Early risers in Ocala and The Villages caught a striking sight Tuesday, October 20, as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket left a glowing trail across the pre-dawn sky.

Launched from Cape Canaveral, the Bandwagon-5 mission carried multiple satellites toward low Earth orbit.

Weather near the booster recovery area had delayed the flight from the previous day, shifting it into a window that made the rocket visible from parts of Marion, Lake and Sumter counties.

Photos from The Villages show the trail spreading into a broad, pale plume high above the horizon.

The effect occurs when sunlight illuminates high-altitude exhaust while viewers on the ground are still in darkness.

For residents who looked east at the right moment, a launch from the distant coast became an unforgettable part of their morning.

A proposed trail could give Ocala residents a more comfortable way to walk or bike between downtown and Silver Springs State Park.

The roughly 6.2-mile Downtown Ocala Trail would begin at the existing Osceola Avenue multimodal path and extend east to the park.

Where conditions allow, plans call for a paved path 8 to 12 feet wide and separated from traffic, though some sections would use existing streets and sidewalks.

Wayfinding signs are planned, and officials say pedestrian facilities and access points would meet current accessibility standards.

The project is still in design, making crossings and transitions between path and roadway important questions for future users.

Residents, property owners and businesses can review preliminary plans and share concerns at a public workshop Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Marion County Growth Services Training Room, 2710 E. Silver Springs Boulevard.

An everyday stop at an Ocala gas station turned into a $500,000 lottery win for local resident Randall Alan Klapp.

Klapp won the top prize in the Florida Lottery’s $500,000 Cash Blowout scratch-off game with a ticket bought at Lake Weir Marathon, 3820 SE Lake Weir Avenue.

He claimed the prize on July 20, but his identity remained private under a Florida law that shields winners of $250,000 or more from public disclosure for 90 days.

With that period over, neighbors now know who bought the winning ticket at the familiar southeast Ocala stop.

Klapp’s win adds to a string of major lottery prizes tied to Ocala and nearby communities, including recent $5 million and $2 million wins.

The payouts make for exciting local news, though the odds remain long for anyone buying a ticket today.

Ocala’s After Dark in the Park brings a free outdoor screening of Young Frankenstein to Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., on Friday, October 23.

The evening begins at 6 p.m., with crafts, appearances by the Bride and Monster, and a “Puttin’ on the Ritz” costume contest through 7 p.m.

Guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets, and popcorn will be available.

The classic comedy follows Dr. Frederick Frankenstein to his grandfather’s Transylvanian castle, where he finds himself drawn into the family’s infamous experiments.

Admission is free, and no registration is required, making it an easy October outing for families and friends.