Ocala Police Investigating Fatal Weekend Shooting
Ocala Police continue investigating a shooting that left one person dead and others injured Sunday afternoon.
Officers responded at approximately 2:08 p.m. to the 1100 block of Northwest 12th Avenue in northwest Ocala.
One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while at least one other person was transported to a hospital.
Police also recovered a rifle in a grassy area near the shooting location.
Investigators are examining whether a crash that occurred shortly afterward near Southwest Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and State Road 200 was connected to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Commissioners Consider 12-Month Data Center Moratorium Today
Marion County commissioners are scheduled to make a final decision today on a proposed 12-month moratorium on new data-center development.
The ordinance would temporarily stop the acceptance, review and approval of development permits, site plans, rezonings and conditional-use permits involving data centers, cryptocurrency-mining operations and large-scale data-processing facilities.
Traditional internal computer facilities operated by businesses, hospitals, schools and government agencies would be exempt.
County leaders have been considering the moratorium while they develop permanent rules addressing issues including land use, electricity demand, water consumption and noise.
The public hearing is scheduled during today's Board of County Commissioners meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at the McPherson Governmental Campus.
Give4Marion Begins Today
One of Marion County's biggest annual charitable fundraising campaigns officially begins today.
Give4Marion kicks off at 10 a.m. and continues for 33 hours through Wednesday evening.
The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County launched the campaign in 2020 to raise money and awareness for local nonprofit organizations.
Residents can choose among participating nonprofits and donate directly to organizations whose missions they want to support.
Marion County commissioners are scheduled to issue a Give4Marion proclamation this morning, with another proclamation planned during today's Ocala City Council meeting.
The campaign concludes Wednesday with a celebration at the Reilly Arts Center.
Ocala Holds Final Budget Hearing Tonight
Ocala City Council has a busy afternoon scheduled at City Hall.
The regular City Council meeting begins at 4 p.m.
Council members then hold the city's second and final public hearing on the budget and millage rates at 5:01 p.m.
The hearing is the final step in adopting Ocala's spending plan and property-tax rates for the fiscal year beginning October 1.
Grand Jury Calls for Reform of System Protecting Vulnerable Residents
A Marion County grand jury has issued a sharply critical report concerning the system responsible for protecting vulnerable children and adults.
The grand jury found significant problems involving the Florida Department of Children and Families and the way cases involving vulnerable residents are handled locally.
Among the issues cited were limited availability of adult protective investigators after normal business hours, cases allegedly being closed prematurely and concerns involving mental-capacity evaluations.
The grand jury reviewed several cases dating back to 2016 and issued 34 recommendations, including a call for greater parity between services available to vulnerable children and vulnerable adults.
County Also Considers Fire, Solid Waste and Stormwater Assessments
Marion County commissioners have another significant public hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. today.
The board will consider annual rate resolutions and certify non-ad valorem assessment rolls covering Fire Rescue, Solid Waste and Stormwater services.
The hearing takes place at the McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium.
Looking Ahead
A planned precautionary boil-water notice is scheduled Wednesday for part of the Marion Oaks area while crews replace a fire hydrant.
Marion County announced the planned work Monday. Residents affected by the notice should follow county boil-water instructions until water testing is completed and the advisory is lifted.
