Memorializing Mio
“The Rainbow Bridge” mural by artist Maggie Weakley is the centerpiece of a special room at the Humane Society of Marion County veterinary clinic.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
For many of us, our pets are members of the family. They are cherished, cared for and truly loved. And when they pass away, our pets take a piece of our heart and we deeply mourn the loss.
Saying goodbye to loved ones is hard; humans as well as animal companions. It’s emotional. It’s gut-wrenching. Sometimes you just want a quiet place in which to grieve.
For pets, it is often said that when they die, they cross the Rainbow Bridge. Many feel this is a place where a dog can once again romp and jump happily or a cat can snooze in a sunny spot, all while waiting to be reunited with their beloved human.
Now, there is a special place in the Humane Society of Marion County’s veterinary clinic where people can say goodbye in a private and supportive environment. The Rainbow Room offers a dedicated entry/exit door and is a quiet place in which to sit with one’s pet as the
inevitable happens.
The room features a vivid—and poignant—mural painted by local artist Maggie Weakley, a longtime supporter of the humane society. The acrylic painting includes a portrait of Weakley’s beloved Mio, a Chihuahua she and her husband Kent adopted from the nonprofit 16 years ago.
Weakley recalled how she had been doing some painting at the campus all those years ago and was in the process of packing up her paints when then-president Bruce Fishalow came over with “these little tiny heads” and said, ‘They’re all accounted for except this one.’ I said, ‘Bruce, you’re killing me,’ because I always wanted a little dog. We had big dogs; German shepherd, Australian shepherd.”
Long story short, the Weakley’s welcomed Mio into the family and, later on, Coco, another small breed.
Early in the year, Weakley said she was approached about painting a mural in the Rainbow Room in the clinic.
“I’ve done so many murals, and I’ve done so much artwork for this organization.
I love them. They do such good work here and I said, yes, of course I will, but we have some trips planned so I’m going to have to wait. When we came back, at the beginning of February, Mio started not doing well so we brought him to Dr. Zimmerman. He was suffering and it was heartbreaking to see him walking,” she offered.
On Feb. 23, the Weakley’s said goodbye to Mio in the Rainbow Room.
In May, she returned to the clinic to paint “The Rainbow Bridge” mural.
It took a total of 26 hours, spread over a couple of weekends as she painted while the clinic was closed. She noted that she “worked back to front.”
“I the sky went in first and then there are multiple layers just to get the colors to be that rich,” she said. “That’s the biggest thing. And then the sun, I didn’t quite know how to make that, so I took a little bit longer to figure out how I was going to make it like glow, and towards the end all the detail goes into the animals,” she explained.
See The Rainbow Bridge, page A3
Budget season beckons
Marion County’s proposed 2026-27 budget hints at a massive deficit as commissioners prepare for tough summer workshops.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
The proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Marion County budget has been published and county commissioners are bracing for a difficult series of summer workshops to close a massive looming deficit. The budget was formally presented to the Board of County Commissioners on June 16, kicking off the summer review process. County leaders are heading into this budget cycle facing significant financial hurdles that were first identified during their initial April 7 budget workshop. During that preliminary meeting, County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes warned that practical belttightening alone would not be enough to balance the budget.
Budget Director Audrey Fowler revealed to the board that maintaining the current property tax millage rate of 3.09 while fully funding all department requests would leave the county with an estimated $27 million deficit.
See Budget, page A4
Policy vs. practice
Records show ‘suicide precaution’ rules were ignored for two Marion County jail inmates.
By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Two men. Two violent encounters inside the same booking room at the Marion County Jail. Both were placed on “suicide precaution” after the use of force, a designation intended to trigger heightened medical monitoring and
protection. Instead, records and jail video reviewed by the “Ocala Gazette” show both men were housed in the same cell, denied key safeguards required by policy and left vulnerable to serious harm. Under state standards and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s internal policies, the protocol for handling an inmate on “suicide precaution” is designed to be a
rigorous medical and security safety net. According to the Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS), any inmate identified as a suicide risk must be monitored under “close supervision or direct observation,” which requires documented physical checks by correctional or medical staff at intervals not exceeding 15 minutes.
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Zachary Altom being wheeled out of the changing room in booking at the Marion County Jail after an altercation involving eight detention deputies on Jan. 2, 2025. Altom is slumped in the wheelchair, hands and ankles shackled, with a spit guard over his head. He was immediately wheeled to a nearby nursing station after. [Screenshot from Marion County jail footage]
Artist Maggie Weakley, on June 19, 2026, shows the photo on her phone of her beloved Chihuahua Mio, which in part inspired
“The Rainbow Bridge” mural she painted at the Humane Society of Marion County in Ocala, from which Mio was adopted 16 years ago. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes speaks during a capital improvement project workshop in Ocala on March 21, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
COMMUNITY NEWS
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
NEW BOAT RAMP OPENS IN ORANGE LAKE
Marion County Parks & Recreation on June 22
hosted a ribbon cutting to open the new HeagyBurry Boat Ramp in Orange Lake.
Commission Chairman Carl Zalak, Parks & Recreation Director Jim Couillard, and MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Regional Freshwater Fisheries Administrator Allen Martin spoke and shared how the project would be beneficial for the community, according to a rec department post on social media.
A “Gazette” article from July 2024 noted that the groundbreaking held at that time was 14 years in the making.
TThe project started in October of 2012 but faced setbacks due to funding changes with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A $2.23 million bid was eventually awarded to BDI Marine Contractors LLC to begin construction. The improvements for the park include building a boat ramp, floating dock system, restroom, parking lot, retaining wall, concrete driveway, stormwater infrastructure, sidewalks and landscaping, the article noted.
The park is located at 5040 NW 191st Place, Orange Lake.
CF FOUNDATION RECEIVES GRANT
he College of Central Florida Foundation will continue to provide financial assistance to college students who may not quality for other financial aid through the 2026-27 academic year, thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Edward K. Roberts Community College Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
HThe scholarship prioritizes students who are parents and are working to improve opportunities for themselves and their families through higher education, according to the news release.
This marks the seventh consecutive year the CF foundation has received funding from the fund, bringing its total scholarship support to $480,000.
ANTHONY ELEMENTARY TEACHER HONORED
CA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, with the Public Education Foundation of Marion County, recently announced that Barbara Smith, a second-grade teacher at Anthony Elementary School, is the final recipient of the Thank a Teacher award for the 2025-26 school year.
HCA Florida Ocala Hospital Chief Executive Officer Alan Keesee presented the award to Smith, known affectionately within the school community as “Mrs. Bee,” during an event at the school on May 27. Smith was nominated by a parent of a student.
“Mrs. Bee is so awesome. She goes above and beyond for my daughter. She loves her like she is her own. Anytime she is having trouble or just not having her best day, she goes out of her way to help her and to make her feel better,” the nomination said. “In this world that we’re living in now, it is such a blessing to be able to send your child to school and know that the person that is in charge of watching over them cares about them the way Mrs. Bee does. She truly deserves recognition. Love her so much.”
Winning educators are nominated by students, families or staff members of Marion County Public Schools who call attention to the teachers’ devotion to education and the overall positive impact they have on their students and school communities. To learn more, go to pefmc.org/thank-a-teacher
PTSD walk set for June 27
The event to support veterans and first responders will step off at 8 a.m. at the McPherson Complex.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
You can help raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and support veterans and local first responders by making a 2.2 mile walk on National PTSD Awareness Day, Saturday, June 27. The walk will begin at 8 a.m. at the McPherson Governmental Complex at 601 S.E. 25th Ave., Ocala.
“Stronger Than the Storm” is the motto of the national awareness day, according to Marion County Administration, coordinator of the event. Post-traumatic stress disorder “affects millions of people of all ages, including veterans, first responders and survivors of trauma,” according to marion.fl.org
“June is PTSD Awareness Month—a time to educate, support and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health,” the website states. T- shirts are available for the walk
and afterward, on a “while supplies last” basis. The shirts feature the “Stronger Than the Storm” logo and a choice of local first responder agency names. Cost ranges from $26 to $30 and proceeds will benefit Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County, Fire Rescue Peer Support and Critical Aspects. Fire Rescue Support was founded by Marion County Fire Rescue Chaplain Joe LaCognata in 2011, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The organization provides personnel with
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care and support “before during and after” emergency calls, according to firerescuesupport.com
Critical Aspects is an organization founded by a Marion County Sheriff’s Office chaplain to address the “physical, mental, emotional and spiritual impacts associated with the law enforcement profession and the toll it takes on the individual officer; and … provide assistance to law enforcement professionals in need,” according to criticalaspects.org
Veterans Helping Veterans USA of Marion County has partnered with Marion County to facilitate sales of the shirts, according to VHV Executive Director Todd Belknap.
The T-shirts can be ordered at mission1776.org
“Thank you for supporting this worthy cause. 100% of T-shirt proceeds go directly to local organizations helping those who are affected by PTSD,” the website states.
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People walk together during the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala on June 27, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
A ribbon cutting took place June 22, 2026, to open the new Heagy-Burry Boat Ramp in Orange Lake. [Photo courtesy Marion County]
Barbara Smith, Thank a Teacher recipient. [Photo courtesy HCA Florida]
The Rainbow Bridge
Weakley has a propensity for finding hearts in nature, such a leaf or a stone in that shape. She often incorporates hearts into her artwork, and the mural is no exception as each of the four animals in the image has a heart somewhere on its body.
“Like a little bit of love in each one,” Weakley said softly.
On Mio, the heart is obvious; on the others, it might take a minute to find.
Even some of the clouds in the sky are heart shaped.
“Ever after for all, that’s what the Rainbow Bridge represents, with comfort and that they’re going to wait for us,” offered Roseann Morton, chair of the board of directors. “This is a special room.
Animals mean a lot.”
With veterinarian Dr. Martha Zimmerman looking on, along with shelter operations manager Austin Burnett, Morton pointed to several white boards in the Rainbow Room, upon which clients have written loving messages to and about their pets, including one from the Weakley’s, in the shape of a heart, of course.
“I think this tells the story of the full circle of the Humane Society. Our mission is to help prevent the cruelty and suffering of animals and since we opened the clinic we have been able to do more, including helping people care for their pets, and that includes those who cross the Rainbow Bridge. This is a specific room where people can come and go directly from the outside and they don’t have to worry about seeing other people and making contact with everyone in the lobby,” Burnett explained. “Sometimes it’s hard to hold it together and this is an intimate space where they can come in and say goodbye to their best friend in private.”
The no-kill organization is located at 701 NW 14th Road, Ocala. It offers an animal shelter with adoptions of felines and canines, the veterinary clinic, a mobile Magic Bark Bus (which was designed by Weakley), a memorial garden and numerous outreach programs. Proceeds from a thrift store at 110 NW 10th St. help fund the 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.
After the clinic opened in April of 2023 (Humane Society of Marion County expands footprint | Ocala Gazette), it quickly became swamped with clientele in search of low-cost veterinary services. Burnett said they are now working to incorporate AI into helping better manage the overflow of calls for appointments.
Morton, ever the dreamer and doer, said she would love to see the clinic expand and also offer 24/7 services.
“It has done more than we expected initially, and we have been impressed by what we’re able to provide, but we want to do more. We have things in our head for future expansion, but you have to have the
staff to do it and the money to do it. The need is there,” Morton said with emphasis.
Burnett and Morton both indicated that volunteers are always needed, especially people to foster animals until they can find a forever home for them.
Mio had a forever home with the Weakley’s. Maggie noted on social media when he passed that she would miss his “tiny footsteps that somehow filled every corner of my life.”
“He was always right there beside me. I used to say he was my little heartbeat at my feet—my constant companion, my shadow, my comfort, my joy. Wherever I went, there he was, loving me in that quiet, unconditional
way. Mio wasn’t just a dog… he was my heart dog. Those of you who have been blessed enough to have heart animals know this kind of love—and this kind of loss,” she wrote. My friend Marianne sent this to me, she added, and it feels so perfect: “Until we meet again at Rainbow Bridge, run free, my faithful friend. Your pawprints are forever in my heart.”
To learn more about the Humane Society of Marion County, go to thehsmc.org
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
There are some of the numerous messages written by people whose pets have passed away.
Inspirational messages written by people, including Maggie and Kent Weakley, in memory of Mio, are on white boards inside the Rainbow Room.
Maggie Weakley’s signature and inspirational message is on one corner of her “The Rainbow Bridge” mural.
Austin Burnett, shelter operations manager; artist Maggie Weakley; veterinarian Dr. Martha Zimmerman; and Roseann Morton, president of the board of directors, are shown in front of the mural painted by Weakley in the Rainbow Room at the Humane Society of Marion County in Ocala
Work underway at new MCPS campus
Replacement Lake Weir Middle School is slated to open in August of 2027 in Silver Springs Shores.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Changes are in store for several East Marion County neighborhoods when the new Lake Weir Middle School complex opens next year.
The new campus is scheduled to open in August of 2027 at 685 Oak Road, according to a Marion County Public Schools press release.
The 30-acre campus, with a three-story, 141,000-squarefoot building, which can serve 1,400 students, is located at the intersection of Oak Road and Silver Road. The intersection is about a half mile north of the Lockheed Martin facility in Silver Springs Shores and immediately east of the Country Club at Silver Springs Shores golf course. The campus is surrounded on three sides, mostly by single family homes.
The groundbreaking took place in April of this year.
“We liked it the way it was,” said a resident whose home is directly across the street from the ongoing construction during a
recent conversation.
The resident of a home one block east of the construction site described his location as now having mostly “typical neighborhood” vehicle traffic with an occasional exception. The resident is concerned about traffic changes, but feels the actual impact of the new school on his neighborhood is yet “a mystery.”
The retail business closest to the campus is Oak Road Qwik King Food Store, about three-tenths of a mile away on a 1.4 acre property at 502 Oak Road, a traffic signal controlled intersection at Maricamp Road. The store owner, who was working the sales counter recently, said the school is a “good thing” for the area and acknowledged a likely increase in store traffic due to the school.
The Maricamp Road and Oak Road intersection is included in a traffic study conducted in May of 2025 by Kimley-Horn and Associates for the Marion County Office of the County Engineer. The study included an analysis of traffic at the
Fowler noted that fully funding every worst-case scenario request would push the millage rate to 3.78. To avoid such a drastic tax hike, commissioners have spent the spring modeling alternative millage rates of 3.35 and 3.48. They are also weighing major policy shifts to free up cash, such as deferring $6.6 million in capital projects or lowering the county’s strict 20% cash reserve policy to 15% or 18%.
The mounting strain of funding county operations was a primary focus at the June 16 board meeting. Pointing to the upcoming budget battles, Commissioner Michelle Stone requested that all state elected officials representing Marion County be invited to attend the summer budget workshops, asking that designated seating be reserved for them in the auditorium.
“I think it would be very helpful for them to help understand the revenue sources ... as well as the state-mandated items, where we have FRS [Florida Retirement System],” Stone said. She expressed hope that if state lawmakers personally observe the financial obligations placed on the county, they might look for ways to relieve the burden
intersections of Oak Road and Silver Road and Oak Road and Hickory Road. The study detailed these six conclusions in a report to the Marion County School Board.
The on-site stacking can hold 32% of the expected arrivals during the AM peak hour of school drop-off and 72% of the expected arrivals during the PM peak hour of school pick-up prior to the drop-off or pick-up period.
• A stop-controlled approach at the project driveway on Oak Road will provide for acceptable traffic operations for the PM peak hour of generator (PM peak hour of school release) and PM peak hour at school buildout.
A traffic control officer will be needed to facilitate efficient egress movements during the AM peak hour.
A 625-foot northbound left-turn lane and 200-foot southbound right-turn lane are recommended on Oak Road at the project driveway and will be constructed with the school access improvements.
on local taxpayers.
Chair Carl Zalak and Bouyounes agreed to issue formal invitations for the state leaders to attend the workshops.
With the budget now available for public review at the Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s website, the next steps are work sessions scheduled daily from July 13 through July 16, with an additional session on July 21 if directed by the board.
Following those workshops, the commission is scheduled to set the maximum millage rate on July 24.
Taxpayers will have the opportunity to weigh in when the county holds its first public hearing to tentatively adopt the budget and millage rates on Sept. 10, followed by the final adoption hearing Sept. 24. All public hearings will begin after 5 p.m. to allow the public opportunity to participate.
NOTES FROM THE 2026-27 PROPOSED BUDGET
Based on the proposed budget, three major departments and funds are seeing multimillion-dollar hikes compared to the prior year.
The budget projects a standard 8% increase for employee health insurance. However, the budget must absorb a substantial 19.86% funding increase, bringing the total estimated group healthcare cost to $52.75 million and
• Implementing an allway stop-control at the intersection of Silver Road at Oak Road will provide for acceptable traffic operations with buildout traffic volumes.
Queues with the all-way stopcontrol are not anticipated to impact adjacent intersection operations.
Additional green time is recommended for the eastbound left-turn movement on Maricamp Road at Oak Road.
Meanwhile, a MCPS official said the new $63 million school was decided upon as a replacement for the current Lake Weir Middle School on Sunset Harbor Road in Summerfield, for which county property records show buildings dating back to 1954.
Kevin Christian, director of public relations for MCPS, recapped the school board decision to build a new school rather than renovate the existing facility.
“(The school board members then) and subsequent school boards, recognized the age and condition of the current facility
leaving a $43 million expenditure impact on the county budget. This requires significant budgetary adjustment compared to previous years.
A new cost driver is funding for a new union contract for Marion County Fire Rescue personnel. Preliminary models indicated the fire and EMS adjustments could add roughly $4 million, alongside increased costs for emergency medical and public safety overtime pay.
The Emergency Medical Services cost center is seeing an increase of approximately $13.3 million. The EMS budget is jumping from $50.3 million to a proposed $63.7 million.
The budget includes significant personnel adjustments and 3% cost of living adjustment requests across the board, including for constitutional officers. The budget also includes funding requests for new personnel, such as seven new fulltime positions for Parks and Recreation at an estimated cost of $878,000.
The other major budget requests come from the sheriff’s office and transportation services.
The MCSO saw the largest overall request for an increase of any constitutional officer or department. Sheriff Billy Woods requested a total budget increase of $25.9 million (a 12.65% hike), bringing his total budget from $204.7 million in FY 2025-2026 up to $230.6 million.
and its projected millions of dollars in maintenance costs,” Christian stated. “(The MCSB) felt it made more sense to build a new school that would be state of the art and not require millions of dollars over its lifetime for maintenance.”
According to a November 2025 post on Florida Construction News, titled “Marion County to build new Lake Weir Middle School,” the school will include “43 classrooms, a gymnasium, cafeteria and auditorium for assemblies and performances.”
“The project is intended to provide additional capacity to accommodate growth in Marion County’s student population and to offer modern facilities to support academic and extracurricular programs. PBK is serving as the architect for the project and Skanska is the construction manager. Outdoor facilities will include a track and field, as well as fields for baseball, softball and soccer,” the article states.
To learn more, go to marionschools.net
The jail: As foreshadowed in Woods’ budget workshop warnings about hikes in medical costs and staffing, the jail budget alone accounts for an $11.7 million increase.
Law enforcement MSTU: The sheriff’s MSTU budget (which pays for specialized and road patrol services in unincorporated areas) is increasing by $11.8 million. Consequently, the county’s broader MSTU for law enforcement is jumping from $126.2 million to $142.1 million.
• Countywide operations: Regular operations, emergency management and bailiffs account for the remainder of the increases, heavily driven by Woods’ plan to implement 3% raises across the board and add 36 new sworn positions (27 road deputies and nine detention deputies).
The operational budget for County Transportation is experiencing a massive hike of roughly $23.7 million. The proposed budget jumps from $82.2 million to $105.9 million.
Most other departments and constitutional officers saw relatively flat budgets or very modest increases. For example, the Tax Collector’s budget increased by about $696,000, Animal Services increased by about $520,000 and the Supervisor of Elections Office proposed a budget decrease of nearly $1 million.
Oak Road
Silver Springs Shores. Construction is underway at 685 Oak Road, Silver Springs Shores, as seen on June 20, 2026, for the new Lake Weir Middle School.
Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette
Splish splash
Hot summer days are perfect for playing in water features around Marion County.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Ocala/Marion County may be land locked, but there are several options for cooling off in the summer in local splash pads and aquatic fun centers.
THE CITY OF OCALA OFFERS TWO SPLASH PADS:
Lily’s Splash Pad, 2200 NW 17th Place, at the Lillian Bryant Community Center
Citizens’ Circle Splash Pad, at 151 SE Osceola Ave., in downtown Ocala
The pads are open from sunrise to sunset and are free and open to the public.
THE CITY OF BELLEVIEW OFFERS ONE SPLASH PAD:
• The Wilma Loar Splash Park is located at 5615 SE 110th St., Belleview. The park includes picnic tables and restrooms. All facilities are open to the public. The park does not take reservations for private parties.
To learn more, go to belleviewfl.org/ facilities/facility/details/Wilma-LoarSplash-Park-4
THE CITY OF OCALA HAS TWO AQUATIC FUN CENTERS:
• Hampton, at 255 NW Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
• Jervey Gantt, at 2390 SE 36 Ave. Each facility has spray features, a waterfall and water slides. Each pool
has a zero-inch depth entry for easy access with a maximum depth of 5 1/2 feet and are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. Outside coolers, drinks or food are not permitted. Concessions are available. For safety, conditions may require closing during normal operating hours.
For questions about the splash pads and FUN centers, call (352) 368-5517 or go to ocalafl.gov/government/citydepartments-i-z/recreation-parks/ recreation/aquatic-fun-centers
by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Children’s health care provider challenges state over Medicaid rate change
By Gray Rohrer The News Service of Florida
Alarge children’s health care provider is challenging the state agency overseeing Medicaid, claiming it incorrectly cut reimbursement rates, jeopardizing care for the children served by the group.
Pediatric Associates, which says it is the largest children’s health care provider in the state serving 300,000 clients with offices throughout Florida, filed a challenge with the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) on June 23, alleging the Agency for Health Care Administration incorrectly changed Medicaid reimbursement rates for 2025 and 2026.
If the issue isn’t corrected for the upcoming 2026-2027 year’s rates, the provider could have to drop services to Medicaid recipients, the filing states.
“If the children I care for every day lose access to pediatric care, it would be absolutely devastating,” said Dr. Rasciel Socarras, a Pediatric Associates practitioner based in North Miami, in a released statement. “I know from experience that if action is not taken, more families will end up relying on emergency rooms for everyday care, or worse, skipping care entirely.”
The filing from Pediatric Associates cites the move by AHCA in 2025 to include applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services in its main pediatric services costs, instead of on a fee-for-service basis, as the start of
the problem.
AHCA then used a consultant to help develop new rates that included ABA services, but the complaint alleges the analysis allowed for newborns and adults to be included in those cost estimates, even though those populations don’t use those services. That led to lower rates for main pediatric services, such as the kind provided by Pediatric Associates.
“Overall, Florida has experienced a roughly 15% drop in reimbursement for core pediatric care—approximately $15 million per month in cuts to essential funding—even as the cost of providing this care has risen in South Florida’s Regions F through I, where Pediatric Associates’ Medicaid patients are concentrated,” the filing states.
An AHCA spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
The complaint states Pediatric Associates met with AHCA representatives five times between January and May but the agency hasn’t taken adequate steps to address the situation.
In its filing, Pediatric Associates asks for administrative proceedings to review and overturn AHCA’s rate decisions.
According to Pediatric Associates, the care it provides to children on Medicaid is at stake in the case.
“AHCA’s changes … have significantly lowered funding for pediatric care, making it economically infeasible for Pediatric Associates and other similarly situated providers to serve Medicaid patients under this model,” the filing states.
Photos
Ayden Lopez, 7, plays with water jets spraying from a frog.
Willow Kiemer, 5, cools off in water jets shooting up at Lily’s Splash Pad.
Myles King, 5, stays cool as he plays in water jets shooting from a frog.
Adiani Martinez, 10, right, and her cousin, Analia Gonzalez, 9, left, exult in the cold water spraying from water jets and dropping from buckets as they play at Lily’s Pad Splash Pad at the Lillian Bryant Community Center in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Popular attraction works to resolve code violations
By Marian Rizzo Special to the Gazette
Unless the owners/operators of Wayne’s World of Paintball, Inc., are able to correct violations issued by the city’s code enforcement, they will be forced to shut down the facility, which has been in operation for more than 30 years.
Wayne’s World is a popular venue for paintball enthusiasts. The facility culminates the season with a grand finale in December and also hosts a heavily attended Nightmare on Pine Street Haunted Trail event in October.
The violations came up before the board in October of 2025 when an anonymous person filed a complaint with the city of Ocala and Ocala Fire Rescue, stating that a child had been shocked by exposed electrical wiring on the property.
Greg Davis, the city’s public information officer, said an inspection uncovered other safety issues and a notice of a hearing was issued for March 12. Since then, the board approved two 30-day extensions.
Main concerns included burn piles, abandoned vehicles, outdoor shower facilities, unstable structures, debris and unsafe electrical wiring. Many projects will require city registered professional contractors and related permits, Davis said.
“At the end of the day, the city doesn’t want to shut them down. That’s why we extended it so many times,” Davis said. “We want the business to be successful, but we want it to be safe for visitors who come to those areas.”
Owner Jackie Dollack said she has been trying to address the long list of violations, however some structures are needed for paintball activities and several are away from those activities and do not have public access.
“Now we are tearing down buildings,” Dollack said. “We are pretty much down to the two buildings which I don’t want to tear down, one of them being the prop trailer. It’s a mobile home. Nobody goes there. Nobody goes into the block building. It’s restricted, no unauthorized personnel are allowed.”
Cody Hargis said he’s been attending Wayne’s World events since he was 14. Now 27, he reflected on having a positive place to spend his weekends while growing up. He said Wayne and “Miss Jackie” Dollack made him feel right at home.
“They kind of took me in as family,” said Hargis. “They are really good people. They made it cheaper for me to play. Honestly, this has been life changing. I don’t know what my life would have been without this place.”
Hargis also has been an active volunteer and helped cut down trees and clean up debris after Hurricane Irma came through in 2017.
“I made friends at the paintball field, older people who taught me what it’s like to be a good person,” Hargis said. “This feels like a community.”
Also a regular at the field, Jeremiah Hutter, 25, often helps with refereeing at paintball events.
“I kind of grew up with Miss Jackie and the family,” Hutter said. “A lot of fathers and sons, third generations come there.
Me and my brothers have been playing there for four or five years. I’ve never been in a spot where I said, ‘Hey, I don’t feel safe being here.’ If they have to close down, it wouldn’t just hurt the people who come there for the Haunted Trail, it would be a sacrifice for a lot of us.”
The Haunted Trail draws about 5,000 visitors annually. A large portion of admission fees, after expenses, is donated to the Marion County office for Toys for Tots and to Cathy’s Kids, a Christmas program for underserved children, hosted by Ocala Fire Rescue, Jackie Dollack said.
Brad Hardy, union president for Ocala Fire Rescue said, “Wayne’s World has contributed roughly $2,000 or $3,000 a year, off and on, for the last 10 or 15 years.”
Patrick Joynt, coordinator for Toys for Tots in Marion County, estimated that Wayne’s World donations have ranged from $12,000 to as much as $20,000 a year for at least 20 years.
“If I had to guess, throughout the years, they’ve given a couple hundred thousand dollars,” Joynt said. “It’s no small feat, the things that they’re doing. If they take away the Haunted Trail, not only will it hurt that business and everyone who goes there, but they’ll be hurting my charity.”
Joynt also has helped with parking for the October event. He said he sometimes asks people how they enjoyed it and he usually gets the same answer.
“A lot of them say things like, ‘It’s better than Hollywood Horror Nights. It’s closer, cheaper and better,” he said.
At the March hearing, Ocala attorney Richard Mutarelli responded on behalf of the Dollacks regarding the long list of violations.
“It may not look like much has been done, but there have been five dump trailers,” Mutarelli noted. Jackie Dollack has hired professional contractors to address the plumbing and electrical issues, he said.
“With regard to the removal of abandoned vehicles and debris, it is a lot,” Mutarelli said. “We are not dealing with an unlimited budget. We are not able to cut a check and say, ‘Hey get this out of here next week,’ We are depending on
volunteers coming out, plus the Dollacks are dealing with their own health issues at this time.”
At the May 14 hearing, Dale Hollingsworth, chief code enforcement officer for the city, reviewed the long list of violations and encouraged the board to approve another 30-day extension.
“We know there’s still a lot of work to be done,” Hollingsworth said. “We greatly appreciate what they’ve done so far, but there’s just a long road ahead.”
Scott Tepper, an associate attorney with the Cobb Cole Law Firm, requested a 60-day extension, noting the amount of time needed for the work to be done. Tepper pointed out that permits have been filed and the Dollacks were working to bring everything up to code, primarily the electrical issues and safety hazards. Playing field upgrades are scheduled to be completed in June, Tepper said.
The board agreed to another 30-day extension and set the next hearing date for July 9.
In a phone conversation, Jackie Dollack noted that she’s already paid $356.91 in court costs for the first hearing and more fees are pending.
“Here they’re saying, ‘You gotta do this and you gotta do that.’ We’d have to rebuild everything,” Dollack said. “I’m 78. We’re in flux. I feel like if they can put off some of this stuff they’re pushing on us, we might not be there in a year, I’d rather make repairs and adjustments and not have to rebuild. Our gofundme page has been how I’m paying for everything and the bills are still coming in. If someone is retired and wants to volunteer some time, we can always use some volunteers—handymen, carpenters—we have dump trailers to haul off debris. We’d love to have the help.”
Meanwhile, paintball activities will continue on non-holiday weekends, Dollack said.
To volunteer or contribute, visit Wayne’s World on Facebook or go to waynesworld.com
Photos courtesy Jackie Dollack
Paintball enthusiasts prepare for battle during a recent weekend at the Wayne’s World of Paintball field in Ocala.
Patrick Joynt with Toys for Tots is shown with Jackie Dollack, owner of Wayne’s World of Paintball, with toys and funds collected for Toys for Tots at a Santa vs Grinch special event at Wayne’s World held annually on the second weekend in December.
A typical scene inside the Haunted Trail at Wayne’s World of Paintball, some proceeds of which are donated to charity.
Maestro returns to leadership seat
Matthew Wardell is stepping back into
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Natalie McComb became executive director of the Reilly Arts Center and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra in January of 2024 and Adam Volpe was promoted from director of the Marion Theatre to senior director of operations and programming for the Reilly.
The changes came about as Pamela Calero Wardell, who served as the executive director of the OSO and the Reilly for nearly 10 years, accepted a position as senior director of development with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Matthew Wardell, the Reilly’s CEO since its inception in 2015, stepped down from that role as he and his wife transitioned to Jacksonville but he continued to serve as music director and conductor of the OSO and as an artistic advisor to the Reilly Arts Center.
Matthew Wardell announced on June 23 in a letter to OSO subscribers that McComb has left her position.
“The OSO Board of Directors and Natalie McComb mutually agreed that Natalie concluded her service as executive director effective June 1, 2026. The board and I are grateful to Natalie for her leadership and contributions, and she wishes the organization continued success. We are all committed to a smooth transition,” Wardell wrote.
“During this interim period, the board has asked me to return to managing the organization—a role I served in from 2014 to 2024 as we built and expanded the Reilly, so this is very familiar ground. The team we know and love—Adam, Leighton, Mary and the rest of our incredible staff— are energized about what’s ahead, and with good reason: season ticket sales are outpacing last year by about 15% (keep inviting your friends!), we just received a significant new endowment commitment, our school is in the middle of a wonderful summer camp and other events at the Reilly continue to be at the highest level,” Wardell state in the document.
To learn a bit more, the “Gazette” did a Q&A with Wardell, who is well known in the community, along with Pamela Calero Wardell, who recently
his
role as managing director of the Reilly Arts Center.
was named chief philanthropy officer for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The family canine, Buckley, also has a local following.
Q: SINCE NATALIE WAS NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN JANUARY 2024, HAVE THERE BEEN ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES?
Building a strong, specialized team has been one of my most deliberate priorities since I took on the music director role 17 years ago and I’m genuinely proud of what that investment has produced. As our organization has grown— especially since we built the Reilly—we’ve worked hard to identify and develop the right people for the right roles and to give them the space and support to grow into leaders in their own right. Adam has taken on a leadership role across programming, operations and production. Mary Hoppe and Leighton Okus have each grown in their independence
and impact in development and stewardship. And the growth of our Conservatory school under Forrest Andre and the continued stability and momentum of the Marion Theatre under Emma Watson, it’s been genuinely heartening to watch. Kathryn Poore, the orchestra’s general manager is constantly pushing the orchestra to grow and evolve professionally. I could mention staff in every department from production to concessions to our volunteers and box office. We have a remarkable team, and I think the past two years have shown just how deep that bench really is.
Q: ARE YOU EXCITED TO STEP BACK INTO THIS ROLE ALONG WITH SERVING AS MUSIC DIRECTOR?
Absolutely—I’m genuinely excited and energized. I’ve been fortunate to lead this organization and watch it grow from a very modest budget 17 years ago, with no permanent home, into what it is today: building, renovating
and managing operations and programming at the Reilly, the Marion and our Conservatory, while still presenting some of the very finest symphonic music you’ll find anywhere. We continue to grow our orchestral programming well beyond what people might expect at first glance and that’s something I take a lot of pride in. Getting to lead this team at this particular moment feels like a real privilege.
Q: DO YOU PLAN TO IMPLEMENT ANY CHANGES OR HAVE BIG THINGS ON THE HORIZON?
Honestly, from a day-to-day operational standpoint, not much change. The only immediate change is I’ll resume direct oversight of our development and conservatory teams. What I’m most excited about is what’s ahead: we have some fantastic new programming coming for both the OSO and the Reilly this season and we’re working hard to really establish our endowment as a foundation for long-term financial stability. Just last week we received a really meaningful commitment in that area that I’m very excited about. More on that soon.
Q: WHAT ARE ADAM, LEIGHTON AND MARY’S ROLES AND HOW WILL THEY INTERACT WITH YOU?
Adam serves as our senior director of operations and programming—the engine behind much of what happens on stage and behind the scenes at the Reilly. Mary, our donor and patron relations manager, has been the heartbeat of our connection to so many of our donors and members for years and will continue in that role. Leighton is our business development manager, handling all corporate sponsorships, venue rentals and special events; a role she is fantastic in. Each of them report to me and my job is to empower them to make decisions, to give them the resources and support they need and to get out of their way. They are exceptional at what they do, and it genuinely is a blast to get to work alongside them.
Q: HOW ARE YOU AND PAMELA DOING? WILL YOU SPEND MORE TIME IN OCALA NOW? WHAT DOES BUCKLEY THINK?
I am just so proud of Pamela. The impact she has made throughout her career between building our development operation here in Ocala, helping to establish the Reilly, her incredible work in Jacksonville, her time at the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington and now stepping into this new chapter with the St. Louis Symphony, the second-oldest orchestra in the country—it’s remarkable. I continue to learn from her every single day and I’m genuinely grateful to have a partner who shares my passion and excitement for the performing arts. I think we’ve both found that doing meaningful work in this field, wherever it takes you, keeps you sharp and brings so much back to the people and organizations you love most.
As for me, not much changes practically. Moving from DC to St. Louis adds about 25 minutes to my flight back to Florida, so I get to take a little more time eating my in-flight peanuts. We still have our home in downtown Ocala, and I’ll continue spending significant time here throughout the year. This past season I was in town about 10 days a month and that will increase a bit going forward. But we live in a wonderfully connected world— between Zoom, FaceTime, our online CRM software, online accounting and the Google ecosystem, I feel completely plugged into our team and our work every single day regardless of where I am. And one unexpected benefit of all this travel has been the exposure to best practices and ideas I never would have encountered otherwise, things I’ve been able to bring directly back to benefit Ocala.
As for Buckley, he doesn’t mind me being away, as long as I come home with a treat or two. He’s the best boy.
For more information, go to reillyartscenter.com
No state fireworks ban, but Simpson recommends ‘responsible’ use
By Jim Turner
The News Service of Florida
There won’t be any fireworks ban imposed by the state for Independence Day, but because of lingering drought conditions Floridians and guests are being advised to be “responsible” when lighting devices that fly and explode. With 2,440 wildfires occurring across the state since the start of the year, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on June 23 urged caution with fireworks and asked people to follow local burn regulations. (Marion
County is under a voluntary burn ban.)
“The past six months have been one of the state’s busiest fire seasons in recent memory, and though recent rains have helped rein in drought conditions, the risk of wildfire still exists in Florida and needs to be taken seriously,” Simpson said in a released statement.
Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan noted recent rains caused most counties to lift burn bans, but that hasn’t halted “wildfire flare-ups.”
“ We want to urge everyone to be mindful when burning or using fireworks near a wooded
area,” Dolan said. “Always keep a water supply nearby and be prepared to act quickly if a fire starts.”
Most of the state is currently at low to moderate risk of “fire danger” according to Simpson’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
As of June 21, the state has recorded wildfires consuming 176,028 acres this year. Last year, the state recorded 2,913 fires that burned 228,183 acres.
Ten of Florida’s 67 counties currently have burn bans in place, according to the Florida Forest Service: Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Orange, Osceola, Sarasota and Seminole.
While in Brooksville on May 19, Simpson and other cabinet members raised the possibility Floridians might be advised to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary without fireworks if heavy, groundsoaking rains didn’t soon arrive.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, who is also the state’s fire marshal, expressed a need for people to use “common sense” as summer holidays arrive, kids are out of school and parties increase.
Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office would
hold people accountable if they start “some big bonfire with these drought conditions, and the wind blows, and all of a sudden the neighborhood is on fire, you will be held accountable.”
“Have fun. Have a good time. Enjoy some beers over the holidays this summer. But if you’re in one of these burn ban counties … please take this seriously,” Uthmeier said during a press conference at the Withlacoochee Forestry Training Center in Brooksville.
“If you violate these orders, if danger takes place, if people are harmed, we will be there to prosecute.”
Matt Wardell, conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, will again serve as managing director of the Reilly Arts Center. [Photo by Joshua Jacobs]
Francis Marion dedication
A new monument for Marion County’s namesake was unveiled June 23 in Ocala.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Ben Franklin should’ve brought his kite and key along as a thunderstorm passed over the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on June 23 during an unveiling and dedication ceremony for a monument honoring county namesake and Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion.
“I didn’t bring my kite,” quipped Will Baker-Palenik, dressed in character as Ben Franklin, with a nod to Franklin’s legendary kite-flying electricity experiments.
Baker-Palenik, decked out for the occasion as the Early American figure, from a tri-corner hat to buckle shoes, was accompanied by his wife, Patricia, a member of the Ocala Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, dressed as Mrs. Franklin.
The $15,000 marker plaque project was spearheaded by the Ocala chapter and was funded under a Florida 250 Program $1 million state grant set for these type projects by nonprofits by Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to chapter regent Holly Denton.
Denton stated there was no prior memorial to Marion in the county.
A grant written by local DAR chapter honorary regent Beth Coleman secured funding for the monument.
A plaque embedded in the monument states that Marion,
namesake of Marion County, was a general in the South Carolina Militia and an “innovative leader and freedom fighter” known as the “Swamp Fox” for his “daring, guerrilla style” raids on British troops.
“We remember Francis Marion, a true patriot, who was willing to sacrifice his life and fortune for the cause of Liberty and the Establishment of these United States,” the plaque reads in part.
The plaque is contained in a brick stand under the Liberty Tree in the eastern section of the
6-plus acre park.
The America 250! Daughters of the American Revolution, America 250 Florida and Marion Celebrates America 250 initiatives are listed in the dedication program.
The project was supported by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, Friends of Marion County Veterans Park and the Marion County Veterans Service Office. The Marion County Memorial Honor Guard posted the colors for the event.
During the dedication and unveiling ceremony, Denton spoke
about supporting the Constitution and love and respect for the American flag. She also read “From Many, One.” Kathy Sheppard , DAR chaplain, offered an invocation and benediction and Margaret Arthur provided a rendition of the national anthem and music including “The Ballad of Francis Marion” and “Amazing Grace.” Carly Mc Cullagh, president of the Ocali Society, Children of the American Revolution, led the attendees in the pledge of allegiance.
Marion County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Carl Zalak III addressed the gathering of about 75 people before the marker plaque was unveiled. He spoke of Marion’s unconventional fighting methods and spirit of liberty and how his example continues to influence local leaders.
“Every time we say Marion County, we remember him,” Zalak said in part.
The Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park opened in 1997 and contains more than 5,000 bricks, 200 benches and 100 plaques.
To learn more, go to marionfl.org
UF board appoints Bell as interim president
By Ana Goñi-Lessan The News Service of Florida
The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Stuart Bell as interim president on June 22, but not without criticizing Alan Levine, chairman of the State University System Board of Governors, for delaying the confirmation process.
Without mentioning Levine by name, trustees said his push to postpone Bell’s confirmation caused “collateral damage” that was “frustrating” and “disappointing.”
UF’s Board of Trustees chairman Mori Hosseini also directly responded to critics, who have alleged Hosseini has engaged in improper business and development deals, and said he could “not be bought.”
Bell, who’s first official day will be July 1, said it was a “tremendous privilege” to be named interim president.
“UF is one of the nation’s leading public universities and I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters to build on that strong foundation and continue advancing the university’s mission,” he said in a statement.
Last week, Rahul Patel, vice chair
of the board of trustees, said the board would meet June 22 to confirm Bell as interim president, stating, “The University of Florida cannot afford to remain in limbo while these matters are addressed.”
Those matters include “governance issues,” Levine said, who was concerned about the “sweeping authority” granted to Hosseini by the UF board and would not put any item on the agenda from a university that is “out of compliance.”
UF’s board has already unanimously approved Bell on a permanent basis, but the BOG must still meet and confirm their pick.
In a letter to State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, Levine had said the BOG would not confirm Bell as the 14th UF president or follow through on any university issue until the “governance issues” were resolved.
In response to Levine’s allegations, UF trustees said they hired the GrayRobinson law firm to review the board’s governance standards, who found them “proper.”
The review also criticized Levine’s letter, saying it evolved “out of a disturbing, concerted and excessively hostile social media campaign against the University of Florida’s presidential search finalist. Chair
Hosseini supports the finalist, and considering their source and timing, the allegations may be viewed as an attempt to stop the search process from moving forward.”
Shortly after the meeting adjourned, Levine issued a statement, saying he would schedule a meeting “as soon as legally possible” to consider Bell for president as the governance issues were now “resolved.”
“I look forward to positive results from our mutual work,” he said.
The Attorney General’s office also issued an opinion late June 19, one day after news of Levine’s letter published, stating the BOG has no
legal basis to delay the confirmation vote for Bell as president of the University of Florida.
In the letter, addressed to BOG member Nicholas Sinatra and written on behalf of Attorney General James Uthmeier, general counsel Greg Slemp stated the university’s board is “not out of compliance” and Levine is “incorrect to withhold consideration of the Trustees’ nomination on that basis.”
In his letter to Rodrigues, Levine alleged Hosseini has been granted “financial, contractual and other delegations that I feel are problematic, inconsistent with best practices in governance” and run afoul of state regulations.
“One board member may not substitute his or her judgment for that of the other duly appointed board members,” Levine wrote.
Uthmeier’s office rejected Levine’s claims and said Florida law “provides broad discretion for a university board of trustees to require university presidents to perform various duties, including obtaining approval of the board chair for the hiring and compensation of university personnel or for any other lawful purpose.”
According to Bell’s contract, if Dr. Bell’s service as interim president concludes on June 30, 2027, and he
is not selected as UF’s permanent president, UF shall pay him 20 weeks of severance in the amount of the annual base salary.
With an annual salary of $2 million, that would be about $770,000 if he doesn’t get the job.
The BOG previously voted down UF’s choice for president, Santa Ono, in 2025, after concerns over Ono’s avowed reversal on diversity, equity and inclusion programs, which he embraced at University of Michigan when he was president.
Bell has been criticized for the same thing by online activists, who say he backed DEI initiatives during his decade-long tenure as president of the University of Alabama.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and Uthmeier have backed Bell on social media.
At the board meeting, Rahul said the past few weeks have created uncertainty in the presidential search process, but Bell has “remained patient” and “incredibly professional.”
“Given everything that has gone on, it would have been really easy for Dr. Bell to say ‘You know what?
This isn’t worth it. I’ve had a great career, I’ve got other opportunities, I don’t need to put myself or my family through this,’” Patel said.
“But he didn’t. He’s continued to show up.”
Photos by Andy Fillmore Ocala Gazette
Margaret Arthur, left, and Beth Coleman, honorary Ocala DAR regent.
Members of the Ocala Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and guests gathered on June 23, 2026, at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park for an unveiling and dedication ceremony for a monument honoring Marion County namesake and Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, nicknamed “the Swamp Fox.”
Members of the Ocala Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution posing at the monument are Patrica Baker-Palenik, Holly Denton, Carly McCullagh, Beth Coleman and Kathy Sheppard, with Will Baker-Palenik.
Patrica Baker-Palenik as Mrs. Franklin and Will Baker-Palenik as Ben Franklin.
Stuart Bell [Photo courtesy news.ufl.edu]
Detention deputies wheel out 73-year-old
Vietnam veteran Dennis DiGenova from the changing room with a spit guard over his head after a use of force on July 18, 2023.
[Screenshot of Marion County jail footage]
placed Altom in Medical Pod Delta, Cell 107— the same cell where DiGenova was previously confined.
According to jail reports that have not been verified yet with video evidence, Altom was locked in with two other inmates. Just over an hour later, MCSO jail reports indicate a fight broke out in the cell. Jail personnel say Altom attacked his cellmates, forcing deputies to extract him and leaving Altom with severe, unexplained facial and abdominal injuries.
A BROKEN SAFETY NET
Neither the Florida Department of Law Enforcement nor the State Attorney’s Office has independently investigated the death of DiGenova or the severe beating of Altom.
The FMJS were established with a fundamental mandate: to serve as minimum standards that jails across the state must meet “to ensure the constitutional rights of those incarcerated are upheld”.
Furthermore, Marion County Sheriff’s Office Policy 6766.00 strictly dictates that “single-cell occupancy shall be made available” for inmates suffering from serious mental illness or who exhibit a demonstrated history of aggressiveness, which leaves us with the question: If jail staff genuinely believed the men posed a danger requiring significant uses of force by detention deputies because of their behavior, why immediately following were they placed in a shared cell with other inmates requiring heightened protection and monitoring?
A review of the jail video and medical records obtained by the “Gazette” for inmates Dennis DiGenova and Zachary Altom, with the help of their families, reveals a terrifying reality. In both cases, the written policies meant to protect constitutional rights were abandoned after both men were subjected to violent uses of force, resulting in severe medical neglect and unsafe housing placements.
THE CASE OF DENNIS DIGENOVA
In July 2023, 73-year-old Vietnam veteran Dennis DiGenova was brought into the jail’s booking room, where he refused to comply with a strip search. In response, deputies deployed pepper gel into his face, forced him to the ground, drive-stunned (TASER electrodes directly against a subject’s body) him and shot him with Taser probes.
Following this violent takedown and a decontamination shower, nurse Jamie Leacock evaluated DiGenova and explicitly noted that he was to be placed on suicide precaution because he was repeatedly stating, “You better Baker Act me.”
The state’s Baker Act allows for the involuntary detainment and psychiatric examination of an individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
Despite DiGenova’s suicidal status, his age and the violent encounter he had just experienced, deputies locked him in Medical Pod Delta, Cell 107, with five other inmates. Instead of receiving the urgent medical and psychiatric care his condition demanded, DiGenova was left to languish in the small cell, racking up multiple “disciplinary” reports over the next two days for “refusing” his meals. Jail surveillance video footage from cell
107 shows guards leaving DiGenova on the floor of the cell. He would never stand again and languished in his own urine and feces for two days until the morning of July 20, when a nurse found him lying on the cell floor in the same position he had been in the day prior. He was unable to answer questions or make his needs known and had labored breathing with a dangerously low oxygen saturation level of 75%.
He was eventually transported to a hospital, where doctors discovered the horrifying truth: DiGenova had suffered a C7 spinal cord transection—a broken neck that paralyzed him and ultimately led to his death.
THE CASE OF ZACHARY ALTOM
A year and a half later, the same systemic failures repeated themselves with Zachary Altom, a 29-year-old disabled veteran.
In January 2025, Altom was arrested by Ocala Police Department officers while experiencing a psychiatric crisis. At the jail, he was beaten by eight detention deputies in the same small booking room where DiGenova had been held.
Two days after booking, 73-year-old
Vietnam veteran Dennis DiGenova lies on the floor of cell 107 (suicide precaution), which houses five other inmates on July 20, 2023. [Screenshot of Marion County jail footage]
Detention deputies deliver 73-year-old
Vietnam veteran Dennis DiGenova to the floor of cell 107 (suicide precaution), with four other inmates watching, after a use of force by detention deputies on DiGenova on July 18, 2023. [Screenshot of Marion County jail footage]
Evaluating Altom after the struggle, nurse Tyra Gordon alleged that he was “shadow boxing and punching the air” and acting aggressively, prompting her to place him on suicide precaution.
But the jail footage does not reflect that. Instead, it shows Altom being wheeled out of the booking room to the nurses’ station, seemingly unconscious, with his hands and ankles shackled.
He would recall the beating to the “Gazette” more than a year later as “the worst beating he’s every received.”
It was at this point that Altom’s constitutional right to adequate medical care was bypassed entirely. In a glaring violation of contracted medical policy, nurse Gordon marked “Referral NOT required” on Altom’s medical plan. This single checkmark effectively ensured that Altom would not be evaluated by a licensed psychiatric professional, despite his highly visible, active psychotic breakdown.
Then, defying the sheriff’s policy requiring single-cell housing requirement for allegedly aggressive and mentally ill inmates, deputies
DiGenova’s family, however, has brought a lawsuit in federal court against Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods for violating the prisoner’s constitutional rights.
The Florida Model Jail Standards exist to prevent the cruel and unusual punishment of inmates, most of whom are being held in jail awaiting a court date and who have not been convicted of a crime.
Yet, in Marion County, the “suicide precaution” status failed to provide any actual precaution. By failing to provide immediate psychiatric referrals post-force, ignoring mandatory single-cell housing policies and abandoning vulnerable, beaten men in cell 107, the system stripped both DiGenova and Altom of their right to basic safety and medical care.
Internal affairs for MCSO have not corrected use of force reports that omitted blows by detention officers despite the audio and photographic evidence that it happened. Instead, the agency concluded that there were no policy violations.
Case law related to the Eighth Amendment prohibiting “cruel and unusual punishment” and the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which holds that no state shall “deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws,” clearly require more than just medical malpractice or negligence. An element that must be established is, “knowing disregard.”
In the landmark opinion “Estelle v. Gamble,” the Supreme Court concluded “deliberate indifference to serious medical needs of prisoners constitutes the ‘unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain,’ Gregg v. Georgia, supra, at 182-183, 96 S.Ct. at 2925 (joint opinion), proscribed by the Eighth Amendment.
This is true whether the indifference is manifested by prison doctors in their response to the prisoner’s needs or by prison guards in intentionally denying or delaying access to medical care or intentionally interfering with the treatment once prescribed. Regardless of how evidenced, deliberate indifference to a prisoner’s serious illness or injury states a cause of action under § 1983.
The medical compliance reporting reviewed by the “Gazette” from a nurse whistleblower at the jail where she was tasked with monitoring medical care for inmates could be considered notice to the MCSO of “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain.”
In the deposition transcript, the whistleblower, Mary Coy, testified she told then-Major Clint Bowen and Capt. Alesia Chisholm, who oversaw the jail, that she felt compelled to speak of her concerns regarding inmate health and care.
Coy said that in response to her concerns, Bowen said her statements could bring litigation against Sheriff Billy Woods, to which she said, “I am a nurse as well, and that makes me a mandatory reporter.”
Photo from Marion County Sheriff Office Use of Force incident report of Zachary Altom in January 2025. The injuries depicted on Altom’s face and shoulders were sustained in Marion County Jail. According to medical records, it took six days to do imaging of his face. There was another photo provided that reflects bruises on Altom’s hips. [Submitted
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People, Places and Things
Celebrating in a new way
This year’s Juneteenth event in Ocala focused on health, beauty, nutrition and education.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamedia.com
While observing the annual commemoration of the end slavery in the United States, known as Juneteenth, participants of this year’s event in Ocala were able to learn about the importance of healthcare and fitness, and view some amazing fashions.
The event, hosted by the Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission, took place on June 20 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place. It featured a nutritional seminar with licensed dietician Latoria Bryant and a workout session with Clint Hart, a former NFL professional player who owns a gym near downtown Ocala. There also was a fashion show and hair products launch by Freedom Locs.
One of the more poignant moments during the day was when the commission awarded its annual scholarship, this year renamed in memory former past vice chair TiAnna Harris, who passed away peacefully on April 28 in Ocala at the age of 51. Harris also had served as president of the local NAACP branch and with many other organizations, most of which supported at-risk youth.
On Saturday, Harris’ adopted son, Jaxson Greene, was there to present the scholarship to Corey Brooks Jr. Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission Chair Sharington Houston said she was initially nervous about the renaming and presentation but that, “Jaxson was up on stage with me. He was moonwalking and happy to be there, so I knew it would be okay.”
She said Jaxson thanked the guests and “said a prayer over everyone there.”
“This was a different way of celebrating and we thank those who came out. They took a lot away with them, not just the things they bought from vendors but knowledge about health care,” Houston said after the event.
She offered thanks to Bryant and Hart and noted that many of the participants in the workout session later told her they enjoyed “his high energy and his colorful playlist.”
The event showcased making an investment in your health while celebrating and educating people about the importance of Juneteenth, she noted.
“Little changes can bring big changes and that’s important. And our event, being free, helped bring people in. People shouldn’t have to pay to learn how to take care of themselves,” Houston added.” We are definitely looking to build on what we did this year and to continue to focus on the health of the people in our community.”
To learn more, email ocalajuneteenth202@ gmail.com or call (352) 433-9199.
Francine Julius Edwards, Lizzie Lenon, Donna Wilkerson and Jay Morant.
People cheer as Paige McFadden, Wantanisha Dawson-Morant and Christy Freeman show some fashions.
Tasha Rhem, Toya McConico and Latoria Bryant, who presented a nutritional seminar.
Shavonda Grimes, left front, walks on the fashion show runway as she is cheered on by, from left, Quan Freeman, Christy Mitchell, Wantanisha Dawson-Morant, Paige McFadden, Jodi Jones and Faith Knowles during the Juneteenth Celebration at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala on June 20, 2026.
Fashion show models wait backstage for their turn to walk on the runway.
Amy Todd-Kunkel walks the runway.
Sisters Maya, left, and Morgan Thomas at their Elegant Sweetz table.
Sheryl Houston, Gwen Haynes, Janelle Houston, Vivian Brown and Sharington Houston, chair of the Ocala Juneteenth Celebration Commission.
Monica Edwards, Colby Stanley and Fredna Thornton-Wilkerson, at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority booth.
Corey Brooks Jr., right, receives the TiAnna Harris Ocala Juneteenth Scholarship from Sharington Houston and Jaxson Greene, 6.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
New season for Couch Sessions Ocala
This unique event pairs artists and musicians for live performances.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
There is a special collaborative partnership in Ocala in which musicians and artists blend their talents in real time. It’s called Couch Sessions Ocala, and it is kicking off season nine.
“Couch Sessions is where the spark of creativity takes center stage. It’s an immersive experience where live music and visual art unfold together in real time—each brushstroke moving in rhythm with the music, each note painting its own emotion. You’re not just watching from the sidelines—you’re part of it. The artists and musicians open up about their journeys, sharing the stories, challenges and inspirations behind their work,” according to the website.
Couch Sessions Ocala began as a passion project led by Olivia Ortiz, Mike Wall and Tony Ortiz. Their idea was simple—to bring people together around art and music in a space that feels relaxed, open and inspiring.
The ninth season will kick off July 3 at Weide Automotive, with FeverDreams and Gavin Pate, followed by sessions on Aug. 7 at the Muddy Lotus Kava Bar and Sept. 4 at The Heart of the Park.
To learn more, the “Gazette” did a quick Q&A with Olivia Ortiz.
WHAT WAS THE INITIAL IMPETUS FOR COUCH SESSIONS?
Couch Sessions was born in our old band house living room. We would have friends and guests over to draw or create things while we practiced and wrote songs. We used to have this wood table and markers, and we would let our artists and
friends draw and tag it while they listened or watched us…it was such a natural and relaxing thing, our band house became known for being the place to hang out and chill on practice nights.
We translated this idea to our friends Megan and Mark’s business, The Keep, on Tuesday nights once a month because they informed us it was a very slow night and they had difficulties getting people motivated to come downtown then. It started something and we made the decision to move it to different businesses that would host us in order to get people in…that was nine years ago.
From then, we have learned that the small intimate sessions in a listening room environment are best and it encourages a creative environment for both the musicians and artists to show us their stories of creation and an audience to witness it.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES?
I have to say that no two couch sessions have been alike.
When we are pairing artists with their counterparts, we focus on what we think will bring about interesting and creative moments. In the past some of our artists have gone on to be brave enough to explore in different mediums and different styles that have become their signature style that they are known for around town and to collectors…some examples of this are David D’Alessandris and his “Oneliners” and Maggie Weakley’s backward glass paintings with interchangeable paint pour background.
My favorite things are when the artists and musicians get together and work together on projects before the show.
Justin Alsedek and Charity Cox ended up creating a song together (which is on Spotify) and Megan & Caly did an earring series with paintings on them from Disney artist Michelle St. Laurent.
IN THE NEXT SESSIONS, WHY AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP?
I think a better question would be, why NOT an automotive shop…it is an enormous space with high ceilings, plenty of power plugs for a large band to play (nod to literal garage band) and wide open for our artist to create without the confines of mediums as Gavin tends to use spray paint in his art.
In the past when working with different mediums like this (and welding, which we did at a welding shop), we have done them in locations that can handle their specific type of work without much alteration to how it is done. They have adequate ventilation systems in place already as I would assume, it is part of engine painting work sometimes.
Plus, I think the sound in there with Feverdreams is going to be phenomenal… it was when Propaganjah played at the welding shop and the buildings are very similar in size and material structure… bonus is plenty of parking as well and a local business owner who has been a patron of Couch Sessions and past Couch Sessions artists (I believed he hired Sky, a past couch sessions artist, to paint his logo) and he expressed his desire to host it in his cool new place.
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE ATTEND ONE OR MORE SESSIONS?
Couch Sessions is the answer to supporting the arts and artists in an
exciting and intimate way…one gets to experience the creation story firsthand and is immersed in the world of these artists heads for two hours or so.
It isn’t’ the same old same old thing. There is variety in art form, expression and the audience gets to be a part of the show as it takes place in real time…I have never attended an art exhibit or show like this before.
Plus, the business owners get introduced to artists and musicians who they can call upon for future endeavors and, at these shows, they meet people who are like-minded like them in supporting the arts and some even become clients. These elements are so vital to the health of a community as a whole. Arts are life, they breathe color, life and vitality into otherwise dark spaces. Think about how you feel when you are surprised by a beautiful, colorful mural in an otherwise cranky, dark alleyway. It just puts a smile on your face and brings beauty to the forgotten.
Art is about remembering who we are…creators… Couch Sessions is here to highlight those who are pursuing it and lifting up and beautifying our communities one note or stroke at a time.
The season nine lineup includes: July 3, 7-9pm, Weide Automotive, 822 NE 14th Street, Ocala; FeverDreams and Gavin Pate
Aug. 7, 7-9pm, Muddy Lotus Kava Bar, 520 NE 1st Ave., Ocala; RosePrimevere and Wrought Iron Tongue
Sept. 4, 7-9pm, The Heart of the Park, 516 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala; DJ Reynolds and Dan Bennett and Javier Gonzalez A Couch Session passport allows access to all three shows.
To learn more, go to couchsessionsocala.com
Olivia Ortiz, creator of Couch Sessions, listens in as the Greg Snider Band performs during an Aug. 2, 2019, event while artist Maggie Weakley paints. [Maven Photo + Film/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Couch Sessions Ocala Season Nine will kick off July 3 in Ocala. Some of the locally involved artists include, from left, Gabi Zuniga, Sean Gaffney, Aine Webber and Duke Gaffney, with Couch Sessions creator Olivia Ortiz seated. [Photo courtesy Couch Sessions Ocala]
Honoring Bob Haight
June 23 celebration in Ocala pays tribute to retiring United Way of Marion County president/CEO.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The United Way of Marion County has long served as one of the anchor agencies that helps provide a better quality of life for people in our area. Leading such an organization can be no easy task and requires diligence and dedication.
In March of this year, UWMC announced that President/CEO Bob Haight would be retiring effective July 15. On June 23, a retirement celebration was hosted in his honor at Hilton Ocala.
Haight joined UWMC in 2021 as vice president of resource development after a career with United Way in Orlando and across the Midwest. He was named interim president in August of 2022 and has served as president and CEO since March of 2023.
“We appreciate Bob’s service and the fundraising success and continued growth he championed during his tenure,” immediate past board president James Henningsen said in the release announcing Haight’s retirement and the search for a new president.
In a recent email exchange, Haight, who also has served with United Way organizations in Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, as well as in Orlando, spoke about some of the challenges he encountered in his leadership position.
“Staying true to the mission and purpose of the United Way of Marion County, founded 65 years ago, while making the organization relevant to current community needs, such as the Marion County ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained) population and youth development for a lifetime of success,” he stated.
When asked about his major accomplishments, Haight offered: Expansion of Community Partnership Schools; College Park Elementary and East Marion Domestic violence and sexual assault services quality improvements collaboration The Children’s Charity Classic started in 2024 in partnership with HITS and HCA Florida Ocala Hospital; Niki Tripodi’s vision for a legacy fundraising and awareness event for children
• Women United relaunches after
COVID; funds supported CASA Marion and Strong Families
• Strong Families 20th class celebration, addressing generational poverty with sustainable funding
A new strategic community impact framework that will launch on July 1
Launching 2.4 Million Meals Campaign, with Second Harvest Food Bank Launching Nourish Now Campaign, with Marion Seniors Service, needs gap in accessing healthy food
• Marion County Public Schools
ReadingPals and Thrive Tutoring; student grade level reading improvements
• Long Term Recovery Group Partnership with Marion County Emergency Management and Florida Department of Health, Marion County Haight also wrote about “working with great community volunteers as board chairs, annual giving chairs, Community Impact Vision Council chairs, Alexis Tocqueville chairs and members, and donors.”
“It has been an honor to work with Publix Super Markets Associates and Charities, Signature Brands, HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, South State Bank, the city of Ocala, Marion County Community Services and many others. The volunteer leadership of the United Way is in great care with Kristy Rowland, ARK Hospitality, board chair elect, and Kourtney Corcoran, Signature Brands, serving as Annual Giving chair. Special recognition to Greg Harrell, Dr. James Henningsen and Alan Keesee, who served as board chairs during my tenure,” Haight said.
As for his plans for the future, Haight offered, “My wife, Sue, and I plan to live in Marion County, travel and spend time with our grandchildren. Sue, a former teacher, enjoys volunteering with ReadingPals. I will find a hobby besides golf and explore volunteer and consulting opportunities.”
To learn more about the organization, go to uwmc.org
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Bob and Sue Haight pose for a photo during the retirement celebration for him at the Hilton Ocala on June 23, 2026. He is retiring as president and CEO of United Way of Marion County. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.
Cathy Bicknell, Mayra Usme, Bob Haight and Laurie Ann Truluck.
Chrissy Vickers and LaTrisha Sims.
Betsy Weber, LaTrisha Sims, Pebbles Vance and Heather Berry.
Kristy Rowland, Bob Haight, Linda Alcott and Alan Keesee.
Chrissy Vickers, Beth Nelson and Kristy Rowland.
Rob Morton, Tom James and Sue Haight.
Jennifer Martinez and Tom James.
Mary Bianculli, Charles Bianculli and Niki Tripodi.
Bob Haight and Rusty Branson.
Popular backyard games and activities
Here are some ways to make outdoor entertaining spaces more fun.
Staff report
Backyards are experiencing a resurgence in recent years.
Driven largely by a collective desire to reduce screen time, which has surged among many age groups, particularly children, families are investing in physical play and recreational options at home.
Indeed, All About Play notes the global outdoor toy market is a growing industry valued at around $23 billion in 2026. Fortune Business Insights says outdoor play has an expected steady growth of 4.65 percent annually through 2034.
Modern outdoor spaces feature far more grass and a swing set. Such areas have evolved into activity hubs for everyone who wants to spend time in the yard. Whether a homeowner has a small patio or sprawling acreage, these games can make outdoor entertaining spaces more fun.
• Cornhole: A reigning champion of “toss” games, cornhole has legions of fans. Hard core players may want to invest in regulation-sized solid wood seats and weather-resistant professional bags.
Pickleball: Portable pickleball nets allow for quick pop-up courts on grass or driveways.
Supersized games: Large versions of popular indoor games like Connect 4 and Jenga enable play to be more hands-on and physical.
Active play: The rise of digital active play systems has moved outdoors. Systems like Nex, for example, employ motion sensors to turn a backyard into a live-action video game. This bridges the gap for tech-savvy kids and adults who want to spend more time outdoors.
• Virtual reality: In a similar vein, players can take VR gear outdoors and enjoy the same rush of virtual play while
outside in the fresh air.
• Modular playgrounds: All About Play says recent industry reports indicate the North American outdoor play structure market is expected to reach $850 million by 2033. Families are prioritizing one-stop play environments that include modular set-ups. Instead
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
2
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
of single-use equipment, families are looking for systems that combine trampolines, adjustable basketball hoops and climbing frames, among other options.
Moving outdoors into the yard for recreation can be good for physical and mental health.
Photography exhibit opens July 4 in Ocala
See “Life, Labor and
Lens: Randal Levenson’s WorkingClass America” at CF’s Appleton Museum of Art.
Staff report
On view in the Appleton’s Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists from July 4 through Jan. 24, 2027, “Life, Labor and Lens: Randal Levenson’s WorkingClass America” surveys the photographer’s five-decade journey across the United States and the people and places he encountered along the way.
“His images offer a layered account of the American experience: gritty yet beautiful, sentimental yet honest,” the news release stated.
After receiving a Brownie camera from his father as a boy, Levenson developed a lifelong passion for photography. He studied the medium at the Rhode Island School of Design before going on to work with Robert Frank and develop prints for Richard Avedon. In addition to his career as a photographer, he taught at the University of Ottawa and lectured at Harvard and Brown University.
Drawn from the 80 works by Levenson in the Appleton’s permanent collection, “Life, Labor and Lens” features 25 black-and-white and color photographs that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia.
of each month. Additionally,
Stock image
“Gasoline Delivery,” ca. 2000, Randal Levenson (American, 1946–2022, pigment print on archival paper, gift of Rustin Levenson.
“Wally and Sitch,” 2011, Randal Levenson (American, 1946–2022), pigment print on archival paper, gift of Rustin Levenson.
Florida
A taste of Wales in spunky Cardiff
Just an hour from major English destinations such as Bath and the Cotswolds, spunky Cardiff offers a taste of Welsh flavors that will leave you with great memories.
Most travelers planning a trip to Britain don’t realize you can hop a train in London and, in just over two hours, find yourself in Wales’ revitalized capital. Cardiff, like so many Industrial Age giants, has re-emerged with fresh vigor from its time as a run-down, rust-belt city. Its castle has medieval intrigue as well as Victorian bling, its downtown is vibrant, and its port – which shipped 20 percent of the world’s fuel when coal was king – is now a delightful place to stroll.
While not on many bucket lists, underrated Cardiff (pop. 380,000) offers plenty of reasons to visit. Rugby and soccer fans know it as the home of Principality Stadium — famous for having Britain's first fully retractable roof. Sci-fi fans know it as the place where "Doctor Who" is filmed. But the Welsh proudly view Cardiff as their political and cultural capital.
To savor the city, stroll through one of the many impressive Victorian-era arcades burrowing through the city center, check out a smattering of museums, and
wander the impressively modern waterfront.
One of the city's top sights is Cardiff Castle, a fun complex that contains within its medieval wall bits of fortresses erected here since Roman times. It was the Normans in the 11th century who made the most impact, building a fortified tower (or "keep") on a man-made mound (a style known as "motte-and-bailey").
After rambling the ramparts and climbing the keep, you can also check out a WWII bomb shelter, an impressive Welsh military museum, and some Victorianera castle apartments that are not very historic, but dazzling just the same. Rebuilt by John Crichton-Stuart, whose income from the thriving coal trade made him one of Europe’s wealthiest men in the late 1860s, the rooms were turned into a whimsical, fantastical take on the Middle Ages. It’s the Welsh equivalent of “Mad” King Ludwig’s fairy-tale castles in Bavaria (built in the same Romantic decade).
After this dose of history, head down to the revamped Docklands area on Cardiff Bay to discover the city’s most lively and thriving development. I like to get here by scenic boat from downtown, slowly ambling down the River Taff.
SERIOUSLY SIMPLE
The one-time world capital of the coal industry, Cardiff was nicknamed “Coal-opolis” during the steam-powered Industrial Revolution – when Welsh coal was recognized as the world’s finest. But by the mid-1960s the last shipment left Cardiff and, like many blue-collar British hubs, the economy slumped severely.
The Docklands have since been revitalized with state-ofthe-art facilities (such as the impressive Wales Millennium Centre, built for the performing arts) that sit side by side with restored historic buildings and the Senedd, a futuristic government center that houses the Welsh Parliament.
Cardiff can also be used as a springboard to some of the most interesting sights in South Wales. Just 30 minutes away is St. Fagans National Museum of History, the best look anywhere
Peaches and cream, the perfect no-cook summer dessert
This rendition on the classic peaches and cream is surprising, light and refreshing. I am a big fan of Babcock peaches and other white peach varieties, and I make many dishes when this early summer fruit makes its debut. I’ll toss chopped peaches into arugula salad to create a sweet and bitter contrast or add them to pies, crostatas, quick breads and fruit compotes.
Don’t worry if you can’t find white peaches; orange ones work nicely as well. This no-cook sweet is Seriously Simple, especially if you have the ingredients on hand.
I’ve changed out whipped cream here for creamy ricotta cheese for a subtly sweet result. Select peaches that are not completely ripe with a little give to them. If you have a mandoline, use it here to slice very thin pieces. Otherwise, use a very sharp knife and slice the pitted peaches very thinly. If you want some crunch, accompany with amaretti cookies.
Summer Peaches and Cream
Serves 4
2 firm white peaches
Juice of 1 lemon
1 pound (2 cups) fresh ricotta cheese, whole milk or skim
4 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup toasted unsalted pistachios
2 tablespoons fruity olive oil
1. Slice the peaches in half and pit them. Slice into thin pieces on a mandoline or with a sharp knife. Toss with lemon juice in a bowl and reserve.
2. Divide the ricotta among four glass dessert bowls, (about 1/2 cup each). Drizzle a tablespoon of honey on each, and sprinkle on a heaping tablespoon of toasted pistachios. Decorate each with a few peach slices and a drizzle of olive oil and serve.
at traditional Welsh culture. I like to think of museums like this as culture on a lazy Susan – a one-stop shop to experience traditional lifestyles across a wide geographical area. This 100-acre open-air museum has more than 40 carefully reconstructed and fully furnished historic buildings from all corners of Wales, as well as a “castle” (actually a Tudor-era manor house) that offers a glimpse of how the other half lived. The workshops here feature busy craftspeople eager to demonstrate their skills. Each house comes equipped with a local expert warming up beside a toasty fire, happy to tell you anything you want to know about life in this old cottage.
Romantics should consider seeing the beloved Tintern Abbey, immortalized in verse by William Wordsworth, and on canvas by J. M. W. Turner. Founded in 1131 on a site chosen
for its tranquility, it functioned as a Cistercian abbey until it was dissolved under Henry VIII. Few ruined abbeys are as big, as remarkably intact, and as picturesquely situated. Most of the external walls of the 250-foot-long, 150-foot-wide church still stand, along with its exquisite window tracery and outlines of the sacristy, chapter house, and dining hall. The daylight that floods through the roofless ruins highlights the Gothic decorated arches – in those days a bold departure from Cistercian simplicity.
Wales is often overshadowed by its neighbors, England and Scotland, and South Wales is often passed over for the more dramatic castles and scenery in the north. But in the Cardiff region, you’ll get a great dose of history and a glimpse of the area’s bright future – all with a lilting Welsh accent.
Public Notice
Overlooked Cardiff has a historic port, vibrant downtown, and bits of medieval intrigue and Victorian bling scattered throughout.
CREDIT:(Rick Steves, Rick Steves' Europe).
A final drizzle of fruity olive oil crowns this British-inspired dessert. CREDIT:(Diane Rossen Worthington/TCA).
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
Government
JUNE 29, JULY 6, 13, 20, 27
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.
JULY 7, 21
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
JULY 8
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
JULY 14, 28
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
Community Arts
JUNE 27
Free food distribution
Revealing Truth Ministries Outreach Christian Center, 7575 SW 62nd Court
10am
The Beyond US Community Development Corporation will host the event, which will continue while supplies last. Food will be provided through a partnership with Farm Share. Beyond US CDC strengthens communities through outreach initiatives that address immediate needs while promoting long-term stability and well-being for families throughout Marion County and surrounding areas. For more information, go to beyondus@revealingtruthocc.org
JULY 9
America 250: Black Edition
Howard Academy Community Center, 306 NW 7th Ave., Ocala
6-8pm
Presented by the Friends of Marion County Black History Museum, Inc., with guest speaker Bruce Seaman, regarding The Marshall Plantation Raid which occurred in Marion County. At a time when African Americans weren’t allowed to lead in the military, this troop and their commander changed the narrative. The event will include representatives from Brady-Owens Post 7193, Thomas-McKay Post 210, American Legion, Veterans Services, Marion County Public Library System and more. To learn more, email marionblkhistory@gmail.com
JULY 18
Back to School Bash
E. D. Croskey Recreation Center, 1510 NW 4th St., Ocala
8am-2pm
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is partnering with Who We Play For to offer optional electrocardiogram screening to K-12 students. ECGs are $20 and financial assistance will be available to families that qualify. Pre-registration is required. The event will offer no-cost services, including school readiness checks and services by DOH-Marion, physicals provided by the Estella Byrd Whiteman Community Health Center, bike helmet fittings and giveaways and more. Bring identification and student health and medical records. To learn more and pre-register, call (352) 629-0137.
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
JUNE 28
Voices of The Civic Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
2pm
Presented by Ovations, this event showcases the often-unsung heroes of The Civic. It will include singing, dancing and instrumental performances, from Broadway classics to diverse musical styles. Performers include Janik Buranosky, Amy Burns, Justin Davis, Alexa Hall, Megan Hilt, Amanda Jones, Isaac Jovel, Alexis Medina, Roman Paradiso, Kelsey Plante, Jasper Suskin, Amanda Tragash, Jazmine Whipple, members of Encores by Ocala Civic Theatre and more. Get tickets at thecivic.org
JULY 3
Reilly Noir: Dayve Stewart NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
7:30pm Stewart and his Vintage Saxophone performance feature soulful melodies and captivating energy. Having toured with legendary artists like Al Green and collaborated on Grammy nominated projects with Bob James, Srewart brings world class talent and passion to the stage. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
JULY 10
Art in the Attic VIP Sip & Shop
Pre-Sale Party
Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway Street, Ocala
5-7pm Marion Cultural Alliance offers this exclusive event before the doors open to the public. Spend a fun evening surrounded by art, creativity and great company while browsing an eclectic collection of original artwork, handmade creations, home décor, vintage finds, creative supplies and unexpected treasures. Public sale dates are July 11-25 during regular gallery hours (free admission). Learn more at mcaocala.org
Jake Hoot
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala
7:30pm The Season 17 winner of The Voice and recent champion of the Season 29 All Star showdown brings heartfelt storytelling, powerful vocals and authentic country charm to the stage. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
JULY 10-12
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala July 10 and 11, 7:30pm; July 11 and 12, 2pm
Presented by the Arts For All youth cast (ages 9-17), young Charlie Bucket is in luck. After a hard life with his poor family, Charlie finally unwraps a sweet surprise. He finds a golden ticket inside his chocolate bar, winning a magical trip to the mysterious Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. It’s an amazing adventure as Charlie meets the candy man himself and steps into a world
of pure imagination, where fates of every flavor await. Get tickets at ocalacivictheatre.
com
JULY 11
WindFM Rocks the Reilly: Nuthin’ Fancy – A Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala
7:30pm Led by a dynamic frontman and backed by the legendary Guitar Army, the band brings soaring harmonies, powerful piano lines and all the swagger of Skynyrd’s prime. Get ready to rock out to classics like “Gimme Three Steps,” “Free Bird” and of course, “Sweet Home Alabama.” Get tickets at reillyartcenter.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 non-traditional concepts of the word constellation. For information, visit cf.edu/webber
JULY 17-19
“Matilda the Musical Jr.” Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala July 17 and 18, 7:3pm; July 18 and 19, 2pm
The extraordinary mind of young Matilda isn’t just extra-clever; she can also move things with it. But her cruel parents and mean headmistress Miss Trunchbull are unmoved by her special powers. Thank goodness for sweet Miss Honey, the teacher who sees Matilda as gifted. And one gift is the courage to imagine a better life, inspire others and rise up in rebellion with the other “revolting children” at school. Presented by the Arts For All youth cast (ages 9-17). Learn more at ocalacivictheatre.com
JULY 17
Not Fade Away: Rock ‘n’ Roll
Re-ignited
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala
7:30pm
This young group has been taking the country by storm with their amped-up renditions of classic hit songs from legends like Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Beatles, Ritchie Valens, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. These guys will have you singing and dancing along, at any age, shaking things up, causing a riot and leaving you completely blown away. This isn’t the typical tribute or cover band you’ve become accustomed to. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
JULY 24
250 for 250 Variety Show
Marion Theatre, 50 S Magnolia Ave., Ocala 7pm Travel back in time with Habitat for Humanity of Marion of County for a 1940’s-style variety show. It will be a toe tapping, star spangled night filled with magic, singing and swing dancing to celebrate Habitat’s 250th home build for a veteran family and the USA’s 250th anniversary. Get tickets at habitatocala.org/events/250for250/ 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/summerkids-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/en-US/ticketing/poetikexpressions
THROUGH SEPT. 13
My Country, ’Tis of
Thee: Celebrating American Art and Design Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Hours vary Drawn from the Appleton’s permanent collection, the exhibition highlights a wide range of American expression across time periods, subjects, media and functions. It also explores the role Florida and its natural wonders, including those of Marion County, has played as a source of inspiration for artists. For details, go to appletonmuseum.org
THROUGH DEC. 17
“Creative Voices: Celebrating AIHOM & The Arc of Marion Artists”
Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place,1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala Times vary
The exhibit features artwork created by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in visual art workshops facilitated by Arts in Health Ocala Metro at The Arc of Marion. The city of Ocala’s Art in City Spaces program offers rotating exhibitions in five indoor city galleries, all of which are free and open to the public. To learn more, call (352) 7235444 or visit aihocala.org
THROUGH DEC. 31
Photography exhibit by Keith Sackin Arts in Health Ocala Metro Healing Arts Gallery, 2880 NE 8th Road, Ocala. Office hours A native of Ocala, Sackin attended Emory University before a spinal cord injury in 2001 reshaped his path. His photography explores disability, embodiment, memory and human connection. AIHOM is a nonprofit organization that connects art and healing. Its programs include music, dance, performing and visual arts. To learn more, go to aihocala.org
THROUGH JAN. 24
“Life, Labor and Lens: Randal Levenson’s Working-Class America”
Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Times vary Drawn from the 80 works by Levenson in the Appleton’s permanent collection, “Life, Labor and Lens” features 25 black-andwhite and color photographs that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. For more information, go to appletonmuseum.org or call (352) 291-4455.
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.
March
LIBRA
September 23-
Libra,
SCORPIO
October 24November 22
Let
SAGITTARIUS
May
November 23 -December 21
You
CAPRICORN December 22January 20
A small adjustment to your budget now may lead to a big payoff later on, Capricorn. Your financial discipline is a superpower this week, so stick to the plan.
AQUARIUS
January 21-February 18 Others are finally catching up to all of your big ideas, Aquarius. Pitch that unconventional plan you have been holding back and you’ll likely have some fans.
PISCES
February 19-March 20
Pay attention to any coincidences that pop up during the next several days, Pisces. The universe is trying to tell you something about your next move.
Broom Hilda
Middletons
Animal Crackers
