Good morning, Ocala.

Marion County Animal Services in Ocala features adorable adoptable pets including lively Evie Jean, playful ten-week-old Charles + sweet treat-loving Meeka; the shelter offers all adoptions for $50 with spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchips and welcomes visitors Tuesday through Saturday.

The final Ocala Breeders’ Sales event last week generated $6.77M from 267 horse sales and pushed the 2026 total over $220M — Glen Hill Farm led with Hip 12 selling for $190K.

Shell and Chevron halted production at four Gulf facilities on Oct.

7 amid Hurricane Isaias, while record-high gas prices reached $4.15 per gallon in Florida on Oct. 9. Experts said it is too early to tell if the shutdown will drive prices higher.

Marion County Schools is planning to consolidate Belleview Elementary and Belleview-Santos Elementary into one campus in 2028, raising concerns among families about heavier morning traffic on Southeast Highway 484.

The district said the new design includes extra lanes to better handle car rider traffic.

At CF, the new Center for Career Development opened Sept.

22 with VR tech and free interview attire for students at the Enterprise Center on campus. Officials cut the ribbon to connect students with employers (networking events were held) as visitors toured the facility and met the CF Patriot mascot.

Moffitt Cancer Center opened its new First Connect facility on Sept.

14 at 11115 SW 93rd Court Road to offer local residents initial oncology assessments and prompt referrals to specialized treatments.

Ocala-area high school football games were played on Oct.

9, with Forest meeting Oakleaf and Lake Weir facing Gainesville to gain playoff points. Dunnellon also played Belleview in a rivalry game that set the stage for the season.