“The Heart of the Turf” meet and greet. Pg B1
Automatic aid vs. Mutual aid
Which local public safety agencies share real time information for a unified response?
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Law dispatchers in Marion County work from two locations—one at the Marion County Public
Safety Communications Center under the Sheriff’s Office and the other at the Ocala Police Department under Police Chief Michael Balken.
The agencies work under a mutual aid agreement stating
that if one calls for help, the other will lend support. But the coordination is not automatic.
The two agencies use different computer-aided dispatch systems and do not share calls in real time, only on a case-by-case basis.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
It has been said that teamwork makes the dream work. And nowhere in Marion County is that more evident than in the dynamic team of Reddick-Collier Elementary School teacher Nicole Lambert and paraprofessional Terry Crawford.
The two educators have
been working together at Reddick-Collier in northwest Marion County for 21 years and sometimes even finish each other’s sentences. Crawford has been at the school for more than 30 years total and will be retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
The duo’s hard work and dedication recently was rewarded as RCE earned the highest rating
of any public school Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) provider in the state. With a score of 99, Reddick-Collier outperformed every other Florida public school program, with the next closest scoring 90%.
“While six private centers in Florida achieved perfect scores, Reddick-Collier stands alone at the top among all public schools statewide. This recognition comes as part of Florida’s new VPK
The National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony in Ocala included former service personnel and ROTC cadets.
By Andy Fillmore
andy@ocalagazette.com
Aceremony was held Sept. 19, on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to remember and honor America’s prisoners of war and service members missing in action. “Delivering on the nation’s promise” was the theme.
Daisy Diaz, a U.S. Navy veteran and Marion County’s director of Veterans Services, opened the ceremony and welcomed attendees. The West Port High School AJROTC,
See Keeping a promise, page A4
They also do not share their unit locations, which could help dispatchers decide quickly whether the Marion County Sheriff’s Office or Ocala Police Department has units closer to a call for help.
This stands in contrast to fire departments in Marion County, which work under an automatic aid agreement. Under that system, either county or city fire
Triumph of teamwork
Two dynamic teachers raise Reddick-Collier Elementary’s VPK program to lofty heights.
Provider Performance Metrics and Designations, the first year of the statewide accountability system for early learning providers,” Kevin Christian, Marion County Public Schools director of public relations, stated in a news release.
RCE serves more than 350 students in pre-K to fifth grade. The recent recognition for the VPK class of 2024-25 came through the Teachstone program, which has a Classroom Assessment Scoring System, or CLASS.
According to its website, CLASS defines teaching quality through the lens of interactions, provides the ability to measure and improve the interactions that matter most for children’s outcomes and is a journey of continuous improvement that is data-driven.
“This is an assessment tool that Gov. Ron DeSantis put in place to replace how, years in the past, VPK was evaluated. I think it’s a better way to evaluate during the present time and it’s a big undertaking. They go into every single public and private school, so over 6,000,” Lambert explained.
“And the CLASS assessment isn’t just for VPK, it goes all the
way up to the collegiate level. It’s a very high-quality evaluation system. Marion County has their own, so all VPK teachers have to do their formal evaluation, which is a specific rubric, but the CLASS one is very good. It’s intense,” she added.
“It’s what the state of Florida has chosen as one of their metrics, or one of their scoring points, to really to designate whether VPK programs across the state are making the growth that they should make, so they chose CLASS and Star Early Literacy,” shared Jennifer Beck, director of early learning for MCPS.
According to the Florida Department of Education, the Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring Program is the statewide, standardized program known as Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) Star Early Literacy. It is implemented in all VPK programs and used to assess student achievement of the performance standards established in early literacy and mathematics.
“Star Early Literacy, which is
See Triumph, page A5
Teacher Nicole Lambert, left, and para-professional Terry Crawford, right, show a student’s drawing and writing in the book “Be The Star You Are” in the VPK classroom at Reddick-Collier Elementary School in Reddick on Sept. 19, 2025. Reddick-Collier Elementary VPK is the highest-rated public school program in the state of Florida, with the only score of a 99. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2025.
Dorothy Antonelli, left, whose uncle’s remains have never been recovered from his service in the Korean War, looks over the symbolic POW/ MIA table on National POW/ MIA Recognition Day, Sept. 19, 2025, at the Ocala-Marion County Veterans Memorial Park, during which U.S. Army veteran Kathy Henderson, center, and U.S. Navy veteran Donald Kennedy, performed a ceremony that explains the meaning of each item on the table. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/ Ocala Gazette]
Reimagining recycling
Bruce Welt, a professor at the University of Florida, is the next speaker in the IHMC Ocala Evening Lecture Series.
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Bruce Welt, Ph.D., is the next speaker in the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition’s Ocala Evening Lecture Series. On Oct. 16, he will lecture on “Reimagining Recycling with Regenerative Robust Gasification.”
Modern recycling systems are failing because they are costly, complex, and disconnected from market realities, according to IHMC. Welt’s presentation will explore the root causes of those failures and introduce a bold, market-driven alternative.
Regenerative Robust Gasification, or RRG, simplifies waste collection and sorting, reduces dependence on landfilling and incineration, and transforms municipal solid waste into valuable chemical feedstocks. By addressing both technical and economic barriers, this approach offers a pathway to lower emissions, stronger supply chains and a truly circular economy, the IHMC materials noted.
Welt is a professor at the University of Florida in the agricultural and biological engineering department. He helped establish UF’s Packaging Engineering program and has been the program coordinator since its inception in 2001.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson University, a master’s degree in food science from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in agricultural and biological engineering from UF.
Welt has made significant contributions to food traceability, package permeation testing, and modified atmosphere packaging, and robust advanced recycling, through which his recent efforts led to the establishment of the Consortium for Waste Circularity.
Welt shared that he got an early start in engineering from his father.
“I was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. I grew up in northern
New Jersey, where my serialentrepreneurial engineer-physicist father established a company to sterilize and/or treat products and materials with ionizing gamma radiation,” he said.
As for what he was like as a child/young adult, Welt offered that he was “a studious troublemaker.”
“My good grades seemed to have shielded me from serious consequences of the large chip on my shoulder and unwarranted antics. I was athletic. My primary sport was competitive swimming, in which I participated from the age of 6 through my second year of college (Division 3). I also played little league baseball and virtually all intramural sports in college and graduate school,” he explained.
As for what spurred him to take on his current occupation/specialty, Welt said that after he received his doctorate from UF, he went to work for Nestle R&D in Marysville, Ohio.
“During an early-season ice storm, I received a call from the department chair of the Agricultural & Biological Engineering Department. He said UF/IFAS was thinking about starting an undergraduate program in packaging and my name came up as someone who might be able to help to build the program. Building a new undergraduate program from
scratch sounded like an interesting opportunity. The rest is history,” he said.
Welt lives in Gainesville with his partner, Melissa Crowder. He enjoys cooking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and flying.
For his talk in Ocala, Welt said it involves a new vision, now adopted by the Consortium for Waste Circularity, for how we manage waste and recycling.
“The core process of gasification is ancient and well known. Briefly, organic materials (materials primarily made from carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen)—which include all plastics, paper, wood, leather, textiles, etc.—can be converted, via gasification, into synthesis gas, from which new products, plastics, and packaging can be manufactured,” he explained.
“Our work has led to the development of what I would call third-generation robust gasification. We prefix that with the word ‘regenerative’ as our commitment to circular manufacturing, since synthesis gas can also be used to make fuels and power. Our vision is to implement Regenerative Robust Gasification at landfills, in partnership with municipalities. Waste is converted to synthesis gas, which is subsequently converted into methanol. This methanol is chemically identical to any other methanol, except it is imbued with ‘recycled content’ value, which is highly sought by all manufacturers. Methanol is a primary feedstock chemical used to make virtually everything,” he outlined.
The talk will also cover policy issues related to “Extended Producer Responsibility” legislation.
Each evening lecture begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and the talk at 6 p.m. The IHMC Ocala campus is located at 15 SE Osceola Ave.
The event is free to attend but guests should RSVP at eventbrite.com/e/bruce-weltocala-evening-lecture-tickets1631867181669?aff=oddtdtcreator
Developmental screening event set for Oct. 25
The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County is hosting Books, Balls and Blocks for families with children to age 5.
Staff report
The Early Learning Coalition of Marion County is hosting a free Books, Balls and Blocks event on Oct. 25 for families with children from birth to 5 years old. Books, Balls and Blocks supports early childhood development through fun, engaging and educational play-based activities. While children play, parents/ guardians can complete an Ages and Stages Questionnaire, an easy-touse tool to screen young children for developmental delays. Help Me Grow care coordinators will provide families with information about community resources, events and programs to support children’s healthy development, the release stated.
“The press was to serve the governed, not the governors.”
- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971)
Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Bruce Ackerman Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com
Dani Eskridge Director of Operations & Sales dani@magnoliamediaco.com
Andy Fillmore Reporter andy@ocalagazette.com
Caroline Brauchler Reporter caroline@ocalagazette.com
Greg Hamilton Editor greg@magnoliamediaco.com
Susan Smiley-Height Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com
Belea Keeney Reporter belea@magnoliamediaco.com
Jamie Berube Reporter jamie@ocalagazette.com
Lauren Morrish Reporter lauren@ocalagazette.com
News tips tips@ocalagazette.com
Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com
Follow us @ocalagazette
Our mission is to inform and uplift our readers by reporting on the events, issues and stories that shape Ocala with accuracy, fairness and passion. We also strive to serve as a forum where all voices can be heard and to chronicle our community’s history.
ocalagazette.com
©2024 Ocala Gazette, LLC
The coalition implements the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), School Readiness and Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) programs on behalf of the Florida Department of Education Division of Early Learning, plus additional complimentary programs that support parents as a child’s first and most important teacher, according to the release.
The free family event is sponsored by the Children’s Forum and State of Florida Division of Early Learning. It will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the coalition office at 2300 SW 17th Road, Ocala.
For more information, call (352) 369-2315 or visit elc-marion.org
Ocala Gazette (USPS# 25590) (ISSN 27711595) is published weekly by Magnolia Media Company, LLC, PO BOX 188, OCALA, FL 34478. Periodicals postage paid at Ocala, FL.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Ocala Gazette, PO Box 188, Ocala, FL 34478.
Share your news
The Ocala Gazette invites you to share your important news events with the community. Email your submissions to info@ocalagazette.com. Please include your name and contact information on the submission.
• Letters to the editor: 200 words or less.
• Honorable Mentions: 150 words or less about an individual or organization accomplishment in the business, education, community service, athletics or other area of endeavor. Attach a photo of the individual or group being honored, if available.
• Upcoming events: Are you holding a charitable or community event that is open to the public? Include the organization hosting the event as well as the time, date and a brief description of the event, along with registration information or other important instructions.
News tips: Include whatever information you consider relevant.
Bruce Welt, Ph.D. [Photo courtesy IHMC]
Two-day review reveals local governments wary of property tax cuts
Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, pitched a plan that initially would direct counties to roll back tax rates to the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
By Jim Turner The News Service of Florida
Local-government officials on Sept. 23 offered some pushback against state efforts to cut property taxes and question city and county spending.
With a Florida House panel finishing a two-day review of property tax issues, city and county officials defended their financial management amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to ask voters next year to slash taxes on homesteaded properties.
Casey Cook, chief of legislative affairs for the Florida League of Cities, called local governments “the most transparent forms of government in the state,” as municipal officials hear daily from neighbors expecting higher levels of service than what is provided in unincorporated areas.
As an example, Cook pointed to street sweepers that some people might see as waste daily cleaning streets, but they are removing trash that could clog storm drains and result in flooding.
“Nobody likes paying taxes, but safety isn’t free. Clean isn’t free,” Cook told members of the House Select Committee on Property Taxes. “Those taxes pay the police officers. They pay the firefighters. They pay the parks and rec employees. They pay for the new swing sets at the parks.”
Bay County Manager Bob Majka said local government officials consider tax dollars their responsibility.
“We’re fiscally responsible for this. Our employees pay it. Our neighbors pay it. We take our responsibility very seriously,” Majka said. “But it does come down to what services does the public want and the level expected. That’s where rubber meets the road.”
But lawmakers pointed to concerns about the bottom line.
Committee Co-Chairman Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, said after the meeting that “we just heard, (there are) 411 municipalities in 67 counties and we’re not seeing revenue go down at all. If anything, it continues to go up. Where is that money going?”
Co-Chairwoman Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, summed up the two days of presentations on property taxes and spending as learning “maybe there are some counties and cities that are doing it right and maybe there are counties and cities that need a little help in reducing their expenses.”
“We’re educating, obviously, committee members,” Lopez said. “But hopefully the public is listening to what that would mean in terms of reduction of any kind of revenue in their communities.”
On Sept. 22, Lopez suggested some small towns might cease to exist if they can’t maintain existing services with lower budgets.
The committee is weeks away from crafting proposals for the 2026 legislative session. But Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D-Boca Raton, said it appears that many lawmakers on the committee already had
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
BUILDING LEASED AT LOGISTICS PARK
Transwestern Development Company, in partnership with QuadReal Property Group, has leased Building One at the Trailhead Logistics Park south of Ocala to a third-party logistics provider serving a global ecommerce company.
The 943,426-square-foot, full-building deal is one of the largest industrial leases in the Central Florida market year to date, according to the news release.
The Class A cross-dock facility features 40-foot clear heights, ESFR sprinklers and trailer and car parking. The site’s location is along I-75, with direct access to Highway 484.
TDC acquired the land in 2021 and delivered Building One in 2023. Plans are underway for the next phase of the project on 220 adjacent acres, where three additional buildings totaling approximately 3.2 million square feet are proposed, the release noted.
THOROUGHBRED TRAINING CENTER SOLD
Beckie Cantrell and Valerie Dailey, with Showcase Properties of Central Florida, have announced the sale of a 200-acre thoroughbred training facility at 14140 N US Highway 301 in Citra.
Formerly owned by McKathan Brothers’ Farm, LLC, the property sold to Dream With Me Florida, LLC, which intends to preserve the property’s legacy as a working training facility.
The farm has earned recognition as the training ground for world-class champions, including Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and super mares Unbridled Forever and Covfefe.
“It was truly a pleasure representing Kevin McKathan, who has trained countless world-class thoroughbreds over several decades.” said Dailey, broker/owner of Showcase Properties of Central Florida, in the release. “We are thrilled that this remarkable farm will continue to operate as a premier training facility, carrying forward its proud legacy and contributing to the strength of our thoroughbred industry—an industry our family and brokerage are also deeply invested in.”
their minds made up.
“We sit up here, we tell local governments what they can and cannot do,” Skidmore said. “We take their authority away through more preemption than I’ve ever seen in the 30 years I’ve been in this process and now we’re telling them that they don’t know how to manage their budgets and they don’t know how to provide the services for their local communities.”
Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, pitched a plan that initially would direct counties to roll back tax rates to the 20222023 fiscal year.
“I do believe we have a spending problem across the state, in most counties,” Chamberlin said. “I say that for this reason. We have had, on average, a 45 percent increase over the last five years in our property taxes in the state. That is an abnormal increase. That is not normal.”
But Winter Haven City Manager T. Michael Stavres said the issue becomes paying for services with less revenue.
“So, how do you either eliminate those costs or find some other means to provide for them,” Stavres said. “I think it becomes somewhat of a tax shift.”
Port St. Lucie Financial Director Stephen Okiye said over the past decade the city has cut its tax rate by 25 percent, while increasing law enforcement and investing heavily in roads and drainage.
“Our residents trust us to invest their dollars wisely and we deliver because we’re right there with them,” Okiye said.
Rep. Judson Sapp, R-Green Cove Springs, countered that most people don’t have a choice on where they live, settling where they work or based on housing affordability.
Property taxes are expected to be a major issue during the legislative session that will start in January. DeSantis wants lawmakers to approve a tax-cutting plan that would go on the November 2026 ballot.
Meanwhile, DeSantis and state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia have been raising questions about local-government spending in some parts of the state. The Florida Department of Government Efficiency has looked at spending in Alachua, Broward, Hillsborough, Manatee, Orange, Palm Beach and Pinellas counties and in Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola and St. Petersburg.
Leda Kelly, who is with the Department of Government Efficiency, told the House committee officials are looking for waste and fraud, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, inappropriate public-sector perks, mismanagement of spending and redundant government functions.
“It needs to come back to the question of, are the services and goods being provided, being paid for (with) taxpayer dollars, truly what those locals want, truly what those citizens want? And it may differ county by county,” Kelly said.
Rep. Ryan Chamberlin [Photo courtesy myfloridahouse.gov]
CF NURSING
PROGRAM NEWS
The HUGS Mary Alice
Adkison Oncology Nursing Endowed Scholarship has been established for nursing students at the College of Central. The endowment will support an annual scholarship through the CF Foundation for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, with a special emphasis on those interested in working with oncology patients, the news release stated.
Adkinson was a founding member of the nonprofit HUGS Charities, which provides
COMMUNITY NEWS: CF NURSING PROGRAM AND LOCAL AUTHOR
By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com
temporary assistance to local individuals in treatment for a cancer diagnosis and experiencing financial hardship.
LOCAL AUTHOR RELEASES SIXTH NOVEL
Jennifer Odom of Ocala, a fifth generation Floridian and former Teacher of the Year in Marion County Public Schools, has released her sixth novel, “Down by the Riverbank,” which is the third volume in her Coral Series.
Falling under the category of Contemporary Young Adult Christian Fiction, the series is a coming of age story that began in “Under the Mango Trees” when Coral was a frightened, lonely young girl, follows her adventures
“There is a growing need for nurses who are not only clinically skilled but also deeply compassionate, especially in
growing into a confident young woman in “Along the Forgotten Coast” and comes to a conclusion in “Down by the Riverbank,” noted the WordCrafts Press news release.
Odom’s love of the land and its history reach back to the 1860s when her greatgreat-grandfather migrated to his new homestead in Central Florida near the railroad. Orange groves and farming busied the family while one child and her spouse established the general store
Keeping a promise
Continued from page A1
led by retired U.S. Army Maj. Richard Telesco, posted the colors. The poem “POW/MIA,” by Del “Abe” Jones, was read by Cadet LTC Ryan Frias, battalion commander of the unit, according to the ceremony program.
The poem, available on the Authors Den website, reads in part: “So many families ask the question, when will the answers be found? and “The pain is in not knowing, how to put loved ones’ to rest.”
Dorothy Antonelli attended the ceremony wearing a shirt with the words: “POW/MIA: You are not forgotten.” She also wore a necklace with a small portrait photo of her uncle, Peter Patete, then age 20, whose remains were never recovered from his time in service in the Korean War.
Antonelli has maintained a steadfast quest to learn the fate of Patete, who, according to the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, was killed in action around Kujang, North Korea, on or about Nov. 28, 1950.
Antonelli, who was born after Patete served, has remained in contact with POW organizations and has visited Korea seeking a closure on her family member’s death.
“It’s still hurtful,” she said.
Navy veteran Donald Kennedy and Army veteran Kathy Henderson, both with the Marion County Memorial Honor
Guard, performed a symbolic POW/MIA table ceremony, with each item having a meaning, for example the salt representing tears.
The keynote speaker, retired Navy Rear Admiral William Leigher, spoke of the “moral contract” the American people have with POW/MIA service members to never leave them behind and continue to seek the fallen.
“Families with a POW/MIA member carry grief that doesn’t end with a ceremony,” he said.
Leigher is a member of the nonprofit TOPVETS organization in the Ocala Preserve community.
Jeff Dean, also a TOPVETS member, joined the ceremony, as did Navy veteran Ron Carrigan and Linda Brown, along with Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary members Mike and Joy Atterbery.
Event attendees included Vietnam War veteran “Cookie” Burke and Kathy Shaver, whose uncle was killed in World War II.
Marine Corps League Post 061 had several members in attendance.
Retired Army lieutenant commander and chaplain Carolyn Smith delivered an invocation and benediction and Renee Coventry, with the Marion County Veterans Events Committee, led the national anthem. Rochelle Gerofsky,
the field of oncology,” said Dr. Stephanie Cortes, CF associate vice president of Health Sciences, in the release. “This endowed
and served as station master for the depot. Reflecting this love of Florida and its people, Odom has written human interest stories for the “Ocala StarBanner” and gardening articles for the “Ocala Gazette.” Her fiction is published in “Splickety” and “Clubhouse Jr.” magazines, as well as “Maine Review’s Juxtaposition,” according to her website.
To learn more, go to jenniferodom.com
scholarship will empower our nursing students to follow their passion while easing the financial burden of their education.”
CF’s BSN program has been ranked one of the best in the country on the “U.S. News & World Report” 2026 Best Colleges list, according to a separate news release. The rankings evaluated more than 1,700 colleges and universities on a number of metrics to measure academic quality and graduate success. CF ranked higher than any other Florida state college, in a tie with Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and University of North Florida.
To learn more, visit cf.edu/nursing
regent of the Ocala Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
According to DPAA.mil, as of 1973, a total of 84,608 service members remain missing. Accounted for numbers are also listed on the website:
World War II – Missing, 73,684; accounted for, 1,837
• Korean War - Missing, 8,157; accounted for, 759
• Vietnam War – Missing, 2,633; accounted for, 1,067
• Cold War – Missing, 128; accounted for, two Gulf Wars and Libya Operations –Missing, six; accounted for, zero
The Department of Defense POWs/ MIA Accounting Agency has a mission to “Provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation,” according to the site.
The DPAA held a POW/ MIA Recognition Day Ceremony on Sept. 19 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The National Recognition Day was established by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, according to the DPAA website.
To learn more about county services and the vets park, go to marionfl.org/ agencies-departments/departmentsfacilities-offices/veterans-services
Dorothy Antonelli shows a necklace with a photo of her uncle, Peter Patete, then 20, whose remains were never returned from his service in the Korean War. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]
From left, Mak Koontz and Audrey McGuinness, both HUGS Charities board members; Sagi Asokan, longtime friend of Mary Alice Adkison; Traci Mason, CF Foundation director of development; Chris Knife, CF Foundation CEO; and Cindy Alyea, daughter of Mary Alice Adkison, for whom a new CF scholarship is named. [Photo courtesy College of Central Florida]
Jennifer Odom [Photo courtesy of the author]
Continued from page A1
what these students are taking, is looking at student growth on one side and instruction and interaction on the other side. They put those together with other calculations. I think a couple of things that really benefited this program, they have great instruction and so their student achievement scores were high, but this classroom also had an outstanding CLASS score that helped give her quite a few points on performance metrics. And so, when you put them all together, that’s what created that high 99.
I think we’ve got a great team here, and it helps when you have a team that this is not their first rodeo, either,” Beck offered.
“We are proud of the team that is here. We know that they do great work in this classroom and are a true representation of what goes on in all our VPK programs across Marion County public schools,” she added. “We have VPK programs in every elementary school, including the two newest, Ross Prairie and Winding Oaks.
A SHARED VISION
It’s not typical to work with the same person for so long, and you learn and grow together, Lambert said of her 21-year partnership with Crawford.
“We have the same vision,” Crawford said, as Lambert jumped in to add, “and I’m just so thankful she wants the best for all the children and their families. Whoever they are, wherever they go, whatever they become, their joys and sorrows, we will always be happy to share. We want to be that beacon with the families that this is their child’s first experience of Marion County schools.”
“In the school year, there’s lots of highs and lows. You’re really trying to achieve greatness with your class, and it can be stressful at times, and so being able to work with the same person and really understand and be connected together and be on the same page is great,” Lambert said, with Crawford quickly adding, “Knowing where we want to go, always trying to do better.”
“Strive to do your best, Take responsibility, Always act safely and follow directions, and Respect yourself and others— that’s the acronym for STAR. Our classroom motto is “Be the star you are” and this class didn’t just talk about it, they lived it, so we were able to do such incredible things through their determination, their resilience and the support from the families,” Lambert noted of the 2024-25 students.
The VPK classroom at Reddick-Collier is bright and cheerful, filled with spaces for hands-on activities.
“That’s part of the CLASS observation, that the room is set up for the children and their time in each center is very meaningful. While it may look like play to some, what’s going on during that time is essential to their
development,” Lambert shared.
She said class time includes student-led circle time, going over letter sounds, syllable segmenting and print concepts.
“Vocabulary is paramount in this program. We also try to encompass all the standards within the daily routine on math concepts, comparing contrasting, a lot of science—there’s a lot to learn. We believe each child has a constitutional right to have the best quality education. We’re both very reflective in our instruction. I’m always looking to do things better; what else can I do to ensure there’s more growth and another way to teach the standards?” Lambert added.
“She’s very dedicated,” Crawford said.
“I wake up every morning with a purpose that I want to make each day the best I can and to ensure I support every child through all their experiences,” Lambert offers, with Crawford adding, “to provide the most positive loving experience. This is a wonderful place to be.”
“A young child, when given the opportunity, when taught how to do things, it’s very empowering, so we have a lot of studentled centers and student-led experiences. They learn to be in charge of their own journey and education,” Lambert said, with Crawford adding, “They really
step up and do a wonderful job.”
“There’s definitely a big difference between students who have had a VPK program versus students who have had no program at all. There is a marked difference in what they know academically but also there’s so many other pieces, the social/emotional piece, that idea of following directions, understanding what is expected to be a student in the classroom. To me, it’s invaluable having VPK as the first start,” Beck said.
Lambert then quotes Plato: “The beginning is the most important of the work.”
“It’s been documented from birth through age 6,” she adds.
“This is the time, so we are committed to making them feel so good about who they are and what they have to share; their voice, their thoughts, their creativity, who they are. We’re all unique. But together we’re one class family and we grow together.”
PARENT PERSPECTIVES
Paige Hall, a mother of three, learned about the RCE VPK program through the Marion County Early Learning Coalition.
“I decided to enroll my child in VPK so she would have the necessary skills to be able to succeed in kindergarten. As much as we work at home with her, I knew that being around other
kids her age and being exposed to age-appropriate course material from a teacher (who wasn’t her mom) would be beneficial in the long run,” Hall offered.
“My daughter Harper was able to learn phonics, counting and early math skills that she otherwise would not have learned. She also was able to get social skills that she would not have been able to from staying home the extra year before kindergarten. She was also able to learn the value of responsibility as an individual,” Hall said.
Katoya Yarn has had three children in the RCE VPK program, with Trentyn, 5, currently enrolled.
“From the very beginning, I could see the difference in the environment—warm, nurturing and intentional in helping children grow both academically and personally. When it came time to enroll Trentyn, I could have placed him at Madison Street with the other two siblings, which would have been more convenient for our family. But I knew in my heart that I didn’t want him to miss out on the same wonderful experience his siblings had. It just felt right that he be given the same opportunity. My kids learned so much academically and were well prepared for kindergarten, but what has stood out the most to
me is the way this program helps children grow as kind, confident and caring individuals,” Yawn said.
Kymia Parks-Taylor is a parent of two former RCE VPK students.
“I first learned about the RCE VPK program through several family members whose children attended RCE over the years. These alumni range from current 12th graders to my own children. My son Darius, now a seventh grader at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida, is one of them. My daughter Dakota, who is currently in kindergarten at the same school, was also a part of Ms. Lambert’s VPK class at RCE last year. Through their experiences and those of other children in our family, I came to understand the high-quality education and nurturing environment provided by the RCE VPK program, especially under the care of Ms. Lambert and Ms. Crawford,” she offered.
“As a parent, one of the greatest advantages of the RCE VPK program is the early exposure to a positive, empowering learning environment. Ms. Lambert and Ms. Crawford don’t just teach—they inspire. They instill confidence, curiosity and a sense of self-worth in every child. My children felt loved, respected and valued while receiving a truly exceptional early education. It’s not just about academics—it’s about nurturing the whole child,” she added.
SOMETHING ELSE NOW
Crawford said she has mixed emotions about leaving RCE after so many years, but she has two very young grandchildren she wants to spend time with.
“I have grandchildren all the way up to age 17 in college, so I’ve got a big span there, but I’ve got two tiny babies now,” she explained.
“I try to treat the kids the way I would want someone treating my grandchildren. They’re special little humans,” Crawford said of the VPK students. “It’s still fulfilling, but I have something else I’m ready for.”
For information, go to marionschools.net/ departments/early_learning
VPK teacher Nicole Lambert, right, and para-professional Terry Crawford, left, pose for a photo in the VPK classroom at Reddick-Collier Elementary School.
The Reddick-Collier Elementary School VPK class of 2024-2025 is shown in a photo in the program’s classroom at the school.
The colorful VPK classroom is shown at Reddick-Collier Elementary School.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman
Governmental board vacancies
Staff report
Consider having your voice heard in local government by helping out on a volunteer board. By serving on a board, your experience and knowledge can influence governmental decisions and help your fellow citizens. These are the current vacancies for various boards in the cities of Marion County and the county.
CITY OF BELLEVIEW:
The city’s general link is: belleviewfl.org/151/BoardsCommittees
The general application document is: belleviewfl.org/ DocumentCenter/View/39/CityBoard-Application-PDF?bidId=
Youth Council
Several vacancies are open for members the 2025-26 school year
Description: The council is a leadership and civic engagement program designed to connect local high school students with their community through education, service and hands-on experiences. Open to students in Belleview and the surrounding area—including those enrolled in public, private or homeschool settings—the council offers an opportunity to learn about local government, develop leadership skills and make a positive impact in the community. Members engage with city and county leaders, department heads and staff to explore how municipal government functions. Activities include facility tours, Q&A sessions and discussions on civic responsibilities and public service. Meetings are held monthly at 4:30 pm, starting Sept. 25. For more information, visit belleviewfl. org/202/Youth-Council
CITY OF DUNNELLON:
The city’s general link is: dunnellon.org/government/ boards-commissions
Historic Preservation Board
1 vacancy for 2nd alternate member term
Description: The purpose of the board is to promote and preserve educational, cultural and economic welfare of the public. The board has established uniform procedures to preserve the city’s historic resources by enhancing public participation and involvement in the preservation and protection of such resources, including buildings, structures, monuments and other historic resources. In keeping with its purpose, the board has developed the Application for Historic Preservation Grant Facade Renovations. Interested person(s) should complete the application and submit to the Community Development Department.
Meetings are the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm. For more information, visit dunnellon.org/government/ boards-commissions/historicpreservation-board
Planning Commission
2 vacancies for alternate members (terms ending Jan. 9 and July 12, 2026)
Description: The commission has an administrative review function whereby it reviews all changes to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, by amendment, evaluation, addition and appraisal for consistency with the existing Comprehensive Plan and reviews all landrelated/zoning ordinances to determine consistency to the Comprehensive Plan. The commission holds quasijudicial hearings with regards to land planning/zoning cases, site plan reviews, variances, special exceptions and review/
appeal of administrative orders, and forwards its findings/ recommendations to the City Council. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm. Learn more at Dunnellon.org/government/ boards-commissions/planningcommission
CITY OF OCALA:
The link is: ocalafl.gov/ government/city-departmentsa-h/city-clerk/boards-andcommissions
The City Council appoints individuals to serve on more than 20 boards, advisory committees and commissions. These volunteers are from all over Ocala and their experience, knowledge and expertise help influence decisions affecting the city by providing advice and feedback to city leaders and council. All are welcome to submit an application. Many boards have specific requirements, such as living within the city limits, being a qualified city voter or owning real property within the city limits. These requirements, if any, are detailed for each board on its page. Anyone with questions may contact clerk@ ocalafl.gov or call the Office of the City Clerk at (352) 6298266.
Board of Adjustment
Description: The board considers applications for zoning variances and special exception considerations for business and residential construction projects within the city limits, hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the building official in the enforcement of the zoning code (chapter 122), authorizes special exceptions as provided in the zoning code and authorizes variances as provided in the zoning code.
Vacancies: 2 current vacancies, terms run to March 1, 2028.
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
Brownfields Advisory Committee
Description: The purpose of the committee is to promote and receive public comment on the identification, rehabilitation and redevelopment of identified Brownfield sites. The committee shall provide guidance in areas such as land use, employment opportunities, development proposals, community safety and environmental justice. The committee consists of members appointed by the Ocala City Council from boards, committees and organizations primarily representing West Ocala.
Vacancies: 3 current vacancies, terms running through March 1, 2028 and 2029.
Size: 9 Members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Committee
Description: The committee shall advise the Community Redevelopment Agency on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. The committee shall consist of seven members appointed by the CRA Agency and City Council from property
owners and organizations representing Downtown Ocala.
Vacancies: 1 vacancy for term ending March 1, 2027.
Size: multiple members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
East Ocala Redevelopment Subarea Advisory Committee
Description: The committee is appointed as an advisory board to the CRA Agency and City Council for the area defined as the East Ocala Redevelopment Subarea. The committee shall advise the CRA Agency and City Council on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes.
Vacancies: 1 vacancy for term ending March 1, 2029.
Size: multiple members
Term Length: 4 years
Firefighters’ Retirement System Board of Trustees
Description: The sole and exclusive administration of, and the responsibility for the proper, effective operation of the retirement plan is vested in a board of trustees. The board of trustees shall consist of two firefighters elected by the firefighter members of the plan and two trustees shall be residents of the city appointed by City Council. The fifth member of the board shall be chosen by a majority of the other four members of the board and appointed by City Council as a ministerial act. Form 1 Financial Disclosures are required to be submitted annually to the Florida State Ethics Commission.
Vacancies: 1 term ending Oct. 4, 2025.
Size: 9 Members
Term Length: 3 years
Term Limit: n/a
Term Limit: n/a
Historic Preservation Advisory Board
Description: The board oversees the historic resources of the city and advises City Council and city departments on matters relating to these resources as well as manages Certificates of Appropriateness for properties located within the Tuscawilla Park and Ocala Historic Districts. Make recommendations to City Council for matters relating to historic resources in city changes to designated resources; attend pertinent informational or educational meetings, workshops and conferences; advise on development of goals, objectives and policies for historic preservation; advise city departments on matters relating to historic resources in the city; advise individuals on preservation of historic structures; educate public on economic benefits of same; and submit annual report to SHPO covering annual activities.
Vacancies: 1 current vacancy for an architect, term expired.
Size: 9 Members
Term Length: 3 years
Term Limit: n/a
Municipal Code Enforcement Board
Description: The Code Enforcement Division enforces codes that pertain to zoning laws, nuisance abatement, contracting and permitting requirements of the city of Ocala and state of Florida, occupational licenses, sign codes, alcohol location permits and many other local
ordinances and state statutes. The board hears cases relating to code violations. Examine code violation cases presented by City Code Enforcement Officers. Empowered to levy fines and place liens on property if, violation is not corrected.
Vacancies: 2 current vacancies for alternate members.
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 3 years
Term Limit: n/a
Planning & Zoning Commission
Description: The commission is responsible for advising City Council on current and long-range planning, review and permitting of land development within the city. Makes recommendations to City Council relating to zoning and land use and ensures that changes proposed are consistent with city’s Comprehensive Plan. Members must be qualified voters of the city. Form 1 Financial Disclosures are required to be submitted annually to the Florida State Ethics Commission.
Vacancies: 1 citizen term ending March 1, 2026.
Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 2 years
Term Limit: n/a
Police Officers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees
Description: The board is responsible the administration and operation of the Retirement Plan for city of Ocala police officers.
Vacancies: 1 citizen term, one expired Size: 7 Members
Term Length: 2 years
Term Limit: n/a
West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee
Description: The committee is appointed as an advisory board to the Community Redevelopment Agency for the area defined as the West Ocala Redevelopment Subarea. The committee shall advise the CRA on redevelopment efforts of the established subarea pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes. Meets at least two times per year.
Vacancies: 1 current vacancy for term ending March 1, 2029.
Size: 9 members
Term Length: 4 years
Term Limit: n/a
MARION COUNTY
These are volunteer positions and have specific qualifications and criteria depending on the board’s focus. The county commission appoints members in regular BOCC meetings.
An application can be downloaded at marionfl.org/mycommissioners/advisory-boards and can be printed or saved as a PDF. Email completed forms to commissionadmin@ marionfl.org. Applications can also be obtained at the Marion County Board of County Commissioners’ Office at 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, or by calling (352) 438-2323.
Land Development Regulation Commission
Vacancies: 1 full member, term expires ending August 2026; 1 alternate member term expires September 2029.
Qualifications/restrictions: Members shall be residents of Marion County.
Responsibilities : Members should have knowledge in planning, environmental science, agriculture and the development industry and be capable of evaluating and recommending specific regulatory standards and
criteria, reviewing and advising the County Commission on the adoption and amendment of the Land Development Code and Zoning Code, and preparing an annual report with recommended amendments to these codes. Alternate members attend meetings when regular members are unavailable and may serve in their absence.
Marion Oaks General Services Advisory Council
Vacancies: 1 full member, term expires ending Sept, 2026.
Responsibilities: : Make recommendations to the county commission pertaining to the MSTU budget, activities, goals and objective; and other issues as directed by the county commission.
Qualifications/restrictions: Applicants must be residents of Marion Oaks.
Marion Oaks Recreation and Facilities Advisory Council
Vacancies: 1 full member, term expires ending Feb, 2027.
Responsibilities: : Make recommendations to the county commission pertaining to the MSTU budget, activities, goals and objective; and other issues as directed by the county commission.
Qualifications/restrictions: Applicants must be residents of Marion Oaks.
Pine Run MSTU Advisory Council
Vacancies: 1 full member, term expires ending June, 2028.
Responsibilities: : Make recommendations to the county commission pertaining to the MSTU budget, activities, goals and objective; and other issues as directed by the county commission.
Qualifications/restrictions: Applicants must be residents of Pine Run Estates.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Vacancies: 2 full members, terms through October 2029.
Qualifications/restrictions: Members of this board are required by the Florida Commission on Ethics to electronically file an annual Statement of Financial Interests (Form 1).
Responsibilities : Review and conduct public hearings on proposed property rezonings and make recommendations to the County Commission regarding the adoption or amendment of the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code and Land Development Code. Applicants must be registered electors residing in Marion County and may not be employees of the County or any government entity in a policymaking position. Alternate members attend meetings when regular members are unavailable and may serve in their absence. Experience in planning, environmental science or the development industry is considered when appointing members.
publish?
OSO is accepting applications for Young Artist Competition
Staff report
One of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s missions is to motivate, encourage and enhance the musical careers of outstanding young musicians and to assist them by providing an opportunity to be a soloist with a professional orchestra.
The OSO is now accepting applications for its 35th annual Young Artist Competition. Instrument and voice students ages 12 to 25, from around the nation, are encouraged to enter, the news release noted.
Finalists will compete in front of a live audience on Jan. 11, 2026, at an Honors Recital at the Reilly Arts Center at 500 NE 9th St., Ocala. Finalists from each division receive a cash award of $200.
The winner from each division will have an opportunity to perform a concerto
BEAR HUNT PERMIT APPLICATIONS TOP
163K
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received 163,459 applications for up to 172 permits that will be issued for the state’s first bear hunt in a decade, according to the agency.
The hunt is scheduled from Dec. 6 to Dec. 28 in four areas of the state. Each application cost $5. The agency will use a lottery-style drawing to select recipients of the permits, who will then have to pay $100 if they are Florida residents or $300 if they are non-residents. Unclaimed permits will be offered to the next people in line, the agency said.
Bear hunting has long been controversial in Florida, with the most recent hunt held in 2015. The conservation group Bear Warriors United has filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court to try to block this year’s hunt.
COUNTY, SCHOOL BOARD TERM LIMITS PROPOSED
AHouse Republican on Sept. 23 filed a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to impose 12-year term limits on county commissioners and school board members.
with the Ocala Symphony Orchestra at the center on March 21 and 22 for the subscription performance “To Spring!”
The winners receive a cash award of $1,800.
Support for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition is provided by Duke Energy.
Applications and video auditions are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 3. For a list of guidelines and the link to apply, visit reillyartscenter.com/symphony/yac/
For information regarding repertoire, contact OSO Music Director and Conductor Matthew Wardell at matt@reillyartscenter.com. For more information, contact Natalie McComb, Executive Director, at natalie@reillyartscenter.com or (352) 351-1606, ext. 102.
The proposal (HJR 27), which Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, filed for consideration during the 2026 legislative session, could refuel a debate about whether to limit terms of local officials.
The House this year passed a measure that sought eight-year term limits for county commissioners and school board members, but the proposal died in the Senate. That measure, at least in part, drew opposition from rural counties.
If lawmakers pass Holcomb’s proposal, it would need voter approval in the November 2026 elections.
The Legislature in 2023 approved eight-year term limits for school board members, but those limits are not in the Constitution. Also, counties with charters can adopt term limits for commissioners.
The 2026 legislative session will start Jan. 13. Lawmakers, the governor and state cabinet members have eight-year term limits.
STATE CONSIDERS
$84.5M LAND BUY
After lawmakers included the project in this year’s budget, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state cabinet next week will consider spending $84.5 million to buy four acres of land along the south side of Destin Harbor in Okaloosa County.
The land, owned by Pointe Mezzanine LLC and Point Resort LLC, abuts Destin’s Norriego Point Beach Access and Park. A cabinet staff report said buying the land would improve access to the park.
“Once acquired, the park area will expand to nearly 16 acres, offering
an expansive beachfront, over 100 parking spaces and excellent outdoor recreational opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming,” the staff report said.
The property is zoned for high-density residential use.
“Conservation of this property would prevent this type of development and create additional recreational opportunities for the public,” the staff report said.
If acquired, the land would be managed by Okaloosa County. Fine print in the state budget that took effect July 1 directed purchasing the land, though it did not include a dollar amount. DeSantis and the cabinet will meet Sept. 30.
PHARMACISTS OK’D FOR COVID-19 VACCINES
Amid widespread debate and questions about COVID-19 vaccines, the Florida Board of Pharmacy on Sept. 23 said pharmacists in the state are able to provide the vaccines to patients.
The board, during a brief meeting, cited a state law that allows pharmacists to administer vaccines that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Board members said COVID-19 vaccines fall under that category.
Pharmacists also need to have what is known as a “protocol” under a physician to administer vaccines.
Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has been a prominent critic of
DRIVER SOUGHT IN HIT-AND-RUN FATALITY
By Andy Fillmore
A76-year-old Ocala man died Sept. 23 after he was struck on an unlighted portion of southwest State Road 200 and the driver did not stop, the Florida Highway Patrol has reported.
According to the FHP press release, the unidentified victim was struck while pushing a cart full of groceries northbound across the westbound lanes of SR 200 at the intersection with Southwest 60th Street “in a dark area with no lighting” around 7:57 p.m.
The FHP press release identified the
vehicle as a full sized van, dark in color, with a topper and front-end damage.
Anyone with information about the hit and run driver or vehicle is asked to contact Cpl. John Gurrieri at (352) 5126641 or Marion County Crime Stoppers at (352) 368-7867.
According to the FHP Crash
COVID-19 vaccines, and the issue has gained additional attention through actions by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic.
STATE EYES MIAMI SITE FOR TRUMP LIBRARY
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet next week will consider a proposal to provide 2.63 acres of land next to Miami’s Freedom Tower for President Donald Trump’s presidential library.
The governor’s office said on Sept. 23 that the land is used as a parking lot for Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus.
“No state has better delivered the president’s agenda than the free state of Florida and we would be honored to house his presidential library here in his home state,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement.
Trump is a Palm Beach County resident.
DeSantis and the Cabinet—Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson—will meet Sept. 30.
In June, DeSantis signed a bill (SB 118) that prevents local governments from placing restrictions on presidential libraries and would give the state authority to regulate establishing and operating such facilities.
Dashboard at flhsmv.gov, preliminary information from Jan. 1 to Sept. 16 indicates that in Marion County there have been 54 traffic fatalities and 13 of those were pedestrians. There have been two hit and run fatalities during the same time frame, according to the website.
Jay Julio was the senior division winner of the 2023 Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s youth competition. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
School board ‘privilege’ fight continues
Members seek to be shielded from testifying in legal battle about removing or restricting access to books in school libraries.
By Jim Saunders The News Service of Florida
Current and former Escambia County School Board members this week went to a federal appeals court as they continue seeking to be shielded from testifying in a long-running legal battle about removing or restricting access to books in school libraries.
Lawyers filed a notice of appealing to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell on Sept. 8 rejected arguments that what is known as “legislative privilege” protected the current and former board members from giving depositions.
The appeal is the second time that the School Board has gone to the Atlantabased appeals court after Wetherell has refused to issue protective orders. A three-judge panel of the appeals court in July also refused to shield the school board members, but it did not focus on the legislative privilege issue.
Instead, the panel said it did not have legal “jurisdiction” to consider the case because the school board—not the individual board members—has been the party in district court. After that ruling, five current and former school board members filed separate motions in August seeking protective orders and to quash subpoenas.
But Wetherell on Sept. 8 reiterated his earlier opinion that they were not shielded from testifying. The earlier opinion was issued in November.
“On the merits, the court finds the board members’ arguments no more persuasive than the identical arguments that defendant (the school board) previously made on their behalf,” Wetherell wrote.
Escambia County has been a battleground in recent years as school districts in various parts of Florida have removed or restricted access to books.
Parents, authors, the publishing company Penguin Random House and the free speech group PEN American Center, Inc. filed the lawsuit in 2023, contending that Escambia County book decisions violated the First Amendment.
An amended version of the lawsuit filed last month alleged the school board removed or restricted access to books “based on its disagreements with the ideas expressed in those books” and that the decisions “disproportionately targeted books by or about people of color and/or LGBTQ people.”
As part of the case, the plaintiffs have sought to take testimony from school board members. But lawyers for current and former board members Kevin Adams, Paul Fetsko, Patricia Hightower, William Slayton and David Williams filed the motions last month seeking to be shielded by legislative privilege.
For example, Hightower’s motion said “it cannot be disputed that the board’s actions in deciding to remove or restrict certain books were legislative in nature. They involved votes by the board members taken after hearing public opinion on the books at issue and subsequent debate and deliberation by the board, as required by law.”
But in his November opinion, Wetherell pointed to previous court rulings establishing guidelines for determining whether board members’ decisions to remove or restrict books were legislative acts that should be shielded.
“Under those standards, even though the school board’s decision to remove or restrict a book has some hallmarks of a legislative act (e.g., voting after debate
at a public meeting), it is functionally an administrative act,” Wetherell wrote.
A book-removal or restriction decision is “based on specific facts (the content of the book)” and is “more akin to a permitting or employment termination decision,” which courts have held to be administrative acts, because officials are following already-established guidelines, the Pensacola-based judge wrote.
“The fact that school board members must exercise discretion, engage in ‘linedrawing,’ and make ‘policy judgments’ when deciding whether a particular book is educationally suitable, gradelevel appropriate, etc., does not change the fact that they are applying policy, not formulating it, when doing so,” the November opinion said.
dispatchers can send the closest units to an emergency call regardless of jurisdiction or agency.
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta explained the difference between automatic aid and mutual aid.
“OFR and MCFR operate under an automatic aid agreement, enabling immediate support and real-time location sharing via our CAD systems,” Banta said. “This removes jurisdictional boundaries and provides for closest-unit response, ensuring the public doesn’t wait for help due to their location, a practice very common in the fire service. In Marion County, this need became tragically clear with the loss of 11-year-old Brandon Oxford, who died in a 2005 house fire in a county enclave near Ocala; it took 16 minutes for a firetruck to arrive due to jurisdictional delays, highlighting the lifesaving value of such coordination.”
This arrangement reduces the time needed for back-and-forth coordination but requires both fire dispatchers to see all units from both departments at all times— something law dispatchers in Marion County do not have.
Ocala Police Chief Michael Balken would not take direct questions about why OPD and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office do not share automatic vehicle location, or AVL, data and he and the city’s fire chief Clint Welborn would only speak through the city spokesperson, who declined to answer any follow up questions.
Sheriff Billy Woods also would not directly answer whether he would prefer such an arrangement.
Banta acknowledged that “the public may assume all agencies operate like OFR and MCFR with real-time data sharing.”
“From a fire service perspective, I believe all agencies would benefit from such coordination to enhance response times and situational awareness,” he added.
Communities across the state have adopted systems that allow dispatchers to see and send the closest unit to a call by sharing their agencies’ real-time GPS coordinates. This accessibility helps dispatchers quickly determine if another agency’s units are closer without having to make a phone call.
When asked how MCSO knows when an OPD unit is closer, a sheriff’s office spokesperson wrote: “OPD will reach out
for assistance when needed. Otherwise, our dispatchers will automatically send available units to high-priority incidents (such as the recent handgun on the school bus incident) that occur within other agencies’ jurisdictions since MCSO has jurisdiction throughout the entirety of Marion County.”
Because 911 calls from cellphones can be routed outside a jurisdiction—as often happens in Ocala—time could be saved if the sheriff could dispatch OPD units directly when they are closest to a call.
The gap is especially clear during high-risk situations. At the Paddock Mall shooting on Dec. 23, 2023, the first call went to the county call center despite the mall being located in the city. MCSO then had to notify OPD through their CAD-toCAD interface.
The first call for help came at 3:39:46 p.m. to the county’s call center. Within 23 seconds, it was in the hands of the MCSO law dispatcher at 3:40:04 p.m.
According to MCSO CAD records, it took 1 minute, 33 seconds for MCSO to dispatch its first unit. From the time of dispatch, it took 17 minutes for the first MCSO deputy to reach the mall.
According to OPD’s CAD records, the first OPD unit arrived at 3:49:30 p.m.— more than nine minutes after the first call came into MCSO.
According to MCFR CAD records from the same call, the fire dispatcher assigned the first unit within 41 seconds. The first unit staged at the mall in just over four minutes.
The risk of delayed response due to emergency communications that are not seamless—and the lack of real-time information about where responding units
are located—can cost lives.
Within the city of Ocala, the risk is especially acute, because OPD does not share its real-time unit locations with Ocala Fire Rescue either. This represents another significant difference between how public safety agencies coordinate within the city compared to the county.
Meanwhile, the Florida Highway Patrol, which responds to crashes on I-75 and in unincorporated Marion, is not connected to the local CAD system at all. If someone calls 911 about an accident, the dispatcher must notify FHP by phone. Low staffing levels mean troopers often arrive long after fire crews, who are left treating patients without the authority to control oncoming traffic.
The issue is not unique to Marion County.
On Feb. 14, 2018, a lone gunman entered Building 12 of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others. The school was located near a municipal line, which meant calls were routed to multiple centers and agencies struggled to coordinate.
Two years later, the National Police Foundation issued a report on the shooting that concluded: “A series of technical, procedural, and human communications challenges occurred during the response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSDHS) shooting incident on February 14, 2018. The challenges complicated the response as public safety personnel attempted to save the lives of victims. … Politics and localized control resulted in communications structures and protocols that were siloed and unable to function across jurisdictional boundaries, even in critical incidents.”
Since then, Broward County has
worked to integrate its emergency systems. Dispatchers there can now see units from other agencies and work from the same CAD system, creating immediate awareness of what calls are active and who the closest responder is.
The Florida Legislature considered a bill last session that is reemerging again that would have required each county to consolidate emergency communications and no municipality will be able to opt out.
For now, however, some local agencies continue to operate without real-time sharing of unit locations.
MUTUAL AID VS. AUTOMATIC AID
MUTUAL AID
• Agencies help each other only when asked.
• Dispatchers must call or radio to request support. Unit locations are not shared in real time. Response can be delayed during coordination.
AUTOMATIC AID
Agencies share real-time GPS locations of units.
• Dispatchers can automatically send the closest unit, regardless of jurisdiction.
• No manual request is needed; cooperation is built into the system.
• Reduces response times and improves situational awareness.
11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Elbert P. Tuttle Courthouse, Atlanta, GA. [Photo courtesy ca11.uscourts.gov]
Dispatchers and call takers work at their stations in the 911 Communications Center at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala on April 5, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Marion County deputies instructed not to enforce state’s open carry ban after court ruling
Staff report
Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been instructed not to detain or arrest people for openly carrying firearms, following a recent appeals court decision that struck down Florida’s general ban on open carry.
“We are not looking to the state for direction,” said Lt. Paul Bloom, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office. “Each sheriff, as a constitutionally elected official, in his/her respective county has chosen to adopt a similar stance along with local police municipalities. The Florida Attorney General has said that his office will not prosecute on those charges either.”
An internal memo circulated Sept. 17 by General Counsel Marissa Duquette cited the First District Court of Appeal’s ruling in “McDaniels v. State” (1D20230533), which found Florida Statute §790.053 prohibiting open carry unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.
“Put simply, this means deputies cannot arrest or detain someone for openly carrying a firearm in public,” Duquette wrote.
The bulletin clarified that deputies may only stop individuals if they have reasonable suspicion the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm, or if the person is carrying in restricted areas. Those include federal facilities, the Marion County Courthouse, the county jail and school zones.
State law also bars open or concealed carry in specific locations such as polling places, government meetings, schools, universities, courtrooms, career centers and establishments primarily devoted to serving alcohol.
The sheriff’s office memo included a flowchart and references to prior legal bulletins detailing ineligibility factors for firearm possession.
WHERE OPEN CARRY IS STILL PROHIBITED
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office legal bulletin, people may not openly carry a firearm in the following locations: Federal facilities, including courthouses, prisons, ranger stations, post offices and Social Security offices Marion County Courthouse
• Marion County Jail
• School zones (within 1,000 feet of public, private or parochial schools)
• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations
• Detention facilities, prisons or jails
• Courtrooms (except judges or those given permission by a judge) Polling places
Meetings of county, city, school district, or special district governing bodies
Legislative sessions or committee meetings
Schools, colleges or schoolsponsored events not related to firearms
• Elementary or secondary school facilities and administration buildings
• College and university facilities
• Career centers
• Establishments primarily devoted to serving alcohol for consumption on premises
Passenger terminals of airports (unless firearms are encased for shipment)
Any place where federal law prohibits firearms
Open carry ruling triggers questions
By Dara Kam The News Service of Florida
An appeals court decision this month striking down the state’s ban on openly carrying firearms has affected another law establishing places where guns are off-limits, according to law-enforcement officials and some gun-rights proponents.
Attorney General James Uthmeier quickly embraced the Sept. 10 open carry decision by a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal as “the law of the state” and issued guidance for prosecutors, police and sheriffs warning them not to arrest or put on trial “law-abiding citizens carrying a firearm in a manner that is visible to others.”
The decision overturned a 1987 law that made it a misdemeanor to visibly display guns. While people were barred for decades from openly carrying guns, they could get concealed-weapons licenses.
The appeals court ruling affected part of a law that set parameters for concealed weapons licenses. That law says a concealed weapons license “does not authorize any person to openly carry a handgun or carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm into” a list of prohibited places, such as jails, bars, legislative committee meetings and police stations.
“Right now (after the appeals court ruling on open carry), in a number of places, the prohibited places don’t technically apply,” Sean Caranna, executive director of the gun-rights group Florida Carry Inc., told The News Service of Florida. “There is going to be a brief period of time here where obviously the statutes have not caught up to the court rulings, and we’re advising that sometimes discretion is the better part of valor and people should abide by the current set of places that are prohibited … when it comes to all forms of carry.”
Caranna said his group will work with legislators and other “stakeholders” to tweak the law during the legislative session that begins in January.
“Nobody is trying to say that we’re going to have a situation where people are allowed to carry into a jail. Absolutely there are places where a prohibition is appropriate, and there are going to be parameters around that,” he said.
It’s too early to say which spaces should be deemed offlimits for guns, Caranna said. Any changes would have to be in line with the “historical precedent based on the time of the ratification of the Second Amendment,” Caranna said, pointing to U.S. Supreme Court rulings establishing that gun rights restrictions must be in keeping with the nation’s “historical tradition.”
“They may not be able to meet that burden, just as the state could not meet its burden for a historical precedent for the banning of open carry,” he said.
Not all gun rights advocates agree that some locations should be free of firearms.
Making a fix in state law during the session could be a heavy lift. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton,
R-Wauchula, have not signaled whether they would be amenable to such a bill, especially in an election year. The leaders’ aides did not offer any insight when contacted Friday.
At least part of the issue involves the concealed-weapons law including prohibitions on carrying handguns into prohibited places—but not addressing long guns, such as rifles.
According to a memo by David Marsey, general counsel of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, the appeals court ruling did not have an impact on the prohibition against bringing handguns into such places.
“However, a more detailed analysis” of the prohibited spaces law “has revealed a gap that appears to preclude the enforcement of a ban on open carry of long guns in prohibited places,” Marsey’s memo said.
With the “abrogation” of the state’s open carry ban, “the prohibited places statute does not expressly prohibit the open carrying of long guns in prohibited places,” he added.
Uthmeier said lawmakers
might need to address the issue but did not specify what steps they should take.
“I know lawmakers are reading, dissecting” the court’s ruling, he said, adding that the decision resulted in “some inconsistencies” in laws about concealed-weapons licenses and permitless carry enacted after the open carry ban.
“Now open carry is a constitutional, important right that people can exercise, so I’ll leave it there,” the attorney general told reporters during an event in Winter Haven.
The appellate ruling “makes the rest of the law a little wonky,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who was part of Friday’s event announcing arrests for human trafficking.
Judd warned people to be “very, very careful.” While open carry “is going to be the law,” Judd said “there’s still places and times you can’t carry.” As an example, people are not allowed to bring firearms into private businesses that have deemed guns off-limits.
“Be cautious. Because open carry does not mean all the time, everywhere. And you’ll
get further direction as the Legislature meets,” the sheriff said.
When asked about the long-gun issue during an appearance, Uthmeier pointed to a state law that prohibits people from the “improper exhibition of weapons.” The law makes it a crime for people to exhibit “dangerous weapons and firearms … in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner.”
“If somebody’s out there acting in a dangerous way, our law enforcement is gonna step in,” Uthmeier said. “So I hope people won’t be dumb out there running around with long guns, pointing them at people. That’s not the goal here. The founders wanted the Second Amendment to protect us from largely a tyrannical government.”
Many Florida lawenforcement officials in the past have strenuously opposed attempts to relax the state’s open carry ban.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who’s also an attorney, said lawmakers “clearly intended” to have “sensitive spaces” where guns aren’t allowed.
“Our position is that sensitive spaces must be respected, so we’re going to take the necessary action to ensure that that intent is carried out,” Gualtieri said in a phone interview this week.
Confusion over the appeals court ruling and its impact on other gun restrictions has resulted in “a hot mess,” state Rep. Dan Daley, a Coral Springs Democrat who is a former prosecutor, told the News Service.
“This is the dog that caught the car, and now they don’t know what to do with it,” he said.
Daley predicted the issue could be a “hot button” item in next year’s GOP primaries.
“I don’t think that the Republicans know how to handle it yet. I imagine they were as surprised as I was when the ruling came out,” he said. “I don’t think anybody has any clue on that side of how to deal with it yet. Meanwhile, you’ve got a ton of confusion out there. … It’s kind of a hot mess, and it makes us less safe.”
City fights state growth law decision
Numerous cities and counties have indicated they plan to file a lawsuit challenging the restrictions.
By Jim Saunders
The News Service of Florida
Ocoee is challenging a decision by the Florida Department of Commerce to reject the city’s revised comprehensive plan because of a controversial new state law.
The Orange County city filed the challenge on Sept. 23 at the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings as communities in many parts of the state grapple with the law, which passed during the spring legislative session.
Part of the law affects counties included in federal disaster declarations after last year’s hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. In part, it bars cities and counties in those areas from approving “more restrictive or burdensome” changes to comprehensive plans or land-development regulations through Oct. 1, 2027. The prohibition was retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024.
Comprehensive plans are designed to serve as blueprints for development and land-use decisions and Ocoee in 2022 began the process of adopting a replacement for a 2002 plan, according to the challenge filed Tuesday. It approved the revised plan—dubbed the “Envision 2045 Comprehensive Plan —in July and sent it to the Department of Commerce, which reviews such plans.
The department, however, notified the city on Aug. 27 that the revised plan was “null and void” because it conflicted with the restrictions in the new law. The department said the plan was “more restrictive and burdensome,” according to a letter included in the city’s filing at the Division of Administrative.
In challenging the decision this week, the city contended that the Department of Commerce overstepped its legal authority. It said the new law did not give the department the power to determine whether cities and counties
properly comply. Also, the city said there “are no articulable or objective standards mentioned in (the law) for how to evaluate a comprehensive plan amendment for being more restrictive or burdensome.”
“It is unclear what definition of ‘more restrictive or burdensome’ or criteria was used to determine the plan amendment to be ‘more restrictive or burdensome,’ but the department must have created and applied its own definition and applied it to the plan amendment in order to issue the agency statement,” the challenge said.
Also, the city indicated that it took into account the new law in finalizing the comprehensive plan. It said residents and business owners would be able to opt out of the new plan and develop property under the comprehensive plan that existed before Aug. 1, 2024.
“Therefore, even if there are any ‘more restrictive or burdensome’
provisions in Envision 2045, no property owner or applicant would be required to develop under Envision 2045 if they elect to develop under the August 1, 2024, version of the comprehensive plan,” Daniel Langley, an attorney for the city, wrote in a Sept. 8 letter to the department. “However, based on the public hearings and outreach efforts in the community, the city believes that most property owners and developers would prefer development under Envision 2045 than the prior version of the comprehensive plan to receive more density, intensity and mix of uses.”
The law was included in a broader measure (SB 180) that was billed as helping homeowners recover from hurricanes. Critics have contended it would halt most local land-use planning in the state for three years.
Numerous cities and counties have indicated they plan to file a lawsuit challenging the restrictions.
[Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images]
Interesting facts about fall
Staff report
Weather is often the first indicator that the seasons are changing. For many people across the globe, the hot days of summer will soon be giving way to the more crisp days of fall.
The 2025 autumnal equinox occurred on Sept. 22. That marks the official beginning of fall, also known as autumn. That the season that follows summer seemingly goes by two different names is just one of many interesting facts about fall.
Fall is the term most often used to reference the season succeeding summer in the United States but the season is referred to as autumn in other parts of the world, including Great Britain. Fall was once even known as harvest because of the harvest moon, which appears close to the
autumnal equinox. Fall is known for its colorful foliage, but the pigments responsible for those colors are actually present year-round. According to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, green, yellow and orange pigments are present year-round. However, during spring and summer, the leaves serve as factories where many foods necessary to help the tree grow are manufactured. That process takes place in the leaf in cells containing chlorophyll, which gives the leaves their green color. This process ceases as hours of daylight decrease and temperatures drop. As a result, chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears and the vivid colors of fall foliage begin to appear.
Squirrels hiding food in autumn for the upcoming winter is a familiar sight. And squirrels are more organized than many people may know. Groundbreaking
Fall is known for its colorful foliage, but the pigments responsible for those colors are actually present yearround. [Stock image]
research released in 1991 found that, even when squirrels bury that stash of nuts closely to one another, they will each return to the precise location of their personal cache. Recent research also has shown that squirrels bury their stash based on certain traits, such as the type of nut being buried.
Babies born in fall are more likely to see the century mark. Researchers at the
University of Chicago studied more than 1,500 centenarians born in the United States between 1880 and 1895. They then compared birth and death information with those centenarians’ siblings and spouses so they could compare their early environment and genetic background and their adult environment. Their research found that most centenarians were born between September and November.
Marion school board to hold public work session on elementary search procedures after sheriff’s comments
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Marion County Public Schools leaders said this week they will convene a public work session to discuss whether law enforcement should be allowed to conduct random administrative searches in elementary schools, after Sheriff Billy Woods raised concerns following a recent incident in which a student brought a gun onto a school bus.
During a presentation of the district’s annual Florida Safe Schools Assessment on Sept. 18, board members and staff acknowledged heightened community attention on safety. Woods recently released an emotional video suggesting the district had denied his office the ability to use gun-sniffing dogs on elementary campuses, a claim district officials have said
was inaccurate.
Board Chair Lori Conrad confirmed the issue would be addressed publicly. “Before this is limited, we are going to have a work session. We need everybody at the table,” she said.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer told the board she contacted Woods directly after his comments were posted on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page. She said while law enforcement already has a presence at every school in Marion County, she agreed to reconvene the district’s safety group to examine what expanded searches at the elementary level might look like.
“That’s not to say it will happen in the same way as middle or high schools,” Brewer said. “But because the request was made, we will have that conversation.”
Conrad reminded the public that the superintendent
has the authority to decide whether elementary searches are implemented, but the board wants to make sure the discussion happens in the open. Board members expressed differing perspectives but emphasized the need for decisions to remain data driven.
Dr. Sarah James, who asked staff to review 10 years of incident reports, noted there were just 43 weapons-related cases across all 30 elementary campuses during that span, averaging about one per year. But James explained many of the cases didn’t involve intent to hurt anyone, such as a child who carried a pocketknife.
“I am vehemently against expanding these procedures into the elementary setting in any way that is going to make children aware in the elementary school setting that we are doing it,” James said. Conrad also drew on her own
classroom experience.
“The first year that we had an ALICE drill, I was teaching first grade. It was extremely challenging to have those kind of conversations with a 6-yearold,” she said. After the exercise, she recalled taking her class to music and, “I wept”.
ALICE drills are activeshooter response trainings that teach students to Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. Conrad said the experience underscored the emotional toll such safety measures take on young children and teachers alike.
Eric Cummings, a former law enforcement officer, said the board’s focus remains on student safety while maintaining positive partnerships with police. “Safety is the number one thing — getting them there safely, getting them home safely and while they’re there,” he said.
Other board members echoed concerns about balancing visible security measures with student well-being. Allison Campbell thanked Conrad for her leadership as both a board chair and longtime elementary educator following the bus incident, noting that many parents share sensitivity about how safety procedures affect young children.
District staff also stressed that campuses are already fortified under recent state law, with upgrades including cameras, door buzzers, access-control systems and storeroom-function locks. The district conducted 1,171 threat assessments last year, most of which were resolved at a low level without requiring full team intervention.
The board has not yet scheduled a date for the work session, but members said it will be a priority to hold one soon.
Watch out for scams all around us
Staff report
The digital era has its benefits. People from all over are able to connect almost instantaneously.
Computers have made fast work of many tasks that once took hours or days to complete. Information or even funds can be shared at the click of a button. But for all of the benefits technology has provided, there is a darker side to the connectivity of the modern world. What has become easier for the general public also has become easier for those looking to take advantage of others.
Scams and internet crimes are now commonplace. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that a record $16.6 billion in losses due to scams were reported to them in 2024. The Pew Research Center indicates 73 percent of adults in the United States have experienced some kind of online scam or attack.
The office of Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas, reports various ways to recognize scams and said spotting these tactics can help people avoid being taken advantage of.
Someone contacts you. When a party contacts you first, you can’t be certain of their legitimacy. Also, email addresses and caller ID can be faked. Easy money is offered. Many scammers dangle a promise of some sort of financial gain, whether it’s a prize or an easy loan. These are usually too good to be true.
• Personal information is requested. Be on alert any time someone asks for personal information, whether it’s a bank account number or other identifying information. You could become a victim of identity theft. A request for money up front. If someone requests money to pay off a debt or to receive a prize, it is likely a scammer trying to take your money. There are many types of scams, and the following are some prominent ones.
• Counterfeit merchandise: A scammer can replicate the look of a legitimate retailer s website. Purchasing items online through a link may lead you to a counterfeit site selling merchandise that is not legitimate and/or will not even arrive.
• Charity and disaster fraud: Charity fraud scams typically emerge in the
wake of a natural disaster or another sudden, tragic event. Scammers may target generous individuals through email, social media posts, crowdfunding platforms and cold calls. Never donate to charities you have not verified as legitimate.
• Cryptocurrency investment fraud: Scammers convince victims to deposit more and more money into financial investments using cryptocurrency.
These investments are fake and all the money is under control and stolen by overseas criminal actors, says the FBI.
Bogus debts: You may receive a message or threatening correspondence that demands payment on a debt that you haven’t heard of. These scams work because some people are scared and take the bait. Legitimate creditors will produce proof of an actual debt.
• Home repair scams: Unsolicited companies may offer a limited-time deal and rope you into having a job done with materials left over from another job. Be very cautious in these scenarios, as they may take money and run.
Emergency scams: These are sometimes called Grandparent Scams because they often target the elderly. A criminal may claim to be a friend or family member in dire need and request money. Some scammers sound like the person a senior knows thanks to technology that enables them to do so.
Scams are a continuous problem and everyone needs to be on their guard.
Safeguard your personal information and avoid paying out any money without first conducting thorough research.
People, Places and Things
Black equine and ag industry leaders honored
Several local pioneers were celebrated as the traveling “The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers” exhibit remains on display in Ocala.
By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
Several Black pioneers and leaders in the Marion County agricultural and equine industries were honored Sept. 18 at the Marion County Black History Museum at the Howard Academy Community Center in Ocala.
The meet and greet event was organized as the national traveling exhibit “The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers” remains on display at the museum through the end of the month.
The exhibit, which was put together by the Keeneland Library of Lexington, Kentucky, chronicles horse racing’s Black pioneers from 1782 to 2022, with hundreds of photos from the library’s collection and text on a series of interpretive panels.
Keeneland Library curator Roda Ferraro said in a phone interview that the traveling display came to Ocala/Marion County because of horse industry connections.
The exhibit was displayed at On Top of the World communities in August as part of the Master the Possibilities program and is set to be displayed at the Stone Creek Golf Club on Oct. 3 as part of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association’s golf tournament and brunch. It then will be on display at the FTBOA gallery from Oct. 5-31.
Tammy Gantt, vice president of member services with FTBOA; Davida Randolph, the Howard Academy Community Center program manager; and Cynthia Wilson Graham, a museum volunteer and author; were the prime movers in organizing the exhibit locally and the museum event. Museum secretary Barbara Brooks and volunteers Regis Boatwright, Candace Shelton and Audrietta Coleman-Izlar worked at the meet and greet.
Most of the honorees at the event Thursday evening served in their industries from the 1960s through the 2000s and later and helped make Marion County the Horse Capital of the World.
Master blacksmith and farrier, Raymond Wheeler, a 40-year veteran of the local equine industry, was among those honored as leaders and pioneers in the local farming, ranching and horse farm industries, according to the event program.
Wheeler said he was pleased that the contribution of many Black members of the equine industry has “finally come to light”
Among the Black influencers of the local equine industry was Melvin James, a native of Fairfield in northwest Marion County, the first licensed Black thoroughbred trainer in the county, who trained Triple Crown winner Affirmed and collaborated for many years with University of Florida researchers on equine projects, according to the program.
The honorees included Lugusta “Gus” Gray, a 55-year veteran of the thoroughbred industry, first Black Marion County Agricultural Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of the international Godolphin Award for excellence in the thoroughbred industry, as well as David Cayson, 76, who worked for 30 years at the 5,000-acre
Hooper Farm and 10 years at Double Diamond Farm. He has served as a groom, trainer and foreman during his career and worked with horses like Susan Girl and Precisionist.
Willie Jones Sr., 85, was “widely recognized” for skills in grooming, breeding, foal delivery and training. A special guest was Carla Carter-Eldridge, horsewoman and now Ocala resident, has adopted racing thoroughbreds and retrained them to be trail horses.
The event program discusses the “Alabama Gang,” described as “a group of guys who came from Alabama as family and friends to work at Hooper Farms” and features a picture of more than a dozen men posing next to a Hooper Farms pickup truck that appears to be circa the 1960s.
The caption states Gray and Cayson are among the group pictured.
Additional honorees included George Thomas “Charlie Davis” Jr., whose career as an exercise rider included riding Kentucky Derby winner Secretariat; trainers, brothers, Starling Hope and Stephen Hope; Wayne “Bo” Brown Jr., a rancher and committee president in the Florida Cattleman’s Association; professional rodeo members Jeremiah Acosta and “TK” Acosta; Courtney Wilson, former city of Ocala police officer and rancher and farmer, serving as president of the Florida Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association; Rick Wallace, expert in building farm equipment and manager of his nephew, Tayelen Seabrook, a rising national rodeo star, according to the program.
The Black History Museum of Marion County at 306 N.W. 7th Ave., Ocala, has artifacts and exhibits on the Black community’s experience here and many contributions to the area, including the fields of education, entertainment, law enforcement and more.
“The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers” may be seen there through Sept. 30. In October, the exhibit moves to the FTBOA gallery at 801 SW 60th Ave.
To learn more, call the community center at (352) 6714175. For information about the Keeneland Library, go to keeneland.com; for the Florida Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association, go to ftboa.com
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
David Cayson Jr., a former groom, trainer and farm foreman, second from left, poses with Shameka Murphy, Kennedi Cayson-Collins and Ella Cayson during a meet and greet event for “The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers Exhibit” inside the Black History Museum at the Howard Academy Community Center in Ocala on Sept. 18.
Melvin James and Tammy Gantt.
Rev. Howard Gunn Jr., Marisa Latson McMillan and Bobby James.
Willie Jones, Raymond Wheeler, James Hamilton and Isaiah Mack.
An old photo taken at Hooper Farms.
Davida Randolph and Jessica Hadley-Brown.
David Cayson Jr. and his son Tony Cayson, pose with an old photo of David leading Precisionist at Hooper Farms.
One part of the “The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers Exhibit.”
Raymond Wheeler, Carla Carter-Eldridge, Jeremiah Acosta, T.K. Acosta, Rev. Howard Gunn Jr., Courtney Wilson and Wayne Brown.
Janet Sullivan and Carla Carter-Eldridge.
David Cayson Jr., Gus Gray and Standley Gillings are shown with a Bob Judy painting of Susan’s Girl with her first foal.
Vanguard outlasts Dunnellon Knights wear down Tigers in defensive battle.
By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette
Vanguard junior quarterback
Terrance Lewis ran for 126 yards and tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Kemohn Pinkney to help the Knights overcome a number of miscues to post a 20-7 win over Dunnellon on Sept. 19 at Booster Stadium.
The win, in this battle of Marion Country teams, was the fourth in a row for the Class 4A Knights who improved to 4-1 on the season. The Class 3A Tigers dropped to 2-3.
“It’s always good to win these rivalry games,” said veteran Vanguard coach Edwin Farmer. “These rivalry games are always competitive and are like playoff games. I’m proud that we were able to overcome our fumbles and mistakes and found a way to win. These games are big because they help us improve and makes us a better team.”
Dunnellon forced a Vanguard punt on the Knights opening possession of the game and took over at its own 15-yard line. Senior quarterback Dylan Curry threw a short pass to wide receiver LJ Woods who was wide open and raced down the right sideline for an 85-yard touchdown. The extra point by junior Jayliana LopezNeumann was good to give the Tigers a surprising 7-0 lead.
“It was just a busted coverage,” coach Farmer said of the touchdown. “There was a lot of noise from the crowd, and we had a miscommunication. But we responded by playing good defense the rest of the game.”
Vanguard’s offense found its rhythm and put together a methodical 14-play, 66-yard drive with running back James Pullings scoring from a yard out. The point after by Lazaro Abuin tied the score at 7 early in the second quarter.
After an exchange of punts, it looked like Vanguard was going to take the lead on a nifty 16-yard run by Lewis, but he was stripped of the ball as he crossed the goal line and Dunnellon’s Randy Jackson Jr. pounced on the loose ball for a touchback.
The game remained tied heading to the
fourth quarter as both defenses dominated. Vanguard used a 15-play, 85-yard drive to take the lead as the elusive Lewis picked up big chunks of yardage with his legs. Facing third-and-goal from the 12-yard line, Lewis found Pinkney wide open in the middle of the end zone for the go-ahead score. Lewis completed 13 of 17 passes for 121 yards.
The extra point gave the Knights a 14-7 lead with 11:01 left in the game.
Dunnellon went nowhere as Curry, who completed 9 of 17 passes for 172 yards with one touchdown and one interception, was under constant pressure from the Vanguard pass rush.
A short Dunnellon punt and a good return by Vanguard’s De’Sean Freeman gave the Knights excellent field position
at the Tigers’ 28. Lewis ripped off a 22yard scamper around left end and junior running back Sergarion Gunsby followed solid blocking by his offensive line for a short scoring run. Gunsby gained 71 yards on 13 carries. The point after was blocked to leave the Knights on top by a score of 20-7 with 3:08 left to play.
Dunnellon zipped down the field as Curry completed several passes to move the Tigers across midfield, but Vanguard junior
cornerback Dominic Burgess intercepted a Curry pass to end the threat with under a minute left in the game. Vanguard took a knee to seal the hard-earned victory.
“This was a good win and we’re going to learn from our mistakes,” coach Farmer said. “We’ve got to stay focused and get ready for our next game.”
Vanguard will host Lecanto in a Class4A-District 5 game at Booster Stadium on Sept. 26, while Dunnellon will be at home against Gainesville Eastside that night.
Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette
Vanguard’s James Pullings (28) eludes Dunnellon’s Courtlyn Mack (14) as he runs for a touchdown during a game at Booster Stadium in Ocala on Sept. 19, 2025.
Dunnellon’s quarterback Dylan Curry (3) gets his jersey pulled by Vanguard’s Lazaro Abuin (18).
Vanguard quarterback Terrance Lewis (1) runs away from Dunnellon’s Courtlyn Mack (14).
Vanguard’s Stanley Jacobs (14) pushes past Dunnellon’s Kameron Hollins (23).
Vanguard’s Dylan Harris (62) celebrates his sack on Dunnellon’s quarterback.
Vanguard quarterback Terrance Lewis (1) fumbles the ball going into the end zone as Dunnellon’s Randy Jackson (8) runs in to recover the touchback.
Dunnellon quarterback Dylan Curry (3) looks for a way around Vanguard’s Dominic Burgess (4).
Dunnellon’s William Woods (2) runs down the Vanguard sideline for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Marion schools weigh $20 million Booster Stadium renovation
By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com
Marion County school officials are considering a sweeping $20 million renovation of Booster Stadium, a facility that has seen few upgrades since it was built more than five decades ago.
The proposal, discussed during a Sept. 18 school board work session, would overhaul the 5,500-seat stadium with new locker rooms, restrooms, concessions and storage facilities built beneath expanded bleachers. Plans also call for an artificial turf field, a synthetic track and a multi-use entrance building that could house offices, classrooms or a meeting space.
“This would give Marion County Public Schools and the community an exceptional venue to host a variety of
events, from graduations to tournaments and even concerts,” said Donnie Tucker, the district’s coordinator of athletics and activities.
A LONG HISTORY, FEW UPGRADES
Booster Stadium was opened by the Ocala Wildcats Booster Club in 1969 and purchased by the school board in 1973. It served as the shared home field for Forest and Vanguard high schools from 1971 until 2004. Vanguard still does not have an on-campus stadium.
District officials acknowledged that the facility has fallen behind modern standards, with plumbing, electrical and structural issues persisting for years. Locker rooms are largely unusable and visiting teams sometimes must travel to Vanguard’s campus to shower after games.
RICK STEVES’ EUROPE
Swizzle your travels with European seaside bars
August is vacation time in Europe. Entire towns seem to shut down as locals head to seaside escapes, eager to enjoy unforgettable beaches and the culture that comes with them.
Let’s close our eyes, tune in to the rhythm of the waves, picture a sunset glinting through a drink in your hand, and join them. Here are some of my favorite seaside bars in Europe.
In Dubrovnik, Croatia: The “Buža” bar offers, without a doubt, the most scenic spot for a drink in Dubrovnik. Perched on a cliff above the sea, clinging like a barnacle to the outside of the city walls, this is a peaceful, shaded getaway from the bustle of the Old Town ... the perfect place to watch cruise ships disappear into the horizon.
“Buža” means “hole in the wall” – and that’s exactly what you’ll have to go through to get to this place.
In Istanbul, Turkey: The double-decker Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn, a historic inlet that separates the old and new towns of Istanbul. And all along both the horn and the bridge, you’ll find dozens of inviting, no-name bars. Find a place to nurse some Turkish
FUNDING AND FEASIBILITY QUESTIONS
The conceptual drawings, donated by Ausley Construction, envision seating for up to 10,000 people, nearly doubling the current capacity. Concrete bleachers alone could cost $5 million per side.
Officials emphasized that fundraising would play a central role.
“This would be funded through donations,” Tucker told the board, though he added that some district capital money might also be required.
Board members voiced support for the project’s potential but pressed for more details on costs, donor commitments and comparisons to similar facilities.
Some questioned whether 10,000 seats are necessary, suggesting scaled-back options such as steel bleachers to lower expenses.
COMMUNITY AND COUNTY INVOLVEMENT
Supporters argued that an upgraded Booster Stadium could attract statewide athletic events, create a reliable venue for high school graduations and generate revenue through rentals, parking and concessions.
Board member Allison Campbell noted that the project would mark the district’s first revenue-generating facility.
“We also have to think about the cost savings,” she said, pointing out that Marion schools currently rent space at the World Equestrian Center and Southeast
Livestock Pavilion for graduation ceremonies.
The board also discussed bringing in outside partners. Members said the city of Ocala and Marion County government could play a role, especially given the stadium’s potential to draw visitors and boost local tourism. Some suggested the county’s tourism development tax, which is collected on hotel stays, might be used to support construction or event hosting at the site. The stadium’s future will depend on how much of the estimated $20 million cost can be covered by private donations, grants, sponsorships and potential government support. Officials said additional renderings and fundraising plans will come before the board in future meetings.
specialties: Drink an unfiltered, highly caffeinated “Turkish coffee” (which leaves a thick coating of “mud” in the bottom) or a cup of tea, and suck on a water pipe filled with flavorful dried fruit.
In Salema, Portugal: One bit of old Algarve magic still glitters quietly in the sun – Salema. This simple fishing village has three beachside streets, many restaurants, a few hotels, a couple of bars, a classic beach with a paved promenade, and endless sun. The Atlântico –right on the beach – is known for its tasty fresh fish, fun drinks, friendly service, and a wonderful beachside terrace.
In Nerja, Spain: Ayo (www. ayonerja.com) is famous for its character of an owner and its beachside all-you-can-eat paella feast at lunchtime. For decades, Ayo – a lovable ponytailed bohemian who promises to be here until he dies – has been feeding locals. The paella fires get stoked up at about noon. Grab one of many tables under the canopy next to the rustic, open-fire cooking zone, and enjoy the Burriana Beach setting with a jug of sangria.
In Villefranche-surMer, France: In the glitzy
world of the French Riviera, Villefranche-sur-Mer offers travelers an easygoing slice of small-town Mediterranean life. Luxury sailing yachts glisten in the bay – an inspiration to those lazing along the harborfront to start saving their money when their trips are over. Lou Bantry (www.restaurant-lou-bantry. fr/) feels nautical, with blue and white tables and umbrellas bellying up to the edge of the harbor. Spill your rosé, and it’s in the sea.
In Vernazza, Italy: Ristorante Belforte’s (www. ristorantebelforte.it) tiny balcony lets you sip your “vino della Cinque Terre” overlooking the Mediterranean from the edge of a stony castle. You can feel the mist from the surf crashing below on the Vernazza breakwater. And the views of the ancient vineyard terracing all around you makes the experience a highlight.
In Conwy, Wales: This Welsh town, watched over by its protective castle, has a particularly charming harbor. On summer evenings, the action on the quay is mellow, multigenerational, and perfectly Welsh. Everyone is here enjoying the local cuisine – “chips,” ice cream, and beer – and savoring that great British pastime: chasing little crabs. Facing the harbor, The Liverpool Arms pub was built by a captain in the 19th century. Today it remains a salty and characteristic hangout.
In Staithes, England: A ragamuffin village where the boy who became Captain James Cook got his first taste of the sea, Staithes is a salty jumble of cottages bunny-hopping down a ravine into a tiny harbor on the North Sea. There’s nothing to do but stroll the beach and nurse a harborside beer or ice cream. The Cod and Lobster
(www.codandlobster.co.uk), overlooking the harbor, has scenic outdoor benches and a cozy living room warmed by a fire.
In Solvorn, Norway: Walaker Hotel, a former inn and coach station, has been run by the Walaker family since 1690 (that’s a lot of pressure on ninth-generation owner Ole Henrik). The hotel, set right on the Lustrafjord, has a garden perfect for relaxing and, if necessary, even convalescing. I love to savor my coffee and dessert on the balcony with a fjordside setting – mesmerized by Norwegian mountains.
Skäl, Santé, Na zdravje, Prost—Cheers! Europe is full of romantic waterfront spots, perfect to grab a drink and slow your pulse. Feel the breeze, smell the sea, and enjoy the cry of the gulls – it could turn out to be your ultimate European moment.
Aerial view rendering of Booster Stadium by Ausley Construction.
Front entrance rendering, by Ausley Construction.
Ayo has been cooking up beachside paella for decades in Nerja, Spain. CREDIT:(Rick Steves, Rick Steves’ Europe).
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 21, 2025. The date of first publication of this Notice is September 19, 2025. 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.,
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SARA V. FITZGERALD, Deceased. CASE NO: 2025-CP-2270
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: July 9, 2025. The date of first publication of this Notice is September 19, 2025. 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 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com
Personal Representative: PARRISH L. KOHLER 1321 Kaderly NW Street New Philadelphia, OH 44663
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN RE: ESTATE OF DEAN RANDALL GUNTNER
Deceased. PROBATE DIVISION
File No. 2025-CP-002137
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of Dean Randall Guntner, deceased, whose date of death was April 21, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave #1, Ocala, FL 34471. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. 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. 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702
of
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF JEAN CHARLES SPENLA, JR
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN
CIRCUIT COURT OF
NOTICE OF MEETING DATES BAY LAUREL CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT Fiscal Year 2026
The Board of Supervisors of the Bay Laurel Center Community Development District will hold their regularly scheduled public meetings for the Fiscal Year 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Circle Square Commons, Cultural Center, 8395 SW 80th Street, Ocala, FL 34481 on the third Tuesday of the month as follows:
October 21, 2025 November 18, 2025 December 16, 2025 January 20, 2026 February 17, 2026 March 17, 2026 April 21, 2026 May 19, 2026 June 16, 2026 July 21, 2026 August 18, 2026 September 15, 2026
The meetings are open to the public and will be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Florida Law for Community Development Districts. A copy of the agenda for a particular meeting may be obtained from the District Manager, at 219 E. Livingston Street, Orlando, FL 32801, by calling (407) 841-5524, or by visiting the District’s website at https://blccdd.com.
A meeting may be continued to a date, time, and place to be specified on the record at that meeting. There may be occasions when one or more Supervisors will participate by telephone.
Any person requiring special accommodations at these meetings because of a disability or physical impairment should contact the District Office at (407) 841-5524 at least fortyeight (48) hours prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service 1-800-955-8770, for aid in contacting the District Office.
Each person who decides to appeal any action taken at these meetings is advised that person will need a record of the proceedings and that accordingly, the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based.
George S. Flint Governmental Management Services –Central Florida, LLC District Manager
a/k/a JEAN C. SPENLA
PROBATE DIVISION
Deceased. File Number: 2025 CP 002309 AX NOTICE TO CREDITORS (summary administration) TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE: You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the estate of JEAN CHARLES SPENLA, JR., deceased, File Number 2025 CP 002309 AX, by the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Clerk of Court, Main Courthouse, 110 NW 1st Ave., Room 202, Ocala, FL 34475; that the total cash value of the estate is $60,891.01 and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:
Name
Deborah E. Taylor
Scott Arthur Kasselmann as Trustee of the Spenla Family Trust dated August 28, 2024 Address 12745 NE 9th Street Silver Springs, FL 34488 525 Ayn Court Roswell, Georgia 30076 ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE NOTIFIED THAT:
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is served within three months after the date of the first publication of this notice must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and persons having claims or demands against the estate of the decedent must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
The date of the first publication of this Notice is September 19, 2025. Attorney for Person Giving Notice: Laurie B. Sams, Esq. Van Winkle & Sams, P.A. FL Bar No. 136001 3859 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 202 Sarasota, Florida 34233 (941) 923-1685 lauriesams@comcast.net
Person Giving Notice: Scott Arthur Kasselmann Personal Representative
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA
PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF CATHERINE T. SHEDLOCK a/k/a CATHERINE SHEDLOCK Deceased. FILE NO.: 2025-CP-2155
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of CATH-
ERINE T. SHEDLOCK, deceased, whose date of death was May 4, 2025; is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2025-CP-2155 ; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1 st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons, who have claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this Note, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS SEPTEMBER 26, 2025.
Personal Representative:
GEORGE J. SHEDLOCK, JR.
5758 S.W. 58th Place Ocala, Florida 34474 Attorney for Personal Representative:
DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996
DAVIS R. WATSON III, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue
Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email: davis@daviswatsonlaw.com
Case No.: 2025-2376-CP IN RE: THE ESTATE OF GARY COLIN WHIDDEN, Deceased./ NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of GARY COLIN WHIDDEN , deceased, whose date of death was August 19 , 2025, 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 26, 2025
Personal Representative: GREGORY WHIDDEN 29120 SE 175 th Street
Umatilla, FL 32784
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 THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION
IN RE: ESTATE OF ALBERT V. JELLEN Deceased.
FILE NO.: 2025-CP-2275
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of ALBERT V. JELLEN, deceased, whose date of death was June 8, 2025; is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2025-CP-2275; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney is set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons, who have claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this Note, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS SEPTEMBER 26, 2025.
Personal Representative:
ANNELIESE KAUFMAN
10388 S.W. 18th Terrace Ocala, Florida 34476
Attorney for Personal Representative:
DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996
DAVIS R. WATSON III, P.A.
2201 S. E. 30th Avenue
Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080
Email: davis@daviswatsonlaw.com
JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA. IN RE: THE ESTATE OF FREDERICK G. WEISS, Deceased. CASE NO: 2025-CP-2197 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: July 25, 2025. The date of first publication of this Notice is September 19, 2025. 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
Attorney for Personal Representative: JOSHUA L. MOSES Richard & Moses, LLC Florida Bar No. 119304 808 E Fort King Street Ocala, FL 34471 (352) 369-1300 Primary Email: Josh@RMProbate.com
Personal Representative: NANCY MULVIHILL 2923 Parkway Blvd Allentown, PA 18104
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR SUMTER COUNTY FLORIDA In re: the Marriage of: EVAN PAUL WILSECK, Petitioner/Husband, and LILIANA DUARTE COVIS, Respondent/Wife. CASE NO.: 2025 DR 108 NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE To: LILIANA DUARTE COVIS ADDRESS UNKNOWN YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on or before October 17, 2025 and serve it upon Law Offices of Jason G. Smith, P.O. Box 1828, Eustis, FL 32727, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 215 E McCollum Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the Petition.
This action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE.
Copies of all court documents in this case, including order, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office notified of your current address. (You may file a Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Electronically Filed Sumter Case # 2025DR000108AXMX 07/14/2025 01:36:00 PM Approved Family Law Form 12.915). Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or emailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk's office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.
ERIN C. MUNZ
Dated: August 26, 24,2025
CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
By:Sund Bass
Deputy Clerk
Robert W. Corbeil
June 28, 1942 - August 18, 2025
Ocala - It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Robert W. (Bob) Corbeil, age 83, who passed away on August 18, 2025 at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital in Ocala, Florida. Bob was born on June 28, 1942 in Plattsburgh, New York, the son of the late William and Ruth (Pombrio) Corbeil. Devoted husband to Jean, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, Bob will be remembered by many for his sense of humor and ability to befriend and relate to anyone he met. He was endlessly entertaining, quick with a smile and a joke, and always optimistically committed to any endeavor he undertook.
Bob served his country in the United States Army National Guard, where he trained as a tank driver, before beginning his law enforcement career with the New York State Police. After his retirement from the NYSP, Bob moved to Ocala, Florida where he was drawn back to the career he loved. There Bob joined the Marion County Sheriff’s Department where he worked until his second retirement.
Bob loved riding his Harley, attending Country Music Festivals, playing guitar, sipping on Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and traveling the country, specifically to visit his family and friends. Bob was also a devoted fan of the Florida Gators and Montreal Canadiens. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his Cousin Dale Trombly and Brother-In-Law Robert Kuemmel, both of whom he loved like his own brothers.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Jean (Van Slate) Corbeil; his devoted sister, Cynthia (Corbeil) Kuemmel; his sons Scott, Steve, Dean, and Todd; his stepchildren George P. Hammond, Linda (Frank) Faver, Elizabeth (Michael) Updike, John (Diane) Hammond, Aimee Muller; and many loving Grandchildren and GreatGrandchildren.
Bob will be interred in the Memorial Garden at Saint Matthew’s Lutheran Church during services to be performed at a date yet to be determined. Hiers Braxley Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.
In lieu of flowers, Bob requested donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association.
CF film series celebrates 64th season
The 2025-26 event gives a nod to the Beatles.
Staff report
The Ira Holmes International Film Series at the College of Central Florida, which will begin in October, will celebrate its 64th season with a Fab Four-themed series of Beatles-related film screenings, film talks and special events.
The season will launch with a seriesfirst event at the Ocala Downtown Square. The family-friendly “When I’m 64 Kickoff Celebration” on Oct. 4, will include a Beatles karaoke party at 6:30 p.m. followed by a sunset screening of “A Hard Day’s Night.”
“The cultural phenomenon that is the Beatles was also the soundtrack for the early days of the Ira Holmes Film Series,” said Wendy Adams, CF professor and series director, in the news release announcing the series. “Many of our films are great master works and the Beatles’ music has stood the test of time. So, we want to celebrate the cultural impact of the Beatles and, with multiple family-friendly events, introduce a new generation to the excitement of original rock ‘n’ roll and its impact on cinema.”
Ira Holmes died June 9, 2024, at the age of 90. He was a pillar CF, where for six decades he was a professor of humanities and social sciences, was the founder of the international film series and led more than two dozen study tours to Europe.
Series schedule:
• Oct. 4 - “A Hard Day’s Night,” UK, 1964 – family-friendly film event with karaoke party and film screening at Ocala Downtown Square
• Oct. 14 - “PreFab!”, US/UK, 2025 –exclusive screenings include filmmaker Q&A
• Oct. 22 - “Good Day Sunshine State” – author book talk presented with CF Department of Humanities
• Oct. 28 - “Drive My Car,” Japan, 2021
Nov. 11 - “Yesterday,” UK, 2019 –evening screening includes author discussion
Nov. 25 - “Long Flat Balls II,” Norway, 2008
Jan. 13 - “Flow,” Latvia, 2024
Jan. 27 - “Harry Benson: Shoot First,” USA, 2016
• Feb. 10 - “Nowhere Boy,” UK, 2010
• Feb. 24 - “Heinz Edelmann’s ‘Yellow Submarine’ and More” film talk with artist Tyrus Clutter
• Feb. 24 - “Linda Linda Linda,” Japan, 2005
• March 10 - “Across the Universe,” UK/ USA, 2007
March 24 - “Living is Easy With Eyes Closed,” Spain, 2013
All films will be shown Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, and at 7 p.m. at the College of Central Florida, 3001 S.W. College Road, Building 8, Room 110, unless otherwise noted. Films at the Ocala Campus are free and open to the public. Films at the Appleton are free to all museum and film series members; nonmembers pay museum admission. Films may contain mature content.
For more details, go to cf.edu/filmseries
Photos courtesy College of Central Florida
Ira Holmes
Wendy Adams
Film series poster
Celebrate Hispanic heritage with food
National Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual, month-long celebration that begins on September 15 and lasts through October 15. The month recognizes the culture, history and contributions of American citizens who can trace their lineages to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.
There are many ways to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, including by enjoying culturally relevant foods. There’s no shortage of great recipes to enjoy during Hispanic Heritage Month, including this one for “Mixed Tostadas” from “The Complete Mexican, South American & Caribbean Cookbook” (Metro Books) by Jane Milton, Jenni Fleetwood and Marina Filippelli. Tostadas are like edible plates
that can support many ingredients, as long as they aren’t too juicy.
Mixed Tostadas (Makes 14)
2 Oil, for shallow frying 14 freshly prepared unbaked corn tortillas
1 cup mashed red kidney or pinto beans
1 iceberg lettuce, shredded Olive oil and vinegar dressing (optional)
2 cooked chicken breast portions, skinned and thinly sliced
8 ounces guacamole
1 cup coarsely grated sharp cheddar cheese
Pickled jalapeño chiles, seeded and sliced, to taste
1. Heat the oil in a shallow frying pan and fry the corn tortillas, one by one, until golden brown on both sides and crisp but not hard.
2. Spread each tortilla with a layer of mashed pinto or kidney beans. Put a layer of shredded lettuce (which can either be left plain or lightly tossed with a little dressing) over the beans.
3. Arrange chicken slices on top of the lettuce. Carefully spread over a layer of the guacamole and finally sprinkle over the grated cheese.
4. Arrange the mixed tostadas on a large platter and serve immediately, while still warm. Use your hands to eat tostadas, as they are extremely messy.
MAYO CLINIC
Variations:
or feta cheese instead of cheddar.
Have a recipe you would like to share? Email us at recipe@ocalagazette.com
Active workstations: Because sitting all day is bad for your health
DEAR MAYO CLINIC:
One of the biggest things I have missed since my office went remote is going on walks with my coworkers throughout the day. With so many added responsibilities at work, I can hardly find time to leave my desk. How is all this sitting affecting me? How can I find a balance?
ANSWER: We understand the reality is that people have less and less time to exercise. While exercising before or after work is extremely important, it is just as important to stay active throughout the day. You may be surprised to hear that sitting for eight or more hours a day is comparable to smoking
a pack of cigarettes a day in terms of heart risk. Sitting for too long throughout the day is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, cancer and many medical conditions. The solution? An active office can empower you to break out of a sedentary lifestyle.
An active workstation is essentially a desk where you are not sitting. This can mean a standing desk or one where you move around, such as biking, walking or using a step machine. An active workstation has many benefits. The main benefit is that it allows the user to be productive while burning calories at the same time. Walking pads or treadmills
OBITUARY
Landis V. Curry Jr.
December 18, 1934 - September 17, 2025
Landis V. Curry Jr., a true Southern gentleman in every sense of the word, went to be with the Lord on September 17, 2025. Lanny will be remembered for his unwavering kindness, sharp wit, and deep love for family, friends, the Florida Gators, and Ocala. He was known for his generous spirit, warm smile, quiet humility, and lack of pretense. He had an uncanny ability to make people feel cherished and at home.
Born December 18, 1934 in Ocala to Strick and Evelyn Curry, Lanny was raised with a deep appreciation for his Ocala roots and a strong sense of tradition, family, and hospitality. Growing up in the beauty of Silver Springs, he had a deep connection to Old Florida that lasted his entire life.
allow you to walk at a slow speed and answer emails, work on a project or participate in a video conference call.
An active workstation does not mean that you need to be moving all the time. And you don’t have to be active for too long to reap the benefits of activity. It has been shown that even when you are standing, you are more likely to be spontaneously mobile than when you are sitting. This is important to keep in mind. Overall, sitting for less than three or four hours throughout the day is a good goal for those who are able.
Another concept that is gaining popularity is the idea of “snack” activities. A “snack”
He graduated from Ocala High School in 1952, where he was Student Body President and Captain of the baseball team. He then attended the University of Florida where he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After receiving his degree, he served in the United States Navy as a Frogman with the Underwater Demolition Teams, the teams that would go on to become the earliest units of the Navy Seals. He served on many top secret missions, helped recover the nose cones for the first space flights, went diving with Jaques Custeau, and received commendations for bravery and leadership. He ultimately graduated from the U.S. Naval Justice School and earned a doctorate in Undersea Technology.
After serving in active duty for five years, he went back to Gainesville to earn his law degree, which he received with honors as a member of the Florida Law Review. He thereafter built a respected career at the Ayers, Cluster, Curry Law Firm where he worked with and mentored many exceptional attorneys in the local bar. Throughout his career, he was known for his integrity and his firm-but-fair business dealings. He was respected for his steadfast principles and unwavering honesty. His word was his bond, and his handshake was a promise.
While his professional accomplishments were many, his greatest legacy was the grace with which he lived his life. He was a man who always opened a door for a lady, offered a helping hand without being asked, and never met a stranger. Whether in a bustling boardroom or a local fishing hole, he carried himself with a natural dignity and effortless charm. His subtle humor and genuine warmth made everyone feel welcome.
Lanny was a devoted family man. He is survived by Valeria, his beloved wife of 65 years, his children, Karen (Chris) and Lance (Tara), his grandchildren, Landyn, Whit, and Wynn, his brother Craig (Carol), and many nieces, nephews, and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his parents (Strick and Evelyn) and his brother (Jimmy).
Lanny was a longtime and active member of the Gator Booster Club. A Bull Gator for many years, he served on the University of Florida President’s Council. He also served locally, dedicating extensive time to the Humane Society of Marion County, the Elks Lodge, and the Ocala Gator Tip Off Club. He loved to duck and quail hunt with his brothers and his friends, including Joe, Bo, Gus, Terry, and Big John. He could often be found rooting on the Florida Gators at his legendary Camp Curry tailgate, where his catch phrase—“Good to see ya!”—was frequently heard. He also loved quiet afternoons on the front porch of his favorite place, Lake Weir.
Lanny embodied the qualities that defined him: courtesy, empathy, and an inner peace that brought comfort to those around him. He possessed a rare ability to understand and respect others, even when he did not agree with them. His life was a testament to the idea that quiet confidence and genuine warmth are the true marks of a gentleman. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
A funeral service will be held on September 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Roberts Downtown Chapel, 606 SW 2nd Ave, Ocala, FL, 34471. The family will thereafter receive friends and loved ones at the Country Club of Ocala.
is doing something for two or three minutes after sitting for an hour. This helps you break the sedentary status of your body by taking the stairs for a few flights, doing some pushups or something meaningful in terms of activity for just a few minutes, and then coming back and continuing your work. These little episodes of activity reset your metabolic clock. Activity snacks can cause significant biological changes in your cells, metabolism and cholesterol. You may notice your mind feeling sharper for the next half hour.
While “activity snacking” is an affordable way to implement movement into your daily
routine, you don’t need a lot of money or a big investment to switch up your office furniture. There are some adapters out there that you put on top of your desk to raise or lower your monitor or laptop computer, allowing you to stand. Some people get creative and use a stack of books or other existing items. The bottom line is that everyone should feel motivated to redesign their home offices in order to be active longer throughout the day. This leaves us with less room for excuses. And, if you have days where you’re stuck going into the office, you still have options. Consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
SERIOUSLY SIMPLE
A final taste of summer
As we fall into autumn, you can still make this Seriously Simple flavor enhancer since ripe red tomatoes are still in season, albeit at the trail end. This is one of those recipes I make annually when I know I still want a concentrated flavor condiment. Talk about easy; this one-step, sweet-savory relish, topping or stand-in for ketchup is very versatile.
The tomatoes become sweet and caramelized, and the thyme offers a savory herbal touch. Through the years I have amped up the flavor with a touch of red chile flakes, smoked paprika or chipotle sauce. You can have fun adding your own signature flavors.
This is one of those recipes you’ll be happy you saved in your fridge for last-minute appetizers or as an addition to sandwiches, sauces, pizza, omelets or barbecued steak. Try it as a topping on brie, goat cheese or bruschetta, or place it in a small crock on a charcuterie board. It is also beyond delicious on your favorite grilled cheese, as well as on burgers, hot dogs or a BLT instead of raw tomatoes.
Sweet and Savory Roasted Garlic Tomato Jam
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
6 pounds (about 6 large) tomatoes, coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 Preheat the oven to 425 F.
2 In a large nonaluminum baking pan, combine the tomatoes, garlic, oil and thyme; mix until well blended. Roast for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. The liquid will slowly evaporate, and the mixture will begin to thicken and lightly caramelize. 3 Remove from the oven and let cool. Add salt and pepper; taste for seasoning. Store in an airtight container. Make ahead: The jam can be prepared up to two weeks ahead, covered tightly and refrigerated.
Instead of chicken, try using shredded pork, ground beef or turkey, or sliced chorizo. For a more authentic taste, use queso fresco
Disease experts team up with Florida Museum of Natural History to create a forecast for West Nile virus
By Jerald Pinson Florida Museum of Natural History
Anew study has significant bearing on the hackneyed joke about chickens and their numerous reasons for crossing roads. In Florida, there’s a good chance that the chicken crossed the road because it had completed its year-long conscripted service as a disease sentinel, a sort of early alarm signal for mosquito virus activity across the state.
Mosquito control programs maintain hundreds of chicken coops from the Panhandle down through Miami. Once a week, throughout large portions of the year, officials take a small blood sample from each of several chickens and send them to the Florida Department of Health, where they’re tested for antibodies to common mosquitoborne diseases, such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis. If the results are positive, the state will warn residents to be especially wary of mosquitos until the danger has passed.
There’s no way to know with certainty, but the state’s sentinel program, which has been ongoing for more than 40 years, has likely saved many lives. But the program has its limitations, the most obvious being that warning can only be given after the confirmed virus activity, by which time people may have already been exposed.
Researchers at the University of Florida want to change that. In the study, published in the journal “Science of the Total Environment,” they demonstrate they can reliably predict elevated West Nile virus activity in chickens up to six months before it occurs, which they accomplished by training and testing a statistical model on 20 years’ worth of sentinel chicken data. Their results are an important first step toward forecasting West Nile virus across Florida.
“People have spent years testing these chickens, and one of the main reasons is to get to the point where you can make predictions,” said study coauthor Rob Guralnick, curator of biodiversity informatics at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. He described the results as an exclamation point to the work that’s been done up to this point. With this and future models added to their toolkit, health officials may one day soon be able to supplement their reactionary mitigation responses to disease outbreaks with proactive preventative measures.
PREDICTING OUTBREAKS
The study is partially the product of a 2023 Research Opportunity Seed Fund awarded by the University of Florida to forecast a variety of mosquitoborne illnesses in the state and it almost didn’t happen.
The sentinel records, which had been stored in a basement at the Florida Department of Health, were destroyed by a flood. Luckily, Jonathan Day, a scientist at the University of Florida who studied viruses transmitted by arthropods (called arboviruses), had the foresight to keep his own copy in big, unwieldy binders.
“One of my colleagues had stored these weekly reports all through his career. They were called arbograms,” said senior author Lindsay Campbell with a straight face before losing her composure and laughing at the pun.
Campbell is an assistant professor at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory in UF’s department of entomology and nematology. After hearing about the flood, she offered to share the records she’d inherited from her colleague. She also gave the data a digital face-lift with help from Guralnick, whose specialties include efficiently digitizing avalanche-sized reams of analog information.
“I knew from working with the Florida Museum that there were tons of advances in digitizing collections and other types of data,” Campbell said. Together, they created what’s referred to as an informatics pipeline, which automatically converted and organized the chicken data. Manual checks were performed afterward to ensure the transition had gone smoothly.
The sentinel program was already in place when West Nile virus first arrived in Florida in 2001, meaning scientists who study the disease have a detailed record of how the epidemic unfolded. Other states had to piece together how the disease spread from several disparate and less reliable sources.
This was true of New York City back in 1999. The first intimation residents of the city’s Queens borough had that anything was amiss was an unusually large number of dead and dying crows in June and July.
A veterinarian directly observed a crow that was unable to walk straight, suggesting it suffered from a neurological illness.
Within a few months, several types of animals began exhibiting similar symptoms: a wild goose in Queens; multiple bird species, including flamingos and a bald eagle, at the Bronx Zoo; a cooper’s hawk in Connecticut.
Wildlife pathologists hastily worked to find the cause while, unknown to them, humans started getting sick as well.
Eight people who lived within a 4-square-mile radius developed severe fevers, brain swelling, muscle weakness and paralysis.
By late September, medical doctors and wildlife experts had an answer. The cases represented the first known outbreak of West Nile virus in North America. By then, several more people had contracted the illness, with 59
reported cases in all at summer’s end.
The same pattern soon played out in other states. Dead birds presaged the arrival of West Nile virus throughout 10 counties in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey the following year. The year after that, it had spread to 38 counties across 10 states. In 2002, West Nile virus exploded across the U.S. in what was then the largest outbreak of the disease ever recorded. Thousands of people got sick and hundreds died.
West Nile virus waxes and wanes with the seasons, but it’s remained in the United States since its initial arrival at the tail end of the millennium.
Once a zoonotic virus has become established in a population, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of it. Rather than attempting full-blown eradication, scientists and civil servants have worked hard to track the disease. In Florida, the same animals that once augured imminent outbreak now stand guard as sentinels, only this time it’s chickens instead of crows. Chickens are a good choice because although they can become infected with West Nile virus, and their cells produce antibodies in response, they do not develop symptoms, nor can they transmit the virus to others.
Even with this information at their disposal, the ability to accurately predict where a virus will be active at any point in the future is a difficult task. This is particularly true of zoonotic arboviruses and other zoonotic diseases, because they can often infect multiple hosts.
West Nile virus has been documented in 65 mosquito species in North America alone, and though not all of them transmit the virus in nature, it can be difficult to distinguish the active transmission routes from the dead ends. Plus, only some mosquitos feed on humans, but all of them have to get their blood from somewhere.
That means it’s theoretically possible for a mosquito that is only a menace to birds to infect, say, a crow, which could then pass on the pathogen to another species of mosquito that has fewer reservations about where it feeds. These generalist
mosquitos, called bridge vectors, are responsible for the spillover of West Nile virus to humans and other animals.
Any model attempting to account for each individual component in this web of complicated interactions would invariably stall in a quagmire of intractable data. Instead, the authors devised something simpler to cut through the noise and find the signal.
REFINED MODEL
Had the authors been doing this work in the early 2000s, they would have used a simple model that included components for where a disease was active and when that activity occurred. According to study lead author Joseph Baecher, who formerly modeled the distribution of salamanders before turning his attention to arboviruses for a postdoctoral research appointment, these types of models are useful but limited, because they do not account for interactions.
“They’re essentially snapshots, but the world isn’t static,” he said. “Ecological systems are dynamic and modeling these systems requires accounting for how conditions in one location and time influence another.”
To connect the dots, ecologists took a page from quantum mechanics and fluid dynamics, in which interaction and randomness factor heavily, and added a component to their models that accounted for these variables.
“This tool has dramatically expanded our capabilities,” Baecher said. “We’re now able to model disease dynamics with higher biological realism, incorporating nonlinear interactions and latent variables that better reflect real-world complexity.”
The authors fed their model with data that included precipitation and minimum and maximum temperatures from the years 2001 to 2019, along with information about land cover across Florida. Then they ran the numbers, and the model spat out its predictions, or rather postdictions, since it was computing the where and when West Nile virus activity would have shown up in the past.
The chicken data was a crucial component of the analysis. Rather than predicting the future and waiting around for the next outbreak to test their model’s accuracy, they made a 20-year disease hindcast, then used the chicken data to assess its performance.
The retrospective predictions closely aligned with the number of chicken infections and accurately predicted elevated virus activity in general areas where cases occurred in not only humans but horses as well, which number among the many casualties of West Nile outbreaks.
The monthly predictions were the most accurate and had less uncertainty, but the seasonal predictions were still reliable. The combined results gave the authors a sense of which environmental conditions are immediately conducive to elevated virus activity and which work further out in time to set up the stage.
For the monthly predictions, overall higher minimum temperatures and precipitation in an area two months before officials tested chickens had a strong positive association with West Nile virus activity, and high maximum temperatures during the testing month had a negative association. Intermediate levels of precipitation six months prior to testing had the strongest signal at the seasonal scale.
Altogether, this information may give officials a clear picture of what to look for at multiple points ahead of time to help inform management decisions.
The authors said their results are a milestone, but not one to stop at. Rather, they see the model as a tool that can be further refined and added to.
“The bird part is a missing piece in the model and human behavior is another missing piece and mosquitos and where they are is another. What we’re really trying to do is wrap these together to understand the mechanics all the way up and down the chain, from the weather patterns that favor mosquitos to the transmission cycle in birds and how that affects humans,” Guralnick said.
To learn more, go to
Yasmin Tavares helped create the bioinformatics pipeline that enabled the digitization of Florida’s sentinel chicken data while working on her master’s degree at the University of Florida. [Photo courtesy of Yasmin Tavares]
West Nile virus is transmissible to a variety of animals, and human outbreaks are often preceded by infections in birds. [Photo courtesy of Lawrence Reeves]
LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS
Government
SEPT. 29, OCT. 6, 13, 20 AND 27
Marion County Development
Review Office of County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave., Building 1, Ocala
9am
The committee meets each Monday to review and vote on waiver requests to the Land Development Code, major site plans and subdivision plans. See marion.fl.legistar.com/ calendar.aspx for agenda and minutes.
OCT. 7 AND 21
Marion County Board of County Commissioners
McPherson Governmental Campus Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala
9am The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at marionfl.legistar.com/ calendar.aspx
Ocala City Council
Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave., Ocala
4pm The council meets each first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at ocala.legistar.com/calendar.aspx
Belleview City Commission
Belleview City Hall, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm
Community Arts
SEPT. 25
Night of Hope
College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
5:30pm
The annual event honors victims and survivors of domestic violence. The keynote speaker will be Melissa Dohme Hill, a survivor and advocate, and executive director of Hands Across the Bay. Free childcare for youngsters age 2 and older. For details, call the Marion County Children’s Alliance at (352) 438-5990.
SEPT. 25
Seniors At Work Job Fair
Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala
11am-2pm The Senior Resource Foundation of Ocala event is designed for adults ages 55 and older who are seeking part-time or full-time employment opportunities. Admission is free. For more information, visit srfofocala.org/ events
SEPT. 27
Fall Arts & Crafts Show Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala
9am-1pm
The show will feature a variety of handmade items from local crafters and artisans, as well as the popular basket raffle and bake sale. Food and drink will be available at the Country Café. To learn more, call (908) 902-3484.
SEPT. 27
Florida Thorobred Fillies Brunch and Fashion Show Hilton Ocala, 3600 SW 36th Ave., Ocala
10am-1pm See fashions from Ladybead Boutique and support the social friendship club for women in the horse industry. RSVP to Tammy Gantt by calling (352) 598-6832.
SEPT. 28
Pack Walk Silver Springs State Park, 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
9am Meet dogs from Marion County Animal Services and help support the park. Participants help walk the shelter dogs, interact with them and learn if one might be a good fit for adoption. Park admission is $2 per person. Learn more at animalservices.marionfl. org
SEPT. 30
Free public hands-only CPR class HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, classrooms 2 and 3, Bitzer Building, 1431 SW 1st Ave., Ocala
9-10:30am HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, through a partnership with Marion CPR in Belleview, are offering a free hands-only CPR class that is open to the public. Registration is required: go to https:// bit.ly/4pnkZN8
The commission meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video available at belleviewfl.org/200/ agendas-minutes
MULTIPLE DATES
MCPS town hall meetings
Locations below 5:45pm Marion County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer will host town hall gatherings, which are open to all. • Oct. 16 – Osceola Middle School, 526 SE Tuscawilla Ave., Ocala Nov. 13 – North Marion Middle School, 2085 W. CR 329, Citra Dec. 18 – Dunnellon Middle School, 21005 Chestnut St., Dunnellon Anyone with questions can call (352) 671-7555.
OCT. 14 AND 28
Marion County School Board 1614 E Fort King St., Ocala
5:30pm The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Agendas and minutes are available at go.boarddocs.com/fl/marion/ Board.nsf/Public
OCT. 8
Dunnellon City Council
Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Dr., Dunnellon
5:30pm The council generally meets the second Wednesday of the month. Agendas, minutes and video are available at dunnellon.granicus. com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
OCT. 2
Marion County Job Fair
College of Central Florida Klein Conference Center, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala
2:30-5pm
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion will host the fair. Attendees should bring printed resumes, dress professionally and be prepared for interviews. For more information, visit careersourceclm.com/calendar or call 800434-JOBS (5627).
OCT. 3
Cooks, Books & Musical Hooks Headquarters Ocala Public Library, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
2:45pm Dylan Newton, author of “Change of Plans,” will join chef Patti McQueen, of La Casella Catering; and songstress Miranda Madison for an afternoon of talking, cooking and singing. Learn more by calling (352) 671-8551.
OCT. 4
“Color Me Courageous” exhibit, opening reception
Healing Art Gallery, 2880 NE 8th Road, Ocala
11am-3pm The nonprofit Arts in Health Ocala Metro is opening the Healing Arts Gallery. The inaugural exhibition, “Color Me Courageous: Glimpses of a healing journey through art expressions” by abstract artist Roseprimevere, opens with the reception. It will then be on display through March 31, 2026, with viewings by appointment. Learn more by calling (352) 723-5444.
OCT. 4
Party in Purple Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st Ave., Ocala
OCT. 15
Zora Listened! Storyteller Diane Johnson
Sankofa Public Library 1821 NW 21st Ave. Ocala 11am Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960), African American author, playwright, poet, anthropologist and folklorist, collected the stories, songs and poems of African Americans in northeast Florida. Storyteller Diane Johnson will bring Hurston to life through stories and music in this free event. Call (352) 671-8551 for more information.
THROUGH SEPT. 28
“Into the Woods”
Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
This magical musical weaves together the tales of Jack and his beanstalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red, a baker and his wife and a powerful witch. Learn more at ocalacivictheatre.com or call the box office at (352) 236-2274.
SEPT. 27
Hispanic Heritage Festival College of Central Florida, Ewers Century Center, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala
11am-4pm
At this free family event, visitors can get assistance applying to the college with no application fees and access community resources and enjoy music, food trucks and vendors. To learn more, go to cf.edu/hhf
SEPT. 28
Ocala Symphony Orchestra - Threads of Light: A New Requiem
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
3pm
Experience the world premiere of “Threads of Light” by local composer Joshua L. Mazur, created for the Ocala Symphony’s golden anniversary. Blending traditional mass texts with original poetry and featuring soloists Alexis Ault, Hannah Mazur and Kimberly Milton, this performance is a celebration of light, hope and renewal. Find details at reillyartscenter.com
OCT. 4
Given To Fly – The Pearl Jam Experience
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
7:30 pm
Lead singer Bob Donahue’s voice is strikingly like Eddie Vedder’s with its rich tone, occasional growl and storytelling quality, and the band nails the grungy Pearl Jam sound, from iconic ‘90s hits to newer material. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com
OCT. 5
Walking with Ghosts: An Evening of True Crime
Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE 9th St., Ocala
3:30pm
Join paranormal investigator Amy Bruni for a chilling look at some real murder cases and the hauntings they left behind. Find details at reillyartscenter.com
THROUGH OCT. 16
“The Gap Between Art and Life” College of Central Florida Webber Gallery, 3001 S.W. College Road, Ocala
10am-4 pm, Monday-Thursday
This innovative, immersive biennial is a competitive exhibition of installation art. Eight artworks by seven artists offer something unexpected, breaking from tradition and challenge the typical gallery experience. Admission is free. To learn more, go to cf.edu/webber
THROUGH JAN. 18
“The Human Pulse: Photographs by John Elliott” Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala
The exhibit features 42 black-and-white prints from the Ocala-based photographer’s ongoing series, “The Human Pulse,” shaped by his life and travels across 32 countries. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org
THROUGH FEB. 22
“Under the Cover of Knowledge: Betty Ford-Smith’s Pinecone Quilts” Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Ford-Smith’s quilts are striking, contemporary interpretations of the traditional pinecone quilt, a form rooted in African American quilting practices dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. To learn more, go to appletonmuseum.org
10am-12:30pm
Proceeds of the dance fitness party will benefit local victims and survivors of domestic violence. To learn more, call the Marion County Children’s Alliance at (352) 438-5990 and find the event on Eventbrite.
Marion County Parks & Recreation
Carnival Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 5-9pm
The event will include games, candy, music, food trucks, giveaways, hayrides and a petting zoo. Admission is free but activities armbands cost $5/child or five nonperishable donations for Bring the Harvest Home. For details, call (352) 671-8560.
Heroes Unite
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 1839 NE 8th Road, Ocala
6pm The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Ora Clubhouse. It will include a costume contest, silent auction, food and prizes. Learn more by calling (352) 402-9001.
Master Gardeners Plant Sale
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala
8am-noon
The UF IFAS Marion County Master Gardeners and UF IFAS Extension Marion County event is free to attend. It will include sales of Florida-friendly pollinator plants, shade trees, fruit trees, shrubs, herbs, native grasses and wildflowers. Learn more at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu All Breed Horse Capital Parade Downtown Ocala 10am
parade will showcase horses of all
disciplines, highlighting the local equine industry. Learn more at ocalacep.com
OCT. 11
Get In Formation Fitness Dance-A-Thon Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, Ocala 9am-3pm
The breast cancer awareness fundraiser will include 3D mobile mammography screenings. There are eligibility guidelines for women who are uninsured or who have insurance. Find the details at thebeautifulgateinc.com/ events/mammogram-screening-ocala-dance-a-thon/ Bunco Tournament Fundraiser
Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 Jacksonville Road, Ocala 5pm The Bunco Babes of Ocala host their 13th annual tournament, with proceeds to benefit the nonprofit Michelle-O-Gram, which provides breast cancer diagnostics and more. The event will include dinner, prizes, auction items and a drawing. Call or text Candy Homan at (352) 812-3585 or Angela VanRyn at (352) 235-1148.
THROUGH OCT. 31
“The Heart of the Turf: Racing’s Black Pioneers” Various locations and times
The Keeneland Library exhibit follows the contributions of Black horsemen and women and includes interpretive panels, photographs, artwork, artifacts and videos. It may be seen at the Marion County Black History Museum inside the Howard Academy Community Center at 306 NW 7th Ave. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays in September. From Oct. 6-31, the exhibit may be viewed 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays at the FTBOA museum and gallery at 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala. To learn more, go to keeneland.com/keeneland-library/heart-turfracings-black-pioneers and ftboa.com
Things might get a little spooky with paranormal investigator Amy Bruni. [Photo courtesy Reilly Arts Center]
Certified group fitness instructor Heaven Colon is the lead organizer for the Party in Purple fundraiser. [Submitted photo]
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.
Answers: He needed to find used parts to repair his pickup truck's V-8, so they used a — SEARCH ENGINE
IHMC Lecture Series
Modern recycling systems are failing because they are costly, complex, and disconnected from market realities. This presentation explores the root causes of those failures and introduces a bold, market-driven alternative: Regenerative Robust Gasification (RRG). RRG simplifies waste collection and sorting, reduces dependence on landfilling and incineration, and transforms municipal solid waste into valuable chemical feedstocks. By addressing both technical and economic barriers, this approach offers a pathway to lower emissions, stronger supply chains, and a truly circular economy.
Dr. Bruce Welt is a professor at the University of Florida in the agricultural and biological engineering department. Welt helped establish UF’s Packaging Engineering program and has been the program coordinator since its inception in 2001. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Clarkson University, a master’s degree in food science from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Florida. Welt has made significant contributions to food traceability, package permeation testing, and modified atmosphere packaging, and robust advanced recycling. His recent work in robust advanced recycling led to the establishment of the Consortium for Waste Circularity, a plastics and packaging industry consortium committed to eliminating waste and achieving a circular economy for plastics.
Crossword
Jumble BENCH GRAPH REDUCE SAYING
Sudoku
Gasoline Alley
Broom Hilda
Middletons
