Daily
Ocala
Tuesday, September 16th, 2025
Good morning, Ocala. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 16th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Marion County Fire Rescue held its 5th annual Bear the Burden weight lifting competition over the weekend and thanked everyone for joining the event. Brian Williams won strongest male and Renee Boyer won strongest female overall — all proceeds helped Recovery RX support people with substance abuse issues — officials said. WCJB
- ➤ A Columbia County mother who was driving with her twins and her sister on I-75 had car trouble on Saturday and parked at an Ocala exit—where officers pushed the car off the road, checked the battery, and drove them to pick up an alternator—to help fix the vehicle. Ocala-News
- ➤ The Party in Purple Dance Fitness Party will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct 4 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., to raise awareness about domestic violence and support local victims. Certified instructor Heaven Colon and local partners will lead dance routines, raffle sales and survivor stories—promising a day of community action. Ocala Gazette
- ➤ Ocala will host a day trip for Marion County seniors to tour Crystal River Preserve State Park by boat and see manatees and birds on Thursday, September 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Interested participants aged 50 and older must pre-register by dialing 352-401-6980. Ocala-News
- ➤ Mary Beth Bell’s Chuck’s Piggy Bank non-profit is joining Give4Marion for the first time to help low-income pet owners care for their pets. The campaign starts today at 10 a.m.—local officials expect early donations to break last year’s record funding. WCJB
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ 34 North Central Florida high school seniors are named as semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program today — they join 16,000 other students nationwide who have earned the honor through strong academics. WCJB
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Attorney General James Uthmeier said on Monday that Florida law allows open carry after a Tallahassee appeals panel struck down the ban and he sent guidance to law enforcement to stop arresting law-abiding citizens carrying their firearms. His guidance clarified that the court decision does not permit menacing others with guns—only responsible gun ownership is required under state law. Ocala Gazette
- ➤ Polls are open today in Ocala for a special election to fill the mayor's office and a city council seat—Mayor Ben Marciano faces Arbor Feliciano while Mark Clark, Tamboura Jenkins and incumbent Jay Musleh vie for council with early and absentee voting at just over 6%. WCJB
- ➤ U.S. Rep. Randy Fine has proposed a bill to study making a national park that may cover Florida springs and much of Ocala National Forest—citizens worry that more tourism could bring unwanted changes. Local officials and residents have voiced their concerns through petitions and public debate. Ocala StarBanner
- ➤ Today, the Ocala City Council votes on a three-year $508,023 contract with Shellard Lighting Design — based in Palm City — to provide holiday décor and lighting for Light Up Ocala, which will return on November 22 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The contract follows a bid process that began in May, with Shellard scoring 99 out of 100 points from four proposals received. Ocala-News
- ➤ Residents have sent letters with differing views on travel at Ocala International Airport—some are worried about noise and roadway congestion while others favor easier travel options—and they ask local officials to review current policies. Ocala-News
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Marion County high school athletes are competing in the weekly Athlete of the Week poll with 30 nominees, including familiar names like James Bethea & Elizabeth Marshall and new contenders like Lachlan Bryniarski and Luke Lombardo. The poll ends Friday at 12 p.m. and the winner will be announced soon after. Ocala StarBanner
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2025 Ocala Comic Con Weekend Pass
8:00 PM – 10:29 AM — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Kids 10 and under are FREE — Experience Florida's largest comic convention packed with comic books, video games, and cosplay.
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Marion Oaks Hispanic Heritage Celebration
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Marion Oaks Community Center — Free entry — Celebrate Hispanic heritage with art activities for kids and live entertainment.
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The Grass Roots Concert
5-8:30 p.m. — Circle Square Cultural Center — Ticket purchase required — Enjoy a lively performance with classic hits from the renowned Rock and Roll era.
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Absolute Queen - A Tribute to Queen
7:30-9 p.m. — Reilly Arts Center — Tickets available — Experience the electrifying atmosphere of a live Queen concert with mind-blowing costume changes and all the classic hits.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Focus is saying no to good ideas.
~ Sam Altman
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