Good morning, Ocala.

The Lyrid Meteor Shower, a spectacle for 2,700 years, will peak tonight in Central Florida—stargazers can expect to see up to 20 meteors per hour between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Tuesday in clear skies.

A pedestrian pushing a cart died when he was struck by a 2025 Chevrolet pickup truck at about 1:15 p.m. on Friday, April 18th near the intersection of U.S. Hwy 441 and SE 151st Street in Marion County, marking the fourth fatality on that roadway in less than three weeks— the driver, a 57-year-old from Inverness, suffered minor injuries.

The Florida Department of Transportation said lane closures are in effect on northbound I-75 (from County Road 462 to County Road 475 and near mile markers 301 to 333) from April 20 to April 24 between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m. to allow crews to inspect and repair a bridge struck by a dump truck last month.

An Ocala man named David Allen Ray was arrested after police found images of a person and an animal having sex on his iPhone following a tip from Facebook—he faces eight charges and holds a $20,000 bond—with his arraignment set for May 13.

Today, leaders from an organization in Orlando announced they are funding tech students from the University of Florida as part of an Ocala CEP initiative to support start-ups along the high tech corridor (boosting local innovation).

The owner of a Belleview property is seeking approval for a conceptual plan to build 442 single-family homes on a 119-acre site—this proposal removes townhomes from the previous plan and is expected to increase traffic on SE 92nd Place Road and nearby routes.

The Marion County Development Review Committee will review the plan today at 9 a.m.

Marion County sports officials are inviting local voters to choose this week’s Athlete of the Week from 26 nominees emerging from high school competitions—voters can cast one vote per hour and the contest will close Thursday at 4:59 p.m.

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.

Sullivan Cadillac & Corvette Club Spring Cruise-In

6:30-9:00 p.m. — Sullivan Cadillac — Free entry — Enjoy an evening filled with beautiful cars, food, and the chance to win a trophy.

Pattern of Transformation Workshop

5:30-7 p.m. — Marion Cultural Alliance at Brick City Center for the Arts — Free entry with a suggested donation — Immerse in African dance and painting in a vibrant interactive workshop featuring live drumming.

Mother's Day 5k

8-10 a.m. — Ocala City Hall — Registration fee applies — Celebrate mothers while enjoying a picturesque run through Ocala.

Fable Fest

10 AM – 5 PM — Brown & Brown Farms and Country Store — Cost Info Unavailable — Experience an immersive fantasy world with quests, mythical creatures, and diverse attractions.