at 110 SE Watula Ave. This new drop box is located near the front entrance of City Hall along E Fort King Street and is available as a drive-through option for customers.

Post Date:06/30/2017 4:13 PM

OCALA, Fla. (June 30, 2017) – The City of Ocala has installed a new municipal services payment drop box at City Hall located at 110 SE Watula Ave. This new drop box is located near the front entrance of City Hall along E Fort King Street and is available as a drive-through option for customers.

Payments will be collected from this drop box at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. All payments received by 2 p.m. Monday through Friday will be posted the same day. Only check payments will be permitted at this new location. Cash payment will not be accepted. City of Ocala residents will not be able to start or stop any municipal services through this new drop box location.  Continue reading →

Wednesday, July 5, the City of Ocala, along with contractors Marion Rock, Inc. and Foundation Services, will begin work to remediate, or resolve, a depression located at the northwest corner of SW 27th Avenue and SW 19th Avenue Road. This project is expected to be completed at the end of July 2017.

Post Date:06/30/2017 10:33 AM

OCALA, Fla. (June 30, 2017) – Wednesday, July 5, the City of Ocala, along with contractors Marion Rock, Inc. and Foundation Services, will begin work to remediate, or resolve, a depression located at the northwest corner of SW 27th Avenue and SW 19th Avenue Road. This project is expected to be completed at the end of July 2017.

In continuation with the Maintenance of Traffic (MOT), the westbound lane of SW 27th Avenue will be closed to traffic during this construction period. All necessary devices will be in place to re-direct traffic.

Construction will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and will not occur during any City-recognized holidays.

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

(OCALA, Fla.) June 10, 2017 – Moments after flash flood conditions were reporter at Shady Oak Shopping Center, a sinkhole emerged in Gaitway Plaza – shopping plaza located across the street.

At 5:25 PM Ocala Fire Rescue was dispatched to Shady Oaks Shopping Center (2407 SW 27^th Ave.), where water a rescue was requested. Engine #4 arrived to a flooded parking lot with approximately fifteen vehicles submerged under water, to various degrees. Upon inspection, at least five vehicles were found to have water in their interior compartments. As crews aided civilians found within their vehicles to higher ground, a call regarding a sinkhole was reported. Continue reading →

• Date:06/16/2017 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
• Location:Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex
  2390 SE 36 Avenue
  Ocala, Florida 34471

Tonight’s movie is “The BFG”.  Join the Big Friendly Giant for an outdoor movie adventure on the really GIANT screen.  This movie is free and popcorn/drinks are available for $1.00.  Please bring your lawn chairs and blankets.  For additional information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517. Have FUN!

• Date:06/16/2017 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Location:Martin Luther King Recreaion Complex
  1510 NW Fourth St.
  Ocala, Florida 34471

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

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.