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In today’s Digest:
💸 Ocala is trying to recover $277,000 lost to a vendor-email scam
🏫 South Marion High opened with space for 2,011 students near Marion Oaks
📚 Wyomina Park rezoning is on hold until after September community workshops
🦠 Marion County recorded its second Vibrio case of 2026 and a death
🐊 A 9-foot-8-inch alligator was removed after a Silver River attack
🔥 Pollo a la Brasa and Ceviche on Highway 484
At 2105 SW Highway 484, Mi Tierra Latina is a family-owned Ocala restaurant where Peruvian and Mexican cooking share one kitchen, a combination the family has served locally since 2013.
Start with the charcoal-roasted pollo a la brasa or citrusy ceviche. Fajitas, house-made guacamole, arroz chaufa, anticuchos, and plantains give the Mexican and Peruvian sides of the menu equal room.
Read more here.
How to Start Your Own Pink Zebra Moving Business
Between UGA and the families steadily moving in, Athens households move all year long, and most of them need a mover. Most of that work still goes to companies nobody recommends twice, which is exactly the gap Pink Zebra Moving was built to fill, with hot-pink zebra-striped trucks and a customer experience people actually rave about.
It comes from UGA grad Ron Holt, who grew a single cleaning store into a $40 million, 90-location brand before selling it and pointing the same playbook at moving. Owners get comprehensive training, a recession-resistant service, and no moving experience is required because the model runs semi-absentee alongside what you already do.
The numbers show what is possible: franchisee Drue Chrisman’s location generated $2.5 million in revenue and $707,000 in net operating income in its first full calendar year, even after franchise expenses and new-truck purchases.* Across the network, franchise owners average $135,904 in net operating income.*
Athens gets only one owner, and whoever raises their hand first gets the territory.
If you have been quietly wanting something of your own with no ceiling on the upside, tap below to explore the model and request more information directly from the Pink Zebra team.
Thank you to our local sponsors who help make this publication possible!
💸 Vendor Email Scam Costs Ocala $277,000
The Gist: Ocala officials confirmed at the Aug. 4 City Council meeting that the city lost $277,000 after an email appeared to come from a legitimate vendor. Council member James Hilty said the case dates to May, while City Manager Peter Lee said the investigation remains active and disclosing details could hinder recovery.
Why It Matters: The city is trying to recover a substantial loss of public money while residents await details on how the payment cleared internal controls.
What's Next: The investigation is continuing, and officials have not announced a recovery timeline.
Read more here.
🦠 Marion Records Second Vibrio Case and a Death
The Gist: The Florida Department of Health reported that a Marion County resident died after contracting Vibrio vulnificus. It was the county's second case this year; Florida had logged 14 cases and two deaths.
Why It Matters: The report does not identify where the person was exposed, but the case is a timely warning about open wounds in warm salt or brackish water and eating raw shellfish.
Read more here.
🐊 Silver River Reopens After Alligator Attack
The Gist: A woman swimming near Ray Wayside Park was hospitalized Aug. 8 after an alligator bit her arm. The Silver River closed for about three hours, and FWC officers and a nuisance trapper removed a 9-foot-8-inch alligator before the river reopened.
Why It Matters: The incident is the fourth reported across Central and North Central Florida this summer; FWC advises swimming only in designated areas during daylight.
Read more here.
Family Friendly
🏕️ North Central Florida Outdoor Expo | World Equestrian Center Expo 2 | Ocala | Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | More
Browse outdoor gear and family activities; adults pay $5 cash, kids enter free.
🧺 Ocala Downtown Market | Ocala Downtown Market | Ocala | Saturday, August 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | More
Shop farmers, artisans, craftspeople and food trucks beneath the covered market pavilion.
🐎 Ocala Summer H.T. II | Florida Horse Park | Ocala | Saturday-Sunday, August 15-16, times vary | More
Watch dressage and show jumping Saturday, followed by cross-country competition Sunday.
📚 MANGAlicious | Dunnellon Public Library | Dunnellon | Tuesday, August 18, 4:30 p.m. | More
Anime and manga fans can meet fellow readers and sample themed treats.
📖 Adventures in Bookland | Dunnellon Public Library | Dunnellon | Thursday, August 20, 4 p.m. | More
A youth book club invites young readers and caregivers to explore stories together.
Adult Events
😂 Ocala Comedy Night featuring Tim the Dairy Farmer | Ocala Civic Theatre | Ocala | Friday, August 14, 7:30-9 p.m. | More
Tim the Dairy Farmer headlines 90 minutes of stand-up with B.C. Murphy.
🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to British Rock Legends | Ocala Civic Theatre | Ocala | Saturday, August 15, 4 p.m. | More
A string quartet plays Queen and Beatles favorites in a candlelit concert.
🎤 The Jersey Tenors | Orange Blossom Opry | Weirsdale | Saturday, August 15, 7 p.m. | More
Four vocalists blend opera with Queen, Elton John, Bon Jovi and Jersey classics.
🎸 Roosevelt Collier Band | NOMA Black Box at Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Sunday, August 16, 7:30 p.m. | More
The Grammy-nominated pedal steel guitarist mixes sacred steel, funk, blues and rock.
🍷 Sip Around the World Wine Dinner | Carrabba's Italian Grill | Ocala | Wednesday, August 19, 6:30 p.m. | More
Four courses pair with wines from New Zealand, Provence, Tuscany and California.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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