Community Corner
🌱 Ocala’s Twistee Treat reopens—what changed after those failed inspections?
Spotted on the Ocala calendar: Ahren Belisle
Hey hey Ocala! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Ocala's Twistee Treat reopens—what changed after those failed inspections?
- How could a new Ocala racetrack reshape Marion County's future?
- What a scathing grand jury report says about child protection here
Also on today's calendar: Rainbow Springs Garden Club.
Today's riddle: Where do math teachers go on vacation? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Humid; an afternoon t-storm, with a high of 91 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid, temps: high: 90, low: 74.
- Monday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 87 and low of 74 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Twistee Treat reopens Ocala location after temporary closure for roaches, unsafe food temperatures (ocala-news.com) — Health inspectors have cleared the Twistee Treat on SW College Road in Ocala to reopen after two failed inspections for roaches and unsafe ice cream temperatures earlier in the week. A third inspection on September 2 found no remaining violations, allowing the popular ice cream stand to resume full operations while locals weigh how the issues were handled. 
• A Marion County Thoroughbred racetrack is a dream 15 years in the making (352today.com) — Plans for a new Thoroughbred racetrack in Ocala are moving forward, backed by Gilligan Racing and a long‑held nonprofit racing permit controlled by local industry leaders. Supporters say the project could become a major economic and entertainment hub for Marion County, though the exact site, design, and final approvals are still being worked out with room for community input.
• Grand jury report accuses DCF of 'failing catastrophically' in several Central Florida counties (wesh.com) — A new grand jury report blasts Florida's DCF Circuit 5, which includes Marion County and Ocala, for what it calls catastrophic failures that left vulnerable children and adults unprotected. Citing cases like an Ocala toddler's fatal overdose and alleged falsified records, jurors outline 34 reforms, from body cameras on investigators to stricter drug testing and better tracking of repeated abuse reports.
📸 Around Ocala
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Ocala
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Ahren Belisle →
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala
7:30 pm
Thursday October 1
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Rainbow Springs Garden Club →
Rainbow Springs Community center, 19330 93rd Place Road, Dunnellon
1:00 pm
Thursday September 24
📣 Ocala Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Run The Resort 5k
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce Mission Resort + Club 10400 County Road 48 Howey-in-the-Hills, FL, 34737
7:30 am - Pancake Breakfast
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce Tangerine Improvement Society 7101 Wright Avenue Tangerine, FL 32777
8:00 am - Known World Armored Combat Collegium 2026
Kingdom of Trimaris Mandt Center,, 400 Mandt Parkway, WI, 53589
9:00 am - Saturday Brunch at Eden Abbey
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce Eden Abbey Brewing Community 405 S. Highland St. Mount Dora, FL 32757
12:00 pm - Fold and Chat
Micanopy Branch Library Micanopy Branch - Dance Hall
2:00 pm - Live Piano at Tremain's Tavern at Lakeside Inn
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce 341 Alexander St, Mt Dora, FL 32757
6:00 pm - Live Music at Eden Abbey
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce Eden Abbey Brewing Community 405 S. Highland St. Mount Dora, FL 32757
7:00 pm - Mount Dora Village Market
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce Sunset Park Downtown Mount Dora
10:00 am - Farmer's Market (Every Sunday) →
Homestead Park, 1050 NE 6th Blvd, Williston
12:00 pm - Sunday Brunch at Eden Abbey
Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce Eden Abbey Brewing Community 405 S. Highland St. Mount Dora, FL 32757
12:00 pm
Saturday September 5
Sunday September 6
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- 4 month old puppy named Marshall looking for his forever home.
He is fixed & has all of his shots. Free to a good home. Contact me if you're interested. (Nextdoor Hood) - Update: Pet Reunited
A dog who went missing in Ocala, FL, has been safely reunited with their family after 55 minutes. Message from Finder: "Very sweet friendly dog.. I… (Nextdoor SE 64th Ave Rd)
- Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Ocala. Apply here.
- CVS Health posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor in Ocala. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ocala here.
🗞 Nearby News
Belleview
- Liberty Rings Goes for Third Stakes Victory in Three Rings (ftboa.com)
- Top residential real estate sales for Aug.17-21 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis (yourobserver.com)
- The grand jury spoke on DCF failures. How did public agencies respond? (coralspringsflnews.com)
Dunnellon
- Marion County School Board considers sales tax bonds to fund new construction (wuft.org)
Hernando
- 4th Florida death from Vibrio infection (clickorlando.com)
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: Times Square (Thank you Jean K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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