Food waste special use permit voted down
The Gaston Tree & Debris request to compost human-grade food waste was met with considerable neighborhood opposition.
By Belea T. Keeney belea@magnoliamediaco.com
In a nearly full auditorium on June 2, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to deny a special use permit that would have allowed grocery store food waste to be processed at the Gaston’s Tree & Debris composting facility on Northwest Gainesville Road. Wood Resource Recovery, LLC, is the parent owner of the compost operation.
Traci Walker, co-owner of the Canyons Zipline & Adventure Park, which is located across the street from the facility, was tearyeyed after the vote and said, “I am surprised. I was terrified coming into this… this is kind of the Wild West for these kinds of operations. There should be a very clear path of regulations to shut down… so we don’t go through what we went through with Compost USA.”
The mid-afternoon hearing started with 40 people sworn in to speak, along with Alexandra Scales, an attorney working for neighborhood interests. Twentyone people spoke in opposition citing concerns about odor, waste water leaching into the aquifer, chemical pollution from the composting gases, traffic, proximity to Fessenden Elementary School and general incompatibility with the rural area.
Levin Gaston, owner of the Gaston Tree & Debris business, acknowledged neighbor’s attitudes.
“I do understand people’s concerns…,” Gaston said at the podium. “If we can’t do this right, we either have to fix it or shut down.”
While odors were the main cited reason for worries, several speakers addressed the area springs and aquifer being contaminated.
See Gaston Tree & Debris, page A7
Keeping rescuers healthy
Firefighters work together to maintain physical and mental well-being as they serve the community.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Ispent two days recently riding along with crews from Ocala Fire Rescue’s Station 7 while reporting a story about the challenges facing Marion County’s growing elderly population. Between calls, another important issue emerged, this one about how these firefighters work to stay physically and mentally healthy while caring for others in distress.
Firefighters face elevated risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, sleep disruption and psychological trauma,
according to numerous studies. At Station 7, conversations around the dinner table, workouts in the station gym and even debates about red dye and ice baths reflected a profession increasingly focused on staying healthy enough to spend a career helping others.
“What adversity did you face, and how did you overcome it?”
That is what 25-year-old firefighter/ EMT Chase “PT” Moore said he was asked by an official at a neighboring fire department when he interviewed for a job after he graduated from the Florida State Fire College at age 22.
“I really couldn’t answer the first part of
the question, let alone the second part,” he said.
“You really hadn’t had any adversity in your life?” I inquired.
“No, I have a good family and couldn’t think of one thing to say and I didn’t want to just make something up,” he explained.
With almost two years under his belt at OFR, Moore talked about some of his hardest calls. I won’t repeat them in this story, but they all tragically included the deaths of adults and children and a description of the smell of death.
“It’s a horrible smell,” he said.
See Keeping rescuers healthy, page A4
‘Celebration’ of Horse Fever’s 25th anniversary Members of the community can still help paint the equine statue that will go on permanent display at the Brick City Center for the Arts.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
f your inner Picasso or Monet has a yen to be part of the group of people who are painting the Horse Fever 25th Anniversary statue named Celebration, there is still time to get in on the fun.
On May 30, a number of people picked up brushes and started the process of painting the full-size equine, designed by local artist Maggie Weakley, at the Marion Cultural Alliance’s Brick City Center for the Arts, at 23 S. Broadway St. in downtown Ocala. Laurie Zink was one of the cofounders of the popular Horse Fever public art project and has been deeply involved over the 25 years of its existence. She was at the community painting event on Saturday.
“Point of interest — and we told the story a lot on Saturday — Maggie gave me a paint by number family portrait for Christmas.
Laurie Zink, co-chair of the Horse Fever 25th Anniversary, left, and Maggie Weakley, the Celebration horse artist, right, paint during the Community Paint Day at the Brick City Center for the Arts in Ocala on May 30, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Clayton Blalock, firefighter/EMT; Jacqueline Nettles, FEO/paramedic; Chase Moore, firefighter/EMT; Capt. Jesse Blaire, captain/paramedic; and Tim Herff, FEO/paramedic; left to right, talk between calls at Ocala Fire Rescue Station 7 on Southeast 31st Street in Ocala on May 28, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@maganoliamediaco.com
OCALA FIRE RESCUE HONOR GUARD WINS TOP HONOR
The Ocala Fire Rescue Honor Guard team was awarded first place in the 2026 First There First Care Honor Guard Competition.
The team’s exceptional skills were showcased through a variety of ceremonial activities, including inspection, colors posting, casket watch, casket carry and flag folding, the news release noted.
FOREVER SCHOLARSHIP FOR FESSENDEN STUDENTS
The Public Education Foundation of Marion County has announced the creation of the Fessenden Forever Scholarship, made possible through an endowed gift from the Saint Bernard Foundation.
The endowment establishes a lasting scholarship program for Fessenden Elementary School students to support their postsecondary education. Designed to open doors for generations of learners, the fund ensures opportunity begins early and extends well beyond the classroom. The investment marks a significant milestone for both PEFMC and Marion County Public Schools, the news release stated.
“This is a transformational moment for Fessenden Elementary,” said MCPS Superintendent Danielle Brewer. “The Fessenden Forever Scholarship, thanks to the Saint Bernard Foundation, will turn possibility into reality for our students.”
The announcement was made during the school’s recent fifth-grade graduation ceremony, during which students and families learned of the opportunity created in their honor.
“This scholarship changes the trajectory of our students’
The team members are firefighter/EMT Andrew Bowyer, firefighter/EMT Michael Brittle, captain/ paramedic Tim Carver, firefighter/EMT Emanuel Del Rio, captain/paramedic Nicole Kopolovits, fire equipment operator/paramedic Christopher Maxon and fire equipment operator/paramedic Jacqueline Nettles.
lives,” said school principal Stacie Newmones in the release. “It gives them confidence, hope and the assurance that their community believes in them every step of the way.”
In a surprise moment, seniors who previously attended Fessenden Elementary also learned they are eligible for support as they pursue education after high school.
“We want this scholarship to create opportunity not just for today’s students, but for every Fessenden graduate who follows,” said Mary Jane Hunt of the Saint Bernard Foundation in the release. “This is about investing in futures, opening doors and making sure every child at Fessenden Elementary knows they have a bright future ahead.”
“This moment represents lifechanging opportunities for the Fessenden community — forever,” said Meghan Magamoll, executive director of the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, in the release. “Our goal is to honor the vision behind this gift while ensuring it supports as many students as possible and endures far beyond today.”
For more information, contact Magamoll at (352) 671-4167 or meghan.magamoll@marion. k12.fl.us.
FREE SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM
When school is out for the summer, access to consistent, nutritious meals can become a challenge for many families. Marion County Public Schools is committed to helping bridge that gap. The Summer Food Service Program offers free meals to ages 1 through 18, with no registration or paperwork required. Children may visit any participating location, regardless of whether they are enrolled in summer school.
The district is serving meals at 32 schools and 14 off-site/ community locations throughout Marion County, funded through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, according to the news release.
At most locations, meals are
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served on-site during designated times. At 10 rural locations, families may also receive takehome meal kits, which include pre-packaged breakfasts and lunches for multiple days. Some sites offer 3-day meal kits, while others provide a full 7-day supply.
The program continues through late July, depending on location. School sites are closed on Fridays and July 2 (observed Independence Day holiday), with other dates and times varying by site.
Visit summerbreakspot.org/findlocation/ to find locations and serving times.
SIX REAPPOINTED TO CF BOARD
Six current members of the College of Central Florida District Board of Trustees were reappointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 29.
Joyce Brancato, vice chair, is an adjunct associate professor with the University of Maryland Global Campus and previously served as chief executive officer of Seven Rivers Medical Center.
Rusty Branson is the president of SouthState Bank and a member of the Marion County Hospital District board of directors.
Bobby Durrance is a retired Levy County Public Schools administrator and educator, and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Bill Edgar is a self-employed business consultant and veteran of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Fred Roberts Jr. is a partner and attorney for Klein & Klein, PLLC, and has served as a board member for the Marion County Bar Association.
Charlie Stone, chair, is the president and owner of Stone Petroleum Products, Inc. and a previously elected member of the Florida House of Representatives and Marion County Board of Commissioners.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
The seventh member of the board is Jose Juarez, who was appointed by DeSantis in August 2025.
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Ocala Fire Rescue Honor Guard first-place winners, from left, Christopher Maxon, Jacqueline Nettles, Andrew Bowyer, Michael Brittle, Tim Carver and Emanuel Del Rio. [Submitted photo]
Mary Jane Hunt and her husband Bernie Little of the Saint Bernard Foundation. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
At that dinner, I asked, ‘What if we did this on a horse? Is it possible? Can you do it?’ And Celebration was ‘born,’” Zink shared about the idea for the artwork.
“It is important to us, the Horse Fever originators, that the community is involved with this project, as it always has been in the past. I think this is an amazing idea to keep that connection going for Horse Fever and MCA,” Zink added.
“Celebration is more than a horse sculpture — it’s a living piece of community art. Every brushstroke tells a story and every person who paints it leaves a small part of themselves behind. This horse truly belongs to all of us. One of my favorite parts of this project has been watching them be creative and become part of something larger than themselves. The joy on their faces when they step back and see their contribution is unforgettable,” Weakley said.
“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Horse Fever, I wanted this horse to honor not only the project’s history but also the people who have made our community what it is today. Celebration is a tribute to all of them. Public art has a unique way of bringing people together. Strangers become teammates, conversations begin and memories are made — all while creating something beautiful that will be enjoyed for years to come,” she added.
Of the community painting party on May 30, the artist noted that, “We saw children, grandparents, longtime residents and first-time visitors all painting side by side. That’s the magic of this project — it reminds us that art belongs to everyone. One participant told me, ‘This is better than therapy.’ That comment perfectly captures what I’ve witnessed. Painting Celebration has
been joyful, healing and meaningful for so many people.”
Weakley said one woman drove an hour and a half to participate after losing her husband just two months earlier.
“She painted the two blue theater masks on Celebration’s face in his honor. Moments like that remind me that art can help us process grief, celebrate life and stay connected to the people we love,” Weakley shared.
“When the horse is finished, it won’t just be painted — it will be filled with the stories of our community. My hope is that years from now, people will look at Celebration and remember not only what it looks like, but how it felt to be part of creating it. Celebration is exactly what its name suggests — a celebration of community, creativity, connection and the lasting legacy of Horse Fever,” she offered.
The interactive paint-bynumbers experience is designed for all ages and skill levels. Several more Celebration Community Paint Days are planned to complete the horse: Wednesdays, June 10, 17 and 24, and July 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“More than just a painting event, Celebration reflects the heart of Marion County — its creativity, diversity and deep connection to both the arts and equestrian culture. Once complete, the sculpture will remain on display as a lasting landmark and symbol of what we can build together,” according to MCA.
The 25th Anniversary of Horse Fever also includes a chance to win by raffle Tribute 25, a one-ofa-kind anniversary horse painted by renowned equine artist and inaugural Horse Fever artist Sharon Crute.
To learn more, go to mcaocala. org/horse-fever-25
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Kelsey McGovern, 12, bottom, paints on Maggie Weakley’s Horse Fever horse, Celebration, along with others.
People paint on Celebration during the Community Paint Day on May 30.
Maggie Weakley, the Celebration Horse Fever artist, shows a sketch of the final version of the sculpture.
Landon Lam, 3, gets some help from his father, Ying Lam, as he paints.
Kathy Fisk paints the color blue on Celebration in memory of her late husband Dan Cooper Jr.’s favorite color.
Killian Berardi, 7, paints on one of the hooves of Celebration.
Kent Weakley paints on his wife Maggie Weakley’s Horse Fever horse.
Hear Us Roar III
This collaborative fundraiser on June 12 in Ocala will include live music and sales of artwork.
Staff report
Arts in Health Ocala Metro (AIHOM) is a nonprofit that connects art and healing. The organization is hosting its third annual performance fundraiser, Hear Us Roar III, on June 12 at the Ocala Civic Theatre.
AIHOM facilitates free workshops for intellectually disabled adults at Arc of Marion. The Hear Us Roar events offer an opportunity for the clients to
show and sell their artwork and perform on stage.
The collaborative Hear Us Roar III fundraiser will include a sing along style performance with Arc clients performing onstage with AIHOM musicians Becky Baby, Dave Reinwald and Brandon Dull. Paintings created by the clients during workshops led by AIHOM artist practitioner Christopher Hershberger will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Arts in Health Ocala Metro and The Arc of Marion.
The event will begin at 7 p.m.
“How did you get the nickname PT?” I asked after learning PT is short for “prime time.”
“The chief gave me that name,” Moore answered proudly.
“Probie” is a term that fire departments use for probationary firefighters, those in their first year on the job.
Moore said he got the nickname because he was “chief of the probies, always entertaining everyone, and I still do. Every station needs someone like me, the entertainer,” he answered with a quick laugh while his fellow firemen in earshot of our conversation chuckled and started talking about what the “chef” was going to cook for dinner.
Driver/EMT Gorka
Aperribay, who has been with the department for five years, said he learned how to cook from his parents and usually takes on the duties of cooking for the crew.
I couldn’t help but admire how well-seasoned the cast iron pots and pans were that sat on a stove top.
“What’s the secret to keeping the cast iron pots from rusting?”
I asked Aperribay. The trick, he said, is not cleaning them with soap.
Aperribay commutes from Orlando for his work at OFR. He’s not alone. Turns out, quite a few of the firefighters live outside Marion County. I’ve come to learn this is commonplace, as many firefighters prefer to separate where they work from where they live. Some locations hold memories they’d prefer not to revisit during their downtime.
Aperribay said everyone chips in $20 and they cook healthy
meals without resorting to using the money for fast food.
“But I bring my own junk food,” Moore said, pulling out potato chips and a bag of gummy bears.
“You better watch out for that red dye,” said 17-year driver/ paramedic Jacqueline Nettles.
Nettles is the only female on her shift at Station 7 and her colleagues grudgingly avoid cooking with onions for her sake.
Moore responded to concerns about red dye by bragging that testing shows his metabolic life at 21 years, well under his age of 25, unlike the rest of the crew’s test results.
The firefighter profession has spread more awareness over the last decade about the impacts of fire service on members’ health, both physically from interrupted sleep and exposure to carcinogens as well as the bodies’ constant exposure to traumatic events.
Throughout the two days, the conversations were intertwined with an awareness that they needed to be more proactive in monitoring their health than the average person. Moore was open about avoiding some risks, like drinking alcohol or riding his dirt bike instead of a motorcycle on the street.
Nettles spoke of having a skin reaction following a post-fire inspection of the St. Paul AME Church in mid-May.
“Two days after the fire and it still felt hot inside,” she said, adding that they were advised to wear protective gear.
Firefighter/paramedic Eduardo Ignacio-Simon proposed ice baths after working out, which most participated in.
Nettles, however, told
OCT is located at 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.
General admission tickets, $25 in advance or $30 at the door, include backstage access to view and purchase Arc client paintings after the show.
VIP tickets are $50 and include sparkling wine and light hors d’oeuvres as well as early access to view and purchase Arc client paintings before the concert.
To get tickets, go to thecivic.org/ event/hear-us-roar-iii
her coworkers it seemed counterproductive to do that right after working out.
“Why would you want to reduce blood flow, postworkout?” she asked.
Fire equipment operator Tim Herff, a father of two who moved to Ocala from Chicago, wears a Halo ring to track his sleep. He noted the sharp difference in the data he got while on duty as opposed to when he was off duty. While driving the rescue vehicle, Herff thanked me for riding along and for telling their story.
“It’s hard for us to do,” he noted.
When I asked soon-to-be Capt. Vince Alexander, a father of one who is nearing his 11th year at OFR, what he thought would help those seeking a career in fire, he said it would be ideal to enter it knowing how to fix things.
“This new generation didn’t spend much time holding the flashlights for their dad while he fixed things,” Alexander said.
“Part of the job with the new ones entering the field is to play that role, teach them about tools and how engines work. And it’s not just at the station; it’s after work, too. If they need to fix their car or build a shed, you show up and help them learn how to do it,” Alexander said.
Firefighter/EMT Kyler MacDonald listened nearby, nodding his head in agreement. With one year and two months in the fire service under his belt, he was busy studying two large volumes. One lay open with a diagram of the heart, the other was the Bible.
MacDonald is studying to become a paramedic, a process that takes a year of schooling and
clinicals on top of his work at OFR.
Nettles said the first year on the job entails a lot of continued learning as the firefighters need to learn the individual departments’ procedures and guidelines.
Moore said that after that first-year learning curve, he knew the next step in his career was going to involve attending paramedic school.
OFR veteran Jesse Blaire stopped by the station and sat at the communal table where MacDonald studied to grill him on how to increase pressure on a rescue scene. With all of us listening, we saw MacDonald recall what he was learning at a steady pace.
Blaire pushed him to think through some of the options he might not read about in his paramedic textbook: “What if I lost my arm and you had to raise my pressure; how would you do it?” he asked.
MacDonald grew up as a friend of Blaire’s son and knew the senior Blaire long before he joined OFR.
Blaire stands out amongst his peers in his aptitude for medical concepts and his no-nonsense communication style. He’s like that uncle or aunt that some of us might be lucky enough to have, who gives it to you straight and isn’t going to necessarily tiptoe around your feelings.
Blaire, now in his 24th year in the fire service, has been a pioneer in paramedicine, along with 25-year veteran OFR Capt. Chris Hickman. Blaire described the boundaries he creates in his mind so he can balance work and life when he goes home.
While Blaire’s system of compartmentalizing might sound cold to some, he explained: “I only want to know the information I need to know to complete the task.”
He believes younger firefighters can sometimes become consumed by the outcomes of the people they help.
“I just want to know that on the job I did checked the boxes that I was supposed to check because I don’t want to know if the guy is now permanently disabled and his family is not able to maintain the same lifestyle that they did before the accident because then you think about it constantly,” he said.
“I always ask the [new firefighters],” he said, “are you sure you want to know the outcome? Because if you want to know, I’m going to give it to you, but you might not. So, you should carefully consider how much weight you want in your backpack, because we all carry a backpack. How much do you want to carry in it?”
The metaphorical backpack Blaire described is the accumulation of tragedy, grief and difficult memories that firefighters encounter throughout their careers.
Moore said he believes he handles difficult calls well.
“I leave it at the call,” he explained.
Then, after a pause, he acknowledged another role he plays around the station.
“But sometimes I can tell by the way the guys are walking around after a call that it’s staying with them,” he said. “So, I try to make a joke and bring humor back.”
AIHOM artist practitioner Becky Hudson, who performs as Becky Baby, with a client of Arc Marion from a previous Hear Us Roar event. [Photo courtesy Arts in Health Ocala Metro]
Tim Herff, FEO/paramedic, and Jacqueline Nettles, FEO/paramedic, look over a laptop at Ocala Fire Rescue Station 7 on Southeast 31st Street on May 28, 2026.
Chase Moore, firefighter/EMT, and Andrew Esser, FEO/paramedic, take off for a call from Ocala Fire Rescue Station 7 on May 28, 2026.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
New candidate in District 4 race
Ocala business owner and veteran Mike Mills files for Marion County School Board seat.
By Jamie Berube jamie@ocalagazette.com
Mike Mills, owner of Symmetry Coffee Company in Ocala and a U.S. Navy veteran, has filed as a candidate in the open Marion County School Board District 4 race. Mills filed his candidacy on May 4, joining a competitive nonpartisan field for the seat being vacated by incumbent Nancy Thrower, who is not seeking re-election.
The race will be decided in the Aug. 18 primary and Nov. 3 general election, with the qualifying deadline set for June 12. Board members serve four-year terms and receive an annual salary of $50,000, which is equal to the starting pay of a schoolteacher.
A self-described proud product of Marion County Public Schools, Mills served as a nuclear machinist mate on submarines from 2010 to 2017. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in natural science from Excelsior University and a master’s in business administration from Florida Atlantic University. He is a Take Stock in Children alumnus and currently serves as a mentor in the program. Mills also works as an adjunct business school professor at the College of Central Florida.
Mills said his decision to file for the District 4 seat was driven by his deep personal connection to Marion County schools and a desire to give back.
“I’m the right person because of my unique perspective. I was a student of this school system and I understand their needs. I served this nation in the Navy. I can assure you that patriotism starts in the middle school civics class. I’m not only a business professor at a local college, I’m also the only candidate that owns my own business and I understand the weight of fiscal responsibility. The combination of these skills/experiences and a lifelong passion for service makes me the ideal candidate,” Mills said.
He credits the Take Stock in Children program with changing the trajectory of his life after being awarded a scholarship in eighth grade.
“I was assigned a mentor and that changed my life. Today, I am a mentor to multiple students in the program that opened doors for me. I am a founding co-chair of the TSIC Alumni Council and I am part of Florida Atlantic University’s Presidential Mentoring Program,” Mills said.
Mills believes his military service provides a valuable perspective for school board leadership and highlighted the importance of leadership and building relationships.
“We can’t lead people where we have never been. I’ve been a mentee, a mentor. I’m a business owner and I’m currently a business school professor. Effective school board leadership also requires the ability to build productive relationships at the state and federal level, where important conversations about education, policy, funding and legislative priorities take place. To truly advocate for our students, a board member must be able to work collaboratively both inside the community and beyond it, always with the goal of creating the best possible opportunities for our students, teachers and families,” Mills said.
He said he feels his experience as a small business owner has given him insight into the skills he believes local employers need from graduates.
“The most useful skills that I have developed as a business owner are in the financial arena. I understand budgets, appropriate spending, strategic thinking and I have signed the front of checks. I have spent my time connecting and collaborating with the city, the county and serving
MCPS (Marion County Public Schools) in numerous categories. I’ve hosted and attended the superintendent breakfast since its inception, for multiple superintendents. Awardwinning teachers of MCPS met with the superintendent to have a real conversation about what is going on in the classroom and what the teachers’ needs are. I’ve sponsored and attended ceremonies, graduations, retirements, strategic planning sessions and received awards for my service to the education system,” Mills continued.
On his top three priorities, Mills emphasized student outcomes across all pathways.
“I believe our students deserve to be highly educated, happy and healthy. I intend to accomplish these goals by equipping and supporting our stellar teachers through fiscal responsibility and encouraging growth in the many avenues our students have after graduation. Our responsibility as a school district is to help every student find a pathway to success. For some students, that may be college. For others, it may be enlisting in the military, entering the workforce, attending technical school or pursuing a skilled trade. As a school board member, I would strongly support expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) and trade programs so students can graduate with real skills, certifications and opportunities that prepare them for careers right here in our community. I also believe military service is an honorable pathway that builds leadership, discipline and lifelong opportunity for many young people. Our goal should be to ensure every graduate leaves our schools prepared for a productive future, whatever path they choose,” Mills said.
As of the latest available reports on the Marion County Supervisor of Elections website, Mills has reported no monetary contributions or expenditures in the current election cycle. His campaign website is mikemillsmarionschools.com
• The other candidates in the District 4 race are: Brigitte Smith, a longtime registered nurse, U.S. Army Nursing Corps veteran and chairwoman of the Marion County Republican Executive Committee. Smith filed on May 15. No campaign contributions were reported as of the latest filing.
Jeffrey “Jeff” Brewer, a retired 20-year Marion County special education teacher. As of the Q1 2026 report, Brewer raised $1,803 and spent $672.21.
Earl “Buddy” Wyckoff, a veteran high school math teacher with 38 years in the classroom. As of the Q1 2026 report, Wyckoff raised $650 and spent $369.75.
All candidates have filed as nonpartisan and are listed as activefiled on the Marion County Supervisor of Elections site.
Mike Mills Public Notice
“Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion”
The
Marion Cultural Alliance will open a new exhibit on June 5 with a free public reception.
Staff report
The Marion Cultural Alliance invites the community to experience the “Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion,” exhibition, which celebrates the unconditional love, companionship and joy shared between humans and their pets.
Presented in partnership with Jenkins Subaru of Ocala and the Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL), the exhibit opens with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. June 5 at the Brick City Center for the Arts at 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala.
Featuring original artwork by regional artists, “Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion” explores the bond between people and their animal companions through painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media and more. From playful personalities to deeply emotional connections, the exhibit captures the loyalty, comfort, humor and healing that pets bring into our lives, the news release noted.
“This exhibit celebrates the animals who become family,” said Jaye Baillie, MCA executive director, in the release. “Through art, we honor the companionship, devotion and
unconditional love that cats and dogs bring to our daily lives while also raising awareness about the importance of animal rescue and adoption.”
Baillie owns a rescue dog and cat, Poppy and Hoss Catwright, who bring joy to the family every day she shared.
Guests attending the reception will learn about the mission of VOCAL, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless pets through rescue, rehabilitation and adoption services.
The evening will feature music from Heather Lynne & Friends and the debut of their music video, “Dreamin’ a Dream,” filmed at VOCAL with rescue pets and their “fur-ever” families.
Heather’s lifelong love of animals inspired her to partner with VOCAL. What began as a music video intended to raise awareness for the organization soon became more personal when she adopted Mario, a VOCAL rescue dog, the release stated.
The exhibition will remain on view through July 3. A portion of artwork sales from the exhibit will benefit MCA and VOCAL.
To learn more, visit mcaocala.org
Inaugural dinner/dance is a hit
The Meet and Greet with the Stars mixer offered a social outing for those within the special needs community.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Amy Viano had a ball dancing the Cupid Shuffle, Macarena, Electric Slide and “Y.M.C.A.” with her friends at the first ever Meet and Greet with the Stars dinner and dance on May 29 in Ocala.
“I danced too much,” Viano said with a grin.
The dance, held at the Salvation Army Hall on Northeast 14th Street, was the first event organized by Stars Among Us of Marion County, a nonprofit founded in early 2026 with a goal of offering “inclusive social, recreational and community opportunities” to those with special needs, according to the group’s Facebook page.
“We believe everyone deserves a place to belong,” is one of the group’s posted beliefs.
Viano, 36, a graduate of Ocala’s Hillcrest School, was diagnosed with down syndrome when she was 3 days old, following surgery for an intestinal blockage, according to her father, who accompanied her to the dance and mixer.
“Amy loves all kinds of music and dancing, and loves volunteering at our church, St. Mark’s Lutheran, where we cook dinner every Wednesday night,” Bob Viano said. “Amy loves everyone and everyone loves her.”
Amy shared a few dances with Shamar Moffett, 20, who was at the event with his mom, Lataria Moffatt.
“Shamar loves dancing. He keeps me going,” Lataria Moffett said.
Amanda “Chipper” Vought brightened up the night with her big smile during a conga line dance. Her nickname comes from her being a fan of baseball star Chipper Jones.
“I’m very pleased,” she said about the dinner dance.
Vought, 41, was accompanied by her mom, Carol Vought, who shared that her daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth.
“Amanda volunteers at the library so she has her work and recreation,” Carol Vought said.
Janice West accompanied her son Brian, 51, to the mixer. He enjoyed the night out with friends, and she said she was pleased for him to get out as she feels opportunities are limited for special needs individuals to socialize.
West said Brian participates in several local special needs support groups and he’s her “best friend.”
Brian recently was a champion in the Reeling in the Good Times fishing tournament held by We Who Care of Marion County.
“It is truly inspiring to see so many compassionate people come together to create nonprofit organizations that serve our special needs
community,” Chera Ennis, president of We Who Care of Marion County, wrote in an email message.
Ennis noted that We Who Care was started in 1982 as a weekly bowling group and has grown to include dances, family picnics and recently initiated the Reeling in the Good Times fishing tournament. She said the tournament is an example of an activity “bridging gaps, building connections and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.”
Ray Verno is a director with Stars Among Us and a board member of Bryan’s All Stars Sports Challenge. Of Stars Among Us, he said one of the guiding principles is “inclusion
without limits.” His son, Eric, 42, was among the attendees at the event. “There are very few opportunities for members of the special needs community to make friends,” Ray Verno said.
Theresa McCray of The Purpose group home said her resident, a 19-year-old, looked forward to the dinner dance.
Stars Among Us President Rhonda Kardell said the event was a “way for (the attendees) to gather and meet.” Kardell said many of the estimated 60 attendees and their families are also involved with other local organizations that offer help, support and social activities
for people in the special needs community.
Stars Among Us officers at the inaugural event included Secretary Shirley Williams, Vice President Carleen Gooch and Treasurer Jennifer Cole.
For more information about Stars Among Us of Marion County, find the group on Facebook or call (352) 425-3530.
SOME OF THE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER SUPPORT TO THE SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY ARE:
* The Arc of Marion County: Adult day training, supported employment, independent living, transportation services and residential services; arcmarion.org and (352) 387-2210
* Transitions Life Center: Continuing education in life skills, social skills and recreational activities; tlcocaka.org and (352) 8778999
* Champions for Champions: Provides educational, social, sports, music, arts, job training, and life skill programs; championsforchampions.org and (352) 462-0380
* We Who Care of Marion County: Inclusive programs for individuals with all disabilities, along with support for families, guardians, caregivers and group homes; wewhocare.org and (352) 277-4728
* Bryan’s All Stars Challenge Sports: Opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence and fitness through community sports amongst their peers; bryansallstars. org
* Special Olympics Florida/Northeast Florida Area 3: specialolympicsflorida.org/ northeast
Heather Lynne and members of her band pose with pets from the Voices of Change Animal League (VOCAL), which is partnering with the Marion Cultural Alliance on the “Cats & Dogs: A Portrait of Devotion” exhibition that opens June 5. [Submitted photo]
Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette
Amanda Vought, second from left, smiles as she joins a conga line dance at the Meet and Greet with the Stars dinner and dance on May 29, 2026, at the Salvation Army Hall in northeast Ocala.
Carleen Gooch, vice president of Stars Among Us, shares a laugh while dancing with Eric Verno at the nonprofit’s Meet and Greet with the Stars dinner and dance.
Amy Viano shared a few dances with Shamar Moffett at the Stars Among Us Meet and Greet with the Stars dinner and dance on May 29.
Amy Viano beams as she joins a conga line dance during the event.
County approves historic fire rescue contract
Marion leaders hope $20,000 pay raise and 24/72 schedule will help stop years of firefighter turnover.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Marion County commissioners on June 2 unanimously approved contracts with the Professional Firefighters of Marion County designed to aggressively combat a severe staffing crisis that has plagued the department for years.
Addressing the Board of County Commissioners, Fire Chief James Banta said, “Today we have an opportunity to send a clear message to those men and women: Because you take care of our community, we’re going to take care of you. This agreement represents a significant investment in their health, wellness, recovery, compensation and quality of life. It’s also an investment in the future of Marion County and our ability to provide exceptional service for years.”
The agreements combine a historic $20,000 base pay increase with a long-awaited transition to a 24-hours-on/72hours-off work schedule.
Marion firefighters have been working 56-hour weeks with 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Transitioning to 72 days off would bring them down to a 42hour work week.
Assistant County Administrator Amanda Tart presented the final agreement to the board, noting it was the culmination of efforts between the county and IAFF Local 3169 that began in June 2025.
“These agreements are the results of many months of negotiations... and reflect a collaborative effort between county administration, human resources, our budget team, fire rescue and our union negotiating team,” Tart said.
THE TURNOVER CRISIS
The driving force behind the county’s significant financial investment is the critical loss of experienced personnel. Tart explained to the commission that the county has become a de facto training ground for neighboring agencies that offer better pay and
healthier schedules.
“We continue to experience turnover once employees finish the program and get the experience they need. They are being recruited by neighboring agencies, offering higher compensation, different schedules and sometimes both,” she said. “This turnover isn’t just with our new recruits; it’s happening at every level of the department.”
The sheer volume of this exodus was highlighted by Union President Rolin Boyd during the negotiation process leading up to Tuesday’s vote.
“We’ve lost 528 people in the last five years, 368 in the last three years, in an average of 100 a year, and we’re replacing them with noncertified individuals,” Boyd stressed.
Tart echoed Boyd’s concerns to the commission, emphasizing the hidden costs of losing veterans.
“Every time we lose an experienced firefighter paramedic, we lose valuable experience, training, leadership and institutional knowledge,” she stated. “Replacing that employee requires recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training and mentoring the new
Gaston Tree & Debris
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Speaker Gail Stern reminded commissioners about the contamination and lawsuits associated with the Florida State Fire College, just to the north on the same highway, and how fire retardant leached into area wells and springs. Worries about leachate and processed water runoff were mentioned as well.
One speaker quoted the homily, “You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig.”
Another said, “This is a dump …it will end up in a lawsuit.”
The Gaston operation is located at 8510 and 8548 NW Gainesville Road and is zoned M-2, which allows for the “heaviest use of land, the most intense commercial activity” said county staffer Ken Odom. Nearby commercial operations include the zipline operation, the Ocala Speedway and Woody’s Truck Sales. Directly north is Fessenden Elementary School.
Commission Chair Carl Zalak ultimately couldn’t agree with the permit.
“I’m just not in favor of this particular site,” he said.
employee, a process that is both time consuming and costly”.
NEW RATES OF PAY
To immediately stop the bleeding, the county approved a short-term bridge contract that completely resets the department’s wage scale.
“In this contract, each employee covered by the agreement will receive a $20,000 increase to their base salary and it will increase the starting pay for all positions by $20,000,” Tart said. “This means the proposed base annual pay for a firefighter EMT will be $65,000 [and] $75,000 for a firefighter paramedic, making Marion County one of the most competitive departments in the state.”
The financial commitment required to overhaul the department’s pay and schedule — projected to require an additional $15.7 million from the Fire Fund and $14.4 million from the General Fund in its first year alone — will be sustained through two primary revenue streams collected via residents’ annual real estate bills.
The department’s fire suppression operations are largely supported by the county’s Fire Fund, which is financed through a dedicated fire assessment fee (a non-
ad valorem assessment) applied to individual parcels based on property use type. The General Fund is primarily driven by ad valorem property taxes, which are standard real estate taxes calculated based on a property’s assessed value and the county’s established millage rate.
Commissioner Michelle Stone expressed appreciation to the citizens of Marion County, explaining that their vote approving the penny sales tax in the last election freed up money that would have gone to capital expenses like new fire trucks and stations, to be used instead for personnel.
“Thank you to the citizens of Marion County for showing your commitment to public health and safety,” she said.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND MENTAL HEALTH
The second contract, effective Oct. 1, officially commits the county to transitioning away from the 56-hour average workweek to a 42-hour workweek (24/72 schedule) by Sept. 30, 2029.
For Commissioner Craig Curry, this schedule reduction was the most critical piece of the puzzle, citing the devastating mental health toll the job has taken on MCFR’s ranks.
“The bottom line to me, when we had those two firefighters [take] their lives, and I can’t say exactly what the motivation of that was, but those two suicides have stuck in my mind to the point where the money is important but the worklife balance is more important to be able to enjoy your family, enjoy your kid,” he said.
Curry praised the joint effort between the county and the union to prioritize responder health.
“If we’ve done anything, we have set the stage for Marion County first responders, firefighters, EMTs and so forth to enjoy their job, enjoy their family, and I just want to thank y’all from the bottom of my heart for everything that you do for us every day,” he added.
THE NEXT MAJOR HURDLE
Implementing the 24/72 schedule by 2029 will require MCFR to hire nearly 250 additional personnel to staff a brand-new “D-Shift.” To make this rapid expansion possible, the union agreed to a significant operational concession regarding how leadership positions are filled.
Historically, fire departments operate on a strict promote-fromwithin basis. However, the newly approved contract grants the fire chief the explicit authority to bring in qualified candidates from outside the agency directly into higher-ranked, promotional positions.
Under the new rules, the department’s recruitment and testing processes will be “applied equally to all applicants, internal and external, who meet the established qualifications,” though internal candidates will receive priority consideration when qualifications are equal.
This concession gives MCFR the flexibility it needs to recruit seasoned officers and driver engineers from other departments, ensuring that the massive influx of new hires will have experienced leadership.
Banta told the commission he hopes to get staff up quickly enough to implement the new schedule earlier than expected.
Commissioner Matt McClain made it a point during the last minutes of the hearing to remind the audience that the M-2 zoning allowed for a variety of unpleasant commercial operations, including the manufacturing of agricultural chemicals, fertilizers, disinfectants, pesticides and herbicides; rendering of animal or marine fats and oils; manufacturing of batteries; processing of dairy products; lime rock processing and several others.
“You might get something more distasteful than what you’re hearing today… If someone were to come in and use that street zoning, we would not be able to put any special conditions on any of the things. Your best outcome for this property… is a special use permit so that we have some kind of regulatory control,” he said.
Gaston spoke at length about the food waste process. After the hearing, he remained enthused about the depackaging process, composting and its positive effects on soil health, and said he may consider trying again for an operation at another location.
Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta speaks as Commissioners Craig Curry and Michelle Stone listen during a workshop in Ocala on March 13, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
This drone image shows the Canyons Zipline and Adventure Park in relation to the Gaston Tree & Debris Recycling property. [Aerial image by Michael Warren/Special to the Ocala Gazette]
Native Ocalan turns 101
Resident of the area once known as Montage still attends church and weekly Bible study.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Allean Francis BurtonCunningham’s daughter, Evelyn Chisholm, said her mother’s formula for a centuryplus life doesn’t involve diet or exercise.
“It’s Jesus. He is her doctor,” said Chisholm.
Chisholm said her mother is a “beautiful person” who lives by the Golden Rule.
Cunningham, an Ocala native, was set to celebrate her 101st birthday on June 4. She is a lifelong resident of the vicinity of East Maricamp Road and Southeast 36th Avenue, once known as Montage.
Family members said she attends Sunday services and
weekly Bible study at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at 3861 SE Maricamp Road, where the family has been going for at least 50 years.
“I go to hear the good news about the Lord,” said Cunningham. Her favorite hymn is “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.”
Cunningham spoke clearly and shook hands with a strong grasp during a recent visit in her home.
Cunningham’s daughters, Chisholm, Erica Pearl
Cunningham and Olivia Watson, gathered earlier this week at the home in Southeast Ocala where their mother lives with her sister, Algene BurtonHopkins, 87.
Cunningham’s education included attending a one room
school on the grounds of Mount Canaan Church on Baseline Road, according to her family. She and her husband Lester Cunningham Sr., who worked construction, had eight boys and three girls, now ranging in age from 57 to 78. Lester passed away about 40 years ago.
Chisholm said her mother worked for a time at a furniture store on South Pine where her eldest son once worked.
The family’s memories of the Montague area include Southeast 31st Street, which is now a four-lane divided road, being a dirt road. A poodle breeder maintained a kennel in the area, according to one family member. A major development, Oak Hammock Preserves Townhouses is now in the vicinity.
Florida sues OpenAI, citing FSU shooting
By Gray Rohrer
The News Service of Florida
Florida filed a civil lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, on June 1, becoming the first state to do so amid claims its ChatGPT product aided acts of violence.
Attorney General James Uthmeier, in announcing the suit, cited several incidents around the country where the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT helped users commit murders, mass shootings and suicides. The lawsuit alleges OpenAI was negligent, engaged in unfair trade practices and violated public nuisance and product liability laws.
Among the incidents cited by Uthmeier was the April 17, 2025, shooting at Florida State University, which left two dead and five wounded. Law enforcement officials say alleged shooter Phoenix Ikner consulted with ChatGPT on weapons, ammunition and the ideal campus setting to kill as many people as possible.
At a press conference in West Palm Beach, Uthmeier said he filed the suit against Altman and ChatGPT “for endangering our kids and deceiving parents into believing this application is safe for use. It’s clearly not.”
“They need to pay for it by opening up their checkbook and changing the program to ensure that there are parental controls and that we are not endangering our kids,” he added.
The suit is the latest salvo from Uthmeier against OpenAI ChatGPT. In April he launched an investigation into the California-based company earlier this year, then expanded it to a criminal probe two weeks later, based on the FSU shooting.
OpenAI is already facing a civil lawsuit from the family of Tiru Chabba, one of the victims of the shooting. That suit was filed in federal court in Tallahassee, alleging ChatGPT enabled the attack by providing information on how to do it.
At the time, OpenAI spokesman Drew Pusateri defended the company, saying it didn’t push Ikner to commit the massacre.
“In this case, ChatGPT provided factual responses to questions with information that could be found broadly across public sources on the internet and it did not encourage or promote illegal or harmful activity,” Pusateri said in a statement when the lawsuit was filed.
In his remarks Monday, Uthmeier said OpenAI needs to do more, giving parents more control over ChatGPT and alerting law enforcement when users are seeking information about committing illegal and violent acts.
“It aids them even if they are pursuing violence. It aids them even if they are pursuing criminal conduct,” Uthmeier said. “They have chosen profit over public safety and we are not going to stand for it in the state of Florida.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for an “AI Bill of Rights” legislation that would require AI companies to provide parents with controls and information about the way their children use chatbot products.
The Senate voted for the measure but the House resisted it, with Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, saying he wants to defer to President Donald Trump, who has preferred a national framework to AI policy. A patchwork of 50 different regulations among states will hamper American innovation amid a tech race with China over the burgeoning technology, Trump has said.
A Nov. 16, 2022, “Gazette” article details how a loan through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, approved by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, helped Cunningham upgrade from the home where she had lived for about 60 years, which was in need of major repairs, to a new home on an adjacent lot. A granite marker in front of her home traces names in the Burton family, starting with her parents, Johnny and Florence Burton.
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NEXT EVENT
the
Allean Francis Burton-Cunningham, who turns 101 on June 4, poses at her southeast Ocala home on June 2 with, at left, her daughters Erica Pearl Cunninghma, kneeling, and Evelyn Chisholm, and her sister Algene Burton-Hopkins. [Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]
Lawmakers pass $114.5 billion budget
By Jim Turner and Gray Rohrer The News Service of Florida
Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a $114.5 billion spending plan Friday, wrapping up a special session to complete the budget more than two months after they failed to do so during the regular session.
The Senate voted unanimously in favor of the budget and the House voted 99-6 for the plan, but the vast support for the measure belied the tense process to produce it.
House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, insisted on cutting the current budget of more than $115 billion, while Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, preferred to keep funding essentially level.
“Floridians expect their government to spend responsibly and prioritize the issues that matter most to families across our state,” Perez said in a released statement. “For the second year in a row, the Florida House has led the charge in passing a budget that reduces spending while continuing to invest in public safety, education, environmental protection, health care and infrastructure.”
For his part, Albritton, a citrus farmer,
was pleased with the $196 million in the budget to support the beleaguered citrus industry, which has endured freezes, a greening disease and encroaching development that has led to a massive shrinking in the number of boxes it produces each year.
“Florida citrus is making a comeback, one tree at a time,” Albritton said in a released statement. “This heritage industry is not only vital to our state’s economy, but it is truly a part of our DNA. Mark my words, Florida citrus is not going down on my watch. Citrus matters, and I am running to this fight.”
The budget includes $30 billion for K-12 schools, with $201 million for teacher pay increases. That raise, though, will only go to teachers with 10 years of experience, with the increase capped at $3,000 per year.
Republicans said they wanted to use the money to prevent veteran teachers from leaving the field.
“That’s a great approach to trying to retain veteran teachers,” said Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education.
Democrats, though, said the funding isn’t enough, as many districts faced
potential cuts this year due to declining enrollment and teachers struggle to keep up with inflation.
There were funds included to mitigate the effect of enrollment declines for school districts, but Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said that would still leave Orange County with a $13 million shortfall for its schools.
Smith voted for the budget but also took issue with the zeroing out of preeminence funding for universities. The University of Central Florida recently qualified for the funding, which is designed to push schools to boost research. But now the school won’t be able to receive the money. In the current budget, $40 million was set aside for preeminence funding, which went to the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida International University and the University of South Florida.
“The preeminence framework remains a part of Florida law,” said Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Fleming Island, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, in response to Smith. “This is something that I hope we will revisit next year.”
Other Democrats called for raises for all state workers, instead of the 4 percent
Property tax overhaul headed to ballot
By Jim Turner and Ana Goñi-Lessan The News Service of Florida
Lawmakers on June 2 approved a sweeping tax cut for homestead property owners pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, sending it to the November ballot.
The measure increases the existing $50,000 exemption for homestead properties to $150,000 starting in 2027 and it increases to $250,000 in 2028. The exemption, though, doesn’t apply to school taxes, after lawmakers changed DeSantis’ plan Monday to protect districts from drastic cuts.
The constitutional amendment (HJR 1F) needs 60 percent support from voters to take effect. If it passes into law, the measure is expected to cut local government revenue across the state by more than $8.4 billion a year.
“I’m proud of the opportunity that we are giving the voters by letting them decide if this is something that’s going to come to fruition or not,” House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, told reporters after the two-day special session. “And if it doesn’t, I am still going to say that this was the right decision, that we produced a good product and that I would do it all over again.”
In votes that mostly followed party lines, the House voted 75-26 on the ballot measure and the Senate voted 30-9. Three Democratic senators, Mack Bernard of West Palm Beach, Daryl Rouson of St. Petersburg and Barbara Sharief of Miramar voted for the measure.
Rep. Nathan Boyles, R-Baker, and Patt Maney, R-Shalimar, were the only Republicans voting against the constitutional amendment.
Some Republicans expressed angst over the vote amid concerns about cuts to local governments in their area but ultimately approved it.
“This issue has created heartburn for me from day one, because I’m getting it from both sides,” said Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater.
Hooper, who is the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is retiring this year, said he received 27 text messages since debate began Tuesday morning. Local elected officials were against the proposal while other constituents told him to vote yes, Hooper said.
Most Democrats and local government officials argued the monumental changes to the state’s tax structure will bankrupt some cities and counties, cripple water management districts and other special districts, shift tax burdens to renters and businesses and regressively hit Floridians with fees for basic services.
“When the bill comes due, it won’t be paid by Tallahassee,” said Sen. Lavon Bracy Davis, D-Ocoee. “It will be paid by your city, your county, your neighborhood school, your library, your community. This proposal does not eliminate costs, it simply moves them. It is not tax relief, it is a tax shift.”
Perez said he would have preferred the discussion to have occurred during the regular session, when the House settled on a measure in February that sought to eliminate most nonschool homestead property taxes.
“We put up a select committee. We had the bills, the proposals run through the process. That was never reciprocated by our friends in the Senate and it wasn’t held in high regard by the governor,” Perez said.
A little more than a year ago, Perez and DeSantis proposed competing tax restructuring plans, with the House plan favoring a lower state sales tax rate. The House later rolled out a series of potential property tax proposals. However, members of the Senate expressed concerns about the fiscal impacts to mostly rural, fiscally constrained counties.
In a released statement, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, expressed gratitude to DeSantis for “leading the conversation on cutting property taxes and putting forward this robust proposal.”
On Monday Republicans in both chambers amended the proposal put forward by DeSantis to protect school districts and allow local governments to use property taxes to fund constitutional offices, such as supervisors of elections, tax collectors and property appraisers.
Under the measure, cities and counties would be restricted to spending property tax revenues on “core services,” including schools, police, firefighters, infrastructure and the environment. But constitutional offices were left out of the initial proposal.
Republicans also removed the establishment of a fund that would purportedly assist local governments with lost revenue. But the initial proposal from DeSantis’ office didn’t include money for the fund or outline how it was to be distributed.
Lawmakers anticipate future legislators will have to address local government funding.
Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, said the change will result in cities and counties cutting back or consolidating public safety and other services.
“They’re worried about loss of autonomy, independence and losing their identity,” Tant said. “They are worried about becoming wards of the state and essentially be treated like welfare recipients.”
For the second day, Democrats unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to allow water management districts use property tax revenue, to use state dollars to cover lost revenue for senior programs, law enforcement, corrections and veterans’ services, and to prohibit the use of public money to advertise the ballot initiative.
The measure would also lower the cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties, which include vacation and investment homes and commercial properties, from 10 percent to 5 percent.
Starting after Jan. 1, 2027, first-time homeowners would have to display five years of residency to qualify for the new super exemption. Until they qualify, they would receive the current exemption that lifts local government and school district taxes on the first $25,000 of the appraised values of their primary properties and from non-school taxes on the value between $50,000 and $75,000.
raises are targeted only corrections officers, state law enforcement officials and firefighters included in the budget.
“Our state employees are having difficult times paying their bills, paying for childcare, paying their car note, paying for property insurance, car insurance, all those things,” said Rep. Bruce Antone, D-Orlando. “There’s nothing we can do about pay raises this year, but for those coming back next year, I hope that we will put this on our radar screen and make sure that it happens.”
Still, only six House Democrats voted against the budget, although the main theme from Democrats was that it doesn’t do enough to help Floridians facing cost of living constraints.
“I don’t know what it’s going to take for us to wake up one day and realize that we are really not doing the things for the people in the state of Florida that we should be doing, as opposed to doing what companies need,” said Rep. Dianne HartLowman, D-Tampa, who voted against the budget.
House budget chief Rep. Lawrence McClure, R-Dover, defended the spending plan as putting the state on a better fiscal path that will avoid the deficits in future years projected by state economists.
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Home & Garden
Get growing
National Garden Clubs, Inc., proclaims June 7-13 as National Garden Week. Here are 10 reasons to get started.
By Susie Berryhill Morning Glory Circle, Pioneer Garden Club
During Spring, the season of renewal, millions of Americans turn joyfully to gardening.
Gardening is a wholesome avocation that encourages appreciation for nature and concern for the preservation and enhancement of our environment. It also prompts genuine respect for those who work in agriculture today. Gardening, above all, provides a special source of fulfillment when foresight, patience and collaboration with soil and sunlight finally are repaid by lovely flowers and luscious harvests.
What is a garden? A garden is described as a “planned, cultivated space used for growing plants, such as flowers, herbs, vegetables or fruits.” It is typically smaller-scale, hands-on and often ornamental or sustainable, separating it from large-scale farming. Gardens can be located in ground plots, raised beds or containers.
Do you have a garden? The National Garden Bureau lists the following top 10 reasons for gardening (Janis Kieft/ngb.org/topten-reasons-to-garden):
1. Garden for safe, healthy food. Start your own garden and know the food you’re eating is fresh, safe and has a fantastic flavor.
2. Garden for exercise. Can’t get to the gym? Or are you tired of the gym routine? Gardening activities provide both cardio and aerobic exercise. Gardening can burn up to 300 calories for women and almost 400 calories for men. And, after you’re finished, you see immediate results in your garden even as your physical health improves — without being bored!
3. Garden to add beauty. A house with a nice yard is a pleasure to look at and satisfying to live in. Your home can be made more inviting simply by adding a container of color near the front door. Think of the garden as another room to be enjoyed whether you are inside or outside the house.
4. Garden to learn. Gardeners find that the more they learn about plants and gardening, the more they want to know. There are a variety of ways to increase gardening know-how such as seminars, Master Gardener programs, vo-tech courses and formal degree programs at a college or university. You could even join a garden club!
5. Garden to make money. For some people, gardening is a lifelong hobby. For others, the love of plants can lead to a rewarding job at a local garden center, a large global company or even owning their own business. A garden can be a source of flowers, vegetables, herbs and other crops that can be sold at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. And attractive landscaping increases a home’s value by as much as 15%.
6. Garden to meet people. Gardening is a great way to expand your social circle. Whether it’s with someone who lives down the street or halfway around the world, gardeners love to talk about plants. Meeting other gardeners through garden clubs, plant organizations and social media is an easy way to share information, ask questions and get involved.
7. Garden to be creative. Gardening provides an outlet for creative and artistic expression. A garden’s design can reflect a personal sense of style, such as a romantic cottage garden or a peaceful Japanese garden, as well as provide a showcase for art and sculpture. With a wide variety of seeds and plants available, it’s easy to experiment with new plants or
change a garden’s color scheme every year.
8. Garden to win. For people with a competitive streak, gardening is a friendly way to show off their skills. Garden clubs regularly have flower shows that highlight the best flowers grown by local gardeners. County and state fairs provide an opportunity to show everyone the giant pumpkin, beautiful beans or luscious tomatoes harvested from the garden.
9. Garden for emotional needs and spiritual connections. Gardens play an important part in our well-being. A garden might serve as a tranquil retreat or private escape from the demands of everyday life. The beauty of flowers can lift spirits while pulling weeds can be a great release for stress and excess energy. Gardening
provides a spiritual connection to life. It’s a miracle to take a tiny seed, nurture it and watch it grow into a beautiful flower or delicious food for your table. Tending a garden also contributes to improving your living space, the environment and our planet.
10. Garden for lasting memories. Yards that once grew gardens have been replaced with hot tubs and driveways. Today’s kids are missing the joy of cutting a bouquet of flowers for their mom or tasting the sweetness of a cherry tomato picked right from the plant. Gardening is a fun activity that can be shared with children and grandchildren, even if the garden is a single container or a small spot in the yard. And a garden provides a beautiful way to remember a special person or
time of life.
Pioneer Garden Club of Ocala members encourage you to discover your own reason to become a gardener. Whatever reason appeals to you, gardening is a satisfying activity that provides a lifetime of benefits.
What are you waiting for? Even starting with just a few containers is a wonderful way to “cultivate” your passion for gardening.
Consider joining the Pioneer Garden Club. Membership is open to anyone is interested in gardening, floral design, the environment, making new friends and having fun.
To learn more, find the club on Facebook at Pioneer Garden Club of Ocala
All photos courtesy Susie Berryhill, from her garden
Ocala/Marion County real estate report
Housing market shows stability and strong buyer activity.
Staff report
The Ocala/Marion County housing market continued to demonstrate resilience in April 2026, with increases in closed sales and pending activity while maintaining steady pricing and balanced inventory levels, according to the latest market data released by the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors.
Single-family closed home sales increased 8.8% year-over-year, rising from 692 sales in April 2025 to 753 sales in April 2026. New pending sales also increased 4.5%, signaling continued buyer demand entering the spring and summer market season, according to OMCAR.
The median sale price for single-family homes was $290,000, representing a modest 2.7% decrease from April 2025, while the average sale price remained virtually unchanged at $350,447.
Dollar volume increased 9.2% to $263.9 million, reflecting continued strength in overall market activity. Inventory levels improved as active listings measured 3,345 properties with a 5.0-month supply of inventory, creating more balanced market conditions for buyers and sellers alike.
Homes also moved more efficiently through the market, with median time to contract decreasing to 58 days and median time to sale improving to 98 days, OMCAR reports.
“Our April housing market data
reflects a healthy and stabilizing market for Marion County,” said Jeanne Ritt, president of OMCAR.
“We are continuing to see strong buyer engagement, steady home values and improved inventory levels that are helping create more opportunities for both buyers and sellers throughout our community,” Ritt noted. “The increase in pending sales and closed transactions demonstrates continued confidence in the Ocala/Marion County market. While buyers are benefiting from additional inventory and more negotiating flexibility, sellers are still seeing strong activity when homes are priced appropriately and marketed effectively.”
The manufactured housing sector experienced mixed results in April. Closed sales decreased 12.2% year-over year, while the median sale price increased 6.8% to $164,200, highlighting continued affordability demand within this market segment.
To learn more, go to omcar.com
Florida real estate
Sales rising, inventory falling, state association reports.
Staff report
The Florida Realtors Association’s April 2026 market report shows that statewide the median single-family home sale price was $420,000, a 1.8% increase from April of 2025. Townhouse and condominium median sales prices were reported at $315,000, which is no change from last April.
The statewide active listing inventory for singlefamily homes was 101,024, a 13.7% decrease from last year. Statewide inventory for condos and townhomes was reported at 67,521, a 13.6% decrease from last April.
Brad O’Connor, senior economist for the Florida Realtors, a statewide agents’ reporting and professional trade association, said, “… closed sales of single-family homes in Florida were up year over year for the eighth consecutive month in April, this time rising by nearly 2.5%. That’s the smallest yearover-year percent increase we’ve observed during our eight-month streak.”
“April’s new pending sales, here we see an 8% year-over-year increase, which is more than double the increases we saw in each of the previous two months. As a result, I think we can be pretty confident that our run of rising closed sales will continue into May and likely June,” O’Connor said.
SINGLE-FAMILY MARKET
Ocala/Marion County’s April median sale price reported for single-family homes was $285,000, a 7.6% increase from 2025.
“Compared to a year ago, we ended April with almost 14% fewer single-family homes on the market. At this juncture, our active inventory of single-family homes is only a little over 7% higher than it was at this time in 2019,” O’Connor said, and noted that lower inventory typically creates higher prices.
The association reported the supply of single-family existing homes statewide stood at 4.7-months’ supply, a 16.1% decrease from last April.
“Months’ supply inventory is a useful indicator of market conditions,” the report stated. “The benchmark for a balanced market (favoring neither buyer nor seller) is 5.5 months of inventory. Anything higher is traditionally a buyers’ market, and anything lower is a sellers’ market.”
Statewide, the number of cash sales for single-
family homes increased by 3.2%, with a total of 6,889, which was just over 28% of all sales.
“Cash sales can be a useful indicator,” the report stated, “of the extent to which investors are participating in the market. Investors are far more likely to have the funds to purchase a home available up front, whereas the typical homebuyer requires a mortgage or some other form of financing.”
Ocala/Marion County reported 821 single-family home closings, a 1.4% decrease from last April.
TOWNHOUSES AND CONDOS
The Ocala/Marion County townhouse and condo median sales prices came in at $179,950, a 2.1% decrease from last April. A total of 44 closed sales were reported.
“While we didn’t match March’s 12% increase in this category, we were still up by just about 7% year over year in April. And that’s more than double what the percentage increase was for single family homes, which is a continuation of a trend we’ve seen for a while now,” O’Connor said. “Remember, a number of safety regulations for condos were enacted three years ago and initially these had a negative impact on sales in this category due to rising condo fees and difficulties in the mortgage and insurance markets. But we made it through that initial adjustment period and now the condo market is starting to make up some of the ground it lost relative to the single-family market.”
Statewide, existing condo-townhouse properties were at an 8.9-months’ supply in April, a decrease of 13.6% from April 2025, with reported total active listings of 67,521. For the sector, the number of cash sales increased by 7.6% to 5,091 and represented more than 54% of the market.
This home is on the market in Marion County [Photo courtesy realtor.com]
Home for sale in Marion County. [Photo courtesy realtor.com]
Visit These New Home Models
Visit These New Home Models
Discover a variety of beautifully designed and quality-built homes to suit every need
CALESA TOWNSHIP
855-927-4104
Begonia – Inventory Home Available Now!
5671 SW 71st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474
2,202 a/c sq. ft. single family home priced at $449,705.
Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, living room, breakfast area, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Jasmine - Inventory Home Available Now!
7132 SW 58th Place Road, Ocala, FL 34474
2,336 a/c sq. ft. single family home priced at $535,705. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, loft, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Garnet Model – 6416 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474
1,921 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $355,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, great room, breakfast area, laundry suite, and patio.
Sable Model – 6428 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474
2,420 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $372,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, great room, living room, game room, breakfast area, laundry suite, and patio.
Gardenia Model – 6440 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474
2,671 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $429,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, nest, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Larkspur Model – 6464 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474
3,089 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $449,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, flex room, nest, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Marigold Model – 6476 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474
3,374 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $465,990. Featuring 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, nest, loft, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
garage, great room, flex room, breakfast area, laundry suite, covered porch and lanai.
Beatrix - Inventory Home Available Now!
10358 SW 105th Court, Ocala, FL 34481
2,142 a/c sq. ft. single family home priced at $393,000 featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage plus golf cart space, living room, flex room, and laundry suite.
Sunflower Model - 8891 SW 75th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
1,967 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $334,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, great room, breakfast nook, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Wisteria Model - 8895 SW 75th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
2,126 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $348,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, great room, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Beaumont Model - 10458 SW 96th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
2,202 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $397,490 featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage with workshop space, great room, breakfast area, flex room, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Magnolia Model - 10446 SW 96th Loop, Ocala, FL 34481
2,493 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $418,490 featuring 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage with golf cart space, great room, breakfast area, flex room, den, laundry suite, and covered lanai.
Arlington Model - 9584 SW 82nd Street Road, Ocala, FL 34481
2,211 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $464,490 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car garage, great room, breakfast area, workshop space, laundry suite, and a covered lanai.
Aberdeen Model - 9564 SW 82nd Street Road, Ocala, FL 34481
2,907 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $501,490 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car garage, great room, 2nd master suite, breakfast area, flex room, laundry suite, and a covered lanai.
HOMES
Marion Ranch Bloomfield Model - 8316 SW 46th Ave, Ocala, FL 34476 • 352-677-2262 2,503 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $396,990 featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3-car garage,
Model - 8322 SW 46th Ave, Ocala, FL 34476 • 352-677-2262
featuring 3-4
PULTE
Inspiration point
Design elements have the power to influence and shape a home in meaningful ways.
By Kay Rains Head of Design Studio, Koontz Furniture and Design
Picture a lush green hillside overlooking a still, majestic lake, framed by sprawling granddaddy oaks and other indigenous foliage. This is where it begins — not with blueprints, but with a conversation.
Standing together in that quiet setting, the future homeowner shares a simple desire: to preserve and enjoy the sweeping lake view for years to come. From that moment, an idea takes hold. A large picture window becomes the focal point — not just a feature, but a framing of nature itself. Its placement defines the home’s orientation, shapes the interior experience and ultimately becomes the catalyst for the entire design.
What started as a walk in nature evolves into a vision — one that captures the essence of property and translates it into a space for daily inspiration.
Design inspiration can come from anywhere. A person, a place, a memory. A trip to Italy. A mother’s love of cooking. A cherished work of art. Each has the power to influence and shape a home in meaningful ways. The key is taking the time to understand not just the aesthetic, but the mood, the
function and the rhythm of the client’s life.
Design, at its core, is about understanding — and that process is anything but rigid. In fact, it often begins with simple, genuine conversation. For me, this is the most enjoyable part. My love of people invites a natural curiosity: Who are they? How do they live? What brings them comfort and joy?
Somewhere between the image of a cat nuzzling under its owner’s chin each morning and the quiet ritual of putting the last horse into the stable at night, a vision begins to form. These small, personal details inform not only the beauty of a space, but its purpose.
Function is just as important as form. A well-designed space doesn’t just look beautiful; it supports the way people truly live.
I’ve also been fortunate to draw inspiration from those around me, particularly someone I’ve worked closely with for years. That person is Michael P. Koontz. Leading a company that has thrived for over a century leaves little time for formal mentorship, but I employed something even more valuable: “There is more caught than taught.”
By observing, listening and engaging in meaningful conversations about his projects and business, I’ve
gained insight that continues to shape my approach. In a recent conversation, I asked him how his design perspective first began. His answer was refreshingly simple:
“It was natural — it was the family business. My parents gave me the freedom to choose my path, and I chose design.”
When asked about his sources of inspiration, he said, “I read about other designers” and when it came to understanding clients’ preferences, his advice was both practical and intuitive: “I’ve looked in a woman’s closet — you can learn a lot about the colors a person loves by what they wear.”
Mike is now semi-retired but someone like him — who has creativity at his core — never stops creating. Thus, I think I already know the answer to a
question I am about to ask him.
In what ways have you continued to express the creator at heart?
He answered without hesitation, “writing!”
What inspires the creative writer in you, I ask.
“I like words. I enjoy putting them together. Arranging and rearranging them the way you arrange and rearrange furniture and accessories,” he replied.
Design is, and always will be, a deep well — one filled with understanding, individuality and creativity. Whether inspired by a place, a person or a fleeting moment, the journey of design leads to something greater: a personal sanctuary, an environment that reflects life itself.
Ocala native Kay Rains is a skilled designer with degrees in architecture and interior design.
LOCAL AUTHORS BOOK SIGNING EVENT
On June 6, from 4 to 6 p.m., several local authors, including Michael P, Koontz, J.E. Leak, Dave Schlenker, Cynthia Van Heyde and Carlton Reese, will offer their latest works and talk with guests at Koontz Furniture and Design.
Koontz recently released his book, “Pieces of Judith,” which details the life of a neglected child living in the unspoiled beauty of north central Florida in the early 1940s, who has a dissociative identity disorder. In a story that spans decades, Judith navigates life in the South, a career as a magazine columnist and standing with her loved ones through sickness and heartbreak. She later, with the help of a therapist, unearths the pieces of her life she has buried. In the process, she must confront the secrets that family and friends have kept from each other — and the ones she has kept from herself.
To learn more about the event, call (352) 622-3241.
Celebrating a Remarkable Partnership and Honoring a Dedicated Leader
Commitment to Hillcrest School and Congratulations to
At the Ocala Marion County Association of REALTORS® (OMCAR), community engagement is one of our core values. For many years, we have proudly invested our time, resources, and support into programs that strengthen Marion County and enrich the lives of those who live, work, and learn here.
One of our most meaningful community partnerships has been with Hillcrest School. Since becoming a Business Partner in 2018, OMCAR has been honored to support the students, teachers, and staff who make Hillcrest such a special place. Through this partnership, our members have had the opportunity to give back in numerous ways, from sponsoring teacher appreciation lunches and recognizing educators for their dedication, to supporting school initiatives and celebrating the incredible work being done within the classrooms every day.
Our annual Teacher Appreciation events have become a favorite tradition, allowing us to express our gratitude to the educators who invest so much of themselves in helping students succeed. These moments remind us that strong schools and strong communities go hand in hand, and we are proud to play a small role in supporting the professionals who shape future generations.
As we reflect on our partnership with Hillcrest, we also want to recognize an extraordinary leader whose impact will be felt for years to come. Principal Lori Manresa’s retirement marks the conclusion of a distinguished career dedicated to education, service, and student success.
Throughout her tenure, Lori has led with compassion, vision, and an unwavering commitment to her students, faculty, and families. Her leadership has helped foster a culture of excellence and inclusiveness that has made Hillcrest School a beacon of opportunity and support for its students. She has been a wonderful partner to OMCAR and has always welcomed our involvement, helping us build a meaningful relationship with the school community.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, members, and staff, we extend our deepest appreciation to Lori for her years of dedicated service. We thank her for the countless lives she has touched, the positive impact she has made on our community, and the leadership she has provided to Hillcrest School.
As Lori begins this exciting new chapter, we wish her happiness, good health, and many rewarding adventures in retirement. Her legacy of service, kindness, and educational excellence will continue to inspire those who have had the privilege of working alongside her.
OMCAR remains committed to supporting Hillcrest School and investing in the future of our community. We look forward to continuing this valued partnership and celebrating the educators and students who make Marion County a wonderful place to call home.
Congratulations, Lori, and thank you for making a difference.
Founded in 1924, the Ocala Marion County Association of REALTORS® represents over 2,600 members dedicated to professionalism, service, and community involvement. Through advocacy, education, and outreach, OMCAR helps shape a better future for Marion County — one home, one family, one act of service at a time. For more information, visit www.omcar.com.
Photo courtesy Koontz Furniture and Design
OMCAR’s
Principal Lori Manresa
Bravo!
The Civic bestows Season 75 awards.
Staff report
The Ocala Civic Theatre, or The Civic, held its annual Ovation Awards & Season Cast Party on May 30 to present awards for Season 75.
A crowd of more than 100 people gathered to celebrate the end of The Civic’s 75th season, which featured the mainstage shows “Into the Woods,” “The Crucible,” “A Tuna Christmas,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Steel Magnolias” and “Children of Eden.” Season 75’s Academy youth shows were “Property Rites,” “Beetlejuice Jr.” and “Wiley and the Hairy Man.”
And the awards went to…
TECH, CREW AND SERVICE AWARDS
• Outstanding scene shop volunteer (painting): Ellen Knight
Outstanding scene shop volunteer (construction): Tom Mullen
Outstanding costume shop volunteer (costumes): Reese Evans
• Outstanding stage crew member: Dani Braun
• Outstanding wardrobe crew member: Roman Gonzalez
• Outstanding technical crew member: Iyanna Skinner
• Outstanding stage manager: John Anderson Jr.
Outstanding guest hospitality:
Ashley Davies
• Outstanding guest service:
Carolyn Day
• Outstanding board member: Laurie Reeder
Outstanding volunteer service:
Carolyn “Cara” Sznurkowski
Outstanding volunteer service: Emily Marquez
Outstanding youth volunteer: Elijah “Jaky” Hernandez OVATIONS! FOR OCALA CIVIC THEATRE AWARDS
Ovations! Friend of the Year: Craig James
• Ovations! Member of the Year: Greg Doss (THE) ACADEMY (AT OCALA CIVIC THEATRE) AWARDS
Outstanding youth performance on a featured role, non-musical: V Hill
• Outstanding youth performance by an actor in a supporting role, non-musical: Rae Westerberg and Leif Bouker
• Outstanding youth performance by an actor in a leading role, non-musical:
Summer Pineau” and Thomas Hill
• Outstanding youth performance by an actor in a featured role, musical: Jalis Redmond
• Outstanding youth performance by an actor in a supporting role, musical: Johan Diaz and Leighton Lightbody
• Outstanding youth performance by an actor in a leading role, musical: Sydney Stanley and Liam Ortiz
Rethink your laundry room
These are heavily used spaces, so it makes sense to make them as functional as possible.
Staff report
Homeowners who redesign their interior spaces can emphasize functionality to help reduce clutter and create a more efficient and even calming space.
Laundry rooms may not be the most glamorous rooms in a home, but they do get lots of usage, particularly in homes with children. Because laundry rooms tend to be well trafficked areas, it makes sense for homeowners to make them as functional and user-friendly as possible. With that in mind, homeowners can consider these tips to make laundry rooms more functional spaces. Purchase laundry pedestals with storage capacity. Many homeowners place washing machines and dryers on top of pedestals with storage drawers, which can be used to store everything from dryer sheets to clothes irons to stain removal kits. Pedestals can be particularly useful in cramped laundry rooms where the only means of adding storage is to go up and not out.
• Install a freestanding laundry sink. A laundry sink also adds function to a laundry room by enabling homeowners to hand wash certain clothes and apply stain removal products in the same space where the rest of their clothes are being cleaned. Installing a laundry sink is a relatively inexpensive job, but the cost may go up if new plumbing, venting or electrical work is necessary.
• Add a countertop workspace. If you already have ample storage and won’t be placing the washer or dryer atop a laundry pedestal, then installing some countertop above the appliances can add function
and aesthetic appeal. A countertop workspace above a dryer provides an accessible space to fold laundry the moment it dries, reducing the likelihood that clothes will become wrinkled and ensuring you won’t put off folding.
• Install floating shelves. Floating shelves won’t cost a lot of money, but they can be ideal in cramped laundry rooms. Shelves provide a space to store detergent and other items that may not fit inside laundry pedestals, including baskets. Add hanging storage. Some articles of clothing should not be dried in a dryer for fear of shrinking the fabric or destroying the item. In such instances, some readily accessible hanging storage capacity can make the laundry room more functional. Items can be hung on hangers or over a hanging rack suspended from the ceiling if space is minimal.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Abigail Kane Kaitlyn Nast
MAINSTAGE AWARDS
Outstanding performance by an actor in a featured role, non-musical: Martie McLean
• Outstanding performance by an actor in a supporting role, non-musical: Tom Ferreira and Melody Murphy
• Outstanding performance by an actor in a leading role, nonmusical: James R. Taylor III and Lizzie McDonald
• Outstanding performance by an actor in a feature role, musical: Cassidy Citron
Outstanding performance by an actor in a supporting role, musical: Isiah Blount and Adrienne Hebert
Outstanding performance by an actor in a leading role, musical: Kiara Feliciano and Timothy Rodd
Outstanding crew: “A Tuna Christmas”
To learn more, go to thecivic.org
Winners for Outstanding Performance in Season 75 Mainstage Non-Musicals, from left, Lizzie McDonald, Melody Murphy, Martie McLean, James R. Taylor III and Tom Ferreira.
Ovation Award winners for Outstanding Tech, Crew and Service in Season 75 (back row, left to right) Elijah “Jaky” Hernandez, Emily Marquez, Laurie Reeder, Carolyn Day, John Anderson Jr., Ellen Knight, Tom Mullen; (front row, left to right) Carolyn “Cara” Sznurkowski, Iyanna Skinner, Roman Gonzalez and Reese Evans.
Winners for Outstanding Youth Performances in Season 75 Academy youth productions, from left, Leighton Lightbody, Liam Ortiz, Jalis Redmond, Thomas Hill, Summer Pineau, V Hill, and Rae Westerberg.
Photos courtesy
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
Government
JUNE
8, 15, 22, 29
Marion County Development
Review
Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion. fl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
JUNE 16
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
9am
The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala
4pm
The council meets each first and third Tuesday of
the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendas-minutes
JUNE 9 AND 23
Marion County School Board 1614 E Fort King St., Ocala
5:30pm The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at go.boarddocs.com/fl/marion/board.nsf/public
JUNE 10
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon 5:30pm The council generally meets the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus.com/ ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
Community
JUNE 11, 18, 25
Summer Nights Lecture Series
Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., Ocala
6-8pm Explore Florida’s past with presentations from historians, educators and cultural experts. Each week highlights a different chapter of our state’s story from frontier life to women’s history to Florida’s earliest communities. Learn more at fortkingocala.com
JUNE 6
Local authors book signing event Koontz Furniture and Design, 3111 S. Pine Ave., Ocala
4-6pm
J.E. Leak, Dave Schlenker, Cynthia Van Heyde, Michael P. Koontz and Carlton Reese will offer their latest works and talk with guests. To learn more, call (352) 622-3241.
JUNE 6, 20
Veterans’ benefits briefing events
Locations below
10am-noon
June 6, Belleview Public Library, 13145 SE County Highway 484, Belleview; June 20, Silver Springs Shores Community Center, 590 Silver Road, Ocala. After a benefits overview, staff can identify eligibility and assist with the application process. For more information, call (352) 671-8422 or visit marioncountyfl.org/veteransservices
JUNE 13
College of Central Florida Application Day
Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala 9-11am Future students can apply to the college with no fee, start the financial aid application, speak with advisors about program and degree options and tour the campus. The college will give away free CF merchandise and attendees may enter to receive a scholarship to cover tuition for one class at the in-state rate. Students also may choose to take a placement test, which starts at 8 a.m. Additional Application Day events will be held June 15, 2-5 p.m. at the Wilton Simpson Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, and June 16, 2-5 p.m. at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland. For more information, visit cf.edu/ applicationday
Ocala Pickle Festival
Midtown Station, 235 NE Watula Ave., Ocala
11am-5pm A day dedicated to all things pickled, crunchy, tangy and downright delicious. Music, vendors and more. Get details at infinitealeworks.com
FamFest
Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala
10am-2pm Live worship music from The RoomsLiving and Hallel One, testimonies and a keynote message. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in a mobile baptism experience. Get details at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 13, 15
Friends book sale
Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala
10am-4pm
The Friends will hold their first book sale in the newly expanded building. Browse tables in Meeting Room B, fill a bag with books for $5 on Friday, $3 on Monday, and choose from a variety of homemade cookies to munch on. Learn more by calling (352) 438-2580.
JUNE 18
Ocala/Marion County Braver
Angels Alliance
Ocala-Headquarters Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
5:15pm
Braver Angels is a national organization with a mission to strengthen democracy through civil discourse. The upcoming meeting will reflect on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with interactive discussions about why the declaration is important today and how it shapes our American identity. To learn more, go to braverangels.org or email Buddy Oswald at dhoswald@gmail.com
JUNE 22
Talking History Presentation
Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick
10:30am
Explore the history of North Marion County by visiting the communities and towns that make/made up the area through the use of photographs and maps. This presentation by historian Annabelle Leitner will be about the citrus industry. To learn more, call (352) 438-2566
Arts
JUNE
6
Free First Saturday Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
10am-5pm
Explore the permanent collection, special exhibitions and enjoy family-friendly artmaking activities in the Artspace. At 2 p.m., Wayne Wood will speak about Kenneth Treister, a Florida architect and sculptor whose designs have been described as “a cross between Frank Lloyd Wright, Antoni Gaudi, Auguste Rodin and the Mayans.” Poppy’s Dogs and Barefoot Baker Sweets and Treats will be on-site, along with CAMPUS USA Credit Union and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org
JUNE 7
Music of Mancini
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
3pm
This tribute celebrates the timeless music of Henry Mancini. From “Moon River” and “The Pink Panther Theme” to favorites from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Peter Gunn,” this performance brings Mancini’s iconic melodies to life. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 12
BPM w/Brian Bromberg, Paul Brown, & Michael Paulo Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala
7:30pm
With a career spanning over four decades, Bromberg has performed alongside legends like Stan Getz, Sting and Herb Alpert while blending jazz, fusion, funk and Latin influences into his signature sound. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 13
Led Zeppelin Tribute
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St, Ocala
7:30pm WindFM Rocks the Reilly event features the Pure Zeppelin Experience. Expect powerhouse vocals, scorching guitar solos and a stage presence that captures the magic of Zeppelin at their peak. Get details at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 19
Blues in the Bos: Frank Bang
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St, Ocala
7:30pm
This former touring guitarist for Buddy Guy has shared the stage with legends like Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones while carving out his own acclaimed career in the blues world. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
JUNE 20
Ocala’s Bull Bash & Country Music Festival
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 Jacksonville Road, Ocala
3:30pm, gates open
The lineup includes bull riding and country music from multi-platinum artist Gary Allan, along with
JUNE
23
Free estate planning workshop
Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala
11:30am
The city of Ocala’s Community Development Services department is Estate Planning 101: Secure Your Legacy workshops. Discussions will include property disposition, trusts, living wills, life insurance and more. To learn more, contact g.martell.ufl.edu or call (352) 629-8322.
Community jo1b fair
LDM Ocala, 2410 NE 18th Place, Ocala 10am-1pm Better Together, a nonprofit on a mission to build strong families and communities, is partnering with
a performance from hometown singer/songwriter Noah Hunton. The Tampa Bay Rodeo production also will celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Hunton will take the stage at 5:15 p.m., followed by the Bull Bash at 7 p.m. and Allan performing at approximately 8:40 p.m.To learn more and get tickets, go to tamparodeo.com
THROUGH JUNE 21
‘Portraits in Passing: Contemporary Chinese Brush Painting by A.E. Kozeliski’ Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Times vary Rooted in the ancient traditions of Chinese brush painting, Kozeliski’s process draws on the discipline’s four foundational strokes, techniques that require mastery of brush pressure, waterink balance and handmade paper selection. For more information, call (352) 291-4455 or visit appletonmuseum.org
JUNE 27, 28
Red, White & OSO Blue: 250 Years Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 3pm The Ocala Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to our nation’s 250th birthday including a world premiere work, “Revolutionary Triptych,” an orchestral triptych honoring three young patriots from the Revolutionary war. Special celebration of all things patriotic, with a salute to veterans. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
THROUGH JULY 16
“Constellation” exhibition CF Webber Gallery, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday
The College of Central Florida Webber Gallery presents the work of local artists in the themed exhibition that explores traditional and nontraditional concepts of the word constellation. For information, visit cf.edu/webber
THROUGH JULY 24
Summer Kids Film Series
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala Times vary Movies will be screened every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am and 11am and 12:30 and 1:30pm, through July 24. Tickets are $5 for adults and children. A summer snack pack is included for children 12 and under, with a small popcorn, gummy snacks and a Capri Sun. Attendees are encouraged to bring a book to donate to support the Early Learning. Purchase tickets at reillyartscenter.com/summer-kids-film-series/. AUG. 1
“PoetiK Expressions”
Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 6-10pm
The Ocala Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. event will blend live music, spoken word performances and live art centered around themes of Black love, culture and connection. It will feature a guest co-host and headlining performer. Guests will also enjoy entrepreneur spotlights, door prizes and more. Get tickets at zeffy.com/enUS/ticketing/poetik-expressions
LDM Ocala to host the job fair. Free one-on-one job coaching sessions are available to participants to review resumes, and additional services will be available onsite. Register at BetterTogetherUS.org/ LDMOcala or by texting “JOBS” to 844-987-3949.
THROUGH JULY 9
Reading with Horses
Midtown Station, 235 NE Watula Ave., Ocala 10am Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses’ summer literacy program will run Thursdays through July 9. The reading sessions include therapy horses that appear in books being read. Every child may select a new free book to take home each week. To learn more, call (352) 226-9009 or go to gentlecarouseltherapyhorses.com
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.
LIBRA
September 23-
October 23
Share
SCORPIO
October 24-
November 22
You’re at peak productivity right now as you tackle your to-do list with great focus, Scorpio. By the end of the week you’ll be ready to dive into a mysterious or fun hobby.
SAGITTARIUS
GEMINI May
CANCER
June
LEO
November 23
-December 21
A sense of humor will be a great asset this week, helping to diffuse any tension by laughing, Sagittarius. Start looking ahead to travel plans.
CAPRICORN
December 22-
January 20
Wisdom is flowing through you and you may find you are the go-to person for solid advice, Capricorn. Your grounded nature helps everyone around you.
AQUARIUS
January 21-February 18
Aquarius, innovation will help you find clever shortcuts for problems that have proven tough to solve. Your unique style may start earning you praise, but remain humble.
VIRGO
August 24- September 22
Virgo,
and vital.
2 R Week of June 5th thru
PISCES
February 19-March 20
Empathy allows you to connect with others on a deep level, Pisces. A creative project that you have been building finally starts to bloom in unexpected ways.
BUILD AND PROGRAM ROBOTS!
IHMC’s 2026 Summer Robotics Camp will offer students the opportunity to learn about computer programming and robotics. Campers will work in teams to master Lego Mindstorms challenges. They will further develop their teamwork skills, confidence in problem solving, and creativity. Campers will hear about state-of-the-art research at IHMC, and they will have the opportunity to eat lunch in a small group with a scientist, engineer, or other role model. The second session will include instruction in Python programming
SESSIONS
1
Ocala Session 1: Rising 8th & 9th Graders
July 13–16, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ocala Session 2: Rising 9th & 10th Graders
July 20–23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DETAILS
Each session costs $245. Students should select one camp session (only) based on grade level. Space is limited to 20 participants per session. Financial assistance may be available based on need. Priority will be given to students who haven’t attended in prior years. Please email before registering students who have attended previously.
Please register via EventBrite at ihmc.us/robotics-camp beginning March 2
Phone: 850-202-4462
E-mail: uschwuttke@ihmc.org
Mail and Camp Location: IHMC Robotics Camp, 15 SE Osceola Ave. Ocala FL 33371
Website: www.ihmc.us/robotics-camp
Broom Hilda
Middletons
Animal Crackers
