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🌱 How 4,000 free horse books are landing in local kids’ hands

Ocala, Florida Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hi there, Ocala! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How 4,000 free horse books are landing in local kids’ hands
  • Marion County man jailed after deputies say he used BB gun discipline
  • Deputies say Ocala arrest turned dangerous when suspect blew fentanyl powder

Also on today's calendar: TC and Sass Saturday Night Dance Party! and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the boss deny a raise to the can of paint? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Sunny with low humidity, with a high of 89 and low of 66 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 92, low: 69.
  • Sunday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 90 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. The Plaid Horse Magazine Donates 4,000 Books To Put 'Show Strides: To Save a Stable' in the Hands of Every Fourth Grader in Marion County (theplaidhorse.com) — Every fourth grader in Marion County, including Ocala students, is getting a free copy of the horse-themed novel “Show Strides: To Save a Stable,” thanks to a 4,000-book donation from The Plaid Horse magazine. Partnering with the Ocala Horse Alliance and The Black Stallion Reading Project, the effort also places full Show Strides series sets in every county elementary school library.
   

2. Man arrested for shooting BB gun at a child as punishment, Marion County deputies say (wcjb.com) — Marion County deputies arrested a 30-year-old man in the Ocala area on child abuse and aggravated assault charges after he allegedly used a BB gun to intimidate children during “discipline” exercises. Investigators say a child reported past incidents where BBs hit him, and the suspect is now held in the county jail without bond for violating probation.
   

3. Florida Man Blows Fentanyl Into Sheriff Deputy's Face During Arrest (sfl.media) — An Ocala Publix parking lot became the scene of a dangerous arrest when deputies say a man blew suspected fentanyl into a Marion County deputy’s face while they served a warrant. The deputy was treated and is expected to recover, while the suspect remains jailed without bond on fentanyl and evidence-tampering charges amid Florida’s ongoing opioid crisis.
   

4. Quick Takes: Fairy-tale landing (wng.org subscription) — Local readers should know two 18-year-olds were arrested after allegedly driving a riding lawnmower into an Ocala Target as part of a social media stunt, leading to criminal mischief and disorderly conduct charges. The odd incident appears in a national roundup of unusual stories, ranging from a backyard hot-air-balloon landing to a Lego scam and a copyright case in Japan.
   

5. Simpson touts food program, wildfire risks, and foreign pressure on Florida forestry (flvoicenews.com) — A statewide food program is partnering with a meat processor in Ocala to turn Florida-raised beef into millions of meals for families in need, keeping food from going to waste. Florida’s agriculture commissioner also warns of heightened wildfire risks after long-term drought and crop losses, and criticizes foreign ownership trends in the state’s forestry industry.
   

📸 Around Ocala

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • LOST miniature pinscher on 5/12/26 on 225A about 1 mile north of horse and hound restaurant.
    Black and tan, 12 yrs., 12 pounds, gentle, shy... contact sandy 352-484-8547 if found or seen. (Nextdoor Ocala)
  • FOUND COCKATIEL
    This little buddy has been found and is currently safe. We would love to help reunite this feathered friend with their owner! Found on 5/13/26 in… (Nextdoor Golden Glen)
  • Southeastern Freight Lines posted a job opening for Customer Service Administrator 2 in Ocala. Apply here.
  • Jenkins Acura of Ocala posted a job opening for Service Lane Attendant in Ocala. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ocala here.

Ok Ocala! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Because he didn't apply himself. (Thank you Rita S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Ocala

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Ocala

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.