Music Box 1: Cello & Ivory

Marion County is the fastest-growing metro in the U.S. for a second straight year, and it's under Phase III Extreme water restrictions in both water management districts at once. Here's what's driving the aquifer strain, what's actually causing Silver Springs' flow decline, and what the Live Local Act does and doesn't change.

Four alligator encounters have hit Central Florida waterways since Memorial Day, including a fatal attack in Seminole County. Here's what's confirmed — and where Marion County's long-running push to reopen swimming at Silver Springs actually stands.

Collin Moore — an Ocala high school junior heading into his senior year this August — splits his time between running, school, a family epoxy flooring business, his girlfriend, and a fishing rod somewhere on Florida's east coast. On May 31, 2026, he added one more thing to the list: a 2:43:46 marathon debut at the Carmel Marathon in Indiana that broke the age-group course record and earned him a Boston Marathon qualifier at 17.

Luke Lombardo — the West Port senior heading to Furman University in the fall on an academic scholarship — crossed the Mother's Day 5K finish line first in 15:46. Christopher Taylor took second in 17:11 to extend his lead in the Run Ocala Race Series, and Gosia Hightower of Belleview was top female overall in 21:47.

The second-annual Cogent Bank Ocala Cup 5K closed out April 25 with 235 finishers, $25,000 raised for various local charities, and a 17-year-old Ocala runner crossing the line first. Cogent Bank EVP Nick Blaser confirmed the fundraising total — up from $20,000 in 2025 — after a sunset race that lapped historic downtown Ocala.

Hospice of Marion County Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Empath Hospice of Marion County, has named Rochelle Kelly Wristen as its new Executive Director. Wristen brings more than two decades of senior hospice and philanthropy leadership to Ocala.