Ocala Gazette | June 10 - June 16, 2022

Special Olympics

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 23

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022

Local chambers of commerce write FDOT offering support for toll road efforts

Portable classrooms provide temporary relief to overcrowding

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

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File photo: Traffic on I-75. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Dunnellon’s chamber gets pressure to walk it back.

By Rosemarie Dowell Rosemarie@Ocalagazette.com

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letter written by a trio of local chambers of commerce last month that seemingly supported the proposed northern extension to Florida’s Turnpike has created so much backlash by the ever-increasing, “no-build,” movement, that one of the chambers was recently forced to clarify its position on the matter.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently evaluating an extension of Florida’s Turnpike from where it ends

in Wildwood to one of four potential routes through Citrus, Levy, Marion, and Sumter Counties.

The joint letter dated May 6 was sent to FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) Executive Director/CEO Nicola Liquori, by chamber executives from the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, and the Dunnellon Chamber and Business Association.

“As FDOT and FTE consider the four preliminary alternative See Toll, page A3

MCBOCC plan to talk growth through a series of workshops

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

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n May 9, Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) held a workshop to consider growth and development projects. This report is to outline a few of the takeaways in anticipation of more workshops scheduled to drill down on growth and development issues.

The workshop started with good news: our county still has a lot of undeveloped land so there are multiple options for growth.

One of the biggest overarching questions for the meeting was whether or not the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) in Marion County’s comprehensive land plan was where it needed to be.

That boundary helps county officials condense urban development when considering growth decisions and plan for providing essential services like fire, police, utilities and schools to the developments they do approve.

County commissioner Craig Curry indicated the UGB was a good way to “control” growth and preserve Marion County’s open spaces, to which Kevin Sheilley, CEO of Ocala Metro Chamber &

Economic Partnership (CEP), responded that he felt like the commissioners should not seek to control growth but rather to “shape” it.

Curry said he is often met with frustration at public functions about continued development; but, to put that development in context, he shared that land within the urban growth boundary is approximately 125,000 acres, or about 12% of the county. The farmland preservation area is approximately 198,000 acres and combined with the Ocala National Forrest, including lakes, streams and protected areas like that would be another 500,000 acres.

“When I talk to groups, they say ‘you are paving over Marion County.’ The density is concentrated and that is what makes it seem so onerous, I guess. But when you really break down the numbers on the county and look at the urban growth boundary, which we focus on, its 12%,” said Curry.

The numbers

Shielley of the CEP was at the top of lists for continued growth. Sheilley said the state grows by 900 residents a day and Marion County grows by approximately 190 a week.

he front-running solution to alleviate the strain of growth on Marion County Public Schools is the addition of portable classrooms¬¬. For some schools this serves as a temporary BandAid, and for the rest—it’s not even an option.

After the Marion County School Board and district staff discussed both short-term and long-term solutions to help ease the strain, an inventory was conducted to determine which schools in the county had the capacity to increase in size by adding portables, according to the presentation given at the most recent MCSB administrative work session.

There are eight schools that have the capability to add portables if the necessary steps are taken, said Public Relations Director Kevin Christian on behalf of Barbara Dobbins, the executive director of operations and emergency management.

Sunrise Elementary can add two, College Park and Saddlewood Elementary can each add four, Marion Oaks Elementary and West Port High can each add six, Hammett Bowen Elementary and Liberty Middle can each add eight, and Horizon Academy can add 12.

“We do have some funding in place to help relocate portable classrooms as needed. The average cost of doing so is $15,000 per portable,” Christian said. “If a portable was set up somewhere, that’s what it would cost us to unhook that portable from utilities, to move it to another campus and to hook it back up.

We use that as an average figure.”

But the task of relocating the portables is just the start—each portable will need electricity, water, sewer, air conditioning and other utilities, and whether a school already has those capabilities or needs to add them See Temporary, page A2

File photo: Commissioner Craig Curry [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Sheilley pointed out that despite the growth, the milage rate has remained flat and credited the commission’s ability to keep it flat and lower than surrounding counties on their joint strategy to increase logistics and manufacturing facilities to the area.

According to Sheilley for every large facility the tax revenue to the county is equal to the tax revenue of at least 400-500 residential single-family homes.

“Definitely portables would be a shortterm fix for this school year, but it needs to continue to be a conversation that we have. This is just the beginning.”

Allison Campbell

School Board Vice-Chair

See Development, page A2

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Development workshops Continued from page A1 According to the county staff ’s presentation, unincorporated Marion County has at least 1,800 acres set aside for logistics and manufacturing warehouses.

Sheilley reported an uptick in warehouses being built on speculation by developers in anticipation of logistics or manufacturing companies looking for facilities already built. He opinioned that having the space already built gave Ocala a competitive edge over the Lakeland area, the county’s biggest competitor for these types of businesses.

Sheilley told the commissioners that there were currently 24 projects totaling 12,868,069 square feet of logistics and manufacturing buildings built or being built on speculation throughout the county. Of the 24, three were leased. At least three of these building projects are located outside of the UGB. Sheilley maintained that by encouraging the building of these logistics and manufacturing facilities it would help diversify our economy so that Marion County wouldn’t suffer as big a hit on unemployment as it did in the great recission of 2007-2009, were it to happen again.

But with growth, comes increased need for services and the commissioners and staff acknowledged there was great need for improvements and funding for them.

Roads

With more logistics centers and new developments comes traffic, and the need for better road systems.

Two things stuck out in the discussion: The need for long-range road planning to facilitate the county’s long-term growth management plans. More particularly, roads that provided for more ways to travel to and from the city of Ocala from the southwest corridor of Ocala as well as Silver Spring Shores area. It was noted that planning for these roads before adding more development would be ideal because those efforts could minimize impact to existing development that could be in the path.

Secondly, the lack of funding for road improvements. According to the presentation during the workshop, the county’s 2026/2027 road plan has funded $190 million in road projects that resulted in 27 miles of new roads and improvement of eight intersections.

However, that plan currently has $347million in unfunded projects.

Additionally, the 2045 long-term transportation plan is partially funded at $517 million, short $924million.

The 2045 long-term transportation plan is overseen by the Ocala Marion County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO)—a federally mandated agency responsible for coordinating transportation projects, including highway, transit, rail, bicycle, pedestrian, aviation and paratransit, throughout the county.

The TPO allocates federal transportation funds and works to improve the region’s transportation system by developing a variety of plans and programs.

Commissioner Michelle Stone asked if there was any additional federal funding for roads. County staff indicated there currently is not, but they continually follow up on those opportunities.

Tracy Straub, assistant county administrator of Public Works and Growth Services, told the commissioners that the road construction and improvements are paid for primarily from sales tax and impact fees. Relying on those revenue streams alone would likely mean a slow slog to getting the rest of the road improvements funded.

The commissioners agreed to set another workshop to discuss road planning and funding at a future date.

Fire services

Marion County Fire Rescue services reported that it was working over capacity and would require 10 new fire stations.

The goal was to have stations within a five-mile drive so that it could provide good service times to residents.

Estimated cost per fire station is $4 million.

County administrator, Mounir Bouyounes, told the commissioners they should budget $1 million in staffing

of firefighters and $600,000 for paramedic staffing for each station as a reoccurring budget cost.

Ideally, the county looks to develop at least five acres for each fire station.

The commissioners agreed to set another workshop to discuss how to meet the needs of fire services.

Sheriff services

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods did not provide information or attend the workshop. A representative from the sheriff ’s office indicated the sheriff was currently waiting for the return of a staffing study so that he would have the information he needed to paint a clearer picture of his budget needs to the commissioners.

The written results of the staffing study are expected in July.

[Source: CEP]

Upcoming workshops on growth planning

On June 8, the commissioners will consider delineating gateway corridors on west state road 40 and US highway 27 from the city limits to the UGB. Under the comprehensive plan, the county can overlay zones and special areas on its map to identify unique spaces which require additional development regulations to maintain and protect. According to the workshop’s agenda, commissioners will explore appropriate signage, fencing and buffers for the corridors.

On June 14, the commissioners will pick up the discussion on the UGB and whether the line needs to be moved or left as it is and what incentives they could give to developing within that UGB. Some of the incentives mentioned

during the May 9 workshop included zoning with increased density, less requirements on developers to provide amenities, reduced buffering requirements between developments, and reduce the open space requirement on new development from 20%.

Straub acknowledged that there had been complaints from the public about increasing density of development.

Commissioners Jeff Gold and Curry expressed reservations about expanding the UGB. The issue of the UGB is also coming up on the commissioners’ agenda on June 21 as they consider modifying Marion County’s comprehensive land plan to stretch UGB into farmland preservation area to accommodate World Equestrian developer’s plans for the old Ocala Jockey Club.

Temporary fix to school capacity issues Continued from page A1

File photo: Public school portable with accessible wheelchair ramp.

could either decrease or increase the price range in question, Christian said.

While the addition of portables will slightly ease the strain of capacity on these schools, many other overcrowded schools in the district cannot utilize portables as a solution for a variety of different reasons.

“If a school campus does not have the physical space for it, that could limit it. If it is not capable of handling the electrical load, that would prevent a portable from being delivered there,” Christian said. “It could be a matter of water and utility as well, because we have some schools that are on well water.”

While portables are the most inexpensive and timely solutions available, they are still not a permanent fix to Marion County Public Schools’ overcrowding issue.

“You can only use portables for a certain number of years,” Christian said. “After

a certain number of years, a portable classroom by state statute can no longer be used—so they do have a lifespan.”

Many of the schools that cannot receive portable classrooms need more concrete long-term planning solutions, according to School Board Vice-Chair Allison Campbell.

“Schools like Eighth Street, Osceola and any other school in the district that is experiencing overcrowding would not even have land mass capability to accept portables,” Campbell said.

Campbell said that the board is investigating long-term solutions to combat and plan for future population growth and will start by attempting to come to an interlocal agreement so that the governing bodies of Marion County might come together for a plan of action.

“Definitely portables would be a short-term fix for this school year, but it needs to continue to be a conversation that we have,” Campbell said. “This is just the beginning.”

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Toll road Continued from page A1 corridors to extend the Florida Turnpike to U.S. Highway 19,” the joint letter said, “the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, and the Dunnellon Chamber & Business Association recognize that our chambers can and should be able to help DOT through this process.”

The letter also stated: “Our respective Chambers have done much to listen to the concerns of our businesses and our residents and have already worked hard to help calm the rhetoric and correct the misinformation that has circulated,” and was signed by Josh Wooten and Kevin Sheilley, presidents and CEOs of the Citrus and Ocala chambers, respectively, and Judy Terwilliger, executive director of the Dunnellon chamber.

In Dunnellon, the letter riled so many residents on the “no build,” side that nearly 50 of them showed up at a May 24 special city council meeting, with roughly two dozen speaking out against the possible toll-road extension.

The Dunnellon City Council, which also expressed concerns over the letter during the meeting, then voted unanimously to send a copy of its December “nobuild,” resolution to the city’s chamber of commerce, as a reminder of its stance regarding the issue.

Then on May 25, Dunnellon City Council member Jan Cubbage wrote an OP-ED to local papers, including The Ocala Gazette, part of which said the joint chamber letter was, “a message of outright submission to go ahead and build the proposed six-lane turnpike through SW Marion County.”

Cubbage’s letter also said, “Dunnellon City Council consensus was that this letter of unity crafted to open the doors for turnpike construction written by the commerce chambers of Ocala, Citrus County, and Dunnellon should be retracted in respect to any association with the City of Dunnellon.”

Days later, on May 27, Terwilliger, the head of the Dunnellon Chamber, issued a clarification on the joint letter, through City of Dunnellon Mayor Bill White part of which stated: “After surveying our membership, our stance is and has been AGAINST the Turnpike Extension as is the desire of our members. Our sole intention concerning the letter is to ensure that our community has a seat at the table so that we have a voice to express the desire to preserve our environmentally sensitive areas and our way of life,” the Dunnellon Chamber wrote.

The joint letter mentioned the Chambers’ common concerns including Farmland Preservation Areas; existing conservation lands owned by the State of Florida and Southwest Florida Water Management District; Rainbow Springs, karst regions, and other environmentally sensitive areas, along with Wildlife habitat preservation and safe access corridor, among others.

In the meantime, the anti-turnpike extension movement has gained more support from local entities including Citrus County Commissioners, who unanimously voted during a May 23 public

workshop to back the no-build option for three of the four potential routes that would go through the county.

The meeting, during which more than 40 citizens and representatives of environmental, wildlife and conservation groups spoke against the possible extension of the toll road, ended with commissioners requesting county staff to draft a resolution asking the FDOT to end its study of the three potential routes but continue the study on the northernmost corridor or to consider expanding existing corridors.

Citrus County Commissioners have instructed staff to bring them a no build resolution. If adopted, Citrus will join Levy County and the municipalities of Dunnellon, Inglis, Inverness, and Yankeetown in opposing the extension.

Marion County Commissioners Dec. 21 however, decided against opposing the extension, opting instead to send a letter to FDOT reminding the agency of the County’s adopted comprehensive plan that prohibits the development of expressways or toll roads within the Farmland Preservation Area (FPA).

Crystal River City Council members, meanwhile, voted May 23 to have a turnpike representative speak at a future meeting before it takes a stance on the extension.

The proposed northern turnpike extension is a result of Senate Bill 100, which repealed the 2019 M-CORES (Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance) toll road mandate that required FDOT to build three new turnpikes in 2023 but still allowed FDOT to evaluate a northern extension from its end in Wildwood and begin a Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study.

The planning phase began in October when FDOT publicized the potential routes involving Citrus, Levy, Marion, and Sumter counties, and asked for community feedback.

Backlash was swift, with a bevy of environmental and conservation groups vigorously opposing the extension including Audubon Florida, the Florida Native Plant Society and Sierra Club Florida, and the grassroots organization, the No Roads to Ruin Coalition.

Many residents also oppose the extension, saying the state should consider widening and improving existing highways, including I-75 and or State Road 19 instead. Three MCORES task forces concluded their studies on the three proposed turnpikes in November 2020, sending their final report to Gov. Ron DeSantis: “The Task Force did not reach a conclusion, based on the information available at this time, that there is a specific need for a completely new greenfield corridor or modifications of existing facilities through the study area to achieve the statutory purpose.”

A greenfield corridor is a completely new roadway in an area where one does not already exist.

The final report also noted that “If specific needs are identified, the Task Force expressed a preference for improvement or expansion of existing major highway corridors.”

The Southwest Florida Water

A large live oak winds its branches up and over the trail on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway Ross Prairie Trail, which is part of the Florida Trail, off State Road 200 west of Ocala on February 1, 2022. One of the proposed Northern Turnpike Extensions comes right through the Ross Prairie Trail and the Ross Prairie Forest. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Management District, or Swiftmud, also wrote a letter to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise on Feb. 14 saying it opposed the extension because all four potential corridors would either dissect or bisect

District-owned conservation lands.

A status report on the study is due to Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Legislature

by Dec. 31.

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

County approves zoning change to property near Lake Louise

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

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he Marion County Board of County Commissioners (MCBOCC) unanimously approved developer John Rudnianyn’s request Tuesday, June 7, for a land use change from medium residential to urban residential for an approximate 12.36-acre portion of a 21.57-acre parcel located northwest of Lake Louise.

The site is located approximately one-half mile west of South Pine Avenue and less than a quarter mile north of Southwest 32nd Street within a platted and recorded subdivision, Lake Louise Estates, bordering the City of Ocala.

According to the county’s comprehensive plan, medium residential zoning supports a maximum density of up to four units per one gross acre, while urban residential supports a maximum density of up to 16 units per one gross acre—a notable increase.

Currently, school facilities serving the area of the proposed land use change are experiencing persistent localized overcrowding, according to a City of Ocala Planning & Zoning commission meeting conducted on Dec. 13, 2021.

Approximately two miles south of the site is Shady Hills Elementary, currently at 87.1% capacity, according to county records. Osceola Middle, 109.6% capacity, is located roughly 1.4 miles to the north of the site.

The closest high school, Belleview High School, is approximately 6 miles away and at 109.13% capacity.

This isn’t the first parcel Rudnianyn has requested to be rezoned for development near Lake Louise. The city recently agreed to allow the developer to annex an adjacent 88.73-acre parcel on Jan. 18.

The remaining portion of the parcel—the 12.36 acres—was not included with the annexation because there were a few landowners who were not interested in being part of the city’s annexation.

To avoid enclave issues, the city left the remaining property in the county.

Following annexation, on May 3, Ocala City Council approved two ordinances increasing zoning from four units per

Aerial view [Supplied]

acre under the county’s zoning laws to 18 units per acre within the city—potentially adding a maximum amount of 1,200 units within the Lake Louise corridor.

Public Comment

Elsa Vasquez, who lives near Lake Louise, said that she cares not only about what happens by her own house but for all of Ocala.

“I never realized how important county commissioners were until I realized the decisions you make and the

power that you have in your hands,” she said. “The landscape in Marion County is unique. It’s fragile and resilient at the same time. There is no other state like Florida. It is a treasure and we must take better care of it.”

Vasquez asked the board to not take the decision of approving more development lightly.

“You have the chance to make a difference and utilize your position to show how [Marion County] Commissioners care and listen to the voice of the people,”

she added. “Or you can welcome growth in a sustainable way, protecting our environment and the place we call home.

Please don’t disappoint us.”

Commissioner Michelle Stone pointed out to Vasquez that the parcel in question near Lake Louise was within the county’s “urban growth boundary”; therefore, it was where development was expected to take place.

Ultimately, the board voted 5-0 to approve the zoning change.

Zalak pens letter to DEP in support of allowing swimming at Silver Springs State Park

File photo: The shoreline by the state proposed beach and swimming area near the Glass Bottom Boat dock at Silver Springs State Park on Monday, July 27, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

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n a letter dated May 20, 2022, and addressed to Shawn Hamilton, secretary for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in Tallahassee, County Chair Carl Zalak III expressed his and the

Marion County Board of County Commission’s support for once again allowing swimming at Silver Springs State Park after more than 50 years.

Zalak pointed out in the letter that tourists and Marion County residents alike were able to swim in the “cool, crystal-clear waters” of Silver Springs until swimming

was disallowed in the late 1960s.

The Florida Park Service took control of Silver Springs and assumed management of the property, according to Zalak, merging it with the adjacent Silver River State Park, forming Silver Springs State Park in 2013.

A year later, the state’s Unit Management Plan (UMP) for

the park included the creation of a public swimming area at the headsprings and the construction of a mooring/ convenience dock downriver.

In 1978, the letter continued, Wild Waters Water Park was built adjacent to Silver Springs.

It was closed in 2016 and the infrastructure of the park was

removed in 2019.

Swimming areas were to be completed prior to the removal of Wild Waters, yet no swimming areas were created.

“Since the state gained ownership of the park almost a decade ago, a host of improvements have been discussed and planned,” wrote Zalak, “however, few have come to fruition as the projects, including reopening swimming at the springs, have been mired in bureaucratic processes.”

Marion County requested that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) receive $1.5 million in appropriations, said Zalak, in an effort to help kick start more of the projects and construction included in the UMP. Since July 2019, when funding was made available, the project has remained in a planning/design phase.

It is Zalak’s stated intention in the letter that adding activities within the park will entice more visitors to “come enjoy the scenic, natural beauty that is Silver Springs State Park.”

“The Marion County Board of County Commissioners, its citizens and its legislative delegation strongly believe opening the headsprings to swimming, increasing opportunities for access to the park specifically from Silver River, and increasing the opportunities for public/private partnerships with the park will be key components in the revitalization of the Silver Springs community,” concluded Zalak in the letter.

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

ATHLETIC GRASS TURF FIELDS CLOSED FOR ANNUAL MAINTENANCE

By Ocala Gazette Staff

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he City of Ocala announced that all city-maintained athletic grass turf fields are closed for summer maintenance, according to a May 19 press release.

The fields are expected to re-open Thursday, Sept. 1.

Fields include:

• Big Sun Youth Soccer Complex, 2811 S.E. 36th Ave. o All fields are closed • Ocala Regional Sportsplex, 3500 S.W. 67th Avenue Rd. o Football fields o Soccer fields o Softball fields o Multipurpose fields • Tuscawilla Park, 800 N.E. Sanchez Ave. o Baseball field

• Clyatt Park, 1501 S.E. 17th St. o Baseball fields • Jervey Gantt Recreation Complex, 2200 S.E. 36th Ave. o Football fields A and B o Softball fields o T-Ball fields • Lillian F. Bryant, 2200 N.W. 17th Place o Softball field • Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Complex, 1510 N.W. Fourth St. o Baseball fields o Football fields o Soccer fields Playgrounds, pavilions and walking trails will remain open during this time, according to the press release.

For more information, visit www.ocalafl.org/recpark or call the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at (352) 368-5517.

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FDOT GRANTS CITY $1 MILLION TOWARDS 44TH AVENUE EXTENSION PROJECT

(352) 732-7218 4 S.E. Broadway Street Ocala, Florida 34471

OCALA’S LOCAL FIRM ON THE SQUARE File photo: Sean Lanier, the City Engineer/Director of Engineer and Water Resources [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

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he Ocala City Council approved a state-funded grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in the amount of $1 million for Phase 1 of the NorthwestSouthwest 44th Avenue extension project.

Presented as a resolution on Tuesday, June 7, Sean Lanier, city engineer, told the council that FDOT had requested the agreement be presented in that form.

FDOT will contribute $1 million to the project and the city will match with $1,549,729, which is available, according

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to the resolution adopted on May 17, in the current year budget.

The Northwest-Southwest 44th Avenue extension project, according to Lanier, is a $16 million project that will create a four-lane road from S.R. 200, crossing S.R. 40 and moving up towards U.S. 27.

However, completion of the project is dependent upon the city receiving $8 million in appropriated money from the state government and would take a calendar year to complete construction.

During a May 17 city council regular meeting, Lanier mentioned that the extension project is located slightly north of Saddlewood Elementary.

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FIFTH CIRCUIT GUARDIAN AD LITEM DIRECTOR MARCIA HILTY ANNOUNCES IMPENDING RETIREMENT

Marcia Hilty [Supplied]

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

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n a letter dated May 11 and addressed to County Chairman Carl Zalak III, Marcia Hilty officially announced her impending retirement as circuit director for the Fifth Circuit Guardian Ad Litem program effective June 30, 2022, after more than decade in the Fifth Circuit.

“Although I’ve loved the job and mission, the time has come for me to

pursue other things and spend more time with family,” said Hilty in the letter attached to the county’s Tuesday, June 7, regular meeting agenda.

She went on to thank the county commission “for all you’ve done for me, the program and this area’s abused and neglected children. Your actions have helped immensely and will go a long way to ensure our most vulnerable citizens have a better chance at life.”

Osceola County Circuit Director Leslie Scott was named interim circuit director, according to county officials.

The program is currently advertising for candidates to fill Hilty’s position.

Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) program represents the interests of abused and neglected children involved in dependency court proceedings throughout Lake, Sumter, Hernando, Citrus and Marion counties.

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ulmer presents Heart of Florida interim CEO to county board during regular meeting

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

J

amie Ulmer, chief executive officer of the Heart of Florida Health Center, formally introduced incoming interim CEO Maria Torres to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 7.

Ulmer announced last month that he would be leaving his position at Heart of Florida, having accepted a new job opportunity in Naples within the Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida in Collier County.

Chief Operating Officer Maria Torres will be interim CEO following Ulmer’s departure on June 24.

On Tuesday, Ulmer thanked the county commission for all it had done during his tenure at the Heart of Florida Health Center over the last four years.

“Heart of Florida was started by this community’s county commissioners and hospital CEOs, as well as people throughout this entire community,” Ulmer said. “And what it’s become today is just amazing.”

Commissioner Kathy Bryant acknowledged the bittersweet moment during Ulmer’s presentation.

“Jamie is going to be leaving us and going to a bigger opportunity for him. I think that in the back of our minds, we all knew that there was a possibility that this

day would come, because you don’t have someone in your community that is as good as he is at what he does without other people coming after him,” said Bryant.

“You’ve been a tremendous asset to this community,” Bryant added, speaking directly to Ulmer. “We just want to thank you for all of the things that you’ve done.

The ideas that you’ve brought have been innovative. You have changed the level of Heart of Florida in your short tenure with us. It has grown tremendously.”

Bryant then presented Ulmer with a certificate of appreciation for his “dedication and hard work to improve Marion County’s community health care.”

Commission chair Carl Zalak III referred to the partnership between the county and Heart of Florida as “excellent,” thanking Ulmer for his dedication to helping to make that so.

Ulmer then introduced Torres, Heart of Florida’s new board-approved interim CEO. “I remember the day that I personally hired Maria,” said Ulmer. “She will be at the helm as [the board] does a national search [for a new CEO].”

Ulmer first started at Heart of Florida in January 2018. Over the last four years, he has increased the number of low-income and uninsured patients that the nonprofit helps, as well as opened four pharmacies, all while leading the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic.

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com James Blevins, Reporter james@ocalagazette.com Caroline Brauchler, Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com Rosemarie Donell, Reporter rosemarie@ocalagazette.com Sadie Fitzpatrick, Columnist sadie@ocalagazette.com Greg Hamilton, Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com Amy Harbert, Graphic Designer amy@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com Lisa Maliff, Graphic Designer lisa.maliff@magnoliamediaco.com

File Photo: Jamie Ulmer, the CEO of Heart Of Florida Health Center on Thursday, August 26, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette] 2021.

City approves new three-year contract with Wear Gloves for annual litter control services

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

T

he Ocala City Council approved a three-year contract with Wear Gloves, Inc., Tuesday, June 7, for annual litter control services in the amount of $523,380.

The original agreement, signed in 2019, was set to expire on July 31, 2022.

City staff recommended renewal of the contract, considering the limited number of entities providing litter control services in the area, and that the city felt it had “benefitted” from Wear Gloves’ service, which, according to the agreement, was “efficient” and “cost-effective” over the last three years.

Wear Gloves, per the agreement, will provide all materials, labor, supervision, tools, accessories and equipment necessary for litter control services to perform its obligations. City shall provide bags, gloves and grabbers.

The nonprofit, operating as litter control services, is provided daily areas to service, defined by the city. A list of locations are also provided to Wear Gloves by the city project manager, revised and updated periodically over the term of the agreement.

More Than a Decade of Care

For more than 10 years, Wear Gloves, Inc., has been helping those in need get back on their feet and rejoin the community.

“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”

The nonprofit organization has launched several initiatives: the Dignity Center, Dignity Roasters Coffee, Dignity House and Church in the Garden.

Dignity House, located on 98 N.E. 9th St., features a drop-in center and counseling services. Along with counseling services, Dignity House also offers case management, recovery coaching and art therapy.

Wear Gloves was founded by Wendy Kebrdle and her husband, Ken, in 2009.

Last year, the nonprofit saw about 100 clients a week. Currently, Wear Gloves has roughly two-dozen volunteers but is always looking for more.

For more information, visit www. weargloves.org or call (352) 727-0239.

Ocala Golf Club renews management agreement with Indigo Sports for another five years

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File photo: Charles Hitchcox casts a long shadow as he putts on the practice putting green at the Ocala Golf Club in Ocala on Nov. 9, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

By James Blevins james@ocalagazette.com

T

he Ocala City Council approved a five-year renewal agreement with Indigo Sports, LLC, to manage the Ocala Golf Club on Tuesday, June 7. The agreement came in the amount of $511,778.

Formally Billy Casper Golf, LLC, Indigo Sports first entered into a five-year management agreement

with the City of Ocala in 2012. The agreement was renewed on April 18, 2017 with a September 30, 2022 expiration date.

The new five-year agreement officially begins on October 1, 2022, and terminates on September 30, 2027.

Miscellaneous Revenue

Last year, the “Gazette” reported that the Ocala Golf Club had originally budgeted for $1.734 million in operating

expenditures in 2021, and at one point even adjusted that number up to $1.769 million.

But in the end, the club spent $1.5 million for operating.

During 2020-2021, Ocala Golf Club budgeted $1.54 million in revenue but realized $1.39 million in revenue collected from greens and cart fees, all food and beverage purchases, banquet hall rental fees, memberships, pro shop merchandise, and league and event fees such as tournaments.

The budget had help in that it received over $622K identified as miscellaneous revenue.

According to city officials, the city sold a piece of the Pine Oaks golf course to West Oak Developers, LLC, and the net revenue from that sale in the amount of $622,489 was applied to the city’s golf club budget.

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A7

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

BUSINESS

Florida faces $1.2 million verdict for killing citrus trees

File photo - An orange blossom grows alongside some ripening fruit in a grove on Dec. 11, 2013, in Plant City, Fla. The owner of a commercial nursery has won a $1.2 million judgment against the Florida Department of Agriculture for destroying his citrus trees in the 2000s during an attempt to stop the spread of citrus greening, a costly disease. [AP Photo/Chris O’Meara]

By Associated Press

T

he owner of a commercial nursery has won a $1.2 million judgment against the Florida Department of Agriculture in the latest verdict

against the state agency for destroying citrus trees in the 2000s during an attempt to stop the spread of costly tree diseases.

A jury in Orlando last week determined the state agency had destroyed more than 160,000 citrus plants in an effort to stop

citrus greening and Gary Mahon deserved the $1.2 million as compensation at fair market value. Mahon’s company, Pokey’s Lake Gem Citrus Nursery, cultivates fruit trees in Zellwood, Florida.

The Department of Agriculture had argued Mahon did not deserve compensation since he could have avoided his losses by moving his citrus plants into greenhouses. Mahon’s attorneys disputed that interpretation of the law.

In 2008, Florida lawmakers passed legislation requiring citrus plant growers to sell or destroy plants not grown in greenhouses to protect the state’s citrus industry from citrus greening. Citrus greening is among the biggest threats to the U.S. citrus industry since infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter. The disease can eventually kill infected trees, though it is harmless to humans.

“While the Florida Legislature and Department of Agriculture meant well by passing and enforcing this law, it had a catastrophic impact on citrus nursery growers,” said Alexander Clem, Mahon’s attorney. “Our client fought for years to get justice for the thousands-upon-thousands of plants he was forced to destroy, and we are thrilled he will be compensated and

can move on with his life.”

The Department of Agriculture did not immediately respond to an email inquiry Wednesday.

In the past two decades, Florida’s citrus industry has been threatened with greening and another disease called citrus canker. Citrus canker can cause the leaves and fruit on citrus trees to drop prematurely and create unappealing lesions on the fruit. The lesions leak bacterial cells that can spread to other trees by wind, rain or contaminated equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With both diseases, state agriculture workers destroyed citrus trees in an effort to stop their destructive spread.

Earlier this year, about 18,000 homeowners in Orange County, home to Orlando, won a judgement of $42 million against the state for destroying their citrus trees.

Tens of thousands of homeowners in Broward, Lee and Palm Beach counties also have won class action lawsuits against the state over their destroyed trees, and compensations varied by county. A case in Miami-Dade County is still pending.

Inflation divide: The wealthy splurge, the poorest pull back

By Anne D’Innocenzio and Christopher Rugaber AP Business Writers

A

mericans at the low end of the income rung are once again struggling to make ends meet.

A confluence of factors — the expiration of federal stimulus checks and surging inflation on staples like gas and food — are driving an even bigger wedge between the haves and have-nots.

While wealthier shoppers continue to splurge, low-income shoppers have pulled back faster than expected in the past two months. They’re focusing on necessities while turning to cheaper items or less expensive stores. And they’re buying only a little at a time.

It’s a reversal from a year or so ago when low-income shoppers, flush with money from the government and buoyed by wage increases, were able to spend more freely.

Kisha Galvan, a 44-year-old mother of eight children from ages 9 to 27, was able to stock up on groceries for the week and buy extras like clothing and shoes at Walmart for her children last year.

But without the pandemic-related government support and inflation hovering at a near 40-year high, she is buying more canned food and depending on the local food pantry several times a week instead of once a week.

“I shop meal to meal,” said the Rockford, Illinois, resident who has lived on disability for the past 15 years. “Before, we didn’t have to worry about what we were going to get. We just go get it.”

The deep divide in spending was reflected in the latest round of quarterly earnings for retailers. At the high end of the spectrum, Nordstrom and Ralph Lauren reported stronger-than-expected sales as their well-heeled shoppers returned to pre-pandemic routines.

Lululemon also reported strong quarterly sales of its pricey athletic wear.

But on the other end, Walmart’s customers are switching to cheaper lunch meats and half gallons of milk from full gallons. Kohl’s, a mid-priced department store, said its customers were spending less on each visit. And Gap slashed its annual financial outlook, specifically citing the strain from inflation at its low-price Old Navy chain.

Both Dollar Tree and Dollar General, which historically benefit from shoppers trading down during difficult economic times, raised their sales outlooks last month. Meanwhile, discounter Big Lots suffered steep sales declines in the latest quarter, noting cutbacks in items like furniture.

“We are now in a new chapter where high inflation is greatly limiting the ability of consumers to make discretionary purchases, especially of high ticket items,” Big Lots CEO and President Bruce K. Thorn told analysts late last month. “We know that many Americans now are once

again living paycheck-to-paycheck.”

The pullback among low-income shoppers has not affected overall spending, which is still up. In April, the government said retail sales outpaced inflation for a fourth straight month, a reassuring sign that consumers — the primary drivers of America’s economy — are still providing vital support and helping ease concerns that a recession might be near.

But analysts believe even affluent shoppers could retrench if the stock market continues to weaken. Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor at market research firm The NPD Group Inc., said the stock market affects higher income shoppers “psychologically” and more losses on paper could make them cut back.

The spending mood has shifted from last October and November, when the Fed conducted a survey and found that almost eight in 10 adults were either “doing okay or living comfortably” when it came to their finances in 2021, the highest proportion to say so since the survey began in 2013. For those earning less than $25,000, the proportion that said they were doing at least okay jumped to 53% from 40%.

But inflation has taken a bigger bite out of personal budgets and wiped away some of the wage gains, especially for those who earn less. The national average cost of a gallon of gas, for example, has jumped to $4.76 from $4.20 a month ago and a painful 56% from a year earlier, according to AAA. At the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which feeds people in 13 counties including Galvan and her family, the average monthly number of visits grew to more than 400,000 in the February through April period, from 311,000 in the July through September period, according to president and CEO Julie Yurko.

Across the economy, median wages jumped 6% in April from a year earlier, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. But even though that was the largest increase since 1990, it was still below the inflation rate of 8.3%.

Meanwhile, the poorest one-fifth of Americans have exhausted the savings they’d built up during the pandemic in part through stimulus checks, child tax credit payments and higher wages, according to calculations by Jeffries, an investment bank. Americans’ bank accounts. The other four-fifths of U.S. households are still sitting on a large stockpile of additional savings since the pandemic, with much of that held by the top fifth.

Inflation is playing out differently within businesses that cater to shoppers with varying income levels.

Michelle Gass, CEO of Kohl’s, said some shoppers are trading up to premium brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, while others are going to lower-price store labels. Macy’s boosted its annual outlook based on the

In this image provided by the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Kisha Galvan and her grandchildren, pose for a photo after stocking up on food items from the Northern Illinois Food Bank on May 26, 2022, in Rockford, Ill. Galvan was able to stock up on groceries for the week and buy extras like clothing and shoes at Walmart for her children last year. [Haley Overbeek/Northern Illinois Food Bank via AP]

spending habits of its wealthier shoppers, but its customers with median household income of $75,000 and below are switching more to its off-price brand.

The current environment is making it difficult for retailers to pass on higher costs. Macy’s, for instance, got pushback after raising prices on some casual clothing items and home accessories.

“We’re definitely seeing some balk at some of the prices,” Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette recently told analysts on the

company’s earnings call. “We’ve made adjustments there.”

For the Northern Illinois Food Bank — like many food banks — food costs are spiking amid dwindling donations.

“Inflation and rising food costs mean the food bank has to make tough choices about our budget,” Yurko said. “What foods can we provide consistently and what foods can we only provide if they are donated to us?”

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

State Supreme Court sides with state on Medicaid money

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

N

early 14 years after a Lee County girl was catastrophically injured when she was hit by a truck, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said Florida’s Medicaid program can recoup a chunk of the money it paid for her initial care.

Justices, in a 7-2 opinion, sided with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration in a case that drew attention from officials across the country.

The dispute stemmed from a November 2008 accident in which Gianinna Gallardo was struck by a truck after getting off a Lee County school bus. Florida’s Medicaid program paid $862,688 to cover initial medical expenses for Gallardo, who was 13 at the time of the accident and remains in a “persistent vegetative state,” according to the Supreme Court opinion.

Gallardo’s parents filed a lawsuit against the truck’s owner, its driver and the Lee County School Board and reached an $800,000 settlement. The settlement designated $35,367 for “past” medical expenses, with an unspecified amount earmarked for “future” medical expenses, according to the opinion written by Justice

Clarence Thomas.

Citing a formula in state law, the Agency for Health Care Administration, which runs most of Florida’s Medicaid program, said it was entitled to recoup $300,000 of the $800,000 settlement.

But attorneys for the Gallardo family argued that the state should not be able to recover money earmarked for future medical expenses.

The Supreme Court, however, upheld a decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that backed the state.

“Under (a section of federal law), Florida may seek reimbursement from settlement amounts representing ‘payment for medical care,’ past or future,” Thomas wrote in a 16-page opinion joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

But Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in a dissent joined by Justice Stephen Breyer, wrote that the majority opinion “is inconsistent with the structure of the Medicaid program and will cause needless unfairness and disruption.” Sotomayor also wrote that Medicaid “is not a loan.”

“If a Medicaid beneficiary’s financial circumstances change and a beneficiary gains the ability to pay for his or her

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sided with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration in a case about recouping Medicaid money.

own medical expenses, the beneficiary is not obligated to repay the state for past expenses, no matter the magnitude of the change in circumstances,” the dissent said.

“Rather, the ordinary consequence is that the individual simply becomes ineligible for benefits moving forward.”

Gallardo has continued to receive Medicaid benefits. Sotomayor wrote that money from the legal settlement was

placed in what is known as a “special needs trust,” which can pay expenses not covered by Medicaid.

The U.S. Department of Justice lined up with the Gallardo family at the Supreme Court, while 14 states and groups such as the National Conference of State Legislatures backed the Agency for Health Care Administration.

DeSantis signs school-safety changes

By Ryan Dailey News Service of Florida

T

wo weeks after a deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, reignited debates about gun violence and securing schools, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Tuesday that will require mental-health “crisis intervention” training for on-campus officers.

The measure also will make other school-safety changes, including giving the State Board of Education rulemaking authority over emergency drills.

The Legislature formally sent the bill (HB 1421) to DeSantis a day after the May 24 shooting in Uvalde that left 19 children and two adults dead. DeSantis’ office announced the signing Tuesday in a news release without a public appearance. He also signed four other bills from the 2022 legislative session.

Among other things, the schoolsafety measure will require that lawenforcement officers stationed at public schools complete mental-health crisis intervention training.

“The training must improve the officer’s knowledge and skills as a first responder to incidents involving students with emotional disturbance or mental illness, including de-escalation skills to ensure student and officer safety,” the bill said.

School security officers who are not sworn law-enforcement officers will be required to receive training designed to “improve the officer’s knowledge and skills necessary to respond to and de-escalate incidents” on campuses.

The measure, which will go into effect July 1, also will extend the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. The commission was formed after the 2018 Parkland schoolshooting in which 17 students and faculty members were killed. It is scheduled to meet again Aug. 2, shortly before the start of the 2022-2023 school year, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, DeSantis touted mental-health funding in the new state budget and called school shooters “deranged psychopaths,” citing events as far back as the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

“When you’re talking about school security, the thing is, for whatever reason, I think going back to Columbine, this has become something where these deranged psychopaths have certain targets. And some of them go to schools as a way to kind of maximize the trauma to a community.

They’re very evil people,” the governor said during an appearance in Orlando.

Part of the bill signed Tuesday deals with emergency drills for “active assailant

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and hostage situations,” bomb threats and natural disasters. District school-board policies and procedures currently guide such drills. But the new law will direct the State Board of Education to develop statewide rules for school emergency drills.

Those rules will be required to include “minimum emergency drill policies” that will guide timing, frequency, participation, training, notification and accommodations related to drills.

The rules also must require that all types of emergency drills are conducted annually, at a minimum.

Law-enforcement officers who are responsible for responding to schools during emergencies such as school shootings will have to be “physically present on campus and directly involved” in active-assailant emergency drills.

State Board of Education member Ryan Petty, whose daughter Alaina was killed in the Parkland high-school shooting, touted parts of the bill that will require officer training and extend the school-safety commission.

“Extending the commission’s work and requiring mental health and de-escalation training for safe-school officers will make a major difference in mitigating the risk of a future tragedy,” Petty, a member of the commission, said in a statement.

Another mental-health component of the new law will require that 80

percent of employees at all schools receive training in “youth mental health awareness and assistance.”

County school boards and charter schools also will be required under the law to adopt plans designed to reunite students with their families in the event of emergencies. Those plans will be drawn up in coordination with local governments and law-enforcement agencies.

DeSantis signed the bill as Florida legislators face a Friday deadline to weigh in on a proposal by Democrats to hold a special legislative session on gun violence.

A poll about holding a special session was prompted by more than 20 percent of lawmakers submitting letters of support.

Such attempts to force special sessions on other issues have failed in the past.

DeSantis last week touted his record on school safety and pointed, in part, to recommendations by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas commission.

“What I think we’ve done in Florida since I’ve been governor is make sure there’s adequate security at schools, make sure we follow the recommendations of the Parkland commission,” DeSantis said.

Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., a former state lawmaker who became commissioner last week, will be responsible for enforcing compliance with school-safety requirements.

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A9

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

DeSantis vetoes controversial Everglades bill

By Jim Turner News Service of Florida

G

ov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed a controversial measure tied to Everglades restoration that, even after being watered down during the legislative session, continued to draw concerns about potential wetlands destruction.

Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, pushed to pass the bill (SB 2508) during the session that ended in March.

DeSantis criticized an initial version, leading lawmakers to rework part of the bill dealing with a massive Everglades reservoir project.

But in vetoing the measure, DeSantis expressed concerns it could still hinder Everglades restoration work he has supported since taking office in 2019.

“We want to continue going on the path that we set out in January of 2019.

And we don’t want anything to derail us from that,” DeSantis said Wednesday during an appearance at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille in Fort Myers Beach. “There was a lot of people that put a lot of good input in. Very, very passionate folks. We hear you, and we’re going to continue on the course that we started a little over three years ago.”

In a veto letter, DeSantis said the

measure could have stalled Everglades restoration.

“While the bill that was ultimately passed by the Legislature is an improvement over what was initially filed, SB 2508 still creates unnecessary and redundant regulatory hurdles which may compromise the timely execution and implementation of Everglades restoration projects, water control plans and regulation schedules,” DeSantis wrote in the letter submitted to Secretary of State Cord Byrd.

DeSantis injected himself into the debate after the bill was filed, saying the state needed to prioritize money for the reservoir.

Senators maintained that critics misunderstood the bill and that the reservoir wouldn’t receive less priority.

Still, they responded to the criticism by rewriting the bill to more plainly say that lawmakers weren’t revising Lake Okeechobee water-release schedules or cutting funds for the reservoir.

The reservoir was approved in 2017, in part, to help reduce releases of contaminated water from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries, which have struggled in recent years with problems such as toxic algae. The reservoir also is planned to help move water south into the Everglades.

Additional changes to the bill, approved during budget talks between the Senate and House, provided more oversight to DeSantis and the Legislature about directives given to the South Florida Water Management District on the management of water in Lake Okeechobee.

Environmental groups, however, continued to express concern the bill would fast-tract wetlands destruction.

The bill would have allowed the Department of Environmental Protection to enter contracts with public entities, including utilities, to expedite environmental-resource permits or to pay into a state fund for the work.

Last week, Audubon Florida sent out a final appeal for a veto, contending that while the bill was “much improved before passage, it still creates unnecessary bureaucracy for Everglades restoration and undermines Florida Forever, the state’s land conservation program.”

After the veto was announced, Jonathan Webber, legislative and political director for the group Florida Conservation Voters, said in a statement he hopes “this will be a signal to lawmakers to stop using legislative tricks to sneak harmful environmental policy past the Florida public.”

The Florida Wildlife Federation issued a statement that said “vetoing this bad

bill is necessary for the restoration of the Everglades and protecting the quality of our water.”

But the veto also drew criticism.

Ryan Rossi, director of the South Florida Water Coalition, said the veto was based on “narrow, inaccurate concerns.”

“By vetoing this legislation, Gov. DeSantis has disappointed the more than seven million people in South Florida that depend on a stable supply of fresh water from Lake Okeechobee,” Rossi said in the statement.

DeSantis was joined at the Fort Myers Beach appearance by opponents of the bill.

Captains for Clean Water Executive Director Daniel Andrews, a fishing guide from Fort Myers, said DeSantis’ action “sends an incredibly powerful message” that people pitching “counter efforts to water quality issues, you’re gonna get steamrolled by Gov. DeSantis.”

The state budget DeSantis signed last week includes $500 million for Everglades restoration projects and more than $558 million targeted toward water-quality projects aimed at reducing nutrient levels in key waterways.

DeSantis, however, vetoed $350 million for aquifer-storage wells to reduce pollutants entering the north side of Lake Okeechobee, another Simpson priority.

COMMENTARY

Florida should rejoin teen risk survey Nationwide survey has worked for 30 years

By Tampa Bay Times

T

he state of Florida should reverse course and rejoin a wide-ranging national survey on the behavior risks of young people. Drug use, sexual activity and eating habits among teenagers are just a few choices that can have lifechanging impacts — for children, their families and society alike. It doesn’t make sense — and this certainly isn’t the time — for Florida to reinvent the wheel on a barometer that’s worked well for 30 years.

Every other year since 1991, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey has acted as an early-warning system for America’s teenagers. Using questionnaires, the survey monitors behaviors that can lead to death, injury and illness among young people — everything from fighting and bullying and the use of weapons and tobacco to poor dieting and low physical exercise.

The state has conducted the survey in coordination with the CDC, but Florida’s interim education commissioner, Jacob Oliva, announced recently that Florida would run its own survey, collecting most or all of the same information. While Oliva acknowledged that past years’ data, which revealed greater suicide

risks among LGBTQ students, and increases in cyberbullying and vaping habits, had informed programs advocated by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, he said state officials determined they could get the same material more efficiently and effectively themselves.

That’s hardly a response for duplicating the federal effort, and it doesn’t address what state-specific questions warrant Florida going it alone. As more than three dozen child advocacy organizations pointed out in May in urging Florida to reconsider its decision, the current federal survey “already allows” Florida to add specific items to the CDC model and to eliminate those not wanted. By leaving, Florida would lose federal grant money to administer the survey. And creating and testing a new questionnaire would take time and resources. Doesn’t Florida have greater priorities when barely half its third-graders passed this spring’s statewide reading test?

Creating a new model would make it harder for Florida to compare youth behaviors here with elsewhere, denying the state the Florida-centric lens on teens that it purports to be seeking. And starting anew means creating a new baseline, which would hinder Florida’s ability to view trends in an apples-to-apples comparison over the past three decades.

These surveys are essential tools for gauging the health and development of Florida teens, both in real-time and over the longer-term, and for directing educational and public health resources to match the emerging crises of the moment. Depression and suicide among youth was already on the rise before COVID-19, and the isolation brought on by the pandemic only made matters worse. And rates are higher among minority and marginalized groups like lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Even if Florida’s effort is not intended to sanitize this information, the nation’s third-largest state cannot ignore comparing what’s happening here with the rest of the country.

The state should reverse course. With millions of Floridians hit hard by inflation, skyrocketing gas and housing costs and the lingering dangers from COVID, this is the worst possible time to gum up an established survey assessing the anxiety and health risks among Florida’s next generation of adults. The federal survey has helped schools and health care providers protect young Floridians for years, and if the state is so awash with staff time and resources, it can dedicate them to the fight already being waged.

A10

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Fight looms over transgender treatments in Medicaid

File photo

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

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ational and state legal and LGBTQ-advocacy groups are preparing to fight a move by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to deny Medicaid coverage for treatments such as hormone therapy and puberty-blocking medication for transgender people.

Lambda Legal, the National Health Law Program, the Florida Health Justice Project and Southern Legal Counsel issued a statement Friday, a day after the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration announced it would

start a rule-making process related to treatment for gender dysphoria.

The groups sharply criticized a report that the Agency for Health Care Administration is using as a basis for the expected effort to deny Medicaid coverage for the treatments. The statement called the report “disingenuous” and said it “draws on junk science and cites discredited so-called experts to justify denying Medicaid coverage for hormone therapy and other accepted medical interventions, as well as for genderconfirming surgery.”

“Should AHCA (the Agency for Health Care Administration) follow through on its clear intent to engage in a sham

rulemaking charade, rather than conduct a robust and substantive process that incorporates valid science and is not predetermined, we stand ready to defend the rights of transgender people in Florida, including the right to nondiscriminatory health care coverage,” the statement said. “The lives, health and well-being of transgender Floridians are at stake.”

As of Monday morning, AHCA had not published the proposed rule in the Florida Administrative Register, an initial step in the process. But in the report released Thursday, the agency targeted treatments that it said are “not consistent with generally accepted professional medical standards and are experimental and investigational.”

“Following a review of available literature, clinical guidelines and coverage by other insurers and nations, Florida Medicaid has determined that the research supporting sex reassignment treatment is insufficient to demonstrate efficacy and safety,” said the report, which was signed by state Medicaid director Tom Wallace.

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who doubles as secretary of the Florida Department of Health, followed later Thursday by asking the state Board of Medicine to review the AHCA findings and “establish a standard of care for these complex and irreversible procedures,” according to a copy of the request posted online by NBC News. The Board of Medicine regulates the state’s medical doctors.

The moves by AHCA and Ladapo are part of series of political battles in Florida and other states about transgender issues.

As an example, DeSantis in 2021 signed a law that prevents transgender females

from competing on high-school girls’ and college women’s sports teams. Also, he signed a measure this year that restricts teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools.

The health-care part of the debate centers on treatment for gender dysphoria, which the federal government defines as clinically “significant distress that a person may feel when sex or gender assigned at birth is not the same as their identity.”

Prominent medical groups and the Biden administration support treatments for gender dysphoria. In the statement Friday, the legal and LGBTQ-advocacy groups said the state’s expected proposed rule would “deny Medicaid coverage for what is widely acknowledged to be medically necessary care for gender dysphoria.”

The AHCA report said Florida’s massive Medicaid program has not had an “explicit policy” about covering pubertyblocking medication, hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery to treat gender dysphoria. Other states have a mixture of policies, with some banning coverage and others allowing it.

By law, services provided in the Medicaid program must be deemed “medically necessary.” One test of medical necessity is whether services are consistent with “generally accepted professional medical standards” and are not “experimental or investigational.”

The report’s conclusion that the genderdysphoria treatments fail that test opens the door to coverage being denied.

Publishing the proposed rule would start a process that could lead to challenges before a state administrative law judge.

Florida ‘red-flag’ law eyed amid gun debate

By Dara Kam News Service Of Florida

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s a national debate rages over gun laws after last month’s mass shooting at a Texas elementary school, proponents of “red-flag” policies point to a Florida law as a model for states seeking to strip deadly weapons from people who could cause harm.

The Florida law, which allows authorities to take guns from people found to pose a “significant danger” to themselves or others, has drawn pushback from Second Amendment advocates and some law-enforcement officials.

But supporters say the law --used thousands of times since the Republican-controlled Legislature approved it in 2018 --- has saved an untold number of lives.

“There’s no question that it has prevented harm. No doubt in my mind,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told The News Service of Florida.

The measure allows lawenforcement officials to seek “risk-protection” orders from judges, who must consider a number of factors --- such as recent acts of violence or threats of violence --- before granting the requests. The orders can last up to 12 months, and officials are permitted to seek a single extension of up to another year.

Lawmakers included the red-flag measure in a sweeping school-safety law passed after a 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that killed 14 students and three faculty members.

In Pinellas County, Gualtieri has a special unit dedicated to processing risk-protection order requests for the sheriff ’s office and municipal police departments. Pinellas has had about 1,100 petitions for the orders --- the second-highest number in the state.

The orders have thwarted shootings, “active-assailant events” and domestic violence, said Gualtieri, who chairs a schoolsafety commission created by the Legislature after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting.

“Some of these people that we have been successful in removing firearms from are scary people, are people that were in some cases hellbent on that pathway to violence, and they would have acted,” he said.

The orders allow authorities to “intervene at the earliest possible time” to “prevent something from becoming actionable,” Gualtieri added.

Most risk-protection orders are not seeking to prevent people from hurting themselves, according to Gualtieri.

“The majority of them are harm towards others. Their head’s not in the right space.

They shouldn’t have guns or ammunition,” he said.

But critics of the law believe it gives the government too much power and doesn’t do enough to safeguard due-process rights.

Under the law, authorities can petition courts to temporarily remove people’s weapons for up to 14 days. If such petitions are granted, hearings must be held within two weeks on requests for risk-protection orders that can last up to a year.

Because the process isn’t criminal, people subject to risk-protection petitions are not entitled to public defenders and would have to hire private lawyers to represent them at hearings. The law also allows people to petition courts to have their guns returned before orders expire. Legal costs in riskprotection cases can range from $5,000 to $10,000, according to some experts.

When weighing requests for risk-protection orders, judges must consider whether to order mental-health evaluations. But the law doesn’t require that services be provided to people who might be experiencing mental-health crises and are suspected of being threats.

“Those type of people need to be identified, and we need to make a determination, is this somebody that we need to be making sure they don’t get guns. I agree with all of that. Why are we too scared to give them a right to counsel, and why are we too scared to include provisions in the law for

them to actually get stabilization and treatment of some type?” Eric Friday, an attorney who is general counsel of the Florida Carry gun-rights organization, said in a telephone interview.

Friday and other gun-rights advocates said officials should use Florida’s Baker Act, which allows people to be involuntarily detained for up to 72 hours while mental-health evaluations are conducted, to isolate people who pose risks to themselves or others, rather than stripping them of Second Amendment rights.

But Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said “the Baker Act is a totally different instrument” and does not allow the removal of firearms.

“So that’s why you need the RPO (risk-protection order).

When we go to someone and they’re having a mental-health break, or they’ve got something real stressful and they’ve not committed a crime, they’re not a criminal. They’re just under this immense stress and have not yet acted out. I call it ‘threatened out,’” Judd told the News Service this week.

Polk County, with about

1,300 orders over the past four years, has had more riskprotection orders than anywhere else in the state.

“It’s simply a tool to keep people safe and to protect people from each other sometimes or protect people from themselves,” Judd said.

Ryan Petty, whose 14-yearold daughter Alaina was among the Parkland victims and who is a self-described “ardent Second Amendment supporter,” acknowledged that red-flag laws are problematic for some gunrights advocates.

“The concern that most Second Amendment advocates have is it feels like due process is reversed,” he said in a phone interview.

But Petty, who also serves on the school-safety commission, defended the law.

“With regard to the dueprocess issues, I get it. It feels like guilty until proven innocent. I don’t know how you get around that, to be honest with you,” he said. “But it seems to me that we are balancing the rights of law-abiding gun owners against the rights of individuals who have chosen and demonstrated that

File photo: Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says a Florida red-flag law has prevented harm.

they are a threat to themselves or others. That’s the distinction I make, and that’s why I’ve supported and support red-flag laws like we have in Florida.”

As of May 25, the state had 2,845 active risk-protection orders, including temporary orders, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The numbers can fluctuate daily.

Since the law passed in March 2018, 8,683 petitions for temporary 14-day orders and 5,856 petitions for orders that can last up to 12 months have been filed, and nearly all of the requests have been approved, according to records provided by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.

The data show wide disparities in the number of requests among the state’s 67 counties.

“I’ll tell you unequivocally some sheriffs philosophically may be against it, so they’re not going to encourage the use of it. … Some police agencies are just lazy and take the easiest way to the end of the process. Some may not even know about it yet. At the end of the day, they could accuse me of overusing it, but I’m trying to save lives,” Judd said.

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

State fires back in race-related instruction fight

By Jim Saunders Florida News Service

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awyers for Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody are fighting an attempt to block a state law and regulations that limit the way race-related issues can be taught in public schools and in workplace training.

In a court document filed last week, the lawyers argued Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker should reject a request for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed in April after DeSantis signed the controversial law (HB 7). Walker is scheduled to hold a hearing June 21 on the preliminary-injunction issue, according to a court docket.

Plaintiffs in the case allege that the law and regulations

violate First Amendment rights and are unconstitutionally vague.

But in the 60-page document filed last week, lawyers for DeSantis and Moody disputed that the restrictions violate speech rights in schools and workplaces.

“Here, the act does not prevent the state’s educators from espousing whatever views they may hold, on race or anything else, on their own time, and it does not prevent students from seeking them out and listening to them,” the document said. “All it says is that state-employed teachers may not espouse or advocate in the classroom views contrary to the principles enshrined in the act, while they are on the state clock, in exchange for a state paycheck.

The First Amendment does not compel Florida to pay educators to advocate ideas, in its name,

File photo: Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody addresses the media on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 in Lakeland Fla. [Calvin Knight/The Ledger via AP]

TEXTBOOK AFFORDABILITY TARGETED

By News Service of Florida

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he State Board of Education this month will consider changes to a rule about textbook affordability for college students.

During a June 22 meeting, the board is slated to discuss how to carry out parts of two new laws (SB 2524 and SB 7044) that deal with textbooks.

“Approval of the proposed amendment of this rule may require Florida College System institutions to update current policies and procedures to bring greater transparency to textbooks and instructional materials costs,” said a notice of the meeting published Tuesday.

One of the new laws (SB 2524) directs faculty members at state colleges and universities to curate a list of learning materials, such as textbooks, that are free and have

open licensing.

After the law goes into effect on July 1, each state college will be required to post on its website a list of courses that use free textbooks. That list will have to be published at least 45 days before the first day of class for each term.

The other measure (SB 7044) is designed to bolster a current law that requires colleges and universities to post certain information about textbooks and other learning materials. Schools are required to post lists of at least 95 percent of their offered courses’ required textbooks.

Under the law, that information will have to be published at least 45 days before each term starts.

Textbook costs have increased by about 36 percent since 2011, according to a House staff analysis of the bill, citing a report published last year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

that it finds repugnant.”

But in an April motion for a preliminary injunction, lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that DeSantis and other Republican leaders “banned teachers and employers from endorsing a litany of opinions about race that had been stuck in their craw,” such as institutional racism, white privilege and critical race theory.

“This constitutional challenge is not about whether these ideas are right or whether they should be taught throughout Florida’s schools and workplaces,” the 53-page motion said. “Rather, it is about an attempt by Florida’s conservative politicians to silence exchange of these ideas and win a so-called ‘culture war’ through legislative and executive fiat.”

DeSantis this year made a priority of passing the law — which he dubbed the “Stop Wrongs Against our Kids and Employees Act,” or Stop WOKE Act. It came after the State Board of Education last year passed regulations that included banning the use of critical race theory, which is based on the premise that racism is embedded in American society and institutions.

The law, which is scheduled to take effect July 1, lists a series of race-related concepts that would constitute discrimination if taught in classrooms or in required workplace-training programs.

As an example, part of the law labels instruction discriminatory if it leads people to believe that they bear “responsibility for, or should be discriminated against or receive

adverse treatment because of, actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, national origin or sex.”

As another example, the law seeks to prohibit instruction that would cause students to “feel guilt, anguish or other forms of psychological distress because of actions, in which the person played no part, committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, national origin or sex.”

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are two public-school teachers, a University of Central Florida associate professor, a child who will be a public-school student in the coming year and the president of a firm that provides workplace training.

In the motion for a preliminary injunction, the plaintiffs’ attorneys from the Jacksonville firm of Sheppard, White, Kachergus, DeMaggio & Wilkison, P.A. wrote that the law and regulations “intrude on the free expression and academic freedom of Florida’s teachers by imposing a pall of orthodoxy over the classrooms.”

“These provisions suppress a wide range of viewpoints accepted by academics for the sole reason that Florida’s conservative lawmakers disagree with them,” the motion said.

“Even if such disagreement could form a legitimate government interest, Governor DeSantis failed to identify any actual examples of what he calls ‘critical race theory’ being taught in Florida public school classrooms.”

The plaintiffs’ attorneys also alleged that the restrictions “ensure students learn only a

6 HAITIAN MEN IN FLORIDA FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS GO MISSING

By Associated Press

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ix men who came to central Florida as part of the Haitian delegation for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games have gone missing, according to a sheriff ’s office.

No foul play is suspected and detectives are investigating their disappearance as an isolated event, the Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office said in a Tuesday Facebook post.

The men, ranging in age from 18 to 32, were involved with a soccer team. They were last seen Monday near the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where some of the competitions are being held, the sheriff ’s office said.

They had turned in the room keys for their lodging and left behind their belongings and personal bags, according to the sheriff ’s office.

According to Special Olympics organizers, five of the men are not Special Olympics athletes, and one is an adult with an intellectual disability, WKMG reported.

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white-washed version of history and sociological theories that ignore systemic problems in our society that create racial injustices.”

But in the document filed last week, the lawyers for DeSantis and Moody wrote that the plaintiffs who are educators “have no constitutional right of academic freedom to override curriculum policies adopted by democratically elected lawmakers.”

“Plaintiffs’ First Amendment challenge to the educational provisions fails because the act regulates pure government speech — the curriculum used in state schools and the in-class instruction offered by state employees — and the First Amendment simply has no application in this context,” the document said.

The state’s lawyers, who also separately filed a motion last week seeking to dismiss the case, argued in the preliminaryinjunction document that the state restrictions are intended at “stamping out” discrimination.

“The balance of the equities and the public interest weigh decisively against enjoining the act. … (The) state has a compelling — constitutionally imperative — interest in ending discrimination based on race and other immutable characteristics, and enjoining the act will sanction conduct and curricular speech that Florida has determined, in the exercise of its sovereign judgment, is pernicious and contrary to the state’s most cherished ideals,” wrote the state’s lawyers, including attorneys from the Washington. D.C. firm of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC.

ABORTION CLINIC APPEALS LICENSE SUSPENSION

By News Service of Florida

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Pensacola abortion clinic went to a state appeals court Tuesday after the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration suspended its license last month.

Integrity Medical Care, LLC, which does business as American Family Planning, filed an appeal at the Tallahassee-based 1st District Court of Appeal, according to an online docket.

The Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates abortion clinics, issued an emergency suspension order May 20 that focused on complications suffered by two women who went to the Pensacola facility in March and May for second-trimester abortions.

Both women needed to be admitted to hospitals because of the complications, according to the suspension order.

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things Locals make history Eight athletes will represent Marion County at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, being held for the first time in Florida and including equestrians for the first time.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Law enforcement members pose on June 2.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

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he first sighting of the Flame of Hope coming down the long driveway at the Stirrups n’ Strides Therapeutic Riding Center in north Marion County drew raucous cheering and thunderous applause early Thursday, June 2.

Waiting on horseback inside the spacious covered arena were the five local members of the team that will be representing Marion County in the first-ever equestrian competitions as part of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, scheduled for June 5-12 in Orlando. This marks the first time the event has been held in Florida.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics is the largest grassroots fundraiser for Special Olympics. A small contingent of the more than 100,000 law enforcement members in all 50 U.S. states, 12 Canadian provinces/territories and 44 other countries, along with three athletes who will participate in the games, brought the symbolic torch into the arena on Thursday in what is known as the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg. Also participating in the ceremony was the Marion County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol Color Guard.

Betty Gray, executive director of Stirrups n’ Strides, based in Citra, is the equestrian coach for Florida’s team in the USA Games. The local equestrians who will be going to Orlando are Ashley Quesnel, Becky Richter, Adam Warch and Kathy Gray, who is Betty’s daughter, as well as Alexia McCue, a member of Tomorrow’s Equestrian Center in Morriston, who has been training with the other four at Stirrups n’ Strides.

In addressing the crowd on Thursday, Betty Gray thanked everyone for “coming to participate in this awesome ceremony. As the head coach for the equestrian team of Florida, I am proud of all the athletes who have worked so hard to get ready for this event and let’s wish them all the best luck there is. We are expecting 5,500 athletes and we are so excited to have five athletes we have had in training since last summer. It’s so exciting.”

John Newnan, the Region II Coordinator and Final Leg Committee Chair, was a law enforcement officer in Howard County in Maryland for 36 years. He became involved with the torch run program in 1986.

“We do a lot of things to raise money and support Special Olympics. We have our annual torch runs around the world every year before the Summer Games. We jump in cold water, called the polar plunge; we wait on tables, called Tip A Cop; you name it, we’ll do it, and it’s all on our off-duty time. Since 1981 we’ve raised almost a billion dollars for Special Olympics. Last year, in very trying COVID times, we still raised $40 million for Special Olympics,” he said.

He said the group at Stirrups n’ Strides, which was traveling in a brightly decorated tour bus, was part of a larger group that was making runs on both coasts of the state leading up to their reunion

in Orlando.

“We will meet back together later today. We started May 20, a small group of us, in Chicago, where we lit the Flame of Hope at the eternal f lame honoring Eunice Kennedy Shriver at the birthplace of Special Olympics. Then we went to Ohio, Connecticut, down to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia… we are constantly on the move, spreading the message of acceptance and inclusion for everybody every step of the way.”

He said that when the flame is ignited in Chicago, it is maintained in a “miner’s lamp.”

“So, every time we do a ceremony, we light that flame off the miner’s lamp so that’s the original flame from the eternal flame and we’ll deliver that to the athletes opening ceremony. We are the guardians of the Flame of Hope,” he said.

Newman said the law enforcement personnel who participate in the torch run program were chosen from agencies and programs in their states.

“It’s an honor to take part in this. It’s a passion for us. We work year-round. This is just one of the things we do, but all these officers work locally in their home programs raising money for Special Olympics. We thought it would be an honor to come here and promote the equestrian games, which is the first time ever and is so historic,” he said.

John Robles, director of Special Olympics Florida - Marion County, and a coach for Florida’s USA Games triathlon team, said three other local athletes also will be participating.

The triathletes are Adrienne Bunn, Zachary Deonath and Thomas Welsh.

“Adrienne is the number one female triathlete in Florida. She is very, very good,” Robles said.

“They will do a 440-yard swim, 12.5-mile bike ride and a 5K run. The swim is a sprint and our athletes are super fast.”

“I am extremely excited and proud of the athletes representing Florida, so proud of everything our local athletes have accomplished and how hard they have trained. I look forward to them having a good time and showing us what they can do,” he added.

The games will offer 19 Olympic-style team and individual sports, including athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, bowling, cheerleading, equestrian, flag football, golf, gymnastics, open water swimming, powerlifting, soccer, softball, stand up paddleboard, surfing, swimming, tennis, triathlon and volleyball.

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities and foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health and leadership.

Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports.

As part of the ceremony on Thursday, Kathy Gray rode her mount, Lily, to the front of the arena and, in loud and firm voices, she and the other members of the equestrian team recited the Special Olympics athletes pledge: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Brett Harper, left, and James Caulfield, right, run with the Special Olympics torch.

Lexi McCue on Mac, Becky Richter on Rocky and Kathy Gray on Lilly, left to right, sit on their horses.

Ashley Quesnel on Goody, left, and Kathy Gray on Lilly, right, are led around the arena on their horses.

To learn more, including how to follow the games on social media, go to 2022specialolympicsusagames.org and specialolympicsflorida.org

Left: Becky Richter, left, and Kathy Gray, right, hold the Special Olympics torch.

Members of the Marion County Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol Honor Guard present The Colors.

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Lightning beat Rangers 4-1 in Game 4 to even East final

Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) celebrates with his teammates after the team defeated the New York Rangers during Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. [AP Photo/Chris O’Meara]

By Fred Goodall AP Sports Writer

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he Tampa Bay Lightning delivered on a promise to play with a greater sense of urgency, storming back in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers and keeping their bid for a third straight Stanley Cup title alive.

Nikita Kucherov scored on a breakaway and Andrei Vasilevskiy had 33 saves Tuesday night, helping the two-time defending NHL champions shut down the Rangers 4-1 and even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

“We’ve got ourselves squared up in this series. It’s great, much better than the position we were in a couple days ago.

But this is where it gets down to the really tough stuff,” Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said.

“These next couple of games, we have to go on the road and we have to find a way to win a game in their barn,” Stamkos added. “We’re looking forward to that challenge, but I really like where our game is now compared to where it was a couple days ago.”

Kucherov took a pass from Ondrej Palat in the middle of the ice and skated in on goaltender Igor Shesterkin to give

the Lightning a two-goal lead just over 13 minutes into the second period.

With Vasilevskiy back on his game following a slow start to the series, that turned out to be more than enough offensive support to hold off a Rangers team that’s suddenly found it difficult to score.

“They did a great job in the neutral zone. They collapsed pretty good in the ‘D’ zone. They blocked a lot of shots.

They did the right things to win a hockey game,” Rangers coach Gerard Gallant said of the Lightning.

Stamkos, Palat and Pat Maroon had goals for Tampa Bay, which has rebounded from losing the first two games of the series on the road to bolster its chances of becoming the first team in nearly 40 years to win three consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

Game 5 is Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, where the Rangers won Games 1 and 2 and are 8-1 this postseason.

“We’ve done a good job at home. I think if you look around the league a lot of teams play better in their home building,” Gallant said.

“I’m disappointed tonight. I’m sure (the players) are,” the coach added. “But it’s a best two out of three, we still have the home-ice advantage, so we have to make sure we’re ready for the next game. The next one is big.”

Vasilevskiy stopped 28 of 30 shots to win Game 3 and was even better Tuesday night, when he extended a stretch in which he did not give up a goal to nearly 67 minutes before New York’s Artemi Panarin scored on the power play at 16:27 of the third period.

Until Vasilevskiy’s bid for a shutout ended, the Rangers hadn’t scored since

Chris Kreider’s power-play goal put them up 2-0 at 9:44 of the second period in Game 3.

It has been all Tampa Bay since then, with Kucherov and Stamkos scoring to wipe out the Game 3 deficit before Palat won it in the final minute.

The defending champs started faster Tuesday night, scoring on Maroon’s rebound just 2:38 into the game.

It was the third goal of the playoffs for Maroon, a 34-year-old, fourth-line forward who’s chasing a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup title after winning with St. Louis in 2019 and signing with Tampa Bay before the following season.

Stamkos’ goal built the lead to 3-0 early in the third period. Palat added an empty-netter with 8.7 seconds remaining, finishing with a goal and two assists.

Shesterkin, who faced 51 shots in Game 3, stopped 27 of 30 shots Tuesday night.

“We’ve progressively gotten better, and I think we took some more positive steps tonight,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.

“We had a bit of a layoff, and I think now we’re starting to find our game. Now, we just have to keep this going in New York.”

NOTES: The Rangers played without forward Ryan Strome (lower body), who was scratched after skating in pregame warmups. He was injured Sunday, when he exited in the second period after only playing a little over seven minutes. ... New York forward Filip Chytil left just past the midpoint of the second period after a hit

by Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.

He missed the rest of the game with an upper-body injury. ... The Lightning played for the seventh straight game without forward Brayden Point, who has been out of the lineup since suffering a lower-body injury during Game 7 of Tampa Bay’s firstround victory over Toronto.

Walls hits 3-run homer in 10th, Rays beat Cardinals 4-2

By Mark Didtler Associated Press

T

aylor Walls hit a threerun homer with two outs in the 10th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Walls sent a 2-2 pitch from Drew VerHagen (3-1) into the right field seats. He has four hits in his last 26 at-bats.

“You feel good for Wallsie,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

“Any of these guys that have been scuffling here a little bit to come up with a big hit like that and ultimately win us a ballgame has got to be a great feeling for him.

I know our clubhouse is pretty pumped up right now.”

St. Louis loaded the bases with no outs in the 10th against Colin Poche (2-0) but scored just once for a 2-1 lead on Lars Nootbaar’s sacrifice fly. Paul Goldschmidt was thrown out by center fielder Kevin Kiermaier attempting to score on Harrison Bader’s twoout single.

The Cardinals were coming off a pair of extra-inning wins over the Chicago Cubs.

“You’re going to have games like that,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “Guys

battled. Actually a really wellplayed game.”

Both starting pitchers had strong outings.

St. Louis’ Dakota Hudson gave up one run, two hits and one walk while striking out six over seven innings. Tampa Bay’s Jeffrey Springs allowed six hits in six scoreless innings.

Hudson permitted Ji-Man Choi’s one-out double in the first and then held Tampa Bay hitless until Manuel Margot opened the seventh with a two-base hit. Margot went to third on Kiermaier’s grounder and scored the game’s first run on Isaac Paredes’ sacrifice fly.

St. Louis tied it in the eighth.

Nootbaar, pinch-hitting for Albert Pujols, drew a two-out walk from Andrew Kittredge and advanced to second on Tyler O’Neill’s single before scoring on Bader’s base hit.

Pujols singled in the fourth for his 3,320th hit, passing Paul Molitor for ninth place on the career list. Pujols also moved past Cal Ripken Jr. into sole possession of eighth place in games played with 3,002.

O’Neill returned after missing 18 games with a right shoulder injury and went 2 for 5.

Goldschmidt walked in the first

to extend his career-best on-base streak to 43 games.

GREAT PLAY

Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado charged Brett Phillips’ bunt with two on and no outs in the 10th and made a leaping throw to retire the speedy Kiermaier at third base.

“Don’t think I’ve ever seen someone do the Jeter jump-throw to third base before,” Hudson said. “I was just in awe of the play.”

KIERMAIER CLEANS UP Kiermaier, who was 3 for 36 over his previous 10 games, was moved from the leadoff spot to fourth in the lineup as Cash addresses his struggling offense.

It was just the second time in his career Kiermaier batted fourth, with the other coming on July 18, 2019.

“A couple extra biceps curls and bench-press reps today to try to look the part of a cleanup hitter,” Kiermaier said before the game.

He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) will make his

Tampa Bay Rays’ Taylor Walls reacts after hitting a game-ending home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the 10th inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. [AP Photo/Scott Audette]

next rehab start with Triple-A Memphis on Friday. … OF Dylan Carlson (left hamstring) joined Memphis from Double-A Springfield.

Rays: RHP Shane Baz (right elbow) will replace struggling LHP Ryan Yarbrough, who was optioned to Triple-A Durham, in the rotation and make his season debut Friday or Saturday.

UP NEXT

Tampa Bay RHP Corey Kluber (2-2) is Tuesday night’s starter.

Kluber has had tremendous success against Pujols, who has just one single in 20 at-bats against him.

“I just think that he’s a really good hitter, and for whatever reason, maybe past matchups have gone my way,” Kluber said.

“But I think I’m going to treat him with just as much respect coming into this game as I would have when I was first getting my feet wet.”

The Cardinals had not announced their starter.

TIGER WOODS SAYS HIS LEG NOT READY AND HE WON’T PLAY US OPEN

By Doug Ferguson AP Golf Writer

T

iger Woods withdrew from the U.S. Open on Tuesday, saying that his damaged right leg needs more time to get stronger to contend in the majors.

Woods made a surprise return at the Masters, just 14 months after he broke bones in his right leg and ankle in a February 2021 car crash outside Los Angeles.

He made the cut at Augusta National, then played the PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

Even though he made another cut, Woods was limping badly on Saturday and withdrew after the third round, the first time he had withdrawn on the weekend at a major.

Woods posted Tuesday on social media, “My body needs more time to get stronger for major championship golf.”

He said he hopes to be ready

to play in a charity pro-am event in Ireland ahead of the British Open at St. Andrews, where he won two of his three claret jugs.

This will be the sixth time in the last 12 years Woods does not play the U.S. Open, which he has won three times, most recently at Torrey Pines in 2008 when he had a double stress fracture in his left leg and shredded knee ligaments that required reconstructive surgery when the event was over.

He last played in 2020 at Winged Foot and missed the cut.

Before the previous two majors, Woods sent the internet buzzing, with private plane tracking sites indicating he was at Augusta National and Southern Hills a week or so early for a scouting trip, a clear sign he was thinking about playing.

There was no such flight to Boston this time. Woods last competed at The Country Club

at Brookline in 1999, when he PGA Championship or the U.S. The Old Course is relatively won his singles match against Open, but he would be at the flat, the easiest of the four Andrew Coltart as part of an British Open. majors to walk. amazing American rally to win the Ryder Cup. “We’re disappointed we won’t see him in Boston,” said Mike Whan, the CEO of the USGA. “But personally, I’m happy for him that he’s looking after his health. I’d rather see Tiger long-term than just in the 2022 U.S. Open.”

Woods always had his sights on St. Andrews, even after he played in the Masters. He said after the Masters he wasn’t sure whether Tiger Woods grimaces on the 18th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Tulsa, Okla. [AP Photo/Matt York] he could play in the

B3

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative’s Corner

Objects of affection Alex Estrada, Ocala’s emerging artistbest in show winner, muses on “pride, visibility and a sense of belonging.”

By Julie Garisto julie@magnoliamediaco.com

T

he objective becomes highly subjective for Alex Estrada, a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program and Best of Show recipient in the city of Ocala and Magnolia Art Xchange 2022 Student and Emerging Artist Competition “Content of Character.”

Estrada’s dreamlike abstract painting “Intertwine” took top honors in the show. The colorful, shimmering acrylic painting depicts a pair of sneakers. Emphasis on seemingly minor details, such as reflections and stunning color combinations, distinguish the work and deliver maximum impact.

“I like the overlapping forms they created and used lots of artistic liberty when choosing colors and forms within the flat surfaces,” he said.

But how do his Nikes relate to “Content of Character”?

“I think a lot of what you own and a lot of what you like to wear is very intertwined with how you want to express yourself in the world,” he explained. “I really like being seen and being visible with what I choose to wear and how I choose to express myself. I guess that stems from coming from an education system where we always had to wear the same polo. … Coming into adulthood, choosing what I want to wear and

how I want to express to myself, I really like things that are colorful, things that are very bright and things that are just kind of like very complex when you look at them.”

With works that reside on a spectrum between abstract and representational, Estrada crafts visual landscapes that build on architectures of form from a variety of references and imaginary origins, according to his artist statement.

His recent works have explored materiality, juxtaposing disparate, real and tangible objects while distorting, magnifying or simply calling attention to his subject’s details. Highlights of their details, aspects that might otherwise go unnoticed, are emphasized. Objects can range from being culturally significant to everyday materials.

But Estrada doesn’t limit his sources for inspiration and opportunities to collaborate. He’s painted a self-portrait and assisted a project centered on the book “Station Eleven” (also an HBO series) in “UCF Celebrates the Arts 2018.”

“As a collective we stretched large scale canvases, created cut-out wood figures and paintings on these materials in response to the book,” he explained.

The pieces were exhibited in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

“It was the first time I got to learn about all these art handling skills and it provided me with a foundation for a career working in the arts,” he

Intertwine, 2020 36”x 36” Acrylic on Canvas

Self Portrait, 2020 12”x12” Acrylic on Canvas

“I like the overlapping forms they created and used lots of artistic liberty when choosing colors and forms within the flat surfaces.”

Alex Estrada

said, adding a shout-out to professors Carla Rossi Poindexter and Amer Kobaslija for their guidance during his college career.

“I’ve always been really interested in just building color and shape and form and painting the complexity and the beauty and all of the shine and reflection that can come through even the most mundane object,” Estrada shared.

The first-generation Mexican American artist was born in Chicago, grew up in Mexico and St. Cloud, and has worked in painting, drawing and printmaking. Lately, he prefers acrylic paints.

“I love acrylic,” he effused. “It’s so fast, fast drying. It can blend really well because it can get kind of pasty and thick and create these beautiful effects.”

On a more ephemeral level, pride, visibility and a sense of belonging are values filtered through his works. He identifies as a gay man and praises the support and inspiration of the central Florida gay community.

He says he’s encouraged by the positive energy of this year’s Pride Month, especially in the wake of controversial state legislation that forbids language related to LGBT themes in K-12 schools.

“Ever since I became an adult

and I started being very much more active with my communities, I’ve noticed how people have been talking and how even high schoolers were responding to those bills that were trying to be passed,” he said. “I see a lot of very positive, galvanized emotions being expressed by big groups of people.”

What’s next for the Best in Show artist?

“I’m working on creating more paintings, kind of exploring the same close-up imagery. I’m trying to build a portfolio to go back to graduate school,” he said.

He’s still undecided on where to go. Florida, so far, has gotten under his skin and become a source of inspiration.

“There’s a lot of different beauty here from the beaches to our more natural areas to even the theme parks and industrial areas,” Estrada mused.

“I think Central Florida is a very inspirational place, but if you were to ask me a few years ago, I probably wouldn’t have said that, but I do think as you age, you kind of like grow to appreciate smaller things more.”

“Content of Character” will be on display 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through July 15 at City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala.

B4

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

BRUSHING UP ON

Florida

Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the same row, column or square.

FACTOIDS

FLORIDA GEOGRAPHY

If you ask me if I like geography, be ready to be appropriately awed as I instantly recite all 50 state capitals. Then for good measure I’ll let you know that we now have a fifth ocean since the Antarctic, which was not an ocean, has officially been named the Southern Ocean.

I’ve been to Caribou, Kalamazoo and Waterloo (Iowa and Belgium), but not Timbuktu. However no place that I WORD FIND know has more pure love-to-learn-it geography than our own state of Florida. With that in mind, here’s today’s quiz This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and whe all about Florida geography. pleted the puzzle, there will be 19 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Florida’s I-95 travels through 15 states (not counting DC), more than any other interstate highway. Which of these states does it NOT touch?

A. Maine B. New Jersey C. Vermont D. New Hampshire

6.

2.

At 345 feet, Britton Hill in Lakewood Park is Florida’s highest point and the lowest of the highest points of all 50 states. In what county is Britton Hill?

A. Walton B. Lee C. Putnam D. Leon

7.

With nearly a million in population, this Florida city is also the largest city by area in the contiguous 48 states. It is: A. Miami B. Jacksonville C. Tampa D. Orlando

3.

In the 1840’s before Florida was a state, before Marion was a county, and before Ocala was a city, the local seat of government was at: A. Gainesville B. Kerr City C. Ft. King D. Silver Springs

8.

Since 1821, two-thirds of Florida’s 67 counties have been cut from this early county which originally encompassed nearly 40,000 square miles.

A. Orange B. Mosquito C. Duval D. St. Johns

4.

With seven buildings designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this Florida college became a national historic landmark in 2012.

It is: A. Florida Southern B. Florida Atlantic C. Florida International D. Florida Bible

9.

Known as a “saltire,” the large diagonal red cross on the Florida state flag, adopted in 1868, is a tribute to the patron saint of Scotland, which is: A. St. Charles B. St. Thomas C. St. Andrew D. St. William

In his 2005 country hit “Seminole Wind,” John Anderson evoked the name of this community, considered the oldest inland town in the U.S. It is: A. High Springs B. Micanopy C. St. Augustine D. McIntosh

10.

5.

According to the latest official road map, this word appears in Florida town names 52 times, more than any other word. What’s the word?

A. Sun B. City C. Beach D. Lake

Known historically as Kanapaha, this historic Alachua County plantation has hundreds of historic doodles and messages on its walls. It is: A. Waldo House B. Island Grove C. Haile Plantation D. Cadillac Ranch

Strike it rich Solution: 19 Letters

© 2022 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

1.

Arsenic Auriferous Axes Camp Carat Cradle Digs Dishing Donkey Dust Eureka

Fines Frenzy Friends Heat Hotels Invest Jewellers shop Lalor Lode Luck

Market Mutton Nugget Ounce Palmer River Pans Permit Pick Reef Report

Rich Rocks Seam Share Sink Sluice Tension Vein Water Wheel

Answers are on page B7

Contact Bob Hauck: bobhauck39@gmail.com

: The wild colonial days

COMING JUNE 24: Florida By the Numbers.

Creators Syndicate 737 3rd Street • Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 • info@creators.com

WOMEN’S EXPO SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, June 25, 2022 • 10am - 3pm College of Central Florida, Klein Center

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B7

Date: 6/10

B5

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer.

Rain or shine; recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Government Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more; recurs every Friday.

JUNE 10, 15 & 17

Plant Appreciation Class

The Peacock Cottage, 3243 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-7pm Learn about interesting plant books, get care tips and have a Q&A with a plant expert. This onehour class features local plant store owner Frank Perdomo. $15; includes a free African violet. For more info, see facebook.com/thePeacockCottage

JUNE 11

Replant day at West Ocala Wellness Community Garden 2200 W Highway 40, Ocala 8:30am Rescheduled from the May date. Now is the time to freshen up vegetable beds, do some weeding, solarize garden beds and prep your plot for cool season plants to come. This is the perfect time of year to plant seeds, veggies and more. To rent a plot for only $10 per year, visit ocalafl.org/garden

JUNE 11 & 18

Yoga in the Park

Sholom Park: 7110 SW 80th Ave., Ocala 9am Snake into your cobra pose and get your downward dog going. Stretch out by the Sholom Park stage; recurs every Saturday morning. Visit sholompark.org for details.

JUNE 11 & 18

JUNE 11 & 18

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm A true farmers swap meet where chickens, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available along with horse tack, home-grown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. Booth types vary with occasional meat vendors, food trucks and other goods. Saturdays, weather permitting.

JUNE 11 & 18

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey and arts and crafts. Check out some local

Ocala Summer Series Week 2Hunter/Jumper Show

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala All day Enjoy horse shows sanctioned by the United States Equestrian Federation and see a variety of horses and riders work the courses. Shows will run through August. Many will take place in the indoor arenas and more than $3 million is prizes will be awarded. The Grand Prix takes place Saturday nights in the Grand Arena. Spectators welcome.

WEC has restaurants onsite and shopping options.

For more info, worldequestriancenter.com

Summer Sunset Polo

Florida Horse Park, 11008 South Highway 475, Ocala 6pm Once the sun goes down, the breeze kicks in. Free to the public. Tailgate right next to the polo field.

Saturday evenings through September. For more info, ocalapolo.com

JUNE 11

Belmont Stakes Watch Party

World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6pm-7:30pm You can catch the last race of the Triple Crown on the Jumbotron outside the Yellow Pony and enjoy themed cocktail, such as a Black-Eyed Susan, Preakness Cocktail or Belmont Jewel.

Parking and party is free. WEC also offers fast casual dining options and retail shops. See worldequestriancenter.com for more info.

JUNE 11

College of Central Florida Express Enrollment Event

JUNE 18

Ocala Juneteenth Celebration

Martin Luther King Recreation Complex, 1510 NW Fourth St., Ocala 10am-4pm The Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission and the City of Ocala will host a Juneteenth event to celebrate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. Includes entertainment, vendor booths with a variety of offerings, nonprofit groups, food options, businesses and mentor groups. The event is free to attend. See facebook.com/pg/ OcalaJuneteenthCelebration

JUNE 18

JUNE 16

CF Campus center lawn, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 10am-1pm Fast track your way into college with this all-inone process to get you into fall classes. Apply, get academic advising and even get financial aid started. The regular $30 application fee is waived, plus get a free lunch. Pre-register at CF.edu/event/ express-enrollment-day/

Ocala Farmers Market

JUNE 15-19

Farmers Market

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Large selection of fresh seasonal produce from local growers as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more; recurs every Thursday.

Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more info.

JUNE 17-19

Orange Blossom Miniature Horse Show

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala All day With classes in a variety of disciplines, such as halter, obstacles, driving and liberty, check out miniature horses and Shetland ponies at their cutest. See selp.marionfl.org for more info.

JUNE 18

Summer Daze Car Show

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston 9:30am-5pm From custom-made to muscle cars to classics, check out the second annual car show and get admittance to the gardens too. Car entries are $10; the spectator fee is $12. Awards ceremony at 3pm.

For more info, cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com

Juneteenth Celebration R.A.M.A.L Dinner Dance

One Health Center, 1714 SW 17th St., Ocala 7pm-11pm R.A.M.A.L Educational & Social Services hosts a fundraiser with dinner, entertainment, DJ and dancing, silent auctions and raffles. Proceeds will help provide employment assistance, affordable housing, tutoring and literacy efforts and will benefit community projects, scholarships for at-risk and non-traditional students, tutoring and mentoring.

African or casual chic attire suggested. $50 per person and tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.

To learn more, go to ramalservices.org

THROUGH JUNE 18

Horsin’ Around at the Discovery Center

701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm The Discovery Center, Ocala’s hands-on children’s museum, hands it over to the horsey set with an opportunity to explore the world of horses. Kids can figure how tall they are in horse hands, visit with an equine vet, see a day in the life of a jockey and try out a hobby horse dressage and jump course.

Admission fee of $8 includes the regular exhibits and interactive hallway. Visit mydiscovery.org

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B6

JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

government JUNE 13

City of Ocala Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 5:30pm

arts JUNE 10 & 17

JUNE 13

Dunnellon City Council Meeting City Hall, 20750 River Drive, Dunnellon 5:30pm

THROUGH JULY 28

Levitt AMP Ocala Music Series

Webb Field at Martin Luther King Recreation Complex, 1510 NW 4th St, Ocala 7-9pm Free music concerts sponsored by the City of Ocala and Marion Cultural Alliance. A variety of music genres will get your toes tapping, your feet dancing and your heart pumping along with the rhythm.

The June 10 band will be Bette Smith; June 17 band will be Natu Camara. For more info, ocalafl.org or facebook.com/levittampocala

Summer Spotlight XXV: Town and Country

College of Central Florida Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala Mon-Fri 10am-4pm This special collection, by the Visual Artists Society, is part of its Summer Spotlight series that displays local artists’ works in a variety of mediums. Experience the creativity and see artwork done in photographs, digital media, paintings, 3-D objects and more. For more info, cf.edu/student-life/arts-and-culture/webber-gallery

THROUGH JULY 31

JUNE 16

Music Moves Marion Art Exhibit - Becky Sinn

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala 5:30pm-7pm This special event combines the new artistic exhibitions that showcase music-inspired art along with live performances by musicians. The event is free and open to the public. For more info, see reillyartscenter.com

&

A Strange and Picturesque Country: Etchings by Earl H. Reed

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Prints from the permanent collection by Earl Howell Reed. Although a largely self-taught artist, Reed’s work can be viewed in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Visit appletonmuseum.org for details.

THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13

Journey to My Soul: Landscape of My Mind by Kelley Batson-Howard

City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Administration Building, 828 NE Eighth Ave., Ocala Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm This free art exhibit showcases the work of artist Batson-Howard, who creates abstract works to bring beauty to the world. Her work is variable, often colorful and full of whimsy. Open to the public. For more info, Kbatsonart.com

THROUGH NOVEMBER 6

Invented Observations: Photographs by Steven Benson

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm Photographs by professor, educator and artist Benson represent the human search for meaning. For more info, appletonmuseum.org for details.

music nightlife nig ghtlife JUNE 10

Latin Ambition

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

JUNE 10

JUNE 11

Sandra & Alex Lekid

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

JUNE 16

JUNE 17

Mark Smythe

The Stagers

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

JUNE 18

JUNE 12

Trackside

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

JUNE 10

Justin Lee Partin

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

JUNE 11

Rocky and the Rollers

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

JUNE 18

JUNE 15

3 For the Road Plus 1

Blue Jams

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

Melissa Lee

Sidepiece

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

JUNE 15

JUNE 11

Dave Adam

Doug Adams

Second Slice - Shawn, Tim, Doug, Donnie

JUNE 17

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 7pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

JUNE 16

TJ Brown

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

JUNE 18

Second Slice

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

Eric Conadazzo

The Town Square at Circle Square Commons 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 7-10pm Free and open to the public. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for details.

Radlin’ Rootz

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

JUNE 17

JUNE 19

The Yellow Pony World Equestrian Center Ocala, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala 6-9pm Dinner, drinks and entertainment. For details, visit worldequestriancenter.com

Al Manfredi

Charlie Horse 2426 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2pm Live music. Also, karaoke Wed.-Sat.

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Local Artist Eady Earns STAR Honor

Rashad Jones to speak at Brazen Bash

Artist Charles Eady poses for a photo with his artwork, Anna, an oil on canvas, left, and Black Jockey 1824, mixed media, at the Marion County Public Library Headquarters on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Feb. 17, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

O

cala mixed-media artist Charles Eady, who also teaches art education at Belleview High School, is one of only five recipients for the 2022 State Teaching Artist Residency (STAR). The STAR program is designed to honor and nourish Florida public school art educators, annually providing five with the opportunity to pursue their artistic work at The Hermitage Artist Retreat. Dating back to 2011, the STAR program is a partnership between the Florida Alliance for Arts Education and Manasota Key-based The Hermitage Artist Retreat.

“It’s incredible to receive this honor.

This will be my first artist residency and I hope to reach another level of creativity,” says Eady, whose artist residency at The Hermitage will be July 5-July17. “They will provide studio space and I’m sure waking up to the sound of the ocean will

take my creative process to another level.”

Previously featured in both the Ocala Gazette and Ocala Style, Eady’s art work is inspired by the history of free Blacks in the South prior to the Civil War. His painting depicting an early Black jockey titled American Jockey is on permanent display at the Appleton Museum of Art. Eady’s painting titled Anna and named after a character in his book, Hidden Freedom, won the $50,000 Grand Prize at the 2021 ArtFields in Lake City, South Carolina. Eady has also recently painted several free-standing art panels displayed at the Heritage Trail Park in West Ocala.

“My objective at the artist residency is work on completing some of the pieces for my solo exhibit next summer at the Appleton Museum,” says Eady. “My plan is to make the most of this artist residency that I am so grateful to have received. It is truly humbling.”

WINFREY PICKS LEILA MOTTLEY’S ‘NIGHTCRAWLING’ FOR BOOK CLUB

This cover image released by Knopf shows “Nightcrawling” a novel by Leila Mottley. [Knopf via AP]

By Hillel Italie AP National Writer

O

prah Winfrey has chosen 19-yearold Leila Mottley’s “Nightcrawling,” a debut novel about a young Black woman from East Oakland and her battles with poverty, racism and the

police, for next book club pick.

A spokesperson for Winfrey said Mottley is the youngest author ever selected for Oprah’s Book Club, founded in 1996.

“It brings me great joy to introduce readers to new authors, and this young poet Leila Mottley wrote a soul-searching portrait of survival and hope,” Winfrey said in a statement Tuesday.

Mottley, born and raised in Oakland, served as the city’s youth poet laureate in 2018. Her book was published Tuesday and has been praised by James McBride and Tommy Orange among others.

Kirkus Reviews called “Nightcrawling” a “lovely and poetic” evocation of an “underclass and the disposable women just trying to survive.”

Mottley said in a statement that she was “absolutely floored when Ms. Winfrey popped up” during what she thought was an ordinary publishing meeting.

“It was the surprise of a lifetime!” she added.

Winfrey will speak with Mottley on June 30 for an interactive book club event on OprahDaily.com. Since starting her book club, Winfrey has often alternated between such established authors Toni Morrison and Richard Powers and such first-time authors as Mottley, Imbolo Mbue and Cynthia Bond.

Rashad Jones [Courtesy of Bill Thompson/DOH-Marion]

Free event on June 30 is for youth ages 11 to 18.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

T

he theme of the upcoming Brazen Bash is “Reaching for the Top.” And who better to share that message than Ocala’s own Rashad Jones, owner of Big Lee’s Serious About BBQ restaurants and a star of the Food Network.

BRAZEN is the sexual risk avoidance program in the health education branch of the Florida Department of Health in Marion County (DOH-Marion). The positive youth development program educates various audiences, primarily youth, about healthy decision making with a goal of building awareness, character and self-confidence.

The Brazen Bash, which is free for attendees, will include a rock-climbing wall, obstacle course, bungee run and more. Participants will be treated to food, music and giveaways. Summer camp programs are encouraged to attend.

Jones will anchor the bash and share how he rose from homeless teenager to award-winning restaurateur. And how, before he became a celebrated pitmaster and restaurant owner, he developed the BRAZEN program and managed it for eight years, during which he served as a mentor and motivational speaker.

“I’ve been very fortunate in having a lot of success in what I do right here in Ocala. And a big part of that success comes from really having a clear-cut vision for your life, your choices, your future — really knowing what you’re aiming for,” Jones said in a prepared statement.

The BRAZEN program, he said, was founded on the idea of helping our community’s youth make “smart,

healthy decisions.”

“Brazen Bash is going to be exciting.

You don’t want to miss it,” he said.

“You’re going to learn how to make some amazing choices in life, and you’re going to learn how to aim for the top.”

The BRAZEN program makes presentations to middle and high school students, youth groups, at-risk youth and adult and parent groups. Topics include goals and dreams, decision making, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, social media and substance abuse.

BRAZEN Health Education Program Consultant Quameshia Townsend has been with the program for three years.

She first encountered the program in 2010, when she was a student at Forest High School.

“The benefits are phenomenal. The program equips students with factual information while helping them find themselves and their beliefs. It is a very holistic approach to the youth that leaves them feeling informed and empowered,” she said.

“Youth should attend our Brazen Bash on June 30 because it will be lots of fun! Youth will also learn pertinent information in regard to goal setting and setting themselves up for a successful future,” she added.

The Brazen Bash is for youth ages 11 to 18. It will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 30 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala.

For more information, visit brazenbash.org or find Brazen Bash on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. You also can call DOHMarion at 352-644-2687.

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B4 1. C Vermont

Florida

FACTOIDS

2. A Walton 3. C Ft. King 4. A Florida Southern 5. B Micanopy

COMING JUNE 24:

6. C Beach

Florida By the Numbers.

Contact Bob Hauck:

8. D St. Johns

bobhauck39@gmail.com

10. C Haile Plantation

7. B Jacksonville 9. C St. Andrew

Sudoku

Newsday Crossword

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Youth baseball camp starts this week on CF campus

T

he Marty Smith Baseball Camp at the College of Central Florida (CF) in Ocala started on Wednesday, June 8, for ages 7-12. Smith, who is head baseball coach for the CF Patriots baseball team, will continue the youth camp next week, June 13-16, focusing on advanced players between the ages of 9-13.

Holden Spivey, 9, Jacob Buss, 11, Brecken Arlotta, 9, and Jacob Bailey, 9, left to right, look through the netted backstop during the Marty Smith Baseball Camp at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Brecken Arlotta, 9, makes a hit.

Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Tate Coody, 12, makes a hit.

Luke Phillips, 11, left, and Landon Hinkle, 11, right, chase after a fly ball in the infield.

Landon Hinkle, 11, leaps in the air after scoring.

Brayden Martinez, 12, gets ready to go to bat.

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

CHICKEN TENDERS, A PERFECT MEAL FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

E

very Friday, James Blevins, this newspaper’s in-house reporter and poet—who has seen his work previously published in “Salt Hill Journal,” “Pretty Owl Poetry,” “Stoneboat Journal,” “Mud Season Review” and

“AZURE,” as well as numerous other outlets both online and in print—chooses one poem for publication.

Additionally, Blevins will share a poem of his own, just for good measure, at the end of each calendar month.

The Moonlight

By Yvor Winters

By America’s Test Kitchen Have you ever noticed that chicken tenders are sometimes called chicken fingers?

What the heck?! Some people say they got their name because when they are all fried up, you can eat them with your fingers (rather than using a knife and fork). No matter where their name came from, you can assure the kids they are certainly not fingers! In fact, our 5-year-old recipe tester Claire can vouch for this dish: “I call this the ‚crunchy munchies’ chicken, and I like it better than chicken nuggets.”

Parmesan Chicken Tenders

I waited on In the late autumn moonlight, A train droning out of thought— The mind on moonlight And on trains.

Serves 4

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (3 ounces) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1/2 teaspoon plus 1/4 teaspoon salt, measured separately 3 large eggs 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 pound chicken tenderloins 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1. In a shallow dish, stir together Parmesan, panko and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add chicken to egg mixture and turn to coat well.

3. Remove 1 piece of chicken, letting extra egg drip off, and add to dish with Parmesan mixture. Gently press Parmesan mixture onto chicken. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken.

Blind as a thread of water Stirring through a cold like dust, Lonely beyond all silence And humming this to children, The nostalgic listeners in sleep, Because no guardian Strides through distance upon distance, His eyes a web of sleep.

4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Add half of the chicken and cook until it registers 165 degrees, 6 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway.

Repeat with remaining oil and chicken.

(For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands -- which includes Cook’s Illustrated, Cook’s Country, and America’s Test Kitchen Kids -- offers reliable recipes for cooks of all ages and skill levels. See more online at www.americastestkitchen.com/TCA.)

VISIT US DAILY ON THE WEB OUR MISSION IS TO INFORM AND UPLIFT OUR READERS BY REPORTING ON THE EVENTS, ISSUES AND STORIES THAT SHAPE OCALA WITH ACCURACY, FAIRNESS AND PASSION.

OCALAGAZETTE.COM

Yvor Winters, born on October 17, 1900 in Chicago, was a poet, critic and professor. He was the author of many books, including his “Collected Poems” (Swallow Press, 1960), which

won the 1962 Bollingen Prize, and “Secession no. 7” (Winter, 1924), where the above poem first appeared.

Winters died on January 25, 1968.

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Just a little tug can cause nursemaid’s elbow

By Sara O’Kelly Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

D

EAR MAYO CLINIC: I have a 2-year-old daughter who loves to swing in between my husband and me as we walk. But a friend told me that wasn’t safe because she could develop nursemaid’s elbow. Can you explain the condition?

ANSWER: Sometimes all it takes to cause nursemaid’s elbow is a little tug, such as when you’re helping toddlers down a step, pulling them back from a dangerous situation or playing by swinging them by their arms or hands.

The next thing you know, they’re holding their arm close to their side and not wanting to use or bend it due to pain.

The term nursemaid’s elbow harks back to the days when a nursemaid or nanny was common. A better name today might be babysitter’s elbow. It’s also known as radial head subluxation and happens when the annular ligament in the elbow is displaced by being pulled. Because a young child’s bones and muscles are still developing, it can take little force to cause nursemaid’s elbow.

It’s a common injury for children ages 1 to 4, but it typically happens from birth up to 7 years old. The elbow is the joint most often dislocated in children.

Here’s how the elbow works. It’s made up of the upper arm bone, or humerus, and the two bones in the forearm, the radius and ulna. On the inner and outer sides of the elbow, strong ligaments hold the elbow joint together and work to prevent dislocation.

The elbow has two joints: The humeroulnar, which is positioned between the ulna and humerus, and allows the elbow to bend.

The radiocapitellar, which is made up of the radius and part of the humerus. This joint allows for rotation of the forearm so the hand can be turned palm up or palm down. It’s this joint that’s involved in nursemaid’s elbow.

Nursemaid’s elbow occurs when the radiocapitellar joint partially separates. Even a mild force on the joint may cause it to shift, or sublux, especially in young children whose ligaments -- the strong tissues that attach bones to each other -aren’t fully formed.

Diagnosing nursemaid’s elbow is made by a physical exam, so it’s important to call your child’s health care team if you suspect an injury. Be mindful that each child may experience symptoms differently, so your child might not have pain.

Instead, your child may refuse to move the arm or appear to have lost the ability to move it.

Typically, X-rays aren’t needed, and treatment for nursemaid’s elbow can proceed quickly. The health care professional holds the child’s wrist or forearm, and turns the hand so that it faces palm up. While putting pressure near the top of the radius bone with his or her thumb, the health care professional will slowly and gently bend the elbow.

A faint pop or click may be heard when the joint goes back into place. This treatment rapidly relieves discomfort and restores arm movement. Surgery is seldom required, unless a fracture or dislocation isn’t treated quickly.

A fall rarely causes nursemaid’s elbow. If a child injures the elbow when falling onto an outstretched hand or directly onto the elbow, it may be a broken bone rather than nursemaid’s elbow.

The annular ligament that surrounds the radius may be particularly loose in some young children. So once a child has had nursemaid’s elbow, it can happen again. That’s why it’s important to avoid swinging, tugging or pulling children by the hands or arms. Instead, try grasping and lifting them under their armpits. -- Sara O’Kelly, Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Menomonie, Wisconsin (Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. E-mail a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit www.mayoclinic.org.)

New this week: Carrie Underwood, ‘The Janes,’ Adam Sandler

This combination of photos shows cover art for, from left, “Denim & Rhinestones,” by Carrie Underwood, “Proof,” a three-disc anthology album by BTS, and “The Versions” by Neneh Cherry. [Universal Music Group Nashville/Big Hit/Republic Records via AP]

By Jake Coyle, Mark Kennedy and Lynn Elber The Associated Press

H

ere’s a collection curated

by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.

MOVIES

— Adam Sandler, long a pickup player, channels his affection for basketball into Jeremiah Zagar’s “Hustle,” debuting Friday on Netflix. In the film, produced

by Lebron James, Sandler plays Stanley Sugarman, a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers who discovers a streetballer in Spain (played by Utah Jazz forward Juancho Hernangómez).

Filled with real NBA players and TV personalities, “Hustle” captures a surprisingly authentic view of professional basketball and the people on its sidelines driven by their love for the game.

— Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes’ “The Janes” is about a group of women who banded together in Chicago in the late ‚60s and early ‚70s to clandestinely offer illegal abortions to women who needed them in the years before the 1973 decision of Roe v. Wade. The film, which debuts on HBO and HBO Max on Wednesday, has obvious new relevance after the leak of a draft opinion suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark decision legalizing abortion. “The Janes” compiles the stories and testimonies of an earlier generation of women’s rights advocates.

— Summer movie season, with its massive big-budget franchise films, is in full swing. But the Criterion Channel this month is making the

case that less can be more. The streaming service is hosting a series of microbudget movies made for $150,000 or less. Many of them are classics despite — or because of — their gritty leanness, including the nasty noir “Detour,” Melvin Van Peebles’ Blaxploitation triumph “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song,” Jim Jarmusch’s breakthrough “Stranger Than Paradise” and Christopher Nolan’s debut “Following.”

MUSIC

— Carrie Underwood seems to be aiming for that sweet spot between country and pop with her new album out Friday, “Denim & Rhinestones.”

The title track is a perfect mix of genres with the lyrics: “You’re the cool and I’m the fire/No, we’re never going out of style.” Underwood cowrote 11 of the 12 tracks on “Denim & Rhinestones” with many of her frequent collaborators such as David Garcia, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Miller, Ashley Gorley, Josh Kear and Chris DeStefano. Some new co-writers include Michael Hardy and Lydia Vaughan, who co-wrote “If I Didn’t Love You,” Underwood’s hit duet with Jason Aldean.

— A lot of BTS drops Friday and we mean a lot. The three-disc anthology album, “Proof ” includes 48 tracks featuring many of the band’s hit singles as well as three brand-new songs, including “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment).” In addition, the collection will feature an entire disc of previously unreleased demos and fan-favorite tracks, including solo versions of hits “Spring Day” and “DNA.” Look also for individual song takes like “Friends” by Jimin and V, Jungkook’s “Euphoria” and “Intro: Persona” by RM, among others.

— Summer means the return of cherries and how appropriate that the

sweet sound of Neneh Cherry songs arrives this week. A collaboration of covers, “The Versions,” contains Cherry classic hits by women artists inspired by her work. The first two singles from the album are Robyn’s take on “Buffalo Stance” and Sia’s reworking of “Manchild.” Other artists on the album include Anohni, Greentea Peng, Seinabo Sey, Kelsey Lu, Honey Dijon, Jamila Woods and Sudan Archives. Cherry’s daughter, Tyson, bringing her own sensual attitude to mom’s “Sassy.”

TELEVISION

— “All Rise” was canceled by CBS after two seasons, but the verdict was reversed when the OWN channel gave the legal drama a new home. Simone Missick stars as Lola Carmichael, a respected former deputy district attorney who’s making waves as a new judge. “All Rise,” debuting Tuesday, picks up six months after season two’s conclusion as it follows the personal and professional lives of Judge Carmichael and the prosecutors, public defenders and others in the beehive of a Los Angeles courthouse. Wilson Bethel, Jessica Camacho and Marg Helgenberger are part of the cast.

— Stephen Merchant moves onto radically different turf with BritBox’s “The Barking Murders,” a threepart drama based on the real-life story of a British serial killer, how police investigated the crimes and their effect on the gay community he targeted. Merchant is known as a comedy creator and actor (the original “The Office,” “Extras”) who’s appeared in dramas (“Logan,” as Caliban), but here he takes on the lead role of Stephen Port, who’s serving a life sentence for rape and four murders.

“The Barking Murders” debuts Tuesday on the streaming service.

— The characters are Gen Z middle-schoolers but the comedy is aimed at adults in “Fairfax,” the Amazon Prime animated series returning for its sophomore season on Friday. Billy Porter, Camila Mendes, Yvette Nicole Brown and Guy Fieri are among the guest voice actors popping in on the series, which takes a bemused look at four besties growing up in a social-media dominated world amid the familiar challenges and angst of the early teen years. Skyler Gisondo, Kiersey Clemons, Peter S. Kim and Jaboukie Young-White star.

VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR ONLINE OCALAGAZETTE.COM/EVENTS

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE

Europe: The castles of boyhood dreams

A perch for daydreams amid castle ruins. [Rick Steves/Rick Steves’ Europe]

By Rick Steves

S

outh of Munich in the foothills of the Alps, I toured Hohenschwangau Castle. It was “Mad” King Ludwig’s father’s castle -- and Ludwig’s boyhood summer home. When his father died, Ludwig became king.

He was just a boy, 19 years old. And rather than live with the frustrations of a modern constitution and a feisty parliament in Munich reining him in, King Ludwig II spent his next years lost in Romantic literature and operas ... hanging out here with composer Richard Wagner as only a dreamy young

king could.

The king’s bedroom was decked out like a fairy tale. The walls were painted in 1835 by a single artist, who gave the place a romantic, Tolkien fantasy feel.

Lounging nymphs still flank the window and stars twinkle from the ceiling. A telescope stands as it did for the king, trained on a pinnacle on a distant ridge where Ludwig dreamed of building his ultimate castle fantasy: Neuschwanstein. On my first visit here, squinting through that telescope at Neuschwanstein (which had also inspired a boy named Walt Disney), I could relate to the busy young king.

Bound by schoolwork and house

rules rather than a constitution and parliament, I too was a romantic when it came to building dream castles. Mine was a simple tree house, but for me, it was as dazzling as any castle in Bavaria.

On that same trip, just over the border in Austria near the town of Reutte, I found another castle: the brooding ruins of the largest fort in Tirol -- Ehrenberg.

This impressive complex was built to defend against the Bavarians and to bottle up the strategic “Via Claudia” trade route that cut through the Alps here, connecting Italy and Germany. Exploring the ruins, I climbed deep into a misty forest

littered with meaningless chunks of castle wall -- each pinned down

by Pixy Stix trees and mossy with sword ferns. This once strategic and powerful fortress had somehow fallen apart and was slowly being eaten by the forest.

My friend Armin Walch, an archaeologist who lives in Reutte, had a vision to bring these ruins to life. He was born the same year as me and pursued his project like the Indiana Jones of castle scholars. Today, with European Union funding, he’s cut away the hungry forest to reveal and renovate what he calls the castle ensemble. And it’s open for business, enabling countless children to live out their medieval fantasies, leaping from rampart to rampart with sword ferns swinging.

On my last visit, I was honored for bringing so many visitors to this remote corner of Austria over the years. With Armin as the jovial master of ceremonies, the town’s hoteliers and tourism folks gathered in the castle like a council of medieval lords. Together we ate smoked game, swilled wine, and clinked pewter mugs. I gave an impromptu speech about the wonders of Americans climbing through history far from home.

Then I knelt before a man in armor who drew a shiny sword with my name etched upon it, and was knighted -- Sir Rick, first knight of Ehrenberg.

The sword was my gift. It was solid and sparkled with sentiment. I loved how it felt in my hand as I swung it back and forth, cutting through the air -- and how it symbolically wove together my tree-house

childhood, my love of history, my longtime connection with Reutte, and Armin’s vision. I requested that my sword stay in the museum as a special exhibit on the castle-loving boy from Seattle who fell in love with the Ehrenberg ruins and then grew up to bring decades of American travelers to Reutte with his guidebooks.

After the ceremony, Armin took me to his house for a drink. As a talented architect, he had cleverly hidden his sleek, futuristic, and creative pad behind a humble old-town facade. It was a royal domain for his family.

Armin and I climbed boyishly to his rooftop -- a perch he designed to view Ehrenberg.

Together we shared a glass of schnapps flavored with local herbs and peered through his telescope at our favorite castle complex -- now illuminated by powerful floodlighting. In his youth -- before he excavated it -- almost no one knew about the fortress that hid beneath the trees on the mountain. Nudging me aside, Armin took his turn squinting through his telescope.

Happy as two boys in a tree house, like two Romantic-age princes, we marveled at this castle of his dreams.

(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves. com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)

How ‘Top Gun: Maverick’s’ Production Designer Secured Real Fighter Planes and More

Tom Cruise stars as Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in “Top Gun: Maverick.” [Paramount Pictures/TNS]

By Jazz Tangcay Variety

I

t is widely known that Tom Cruise would rather jump off a building or out of an airplane than resort to using CGI. Thus, when it came to filming “Top Gun: Maverick,” having access to the Navy equipment and expertise that informed the original 1986 hit was paramount for production designer Jeremy Hindle to create a believable, engaging action film.

From an opening sequence aboard the flight deck of a USS aircraft carrier to an F-14 Tomcat plane, or a fleet of fighters, Hindle pulled out all the stops.

The film brings back Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell -- now a weathered test pilot. He has returned to the San Diego base in the original movie, this time to train a group of naval graduates for a very dangerous mission. The F-14 Tomcat was featured in the first film, and with the sequel hitting a lot of nostalgic notes, it was fitting for the plane to make an encore in a climactic dogfight sequence. But there

was a catch, as Hindle explains: “There are no F-14s that fly because they [have been decommissioned in the U.S.] and all the engines have been taken out of them.”

Getting access to even one was quite an undertaking. “The only people that have F-14s are in Iran, and they have six of them,” says Hindle. But he wasn’t going to get any of those.

In the end, the filmmakers found one they could use at the San Diego Air and Space Museum, but it had to be dismantled and shipped, since the scenes with the plane were shooting at an airfield more than 500 miles away, near Lake Tahoe.

The next challenge was to make the aircraft as fully functional as possible. “It needed to be operational enough that the [cockpit] canopy opens,” Hindle says. After that, since it still lacked an engine, it was towed. “Everything up to that point is as real as you can get,” he adds.

Hindle credits the Navy crew assigned to the film for aiding to secure the F-14.

“They would do anything to help make the movie amazing,” he says. For the other planes used by Lt. Bradley “Rooster”

Bradshaw (Miles Teller), Jake “Hangman” Seresin (Glen Powell) and other members of the cast, Hindle brought in 20 other aircraft, also not an easy feat. “We collected those from all over the country because these were planes that are working, flying and still doing their jobs,” Hindle says.

Once he had the planes -- including a Boeing F/A-18/F -- call signs needed to be painted on them and the actors’ headgear.

Hindle worked with director Joseph Kosinski, a graphic artist and an illustrator to design the character helmets. “There’s so much story to each helmet,” Hindle say.

“Hangman’s has a tiny hangman graphic, and Rooster has his design.” Everything has to register instantly, because the audience has “this second [on screen] to know who they are.” Hindle reveals that call signs on helmets did not exist in the Navy until after the first movie was made.

“It was Tony’s [Scott] idea on the first movie, and now everyone does it,” he says.

There was one plane, though that Hindle didn’t have to worry about procuring -- the one Maverick is working on in a hangar early in the film begins.

That was Cruise’s own P-51 fighter jet, Hindle explains. “He flew that from Florida to California to that hangar.”

As for the film’s bar, Hindle explains that all Navy bases have I-Bars where officers come and hang out. If they’re stationed there, they will bring a mug which is then hung on a hook, explains Hindle of the decorating choice.

The idea behind it was the bar belonged to Penny (Jennifer Connelly), but she had inherited it. Says Hindle, “It’s this old bar.

Everything in the Navy has this old feel to it, you feel their history because they pass everything on. They don’t tear it down and build on it, and that’s how we wanted this bar to look.”

The bar was a real set build on the beach. “I scoured bars all along the beach in San Diego, but nothing worked,” says Hindle. “We actually built it in L.A., completely made of steel and dressed it so I could see it, but then we dismantled it and rebuilt it on the beach.”

The set dressing, Hindle says, is real “from the tail wings to the plaques on the walls.”

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JUNE 10 - JUNE 16, 2022 | OCALA GAZETTE