Good morning, Ocala.

Marion County officials are collecting donations of non-perishable food, personal hygiene items — and baby supplies for the 'Bring the Harvest Home' food drive.

Donors can drop off items at local locations or bring them to Downtown Square by December 5.

Marion County's retired Army Captain Stephen Petty will be inducted into the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame on November 6.

He earned top awards—such as the Purple Heart and Silver Star—for his work as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and has supported local veterans since his retirement.

The Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala is hosting A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family’s Holiday Exhibition from Nov.

1 to Jan. 11—showing themed trees, a Dickens Village, nutcrackers, and handmade Santas donated by community groups. Holiday Community Day will be on Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission, face painting and holiday performances, offering families a festive outing.

After daylight saving time ended on Nov.

2, the St. Johns River Water Management District set watering restrictions to once per week for residents and businesses in the Upper Ocklawaha River and Middle St. Johns River basins—covering Alachua, Marion, Lake, Seminole, Orange and Volusia counties. The change helps conserve groundwater and keep springs healthy as cooler weather sets in.

The Ocala City Council will review a nearly $3 million incentive package today at City Hall to revitalize Hotel Marion in downtown Ocala — the package includes waiving building fees, a $1.25 million parking lot donation, and a $650k grant over five years.

The developer must invest over $28.9 million to transform the historic hotel into a boutique facility — part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection.

Ocala city leaders will meet tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition on Southeast Osceola Avenue to decide how to use a $104,000 grant for road safety improvements suggested by residents — this marks the second community planning session on the issue.

The Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors reported in September that home sales increased along with rising dollar volume compared to last year—655 single-family sales marked a five percent gain while the market maintained a housing supply above five months.

The Florida Realtors Association's September market report — issued last month — showed the median single-family home sale price stayed at $410,000 statewide, while townhouses and condos dropped to $299,000, a 4.8% decrease from September 2024.

November USEA Horse Trials

November 8-9 — Majestic Oaks Ocala — Entry fees apply — Witness thrilling equestrian competition across three phases at this prestigious horse trials event.

2025 Ocali Country Days Festival

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center — $10 per person, children 5 and under FREE — Experience Florida’s history with live music, crafts, and delicious food.

2025 Ocala November Show Series II: National Hunter/Level 6 Jumper

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM — World Equestrian Center - Ocala — Free entry — Enjoy two weeks of exciting National Hunter and Level 6 Jumper competitions.

HSITP 2025 Championship Show

1 PM - 10 PM — Covered Arena at The Grand Oaks Resort — Entry fees apply — Compete for year-end awards in a thrilling equestrian championship event.

Paso Fino Fall Festival

8 AM – 11 PM — Florida Horse Park — Admission details not provided — Experience an exciting day of Paso Fino horse shows with food, music, and family fun.

Brown's Christmas Market 2025

10 AM – 4 PM — Brown & Brown Farms and Country Store — Free park and shop — Enjoy a festive market filled with unique gifts, crafts, and fun activities for kids.

A Tuna Christmas Live Performance

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Ocala Civic Theatre, Inc. — Ticket information available — Experience the festive comedy that brings laughter to the holiday season.