What's Happening in Ocala, Florida Today?
Only In Ocala publishes daily local news covering Marion County, Florida including community updates, business developments, sports, government meetings, and events. News articles are written by local journalists and updated multiple times daily serving Ocala and horse country.
Marion County Traffic Deaths Fell to 81 in 2025, the Lowest in Five Years, TPO Safety Report Shows
Crashes killed 81 people on Marion County public roads in 2025, down from 113 in 2024 and the lowest total in the five years covered by the Ocala Marion TPO's 2026 Commitment to Zero Safety Report. Motorcyclist deaths rose to 21, and 20 bicyclists were killed or seriously injured, the highest yearly total in the report's summary table.
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7 Brew Coffee Permitted at Paddock Mall, Second Ocala Stand Planned on Maricamp; Simply Southern Lists a Paddock Mall Store
The City of Ocala issued site and building permits on Oct. 12, 2026, for a 7 Brew Coffee drive-thru stand at Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Rd. A second Ocala stand is planned at 3233 SE Maricamp Rd., and the apparel brand Simply Southern lists a Paddock Mall store in Suite 148.
Brother's Keeper Opens Its Expanded Soup Kitchen With a Ribbon Cutting and Open House Nov. 17 in Ocala
Brother's Keeper, the outreach ministry of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, holds a ribbon cutting and open house for its newly expanded soup kitchen at 320 NW 10th St. in Ocala on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., the ribbon cutting is at 4 p.m. and tours run until 6 p.m.
Capstone Academy Lists a High School Campus on SW 20th Street, With 9th Grade Set for Fall 2027
Capstone Academy, a private school on SW 60th Avenue in Ocala that serves students from 36 months through 8th grade, now lists a high school campus at 2801 SW 20th St. Its website says 9th grade starts in fall 2027 and 12th grade in fall 2030, with a dual enrollment program aimed at graduating students with an associate degree.
Advance Auto Parts Sets Nov. 18 Grand Opening for New Store at 3770 SE Maricamp Road
Advance Auto Parts holds a ribbon cutting for its newest Ocala store, at 3770 SE Maricamp Rd., on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. City permit records show the building permit was finaled in September.
Thanksgiving 2026 Closures in Ocala and Marion County: Trash Pickup, Landfill, Recycling Centers and Government Offices
City of Ocala offices close Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27, 2026. City garbage routes normally collected on Thursday move to Friday. All Marion County Solid Waste facilities close on Thanksgiving Day, and the Baseline Transfer Station and county recycling centers reopen on Friday.
Hydrilla Backed Up the Withlacoochee at Dunnellon This Fall. River Gauges Show the Water Dropping in October
The Southwest Florida Water Management District says hydrilla along a 5-mile stretch of the Withlacoochee River from the US 41 bridge to Lake Rousseau acted like a dam this fall, holding water at Dunnellon about 18 inches above normal. Gauge readings show the river has dropped about 10 inches since Oct. 1.
FDOT Marion County Road Projects: SR 40 Resurfacing Set to Finish Nine Months Early, I-75 Rest Area Closed Until Late 2026
FDOT's Marion County status report, current as of Sept. 30 and included in the Oct. 27 TPO Board packet, says SR 40 resurfacing was due to finish in mid-October, nine months ahead of schedule. The northbound I-75 rest area between CR 484 and SR 200 stays closed until late 2026.
Pine Avenue and SR 464 Intersection Redesign: FDOT Keeps Three Southbound Lanes, Sets Construction Bids for 2028
FDOT paused the design of its South Pine Avenue (US 441) and SR 464/SW 17th Street intersection project in January 2026 after traffic models showed queues reaching near or beyond the planned dual left-turn lanes. A new concept keeps three through lanes in each direction on Pine Avenue, and FDOT will ask the TPO Board for feedback on Oct. 27.
MAC Cross Country Championships Preview: Lombardo, Vickerman and Brannon Are Gone, and the Field at Belleview Is Wide Open
The Marion Athletic Conference cross country championships are Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at Belleview High School. Last year's boys champion Luke Lombardo, Zach Vickerman and Timothy Brannon have moved on to college, leaving six boys within 37 seconds of each other. On the girls' side, Lyla Hallick now runs for Vanguard.
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