Daily
Ocala
Tuesday, February 17th, 2026
Good morning, Ocala. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 17th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A funeral service for civil rights advocate Roberta Lopez is scheduled for Friday (community members also mourn fellow advocate Rosa Williams) as local leaders remember their contributions. WCJB
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Peach Valley Cafe will open soon at 3535 SW College Road/State Road 200, replacing the shuttered Bob Evans site; the Southern-style chain—founded in Winter Park—expands to its tenth location with spots in nearby Gainesville and Mount Dora. Ocala-News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The 39th annual Sunshine State Mopar Car Show and Swap meet will take place in Ocala on Feb. 27 and 28 at the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park, where local club president Butch Arnold (of Mopars of Ocala) will display his 2016 Dodge Charger Hellcat. Ocala Gazette
- ➤ Ocala Symphony Orchestra marked its 50th anniversary on Feb. 12 at the Reilly Arts Center with a sold-out, black-tie gala in the NOMA Black Box Theatre. Over 160 guests helped raise more than $150,000 to support music education and local arts programming. Ocala Gazette
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Crews battled an active wildfire south of Salt Springs over a challenging weekend as rain helped reduce fire activity and U.S. 19 reopened on Feb. 16 between SR 40 and Marion County Road 314 — crews will continue mop-up efforts. Ocala StarBanner
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State Road 19 reopened last night after a 75-acre wildfire forced a weekend closure in the Ocala National Forest, officials said. Motorists are advised to drive with caution as lingering smoke may reduce visibility. Ocala-News
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ 8M Holdings has requested a PUD modification to change the RV park at 18365 NW 45th Avenue Road from private to public amenities on a 141-acre parcel — the site is near Orange Lake and Lakeside Oaks and is accessed from County Road 318. Ocala Gazette
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Ocala native Erin Jackson, a UF graduate, spoke about finishing 5th in the 500 meter speedskating event at Milan Cortina Olympics this weekend (she missed a podium by 0.05 seconds), a narrow gap in a sport measured in hundredths of a second. WCJB
- ➤ The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina will close on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. from Verona Olympic Arena, where NBC & Peacock will broadcast the ceremony live. Floridians including Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson are set to compete as local athletes add excitement to the games. Ocala StarBanner
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Candlelight: Tribute to Adele
8:30-9:29 PM — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — $31.44 — Experience the soulful music of Adele illuminated by candlelight in a unique atmosphere.
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10th Annual VOCAL Furball: A Western Extravaganza
6-10 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Ticket required — A whimsical night of Western style and heartfelt giving for Marion County's cats and dogs.
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Burnyzz Gatornationals FanFest 2026
6-9 p.m. — Burnyzz — Vehicle registration $10 early, $15 day of show — Celebrate the Gatornationals with live music, driver autographs, and family-friendly activities.
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L.E.A.F. Series: Spring Gardens Workshop
10:30 a.m. — Sholom Park — Free — Get hands-on guidance for preparing and planting your spring garden in this interactive workshop.
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Latino Festival
11 AM – 6 PM — Ocala Citizens' Circle — Free entry — Celebrate Latin American culture with music, food, and handicrafts.
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Candlelight Tribute to Queen and The Beatles
4-7 p.m. — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical candlelight concert showcasing the legendary music of Queen and The Beatles.
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The Ocala Boat Show
11 a.m. – 7 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Exclusive boat show savings — Discover the latest models from MasterCraft, Barletta, and Tidewater with expert guidance for your next adventure.
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Irish Eyes are Mile'ing 5K
8 a.m. — Ocala Citizens' Circle — $30 early entry fee — Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a 5K run supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Live On Stage: Steel Magnolias
2-4 PM — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — Price info not provided — Experience heartfelt laughter in a vibrant Louisiana beauty salon.
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Marion County Fair at I-75 Flea Market
4-11 p.m. — i-75 Flea Market-Vallejo Eventos — $5 admission — Experience family-friendly rides, games, live music, and thrilling circus acts at this annual community fair.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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