Funeral Arrangements Set for Marion County Paramedic
Final arrangements are being made for Marion County Fire Rescue paramedic Clifton "Cliff" Murphy.
Murphy went into cardiac arrest on August 27. Fire Rescue officials say his condition did not improve, and his family later made the decision to remove him from life support.
Murphy was an organ donor, and first responders gathered for an honor walk at an Ocala hospital last week.
His funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at The Church at the Springs in Ocala.
Ocala Wants Public Input on SunTran
The City of Ocala is asking residents to help determine the future of the area's SunTran public transportation system.
An online rider survey is open through Friday, September 11, and city officials want responses from both regular SunTran passengers and people who currently don't use the service.
The survey asks residents about existing routes, where they would like service expanded and whether improvements such as more frequent buses, shorter travel times or better bus-stop amenities would make them more likely to use public transportation.
The survey comes as Ocala continues investing in transit infrastructure, including new bus shelters and the recently launched downtown O-Line trolley.
Ocala Police Launch Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Operation
Ocala Police have launched a new traffic-enforcement operation aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Officers are focusing additional attention on South Pine Avenue, Silver Springs Boulevard, U.S. Highway 27 and Southwest College Road.
Police say those corridors experience the city's highest number of pedestrian and bicycle crashes.
Officers will be watching for speeding, drivers failing to yield pedestrian right-of-way, vehicles blocking sidewalks and other traffic violations.
Plans Developing for Marion County Thoroughbred Racetrack
A group of investors and horse-racing interests is pursuing plans for a major new thoroughbred racing facility in Marion County.
Gilligan Racing announced its intention to develop the facility in partnership with Ocala Thoroughbred Racing, which controls a unique thoroughbred racing permit specifically tied to Marion County.
Organizers say several possible sites are being considered, although no location has been publicly announced.
The project would still need to go through the appropriate county approval process. Organizers say they envision more than a traditional racetrack, with entertainment and other activities designed to make the facility a major economic attraction.
The proposal could become another significant addition to Marion County's equine industry and its "Horse Capital of the World" identity.
Planned Boil-Water Notice in Fore Acres
Marion County has announced a planned precautionary boil-water notice for the Fore Acres area today.
The notice is connected to a scheduled water-main tie-in.
Residents covered by the notice should follow county boil-water instructions until testing is completed and officials announce that the precautionary notice has been lifted.
Looking Ahead: Ocala Budget Hearing Wednesday
Ocala residents will have their first formal opportunity Wednesday to comment on the city's proposed $1.27 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1.
The proposed budget is approximately 10 percent higher than the previous year, although about 51 percent of the total would be held in reserves.
The City Council's first special budget and fire-assessment hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. A second and final budget hearing is scheduled for September 15.
