The hardwood forests of Marion County are full of colorful creatures, especially during the spring and fall migration. Twice a year the black and flame-colored American redstarts pass through, moving frenetically among the trees. Adult males are black and orange, females and juveniles are dark gray and yellow-orange. This one was spotted on the Swamp Trail at Silver Springs State Park.

First-time unemployment claims in Florida slightly decreased last week, though a series of announcements will affect the jobs of more than 350 workers in the coming months. The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday estimated 6,068 unemployment claims were filed during the week that ended April 20, down from a revised count of 6,215 during the week that ended April 13. The state has averaged 5,916 claims a week since the start of the year. Last Friday, the state Department of Commerce said Florida had a 3.2 percent unemployment rate in March, after three consecutive months at 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, the state agency has received a series of notices during the past week about job eliminations. On Tuesday, Fernlea Flowers announced that at least 31 employees will be affected as the company closes facilities in Stuart and Palm City to consolidate operations into a separate Stuart location by June 20. United Natural Foods, Inc. has told the state its transportation department will close the company’s Pompano Beach distribution center, which will result in the elimination of 87 positions on June 19. And Federal Express advised the state on April 17 that four locations, two in Naples and one each in Punta Gorda and Fort Myers, will close July 29, resulting in 225 positions being eliminated. In a series of letters to the state, Federal Express said employees whose positions are eliminated can seek to move to another location, receive severance or take a leave of absence to pursue other positions within the company.

Lake Weir High School’s construction program is expanding thanks to a partnership between Marion County Public Schools and the Academy of Construction Technologies. The partnership will allow for Lake Weir High students to complete a pre-apprenticeship program to work with construction experts on real projects. The school district’s application...

These boomerang-like birds begin to appear in late March, announcing themselves with a chittering call as they flit about erratically overhead. They feed, mate and even sleep while flying. They stop so seldom that it was once supposed they had no feet. The feet they do have are suitable for clinging to walls but not perching. Before the arrival of Europeans, chimney swifts nested in hollow trees. Now they nest almost entirely in chimneys and similar manmade structures.

Two people died and an adult and two toddlers were injured when the van they rode in collided with a semi-trailer and then struck several trees along Interstate 75, the Florida Highway Patrol reports. According to an FHP press release, a van, driven by a 49-year-old Miami man, was traveling...

A public hearing on April 22 for rezoning of a parcel near the entrance to On Top of the World had several unusual aspects, starting with a prayer from Marion County Commission Chair Michelle Stone that asked for wisdom, patience and acceptance of the outcome even if “we do not agree.”

Marion County commissioners approved a rezoning request this week that will allow owners of the Baldwin Angus Ranch to use a plot of farmland for agricultural purposes, which the family says is essential for keeping their longtime cattle business alive as massive development continues to surround them. Despite county staff’s...

With the deadline fast approaching for Ocala Electric Utility customers to receive and cash court-ordered refund checks for illegally assessed fire service fees, attorneys for Ocala and the customers have agreed to pause a provision of the agreement calling for any uncollected refunds to revert to the city. According to...

The Interstate 75 southbound on-ramp at State Road 200 will be closed overnight starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday and is expected to reopen by 7:30 a.m. Thursday as work continues on an emergency asphalt repair, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Detour Information:. Motorists traveling southwest on S.R. 200...

An exciting week of sales concluded at Ocala Breeders’ Sales on April 19, with an impressive turnout and profit from the sale of hundreds of young horses. OBS netted $82.7 million in its annual Spring Sale last week after the auction and sale of 642 premier thoroughbred horses from April 16 through 19, according to OBS.

Sanitation customers of the city of Ocala may receive a random survey call next week as the Public Works department gathers feedback about its sanitation collection. The annual survey will take place from April 29 through May 3 this year, and commercial and residential customers can expect a call any time from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Two opportunities to serve on the Marion County Hospital District’s board of trustees are approaching this summer. Trustees David Cope and retired physician Ken Marino will both end their third four-year terms on June 30, according to the Marion County Hospital District’s website. Their replacements will be appointed by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.

Sandra Moore, president of Segrest Farms in Gibsonton, was named 2024 Woman of the Year in Agriculture on Tuesday. “Sandra is a vital member of not only the ornamental fish industry, but the aquaculture and pet industry nationwide,” Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said in a release. Moore is the first woman from the tropical fish industry to win the award, according to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Moore has been with Segrest Farms, one of the largest ornamental fish wholesalers in the world, since 1992, according to the release. She has been president since 2015. The award will be formally presented during the 2025 Florida State Fair.

The Florida Realtors agents’ association’s March 2024 market report shows that statewide the median single-family home sale price rose to $420,600, a 3.9% year over year increase, and townhouses and condo median sales price were $330,000, a 3.1% year over year increase. Single-Family Market Sector. Brad O’Connor, senior...

Ocala’s mayor is celebrating his birthday in the best way he knows how—by getting citizens up and active to promote health and wellbeing. Mayor Ben Marciano is launching a new program called “Workout with the Mayor” with its inaugural event taking place on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave.

Of all the public safety agencies in Marion County, MCFR has the largest territory to stage daily since it provides ambulance service for the entire county. MCFR has entry-level nonsupervisory positions open in their department. According to the county’s website, firefighter/EMT have a minimum hourly rate of $15.25 and firefighter/paramedics have a minimum hourly rate of $18.25. Learn more: marionfl.org/agencies-departments/departments-facilities-offices/fire-rescue/about-mcfr/fire-rescue-careers.

Bookended by blockbuster musicals, with plenty of magic and mystery in between, Ocala Civic Theatre’s (OCT) 2024-2025 season lineup got a rousing reception from around 180 theatergoers at the 74th Season Reveal Party on April 15. For OCT Executive and Artistic Director Greg Thompson, the best part of the...

National Volunteer week is April 21-27. Hospice of Marion County (HMC) paid tribute to the organization’s volunteers on April 18 with a pirate themed luncheon to highlight the “bounty” of services they help deliver. “Hospice of Marion County volunteers are at the heart of our organization, tirelessly...

Saddlewood Elementary paraprofessional Edward Lanza has been named as the statewide winner of the School-Related Employee of the Year competition by the Florida Department of Education. Lanza, a U.S. Army veteran, has worked at Saddlewood Elementary School since 2016 and assists in the school’s media center to distribute Chromebooks, troubleshoot...

It’s no secret to the homeless community in Marion County, as well as those who seek to help them, that the county needs a so-called low-barrier shelter for those who, because of an arrest record, cannot gain access to local shelters. A discussion by the Marion County Hospital District...