to target rising pedestrian, bicycle fatalities
New grant will fund high-visibility police operations along dangerous traffic corridors.
By Jamie Berube jamie@ocalagazette.com
The city of Ocala is launching an education and enforcement initiative aimed at pumping the brakes on the rising number of pedestrian and traffic fatalities in Marion County.
Using a $47,099 grant from the University of North Florida's Institute of Police Technology and Management, backed by the Florida Department of Transportation, the city will fund overtime for Ocala Police Department officers to conduct targeted educational and enforcement operations in high-risk areas through May 8, 2026.
The grant, accepted by the City Council on Aug. 5, will fund the city’s response to traffic fatality data from the "Pedestrian and Bicycle High Visibility Enforcement and Support Grant" document that shows in 2023, Florida recorded
See Police operations, page A8
Final days of anguish and anxiety
Jail inmate’s mental struggles went untreated before death, records show.
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Newly released records indicate that a woman inmate at the Marion County Jail whose death was reportedly due to “complications from epilepsy” had numerous altercations with corrections officers during which she was repeatedly hit with pepper spray while struggling with apparent psychotic episodes.
Maniesa Fletcher, 29, died after being jailed on misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged $13.95 shoplifting incident at an Ocala convenience store. An altercation with corrections officers in the jail led to felony charges against her.
Fletcher died at AdventHealth Ocala Hospital on March 14 after being transferred from the jail. Fletcher’s brother said the family had been notified by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office that Fletcher was brain dead the day before she was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Fletcher had been held at the jail since Sept. 10, 2024, first on the petty theft-related charges. While in jail, the incident with corrections officers on Sept. 19, 2024, in the infirmary led to charges of assault on a law enforcement officer and depriving an officer of a weapon or communication device.
Fletcher is the 31st person to die in MCSO custody since 2021. Nationally, an average of about 1.40 deaths per 1,000 incarcerated people occur annually, according to the National Institutes of Health. The annual average at the
See Maniesa Fletcher, page A4
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
The Ocala/Marion County Mobile Integrated Senior Crisis Response Team got a big thumbs up from a state senator for its role in aiding elders in distress at a recent gathering in Ocala.
The make-up and work of the senior crisis team was explained to Sen. Darryl Rouson (D, District 16) in a slide presentation and
round table discussion on July 31 at Marion Senior Services, which included team members.
Rouson’s district 16 encompasses portions of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. His committee assignments include the Children, Families and Elders Committee, according to flsenate.gov He has been visiting groups statewide looking for models of help teams aimed at resolving nonlaw enforcement type crises
encountered by seniors.
The senior crisis team is a collaboration of members of more than 20 local agencies, including MSS, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Ocala Police Department, Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Fire Rescue, SMA Healthcare and Hospice of Marion County. The OFR and MCFR Community Paramedic programs are an integral part of the senior crisis
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Marion Senior Services Executive Director Jennifer Martinez. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/ Ocala Gazette]
Maniesa Fletcher, 29, died in the custody of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on March 14. [Facebook]
Officer Cheyenne Bower of the Ocala Police Department operates a handheld radar gun as she checks the speed of traffic on South Pine Avenue in Ocala on Dec. 20, 2021. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Improving literacy skills
The ReadingPals program needs $14K in funding and more volunteers so it can continue helping local students.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
ReadingPals, a program of United Way of Marion County, has taken on the challenge of improving literacy skills for some Marion County youngsters. Through the program, young students who may need extra help learning to read and with their vocabulary work with volunteer mentors during school times and receive books to help them build a personal library.
The statewide early literacy initiative was created by the Children's Movement of Florida. United Way of Marion County has served as ReadingPals' host agency since 2012. ReadingPals will be in 19 Marion County Public Schools kindergarten classes this academic year, serving 200 students.
ReadingPals is built on the pillars of:
• Early literacy: Improving students' vocabulary
• Mentorship: A consistent relationship between a mentor and student
Love of reading: Reinforcing a love of reading with high-quality books and engagement activities
Last year, students with ReadingPals mentors improved their reading skills more than their peers, according to program director Jan Hathaway.
“Each program year, ReadingPals provides books to kindergarten children, 5,003 books last year alone. These books include tools to extend the classroom into the home setting. By providing books as part of the child’s toolkit for a good life, kindergarteners will have better literacy foundation,” Hathaway said.
United Way has launched a book campaign to raise $14,000 to cover the cost of the scholastic books for the new school year and also needs more volunteer mentors.
“Nothing is better than seeing
the attitudes of our kindergarteners change. One young man stated fiercely that he ‘hated’ reading when I first met him in September. At the end of the year ‘graduation,’ he was one of the children talking to a roomful of parents about how he loved reading. This is the change we'd like to make for each of our youngsters,” said volunteer Cindy Stone.
“We make real connections with the students we mentor. When we're out because of sickness, they actually worry about us, so I always make sure to let them know if I won't be there for a scheduled day because of doctor's appointments, etc.,” she added.
“ReadingPals is important because a child’s brain development is most rapid in the first five years of life, with 90% of brain development occurring before the age of 5.
According to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking, in 2023, 45% of Florida students cannot read at a minimally proficient level by the end of third grade. The
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partnership with Marion County Public Schools and the Children’s Movement significantly impacts reading proficiency based on FAST data. Children learn to read by third grade and read to learn after third grade. These early literacy skills are foundational to a child’s life and economic success,” said Robert Haight, president and CEO of United Way of Marion County.
And, he added, with a changing labor market, the importance of early education cannot be overstated.
“Communities that invest in programs like ReadingPals are investing in the future workforce,” he noted.
To help support the ReadingPals program financially, go to uwmc.org and make a gift for ReadingPals or send a check to United Way of Marion County and note the gift is for ReadingPals. To volunteer for the program, email Jan Hathaway at jhathaway@ uwmc.org.
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Elizabeth Ferrar, a volunteer with ReadingPals, reads with a student at East Marion Elementary School. [Photo courtesy United Way of Marion County]
ReadingPals volunteer Stephanie Stone works with a student at Dunnellon Elementary School. [Photo courtesy United Way of Marion County]
Big moves for Pamela and Matt Wardell
She has joined the National Symphony Orchestra team and he has extended his contract with the Ocala
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco. com
Ocala power couple
Pamela Calero Wardell and Matthew Wardell are on the move again.
Pamela has been named the Senior Director of Development for the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and started her new job on Aug. 4. Matt just extended his contract as director and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra for five years, extending his artistic leadership of the organization through the 2029–2030 season.
The “Gazette” spoke to the couple early in the day on Aug. 1 and Pamela said they had just arrived in Washington and were checking out their new apartment. They will continue to maintain their residence in downtown Ocala as well.
Pamela was executive director of the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala for a number of years before she became the senior director of development for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in February of 2024. Matt served as the Reilly’s CEO and artistic director for its first nine years and continues to serve as artistic advisor to the board of directors and staff. The duo played a key role in the renovation and expansion of the art center and the OSO’s assuming management of the historic Marion Theatre in 2020.
“I didn’t plan on leaving Jax so soon but it’s a really great opportunity and the National Symphony is one of the top orchestras in the country, so I’m excited to do some good work,” she said. “This is my first time living outside of Florida and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
The NSO is a resident organization of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The NSO participates in events of national and international importance, some of the world's most renowned talent appearing as guest artists, the website notes.
“My job will be in charge of the fundraising
team specifically for the National Symphony. I’ll be raising funds, working on campaigns, raising money for programming, and operations. They are working on building their team and in five years they are celebrating their 100year anniversary, so there is a lot that is being put in place for that, which should be fun,” Pamela explained.
“As for the audiences, I was telling Matt there will be royalty from other countries, a lot of A listers and of course the Kennedy Center Honors, which I’m sure I’ll be supporting in some way. And the artists who are coming, they are the best of the best, and I’m just excited to be around that,” she added.
Her ascension into the upper ranks of orchestra industry leadership took a lot of effort and training along the way.
not only artistically but also administratively, you didn’t see a lot of top leadership and CEOs who were females in some of the bigger orchestras. And then during that same time, I went to New York and did the Juilliard program, Essentials of Orchestra Management, and through both of those, I learned more about my focus and what I want to do. So, this is a natural progression, going into a leadership position in what they call a tier one orchestra. It’s really like musical chairs. There are only so many positions, for both admin and artistic, and when an opening comes, you’ve got to go for it,” she noted.
Matt said the transition will be good for his career progression as well.
thought, I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, let’s go.’ I always want to support her. She is amazing. She’s a rock star. But I also knew that it would be good for me to have exposure to all these arts up here and bring that home,” he said.
continue to develop. And that’s another thing; it’s not a set it and forget it kind of thing. One thing about Ocala that I love is that we are never just resting; times change, people change, so we’re always moving,” Matt offered.
Angie Lewis, chair of the OSO board, said in the news release announcing Matt’s contract renewal, that “Matt brings a rare combination of talent, vision and pure joy to the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. His energy is contagious and we are thrilled to continue this incredible journey with him for another five years.”
The maestro is a bit famous for his fancy footwear when he takes the stage at the Reilly and audience members are always eager to see what’s new in that realm. As for checking out his new city, he noted with a laugh, “We are actually a little too close to some really nice shoe stores and Pam’s already told me to take a pause on the shoes.”
Pamela said she is eager to explore Washington’s museums and to build a list of go-to restaurants.
audience always seems to be eager for new things, so I’m looking forward to the next five years and especially this next year, which is our 50th anniversary. So, we’ve got some really fun stuff planned. I’m really lucky to still be there,” he said.
Another initiative that Matt helped get off the ground is the OSO’s Community Music Conservatory, which offers instruction to students of all ages and skill levels.
“Two years ago, I was a part of the Anne Parsons Leadership Program and that program’s goal was to really support females in top leadership roles in the orchestra industry. For a long time,
“The move up here will help my work in Ocala so much because here, I get to see other orchestras, other soloists, meet other conductors, more so than I would have or could have when I was in Jacksonville or Ocala. We were always traveling to go see stuff, so when Pam asked what I
Matt noted that in “the conducting industry, it’s pretty normal to live in different places, so for me it doesn’t’ change that much. I lived in Jacksonville the last year; the year before that I was in Massachusetts teaching. I’ve got all my flights for the next six or seven months done and it turns out I’m going to spend between 10 and 15 days a month in Ocala and from September/October and into May, I’ll be there about 20 days and I’m still doing a little bit with the Jacksonville Symphony. We still have our place in Ocala, so it’s easy for us to come in and out.”
He said that even after 16 years with the OSO, they are always trying new things.
“I’m lucky we have a board and staff that supports that, and our
“It’s going great. They have more than 150 students on and off. When we opened the conservatory, we wanted to provide really solid and dependable lessons for kids who want to study an instrument and we’re knocking it out of the park. We’ve got great faculty and teaching great lessons. I’m really proud that a lot of our students, I think it’s over 50 percent, are on scholarships. We never want someone to not be able to take classes because they can’t afford it. We have great donors and sponsors. It’s great to see the school
“In D.C., it’s so multicultural and you have so many different types of foods and cuisines and I’m excited to get that list together. And we both love the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian, and we want to go to the Jefferson Memorial, which is beautiful at sunset, and I am so looking forward to the change in seasons,” she shared.
And then there is Buckley, the couple’s canine companion, who was frequently spotted out and about around downtown Ocala.
“He is happy wherever he goes. He’s sniffing everything out,” Pamela said on Friday as she watched Buckley check out the new apartment. “There are a lot of little parks around; it’s really dog friendly. He’s going to have to adjust to being a city dog now.”
To learn more about the National Symphony Orchestra, go to kennedycenter.org/nso/home; for information about the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, visit ocalasymphony.com
Pamela Calero Wardell and Matthew Wardell. [File photo by MAVEN Photo + Film]
Maniesa Fletcher
Continued from page A1
Marion County Jail, however, is 4.4 deaths per 1,000 inmates, nearly four times the national average.
In recent months, the “Gazette” has been chronicling incidents of inmates dying at the jail, often under circumstances indicating lax or incomplete medical care.
Fletcher’s family said they believe she was not given proper medical care at the jail. They said Fletcher experienced seizures and episodes of psychosis for which she received treatment at The Vines Hospital, a mental health clinic in Ocala.
In an investigative report following Fletcher’s death, authored by MCSO Corporal H. McMurray, hospital staff thought Fletcher died from cardiac arrest; however, the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report indicated the cause of death was “complications from epilepsy.”
“The decedent had a deepbrain stimulator implant, which was connected to a device in her chest. There was no known history of suicidality, illicit drug use or prescription drug abuse. She did not use tobacco products, and she drank alcohol a few times per year. The decedent was never married and had no children,” wrote Raymond Davis, an investigator for the Medical Examiner’s office.
Fletcher’s father, Ivor Fletcher, confirmed his daughter was not historically suicidal and did not abuse substances.
Her stepmother Stephanie Defreitas said Fletcher was kind and would tutor the little kids in the family and worried about using a shock collar on the family’s large German shepherd.
“If you could have heard all the people talking about her at her funeral, she was loved,” Defreitas said, dismayed.
Defreitas said Fletcher would get “triggered” and have psychotic episodes.
“She had certain things that would set her off,” she said.
“She was smart, she knew her own medications and what she needed to take. She complained to us when she was out on bond for a short period that they weren’t giving her the correct medications,” her father said.
Defreitas said Fletcher’s mother, who lives in Jamaica, is grieving the loss of her daughter and that this loss has taken a toll on the family.
The family provided some medical records that supported Fletcher’s visits to The Vines Hospital in Ocala for psychiatric evaluations and treatment. Additionally, the family provided jail medical records up until February 2025 that reflect Fletcher was not taking her medications when she grabbed a Taser from a corrections officer during an altercation in the jail infirmary.
Fletcher had been arrested at least twice before the incident
that landed her behind bars last September, one time at The Vines Hospital when she ignored a trespass warning and tried to grab an Ocala Police Department officer’s Taser.
Court records do not reflect a mental evaluation was performed in any of these cases. However, records from the Vines indicate Fletcher was making claims that she was worried she was pregnant because she would wake up without clothing in different places in the jail without clothing.
The claim concerned Fletcher’s father.
“She said she felt like she had been molested,” he said.
Fletcher was taken to the Vines and a pregnancy test came back negative.
The MCSO morbidity committee, consisting of jail management and medical staff from the Heart of Florida Health Center, which contracts to provide medical care at the jail, reviewed Fletcher’s records following her death. The committee found no areas of concern with the case and indicated that proper procedures were followed, without providing any details.
The ”Gazette” asked MCSO spokesperson Lt. Paul Bloom about the agency’s policy for using the state’s Baker Act on people in custody who demonstrate the intention to harm themselves or others.
“Each deputy, patrol or detention, is given this discretion,” Bloom responded. “However, the parameters are pretty clear as to what qualifies for a Baker Act. If someone was fitting those qualifications, it would be a rare exception and some type of unordinary circumstances that they would not be placed under a Baker Act. By ‘discretion’ I mean the deputy can tell the difference in someone saying, for instance, ‘I wish I was never born’ versus someone saying, ‘I just want to die today.’ The first person may or may not qualify depending on the surrounding circumstances and evidence.”
As for Fletcher, Bloom wrote, “She was placed under special security precautions and suicide watch within the jail medical area. According to the report, she was treated at jail medical and did not require outside medical treatment.”
Fletcher’s sister told the “Gazette” her family was still grieving the loss of Fletcher and had not reviewed additional records released by MCSO. Despite having difficulty handling all that happened to their loved one, she expressed an understanding as to why Fletcher’s ordeal must be reported to the public.
Fletcher’s final days - a timeline based on public records
Fletcher was arrested at a Wawa convenience store on Pine Avenue by an OPD officer on Sept. 10, 2024. She reportedly had been
Care and support
Continued from page A1 team.
According to a MSS post on social media, the team provides more unified continuum of care for some individuals, makes service referrals that best suit the needs of citizens in crisis and works to facilitate the return of first responders to their normal duties. The work of the team has led to a drop in excessive 911 calls and avoiding duplication of services
Members of the crisis team, such as MCSO Senior Intervention Specialist Cynthia Irving, MCSO Capt. Dennis Joiner, OPD Victim Advocate Office Supervisor Donna Guinn or OFR Capt. Chris Hickman, are contacted in cases where seniors
walking around the store eating and drinking products she had not purchased. The officer valued the products at $13.95.
Fletcher was arrested on misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest without violence, petty theft and disorderly conduct.
Records show Fletcher struggled when she got to the Marion County Jail.
On Sept. 12, jail incident reports indicate she was found naked in her cell and reportedly told corrections officers, “I’m not alright. I want to kill myself.” Officers took her to the jail infirmary.
On Sept. 18, Fletcher reportedly tried to pull out her own eye. Officers conducted a strip search and found Fletcher had a large open chest wound, which she said she caused with a toothbrush while trying to “’cut her brain out.”
She complied with orders to be restrained and was taken to the infirmary.
On Sept. 19, when a nurse in the infirmary checked Fletcher’s vital signs, Fletcher grabbed a Taser from one of the officers. Although the video of the incident does not show what happened in the cell afterward, a jail report indicates Fletcher was subdued against a wall and the door of the infirmary cell shut with Fletcher and the two officers inside until another corrections officer arrived and used a Taser against Fletcher’s back, causing her to drop the Taser.
Medical records from Heart of Florida, the medical provider for the jail, indicate Fletcher was being seen by registered nurses up to this point. An expedited request was placed by a nurse for Fletcher to be seen by a medical provider following her self-inflicted injuries. The request was expedited, but Fletcher was not evaluated until two days later on Sept. 20, according to medical records, after multiple incidents that put her and the guards in danger.
Jail medical records for this period do not reflect Fletcher taking medications to treat psychotic issues or her epilepsy, although they were prescribed during her prior incarceration for similar behavior.
On Sept. 20, Fletcher was still in the infirmary. An officer reported “observing Inmate Maniesa Fletcher climb up onto the sink in cell 110 where she is housed. Inmate Fletcher jumped off the sink, hitting her head on the wall. Medical staff responded, noting redness to Inmate Fletcher’s forehead. Inmate Fletcher was cleared to remain in the cell.”
Records indicate that same day, Fletcher refused repeated verbal commands for a strip search and cell inspection and officers sprayed her in the face with pepper spray foam. Fletcher was then given a decontamination shower. After being “medically evaluated,” she was returned to her cell.
That same evening, Fletcher
again refused to comply with a strip search and was once again sprayed in the face with pepper spray. Officers wrestled her to the floor and she was placed in hand and leg restraints while she was again strip searched. Fletcher was given her second decontamination shower of the day and was again cleared by medical staff.
Medical records from Fletcher’s encounter with Nicholas Christofidis APRN on Sept. 20 are scant and indicate that Fletcher refused care.
On Sept. 26, while on disciplinary lockdown for the Sept. 19 incident, Fletcher told officers she wanted to hurt herself. She was once again taken to the infirmary.
On Sept. 30, the State Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Fletcher for the Sept. 19 Taser incident.
On Oct. 14, Fletcher was sentenced to 40 days for the initial three misdemeanors stemming from the incident at the convenience store. Senior Judge James McCune gave her credit for 35 days already served. Fletcher still faced felony charges for the Taser incident.
A corrections officer on Oct. 26 noted that because of “unpredictable and erratic behaviors,” Fletcher was denied showers and recreation.
On Dec. 8, Fletcher twice refused orders to cooperate with a strip search. Officers again used pepper spray against her but Fletcher did not comply with their orders.
“Inmate Fletcher covered herself with her blanket and blocked her cell door/window with her mattress,” the report states.
“Mental Health Counselor Adams was notified and responded to Charlie Pod due to Inmate Fletcher being listed as a Vulnerable Inmate. Adams spoke to Inmate Fletcher to no avail. Inmate Fletcher still refused to comply with staff orders. Sergeant Leon and Corporal Phillips entered the cell and placed Inmate Fletcher against the wall. Sergeant Counts and I assisted with applying ankle restraints. Inmate Fletcher was removed from the cell, and a cell inspection was completed. Due to Inmate Fletcher’s disruptive and unpredictable behavior, she was moved to a room with a camera in Medical Pod.”
On Jan. 13, while in the infirmary cell, Fletcher reportedly had a seizure.
The next day, Fletcher again refused to comply with a strip search and cell inspection and refused to be handcuffed. This time, however, nursing staff gave permission for officers to use pepper spray on Fletcher.
“Due to the fact that Inmate Fletcher is listed as a vulnerable inmate, Nurse Mcinnis-Wray made the determination that, at that time, there was no reason that pepper gel/spray could not be utilized on Inmate Fletcher,”
Deputy G. Plaza wrote in the jail incident report.
Plaza said he pepper sprayed Fletcher and two other officers handcuffed her and completed a strip search “while she was in the (decontamination) shower.”
On Jan. 15, the Detention Response Team was summoned to Fletcher’s cell.
“Lieutenant Grimes asked Inmate Fletcher if she would agree to speak with Ms. Tremante from Mental Health, prior to proceeding with the DRT default commands,” according to the jail report. “Ms. Tremante stepped to the door and attempted to speak with Inmate Fletcher. Inmate Fletcher was visibly awake and moving but refused to speak with her.
“Lieutenant Grimes then proceeded with the default commands, explaining to Inmate Fletcher what was being asked of her,” the report continues. “Inmate Fletcher refused all orders and continued to not respond. At this time, Lieutenant Grimes advised the team we had a non-compliant inmate. The Team made entry into the cell and removed the blanket covering Inmate Fletcher. Once the blanket was removed, the Team exited the Cell. Inmate Fletcher sat up in her bed and stared at the door. Lieutenant Grimes asked, advised, and ordered the Inmate to comply with orders given or she would be pepper sprayed. Inmate Fletcher did not comply, and Cpl. Keaton applied a burst of pepper foam to the Inmate’s facial area at 0828,” wrote Cpl. Valedez.
After Fletcher was pepper sprayed, the team re-entered the cell and applied hand and leg restraints to her. Fletcher was once again strip searched in a decontamination shower, “cleared medically” and returned to her cell.
The next significant incident happened weeks later. MCSO incident reports give these details.
“At 10:51 a.m. on March 13, Deputy Denardis noticed the decedent had not responded to food trays as she normally would. He called out to the decedent from her cell door but did not receive a response.
According to witness statements, Fletcher was found face down with a blanket fully covering her and when they pulled the blanket back, they noticed it was “extremely wet.”
Corrections officers and a nurse rolled the decedent off her bunk and onto the floor. Nurse Fraiser attempted to get vitals until 10:59 when charge Nurse Ramos “entered the cell and called a code red, which is a medical emergency. At approximately 11:09 hours, Ocala Fire Rescue entered the infirmary. Paramedics arrived at approximately 11:14 hours and departed the jail to the hospital with the decedent at 11:28 hours.”
According to McMurray’s report, Fletcher had been housed in the jail infirmary for exactly four months leading up to her death.
are in need of supportive help. Hickman said members of the team “share passion” and “respect” for seniors.
The 5th Judicial District State Attorney’s Office has been involved in issues encountered by the team. The role of the office includes a focus on elder exploitation and guardianships. Fraud, especially online and phone fraud, and setting up protective guardianships are areas of increasing focus for the team. Dr. Mary Lossada, chief medical officer of Empath Hospice of Marion County, also is a member of the team.
Marion Senior Services in Ocala began organizing the crisis team in 2020 and continues in a lead role.
“We wanted to make it better for seniors,” said MSS Executive Director Jennifer Martinez.
MSS Executive Director Jennifer Martinez said the plight of some seniors “breaks her heart” but the focused, rapid response by several agencies can help elders with mental health and other nonlaw enforcement issues like those related to dementia.
The work of the crisis team addresses issues such as an estimated 60% of those with dementia may wander, 20% may face an act of violence and 60% may have a firearm in the home, according to the presentation. Team responders may see elders experiencing delusions or hallucinations.
Cases seen by the responders
range from seniors losing their homes through exploitation, people with no caregivers needing immediate placement like a woman using laundry detergent as body lotion, people living on Reese’s candy and Diet Coke, hoarding and cases of high incidents of 911 calls.
Martinez used an example of a couple in a home deemed unlivable by an agency, who were helped straightaway.
According to a least one attendee, the Mobile Integrated Senior Crisis Response Team “wraps their arms around the client and their family.”
Lutheran Services Florida, which organized Rouson’s visit, is a funding partner with MSS and SMA Healthcare. Dr. Christine
Cauffield, CEO of LSF Health Services of Jacksonville, was on hand for the MSS gathering. Cauffield said she is “thrilled” by the Ocala model senior crisis team.
Robin Lanier, vice president of Marion County Services, SMA Healthcare in Ocala, made a presentation at the gathering.
The Marion County Hospital District, also a funding partner of SMA Healthcare, was represented by CEO Curt Bromund.
Rouson gave a positive review of the Ocala model senior crisis team following the gathering.
“I think seniors are on good footing with this organization in Marion County,” he said.
To learn more, go to marionseniorservices.org
High praise for an exemplary public safety department with a servant’s heart
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Marion County Public Safety Communications has earned Emergency Police Dispatch Accreditation from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. PSC thus becomes only the 36th agency in the world to earn this accreditation and joins an elite group of only 28 Triple Accredited Center of Excellence Agencies globally.
The members of the PSC team have reason to be proud of what they’ve accomplished in the last five years. They defied their detractors and demonstrated their core values: being always ready to respond to calls for help and being an integral part of getting first responders quickly to the scene of an emergency.
It may sound simple, but it’s not.
“This recognition reflects the exceptional skill, professionalism and dedication of our telecommunicators — the first, first responders who are the lifeline between those in need and the help they depend on,” Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta said recently. “Their commitment to excellence ensures that every call for service is answered with precision, compassion, and a steadfast focus on protecting our community.”
Banta continued, “Earning Emergency Police Dispatch Accreditation and joining the ranks of only 28 Triple ACE agencies in the nation is a remarkable achievement for Marion County Public Safety Communications.”
As one of the few outsiders who has had the opportunity to spend days observing how our 911 infrastructure works, particularly at the MCPSC center, I concur with Banta.
For those who have read my reporting in the “Gazette” on Marion County’s public safety agencies and understand how granular I tend to drill down on response times and a public safety agency’s capacity, it’s refreshing to be able to offer praise to a department that has pulled itself out of the weeds to become great.
And, I’ll add, their level of transparency only reinforces my confidence.
But to understand this momentous achievement you need to understand what it took for them to
achieve this recognition.
In 2018-19, accusations were flying from the city of Ocala and the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office about what they described as subpar dispatch service coming from the PSC’s emergency dispatch center.
Public records indicate the county department at the time had significant staffing and management struggles. In response to the criticism, an independent consultant was hired to review the emergency communications landscape of Marion County and to recommend improvements.
MCSO and Ocala, however, chose not to follow the consultant’s recommendations. The county’s call center, which falls under Marion County Fire Rescue, did decide to listen to the consultant’s advice.
If you sit next to a county dispatcher, you’ll see that they keep watchful eyes not only what is needed by county first responders but also calls for help within Ocala. Unfortunately, city calls still aren’t shared automatically with the county, even though the county must respond to every call that requires medical help in the city.
When Ocala officials bucked the national trend and the consultant’s recommendations in 2019 and broke away fire dispatch from the county, they promised to transition with the county to working on the same computer aided dispatch (CAD) software so that sharing information would be more seamless.
That has never materialized because Ocala Police Chief Michael Balken does not believe it is in the city’s best interest to be on the same CAD as Marion County and the MCSO.
It’s a peculiar position for the city to continue to take when the county remains open to being on the same CAD and consolidating 911 infrastructure, which is recommended by nearly every state and national authority on the subject.
Perhaps this historic accreditation for the hard-working staff at PSC will nudge Ocala’s public service leaders toward reconnecting with their county counterparts so that everyone in Marion County can benefit equally from this demonstrated excellence.
Links to prior reporting on 911 infrastructure can be found at the end of this article on our website, ocalagazette.com
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
ATTORNEY RECOGNIZED FOR 50-YEAR BAR MEMBERSHIP
Ocala attorney Randy Briggs was recognized by The Florida Bar at its recent annual convention for being a member for 50 years, along with others who achieved that milestone.
Following graduation from the University of Florida as a distinguished military graduate in 1970, Briggs served two years in the U.S. Army before graduating from the UF law school with honors in 1975. He has been board certified by the Florida Bar in civil trial law for over 40 years with the distinction that no state lawyer or judge has been certified longer. The certification is held by approximately 5% of Florida lawyers. Briggs has been reviewed by peers and judges for listing in Super Lawyers and given an A rating by Martindale, according to the news release.
He has been a faculty member at the Florida Bar's Basic and Advanced trial advocacy schools, a lecturer at personal injury seminars and a coach for UF law school trial teams in competitions. He was a founder and president of the Marion County Inn of Court and North Florida chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He practices with his son Bo in The Briggs Law Firm in Ocala and is recognized by the bar as an expert in civil trial work with an emphasis on negligence and personal injury law, the release stated.
Among his contributions to the community as a fifth-generation resident, Briggs helped found the local YMCA, secured its property and chaired Marion County's largest fundraising building campaign, for which he was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" for Central and North Florida. He served for many years on the board was elected president of the Florida State Golf Association in 2013-2014, the release noted.
"It has been an honor pursuing justice for others, both the wealthy and underprivileged. Hopefully the consistent search for truth will have made a lasting difference not just for my clients, but the community at large," Briggs said in the release.
ELDER OPTIONS OFFERS MEDICARE GUIDE
Elder Options is now participating in Medicare’s GUIDE program (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience), offering free support to people living with dementia and their caregivers.
The agency is currently serving Alachua, Citrus, Dixie, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Sumter, Hernando, Lake, and Putnam counties, with plans to expand across its full 16-county region. Services include a 24/7 caregiver hotline, care coordination, caregiver education and short-term respite care.
Caregiver Compass is a monthly Zoom session about GUIDE and other caregiver programs. The next session is Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 10-11 a.m. Register at agingresources-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/ jmL4zDyIRIyIyjb_CgqEKw#/registration
Those with traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) may qualify. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-262-2243 or email guide@agingresources. org to connect with a GUIDE specialist.
Randy Briggs, with his wife Diana, at the recent Florida Bar convention. [Submitted photo]
A call taker and Marion County Fire Rescue dispatcher, who only wanted to be identified by his first name, Nate, works in the Marion County Communications Center at the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office in Ocala on April 5, 2024. Editor’s note: This image has been digitally altered to blur sensitive and protected information. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
A closer look at homelessness
A local veteran support organization is hosting meetings to talk about disparities in counting the homeless.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Officials with Veterans Helping Veterans USA would like to see a unified front to attack homelessness countywide, which they have seen reflected in the veterans community.
“Homelessness affects veterans but also the entire community,” said VHV Outreach Director Myles McConico.
VHV officials felt the number of apparently homeless veterans seeking aid from the outreach, which is located in the Veterans Outreach Center on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala, seemed to far outweigh recent local government estimates and decided to examine the issue in a series of meetings.
The open meetings have involved representatives of public schools, city government, civic organizations and help agencies.
The questions posed have included:
What is the most accurate estimate of homeless people in Marion County?
• How many seniors and families with children are at immediate risk of homelessness and how can they be helped from being the next statistic?
McConico said, for example, that the “working poor” could lose their housing if any large, unexpected expenses come along.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual Point In Time, or “PIT,” count is an estimate of the sheltered in outreaches and unsheltered homeless. A field census done in one day by teams countywide has been conducted for the last several years by the Ocala/ Marion County Joint Office of Homelessness Prevention. The most recent count, taken in January, listed 391 total people living in both categories.
The population figures are used in granting funds to Continuum of Care partners, which in 2024 included the Arnette House, CASA Marion, Interfaith Emergency Services, the Salvation Army, Open Arms Village, Project Hope, Shepherd's Lighthouse, Greater New Hope, the Ocala Housing Authority and Volunteers of America. The COC, or HUDFL-514, HUD funding figure for 2025 was $2.2 million.
Meanwhile, Marion County Public Schools lists 1,556 students as “homeless.” The definition used by legislation related to supporting homeless children is explained on the MCPS website.
“The McKinney-Vento Act defines a homeless child as: (in part) one who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence; sharing the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; doubled up; living in motels, hotels, FEMA trailers, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternate accommodations,” materials state.
McConico, a U.S. Army veteran of the Global War On Terrorism, is spearheading VHV’s grassroots mission to define the state of homelessness here, including how many families and
seniors are near the brink of homelessness, and to suggest and organize ways to help alleviate the condition.
McConico remarked on finding a way to use the “true sense” of homelessness locally to impact funding and spoke of “one lens” for looking at the homeless community.
Attendees at the most recent meeting, on July 30, included Maj. Jason Smith, Salvation Army; Jim Hilty Sr., Ocala City Councilman and chairman of the VHV board; Thomas Butler, Marion County Public Schools “Families in Transition Program” and McKinneyVento homeless liaison; Nancy Thrower, MCPS board member District 4; and Patti Valenti, an outreach and referral specialist with the Ocala/Marion County Joint Office of Homelessness Prevention.
Victoria Sirman-Herrin, founding president and CEO of the Alan Madden Foundation, Phyllis Silverman and Herb Silverman of the Senior Resource Foundation of Ocala, Brie Edwards of VetWorks of Ocala and Judy Kopp of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership rounded out the meeting attendees.
Valenti gave a brief description of the PIT process and efforts by count teams to canvass homeless people in camps and other areas and ask them where they slept on a specific night. She detailed efforts by members of the office year-round to help the homeless and guide them toward resources while visiting homeless camps in the area.
Hilty commented on the “large number of services” available to help those experiencing homelessness. He mentioned Saving Mercy, a two-phase 79 unit affordable housing project under construction on East Silver Springs Boulevard near Interstate 75, with planned case management.
Permanent supportive housing is under consideration at the former location of the Pine Oaks Golf Course and Hilty also discussed the city
donating land to builders for affordable housing.
“The goal is affordable housing,” Hilty said.
Hilty said efforts to seek a true number of homeless people would have be careful to avoid “double dipping” or counting individuals in the PIT count and also in McKinneyVento programs.
Butler said MCPS “keeps track” of families involved in McKinney-Vento programs and that a number of homeless students are “couch surfers” who move from house to house.
School House Connection, a nonprofit homelessness advocacy organization, discussed the difference between the HUD PIT count and school student numbers on its website and said the counts are conducted by communities nationwide and typically occur during the last week in January of each year.
“HUD’s “Point in Time” (PIT) count only measures the number of people who are in shelter or transitional housing, or who are seen during street counts. However, most families and youth who are homeless do not stay in shelters, transitional housing, or on the streets,” the site noted.
A National Center for Homeless Education 2024 document states that of the nearly 1.4 million children and youth experiencing homelessness as identified by public schools in the 20222023 school year (the most recent year for which national data is available), only 5% were unsheltered and 11% were staying in shelters. The rest were staying in motels or staying temporarily with other people due to lack of alternatives,” according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Several of the VHV meeting attendees voiced their desire to see involvement and financial support from the local business community. McConico called for another meeting this month and suggested inviting local business leaders.
To learn more, go to vhvusa. org or call (352) 433-2320.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
AdventHealth Ocala has been recognized as a Comprehensive Florida Resuscitation Center of Excellence, one of three in the state.
The statewide initiative was launched in 2022 by the Florida Resuscitation Center Committee, which was set up to figure out how to help more people survive sudden cardiac arrest. The recognition reflects the hospital’s commitment to improving cardiac arrest outcomes, advancing evidence-based care and creating strong partnerships with local EMS. The hospital also is focused on helping people recover after cardiac arrest, focusing on wellness, rehabilitation and supporting patients, families and caregivers, according to the news release.
In Marion County, people are facing a significantly greater risk when it comes to heart health. For every 100,000 Marion County residents, about 220 people die from heart disease, which is higher than the state average of about 135 per 100,000 people. Statewide, about 350,000 people die from cardiac arrest in Florida each year, the news release noted.
NEW BUS STOP AT MALL
Flix North America, the parent company of Greyhound and FlixBus, recently announced the launch of a new stop in Ocala, at the Paddock Mall.
Seven daily schedules (four FlixBus and three Greyhound) will operate from the stop, located at 3100 SW College Road. Tickets are available online and through mobile apps.
HCA FLORIDA HEALTHCARE EXPANSION
HCA Florida Healthcare has announced plans to open a new freestanding emergency room serving communities along the State Road 200 corridor and other areas of western Ocala/ Marion County.
The $15 million 11,000 square-foot facility will be located at the intersection of State Road 200 and Southwest 99th Street Road, in the On Top of the World community.
The ER will employ approximately 45 full-time healthcare professionals, including emergency physicians, nurses and other clinicians. It will feature 11 emergency exam rooms, CT scan, general X-ray and on-site laboratory services, the news release noted.
STIRRUPS MAKES NEW LIST
The online reservation website OpenTable has come out with its first-ever list of the Top Hotel Restaurants in America and Stirrups at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala is included. The restaurant is inside the Equestrian Hotel at the WEC complex at 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala.
Arrest made in hit-and-run crash
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
An arrest has been made in the hit-and-run death of a 66-year-old Ocala man who was found deceased on Maricamp Road (County Road 464) on July 23. Erik Christian Neal Gillis, 25, of Ocala, was arrested by officers with the Florida Highway Patrol and was booked into the Marion County Jail on a charge of hit and run, and failure to stop and remain at a crash scene involving death, according to online jail records. The jail records indicate Gillis was still being held as of Aug. 5 on $25,000 bond.
According to an FHP press release on July 23, the victim, now identified by the FHP as Craig Forrest, was found by a passerby in a right turn lane on
Leaders from AdventHealth and local Fire and EMS agencies recently celebrated the Ocala hospital’s Comprehensive Florida Resuscitation Center of Excellence designation. [Photo
Myles McConico, standing, with Veterans Helping Veterans USA and Ocala City Councilman and VHV board member Jim Hilty, were among the attendees at a recent meeting about homelessness in Marion County. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]
‘Gazette’ earns top honors
Ocala’s weekly newspaper garnered 11 awards from the Florida Press Association, including first places for defense of the First Amendment and investigative reporting.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
For the third year in a row, the “Ocala Gazette” earned the Florida Press Association’s top award for First Amendment Defense in its annual Weekly Newspaper Contest.
The competition divisions are A, circulation over 15,000; B, circulation 4,000 to 15,000; and C, circulation under 4,000. The “Gazette” competes in Division B. Of the 11 awards earned by the paper, seven were first place honors.
The top awards for First Amendment Defense and Investigative Reporting are awarded across all three divisions, meaning the “Gazette” bested all of the entrants across the board. This year’s awards were presented during the 2025 Florida Media Conference, held July 31–Aug. 1 in Charlotte Harbor.
The first-place award for First Amendment Defense (Jon A. Roosenraad Award) was for a column written by “Gazette” publisher and reporter Jennifer Hunt Murty, titled “Seeking transparency from the Marion County Hospital District,” with support from staff photographer Bruce Ackerman.
The MCHD started investing approximately $213 million in 2014 when the county, with approval from Marion County voters, leased the county hospital to a private healthcare company. The lease has changed hands and is now held by AdventhHealth.
The MCHD now has nearly $300 million, with an annual operating
budget of $12 million.
The award-winning writing noted, “If you don’t know much, if anything, about them, you’re not alone. The Marion County Hospital District has been operating with scant public attention for many years. It seems the district’s trustees prefer it that way, given the reluctance of the district’s leadership to embrace efforts to become more transparent and make their meetings more accessible.
“Since most residents would have a hard time making it to a 5 p.m. Monday board of trustees’ meeting to see how their money is being spent, the ‘Gazette’ has been there for you. After attending MCHD meetings for the better part of 2023, I can state affirmatively that the agendas and minutes of those sessions do not reflect the context of the trustees’ decisions or the serious subjects they consider. The agendas provide minimal, at best, information about the proposals being considered and often there is little or no documentation about important items up for vote.”
Since the piece was published, the “Gazette” has routinely been attending MCHD meetings and videotaping the proceedings, which are published on our website.
The “Gazette” also took the top honor across all three divisions for investigative reporting, with Murty and Caroline Brauchler recognized with the Claudia Ross Memorial Award for coverage of “The murder of Scott Whitley,” who died in custody at the Marion County Jail. There were several
articles related to Whitley’s death, including one that led with: “Footage obtained through the ‘Ocala Gazette’s’ lawsuit against the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office showed that inmate Scott Whitley exhibited no physical violence toward Marion County Jail detention deputies before he was rushed to the floor, restrained and hit with a Taser 27 times over 12 minutes. Whitley died in custody on Nov. 25, 2022. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.”
Staff photographer Bruce Ackerman won a first-place award for spot news during the trial of Susan Lorincz, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter for the shooting death of Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens, and first-place for a comprehensive portfolio of photography.
The “Gazette’s” other Division B FPA awards are:
• Serious Column (Sally Latham Memorial Award), first place, “People in the Marion County Jail are suffering. This is why it matters.” Jennifer Hunt Murty and Caroline Brauchler
• Serious Column, third place, “The balancing act between protecting First & Second Amendment rights – and school safety.” Jennifer Hunt Murty
• Multimedia Storytelling, third place, 911 deconsolidation podcast, Jennifer Hunt Murty
• Portfolio Photography (Robert J. Ellison Memorial Award), first place, Bruce Ackerman
• Spot News Photo, first place, The sentencing of Susan Lorincz, Bruce Ackerman
• Health, Medical & Science Reporting, first place, Phoenix House, Jennifer Hunt Murty
• Education News, first place, School district bid scandal stalls new high school project, Caroline Brauchler and Jennifer Hunt Murty
• Feature Story: Non-profile, third place, “Fighting fire with courage,” Caroline Brauchler
• Breaking News Story, third place, “Sheriff 's K-9 dies in line of duty,” staff
The Florida Press Association was founded in 1879 as a nonprofit corporation to protect the freedoms and advance the professional standards of the press of Florida. To learn more, go to flpress.com
In addition to the FPA honors, Brauchler has been named a finalist for the 2025 Outstanding New Journalist Award for the Society of Professional Journalists Florida,
for a collection of her work.
The “Gazette,” with Brauchler and Murty co-reporting, is a finalist for the inaugural A-Mark Foundation Award for Investigative Reporting for the series “Deaths in custody at the Marion County Jail.” The national A-Mark Foundation recognizes the best journalism in every state. SPJ Florida will convey both the state and national awards during its annual Sunshine State Awards in September.
“I’m very proud of the quality of reporting our small team publishes,” Murty said. “Local journalism is on the decline in communities across the country, but I don’t want that for Marion County. And I hate that I have to say this, but please don’t take this work for granted. Please help us continue this work by supporting it.”
To learn more, go to ocalagazette. com
Susan Lorincz becomes emotional before being sentenced to 25 years by Circuit Court
Judge Robert Hodges, as her defense attorney, Morris Carranza, right comforts her at the Marion County Judicial Center in Ocala on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter in August for the June 2, 2023, shooting death of Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens, who Lorincz shot and killed through her own closed and locked front door. This photo won a first-place award from the Florida Press Association. [File photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Significant certification achieved
The Marion County Sexual Assault Center now meets state standards as a rape crisis center.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
The Marion County Sexual Assault Center
has received certification as a rape crisis center. The certification confirms that MCSAC meets Florida’s required standards, including providing 24/7 crisis hotline support, advocacy and accompaniment, crisis counseling, referrals and community education.
“We are honored to share that we have officially become Marion County’s Certified Rape Crisis Center, a meaningful milestone that underscores our deep commitment to compassionate care, advocacy and community support. This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work, passion and dedication of our exceptional staff, the steadfast leadership of our board members and the unwavering support of our community,” said Executive Director Betsy Weber.
“It's the outcome of a lot of hard work and determination, that's for sure, and it means that we're doing something right by this community. The team at the center is really the reason we were able to make this certification happen and I know that my fellow board members and I couldn't be prouder,” said board member Sara Lambert.
When Creative Services, Inc. closed in 2023, the community lost a longstanding provider of domestic and sexual violence
prevention and support. In response, the MCSAC was founded in January 2024, in partnership with the Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties.
“Over the past year, MCSAC launched a successful Give4Marion fundraising campaign and received a
$100,000 grant from Marion County Community Services through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's community development block grant program. With this support, MCSAC was able to hire an executive director, program
coordinator and an advocate,” the certification news release noted.
According to Weber, “the MCSAC is now fully on its own for services, with the exception of our SANE (sexual assault nursing examination) program.”
A “Gazette” article about the MCSAC in September of
2024 noted that Marion County, per the Florida Department of Health, had one of the highest rates of arrest for sexual assault in the state.
“Those victims need somewhere to go where they can get a forensic exam instead of waiting in an emergency room for hours so they can get crisis intervention services and counseling because they experienced something deeply traumatic. And also, so we can educate our community and bring awareness to the realities of sexual violence,” the article stated.
A ribbon cutting ceremony to acknowledge the rape crisis center certification will begin at 10 a.m. on Aug. 15 at MCSAC, at 1121 SW 1st Ave. Ocala.
“This event is a celebration of collective effort and shared vision,” Weber said.
“I am extremely excited to celebrate the certification. I am confident in the exceptional team that will be advocating, empowering and uplifting victims in our community. Betsy Weber’s leadership will turn the vision of MCSAC into real world change for all impacted by sexual assault in our community,” said Angie Clifton, one of the center’s founding board members.
To learn more, call (352) 484-1002 or visit marionsexualassaultcenter.org The 2/47 crisis hotline number is (352) 633-5563.
OPD renews contract for forensic software
GrayKey unlocks digital devices in criminal investigations.
By Jamie Berube
jamie@ocalagazette.com
The Ocala City Council has approved a $69,520 renewal for GrayKey forensic software, a critical tool used by the Ocala Police Department to unlock and extract data from mobile devices, reinforcing its role in digital investigations. The renewal, detailed in a council report and requisition dated June 5, 2025, extends OPD’s use of GrayKey, provided by Magnet Forensics (formerly Grayshift), through Fiscal Year 20242025. The software, in use since 2018, enables forensic technicians to access encrypted evidence on iPhones, iPads and Android devices. According to Magnet Forensics, “GrayKey delivers unparalleled
access and extraction to digital evidence on mobile devices,” bypassing security features like passcodes without triggering data wipes.
“GrayKey is one of many crucial technologies we use to protect our community
Police operations
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3,375 traffic deaths, with 791 pedestrians (over 23%) and 234 bicyclists (more than 6%) among the fatalities, driven by factors like speeding, impaired driving and distractions.
Marion County accounted for approximately 2.65% of Florida’s pedestrian deaths in 2024 (21 out of 791 statewide), despite having only 1.9% of the state’s population, according to the Florida Highway Patrol and U.S. Census data.
The FHP Crash Dashboard at flhsmv.gov reflects that by late July 2025, the county recorded
11 pedestrian and 40 total traffic fatalities, many along major corridors like U.S. Highway 441.
For this enforcement campaign, the state selected specific locations in Ocala that have been identified as high-risk for pedestrian and bicycle crashes based on the previous year's crash data, said OPD Public Information Officer Jeff Walczak.
The high-risk locations include U.S. 441 (S Pine Avenue) from SW Fort King Street to State Road 40; SW 17th Street to SW 23rd Place; SW 13th Street to SW Eight Street; State Road 200 (SW College Road) from SW 38th Court to SW 48th Avenue;
and pursue justice,” said Jeff Walczak, public information officer for the OPD. “It’s an industryleading forensic tool that assists police in unlocking devices to collect evidence and support investigations. Since our implementation
Interstate 75 to SW 27th Avenue; U.S. Highway 27 (Blitchton Road) from NW 35th Avenue to NW 24th Avenue; and SR 40 (Silver Springs Boulevard) from SW 21st Avenue to SW 19th Avenue; and NW First Avenue to NE First Avenue.
Walczak said the program will emphasize enforcement, education and visibility.
“The operation enhances safety by enforcing rules through citations, providing educational materials and information about right-of-way rules, and promoting safe driving practices via social media and public messaging,” he explained.
in 2018, GrayKey has been instrumental in cases involving serious crimes such as child exploitation, violent offenses and homicides.”
The approval confirms Magnet Forensics as the exclusive provider in Florida. The $69,520 cost, covering licensing and support, is budgeted under OPD’s expenditure account reflecting a rise from $55,055 in 2023-24. The council report emphasizes the software’s necessity, stating it is “imperative” for processing search warrants on electronic devices.
Walczak underscored its adherence to legal protocols.
“We follow proper legal authorization by requesting a warrant from a judge before accessing any device,” he said. “Only specific data outlined in the warrant is retrieved
Officers must complete a mandatory four-hour inperson training on state laws governing pedestrians, bicyclists, crosswalks, sidewalks and bike lanes, followed by an annual twohour refresher.
Reimbursements are limited to eight overtime hours per officer daily, with caps on personnel per site based on corridor size. All activities will comply with state and federal regulations including sovereign immunity provisions. The initiative includes distributing educational materials and bicycle lights to improve nighttime visibility, alongside at least two
and this process is carried out exclusively by trained personnel. This ensures that all evidence obtained is admissible in court.” GrayKey’s brute-force capabilities may raise concerns among digital rights advocates who warn of potential privacy violations, arguing it could undermine user security if misused. There were no public objections recorded at the Aug. 5 City Council meeting, however. “We’re committed to using the best technology to work smarter and keep our community safe,” Walczak said, highlighting the balance between public safety and responsible use. The renewal takes effect immediately.
Residents with concerns about privacy or questions about the program can contact the City Clerk at clerk@ocalafl.org.
media engagements to raise public awareness.
“Traffic safety requires drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to remain cautious and responsible—so be patient, stay alert and always be aware of your surroundings,” Walczak said.
OPD encourages community involvement to help reverse the county’s troubling fatality trends. Residents can expect increased police presence at these key locations, designed to educate all road users.
For more details, contact IPTM or the Ocala Police Department at (352) 369-7000.
MCSAC Executive Director Betsy Weber, Program Director/Lead Advocate Alison Vazquez and Advocate Legend Henry participated in Denim Day, which is recognized in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. [Submitted photo]
[Stock photo]
Ocala renews contract with Wear Gloves
The nonprofit provides jobs for local laborers to provide litter and stormwater cleaning services.
By Jamie Berube jamie@ocalagazette.com
The Ocala City Council has approved a oneyear $433,472 contract renewal with Wear Gloves, Inc., a nonprofit that provides jobs for local laborers in litter control and stormwater drain/inlet cleaning services.
The renewal extends services from Aug. 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, with an option for an additional one-year renewal. The decision, praised by council members, reflects Wear Gloves’ strong performance since 2019.
According to Darren Park, Public Works director for the city of Ocala, Wear Gloves began litter control services in September 2019, replacing an inmate labor crew.
“Before we brought in Wear Gloves, we had an inmate labor crew and a day labor crew that did litter control,” Park said. “We replaced one of the inmate crews with Wear Gloves as a test run, and they did an exceptional job.”
The 2022 agreement, approved June 7, 2022, cost $174,460 annually for 305 weekly hours at $11 per hour. The first amendment (June 21, 2023) added 138 weekly hours of drain cleaning and raised the hourly rate to $16, increasing the cost to $368,754. The second amendment (Feb. 11, 2025) expanded litter control locations, raising the total contract sum to $960,587 over the initial threeyear term (Aug. 1, 2022, to July 31, 2025).
The $433,472 renewal, approved via a procurement exception on Dec. 3, 2024, funds 521 weekly hours: 383 for litter control and 138 for drain cleaning.
“Wear Gloves right now, for litter, they’re doing 383 hours a week. And then for stormwater, they’re doing 138 hours a week,” Park explained. At $16 per hour, this equates to 27,092 annual hours, supporting approximately 13 full-time workers at a 40-hour
FLORIDIANS CONTINUE UNPLUGGING LANDLINES
The News Service of Florida
Once a fixture in homes and businesses, landline telephones are continuing to disappear at a rapid pace in Florida.
A new Florida Public Service Commission report said the state had a 28.9 percent decrease in the number of residential landlines in 2024, while business access lines declined by 19.8 percent.
“Based on current data, the rate of decline in residential and business lines accelerated in 2024,” the report said.
Landline use in Florida peaked in 2001 with 12 million connections in homes and businesses. As of the end of 2024, the state had a total of nearly 199,000 residential landlines and 389,000 business access lines.
The report said consumers shifting to wireless phones and technology known as voice over internet protocol “continues to be responsible for much of this decline.”
Florida had almost 26 million wireless customers in 2024. Use of wireless phones in Florida grew by 2.89 percent from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The Public Service Commission produces the report, known as the “Status of Communications in the Telecommunications Industry,” by Aug. 1 each year.
APPEALS FLY ON BALLOT
INITIATIVES LAW
By Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida
Backers of proposed constitutional amendments and voting rights groups are appealing after a federal district judge last month refused to block
workweek.
Mayor Ben Marciano sought clarity on growth potential at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
“What this contract does is allows us to add money to the contract cap as we find those opportunities, but we would have to bring it back to council for approval for the additional money,” Park said.
According to Park, services cover daily litter control in approximately two dozen parks and drain cleaning across Ocala’s stormwater system.
“There’s a schedule for the parks Monday through Friday. They do about close to two dozen a day,” Park said. Drain cleaning targets “hot spots” with heavy tree canopy, where debris like palm fronds causes flooding. “By keeping the drains cleaned, it helps the stormwater conveyance system,” Park noted. The city assigns Wear Gloves to specific grids, cycling through sections to cover the entire city.
parts of a new Florida law that placed additional restrictions on the state’s ballot initiative process.
The League of Women Voters of Florida, the League of United Latin American Citizens and two individual plaintiffs filed a notice Aug. 1 that was a first step in appealing to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Wear Gloves submits weekly labor hour reports, with the city conducting spot checks.
“Drain cleaning is pretty obvious. If the litter’s gone, they’ve done the work,” Park said.
According to Park, there are no mandated targets for debris removal.
“They do report the number of bags to us,” Park noted, though volumes vary weekly.
Drain cleaning reduces flooding risks, with success measured by fewer incidents in targeted areas.
The 2023 amendment saved $114,994 annually by replacing Florida Department of Corrections contracts, a cost-efficiency retained in the renewal.
Council member Jim Hilty Sr. praised the visible impact.
“I’ve seen them in action, and they do a great job in trying to keep the parks clean. They’re very diligent. When they come in, they come in a van, they spread out, they know what they’re doing and clean everything up,” Hilty said.
The Florida Decides Healthcare and FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org political committees, which are trying to put proposals on the 2026 ballot, and individual plaintiffs filed similar notices July 25.
The notices are something of a counter to an appeal filed July 11 by Secretary of State Cord Byrd and Attorney James Uthmeier, the defendants in the lawsuit. Byrd and Uthmeier want the Atlanta-based appeals court to overturn a decision by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker that blocked one part of the law.
The law, passed this spring by the Republican-controlled Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, addressed multiple issues related to the initiative process.
In his July 8 decision, Walker issued a preliminary injunction against part of the law that seeks to ban non-Florida residents and non-U.S. citizens from collecting and delivering petitions. That’s the decision Byrd and Uthmeier are appealing.
But Walker refused to block other parts of the law, such as registration requirements for volunteers who collect more than 25 petition signatures.
While the notices of appeal don’t detail arguments the law’s opponents will make at the appeals court, they wanted Walker to issue an injunction against such things as the registration requirement.
Florida Decides Healthcare, a political committee sponsoring a proposed constitutional amendment
In terms of safety and compliance, the contract mandates safety protocols, including yellow safety vests, a drug-free workplace, E-Verify usage and a 40-hour workweek limit. Drain cleaning workers hold Florida Department of Transportation Temporary Traffic Control Intermediate Certifications.
“We interface with their supervisor, and we follow up behind them and spot check,” Park said.
Wear Gloves meets insurance requirements ($1 million general liability since 2022), with no reported defaults or terminations.
The 2019 agreement required a performance evaluation by July 31, 2025. Park highlighted Wear Gloves’ “exceptional” service, noting their replacement of both inmate and day labor crews.
“It’s tough to find workers that are willing to do tasks that are pretty mundane. Finding people that take pride in what they do and do a good job is not an easy thing,”
aimed at expanding Medicaid coverage, filed the lawsuit in May. It was joined by Smart & Safe Florida, a committee trying to pass a recreational-marijuana amendment, and FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org, which wants to put a right to clean water in the state Constitution.
The voting-rights groups, which support ballot initiatives, also joined the case.
DeSantis sought additional restrictions on the initiative process after he successfully led efforts last year to defeat proposed constitutional amendments on abortion rights and recreational marijuana. The new law also came after years of efforts by state Republican leaders and groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce to make it harder to amend the Constitution.
Supporters of this year’s law said it was designed to help prevent fraud. But detractors said it was aimed at shutting down ballot initiatives.
Now, the appeals court will have to wade through appeals on different issues — in what are known as cross appeals — after Walker’s decision.
The judge ruled, for example, that preventing non-Florida residents and non-U.S. citizens from collecting petition signatures violated speech rights.
But on the other side, he ruled against the law’s opponents on issues such requiring unpaid volunteers to register with the state. Walker said he did not think that requirement violated First Amendment rights.
“The tenor of plaintiffs’ evidence concerning these additional efforts … suggested any burden on volunteers with respect to petition circulation is a step too far. Not so,” Walker wrote. “In short, plaintiffs have not demonstrated, at this juncture, that the registration requirements pose an impermissibly severe burden on speech.”
he said.
According to Park, Marion County’s litter problem persists.
“We have throughout Marion County a challenge with litter. People, for whatever reason, seem to think it's OK. So, that's always a challenge,” he said.
The renewal maintains robust service hours to address this, with no specific adjustments noted for challenges like workforce turnover.
Wear Gloves’ mission to employ underserved individuals aligns with significant community benefits, Park said.
“They try to provide meaningful employment to those that may struggle to find employment because they’ve got a background issue or some other challenge,” he said.
Marciano highlighted the demand.
“When I talked to the founders, Ken and Wendy (Kebrdle), they said that they actually have a waiting list of people wanting to do the jobs,” he said.
Marciano also emphasized the social impact.
“If it’s working out well, and we’re able to then provide jobs to get homeless off the streets, I think it’s a great opportunity,” he continued.
Park is optimistic about a second renewal after July 31, 2026.
“If they continue to do the same type of job, we would absolutely renew with them,” Park said.
The city is exploring additional tasks, as Park noted in response to Marciano’s question about growth.
“We started with litter control. We’ve expanded to storm water drain and inlet cleaning and we’ll continue to look for avenues of opportunity to expand and grow,” Park said.
“I'm a big fan of this. It's just a great program,” Marciano said.
To learn more about Wear Gloves and its various programs, go to weargloves.org
Wendy and Ken Kebrdle, the founders of the nonprofit Wear Gloves, Inc., are shown at their ministry center in downtown Ocala in 2023.
[File photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Public Notice
People, Places and Things
Celebrating community
National Night Out aims to strengthen the spirit of neighborhoods.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships.
Generally held the first Tuesday in August in many areas, National Night Out seeks to enhance relationships between neighbors and law enforcement under positive circumstances. The event was celebrated on Aug. 5 at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center on Northwest 4th Street in Ocala.
The Ocala Police Department organized the event and on social media thanked sponsors including the city of Ocala, Ocala Recreation and Parks, Walmart Ocala Store #697, KDC and the Sunshine Sliders, Marion County Children's Alliance, Rotary Club of Ocala, M.O.V.P.E.R. Grottos, ADT, Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center, Marion County Hospital District, Heaven Colon with Fully in Tune Temple, Ann Burnett with Freedom Clinic USA, Fresh Force DJ, Kut Different, Vets Helping Vets, War Cry For Peace and MISSION BBQ.
In addition to strengthening neighborhood spirit, National Night Out also aims to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for anticrime efforts and send a message to criminals, letting them know neighborhoods are united and fighting back.
To learn more, go to natw.org and fb.com/ OcalaPoliceDepartment
People look on during the evening gathering.
People cast long shadows as they pray together during National Night Out. Keemie Damon sits with her son, Khalil Lasane, 2, during the event.
Tara Woods, Community Liaison for the Ocala Police Department, stands with 2025 OPD Youth Academy graduate Aiyanni Hardy.
Kimberly Wilkerson of War Cry 4 Peace, right, takes as selfie with Rylee
McFarlene, 3, Wanda Fulton, Rhyan Bracey, 8, and Kendall Bracey, 14.
Ocala Police Officers Kamin Pope, Chris Russo and Eric Meyers greeted attendees.
Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano, left, talks with Betti Jefferson and her great grandson, Jaheim Nix, 3.
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken gives Aubryn Barnes, 11, a high-five as he visits with her and her mother, Sarah Barnes.
Heaven Colon of Fully In Tune Temple leads people in dance during the National Night Out at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center on Northwest 4th Street in Ocala on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Tangy cheese gives this salad a kick
Summer party season requires having plenty of refreshing, and easyto-prepare offerings for family, friends and other guests. Salads come in all shapes and sizes, and can feature a versatile mix of ingredients to help customize their flavor. They’re also refreshing and easy to prepare and serve on hot days or nights.
“Chickpea, Feta and Orzo Salad” puts a Mediterranean-style twist on the summer salad. Feta cheese gives it richness and tang, while chickpeas pack a protein- and fiber-laden punch. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Cooking Light® Fresh Food Superfast” (Oxmoor House) by the Cooking Light® kitchens.
Chickpea, Feta and Orzo Salad (4 servings)
1 Cup uncooked orzo Cucumber-Thyme Relish (see below)
1 Cup refrigerated pre-chopped tomatoes
1 16-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1⁄4 Teaspoon salt
1⁄3 Cup crumbled feta cheese with basil and sun-dried tomatoes
1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Drain well. While pasta cooks, prepare Cucumber-Thyme Relish.
2. Combine tomato and chickpeas in a large bowl, tossing gently; stir
in pasta, salt, and Cucumber-Thyme Relish. Add feta cheese; toss gently.
Cucumber-Thyme Relish Yields 2⁄3 cup
11⁄2
Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Cup chopped English cucumber
Tablespoons finely chopped red onion
Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Local girl wins state title
Ellysa Resnick is a 2025 National American Miss Florida Princess.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.
com
Armed with a bright smile and an eye to the future, Ellysa Resnick, a youngster from Marion County, captured the National American Miss Florida Princess title for ages 4 to 6 in the Florida state pageant in late July in Orlando. She also received awards for Fun Fitness, 1st Runner-up; Casual Wear, 2nd Runner-up; Dream Model, 1st Runner-up; and Photogenic, 2nd Runnerup. Ellysa, 6, the daughter of Shuanna and Frederick Resnick, received an invitation to compete at the national NAM pageant, which will be held in Orlando during Thanksgiving Week. When the “Gazette” asked Ellysa what she learned by participating in the pageant and how it felt to win, she replied: “What I learned from participating in the pageant is being confident and kind. How it felt to be crowned National American Miss Florida Princess was great and
perfect. I loved it there.”
Ellysa’s other interests include gymnastics, reading, cheerleading and ballet.
NAM awards more than $1.5 million in cash, scholarships and prizes each year. Pageants are held in each state for girls and women ages 4 to 39, across seven age divisions. To encourage a healthy self-image, makeup is not permitted in Junior Divisions. Participants gain self-confidence, build life skills, develop a positive
approach to competition and are inspired to set and achieve meaningful goals, the news release noted.
According to her mother, Ellysa also has earned pageant titles including Tiny Miss International Girl 2022, Teeny Miss Universal Global USA 2023 and Teeny Miss Universal Global International 2024.
“Participation has helped her by showing dedication, commitment, how to serve in her community and how to set goals. She likes to set goals, and she doesn't quit even when it seems difficult. One of her long-term goals is to be Miss USA. The next step is to compete at nationals in November,” Shuanna Resnick said.
In 2021, Ocala’s Anna Ross won the National American Miss title. Ross attended Blessed Trinity School, Trinity Catholic High School and Florida Virtual School before enrolling at American University in Washington, D.C. She was competing for the top title in 2021 as Miss District of Columbia. She had previously competed as Miss Ocala and Miss Florida.
lemon juice and
oil in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Stir in cucumber and remaining ingredients.
Have a recipe you would like to share? Email us at recipe@ocalagazette.com
In an article in the “Gazette” after her win, Ross said her experiences with National American Miss helped her become
more comfortable speaking in public and participating in interviews.
“The main mission is to equip us with the life skills
we need to succeed in the future,” she said.
To learn more, go to namiss.com
Ellysa Resnick at the Florida National American Miss pageant. [Submitted photo]
National American Miss Florida Princess 4-6 Ellysa Resnick poses with her brother Jaxon and mother Shuanna Resnick at the state pageant in Orlando. [Submitted photo]
In pursuit of Eagle Scout rank
Cash Collins built and installed Free Little Library kiosks to meet the required criteria of a project to benefit his community.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnomediaco.com
Cash Collins is on a quest to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor for members of Scouting America. In addition to earning merit badges along the way, the scout also must organize and complete a project of service to the community.
Cash, 18, a senior at Forest High School, recently built and installed three Free Little Library kiosks in Tom’s Park, Wyomina Park and Clyatt Park in Ocala. He completed the project in cooperation with the city of Ocala’s Recreation and Parks Department and with the help of carpenter Frank Girod.
Cash said he has been involved in scouting since he was in the second grade.
“I started in Cub scouts at my church because my dad was the Cubmaster, and from there I just progressed through scouting with Troop 72. My favorite parts have been hanging around with all of the kids in scouting and getting to do a whole bunch of fun things like going on campouts or making our own fun. The group is really dynamic, which is something that I love,” he said.
“I decided on this project because there’s a Free Little Library at Walker Park, which is close to my house. Anytime I passed it, I always took note of its presence and when it came time for me to decide my project, I was already speaking with the city and they gave me the option to construct a few of those. From there, it was an easy decision, and I got to do what I wanted to do,” he added.
In order to build and stock the Free Little Library kiosks, Cash got some of the materials from Lowe’s and donations from other sources. He took to social media to make a plea for books with which to stock each little library.
“The books were donated from people in my neighborhood. All I had to do for that was post on Facebook explaining what I was doing and ask for the books. I set up a drop off box outside of my house and by the third day of having the post up it was already full,” he explained.
“I had help from Frank Girod, a very skilled carpenter who really walked with me throughout the whole project, providing
some vital insight on the way things should be done. Frank was a great mentor, and he taught me a lot about not only woodworking, but also about life,” Cash added.
“Cash Collins is a dependable and reliable young man. He completed the little libraries and installed them within the time frame that he set. The libraries turned out nice, added value to the parks, and were being used right away. We appreciate the hard work that went to making them,” said the city’s Parks Operation Supervisor Jeff Kerley.
In 2023, Cash’s older brother, Grayson Collins, completed his Eagle Scout by refurbishing the World War I Commemorative Fountain inside Tuscawilla Park.
The boy’s father, Chuck Collins, said his own involvement as a Boy Scout was short lived.
“I was in long enough to build a single Pinewood Derby car that we still have and display along with Cash’s and Grayson’s cars,” he noted. He is glad, however, that his sons have been active scouts for many years.
“I think it important young men receive instruction and guidance from men other than their father. Sometimes, especially with teenagers, coaching and instruction from other adults is better received by the young person and scouting affords this opportunity. Scouting also presents opportunities for teamwork, cooperation, shared experiences and leadership perhaps not readily available in the everyday life of a young man. These are attributes of good citizens, and the world needs more good productive citizens,” he said.
As for Cash’s recent accomplishment, Chuck said, “We are so very proud of him. The Eagle Project is one of the final steps as a Boy Scout and only 4% reach the goal of attaining the Eagle Scout rank…it is the culmination of many years of faithful work. He started as a Cub Scout when he was 8 and has stuck with it for the last 10 years. We are very proud that he has continued in scouting through the years. The presence of supportive parents, and in Cash’s case, especially his mother, helped continue his advancement.
Mary Anne was always in the background making sure he completed this merit badge or that rank advancement.”
“I couldn't be more proud,” Mary Anne Collins said. “Seeing my son take the initiative to build and provide the little libraries for the community shows not just his ability but his heart as well. It's one thing to actually follow through with an idea and to build with your own hands, and to give back like that really speaks to his character. He is making reading accessible and leaving a positive mark in his community. I admire that so much.”
“Watching both of my sons grow through Scouting has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me as their parent,” she continued. “Scouting has given them opportunities to develop leadership, resilience and a deep respect for service and the outdoors. Scouting has shaped them into young men of character, and I have seen firsthand how they've stepped up to challenges, supported their communities and become role models for others. Their involvement hasn't just made me proud, it's given me hope for the kind of thoughtful, respectful and responsible men they are becoming.”
Following the completion of all the required elements, each Eagle Scout candidate undergoes a review process that may lead to a Court of Honor and the official bestowal of the rank.
As for the future, Cash said he plans “to attend either Penn State or the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and study nuclear engineering, spend a bit of my time up there and then find out where my life takes me.”
To learn more, go to scouting.org
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-1142 One (1) 1996 Ford Explorer VIN: 1FMDU34X1TUC01865 Judge: Rogers ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 1996 Ford Explorer VIN: 1FMDU34X1TUC01865 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about May 21, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court.
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-1421 One (1) 2019 DODGE RAM 1500 REBEL VIN: 1C6SRFET7KN652387 Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 2019 DODGE RAM 1500 REBEL VIN: 1C6SRFET7KN652387which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about June 20, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court.
-NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-1179 One (1) 1999 Nissan Frontier VIN: 1N6DD26SXXC333273 Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 1999 Nissan Frontier VIN: 1N6DD26SXXC333273 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about May 23, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court.
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-1492 One (1) 2025 Kia Sorento2025 Kia Sorento VIN: KNDRKDJG2S5325002 Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 2025 Kia Sorento VIN: KNDRKDJG2S5325002 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(16), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about June 26, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court.
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-1177 One (1) 2006 Toyota Scion XB VIN: JTLKT324464117443 Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 2006 Toyota Scion XBVIN: JTLKT324464117443 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala,
OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN
CIRCUIT COURT OF
FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-1202 One (1) 2014 Dodge Challenger VIN: 2C3CDYAG2EH282192 Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 2014 Dodge Challenger VIN: 2C3CDYAG2EH282192 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about May 24, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court.
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2024CA-2404 One (1) 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT VIN: 1G1AK18F787264082 Judge: Rogers ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT VIN: 1G1AK18F787264082 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about May 21, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to Kristi Van Vleet, Assistant City Attorney's Office, 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by certified mail return receipt requested. A complaint for forfeiture has been filed in the above styled court. -NOTICE OF
NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTHJUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: 2025CA-1493 One (1) 2021 Nissan Kicks VIN: 3N1CP5CV0ML496183 Judge: Herndon ALL PERSONS who claim an interest in the following property: One (1) 2021 Nissan Kicks VIN: 3N1CP5CV0ML496183 which was seized because said property is alleged to be contraband as defined by Sections 932.701 (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police Department, on or about June 27, 2025, in Marion County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona fide lienholder, or person in possession of the property when seized has the right to request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice,
Cash Collins recently built and installed three Free Little Library kiosks as part of his quest to attain the rank of Eagle Scout. [Submitted photo]
New exhibit celebrates the ‘Art of Aging’
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco. com
The Marion Cultural Alliance’s annual “Art of Aging” exhibit will be on display through Aug. 30 at the Brick City Center for the Arts at 23 SW Broadway St. in downtown Ocala.
Artists and art lovers converged there on Aug. 1 for a festive “Art of Aging, Gallery of Gratitude” opening reception. The annual exhibition is in partnership with Marion Senior Services. It features art in various mediums created by MCA artist members ages 55 and older. There also are seminars and a workshop connected to the theme.
To learn more, go to mcaocala.org
THE FRUGAL TEACHER
How to save on school supplies
By Christy Jones Special to the Gazette
School starts soon, so it's that time of year when everyone needs to buy school supplies. And don't forget about Florida's Back-toSchool sales tax holiday, which will end Aug. 31.
You won't have to pay sales tax on clothes, shoes, backpacks or most school supplies. There are, however, some limits to be aware of, such as clothing or shoes can't cost more than $100 per item and the school supplies limit is $50 per item. (So, no, your child can’t get those $200 designer sneakers “for gym class.” Tragic.)
Take advantage of the money you can save from not paying sales tax and try to pair that up with the amazing deals going on at your local stores. Here are some tips to help you save on school supplies: GET THE LIST
Most schools have a school supply list by grade level that you can get at the front office or on its Facebook page. Walmart usually has the lists as well, but sometimes they run out of copies because nothing says “back to school” like a scavenger hunt.
Teachers create the list so you know exactly what to buy. And you can always double-check with your child's teacher at open house or meet the teacher events to be sure you don't buy unnecessary supplies. Every teacher I asked said that not every item on the school list was necessary, so there’s no need to spend money on items that aren’t truly needed (like the 12-pack of glitter gel pens
that will vanish into the abyss of their backpack by week two).
MAKE A BUDGET
Set limits on how much you plan to spend on back-to-school essentials. If your child will be with you when you shop, share your budget with them. When I was growing up, we were given a set amount to spend on school supplies, clothes and shoes. If we wanted to spend more, we had to pay the difference out of our own money—cue the dramatic sighs.
Set limits with your kids to help them learn about budgeting and be firm with those limits when shopping. You could
even make it a challenge and allow your child to keep any money that’s left over after buying everything they need. Nothing motivates like the promise of shopping money—especially if they think they can blow it on candy.
SHOP EARLY
Don't wait until the last minute. Shop before school starts, if at all possible. If you really want to save money, shop for non-clothing items without your kids. It can be hard for children to resist those adorable notebooks and folders with the puppies on them or the scented markers. (Because apparently, school supplies need to smell like strawberries now?) However, those cutesy items won't be nearly as cheap as the plain notebooks, folders and markers.
For example, right now Walmart has plain spiral notebooks for only .35 cents and the ones with different designs on them are $3.24 each. The same was true for just about every school supply item I checked.
Go with what's on sale to save the most money and don't be tempted to spend more on fancy school supplies— unless your child’s notebook is going to walk itself to class and take notes for them.
SHOP AROUND
Walmart has amazing deals on folders, notebooks, glue sticks, crayons, etc., and you should definitely stock up any time the price of school supplies goes below $1. However, don't forget about stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General, where you can find sales, too. Even grocery stores can have deals on
school supplies, so it's a good idea to keep an eye out to find the best deals. (Yes, your shopping cart can have both cereal and Elmer’s glue. That’s called balance.)
REUSE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
Does your child really need a new lunch box? Can that backpack make it another school year? Ask yourself if your child really needs the item or if the one from last year will do. You could always have your child start out the school year with last year's backpack and/or lunch box and see how long it lasts. If it survives October, it’s a win. Bonus points if it still smells normal.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK PRICES ONLINE
Amazon has some really good back-toschool deals. This frugal teacher was able to find a backpack with good reviews for only $22 compared to $45 if I would've bought the one I found in Target. I didn’t buy it, though, because my son has already agreed that his backpack is just fine and can last another school year. Thank you, frugal son!
Saving on school supplies is pretty easy as long as you plan ahead. Catch the sales while you can and try to buy everything before Aug. 31 so you don’t have to pay sales tax. Get the list from your child's school or teacher, make a budget, shop early and shop around, double-check prices online and shop without the kids, if you can. Here's to another amazing school year!
Visit frugalteacherlife.com for more money-saving ideas.
Leslie Hammond, Kenneth Vilanova, Albert Lynch and Barbara Fitos.
Phyllis Silverman and Lila Ivey.
Jeff and Dawn Selker.
Rhoda Walkup, Jenny Martinez, Christine Cauffield and Cindy Moody.
Terry Avick, Bob Gallion and Carol Gallion.
Jonia McGill, Ashley Justiniano and Jenny Martinez, left to right, pose together during the opening reception for the "Art of Aging, Gallery of Gratitude" exhibition at the Brick City Center for the Arts in Ocala on Aug. 1, 2025.
"Where Beauty Pauses" is an acrylic painting by artist Joanie Ford.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Government
AUG. 11, 18 AND 25
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. 19
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. 12 AND 26
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. 13
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
AUG. 20 AND 26
State of the County
Various locations and times
Marion County Commission Chairman Kathy Bryant will speak. The presentations are open to the public and include updates on public safety, roadways, infrastructure, economic development and projects. For details, go to marionfl.org/soc
Community Arts
AUG. 9
First Gen 5K
Baseline Road Trail, 4255 SE 58th Ave., Ocala
7:30am Eduardo Diaz, a collegiate cross-country runner at Stetson University, and his sister, Ximena Diaz, a cross-country team captain at West Port High School, both first-generation students, have organized the inaugural First Gen 5K. Proceeds will benefit causes that support first-generation students, including the Vida Valiente Foundation, First Generation Foundation and select local scholarships for students in Marion County. To register for the run, go to runsignup.com/Race/ FL/Ocala/FirstGen5K. To learn more, email firstgen5k@gmail.com and find @FirstGen5K on Instagram.
AUG. 14
Activities at Fort King Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E. Fort King St., Ocala
6-8pm The Summer Night Lecture Series is free and open to all ages: • Aug. 14 – Native Plant Uses in History with Amanda Marek, University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences For more information, call (352) 401-6980 or visit fortkingocala.com
AUG. 17
Enchanted Evening in Paris
Cotillion Mary Sue Rich Community Center, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala 4pm This will be the third cotillion for the Dare 2 Be Great mentoring program. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. To learn more, call the Howard Academy Community Center at (352) 671-4175.
THROUGH AUG. 18
Early “Byrd” Special for the Taste of the Town Charity Fundraiser
Benefitting Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center
Online or by phone
Get early tickets for the event, which will take
AUG. 8
Unlimited Devotion: Celebrating the Music of the Grateful Dead
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7:30pm
Blending the spirit of the Grateful Dead with their own jazz and funk influences, this tribute band delivers high-energy, exploratory performances that keep fans coming back for more. From massive block parties to packed venues, this South Florida quintet brings the groove—and the good vibes—every time they hit the stage. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com
AUG. 8
Comedian Killer Beaz
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala
7:30pm
The outrageously funny Killer Beaz is celebrating the milestone of 10 seasons on Discovery Channel’s hit series “Moonshiners” and continues to make regular performances at The Grand Ole Opry. And now he’s running the roads, loaded with laughs and delivering his clean comedy on tour. VIP tickets include seating upfront, a meet and greet, signature card and photo op. To learn more, go to ocalacivictheatre.com
AUG. 9
Girls Night: The Musical Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7:30pm Grab your friends and get ready to laugh, cry, and dance in the aisles. This Off-Broadway hit follows five friends on a hilarious and heartfelt journey through love, loss and friendship, all set to a soundtrack of favorite hits like “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive” and “Man! I Feel Like a Woman.” Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
AUGUST 12
Virtual Art 101: Horse Silhouette 10am-1pm Join the CF Appleton Museum of Art for a free online workshop. Participate live via Zoom with fellow art enthusiasts and follow along with step-by-step instruction from a teaching artist. The session will focus on using acrylic paint to make a background and then applying the printed silhouette of a horse to the foreground. To register and see the supply list, go to eventbrite.com/e/art-101-online-horsesilhouette-acrylic-painting-tickets1428538269419?aff=oddtdtcreator
AUG. 14
place Sept. 12 at the Ocala Downtown Market. It will include music and savory samplings of different restaurants and food trucks, and wine and beer vendors. Learn more by calling (352) 875-2226 or go to ebwchc.org
AUG. 27
Careers and Colleges Expo
College of Central Florida Ewers Century Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
5-7pm
This free event offers high school seniors, transfer students, current college students and their families the opportunity to explore career paths and talk with more than 60 vendors representing colleges and universities, trade schools and local career opportunities. The expo is part of the Florida School and College Relations Tour and is presented in connection with Marion County Public Schools. For more information, go to cf.edu/events
AUG. 29-30
Ocala Shrine Rodeo
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2200 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala Gates open 5:30pm Proceeds from the event will help support the Ocala Shrine Club and various youth organizations. This event is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Learn more at ocalashrinerodeo.com
THURSDAYS THROUGH SEPT.
25
Free Diabetes Self-Management
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 free, eight-week series. Classes are open to those age 18 and older who are prediabetic or diabetic, and those who support someone with diabetes. Attendees will learn to improve eating habits, increase physical activity, monitor blood sugar and related metrics, and prevent complications associated with diabetes. For more information or to register, call (352) 671-4186 or email chp@mchdt.org
Noir Night: A Midtown Station Mystery Midtown Station, 235 NE Watula Avenue, Ocala 6:30pm Step into a world of intrigue, romance and timeless jazz. This mysterious evening will transport you to the silver age of film noir, where smoky melodies, vintage glamour and whodunits reign supreme. Slip into your finest black-and-white attire and sip on specialty cocktails crafted to capture the vibe of a bygone era. Under the glow of dim lights, the smooth sounds of live jazz by Becky Baby & Her Boys will sweep you away into a night of plot twists and fun. Presented by Infinite Ale Works, Sipping Grounds, Becky Baby Music and The Civic to benefit the Save the Civic campaign. Learn more at ocalacivictheatre.com
AUG. 16
The Great American Soulbook
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7:30pm Get ready to groove with this high-energy celebration of Motown, R&B and soul music. Featuring choreographed male vocalists, powerhouse female leads and a full band, this show brings the hits of legends like The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Luther Vandross to life. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
AUG. 16
Mind Magic LIVE
Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala
7:30pm
Experience an intimate evening of laughter and amazement with mentalist Joshua Seth, winner of The Magic Olympics at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. He has amazed audiences
worldwide, from five international TV specials to sold-out theaters in 40 countries. For ages 12 and older; seating is limited. Learn more at joshuaseth. com/tickets
AUG. 21
Classic Albums
Live: Bob
Marley –“Legend”
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7:30pm
Experience rock perfection, where world-class musicians recreate iconic rock albums live on stage. The first half delivers the album in its entirety; the second half rocks the artist’s greatest hits. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
AUG. 23
Josué Comedy “Soy un Papá Fresita” Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala 8pm After a successful tour that visited cities across the United States and Puerto Rico, where he made history by filling the “Choliseo” with a family comedy show, Josué Comedy returns with his stories about a dad, a husband and a Latino “strawberry.” A night of wholesome humor for the whole family. Learn more at ocalacivictheatre.com
AUG. 24
Tasha Robinson: Bach to Zeppelin with 94 Strings!
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala 3pm Experience a one-of-a-kind concert with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s Tasha Robinson as she sings and tells stories through the sounds of ABBA, Bach, and Led Zeppelin—performed on 94-string acoustic and electric harps. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
THROUGH AUG. 30
“Art of Aging” Gallery of Gratitude” exhibit Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala Tuesday- Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday 11am to 4pm Art of Aging is an annual collaborative partnership of Marion Cultural Alliance and Marion Senior Services that celebrates aging through art, stories and education. The alliance invited members of the creative senior community ages 55+ to submit artworks in any medium that relates and interprets this year’s theme. Admission to the gallery is free. To learn more, go to mcaocala.org or call (352) 369-1500.
THROUGH
JAN. 18
“The Human Pulse: Photographs by John Elliott” Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala The exhibit features 42 black-and-white prints from the Ocala-based photographer’s ongoing series, “The Human Pulse,” shaped by his life and travels across 32 countries. His photographs reflect a dreamlike vantage point: floating somewhat above, sometimes even at a great distance, but still connected to the moment. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org
THROUGH SEPT. 1
Blue Star Museums free admission for military veterans Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Hours vary
Through Labor Day, the annual Blue Star Museums program will provide free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and up to five family members. Blue Star Museums is a nationwide initiative led by the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across the country. Free admission is available to those currently serving in the United States military, including the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force, as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps and NOAA Commissioned Corps. Eligible participants must present ID. To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org/visit/planyour-visit/blue-star-museums/
SEPT. 14
Phantasmagoria’s Poe, Through the Tales Darkly Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd. 7:30pm Journey with members of the acclaimed Victorian horror troupe as they bring to life the tales and poetry of Edgar Allan Poe. From the haunted stirrings of "The Raven" to the sheer terror of "The Tell-Tale Heart," from the obsessively plotted revenge of “The Casque of Amontillado" to the bittersweet and lovely longing of "Annabel
along with a selection of other whimsical, macabre, and terrifying stories and poems, you are invited to celebrate an evening of Poe's works. There will be a talkback and photo op after the performance. Learn more at ocalacivictheate.com
Lee,"
Check out the Great American Soulbook for some Motown, R&B and soul music. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
Hear the “Legend” album live on stage. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
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.
Broom Hilda
