Daily
Ocala
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
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Good morning, Ocala. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 8th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The second annual OBS Ocala October Yearling Sale is underway and will continue today at noon—attendees will have the chance to view and bid on yearlings at this local auction. WCJB
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A conceptual plan for a new Home2 Suites by Hilton was presented to the Marion County Development Review Committee this week— the five-story hotel will have 106 guest rooms and 109 parking spaces near the intersection of Baseline Road and NE 25th Street in Silver Springs. Ocala-News
- ➤ During Tuesday’s Ocala Breeders Sales October Yearling Sale, a Bay Filly sired by Mo Donegal sold for $240,000 and helped bring in over $3.2 million from 146 horses—nearly 300 more horses will be auctioned starting today at noon. WCJB
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Ghouls for Good fundraiser will support the Marion Cultural Alliance as it closes its art exhibition Nocturne: A Show of Good Spirits at the Brick City Center for the Arts through Oct 31. The event will take place on Oct 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Brick on SW Broadway St. in Ocala—featuring a masquerade with creative costumes, art, music, themed cocktails and a costume contest with additional art events on Oct 11 and Oct 16. Ocala Gazette
DRINK NEWS
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ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ North Central Florida farmers held a farm-to-store event at Cook Farm in Trenton and a Walmart showcase in Gainesville on Tuesday to explain how produce moves from fields to store shelves—this calm hurricane season helped them focus on production even as trade challenges and tariffs added pressure. WCJB
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State Attorney Gladson told state legislators on Oct. 1 that the Fifth Circuit’s population grew 79.65% since 2000 while staff numbers increased by only 2.9%—a gap that leaves his office with the lowest funding per person. He said the low funding has made it hard to hire additional prosecutors, victim advocates, investigators and support staff as crimes against the elderly have risen. Ocala Gazette
- ➤ Marion County leaders will advance the Marion Oaks Manor Extension project to the development and environmental study phase to build a new road named Southwest 49th Court Road that will connect both sides of I-75 and expand it from two lanes to four lanes. The project—costing about $55 to $60 million—will rely on state and federal grants and include an October 23 meeting at Marion Oaks Community Center for community feedback. WCJB
- ➤ Marion County officials and Ocala leaders met with state legislators on Oct. 1 at the College of Central Florida to present 2026 funding and policy priorities—emphasizing the need to preserve Home Rule and balance property tax reform. They requested $8 million for projects including potable water expansion, road upgrades, historic preservation, and a new design for a Florida Department of Health facility in Belleview. Ocala Gazette
- ➤ Marion County residents have until October 28 to share feedback on a 25-year road plan from the Ocala Marion Transportation Planning Organization—this plan outlines changes for county roads. A public hearing at the Marion County Commission Auditorium will be held on October 28 to collect comments. WCJB
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ State inspectors temporarily closed Charley's Grill Subs in Ocala on Oct 2 after they found live roaches behind shelves— the restaurant must fix eight health code violations before it can reopen. Ocala StarBanner
- ➤ Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County will host A Call to Action: Veteran PTSD Summit on October 28th at the Elliot Center — 3231 SW 34th Ave in Ocala so that veterans, first responders and their families can share their concerns about PTSD care. Ocala Gazette
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Marion County high school students are competing for Athlete of the Week and fans can cast their votes for over two dozen nominees from local schools — the poll closes Friday at noon and the winner will be announced shortly after. Ocala StarBanner
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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.
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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.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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