Ocala | featured news

Community and calendar briefs for March 19, 2016.

More than 75,000 devoted drag-race fans will sprawl across the Gainesville Raceway this weekend at the National Hot Rod Association’s Gatornationals, hungry for thundering motors and the hottest drivers in the industry.

After getting nothing from the state in 2015, the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park received $5 million this year which will help it finish much needed infrastructure projects and add more amenities at it moves toward self-sustainability.

Amy Forsyth-Juliano said she never wanted her son to be a police officer. She hoped he would become a doctor or lawyer.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office is investigating two thefts involving of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, cash and other valuables.

A local real estate broker involved in a deal expected to bring a Starbucks and another retail building to downtown Ocala said closing is expected at the end of the month but the parties are "fighting other issues."

Frances Kinsler-McBride wants to start dating again.“I'm ready,” she said as she laughed and did a little dance in her chair Thursday afternoon, surrounded by family in the southwest Ocala home where she has lived since about 1985.

According to state officials, Naomi Bailey’s arrest is the third since the beginning of the year in a crackdown on corruption at prison facilities.

Marion County sheriff’s detectives have released the name of the man who was fatally shot in a community off Northeast 35th Street Wednesday evening.

A Lake City-based community bank has plans to enter the Marion County market.