Marion County Considers New Smoke, Vape and Kratom Shop Restrictions
Marion County commissioners hold a final public hearing tonight on proposed regulations governing new smoke, vape and kratom shops.
Under the proposed ordinance, a new business primarily selling tobacco products, e-cigarettes, kratom or related products could not open within 1,500 feet of a school, licensed daycare, church, place of worship or public park.
New shops would also have to remain at least 2,500 feet from another smoke shop.
Existing businesses would be allowed to remain as pre-existing nonconforming uses. Grocery and convenience stores that sell the products as a secondary part of their business would be exempt.
The second and final public hearing begins at 5:30 p.m. today at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano has also asked city officials to examine whether similar restrictions should be considered within the city limits.
New Downtown Ocala Parking Garage Opens
Downtown Ocala has a significant new parking option.
Public Parking Garage Number Two is now open between Broadway and Fort King Street.
The facility opened last week after a lengthy construction process and is designed to provide additional parking for downtown employees, visitors, shoppers, diners and people attending events.
The opening comes as Ocala continues investing in downtown transportation and parking infrastructure.
Six Marion County Students Named National Merit Semifinalists
Six Marion County high school seniors have earned recognition as 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists.
The students are among approximately 16,000 semifinalists nationwide.
Semifinalists now have an opportunity to advance to finalist status and compete for National Merit Scholarships that will be awarded next spring.
The recognition places the Marion County students among some of the country's highest-performing high school seniors.
Several Marion County Boards Meet Today
Several Marion County government boards have meetings scheduled today.
The Board of Adjustment meets at 2 p.m., followed by the Soil and Water Conservation District Board at 3:30 p.m.
County commissioners hold their public hearing on proposed smoke-shop regulations at 5:30 p.m.
The Marion County Historical Commission is also scheduled to meet at 6 p.m.
Give4Marion Begins Tuesday
One of Marion County's largest annual nonprofit fundraising campaigns begins tomorrow.
Give4Marion starts Tuesday, September 15, and runs for 33 hours through Wednesday evening.
The campaign allows residents to make online donations directly to participating Marion County nonprofit organizations and includes special matching opportunities and incentives throughout the event.
Give4Marion was launched by the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County and has become an annual community-wide fundraising effort.
New Marion County Commissioner Set to Take District 2 Seat
Mike Crimi is set to become Marion County's next District 2 commissioner following the withdrawal of write-in candidate Mark Okus.
Crimi won the Republican primary on August 18.
With no Democratic candidate on the November ballot and the write-in candidate now withdrawn, Crimi is effectively unopposed for the seat currently held by longtime Commissioner Kathy Bryant.
Crimi received 19,231 votes in the August primary.
