In today's Digest:
🏘️ A 16,000-home On Top of the World district bill is on the governor's desk
🐴 OBS opened its June sale with 163 horses sold for more than $9 million
🏫 South Marion High's third floor adds 700 seats before the school opens
🚒 Marion County approved $20,000 raises for firefighters
🏥 HCA's new $15 million ER is coming to SW State Road 200
Wine and Steak on the Downtown Square
On the downtown square at 11 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Katya Vineyards is the Sokol family's wine-first fine dining room, built from a winery into a restaurant with Chef Tony Deras in the kitchen.
The draw is a downtown dinner built around steaks, seafood, cocktails, and pairings, with enough polish for an anniversary but still right on the square.
Read more here.
🏘️ 16,000-Home District Heads to Governor
The Gist: HB 4079, the bill creating the Uplands Stewardship District west of On Top of the World, is on Gov. Ron DeSantis's desk after unanimous House and Senate votes. The district would be able to tax and provide infrastructure for up to 16,000 new homes.
Why It Matters: For west Ocala, that means the next wave of growth could arrive with its own financing district for roads, utilities and other infrastructure.
What's Next: The governor has until the end of June to act on the bill.
Read more here.
🏫 South Marion High Adds 700 Seats
The Gist: Marion County School Board members unanimously approved construction updates for South Marion High School, which opens in August. The district says finishing the third floor will add 700 student spaces to a campus expected to open at or beyond its 2,000-student capacity, with another $536,650 in design and service fees tied to the school's $165 million price tag.
Why It Matters: South Marion is being expanded before students arrive, which shows how fast enrollment pressure is building in the county's southwest growth corridor.
What's Next: The additional phase will not be finished in time for opening.
Read more here.
🚒 Firefighter Contract Adds $20K Raises
The Gist: Marion County commissioners approved a firefighter collective bargaining agreement that invests about $60 million over the life of the contract. The deal raises salaries by $20,000 and starts a transition to a 24-hours-on, 72-hours-off schedule by fall 2029.
Why It Matters: The contract changes both pay and shift structure for a countywide emergency service, with real budget stakes for Marion County.
Read more here.
🏥 New $15M SW 200 ER Breaks Ground
The Gist: HCA Florida Healthcare broke ground May 27 on HCA Florida Canopy Oak Emergency at 8231 SW State Road 200 near On Top of the World. The $15 million, 11,000-square-foot freestanding ER will have 11 exam rooms, CT, X-ray and lab services, and is expected to employ 45 full-time healthcare professionals.
Why It Matters: The facility adds emergency capacity to the fast-growing State Road 200 corridor, where more residents are moving farther from Ocala's hospital core.
What's Next: HCA says the new emergency room is slated to open in spring 2027.
Read more here.
Family Friendly
🎉 Juneteenth Celebration: Ocala Citywide Family Reunion | Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Field | Ocala | Friday, June 19, gates open 9:00am | More
Free celebration with vendors, food, entertainment, and games at the MLK recreation field.
🍔 Friday Foodie Fest | Lake Lillian | Belleview | Friday, June 19, 5:00pm to 9:00pm | More
Food trucks, crafts, vendors, train rides, face painting, and music by Lake Lillian.
🌿 Ranger Program | Silver Springs State Park | Silver Springs | Saturday, June 20, 2:00pm to 3:00pm | More
A ranger-led park program that changes weekly and comes with admission.
🎣 1st Annual Father's Day Kids Fishing Rodeo | Tuscawilla Park | Ocala | Sunday, June 21, 9:00am to noon | More
Kids ages 6 to 15 learn fishing basics, with gear for early registrants.
🏓 Kids Beginner Mini Pickleball Camp | The Dink Tank | Ocala | Tuesday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 24, 9:00am to 11:00am | More
Two-day beginner camp with coaching, drills, gameplay, and age-split groups.
Adult Events
🎸 Blues in the Box: Frank Bang | Reilly Arts Center NOMA Black Box | Ocala | Friday, June 19, 7:30pm | More
Buddy Guy alum Frank Bang brings raw blues guitar to the Black Box.
🤠 Ocala's Bull Bash & Country Music Festival | Southeastern Livestock Pavilion | Ocala | Saturday, June 20, gates 4:30pm, bull riding 7:00pm | More
Bull riding, vendors, cold beer, and Gary Allan after the competition.
🎹 Dueling Pianos Uncensored | Reilly Arts Center NOMA Black Box | Ocala | Saturday, June 20, 9:00pm | More
Late-night adults-only dueling pianos with cocktails, requests, mash-ups, and singalong energy.
🕺 Elvis the Summer Festival | Circle Square Cultural Center | Ocala | Thursday, June 25 to Saturday, June 27 | More
Three-day Elvis tribute festival with Dean Z, Cote Deonath, and the Infinit-E band.
🗳️ Marion County Candidate Forum 2026 | Marion Theatre | Ocala | Thursday, June 25, 6:00pm to 8:00pm | More
Meet county, school board, and Florida House candidates before local races heat up.
If you want to read any of our previous issues, check them out HERE on our website.
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