Good morning, Ocala.

Friends and family held a benefit concert in Dunnellon on May 17 to raise funds for a local musician battling cancer + the event showed strong community support for treatment.

Shandcair workers recognized National EMS Week today by honoring local emergency responders at a ceremony held at their Ocala facility.

The event celebrated the commitment of EMS personnel to community health.

On Saturday, May 16, a motorist drove off a designated trail at Farles Prairie in Ocala National Forest and sparked a wildfire covering 0.8 acres before firefighters & Marion County Fire Rescue quickly contained the blaze; officials urged visitors to be cautious of emergency vehicles on Forest Road 30.

Officials with Ocala Fire Rescue responded to a fire at St. Paul A.M.E.

Church in the 700 block of NW 7th Street on Saturday night; they found the blaze began on the second floor and spread to the assembly hall before the structure was condemned due to extensive damage, with no injuries reported.

E-One has opened a new manufacturing plant in Ocala this week to boost emergency vehicle production + the expansion is expected to spur local economic growth.

Buc-ee's is suing a Georgia convenience store for copying its branding while planning to open a new travel center in Ocala in 2029 — the site at the southeast corner of I-75 and NW 49th Street will feature 74,000 sqft and 120 fueling stations.

Tonight, residents can see a rare conjunction as bright Venus appears near a thin waxing crescent moon today in Ocala; clear skies at local dark-sky sites like Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park may offer the best view.

An Ocala resident expressed concern after permits granted to three companies, Sleepy Creek Lands/Adena Springs, Seven Springs Water Company & Silver Springs Bottled Water Co., allow drawing millions of gallons from the underground water supply for 10 years at low fees amid drought, warning this may reduce water availability.

Marion County commissioners will meet Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m. to review a request from a Dunnellon family to keep emotional support animals on their 0.95-acre property — county staff have recommended denial given zoning concerns and potential issues with water filtration.

Sterlin Thompson, an Ocala native and former Gator, was recalled by the Colorado Rockies from Triple-A Albuquerque Friday afternoon and will aim to debut during their three-game home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking him as the 91st Gator in MLB and Florida’s 43rd debut since 2008.

Hear Us Roar III Fundraiser

7 p.m. — Ocala Civic Theatre — VIP tickets $50 — A vibrant fundraiser supporting Arts in Health and The Arc Marion in Ocala.

Ocala Toddler Time Multi-Sport Program

9:00-11:00 a.m. — McCall Ballfield — $90 — Engage toddlers in a fun, multi-sport program designed for early development.

Ocala Toddler Soccer Summer Camp

9 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. — McCall Ballfield — $135 — Fun-filled toddler soccer camp featuring bubbles, ice cream, and exciting activities.