Good morning, Ocala.

A mother and daughter in Ocala have been reunited with their long-lost horse after a 16+ year search.

On Friday, Oct. 9, a winning lottery ticket worth $56,615.61 was sold at Love's Travel Stop #363 at 7791 NW 47th Ave in Ocala, as the buyer manually picked the numbers and records show the prize remains unclaimed; winners have 180 days to claim it.

Residents in Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties watched a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch yesterday at 6:33 a.m. from Cape Canaveral, which sent a glowing plume across the dawn sky and marked the 35th resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Potbelly Sandwich Works opened Oct.

13 in SW Ocala and will hold its grand opening ceremony on Oct. 24.

At the Oct. 10 Black and White Gala at Circle Square Cultural Center, Magic the miniature therapy horse wore a sparkly tuxedo while Mayor Marciano declared it 'Gentle Carousel’s Magic Day' to mark her 20th birthday — Nashville artists donated auction items that raised funds for the nonprofit.

The Social Security Administration will announce the 2027 COLA today and is expected to add about $73 to the average monthly benefit.

The agency will also adjust Medicare premiums & earnings thresholds to help recipients manage rising costs.

Marion County saw 839 eviction cases filed in the first six months of 2026, an 18% jump over last year and the highest count since 2019.

Foreclosure filings rose by 11% compared with the same period, adding to local housing challenges.

On Oct. 12, Forest won a district football game 21-7 over Oakleaf at Mikey Kelly Stadium.

The Wildcats, led by senior tailback Keziyrehun Rivers, improved to 7-1 and will face West Port on Oct. 16 to continue their playoff push.