OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 1, 2012) – The City of Ocala welcomes new Fire Chief Bradd Clark, who has started his new job.

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 24, 2012) – The public is invited to a plaque dedication ceremony at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26., at the corner of SE Fort King Street and Watula Avenue, to honor the co-founders of the Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS).

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2011) – City of Ocala’s business offices will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 22, 2011) – Bradd Clark, the fire chief of Owasso, Okla., has accepted the position of Ocala Fire Rescue Chief.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2011) – The Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., is starting off the new year with a full slate of activities. Check the following schedule for the list of opportunities:

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 12, 2011) – City of Ocala employees will be making the holidays a  little brighter for two local households on Friday, Dec. 16, by helping them save money on their utility bills.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 8, 2011) – A number of city streets will be closed well in advance of the 5:30 p.m. start of the Christmas Parade Saturday.

OCALA, Fla. (Dec. 1, 2011) – The City of Ocala will be hosting a reception at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6 on the second floor of City Hall for outgoing and incoming elected city officials.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2011) – The City of Ocala business offices will be closed Thursday Nov. 24 and Friday Nov. 25 in observance of Thanksgiving.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 17, 2011) – The City of Ocala will present “Light the Lakes” from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22, at the corner of NE 5th Street and Watula Avenue in historic Tuscawilla Park.

OCALA, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2011) – Young science enthusiasts and parents are invited to join the Discovery Center and the Cornerstone School for a morning of free interactive science activities at “Kitchen Khemistry.”

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 21, 2011) – The City of Ocala Recreation & Parks Department is presenting the Mini Monster Boo Bash, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28, at the American Legion Hall in Tuscawilla Park (516 NE Sanchez Ave.).

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2011) – The City of Ocala has added a third sandbagging operation as it continues to prepare for heavy rains predicted for later today.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2011) – The City of Ocala has expanded the hours of operation at its two sandbagging operations until 7 p.m. today to give more residents the opportunity to get the bags.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 14, 2011) – An international flight will depart Ocala at 9 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 15) to transport horses to the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2011) – A Tuscawilla Neighborhood Watch block party will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday between the 900 and 1100 blocks of NE 4th Street.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 13, 2011) – The public now has additional locations where they can drop off supplies to help replenish the pantries of local food banks.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2011) – Late this afternoon, there were 39 street locations – including SR 40 at the Ocala Golf Club (Muni), that have been closed because of high water.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2011) – At just after noon today there were still about 20 streets within the city limits that were submerged as City of Ocala crews continued to respond to numerous high water reports, including some houses in Heritage Hills that were flooded.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2011) – By mid-morning City of Ocala crews were still responding to numerous high water reports, including some houses in Heritage Hills that were flooded.

OCALA, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2011) – The City of Ocala is conducting a survey to gauge the interest in a skate park within the community.

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2011) – The City of Ocala’s One Stop Permit Center will have new hours of operation beginning Monday, Oct. 3. Starting on that day, the center, located on the second floor of the Customer Service Office, 201 SE Third St., will be open to the public from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2011) – The Ocala Recreation and Parks Department is seeking volunteer “citizen rangers” to assist staff in securing and promoting local parks.

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2011) – A musical celebration, children’s event, an outdoor movie and a festival on the Downtown Square will highlight the annual One Ocala One America Week, Oct. 2-8.

OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 7, 2011) – Representatives of the Rotary Club of Ocala presented a $20,000 check to City Council Tuesday to help fund a major Discovery Center renovation project.

OCALA, Fla. (Aug. 31, 2011) – City of Ocala’s business offices will be closed Monday (Sept. 5) in observance of Labor Day. There will be no residential sanitation collections made on that day. Monday’s routes will be collected on Tuesday and Tuesday’s routes will be collected on Wednesday. All other days will be collected on normal schedule that week.

OCALA, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2011) – SE 18th Avenue between SE 17th Street and SE 13th Street, will be closed Wednesday, Aug. 31, through Tuesday, Sept. 6. Croft Construction will be doing utility related work for the Water & Sewer Department.

OCALA, Fla. (Aug. 17, 2011) – If you know someone who has made a difference in racial harmony or cultural understanding, the City of Ocala wants to hear from you.

OCALA, Fla. (July 28, 2011) - The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) has named Ocala Utility Services Power Services Director Joe Roos as the 2011 Member of the Year.

OCALA, Fla. (July 21, 2011) – City Manager Matt Brower today approved a request from Fire Rescue Chief John DeIorio that he be allowed to assume a lesser role in the department.

OCALA, Fla. (July 14, 2011) – The Ocala Recreation & Parks Department is presenting a free concert on the Downtown Square and a free movie in the pool at the Hampton Aqautic Fun Center this Friday (July 15).

OCALA, Fla. (July 13, 2011) – The westbound lane of East Fort King Street between NE 32nd Avenue and NE 31st Terrace will be closed from July 18 through July 29.

OCALA, Fla. (July 8, 2011) – The city of Ocala has been notified by the District 5 Office of the Florida Department of Transportation that speed limits have been changed along sections of SR 464 (SW 17th Street).

OCALA, Fla. (June 29, 2011) – SW 12th Avenue between SW 4th and 5th streets will be closed Thursday and Friday of this week. The street will be reopened for the weekend, but will be closed again July 5 through July 8. The street is being closed in order for a drainage pipe to be installed.

OCALA, Fla. (June 27, 2011) – The City of Ocala presents the Red, White & Blues Festival 6-9 p.m., Saturday (July 2) at the Downtown Square.

OCALA, Fla. (June 27, 2011) – City of Ocala’s business offices will be closed Monday July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

OCALA, Fla. (June 16, 2011) – The City of Ocala is now accepting building, subdivision and site plans online in order to streamline the development process and to improve customer service.

OCALA, Fla. (June 14, 2011) – The American Public Power Association (APPA) has named Ocala City Manager Matthew Brower as this year’s recipient of the Robert E. Roundtree Rising Star Award.

OCALA, Fla. (June 8, 2011) – The Ocala City Council has approved a $4.8 million incentive package that paves the way for American Fresh Farms to locate the first commercial hydroponic tomato-growing operation in the Southeastern United States.

Ocala, Fla. (June 1, 2011) – The Ocala Traffic Engineering Office is accepting street banner applications until July 29 for the 2012 calendar year.

OCALA, Fla. (May 23, 2011) – City of Ocala’s business offices will be closed Monday (May 30) in observance of Memorial Day.

OCALA, Fla. (May 12, 2011) – The public is invited to the official opening of NW 44th Avenue at 9 a.m., Monday (May 16).

OCALA, Fla. (May 4, 2011) – The public is invited to a free Cops, Kids and Fire Fighters Family Fun Day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, May 7, at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex (Webb Field), 1510 NW 4th St.

OCALA, Fla. (May 1, 2011) – A West Ocala Community Plan Workshop is set for 11 a.m.-4 p.m., May 7, at the E.D. Croskey Center, 1510 NW 4th St.

OCALA, Fla. (April 29, 2011) – Any City of Ocala resident who is experiencing what they believe to be a heavy mosquito infestation in their neighborhood is encouraged to call the city at 629-City (2489).

OCALA, Fla. (April 25, 2011) – Enjoy a wide range of free family oriented activities at the City of Ocala’s Arbor Day Festival, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, April 30, at Tuscawilla Park.

OCALA, Fla. (April 19, 2011) – Join the City of Ocala and the Humane Society of Marion County from 6-9 p.m., Friday, April 29, at Tuscawilla Park for an enchanted evening of music, food and a guided tour.

OCALA, Fla. (April 11, 2011) – The city of Ocala has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for the 20th straight year.

OCALA, Fla. (April 1, 2011) – During the week of April 4 – 8, 2011, Aerotec, LLC of Bessemer, Alabama will be flying electric transmission lines for Ocala Utility Services.  

OCALA, Fla. (April 1, 2011) – An organizational meeting for Ocala Women’s Softball will be at 6 p.m., April 18 at the Lillian Bryant Center, 2200 NW 17th Place. 

OCALA, Fla. (April 1, 2011) – The public is invited to join American Heart Association and city of Ocala employees as they kick off “National Start! Walking Day” at 7 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, in Tuscawilla Park.

 OCALA, Fla. (March 31, 2011) – The city of Ocala is accepting applications for a seven-session citizens academy that will begin May 5.

OCALA, Fla. (March 31, 2011) – Lane closures and detours along NE 7th Street between 36th Avenue and Baseline Road will be ongoing for the next two months as Ocala Utility Services crews perform line relocations and remove some poles. The lane closures are necessary to accommodate a crane and other equipment being used for the project. On occasion, detours will be established 

OCALA, Fla. (March 28, 2011) – CSX will be working on the crossings at SW Fort King Street and SW 2nd Street beginning Tuesday morning. It is anticipated the crossings will be closed for two days in order to accommodate the work.

Ocala, Fla. (March 24, 2011) – CSX will be working on the crossings at NW 2nd Avenue, NW 1st Street and SW Broadway on Monday, March 28 and Tuesday, March 29. The work will necessitate road closings.

Washington, D.C. (March 21, 2011) – The City of Ocala’s Electric Utility has earned the American Public Power Association’s Electric Utility Safety Award for safe operating practices in 2010. 

OCALA, Fla. (March 18, 2011) – Fort King Street from SE Wenona Avenue to SE 10th Avenue, and SE Wenona Avenue from SR 40 to SE Fort King Street will be closed Monday for water main construction. Detours will be established.

OCALA, Fla. (March 17, 2011) – SE 9th Avenue between SR 40 and Fort King Street will be closed Friday for water main construction. The closing will include the intersection at Fort King Street and traffic will be detoured.

OCALA, Fla. (March 17, 2011) – For the fifth time since the peak of 2008, the Ocala City Council has lowered electric rates.

OCALA, Fla. (March 16, 2011) – A wide range of family-oriented entertainment will be featured at the ninth annual “O’Cala’s” St. Patrick’s Day Festival on the Downtown Square from 5-9 p.m. this Saturday (March 19). 

OCALA, Fla. (March 11, 2011) – CSX will be working on the crossing of NE 25th Avenue on Tuesday, March 15, which will necessitate a road closing and traffic detour.

OCALA, Fla. (March 10, 2011) – Once again, Ocala Utility Services has achieved Tree Line USA status from the Arbor Day Foundation.

 OCALA, Fla. (March 8, 2011) – The section of SE 8th Street between SE 36th Avenue and SE 39th Avenue will be closed to traffic for at least a week starting Monday, March 14.

OCALA, Fla. (March 7, 2011) – A stretch of Broadway between South Pine Avenue and SE Watula Avenue will be closed from 6 p.m.-6 a.m. both on Sunday, March 13 and Monday, March 14 to accommodate a road resurfacing project.

OCALA, Fla. (March 4, 2011) – The 2011 Parade of Senior Services will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, March 11, at College of Central Florida’s Ewers Century Center.

Ocala, Fla (March 2, 2011) - Each year the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires Ocala Fire Rescue to have 12 personnel certified in airport rescue and firefighting training. The Fire Rescue Training Division is responsible for facilitating the training with help from Kellogg Community College out of Battle Creek, MI. 

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 25, 2011) – The Ocala International Airport has received a “thumbs up” following an intensive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspection.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2011) – The 1500 block of SE Fort King Street will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. this Friday (Feb. 25) to accommodate the installation of a sewer service.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2011) – Ocala City Manager Matt Brower announced today that he has filled two top administrative positions. Chief of Staff Catherine Cameron has been named as assistant city manager for Public Services and Human Resources and Risk Management Director Sandra Wilson will replace Ms. Cameron as chief of staff for Support Services.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 18, 2011) – Road work along a section of N.E. 25th Avenue will necessitate periodic lane closures for about two weeks beginning Monday, Feb. 21.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 10, 2011) – A long-awaited airfield lighting and signage project at the Ocala International Airport has necessitated the nighttime closing of the runway Monday through Fridays.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2011) – City Manager Matthew Brower has named Customer Service Office Director Larry Novak as the Assistant City Manager for Utility Services effective immediately.

 

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 20, 2011) – Ocala Utility Services (OUS) has introduced a voluntary energy conservation program that encourages limited energy usage, especially during peak times.

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2011) – The public is invited to a farewell reception for City Manager Ricky A. Horst from 4:30-6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, on the grounds of City Hall.

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 19, 2011) – The Ocala City Council Tuesday night named Matthew Brower as its next city manager. Brower currently is the assistant city manager for Utility Services, which includes the Electric Utility and Water & Sewer departments.