Ocala

For the first time in the 157-year history of Marion County Public Schools, three educators in the same school were recognized for three separate honors: Principal of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year.

Back in the 1940s, one man’s love for swimming and underwater filmmaking helped share their beauty with the rest of the country. His name was Newton Perry, known as the Father of Florida’s Springs, and his hometown of Ocala is honoring that legacy in a special way.

The Ocala City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone about 30 acres along West Silver Springs Boulevard from a previously approved mixed-use housing development to light industrial use, after the developer said apartment market saturation had stalled the original plan.

Ocala community members organized a vigil in downtown Ocala where dozens gathered Thursday night to honor 3-year-old Paisley Brown just one week after police say she was killed by her mother’s boyfriend.

In his 79 years of life, Georgia-born Newton Perry, was an underwater cinematographer, the swim coach at Ocala High School, founded Weeki Wachee Springs and opened Perry’s Swim School.

The $4.6 million public investment in a new fire station is Ocala’s proactive approach to support its community, city officials said, while extending the reach that the Ocala Fire Rescue team can serve.

Circus-style wonders await in Ocala as Cirque Ma’Ceo holds its opening show Friday. This is the first stop on the multi-state tour.

Ocala native Erin Jackson will compete for a second speed skating gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

After nearly 100 years, a property once converted into office condos will return to its glitzy, Gatsby-esque roots.

Marion County veterans groups will host an event to support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder on Nov. 18 in Ocala.