Good morning, Ocala.

Interfaith Emergency Services has low food supplies for local families preparing for the new school year and is asking businesses, churches, and civic groups to host food drives.

Donations (vegetables, fruits, cereal, and pasta) may be dropped off at its facility on 421 NW 1st Street.

Construction on The Nest, a new entertainment and dining venue in southwest Ocala, is progressing rapidly with features including an outdoor amphitheater, beer garden, dog park and more.

Revised plans for five permanent food buildings have been submitted for county review next Monday at 9 a.m.

A Belleview resident wrote that locals need a full-scale bookstore and a well-equipped bait and tackle shop near our fishing lakes.

The letter stresses that community members deserve better options than those offered by distant chains — calling for improved local services.

A Feed the Children Resource Rally provided essential food and personal care supplies to 268 families on Aug.

1 in Ocala—relieving stretched budgets for local households. Volunteers from Niagara Bottling Ocala and Second Harvest Food Bank delivered provisions that would sustain a family of four for about five days.

Florida schools start next week with most counties opening on Monday, Aug.

10 + a few starting later; experts advise parents to reset sleep schedules and practice morning routines as a tax holiday on school supplies runs until Aug. 20.

The Ocala/Marion County housing market remained active in June with 805 single-family homes closing—a 10% rise from last June—and median and average sale prices of $293,000 and $349,235, according to the local Realtors.