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We had a great time celebrating our community during Marion County Day! Thousands of people stopped by the McPherson Campus on SE 25th Ave. to enjoy vendors, food trucks, entertainment, music, bounce houses, and more! Visitors also had a chance to meet Rubbish the Raccoon, the mascot for the new Marion County litter awareness campaign. Also in this episode, Stephanie Kash, with Marion County Animal Services stopped by to talk about some big things happening for our furry friends. Thank you to the great team at Animal Services that is dedicated to providing great service to everyone in our community!

Marion County is gearing up for a couple of great events happening soon! Marion County Day celebrates everything that makes Marion County great during its anniversary! Enjoy local vendors, a kids zone, food trucks, and much more on Saturday, March 25th from 10 am to 2 pm. Amanda Tart, Assistant County Administrator tells us more about this great event as well as what it means to her to serve our community. Learn more at marionfl.org/mcday.   Run for the Springs is a 5k event that is focused on raising awareness to protect and preserve our unique springs! Grab your coworkers & your running shoes to join us for this family-friendly 5K event. Enjoy a children’s area, refreshments, & prizes including a Travel Cup award for the fastest team! Learn more at marionfl.org/runforthesprings.

In this episode, we sit down to talk to Rashad Jones, celebrity food chef, and owner of Big Lee's.  He talks about growing up in Marion County, his love of all things BBQ, and his friendship with the Mayor of Flavortown. We also touch on why our federal delegates were in Marion County, and how you can sign your anti-litter pledge.  

In this episode, we sit down to talk to John Brantley, head football coach at Trinity Catholic to talk about their latest run to the state championship. We also take a moment to share a great award Marion County recently brought home thanks to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Finally, we talk about a great initiative being led by the Junior League of Ocala.

In this episode, we hear from Brett Beville, the athletic director at Vanguard High School, who recaps the most recent Kingdom of the Sun basketball tournament, updates us on VHS athletics, and discusses the role coaches and sports play in our society. We also get an update on a citizen engagement program put on by the 5th Judicial Circuit and a quick recap of the most recent meeting of the Marion County Legislative Delegation. 

The Rescues and Rescuers of Marion County have teamed up to help you plan 2023! 🚒🐾 Marion County Fire Rescue is helping showcase some of the great pets available for adoption at Marion County Animal Services in this amazing wall calendar! In this episode listen to those involved in making this great project come to life as well as an opportunity to learn more about our judicial system. To purchase your own calendar, visit petsofmarioncounty.org.

Enjoy this special episode of the Marion Minute which features a conversation between Marion County Board of County Commissioners Chair Craig Curry and Emmy award-winning filmmaker, musician, and photographer Mark Emery.  Emery, who grew up in Marion County and has worked with National Geographic, Discovery, the BBC, PBS, ESPN, and more, sits down with Chairman Curry to talk about the impact litter has had at home and during his travels all across the globe. 

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features a conversation with Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox about the most recent general election, as well as how his staff works to serve Marion County residents. The episode contains information about a United Way program designed to help households with gain financial stability and independence, and finally, you will hear a conversation with Roger Waddell about the upcoming Bring the Harvest Home event.

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features a look at how Marion County honored its employees who are military veterans by proclaiming the month of November as Veteran Employee Appreciation Month.  In addition to recognizing its veteran employees, the episode also features county personnel and first responders who were recognized for their service to those affected by Hurricane Ian.  You will also hear a conversation with incoming Board of County Commission Chair Craig Curry where he talks about his time in the U.S. Army, his friendship with Medal of Honor recipient Hammett L. Bowen Jr. as well as what serving his county and country means to him.  Finally, the episode contains information about a new program designed to help low-income households with their water bill.  

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features conversations with two of Marion County’s constitutional officers, an update on one local nonprofit’s preparation and response to Hurricane Ian, and letting you know who the next Chair and Vice-Chair of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners will be.  First, Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox joins us to discuss the upcoming general election and how his office partners with the county in multiple ways. Interim United Way CEO Bob Haight stops by to chat about how his organization prepared for the storm, how the United Way is assisting those affected by Hurricane Ian, and previews the upcoming Strong Families program graduation.  The episode winds up by hearing from Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Greg Harrell on the dual roles his office has, how he partners with Marion County, and more.   

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features a look at Marion County’s preparation and response to Hurricane Ian.  First, Marion County Board of County Commission Chair Carl Zalak III stops by to discuss the county’s preparation as the storm closed in, the coordination with the state and constitutional offices, and the county’s response once the storm passed. The episode also features a county department that was recognized for its attention to detail and focuses on one of the many proclamations from the October 4th regular meeting of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.  Finally, the episode winds up with a conversation with Caitlin Bainum, the UF/IFAS livestock extension agent for Marion County.  Caitlin recaps the 29th Annual Florida Equine Institute and Allied Trade Show as well as how UF/IFAS is assisting those who were directly affected by Hurricane Ian.

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features multiple events happening in Marion County in the coming weeks.  First, Kerry Blood, the Talent Manager for Marion County talks about an upcoming government career fair.  She also details some open positions within the county and tells you how you can find out more information on beginning your career with Marion County.     The episode also features an MCFR employee who recently received a state award for excellence in his field, and a conversation with Lynn Nobles, the director of UF/IFAS Extension Marion County.  Lynn details the many ways her department can assist Marion County and its residents, including the upcoming program Annie’s Project, focused on women in agriculture. 

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features multiple ways Marion County and the State of Florida partner to make the county a better place to live, work, and visit.  First, Bill Gladson, the State Attorney for Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit discusses how his office works with the county in different capacities, as well as the recent ordinances that came out of the Litter Task Force.  The episode also features information and how you can attend the upcoming Florida Equine Institute and Allied Trade Show, and a conversation with Loretta Shafer, the Tourist Development Director for Marion County.  Loretta fills us in on what’s going on in Ocala and Marion County and also about how her department won a statewide award for promoting tourism right here in the county.

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute, which features a county department that is focused on special districts and tax assessments. The episode also features an update on the county’s legislative priorities for the upcoming 2023 legislative session, and finally, a conversation with one homegrown Marion County restauranteur who is dedicated to helping students in need, especially those in rural areas!

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute featuring how our county departments handle growth and some great reminders and opportunities to keep in mind as school starts back up. It also features an update on Mission: Bus Brigade and programs designed to help Marion County's vulnerable citizens. Finally, you can also find out your next opportunity to catch the state of the county address!

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute featuring an update from the Chair of the Litter Task Force and a chat with IFAS and 4H agents about their summer programs as well as how you can get involved.  The episode also features an interview with the county engineer on road and trail projects and how his office plans for a growing Marion County.  Finally, you can also find out your next opportunity to catch the state of the county address!

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute featuring a recap of the county's PTSD Awareness event, a conversation with Marion County's "Happy Plumber", and updates from the Parks & Rec crew on summer camps, new parks, and programs to celebrate Parks & Rec month You will also get some dates for the upcoming State of the County events, Public Library programs, and as always, info on how you can submit your thoughts on the podcast!

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute featuring discussions with the Fire Chief, Animal Services Director with some  4th of July reminders, and a youth from the Boys and Girls club that got the opportunity to be a commissioner for a day. You will also get some tips on saving water and keeping our bodies of water free from excess fertilizer!

Enjoy this episode of the Marion Minute featuring discussions on Citizens Academy, Employee Academy, and PTSD Awareness Month. You will also learn about how Marion County is working to undertake a broadband feasibility study and how you can help!

Tom Northey is Marion County's Information Techonology Director. In today's episode, Northey describes how his passion for technology led him from 911 Management to Engineering to IT, the scope and scale of Marion County's IT operations, the launch of Marion County's new website and GIS map, and how IT helped Marion County respond to the challenges of the pandemic.