Good morning, Ocala.

The Humane Society of Marion County is hosting the DogGone Good Reading Program tomorrow, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 701 NW 14th Road in Ocala—elementary school children will read First Dog to shelter dogs while their parents wait in a separate area.

Two federal lawsuits allege that Marion County deputies used excessive force leading to the in-custody death of Dennis Di Genova—who suffered a broken neck after an incident in jail in July 2023—and the fatal shooting of Edward Townsend after his 911 call in December 2022, with families seeking justice and raising concerns over a pattern of force at the sheriff’s office.

A Florida man pleaded guilty to a Medicare fraud scheme that bought identification numbers to submit over $8.4 million in false claims for COVID-19 test kits—he will be sentenced on July 9 while his co-defendant is set for sentencing on May 15.

Governor Ron DeSantis visited Ocala on Wednesday morning to hand $5,000 bonus checks to 12 new deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office as part of a recruitment program that has awarded over $53,000,000.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said the bonus serves as a statement of strong state support for law enforcement + it aims to help attract quality recruits.

Marion County officials and AdventHealth Ocala broke ground on the Heathbrook Emergency Department at 3941 SW College Road on April 2 to serve southwest Ocala— the nearly 14,000 square feet facility offering 12 beds is scheduled to open in early 2026.

Makers Market

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Grumbles House Antiques & Garden Shop — Free admission — Discover unique handmade arts and crafts from local artisans while enjoying live music and good food.

Candlelight: The Best of The Beatles

8:30-9:30 p.m. — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — Ticket prices may vary — Experience the magic of The Beatles' music performed by an intimate string quartet under candlelight.

Ocala Oddities Market April Edition

6-10 p.m. — Florida Oddities Markets LLC — Free entry — Explore a uniquely quirky market with over 70 vendors showcasing oddities from taxidermy to handmade jewelry.

Spring Strings Concert

4-7 p.m. — Sholom Park — Free entry — Experience the modern bluegrass sounds of Remedy Tree in a serene park setting.

Women Build 2025 Kickoff Party

5-8 p.m. — OHC Community Center — Free entry — Celebrate the kick-off of a meaningful local initiative supporting women in building homes.

Brandon Dull Live Performance

3-5 p.m. — Tierra Del Sol Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy timeless tunes from a talented singing guitarist based in Ocala, Florida.

Ocala Home & Garden Show

12 PM – 5 PM — World Equestrian Center — Free entry — Explore gardening innovations and home improvement ideas at this vibrant expo.

Kids Day Celebration

4-6 PM — Graffiti Seafood & More — Free activities — Celebrate Kids Day with games, balloon art, and fun activities for the whole family.

Marion County Youth Job Fair 2025

3:30-6:00 p.m. — Southeastern Livestock Pavilion SELP — Free entry — Explore job opportunities tailored for young adults aged 16 to 24 in a supportive environment.

Extravaganza 2025

May 2-4 — World Equestrian Center — Entry fees apply — Witness the elegance and grace of the Paso Fino horse in action.