OG Digital Edition 08-07-2026 by Magnolia Media Company

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 32

14U National Champs Page A10 AUGUST 7 - 13 2026

Marion County commissioners clash over data center workshop Timing issues ultimately lead to 12-month permitting moratorium. By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

uring the Aug. 4 meeting of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, a procedural

item regarding a workshop about data centers erupted into a fierce debate over local governance, planning strategies and the timeline for upcoming elections. The discussion culminated in an agreement to seek a

‘The ultimate Boy Scout’

12-month moratorium on data centers and to reschedule the workshop after scheduling conflicts arose. The conflict: Rushing policy vs. legal readiness vs. business as usual The debate opened with Commissioner Kathy Bryant advocating to cancel or delay a scheduled Sept. 1 data center workshop. Bryant

Marion County Commissioner Kathy Bryant. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

argued that incoming, newly elected commissioners should have the opportunity to shape policy on an issue with such long-term community impacts. "I don't understand why we're rushing to have a workshop to set parameters and policy for something that See Marion County, page A7

On our radar: Threat of litigation hasn’t slowed WEC Sports Complex

Ocala businessman and civic servant Terry Crawford dies at age 80.

Despite legal claims, construction rapidly advances adjacent to agricultural property.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

hether you knew Terry Crawford personally or not, there might be a chance that some of the housewares products from his company in Ocala grace your dwelling. Crawford, who was born in Ocala on Nov. 13, 1945, passed away on July 27. He was the founder of Conimar Group LLC, a family-owned business with more than 50 years of experience in the manufacturing and marketing of tabletop, home décor and houseware products. The corporate headquarters is in Ocala. According to Crawford’s widow, Cindy, he started his business in Ocala with his uncle, Bobby Jones. They then began showing their products in a booth at the Chicago Housewares Show. Today, Conimar exhibits at major trade events including The Inspired Home Show, Atlanta Gift Market and regional gift and product shows, according to its website.

The new WEC sports complex north of State Road 40 and near the southwest corner of the World Equestrian Center is shown under construction in Ocala, Fla., on July 27, 2026. [Michael Warren/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

harlotte C. Weber has escalated her legal battle against the World Equestrian Center (WEC) Sports Complex by filing a second lawsuit to halt the project, even as the developers officially acknowledge her initial complaint from April. Weber owns the 4,300-acre

See Boy Scout, page A9

Live Oak Stud thoroughbred horse farm, located in Marion County’s Farmland Preservation Area. Weber’s stake in this dispute stems from the proposed highintensity Sports Complex being developed adjacent to her agricultural property. In 2016, Weber entered into a settlement agreement that allowed the original WEC project to move forward under certain conditions related to equestrian

use of the facility, which she now alleges that WEC is violating. Weber is represented by Scott A. McLaren and Shane T. Costello of the Tampabased law firm Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A. Defending Golden Ocala Equestrian Land, LLC (WEC) are attorneys from Akerman LLP, including Jonathon D. Pressley, Robert A. Leapley Jr. and Dennis A. Kerbel, along with local

attorney W. James Gooding III. The two lawsuits, filed in April and July, target different aspects of the development and separate the claims brought against WEC’s developers from those brought against Marion County government. The initial April 17 lawsuit has moved slowly. Golden Ocala’s legal counsel officially filed a notice accepting See On our radar, page A3

A great one is gone

Legendary wrestler Dory Funk Jr. passes away in Ocala. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

alk about a punch to the gut— that’s how I felt when Marti Funk called me Tuesday to let me know the legendary Dory Funk Jr. had passed away. Dory, of course, is world famous. But

the native Texan has lived in Ocala so long that we claim him as one of our own. Earlier this year, the “Ocala Gazette” wrote about Dory getting ready to celebrate his 85th birthday on Feb. 3 and learned from the couple how they met and more. According to Marti, he passed away under hospice care on Aug. 4. The two were “sweethearts” for 46 years and

were married for 40. For years, they ran the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, where he taught a long list of contemporary wrestling stars. In April of 2025, Dory Funk Sr. became a legacy inductee into the WWE See Great one, page A7

Dory Funk Jr. poses with a replica of his Heavyweight Wrestling Champion of the World belt at his home in Ocala, Fla. on Jan. 23, 2026. He passed away Aug. 4 in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette file photo]

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MCSR has new home .........................A5 Cultural celebration ...........................A6 Home & Garden ..................................B1 Housing bill ..........................................B2 Calendar ...............................................B6

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

OPINION MARION COUNTY NEEDS ONE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM—NOT SEPARATE ONES By Chaplain Michael J. Saxe, detective, NYPD (retired)

arion County has an opportunity to get this right—but only if we think countywide, not city by city. As the county continues to grow, we talk often about building the right infrastructure for the future. Public safety communications should be at the top of that list.

HOW THE SYSTEMS WORK TODAY

Marion County’s main law enforcement agencies currently operate on separate platforms: • The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office uses the Marion County Public Safety radio system, an 800 MHz Project 25 digital system and is dispatched through the county’s Public Safety Communications Center. • The Ocala Police Department operates on its own separate Ocala Public Safety radio system, also 800 MHz Project 25 and is dispatched from its own communications center. • Belleview Police, Dunnellon Police and the School Board Police Department function as additional independent agencies. These systems allow for some radio interoperability, but they are not fully integrated. Public reporting has confirmed that the Sheriff ’s Office and Ocala Police use different computer-aided dispatch systems. They do not share calls in real time and they do not share unit locations in real time—even though most patrol vehicles have GPS. That location data stays inside each agency’s own system. Fire and EMS in Marion County already share real-time location

information under automatic aid agreements, allowing the closest unit to be sent regardless of jurisdiction. Law enforcement does not have that same capability across agencies. The practical result is simple and concerning: an Ocala Police car can be on one side of the street and a Sheriff ’s deputy one block away and their dispatchers may have no idea the other unit is there if help is needed. That is unacceptable.

THE CURRENT INVESTMENT DISCUSSION

Ocala is pursuing a $1.3 million grant for a Real Time Crime Center. That project would improve internal situational awareness for the Ocala Police Department. It is a useful tool for one agency, but it does not create a countywide shared system where every law enforcement agency can see the same unit locations and active calls in real time.

WHY THIS MATTERS This is not about politics, turf or egos. It is about public safety and real-time situational awareness. I have been involved in emergency services since 1988. I have worked Fire, NYC EMS and Police. I responded on Sept. 11, 2001, to the attack on the World Trade Center—one of the largest disasters and attacks in our nation’s history. In the middle of that chaos, what we needed most was clear and urgent: we needed to know where our people were, where help was coming from and what resources were available in real time. Communication and care are essential. Knowing where your units and resources are is one of the most important parts of the entire puzzle. When

that information is delayed or incomplete, everything becomes harder and more dangerous. Excellent officers are already serving this community. The problem is structural. Modern technology makes real-time shared awareness possible and other Florida counties are already using it. The tools exist. The question is whether Marion County will choose to build one common system or continue with separate platforms that force agencies to work around one another.

THE CHOICE IN FRONT OF US Every law enforcement leader, fire chief, EMS leader, communications director, emergency manager and elected official should sit down together and ask one question: “What system gives the citizens of Marion County the safest possible response when seconds matter?” Let’s not spend millions creating another isolated system that works well for one agency while leaving everyone else with limited visibility. Let’s build one common operating picture—where every first responder can see the same unit locations, the same active calls and the same real-time data—so the closest available resource can be sent without delay. Marion County is at a crossroads. We can keep building separate systems or we can build one integrated public safety communications system that protects every resident, every school, every first responder and every community in this county. Let’s invest once. Let’s invest wisely. Let’s get the real-time architecture right the first time.

Woods to lead state group Marion County sheriff installed as president of Florida Sheriffs Association.

- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) Publisher Jennifer Jean Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman

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By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

arion County Sheriff Billy Woods was installed as the 2026–2027 president of the Florida Sheriffs Association on July 28, during the association’s summer conference

in Miami. The FSA is a self-sustaining organization established in 1893 that serves as the collective representation of Florida’s 67 sheriffs for influencing state governance and legislative policy about public safety. Woods assumes the presidency with a law enforcement tenure spanning 36 years, with 26 years at the Ocala Police Department until he was elected sheriff in 2016. Woods is the fourth Marion County sheriff to serve as president in the association's 133-year history, following Benjamin Dupree Hodge, 1895–1897, who was the second FSA president in its history; Gorden Moorehead, 1944–1945; and Don Moreland, 1981–1982. The 2026–2027 officer slate is comprised of: • President: Billy Woods (Marion County) • Vice President: Rick Staly (Flagler County) • Secretary: H.D. 'Gator' DeLoach III (Putnam County) • Treasurer: A.J. Smith (Franklin County) • Sergeant-at-Arms: Darby Butler (Dixie County) • Board Chair: Eric Flowers (Indian River County) • Board Vice Chair: Michelle Cook (Clay County) • History of the structured officer progression The FSA utilizes a strategic multi-year leadership "ladder" that allows appointment in a culmination of a highly structured and predictable manner to ensure organizational stability regardless of political cycles. The institutional officer track follows a standard progression starting from board chair up to president. Therefore, Woods was on a trajectory to be president of the association during his first term of office, which started in 2016. The average number of years of sheriffs who are elected as president over the last 10 years has been nine. The only variances to the trajectory that could be found in the last 10 years were limited to losing an election, as in the case of Sheriff Mike Prendergast in

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

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

2024, voluntary retirement, or criminal prosecution such as in the case of Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris in 2009, who made it to president but had to resign when he was arrested by the FBI in Las Vegas in connection with a kickback scheme involving fictitious employee bonuses. In recent years, the FSA has executed a strategic pivot toward representing a broader geographic and economic cross-section of Florida’s counties. Following the 2019-2020 term of Sheriff Bob Gualtieri (Pinellas), a clear trend has emerged in which every subsequent president has hailed from counties outside the state’s top 10 most populous regions. The sequence of counties represented by recent presidents illustrates this focus: Gilchrist, Levy, Hernando, Nassau, Charlotte, Seminole and now Marion. This shift is reflected in the institution’s focus on supporting "fiscally constrained" and rural agencies. The FSA achieves this through specialized programs that provide resources to offices with limited local budgets.

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

On our radar Continued from page A1 service of process for the April complaint on July 23, more than three months after the suit was initiated. From the start, WEC developers have pushed forward with the project at a rapid pace. County records show Golden Ocala submitted multiple building permits for the sports field on March 12, six days before the county commission formally voted to approve the project's rezoning. By March 24, “Ocala Gazette” photographs showed construction workers grading and dropping fill dirt at the site. Aerial photographs taken July 27 and ground images taken on July 28 show the development has progressed significantly, with turf fields and large stadium lights already installed.

comprehensive plan amendments for the same property and agreed to dismiss that challenge only after Golden Ocala’s predecessor agreed to limit the property's use to large-lot residential "Equestrian Estates." Weber's attorneys argue the sports complex plan directly violates this legally binding promise. The second complaint, filed on July 22, seeks a permanent injunction to immediately stop active construction by Golden Ocala. Weber’s attorneys allege that WEC's developers submitted a site plan and building permits under the guise of constructing a polo field authorized by an older 2020 zoning agreement. Noting that the permits align with the high-intensity soccer fields and sports facilities rather than a polo field, the complaint states: "But it was all a sham. The Major Site Plan and Building Permits align with the sports facilities complex that was the subject of the 2026 Pending Approvals. Indeed, the electrical lighting permits authorize banks of lights and seating where the separations are between the

WEBER'S CLAIMS AGAINST WEC

In the initial lawsuit, Weber’s primary claim against Golden Ocala is a breach of a 2016 settlement agreement. Weber previously filed a petition with the state to challenge

A worker operates a grader near an area where metal buildings are being built at the sports complex under construction north of State Road 40 and near the southwest corner of the World Equestrian Center in Ocala on July 28, 2026.

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southern three soccer fields, which would be in the middle of the alleged 'Polo Field.' That would certainly be an interesting wrinkle in the sport of polo." Weber's claims against Marion County Both lawsuits also levy specific claims directly against Marion County government for its role in approving the development: In the April lawsuit, Weber sought declaratory relief against the county, claiming the initial Comprehensive Plan amendments were void because the county failed to follow mandatory procedural and public notice requirements. Specifically, Weber argues the county approved the plan without requiring Golden Ocala to submit a complete Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) prior to the initial public hearing. The April suit also claims the rezoning is fundamentally inconsistent with the county's Comprehensive Plan and petitions for a writ of certiorari to quash the county's adoption of the rezoning. In the July lawsuit, Weber claims the county’s issuance of building permits directly violates the property's existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning. The suit also claims these approvals materially alter the intensity of the property in a

A worker drives a lift past new lights that have been installed at the new sports complex under construction at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala on July 28, 2026.

manner that is inconsistent with the county's Comprehensive Plan. The lawsuit seeks a writ of certiorari to quash the county's approval of the Major Site Plan entirely.

HORSE FARMS FOREVER QUESTION

Local advocacy group Horse Farms Forever highlighted the second lawsuit, pointing out the discrepancies in Golden Ocala's site plan and raising doubts about the developer's claims that the

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Resource rally helps supplement stretched budgets The food and personal care items distribution in Ocala provided supplies for more than 260 families.

Niagara Bottling Ocala plant volunteers load supplies from Feed the Children into a recipient’s vehicle at a resource rally sponsored by Niagara Cares and held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Ocala on Aug. 1, 2026.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

hen many household budgets are stretched paper thin, a Feed the Children Resource Rally sponsored by Niagara Cares, the charitable arm of Niagara Bottling, saw 268 families receive enough supplies to last a family of four for about five days. “This means relief,” said Samuel, a recipient, as he drove through the line of several stations manned by volunteers distributing the supplies on Aug. 1 in Ocala. He said his family was forced to choose between buying food or medicine. Miriam said as she passed through the line that she was recently laid off from her caregiver job and another recipient, Paul, said that without him having a job, the supplies will “definitely help.” The Resource Rally here was coordinated with Feed the Children by the local Niagara Bottling plant and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Marion County. The distribution took place at Immaculate Heart of Many Catholic Church at 10670 S.E. Maricamp Road because of ample space for the drive through and the venue has held similar events, according to Peter Del Toro, director of the Marion County branch of Second Harvest, who was accompanied at the rally by Tony Morris. Ocala City Council President Ire Bethea addressed the gathered volunteers

Among those on hand for the distribution event were Peter Del Toro, director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Marion County; Natalie Sams, a volunteer with Niagara; Walt Robbins, Niagara Bottling Ocala plant director; Ocala City Council President Ire Bethea; and Niagara volunteer John Krug.

as the rally was about to begin. He praised them for their community involvement and commitment. Madeline Foster and Brian Brady with Feed the Children were on hand to see the rally went well. Niagara Bottling of Ocala Plant Director Walt Robbins said 32 of 62 local employees turned out to help. Niagara is a family-owned company with 52 plants nationwide. Niagara Bottling volunteers loaded vehicles passing in a drive-thru line with a 25-pound box of food and a 15-pound box of personal care items like skin crème and moisturizer, a case of 24 bottles of Niagara bottled water and a crank style can opener. The food boxes included ready-to-eat entrees in pouches, such as spaghetti and tomato sauce, and beef stew, canned peaches and corn, fruit mix and snacks. The Olivers made the resource rally a family affair of giving back to the community. Robert Oliver, with the Ocala plant, is a U.S. Army veteran who had deployments to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2017. He helped in the car line as his wife, Mary, directed traffic. Their son, Christian,

20, with Niagara, also Photos by Andy Fillmore/ worked the car line. Ocala Gazette According to the nonprofit usafscts.org, Exit well-wishers Marlyn Aleman, Tom Van Nice and Angie Trevia, all church about 56,300 people in volunteers, wave as a car leaves the Niagara Cares distribution event on Aug. 1 Marion County are living at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on East Maricamp Road in Ocala. in poverty. The rally had sufficient supplies for 400 families, which were hauled from a Tennessee Feed the Children center in a semi tractor-trailer driven by Shari Stoneman. Any overage of supplies will go towards helping people with food insecurity and be distributed by area partners, according to a Feed the Children spokesperson. Several volunteers stood along Maricamp Road adjacent to the church and held signs offering “free food” to passing motorists, including John Felix, Bernard Lehman and Amanda Robbins. With gas approaching $4 a gallon and family budgets stretched, the help was well Natalie Dixon with Niagara Bottling Ocala, Madeline Foster with Feed the Children, Ashonee Dixon and received. Peter Del Toro, director of Second Harvest Food Bank “What blessing. It makes me cry,” said of Marion County, helped organize the resource rally recipient Alicia as she drove away from the through which hundreds of families received essential food and personal care supplies. distribution line.

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

The search is over

Marion County Search and Rescue has found a home. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

arion County Search and Rescue has a new home and its volunteers have a base in which to store emergency equipment for ready access as they organize missing person searches and perform other community services. A low-cost rental of the former Pedro Volunteer Fire Department firehouse at 16500 SE County Road 475 was made possible through the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. A brief ribbon cutting ceremony was held there July 31 as MCSAR officially moved in. Marion County Commissioner Matt McClain spoke at the ribbon cutting. McClain, who said he grew up in the Pedro community, acknowledged the long and proud legacy of service connected to the firehouse and said he was pleased to see the facility be occupied by the MCSAR volunteers who will continue to help the community. A group of MCSAR volunteers who were on hand for the event ceremoniously “pushed” their emergency response box truck, with it idling in reverse, into the building’s truck bay to make the occupancy official. “So that others may live,” is the motto of the 35-member volunteer organization, which established in 2014, It is supported by fundraisers, grants and donations, according to founder and team leader Frank Marino. MCSAR spends “hundreds of hours” providing no charge community service with teams that include a trained equestrian unit, a drone unit, a K-9 unit and a medical unit aimed at stabilizing a person in distress in preparation for transport. The central location will provide storage for emergency equipment and supplies and help coordinate faster responses, Marino said. The group’s equipment includes a side by side off road vehicle, drones and more. MCSAR has been involved in high profile cases including the ongoing missing person case of Sara Ebersole, who was last seen March 3, 2023, in the US Highway 441 area in Reddick, and the 2015 case of missing 14-year-old Victoria Faith Edward, who was found safe in a Tacoma, Washington, motel. MCSAR provided “critical information” to Marion County Sheriff ’s Office investigators to help find the teen, Marino said, adding that they also searched for a special needs man in the Ocala National Forest. The volunteers provide first aid services at events such as Jeeptoberfest and other local events and provide wellness checks for families during stormrelated emergencies, Marino stated. Marino, originally from Brooklyn, New York, came to Marion County in 2014. He was living close enough to 9/11 Ground Zero to hear “the second airplane throttle-up” prior to striking the tower. Marino worked at the Ground Zero site of rubble known as “The Pile” on the day of the tragedy and said the experience inspired him to become a volunteer fireman. The same inspiration to help people led him to establish the MCSAR because he “saw a need for it.” Marino said team members

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Michelle Moore, center, and Misti Mattingly, left, spend some time on July 31, 2026, with search and rescue horse Pammy, a 37-year-old standard bred, during the opening of the Marion County Search and Rescue building on County Road 475 in Summerfield, Fla., which formerly housed the Marion County Fire Rescue Pedro volunteer fire department.

People take part in a push-in ceremony during the opening of the Marion County Search and Rescue building in Summerfield.

Marion County Commissioner Matt McClain, Linda Marino, Jenny Riggan and Melissa Veazie cut the ribbon.

People listen during the opening ceremony.

People place their hands over their hearts as the national anthem is played.

Frank Marino, team director of Marion County Search and Rescue, talks to attendees.

are trained in basic life support and are certified in CPR. Searches are initiated by contact from law enforcement. Jenny Riggan has volunteered with MCSAR for three years. Her son, Joseph Lehn, 15, volunteers to work in the MCSAR building. “I love it. It’s helping the

Matt McClain of the Marion County Commission speaks during the opening.

community,” said Riggan, who works at an assisted living facility. Melissa Veave, a volunteer for one year, likes to “give back” to the community. Renee Michel is a K-9 unit member and handles 7-year-old certified recovery dog Banshee, a Doberman. Roland Lees handles information

Posters showing missing persons are on display inside the building.

technology for the group. Equestrian unit member Michelle Moore was on hand with 37-year-old horse, Pammy. Moore spoke of experience in grid searches and crowd control and volunteering with local law enforcement. She was joined by fellow equestrian unit member

Misti Mattingly. Robert Struyk, a U.S. Army veteran and volunteer for 12 years, said ,“if (the work) saves a life, it’s worth it .” To learn more, call (352) 443-5366 and find the group on Facebook.

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Luckesha Johnson, Isaiah Brown, 8, Phillip Stewart, Nathanael Brown, 10 and Lorraine Sims.

SOCIAL SCENE

Cultural celebration Festival brings taste and sound of Jamaica and the Caribbean to Ocala. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

he Jamaica PreIndependence Celebration & Jerk Fest, hosted by the Ocala Jamaica Cultural Alliance, brought a cultural experience that combined Caribbean food and entertainment with Ocala’s own country music sensation Noah Hunton. The event took place on Aug. 1 at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, running from midday to late evening. “Saturday’s event was a wonderful success, bringing together great food, live entertainment, community partners and an appreciative crowd for a memorable day of celebration,” said alliance spokeswoman Sharon Blackwood, via email. She noted that, despite concerns about the weather, the day remained rain-free, and the covered venue provided a comfortable setting for attendees to enjoy the festivities. Food vendors were conveniently located in one area, allowing guests to choose from a variety of authentic Jamaican dishes. “As the evening approached, the crowd began to grow in anticipation of the live performances. Although the preshow experienced an unexpected hiccup due to the band leader becoming ill, which prevented the band from appearing, the main show soon got underway. Once the entertainment began, the audience responded with

enthusiasm, interacting with the performers and enjoying the energy of the evening,” Blackwood wrote. "The Jamaica community was overjoyed to have the Jamaican performers in Ocala bringing back memories of their homeland and expressing their thirst for 'yard music.' From the legendary Everton Blender, beloved Glen Washington and versatile dance hall style Anthony Malvo, the crowd was swinging and wanting more," she noted. “One of the standout moments of the night was the performance by Noah Hunton of Ocala, an up-and-coming country western artist. Hunton received a strong and positive response from the crowd, which was especially meaningful given that Jamaican audiences are often described as a tough crowd to please. His performance was well received and added a unique and enjoyable element to the event,” she added. Blackwood said festival sponsors included Vets Helping Vets, Honda of Ocala and Wills Electric. “Overall, feedback from attendees has been positive, with many expressing their enjoyment and interest in seeing the event return next year. While every event offers opportunities to learn and improve, the overall response reflected a successful and well-supported community gathering,” Blackwood offered. To learn more, go to ojcalliance.com

Sharon Blackwood, left, and Annmarie Ferron, right, pose for a photo during the Jerk Fest and Independence Celebration hosted by the Ocala Jamaican Cultural Alliance at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, Fla. on Aug. 1, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Keith Davis, Allison Davis and Troy Barnes.

Trisha Wallace and Renee Brooks.

Madge Barrett shows some Jamaica themed items at her Rajmavon booth.

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette Courtney Emmitt and Emolin Willmot.

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Great one Continued from page A1 Wrestling Hall of Fame, joining his sons Dory Jr. and Terry. During that January interview with the “Gazette” at his home in Ocala, Dory donned his father’s diamond WWE hall of fame ring and talked with pride about his early days of learning life lessons from his dad on their ranch in Texas. Dory’s own hall of fame ring, along with his gold National Wrestling Alliance Champion of the World Wrestling Heavyweight belt, are on display in Japan, where he has wrestled many times and is considered an icon. The history of the Funk family includes Dory Sr. helping shape the future of pro wrestling and being a mentor to some of the most famous names in the business, as was Dory Jr., who also was known for his in-ring achievements and for being a promotional innovator. Dory Jr. was born Feb. 3, 1941. His career in professional wrestling began in 1963, following his college football career with West Texas State University. His accomplishments include induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009 and holding the CWA World Heavyweight Championship, WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, for which he was the second-longest reigning champion of all time. His brother Terry also had a stellar career. Terry passed away in 2023. In 1973, Dory Jr. made his debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling and then had a lengthy career with that organization. On Aug. 24, 2024, for his final professional match, Dory teamed up with old friend Osamu Nishimura. A wrestlingheadlines. com description of the event notes that it was a Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match at the FMW-E Terry Funk Memorial and Atsushi Onita 50th anniversary at the Fujitsu Kawasaki Stadium. When asked about some of the highlights of his storied career, Dory Jr. told the “Gazette” back in January, in his best Texas drawl, “Well winning the world championships, of course. And my first match.” When asked what advice he would have for young wrestlers

just getting started, he at first said in a soft lift, “Never quit.” Then, a bit louder, “Never quit!” And then, very loudly and forcefully, “NEVER QUIT!” In 2022, Dory wrote “The Last of a Great Breed: True Stories from a Career in Pro Wrestling.” The cover photo, which features a snarling Dory, in a black cowboy hat, holding a bullwhip and with fire seemingly coming from his fist, was created by Dave Schlenker, a noted longtime Ocala writer, editor and photographer. The two had formed a friendship over years of Dory being featured in the pages of the “Ocala Star-Banner,” where Schlenker worked for a long time. Schlenker went head-to-head with Dory on Nov. 24, 2012, at the Funking Conservatory, in a match/ fundraiser for the Marion County Literacy Council. He noted in a column published Nov. 8, 2012, that he had been encouraged to “smack-talk” Dory to amp up the stakes. When asked in January what he had to say about Dory, Schlenker texted: “I have always loved the dichotomy that is Dory Funk Jr. This is a guy who used to toss 300-pound to 400-pound dudes out of the ring after nearly crushing them with the spinning toe hold. There’s also barbed wire and blood in there somewhere. But he’s the sweetest, gentlest human. Just a bear of a grandfather. He’s an icon, both in Ocala and in professional wrestling.” On Aug. 4, via text, Schlenker wrote: “A true loss, not just for wrestling but for Ocala. Huge heart. A gentle giant who could crush you like a gnat. I loved to make Dory laugh, and he laughed often. He loved this town, its people and, of course, its pets. I will sincerely miss him. This is a tough one for me.” According to Marti, the family will have a private ceremony to honor Dory’s life. In November, on Thanksgiving Day, there will be a public memorial service to honor Dory, Terry and some noted Japanese associates. The “Gazette” will publicize details closer to the event. “He was such a good guy,” Marti said softly, then more strongly, “such a good guy!”

Marion County Continued from page A1 we don't even have an application for at this time, so again, I'm going to ask for us to cancel that workshop and to put a six-month moratorium in place, give new commissioners a chance to get in here, get their feet wet, understand the issue and then have a workshop and let them deal with it," Bryant said. Commission Chair Carl Zalak III pushed back against a delay, advocating for a proactive "twopronged approach" to protect the county legally in case a developer challenges a moratorium in court. "I’ll say it again. We need a two-pronged approach, right? If we do the moratorium, that's fine. But we also need to have guidance in place how applications are considered… I've learned so many things about, there's 15 or 20 things I'd like to bring before you guys that I think are good policy pieces that, God forbid, if a moratorium doesn't hold up, we get sued, we still have something as a backup piece, so I think it's good to have those discussions. I think it's good for our community to have the discussion,” Zalak explained. Commissioner Matt McClain expressed frustration with trying to legislate on the fly

during a regular meeting and rejected halting county business due to terms ending for county commissioners Bryant and Zalak. "I assumed we were holding a workshop so we could have this conversation and actually make sure that what we're going to do is legal... We can't just all of a sudden stop running government because there's people leaving," McClain said. Commissioner Michelle Stone sided with Bryant, noting that because commissionerelects are often decided in the August primaries, the Sunshine Law would soon restrict communication. "Most likely whoever wins on August the 18th is going to be the next two sitting commissioners... the clock starts ticking that we shouldn't even be engaging with them through the Sunshine Law at that point... Why not wait until after the election?" Stone said. Commissioner Craig Curry initially favored a moratorium, noting that data center energy demands are straining local grids nationwide. “Every data center looks like it pretty much is going to have to have its own electrical grid, so that it doesn't impose

Dory Funk Jr., right, is shown in an old photo with his father, Dory Funk Sr. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Dory Funk Jr. gets a kiss from his wife Marti at their home in Ocala on Jan. 23, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

unnecessary hardships on our grid," he said. After Bryant threatened to boycott the September workshop, however, Curry revealed his own scheduling conflict. "Well, if she's not going to be there, I've got a conflict. If we're going to have one, I want to be there, but I can't be there Sept. 1," Curry said. This conflict officially forced the workshop to be postponed. 12-Month moratorium in the works With the workshop postponed, County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes and county attorney Matthew Minter stepped in to guide the moratorium process. Rather than the six-month pause originally suggested, Bouyounes recommended 12 months. The commissioners unanimously agreed to their suggestion, directing staff to start drafting the year-long moratorium, which will go through the Land Development Regulation Commission review. The rescheduled date for the data center workshop has yet to be determined. Grassroots backlash: Petitions, lobbying suspicions, and conflict of interest questions While commissioners argued over procedural timelines, residents came armed with petitions and pointed questions

about potential conflicts of interest. Resident Joel Hickman formally presented a petition with 5,167 total signatures (including 4,354 verified Marion County residents) gathered in just 11 days. Hickman urged the board to postpone the workshop, pleading that "matters of this significance should be reviewed with full public participation and by the officials elected serving during the relevant term.” Other grassroots efforts, including Change.org petitions initiated by residents Ken Davis and Brian Donnelly, echoed this demand, calling for a one-year moratorium and independent environmental studies before any data center approvals. Beyond timing, one resident raised alarm over perceived conflicts of interest. Resident Robert "Bob" Burton questioned the county's relationship with its Tallahassee lobbying firm, Ballard Partners, which was hired under a one-year, $108,000 contract. Burton pointed out that Ballard Partners' major clients include tech giants like Google, Meta, Oracle and Palantir—the very entities that utilize largescale data centers. Burton remarked on the irony of paying the firm and said, "We're paying these guys $108,000 to represent us in

Tallahassee, when it looks to me like... they should be paying us to lobby to us to get their actual real clients the data centers.” Burton also argued that the data centers would support infrastructure like Flock and other light‑post cameras for mass surveillance, rather than benign public uses like extra storage for social media photos. Zalak pushed back against Burton's surveillance and data center concerns, clarifying that the firm was hired strictly to represent the county before the Department of Environmental Protection regarding the unfunded, multi-billion-dollar Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) mandates on Marion County for water cleanup. "They're not helping us with data centers," Zalak insisted. Zalak himself faced conflictof-interest questions following the meeting. The “Ocala Gazette” texted Zalak to ask if he felt conflicted in creating policy for industrial properties in light of his future selling of commercial property, noting that Boyd Development, where Zalak’s license is held, is known for marketing industrial real estate in Marion County. Zalak declined to answer directly, texting back: "sounds like a question you should ask the county attorney.”

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Public Notice

Ocala City Council member Jim Hilty. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Ocala City Manager Pete Lee. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Ocala scammed out of $500,000 in spring, public learns this week City Manager Peter Lee says investigation was ongoing; Council member James Hilty says citizens deserved to know sooner. By Steve Collins steve@ocalagazette.com

he city of Ocala was scammed out of about $500,000 this spring, but the first public acknowledgment of this came at the Aug. 4 City Council meeting. To the chagrin of City Manager Peter Lee and at least one city council member, it was council member James Hilty Sr. who raised the issue. Hilty elaborated on his public statements in a phone call with the “Ocala Gazette.” Hilty said he was told by Lee on July 30 that the issue arose when the city’s procurement department sent an email to a vendor with a form requesting online banking information, but that email was intercepted. Hilty said it’s his understanding when the form was returned with fraudulent banking information that two city employees—one a lower-level employee still on probation and the other a senior staff member— reviewed the form and approved payment without realizing it was a scam. Hilty said this all occurred in late April or early May. Hilty said it’s his understanding that two to three days later Bank of America contacted the city to flag a potential problem. Hilty said the senior staff member attempted to get to the bottom of the issue, but apparently not in time. “He waited well over a week to take action and at some point Bank of America made the payment,” Hilty said. Hilty said the FBI is now investigating, but he doesn’t know when the agency was contacted. He said he was told Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken didn’t learn of the issue until July. This isn’t the first time the city has been scammed.

In 2019, someone posing as a local construction company representative tricked a city employee into sending more than $740,000 to the wrong bank account. Hilty said it’s his understanding that the employee who was still on probation was let go but that the senior staff member involved remains employed by the city. This issue only came to the public’s attention because Hilty spoke up at the City Council meeting. “There was some interesting comments here tonight about different things that seem to be happening with citizens. And as we all heard this week that the city was fleeced out of almost $500,000, I would have thought tonight would have been the night that it would be transparent to the public, rather than us having to ask,” Hilty said. Lee objected to Hilty’s characterization. “It wasn't covered up.” Lee said. “I told you that the investigation was ongoing and I told you that I wasn't going to bring it up and you said okay.” Lee said that although the issue began in April, he didn’t find out about the missing money until July. He said he asked the internal auditor to investigate and that the IT department continues to go through records. In addition to IT, Lee said the chief financial officer, the chief of staff and the procurement department are all involved in the investigation. Lee said the city has gotten some of the money back and the risk management department has filed insurance claims to recover additional money. However, Hilty said in a phone call that he’s skeptical that the city will be reimbursed. “I don’t think the insurance company is going to lay down easy because it doesn’t sound like the

right procedure was followed,” Hilty said. Lee pushed back when Hilty said he should have informed the public about the missing money. “I'm not hiding behind anything,” Lee said. “I acknowledge to my five bosses what happened. I think that it's premature to make it public. Now it's public it's fine, we’ll deal with it as it is.” The scam apparently originated outside the city’s computer system. “It was in the vendor who we were dealing with… the threat actor was actually in their system,” Lee said. “Now, we didn’t do it right. We didn't do everything correct from the first interaction that we had with the threat actor's spoofed address that he sent.” Hilty said the staff member involved and other employees tried to solve the problem themselves without calling attention to the matter. “I still have this feeling that if we got the money back this wouldn’t have been transparent to the public,” Hilty said. Lee didn’t disagree. “It may not have been transparent to me, you may be right,” Lee said. Council President Pro-Tem Jay Musleh said he didn’t agree with Hilty having brought up the subject. “At this point, I don't think the public is served either way by us bringing it up tonight without having a full and comprehensive report from our internal auditor and also the full report on exactly what happened, timeline and everything,” Musleh said. Hilty said one of the reasons he spoke up was because Florida’s Sunshine Law prohibits council members from communicating outside the public eye, so the only way to have the conversation was at the meeting.

Ocala history placed on national stage New presidential museum features civil rights art about Marion County. By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

he Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which opened on June 19, features a tribute to Marion County’s civil rights history. Prominently displayed on the museum’s sixth floor, in the Skyroom Vista, visitors are greeted by a monumental site-specific artwork commemorating the historic June 16, 1961, arrest of three Freedom Riders at the Ocala bus terminal. The piece, titled “Freedom Riders” (2025), was created by the internationally renowned conceptual artist Jenny Holzer,

who is celebrated for her text-based art. The artwork features richly textured layers of oil paint, palladium and platinum leaf on linen, handapplied around a silk-screened, declassified 1961 FBI document detailing the local arrest of Rev. Leslie Smith, James O’Connor and Herbert Callender. Holzer purposefully transformed a page from the nearly 5,000 FBI records declassified during Obama’s administration into art by turning raw, cold instruments of federal surveillance into a shimmering, reflective tribute to their courage, designing the surface that reflects the viewers' own faces as they contemplate the extraordinary actions of these past leaders. The historic masterpiece was selected for the permanent collection by Virginia Shore, curator of the Obama

Presidential Center Art Commissions. The foundation aimed to weave art into the campus’ goal of encouraging civic engagement, selecting site-specific installations that "deepen visitors' curiosity and inspiration" and anchor public spaces with the values of “resilience, memory and hope.” Holzer's piece was chosen to ensure that the quiet courage of ordinary citizens who risked their lives to desegregate interstate transit in Florida is remembered. The “Gazette” is reviewing the declassified FBI records concerning Ocala's "FREEBUS" files and is reaching out to local agencies associated with the 1961 incident to share next week the story of what those federal and local records collectively reflect. Photo courtesy Obama Foundation

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

In June of 2025, upon retiring as board chair, Terry Crawford was surprised with the naming of the Terry Crawford Area of Greatest Need Fund at AdventHealth Ocala Foundation. From left are Amy Mangan, executive director of the foundation; Erika Skula, president/CEO of AdventHealth Ocala and AdventHealth Mid-Florida Region; Cindy Crawford; Terry Crawford; and Gordon Fairbanks, chairman of the AdventHealth Ocala Foundation board of directors. [Submitted photo]

Terry Crawford

Boy Scout Continued from page A1 In addition to running a business, Crawford served on numerous local boards over several decades. He chaired the Munroe Regional Medical Center Foundation Board and later the AdventHealth Ocala Foundation Board, and served on the University of Mississippi School of Business Advisory Board. In 2025, he was inducted into the university’s Business School Hall of Fame. He was deeply involved with the Salvation Army, the Fort King National Historical Landmark and served for more than 50 years on the Ocala International Airport Advisory Board. He also provided leadership to the Boy Scouts of America locally and nationally. Amy Mangan, executive director of the AdventHealth Ocala Foundation, knew Crawford for many years, both as their families were close and also in professional capacities. “I’ve known Terry for as long as I can remember. Our families were close friends, so he was part of my life from childhood. Years later, I had the privilege of serving alongside him through the AdventHealth Ocala Foundation, where he became not only a board leader but also a mentor, champion and trusted friend. Watching him lead with such humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to our hospital and community was one of the great privileges of my career,” Mangan shared via email. “Terry taught me that relationships are life’s greatest

investment. He nurtured friendships, never forgot the people who helped shape his journey and had an incredible way of making others feel valued. He showed up—for his family, his friends, his faith and his community—and he taught me that simply being present, encouraging others and investing in people can change lives,” Mangan offered. “Terry’s legacy will be found in the people he believed in and the community he helped build. His fingerprints are on so many of the organizations that make Marion County stronger, but even more importantly, they’re on the lives of the countless people he mentored, encouraged and loved. He showed us that leadership isn’t about recognition—it’s about showing up, lifting others up, and leaving every place and every person better than you found them,” she said. Another close and nearly lifelong friend of Crawford’s was Marion County Commissioner Craig Curry. “He was born and raised in Ocala and so was I and we’ve just known each other forever. His family moved here in the 1830s and ours a little bit before that. He was a year or so older than I was. He didn’t go to high school here; he went to a military school. But after he came back to Ocala, we re-established our friendship,” Curry said. Of Crawford’s well-known affinity for the University of Mississippi in Oxford, best known as Ole Miss, Curry said his friend was the “best Ole Miss fan you’ve ever met.” “He was one of the reasons my

Join the

Photos courtesy Crawford family In 2025, Terry Crawford was inducted into the University of Mississippi Business School Hall of Fame, with, from left, daughter Heather Fatigate, wife Cindy Crawford, and granddaughters Paige and Hailey in attendance. [Submitted photo]

daughter went to Ole Miss and ultimately his son, Mitchell, who unfortunately passed away a few years back, went to Ole Miss as well. Our kid’s kind of grew up together and our families enjoyed Florida Gator football games. He owns a condo in Oxford and my daughter owns a condo up there, so we used to go and hang out with them quite a bit. Go to the ballgames,” Curry shared, adding that he and Crawford, “did a lot of hunting and some fishing together, in Mississippi and Arkansas, out in Montana, mostly bird hunting.” Curry referred to his friend as “a very good businessman and a tremendous public servant, who never asked for recognition but just added so much to the community.” Curry also noted that Crawford was a pilot and owned a “couple of vintage warbird planes.” “He was just finishing adding an aviation component to the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park. There was, I think it was called an observation

post, that was the only remaining remnant from the WWII aviation time here in Marion County, that was called the Greenville Aviation School here in Ocala (where Target is now). Up north of Ocala was this concrete observation area and he got it moved to the veterans’ park,” Curry noted. “Terry was a member of the Ocala Silver Springs Rotary Club since the early ‘70s and I can tell you, if there is anyone I’ve ever known who is going to go to heaven, it’s him. He was the ultimate Boy Scout. He was really a Southern gentleman. I don’t think I ever heard him use a curse word. He was just a great human being,” Curry shared. “He leaves a big hole in the community. He was one of those people who enjoyed civic service and doing things for others.” Cindy Crawford said she was born at Munroe Regional Hospital, which is now AdventHealth Ocala, as was her husband. “He was the love of my life. He was a gift to all of us, to me, his kids, grandkids, family members

and everybody whose life he touched. I have three children and they consider him their father. He was such a wonderful man and such a mentor to my children,” she said, and added that he was best known among family members as “Pops.” Crawford was preceded in death by his first wife, Connie, and son Mitchell. He is survived by wife Cindy as well as his extended family and numerous friends and business associates. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Aug. 29, with visitation at 1 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Terry Crawford Area of Greatest Need Fund at AdventHealth Ocala Foundation. Donations can be made online at yourgenerosityhealsocala.com or mailed to AdventHealth Ocala Foundation, 1500 SW 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida, 34471, or to Salvation Army Ocala, 2901 NE 14th St., Ocala, FL 34470.

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Bringing home a natty

Ocala/Marion County team basks in glory after winning NFL national flag football title. By Steve Collins steve@ocalagazette.com

s far as 15-year-old Michael Cowart is concerned, a Chili’s Triple Dipper is one of the “top three things in the world.” The other two things on his list are football and Jesus. So, when Michael and his 14U Marion County Juice teammates found themselves trailing at halftime in arguably the biggest flag football tournament of their lives and assistant coach Scott Ward offered to buy dinner if the team won, Michael quickly suggested Chili’s. “I'm trying to change the vibe of the game, and they all started getting excited,” Ward said. “They said, ‘We want Triple Dippers,’ and they asked if that was too expensive. I said, ‘Whatever y'all want, I got it.’ So, I said, ‘Chili's on me. Chili's on three. Let's go,’ and we broke it down with Chili's.” The team representing the Marion County Flag Football League and the Tampa Bay Bucs would come back to win the game and then two more to claim the 14U division of the NFL flag football national championship tournament as folks back home watched on the ESPN networks. In all, the Juice won seven games between July 24 and 26 just outside of Indianapolis, Indiana, outscoring opponents 141-69. Along the way they bonded as a team and became hometown heroes. And they did it with their backup quarterback.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

In winning the national championship, the Juice represented a league that’s only been in existence for a little more than a decade. The Marion County Flag Football League began in 2015 as the brainchild of league director John Ivory and former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Steve Rhem. At the time, in addition to Ocala youngsters playing tackle football in the fall, many continued to play in an 8-on-8 tackle football league in the winter and springs months. Ivory and Rhem approached officials in the city’s recreation and parks department about changing that. “We went to them and said, ‘The fact you guys are allowing these kids to play tackle football essentially year ‘round is crazy,’” Ivory said. That conversation led to the birth of the Marion County Flag Football League. There were 115 players the first year, a number that’s since grown to 1,300. Four Marion County teams qualified for the national tournament this year in various age groups and three participated. The league relies on volunteers such as head coach Nyl Davis, who has coached most of the players on the national championship team for four seasons. The U14 team was just one of five teams Davis coached this season. “It’s a long, time-consuming, expensive journey but if you put in the time, it’s worth it,” Davis said.

The National Championship team trophy. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

The National Championship Marion County Juice 14U Flag Football team poses at Chili's on Southwest College Road in Ocala, Fla. on Aug. 2, 2026. The Juice (representing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) won the 2026 NFL FLAG Championships in Indiana on July 26. The team had a viral moment involving Chili's as their game was being broadcast on ESPN and the NFL network. On Sunday, after watching the Tampa Bay Bucaneers practice in Tampa, the team went to the Ocala Chili's for a celebration. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

The National Championship Marion County Juice 14U Flag Football team celebrates at Chili's on Southwest College Road in Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

The National Championship Marion County Juice 14U Flag Football team celebrates after winning the National Championship in Westfield, Indiana, on July 26, 2026. [Photo courtesy Marion County Juice]

The Juice team celebrates in Indiana on July 26, 2026. [Photo courtesy Marion County Juice]

EMBRACED BY A COMMUNITY AND BEYOND One of the things Ivory said he’s proud of is that although NFL Flag rules allow teams to recruit players from up to 75 miles away, the Juice don’t do that. “Every single one of our kids are homegrown in Ocala,” Ivory said. “We’re not going out and recruiting kids like a lot of teams do.” Because the tournament games were televised, multiple local establishments hosted watch parties. Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano was a vocal supporter and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing the team’s accomplishment. “The final day when we made it, everybody from the city was reaching out to us,” Ward said. “And anybody that was important that we would know was wishing us the best of luck. The mayor had to have at least three or four times reached out to us, and just everybody was excited that the kids essentially put the small town on a map.” The celebration didn’t stop there. On Sunday, the team had VIP access to a Buccaneers training camp practice. “The coolest thing about this whole entire experience was being able to go to the Bucs indoor practice field, meet all the players, get signatures, talk to them and be able to meet different people,” team member Dorian Davis said.

FROM BACKUP TO MVP

Leading the way for the Juice was tournament MVP Drake Eason, who threw 19 touchdown passes and on defense returned four interceptions for touchdowns. Notably, Drake normally plays wide receiver. It was Belleview High incoming sophomore Gabe Caro who quarterbacked the team in November when the Juice won the regional tournament in Tampa to qualify for nationals. But because Gabe had another commitment and didn’t make the trip to nationals, Drake got the nod at quarterback. His teammates were happy to sing Drake’s praises. ““He played an amazing game,” Duke Simpkins said. “The balls he threw were accurate, he wasn't arguing, he made the right choices and he got it done.” Teammate Ashton Garnes was also impressed. “I had a couple plays where he threw the behind the back pass where I was pretty surprised and I kind of knew he was getting comfortable,” Ashton said. “He was really starting to show off his talents.” The soft-spoken Drake said he wasn’t focused on personal accomplishments. “I just went in and was going to have fun with my friends, my homeboys,” he said. “We’re building a brotherhood.” Coach Davis said Drake has always been one of the more athletic people on the team and has the ability to take over a game by himself. However,

Ocala Chili's managing partner Katie McKay, right, and kitchen manager Erik Girona, second from right, pose with coach Nyl Davis, Duke Simpkins, 14, quarterback Drake Eason, 14, and Kingstyn Henderson, 15. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

he said the coaching staff has had to encourage him to get his teammates more involved. “Now he trusts his teammates and that’s elevated his game to a thousand times higher level,” Davis said.

THE ESPN EFFECT

Ward said the team came together in a way he hadn’t previously seen. “They normally like to fight and argue and get in each other's heads on the field and they did not do that this weekend, and that was that was great and I think that's why they ended up winning,” Ward said. Ward has a theory about what was different. “They were on national TV,” Ward said. “I think that's what changed. They knew that they were going to get made fun of if they came home a loser.” Ashton said the fact the games were televised meant that some of his family members got to watch him play for the first time. “The coolest thing about this whole experience is just getting to be able to go out of state and perform my talents and show it all on TV,” he said.

CHILI’S ORIGIN STORY

The fact the games were televised also led to the team’s impromptu halftime discussion about Triple Dippers and eating at Chili’s. “I wanted to cuss the kids out because that's how I get through

to them,” Ward said. “We're mic’d up for ESPN, so I can’t do that. So, in my mind, the next best thing I had was let me offer them to buy dinner.” It worked. “I would say that apparently motivating us with food is helpful for us,” Dorian said. A sideline reporter overheard the halftime conversation and mentioned it on the broadcast before asking defensive end Makel Snowden about it in a post-game interview. When the reporter asked, “What’s on the menu” and Makel responded with “Triple Dipper,” the entire broadcast team broke out in laughter. Ward would ultimately drop about $177 at a Chili’s restaurant in Indiana that night. Wide receiver Kingstyn Henderson was among the beneficiaries. “It was really great,” Kingstyn said. “Just eating the amount of food you could get, I looked at as a blessing.” The team and its supporters were at the Chili’s restaurant on State Road 200 on Aug. 2 to continue their celebration as guests of the eatery. As he took a moment to reflect on what it all meant, the teenager who got the Triple Dipper ball rolling was thinking about something bigger. “We're a great team,” Michael said, “and just because we're not in a big town or anything like that doesn't mean we can't do great things.”

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Home & Garden

African blue basil

Thyme to spice up your garden

Lemongrass and rosemary

There are many herbs and spices that can handle the worst of Florida's summer heat. By Mark Bailey UF/IFAS Marion County

s your current garden just not thrilling enough? Do you want to bring in plants that you can become excited about? If so, then consider spicing up your garden. First, let's go over a few key definitions. What is the difference between a spice and an herb? Can a plant produce both a spice and an herb? An herb will always be the leafy parts of a plant, while spices are any other parts. These other parts could include roots, stems, bark, seeds and fruit. Here in North Central Florida, we can grow quite a few spices and herbs, some year-round. Before planting, take some time to understand each plant's needs and select the right plant for where you intend to plant it. There are many herbs and spices, both perennials and annuals, that can handle the worst of Florida's summer heat. Perhaps the two toughest perennial herbs are rosemary and lemongrass. Rosemary is a great option due to its lowmaintenance and affinity for sandy, sunny conditions. If you have rosemary planted in a pot, make sure it is well-drained and not overwatered. Rosemary can also produce small white flowers that attract pollinator insects. Lemongrass is an excellent option if you want something that

grows quickly and produces an abundance of pleasant, lemonscented foliage. Both rosemary and lemongrass can be used fresh in various dishes or dried and used later. If you are gardening through summer heat, consider herbs such as basil, especially holy basil and Thai basil, and Cuban oregano. Thyme, fennel, lemon balm and mint plants, such as peppermint and spearmint, grow well through the warm season. Like rosemary and lemongrass, they can be used fresh or dried. Most of these plants can be grown from seed or are available at your local plant nursery. An additional benefit of growing different types of flowering herbal plants is that they attract many kinds of pollinators. African blue basil is wonderfully fragrant and one of the most attractive pollinator plants to include in a garden. If you desire a little caffeine, then take a look at a true Florida native: the yaupon holly. This plant comes in dwarf and fullsized tree varieties that are either male or female. The full-sized tree will not fit in a typical garden space, so plant accordingly. The female trees will set thousands of small, bright red berries once mature. The tea from these leaves is very smooth, pleasant and lightly caffeinated. Spices that may be overlooked as options in a garden bed or

Spearmint

pot include turmeric and ginger. Both of these spice plants grow well in our area and can be propagated directly from the very rhizomes you buy in stores. Simply break off a large, healthy segment and plant it 2-3 inches deep in high-quality soil, then water regularly until it emerges. Give ginger and turmeric a year or more to mature, then harvest them whenever you desire fresh ginger or turmeric. Turmeric, and especially ginger, have many uses in both dishes and beverages. It can start by taking some thyme to spice up your garden.

Rosemary

For gardening questions or inquiries about upcoming classes, reach out to the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension oﬃce at (352) 671-8400 or email ironhill@ufl.edu Photos courtesy Mark Bailey UF/IFAS Marion County

Turmeric

FREE FIRST SATURDAY + “FLORIDA LORE” STORYTELLING Saturday, September 5 Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enjoy the galleries and Artspace. At noon in the auditorium, master storyteller and professor Dr. Caren Neile brings Florida folklore to life, from the Ashley Gang to Bellamy Bridge, in an engaging exploration of the legends that continue to shape the state’s cultural imagination. Free to attend. Food trucks will be on-site throughout the day. This Free First Saturday is sponsored in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union and Florida Humanities.

Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store -an equal opportunity college-

Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. | AppletonMuseum.org

Scan the QR code to learn more about the event.

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

A rare bipartisan housing bill just became law But Americans will still struggle with affordability. By Kirk McClure Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning, University of Kansas and Alex Schwartz, Emeritus Professor of Urban Policy, The New School

sweeping housing measure, which became law on July 11, is being widely celebrated as a crucial step in addressing the nation’s housing crisis. The ROAD to Housing Act is one of the few substantive bills passed by Congress in recent years and the first major housing bill enacted since the 1990s. Despite clearing Congress with overwhelming margins in the Senate and the House, the measure encountered one final hiccup when President Donald Trump abruptly canceled its signing ceremony on June 24 and then again refused to sign it on July 10. However, since Trump did not veto the bill, it automatically became law at 12:01 a.m. on July 11. Despite the bipartisan support, however, even supporters say it doesn’t do enough to ease America’s housing affordability crunch. Many of the 60 provisions in the wide-ranging bill are regulatory in nature, such as streamlining environmental impact reviews and reducing the frequency of inspections for homes with tenants receiving federal rental assistance. Others seek to make it easier for homebuyers to acquire financing. These elements and more could help move the needle on the nation’s housing morass. But as housing policy scholars, we believe the improvements will be only marginal. That’s because the reforms do not address the main source of the nation’s housing problem: that millions of renters and homeowners lack the income necessary to cover their housing costs.

PROMISING CHANGES

The bill does include several important reforms. The provision that has received the most attention

Miniature, clear plastic houses laid out side by side in a model of a neighborhood. As sweeping as the bill is, its impact is likely to be modest. [Ilia Yefimovich/Picture Alliance via Getty Images]

limits the ability of private equity firms and other institutional investors to acquire and operate single-family homes as rental properties. Although institutional investors account for about 2% of all single-family rentals nationally, they have a bigger presence in certain housing markets, mostly in the South. These firms will typically purchase homes in cash, disadvantaging individual homebuyers who need to take out a mortgage. They’ve also been known to more aggressively raise rents and initiate eviction proceedings than other landlords. The legislation also includes several measures aimed at reducing home prices and increasing housing supply. One reduces the cost of manufactured housing, often known as mobile homes, by eliminating the requirement to include a steel chassis that can be attached to wheels. This is expected to reduce building costs by around $5,000 to $10,000, or about 4% to 8% of the average cost of a new unit. Other cost-saving elements include streamlining environmental reviews for proposed housing developments and encouraging new designs for midsize apartment buildings that would allow for just one stairway. Fire safety regulations have long required multifamily buildings to contain two or more staircases so residents can exit their homes safely if one staircase is impassable because of smoke or other reasons. However, improvements in fire safety have largely eliminated the need for the second staircase in

midsize buildings. By eliminating the two-stairway requirement, developers can reduce their construction costs and have more flexibility in their architectural designs. Another component requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to issue guidelines and “best-practice frameworks” for zoning and land-use policies, presumably to nudge cities and towns to allow developers to build smaller homes on smaller lots. To further facilitate housing construction, the bill requires local governments that receive federal funding for community development to publish a “searchable online database of undeveloped land parcels,” which is intended to make it easier to identify potential low-cost development sites. The bill also encourages the Federal Housing Administration and other lenders to issue “small dollar mortgages” of less than $100,000. Currently, when lowpriced homes are available, it can be difficult for interested homebuyers to obtain financing because it is more profitable for lenders to underwrite larger mortgages. Finally, the law reauthorizes for three years the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program. This program helps cities, counties and states recover from disasters declared by U.S. presidents, focusing on low- and moderateincome households. While most of the legislation focuses on homeowner housing, a couple of provisions address important challenges for subsidized rental housing. One

seeks to encourage landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program by making it easier for landlords to satisfy the federal government’s housing inspection requirements. Another provision helps protect low-income rural renters from losing their homes when the federally funded mortgages on their buildings expire. Currently, these rent subsidies, which are provided by the Department of Agriculture, can only be used in the buildings it finances. Many of these mortgages are due to expire over the next few years, putting residents with rental assistance at risk of eviction. The legislation will enable these households to remain in place or move to other buildings without federally funded mortgages.

AMERICANS ARE STILL BEING CRUSHED BY COSTS

Yet as sweeping as the bill is, its impact is likely to be modest. Nearly all of the legislation involves regulatory changes. The bill does not increase subsidies available to low-income renters and homeowners, or to potential homebuyers. The majority of all renters are cost burdened, meaning they currently spend more than 30% of their income on housing. Over a quarter of all homeowners are cost burdened, too. The legislation almost certainly will not diminish this affordability crisis. Several measures aim to reduce the cost of new housing. But with few exceptions, they are contingent on the support and participation of states, cities and suburbs. For example, nothing in the

bill requires localities to change their zoning and building codes to allow more apartment buildings or smaller single-family homes to be built at higher densities. Homeowners are usually strongly opposed to development if they fear it will change the character of their community or lower the value of their property. Existing homeowners do not want, and almost certainly will not allow, a wholesale erosion of their home equity. They will continue to fight to preserve the valuations of their homes. Nor does the House’s passage of the bill mean that Congress has become more supportive of lowincome housing. On the same day that the House passed the bill, the House Appropriations Committee released its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. It included cuts to public housing, Community Development Block Grants, the Home Investment Partnership Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Now that it is law, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will hopefully accelerate reform efforts. But on its own, it’s less a speedway that will supercharge housing supply and provide immediate relief for the most cost-burdened Americans and more a modest on-ramp that reflects the limits of what’s politically feasible in a divided and polarized Congress. This is an updated version of an article originally published on May 29, 2026, and is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Public Notice

Local real estate report OMCAR reports median sale price for single-family homes at $293,000 and average sale price of $349,235. Staff report

NAME OF AGENCY: The School Board of Marion County, Florida RULE TITLE: SCHOOL BOARD POLICY UPDATES RULE NO.: N/A SUMMARY: A Public Hearing will be held on September 8, 2026, for Rulemaking, beginning at 5:30 P.M. or as soon thereafter as may be heard, to update School Board Policies in accordance with Florida law. SUMMARY OF RULE: 7000 PROPERTY: Po7250 – Commemoration of School Facilities SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COST: There are no additional costs required other than that of advertising. SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 1001.41, 1001.42, F.S.

he Ocala/Marion County housing market remained active in June as home sales increased while buyers continued to benefit from improving affordability and a healthy supply of available homes, according to the Ocala/ Marion County Association of Realtors. OMCAR reports that 805 existing single-family homes closed in June, a 10% increase compared to June 2025. New pending sales climbed 9.5%, signaling continued buyer demand. The median sale price for single-family homes was $293,000, down 3.8% yearover-year, while the average sale price was $349,235, a modest 1.4% decrease. Dollar volume increased 8.4% to $281.1 million, the news release noted. “June's market demonstrates the resilience of Marion County real estate. More homes are

Notice of Rulemaking

Law(s) Implemented: 1001.43, 1001.49, and 1001.51 F.S. A Public Hearing will occur at the following School Board Meeting: TIME: 5:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as may be heard PLACE: School Board Meeting Room, located at 1614 E. Fort King Street, Ocala, Florida 34471 DATES: September 8, 2026

Home for sale in Marion County. [Photo courtesy realtor.com]

changing hands as buyers take advantage of improved opportunities, while sellers continue to benefit from strong demand and competitive pricing. A healthy increase in closed sales is an encouraging sign that our local market remains vibrant,” said OMCAR President Jeanne Ritt in the release. “Today's buyers have more choices than they did a year ago, creating healthier market conditions for everyone. Realtors

continue to play a critical role in helping buyers and sellers navigate changing inventory levels, pricing trends and financing options to achieve their real estate goals,” Ritt added. Locally, inventory stood at 3,232 active listings with a 4.8-month supply of inventory. Homes reached contract in a median of 58 days and closed in a median of 100 days. To learn more, go to omcar. com

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS NOTICE, CONTACT: Legal Department The School Board of Marion County, Florida 1614 E. Fort King Street Ocala, Florida 34471 Ad Run 7/31/26 & 8/7/26 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 2426 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471 on August 18, 2026, at 12:00PM. Shederick Gillings- personal items, clothes. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com . Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that French & Clark Holdings LLC, owner, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name Clarks Cove, located in Marion County, Florida, intends to register said name in Marion County with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes.

Notice is hereby given that French & Clark Holdings LLC, owner, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name Unbroken Mile, located in Marion County, Florida, intends to register said name in Marion County with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes.

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

State real estate report

Market report shows statewide median single-family home sale price at $432,000; $305,000 for townhouses and condos. Staff report

he Florida Realtors Association June market report shows that statewide the median single-family home sale price was $432,000, a 4.9% increase from June of 2025. Townhouse and condo median sales price were reported at $305,000, a 1.7% increase from last June. The statewide active listing inventory for single-family homes was 97,360, a 15.8% decrease from last year. Statewide inventory for condos and townhomes was reported at 62,772, a 14.3% decrease from last June. Jennifer Warner, director of economic development for the Florida Realtors, a statewide agents’ reporting and professional trade association, said, "The most notable statistic that jumped out was closed sales for single family homes were up 9.3% year over year. But before you start doing cartwheels, let's examine the impact of the base effect. Year over year growth is measured against where we were 12 months ago and June 2025 was a particularly weak month for sales, when last year’s starting point is unusually low, such as 24,000 sales, even a modest improvement this year produced a relatively large percentage increase." As usual, mortgage interest

rates had large impact on the Florida real estate market. "Rates began to fall during the summer and continued to come in at just around 6% for the remainder of the year," Warner said. "Buyers responded, giving closed sales a stronger back half of the year. So far in 2026, closed sales continued to exceed what we saw during the same time period in 2025, with trends this year are more closely resembling total sales numbers from 2023."

SINGLE-FAMILY SECTOR

Ocala/Marion County’s June median sale price reported for single-family homes was $287,990, a 1.7% decrease from 2025. "While there are moderate changes month to month and even year over year, prices continue to hover around a level that was kicked off during the pandemic era. Buyers now have the upper hand in most local Florida markets, but certainly not all of them," Warner said. The association reported the supply of single-family existing homes statewide stood at 4.5-months’ supply, a 19.6% decrease from last June. “Months’ supply inventory is a useful indicator of market conditions,” the report stated. “The benchmark for a balanced market (favoring neither buyer nor seller) is 5.5 months of inventory. Anything higher is

Property for sale in Marion County. [Photo courtesy realtor.com]

traditionally a buyers' market, and anything lower is a sellers' market." Statewide, the number of cash sales for single-family homes increased by .6% with a total of 6,904 throughout Florida, which was just over 26.5% of all sales. “Cash sales can be a useful indicator,” the report stated, “of the extent to which investors are participating in the market. Investors are far more likely to have the funds to purchase a home available up front, whereas the typical homebuyer requires a

mortgage or some other form of financing.” Ocala/Marion County reported 908 single-family home closings, a 2.4% decrease from last June.

TOWNHOUSES AND CONDOS

The Ocala/Marion County townhouse and condo median sales prices came in at $193,500 a 1.5% decrease from last June. A total of 55 closed sales were reported. "Condos and townhouses are seeing gains as well, though a little more muted than single

family homes. Year over year, prices are up 1.7% and are coming in at $305,000. Just like single family homes, though, pricing has been hovering around the same level since 2022," Warner stated. Statewide, existing condotownhouse properties were at an 8.1-months’ supply in June, a decrease of 19% from June 2025 with reported total active listings of 62,772. For the sector, the number of cash sales increased by 12.5% to 4,513 and represented just under 51% of the market.

CONSUMER GUIDE: CONDOMINIUM INSURANCE Ocala, FL — Buying a condominium often means navigating two insurance policies: one purchased by the condominium association and one purchased by the unit owner. Understanding how these policies work together can help you avoid coverage gaps and unexpected costs. A licensed insurance agent can help you evaluate your coverage needs, and your condominium association can answer questions about its insurance coverage. What is condominium insurance? Unlike a single-family home, a condominium is typically insured through two separate policies. • Condo association master insurance. is purchased by the association and generally covers the building, roof and other common areas. Depending on the policy, it may also cover certain portions of individual units. • The unit owner’s policy (often an HO-6 policy) is purchased by the individual owner. Depending on the master policy, it may cover interior components of the unit, such as flooring, cabinets, fixtures and owner-installed improvements or upgrades. It may also provide personal liability coverage, coverage for personal belongings and protection against certain assessments charged to unit owners. How do I know what each policy covers? Some master policies cover units as originally constructed. Others provide only “bare walls” coverage, leaving more responsibility with the unit owner. Responsibility for flooring, cabinets, countertops, fixtures and other interior components can vary by community. Before purchasing a condominium, ask the association, board or property manager what the master policy covers and what responsibilities remain with unit owners. Is condominium insurance required? In many cases, yes. For condominiums eligible for financing backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, the condominium project generally must maintain master insurance coverage that meets certain requirements. Unit owners may also be required to maintain their own coverage. Buyers should consult their lender regarding financing and insurance requirements for a specific condominium. What happens if the association’s insurance is not enough? In some cases, unit owners may be responsible for a share of costs that are not fully covered by the condominium association’s master policy, including certain deductibles or covered losses that exceed available coverage. Some unit-owner policies include loss assessment coverage, which may help pay certain covered assessments charged to unit owners. Ask your insurance agent whether your policy includes this coverage and whether additional limits are available. What if I cannot obtain condo insurance? In high-risk disaster areas, obtaining condo insurance may be more difficult. If you’re having trouble finding coverage, consider working with an independent insurance agent who can compare options from multiple insurers. In some cases, surplus lines insurers that specialize in hard-to-place risks, or a state insurer-of-last-resort program, may provide coverage when traditional insurance is unavailable. An insurance professional can help you understand your options and any tradeoffs in coverage or cost. Where can I get more information? Questions about the association’s master policy should generally be directed to the condominium association, board or property manager. Questions about your personal insurance needs should be directed to a licensed insurance agent. The Community Associations Institute (CAI) also maintains a directory of credentialed professionals, including insurance specialists, through its Directory of Credentialed Professionals. Your real estate agent will help you navigate the purchase or sale of your home; for legal advice, consult an attorney licensed in your state. Not all real estate professionals are REALTORS®. Only those who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® may use the term REALTOR®, and they are obligated under NAR’s Code of Ethics to work in your best interest. Please visit facts.realtor for more information and resources.

REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®

About OMCAR Founded in 1924, the Ocala Marion County Association of REALTORS® represents over 2,600 members dedicated to professionalism, service, and community involvement. Through advocacy, education, and outreach, OMCAR helps shape a better future for Marion County — one home, one family, one act of service at a time. For more information, visit www.omcar.com.

3105 NE 14th Street, Ocala, FL. 34470 • 352-629-2415

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creating environmental corridors Butterfly experts are planting 15,000 milkweed plants along Florida roadsides to help monarchs.

By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History

f you’ve driven down twolane highways in rural parts of North Florida recently, you may have noticed a spate of new signs that designate the grassy knolls bordering the asphalt as wildflower areas. The signs likely feel redundant right about now as thousands of milkweeds produce thick umbels packed full of pentagonal buds and fully developed flowers. Many of these flowers and all the monarchs they attract have the same attention-grabbing orange color as the safety vests worn by workers who carefully planted each milkweed by hand months earlier. “It’s been a lot of work but also really exciting to see,” said Jaret Daniels, curator of Lepidoptera at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. “We’ve had good success with plant establishment and we’ve seen monarchs using the plants already in the field.” The work is part of an initiative led by the University of Illinois Chicago to transform the vacant rights-of-way alongside roads, powerlines and train tracks into environmental corridors for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The Florida Department of Transportation signed on to this voluntary initiative in 2024, agreeing to manage 10,200 acres of roadside real estate for conservation, in part, by adding a few pollinator pit stops in strategic locations.

MILKWEED AREAS BENEFIT POLLINATORS AND PEOPLE FDOT proactively awarded a $150,000 grant to the Daniels lab in 2023 to select, grow, plant and monitor 9,000 milkweeds along Florida roads for a period of three years to understand the most effective planting strategy for milkweed establishment. The grant was recently extended through 2029 with the goal of getting an additional 6,000 plants in the ground. “It’s a no-brainer,” Daniels said. “We don’t have enough conservation lands to maintain pollinator populations through time in many areas, so we have to look to environments that we, as humans, manage every day. Roadsides are managed regardless, so why not do so in a way that confers greater benefits?” The benefit to pollinators is obvious. Most of the crowd favorites in the insect world— bees, moths, butterflies—along with those of equal ecological importance but less esteem— wasps, flies, mosquitos, ants— subsist completely or partially on nectar. A long stretch of country road straddled by wildflowers is a buffet for nectivores and milkweeds are an excellent source of nectar for representatives from all of these groups. Milkweeds are in the dogbane family of plants, apocynaceae. Several species in this aptly named group produce toxic glycosides and alkaloids to discourage herbivory. But as often happens in these cases, animals have consistently found ways of sidestepping

Butterfly experts are planting 15,000 milkweed plants along Florida roadsides to help monarchs. [Florida Museum photo by Jeff Gage]

Pinewoods milkweed, asclepias humistrata. [Florida Museum photo by Jeff Gage]

Butterfly weed, asclepias tuberosa. [Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace]

the issue of imminent death following ingestion by developing physiological coping mechanisms. In 2011, for example, scientists discovered that the world’s only poisonous rodent steals its toxin from a type of milkweed in East Africa, after which the toxin is administered to anything that tries to eat it through contact with the long quills on its back that give it the appearance of a porcupine. Monarchs have pursued a similar idea by preventing the glycoside toxins present in milkweeds from binding to receptors in their bodies. Rather than expelling the toxin, they store it in various tissues to deter predators. Monarch larvae have gotten so good at doing this trick that they’ve lost the ability to eat anything that isn’t a milkweed. An environment characterized by the presence of milkweed is thus also a potential monarch nursery. Milkweed corridors are of particular importance to adult monarchs as well, which have an insatiable sense of wanderlust. Individuals can travel more than 100 miles in a single day. That kind of long-haul trekking requires ample energy reserves, which monarchs get by making frequent stops at household gardens, natural areas and overgrown abandoned lots to refuel on nectar. But the dividends of wildflower corridors pay out to more than just pollinators. Birds and other predators get a piece

happens, including the type of milkweed that stands the best chance of surviving in these unique environments. From an initial pool of six native milkweed species, Daniels has focused on pinewoods milkweed (asclepius humistrata) and butterfly weed (asclepius tuberosa), which have a proven track record of supporting monarch populations and thriving in conditions that many other plants struggle with. “Both are upland, sand-loving species that would normally be found in pinelands and sandhills,” Daniels said. Their preference for dry, poorly developed soils gives them an edge when it comes to growing on unsheltered mounds with little to no nutrient input, but it also makes logistics more challenging. Butterfly weed is grown and sold commercially, but the pineland species has a taproot that requires special elongated pots for propagation. That, along with its preference for the types of poor soils that aren’t generally a hallmark of a well-tended garden, has prevented their entry into the horticultural market. To get around that problem, Daniels’ team created their own milkweed supply chain. They start by collecting seeds from a few sites where they know pinewoods milkweed is common. This involves traveling to each site multiple times a month during the plant’s flowering season to tie small bags around developing seed pods. This

of the pie and lands adjoining the roads get the benefit of pollinator spillover. Suitable locations of each roadside milkweed area were assessed years in advance to maximize these benefits as part of a separately funded initiative. “We had done a one-year project where we mapped native milkweed populations along roadsides, so we had that as a starting point,” Daniels said. “By partnering with FDOT, we’re trying to fill in gaps where we know appropriate habitat occurs, but there are limited or no milkweeds that grow there.” Many of the suitable spots are directly adjacent to conservation areas, where the extra pollinators will help augment and strengthen pre-existing biodiversity. Others are near farmlands with crops like blueberries and watermelons that get a boost from wild insect pollination. Plus, a mosaicked landscape buzzing with insect activity is also just a lot of fun to look at.

FLORIDA IS A TEST CASE FOR FUTURE CORRIDORS The six-year project is also an experiment to see what does and doesn’t work. Daniels and his team are currently focused on planting and monitoring milkweeds in Alachua and five other North Florida counties. What they learn there will later be used to expand the initiative to other counties and states. There are several variables being evaluated before that

ensures the seeds don’t unfurl their silky mop of cellulose fibers and fly off in a gust of wind before they can be harvested. Next, the seeds are transported to the University of Florida Native Plant Nursery, where staff and volunteers perform the understated miracle of guiding a picky plant from embryonic stasis through reproductive maturity. “The last batch of seed we gave them had about a 98% germination rate and we’ve seen really good establishment of these plants in the field,” Daniels said. “The Native Plant Nursery has been an invaluable partner in this project.” They purchase butterfly weed from Green Isle Gardens in Groveland. Then comes the hard work of landscaping. “We plant them when they’re dormant during the winter months, which is great for us and the young plants, because neither of us has to deal with the extreme heat of summer.” Finally, the team regularly monitors the plants and does all the downstream number crunching that will ultimately tell them whether their efforts were a success worth replicating elsewhere. It’ll be a few years before they reach a final verdict, but you can judge the results for yourself the next time you drive through an official Florida milkweed area. To learn more, go to floridamuseum.ufl.edu

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette OPD Officers Mike Torres and Patrick Uronu, with Jeremiah Wright, 13, Terry Holloway, 14, and Myles McConico of Veterans Helping Veterans USA.

SOCIAL SCENE

Tara Woods, the Ocala Police Department's Community Liasion, second from left, gives awards of appreciation to Monica Bryant of the Marion County Children's Alliance, right, and Jacob Baker of Ocala Recreation and Parks, left, as Tom James of the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership looks.

Ocala Police Department Explorers Henry Rooks, Jaylon Gibson and Anthony Ennis.

National Night Out in Ocala Staff report

ational Night Out is a campaign that promotes police and community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The goal is to enhance relationships between neighbors and law enforcement while fostering a true sense of community. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out events annually, most commonly on the first Tuesday in August. Ocala’s National Night Out, which was organized by the Ocala Police Department, took place Aug. 4 at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center. To learn more, go to natw.org

Sherry Montoya, Hannah Montoya, Derelle Crumpler and Robin Dino, all of the Silver Springs Walmart, with some of the toys they were giving out.

Briana Smith, with daughters, Trinity, 7, and Micaiah, 3.

Kamari McCullough, 12, Kadriana McCall, 12, and Lakadria McCall.

OPD Deputy Chief Lou Biondi and officer Kyle Howie.

Members of KDC and The Sunshine Sliders.

Jeremy Vickers, Karim Martin and Monica Bryant.

Anthony Deloach, with his son, Jasper, 1.

Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Ocala City Council has introduced the following ordinance(s) and will consider its adoption at the regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chamber, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Interested parties are invited to appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed legislation. Copies of the proposed documents may be inspected in advance at the office of the City Clerk, Ocala City Hall. Any person who decides to appeal any decision of the Ocala City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purposes, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made. If reasonable accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, please call 48 hours in advance so arrangements can be made through the City Clerk’s office at 352-629-8266. ORDINANCE 2026-27 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 106 ARTICLE IV (AFFORDABLE HOUSING), CODE OF ORDINANCES; AMENDING SECTION 106-105 BY REVISING CRITERIA PERTAINING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOAN PROGRAMS INCLUDING LENGTH OF TERMS, APPLICABILITY, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS, AND INTEREST RATES; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW Pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name: AdventHealth Primary Care Ocala, Located at: 3515 Southeast 17th Street, Suite 100, Ocala, FL 34471 intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to the provisions of the Fictitious Name Act, Chapter 865.09, Florida Statutes. The party interested in said business is: AdventHealth Primary Care Network, Inc. Ocala, Marion County, Florida Dated: 08/04/2026

Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursu- NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW ant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes Notice is hereby given that Sound Choice NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the un- Solutions LLC, owner, desiring to engage dersigned, desiring to engage in business in business under the fictitious name of under the fictitious name of Sound Choice Home Inspections, located at 17385 SE 65th St. Ocklawaha, FL, TSR EXTERIOR CLEANING & LAND- 32179, in Marion County, FL, intends to SCAPING register the said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of CorporaLocated at 6560 SE 173rd Pl, in the Coun- tions, Tallahassee, FL. ty of Marion, in the City of Summerfield, Florida 34491 intends to register the said Notice Under Fictitious Name Law Pursuname with the Division of Corporations of ant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business Dated at Summerfield, Florida, this 1st under the fictitious name of Ramz Lawn day of August, 2026. Care located at 6560 SE 173rd Pl in the County of Marion, Florida, in the City of Taylor Scott Ramirez Summerfield, FL 34491 intends to register the said name with the Division of CorpoNOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME rations of the Florida Department of State, LAW Tallahassee, Florida. Dated at Marion, FL this Pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 5th day of August, 2026. Brayan Ramirez undersigned, desiring to engage in busi- - Owner ness under the fictitious name: FLORIDA Newspaper Advertisement: AdventHealth Primary Care Heathbrook, Extra space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described Located at: 3949 Southwest College below belonging to those individuals listRoad, Suite 100, Ocala, FL 34474 ed below at the location indicated: 16679 US. 301 Summerfield, Fl 34491 on August intends to register the said name with 18th, 2026 @ 12:00 pm the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to the provi- Darrin Mays Jr. - Household items sions of the Fictitious Name Act, Chapter 865.09, Florida Statutes. Arturo Mata - Household items The party interested in said business is:

SEASON 76 • 2026-2027

So many worlds to explore.

The auction will be listed and advertised AdventHealth Primary Care Network, on www.storagetreasures.co m. PurchasInc. es must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may Dated: 08/04/2026 rescind any purchase until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal Extra Space Storage will hold a public property. auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW PURSUANT TO SECTION 865.09, Extra Space Storage 15855 S.US Hwy FLORIDA STATUTES NOTICE IS HERE441 Summerfield FL, 34491 on August BY GIVEN that Regina Yates will engage in business under the fictitious name ASA18th @ 12 pm. DA USA, 6101 119TH PL, BELLEVIEW, FL 34420, and already registered the Christina Baglioni name mentioned above with the Florida totes, bed, luggage, punching bag, box Department of State, Division of Corporations. Thomas Jeremy Martin Ocala, Marion County, Florida

July 10-12, 2026

July 17-19, 2026

Oct. 29 – Nov. 15, 2026 Sept. 3-20, 2026

Dec. 9-20, 2026

tent, ladder, bed frame, tools, chainsaw, t

NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW PURSUANT TO SECTION 865.09, FLORIDA STATUTES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the unThe auction will be listed and advertised dersigned, desiring to engage in business on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchas- under the fictitious name of [Anchored es must be made with cash only and paid Adventure Academy], located in Marion at the above referenced facility in order County, Florida, intends to register said to complete the transaction. Extra Space name with the Division of Corporations of Storage may refuse any bid and may re- the Florida Department of State, Tallahasscind any purchase up until the winning see, Florida. [, 2] bidder takes possession of the personal Dated at Marion County, Florida, this _1st_ day of ____August________, 2026. property. Anchored in Truth LLC, owner.

Hannah Becerril guitar/amp, fireplace, bed, wall art.

Jan. 28 – Feb. 14, 2027

March 11-28, 2027

April 29 - May 16, 2027

Season tickets on sale now! 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 236-2274 • ocalacivictheatre.com

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

The art of the trend Navigating what endures in design. By Kay Rains Head of Design Studio, Koontz Furniture and Design

very industry unveils its “next big thing” with ritualistic regularity. Hemlines rise and fall, handbags shift from oversized to elegantly minimal, silhouettes swing from bodycon to fit and flair. Fashion is perhaps the most visible arena for this constant evolution. Runways in New York and Milan pulse and set the rhythm for the year ahead. We expect it. We anticipate it. We celebrate it. Home design, though quieter in its reveal, follows a similar cadence. Each year, design capitals such as High Point, Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago and Atlanta become pilgrimage sites for buyers and creators seeking the newest in technology, textiles, furnishings and the subtle details that transform a house into a deeply personal home. Trends emerge, shimmer for a moment, and gracefully step aside for the next wave. But unlike a pair of retro sneakers destined for the donation pile, a sectional sofa or exterior cladding is not a fleeting indulgence. The stakes and the permanence are different. Some introductions prove not only welcome but enduring. Bouclé is a perfect example. Though hardly new, its renaissance brought a luxurious tactility back into interiors. Manufacturers embraced its warmth and dimensionality,

expanding it into nuanced palettes and varied textures that continue to captivate. If your aesthetic leans toward rich, coiled softness, bouclé has demonstrated its staying power. A trend that matured into a timeless material language. Other trends require a more curated touch. Each year, nature’s creatures like butterflies, beetles, llamas and cranes flutter into the design spotlight. Their charm is undeniable, yet their longevity is often brief. The key is placement. A whimsical llama may feel out of place in a formal living room but absolutely enchanting in a nursery. A delicate butterfly motif might resonate deeply with you, but the question becomes: does it harmonize with the story your home is telling? Sometimes the most powerful way to embrace a trend is through restraint. Black, for instance, has dominated recent years by being bold, architectural and endlessly sophisticated. Global, artisanal influences have also surged, bringing depth and cultural richness into contemporary spaces. A single sculptural vase or a dramatic stroke of black in oversized artwork can shift the entire mood of a room. A textured, exotic textile layered into a window seat can elevate a quiet corner from forgettable to unforgettable. Inspiration is everywhere— in materials, in nature, in the rhythm of daily life. True art lies in listening to what resonates with you. Choose

[Image courtesy Koontz Furniture and Design]

textiles, textures, silhouettes and colors that feel authentic and comforting. Trends are invitations, not obligations. When you curate with intention, your

home becomes not just stylish, but deeply, beautifully yours. Ocala native Kay Rains is a skilled designer with degrees in architecture and interior design.

SPONSORED CONTENT: KOONTZ FURNITURE AND DESIGN 3111 S. PINE AVE., OCALA, FL 34471 (352) 622-3241 KOONTZFURNITUREANDDESIGN.COM

Since 1

919

ON INSTAGRAM @KOONTZ.COM

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Visit These New Home Models Discover a variety of beautifully designed and quality-built homes to suit every need

CALESA TOWNSHIP

855-927-4104

Hawthorn – Inventory Home Available Soon! 5397 SW 72nd Court, Ocala, FL 34474 3,197 a/c sq. ft. HomeFlex home priced at $563,320. Featuring 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 car split garage, great room, dining room, flex room, breakfast area, laundry suite, and covered lanai. Jasmine - Inventory Home Available Now! 7157 SW 57th Place, Ocala, FL 34474 2,962 a/c sq. ft. single family home priced at $534,290. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, loft, laundry suite, and covered lanai.

Garnet Model – 6416 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474 1,921 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $355,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, great room, breakfast area, laundry suite, and patio.

Sable Model – 6428 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474 2,420 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $372,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, great room, living room, game room, breakfast area, laundry suite, and patio.

Gardenia Model – 6440 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474 2,671 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $429,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, nest, laundry suite, and covered lanai.

DEL WEBB

352-453-8010 Stone Creek

Stellar Model - 9312 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 2,483+ a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $438,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3-4 bathrooms, 2-3-car garage, versatile flex room, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanai.

Larkspur Model – 6464 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474 3,089 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $449,990. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, flex room, nest, laundry suite, and covered lanai.

Stardom Model - 9296 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 2,269+ a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $423,990 featuring 2-3 bedrooms, 2.5-3.5 bathrooms, 2-3-car garage, quartz countertops, versatile flex room, and oversized covered lanai.

Marigold Model – 6476 SW 78th Court Ocala, FL 34474 3,374 a/c sq. ft. single family home starting at $465,990. Featuring 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3 car tandem garage, great room, dining room, nest, loft, laundry suite, and covered lanai.

Prestige Model - 9294 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 2,080 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $373,990 featuring 2-3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2-car garage, Owner’s walk-in closet, quartz countertops, and covered lanai.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

352-619-9645

Brighton - Inventory Home Available Now! 8425 SW 101st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34481 2,145 a/c sq. ft., single family home priced at $460,000 featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage, great room, flex room, breakfast area, laundry suite, covered porch and lanai.

Mainstay Model - 9290 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 1,948+ a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $367,990 featuring 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, luxury vinyl plank flooring, stainless steel appliances, and extended covered lanai.

Beatrix - Inventory Home Available Now! 10358 SW 105th Court, Ocala, FL 34481 2,142 a/c sq. ft. single family home priced at $393,000 featuring 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage plus golf cart space, living room, flex room, and laundry suite.

Willem - Inventory Home Available Now! 10119 SW 106th Circle, Ocala, FL 34481 2,536 A/C Sq. Ft. single family home priced at $425,000 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 car garage plus storage space, great room, flex room, and covered lanai.

Compass Model - 9291 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 1,471 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $299,990 featuring 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanai.

PULTE HOMES Marion Ranch

Magnolia - Inventory Home Available Now! 10001 SW 106th Circle, Ocala, FL 34481 2,493 A/C Sq. Ft. single family home priced at $432,000 featuring 2 bedrooms 2 baths, 2 car garage with golf cart garage, great room, breakfast area, flex room, den and laundry suite.

Ellington Model - New Floor Plan! 2,220 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $479,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 car garage with workshop space, great room, breakfast area, covered porch and lanai.

Whitmore Model - New Floor Plan! 2,870 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $491,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 car garage, great room, dining room, flex room, covered entry and lanai.

Bloomfield Model - 8316 SW 46th Ave, Ocala, FL 34476 • 352-677-2262 2,503 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $396,990 featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3-car garage, quartz countertops, versatile flex room, and covered lanai.

Medina Model - 8322 SW 46th Ave, Ocala, FL 34476 • 352-677-2262 2,230 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $354,990 featuring 3-4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2-car garage, quartz countertops, versatile flex room, and covered lanai.

Pioneer Ranch

Astoria Model - 6866 SW 90th Loop, Ocala, FL 34476 • 813-547-5335 2,223 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $357,990 featuring 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5-3 bathrooms, 3-car garage, quartz countertops, versatile flex room, and covered lanai.

Kensington Model - New Floor Plan! 2,907 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $515,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 car split garage, great room, breakfast area, flex room, covered porch and lanai.

Heston Model - 6862 SW 90th Loop, Ocala, FL 34476 • 813-547-5335 1,850 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $316,990 featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanai.

Waverly Model - New Floor Plan! 3,219 a/c sq. ft., single-family home starting at $539,990 featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3 car split garage, great room, breakfast area, nest, flex room, covered porch and lanai.

Daylen Model - 6858 SW 90th Loop, Ocala, FL 34476 • 813-547-5335 1,580 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $283,990 featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanai.

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

Government AUG. 10, 17, 24, 31

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.

AUG. 18, SEPT. 1, 15 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

AUG. 11 AND 25

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

AUG. 12

Dunnellon City Council

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon 5:30pm The council generally meets the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus.com/ ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1

Community AUG. 8

NAACP Marion County Branch 5114 Education Day

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala 10am-1pm Event will offer educational resources and information, free giveaways, including backpacks, face painting and family-friendly activities, fire truck appearance and light food and refreshments. It will highlight community engagement and collaboration, with participation from local organizations, educators and service providers committed to empowering students and strengthening the community. Learn more by emailing marioncountyflnaacp@gmail. com

AUG. 6-SEPT. 25

Free diabetes selfmanagement classes

Howard Academy Community Center, 306 NW 7th Ave., Ocala 5:30-7:30pm The Community Home Project, an initiative of the Marion County Hospital District, is hosting the eightweek series. Classes are open ages 18 and older who are prediabetic, diabetic or for those who support someone with diabetes. Attendees will gain knowledge and skills to better manage diabetes, including guidance on improving eating habits, increasing physical activity, monitoring body numbers and preventing complications associated with diabetes. To register, call (352) 671-4186 or email chp@ mchdt.org.

AUG. 9

2nd Sunday Makers Market

Heart of the Park, 516 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 10am-2pm The community-driven monthly market celebrates local makers, artists and small businesses. It features handmade goods, art and crafts, food trucks, live music and more in a family-friendly setting. Learn more at ocalamainstreet.org

AUG. 10

Freedom in Motion Trail Fundraiser

Azul Tequila, 7859 State Road 200, Ocala 6-8pm Benefiting Ponies for Patriots & Pint Size Therapy nonprofit to raise funds for a trail for seniors and physically challenged veterans. For details, call (516) 849-2184.

AUG. 15

Pints for Paws

The Black Sheep, 128 SW Broadway St., Ocala 11am-5pm To benefit the Humane Society of Marion County. Silent and live auctions, music, T-shirts for sale, adoptable canines and more. For details, call (352) 7893040.

AUG. 16 AND 30

Boat & Brunch

Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Beginning at 9am Enjoy a 30-minute tour on the world-famous glass bottom boats, followed by brunch in the Springside Cafe. Park admission of $ per person

not included. Alcoholic and specialty beverages available for purchase. For tickets, go to fareharbor. com/embeds/book/ silversprings/items/660075/ calendar/2026/08/?fullitems=yes to learn more, call (352) 261-5840.

AUG. 19

CPR overview

DOH-Marion, 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala 9-11am The Florida Department of Health in Marion County, in partnership with Ocala Fire Rescue, invites pregnant and postpartum mothers, caregivers, and their families to attend a free, noncertificate CPR overview. Participants will learn how to respond to cardiopulmonary emergencies until first responders arrive and how to assist a choking victim. OFR emphasizes the importance of early CPR initiation for infants and toddlers to help increase the chances of survival during emergencies. Registration is recommended at forms.cloud. microsoft/g/mUuwLVr4qL. For more information, call (352) 622-1161 or (352) 644-2674, or email CHD42WIC@FLHealth. gov.

AUG. 22

EqualiTea

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala 12:30pm Join the Democractic Women’s Club of Marion County for the eighth annual event honoring women who fought for the right to vote. The keynote speaker will be Florida House Democratic Minority Leader Christine Hunschofsky. Register at https://secure.actblue.com/ donate/equalitea2026

Arts

AUG. 7

(played by newcomer Clark Shotwell), and his mother (Kelly EvistonQuinnett) set off on a one-way “Art of Aging” exhibit cross-country odyssey to Hollywood, opening reception which transforms a simple flight into Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW the trip of a lifetime. Between airline Broadway St., Ocala meals, charming flight attendants 5-7pm (played by Ella Bleu Travolta and Olga “Art of Aging” is an annual partnership Hoffmann), unexpected stopovers, of Marion Cultural Alliance and larger-than-life passengers and a Marion Senior Services that celebrates thrilling glimpse at first class, the aging through art, stories and journey unfolds in moments both education. The exhibit will be on view magical and unexpected, charting at The Brick from Aug. 7-29. There are the course for the boy’s future. Learn classes associated with the exhibition. more at reillyartscenter.com To learn more, call (352) 369-1500. CAPTION FOR ITEM BELOW IF ROOM TO USE IT: Catch Roosevelt Collier and band in action on Aug. 16 in Ocala. Robert Varis art exhibit [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center] Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Hours vary The Friends of Silver Springs State Roosevelt Collier Band Park host a display in their welcome Midgett Black Box at the Reilly Arts center and gallery. The artist will Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala participate in a meet and greet from 7:30pm 2 to 4 p.m. on July 25. Some of the Experience the soul-shaking sounds works he created for the exhibit of 4× Grammy-nominated pedal steel include “Woodpecker,” “Cuban Tree guitarist. Blending blues, gospel, rock Frog” and “Cormorant and Lizard.” and swampy funk, Collier delivers The exhibits are free to view. There is an electrifying performance filled an entry fee of $2 per person at the with powerful grooves, masterful park. To learn more, go to fb.com/ musicianship and unforgettable thefriendsofsilverspringsstatepark energy. Get tickets at reillyartscenter. com

THROUGH AUGUST

AUG. 16

AUG. 21

Yacht Rock Gold Experience

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 7:30pm Set sail with for a night of smooth classics from the late ’70s and early ’80s. Featuring the iconic sounds of the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan and more, this feel-good tribute brings timeless hits, incredible harmonies and the ultimate yacht rock party to the stage. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com

AUG. 28

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. 3 AND BEYOND Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., “Propeller: A Film by John Travolta”

Ocala 7:30pm Set in the golden age of aviation, a young airplane enthusiast, Jeff

AUG. 23

Chuck's Piggy Bank fundraising auction

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala 1pm Event proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Chuck's Piggy Bank and Marion County Memorial Honor Guard. Free buffet sponsored by Cody's Roadhouse, cash bar, 50/50 raffle, live and silent auctions and themed basket raffle. The mission of Chuck's Piggy Bank is to provide pet food and monetary support for veterinary care to pets of veterans, lowincome people and unhoused people in the community and surrounding area. It operates pet food pantries at Veterans Helping Veterans and Saving Mercy Village. To learn more, call Mary Beth Bell at (585) 943-4227.

AUG. 26

Marion Careers and

Art in City Spaces

City of Ocala Cultural Arts Division art exhibitions include: • Landscapes by Nancy Bowden,

Colleges Expo

CF Ewers Century Center at, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala 5-7pm The College of Central Florida and Marion County Public Schools present the free event to offer high school seniors, transfer students, current college students and their families the opportunity to explore career paths and talk with dozens of vendors representing colleges and universities, trade schools and local career opportunities. The expo is part of the Florida College Tour. For more information, visit cf.edu/ events

SEPT. 12

Fall craft fair

Christ the King Anglican Church, 4440 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala 9am-3pm The Anglican Church Women event will include handmade crafts from local artists, food

on display until Dec. 2 at the Clerk’s Office inside City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. • “Stillness in Motion,” by Gwen Morrison, on display until Dec. 3 at Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. • “Through the Looking Glass,” by Linda Bourassa, on display until Dec. 16 at the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. • “Creative Voices,” by Arts in Health Ocala Metro, on display until Dec. 17 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave. • “Waterscapes” by Marjorie Dodrill, on display until Dec. 22 at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 60th Ave. All exhibitions are free and open to the public during each facility’s regular business hours. For more information, go to ocalafl.gov/ artincityspaces

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-and-white and color photographs that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. For more information, go to appletonmuseum. org or call (352) 291-4455.

and more, with proceeds to benefit ACW charities. To learn more, call (352) 351-9727.

THROUGH SEPT. 29

“Treehouses: Look Who’s Living in the Trees”

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 10am-4pm Guests can roam from tree to tree and explore habitats trees provide for animals, search for signs left by raccoons, woodpeckers, bears and other species, cross a suspension bridge and climb through two treehouses, become animal trackers, come face to face with wildlife, move along the Forest Sound Dance Floor, build a treehouse, learn about sustainable logging and explore how trees are used in everyday life. For more information, visit mydiscoverycenter.org

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

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.

Across 1 "Marriage Story" actor Alan 5 Indian flatbread 9 Lhasa __ 13 Tournament rank 14 Makes level 16 Sty supper 17 Anti-war demonstration 19 Didn't discard 20 Ejectable part of a computer tower 21 Rove 23 Tuna type 24 Phoenix's birthplace 25 Talks incessantly 27 James of jazz 29 Respect 30 "Hold your horses!" 33 Abbr. on a business card 35 __ salts 37 Carpool lane initials 38 Person who doesn't eat meat, informally, and a feature of 17-, 25-, 51-, and 62-Across 41 401(k) kin 42 Doglike scavenger in Africa 44 Old AOL exchanges 45 Steep, as tea 46 "Now!" 49 "Ah, gotcha" 51 Local watering hole 53 British strollers 57 "Rugrats" grandpa 58 Vend 59 Cocktail with lime juice 60 Not busy 62 "The Big Bang Theory" actress who voices Harley Quinn 64 Pest on a pet 65 Marvel superhero who can control the weather 66 Art __ 67 Suffix with love or nerd 68 Emoji that may mean "Don't miss this" 69 "Don't delay" letters

Down 1 Pet rescue org. 2 West Yorkshire city 3 "Till __ do us part" 4 Spread of commercial marketing into new spaces 5 __ Martin cognac 6 Lab eggs 7 __ cotta 8 Wages 9 Inquire 10 Start of Oliver Twist's request 11 10th grader 12 Sign up for newsletters, perhaps 15 Fancy pillow covers 18 West's opposite 22 Doled (out) 25 Bowen of "SNL" 26 Sales agt. 28 Link (to) 30 "Quiet you!" 31 Curly-haired dog that fits in a purse 32 Uses veto power 34 The WNBA's Sky, on scoreboards 36 Gaping mouth 38 Rooftop spinners 39 Gulf States ruler 40 Stubborn animal 43 Opposite of "oui" 45 Island with a namesake Triangle 47 Expeditions 48 Not perfectly round 50 Massive in scale 51 Steep drop-off 52 Stainless steel, e.g. 54 Houseplants with healing properties 55 Muslim pilgrim's destination 56 Entrance porch 59 Fitness centers 61 "I could __": "I'm not not hungry" 63 Before, in verse

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B11

B10

August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE Public Notice

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA POG MO THOIN INVESTMENTS, LLC, a Texas limited liability company Plaintiff, V. ESTATE OF LYN NICOLE FARUGIA, DECEASED, ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, SPOUSES, AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF LYN NICOLE FARUGIA, UNKNOWN TENANT #1, and UNKNOWN TENANT #2, Defendants. Case No.: 2026-CA-0589 NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Final Summary Judgment of Foreclosure, entered in Civil Case No. 2026-CA-0589 of the Circuit Court of the 5th Judicial Circuit in and for Marion County, Florida, wherein, POG MO THOIN INVESTMENTS, LLC, a Texas limited liability company is the Plaintiff, and ESTATE OF LYN NICOLE FARUGIA, DECEASED, ANY AND ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, SPOUSES, AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF LYN NICOLE FARUGIA are the Defendants, I, Clerk of Court, Gregory C. Harrell, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash AT WWW.MARION.REALFORECLOSE.COM, AT 11:00 A.M. on August 27, 2026, the following described property as set forth in said Final Summary Judgment of Foreclosure, to-wit: Property situate in Marion County, Florida: The South 300.99 feet of Lot 2, Block 2, Ocala Thoroughbred Acres, according to the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book M, Page(s) 85 through 91, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Together with 1982 DEBO Mobile Home ID #6414D1549. Marion County Parcel ID# 2331-002-002 Electronically Filed Marion Case # 26CA000589AX 07/30/2026 05:03:49 PM ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM BEFORE THE CLERK REPORTS THE SURPLUS AS UNCLAIMED. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the ADA Coordinator; 110 Northwest 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475; (352) 4016710 at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than 7 days. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. Dated this 30th day of July, 2026. /s/ Caleb V. Smith Caleb V. Smith, Esquire Attorney for Plaintiff Florida Bar No.: 1008368 445 NE 8th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470, (352) 732-8030 (t) (888) 399-3129 (f) cs@flagocala.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 25CA001463AX TRUIST BANK, as successor by merger to SUNTRUST BANK, Plaintiff, vs. KAREN L. THURBER, UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF KAREN L. THURBER, UNKNOWN TENANT #1, UNKNOWN TENANT #2, and all unknown parties claiming an interest by, through, under or against any defendant, or claiming any right, title, and interest in the subject property, Defendants. / NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure, entered July 23, 2026, and entered in Case Number: 25CA001463AX of the Circuit Court in and for Marion County, Florida, wherein TRUIST BANK, as successor by merger to SUNTRUST BANK , is the Plaintiff, and KAREN L. THURBER, UNKNOWN SPOUSE OF KAREN L. THURBER, UNKNOWN TENANT #1, UNKNOWN TENANT #2, are the Defendants, the Marion County Clerk of the Court, Gregory C. Harrell, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, by electronic sale on-line at www.marion. realforeclose.com , beginning at 11:00 o’clock A.M. on the 18 th day of November, 2026 the following described property as set forth in said Final Judgment of Foreclosure, to-wit: Property Address : 21515 NW 40th Ave, Micanopy, FL 32667 Property Description : Lot 4, Orange Lake Shores, according to the map or plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book H, Page 2, Public Records of Marion County, Florida, and that part of Lot 3, Orange Lake Shores, described as: Beginning at the Southerly most corner of said Lot 3, said corner being on Bass Lagoon, thence N. 55°30' W., along the Southwesterly line of said Lot 3, 102.65 feet to Canary Lane, thence N. 47°33'10" E., along Canary Lane, 10.00 feet, thence departing from said Canary Lane, Southeasterly to a point on Bass Lagoon, this is N. 47°33'15" E., 17.95 feet from the Point of Beginning, thence S. 47°33'10" W., along Bass Lagoon, 17.95 feet to the Point of Beginning.

Any person claiming an interest in the surplus funds from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact ADA Coordinator at the Office of the Trial Court Administrator, Marion IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION County Judicial Center, 110 NW First Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475; Telephone: COUNTY, FLORIDA (352) 401-6710; or email: ada@support. PROBATE DIVISION circuit5.org, at least 7 days before File No. 2026-CP-001475 your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this Division 44-E notification if the time before the scheduled appearance is less than IN RE: ESTATE OF 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. JOYCE HELEN BRAUN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Joyce Helen Braun, deceased, whose date of death was May 16, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is July 31, 2026. Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/Kevin B. Rossi Kevin B. Rossi Attorney Florida Bar Number: 1018441 Bowen | Schroth 600 Jennings Avenue Eustis, Florida 32726 Telephone: (352) 589-1414 Fax: (352) 589-1726 E-Mail: krossi@bowenschroth.com Secondary E-Mail: ajames@ bowenschroth.com Personal Representative: /s/Kent E. Toole Kent Toole 8700 University Pkwy Apt 123 Pensacola, Florida 32514

__/s/ Arthur Barksdale____ Arthur S. Barksdale, IV, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 0040628 DI MASI | BURTON, P.A. 801 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 500 Orlando, Florida 32801 Ph (407) 839-3383 Fx (407) 839-3384 Primary E-Mail: jdlaw@orlando-law.com Attorneys for Plaintiff IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF

File No.: 2026-CP001601

ROBERT S. WROBLEWSKI, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) The administration of the estate of ROBERT S. WROBLEWSKI, deceased, who died on February 26, 2026, File Number 2026-CP-001601, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the petitioner and the petitioner’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the estate of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of Summary Administration must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED . The date of the first publication of this Notice is

August 7, 2026.

Attorney for Person Giving Person Notice: Giving Notice: EDWARD W. SOULSBY, B.C.S. TROTTER & SOULSBY, P.A. 4064 SR 44, Suite B Wildwood, Florida 34785 Telephone: (352) 205-7245 E-Mail: ed@trotterlaw.com 2nd E-Mail: justin@trotterlaw.com

MARK R. WROBLEWSKI Petitioner 146 Spezia Drive Oxford, Michigan 48371

Public Notice

NOTICE OF LANDOWNERS’ MEETING IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT AND ELECTION AND ORGANIZATIONIN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, AL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUFLORIDA PERVISORS OF THE UPLANDS STEWARDSHIP DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Notice is hereby given to the public and all landowners within the Uplands Stewardship District (the “District”), comprising approximately 5,161 acres and located IN RE: ESTATE OF: within Marion County, Florida, advising that a meeting of landowners will be held Timothy Baker, Jr for the purpose of electing five (5) persons to the District’s Board of Supervisors (the Deceased. “Board”). Immediately following the landowners’ meeting there will be convened FILE NO.: 26CP001426AX an organizational meeting of the Board for the purpose of considering any such busiNOTICE TO CREDITORS ness which may properly come before it: DATE: August 25, 2026 TIME: 10:00 a.m. PLACE: Live Oak Hall 8413 SW 80th Street, Suites 7 & 8 Ocala, FL 34481 Each landowner may vote in person or by written proxy. Proxy forms may be obtained upon request at the office of the District Manager, c/o Governmental Management Services, LLC, 219 E. Livingston Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, (407) 8415524 (“District Office”). At said meeting each landowner or his or her proxy shall be entitled to nominate persons for the position of Supervisor and cast one vote per acre of land, or fractional portion thereof, owned by him or her and located within the District for each person to be elected to the position of Supervisor. A fraction of an acre shall be treated as one acre, entitling the landowner to one vote with respect thereto. Platted lots shall be counted individually and rounded up to the nearest whole acre. The acreage of platted lots shall not be aggregated for determining the number of voting units held by a landowner or a landowner’s proxy. At the landowners’ meeting the landowners shall select a person to serve as the meeting chair and who shall conduct the meeting. The landowners’ meeting and the Board of Supervisors meeting are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida law. One or both of the meetings may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at such meeting. A copy of the agenda for these meetings may be obtained from the District Office. There may be an occasion where one or more supervisors will participate by speaker telephone. Any person requiring special accommodations to participate in these meetings is asked to contact the District Office at least forty-eight (48) hours before the hearing. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 7-1-1 or (800) 955-8770 for aid in contacting the District Office. A person who decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the meeting is advised that such person will need a record of the proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

BAY LAUREL CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 BUDGET; AND NOTICE OF REGULAR BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING.

The Board of Supervisors of the Bay Laurel Center Community Development District will hold a public hearing on August 18, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the Circle Square Commons, Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34481 for the purpose of hearing comments and objections on the adoption of the budget(s) of the District for Fiscal Year 2026/2027. A regular board meeting of the District will also be held at that time The administration of the estate of where the Board may consider any other Timothy Baker, Jr, deceased, whose business that may properly come before it. date of death was March 26, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion A copy of the agenda and budget(s) County, Florida, Probate Division, File may be obtained at the offices of the Number 26CP001426AX, the address District Manager, 219 E. Livingston of which is Probate Division 110 NW 1st Street, Orlando, FL 32801, during normal Avenue Ocala FL 34471. The names and business hours, or by visiting the District’s addresses of the personal representative website at http://blccdd.com. and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. The public hearing and meeting are open All creditors of the decedent and other to the public and will be conducted in persons having claims or demands accordance with the provisions of Florida against decedent’s estate must file their law for Community Development Districts. claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS The public hearing and meeting may be AFTER THE TIME OF THE DATE OF THE continued to a date, time, and place to be FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. specified on the record at the meeting. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands There may be occasions when one or more against decedent’s estate must file their Supervisors, staff or other individuals will claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS participate by speaker telephone. AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. Any person requiring special The personal representative has no duty accommodations at this meeting because to discover whether any property held at of a disability or physical impairment the time of the decedent’s death by the should contact the District Office at (407) decedent or the decedent’s surviving 841-5524 at least forty-eight (48) hours spouse is property to which the Florida prior to the meeting. If you are hearing Uniform Disposition of Community or speech impaired, please contact the Property Rights at Death Act as described Florida Relay Service 1-800-955-8770, for in ss. 732.216-732.228 applies, or may aid in contacting the District Office. apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211 , Each person who decides to appeal Florida Statutes. The written demand must any decision made by the Board with be filed with the clerk. respect to any matter considered at the ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN public hearing or meeting is advised that THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN person will need a record of proceedings FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 and that accordingly, the person may WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. need to ensure that a verbatim record of NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME the proceedings is made, including the PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY testimony and evidence upon which such CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR appeal is to be based. MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE George S. Flint OF DEATH IS BARRED. Governmental Management Services – The date of first publication of this notice Central Florida, LLC is July 31, 2026.. District Manager Alecia C. Daniel Attorney for Personal Representative adh@genesislawpa.com Florida Bar No. 36955 1860 SW Fountainview Blvd, Suite 100 Port St Lucie, FL 34986 Telephone: +17725399831

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 5TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO. 25CA002172AX RAINBOW SPRINGS PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida non-profit Corporation, Plaintiff, Personal Representative vs. CHARLES ETHEREDGE UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIERIES, 5240 Northwest 57th Lane DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, Ocala, Florida 34482 CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM INTEREST IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION IN THE ESTATE OF EDWARD J. COUNTY, FLORIDA DESMAREST, DECEASED, et al, PROBATE DIVISION Defendant(s). File No.: 2026-CP-001749 /

George S. Flint, IN RE: ESTATE OF District Manager DAVID ROBERT SCHWARTZ Governmental Management Services – (A/K/A D. ROBERT SCHWARTZ), Central Florida, LLC IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No. 2025 CA 2861 FIDUS FUND I, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company, Plaintiff, v. E.R. VISION PROPERTIES, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company; EFRAIN ROJAS MARIN, individually; EUDIMIA OCASIO CARMONA, individually; SILVER SPRINGS SHORES RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, INC.; a Florida Not For Profit Corporation; LINN CONTRACTING LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company; and ALL UNKNOWN TENANTS IN POSSESSION, Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above-captioned case on July 22, 2026, that GREGORY C. HARRELL, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for Marion County, Florida will sell the following property situated in Marion County, Florida, more particularly described as follows: Lot 23, Block 269, Silver Springs Shores Unit No. 17, according to the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book J, Pages 138 through 145, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Parcel I.D. No.: 9017-0269-23 Property Address: 21 Pine Course Trak, Ocala, FL 34472 at a public sale, to the highest and best bidder for cash, via Online Auction at: www.marion.realforeclose.com, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. EST, IF YOU ARE A PERSON CLAIMING A RIGHT TO SURPLUS FUNDS REMAINING AFTER THE SALE (IF ANY), YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM WITH THE CLERK NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER THE SALE. IF YOU FAIL TO FILE A CLAIM, YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY REMAINING FUNDS. AFTER 60 DAYS, ONLY THE OWNER OF RECORD AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MAY CLAIM THE SURPLUS. Notice of Sale to be Published in the Ocala Gazette. Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff Post Office Box 3948, Sarasota, Florida 34230-3948 By:/s/ Daniel J. Jackson, Esq. Florida Bar No. 1015499 djackson@sandbergphoenix.com, eserve@sandbergphoenix.com

Public Notice

Deceased . NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of DAVID ROBERT SCHWARTZ (A/K/A D. ROBERT SCHWARTZ), deceased, whose date of death was July 12, 2025, File Number 2026-CP-001749 is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTICE OF SALE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 45 ( To be published in The Ocala Gazette) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to Order Granting Plaintiff’s Motion to Reschedule Foreclosure Sale and to Disburse from Registry dated August 4, 2026, entered in Case No. 25CA002172AX in the Circuit Court in and for Marion County, Florida wherein RAINBOW SPRINGS PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., is Plaintiff, and UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIERIES, DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF EDWARD J. DESMAREST, et al, is the Defendant, I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash online on: SEPTEMBER 10, 2026 at www.marion.realforeclose.com the Clerk’s website for online auctions at 11:00 AM ET in accordance with section 45.031, Florida Statutes, the following described real property as set forth in the Final Judgment, to wit: LOT 41, BLOCK 161, RAINBOW SPRINGS COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS SAME IS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK "T", PAGE 46, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. A/K/A: BLK 161, LOT 41, DUNNELLON, FL 34432 .

ANY PERSON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS MUST FILE A CLAIM NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME BEFORE THE CLERK REPORTS THE PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR SURPLUS AS UNCLAIMED. MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 7, 2026. Attorney for Personal Representative: EDWARD W. SOULSBY, B.C.S. Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives Florida Bar Number: 0488216 TROTTER & SOULSBY, P.A. 4064 SR 44, Suite B Wildwood, Florida 34785 Telephone: (352) 205-7245 Fax: (352) 205-7305 E-Mail: ed@trotterlaw.com 2nd E-Mail: justin@trotterlaw.com Personal Representative: CAROL A. SCHWARTZ 17765 SE 85th Causton Court The Villages, Florida 32162 ALEXIS LAUCIRICA 2154 Hospitality Lane Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37128

Dated August 4, 2026. Florida Community Law Group, P.L. Attorneys for Plaintiff P.O. Box 292965 Davie, FL 33329-2965 Telephone (954) 372-5298 Facsimile (866) 424-5348 /s/ Jared Block Jared Block, Esq. Fla. Bar No. 90297 Email: Jared@flclg.com

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026CP001462 IN RE: ESTATE OF BILLIE ANN OBAR, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of BILLIE ANN OBAR deceased, whose date of death was February 22, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is PO Box 1030, Ocala, Florida 34478. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. I am disclosing that AI has been or may have been used in the filing, and certify, that each and every citation to the law or the record in the document, has been independently verified as accurate. The date of first publication of this notice is August 7, 2026. Attorney for Personal Representative: DANIELLE WHITE, ESQUIRE Florida Bar No. 1035906 VELIZ KATZ LAW 630 North Wymore Road, Suite 330 Maitland, Florida 32751 Telephone: (407) 849-7072 Facsimile: (407) 849-7075 E-Mail: VelizKatz@VelizKatzLaw.com Secondary: Probate@VelizKatzLaw. com Attorney for Petitioner Personal Representative: FRED OBAR 2025 NW 46TH TERRACE OCALA, FLORIDA 34482 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF GEORGE A. RUKSTELA, Deceased. CASE NO: 2026-CP-1736 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below. If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: May 6, 2026. The date of first publication of this Notice is August 7, 2026. The personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent, or the decedent’s surviving spouse, is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act, as described in sections 732.216 – 732.228 F.S., applies, or may apply unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, F.S.

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC SERVICE LIST Florida Bar No. 119304 226 NE Sanchez Avenue UNKNOWN HEIRS, BENEFICIERIES, Ocala, FL 34470 DEVISEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, (352) 369-1300 CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF EDWARD J. Personal Representative: DESMAREST, DECEASED NANETTE C. RUKSTELA C/O STEVEN BRAVERMAN, ESQ. (GAL) 2270 NE 146th Avenue Silver Springs, FL 34488 STEVEN@BRAVERMANPA.COM

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Bird of the week Swallow-tailed kite Week of August 7th thru August 13th 2026 ARIES

March 21-April 20

LIBRA

September 23October 23

You’re pure rocket fuel this week, Aries. Charge ahead with all of your bold ideas. Your charisma is off the charts right now. Use it before your energy starts to wane.

Libra, romance and fun are in the air for you. Your charm level is very high this week, and you may have a lot of people circling in your orbit as a result.

TAURUS

SCORPIO

April 21-May 21

Treat yourself to something delicious and expensive this week, Taurus. Just do not blame the cosmos when you get the receipt for this luxury.

GEMINI

May 22-June 21

October 24November 22

Scorpio, you will dig out all of the secrets this week like a super sleuth. Although you are on the hunt for information, remember to keep these pursuits lighthearted.

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 -December 21

Say yes to spontaneous plans this week, Gemini. Your brain is going a mile a minute, so you may need someone along for the ride to keep you grounded.

Your adventure mode is engaged, Sagittarius. It’s time to book the trip, try an exotic dish or say something wild.

CANCER

CAPRICORN

June 22-July 22

Cancer, right now home is your fortress, so create a welcoming space to relax and recharge. You may want to spend some time in the kitchen baking up something delicious.

LEO

July 23-August 23

The spotlight is on you this week, Leo. Shine as brightly as you can, post that selfie and own the room you walk into. Be grateful to those who helped get you to the top.

VIRGO

August 24- September 22

All of your organizational superpowers will be activated this week, Virgo. Tackle that messy drawer you have been putting off or conquer a chaotic schedule.

December 22January 20

Reward yourself with something that makes you feel important, Capricorn. It may be different depending on the day, and only you know what you desire.

AQUARIUS

January 21-February 18

Someone is ready to hear any wild ideas you can come up with, Aquarius. Tap into any genius that arises in your brain and share it with your close crew.

PISCES

February 19-March 20

This week is about dreamy and magical vibes, Pisces. It’s the perfect time to create art, fall in love with a song or float through the week.

Unmistakable and supremely elegant, the swallow-tailed kite is a regular summer visitor that returns to South America in August. Look for them soaring effortlessly on a hot afternoon. They have bold black and white plumage and long, forked tails. Their typical diet is flying insects, but they’ll sometimes snatch a lizard, snake or even a small bird from the treetops, which they’ll eat on the go. Photo by Michael Warren. See more at https://michaelwarren.com/birds

Animal Crackers

Broom Hilda

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B9 Sudoku

Middletons

Jumble

Gasoline Alley

Crossword

QUOTA GROUP LIQUID USEFUL Answers: The cephalopods came to a reciprocal business arrangement that was — "SQUID" PRO QUO

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August 7 - 13 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE