Marion County

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1, leaving thousands of families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) without food benefits for November. In Marion County, residents feeling the impact are turning to local food banks to feed their families.

The Dunnellon City Council will vote on Monday, Oct. 27, on whether to send a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection opposing Texas-based Track Line Rail’s draft air permit for a railroad tie grinding site. The company tried to establish its first Florida site in Newberry earlier this year but now plans to set up shop in Dunnellon.

The Lorax, the Wicked Witch of the West and a plethora of life-sized inflatable animals filled downtown Ocala Saturday morning as part of a string of nationwide “No Kings 2.0” protests. More than 2,500 similar demonstrations were scheduled across the country.

More than 500 people gathered on Ocala's downtown square to protest the Trump administration at a No Kings rally on Saturday.

Marion County Fire Rescue is launching a program to enhance its response to potential emergencies for residents and local businesses.

Marion County Public Schools administrators say they are worried that a $64.3 million budget gap will prompt some teachers to leave in search of better financial opportunities.

Four elected offices will be on the ballot for Ocala’s special municipal elections on Tuesday, but only the offices of mayor and City Council District 3 are contested races. Incumbent Mayor Ben Marciano faces challenger Zackary Arbor Feliciano, and District 3 incumbent Jay A. Musleh faces challengers Mark W. Clark and TamBoura Jenkins.

21 dogs are up for adoption after a boarding dispute between DogWalker Ranch and the dogs’ previous owner, accused of never picking his dogs up from the center in Ocala, Florida.

In addition to helping children read, the mini horses also visit cancer patients, trauma victims, hospice patients, those who have disabilities and the elderly.

The Marion County Board of Commissioners met with the Ocala City Council in a public workshop on Thursday to discuss implementing emergency medical services impact fees on new developments within the city.