Daily
Ocala
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025
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Good morning, Ocala. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 14th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Raney’s Truck Parts is set to host its first truck show fundraiser—Raney’s Road to Wishes—on May 31 at its Chrome Shop at 3030 W. Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, with free admission from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and a goal to raise $80,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation by featuring custom-built show trucks and family activities. Ocala Gazette
- ➤ Teacher Sunny Collins of Forest High School was honored by the Thank a Teacher program, with recognition from HCA Florida Ocala Hospital + the Public Education Foundation of Marion County for her work in health occupational sciences, while CASA Marion earned a national award for its service. This news highlights local efforts in education and community support. Ocala Gazette
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Mateo Lopez, an Ocala man, filed a wrongful arrest lawsuit against the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Billy Woods after officers mistakenly arrested and strip searched him on October 3—he was held for over 24 hours while his vehicle was towed and his family paid attorney’s fees without reimbursement. Ocala-News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Mirror Image Leadership Academy held its annual gala on May 13th to celebrate its scholars—school officials recognized the students for their academic achievements. WCJB
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The United States Forest Service said nearly an inch of rain in parts of Ocala National Forest kept several wildfires within their footprints even though smoke still appeared, and officials have increased staffing while monitoring the situation. They remain alert as high temperatures and possible afternoon lightning may lead to drying conditions—further prompting a voluntary burn ban in Marion County. Ocala-News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Ocala Wetland Recharge Park has been closed since May 9 because sinkholes have damaged walking and biking trails at 2105 Northwest 21st Street — city leaders will complete a full assessment before reopening it. WCJB
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The HCA Florida Ocala Hospital trauma team has trained more than 1,000 Marion County students in life-saving skills through lectures and hands-on practice—teaching them to apply pressure, pack wounds and use tourniquets. The team will visit seven high schools this month to provide further detailed instruction during Stop the Bleed month. WCJB
- ➤ Marion County officials and SMA Healthcare cut the ribbon on Monday for a renovated treatment facility for women with drug addiction along SW 137th Loop in Ocala — the project was funded with $500,000 from opioid settlement dollars. The center now offers care for women, including those who are pregnant or postpartum, and it provides support for substance-exposed newborns in a 20,000-square-foot building built in 2014. Ocala-News
- ➤ State inspectors closed Broad Stripes Golf and Social Club in Summerfield after live roaches and several high-priority food safety violations were found during inspections from May 5—11—follow-up visits will determine when the facility can reopen. Ocala StarBanner
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ ARIG Ocala LLC, owned by Robert Hartman of Hartman Snack Group, purchased the Firestone Complete Auto Care property at 30 Bahia Avenue—built last year and sized at about 6,550 square feet—for $4.54 million on May 7. The sale from Palmetto Silver Springs Lot 2, LLC is part of a series of high-value commercial property transactions in the area. Ocala-News
SHOP NEWS
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Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Ocala.
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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.
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Open House in Ocala
12-3 p.m. — 8205 SW 78th Terrace Rd — Free entry — Discover a charming home in a vibrant 55+ community with fantastic amenities.
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Geek Fest May Edition
12:00 – 11:59 PM — Ocala Downtown Market — Free entry — Dive into a wonderland of over 60 vendors specializing in video games, vintage toys, comic books, and more.
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Twilight Trail Trot
11:10 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. — Santos Trailhead — Registration fees apply — Enjoy a thrilling twilight trail running event with local community support.
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3rd Annual Children's Miracle Network 5K Walk/Run
8:00-9:30 a.m. — Baseline Road Trailhead — Entry fee applicable — Participate in a fundraising event supporting children in need through UF Health.
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All About Joel - Billy Joel Tribute
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Reilly Arts Center — Ticket costs vary — Relive the classic hits of Billy Joel through an energetic tribute performance.
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