OG Digital Edition 09-18-2026

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 37

September 11 Remembrance Ceremony

$3

$2,343,153 for local nonprofits

“Failing catastrophically”

Page A3 September 18-24 2026

Grand jury finds agency caring for vulnerable children and seniors in Marion County is a broken system.

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

A

grand jury of Marion County citizens on Aug. 27 filed a report in the Fifth Judicial Circuit finding that the Florida Department of Children and Families is “failing catastrophically” in its duty to protect this community’s children and its elderly.

Following up on tips from local first responders, the “Ocala Gazette” has been investigating how Marion County responds to vulnerable seniors and the grand jury report supported those allegations.

But the report left out many key details.

Lauren Deiorio, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, is shown in front of the leaderboard near the end of the 2026 Give4Marion celebration event at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala, Fla., on Sept. 16, 2026. The foundation website noted shortly after 7 p.m. that $2,343,153 was given by 4,618 donors who made 7,463 gifts during the campaign. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026

The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County organizes the unique annual Give4Marion fundraiser. Over the past six years, Give4Marion has helped local nonprofits raise more than $8.5 million.

This part gets misreported constantly, so it’s worth getting right.

A grand jury is not a prosecutor’s tool and not a special commission appointed to investigate a scandal. It is a standing body of 15 to 21 ordinary citizens, drawn from the county’s jury pool. The chief judge of the circuit convenes one as a matter of routine for a six-month term, whether anything in particular needs investigating. Florida needs them always sitting because the state constitution requires a grand jury indictment before anyone can be tried for a capital crime.

See Give4Marion, page A8

See Broken system, page A2

The seventh annual Give4Marion campaign will help support many needs in the community.

By Susan Smiley-Height and Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com susan@magnoliamediaco.com

I

magine if there were no local agencies to help care for the elderly or vulnerable children, or for

stray and mistreated animals, or for high school students who don’t have proper clothing and hygiene items.

That would present a sad and almost frightening scenario. But, thankfully, there are many local nonprofits who work diligently year-round to

meet all of those needs and many others.

And, once a year, for seven years now, there are 33 hours of giving over two days in a fundraising campaign that helps a number of these nonprofits keep providing key services in our community.

FIRST: WHAT A GRAND JURY IS, AND WHAT IT IS NOT

The Duchess of Downtown

The majestic Marion Theatre, now 85, remains an iconic venue that is dear to the hearts of those who adore her.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

W

hile brick and mortar buildings may not have souls, in some cases they have adoring fans who refuse to let them die. That has certainly been the case with the historic Marion Theatre.

Over its 85 years, the venue has changed hands a few times, undergone a transformation into a science center, been renovated in keeping with its original Art Deco style and had the audio/visual systems replaced more than once.

The Marion Theatre was constructed in 1941 on a lot that was purchased

in 1940 from the Ocala National Bank. Construction of the theater was commissioned by Florida State Theaters, which also owned the Ritz and the Dixie, two other historic theaters in Ocala. The Marion’s architect was Roy A. Benjamin. It was built by E.J. Sparks.

An 85th anniversary celebration for the historic Marion Theatre was

See Marion Theatre, page A5 held there on Sept. 10, 2026. [Susan Smiley-Height/Ocala Gazette]

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INSIDE:

Embry-Riddle airstrip........................A4 High school football............................A9 Bring Back the Bryant........................B1 Taste of the Town.................................B2 Calendar................................................B6

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September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Broken system Continued from page A1 Florida law directs the state attorney or an assistant to serve as the grand jury’s legal advisor, to “attend sessions of the grand jury to examine witnesses and give legal advice about any matter cognizable by the grand jury.» When the grand jury requests, the office issue subpoenas compelling a witness to appear. The jurors decide what they pursue.

Florida grand juries also hold a second power: to examine how public officials are running their offices, whether public institutions are being properly administered and to say what they found in a document called a presentment. That’s what this report is.

HOW THEY LIKELY CAME TO THIS

The report tells you in its second paragraph. On the very day this grand jury was empaneled, they learned DCF had investigated and visited a family 14 times before a child was killed. The jurors indicted Jeroen Jarrel Coombs on a felony count of first-degree murder of a 3-year-old child.

The grand jury reports hearing from law enforcement officers, firefighters, lawyers, a member of the judiciary and employees of a DCF service provider. Notice who those people are. They are the people who kept showing up at the door, not the agency.

The grand jury also invited six DCF employees to explain the agency’s process. The report says every invitation was declined or went unanswered. In its own words, the grand jury called DCF “the primary agency that could have shed light on this critical investigation.”

WHAT THE REPORT FOUND

In summary: adult protective investigators were routinely unavailable after 5 p.m. and on weekends; the abuse hotline directed first responders to take vulnerable adults to emergency rooms or Baker Act facilities even without the person having a medical or psychiatric emergency but rather symptoms of cognitive decline such as dementia; mental capacity evaluations treated as a box-checking exercise, with investigators observed coaching people toward a finding of capacity — a finding that legally ends DCF’s obligation; cases closed prematurely; years of meetings with DCF leadership producing promises that were “repeatedly made and routinely broken.”

The jurors reviewed the activity of seven cases spanning from 2016 to present, including preventable deaths of both children and vulnerable adults. They learned of 12 cases across the circuit in which they claim DCF or case management workers were accused of falsifying records — documenting phone calls, home visits and interviews that never happened. The State Attorney’s Office filed official misconduct charges in eight.

The grand jury issued 34 recommendations.

THE PART THE REPORT LEAVES OUT: SENIORS AND CHILDREN ARE NOT THE SAME PROBLEM

The report treats children and vulnerable adults together and the moral case for doing so is obvious — they are our most defenseless neighbors. The same abuse hotline and the same investigator serve both children and adults.

The two systems, however, are not remotely equal.

For a child in Marion County, there is an entire structure.

DCF investigates. But Child Protection Teams are under the Florida Department of Health, not DCF. There are mandatory referral categories for head injuries, bruising on children under 5 and sexual abuse allegations. There is a dependency court with a judge. There is a Guardian ad Litem who represents the child independently. There is Kids Central, Inc., the community-based care lead agency under contract for our circuit, which provides case management, foster care and adoption. There are Critical Incident Rapid Response Teams and a mandatory statewide Child Abuse Death Review committee.

For a vulnerable senior, almost none of that exists. There is no dependency court for seniors. No lead agency. No Guardian ad Litem. No mandatory medical evaluation team — Florida law says DCF may create adult protection teams, “subject to appropriation.” Permissive, not required.

DCF investigates. It does not run the elder services system.

Its own community-care programs stop at age 59 and for a vulnerable senior its statutory duty under §415.105 is to provide or arrange protective services.

The arranging leads somewhere the grand jury report never goes. Services for Florida seniors run through the Department of Elder Affairs under Chapter 430; regionally through Elder Options, the state-designated area agency on aging covering Marion among 16 counties; and locally through Marion Senior Services, the nonprofit delivering meals, transportation, homemaking and personal care here funded in part by Elder Affairs and in part by DCF itself.

Florida law sets a handoff. By statute, a senior determined by a protective investigation to be a high-risk vulnerable adult in need of services receives “primary consideration” for community care for the elderly services. This means assessment and services “must commence within 72 hours after referral,” unless a local protocol negotiated under

department contract sets a different timeline.

When a senior genuinely cannot make decisions and has no family able to step in, the answer is not DCF but guardianship.

This service is run through the courts and for those without means, through the Fifth Circuit Public Guardian Corporation, one of 15 such offices in the entire state.

This matters for one practical reason. If every reform coming out of this report is aimed at DCF alone, the senior side of this system stays broken. The grand jury’s own recommendation 20 asks for “parity for services between children and vulnerable adults.” That recommendation is the whole story and it goes by in a single line.

THE QUESTION WE’VE ASKED AND HAVEN’T GOTTEN ANSWERED

Florida law gave this grand jury the power to compel testimony. When a grand jury requests it, the State Attorney’s Office issues subpoenas, enforceable by the circuit court’s contempt power. State employees get no exemption. Florida law also expressly permits a grand jury, by subpoena, to obtain DCF’s otherwise-confidential records — lawmakers wrote grand juries into DCF’s own confidentiality statutes by name.

Six DCF employees were invited to appear before the grand jury. An invitation carries no legal force. None of the six appeared.

We do not know whether the grand jury requested subpoenas, whether the State Attorney’s Office considered issuing them or why the process ended with unanswered invitations.

The grand jury was empaneled March 27 for a six-month term. It filed its report Aug. 27 — one month before that term expired. The Marion County Clerk’s general counsel confirmed Sept. 9 that no petition or order extending the term exists and that his office is “unaware of any such extension order being entered.”

On Sept. 9, the “Ocala Gazette” asked the State Attorney’s Office why DCF employees were invited to appear before the grand jury rather than being subpoenaed. Chief Assistant State Attorney Walter Forgie responded the same morning: “Grand jury proceedings are secret pursuant to Florida Statute 905.24.”

The office offered no further explanation.

That statute binds grand jurors and interpreters and prohibits disclosure of “the nature or substance of the deliberations or vote of the grand jury.” It does not address decisions made by the State Attorney’s Office.

The “Gazette” has also asked the State Attorney’s Office for records unrelated to grand jury proceedings, including the number of prosecutions filed against DCF and provider employees for falsifying official records and any written responses agencies have sent regarding the report since it was published.

The agency has not yet provided those public records.

WHAT WE’RE WAITING ON

Since April, the “Gazette” has been examining how Marion County responds to vulnerable seniors. We have public records requests pending with the DCF, the Department of Elder Affairs and the Agency for Health Care Administration.

The requests are for aggregate, de-identified data only — no case files or names. Those requests for public records have also not been filled

WHAT WE CAN VERIFY

This much the “Gazette” can say from independent reporting.

First responders in Marion County have been sounding the alarm, urgently and for years, that care for local seniors is languishing.

To meet this need, law enforcement, fire and medical professionals have built a Co-Responder Program — a multiagency group that meets weekly to review cases and build safety plans for vulnerable adults left unprotected. The grand jury confirmed it exists and said plainly that without it, “these vulnerable citizens would have no oversight or safety net.”

But a safety net built by people who were never given the authority to fix the problem is not a solution. Our fire departments and sheriff’s office can transport someone. They can do a welfare check. They can arrest a caregiver after harm has already been done.

What they cannot do is place a vulnerable adult somewhere safe, order services or make decisions for someone who can no longer make them. Those powers belong to state agencies and to the courts.

That is the gap. Local people are exhausting their own resources and emotions holding up a system the state is responsible for; they cannot make it permanent no matter how hard they work.

It has been widely reported that since this grand jury report, Florida State Senator Don Gaetz has called for a major overhaul of the Florida Department of Children and Families as it pertains to policies about children.

If you work in this system, or you have tried to get help for a parent or a neighbor in Marion County and run into a wall, we would like to hear from you. Please email us at tips@ ocalagazette.com. We will follow up with more information upon receipt.

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A3

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

September 11 Remembrance Ceremony Event in Ocala included a steel remnant from the World Trade Center and the 9/11 Never Forget Memorial Wall.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

Bob Resetar and his wife, Susan, become emotional as “Amazing Grace” is played during the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park in Ocala, Fla. on Sept. 11, 2026. Resetar, a first responder who said he was working during 9/11, said he was at Ground Zero when the second tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. He said he was with the University of Medicine and Dentistry University Hospital of New Jersey in Newark, N.J., and was placed in charge of all the first responder ambulances sent to Ground Zero.

J

anet Horton was on duty and serving as a U.S. Army chaplain at the Pentagon on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when hijackers crashed a jet liner into the building.

According to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial website, 59 passengers on American Airlines Flight 77 died and 125 people in the Pentagon perished when the aircraft struck Horton ran to the impact site after she heard the sound of the crash to help evacuate and comfort the victims with scripture and prayer. She said military chaplains usually ask a person if they wish to pray.

“We asked (the victims) if they wanted to pray and not one said no,” Horton said.

Horton, a retired colonel, was the keynote speaker at the September 11 Remembrance Ceremony held at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on Sept. 11, which marked the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

A centerpiece at the event was the nine-panel 9/11 Never Forget Memorial Wall that lists the names of the victims of the terrorist attacks. One panel includes a timeline of the attacks: Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. and at 9:03 a.m. Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. At 9:59 a.m. the South Tower collapsed and the North Tower fell at 10:28 a.m. The Pentagon was struck at 9:37 a.m. and Flight 93crashed in Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m., after passengers and hijackers fought.

History.com states that 2,753 people died in the attacks at the World Trade Center and 343 FDNY firefighters, 23 NYPD police personnel and 37 Port Authority officers perished in rescue evacuation efforts. The website states 44 people died in the Pennsylvania aircraft crash. This source puts the death toll at the Pentagon at 189 people.

Marion County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Carl Zalak told the audience of perhaps 350 attendees to “never forget” and Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said the story of 9/11 must pass “from one generation to the next.”

Woods said that on Sept. 11, 2001, he was a member of the Ocala Police Department and saw the events unfold on television as did Marion County Fire Rescue Chief James Banta who was then a firefighter/ paramedic with Station 27.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano was manager of a World Gym and said he was shocked to see the attack on television.

According to the event program, Banta gave the history of the “striking of the bells” by fire stations in four groups of five rings to signify a firefighter had been lost.

Lt. Michael Haworth of MCFR rang the ceremonial group of rings on a silver apparatus bell as a mock dispatch message went out to 9/11 first responders.

A piece of damaged steel from the World Trade Center, labeled artifact H-0061s, was on display in a case near the podium. The artifact is normally kept at the Ocala Fire Museum at 615 NW MLK Jr. Ave., Ocala.

Attendees Shelia and John Evans had chairs set up on the park lawn.

“I was at work (College of Central Florida) and my sister was on the last plane to land (from out of state) in Orlando,” Shelia Evans said. She described the concern of not knowing the status of her sister’s flight after the attack.

Tom Conrad was out on a job with the family tree business and his father called him to gather and watch the news about the attack “9/11 was a game changer,” he said.

Charleen McPhee had a connection with Samuel Oitice, 45, a FDNY firefighter who was among the 343 firefighters who died as a result of the attack. She pointed to his name on the 9/11 Never Forget Memorial Wall.

The September 11 Remembrance ceremony included a posting of colors by the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard. A Joint First Responder Honor Guard composed of Marion County Sheriff ’s Office, Marion County Fire Rescue, Ocala Police Department and Ocala Fire Rescue personnel placed ceremonial wreaths for the fallen.

OPD provided a rifle volley and the Marion County Memorial Honor Guard provided taps. Leah Stegall sang the national anthem. MCFR Chaplain Joshua Deese gave an invocation and MCSO Chaplain Vern Phillips gave the benediction.

Charleen McPhee finds the name of her husband’s best friend, Samuel Oitice, a FDNY Engine 54 Times Square firefighter who perished in the Twin Towers 25 years ago, on the 9/11 Memorial Wall.

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Col. Janet Horton, U.S. Army, retired, who was at the Pentagon when it was attacked by terrorists 25 years ago, speaks during the ceremony.

Leah Stegall sings the national anthem.

Memorial wreaths are presented by members of the First Responder Joint Service Guard and Memorial Honor Guard.

Sgt. David Moorehead of the Ocala Police Department salutes as the colors are presented.

The sun rises by a large American flag flown between Marion County Fire Rescue and Ocala Fire Rescue tower trucks.

People remember those lost 25 years ago, on Sept. 11, 2001.

Mauricio Paredes of Marion County Veterans Services places a piece of World Trade Center steel on display.

An unidentified firefighter with FDNY looks on with a woman during the ceremony.

Jim Napuli of Ocala attended an out of area ceremony but recounted his 9/11 experience in a phone interview. Napuli served with the FDNY from 1977 to 2000 before moving to Wellington, Florida.

He drove to the Twin Towers site. He arrived Sept. 14, 2001, and remained three days. He volunteered to work and sifted

The colors are presented by the First Responder Joint Service Guard and Memorial Honor Guard.

through debris at Ground Zero. He said with the large loss of life, volunteers were needed to attend funerals.

“When I heard about the attack, I had to be there,” he said.

Courtney Moorehead, whose husband David is an OPD officer, was in the audience with daughter, Mila, 6. After

mother and daughter looked at the 9/11 Never Forget Memorial Wall and discussed the tragedy, Mila had a oneword comment.

“Scary,” she said.

To learn more, visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum website at 911memorial.org

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September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Training among the trees Embry-Riddle continues to push for a private airstrip in the Ocala National Forest.

Hangar and wetland view of the property.

By Joseph Wiedeman Special to the “Ocala Gazette”

T

ucked away in the southeast region of the Ocala National Forest sits a privately owned 220-acre plot known to Lake County locals as Deep Woods Ranch, a site where EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University leaders envision building a training facility.

This scenic step back in time is just 10 miles outside the town of Paisley and includes a 2,800-foot grass landing strip. The Daytona Beach-based school bought 119 acres of the property in 2025.

Even before the purchase, university officials lobbied the Lake County Commission to change the property’s zoning, requesting to move this privately owned part of the national forest from Agriculture to a Community Facility District (CFD).

“The only reason we’re requesting a CFD zoning is that the comprehensive zoning plan makes a distinction between a paved and an unpaved airstrip,” attorney Tara Tedrow told Lake County’s Planning & Zoning Board in 2025.

Despite local opposition, the P&Z board approved the request, passing it off to the Lake County Commission for final approval in June 2025. However, before the vote, Tedrow pulled the zoning request, citing public displeasure but stated the school still had a right to construction under its

existing Conditional Use Permit.

According to a presentation shown by advocates to the Lake County Conservation Council, Embry-Riddle wants to build a “full satellite training facility” that would include operations taking place in the forest from dawn to dusk 50 weeks out of the year, similar to their “touch and go” aircraft training facility in Arizona.

Cindy Newton, a member of the conservation group Friends of the Wekiva River, said the change in zoning would allow the university to set up a school at the site.

“As long as it’s serving the community, they could do a lot more,” she said. “In my opinion, it’s very unusual to pave a private airstrip. But that’s not just what they’re doing.”

Embry-Riddle representatives did not respond to a request by the “Gazette” for comment.

However, university officials have insisted in prior comments on the implementation of a “runway safety zone,” which would require them to cut down up to 300,000 feet of trees on either side of the runway. This would clear out sections of preserved forest if permitted, including areas around Clay Lake.

The Florida Forestry Service reviewed the proposal and issued a final approval on July 2. This review was based in part on a private assessment performed

by a team brought in by EmbryRiddle.

Due to the proximity to Clay Lake, which is a part of the Wekiwa Spring Head, the university also had to submit a permit request to the St. Johns Water Management District.

That request is still pending.

Tedrow now argues that Embry-Riddle had a legal right to pave the runway under an existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which was granted in 2006 to the original Deep Woods Ranch owner.

County Attorney Melanie Marsh had already agreed with Tedrow in an email to county staffers the day before the zoning request withdrawal, saying that the permit explicitly “does not prohibit the paving of the airstrip.” The email included Tedrow and came one day before she would make that argument publicly.

However, according to the CUP, construction had to begin within 12 months of its establishment, otherwise repermitting was required. This meant construction was no longer permitted on the site as of June 2007.

Louise and Alen Chen, who are local advocates against the project, label this the “foot-inthe-door” strategy.

“Their intended use is much more extensive. No longer is it an occasional flight or half a dozen a month, it’s now much more,” Alen Chen said. “They are looking at

Entrance into the Deep Woods Ranch site.

seven days a week, dawn to dusk, with up to five planes in constant rotation. Like in their Prescott, Arizona site, they’re talking about as many as 40 planes an hour.”

Through flight plans obtained from Embry-Riddle, the Chens charted how that noise will spread out over the surrounding forest with their estimates place the total coverage at least three miles into the forest.

University of Central Florida Professor Matthew Atkinson has been researching how urbanization changes the dynamics of certain types of wildlife. He had recently been looking into how noise from the Orlando International Airport, or MCO, affects certain species of frogs.

“These wetlands are still a good 20 to 30 miles away from MCO and, granted, we were dealing with bigger planes and all that, but what we found is that when those planes flew over, the

frogs couldn’t communicate,” he said. “When you’re talking about a frog or birds, a lot of organisms communicate this way, this is the way you find a potential partner.”

Susan Fetter, president of the Lake County Conservation Council, said the group would like for the county to ensure there are no larger environmental effects on the wildlife.

“This causes a myriad of environmental concerns, one of the biggest being the soundscape,” she said. “The council would say whatever happens out there needs to not be detrimental to wildlife or wetlands.”

On Aug.11, at the request of attorney Billy Dove, the county commission postponed further talks while Embry-Riddle works out a dispute with a property owner on the ranch.

Photos courtesy Joseph Wiedeman

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A5

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion Theatre Continued from page A1 It opened to the public on Sept. 11, 1941, with a showing of “Aloma of the South Seas,” starring Dorothy Lamour and Jon Hall. Matinees were 33 cents and evening shows were 39 cents.

Attendance remained strong throughout World War II until the facility closed its doors in the mid-70s. In 1986, the theater was gifted to the city of Ocala by former mayor Jim Kirk. It was re-opened in 1990 by the Junior League as the Discovery Science Center, which relocated to a larger location in 2001, leaving the theater dark once again.

In the meantime, Brian and Tava Sofsky, who met in 1996 in Los Angeles while working on the set of the movie “The Mask of Zorro,” married and moved to Florida, and eventually to Ocala, his hometown. In December 2003, the city of Ocala entered a long-term lease with the Sofsky’s company, the Marion Film & Visual Arts Foundation, Inc., to restore the theatre to its original purpose. The couple’s dream became a reality with the grand re-opening of the Marion Theatre on Aug. 11, 2007.

Unfortunately, the theater closed the following year.

In 2011, a grassroots campaign called Save the Marion Theatre, led by Buddy Martin, put intense effort into keeping the venue alive by hoping to convince the city to continue operating it as a movie theater.

In 2012, Cesar and Carmen Soto took over the theater, but, sadly, in 2020, asked the city to end their lease due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city then entered into a short-term lease agreement with the Reilly Arts Center LLC. The arts center, located in Tuscawilla Park, is the home of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and Community Music Conservatory. In mid2021 the Ocala City Council approved a request for an amendment to the theater agreement, giving the Reilly group a five-year extension, with one five-year renewal period.

The group’s team members include Founding CEO and Managing Director Matthew Wardell and Senior Director of Operations and Programming Adam Volpe.

Under the management of the Reilly, theater offerings have included a variety of film genre showings, a summer series for children, special Classics and Cocktails events, live performances, the popular addition of stand-up comedy shows and more.

85 YEARS OF MEMORIES

On the evening of Sept. 10, a number of guests attended an 85th anniversary celebration at the theater, which included a showing of “Aloma of the South Seas.”

As guests were mingling in the lobby, Wardell shared some thoughts.

“It’s amazing. Eighty-five years old. I feel that we are temporary stewards and it’s a real cool responsibility. Really, it’s an honor for us to be able to do this,” he said. “This week alone, this is our third special event and it’s only Thursday. The movie focus is still important to us, but the comedy shows are selling out. Things like that are doing really well. Sometimes you’ll come downtown and you’ll see a line here.

We screened John Travolta’s film last week, ‘Propeller One-Way Night Coach,’ which was exciting. On Tuesday we showed ‘Back to the Future’ and Dana Buckler and I talked about the film and the music. I think those are the kinds of things we’ll keep doing of more. It’s going to be busy.”

Also weighing in was Volpe, who said of the Marion while standing near the projection room and looking down at the rows of seats and giant screen, “Well, she is beautiful and unique, and just really full of life and nostalgic. There’s

The Marion Theatre on opening day, Sept. 11, 1941.

[Photo courtesy Florida Memory]

Mary Kelley Hoppe, patron and donor relations manager for the Reilly Arts Center LLC, which manages the Marion Theatre, shows a commemorative keychain of the iconic building that was being given to guests at the 85th anniversary celebration on Sept. 10, 2026. [Susan SmileyHeight/Ocala Gazette]

just an energy in this theater; in this room.

When you walk in, it feels like you’re home. It feels welcoming, comforting. We’re just very fortunate to have it still operating and being able to serve the community.”

Volpe noted that the venue can be rented for private events.

“The upstairs area lends itself very well to birthday parties and things like that, so really, we’re open to any ideas anyone has and we will try to explore them all and make the most out of the space because it’s just such a great place to be,” he said.

Prior to the movie screening, the audience heard from Wardell, former Mayor Gerald Ergle, Reilly Arts Center board chair Angie Lewis and Ocala City Manager Pete Lee, who spoke about the theater’s architect.

“Roy A. Benjamin’s family migrated from Prussia to Ocala and then to Atlanta. He was born in Atlanta. They came back to Ocala when he was 2 years old. They moved to Jacksonville when he was about 12. He quit school and went to Savannah and started working for an architectural firm as a draftsman. He worked as a draftsman in a few places then ended up in New York City, where he became an architect.

He was considered a master of style. He designed a lot of different styles of architecture, including more than 200 movie theaters. This was one of the last. He also was on the design team for the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville and the Sarasota Opera House. He retired right after World War II. He had some nice commissions,” Lee noted.

“As a kid who grew up in South Pittsburgh in the ‘70s and was lucky enough to have two theaters that were built in the late 1800s, we weren’t lucky enough to save ours. So, thank you to Save the Marion, to the Soto’s, to the Reilly group,” he said. “This place will always remind me that we have, and we can and we will.”

In his remarks, Ergle said the theater was the first air-conditioned building in Marion County, which made it even more popular back in the day. After speaking about the venue’s history, he drew applause when he said one reason the theater remains intact is that

Buddy Martin, who initiated the Save the Marion Theatre grassroots campaign, sits with his longtime friend Carswell Ponder inside the theater on Sept. 10, 2026, during its 85th anniversary celebration. [Susan Smiley-Height/Ocala Gazette]

The Marion Theatre in 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo] Former Ocala Mayor Gerald Ergle, with his wife, Ann, and Matthew Wardell, founder and CEO of the Reilly Arts Center LLC, which manages the Marion Theatre, at the venue’s 85th anniversary celebration on Sept.

10, 2026. [Susan Smiley-Height/Ocala Gazette]

Carmen Soto, “who never made any money off it, loved this theater.”

He spoke about a special Save the Marion Theatre “Pirates of the Caribbean” event, which had a pirate ship and crew coming through town with cannons blazing as they arrived at the theater, which that night saw a sell-out crowd.

“Whether you remember watching movies here decades ago or are discovering it for the first time, thank you for a great 85 years,” he said.

“Eighty-five years, so when you think about that night and what that was like for the community to enter this building, the first night of seeing a movie here, air conditioning, the generations of memories — first dates, bringing a child for their first time seeing a movie or first concert, a first kiss maybe — it’s generational,” Lewis said when it was her turn to speak.

“When my husband Clint and I moved here in 2005, there was just something special about our downtown and this community, and this building is so iconic. I think I heard it’s the most photographed building in our community,” she shared.

She also mentioned being part of Save the Marion Theatre special events, such as for “Cars” and “The Great Gatsby.”

“Everything was about the community. So, when you think about the history that Gerald shared, it’s been people in the community, it’s been the city, which again and again it has come back to them and they’ve taken it back.

And then to the Reilly. The programming is amazing. We want this to be here 85 years down the road,” she said.

In recognition of the core group behind Save the Marion Theatre, Lewis and her husband purchased seat plaques bearing their names. In pointing to a row of seats with signs indicating where the plaques are, she reminded the audience that the seat plaque campaign is available to everyone, with half of the cost going to current operations and half going for future maintenance and equipment.

“It was a ton of hours they organized. They

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Ocala City Manager Pete Lee and Matthew Wardell, founder and CEO of the Reilly Arts Center LLC, chat in the lobby of the Marion Theatre on Sept. 10, 2026, during the venue’s 85 anniversary celebration. The city of Ocala owns the venue; the Reilly group manages operations. [Susan Smiley-Height/Ocala Gazette]

worked hard. They were volunteers,” she said of the grassroots group. “It was all for the love of this theater and keeping it open for the community and creating a great space.”

Among those in the audience for the celebration was Margaret Spontak, who at one time was director of the science center when it was in the theater building.

“My brother John Hankinson was an usher here and as a kid of course we brought our bottle caps and came on Saturday mornings and watched different shows. When the Junior League converted it to a science center, I ran it for a few years. They took out the chairs, but stored them thankfully, and flattened out the floor. There were exhibits all over the place and our offices were upstairs,” she recalled.

And, of course, seated at the back of the theater, was Martin, with his longtime friend Carswell Ponder.

With his gravely voice, demurely acknowledging “sort of” putting the Save the Marion Theatre group together, Martin said, “the big thing was, it was the city and the people and the local patrons came together to do something special without anybody having any benefit from it, and that was important.”

“The Marion Theatre was closed. They voted four to one to close it, and after all this work that poor Kent Guinn did on the council before he became mayor and all that. I remember seeing him at church that day they voted to close it and he was devastated. I was devastated. I felt powerless. But, I said, ‘Well, I’ve gotta do something. I can’t let this happen.’

I went home and sent 100 emails out and I thought that would be the end of it,” he recalled.

Both men remembered coming to movies at the Marion as youngsters.

“Right down front, I held hands in the seventh grade with a woman named Charlotte, later his wife,” Martin said, poking a forefinger towards Ponder and grinning broadly. “And many people had stories better than that!”

“I can remember,” Carswell chimed in, “starting to watch movies here when I was about 10 years old, so that was about 80 years ago. I loved movies and I loved coming here.”

The Marion Theatre is located at 50 S. Magnolia Ave., in downtown Ocala. To learn more, go to reillyartscenter.com/ themarion

A6

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Crimi will take District 2 seat This is who showed up to vote in Marion County.

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

M

ike Crimi will be Marion County’s next District 2 commissioner. He was elected in an Aug. 18 primary in which 128,187 of the county’s registered voters were barred from participating because a writein candidate entered the race, effectively shutting out all nonRepublican voters. That candidate, Mark Okus, then promptly withdrew from the race after the primary. With no Democratic candidate on the November ballot, Crimi is effectively unopposed.

Crimi received 19,231 votes in the primary election. That is 13.93% of the county’s registered Republicans and 7.22% of all 266,192 registered voters in Marion County.

Okus qualified as a write-in candidate for the District 2 seat in June. Under Florida’s universal primary contest provision, a party primary opens to every voter regardless of registration only when the winner will face no opposition in the general election. A write-in counts as opposition, even though writein names are not printed on the ballot and voters must write them in themselves. Okus’s qualifying closed the Republican primary to registered Republicans only, excluding Democrats, no-party and minor-party voters — 128,187 people as of the July book closing.

Okus reported raising no money and spending none. Okus would not return calls or texts for comment.

Mike Crimi

In the District 4 race, writein Leonard Michael Racioppi remains on the November ballot against Jeff Bairstow, who won the Republican primary with 39.02% of the voting Republicans. That primary was closed to the same 128,187 voters on the same basis.

Under s. 100.041(2)(a), Florida Statutes, a county commissioner’s four-year term commences on the second Tuesday following the general election. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, so the first Tuesday after is Nov. 10 and the second is Nov. 17.

Crimi out-raised all local candidates in this race. He raised $176,662.70 for a county commission seat that pays about $110,000 a year — more than three times what candidate Matt

Cretul reported and more than double what Cretul and Brien Weidemiller raised combined.

What the itemized report shows is not breadth of support but concentration: of 197 contributions, 162 were for exactly $1,000, the maximum a county candidate may accept from a single source under Florida law.

The median contribution was $1,000. Businesses supplied 62.2% of the money and the occupations listed by individual donors cluster heavily in one sector — contractor, developer, real estate investor, construction, agriculture.

Almost none of it is small-dollar donations.

The clustering goes further than sector. Ninety-five contributions totaling $94,919 — 53.6% of everything Crimi raised — came from donors sharing a mailing address with at least one other donor. A single Belleview address produced 15 separate contributions of $1,000 each, an Ocala post office box produced 10, from air-conditioning and holding companies, four more addresses produced five apiece.

The practice is legal: each LLC is a distinct legal entity entitled to its own $1,000 limit. But it is the mechanism by which a $1,000 cap becomes $15,000 from one mailbox. On the spending side, the money went almost entirely to paid persuasion — $81,109 to a single consulting firm, Front Line Strategies, owned by State Sen. Stan McClain’s half-brother Brett Doster, for mailers and social advertising, $18,538 to a billboard company, $11,562 for signs — with $46,150 itemized as mailers alone.

PRIMARY ELECTIONS RECAP

T

his is who showed up to vote in Marion County.

By Jennifer Hunt, jennifer@ocalagazette.com Countywide turnout for the primary elections on Aug. 18 was 27.01%. Marion County recorded 71,897 ballots from 266,192 registered voters.

The gap by party registration was severe.

Republicans cast 46,639 ballots from 138,034 registered, a turnout of 33.79%. Democrats cast 19,673 from 66,636 registered, or 29.52%.

Nonpartisan voters cast 5,585 ballots from 61,522 registered — a turnout of 9.08%.

Voters 66 and older were 39.6% of the registration rolls and 60.4% of the people who cast ballots. Voters under 50 were 36.1% of the rolls and 16.4% of the electorate.

Turnout ranged from 9.31% among voters 18 to 25 to 44.33% among voters 76 to 80.

By race and ethnicity, turnout was 30.79% among white voters, 23.65% among Black voters, 17.42% among voters listed as other, and 11.88% among Hispanic voters.

Marion County voters cast 38,664 ballots on Election Day, 19,402 by mail and 13,831 during early voting. Voters 66 and older cast 34.3% of their ballots by mail. Voters 18 to 25 cast 10.1% by mail and 69.9% on Election Day. The general election is set for Nov. 3. To learn more, go to votemarion.gov

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A7

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

OPD press conference re two incidents The Ocala Police Department is investigating shootings in town on Sunday and Monday.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

O

cala Police Chief Mike Balken held an impromptu press conference the afternoon of Sept.

15 to discuss two recent Ocala shootings, which he called unrelated and in one case tied to a drug deal and an altercation in the other.

Balken’s remarks concerned a shooting with a fatality and two serious injuries on Sunday, afternoon, Sept. 13, in the 1100 block of Northwest 12th Avenue, and a shooting into a vehicle on Southeast 11th Avenue in the 1200 block on Monday night, Sept. 14, which left a mother and her 5-year-old child injured but reportedly in stable condition.

In the Sept. 13 shooting, OPD officers on patrol heard gunshots and responded around 2:08 p.m. to a residential area on Northwest 11th Street and Northwest 12th Avenue.

Officers found one man injured with multiple gunshot wounds and 23-year-old Tedarrium Deas was deceased, Balken stated.

“We’ve determined this was a drug deal gone wrong. One group arrived intending to deliver drugs, but the other group attempted to rob them, leading to an exchange of gunfire that left members of both groups injured,“ Balken said. “Our detectives have identified everyone believed to be involved in this incident and are working diligently to bring this case to a close.”

An OPD official confirmed Deas’ residential address was in the vicinity of the shooting. Deas, according to school officials, attended Vanguard High School.

Balken indicated that a hit-and-run crash near State Road 200 and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue was tied to Sunday’s fatal shooting.

An Ocala Police Officer tries to unjam a customized AR pistol found in the woods on Northwest 11th Avenue near the scene of a fatal shooting that happened in the 1100 block of Northwest 12th Avenue in Ocala, Fla. on Sept. 13, 2026.

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026.

“Upon arrival, it was quickly determined that one of the vehicles was connected to the homicide case and officers ultimately took the driver into custody. It was later confirmed that this vehicle had just left a local hospital after dumping off a third gunshot victim, just before the crash occurred,” Balken stated.

Meanwhile, Balken discussed the investigation of a shooting into a vehicle carrying a family of three — father, mother and their 5-year-old child on Sept. 14, in which the mother and child were injured, but were expected to recover.

Balken explained that shooting winds back to an altercation around 8 p.m. at the Sutton Place Apartment Complex in the 500 block of Northeast 23rd Circle.

“This incident unfolded in the parking lot and involved multiple juveniles and

Intersection of Southeast 12th Street and Southeast 11th Avenue in Ocala, where shots were fired into a vehicle on Sept. 14 and left a mother and her 5-year-old child injured but reportedly in stable condition.

[Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]

adults. Officers quickly arrived and restored peace to the area. However, about an hour later, the victims from the earlier disturbance left a nearby apartment complex and headed home for the night,” Balken said The shooting occurred around 9:45 p.m. in the 1200 block while the family traveled south on Southeast 11th Avenue toward Southeast 17th Street.

“Information suggests they were followed from that location by the suspects,” Balken stated.

“The suspects opened fire on their vehicle, striking it multiple times. During the incident, two of the vehicle’s occupants were hit by gunfire,” Balken said. “The suspect vehicle fled the area, and the victims transported themselves to a local hospital. Thankfully, everyone involved is expected to survive.”

An OPD Facebook post stated the mother and child were in stable condition.

The shooting was near Todd C. Prosser City Park. A woman who lives within sight of the location on Southeast 11th Avenue said she did not hear the shots but was aware of the incident. She said she did not get anything on her video surveillance.

She said she found the incident shocking, especially in light of a man being shot in the vicinity earlier this year.

Harold Whitt Harper was shot and killed in January in the 900 block of Southeast 3rd Street. A 20-year-old man was charged in the homicide, according to a Jan. 8 “Gazette” report.

Balken asked for the public’s support in the ongoing investigations. An OPD Facebook post asked residents in the vicinity of the shooting on Sept. 14 for doorbell videos or any related video footage.

OPD can be contacted at 352-369-7000.

A8

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala renews contracts for four top officials Councilman Hilty casts lone “no” vote on city manager, citing need for new vision.

By Steve Collins steve@ocalagazette.com

T

he Ocala City Council voted Sept. 15 to retain the city’s top appointed officials, but not without criticism of the city manager.

City Clerk Angel Jacobs, Police Chief Michael Balken, City Manager Peter Lee and City Attorney William Sexton will all receive new two-year contracts.

Jacobs, Balken and Sexton each received unanimous 5-0 support from the council, but Council Member James Hilty Sr. voted against retaining Lee. “I am voting against the contract,” Hilty said. “I’m saying let’s go out and find out and see if there’s somebody that has the vision and the leadership because Ocala is growing and we need to make a change to keep up.”

Hilty said Lee is often slow in responding to council requests for information and he hasn’t demonstrated good leadership, especially as it relates to issues affecting downtown.

All four extended contracts will run through October 2028. The most generous of those contracts goes to Lee, who will receive a $267,608 annual salary, a 21%

retirement contribution and a $750 monthly car allowance.

Should he be terminated without cause, he gets three months paid administrative leave plus 20 weeks of pay and benefits.

Sexton’s contract includes a $255,386 annual salary, a 20% retirement contribution, a $500 monthly car allowance and a $200 a month tech allowance. Balken’s contract includes a $224,349 annual salary, a 20% retirement contribution and a city vehicle for business and personal use. Jacobs’ contract includes a $135,968 annual salary and the standard general employee retirement plan, which includes a 3% employee contribution and an 8% city contribution. Should Sexton, Balken or Jacobs be fired without cause, they’d receive 20 weeks of pay and benefits.

Sexton’s new salary represents a 5% increase, whereas the salaries of Jacobs, Balken and Lee will remain flat.

Lee was an assistant city manager in April 2022 when he was elevated to interim city manager the same night former city manager Sandra Wilson was fired despite the fact her employment status hadn’t been on the agenda. In September 2022, the council voted to remove

the interim label. Hilty was the lone “no” vote, saying he’d have preferred a national search.

The city manager was the only one of the four officials to receive negative feedback. The lone public comment regarding the contract extensions came from Clay Albright, who blasted Lee. “You have multiple issues going on underneath your city manager’s watch right now and I would urge you to get these matters cleared up before you reward them with an extension of the contract,” Albright said.

Albright was particularly critical of Lee’s handling of code enforcement issues, a topic he’s previously addressed with the council. Albright has said code enforcement officers act as though they don’t answer to anybody. He accused Lee of moving problematic employees to other positions rather than removing them.

Albright told the council his comments reflected “conversations with dozens of people in your business community that are scared to come up here and address this issue.”

Council member Barry Mansfield acknowledged issues with code enforcement but said Lee is working to address those.

“You can’t say that one person screwing up is going to, you know, affect the whole ship and that’s bad management. It’s not,” Mansfield said. “I’ve got guys that screw up all the time. Does that mean I’m a bad contractor? No, it’s just the guy that screwed up.”

Council President Pro-Tem Jay Musleh referenced Wilson’s firing while supporting Lee. “I don’t want us to be so shortsighted that we’re turning over city managers every two to three years,” Musleh said. “He deserves a contract extension.”

Mayor Ben Marciano, who doesn’t get a vote, said Lee “has some faults, but I think he’s working on them,” while praising the city manager’s leadership and the culture he’s built.

“It would be easy to Monday morning quarterback this and say, ‘hey, the grass is always greener on the other side,’ and it never turns out that way,” Marciano said. “It never turns out that way. I think we have a good leader in Pete and, again, I look at our team and how much they love working for him, and I think he deserves to be our city manager.”.

Council member Kristen Dreyer said she’s raised directly with Lee any issues she’s had with him and

Give4Marion Continued from page A1 This year, the campaign, which started on Tuesday and ended at 7 p.m. Wednesday, brought in $2,343,153 from 4,618 donors making 7,463 gifts, according to the foundation website a little after 7 p.m.

During a celebration party at the Reilly Arts Center on Wednesday evening, foundation CEO Lauren Deiorio cheered on the participating nonprofits and thanked the many donors and sponsors who helped with the campaign.

“Give4Marion belongs to the community,” Deiorio said in a prior “Gazette” article. “The nonprofits, donors, businesses, volunteers and families who participate are what have turned this annual giving event into something Marion County can be proud of.”

Some fun elements in each year’s campaign revolve around Matching Moments and Power Hours and many of the nonprofits take to social media to drum up support for their cause. Those scrolling through Facebook early Wednesday could hear an emotional appeal from RJ Jenkins to support the Marion County Literacy Council, of which he is president.

In addition to expressing hopes that the nonprofit would gain one more donor this year than last year, or 724 gifts, Jenkins

Heather Wyman, with Heart of Florida Health Center, Dawn Westgate, with Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection, and Lauren Deiorio, with the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, celebrate during the final hours of the 2026 Give4Marion campaign. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026

was generous in his praise and support for all the other nonprofits and asked those watching his video to “open your wallets and bless this community.”

Jennifer Martinez, executive director and CEO of Marion Senior Services, reposted Jenkins’ post with this note: “Leave it to RJ to truly capture the spirit of Give4Marion. My friends are so stinking

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cute. And if you haven’t seen Karla’s video of Elvis, well that’s been cuter than any chickens.”

Yes, chickens have made special appearances in support of Give4Marion and Elvis is a cow owned by Karla Greenway, CEO of Interfaith Emergency Services. Elvis starred in his own video this year, proclaiming from a pulpit that,

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

many of those have been addressed.

She said her approach is to focus on the positive.

“There’s so many great things happening,” Dreyer said. “Code enforcement is one small portion that needs refining, we all agree, but don’t lose sight of everything else.”

When asked after the meeting if he had any comment, Lee said he did not.

While Lee was catching some heat, Sexton, who became Ocala’s first in-house city attorney in 2022 only after another candidate declined an offer, was receiving praise.

“Having worked with an outside firm for so long on the council, I was questioning how this was really going to work. You have made a seamless transition to become now our city attorney,” Musleh said.

“We get very thoughtful advice, that’s accurate, and I appreciate everything that you’ve done.”

“God loves a cheerful giver.”

Other teasers included Pepsi and coffee challenges, which generated tons of FB posts of locals showing off cans of the beverage and cups of java, along with a sign promoting their charity.

But behind all the gimmicks, at the heart of the matter is the fact that many of these local nonprofits struggle to do what they do.

“Every community has challenges that are difficult to solve. Homelessness.

Hunger. Mental health. Addiction. Child abuse. Veterans struggling to transition home. Seniors living in isolation. Families facing crisis. These issues are complicated, deeply personal and rarely have simple solutions. Yet every day, nonprofit organizations throughout Marion County step forward to address them. They go where the need exists and meet people where they are,” Deiorio said.

“Our nonprofits are doing this work 365 days a year,” she added. “Give4Marion provides a unique opportunity for all of us to stand behind them, celebrate their work and provide resources that help them continue changing lives. Give4Marion is much more than a signature outreach of the Community Foundation for Ocala/ Marion County, it is our opportunity to say: We see your work. We understand its importance. And we are willing to help.”

To learn more, go to Give4Marion.org

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A9

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Eastside beats Belleview with late score Rams edge Rattlers 13-9 for district victory.

By Mark Pinson Special to the Gazette

B

elleview was less than a minute away from recording its first district win in four years before Gainesville Eastside quarterback Andrew Sutherland capped a 65-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Malachi Williams to give the Rams a stunning 13-9 win over the Rattlers on Sept. 11.

The improbable win improved Eastside to 1-3 on the season and to 1-0 in Class 3A-District 5 action. Belleview, which dominated the statistics and the play for most of the game, saw its record drop to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the district.

It looked like Belleview was going to hang on for the win when Eastside faced a fourthand-15 from its own 36 with no time outs when Sutherland found wide receiver Elijah Hamilton wide open down the right sideline for a 62-yard gain to the Rattlers’ 2-yard line with under a minute left in the game.

The Belleview defense, which was stout for most of the game, gave up the go-ahead and eventual winning score on a backshoulder throw to Williams in the right corner of the end zone.

The extra point was good to give the Rams a 13-9 lead with 40.4

seconds remaining to play.

Belleview got the ball back at its 40-yard line and quarterback Gabe Caro completed a couple of passes to move the ball across midfield, but a last gasp pass into the Eastside end zone was batted down as time expired. Caro finished 10 of 22 passing for 83 yards with one interception.

“It’s a disappointing loss because we dominated the whole game,” said Rattlers coach Boeh Hartwell. “We haven’t won a district game in four years and this was a huge opportunity for us to do that. I’m proud of all the boys, but this a game we should have won.”

The recent rains in the area made the Belleview High School field quite sloppy and the teams followed suit with three turnovers in the first three possessions of the game. Eastside took advantage of an interception of Caro by senior cornerback Jameer McCarthy who returned it to the Belleview 10-yard line.

On third-and-goal, Sutherland connected with senior wide receiver Jamarian Reaves on a 9-yard slant pass between a pair of Rattler defenders. The extra point was no good to leave the Rams leading by a score of 6-0 midway through the first quarter.

Belleview answered with a 16-play, 67-yard drive that junior running back Mike Caro capped

with a 4-yard touchdown run.

Caro had 11 carries for 62 yards.

The point after gave the Rattlers a 7-6 lead.

After an exchange of punts, Eastside had the ball on its own 5-yard line when a high snap sailed over Sutherland’s head and out of the back of the end zone for a safety to extend the Belleview lead to 9-6 early in the second period.

After a scoreless third quarter, Eastside had a chance to take the lead midway through the fourth period, but the Rattlers stuffed a fourth-and-goal run on the 1-yard line. Belleview picked up a first down before punting the ball away to give the Rams the ball with only 2:11 left in the game.

Sutherland, who was under constant pressure from the Belleview pass rush, threw three incomplete passes to set up a fourth and 15. Hamilton got behind the Rattlers defense and Sutherland, who completed 8 of 18 passes for 104 yards, hit him for the 62-yard pass play. The Rams completed their comeback with the scoring pass to Williams.

Belleview will look to regroup and get back in the win column on Sept. 18 with a home game against Umatilla.

Belleview’s Tori Turner (1) loses his footing in the wet grass as Eastside’s Jameer McCarthy (1) comes in to stop him during a football game at Belleview High School in Belleview, Fla. on Sept. 11, 2026.

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Belleview players run onto the field for their game against Eastside.

Eastside’s Elijah Hamilton (10) battles for extra yardage as Belleview’s Elyijah Neimiec (14) tries to stop him.

Eastside’s Jayce Starke (4) stops Belleview’s quarterback Gabe Caro (7).

Eastside quarterback Andrew Sutherland (12) throws a pass against Belleview.

Belleview’s Tori Turner (1) loses an Eastside punt return.

Belleview’s head coach Boeh Hartwell works with his players.

A host of Eastside defenders stop Belleview’s Marque Davis (8).

Eastside’s Elijah Hamilton (10) fumbles the ball as Belleview’s Elyijah Neimiec (14) stops him.

Belleview’s Tori Turner (1) battles for yardage against Eastside.

Eastside’s Jameer McCarthy (1) runs the ball for a large gain that led to a touchdown against Belleview.

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September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places and Things Bring Back the Bryant The Historic Ocala Preservation Society has launched a fundraising campaign to save its iconic headquarters building.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

T

he city of Ocala has a rich history, dating back to when Timucuan Indians called their village Ocali.

It was in 1846 that Ocala became the county seat of Marion County. In the ensuing years, the town rose and fell and rose again in terms of prosperity and population.

The city of Ocala website notes that the town was incorporated in 1868 and state approval was granted in 1869. At the time, the city limits were set 1,000 yards in all directions from the downtown square. In 1883, a Thanksgiving Day fire nearly destroyed most of downtown.

The rebuilding effort, which involved a lot of red brick, led to the nickname of “Brick City.”

By 1890, Ocala had expanded to four square miles and its population was 1,895. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city’s population as of July 1, 2025, was 71,753. In 2020, the bureau states, the land area of Ocala in square miles was 47.26.

There are four historic districts in Ocala: Downtown, Southeast Ocala, West Ocala and Tuscawilla. In the heart of the Downtown Historic District stands the Bryant House, built at 712 SE Fort King St.

by R.W. Bryant circa 1892.

It is a Vernacular Victorian home with Eastlake and Greek Revival influences. Bryant was the grandfather of Cecil Farris Bryant, who was governor of Florida from 1961 to 1965.

The Bryant House serves as the headquarters of the Historic Ocala Preservation Society, or HOPS, which was founded in 1980.

“We advocate for the preservation of Ocala and Marion County’s history by providing educational resources, working with community partners, contributing to beautification initiatives and assisting property owners. For over 40 years HOPS has contributed to preservation through various programs and projects funded primarily by proceeds from HOPS tours and donations by citizens,” its website notes.

The nonprofit HOPS purchased the Bryant House in 2013. The interior is elegant and refined, with period furnishings that evoke a sense of timelessness. One of the key components of the house is a large room that serves as an archive — some say treasure trove — of local history.

Over the past few years, hurricanes and other storms have damaged parts of the infrastructure and now HOPS has embarked on a Bring Back the Bryant fundraising campaign. ​The campaign will support necessary repairs, restoration work and ongoing maintenance.

Because the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 12, 1984, as a contributing property within the Ocala Historic District, there are rules and restrictions about how such an endeavor can be conducted.

HOPS has a goal of raising $300,000 to complete: • Second-floor stabilization - Structural reinforcement to secure the upper level, the first and most urgent phase of

repairs.

• Foundational work Repairing the base structure that supports the entire building’s integrity.

• Porch restoration Rebuilding and repairing the historic porch damaged by successive storms.

• Window repairs - Restoring and repairing windows throughout the house, many original to the historic structure.

• Exterior protective sealing - Sealing the exterior to prevent further weather damage and protect the building going forward.

Kathleen “Kat” Ramirez, president of the nine-member board of directors, said when they saw evidence of damage and needed repairs, they began to get some quotes “but realized that we would not be able to fund it ourselves and we don’t want to see the house get to the point where it has to be demolished.”

“A couple of years ago there was a really bad storm,” Ramirez explained, “and we didn’t realize moisture had sunk into the windows and the structure of the house as bad as it did.”

“That is why it has taken us a while to get those quotes. It is very specific. It’s a lot more complicated, I think, than a lot of people realize. We work closely with the Ocala Historic Preservation Advisory Board to make sure that not only are we doing it right but also that we are an example to other households,” Ramirez added.

HOPS administrator and marketing coordinator Amy Davidson, the organization’s sole employee, who also is the caretaker of the Bryant House, said, “Something about historic houses, it’s a constant project.

It’s not just one and done.”

“For one window, you’re looking at $10,000. The cost of retrofitting’s… these are not windows you see anymore, they have to be specially made. The sizes, whether you want them to open and close. We had some window renovations in 2021 and that was $73,000,” she said.

“We want our house to be something that everyone is proud of,” Davidson added. “We want people to drive by and say, ‘Look at that. Look at what they are doing.’”

Davidson said the group has been pursuing some grant funding to help with the needed repairs.

“But with most grants, you have to contribute a certain percentage and at this point our funds won’t allow us to do so. So, we are seeking a grant writer.

And we also are working towards becoming a museum. There’s a lot of work behind that,” she said.

In the past HOPS has hosted events such as home tours to help raise funds for its endeavors. Davidson said that over the last few years, however, people are less willing to have guests enter their homes so they are thinking up ways to stay connected with the community, such as their upcoming Ghost Walking Tours on Oct. 10, 17 and 24, which will step off from outside the Bryant House. The tours will be led by Ramirez and travel through the district, but not inside anyone’s home.

“I came in March and Kat became president in January,

and we work well together because we constantly bounce ideas off each other. The want is there, the drive is there, but we are so limited by the fact that we structurally cannot have events here inside the Bryant House right now. We can have the ghost tours, which meet up outside, that kind of thing,” Davidson explained.

The two said they have envisioned a ton of great ideas for the future, once they take care of the restoration project.

Those might include “intimate” events such as tea parties, baby and bridal showers and socials.

They would love for home school groups, which tend to be smaller than public school field trips, to visit the archive room.

In addition to funds for the Bring Back the Bryant campaign, the two would love to see more people involved in the organization as volunteers and board members.

You do not have to live in Ocala to be part of HOPS. “We need people who want to help with projects and with events, so we can do more things.

We need people who want to be active and who have a passion for history and preserving history,” Ramirez said.

As for why it’s important to preserve the Bryant House, Ramirez, 38, who is a lifelong history buff and teacher of history at West Port High School, said, “To me, it shows that Ocala has this really longstanding history of Florida and the different connections that come with it. And I just don’t like to see old houses go away. I was born and raised in Ocala and I’ve driven by this house I don’t how many times and that was one of my things when I was younger, I always said that when I got older, I wanted to work with HOPS and help people preserve these houses.”

She noted that HOPS board past president Lela Kerley’s mom grew up in the Bryant House.

“So, there’s that connection from then to now, so it’s not just in the past,” Ramirez said.

“A lot of people talk about how much Ocala has changed and a lot of people don’t like change, so I think when you have the mentality connected to preservation, why not support a mission and cause like HOPS. It’s people like that who can make a huge difference for us. Without history, without preservation, what do you have from the past? Davidson asked.

“We don’t just want to survive; we want to thrive,” she added.

“You can have growth and affection for history. If anyone is looking for ways to help preserve what they love about this town, HOPS is a great organization for that and we would love to have new members. We are looking for corporate sponsorships.

We are willing to offer naming opportunities. To be part of HOPS is to be part of Ocala’s legacy.”

Kathleen Ramirez, president of the Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS), left, and Amy Davidson, administrative and marketing coordinator, pose outside the Bryant House (circa. 1892) on East Fort King Street in Ocala, Fla. on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. HOPS has launched the Bring Back the Bryant campaign to raise funds for the preservation and restoration of the historic property.

Kathleen Ramirez, president of the Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS), points out a broken window on the second floor of the Bryant House.

The grand staircase.

Kathleen Ramirez and Amy Davidson talk about a broken window on the second floor.

Crystal is lit up by late afternoon sun at the Bryant House.

To learn more about the Bring Back the Bryant campaign, go to historicocala.org/ bringbackthebryant For more information about getting involved with HOPS, call 352-484-0502 or email hops_ admin@historicocala.org Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

A crack is shown on a wall on the second floor of the Bryant House.

An old telephone and old Ocala telephone directory.

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September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Attoine Walker, Rosemary Roberts, Carolyn McComb and Roseline Leger.

Cynthia Wilson Graham, Ire Bethea and Gloria Bethea pose together during the third-annual Taste of the Town fundraiser for the Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center at the Ocala Downtown Market in Ocala, Fla. on Sept. 10, 2026.

SOCIAL SCENE

Taste of the Town

Annual fundraiser supports nonprofit health center in West Ocala.

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

T

here were plenty of smiles being served up, along with some tasty treats and beverages, when the nonprofit Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center hosted its third annual Taste of the Town fundraiser on Sept. 10 at the Ocala Downtown Market.

“We had over 150 people enjoying 26 vendor’s amazing food and Jeff Jarrett’s live music. We raised enough to go over our kick-off Give4Marion

goal,” said Heather James, director of community engagement, after the event.

The center was founded in November 2009 by Carolyn Adams, Dr. Pamela Lewin and the late Arthur Adams. It was named in honor of Carolyn’s grandmother, Estella Byrd Whitman, and was established to create a medical home for the underserved community of West Ocala.

The nonprofit center, which opened at 819 NW 7th St. in 2018, provides a primary care program with a range of medical services, including

preventive care, chronic disease management and acute illness treatment. It recently was awarded status as a Federally Qualified Health Center status from the Health Resources & Services Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Joshia Hope, 3; Sariah Hope; 11; Alaya Hope, 10; Myla Hope, 6; Amir Hope, 6; Jaylah Dickson, 8; and Jonathan Dickson, 10.

To learn more, go to ebwchc.org

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Shane Greenway, Karla Greenway and Levonda Goodson.

Heather James and Susie Blanchard.

Torii Boone and Tanee Walls of Graffiti Seafood and More.

Rachler Amsler and Melanee Davis.

Kylan Randolph, 1, and Ava Harris, 4.

Simone Campbell and Rodney Bayliss Jr., 12.

Kim Panzer and Janine Bloom.

Andrew Hinkle, Ayden Hinkle, Rylan Hinkle, both 2 1/2, Levonda Goodson and Lauren Debick.

Ladeidra Stokes-Roberts and Terri Williams.

WA N T YO U R E V E N T I N O U R E V E N T S C A L E N DA R ?

TO SUBMIT YOUR EVENT GO TO

OCALAGAZETTE.COM/EVENTS-CALENDARSUBMISSIONS Suzy and John Heinbockel.

Breanna Bennett, Shannon Cowart and Devon Reynolds of Terry’s Sports Bar and Grill.

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September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

‘RENT’: Beyond the stage special event The Civic will offer a free Sept. 20 post-performance ‘talkback’ conversation about art, medicine and survival.

Staff report

“

RENT,” one of the longestrunning musicals in Broadway history, opened at the Ocala Civic Theatre, or The Civic, on Sept. 3 for a 15-performance run supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. On Sept. 20, after the final performance, The Civic will offer a special post-show “talkback” session with three guest speakers.

“Join us for a powerful conversation about the world that gave rise to ‘RENT,’ the lives transformed by the AIDS crisis and the extraordinary ways medicine, personal experience and art helped change society,” The Civic announcement stated.

Dr. Jennifer Janelle, an infectious disease specialist at UF Health and a leader in HIV care and education, will explore how the HIV/AIDS crisis transformed medicine and what that legacy means today — including her work providing care in rural Florida. Marvene Edwards will share her remarkable story of surviving HIV/AIDS and turning her experience into a life of helping others. Patricia Tomlinson, executive director of Arts in Health Ocala Metro, will examine the powerful relationship between art and social change: how the music, theatre, visual art, activism and creative expression born out of the AIDS crisis that gave voice to a generation — and helped change hearts, minds, policy and the culture itself, the materials explained

Alexis Trimboli, ensemble, Hunter Freilich as Mark Cohen and Alayah Wilson, ensemble, left to right, rehearse a scene from “RENT” at the Ocala Civic Theatre on Sept. 1, 2026.

The play runs from Sept. 3-20 and a special “talkback” session is set to follow the final performance. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

“This is more than a conversation about ‘RENT.’ It is a conversation about what happens when people refuse to be silent — and what can happen when medicine, art and human courage come together,” The Civic officials noted.

It is not necessary to attend the play performance in order to sit in on the talkback session, which is expected to begin around 5:30 p.m.

MEET THE GUEST SPEAKERS

Jennifer Janelle, MD, is an associate professor within the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine in the Department of Medicine, which consistently places among the top tier of U.S. higher education

institutions for research output in infectious diseases. She also serves as the UF Adult Infectious Diseases Fellowship Associate Program Director.

She is the principal investigator for the North Florida AIDS Education and Training Center, a partner in the Southeast AETC, an HRSA-funded project that aims to increase access to high-quality HIV care through medical education and technical assistance. Janelle received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. She then came to the University of Florida to continue her training, where she completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in infectious diseases. She is board

Stellar students Six Marion County teens named semifinalists in National Merit Scholarship Program.

Staff report

S

ix Marion County students, all of whom are part of the International Baccalaureate Program at Vanguard High School, have been named semifinalists in the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. All six seniors now advance in the prestigious scholarship program.

According to the Marion County Public Schools press release, they are: • Nirav Borade, 17, son of Raj Borade and Shilpa Oberoi. Nirav plans to study chemistry at either Duke University or the University of Florida to become a neurosurgeon.

• Miles Burdette, 17, is the son of Eric and Melissa Burdette. He plans to study electrical engineering at Georgia Tech.

• Gabrielle “Gabby” Javelona, 17, daughter of Rommel Javelona and Shirley Ellacer. She plans to study biochemistry at either Harvard University or the University of Florida to become an endodontist.

• Nektarios Lavdas, 17, son of Dean and Joanna Lavdas. Nektarios plans to study computer science at the University of Florida.

• Michael Ribay, 17, son of Daniel and Tess Ribay. Michael plans to study environmental

National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists Ifeanyichukwu Samuel, Michael Ribay, Nektarios Lavdas, Miles Burdette, Gabrielle Javelona and Nirav Borade. [Photo courtesy Marion County Public Schools]

engineering at the University of Florida.

• Ifeanyichukwu Samuel, 17, son of Chukwuemeke and Joan Samuel.

Ifeanyichukwu plans to study psychology at Yale University for a career in medicine.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation operates the program that requires high school students to take the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Less than 1% of high school seniors nationwide qualify for this program, an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that started in 1955. This year, more than 1.2 million students entered the competition, with 16,000 reaching the semifinals.

Semifinalists compete to become finalists for some 6,700 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $24 million to be awarded next spring, the news release noted.

To be named a finalist, students must submit a detailed scholarship application including academic records, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards received.

They must also be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores confirming their earlier performance on the qualifying test.

To learn more, go to nationalmerit.org

certified in infectious diseases and her clinical interests include medical education, HIV/ AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

Marvene Edwards tested positive for HIV in 1987, after a traumatic decade in south Florida. In 2003, she learned that her disease had progressed to AIDS – which, ironically, marked the beginning of a new life for her. At this turning point, Edwards moved to Gainesville and met people who helped redirect her life, replacing drugs and jail time with support groups and church services.

She found additional purpose when she began volunteering at the Alachua County Health Department in 2004. Edwards also became the president of Positives Empowering Positives, a local organization designed to encourage those living with HIV/AIDS and to remind them there is more to life than being HIV positive. She then became a medical adherence case manager at Positively U, a nonprofit HIV support organization for central Florida.

Today, her life is devoted to family, service and education as she lives fully and vibrantly.

Patricia Tomlinson is the executive director of Arts in Health Ocala Metro (AIHOM) and has worked as an arts professional for 22 years. After serving as the Public Arts Coordinator for the State of New Mexico, Tomlinson transitioned to a career as curatorial staff at the Denver Art Museum and then the Appleton Museum

of Art. During her tenure at the Appleton, she became increasingly engaged with the arts in health community and sought to integrate healing arts practices into her curatorial work. Eventually, that led her to accept the position at AIHOM. Tomlinson is a passionate proponent of the life-changing benefits of the arts and strives to implement this conviction to build stronger, healthier communities.

In a prior “Gazette” article about “RENT,” Greg Thompson, The Civic’s executive and artistic director, when asked why he feels the play still resonates with audiences, replied, “It resonates because, beneath its very specific time and place, it is about things that never go out of date: love, friendship, loss, community, the struggle to create and the awareness that we don’t know how much time we have. The world has changed since 1996, but the questions remain: Who gets to belong? What do we owe one another? And what do we do with the time we’ve been given?”

The Ocala Civic Theatre is located at 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala. The final performance of “RENT” will begin at 2 p.m. Sept. 20. To get tickets, visit thecivic.org The talkback session will begin around 5:30 p.m. It is free to attend.

To learn more, go to thecivic. org/event/rent-beyond-thestage-a-conversation-aboutart-medicine-survival or call 352-236-2274.

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September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Noted oncologist to speak at IHMC On Sept. 22, Dr. Norm Anderson will offer “The treatment of osteoarthritis: A century old ‘secret’”

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

an additional layer of care not normally available in most communities.

D

r. Norm Anderson has a prestigious resume, which includes serving as CEO of the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute in Ocala for more than 40 years.

He graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Medicine in 1981 and completed his specialty training in Radiation Oncology in 1985. He served as an officer with the Aviation Wing of the United States Marine Corps prior to his medical training. After attaining his medical degree, he served as a reserve Medical Officer in the U.S. Army “MASH” unit, Gainesville.

He said his interest in medicine “started in childhood and grew over the years in college. The death of my best friend, Robert Boissoneault, from Hodgkins disease, convinced me I would do everything possible to save others from dying of cancer.”

Anderson now serves as a Fellow in the American College of Radiology. He has served on the board of the State of Florida’s Department of Professional Regulation; the Advisory Council for the Agency of Healthcare Administration; the State Council on Medical Physicists; Past Chairman/Board of Trustees, Ocala Regional Medical Center; Past President/ George Harrell Club, University of Florida; Past President/Marion County Medical Society; Past President/Board of Directors, Monroe Regional Development Foundation; and Past Vice-Chairman/ Council on Legislation for the Florida Medical Association.

On Sept. 22, as part of the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition’s evening lecture series, Anderson will speak on the topic “The treatment of osteoarthritis: A century old ‘secret.’”

According to materials provided by Anderson, osteoarthritis is the destruction of cartilage with coexistent inflammation of surrounding tissue. The process can affect any joint of the body as its symptoms and physical damage become progressive.

Multiple treatment approaches, increasing in intensity, have been the standard of care.

Beginning more than 125 years ago and uninterrupted in Europe for more than 60 years, low-dose therapeutic radiation has been the potential “solution” for this medical dilemma. This approach destroys the offending cells that erode cartilage: in essence, the disease stops. Other

WHAT KIND OF KID/TEEN WERE YOU?

Dr. Norm Anderson [Photo courtesy The Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute]

than the inconvenience of receiving its administration, therapeutic radiation has proven effective for the vast majority. As the cane and walkers become optional, life within can now resurface, reducing both morbidity and mortality. Length and quality of life can possibly be improved, as the large majority of insurance plans welcome its use. Unsurpassed accuracy of its medical delivery is mandatory.

Anderson has led the way for almost 40 years with this treatment.

To learn more about Anderson and his career path, we did an email Q&A.

I would have to say adventurous.

In my mid-high school years, the construction of Interstate 4 traversed through Winter Park/Orlando. A number of my male friends and I decided it was an ideal opportunity to build a houseboat. Specifically, the highway construction sites would provide supplies, and we would provide the construction skills. In order to inconvenience construction of the highway to a minimum, our supplies were obtained at night. After 11 p.m., it would be common for us to be manually pushing a boat trailer along the sidewalks leading from the Interstate 4 bridge construction to Lake Killarney… our construction site. A three-story houseboat was erected. This was buoyed by 55-gallon empty drums again supplied by the state government. 4 x 8 sheets of plywood served as the framework for this three-level floating barge. Power was provided by a 3 hp motor which, against a brisk wind, would actually go backward instead of forward.

In reality, the supplies had been previously used as part of the construction

for bridge overpasses and were considered waste. The excess concrete still on the 4 x 8 sheets of plywood significantly increased weight so that, upon its maiden voyage, the ship sunk to the bottom of the lake. As “luck” would have it, a hurricane caused our second home to be dispersed along the shoreline of the lake. Needless to say, the residents were not enthusiastic about watching it rebuilt since everyone agreed this was the ugliest looking thing on water they had ever seen.

I don’t think Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn could’ve done a better job.

HOW DID YOU BECOME ASSOCIATED WITH IHMC?

When I discovered IHMC, I realized it was one of the best education resources residents in our area could ever be offered.

To have outstanding speakers talking on a myriad of topics provided such a broad base of knowledge that I have thoroughly enjoyed. And to realize that this was being offered to the community at no cost was almost too good to be true. I am now honored to be a part of that resource.

Each evening lecture begins with a reception, at 5:30 p.m. at IHMC, 15 SE Osceola Ave., in downtown Ocala.

The events are free to attend but seating is limited so reservations are recommended. To RSVP, go to ihmc.us

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?

I was born in Toronto, Canada, with my parents moving to Winter Park/Orlando when I was 9 years of age.

WHY/WHEN DID YOU COME TO OCALA?

After graduating from the University of Florida College of Medicine with specialty training in radiation oncology, I joined a solo practice in 1985 in Ocala, becoming the second radiation oncologist ever in Marion County. I found the opportunity to provide care in this region to be exceptional, while still being close enough to the University of Florida to provide

Dr. Norm Anderson as an “adventurous” toddler, which continued into his teens. [Photo courtesy Dr. Anderson]

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM 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.

OCALAGAZETTE.COM/SUBSCRIBE

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September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala Film Derby puts student filmmakers in spotlight

Wayne’s World of Paintball gets extension

Five-day experience will culminate with big-screen premiere, awards and record-setting scholarship reveal.

Owners are continuing to resolve code enforcement issues, plan for annual event.

Staff report

By Marian Rizzo Correspondent

L

ights. Camera. Derby.

The 4th Annual Ocala Film Derby will return Sept. 23–27. It brings Marion County student filmmakers together with educators, industry professionals, colleges and community partners for five days of filmmaking, mentorship and career exploration.

The schedule begins Sept. 23 with an opening reception at the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition in downtown Ocala. Workshops will take place Sept. 24 at IHMC, Derby Day is set for Sept. 25 at IHMC and around downtown, the OFD College & Career Expo will take place Sept. 26 at IHMC and closing events will happen Sept. 27 at the Marion Theatre.

At the center of the experience is Derby Day, when student teams take over downtown Ocala to create original short films against the clock.

Working under real-world production conditions, students must collaborate, problem-solve and turn an idea into a completed film in just hours, the news release noted.

Leading up to Derby Day, students will participate in hands-on workshops alongside industry mentors. The experience continues Saturday with the first-ever OFD College & Career Expo with a Film Parent Panel, ultimately connecting students with opportunities to continue their education and pursue careers in film, television and digital media.

“The Ocala Film Derby has provided an invaluable opportunity for students, teachers and local industry professionals to collaborate on a creative experiment, allowing them to apply their passionate skills to produce a unique project,” said David Guest, from Forest High School, in the press release.

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA FRANKIE HUERTAS; MARIA JUDITH RIVERA LÓPEZ; Plaintiffs, VS. ROSE M. ROSARIO, Defendant.

CASE NO.: 2026-CA-001163 NOTICE OF ACTION-CONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE TO: ROSE M. ROSARIO 7507 Mourning Dove Circle Apt. 203 Reunion, FL 34747 YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to Partition the following real property: Tract 116, Florida Highlands, an unrecorded subdivision, more particularly described as follows: The East 1/2 of the Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of the Northeast 1/4 of Section 22, Township 17 South, Range 20 East, Marion County, Florida.

Together with 2005 SIZZ Mobile Homes, VIN GMHGA10460317A and VIN GMHGA10460317B. has been filed against you and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on counsel for Plaintiff, whose address is 407 Wekiva Springs Road, Suite 217, Longwood, Florida 32779 on or before 30 days from Date of First Publication of this Notice and file the original with the Clerk of this Court, located at Clerk of the Court, located at 110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida 34475, either before service on Plaintiff's attorney or immediately thereafter; otherwise a default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint or petition filed herein.

WITNESS my hand and the seal of this Court at Marion County, Florida, this 26TH day of August 2026.

By: D. Corticia As Deputy Clerk Plaintiff's Attorney: JARED GROW, ESQ. Florida Bar No. 1069596 Haynes Law Group, P.A. Attorneys for Plaintiff 407 Wekiva Springs Road, Suite 217 Longwood, FL 32779 Phone: (407) 960-7377 Email: Jared@hayneslegalgroup.com THIS NOTICE SHALL BE PUBLISHED ONCE A WEEEK FOR FOUR (4) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS. PUBLISH IN: OCALA GAZETTER - MARION COUNTY

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REGISTER FICTITIOUS NAME: Notice is hereby given that the undersigned, Carla Ericson-Becerra, in the County of Marion County, intends to register the fictitious name Carla Valeria Photography with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes.

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO REGISTER FICTITIOUS NAME WILLIAM ORVILLE HOULE LLC gives notice of its intention to conduct business under the fictitious name BHIVE Sales Training at 4700 SW 115th St, Ocala, FL 34476, in Marion County, Florida. The owner intends to register this name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, pursuant to Section 865.09, Florida Statutes.

T The team that produced the film “A Stroke Of Luck” celebrates as they win the Judges Choice award during the Ocala Film Derby Screening & Awards at the Marion Theatre in Ocala on Sept. 28, 2025. This year’s Derby is Sept.

23-27. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

The Derby will reach its finale Sept. 27, as the student films premiere on the big screen at the Marion Theatre during the Film Screening, Awards & Scholarship Ceremony. The event is packed with lots of other surprises and premieres.

And this year, there is another reason to stay through the credits, according to organizers: The 2026 Ocala Film Derby will award more scholarship money than ever before. This event is open to the public and begins at 2 p.m.

General admission is $10.

To learn more, go to ocalafilmderby.org

Public Notice

Advertisement for Bid

Scorpio Construction has been selected by Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) as the Construction Manager for the Belleview Middle School HVAC Upgrades project located at 10500 SE 36th Avenue, Belleview, FL 34420.

The project scope includes the construction of a new one-story chiller plant named Building 10, modifications to the mechanical mezzanines in Buildings 02, 03, 04, and 07, and installation/commissioning of a new central energy plant to provide chilled water to replace existing water-cooled heat pump system serving Buildings 01 thru 09.

We are currently soliciting bids from qualified subcontractors and suppliers. Bid invitations and instructions will be distributed through Procore.

Requests for Information (RFIs) are due by 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 24, 2026, and bids are due by 2:00 PM on Thursday, October 8, 2026.

he owners/operators of Wayne’s World of Paintball Inc. received a 90-day extension from the city of Ocala’s Code Enforcement Department on Wednesday, Sept. 10, and will be continuing paintball activities every Sunday until the end of December.

The venue is also preparing to host the field’s annual Nightmare on Pine Street Haunted Trail events during three weekends in October at the property at 4841 S. Pine Ave, Ocala.

Wayne’s World has been in operation for more than 30 years and is a popular venue for paintball enthusiasts, including a Grand Finale, which is held in December. The organization’s heavily attended Nightmare on Pine Street Haunted Trail draws more than 5,000 visitors annually.

Since October of 2025, Jackie Dollack, owner, has worked with a volunteer staff to correct violations cited

by Code Enforcement. Dollack received several extensions over the last few months. The work has been ongoing, she said.

“We’ve been taking buildings down, left and right, and trying to put up some structures that would be acceptable,” she said. “There always seems to be more.

I think it went very well. The Haunted Trail — we’re going to work on that this weekend. Every Sunday, paintball will

continue as long as they allow it. They haven’t made us give it up yet.”

This could be the last year for Wayne’s World to operate, said Dollack, noting that their lease will expire at the end of December and the acreage may be sold to another buyer.

Jennipher Buller, chief code official, stated at the Sept. 10 hearing that she’s been in touch with Henry Priest, whose family owns the acreage. Though the property has been for sale, there is no closing date as yet, Buller said. During the meeting, Buller acknowledged that the Dollacks have obtained the necessary electrical and plumbing permits in order to complete the work.

Nightmare on Pine Street Haunted Trail events will take place Oct. 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24. As has been done in the past, a portion of the proceeds, after expenses, will go to the Marion County office of Toys for Tots and to Cathy’s Kids, a Christmas program for underserved children, hosted by Ocala Fire Rescue. Patrick Joynt, coordinator for Toys for Tots in Marion County, said the Haunted Trail donations have ranged from $12,000 to as much as $20,000 a year for at least 20 years.

Volunteers are needed to set up the Haunted Trail activities. A planning meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday at Wayne’s World. Financial contributions can be made to the organization’s gofundme page on Facebook or by visiting waynes-world.com

Public Notice NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW PURSUANT TO SECTION 865.09, FLORIDA STATUTES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that KATHRYN MAXINE SHERWOOD will engage in business under the fictitious name SHERWOOD FAMILY FARMS AND HOMESTEAD, with a physical address 15220 NW 41ST TERRACE REDDICK, FL 32686, with a mailing address 15220 NW 41ST TERRACE REDDICK, FL 32686, and already registered the name mentioned above with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.

NO DAY BUT TODAY.

NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW PURSUANT TO SECTION 865.09, FLORIDA STATUTES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Adriana Alvarez / MEDICAL ALTERNATIVE CONNECTIONS LLC will engage in business under the fictitious name FLOR VOCATIONAL ACADEMY, with a physical address 150 SE 17th St , Suite 502 Ocala, FL 34471, with a mailing address 4510 SW 46th St Ocala, FL 34474, and already registered the name mentioned above with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.

According to Florida Statute Number 865.09

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Onyx Archway Therapy located at 3035 SE Mariacamp Rd, Ste 104, #293, in the city of Ocala, Florida 34471 intends to Submit bids via email to bids@scorpio- register said name in Marion County with co.com with the subject line: the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State.

"MCPS BMS HVAC Upgrades – Bid"

Submit RFIs via email to bids@scorpioco.com with the subject line: "MCPS BMS HVAC Upgrades – RFI"

Interested subcontractors and suppliers requesting bidding documents should email rachel@scorpioco.com with the subject line: "MCPS BMS HVAC Upgrades – RFD".

Dated at Ocala, Florida, this 14th day of September, 2026.

Onyx Archway Therapy P.A. By: Marla Shaul

Public Notice Ad Run 9/18/26 & 9/25/26 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 2426 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471 on October 6, 2026, at 12:00PM. Tynya Southall- home goods, clothing. 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.

Have a legal ad you need to publish?

ocalagazette.column.us/place

RATED PG-13

Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson Musical Arrangements Steve Skinner

Original Concept/Additional Lyrics Billy Aronson

Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements Tim Weil

Dramaturg Lynn Thomson

RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. • www.mtishows.com

September 3-20 TICKETS: $35-$40 for adults $17-20 for ages 18 & younger

Supported in part by a grant from:

COMMUNITY PARTNER The Marion Mosaic 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Ocala, FL 34470 (352) 236-2274 • thecivic.org

B6

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

Government SEPT. 21 AND 28

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. 22

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

OCT. 6 AND 20

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

OCT. 14

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

Arts

SEPT. 20

Music Box 2: All in the Family Stewart Kitts

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 3pm Concertmaster Stewart Kitts leads a joyful celebration of musical family, joined by his daughters and siblings—many of whom regularly perform with the Ocala Symphony. Featuring beloved works

by Bach and Vivaldi alongside special surprises, this program highlights the deep musical bonds formed through shared history and lifelong collaboration.

Learn more at reillyartscenter.com

SEPT. 24-27

“Threads of Memory” online production

Hear the Ocala Symphony Chorus live on Sept. 27.

[Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]

Times vary Unboxed Productions and the South Floridabased Curtain Up Theatrical Group are teaming up to present the world premiere of “Threads of Memory,” a new play by Michael Levitan. The online performances will take place: Sept. 24, 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time; 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time; Sept. 25, 3 p.m. EST; noon PST; Sept. 26, 8 p.m. EST; 5 p.m. PST; and Sept. 27, 4 p.m. EST; 1 p.m. PST. To obtain a link, go to unboxedproductions.org

SEPT. 24

Chuck Owen & the Jazz Surge

Community SEPT. 18

POW/MIA Recognition Day

Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, 2601 SE Fort King St., Ocala 8:30am Marion County will honor the courage, sacrifice and service of America’s prisoners of war and those missing in action. This year’s program, “Voices of Captivity,” presented by Marion County Veterans Services, will feature poetry written by prisoners of war and brought to life through readings by members of the Marion County Public Library System. Music will begin at approximately 8:30 a.m., provided

by Drumming for Veterans. For additional information, 352-671-8422.

SEPT. 19

160th Anniversary Inaugural Homecoming

Howard Academy Community Center, 306 N.W. 7th Ave., Ocala 9am-3pm The founding of Howard Academy, Ocala’s first African American school, will be marked with a daylong celebration that includes breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., tours of the Marion County Black History Museum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and other activities throughout the day. For additional information, call 352-6714175.

SEPT. 20 AND 22

Book sale

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala 10am-3pm The Friends of Freedom Public Library will hold their fall book sale on Saturday and Monday.

Browse the tables and fill a bag, then purchase a treat from a display of homemade cookies.

Friends members are invited to pre-sale purchases on Sept. 19, at 3:30 p.m. following setup. If you aren’t a member, come and join. For details, call 352-438-2580.

SEPT. 22

CF ribbon cutting

Ocala Campus Enterprise Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala 2pm The College of Central Florida invites the community to a ribbon cutting for the new Center for Career Development, which provides students with immersive career exploration tools, networking opportunities with local employers and connections to internships. The center is also home to CF’s professional clothing closet, which provides students with free attire suitable for job interviews, and the new Connection Hub by Fastenal – a comfortable collaborative space for networking events and conversations. For more information, visit www. cf.edu/ccd

SEPT. 26

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 7:30pm Celebrate 30 years of extraordinary music with the seven-time Grammy-nominated big band hailed as “one of the best large jazz ensembles in the country.”

This performance features new music alongside guest appearances from jazz artists including trumpet legend Randy Brecker. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com

Reddick Public Library, 15150 NW Gainesville Road, Reddick 10:30am The series will continue with a discussion on Emathla, a farming community in Northwest Marion County whose roots are from the town Chief Charley Emathla established circa 1822 and which has also been known by several other names. To learn more, call 352-438-2566.

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 3pm A reflective and richly textured exploration of the American choral voice, tracing how landscape, community, faith and longing have shaped a shared musical language. Featuring works by composers such as Copland, Randall Thompson, Whitacre, Paulus and Stephen Foster, this program presents America not as a single story, but as a chorus of voices — plainspoken and soaring, intimate and expansive. Rooted in folk melody, hymnody and modern lyricism, the music invites listeners to hear the nation anew: not as an idea, but as a living, breathing sound shaped by the people who sing it. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com

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 Dueling Pianos Dec. 2 at the Clerk’s Office inside City Hall, 110 SE Midgett Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Watula Ave. Ocala • “Stillness in Motion,” by Gwen Morrison, on display 6pm until Dec. 3 at Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. Grab a seat at a café table and enjoy dueling • “Through the Looking Glass,” by Linda Bourassa, pianos, cocktails and an evening of fun with friends. on display until Dec. 16 at the Eighth Avenue Adult Performing sing along classics of soft rock and pop Activity Center, 830 NE Eighth Ave. that spans decades. Get details at reillyartscenter.com • “Creative Voices,” by Arts in Health Ocala Metro, on display until Dec. 17 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Dueling Pianos Uncensored Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave. Midgett Black Box, Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., • “Waterscapes” by Marjorie Dodrill, on display until Ocala Dec. 22 at the Ocala International Airport, 1770 SW 9pm 60th Ave. Unleash your wild side on the dance floor as talented All exhibitions are free and open to the public during pianists engage in hilarious and unpredictable musical mash-ups while cocktail servers dish up your each facility’s regular business hours. For more information, go to ocalafl.gov/artincityspaces favorite drinks. Get ready for a night of laughter, outrageous requests and a high-energy, adults-only atmosphere. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com

THROUGH DEC. 31

Photography exhibit by Keith Sackin

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 10am-4pm The 12th annual event will feature 14 speakers addressing this year’s theme. For tickets and additional information, visit tedxocala.com

Talking History program

Ocala Symphony Chorus: A Choral Portrait of America

SEPT. 25

TEDxOcala: “Rhythm & Intersections”

SEPT. 28

SEPT. 27

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

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.

RENT THE APPLETON Open House

Thursday, September 24 | 2-6 p.m.

Make your next event a work of art. Explore our unique indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings, corporate gatherings and more. Drop in anytime between 2 and 6 p.m. to learn more.

Free to attend; no reservation needed.

Scan the QR code to learn more.

Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store Photos by Eighteenth Hour Photography

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

4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. | AppletonMuseum.org

B7

September 18-24 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 Angelic auras 6 Crass 11 Stat for Shohei Ohtani 14 Organic building material 15 A park in a busy city, for some 16 Musical acuity 17 *Alternative sentencing option 19 Bitter brew, briefly 20 Comedy show host 21 General vibe 22 "Fiddlesticks!"

25 *Love for hot rods and drive-in movies 29 Like Bono, Branagh, and Brosnan 31 "Praise be!"

32 Starting hr. for some 34 Cry of regret 35 "Chandelier" singer 38 *Former name of 30-Down 41 Cathedral city near Cambridge 42 Penne __ vodka 43 Indian lutes 44 Italian farewell 45 Spooky 46 *Wayyy past irate 52 "__ we forget" 53 Ride-hailing app 54 San Antonio mission 56 Document a new region 57 "You're not alone," and what the first word in the answer to each starred clue can do 63 Little devil 64 Supplement 65 New Brunswick neighbor 66 24 hours 67 Southwest plateaus 68 Pop star John Down 1 "A likely story!"

2 Flap

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 18 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 30 33 34 35 36 37 39 40 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 55 57 58 59 60 61 62

Bud's partner in classic comedy Overly preoccupied (with) Appear to be Jazz composer Chick Not as easily found "__ your head!"

Talk smack about "C'__ la vie!"

Phonics lesson quintet Humidifier output B-, for example N.C. State's athletic gp.

Topography abbr.

Quickly hose off Basic font Having a thin, metallic sound Southwest Colombian city Amherst sch.

WNBA legend Lisa State whose official individual sport is surfing Center of Italy's fashion industry Cry of recognition Capture "Hijack" star Elba Item of value Problem that a snake might solve Supported growers in one's community Lifesaving letters Muggy Only U.S. president born in 30-Down Full of vigor Tropical ray Midrange voices "Well, lah-di-__!"

Video that's suddenly everywhere, say Scanner problem Celebratory verse Confirms someone's age, for short Blazing __, dos, tres Actor Kingsley

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B9

B8

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE Public Notice

Public Notice

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

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

CASE NO.: 25 CC 001559 AX GREYSTONE HILLS HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION, INC., a Florida not-forprofit corporation, Plaintiff, vs.

CASE NO.: 2025-CA-1863 LEMKORE LLC, Plaintiff, vs.

EXCALIBUR KITCHEN AND BATH, LLC, PAUL FLETCHER, DISCOVER QUARTZ & GRANITE, LLC, AND RICHARD JOSE LABARCA NAVARRO, BARON OF EASTVIEW HOLDINGS, individually; MARY ALEJANDRA LLC. AGUILAR MOLINA, individually ; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN Defendants. / DEVELOPMENT; and ALL UNKNOWN TENANTS/OWNERS N/K/A MARCUS NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE AGULAR, Defendants. / NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Award of Attorneys Fees and Costs, dated November 12th, 2025, and Order on Plaintiff’s Motion to Reset Foreclosure Sale, entered August 25 th , 2026, and entered in Case Number: 25 CC 001559 AX , of the County Court in and for Marion County, Florida, wherein GREYSTONE HILLS HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION MEADOWS AT HEATH BROOK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION , INC. is the Plaintiff, and RICHARD JOSE LABARCA NAVARRO, individually; MARY ALEJANDRA AGUILAR MOLINA, individually ; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; and ALL UNKNOWN TENANTS/OWNERS N/K/A MARCUS AGULAR , is the Defendants, the Marion County Clerk of the Court will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash, by electronic sale on-line at www. marion.realforeclose.com , beginning at 11:00 o’clock A.M. on the 30th day of September, 2026 the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment of Foreclosure and Award of Attorneys Fees and Costs, to-wit: Property Address : 8720 SW 49th Circle, Ocala, Florida 34476 Property Description : Lot 28, Block A, Greystone Hills Phase One, according to the plat as recorded in Plat Book 14, Pages 10 and 11, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida .

If you are person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance.

Please contact Tameka Gordon, the ADA Coordinator at the Office of the Trial Court Administrator, Marion County Judicial Center, 110 NW First Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475, Telephone (352) 401-6710, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving notification if the time before the scheduled appearance in less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Summary Final Judgment dated the August 21, 2026, and entered in Case No: 2025 CC 1863, of the Circuit Court of the Fifth Judicial Circuit in and for Marion County, Florida wherein EXCALIBUR KITCHEN AND BATH, LLC, et all , are the Defendants, I will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash via online sale at www.marion.realforeclose.com at 11:00 A.M. on the 29th Day of September 2026 the following described property as set forth in said Summary Final Judgment, to wit: Lot 20, 21 and 22, NORTH ROADS PARK, according to the plat recorded in Plat Book T, page 70 of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida.

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.

Public Notice

Public Notice

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 26-CP-001968

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026-CP-2040 IN RE: ESTATE OF

IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSEPH LOUIS DEMPSEY, a/k/a JOSEPH L. DEMPSEY, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Joseph Louis Dempsey, a/k/a Joseph L. Dempsey, deceased, whose date of death was July 1, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is P.O. Box 1030, Ocala, Florida 34478. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.

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

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is September 18, 2026.

IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING, YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, TO THE PROVISION OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE ADA COORDINATOR AT THE MARION COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER, 110 N.W. FIRST AVENUE, OCALA, FLORIDA 34475 OR BY PHONE AT 352401-6710 AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED COURT APPEARANCE, OR IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIVING THIS NOTIFICATION IF THE TIME BEFORE THE SCHEDULED APPEARANCE IS LESS THAN SEVEN Attorney for Personal (7) DAYS. IF YOU ARE HEARING OR Representative: /s/ Jacob I. Reiber VOICE IMPAIRED, PLEASE CALL 711.

Jacob I. Reiber, Attorney at Law Jacob I. Reiber, P.A. Florida Bar Number: 240036 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE Post Office Box 10157 I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and Tampa, Florida 33679 correct copy of the foregoing was Telephone: (813) 973-0883 furnished via U.S. regular mail this 14 day E-Mail: jacob.reiber@reiberlawgroup. com September, 2026 to: Secondary E-Mail: tina@ reiberlawgroup.com EXCALIBUR KITCHEN AND BATH 207 NE 20th Street, Ocala, FL 34479 Personal Representative: /s:/ Esther Ruth Dempsey /s/ Rebecca Blechman DISCOVER QUARTZ & GRANITE Patrick J. Burton Florida Bar No.: 3423 All American Blvd, Esther Ruth Dempsey 3102 North 31st Street 0098460 Orlando, FL 32810 Tampa, Florida 33605 Brian S. Hess Florida Bar No.: 0725072 Helena G. Malchow Florida Bar No.: PAUL FLETCHER 0968323 2220 SE 24th Avenue IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH Rebecca Blechman Florida Bar No.: Ocala, FL 34471 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARI0121474 ON COUNTY, FLORIDA Shelby Pfannerstill Florida Bar No.: McGraw, Rauba, & Mutarelli, PA IN RE: ESTATE OF JAMES MARVIN 1058704 Attorneys for the Plaintiff HURST, DECEASED, CASE NO.: 2026Jennifer Peattie Florida Bar No.: 0127602 35 SE 1st Avenue, Suite 102 CP-1593 Nelson Crespo Florida Bar No.: 0121499 Ocala, FL 34471 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Lauren G. Franklin Florida Bar No.: 352-789-6520 The administration of the estate of James 1045720 Fla. Bar No: 1016707 Marvin Hurst, deceased, whose date of Arthur Barksdale Florida Bar No.: Alexandra@lawmrm.com 0040628 By: death was May 12, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Toby Snively Florida Bar No.: 0125998 Alexandra M Scales Esq. DI MASI | BURTON, P.A. Probate Division, the address of which is, 801 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 500 Extra Space Storage will hold a public 110 NW 1st Ave., Ocala, Florida 34475.

Orlando, Florida 32801 auction to sell personal property de- The names and addresses of the personal Ph. (407) 839-3383 Fx. (407) 839-3384 scribed below belonging to those individ- representative and the personal represenService E-Mail: jdlaw@orlando-law.com uals listed below at the location indicated: tative's attorney are set forth below.

Attorney for Plaintiff, Association All creditors of the decedent and other perExtra Space Storage 15855 S.US Hwy sons having claims or demands against Certificate of Service 441 Summerfield FL, 34491 on October decedent's estate on whom a copy of this 6th 2026 @ 12 pm. notice is required to be served must file I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and their claims with this court WITHIN THE correct copy of the foregoing has been Eric Bilyou LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME furnished via U.S. Mail to the following this furniture, tires, boxes, tools, car parts OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS 11th day of September, 2026.

NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE Gerald Mastic Richard Jose Labarca Navarro furniture ,totes, boxes, sporting goods, OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. 8720 SW 49 th Circle bedding, clothes All other creditors of decedent and othOcala, Florida 34476 Aaron Kingston er persons having claims or demands Mary Alejandra Aguilar Molina lawn mower, totes, luggage, truck bed against decedent's estate must file their 8720 SW 49 th Circle camper top claims with this court WITHIN THE LATOcala, Florida 34476 ER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME The auction will be listed and advertised OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS Secretary of Housing and Urban on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchas- NOTICE. Development es must be made with cash only and paid ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN The United States Attorney’s Office C/O at the above referenced facility in order THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN John F. Rudy Esquire to complete the transaction. Extra Space SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA USAFLM.HUD@usdoj.gov Storage may refuse any bid and may rePROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER DOJMDFla@hud.gov scind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal BARRED. The personal representative or curaAll Unknown Tenants/Owners N/K/A property. tor has no duty to discover whether any Marcus Agular property held at the time of the decedent's 8720 SW 49 th Circle Transaction Fee: Yes death by the decedent or the decedent's Ocala, Florida 34476 Format: Client Purchase /s/ Rebecca Blechman Rebecca Blechman, Esq. First Add Run 09/18/2026 Second Add Run 09/25/2026 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 October 06, 2026, at 12:00pm Dorell Pearson- Clothes, furniture Milagros Garmendiz- Clothes, Books 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.

DATED this 14th day of September, 2026

ProRFx ID: ITB09032600000131 Solicitation No: ITB# AIR/261130 ProRFx Type: ITB: Services Listing Category: 72000000 Building and Facility Construction and Maintenance 72140000 Heavy Construction Services 72141100 Infrastructure Building and Surfacing and Paving 72141101 Airport Runway Construction Service Bid Name: OCF - Concrete Pads & T-Hangar Taxiline Rehabilitation Bid Closes: 10/23/2026 2:00:00 PM EST Mandatory: No Date: 10/8/2026 10:00:00 AM EST Location Name: Ocala Intl Airport Address: 1770 SW 60th Ave Ste 600 City, State, Zip: Ocala, FL 34474

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, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under section 732.2211.

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 first date of publication of this notice is Sept. 11, 2026 Attorney for Personal Representative Stanley W. Plappert, Esquire The Florida Legal Advocacy Group, P.A. 445 NE 8th Ave. Ocala, Florida 34470 Florida Bar No.: 76603 Tel: 352-732-8030 Fax: 888-399-3129 swp@FlagOcala.com Brandy Currie, Personal Representative 17398 SE 58th Avenue Summerfield, FL

KENNETH S. WISTON, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Public Notice

Public Notice

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

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

Case No.: 2026-1896-CP

Case No.: 2026-1817-CP

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF

ELIZABETH ANN OTTO, Deceased. /

SHEILA KAY KING, Deceased. /

The administration of the Estate of KENNETH S. WISTON, deceased, whose NOTICE TO CREDITORS date of death was January 14, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion The administration of the estate of County, Florida, Probate Division, the ELIZABETH ANN OTTO, deceased, address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave. whose date of death was July 18, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court addresses of the personal representatives for Marion County, Florida, Probate and the personal representative's attorney Division, the address of which is 110 are set forth below.

Northwest First Avenue, Ocala, Florida All creditors of the decedent and other 34475 . The names and addresses of the persons having claims or demands personal representative and the personal against decedent's estate on whom a representative’s attorney are set forth copy of this notice is required to be served below. must file their claims with this court ON The personal representative has no duty OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS to discover whether any property held at AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST the time of the decedent’s death by the PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 decedent or the decedent’s surviving DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE spouse is property to which the Florida OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. Uniform Disposition of Community The personal representative has no duty Property Rights at Death Act as described to discover whether any property held at in sections 732.216-732.228, Florida the time of the decedent's death by the Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a decedent or the decedent's surviving written demand is made by a creditor as spouse is property to which the Florida specified under section 732.2211, Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Statutes.

Property Rights at Death Act as described All creditors of the decedent, and other in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, persons having claims or demands applies, or may apply, unless a written against decedent’s estate on whom a demand is made by a creditor as specified copy of this notice is required to be served under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. must file their claims with this court ON All other creditors of the decedent and OR BEFORE THE LATER OF THREE other persons having claims or demands (3) MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE against decedent's estate must file their FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. THIS NOTICE ON THEM. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN All other creditors of the decedent and THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN other persons having claims or demands FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 against decedent’s estate must file their WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET OF DEATH IS BARRED. FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE The date of first publication of this notice is FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE September 18, 2026.

FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME Attorney for Personal Representative: PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE SAMANTHA SHEALY RAUBA, ESQ. OF DEATH IS BARRED. Attorney The date of the first publication of this Florida Bar Number: 59503 Notice is September 11, 2026 McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli Personal Representative: P.O. Box 4440 SUSAN BARBER ROSENGRANT Ocala, FL 34478 377 Carpenter Road Telephone: (352) 789-6520 Factoryville, PA 18419 Fax: (352) 789-6570 E-Mail: Samantha@LawMRM.com Attorney for Personal Representative: Secondary E-Mail: Gina@LawMRM. JANET W. BEHNKE com Florida Bar No. 135969 Personal Representative: KIGINA OJEDA-WHITNEY Personal Representative 5728 SW 117th Lane Road Ocala, Florida 34476

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION Case No. 2026-CP-001958 IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RANDY W. NIEMI, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The Administration of the Estate of RANDY W. NIEMI, deceased, whose date of death was June 29, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court 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. 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 PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. A 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 ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s.732.2211.

Personal Representative: /s/ Terry Niemi Terry Niemi E 5127 MacDonald Ln, Apt. F Ironwood, MI 49938 Attorney for Personal Representative: /s/ Bernadette N. Vazquez Bernadette N. Vazquez, Esq. SUMMIT LEGACY LEGAL 5950 S. Willow Dr., Ste. 230 Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Telephone: (720) 573-9937 Email:bvazquez@summitlegacylegal.com Florida Bar No. 111743 The date of first publication of this notice is Sept. 11, 2026.

Janet W. Behnke, P.A. 500 NE 8 th Avenue Ocala, FL 34470 Phone: (352) 732-6464 janet@behnkelaw.net

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LYNN A. LATHROP, Deceased.

CASE NO: 2026-CP-1990 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: August 13, 2026.

The date of first publication of this Notice is September 18, 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: CHERYL L. LATHROP 2004 Willesdon Drive E Jacksonville, FL 34426

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of SHEILA KAY KING, deceased, whose date of death was July 23, 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 September 11, 2026 Personal Representative: JOHN F. JONES 1257 2 nd Street N. F argo, ND 58102 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 IN RE: ESTATE OF IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA THOMAS E. FENNESSY PROBATE DIVISION Deceased.

CASE NUMBER: 422026CP001864CPAXMX Division: Probate NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Thomas E. Fennessy, deceased, whose date of death was October 31st, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Room 202, 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 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 ss. 732.216- 732.228, 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 September 18, 2026.

Attorney for Personal Representative: Robert F. Baldwin, Jr., Esq. rbaldwin@bsfattorneys.com Florida Bar No. 0357261 6320 Fay Road, Suite 105 East Syracuse, New York, 13057 Telephone: 315-477-0100 Personal Representatives: Christine M. Fennessy 216 South 12th Street Emmaus, PA, 18049 Thomas S. Fennessy 1520 North Memorial Way Apt. #328 Houston, Texas, 77007

B9

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Bird of the week Bachman's sparrow Week of September 18th thru September 24th 2026 ARIES

LIBRA

Aries, this week calls for a break from your usual fast pace. If you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, your energy reserves will be depleted. Focus on fortifying yourself and your space.

The spotlight shines brightly on your professional zone this week, Libra. Instead of waiting for recognition, create your own. Update your portfolio or pitch an idea you have been sitting on.

March 21-April 20

September 23October 23

TAURUS

SCORPIO

Miscommunication is likely if you rush your words, Taurus. Take an extra breath before responding when someone asks you a question or when addressing emails.

Scorpio, you may be craving a breakdown of boredom.

If you can’t physically travel right now, satisfy this urge by stretching your mind another way.

April 21-May 21

GEMINI

May 22-June 21

It’s time to audit where your money is going, Gemini. If you’ve been overspending as a balm to stress, hit the brakes. Look for areas where you can plug any financial leaks.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

The spotlight is firmly on you right now, Cancer. You might feel a sudden urge to change your style, update your resume or shed an old identity that no longer fits.

Trust this instinct.

LEO

July 23-August 23

The universe is asking you to clear out some psychic debris this week. It is a great time for journaling and heavy solo time.

If secrets or old resentments bubble up, just let them go.

VIRGO

August 24- September 22

Your social life is getting a bit of a reality check, Virgo. You might realize that certain friendships have felt a bit onesided. Seek people who inspire you.

October 24November 22

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 -December 21

This week drags you into deeper psychological waters than you might care to swim in, Sagittarius. It’s a powerful time for intimacy or understanding behaviors.

CAPRICORN

December 22January 20

Relationships take center stage, Capricorn. If there is an imbalance of power, it will need to be corrected. Approach conversations this week with diplomacy.

This uncommon, reclusive sparrow depends on fires in pine forests to maintain its preferred open, grassy habitat. Watch for them down low, where they make grass nests on the forest floor. Better yet, listen for a long whistle followed by a trill. This one was photographed in the Ocala National Forest. They’re also found in the sandhill area of Silver Springs State Park.

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

AQUARIUS

January 21-February 18

Aquarius, your daily habits are catching up to you. If you’ve been eating poorly or skipping sleep, your body will demand a reset. Focus on micro-habits to get back on track.

PISCES

February 19-March 20

Your playful side is begging for attention, Pisces. Make time for hobbies, art or romance that serve no purpose but to bring you joy.

Animal Crackers

Broom Hilda

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B7 Sudoku

Middletons

Jumble

Gasoline Alley

Crossword

MIDST ONION BRUNCH IMPACT Answers: The couple stayed at a remote bed & breakfast.

They wanted to be — "INNCOMMUNICADO"

B10

September 18-24 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE