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🌱 How a $7.5M farm reshapes land around World Equestrian Center

Hello Ocala! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $7.5M farm reshapes land around World Equestrian Center
  • Who will be honored at Ocala’s 2026 Inspire Gala?
  • Why are so many people choosing to move to Ocala now?

Also on today's calendar: Evening Music Series.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Ocala? Post it to Ocala photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 70 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 59.
  • Thursday: Periods of rain, with a high of 72 and low of 61 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. WEC owners purchase Ocala horse farm for $7.5 million (ocala-news.com) — A major equestrian property in northwest Ocala has just been purchased for $7.5 million by the owners of the World Equestrian Center and Golden Ocala, further expanding their footprint around the venue. The 77-acre Smokey Willow Farm includes multiple residences, 41 stalls, a covered arena, breeding facilities, and extensive pastures, strengthening Ocala’s role as a premier hub for performance horses.
   

2. Submit nominations for Inspire Gala awards (ocalagazette.com) — Local residents and organizations can now be nominated for the Inspire Gala awards, which honor philanthropy and community service in Ocala and Marion County. Nominations are open through Jan. 15, with a March 7, 2026 gala at Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala.
   

3. Report: Ocala ranks 2nd most popular destination to move to nationally (wcjb.com) — Ocala is now the second most popular place to move in the nation, with about three new residents arriving for every one who leaves. Researchers credit the area’s relative affordability and strong housing demand, keeping Ocala among the country’s hottest markets.
   

4. Gail Jacklyn Rook (ocala-news.com) — An Ocala connection is central as Gail Jacklyn “Jackie” Rook passed away November 14 at Grace Davis Hall Hospice House in Ocala, where her family says she received excellent care. The longtime Corning, New York resident leaves a large family, including a son living in Ocala, and loved Christmas, card games, and music. Donations are requested for Empath Hospice of Marion County.
   

5. Man sentenced to life in prison for murdering 17-year-old at Marion County gas station (wcjb.com) — A Marion County jury’s verdict has led to a life prison sentence for a 24-year-old man in the shooting death of a 17-year-old at a local gas station, in a case originating from Ocala. Prosecutors say the killing followed an argument during a trip toward Jacksonville, after the teen called his mother to pick him up at the station.
   

📸 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 ★

    Thursday December 18
  • Evening Music Series
    Rainbow Springs State Park, 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon
    6:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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

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

  • For those of you who don't want to drive very far to look at Christmas lights, come through Marion Landing.
    We have some awesome ones going on! Good job Marion Landing! (Nextdoor Marion Landing)
  • We can’t find a Panatone special (Latin) holiday dessert (bread) anywhere!
    Have you seen one locally? We checked the Bravo ad….nope. (Nextdoor 115th)
  • What time is liftoff? ULA Atlas V rocket may be visible for most of Florida, states along the East Coast. Did your city make the launch visibility... (X: OcalaStarBanner)
  • Schedule changes for Thursday -- (X: TCHSCeltics)
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Janitor Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$47/Hr in Ocala. Apply here.
  • Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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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.