Good morning, Ocala.

Marion County Parks Recreation Carnival will be held on Saturday, October 4, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala where residents can enjoy inflatables, live music, food trucks, face painting, hayrides, a petting zoo, a kids zone, and haunted stalls for trick-or-treating plus youth armbands cost $5 cash only or five non-perishable donations. All funds raised will benefit the Youth Scholarship Program.

Marion County Animal Services is hosting name-your-price pet adoptions for Adopt a Dog Month by offering adoptable pets such as Sausage— a five-year-old with skin issues, Waffles— a four-month-old lapdog, and Margaret— a five-year-old who loves attention; visitors can call or stop by from Tuesday to Saturday for more details.

Amazon bought a 1,085,280-square-foot warehouse at 3171 NW 44th Avenue in Ocala for $97,675,200 from Ocala 44 RRL, LLC to expand its operations at Florida Crossroads Logistics Center—located near centers for Chewy, FedEx and AutoZone.

Groome Transportation now offers door-to-door shuttle service from homes in Ocala, Marion Oaks, Belleview, Summerfield, Wildwood, and Oxford to Tampa International Airport.

Passengers can book online or by phone—fare is $59 one-way for clean, air-conditioned rides with professional drivers handling luggage.

Buchholz Theater is presenting 'Six The Musical: Teen Edition'—a teen-focused version of the hit musical that gives young actors a chance to shine on stage.

Marion County School Board members discussed a plan on Thursday to allow gun-sniffing dogs in elementary schools and aim to finalize a policy by the end of the month—school district leaders are meeting today and will later consult with the Sheriff's Office to refine search procedures so students are not impacted.

A new high school in south Ocala will open in August and has received nearly $260,000—funds from a state grant program—to offer specialized courses in AI, avionics, digital cinema, entrepreneurship and agribusiness.

The funding will help students earn industry certifications and prepare for high-demand careers.

Osceola Middle School is celebrating its 100th anniversary today with actors dressed in period clothing who reenact a 1925 school day and exhibits displaying original desks, a chalkboard, and a typewriter that teachers used — preserving a key part of our local heritage.

The Historic Ocala Preservation Society will honor the school with a new plaque and add it to its historic district walking tour — linking the past with what lies ahead.

Post-tropical Humberto pulled Hurricane Imelda away from a potential Florida landfall, marking the closest approach by two hurricanes in decades.

Forecasters say that although emerging La Niña conditions may lead to a busier October, no tropical system is expected to threaten Florida in the next few weeks.

Grand Prix Dining Experience

6:30-9 p.m. — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Table pricing from $500 — Indulge in a three-course meal while enjoying top-level equestrian sport under the lights.

4th Annual Grays Halloween Festival

5-10 p.m. — Ocala Downtown Market — Free entry — Celebrate the Halloween season with fun festivities at this community festival.

Back to the 80's: Dance Fitness Party

1-5 p.m. — Paddock Mall — Donation-based entry — Get your groove on while raising awareness and funds for breast cancer prevention.

Hands-on Volunteer Training for October Ride-a-Test

8:00 AM – 11:59 PM — Florida Horse Park — Free entry — Learn valuable skills while supporting an equestrian event through volunteer opportunities.

Tropical Steel Music Event

6:00–9:30 p.m. — Yellow Pony at World Equestrian Center — Check event page for costs — Enjoy dinner and drinks while grooving to the versatile sounds of Tropical Steel.

Ocala Classic Card Show

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Hilton Ocala — $5 admission, kids 10 & under free — Discover rare sports cards and collectibles while enjoying family-friendly activities and raffles.

KennaDee Acoustic Live

11:30 AM – 2:30 PM — Midtown Station — Free entry — Experience the best of acoustic pop, rock, and soul with a mix of original songs and creative covers.