Daily
Ocala
Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
Good morning, Ocala. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 21st of April.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Walmart will remodel 58 Florida stores in 2026, including the Dunnellon Supercenter at 11012 N. Williams St. in Marion County — the upgrades will add new layouts, technology and services to enhance the shopping experience. Ocala StarBanner
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Eta Aquarids meteor shower is active in Ocala until May 28 with a peak set for May 5-6 while the Lyrids meteor shower peaks today; residents can view meteors after midnight (away from city lights). Ocala StarBanner
- ➤ The state and county are inviting local visual artists to submit proposals for a lobby piece or a life-size Horse Fever sculpture at the new FDOT building in Ocala (627 NW 30th Avenue). Applications are due by Wednesday, May 13 and selections will be announced on June 1 with installations planned for late August or early September. Ocala-News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Marion County families can apply for the School Readiness child care program offered by the Early Learning Coalition to help cover costs for children up to age 13. Officials said eligible parents, students and job seekers should apply online soon so that services start before summer. Ocala StarBanner
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Burn bans affect counties near Ocala as dry, windy conditions heighten wildfire risks—after nearly 100,000 acres burned statewide this year. The National Weather Service warns that conditions may worsen later today, urging residents to exercise fire safety. Ocala StarBanner
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Governor Ron DeSantis reappointed former Marion Sheriff Emery Gainey (a 25-year law enforcement veteran) and longtime educator Carrie Lee to the Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees on Friday, April 17, while two new members were named pending Florida Senate confirmation. Ocala-News
- ➤ Florida will add eight new specialty license plates, including an Ultimate Fighting Championship plate and four for schools, as design begins after Gov. DeSantis signed SB 246 on April 10. Pre-sales start Oct. 1 and sponsors must sell 3,000 plates in 24 months to maintain each option. Ocala StarBanner
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Florida residents with qualifying conditions can get a medical marijuana card by visiting a state-certified physician, registering online, and paying a $75 fee. The card, processed within 10 days, lets patients purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries for managing chronic pain and other approved conditions. Ocala StarBanner
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ North Marion High School’s varsity boys basketball team finished a record season with 22 wins and four losses, clinching the county tournament and District 5 title despite a 47-44 regional loss. Coach Tim Yarn earned FACA District 7 Coach of the Year as players showed true team spirit. Ocala Gazette
-
Ocala Big Bloom Home & Garden Show
12-6 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Free admission — Discover a vibrant showcase of flowers and hands-on gardening activities for all ages.
-
International Jazz, Art & Poetry Festival Ocala
6-8 PM — Appleton Museum of Art — Fundraising event — Immerse yourself in jazz, vibrant art, and soulful poetry while honoring jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Alice Coltrane.
-
Extravaganza 2026
9 AM – 10 PM — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Free entry — Experience three days of premier paso fino horse competition at this prestigious event.
-
One time never before seeing Home
Don’t miss your chance to see this perfect 3/2/2 plan offered at $269,500. Hurry, It will not last!
-
Arnold Irchai and Dale Fedele Concert
3-4 p.m. — Reilly Arts Center — $4 – $185 — Experience intimate chamber music with virtuosic musicians from the Ocala Symphony in a unique performance setting.
-
Mother's Day Brunch Celebration
11 AM - 2 PM — Miss Eloise’s Grand Ballroom — $110 per adult, $39 per child ages 6-12 — Enjoy an elegant buffet with live music for a memorable Mother's Day.
-
Grand Prix May Dressage Dining Experience
8-11 a.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — $145 per person — Indulge in a buffet brunch while world-class dressage competitors showcase their skills in a stunning outdoor arena.
-
Grand Prix May Dressage Dining Experience
8-11 a.m. — The Equestrian Hotel Terrace — $145 per person — Delight in brunch while world-class dressage athletes compete in the Grand Outdoor Arena.
-
Grand Prix May Dressage Dining Experience
6:30-9:30 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — $205 per person — Dine on exquisite buffet meals while world-class equestrians captivate with their grand prix freestyle performances.
-
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Concert
7:30 p.m. — Reilly Arts Center — Ticket information TBA — Celebrate the 33rd anniversary of this iconic swing band with a night of vibrant music and high-energy performance.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Ocala
Welcome to the Daily Ocala, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Ocala, Florida community. If you like the Daily Ocala, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Ocala.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Ocala and across Florida. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Ocala
A free Ocala community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyocala.com/sitemap