In today's Digest:
🚒 Ocala missed a $190,000 discount on fire vehicles
🚲 A 6.2-mile trail could link downtown to Silver Springs
🗳️ Mills and Smith seek the District 4 school board seat
🚌 An officer remains hospitalized after a school bus crash
🎬 The Ocala Drive-In is listed for nearly $1.8 million
🦆 Duckpuppies and Music Under the Oaks
At 8139 SW 90th Terrace Road, The Whistling Duck serves Southern American tavern food in southwest Ocala. Its porch sits beneath the oak trees at Candler Hills.
Start with cornbread and whipped sorghum butter, fried green tomatoes with tomato bacon jam, or Duckpuppies with citrus-datil pepper marmalade. Live music runs Monday through Wednesday, 5 to 8 p.m.
Read more here.
🚒 Ocala missed $190,000 fire vehicle discount
The Gist: Ocala missed a roughly $190,000 prepayment discount on three rescue vehicles and a fire engine after an internal payment mix-up. The city says interest earned on the money covers about $135,000. It will use general fund money for the remaining $56,000 for now.
Why It Matters: The city says Matheny Motor Truck Company plans to discount a future order by $56,000 to close the gap, but that purchase still needs council approval.
What's Next: The proposed 2027 vehicle purchase is expected on a council agenda in about two weeks.
Read more here.
🚲 City seeks input on 6.2-mile Downtown Ocala Trail
The Gist: Ocala is designing a roughly 6.2-mile trail from the Osceola Avenue trail downtown to Silver Springs State Park. Where feasible, the route would include an 8- to 12-foot paved path, with some stretches using existing roads and sidewalks.
Why It Matters: The route would give residents a way to walk or bike between downtown and Silver Springs State Park.
What's Next: A public meeting starts at 5 p.m. October 28 at the Marion County Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Blvd.
Read more here.
🗳️ Mills and Smith vie for Marion school board seat
The Gist: Michael Mills and Brigitte Smith are running for Marion County School Board District 4, the seat previously held by Nancy Thrower. Mills owns Symmetry Coffee Company in Ocala; Smith is a nurse. Both have children in district schools.
Why It Matters: The next board member will face crowded schools in southern Marion County, underused schools in the north and budget pressure across the district.
What's Next: Voters will choose the District 4 board member in the November 3 general election.
Read more here.
🚌 Officer hospitalized after Marion school bus crash
The Gist: A Gainesville police officer remained hospitalized after his vehicle struck the back of a Marion County school bus Friday morning near Marion Ranch. Investigators said he suffered cuts and broken bones. A student, the bus driver, and an aide also went to the hospital.
Why It Matters: Troopers said the bus had its stop signs out and lights flashing when it was hit, while children were aboard.
Read more here.
🎬 Ocala Drive-In is for sale but still open
The Gist: The Ocala Drive-In is listed for nearly $1.8 million. Owner John Watzke, who reopened it after taking over the property in 2011, says the theater is still operating seven nights a week.
Why It Matters: It is one of four drive-in theaters left in Florida. A prospective buyer has expressed interest in keeping it a drive-in, but the theater's future after a sale is uncertain.
Read more here.
🎬 Red Ribbon Kick Off | Ocala Drive-In | Ocala | Fri, Oct. 23, activities at 5:30 p.m.; movies at dark | More
Free drive-in night with bounce houses, first responder vehicles and movies after dark.
🎻 Ocala Symphony Open Rehearsal | Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Fri, Oct. 23, 7-8:30 p.m. | More
Watch the orchestra rehearse Pictures at an Exhibition for free; RSVP requested.
🎃 Belleview Trunk or Treat | Belleview Sports Complex | Belleview | Sat, Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m. | More
Trick-or-treat at the Sports Complex, with pumpkin decorating and a haunted hayride.
🐕 Hocus Pawcus Canine Costume Contest | World Equestrian Center, Exposition Center 2 | Ocala | Sat, Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m. | More
Enter your dog or watch the free costume parade; winners announced at 6:45.
🎡 I-75 Flea Market Fair | I-75 Flea Market | Ocala | Thu, Oct. 29, 4-10 p.m. | More
Midway rides and games; $5 admission for guests over 36 inches tall.
🎸 Blues in the Box: Matt Schofield | Midgett Black Box at Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Fri, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. | More
British blues guitarist Matt Schofield plays live; tickets start at $33.
🎤 Captured: The Ultimate Journey Experience | Orange Blossom Opry | Weirsdale | Sat, Oct. 24, 2:30 and 7 p.m. | More
Rob Maupin fronts a live Journey tribute with afternoon and evening shows.
🎼 Pictures at an Exhibition: From Dali to Mussorgsky | Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Sat, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.; Sun, Oct. 25, 3 p.m. | More
The Ocala Symphony plays Daugherty, Rachmaninoff and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.
🐎 Explore the Horse Capital of the World | Live Oak Hall | Ocala | Wed, Oct. 28, 4-5:30 p.m. | More
Tammy Gantt traces how Thoroughbreds helped shape Marion County's horse industry.
🎥 Park After Dark: Little Shop of Horrors | Sholom Park | Ocala | Tue, Oct. 27, gates 6 p.m.; film 7 p.m. | More
Outdoor screening of the musical comedy costs $5 per car; register in advance.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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