OG Digital Edition 08-21-2026

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 35

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Family travel adventures in the USA Page B4 August 21 - 27 2026

Whistleblower not silenced entirely Mary Coy’s testimony on systemic abuse and record falsification at Marion County Jail remains public record.

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Elections recap

Two new faces for county commission; one returning school board member and two run-off races.

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

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lection day in Marion County saw the Supervisor of Elections office report at the

end of the evening that 106 precincts were accounted for, with 71,850 ballots cast and a voter turnout of 26.99% among 266,192 registered voters.

See Elections recap, page A7

Mike Crimi

Jeff Bairstow

License plate readers: friend or foe?

Opinions vary on usage of automated scanning technology.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

Mary Coy

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recent settlement by a former medical services auditor who accused the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office of substandard inmate medical care and systemic safety violations inside the facility contains a strict mutual non-disparagement clause that prevents her from saying anything negative about the agency or Sheriff Billy Woods.

However, Mary Coy, a registered nurse with over 40 years of experience, has testified at length in the months leading up to the August $60,000 settlement with the MCSO. Her testimony under the Florida Whistle-blower’s Act opens a window into what other lawyers representing families of inmates now suing the MCSO over the death of their loved might discover in their pending cases against the sheriff if they subpoena her.

Six months prior to the settlement, on Feb. 25, Coy sat before a camera during a Zoom call and answered questions under oath, which resulted in a 212page deposition transcript. Coy testified she was terminated from her position as the jail’s medical liaison in retaliation for repeatedly reporting substandard inmate medical care and systemic safety violations inside the facility.

Coy’s accounts of the treatment of inmates, most of whom are awaiting trial and who have not been convicted of any crime, and interviews with inmates’ family members, paint a horrific picture of conditions at the jail, which has one of the highest in-custody deaths of any county jail in the state of Florida.

See Whistleblower, page A5

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A motorist drives by an ALPR camera near Citizens' Circle on East Fort King Street in downtown Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.

ig Brother peering into people’s privacy or crime fighting angel on the public’s shoulder?

The debate over automated license plate readers, or ALPRs, which has been called a hot topic by Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, continues.

Flock Safety Company, a maker of LPR systems, states that in 2025, their equipment helped find more than 10,000 missing persons and was involved in over 1 million criminal investigations.

The American Civil Liberties Union calls ALPR cameras “unrestrained mass surveillance in our communities” and has launched the “Get the Flock Out” campaign.

Flock Safety systems are in place in 6,000 communities in 49 states and “if an agency chooses to share, participating agencies may see the shared data. That sharing is documented and controlled,” according to the company’s website, flocksafety.com License plate readers came into the public eye most recently in Marion County after a July 27 fatal shooting by law enforcement of the alleged abductor of a 13-year-old girl following an AMBER Alert and a vehicle pursuit that ended in Belleview.

See License plate readers, page A6

8 things to know about a $1.27 billion budget Proposed Ocala spending plan envisions rising fees, possible cuts to nonprofits.

By Steve Collins steve@ocalagazette.com

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f you didn’t have to run a city with the $1.27 billion Ocala has tentatively budgeted for the next fiscal year, there’s a lot you could do with that kind of money.

• You could buy roughly 900 pizzas for every man, woman and child in Ocala.

• You could launch one SpaceX rocket roughly every three weeks for a year.

• You could buy every Ocala resident almost 100 one-day passes to Disney World.

In fairness, the city staff are only proposing to spend a little more than half of the $1.27 billion, so some might argue we should divide those above numbers by

two. But regardless, we’re still talking about a lot of money. And a sizeable chunk of that money comes from you in the form of property taxes and the fees you pay for city services.

All of this is to say we think Ocala residents should know what’s in the budget.

See Budget, page A3

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INSIDE:

City cyber fraud ...................................A3 Mentall illness .....................................A4 Historic drought ..................................B1 Calendar............................................... B6 Puzzles....................................................B7

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August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

COMMUNITY NEWS

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

BACK TO SCHOOL COMMUNITY GIVEBACK RESULTS

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he Back to School Community Giveback is a countywide collaboration of businesses, nonprofits, healthcare providers, schools, government agencies, churches, first responders, community leaders, donors and volunteers.

What makes the giveback unique is the diversity of resources partners bring to the table. Backpacks and school supplies help prepare students for the classroom.

Healthcare partners provide physicals, EKGs and other services. Community organizations connect families with year-round programs and support. Food partners help address immediate household needs. Other partners provide shoes, hygiene products, safety resources, mentorship and experiences that encourage and empower young people, according to the news release.

Heather James of the Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center, left, passes out information to Danielle Spoon and her children during the Back to School Community Giveback at the College of Central Florida on July 25, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

“The countywide approach is especially important because needs looks different in every community. A family in rural North Marion County may face different barriers than a family in Ocala, Belleview, Marion Oaks, Dunnellon or the Lake Weir area. By working through multiple locations and community-based partners, resources can be brought closer to the families who need them rather than expecting every family to overcome transportation, financial or geographic barriers to find help,” wrote organizer Ashley Wheeler Gerds in the release.

A detailed report about the event noted that more than 300 volunteers helped make it a success. Analytics also showed that: • The giveback served students across K–12, along with children preparing to enter school through Pre-K and VPK programs. There were 4,255 student registration records. The largest grade represented was third, with 408 registrations, followed by seventh with 394 and fifth with 391.

• The giveback 2026 helped by more than $100,000 in estimated in-kind donations of goods, professional services and community resources.

• The Marion County Children’s Alliance hosted its 23rd annual Drive Thru Back to School Bash as part of the larger giveback effort, with 954 backpacks filled with school supplies and 68 additional backpacks for students entering Pre-K/VPK, 421 cars driving through, 1,260 meals provided, 1,200 bottles of water distributed, 400 swag bags for adults and 200 hygiene bags for middle and high school students.

• Backpacks with supplies also were provided for a back-to-school event in Dunnellon on July 25 and at Connect Fest, an event at Immerse Church on Aug. 1, along with backpacks supplied to other area organizations.

“Together we served 5,844 students in person and an additional 250 students within programs such as varies domestic violence, special needs and foster children. We also provided additional backpacks for employees within our partnerships that had a need. These numbers will continue to rise throughout the year to meet the ongoing need of displaced students,” the release noted.

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CF AND CITY OF OCALA WIN FPRA AWARDS he College of Central Florida’s Marketing and Public Relations team was recognized by the Florida Public Relations Association at the 2026 Annual Golden

Chris Graham, MBA, APR, CPRC, VP of Golden Image; Danielle Veenstra, CF Manager of Digital Communications; Rachel Cote, APR, CF Director of Marketing, Public and Community Relations; Lindsay Hudock, MA, APR, CPRC, President of Florida Public Relations Association; at the FPRA awards gala. [Submitted photo]

Image Awards Gala, as was the city of Ocala’s Public Information Office.

CF’s Marketing and Public Relations team submitted its marketing campaign, “Take the Reins: Quality Enhancement Plan.” At the gala, CF earned a Judges’ Award (presented to entries that demonstrate impressive return on investment), a Golden Image Award (presented to the top-scoring entry in the Integrated Marketing category) and the Dick Pope All Florida Golden Image Award (the highest honor, given to the overall best PR program across the state), the news release stated.

The campaign supported the launch of CF’s Quality Enhancement Plan, a career and transfer readiness initiative as part of the college’s 10-year reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. With “Take the Reins,” CF students can earn a series of micro credentials in high-demand skills such as communications, leadership, technology and responsible AI literacy, critical thinking and more.

The city of Ocala Public Information Office was presented with the Pinnacle Gold Award for Government Team of the Year. The office oversees the city’s strategic communications, media relations, digital communications, marketing, photography, videography and public engagement efforts.

The recognition was presented during FPRA’s Annual PR & Comms Summit. During the event, Ocala’s Public Information Officer Gregory Davis was sworn in as vice president of professional development on the FPRA State Executive Committee and Public Relations Specialist Misti Barrett graduated from the LeadershipFPRA program.

BUSINESSES SUPPORT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

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ust in time for the start of the school year, Action Roofing donated school supplies to more than 170 children at the Boys & Girls Club of Citrus and Marion Counties. Children ages 6 to 12 received pens, pencils, glue and notebooks during the July 31 event.

The event included a day of indoor and outdoor games and activities and was capped by a pizza party for the children and their families, with Jack Rabbit Air Plumbing Electric providing the pizza.

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

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

Photography Editor

bruce@ocalagazette.com Dani Eskridge

Director of Operations & Sales

dani@magnoliamediaco.com Andy Fillmore Reporter

andy@ocalagazette.com Greg Hamilton Editor

greg@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height Editor

susan@magnoliamediaco.com Belea Keeney Reporter

belea@magnoliamediaco.com

News tips tips@ocalagazette.com Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

Follow us @ocalagazette

Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion.

We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.

ocalagazette.com ©2024 Ocala Gazette, LLC Jeremy Wilkinson, Ocala branch manager for Action Roofing, and Luis Maldonado, CEO of Jack Rabbit Air Plumbing Electric, at the July 31 school supplies event. [Photo courtesy Action Roofing]

“The Boys & Girls Club of Citrus and Marion Counties does incredible work for this community, and this was our chance to show up for the families they serve,” said Jeremy Wilkinson, Ocala branch manager at Action Roofing, in the release.

Ocala Gazette (USPS# 25590) (ISSN 27711595) is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, PO BOX 188, OCALA, FL 34478. Periodicals postage paid at Ocala, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478.

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August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Cyber fraud details emerge City says former employees could have stopped scam.

By Steve Collins steve@ocalagazette.com

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axpayers are on the hook for about $28,000 following a nearly $500,000 email scam that Ocala officials say could have been avoided if former employees had followed procedure.

Although the scam occurred in April and city employees became aware in May, the first public acknowledgment came Aug. 4. New details emerged at the Aug. 18 city council meeting, where a staff report on the incident was released.

New details include the following: • Two city employees have been let go, but they haven’t been publicly identified.

Although the names weren’t included in the report, the “Ocala Gazette” obtained the names from Public Information Officer Gregory

Budget Continued from page A1 Based on documents and discussion from the Aug. 11 City Council work session, here are eight things you should know about the proposed budget: 1. Where the $1.27 billion figure comes from To understand the budget, it’s important to know both where the money comes from and how the city plans to spend it.

Some 54% of the money comes from cash the city already has on hand. Another 24% comes from charges for services, such as electric bills, water bills and sanitation fees.

The third largest source is interfund transfers (6%), which refers to money being moved from various accounts. The next source is miscellaneous revenues (5%), which includes such things as investment earnings and interest earnings. The fifth largest source is ad valorem revenue (4.6%), which in the context of the city budget means property taxes.

In terms of where the money will go, 51% is earmarked for reserves. Another 25% will go to operations, which includes office supplies and other goods and services. An additional 14% will go to salaries and benefits.

Because so much of the money in the budget was already on hand and will stay that way, it’s worth taking a closer look at how money in the general fund is expected to be allocated. The largest chunk, 28%, goes to the Ocala Police Department. Ocala Fire Rescue gets 20% of the budget and Ocala Recreation & Parks gets 7%.

2. Your tax bill, explained Although property taxes account for less than 5% of the budget, that’s the part many people feel most directly, so it’s worth unpacking.

The city is proposing a 6.6177 millage rate. In simple terms, that means Ocala property owners will pay roughly $6.62 per every $1,000 in taxable property value. Property owners in the Downtown Development Districts will pay extra, ranging from an additional $1.47 to an additional $1.72 per $1,000 in taxable property value,

Davis. We have chosen not to publish the names at this time.

• The fraudster acquired the internet domain “ocalaf l. net,” which is like the city’s “ocalaf l.net” and used it to obtain information to divert payment intended for city vendor Traffic Control Devices.

• Most of the $492,056 has been recovered. Bank of America returned $214,256 and $250,000 was covered by insurance. That leaves $27,799.

• City staff knew as early as May 11 that fraud had occurred, but the fraud wasn’t reported to the Ocala Police Department until June 10. That same day, the city submitted a crime complaint to the FBI. The FBI assumed control of the case as a federal cyber fraud investigation on July 28.

• Chief of Staff Christopher

depending on their district.

The proposed millage rate is the same as the current year, but if your taxable property value has increased, you’ll pay more.

Property owners can estimate their bill from the city by dividing their taxable property value by 1,000 and then multiplying by 6.6177.

For example, a home with a $250,000 taxable value will set you back $1,654.43. It’s worth remembering the rate itself isn’t final until September and that your bill will be higher if you’re in one of the Downtown Development Districts.

So, where would this money then go? The lion’s share, $5.49 of the $6.62 per mill, goes to the general fund, with much of the money helping fund the police and fire departments.

That doesn’t include another 25 cents that goes to police and fire improvements. Another 75 cents goes to road improvements and the remaining 12.5 cents goes to neighborhood improvements.

3. Nothing is etched in stone The council has until September to finalize the budget, and based on comments at the work session, certain line items will receive extra scrutiny.

In particular, discussion suggested that there is council support for eliminating $140,000 in community sponsorships. If that comes to pass, the affected organizations would be the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County ($100,000), Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission ($10,000), Marion County Children’s Alliance ($10,000), Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans ($10,000) and the Marion Cultural Alliance ($10,000).

Council Member Kristen Dreyer was the first person to raise the issue.

“I don’t take away from the great work that all of these nonprofits do,” Dreyer said.

“There are many others that also do very good work that have not made the list year after year.

Every single dollar that comes through this budget, somebody else has earned. Someone else has earned this money and so I don’t find that it’s appropriate for us to be continuing to fund

Watt and CFO Janice Mitchell learned in midJune that money had been sent to the wrong account but were told it was in the process of being returned.

“Finance Employee #1 failed to report that there was a possible attempted fraud and that reports had been filed with OPD and the FBI.” Watt became aware of the fraud on July 23 and told City Manager Peter Lee the same day.

• Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust informed the city on Aug. 13 it was denying insurance coverage because the city’s standard operating procedures hadn’t been followed. One day later, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America informed the city it had approved the policy limit of $250,000 under its social engineering insurance coverage.

nonprofits.”

Council member James Hilty Sr. said he wasn’t opposed to some sponsorships but was opposed to the current process where the same small set of nonprofits receive funds annually.

“There are certain charities that are on there every year that receive multiple, multiple services from the city,” Hilty said. “One of those charities that’s on there, I am actually chairman of the board, but that’s something I’m willing to sacrifice because I think the process is wrong now.”

Another area that received some scrutiny was $188,000 in funding for the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership.

“I’m all about the CEP, the chamber,” Hilty said. “I just need to have a much better explanation to what we can give our constituents as to why we continue to fund it when they can stand on their own.”

Mayor Ben Marciano said that the CEP has important role to play in helping the city redevelop downtown Ocala.

“I feel good about the relationship at this point,” Marciano said. “It’s the best we’ve ever had it, and I think there’s going to be good return on the investment we’re making with them.”

4. Payroll costs rising The $178.6 million budgeted for salaries and benefits is a 10.4% increase.

Budget Director Tammi Haslam said part of the increase is because of rising health insurance premiums. She said an additional $2.7 million has been budgeted for health insurance. She said employee contributions will increase by between $4.63 and $28.97 a month depending on the specific plan.

Council member Barry Mansfield said considering a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that could raise Florida’s homestead exemption and reduce the amount of property taxes collected, the city should begin doing some belt tightening. He said that should include taking a closer look at hiring.

“I really think it’s prudent

The city’s position is the fraud was the result of mistakes made by former employees and doesn’t represent a larger systemic problem, although in 2019 a city employee was tricked into sending more than $740,000 to the wrong bank account.

“The procedures would have worked, and they would have stopped this from happening,” Watt told the city council Aug. 18. “Unfortunately, the employee did not follow the procedures in place and that’s what prompted the loss.”

Most of the City Council members seem willing to accept that interpretation. In separate phone calls with the “Ocala Gazette,” Council President Ire Bethea, Council President ProTem Jay Musleh and council member Barry Mansfield all said the blame lies with the two former employees. Council member Kristen Dreyer said the same via text.

of us to maybe put a little small slowdown on hiring to make sure that we’re going to be OK,” he said.

5. Sanitation fees jumped 23% The next budget calls for the city to collect $24.6 million in charges for sanitation services, up $4.6 million from this year’s budget. The increase reflects that solid waste pickup fees went up by $3, to $28 a month in March, while curbside recycling was eliminated. Rates are scheduled to go up by another $1 in October.

6. How your utility bill helps pay for everything The proposed budget calls for $42.8 million from the electric fund to be transferred to other city funds, with $20 million to be transferred to the general fund. Another $17.9 million from the water resource fund will be transferred to other city funds, including $6.1 million transferred to the general fund.

All of this is to say that your electric and water bills don’t just go to pay for those services but to subsidize other parts of the city’s operation.

7. The $71.2M capital projects list The proposed budget calls for the city to spend $71.2 million across 48 projects. Some $20.3 million of that will go to 10 electric services projects that Haslam said will address “overall maintenance and upgrades to infrastructure to assist with reliability.”

Another $12.2 million is budgeted for 12 water resource projects, including $2 million for water/sewer line improvement.

Another $500,000 is proposed for the design and construction of a new fire training center.

8. What happens next / how to weigh in The first public hearing on the budget will be at 5 p.m.

Sept. 9 in the City Council Chambers. The final public hearing followed by City Council approval of the budget will be Sept. 15. Public comments are welcome at both meetings. If there are other aspects of the budget you’d like the “Ocala Gazette” to examine, leave a question or comment below or contact Steve Collins at steve@ ocalagazette.com.

For his part, Council member James Hilty Sr. said things should have been handled differently. In particular, he said in a phone interview with the “Ocala Gazette,” when Mitchell and Watt learned in mid-May that money had been sent to the wrong account they should have informed Lee. “Even if the money was coming back the fraud was committed and senior staff should have contacted the city manager,” he said.

Since the incident, the city has added additional layers to the payment approval process.

When Mayor Ben Marciano asked about the additional steps to stop future scams, Watt was cautiously optimistic.

“Mayor Marciano, I hope so,” he said. “It’s a lot tougher now, a lot more eyes looking at it.

The older I’ve gotten, the more sophisticated these guys get and we try to stay ahead of it.”

HOW (AND WHY) WE DID THE MATH Telling you how many pizzas, rocket launches and Disney tickets you could buy with the money from the city’s proposed budget might seem silly, but we did it to make an otherwise boring subject a little more interesting. Our job is to present you with important information in a way that’s digestible. We take that seriously. We also take accuracy and transparency seriously, which is why we’ve shown our work below.

Our process: Reporter Steve Collins asked Claude for some help but then he followed every link and double checked the math. He then asked Claude to double check his double checking.

Budget figure: The proposed budget figure of $1,269,705,929 for FY26-27 came from the agenda packet for the Aug. 11 City Council work session.

Population: We used a city of Ocala population of 71,753, based on July 1, 2025, Census Bureau estimates. Source: census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/ ocalacityflorida/PST045224 Pizza: According to the Pizza Index, $19.50 was the average price of a large cheese pizza in Florida in February 2024. Source: https:// www.sliceoftheunion.com/pizzaindex The pizza math: $1,269,705,929 ÷ $19.50 per pizza = 65,113,124.6 pizzas 65,113,124.6 pizzas ÷ 71,753 residents = 907.5 pizzas per resident SpaceX rocket launches: SpaceX’s list price for a dedicated Falcon 9 launch was $74 million as of February 2026. Source: https:// satbase.com/articles/spacex-falcon9-price-increase-2026 The rocket math: $1,269,705,929 ÷ $74,000,000 per launch = 17.1581882 launches 365 days ÷ 17.1581882 launches = a launch every 21.3 days.

Disney tickets: Walt Disney World uses date-based pricing, but prices range from $119 to $209.

For our estimate, we used $180.

Source: https://www.wdw-magazine. com/walt-disney-world-ticketprices-2026/ The Disney math: $1,269,705,929 ÷ $180 per ticket = 7,053,921.83 tickets 7,053,921.83 tickets ÷ 71,753 residents = 98.31 tickets per resident

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August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Judge left with few options for mentally ill inmate Vidican’s family fears his release will restart a cycle of psychosis, violence and incarceration.

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

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Marion County judge ordered the release on Aug. 13 of a 34-year-old man found incompetent to proceed on a misdemeanor charge, despite concerns about his psychiatric condition and history of violence.

County Judge LeAnn MackeyBarnes ordered James T. Kirk Vidican transported from the Marion County Jail directly to SMA Healthcare for an involuntary examination under Florida’s Baker Act and placed him on conditional release for six months.

The judge’s options were limited by the charge before her: violation of a domestic violence injunction, a misdemeanor.

Florida law restricts commitment to a secure forensic state mental health facility for competency restoration to defendants charged with felonies.

What Mackey-Barnes apparently did not know was that Vidican had been involved in several violent incidents while incarcerated that jail investigators documented but chose to address through the jail’s disciplinary process rather than pursue as criminal charges.

Those decisions mattered because a felony charge could have made Vidican eligible for consideration for commitment to a secure forensic mental health facility under Chapter 916 — an option that was unavailable to Mackey-Barnes based on the misdemeanor charge before her.

Vidican, a former Belleview High School homecoming king who has been diagnosed with chronic, severe schizoaffective disorder, appeared remotely from the Marion County Jail in orange jail clothing, with shaggy hair and a beard.

The court reviewed a psychiatric evaluation from licensed psychologist Harry Krop, Ph.D., that found Vidican incompetent to proceed.

THE FELONY LIMITATION OF CHAPTER 916

Under Florida law, a judge cannot commit an incompetent defendant to a secure state forensic mental health facility for psychiatric treatment and

James Vidican as Homecoming King at Belleview High School. [Photo courtesy Vidican family]

competency restoration if the defendant is facing only misdemeanor charges.

Florida Statute Section 916.105 provides that secure forensic facilities maintained by the Florida Department of Children and Families are established for defendants charged with felonies.

Section 916.106(6) defines a “defendant” under the Forensic Client Services Act as an adult charged with a felony offense, while Section 916.13 governs involuntary commitment of defendants charged with felonies who meet additional statutory requirements.

DCF’s internal operating procedures similarly govern evaluation and commitment of individuals committed under Section 916.13.

Because Vidican was before Mackey-Barnes on a misdemeanor charge, commitment to a secure forensic state hospital under Chapter 916 was not an option available to her.

Attempting to address concerns about both Vidican and the community, MackeyBarnes placed him on a sixmonth conditional release. She ordered the Marion County Jail to transport him directly to SMA Healthcare for an involuntary Baker Act evaluation and scheduled a judicial review for Jan. 7, 2027.

Vidican’s defense attorney, however, pointed out the limitations of what the court could accomplish through conditions of release.

“Candidly, I don’t believe

July 23, 2026, Marion County Jail booking photo of James Vidican.

that there is much enforcement mechanism in these cases,” the attorney told the judge.

“Whatever the court wants to put as a condition of release, we may put.”

Vidican’s mother, Deborah Vidican, and sister, Victoria Pettinato, attended the hearing.

They told the “Gazette” they appreciated the judge’s concern for the safety of the victim protected by the injunction and her attention to the concerns outlined in the psychiatric evaluation. But they understood the injunction didn’t stop James and likely another piece of paper would not keep him seeking mental health care.

WHAT THE JUDGE DIDN’T KNOW

Mackey-Barnes was not told during the hearing about several violent incidents involving Vidican inside the jail that Marion County Sheriff ’s Office investigators had decided to handle through the jail’s disciplinary process rather than pursue as criminal cases.

Florida Statute Section 784.082 makes a battery committed by a person detained in a county detention facility against another detainee a thirddegree felony.

Internal jail records reviewed by the “Gazette” show investigators documented multiple physical altercations involving Vidican in 2026 but decided not to pursue criminal charges.

March 9 battery involving Ivan Reyes: Vidican attacked his

cellmate, Ivan Reyes, according to jail records. Guards found Reyes disoriented and bleeding from his mouth and nose with lumps on his head, requiring wheelchair transport to the infirmary.

Vidican told deputies he kicked and punched Reyes because he believed Reyes was a “demon.”

Despite Vidican’s admission, an MCSO investigator wrote: “Although a battery was committed, the best course of action is to continue with the DR [Disciplinary Report] process. No criminal charges will be filed at this time.”

Feb. 21 altercation involving John Essex: Vidican was housed in a double cell with John Essex, an inmate who had warned guards, “I will kill anyone you put me in a cell with.”

After a physical altercation between the two men, MCSO investigator S. Kinsey wrote: “It has been determined the Disciplinary Report system is the best course of action. No criminal charges will be filed.”

July 8 incident involving Anthony Hendry: Jail records state Vidican shoulder-checked inmate Anthony Hendry during a dispute over a video monitor, leading to a violent retaliation.

Again, the jail proceeded with the internal disciplinary process.

Instead of referring those incidents for criminal prosecution, the jail addressed Vidican’s conduct through its internal disciplinary system, including periods of 30-day disciplinary confinement.

Had an incident resulted in a felony charge, Vidican’s competency case would have fallen within the class of felony cases for which Chapter 916 provides the possibility of commitment to a secure forensic mental health facility.

Such a charge would not have guaranteed his commitment; a judge would still have been required to determine whether Vidican met the statutory requirements for involuntary commitment.

But it would have provided an option Mackey-Barnes did not have on Aug. 13.

The “Gazette” emailed State Attorney William “Bill” Gladson’s office asking about the decision not to pursue felony charges and whether prosecutors had been

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made aware of the incidents.

The office had not responded by publication time.

It is unclear whether the State Attorney’s Office knew about the incidents other than inquiry from the “Gazette.” The “Gazette” has not identified a mechanism that automatically alerts prosecutors when jail officials decide to resolve an incident through the facility’s internal disciplinary process rather than refer it for criminal investigation or prosecution.

A DANGEROUS REVOLVING DOOR

For Vidican’s family, his release represents a return to a cycle they say has repeated for years as his mental health deteriorates, he encounters law enforcement and then eventually returns to the community.

The family has previously sought help through SMA Healthcare, but Vidican ran away.

“We are in this vicious cycle that the courts are going to do until one of us gets seriously hurt,” his father, James Vidican Sr., previously told the “Gazette.”

The family eventually obtained a domestic violence injunction against Vidican, but they say it has not stopped him from returning to the family home when he is released from jail.

According to his family, Vidican has previously been released without money or identification and without his family being notified. They say that while experiencing active psychosis, he relies on his familiarity with the area to find his way back to his father’s house.

His family estimates that after his last release in May, Vidican wandered for about 24 hours before arriving at his father’s home in the middle of the night.

They described him at the time as hostile and delusional.

At the time this story was sent to print, Vidican had been released from Marion County jail and accepted treatment at SMA. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

To read a prior report about Vidican: ocalagazette.com/fromhomecoming-king-to-inmate/

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August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Whistleblower Continued from page A1

The settlement contained the mutual non-disparagement clause and a highly unusual “Intervention Clause” designed to act as an early-warning system—forcing Coy to immediately notify the MCSO of any future subpoena so they can attempt to legally block her testimony.

Coy was hired to ensure the jail’s medical contractor, Heart of Florida Health Care, complied with the Florida Model Jail Standards. As previously reported by the “Gazette,” since Coy was fired in the summer of 2024, compliance reporting on inmate care and Florida Model Jail Standards at the Marion County jail has ceased. At least 10 more deaths have been reported at the facility since then.

Under a $14 million annual contract, HOF provides medical care to Marion County Jail inmates, which includes paying for the cost of emergency care. Jail records indicate that post-booking ER visits dropped by more than half compared to their historic average from 2022 through 2024 when some inmates died for reasons that could be attributed to delayed medical intervention.

HOF has refused to respond to public records requests by the “Gazette” for financial records related to how much it pays hospitals for providing emergency care.

HOF’s bills to the MCSO do not provide detailed information. Yet, in IRS filings, HOF reported it reduced its payments to local hospitals from 2021 to 2024 by half.

Coy declined a request for comment for this report. But the detailed reports she created while she was an MCSO employee, as well as the sworn testimony she gave during the litigation, remain public records.

THE WARNING: “THIS CAN BRING LITIGATION ON THE SHERIFF”

When Coy began filing detailed reports of severe inmate neglect, she was met with immediate resistance from MCSO leadership.

Coy recalled a tense meeting on Oct. 11, 2022, when she confronted Detention Bureau Commander Major Clint Bowen about the escalating medical crises in the facility.

According to Coy’s sworn testimony, Bowen didn’t want to hear it: “He said to me, ‘What you’re saying, Ms. Coy, can bring litigation on the sheriff. So, I changed it some... I said, ‘So, Major Bowen, you are a mandated reporter when it comes to children and stuff yourself.’

He said, ‘You’re talking about comparing oranges to apples. This is not the same thing.’

I said to Major Bowen, ‘You cannot expect me to sit in my office and make money and ignore what’s going on with these people.’”

Coy testified that she warned Bowen and jail staff that compliance was their only

shield.

“I said to him, ‘If the Heart of Florida followed policy and procedure like they’re supposed to, there would be no litigation for the sheriff nor them, and we all will be protected.’”

Instead of fixing the problems, jail administration issued Coy a “Letter of Counseling” the next day, stripped her of her authority to investigate grievances and ultimately ordered her to stop writing detailed narratives. Coy testified Bowen flatly told her, “Ms. Coy, we don’t file reports for inmates.”

THE “REFUSAL” PAPER MILL AND FABRICATED MENTAL HEALTH LOGS

Some of Coy’s testimony focused on the systematic abandonment of care for suicidal and mentally ill inmates. Under Florida Model Jail Standards, suicidal inmates must be placed under strict, documented monitoring. Coy testified that jail staff and medical providers operated a paper mill of falsified “refusals” to bypass these laborintensive requirements.

Suicidal and bipolar inmates were logged as refusing treatment. When Coy visited the inmates in their cells, she discovered a different reality: “There was problems with the mentally ill inmates where I was told that they were refusing and they had like thousands of refusals, inmate-refused treatment … whereas medical and security (staffers) signed the refusals. ... I know for a fact that I made rounds with mental health (counselors) and some of the inmates were saying, ‘So, when am I going to get my medication? When am I going to see the doctor? I brought medication in here with me.’ ... (I asked): ‘Did you sign a refusal?’

(They said, ‘No, I did not.’”

These weren’t isolated incidents, according to Coy. Suicidal inmates were being neglected under the guise of these unverified refusal forms.

“And those people were on SP (suicide precaution). Some of them were there for three and four months with 20 to 30, 40, 50, 60 so-called refusals and had not been seen by the practitioner … and some cases by the staff because it was documented they refused to be seen. And some of the inmates said they never refused, they never signed the documentation, so they were not seen. So, I saw lots of that,” Coy said.

Coy blew the whistle on one specific jail medical employee tasked with logging mental health evaluations.

“She actually did not have a degree in mental health,” Coy said. “She used a template with an assessment on it, and then she had another sheet saying that she reviewed a sick call, but it showed an actual assessment. So, I questioned... and it’s a

positive assessment, like the inmate is doing well. And then I also found, too, where the date, where the positive assessment was done, the inmate had been discharged from the jail, so he could not have had an assessment done that day.”

PHYSICAL HORRORS: BROKEN NECKS, CONTRABAND INHALERS AND SELFSURGERY Coy testified that under the leadership of Heart of Florida’s jail Medical Director Dr. Jose Rodriguez, treatment policies were severely restricted. Lifesaving treatments were routinely withheld, forcing desperate inmates to take extreme measures to survive.

In one instance, she said, a severely asthmatic inmate was denied standard treatments.

“I am aware that someone came in and I noticed he was going to medical and trying to get help, and they bought an inhaler. And I went to see him and said, ‘I see you seem to be doing better.’ He said, ‘Ms. Coy, another inmate gave me his inhaler.’ And that is contraband, and no, I didn’t report him. I let him have it.”

Coy testified about another inmate left paralyzed after a use-of-force incident was ignored by staff.

“I am aware of inmates in the pods—one inmate went to the pod, he had force used on him, and I’m aware based on documentation that he sat in that pod in the same spot for two days. And the inmates reported to get him help, and he ended up having a broken neck.”

When the jail went without a contractually required dentist for six months, one inmate reported that the pain they were enduring became so excruciating he resorted to self-performed dentistry.

“And the inmates had all kind of complaints of pain and things going on with abscesses and stuff,” Coy said, “They were not seen to the point where one inmate went and took his own tooth.”

TRAGIC OUTCOMES: DEATHS IN CUSTODY Coy testified that the jail’s chronic refusal to provide timely medical intervention directly resulted in preventable inmate deaths. She recalled the tragic case of an inmate who died from a simple ear infection that spiraled out of control.

“This particular inmate had pain in his ear. The inmate did not get put on anything and he ended up having purulent drainage from the ear as documented. I think there was some blood there as well. Inmate was having lots of pain in the ear. Within one to two weeks of that, the inmate got sent

Public Notice

Public Notice

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF CHARLES L. MCLEOD, Deceased.

FILE NO.: 2026-CP-1361 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of CHARLES L. MCLEOD, deceased, whose date of death was January 10, 2026; is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2026-CP-1361; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons, who have claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this Note, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS AUGUST 14, 2026.

Personal Representative: CYNTHIA LORRAINE MCLEOD DESGUIN 15072 N.W. 100th Avenue Road Reddick, Florida 32686 Attorney for Personal Representative: DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 DAVIS R. WATSON III, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email: davis@daviswatsonlaw.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026-CP-1786 IN RE: ESTATE OF ELOISE ELEANOR MCGUIRE Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of ELOISE ELEANOR MCGUIRE, deceased, whose date of death was May 28, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, #1, Ocala, Florida 34471. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 21, 2026.

Personal Representative: KATHY JO SCHWARTZ Attorney for Personal Representative: SHANTA MATTHEWS, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 69935 814 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite D OCALA, FL 34470 Telephone: (352) 421-8722 Fax: (352) 306-3759 E-Mail: shanta@smatthewslaw.com Secondary: lori@smatthewslaw.com

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: Extra Space Storage 15855 S.US Hwy 441 Summerfield FL, 34491 on (date) @ 12 pm.

Eric Bilyou washer & dryer, 2 computer monitors, mattress, vacuum, guitar and boxes Kenneth H. Whiting engine & hoist, vacuum, kids playhouse The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

First Add Run 08/212026 Second Add Run 08/28/2026 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 4620 SW College RD Ocala, Fl 34474 on September 8 th , 2026, at 12:00pm Joseph Chi- Appliances, Furniture Personal stuff Sara Ashlaw- Collectables, personal stuff Jacqueline Vaughn- Clothing and household stuff Iris Sierra- kid's toys, household stuff Shindeka Kinsler- Clothing, Household stuff Latasha Taylor- Appliances, Household Stuff This auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com . Purchase must be made cash only and paid at the above referenced facility to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase until the winning bid der takes possession of the personal property.

out to the hospital, where he died. He had meningitis infection of the ear. … If he had received antibiotics ... he was not given that.”

Coy similarly detailed how detox protocols were ignored, leading to another fatal outcome.

“I am aware of a detoxing inmate with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, blood pressure elevated, heart rate up—they’re in for treatment and only given Tylenol, when the protocol, which I helped write myself, said they need to be treated even in the pods, and he was not,” she testified. “And I am aware he died later.”

Coy also testified about a severely obese female inmate who was denied mobility aids despite “off the charts” blood pressure and clear signs of neurological distress.

“It was in the documentation that the inmate actually had symptoms indicative that she may have had a stroke. The inmate got released... [and] called back... and said she got transferred to the hospital right away, and she had had a stroke while she was in the jail... as soon as she got released, the hospital did diagnose her with a stroke,” according to Coy.

FIRED IN “MALICE” AFTER REPORTING THE JAIL TO WATCHDOGS

In June and July of 2024, the federal watchdog group Disability Rights Florida (DRF) launched an official probe into the Marion County Jail’s treatment of disabled, detoxing and mentally ill inmates after receiving complaints from families. When DRF investigators requested answers about inmate grievances, Coy’s supervisor forwarded the inquiry to her.

Coy spoke with the DRF lead investigator and formally blew the whistle on what she had observed at the jail.

“I spoke with Aaron [Victoria] myself about some of the issues... and stated the same complaint about violations of Title II ADA and the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, whereby there was deliberate indifference to the serious medical needs of these inmates,” she said.

Exactly one month later, on Aug. 27, 2024, Coy was called into the MCSO’s HR department and abruptly fired. Her health insurance was cut off three days later and the MCSO refused to pay out her accumulated vacation time.

When asked if she believed her termination was direct retaliation for her years of complaints, Coy responded under oath.

“Other than the fact that things went downhill right after I did what I did and up until the firing... the way it was done, it makes me think, yes, it was done out of malice. They had a security guard to walk me out. And I saw one security guy on my way out. He said, ‘Oh, so you are a troublemaker.’”

Public Notice

A6

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

License plate readers Continued from page A1 Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, whose agency was involved, posted a video following the incident crediting citizen involvement and LPR technology for rescuing the youth.

“This girl was saved because of a license plate reader… and a citizen combined together,” he stated.

Flock Safety Company spokesperson Courtney Terlecki responded to questions about their ALPRs via email.

“Flock’s LPRs capture still, point-intime images of vehicles in public view.

Agencies own and control their data, access is limited to authorized users, every search requires a documented reason and each search creates a permanent audit trail,” Terlecki wrote.

“Data is automatically deleted after 30 days by default unless an agency establishes a different retention period consistent with applicable law and policy.

More than 40 courts across the country have determined that fixed license plate readers do not violate the Fourth Amendment and cannot track the whole of an individual’s movements,” she stated.

“Our cameras do not have facial recognition, nor do we have facial recognition in development,” Terlecki added.

Flock Safety Company details these statistics for their equipment on its website: • More than 1 million criminal investigations and incidents in 2025.

• In jurisdictions where Flock is deployed, an estimated 20% of solved cases were assisted with Flock technology.

• More than 10,000 missing persons were located last year with Flock’s help, totaling more than 27 per day.

• More than 40% of customers report that Flock was involved in recovering half or more of the stolen vehicles in their jurisdiction.

In an email exchange, a Marion County Sheriff ’s Office spokesperson replied he “cannot give” answers to questions asking how many LPRs the agency has countywide, their capabilities and what software is used.

Ocala Police Department Public Information Officer Jeffrey Walczak provided information about OPD’s license plate reader system and usage in an email.

“The Ocala Police Department operates 68 License Plate Readers (LPRs) at 23 locations using Vigilant software,” Walczak stated.

“The cameras are not constantly monitored. They automatically scan license plates and check them against the NCIC/FCIC (National Crime Information Center/Florida Crime Information Center) databases for things like warrants, stolen vehicles, missing persons and other law enforcement records. When a match is found, officers are notified in their patrol cars. If they locate the vehicle, officers must confirm the match before taking any action,” Walczak wrote.

“Police can also manually enter license plates to help locate vehicles in situations like AMBER Alerts, Silver Alerts and other serious incidents,” he stated.

“Access to our LPR system is restricted to trained personnel for official law enforcement purposes only. System access and usage is regularly audited by our Office of Professional Standards,” Walczak

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Cameras near Citizens' Circle on East Fort King Street in downtown Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

wrote.

Florida statutes dictate use of the ALPRs, how long data can be retained and address personal identifying information.

“Personal identifying information of an individual in data generated or resulting from images obtained through the use of an automated license plate recognition system.

(4) Such information may be disclosed as follows: (a) Any such information may be disclosed by or to a criminal justice agency in the performance of the criminal justice agency’s official duties. (b) Any such information relating to a license plate registered to an individual may be disclosed to the individual, unless such information constitutes active criminal intelligence information or active criminal investigative information,” The Flock Safety Company website states that the reader data is only used for “specific investigations under rules set by your local agency” and searches are based upon “vehicle characteristics.”

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano told the “Gazette” he favors the use of LPRs and has faith in the OPD leadership and officers to use the technology within legal guidelines.

“I’m absolutely for LPRs. I get to see every day the work done with LPRs and the number of crimes solved and bad people we get off the streets,” Marciano stated.

“God forbid, for instance, if my daughter or someone else’s daughter in the community was abducted and the suspect was fleeing, wouldn’t our citizens want those cameras in place to apprehend the bad guy?” he said.

Marciano said even though some data abuse has been reported nationwide, he “trusts OPD leadership and officers to use the system appropriately and wisely.”

“We’re solving a lot of crimes and able to keep our streets safer because of our ability to use the LPR technology,” Marciano stated.

Ocala resident Steve Ellis also favors the use of LPRs. “I see it as more positive than negative. We need to utilize modern technology to improve public safety. Any new program requires refinement. I am not surprised that people try to use it for inappropriate purposes. We should focus on the benefits and correct the shortcomings,” Ellis wrote in a text.

Rev. Jerone Gamble, president of the Marion County Branch of the NAACP, said he sees “pros and cons” to the use of ALPRs systems. He said he sees the

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

positive aspect for crime fighting, for instance, in a case of a kidnapping in progress, but he is equally concerned about possible abuse of information and companies handling the equipment and system data for profit.

In part, the ACLU’s “Get the Flock” campaign stance states: “Just think about how much someone could learn about your life if cameras constantly tracked where you drove. They could find out which doctors you visit, what house of faith you worship at, who you visit or drive around with—even which political meetings and protests you attend.”

The ACLU also alleges misuse of errors in the data, according to its website.

“And we’ve already seen how this mass surveillance tool can be weaponized and abused by law enforcement. ICE and CBP (404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwideai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/) have repeatedly used Flock to go after immigrants without warrants. Kansas police (aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/ tracking-alpr-cameras/alpr-against-oped-writer) used them to pursue a man who wrote a critical op-ed about the department, while a Colorado police officer (cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flockcameras-lead-colorado-police-wrongsuspect/) wrongfully accused a woman of theft based on a Flock hit and then refused to look at evidence proving her innocence.

A mother and her children were held at gunpoint (cbsnews.com/news/licenseplate-readers-alpr-mistakes/) because ALPR cameras wrongly flagged their car as stolen,” ACLU.org states.

The Flock Safety Company announced several “security updates” on its website on Aug. 13 in the article “Flock Updates Privacy, Accountability, Security, and Transparency Safeguards.” The updates

include recommending a seven-day data retention time, giving agencies more case control via offense filtering and case codes and mandatory multi factor authentication to strengthen security.

The ACLU in turn posted the press release, “As Public Opposition to Flock Grows, ACLU Responds to Surveillance Company’s ‘New’ Updates” on ACLU.org on Aug. 13.

“Flock operates more than 120,000 (flocksafety.com/blog/the-price-of-freelpr) automatic license plate readers in at least 6,000 cities (washingtonpost.com/ technology/2026/08/02/how-policeofficers-used-vast-network-camerasspy-their-exes/) across the country, raising serious concerns around mass surveillance, data privacy, and how police and the government can use this data to go after immigrants, protestors and others,” the press release states.

“Flock announced that in response to the reports of police abuse, they will now require reasons for a search and that they plan to universally roll out its audit assistance tool to detect police misuse.

Flock’s announcement fails to note how easily users have circumvented ‘search reason’ security measures in the past or how its new policy improves the quality of the feature,” according to the press release.

Senior ACLU policy counsel Chad Marlow stated in the Aug.13 press release that: “Flock’s latest announcement still appears more focused on addressing a PR problem than the significant privacy and other harms its products create.”

According to the article “From Patrol Cars to Poles” at the Police Chief Magazine website, the first ALPRs were installed in the UK in 1976 as an antiterrorism tool. Early ALPRs cost up to $25,000 but later versions can be operated for about $2,500 annually.

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A7

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Elections recap Continued from page A1

Eric Cummings [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Sarah James [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

“In 2022 Primary, we did 27.77%, in 2024 we did 23.69%. So, we had a decent turnout,” said Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox on Wednesday of this Tuesday’s turnout. “Almost 2% above the state average of 25.25%.”

Those who filed mail-in ballots, voted early or showed up at polls on Aug. 18 elected Mike Crimi and Jeff Bairstow to serve as Marion County Commissioners, returned Marion School Board member Jeff Cummings to his current seat and sent four school board candidates into runoff races.

Here is our recap of the five local races:

a minor party were excluded from a race that will effectively be settled among Republicans.

Crimi faces Okus on Nov. 3.

Write-in candidates in Florida rarely prevail in countywide races and frequently withdraw before the general election.

Critics of the practice have called such candidates “ghost candidates” and argue the maneuver disenfranchises voters.

The seat carries a fouryear term. Marion County commissioners are currently paid $111,047 annually.

MARION COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 2

Mike Crimi won the Republican primary for the Marion County Commission’s District 2 seat Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Crimi received 19,226 votes, or 44.91%. Matt Cretul received 12,584, or 29.39%, and Brien Weidemiller received 11,002, or 25.70%, with all 106 precincts reporting. Crimi won by 6,642 votes.

A plurality wins a partisan primary in Florida. There is no majority requirement and no runoff.

Only Marion County’s registered Republicans could vote in the race. Florida opens a party primary to all voters, regardless of registration, only when the primary winner will face no opposition in November. A write-in candidate counts as opposition, even though write-in names are not printed on the ballot and voters must write them in themselves.

Because Mark Okus qualified as a write-in for the District 2 seat, 127,131 Marion County voters registered as Democrats, with no party affiliation or with

MARION COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 4

Jeff Bairstow won the fourway Republican primary for the Marion County Commission’s District 4 seat Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Bairstow received 16,473 votes, or 39.02%. Sherri Meadows received 10,012, or 23.71%; Randall Alvord received 8,352, or 19.78%; and Wanda Wimberly Lasher received 7,382, or 17.49%. All 106 precincts had reported.

Bairstow won by 6,461 votes.

A plurality wins a partisan primary in Florida. There is no majority requirement and no runoff, so Bairstow took the nomination without reaching 50%.

Only Marion County’s registered Republicans could vote in the race. Florida opens a party primary to all voters, regardless of registration, only when the primary winner will face no opposition in November. A write-in candidate counts as opposition, even though write-in names are not printed on the ballot and voters must write them in themselves. Leonard Michael Racioppi qualified as a write-in for the District 4 seat. Together with a write-in in District 2, that excluded 127,131 Marion

Donald “Donny” Barber

Mike Mills

Brigitte Smith

County voters registered as Democrats, with no party affiliation or with a minor party from both commission contests.

Bairstow faces Racioppi on Nov. 3. Write-in candidates in Florida rarely prevail in countywide races and frequently withdraw before the general election.

MARION COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 3

the District 3 seat in the November 2018 general election, defeating Ed Wilson.

He won a second term in the August 2022 primary, beating Swett. Cummings reports his residence is a resident of Dunnellon, corrections officer with the Florida Department of Corrections for roughly 25 years, and pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. His district covers southwest Marion County.

Eric R. Cummings won a third term on the Marion County School Board on Tuesday, defeating Steve Swett in a rematch of their 2022 contest, according to unofficial results.

Cummings received 35,933 votes, or 56.45%, to Swett’s 27,727, or 43.55%. All 106 precincts had reported.

Cummings won by 8,206 votes, a margin of 12.89 percentage points.

School board races in Florida are nonpartisan and appear on the primary ballot countywide, so all 266,192 registered Marion County voters were eligible to vote in the race regardless of party. A candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to be elected outright. Because only two candidates qualified for the District 3 seat, a majority was assured and the race will not appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Countywide turnout was 26.99%, with 71,850 ballots cast.

The seat carries a four-year term. Marion County School Board members are paid about $50,000 a year. Under state law, a board member’s salary is the amount set by a statutory formula or the school district’s beginning salary for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree, whichever is less.

Cummings first won

Incumbent Sarah James and Donald “Donny” Barber are headed toa November runoff.

James finished 528 votes short of the majority she needed to keep her seat outright. She received 31,511 votes, or 49.18%, in the three-way nonpartisan race.

A majority required 32,039.

Barber received 22,577 votes, or 35.23%, and Ualthan Bigby received 9,989, or 15.59%.

Under Florida law, a candidate in a nonpartisan school board race must receive more than 50% of the vote in the primary to be elected. If no candidate does, the two highest finishers advance to the general election. James led Barber by 8,934 votes, but the margin between them does not decide the race — only the majority threshold does.

James held a majority when the first results posted at 7:43 p.m., with all vote-by-mail and early ballots counted, and lost it as Election Day precincts reported. She stood at 52.40% at the first update and then slipped to 51.68%, 51.33%, 50.99%, 50.39%, then below the line. Barber moved the other way across the same period, climbing from 30.15% to 35.23%.

James won the District 5 seat in 2022 and chairs the board.

School board races in Florida are nonpartisan and open to every voter regardless of party. All 266,192 registered Marion County voters were eligible to vote. Countywide turnout was 26.99%.

The District 5 seat carries a four-year term. Marion County School Board members are paid about $50,000 a year. Under state law, a board member’s salary is the amount set by a statutory formula or the school district’s beginning salary for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree, whichever is less. District 5 covers the northern half of the county.

MARION COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 5

MARION COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4

Mike Mills and Brigitte Smith will meet in the Nov. 3 general election for the District 4 seat on the Marion County School Board after no candidate won a majority in Tuesday’s four-way primary, according to unofficial results.

Mills led with 23,458 votes, or 36.86%. Smith followed with 19,631, or 30.84%. Jeff Brewer received 13,445, or 21.12% and Buddy Wyckoff received 7,114, or 11.18%, with all 106 precincts reporting.

Under Florida law, a candidate in a nonpartisan school board race must receive more than 50% of the vote in the primary to be elected outright. If no candidate does, the two highest finishers advance to the general election.

Mills finished 8,367 votes short of a majority. Smith finished 3,827 votes ahead of Brewer for the second runoff position.

All election results are unofficial until certified by the Marion County Canvassing Board.

To see the complete results, go to votemarion.gov and click on “Election Night Results.”

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A8

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Elevated status and grant award The Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center in Ocala is now a federally qualified health center.

Levonda Goodson, CEO of the Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center, is shown outside the nonprofit in West Ocala on April 29, 2024. She informed the board of directors on Aug. 18 that the center has been awarded Federally Qualified Health Center status. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamedico.com

T

he Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health was founded in November 2009 by Carolyn Adams, Dr. Pamela Lewin and the late Arthur Adams. The center was named in honor of Carolyn’s grandmother, Estella Byrd Whitman, and was established to fulfill a promise to create a medical home for the underserved community of Tucker Hill in West Ocala. It opened its doors in 2018.

The nonprofit center, at 819 NW 7th St., provides a primary care program with a range of medical services, including preventive care, chronic disease management and acute illness treatment. It sits within an area bordered by Interstate 75, Pine Avenue, Southwest College Road and Northwest 28th Place, which the Ocala City Council defined in 2015 as “blighted” as per Florida Statute. The area is generally within Marion County’s zip code 34475, which is considered a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area by the Health Resources & Services Administration, first designated in 1986 and updated in 2021.

Levonda Goodson, CEO of the Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center, center right, and Carolyn Adams, founder, center left, cut the ribbon during a ceremony to accept two donated vehicles from the city of Ocala on June 26, 2025. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

The current CEO is Levonda Goodson, a licensed practical nurse and 24-year veteran of the health care field, who took the leadership reins in 2024. In 2025, the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County presented the health center with its Nonprofit of the Year award.

On Aug. 18, Goodson announced to the board of directors that the EBWCHC has been awarded $650,000 and Federally Qualified Health Center status from the Health Resources & Services Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“This funding and FQHC status will exponentially expand EBWCHC’s reach, allowing us to assist more residents of Marion County and open more doors to quality healthcare for those who need it most,” Goodson stated in a press release.

According to its website, Health Resources & Services Administration programs “provide health care to people who are geographically isolated and economically or medically vulnerable. This includes programs that deliver health services to people with HIV, pregnant women, mothers and their families, those with low incomes, residents of rural areas, American

Indians and Alaska Natives, and those otherwise unable to access high-quality health care. HRSA programs also support health infrastructure, including through training of health professionals and distributing them to areas where they are needed most, providing financial support to health care providers and advancing telehealth. In addition, HRSA oversees programs for providing discounts on prescription drugs to safety net providers, facilitating organ, bone marrow and cord blood transplantation, compensating individuals injured by vaccination and maintaining data on health care malpractice payments.”

The site also notes that the agency funds about 1,400 health centers, which run more than 16,200 service sites, in all U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia. In 2025, health centers served more than 32.7 million people. The agency monitors health centers to ensure they meet high standards and help their patients achieve better health.

Health centers must follow stipulated program requirements.

“As board chairman, I am proud to recognize CEO Levonda Goodson, our staff and board of directors for their dedication in achieving FQHC status. This milestone

expands access to affordable, high-quality care for underserved families in Marion County,” said Cynthia Wilson-Graham in the release.

“I saw something special in Levonda,” stated Carolyn Adams in the release.

“She made a commitment to take the facility to another level, building upon the strong foundation we had created. After coming so close to becoming an access point with other area FQHCs in 2017 and 2021, achieving FQHC status today, as the founder, means so much to my family and me. I’m incredibly proud to see that foundation reach another level.”

The awards represent the first major expansion of the Health Center Program since the first Trump Administration in 2019. The funding was provided to 158 new and existing Health Centers nationwide, totaling $102 million. The $102 million investment will bring high-quality care to nearly 1 million more Americans. Eight other Florida Community Health Centers were also awardees, the release noted.

For more information visit ebwchc.org

A9

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

State approves four cattle land easements Among them is Dale Wright Farms in Marion County.

By the News Service of Florida

M

ore than $16 million is being paid by the state to place four ranches, covering more than 2,600 acres, into conservation easements intended to keep the land from being converted into residential or commercial development.

The Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services announced the deals through the Rural and Family Land Protection Program. They involve the 639acre Ludwig cow/calf operation in Hardee County, 589-acre Dale Wright Farms in Marion County and two C&G Cattle

operations in Hardee County covering a combined 1,451 acres.

Conservation easements allow landowners to continue using property for agriculture while agreeing not to develop the land.

The easement for the Ludwig property cost the state $3.85 million. The Dale Wright Farms has a $2.8 million price tag, while the two C&G Cattle properties have a combined price of $9.5 million.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation ServiceAgricultural Land Easements Program is expected to cover about $5.7 million of the costs of the Dale Wright and C&G Cattle deals.

Marion County is home to a number of cattle ranches. [Alan Youngblood/Ocala Gazette file photo]

Guthrie jumps onto Collins ticket Perdue to lead emergency management as well as transportation.

By Ana Goñi-Lessan the News Service of Florida

F

lorida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie resigned Tuesday, one day after becoming Lt. Gov. Jay Collins’ running mate in his run for governor.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he wished Guthrie luck, but politics and emergency management don’t mix and he accepted his resignation.

“If people want to choose politics, more power to them,” DeSantis said at an event in Sarasota. “I didn’t necessarily think that was something that Kevin aspired to, but given that he’s doing that, I think it’s important that we have emergency management just focused on emergency management.”

DeSantis said he tapped Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue to replace Guthrie.

A spokeswoman for the governor’s office said Perdue will

State Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie gave a briefing after Hurricane Ian hit in 2022. [Tom Urban/NSF file photo]

be FDEM director and remain transportation secretary.

While Florida has not experienced a hurricane since 2024, hurricane season lasts until Nov. 30. DeSantis said the leadership switch would not hinder the state’s emergency responsiveness.

“It’s a well-oiled machine,” DeSantis said. “We’ve got a lot of great people over there. We’re not going to miss a beat. But I

don’t want to be in a situation where there’s politics and emergency management. I think you got to choose one or the other.”

Collins, who was appointed

by DeSantis as his lieutenant governor in August 2025 after former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez left to become president of Florida International University, named Guthrie as his running mate Monday evening, the night

before the Tuesday primary election.

“Kevin and I didn’t meet at a fundraiser. We met on a mission. He’s spent his career running toward the problem, from 23 years in law enforcement to leading Florida through hurricanes, disasters, and some of our toughest moments,” Collins wrote in a social media post. “This office will not be ceremonial. Together, we will protect our infrastructure, protect our people, and make sure Florida is ready for whatever comes next.”

Collins is vying with U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, for the GOP nomination, along with former House Speaker Paul Renner and conservative activist James Fishback.

Guthrie was appointed FDEM director in 2021 and has overseen the state’s emergency response to more than 20 disaster declarations, including six major hurricane landfalls.

He managed evacuation flights of Florida residents from areas in

conflict – including Haiti in 2024 and Israel in 2023 – and flights of migrants from the U.S.-Mexico border to Democratic-led states in 2022.

Under his leadership, FDEM has created and managed the state’s immigration detention facilities, including Alligator Alcatraz, which closed this summer, and Deportation Depot.

Guthrie was paid $200,850 a year by the state.

Perdue, with an annual salary of $297,845, was tapped to run the Department of Transportation in April 2022.

At the time he had been with the agency for about 18 years, working as secretary of District Five in Central Florida.

He has overseen DeSantis’ $7 billion Moving Florida Forward infrastructure initiative designed to speed up work on 20 major road projects and lately joined DeSantis to announce that testing on electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft will be underway by the end of the year at the SunTrax test facility in Polk County.

State general revenue Economists raise estimates amid continued uncertainty.

By Jim Turner the News Service of Florida

W

ith economic “uncertainty” ahead, state economists recently made raised revenue projections lawmakers will use to craft the budget for the next fiscal year.

The panel of economists, known as the Revenue Estimating Conference, increased the state general revenue projections by nearly $1 billion across the current fiscal year and the next fiscal year on Aug. 14.

Florida takes in about $50 billion in general revenue each year, so the change is relatively minor. Chief economist Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, described the change as having no “material change to the overall forecast.”

Factors contributing to the economic uncertainty include the conflict with Iran that has turned into a fight for control of oil cargo through the Strait of Hormuz, the latest round of federal tariffs on imports and inflationary pressures on household savings that have elevated the use of credit.

In an executive summary of its report, the panel noted little change in

state and national economic forecasts from December to July, which featured “continued deceleration in construction and real estate as well as slowing in tourism growth.”

“That said, uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated from this point forward,” the summary stated.

The key revenue adjustment was due to corporate income taxes, projected to increase by $527.2 million in the current fiscal year from prior estimates and by $439 million in fiscal year 2027-2028.

Baker noted that national economic forecasts used by the state have corporate profits as “just soaring.”

“They think that companies are not reducing their prices; that they’re sticky upwards,” Baker said. “And so, every time they’ve adjusted for increased transportation, increased inflation, whatever the costs, they’re going to hold on to it and keep holding on to their prices but pass the cost fully on to consumers.”

The summary also stated that money generated through sales tax, which typically is the largest source of revenue, had a “minor” revision in its numbers, adding $183.5 million to the current fiscal year projections and $93.8 million to fiscal year 2027-2028.

Overall, the economists increased their

[Shutterstock image]

estimate for the current fiscal year by $475.1 million --- less than 1 percent --and $508 million in fiscal year 2027-2028.

The report noted that state revenue collections in fiscal year 2025-2026, which ended June 30, exceeded expectations by $869.6 million or 1.7 percent.

The forecast, in part, uses the University of Michigan’s most recent Consumer Sentiment Index, which for July came in at its highest level since March. The July figures were compiled when gas prices were easing amid talks to end the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz with Iran.

Despite the improvement, consumer sentiment is more than 10 percent below

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where it was a year ago.

University Surveys of Consumers Director Joanne Hsu wrote that the five-year expected business conditions outlook at a 12-month high, yet remains “well-under” historic averages, “reflecting a generally somber view of the economy amid five years of elevated inflation and persistent high prices.”

“Consumers remain focused on pocketbook issues like purchasing power, while political or military developments remain more in the background,” Hsu wrote.

The state economic numbers will be revisited at the start of the 2027 regular legislative session that begins March 2.

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B1

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places and Things Drained ‘savings account’ Historic drought pushes Marion County’s aquifer to lowest levels in 30 years.

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

A

s North Central Florida’s exceptional drought stretches on, environmental officials are warning that the region’s primary underground water supply is facing an unprecedented strain.

In Marion County, water levels in the Upper Floridan Aquifer have dropped so low they have touched levels rarely seen since records began. According to Clay Coarsey, director of water supply planning and assessment for the St. Johns River Water Management District, groundwater levels in Marion County have plunged into the bottom 10th percentile. This means that over a 30-year period of record dating back to the 1990s, the aquifer has had higher water levels than it does right now more than 90% of the time.

With the district enforcing strict Phase III Extreme Water Shortage restrictions, Coarsey is urging the public to treat the aquifer not as an infinite tap, but as a finite financial reserve.

“I think of the aquifer as like our reservoir or our savings account,” Coarsey said during a Monday interview. «If you›re not getting a lot of rainfall happening, which would be we›re not getting a lot of income coming in, we›d want to try and be protective of that savings account right now. Let’s do everything we can do to cut down on water use from our aquifer.”

The physical “income” deficit is severe.

Marion County’s annual rainfall is currently hovering between 30 and 35 inches—a stark contrast to the 50 to 54 inches expected in a normal year, leaving the region nearly 2 feet behind in precipitation. This two-year accumulation of dry winters and weak summer storm patterns has prevented the aquifer from naturally recharging.

While residents only feel the drought when they look at dry lawns or face mandatory irrigation limits, the ecological consequences are already visible above ground. Coarsey noted that the flows at Silver Springs have plummeted to less than half of their normal average.

This severe reduction in flow directly compounds the ecological crisis facing local natural resources. Prior environmental assessments led by senior scientist Bill Hawthorne reveal that Silver Springs’ average flow has dropped from a historical average of 820 cubic feet per second (cfs) down to a stagnant 430 cfs—just 53% of its historic volume.

Hawthorne’s research outlines a devastating biological chain reaction caused by this stagnation. In healthy, high-flow conditions, strong river currents push against native eelgrass, forcing the plants to rub against themselves to naturally scrape away accumulating algae. Under current low-flow conditions, however, the motionless grass loses its ability to self-clean. Stagnant waters allow filamentous algae—fueled by nitrogen pollution—to blanket the native eelgrass like a thick green shroud, blocking out vital sunlight

and creating barrens of dead vegetation.

The drop in water velocity also has erased some of the river’s most famous landmarks.

Boat captain Sebastian Didato, who has navigated the Silver River since childhood, recently noted that the powerful spring vents that once gushed water so strongly they whipped up limestone and shells into what captains called a “Florida snowstorm” have gone completely still. The vents are empty, and the underwater snowstorm has ceased. In the back canals where boats are parked overnight, water levels have fallen so low that vessels are actively bottoming out.

In response to the crisis, the St. Johns River Water Management District has implemented Phase III restrictions, limiting residential and commercial landscape irrigation to just one day per week, prohibiting aesthetic water features like decorative fountains and suspending nonessential commercial pressure washing.

While some residents have expressed frustration over the fairness of household watering limits while commercial interests continue to pump water, Coarsey emphasized that businesses must also comply with the restrictions. Under Phase III, golf courses are restricted on the number of days they can irrigate using groundwater and commercial operations must suspend non-essential water uses.

Furthermore, public concern over heavy water-withdrawing industries like data centers has prompted legislative changes. Coarsey pointed out that any new large-scale data center application must now utilize reclaimed water if available and undergo a public hearing and formal approval by the district’s governing board. As for water bottling plants, Coarsey noted that while the board has the authority to halt bottling permits under a critical Phase IV declaration, the water used in these facilities is highly efficient because it is directly consumed by humans.

For the average citizen, the path forward relies on collective conservation. Coarsey explained that simple household adjustments can have a massive cumulative impact on the aquifer’s recovery.

“If you skip an irrigation cycle and only irrigate one day a week, that’s about 1,000 gallons of water that you’re going to save,” Coarsey said. «You say, ‹Well, me saving 1,000 gallons doesn’t matter.’ But if say 100 people do the same thing as you, then that’s 100,000 gallons of water saved a week, and it can start to add up really quickly”.

Without these immediate public cutbacks, officials warn the region risks sliding into a Phase IV critical water shortage. Saving Silver Springs and securing Marion County’s water supply ultimately depends on residents working together to protect the underground savings account that keeps the region alive.

Learn more with this recent article: Hidden danger beneath our feet | Ocala Gazette

The current low-flow conditions in Silver Springs prevent eel grass from self-cleaning, which allows filamentous algae to build up. This image shows manatees in the Silver River in November of 2020. [Alan Youngblood/Ocala Gazette file photo]

This is a still photo from the Karst Productions’ documentary, “Water’s Journey: Hidden Rivers of Florida,’ showing a well in the aquifer, which is currently at low levels rarely seen. [Credit: Wes Skiles, Tessa Skiles of Karst Productions]

FREE FIRST SATURDAY + “FLORIDA LORE” STORYTELLING Saturday, September 5 Admission is free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enjoy the galleries and Artspace.

At noon in the auditorium, master storyteller and professor Dr. Caren Neile brings Florida folklore to life, from the Ashley Gang to Bellamy Bridge, in an engaging exploration of the legends that continue to shape the state’s cultural imagination. Free to attend.

Food trucks will be on-site throughout the day.

This Free First Saturday is sponsored in part by CAMPUS USA Credit Union and Florida Humanities.

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

Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. | AppletonMuseum.org

Scan the QR code to learn more about the event.

B2

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Bringing home the bacon Five local teams earn money in World Pool Championship.

Special to the “Gazette”

F

ive Marion County amateur pool teams recently traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the World Pool Championship, American Poolplayers Association world finals that took place August 4-15, and each team won cash prizes.

In the 8-ball competition, Best Served Cold and Ohana finished in their respective divisions in the 385th spot, winning $350, and Racks on Racksss finished 65th, winning $1,500 for their team. In the 9-ball competition, Cue Carnage finished in its division at 518th, and X-Cues Us finished 385th.

Both teams won $350.

“We’re so proud to send our teams out to the Vegas for this honor. Each team won its local division then moved up through regional contests and then world qualifier tournaments to win. The hard work and dedication to the sport they’ve all shown is phenomenal,” said

area league operator Claudia Cardinal.

Local APA teams play in various venues around the county including Downtown Billiards, Snowbirds Billiards & Good Time Bar & Grill. The fall season begins on Aug. 31 and all skill levels are welcome.

“Many of our players are beginners,” Cardinal said.

“Because of the APA’s equalizer handicapping system, all players have a legitimate chance to win a match.”

This year, the APA hosted more than 1,900 teams comprised of 14,152 players during its annual world competition, held at the Westgate Resort.

The APA is the world’s largest pool league, with players from the United States, Japan and Canada represented in team play.

Information about joining a local league is available from (352) 546-2123 or at poolplayers. com/locator/

The Rackss on Rackssss team includes Capt. John Parkin, Byron Wilridge, Roger Chamberlain, Daniel Kelleher, Tammy Stiles, Michelle Klix and Heather Bass. They finished highest among the five local teams competing in Las Vegas. [Submitted photo]

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April 29 - May 16, 2027

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B3

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Author invites discussion

Joanne Kilgour Dowdy wants book reading attendees to offer their own memories.

By Margo Wilson Special to the Gazette

W

riter, teacher, actress, dancer and womandetermined-to-make-adifference Joanne Kilgour Dowdy is hoping to change the world just an eensy bit each time she reads from her new book, “Granny Tales: Words of Wisdom from the Elders.”

Kilgour Dowdy is reading from the book at 4 p.m. Aug. 29 at Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery and explained that she does not consider the event a “talk,” but an opportunity for the audience to share the sayings they heard growing up.

“These things are very deep in our consciousness, very provocative for us,” she said.

By sharing these expressions with others, Kilgour Dowdy said she feels she is making “my tiny contribution to changing the environment that COVID and other unhappy circumstances have created for us.”

“This is a really very specific project to engage with people. So many news reports tell us about the plague of loneliness, the plague of depression, the plague of isolation. So, we need to talk to each other,” she offered.

What are some of these expressions— there are 80 of them—that she has written about?

Well, Kilgour Dowdy grew up in Trinidad. Her mother died when she was 11, but her grandmother, great-uncle, uncle and other relatives helped raise her.

Her grandmother had eight children and they all grew up hearing and using these expressions.

Kilgour Dowdy said her favorite saying is, “What’s sweet in the goat’s mouth is sour in the bam bam.”

She elaborates: “You know, things start really wonderfully, like, you’re going to get

married, you can’t wait to be the spouse.”

And then comes the cold dose of reality.

“In this country and several others, 50% of marriages end in divorce. So that’s the “bam bam,” Kilgour Dowdy said.

“So, you’re being warned by your elders.

You’re getting carried away with some idea or situation,” she said.

The book is not a memoir, but Kilgour Dowdy relies on her memories to tell, through fiction, the stories surrounding the expressions.

And part of the reading is for the audience to tell their own stories.

For example, one man remembered frequently hearing, “Get the rid of it,” Kilgour Dowdy said.

Another man recalled that when he was growing up, he’d help his uncle, who was a plumber, and they would spend a lot of time fixing problems in people’s bathrooms. The uncle would say, “Don’t mind the donkey. Just move the cart.”

Kilgour Dowdy said at one event, she read a story about a young girl getting her hair straightened. And that story led to a half-hour discussion, “the recollection of the painful rites of passage with hair. ...

Straightening hair has been the bane of black women’s existence,” she said.

She wouldn’t have known she had struck such a nerve if the audience members hadn’t shared their stories.

When she told the story at a Jewish assisted living site, two women told about ironing their hair with clothes irons to “get it as flat as you could,” according to Kilgour Dowdy.

The stories “elicit deep memories in people, which, to me, is so amazing,” Kilgour Dowdy said.

As a child growing up in the Caribbean, Kilgour Dowdy was a dancer and actress and won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music. She got a helping hand from Saint Lucian poet, playwright and Nobel prize winner Sir Derek Walcott, who

taught at Boston University and who previously had founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop and the Little Carib Theatre Workshop. His wife had been Kilgour Dowdy’s dance teacher and she had stayed with the Walcott family during her first year of college. Then she transferred to the Julliard School in New York City and graduated from the theater program.

Since one often needs a day job when in theater, Kilgour Dowdy decided to earn a master’s degree and then a doctoral degree and taught at public schools and at Kent State University, where she was a professor of adolescent/adult literacy.

She is the author and editor of 18 books.

One theme of some of her books is about black women in education, ranging from a group of mothers who returned to school and earned G.E.D.s, to another group who earned doctoral degrees.

Another focus of Kilgour Dowdy’s academic research is on using the arts in the classroom to promote literacy.

Although she was an academic for about 20 years, Kilgour Dowdy didn’t let her artistic side slide. She developed a one-woman show, “Between Me and the Lord,” which she performed in the United States and Trinidad. Recently, she’s been coaching dancers from Garth Fagan Dance, who perform “The Lion King.” She helps the performers find a story in their dance.

She has written her first children’s book, “Olympic Hero: Lennox Kilgour’s Story,” about her father, who represented Trinidad and Tobago as a weightlifter at the Summer Olympics in Helsinki in 1952, where he earned a bronze medal. On Kilgour Dowdy’s website, jokdowdy.com, you can see an animated film based on the book.

You also can find information about “Granny Tales: Wisdom from the Elders” on the site. She is not selling the book through other online venues because she

Joanne Kilgour Dowdy

said she really wants to sell it by meeting people in person.

“I didn’t want it on a website where I never talk to them” (potential readers), she said.

That means Kilgour Dowdy is making many appearances to read her book and speak with audiences.

“I want it to be a joyful celebration,” she said. “... When last did they (audience members) sit around and tell stories about growing up and the people who had a big impression on their lives?”

By getting people to talk with each other, she said, her public appearances are serving “a very important function that I think was eroded deeply through the pandemic and has continued with our political alienation. We’ve got to learn to trust each other again.”

Tickets for the reading are $15 and available at the Rainbow Springs Art in Dunnellon gallery, located at 20826 Walnut St. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Tickets also are available at rainbowspringsart.com; click “Shop,” “Classes,” “August Classes.” The gallery phone is (352) 763-4048.

B4

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Travel Road tested: Family travel adventures in the USA The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.

By Staci Biondini Special to the ‘Ocala Gazette’

M

emories and experiences are our family’s favorite gifts to give.

My husband and I gifted each of our daughters a 13th birthday trip instead of a party or a pile of presents.

We let them choose the destination with only two parameters—it had to be in the U.S. and doable in four to five days.

Our youngest, Fable, chose Texas. As the family’s most devoted National Park enthusiast, she inspired an itinerary that stretched beyond state lines to include both Texas and New Mexico parks—a compact but unforgettable adventure.

This is a perfect trip to take over an upcoming public school break, though it can easily be extended if you have more flexibility.

Because Fable’s birthday is in February, I knew we would take this trip over winter break. I started looking for airline tickets (the most expensive portion of the trip) about four months ahead of time. I have found that the best time to pay cash for a flight is about three months in advance, but if you are paying with points, it often is luck of the draw.

We needed roundtrip tickets to El Paso, so I searched for departures from Orlando, Tampa and Gainesville. Southwest currently offers the only nonstop option (from Orlando), but I was focused on using miles. After some persistence, I secured roundtrip tickets on American for just 15,000 miles per person, departing from Tampa on New Year’s Day.

TIP 1: FLY ON A HOLIDAY. AIRLINES PRICE BASED ON DEMAND—NOT THE DATE ITSELF—AND MOST PEOPLE PREFER TO ARRIVE BEFORE THE HOLIDAY. BOOK EARLY MORNING OR LATE-NIGHT FLIGHTS ON THE HOLIDAY ITSELF FOR THE BEST DEALS.

After landing in El Paso, we drove an hour and a half north to White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range—where the first atomic bomb was tested—the park is both historically significant and visually surreal.

The sand here is actually gypsum, the main ingredient in drywall and plaster.

Gypsum is rarely found as sand because it dissolves in water. Unique weather conditions allow it to accumulate here, creating wave after wave of dazzling white dunes.

The main attraction? Sledding. We grabbed plastic saucers and wax from the visitor center and set off along Dunes Drive, a 16-mile scenic loop through the park. At our first stop, we clumsily attempted to sled down smaller dunes, laughing as we failed spectacularly—more awkward scooting than graceful gliding.

Determined to improve, we drove farther and found larger dunes where seasoned visitors had anchored a rope to help with the climb. This was a gamechanger. Soon we were flying down the slopes, laughing like little kids— including our almost-teenager.

With a packed itinerary, we skipped sunset photography—one of the park’s highlights—and missed the World’s Largest Pistachio in nearby Alamogordo, NM. Both are worth adding if you have time.

From White Sands, we drove three hours through the Sacramento Mountains and Lincoln National Forest to Carlsbad. If you’re curious (and have extra time), Roswell is only a slight detour, offering its famous UFO lore and kitschy attractions—but Fable wasn’t interested, so we pressed on.

We stayed one night in Carlsbad, NM. It’s half the size of Ocala, with plenty of family friendly hotel chains, fast food restaurants and authentic Mexican restaurants. Dinner with locals at El Charro was unforgettable; we still talk about the tacos, salsa and Jamaica (hibiscus) tea.

TIP 2: SKIP THE FAMILIAR AND EAT WHERE THE LOCALS EAT.

The next morning, we set out early to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park before continuing to Big Bend.

Carlsbad Caverns may see fewer visitors than White Sands or Mammoth Cave, but many consider it the most visually impressive. Even if you’re claustrophobic, this cave is surprisingly comfortable as the chambers are so vast you quickly forget you’re underground.

Big Bend has the darkest measured night skies in the U.S. national park system outside of Alaska. The dry desert air and remote location let visitors see thousands of stars and the Milky Way with the naked eye. [Image from rawpixel]

Fable Biondini at Santa Elena Canyon, one of the bestknown natural features in Big Bend National Park.

The Natural Entrance of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is a steep 1.25-mile paved trail that descends more than 750 feet underground. From April to October, park visitors can watch the cave’s Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from the entrance at dusk.

Fable Biondini enjoys a Mexican Coca-Cola at the Jose Falcon restaurant, one of two eateries in Boquillas Del Carmen. The restaurant overlooks the Rio Grande, with mountains in Big Bend in the distance.

Driving through southwest Texas during the golden hour is a little surreal. Everything seems to be the same color: the road, the desert, the mountains and the sky all washed in this enormous burnt-orange sunset.

We entered through the steep 1.25-mile Natural Entrance, though an elevator provides an easier alternative. Be sure to book timed entry well in advance.

From there, it’s a 50-minute drive to Guadalupe Mountains National Park near Dell, Texas. Unlike many parks, Guadalupe isn’t a scenic drive; it’s a place to hike, camp and explore. We visited Frijole Ranch, a preserved 1876 homestead that offers a glimpse into life in this remote desert.

West Texas is as remote as I imagined.

Miles and miles of open road with almost nothing around. Big sky that feels huge and uninterrupted. Train tracks running parallel to highways. Tiny towns that appear out of nowhere and then disappear just as fast.

Our AirBNB in Terlingua, Texas, warned us about limited cell phone service and said we should stop for fuel and food when we could. A Pilot truckstop with a Wendy’s in VanHorn, Texas, fit the bill and gave us a fun story to tell. A septuagenarian farmer struck up a conversation with me.

“Our Wendy’s is only open two days a week—we’re always running out of water,” he told me.

He’d lived in Texas his entire life, leaving only twice, once to visit Inverness, Florida.

“Stayed two days. Didn’t like it. Came home,” he said with a shrug.

When I told him we were visiting national parks, he admitted he’d only been to Big Bend.

“You should see the others,” I said.

“They’re in your backyard.”

Halfway to Terlingua lies Marfa, a tiny desert town with an outsized reputation in the art world. Its minimalist, slightly eccentric vibe felt tailor-made for Fable, so I packed photo props for a shoot.

The Prada Marfa installation—an isolated faux storefront in the desert—is one of Texas’s most photographed spots and was the perfect photo spot for a girl full of contradictions who could care less about brand names. Nearby, the Giant Marfa Mural pays tribute to the 1956 film “Giant,” starring James Dean and Elizabeth Taylor.

TIP 3: WHEN PLANNING A TRIP, SEARCH FOR “PHOTO OPS IN…” OR “MURALS IN…” THESE STOPS BECOME VISUAL BOOKMARKS THAT HELP PRESERVE YOUR MEMORIES LONG AFTER YOU RETURN HOME.

Though Marfa offers museums, dining and lodging, we continued on to the highlight of the trip: Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend boasts the darkest night skies of any national park in the lower 48—a destination in itself. While there is a hotel inside the park, we opted for something more memorable: Stardust Big Bend, a collection of

Angelo and Fable Biondini walk into Boquillas De Carmen, Mexico. Tourism from Big Bend National Park is the primary economic driver for the small town of 200 residents.

The Rio Grande forms a natural border between the U.S. and Mexico through Santa Elena Canyon. There are many tour operators near Big Bend that offer multiday rafting trips upriver through the canyon.

The Biondini family crosses the Rio Grande River at the Boquillas Port of Entry in Big Bend National Park. This is one of five pedestrian-only border crossings in the U.S; a valid passport is required. It costs $5 to ride a rowboat across the river.

A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Tethered Aerostat Radar System or TARS just outside of Marfa, Texas. There are eight of the unmanned units surveilling roughly 200,000 square miles of the southern border from Arizona to the Florida Keys and Puerto Rico. The Biondini family thought it was one of Marfa’s unique art installations.

can cross the river, then either walk or ride a donkey into town.

Fable loved the idea of being the first sibling to leave the country, so this was a must-do. The residents of Boquillas del Carmen accept U.S. dollars as payment. In town there are two restaurants and locals selling artisan crafts and souvenirs.

Stardust Big Bend in Terlingua, Texas, offers 10 A-frame cabins uniquely designed to stargaze.

A-frame cabins just outside the park.

We’ve visited several certified International Dark Sky Places, but conditions had never aligned for a truly spectacular night sky—until now. With no clouds and no moon, the stars revealed themselves in full force.

From the porch hammock, Adirondack chairs, or even our bed, the sky stretched endlessly above us. As Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” played softly from my husband’s Bluetooth speaker, time seemed to collapse.

Suddenly I was a kid again, stargazing on my trampoline in Anthony, Florida, seeing stars I hadn’t witnessed in decades.

It was pure magic.

The next morning, we were eager to explore more. The Rio Grande forms the natural border between the U.S. and Mexico through the park. One of the most unique experiences in the park is the Boquillas Crossing.

Here, you can wade or take a small boat across the river into Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico. Managed by Homeland Security, the crossing requires a passport. For $5, you

TIP 4: DON’T RELY SOLELY ON THE INTERNET WHEN PLANNING EXCURSIONS. I DISCOVERED BOQUILLAS CROSSING IN A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PARKS BOOK AND IT BECAME ONE OF OUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES.

After snacking on chips and salsa in Mexico, we drove the 30-mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and explored Santa Elena Canyon, one of Big Bend’s most iconic landscapes.

That evening, we had barbecue in Terlingua and visited the Ghost Town cemetery, but all we really wanted was to return to our cabin for one more night under the stars.

Fable initially chose Texas to fill a gap on her states-visited map, but the trip became so much more. She relished the one-on-one time without her older sister and, for us, the gift was just as meaningful.

These trips are, admittedly, a bit selfish.

They give us uninterrupted time with our daughters before the pull of independence grows stronger. But they also create something lasting—shared memories that outlive any wrapped gift.

And for that reason, it’s a tradition we’ll keep, again and again.

Photos courtesy Biondini family

B5

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

RICK STEVES’ EUROPE

The art and value of journaling as you travel

M

y latest book, “On The Hippie Trail,” is an almost-toointimate recount of my 1978 overland journey from Istanbul to Kathmandu. It’s also my oldest book, as it’s essentially my journal from that trip, which was packed away upon returning, and ignored for 42 years. Then, stuck at home during COVID, I stumbled across it. The entries vividly captured moments, smells, and emotions…flipping through the pages was like an anthropological dig into a 23-year-old version of myself. “On The Hippie Trail” is both a treasure – a documentation of that coming-of-age trip – and an ode to journaling.

Travel can make you a poet. And travel can make you spiritual. You meet people on the road you’d never meet otherwise.

Good travel rearranges your cultural furniture, challenging truths you just assumed were self-evident and God-given.

By traveling, you learn not only about the people and places you visit – you learn about yourself.

But without capturing your thoughts on paper, the lessons of travel are like shooting stars you just missed…butterflies you thought you saw. Collecting intimate details on the road – netting them as they flutter by – and then recording them into a journal sharpens your ability to observe and creates a souvenir you’ll always cherish.

Choosing your travel journal is important. I prefer a plain, simple, empty book – hard-bound, so it lasts and gives me something solid to write Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF VICKIE VICTORY DAVIS, Deceased.

FILE NO.: 2026-CP-1789 NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) The administration of the estate of VICKIE VICTORY DAVIS a/k/a VICTORY VICKIE DAVIS a/k/a VICKIE L. DAVIS a/k/a VICKIE V. DAVIS a/k/a VICKIE DAVIS, deceased, whose date of death was April 9, 2026; is pending in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2026-CP-1789; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. An Order of Summary Administration was entered on August 9, 2026, and the name and address of the person assigned control of the assets is ROBERT HEATH, P.O. Box 1007, Meeker, Colorado 81641, the brother of the decedent and Successor Trustee of the decedent’s Trust, and their attorney is Davis R. Watson III, Davis R. Watson III, P.A., 2201 S.E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202, Ocala, Florida 34471.

THE ESTATE IS INSOLVENT AND HAS NO NON-EXEMPT ASSETS WITH WHICH TO SATISFY CREDITOR CLAIMS. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS AUGUST 14, 2026.

Attorney for Petitioner: DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 DAVIS R. WATSON III, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email: davis@daviswatsonlaw.com

on. Avoid spiral notebooks – they feel unimportant and fall apart. A hardbound book filled with your handwritten experiences will become a classic on your bookshelf. I like blank pages, not the ones featuring extra literary frills and verbose doodads. It’s my journal, not someone else’s chance to decorate my observations. I use black ink or a mechanical pencil. Nothing should compete with the simple words.

The key to good journaling is being both observant and disciplined…to take the time to notice what you’re noticing and then jot down your thoughts. I use a tiny pocket-sized notepad to capture the moment right there. Then, when I have time, I pull out my actual journal and organize those notes into something vivid, fun to read, and clearly written in the field…complete with squished bugs forever ornamenting the margins.

Thinking back, it seems I’ve always wanted to capture my discoveries and eurekas in a journal. On my first trip (as a 14-year-old), I logged my experiences in a file of about a hundred postcards, each numbered, packed with my notes, stained with gelato drips, mailed home and surviving to this day. For every trip after – even back when I was simply a footloose, fancy-free vagabond with no intention of being a travel writer – my journal writing was like a ritual: The flight over came with an introspective inventory of where I was at, psychologically and emotionally.

And the flight home came with a similar introspective wrap-up. Each night in

Public Notice

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND COUNTY, FLORIDA FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: THE ESTATE OF IN RE: ESTATE File No.: 2026-CPDENNIS G. SIBISKI, Deceased.

OF 001873 CASE NO: 2026-CP-1690 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ROBERT S. SHEBAUGH, Deceased .

The name of the decedent, the designation NOTICE TO CREDITORS of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number The administration of the estate of are indicated above. The address of the ROBERT S. SHEBAUGH, deceased, court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL whose date of death was June 21, 2026, 34475. The names and addresses of the File Number 2026-CP-001873 is pending personal representative and the personal in the Circuit Court for Marion County, representative’s attorney are indicated Florida, Probate Division, the address of below. which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL If you have been served with a copy of this 34475. notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if The names and addresses of the that claim is unmatured, contingent or personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER below.

OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER All creditors of the decedent and other THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION persons having claims or demands OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER against decedent's estate on whom a copy YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS of this notice is required to be served must NOTICE. file their claims with this court WITHIN All other creditors of the decedent THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE and other persons who have claims or TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF demands against the decedent’s estate, THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE including unmatured, contingent or DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS unliquidated claims, must file their claims NOTICE ON THEM. with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION All other creditors of the decedent and OF THIS NOTICE. other persons having claims or demands ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE against decedent's estate must file their FOREVER BARRED. claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA The date of death of the decedent is: PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER September 9, 2025.

The date of first publication of this Notice BARRED. is August 14, 2026.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME The personal representative or curator PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY has no duty to discover whether any CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR property held at the time of the decedent’s MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE death by the decedent, or the decedent’s OF DEATH IS BARRED. surviving spouse, is property to which the The date of first publication of this notice is Florida Uniform Disposition of Community August 21, 2026.

Property Rights at Death Act, as Attorney for Personal Representative: described in sections 732.216 – 732.228 F.S., applies, or may apply unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, F.S. EDWARD W. SOULSBY, B.C.S. Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar Number: 0488216 TROTTER & SOULSBY, P.A. 4064 SR 44, Suite B Wildwood, Florida 34785 Telephone: (352) 205-7245 Fax: (352) 205-7305 E-Mail: ed@trotterlaw.com 2nd E-Mail: justin@trotterlaw.com

Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 226 NE Sanchez Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: STEPHANIE ANN OLTMANN 4241 Henry Drinker Road Madison Twp, Pennsylvania 18444

Personal Representative: ANITA M. SIBISKI 16290 SW 14th Court Ocala, FL 34473

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Rick's journal entries from his 1978 trip turned into his most recent book, “On the Hippie Trail”. He's been capturing his travels in a journal since he was a teenager. CREDIT:(Rick Steves' Europe)

between, I wouldn’t go to sleep without writing my day’s experiences, discoveries, and thoughts. The book, which started empty, always came home full.

Journaling helped me realize my career.

As a teenage traveler, I hiked deep into a misty English moor, dipped my pen into the cry of the birds, and wrote: Longhaired goats and sheep seem to gnaw on grass in their sleep. We were lost in a world of green, wind, rocks, and birds-singing, but not present. Then we found the stones. Standing in a circle, they've waited for forty centuries, as if waiting for us to arrive. And in stillness, they entertained. After being alone with our private stone circle, Stonehenge – with its barbed wire, tour buses, and port-a-loos – won’t quite make it.

On the boat to France the next day, I worked on those rough notes and realized that finding such hidden bits of Europe and bringing them home through my writing was what I wanted to do for a

living. I mark that as the day I became a “travel writer.”

Five decades later, I still snare those magic moments as they flutter by, eager to see what I can build with them. That’s how each of my fifty or so guidebooks has begun. And discovering that 1978 Hippie Trail journal was like stepping back into that long-forgotten trip…opening a page, I was right back in Kathmandu: I lost myself in Durbar Square. This was a tangled, medieval-ish world of tall, terraced temples; fruit and vegetable stands; thin, wild, and hungry people praying, begging, and living their lives through rituals; giggling children, oblivious to it all, playing tag among the frozen Buddhas; rickshaws; and bread carts…It was a living museum, a cultural circus, a story that doesn’t need a plot.

For the rest of my days, I can travel back to 1978 – to what, for me, was the end of the Hippie Rainbow – thanks to that great souvenir…my journal.

Public Notice

Public Notice

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF JOYCE ORME, Deceased.

File No. 2026-CP-1681 Division PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Joyce Orme, deceased, whose date of death was June 6, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW First Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 14, 2026.

Attorney for Personal Representative: COLLEEN M. DURIS, B.C.S. Florida Bar Number: 975140 500 NE 8th Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 Telephone: (352) 732-7020 E-Mail: service@ocalaelderlaw.com; angie@ocalaelderlaw.com Personal Representative: Jeramiah Stepp 120 Savannah Ridge Angier, North Carolina 27501

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF CHARLES K. RUSE, JR. Deceased, File No. 2026-CP-1773 Division PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Charles K. Ruse, Jr., deceased, whose date of death was July 14, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW First Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 14, 2026.

Attorney for Personal Representative: Colleen Duris, B.C.S. Florida Bar Number: 975140 500 NE 8th Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 Telephone: (352) 732-7020 E-Mail: service@ocalaelderlaw.com E-Mail: angie@ocalaelderlaw.com Personal Representative: Barbara L. Ruse 1020 SE 5th Street Ocala, Florida 34470

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF SHIRLEY O. JOHNSON, Deceased.

FILE NO.: 2026-CP-1364 NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) The administration of the estate of SHIRLEY O. JOHNSON a/k/a SHIRLEY ANN JOHNSON, deceased, whose date of death was April 3, 2026; is pending in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2026-CP1364; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. An Order of Summary Administration was entered on June 26, 2026, and the name and address of the person assigned control of the assets are JOHN G. JOHNSON and JULIE R. JOHNSON, c/o 539 N.E. 45th Court, Ocala, Florida 34470, the adult children of the decedent, and their attorney is Davis R. Watson III, Davis R. Watson III, P.A., 2201 S.E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202, Ocala, Florida 34471.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS AUGUST 14, 2026.

Attorney for Petitioner: DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 DAVIS R. WATSON III, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email: davis@daviswatsonlaw.com

Public Notice NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REGISTER FICTITIOUS NAME Notice is hereby given that L&M Ocala LLC, owner, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, intends to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes.

Owner: L&M Ocala LLC Fictitious Name: Keke’s Breakfast Cafe County: Marion County, Florida

B6

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

Government AUG. 24, 31

Marion County Development Review

Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala 9am The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion.fl.legistar.com/ calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.

SEPT. 1, 15

Marion County Board of County Commissioners

McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/ calendar.aspx

Ocala City Council

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala 4pm The council meets each first and third Tuesday

of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx

Belleview City Commission

Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/agendasminutes

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

SEPT. 9

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

Chuck’s Piggy Bank fundraising auction

Circle Square Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th St., Ocala 1pm Event proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Chuck’s Piggy Bank and Marion County Memorial Honor Guard. Free buffet sponsored

by Cody’s Roadhouse, cash bar, 50/50 raffle, live and silent auctions and themed basket raffle.

The mission of Chuck’s Piggy Bank is to provide pet food and monetary support for veterinary care to pets of veterans, low-income people and unhoused people in the community and surrounding area. It operates pet food pantries at Veterans Helping Veterans and Saving Mercy Village. To learn more, call Mary Beth Bell at (585) 943-4227.

AUG. 26

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

AUG. 30

Boat & Brunch

Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Beginning at 9am Enjoy a 30-minute tour on the world-famous glass bottom boats, followed by brunch in the Springside Cafe. Park admission of $ per person not included. Alcoholic and specialty beverages available for purchase. For tickets, go to fareharbor.com/embeds/book/silversprings/ items/660075/calendar/2026/08/?full-items=yes to learn more, call (352) 261-5840.

SEPT. 12

Fall craft fair

Christ the King Anglican Church, 4440 SE 3rd Ave., Ocala 9am-3pm The Anglican Church Women event will include handmade crafts from local artists, food and more, with proceeds to benefit ACW charities.

To learn more, call (352) 351-9727.

Ocala Recovery Festival

Tuscawilla Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 10am-3pm This free community event brings together local organizations, recovery resources, families and community partners to celebrate recovery, remember those we have lost and inspire our community to take action. Hosted by the Marion County Children’s Alliance and Community Council Against Substance Abuse in partnership with the Marion County Hospital District. Learn more at /mcchildrensalliance.networkforgood.com/ events/102536-9th-annual-ocala-recovery-festival

SEPT, 13

2nd Sunday Makers Market

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

THROUGH SEPT. 29

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

SEPT. 12

Super Pickle: A Hilarious Pickleball Musical Parody

AUG. 25, SEPT. 8 AND 22

Community AUG. 23

Arts Hear Cello & Ivory in Ocala. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]

AUG. 23

Music Box 1: Cello & Ivory

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 3pm Celebrate the expressive voice of the cello in an afternoon of warmth, lyricism and global color. OSO Principal Cellist Lyle Lamboley joins forces with pianist Alan Clark for a musical journey that travels across centuries and continents, exploring some of the most beloved melodies in the repertoire. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com

AUG. 28

“Propeller: A Film by John Travolta”

Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave., Ocala 7:30pm Set in the golden age of aviation, a young airplane enthusiast, Jeff (played by newcomer Clark Shotwell), and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) set off on a one-way cross-country odyssey to Hollywood, which transforms a simple flight into the trip of a lifetime. Between airline meals, charming flight attendants (played by Ella Bleu Travolta and Olga Hoffmann), unexpected stopovers, larger-than-life passengers and a thrilling glimpse at first class, the journey unfolds in moments both magical and unexpected, charting the course for the boy’s future.

Learn more at reillyartscenter.com

AUG. 29

In the Air Tonight: Tribute to Phil Collins and Genesis

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 7:30pm Experience the ultimate Phil Collins & Genesis tribute with In The Air Tonight. Featuring iconic hits, world-class musicians, powerful vocals, and stunning visuals, this electrifying performance brings the music you know and love to life on stage. Learn more at reillyarts center.com

AUG. 30

Jamie Lissow – The Better Off Dad Comedy Tour

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 7:30pm Get ready for a night of laughs with comedian and actor Jamie Lissow. Known for his appearances on GUTFELD!, Real Rob and his hit Dry Bar Comedy special, Jamie brings his sharp wit and unforgettable comedy to the stage. More info at reillyartcenter.com

THROUGH AUGUST

Robert Varis art exhibit

Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Hours vary The Friends of Silver Springs State Park host a display in their welcome center and gallery. The artist will participate in a meet and greet from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 25. Some of the works he created for the exhibit include “Woodpecker,” “Cuban Tree Frog” and “Cormorant and Lizard.” The exhibits are free to view. There is an entry fee of $2 per person at the park. To learn more, go to fb.com/ thefriendsofsilverspringsstatepark

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 7:30pm Get ready to serve up the laughs with a wildly entertaining new comedy that dives paddle-first into the pickleball craze sweeping the nation.

A laugh-out-loud comedy with clever pop song parodies and big characters, it pits seasoned players against eager newbies in a hilarious battle of skill and sass. Think Weird Al meets Wimbledon, with paddles and polyester. From court rivalries to community chaos, this high-energy musical serves up fast volleys, big laughs and a whole lot of heart.

Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com

THROUGH SEPT. 13

My Country, ’Tis of Thee: Celebrating American Art and Design Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Hours vary Drawn from the Appleton’s permanent collection, the exhibition highlights a wide range of American expression across time periods, subjects, media and functions. It also explores the role Florida and its natural wonders, including those of Marion County, has played as a source of inspiration for artists. For details, go to appletonmuseum.org

THROUGH DEC. 3 AND BEYOND

Art in City Spaces

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

THROUGH DEC. 31

Photography exhibit by Keith Sackin

Arts in Health Ocala Metro Healing Arts Gallery, 2880 NE 8th Road, Ocala.

Office hours A native of Ocala, Sackin attended Emory University before a spinal cord injury in 2001 reshaped his path.

His photography explores disability, embodiment, memory and human connection. AIHOM is a nonprofit organization that connects art and healing.

Its programs include music, dance, performing and visual arts. To learn more, go to aihocala.org

THROUGH JAN. 24

“Life, Labor and Lens: Randal Levenson’s Working-Class America” Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Times vary Drawn from the 80 works by Levenson in the Appleton’s permanent collection, “Life, Labor and Lens” features 25 black-and-white and color photographs that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. For more information, go to appletonmuseum.org or call (352) 291-4455.

B7

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

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

Across 1 Bread component, casually 5 __ toast 10 Research sites 14 Ingredient in some superfood smoothies 15 Classic cookies 16 Assessment, briefly 17 Presentation on an organic flytrap?

19 Sam Cooke's "__ Little Love" 20 Book that details the origin of Passover 21 Time with a therapist 23 Went out with 24 Presentation on how to generate chemistry when matchmaking?

26 Postpone 28 Hermana del padre 29 Part of a one-two punch 32 Had a bite 33 MSNBC host Jen 37 Presentation on hot dogs?

42 Divided Asian peninsula 43 Seemingly forever 44 Lots of noise 45 Ozs. and lbs.

47 Sacks 50 Presentation on recycling?

54 Slip past 58 "Faster!"

59 Brunch order 60 Potatoes, in South Asian cuisine 61 Presentation on the Indiana WNBA team?

64 Pixar protagonist who has one small fin and one large fin 65 Liechtenstein currency 66 Like Southern California skies during June Gloom 67 Wax-wrapped cheese 68 Gets together?

69 Corridor

Down 1 Cried like a crow 2 "Five Feet of Fury" pro wrestler Bliss 3 Unpaid worker 4 Like some intricate wedding gowns 5 Some admins 6 Make a boo-boo 7 "Da 5 Bloods" director 8 __ nova 9 Stand up for (oneself) 10 "I vote we say no" 11 "Love Sux" singer Lavigne 12 Spoonbill habitat 13 Colloquialism 18 "My man!"

22 Happy hops 24 Alien-seeking org.

25 Market ahead of time 27 Fleeting trend 29 LGA alternative 30 Not prone to infatuation, for short 31 Keep out 34 Lend a hand 35 Splash of color in a water garden 36 Lodge 38 Place where things are always breaking?

39 Forensic anthropologist/writer Reichs who inspired the TV series "Bones" 40 Diner staffer 41 Game with a spinoff called Dos 46 Packs 48 Seasonal worker 49 Santa's transport 50 Old Scottish title 51 Was extremely sweet?

52 Bakery emanation 53 Copycat's activity 55 Extremely 56 Window sticker 57 __ alcohol: hand sanitizer ingredient 59 Tolkien brutes 62 Many a shuttle 63 Env. insert

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B9

B8 Public Notice NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Ocala City Council has introduced the following ordinance(s) and will consider its adoption at the regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall, 2nd Floor, Council Chamber, 110 SE Watula Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Interested parties are invited to appear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed legislation.

Copies of the proposed documents may be inspected in advance at the office of the City Clerk, Ocala City Hall.

Any person who decides to appeal any decision of the Ocala City Council with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purposes, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made.

If reasonable accommodations are needed for you to participate in this meeting, please call 48 hours in advance so arrangements can be made through the City Clerk’s office at 352-629-8266.

ORDINANCE 2026-28 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE LAND USE MAP SERIES AS REQUIRED IN SECTION 163.3161 THROUGH AND INCLUDING SECTION 163.3248, FLORIDA STATUTES; DETAILING THE FUTURE LAND USE CHANGE (CASE NO. LUC26-0002); AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION FROM MEDIUM INTENSITY/SPECIAL DISTRICT TO PUBLIC FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 1700 BLOCK OF NW MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVENUE (PARCELS 25502-000-00, 25502-002-00, and 25491-001-00), APPROXIMATELY 11.20 ACRES; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATION AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2026-29 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING THE ZONING M-2, MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL, AND M-3, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL, TO G-U, GOVERNMENTAL USE, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 1700 BLOCK OF NW MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AVENUE (PARCELS 25502-000-00, 25502-002-00, and 24591-000-00), APPROXIMATELY 11.20 ACRES (CASE NO. ZON260007); PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2026-30 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING THE ZONING FROM M-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, AND B-4, GENERAL BUSINESS, TO M-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 314 AND 28 NW 14TH STREET AND 1332 NW MAGNOLIA TERRACE (PARCELS 2572-018-001, 2572-017-004, AND 2572-017-005), APPROXIMATELY 5.93 ACRES (CASE NO. ZON25-0008); PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2026-31 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING THE ZONING FROM G-U, GOVERNMENTAL USE, TO B-1, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1501 NW 14TH STREET (PARCEL 25571-000-00), APPROXIMATELY 3.23 ACRES (CASE NO. ZON26-0006); PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2026-32 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, CHANGING THE ZONING FROM M-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL, TO M-2, MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL, FOR A PORTION (3.05 ACRES) OF CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 1700 BLOCK OF NE 18TH PLACE, PARCEL 2649-004-001, APPROXIMATELY 4.95 ACRES (CASE NO. ZON26-0010); PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ORDINANCE 2026-33 AN

ORDINANCE

AMENDING

REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Public Notice

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE Public Notice

ORDINANCE 2026-33

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION THE CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA, File No. 26CP000317AX COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FUTURE IN RE: ESTATE OF LAND USE MAP SERIES AS REQUIRED IN SECTION 163.3161 THROUGH PHYLLIS GAIL HAMES A/K/A AND INCLUDING SECTION 163.3248, PHYLLIS G. HAMES A/K/A FLORIDA STATUTES; DETAILING THE PHYLLIS DAVIS HAMES FUTURE LAND USE CHANGE (CASE Deceased.

NO. LUC26-0005); AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION NOTICE TO CREDITORS FROM NEIGHBORHOOD TO PUBLIC (Summary Administration) FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE 700 BLOCK OF NW 14TH STREET (PARCEL TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS 25785-000-00), APPROXIMATELY 0.52 OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ACRES; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO ESTATE: STAFF; REPEALING INCONSISTENT You are hereby notified that an Order AND/OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; of Summary Administration has been PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF entered in the estate of Phyllis Gail ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING Hames a/k/a Phyllis G. Hames a/k/a FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING Phyllis Davis Hames, deceased, File FROM CONSIDERATION AT A PUBLIC Number 26CP000317AX, by the Circuit HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475; that the AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Decedent's date of death was September 1, 2025; that the total value of the estate ORDINANCE 2026-34 is $8,000.00 and that the names and AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE addresses of those to whom it has been ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OCALA, assigned by such order are: Address FLORIDA, CHANGING THE ZONING Name 2890 Euston Road FROM R-2, TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL, Thomas Nigel Winter Park, FL 32789 TO G-U, GOVERNMENTAL USE, FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED IN Hames THE 700 AND 800 BLOCKS OF NW a/k/a 14TH STREET AND THE 1400 BLOCK Thomas OF NW 17TH PLACE (PARCELS 25768- Hames 4669 SE 98th Lane, 000-00, 25775+000-00, 25784+000-00, John Belleview, Florida 34420 AND 25785-000-00), APPROXIMATELY Freeman 9.94 ACRES (CASE NO. ZON26-0012); Hames II PROVIDING DIRECTION TO STAFF; Paul Eugene RMC Main Unit REPEALING INCONSISTENT AND/ Hames DC# U00091 OR CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; 8035 County Hwy-231, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF Lake Butler, Florida ORDINANCE PROVISIONS; PROVIDING 32054 FOR MODIFICATIONS ARISING FROM ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE CONSIDERATIONS AT A PUBLIC NOTIFIED THAT: HEARING; PROVIDING DIRECTION TO All creditors of the estate of the Decedent THE CODIFIER; AND PROVIDING FOR and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the Decedent AN EFFECTIVE DATE. other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order of IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH Summary Administration must file their JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MAR- claims with this court WITHIN THE TIME ION COUNTY, FLORIDA CITY OF OC- PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA ALA, FLORIDA, Plaintiff, v. CASE NUM- STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL BER: 2024-CA-1952 ABAKE ASSONGBA CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO and ANTHONY WIHLBORG-DEROSA, FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER IS HEREBY GIVEN, in accordance with APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY Section 45.031(2), Florida Statutes, that, CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR pursuant to the Final Judgement of Fore- MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE closure, entered in the above-styled cause OF DEATH IS BARRED. on or about October 17, 2025 and the Or- The personal representative has no duty der Resetting Foreclosure Sale, entered to discover whether any property held at on or about July 29, 2026, the Clerk of the time of the Decedent's death by the the Circuit Court in and for Marion Coun- Decedent or the Decedent's surviving ty, Florida, Gregory C. Harrell, will sell to spouse is property to which the Florida the highest bidder for cash on Tuesday, Uniform Disposition of Community September 1, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. East- Property Rights at Death Act as described ern Standard Time, at www.marion.re- in Sections 732.216-732.288 Florida alforclose.com, the following described Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a real property, located at 1131 S.E. 47th written demand is made by a creditor as Street, Ocala, Florida 34480, as specifi- specified under section 732.2211, Florida cally identified in said Final Judgement of Statutes. The written demand must be Foreclosure, to wit: Lot 15, CEDARS AT filed with the clerk.

BELLECHASE, according to the map or The date of first publication of this Notice plat thereof as recorded in Plat Book 10, is August 14, 2026.

Pages 9 and 10, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida; And Lot 4, HER- Attorney for Person Giving Notice: ON TRACE AT BELLECHASE, according FAMILY FIRST FIRM to the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Counsel for Petitioner Plat Book 11, Pages 6 and 7, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Flor- /s/ Elizabeth S. Bradley ida. Commonly known as: 1131 SE 47th Ryan J. Saboff, Esquire Street, Ocala, Florida 34480 ANY PER- Florida Bar Number: 1010852 SON CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN THE Christopher F. Torchia, Esquire SURPLUS FROM THE SALE, IF ANY, Florida Bar Number: 270120 OTHER THAN THE PROPERTY OWNER Elizabeth S. Bradley, Esquire AS OF THE DATE OF THE LIS PENDENS Florida Bar Number: 1065227 MUST FILE A CLAIM WITHIN 60 DAYS 1030 W. Canton Avenue, Suite 102 AFTER THE SALE OR BEFORE THE Winter Park, Florida 32789 CLERK REPORTS THE SURPLUS AS Telephone: (407) 574-8125 UNCLAIMED.IMPORTANT IF YOU ARE Fax: (407) 476-1101 A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO E-Mail: ryan.saboff@familyfirstfirm.com NEEDS ANY ACCOMMODATION IN E-Mail: chris.torchia@familyfirstfirm.com ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PRO- E-Mail: elizabeth.bradley@familyfirstfirm.

CEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO com COST TO YOU, TO THE PROVISION OF Secondary E-Mail: probate@ CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CON- familyfirstfirm.com TACT THE ADA COORDINATOR AT THE OFFICE OF THE TRIAL COURT ADMIN- Person Giving Notice: ISTRATOR, MARION COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER, 110 NW 2ST AVENUE, OCA- Thomas Nigel Hames, Petitioner LA, FL 34475, TELEPHONE (352) 401- 2890 Euston Road 6710, AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR Winter Park, Florida 32789 SCHEDULED COURT APPEARANCE OR EVENT, OR IMMEDIATELY UPON NOTICE OF FORFEITURE PROCEEDRECEIVING THIS NOTIFICATION IF THE INGS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF TIME BEFORE THE SCHEDULED APTHE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND PEARANCE OR EVENT IS LESS THAN 7 FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN DAYS; IF YOU ARE HEARING OR VOICE RE: FORFEITURE OF: Case Number: IMPAIRED, CALL 711. CERTIFICATE OF 2026-CA-001682 DIGITAL CURRENSERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true CIES CONTAINED WITHIN BINANCE and correct copy of the foregoing was filed ACCOUNTS BELONGING TO SAMEER electronically with the Clerk of the Court SIDDIQUI TO WIT: 0.76283092 BTC using the State of Florida, Florida Courts Judge: Hodges ALL PERSONS who E-Filing Portal system, which will send a claim an interest in the following property: notice of electronic filing to all counsel of 0.76283092 BTC which was seized berecord in this matter, this 12th day of Aucause said property is alleged to be conOcgust 2026 and will be published in the ala Gazette on August 14, 2026 and Au- traband as defined by Sections 932.701 gust 21, 2026. WILLIAM E. SEXTON CITY (2)(a)(1-6), Florida Statutes, by the City ATTORNEY, CITY OF OCALA, FLORIDA of Ocala, Division of Ocala Police DepartFlorida Bar Number 0037197 DANA DAM- ment, on or about May 8, 2026, in Marion MAR Florida Bar Number 1058020 CITY County, Florida. Any owner, entity, bona ATTORNEY’S OFFICE CITY OF OCALA, fide lienholder, or person in possession of FLORIDA 110 S.E. Watula Avenue, Ocala, the property when seized has the right to Florida 34471 Telephone: (352) 629-8549 request an adversarial preliminary hearing for a probable cause determination within E-Mail: ddammar@ocalafl.gov twenty (20) days from the date of receipt of notice, by providing such request to NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the unWilliam E. Sexton, City Attorney's Office, dersigned, desiring to engage in business 110 S.E. Watula Ave, Ocala, FL 34471, by under the fictitious name of Wicks Crecertified mail return receipt requested. A ative located at 3585 SW 38th Terr, Unit complaint for forfeiture has been filed in D103, in the City of Ocala, Florida 34474 in the County of Marion intends to register the above styled court. the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Ocala, Florida, this 18th day of August, 2026.

LagoonIQ, LLC. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of SFA Circuit Works, located at 2134 NW 23rd Loop, in the County of Marion, in the City of Ocala, Florida 34475, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida.

Dated at Ocala, Florida, this 13th day of August, 2026.

SFA Futures LLC

Skyway Towers, LLC proposes the construction of a new 180ft Self-support (lattice) communications tower with an overall height of 185 feet, at the approx. vicinity of: 11411 SE 132nd Place, Ocklawaha, Marion County, Florida 32179. Coordinates: [Latitude: 29° 01’ 51.59” N, Longitude: 81° 57’ 47.74” W]. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Jessica Cilento, j.cilento@ trileaf.com; 407-660-7840; 2600 Maitland Center Parkway, Suite 330, Maitland, Florida 32751.

Public Notice

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026-CP-1825

PROBATE DIVISION

Division PROBATE IN RE: ESTATE OF

File No. 26CP001840 Division 44-E IN RE: ESTATE OF RAMON HEVIAMONTEAGUDO Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The summary administration of the estate of Ramon Hevia-Monteagudo, deceased, whose date of death was June 12, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court in and for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 21, 2026.

Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Stephen R. Garcia-Vidal Stephen R. GarciaVidal, Esq. Florida Bar Number: 0145203 Elderly Care Law Firm 14707 S. Dixie Highway PH 401 Miami, Florida 33176 Telephone: (305) 836-4697 Fax: (305) 836-3315 E-Mail: contact@ elderlycarelawfirm. com Personal Representative: Maria Hevia

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA AVA B. GOODSON, Plaintiff, VS. NICOLE MARIE GOODSON FKA NICOLE JOLLEY AKA NICOLE MARIE JOLLEY AND STEPHEN RAY GOODSON AKA STEPHEN R. GOODSON AKA STEPHEN GOODSON, AS HUSBAND AND WIFE, DISCOVER BANK, SYNCHRONY BANK, AND ONEMAIN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC, Defendant(s).

CASE NO.: 2025-CA-2117 NOTICE OF SALE UNDER FLORIDA STATUTES CHAPTER 45 NOTICE IS GIVEN that, in accordance with the Final Summary Judgment of Mortgage Foreclosure entered on or about July 29, 2026, in the above-styled cause, the Clerk of Court in and for Marion County, Florida, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash by electronic sale at www.marion.realforeclose.com, on September 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., the following described real property: Lot 12, Block E, COLEBROOK, according to the plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book 2, Page 26, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida.

Physical Address: 676 NE 35th Loop, Ocala, Florida 34479 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been furnished by mail or eservice on this 6th day of August 2026, to: Synchrony Bank, 965 N Keller Rd., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714; Onemain Financial Group, LLC c/o Thomas Lobello, Esq., mail@rolfelaw. com and tl@rolfelaw.com; Discover Bank, CT Corporate System, 1200 South Pine Island Road, Suite 240, Plantation, FL 33324; Nicole Maria Goodson fka Nicole Marie Jolley, 447 Harmon Drive South, Dunlap, Tennessee 37326; and Stephen Ray Goodson aka Stephen R. Goodson aka Stephen Goodson, 447 Harmon Drive South, Dunlap, Tennessee 37326.

JUDICIOUS LAW, P.A. By: BRADFORD J. TROPELLO, ESQUIRE bit@judiciouslawpa.com ma@judiciouslawpa.com Post Office Box 369 Ocala, Florida 34478 (352) 509-5015 Florida Bar No.: 42694

KATHLEEN M. DONEY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Ancillary Estate of KATHLEEN M. DONEY, deceased, whose date of death was December 6, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave. Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 21, 2026.

Attorney for Personal Representative: SAMANTHA SHEALY RAUBA, ESQ. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 59503 McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli P.O. Box 4440 Ocala, FL 34478 Telephone: (352) 789-6520 Fax: (352) 789-6570 E-Mail: Samantha@LawMRM.com Secondary E-Mail: Gina@LawMRM. com Personal Representative: CYNTHIA WORLEY Personal Representative 2079 Wicker Wood Way Snellville, Georgia 30078

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA J. THAYER, a/k/a PATRICIA J. DAMIATA THAYER, a/k/a PATRICIA D. THAYER, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2026-CP-1769 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The name of the decedent, the designation of the court in which the administration of this estate is pending, and the file number are indicated above. The address of the court is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are indicated below.

If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedent’s estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH. The date of death of the decedent is: March 23, 2026.

The date of first publication of this Notice is August 14, 2026.

The personal representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent, or the decedent’s surviving spouse, is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act, as described in sections 732.216 – 732.228 F.S., applies, or may apply unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, F.S. Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 226 NE Sanchez Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com

Personal Representative: EDWARD R. WINEGARD P.O Box 866 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION Fort McCoy, FL 32134 COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF CHARLES H. ARMSTRONG , Deceased. File No. 2026-CP1788 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Charles H. Armstrong, deceased, whose date of death was July 5, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW First Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives' attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is August 14, 2026.

Attorney for Personal Representatives: Colleen Duris, B.C.S. Florida Bar Number: 975140 500 NE 8th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470 Telephone: (352) 732-7020 E-Mail: service@ocalaelderlaw.com E-Mail: angie@ocalaelderlaw.com Personal Representatives: Cynthia Prewitt 620 NE 118th Avenue Road Silver Springs, Florida 34488 Peter Patterson 5708 Summerbrook Court Leesburg, FL 34748

FLORIDA Newspaper Advertisement: Extra space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 16679 US. 301 Summerfield, Fl 34491 on September 8, 2026 @ 12:00 pm joe watkins - Household items Brandon Neil - Household items Kenneth Jarman - Household items EDWARD RAMOS - Household items Patricia Bryant - Household items

The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.co m. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2026-1745-CP IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MIGUEL A. RAMOS, Deceased/ NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of MIGUEL A. RAMOS, deceased, whose date of death was April 26, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 Northwest First Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in sections 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211, Florida Statutes.

All creditors of the decedent, and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of the first publication of this Notice is August 14, 2026 Personal Representative: CYNTHIA CEILAN 6720 NE 1 st Place Ocala, FL 34470 Attorney for Personal Representative: JANET W. BEHNKE Florida Bar No. 135969 Janet W. Behnke, P.A. 500 NE 8 th Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 Phone: (352) 732-6464 janet@behnkelaw.net

B9

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Bird of the week Burrowing owl Week of August 21st thru August 27th 2026 ARIES

March 21-April 20

Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way this week, Aries.

You may not get many chances to test your mettle in the weeks to come, so it’s important to act now.

LIBRA

September 23October 23

Libra, just when you started to lose hope, the new horizon you were seeking comes into view. It is well-deserved.

TAURUS

SCORPIO

Taurus, something that started out as a part-time venture could turn into much more. Figure out if this is the path you see yourself going and then make your move.

Scorpio, if you find yourself with too much extra time on your hands, why not volunteer with the community to pass the time? This can be a great way to meet people.

April 21-May 21

GEMINI

May 22-June 21

Let loose and have fun for a change, Gemini. Don’t delay when others want to invite you out for a night on the town or even a brunch.

Say “yes”.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

There’s a lot going on right now and it may have your head spinning, Cancer.

Delegate some of your workload if you can. Don’t be too hard on yourself.

LEO

July 23-August 23

Leo, it is important to remember that your online presence never goes away.

Watch what you post and be mindful of what you support in social media groups.

VIRGO

August 24- September 22

Family matters require your undivided attention this week, Virgo. You must dig in deep to address them. There are two sides to every story.

October 24November 22

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 -December 21

When plans change on a dime, you are ready to roll with the new situation, Sagittarius. Higher-ups may get a peek at your quick thinking, which can land you a promotion.

CAPRICORN

December 22January 20

It’s time to make amends with someone who did you wrong, Capricorn. Life is too short to hold grudges, and this person has since mended their ways.

AQUARIUS

January 21-February 18

Unless you take swift action, you could be heading for a financial free-fall, Aquarius.

Start to pull back spending for a while and see if the situation will right itself.

PISCES

February 19-March 20

Pisces, you are on fire lately.

There’s seemingly nothing you touch that isn’t turning to gold.

This trend will continue, but try not to let it go to your head.

Unlike most owls, which hunt at night and live in trees, the burrowing owl lives underground and is active during the day. Although the grasslands and prairies they favor are diminishing, they’ve adapted to suburban landscapes, notably in Cape Coral. This one was photographed in the midst of bustling new home construction in Southwest Ocala.

Photo by Michael Warren. See more at https://michaelwarren.com/birds

Animal Crackers

Broom Hilda

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B7 Sudoku

Middletons

Jumble

Gasoline Alley

Crossword

HOUND FRUIT AFLOAT VERIFY Answers: The Big Bad Wolf couldn't blow down the pig's house made of bricks, so he — LEFT IN A HUFF

B10

August 21 - 27 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE