At 754 NE 25th Avenue, Braised Onion serves Ocala comfort plates with a full bar, private dining room, and a dessert case that still feels homemade.

Go for the dinner-table classics: meatloaf, short rib stroganoff, shrimp and grits, lobster mac, and martini specials that make it work for birthdays or a weeknight splurge.

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The Gist: WCJB reports John Burke, 57, died after a Citra home caught fire late June 29. Marion County firefighters and sheriff's deputies responded around 11:30 p.m. to Northeast 162nd Street, found the house fully engulfed, and located Burke inside.

Why It Matters: The death drew Marion County Fire Rescue, MCSO, the state marshal and the medical examiner into one north Marion investigation.

What's Next: Detectives are still investigating the cause and circumstances.

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The Gist: Ocala's curbside recycling collection ends July 6 and shifts to eight drop-off locations across the city. The change keeps recycling available at sites including Mary Sue Rich Community Center, Jervey Gantt Park, Ocala Regional Sportsplex and Polly Palmer Park.

Why It Matters: Residents who have relied on weekly cart pickup will need to use drop-off sites instead.

What's Next: Existing recycling carts automatically become garbage carts on July 6 unless a resident requests removal; questions go to Ocala Sanitation at 352-351-6697.

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The Gist: Marion County posted RFQ 26Q-105 for a construction manager at risk for three to four new fire stations. The county says the new prototype design is in progress, and the stations are expected to include apparatus bays, living quarters, operational support areas and site improvements.

Why It Matters: More stations would add emergency capacity as Marion keeps pushing growth beyond Ocala's core.

What's Next: Responses are due electronically through EUNA Procurement by 3 p.m. Aug. 5, 2026.

Read more here.

🧺 Picnic in the Park & Time Capsule Dedication | Heart of the Park | Ocala | Friday, July 3, 11:00am to 2:00pm | More
Food trucks, lawn games, live music, and a time capsule ceremony.

🇺🇸 Celebrate America 250 | Tuscawilla Park | Ocala | Saturday, July 4, 10:00am to 2:00pm | More
Food trucks, kids' activities, giveaways, and live country music.

🔬 July Fourth Fun at Discovery Center | Discovery Center | Ocala | Saturday, July 4, 10:00am to 2:00pm | More
Treehouse exhibit access, patriotic crafts, and kid-friendly science time.

🎆 4th of July Family Day at the Beach | Eaton's Beach Sandbar & Grill | Weirsdale | Saturday, July 4, 11:00am, fireworks at dusk | More
Lake Weir beach day with specials and fireworks after sundown.

🎺 Patriotic Parade | Marion Technical Institute | Ocala | Saturday, July 4, 7:30pm | More
Veterans, businesses, and community groups roll before the fireworks.

🎷 Reilly Noir: Dayve Stewart | Reilly Arts Center NOMA Black Box | Ocala | Friday, July 3, 7:30pm | More
Smooth jazz saxophone with an intimate, late-night lounge feel.

🎤 Brick City Comedy Night at Mutiny | Mutiny | Ocala | Monday, July 6, sign-up 8:00pm, show 9:00pm | More
Downtown open-mic comedy with regional comics and drinks.

🐴 2026 Summer Series V | World Equestrian Center | Ocala | Tuesday, July 7 to Sunday, July 12 | More
Hunter, jumper, and equitation competition on a national stage.

🎬 JAWS: A Deep Dive | Marion Theatre | Ocala | Wednesday, July 8, 6:30pm | More
Classic big-screen suspense for a midweek movie night.

📚 America 250: Black Edition | Howard Academy Community Center | Ocala | Thursday, July 9, 6:00pm to 8:00pm | More
Local history on Black freedom fighters and Marion County resistance.

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