Hello Ocala! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Rainbow Springs Garden Club.
Today's riddle: Why are elevator jokes so good ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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1. Nonprofit reboot (ocalagazette.com) — Veterans Helping Veterans USA in Ocala has paused operations for 30 days, from Aug. 28 to Oct. 1, to retrain staff and stabilize finances while still accepting donations. Serving about 500 veteran families monthly, the closure is already pushing more veterans to other agencies, raising concerns about how Ocala and Marion County will meet growing needs during the reboot.
2. Ocala marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 at Highland Memorial Park (wcjb.com) — Ocala residents gathered at Highland Memorial Park today to solemnly mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a detailed timeline reading and tributes to victims and first responders. Attendees emphasized the community's responsibility to teach younger generations about the attacks so the promise to never forget remains strong in Ocala.
3. Ocala man allegedly redirects Uber ride, steals woman's truck from driveway (ocala-news.com) — Marion County deputies arrested a 40-year-old Ocala man accused of redirecting an Uber ride to a woman's home and driving off in her pickup truck. Investigators say security footage captured him taking the vehicle, which was later stopped on Jacksonville Road, and he now faces grand theft and burglary charges with a court date set in October.
4. 'Agency in crisis': Grand jury finds DCF failed to protect children, vulnerable adults (wctv.tv) — A grand jury report from Ocala finds DCF's Circuit 5, which covers Marion County, in a state of crisis for failing to protect children and vulnerable adults. The report cites systemic neglect, possible falsified records, and preventable deaths, while Ocala's police chief urges accountability but also recognizes dedicated DCF workers serving the community daily.
5. R Island Jewel Cruises to Top Averill, Joseph Exacta in Three Ring Stakes (ftboa.com) — A Florida-bred filly connected to Ocala's thoroughbred industry, R Island Jewel, dominated the Three Ring Stakes at Gulfstream Park and earned more than $100,000 in two starts. Purchased from the Ocala Stud consignment at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale, she also secured a Florida Sire Racing Incentive bonus that underscores Ocala's ongoing influence in state racing circles.
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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 they work on so many levels ! (Thank you Gary M. for sending it in!)
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