Good morning, Ocala.

A male pedestrian pushing a metal cart on the outside lane of US Highway 441 in southeast Marion County died after being struck by a pickup truck on April 18 — according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Kalasa Holding, LLC asked the Ocala Board of Adjustment for special permission to turn a 12,000-square-foot warehouse at 1891 SW 12th Avenue into an indoor pickleball facility with four courts and a check-in area.

The board met Monday, April 21 at Ocala City Hall—city staff reported the warehouse sits on 6.03 acres in the Ocala Industrial Park among other industrial uses.

Last week, Ocala Breeders' Sales sold 637 horses for over $88 million at its facility (1701 SW 60th Avenue) while drawing strong international buyers and Governor Ron DeSantis to oppose a thoroughbred decoupling bill.

The sale saw nine horses go over $1 million (one for $1.5 million) and set a new record average of $139,343 per horse.

Fabian Marcel Rivera pleaded no contest on April 10 to attempted second-degree murder after shooting his friend near UF last fall—he was sentenced to 15 years in prison with credit for 201 days served.

On May 3, the Appleton Museum of Art will host a Free First Saturday event with a double-feature film screening at 11 a.m. in the auditorium.

The screening celebrates the exhibition 'Framing Tokyo: Joel Bustamante’s Architectural Photography'—featuring a brief introduction before the films.

On April 18, cadets from four local high school JROTC programs marched 15 miles at Baseline Trailhead Park in Ocala to honor the sacrifices of POWs and missing soldiers from the WWII Bataan death march—more than 200 cadets learned firsthand about the historic event and helped raise awareness for a DAV chapter. This march deepened their understanding of the crucial legacy left by those who served.

The Reddick High School Reunion committee will present two $1,000 scholarships to outstanding seniors at North Marion High School, and the award has been renamed the D.A.

Lewis Jr. RHS Reunion Scholarship to honor the celebrated 1954 graduate who earned an agricultural degree from the University of Florida. Applications for the scholarships will close soon.

Frank Ennist from Ocala was named fire service instructor of the year at the 2025 Fire Service Awards on Monday—he earned the honor for his teaching work at Florida State Fire College, confirmed by Joanne Rice from the state fire marshal.

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.

Axe Throwing & Tiny Golf Event

11 AM – 4 PM — Homestead Park — Axe Throwing $15 for 30 min | Tiny Golf $5 per round — Enjoy fun-filled outdoor activities with friends and family at Homestead Park.