Marion County Marks 25th Anniversary of September 11
Marion County residents will gather this morning to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The Marion County Board of County Commissioners is hosting a remembrance ceremony beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 East Fort King Street.
The ceremony will remember those killed in the attacks and recognize the first responders, members of the military and others whose lives were forever changed by September 11.
The City of Belleview will hold its own 2026 Freedom Walk at 6 p.m. at the Belleview Community Center, followed by the traditional walk through Lake Lillian Park.
Ocala Police Losing Some License-Plate Reader Cameras
Changes are coming to the automated license-plate reader network used by law-enforcement agencies in Ocala and Marion County.
According to the Ocala Gazette, a new Florida Department of Transportation directive involving cameras located along state roads will eliminate 10 of the Ocala Police Department's 68 license-plate readers.
An unspecified number of readers operated by the Marion County Sheriff's Office will also be affected.
The cameras automatically scan license plates and can alert law enforcement when a vehicle is associated with an investigation or other police interest.
Local agencies say they will comply with the state's directive.
Search Begins for New Marion Transit Operator
Marion County has formally begun the process of finding a new organization to operate transportation services for seniors, people with disabilities and other transportation-disadvantaged residents.
The county published a request for proposals Thursday for a Community Transportation Coordinator for the Ocala/Marion County Transportation Planning Organization.
The move follows Marion Senior Services' announcement that it intends to leave the transportation business by December.
The organization has operated Marion Transit for decades but says rapidly increasing liability-insurance costs have made continuing the service financially difficult.
Finding a replacement operator will be important to maintaining transportation services used by thousands of Marion County residents.
Mills and Smith Head to November School Board Runoff
Marion County voters will return to the polls November 3 to decide the open District 4 School Board seat.
Mike Mills and Brigitte Smith advanced from the August 18 primary.
Mills received 36.86 percent of the vote, while Smith received 30.84 percent. Because neither candidate received a majority, the two will meet in a runoff.
The nonpartisan District 4 contest is decided by voters throughout Marion County.
The candidates have identified reading performance, student discipline, school safety, transportation, district finances and continued enrollment growth among the major issues facing the school system.
Incumbent Nancy Thrower is not seeking another term.
Dunnellon Honors Commissioner Kathy Bryant
Dunnellon city leaders have honored outgoing Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant as she prepares to leave office after 16 years representing District 2.
City officials recognized Bryant during Wednesday's Dunnellon City Council meeting.
Bryant was first elected to the Marion County Commission in 2010 and has served four terms.
Her district includes Dunnellon and portions of southwest Marion County.
Former Ocala Police Chief Sam Williams Remembered
Family, friends and members of the law-enforcement community will remember former Ocala Police Chief Samuel "Sam" Williams this weekend.
Williams died August 28 at the age of 79.
He served as Ocala Police Chief from 2003 until 2011 and was the second African American to lead the department.
A viewing is scheduled today, followed by a celebration of life Saturday.
Williams is remembered for modernizing the department, securing grant funding and helping establish the Phoenix Rising youth program.
This Weekend: First Responders Car and Truck Show
The Fourth Annual First Responders Car and Truck Show takes place Saturday at the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala.
The event begins at 9 a.m. and is hosted by the Florida Military Vehicle Heritage Group.
The show is among several local events being held this weekend as Marion County commemorates the 25th anniversary of September 11.
