Good morning, Ocala.

A lottery ticket that won $36,067.77 for the Fantasy 5 drawing was sold at the Circle K on SW 27th Avenue on Thursday, Aug.

27 — the prize remains unclaimed, and players have 180 days to claim their winnings.

A local resident said the handicap accessible ramp at Vanguard High School football game did not lead to proper seating, as fans needing access struggled with blocked views and a long walk to the restroom (issues persist at school events).

Forest Community Center at Sandhill Park in Ocklawaha hosts Roast + Rook weekly on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The free event provides chess sets and complimentary coffee for locals aged 16 and older.

BJ’s Wholesale Club will open three new Florida locations in 2026.

The Ocala store is scheduled to launch this fall at 6110 SW State Road 200 and will offer founding member discounts until Oct. 22 (while stores in Port St. Lucie and Lecanto open later).

Local lawn-care companies are raising prices and narrowing service routes as rising fuel costs squeeze profits, with some owners shortening service radii from 25 to 15 miles (to cut long drives) across Marion County.

BJ's Wholesale Club is seeking approval from Ocala City Council to sell packaged alcoholic beverages at its new warehouse (7030 SW 59th Avenue) in southwest Ocala.

The permit, if approved Tuesday, Sept. 1, would allow sales Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. while the club is set to open later this fall.

Construction is underway for a new Home Depot in southwest Ocala near State Road 200 and SW 99th Street Road covering 22.62 acres.

The planned 134,807 sqft retail center will include a main warehouse (106,651 sqft) and an outdoor garden center.

Rock the Country will draw thousands of country music fans this weekend at Florida Horse Park in Marion County + the two-day event will offer live music and camping.

Rock the Country Ocala 2026 continues today at Florida Horse Park with a forecast of showers and thunderstorms and temperatures near 92 - law enforcement warns that heavy traffic is expected along County Road 475A.

After a bomb threat led to an evacuation at the college campus Friday, authorities confirmed no bombs were found and campus safety was restored; operations resumed today with students + staff allowed to collect belongings and resume classes.

On Aug. 27, the Florida State Parks Foundation announced an expansion of its e-bike fleet during a press conference at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala.

The 25 new Velotric Nomad2 Fat Tire e-bikes support a greener initiative statewide — a move praised by park ranger Bre Ximenes.

Ocala city officials unveiled the new O-Line trolley on Friday morning, and the free service connected public parking to downtown shopping and restaurants on a 30-minute route that replaced older SunTran vehicles.

Vanguard won the football game 21 — 6 against Miami Norland at Booster Stadium in Ocala on Friday, Aug.

28. Quarterback TJ Lewis made a key play that helped drive the win.