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Hi Ocala, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: New drought rules and a 5% water surcharge, the first BJ’s Wholesale Club project, Pokémon Day, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Residents face stricter conservation rules: Amid drought, The Villages now adds a 5% water surcharge and once-a-week watering rules, affecting Marion and Sumter counties, with measures set to last through July 1, 2026 — get details on new restrictions.
Policy shift tests public access: Marion County moved legal notices to its website, sparking questions about how residents find or subscribe, what state law requires for search tools, and whether agency publishing costs could rise — see how search rules differ.
Massive mixed-use project advances: Crews are working at the southwest Ocala site that will bring the city’s first BJ’s Wholesale Club, part of 960-acre Winding Oaks community with thousands of planned homes and apartments — explore the full project scope.
Comedy stars share the stage: Popular Florida comedian Josh Robinson, known as ‘OMG.,’ will perform two shows at Ocala Civic Theatre on June 27, with Ken Miller and Myke Herl also performing — see who’s performing and when.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Inside a sweet time capsule: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop in downtown Ocala features a $5 candy buffet alongside shelves of nostalgic and novelty treats. The quirky, retro space sits on SE Broadway Street near the square, surrounded by restaurants and boutiques. It is a colorful local spot for a quick sugar fix. Get all the details.
High-octane weekend for enthusiasts: The 39th annual Sunshine State Mopar Car Show and Swap Meet will roll into the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27-28. Expect classic and modern Mopars, a swap meet, and local club president Butch Arnold, who plans to show his 2016 Dodge Charger Hellcat. Get all the details.
Local flavors, zero fuss: District Bar & Kitchen serves a scratch-made menu with beef from Marion County’s Ft. McCoy Beef, so burgers, tots, and steaks taste distinctly Ocala. Warm lighting and easygoing vibes work on a Tuesday or a long Friday night.
Upgrade your utensil drawer: When you need a whisk that actually whisks, a pan that won’t panic, or that TikTok-famous gadget, Home Gadgets keeps Ocala cooks stocked and inspired. Sturdy basics and clever helpers make dinner easier and a little more fun.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
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📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🚤 Silver Springs State Park & Glass Bottom Boat Ride @ Silver Springs State Park | Friday (2/27) at 7:30 AM – Let someone else drive while you play tourist in Old Florida. Bus from PSL or Vero, stroll Silver Springs, grab lunch, then a 90-minute glass bottom boat ride that turns the river into your aquarium. Limited seats, bragging rights, and $125 well spent.
🚗 39th Annual Sunshine State Mopar Show and Swap Meet @ Florida Horse Park | Friday (2/27) at 8:00 AM – Got a garage full of Mopar parts you swore you’d use someday? Roll them to the 39th show and swap at Florida Horse Park, snag a 20′ x 20′ spot for $45 pre-show, $60 day-of. Your spouse, your shelves, and your sanity will thank you.
🌿 Last Saturday of the Month Vendors Market and Plant Sale @ Laly Acres Nursery | Saturday (2/28) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’re hunting handmade gifts or another plant you promised you wouldn’t buy, the market at Laly Acres every last Saturday brings vendors, nursery finds, and Ocala charm. It’s free, pet friendly, with birthdays in the mix, so bring a wagon or cart, and self-control.
💥 Comic Fest: Pokémon Day @ Paddock Mall | Saturday (2/28) at 10:00 AM – Grab your nostalgia and head to Paddock Mall for Comic Fest’s Pokémon Day, where freebies, nerdy vendors, and excellent cosplay make running errands feel like a side quest. Parking and admission are free, which leaves more budget for cards, snacks, and that inevitable Pikachu selfie.
🎶 Folk Festival @ Headquarters-Ocala Public Library | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Folk Festival is bringing our community together with fiddles, storytellers, and enough handcrafts to make your Pinterest board blush. Expect toe-tapping sets, kid-friendly fun, and neighborly vibes. Bring a chair, your curious side, and the grandkids who think culture lives on TikTok.
🔥 Burn Bash: Wood Burning Charcuterie Board Workshop @ Ocala Elks Club | Saturday (2/28) at 5:30 PM – Burn Bash is firing up at the Elks with a hands-on wood burning workshop where you’ll make a custom charcuterie board, choose a design or your own, and feel smugly handy. No experience needed, tools, guidance, music, and door prizes included.
🎭 Dinner Theater: Over the River & Into the Woods @ Grace Place | Saturday (2/28) at 6:00 PM – Craving laughs, carbs, and a little hometown drama? The annual dinner theater serves appetizers, salad, and a main course from youth and adult actors, then a dessert auction that’s half sugar, half spectacle. Ten bucks gets you dinner, comedy, and bidding rights, so snag tickets.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Ocala report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 55°F – Precip: 2%
Sunny. High near 79, with temperatures falling to around 77 in the afternoon. South wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Later: Partly cloudy. Low around 55, with temperatures rising to around 56 overnight. Southwest wind 1 to 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 34%
A chance of rain showers after 7am. Mostly sunny. High near 82, with temperatures falling to around 77 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 2 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
This house is wild
On 10.47 fully fenced acres in Ocala’s prized countryside, this private A-1 estate blends equestrian potential with prime proximity to the World Equestrian Center, Golden Ocala, and Adena. The 6,100+ sq ft main home shines with natural light and Italian porcelain. A chef’s kitchen with dual islands and Brazilian marble complements an indoor pool, summer kitchen, and separate guest cottage.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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