At 110 SW Broadway Street, District Bar & Kitchen serves scratch-made bar food and cocktails from a two-story corner spot overlooking downtown Ocala.

The local hook is in the burger: a brisket-and-beef blend made with pasture-raised cattle from Fort McCoy Beef in Marion County. Pair one with sweet potato fries, then head upstairs for the open-air bar and downtown views.

Read more here.

Between all the families steadily moving in, Ocala 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 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.*

Ocala 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 make this publication possible!

The Gist: Ocala Fire Rescue evacuated Chewy's 600,000-square-foot fulfillment center on Northwest 35th Avenue Road around 8 a.m. Tuesday after a medic's carbon monoxide alarm sounded. Monitors detected a toxic, odorless gas, possibly linked to hydrogen off-gassing from forklift batteries. Six people were assessed, and one went to the hospital.

Why It Matters: The several-hour shutdown exposed a workplace safety risk at one of Ocala's large distribution facilities and required a full-building emergency response.

What's Next: Crews removed the forklifts and ventilated the building until gas concentrations fell and conditions were cleared.

Read more here.

The Gist: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a viral video showing a woman petting a wild alligator at Silver Springs State Park. Florida law prohibits feeding, enticing, touching, or capturing alligators unless someone is a licensed trapper or permitted hunter.

Why It Matters: Wildlife guide Josh Swander warned that viral encounters can habituate or endanger alligators, while the attention is already drawing visitors to seek sightings at one of Marion County's signature attractions.

What's Next: FWC's investigation is continuing, and the woman shown in the video could face charges.

Read more here.

The Gist: Severe thunderstorms toppled trees, damaged homes, and cut electricity to thousands of Ocala Electric Utility customers over the weekend. A large tree crashed onto a home near Northeast 17th Street while a daughter and grandchildren were inside, but no one was injured.

Why It Matters: The damage displaced at least one family and left neighborhoods facing cleanup, property questions, and the hazards of downed power lines.

What's Next: Ocala Electric Utility said most service had been restored and crews would continue working on remaining outages.

Read more here.

The Gist: A Marion County proposal calls for about $128 million in repairs, renovations, and expansions at 54 existing parks and recreation sites, plus $67 million for seven potential new sites. Commissioners are reviewing how to prioritize nearly $195 million in projects with limited funding.

Why It Matters: The choices will shape recreation access, park conditions, and capital spending across communities throughout Marion County.

What's Next: County commissioners have another Parks and Recreation Department funding workshop scheduled for Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.

Read more here.

📚 Reading with the Ranger | Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place | Ocala | Friday, July 17, 2:00pm to 3:00pm | More
A city park ranger leads an interactive family storytime with simple hands-on activities.

🍴 Friday Foodie Fest | Lake Lillian | Belleview | Friday, July 17, 5:00pm to 9:00pm | More
Food trucks, live music, craft vendors, and free children's activities fill Lake Lillian.

🎄 2nd Annual Ocala Christmas in July | World Equestrian Center Expo Center 1 | Ocala | Saturday, July 18, 10:00am to 4:00pm; Sunday, July 19, 10:00am to 3:00pm | More
An indoor holiday market brings together more than 175 artists and crafters.

🧩 YALLA! Teen Club: Escape Room | Headquarters-Ocala Public Library | Ocala | Thursday, July 23, 4:30pm | More
Teens tackle an escape room while earning library service hours.

🌙 Pajama Story Time | Headquarters-Ocala Public Library | Ocala | Thursday, July 23, 6:15pm | More
Children can wear pajamas for an evening storytime at the main library.

🎸 Not Fade Away: Rock 'n' Roll Re-ignited | Reilly Arts Center | Ocala | Friday, July 17, 7:30pm | More
Classic rock hits get a high-energy live-band revival.

🎤 Sit Down for Stand Up LIVE | Marion Theatre | Ocala | Friday, July 17, 7:30pm | More
John Jacobs headlines an 18+ comedy night with Lauren Dufault and Stefano Capicotto.

🪕 Orange Blossom Ramblers | Forest Community Center at Sandhill Park | Ocklawaha | Saturday, July 18, 5:00pm to 7:00pm | More
The monthly community concert offers two free hours of live bluegrass.

🐴 2026 Summer Series VII | World Equestrian Center | Ocala | Tuesday, July 21 to Sunday, July 26 | More
Hunter, jumper, and equitation riders compete across WEC's air-conditioned arenas.

👢 Line Dance Lessons | Forest Community Center at Sandhill Park | Ocklawaha | Wednesday, July 22, 6:00pm to 8:00pm | More
Adults 18+ learn free beginner and intermediate steps to country and pop.

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