Issuu

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 38

Volleyball is back Page A11 October 2 - 8 2026

Historical perspective The work to achieve civil rights in Marion County included a historic day in 1961 when Freedom Riders came to town on a Greyhound bus. This article examines the Stage for Injustice, Trial by Theater and the Decades-Long Struggle that followed.

Seeking clarity through public records requests The ‘Gazette’ sent 10 records requests to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs pertaining to how it processes and protects Marion County’s seniors. Three came back ‘no records.’ The answers to the other seven requests will cost $1,365.88. Not long after we asked readers to help cover this cost, Dan Andrews, CPA, paid the tab. By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com

T Aides for Governor-elect, Farris Bryant, hard at work - Tallahassee, Florida. Photographed on December 31, 1960. [Photo courtesy Florida State Archives]

Marion County Sheriff Doug Willis is sworn in by Judge Lewis O. Myers on January 3, 1961. [Photo courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office]

Marion County Sheriff Doug Willis. [Photo courtesy Marion County Sheriff’s Office]

Priscilla Stephens (later Kruize), from CORE, being arrested at the Tallahassee Regional Airport. Photographed June 16, 1961. [Photo courtesy Florida State Archives].

The old Ocala Courthouse is shown circa. 1900. Freedom Riders at the Greyhound bus station lunchroom in Tallahassee on June 15, 1961. NAACP Freedom Bus and riders. African American women civil rights workers with African American civil rights workers, 1961. [Photos courtesy Florida State Archives]

STAGE FOR INJUSTICE

By Jennifer Hunt jennifer@ocalagazette.com Editor’s note: This article came about when the author visited the newly opened Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago and saw the monumental painting titled “Freedom Riders,” by world-renowned artist Jenny Holzer, who used an official FBI report detailing the June 16, 1961, arrests in Ocala to create the artwork.

In 1961, Marion County sat at the epicenter of Florida power. Ocala native C. Farris Bryant had just taken office as governor, while inf luential local legislators belonged to the “Pork Chop Gang,” a coalition of rural North Florida politicians dedicated to preserving segregation and state sovereignty.

In Ocala, judicial power was concentrated in remarkably few hands: Lewis O. Myers Jr. was the county’s only county judge and D.R. Smith its only circuit judge. Florida would not establish a public defender system for indigent defendants until 1963. See Historical perspective, page A6

he “Ocala Gazette” has spent months investigating what happens here when a vulnerable senior needs help. On Aug. 27, a Marion County grand jury told a judge that the state agency responsible for protecting this community’s children and elderly is “failing catastrophically.” (“Failing catastrophically” | Ocala Gazette) Two weeks ago, we filed a public records request with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs — the state agency responsible for elder services, which the Grand Jury did not consult, making 10 records requests about Marion County. On Sept. 22, the agency responded that they would provide the answers to seven of the questions at a cost of $1,365.88; for the other three requests, the answer was “no records.” The questions the agency will provide answers to include how many seniors are on the waiting list for in-home care and how long they wait, how often adult protective services actually refers someone for help, what the state’s contracts with our local providers require and how many people are waiting for a public guardian. The requests that came back “no records” are these: • We asked whether an elder abuse fatality review team covers our judicial circuit and for anything it has produced. (Florida law lets these teams review deaths involving abuse or neglect of elders and requires them to report to the state every September. The department has no records showing a team covers us.) • We asked for three years of correspondence between Elder Affairs and the Department of Children and Families about referrals, service capacity and where vulnerable adults in this circuit get placed. See Seeking clarity, page A8

One for the record books

Laurie Zink, left, poses with Keniel Diaz, 14, center, and Ed Nathan Apalisok, 17, of the 13 Moments Crew, during the Ocala Film Derby scholarship and awards ceremony at the Marion Theatre in Ocala, Fla. on Sept. 27, 2026. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2026

Ocala Film Derby awards $22,500 in scholarships. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

he 4th Annual Ocala Film Derby was a beehive of activity from Sept. 23–27. After five days of collaboration and intense filming, the derby culminated with an awards ceremony that

saw seven local students go home with a record $22,500 in scholarships. The event started with an opening reception at the Institute for Human & Machine Cognition in downtown Ocala. Workshops took place on Sept. 24, also at IHMC. The Derby Day scramble of all-day filming

happened Sept. 25 at IHMC and various locations all around downtown Ocala. New this year was the OFD College & Career Expo, which took place at IHMC on Sept. 26. The awards ceremony was held Sept. 27 at the Marion Theatre. See Film Derby awards, page A2

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Film Derby awards Continued from page A1 The derby brings Marion County student filmmakers together with educators, industry professionals, colleges and community partners for five days of filmmaking, mentorship and career exploration. “It is so inspirational to watch these kids grow and change in just five days,” said Laurie Zink, organizer of the derby. “I believe the Ocala Film Derby is one of the only local organizations where the students, as peers, choose the scholarship winners. These kids are directed in the very beginning of the film derby about what leadership is, which doesn’t mean you’re the best editor or the best cameraman. It means what we are looking for are people who can collaborate, support their team, share… all the things that make really good leaders. Then the kids in the derby choose who wins the scholarships. To me, that kind of leadership development can help take these kids anywhere.” This year’s scholarship winners and the scholarship sponsors are: • $6,000, Chance Johnson, The Lilac Foundation • $5,000, Miguel Landstoy, A Friend of Film-Diane Palmer Pileggi • $3,000, Samantha Wilber, Angie Lewis State Farm

• $3,000, Andrew Brown, A Friend of Film-Diane Palmer Pileggi • $2,000, Aiden Cox, It’s All About Your Real Estate LLC • $2,000, Alonso Joseph, Fort McCoy Ranch • $1,500, Adrian Reyes-Crespo, Tom Ingram and Wally Wagoner, in honor of Wayne McCall This year’s award winners and their films are: • Best Director, Anna Gonzalez, “Out of Reach” • Best Writer, Shaylee Pierce, “The Barber” • Best Editor, Olivia Pierce, “The Barber” • Best Actor, Samantha Wilber, “Out of Reach” • Best Use of Props, “Out of Reach” • Best Use of Character, “Mixed Feelings” • Best Use of Location, “Deja Vu” • Best Use of Dialog, “Last Bounty’ • Audience Choice Award, “Out of Reach,” Anna Gonzalez, Angel Schultz, Andrew Brown, Abigail Martin, Chris Diaz, Rekhia Lowe, Samantha Wilber, Samuel Noell, Owen Reynolds, Victoria Gonazalez and Kenmari Coleman; mentor, Brody Barcode; Team name - Sherlock Hitchcock & the Unsolved Films • Judges Choice Award, “The Barber,” Miguel Landstoy, Shaylee Harris, Olivia Pierce, Chance Johnson, Logyn Ferguson, Cheyenne Oneal, Leah Caldron, Hunter Shaffer, Mathew Paterno, Camila Ahumada and Grace Haworth; mentor, Tommy Cuevas; Team name – Killer Shots

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

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

Photography Editor

bruce@ocalagazette.com Dani Eskridge

Director of Operations & Sales

dani@magnoliamediaco.com Andy Fillmore Reporter

andy@ocalagazette.com Greg Hamilton Editor

Rylee Edsall, 15, Caiden Edsall, 15, and Anthony Gentry, 17, left to right, of The Tumbleweeds crew.

Marcia Daubenmire, left, and Shaylee Harris, 17, of the Killer Shots crew.

greg@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height Editor

susan@magnoliamediaco.com Belea Keeney Reporter

belea@magnoliamediaco.com

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Laurie Zink, and Wally Wagoner.

Antonio Ortiz, Darian Mosley and Geraldo Rodriguez of The Lilac Foundation.

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 Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Robert Skipper, 17, Keniel Diaz, 14, Davalen Poole, 14, and Hayden Poole, left to right, of the 13 Moments crew.

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

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Manufacturer’s association renames annual event

Celebration of Life, Ride and Run for Breast Cancer

The MRMA Whitt Harper Memorial Golf Classic is set for Oct. 15 in Ocala.

Cancer survivor organizes inaugural event that will take place Oct. 31 at the Florida Horse Park.

Staff report

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

baseball career at Winthrop College he Mid-FL in Rock Hill, South Regional Carolina. He began Manufacturers his professional Association career in 1983 with will honor the legacy of Ellison Realty. In longtime board member 1990, he entered and manufacturing the insurance advocate Whitt Harper profession with the newly named at Signature MRMA Whitt Harper Insurance Group Harold Whitt Harper [Photo Memorial Golf Classic, set in Ocala and then courtesy robertsofdunnellon.com] to take place Oct. 15. with Brown & For more than 22 Brown of Florida, years, the MRMA Annual Golf Inc., from which he retired in 2024. Tournament has brought together “A lifelong sports enthusiast, manufacturers, suppliers, educators Whitt loved football, basketball, and business leaders for a day of baseball, and golf — he truly was a connection, competition and support sports fanatic,” the notice states. for the future of manufacturing Proceeds from the MRMA Whitt in the region. This year, the Harper Memorial Golf Classic will longstanding tradition takes on benefit manufacturing, engineering, new meaning as the tournament is supply chain management and renamed in memory of Harper, a logistics programs in local schools; longtime MRMA board member, the Rob Adamiak Memorial dedicated golf tournament chairman Scholarship Fund; and Sheltering and passionate supporter of the Hands, Inc., an organization Harper manufacturing community, the new supported. release noted. The tournament will be held at “Whitt believed deeply in people, the Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E. Silver in manufacturing and in giving Springs Blvd. Registration will begin back to the community,” said Phillip at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch Schuster, MRMA board president, and a program at 11:30 a.m. The in the release. “His leadership tournament will begin at 12:30 p.m. and generosity helped make this Businesses and individuals can tournament what it is today. Naming participate as golfers, sponsors or the Golf Classic in his honor gives us supporters. Tax-deductible donations an opportunity not only to remember may be made in support of the classic Whitt, but to continue the work and and the programs and organizations causes that meant so much to him.” it benefits. According to his online obituary Harold Whitt Harper was born on For tournament registration, Feb. 10, 1961, and passed away on sponsorship opportunities or to Jan. 7, 2026. He graduated from make a donation, visit mrmafl. Forest High School in 1979 and com/mrma-whitt-harperattended Central Florida Community memorial-golf-classic/ or reach out College before continuing his via email to director@mrmafl.com.

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drienne Skolnik is a 30-year breast cancer survivor. At the time of her initial diagnosis, one in eight women had a lifetime risk of getting breast cancer. “During those difficult years, I was living in Naples. My profession, which I loved, was a commercial real estate broker. My passion was the founder and president of the Gold Coast Rowing Association, where we taught students and adults, ages 12 to 81, to row in sculls. When I recovered from my first breast cancer surgery, I didn’t know I was going to need two more surgeries, I wanted to give back to the breast cancer support group, Bosom Buddies, that helped me through those challenging and very difficult years. For breast cancer doesn’t affect just your body, it changes your lifestyle and value systems,” Skolnik shared. “One weekend, my rowers won three medals competing in races. I wore those medals to the next breast cancer support meeting and told my sisters that every time we have surgery, we win a race. Then I raised my arms in triumph, as if an Olympic winner. One of my sisters took a picture of me. That picture inspired me to organize and become chairwoman of the first Celebration of Life, Row and Run for Breast Cancer. It was marvelous to celebrate how precious our lives are in this fashion. The city of Naples let us use their beautiful five-mile Venetian Bay to bring canoes, kayaks and sculls for rowing.

They also let us use five miles of Golf Shore Blvd. to have our run. It was a day of healing for all cancer survivors,” Skolnik noted. “The picture with the three medals gave me another idea. If we, as breast cancer survivors are winners, then we deserve a medal. I sent the picture of me to a medal manufacturer and told them to put an Olympic torch in my right hand and create the first Celebration of Life Survivor Medal. At the event, I gave this medal to all the breast cancer survivors. And it was truly, a day of celebration as we danced down the Boulevard to “We Are Family” and “Celebration,” she added. After a few years of living in another state, Skolnik returned to Florida, to Ocala. “I discovered the beautiful and charming city of Ocala, Horse Capital of the World, and made my new home here. It is more laid back, informal and I found it to be warm and welcoming. I immediately felt at home. I volunteer at the Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, which teaches children with autism and special needs to ride horses and also has a special veteran’s program to help with PTSD. It is truly a place of healing for me also,” Skolnik said.

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When I recently read that one in eight women still have a lifetime risk of getting breast cancer, I was very concerned that after all these years the statistics hadn’t changed. I had a dream to create the Celebration of Life event in Ocala. All the pieces finally came together, and once again I am chairwoman of the first annual Celebration of Life, Ride and Run for Breast Cancer, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Florida Horse Park. The event will include a “bring your own horse” Poker Ride on the 5-mile Forida Greenway Trail, a Charity Run and Walk for families and a Ruck Walk for veterans on another two-mile scenic trail. There will be music, food trucks, family activities, prizes and Halloween costume fun. Starting at 1 p.m. featured events in the main arena will include a welcoming ceremony and breast cancer survivor celebration, a world class mounted games competition, The Flying Aces with Jackson Wagner and Friends, and Sylvia Zerbini’s Grande Liberte performance with her Arabian horses and the Jewell Twins playing violins. The event proceeds will be donated to the Moffitt Cancer Center and the UF Health Cancer Institute, earmarked for breast cancer research.

Adrienne Skolnik wears medals her rowers won, in a photo taken by members of her Bosom Buddies breast cancer support group. [Submitted photo]

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

“Ocala Gazette” Q&A with candidates for school board

This is the second week in a four-week project to ask questions of and hear responses from those seeking office. Staff report

here are two candidates running for school board seat four, Mike Mills and Brigitte Smith. There are two candidates running for seat five, Donald “Donny” Barber and incumbent Sarah James. The “Gazette” will email a different question each week to all of the candidates, for a total of four questions over four weeks. The candidates are given a week to respond in writing and we do not edit their answers except if it applies to AP Style Rules. The answers are presented in the order in which they were received. QUESTION TWO: There has been controversy about closing schools operating at lower student enrollment capacities. Would you vote to close or consolidate any Marion County school(s)? If yes, name the conditions under which you would do so. If no, explain how you would fix the utilization problem without closures and what you would cut instead.

*** I am generally opposed to closing our community schools. In fact, I believe Marion County should be moving in the opposite direction — toward smaller, communitybased schools. For decades, education has increasingly emphasized larger campuses with more students concentrated in fewer locations. I believe we need to alter course. Smaller schools can provide stronger relationships between students and teachers, greater accountability, improved discipline and a closer connection between a school and the community it serves. There is evidence this can work. New York City created smaller public high schools, many serving roughly 100 students per grade. Long-term research by MDRC found that these schools substantially increased graduation rates and produced graduates at approximately 14%–16% lower cost than comparison schools. That is the direction I would like Marion County to explore. I would not close an underutilized community school simply to transfer its students to an even larger campus. If I supported consolidation, it would be as part of a deliberate transition toward smaller, more efficient community schools or “microschool” environments throughout Marion County. For existing underutilized campuses, I would first explore rezoning, specialized academic programs, career and technical education, alternative education and relocating district programs into unused space. We also need to examine administrative expenses, consulting agreements, software, outside contracts and other non-classroom spending before cutting neighborhood schools. Marion County is growing. That gives us an opportunity not merely to build more of the same, but to rethink how we educate children.

Efficiency should not mean putting more children into fewer and larger schools. I want schools where teachers know their students, parents know the staff, discipline is manageable and the school once again becomes an important part of its community. Donald Barber *** As the current chair of the Marion County School Board and the sitting board member representing District 5, I have led many conversations about school consolidation over the last four years. As Marion County grows and localized overcrowding continues to become an ever-growing concern, consolidation is a necessary discussion. Marion County has seen unprecedented growth in the southwest quadrant of the county, spiking the student enrollment on many of those campuses. Reversely, we have seen localized declining enrollment in some of our more northern schools. Within the first year of my board service, I realized we needed to start having some uncomfortable conversations about school utilization. As we were building new schools in the southwest to address the overcrowding, it was evident that the District 5 schools were overlooked and the facility conditions were under addressed; a perpetual problem that had been overlooked for more than a decade. I was willing to start and continue these challenging conversations because I knew, not only was it in the best interest of our students, but also, consolidation was the most financially responsible solution. Recently, the board approved the

Superintendent’s recommended Forward Focused Operations Plan, which calls for the consolidation of multiple sites. Wyomina Park and Oakcrest will consolidate in August of 2027 to the Oakcrest site. Then, Belleview and Belleview-Santos Elementary will merge into one, new campus, in August of 2028 at the Belleview Elementary site. The following year, in August of 2029, Sparr, Anthony, and Reddick Elementary will merge into one, new campus, on the Sparr site. Finally, we will see a consolidation of both Dunnellon Middle and High into one singular campus in 2029. Each campus that we consolidate saves the district $2 million dollars annually in recurring operational expenses while also providing an enhanced learning environment for students. Sarah James *** Marion County is growing quickly, so the district should use the schools it already owns before turning to expensive new construction. The right sequence is simple: 1. Maximize existing capacity first, especially underutilized northern schools. 2. Use targeted redistricting and school choice to fill seats without forcing families onto long bus rides. 3. Approve new schools only where data shows sustained growth that current buildings cannot absorb. Keep and fully refurbish one strong northern campus — Reddick-Collier is the clearest example — rather than closing all three under-enrolled elementary schools. It sits at roughly 47–50% FISH utilization and has unused

Marion County Braver Angels Alliance We envision an America where courageous citizenship is the honored norm, renewing civic culture and building trust across political differences. We’re taking a stand against toxic politics. Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. For more information go to BraverAngels.org or email us at boswald@braverangels.org or gharrell@braverangels.org

space. A focused renovation can turn it into a Center of Excellence in Literacy and a Cambridge Primary-style magnet that serves high-poverty students in the north while attracting choice families district-wide. Raising utilization toward 70%+ keeps neighborhood schools open, preserves community identity and puts empty classrooms to work for the children who need strong early literacy most. Funding is already in place and must stay in its proper lanes. The voter-approved half-cent sales tax (capital only) pays for renovation, safety upgrades, classroom reconfiguration and any needed additions. The 1-mill operating referendum funds the people and programs inside the building: reading specialists, LETRS-trained teachers, paraprofessionals, professional development and class-size support. Title I dollars already available at many northern schools can add interventionists, coaches, materials and parent engagement. Choice-driven utilization — magnets, Centers of Excellence, Cambridge pathways — is preferable to forced redistricting. New construction should be limited to growth corridors, especially the southwest, that have no realistic existing school alternative. Every facility decision must be paired with the academic mission, above all early literacy, so capital dollars also improve student outcomes. Anchor every major vote to transparent, measurable results: K–3 science-ofreading proficiency, learning gains, school safety, class sizes, facility utilization and graduation/career-readiness metrics. Parents deserve to see the data themselves. This is the highest leverage change available. Reading by third grade shapes everything that follows — academic success, graduation, career readiness and long-term opportunity — while filling empty seats through choice instead of defaulting to closures or new buildings. Brigitte Smith *** We are charged with representing the entirety of Marion County. To review the current position of the school system, process information and make decisions for the benefit of the students and teachers of Marion County, all in pursuit of providing teachers a great place to teach and students a pathway to success. I would vote based on an extensive review of the district’s performance, the individual schools performance and the needs of the community. If consolidation is the best next step in improving the district’s performance, then I would be in favor of it! Conversely, if the data indicated that keeping every location open was the best decision, I would vote accordingly. Let me reiterate my goals. I will support students and empower teachers! We need to work faster towards improvement. Spend better, educate better and make proactive choices. As I mentioned in my previous answer, I encourage the reader to copy and paste the response of the other candidates into your favorite AI tool and have it tell you how much of the piece was AI generated. If you look back at question 1 from last week, you’ll find that another candidate’s response was >60% AI generated! Don’t elect someone that can’t formulate a thought without the influence of AI! Mike Mills

JOIN US! Wednesday Oct.7 th, 2026 @ 5pm Marion County Public Library

2720 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, FL. 34470 Join Us: Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles Comes to Marion County! As part of the national Building Together Tour, Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles is coming to Marion County to share what’s next for our movement — a new five-year plan, real resources headed our way, and a chance to help shape what it looks like right here.

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ideas worth exploring

TEDxOcala speakers expounded on this year’s theme of ‘Rhythm & Intersections.’ By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

he 12th annual TEDxOcala brought together a dynamic mix of voices, experiences and ideas designed to challenge assumptions, spark curiosity and inspire meaningful conversation. This year’s theme was “Rhythm & Intersections.” The event took place Sept. 26 at the Reilly Arts Center. Audience members heard perspectives on money and financial thinking, emotional capacity, personal transformation, health and wellness, patient advocacy, human connection and the importance of bringing our whole selves into the spaces we occupy, according to event curator Manal Fakhoury. The lineup of local, regional and national speakers included Anya Bradford, Ariana Fontenot, Chelsea Kennedy, Damon West, Erin Tjam, Julius Bryant, Lauren Debick, Maya Assi, Musa Ghanayem, Natacha Pierre, Richard Reyes, Sarah Kassem Elyaman and Shannon Polly. Speaker Norene Thomas, who was among the original panel, passed away before the event. “We loved holding our 12th annual TEDxOcala event at the beautiful Reilly Arts Center, where we heard 13 powerful ideas and a tribute duet performance by a father/daughter duet honoring Norene Thomas, a speaker we lost to cancer before she was able to deliver her idea on our red carpet,” Fakhoury said via email after the event. “The ‘Rhythm and Intersections’ theme provided for many wonderful conversations and application of the ideas shared. We loved having the West Port High School Marching Band showing off their rhythm and the documentary theme currently working on what it takes behind the scenes to make it to the red carpet. We are grateful for the dozens and dozens of sponsors, partners, volunteers and team that make this such an outstanding event,” she added.

Dr. Natacha Pierre of Dallas, Texas, speaks during the 12th annual TEDxOcala at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala, Fla. on Sept. 26, 2026. This year’s theme was “Rhythm and Intersections.”

Part of Shannon Polly’s speech addressed responses, both positive and negative.

Dr. Maya Assi was one of the guest speakers.

Shannon Polly speaks during the 12th annual TEDxOcala.

Jessi Miller paints an acrylic portrait of Beethoven on stage.

Manal Fakhoury, the organizer and curator of TEDxOcala, center, with speakers Shannon Polly and Ariana Fontenot.

Richard Corey, left, and Neeta Jain, right, introduce speakers.

TEDxOcala is an independently organized TED event. To learn more, go to tedxocala.com Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Ariana Fontenot of Slight Motion Physical Therapy in Fort Lauderdale, center, who was a speaker, with Jeremy Davila, Casey Oestreich, Jamie Hagar and Angela Fenton.

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Historical perspective Continued from page A1

The old Ocala Greyhound Bus Station is shown in a historic photo from the archives of the Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology. [Courtesy Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology] 2026.

In a county of nearly 60,000 residents, Black citizens were excluded from local governance: there were no Black officials or white-collar county employees, except janitorial staff, and no Black attorneys practiced locally. Black residents relied primarily on out-of-town counsel from Daytona Beach, Tampa or Jacksonville; Black attorneys coming to Marion County for hearings could not stay at neighboring motels. Public schools, restaurants and downtown businesses were segregated, and Black defendants faced all-white male juries.

A close up of “Freedom Riders” by Jenny Holzer in the Sky Room Vista at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL. [Photo courtesy of The Obama Foundation]

The business of law enforcement Law enforcement operated under Florida’s fee system, which paid officials for certain actions. Sheriff Doug Willis ran the sheriff ’s office while Myers presided over misdemeanor cases. Judicial and law enforcement operations were funded in part by per-arrest reimbursements and warrant fees; the county judge received $7.50 for every arrest warrant signed. Residents were arrested on minor charges such as rolling dice, open-container violations or vagrancy, then jailed, required to post cash bonds or fined.

The long shadow of Groveland The violent memory of the “Groveland Four” case, which had played out across Lake and Marion counties just nine years earlier, also hung over Marion County. In 1949, four young Black men were falsely accused of raping a white woman in Lake County. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned two convictions, Lake County Sheriff Willis McCall shot both defendants while transporting them in 1951, killing Samuel Shepherd and critically wounding Walter Irvin. Irvin’s 1952 retrial was moved to the Marion County courthouse in Ocala, where Thurgood Marshall served as lead defense counsel. An all-white Marion County jury again convicted Irvin and sentenced him to death.

The secret eye: FBI Operation FREEBUS The Ocala riders were part of the same coordinated CORE campaign that produced the better-known “Tallahassee Ten.” Two groups left Washington for Florida on June 13, 1961 — one bound for Tallahassee and the other for St. Petersburg, traveling through Ocala. Seven Freedom Riders from the St. Petersburg group reached Ocala on June 16. While local authorities and newspaper editors later portrayed the activists as an unexpected wave of northern “outside agitators” disrupting a peaceful town, Federal Bureau of Investigation files declassified in 2009 (but never reported on locally) reveal that federal agents had been tracking the group for days under a covert national operation code-named “FREEBUS.” FBI field offices across the country monitored bus schedules, ticket purchases, passenger manifests and credit records. When the riders split into groups in Jacksonville,

Freedom Riders by Jenny Holzer in the Sky Room Vista at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Friday, May 8, 2026. [Photo courtesy of The Obama Foundation]

FBI teletypes immediately alerted local law enforcement. Sheriff Willis and Marion County Sheriff’s Office Deputy H.A. Geiger admitted under oath that they received advance notice from Jacksonville that the Freedom Riders were en route to Ocala.

June 16, 1961: Arrests at North Magnolia At 12:23 p.m. on Friday, June 16, Greyhound Bus No. 6234 pulled into the Ocala terminal on North Magnolia Avenue. Seven riders alighted. Three of them, the Rev. Leslie Lee Smith, a Black minister from Albany, N.Y.; James Richard O’Connor, a white economics instructor at Barnard College; and Herbert Ebenezer Callender, a Black union organizer from New York; walked toward the white waiting room and lunch counter. John H. Owens, a local white resident, blocked the doorway, declaring, “no niggers in this place.” A brief confrontation occurred near the threshold. Deputy Geiger immediately intervened. Rather than arresting or citing the local white men who blocked the entrance, Geiger ordered the white men to go home and commanded the Freedom Riders to get back on the bus. When Smith, O’Connor and Callender insisted on their constitutional right under federal law to use the interstate terminal facilities, Geiger placed all three under arrest. They were charged with unlawful assembly and failure to obey a police officer. On June 16, 1961, declassified FBI records reflect an urgent field message to the director about the Ocala arrests. According to that FBI report, the three arrested riders were released at 7:10 p.m. on $1,000 bond each, which was posted by the fourth member of their group who had remained behind in Ocala as an observer. The four men then departed Ocala on Greyhound bus M-5513 to rejoin their companions in Tampa. Another urgent message is sent the next day, on June 17, 1961, reporting a public statement issued by Florida

[Courtesy of Marion County Clerk of Court]

Governor Farris Bryant concerning the Ocala incident, accusing the riders of deliberately embarking “upon a new course designed to make trouble” during the last 10 minutes of their scheduled stay to secure publicity.

and Callender, presided over by Judge Myers, centered on whether the three men had committed misdemeanor “unlawful assembly” on June 16, 1961.

Inside the Marion County Courthouse in the summer of 1961, county prosecuting attorney E.G. “Gus” Musleh chewed on an unlit cigar, paced before an all-white male jury and delivered a closing summation that laid bare the raw racial hostility of the era. Facing three civil rights activists arrested at the downtown Greyhound bus terminal, who he referred to as Northern “crusaders,” Musleh boasted to the jury that he weighed 13 pounds, 10 ounces, when he was born just five blocks across the street from the courthouse. Over and over again throughout the trials, Musleh would remind the jurors he was a local, and that Black attorney, Ernest D. Jackson Sr., representing the Freedom Riders, was not. Pointing at O’Connor, a 31-year-old white economics instructor from Barnard College in New York, Musleh shouted that O’Connor had come south “to tell the nigger population down here what he wants you to do.” “You have got a long way to go before you, Mr. O’Connor, even to sit as a peer to the negro citizens of Marion County,” Musleh declared, demanding that the jury reject outside “disciples.” The trials of O’Connor, Smith

To secure a conviction for unlawful assembly under Florida Statute 870.02, the prosecution was legally required to prove that at least three people had gathered inside the terminal waiting room acting with a common, unlawful purpose. The state’s entire case hinged on the location of defendant Callender, who had carried a red camera to photograph the terminal. Deputy Geiger took the stand and swore positively that Callender was inside the waiting room, standing “shoulder to shoulder” with Smith and O’Connor near the ticket desk. However, the prosecution’s own star witness, Owens, who had blocked the entrance directly, contradicted the deputy’s testimony under crossexamination by defense attorney Jackson: MR. JACKSON: “Now, did you see this defendant [Callender] come through that door? Tell this jury.” MR. OWENS: “No, I didn’t see him come through the door.” MR. JACKSON: “You had your eyes focused on the men who were confronting you, is that correct?” MR. OWENS: “Yes.” MR. JACKSON: “And if Callender had been confronting you, you would have seen him too, wouldn’t you?” MR. OWENS: “Well, he wasn’t right there.”

TRIAL BY THEATER

The spatial contradiction that collapsed the State’s case

Owens repeatedly testified under oath that he never saw Callender inside the door and only observed him standing outside on the concrete loading platform holding his camera. O’Connor likewise testified that Callender “wasn’t inside the terminal.” Despite this spatial contradiction, Myers denied Jackson’s motion for a directed verdict of acquittal.

Eavesdropping in the courthouse square “Orlando Sentinel” reporter Paul Ferguson, who covered Marion County during the era, recalled watching the proceedings unfold in a strictly segregated town where court reporters took shorthand and attorneys smoked in the courtroom. “My way of reporting was eavesdropping,” Ferguson said. “I’d go around all the coffee shops on the square... Court Pharmacy, Bennett’s Drug Store... and sit and listen to their stories.” “Gus had a big cigar that he chewed on... Reading the transcript, I had forgotten he was less than polite to the other attorney from Jacksonville,” Ferguson recalled in an interview. “In fact, he told the jury he wished the attorney had stayed in Jacksonville, not come to Ocala.” Ferguson noted that Jackson brought his own court reporter from Jacksonville to type nightly trial transcripts, knowing local court coverage was tightly controlled and he would need a transcript immediately in order to impeach witnesses during trail. During the trial, Musleh

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

engaged in aggressive character assassination. When crossexamining Smith, Musleh produced an FBI background printout that was eight feet long. Musleh grilled Smith on minor out-of-state misdemeanor arrests, including a loitering charge in a New York subway restroom, and accused him of “soliciting a male.” When Jackson objected that Florida law prohibited impeaching witnesses with minor out-of-state misdemeanors, Musleh shouted: “I challenge that law in its entirety, your Honor. I’ve got the right to ask him of any crime that he’s been convicted, and I cite counsel for deliberately misstating the law.” Judge Myers overruled the defense. In an effort to have the men deemed hostile witnesses, Musleh asked them questions like what the Freedom Riders thought of him as a prosecutor. “Well, my most basic impression of you, sir, is that you are somewhat of a clown,” responded Connor from the stand during trial. Ferguson recalled remembering that it was primarily Black residents who watched the Freedom Rider trials. “I remember during one of the trials, Gus, was exiting the courtroom and I believe his nanny, a Black elderly woman, told him, ‘Gus you better come back and give me a hug,’ which Ferguson remembers Gus did to the approval of the other local Black residents looking on.

“Abusing our hospitality” After the all-white male juries returned guilty verdicts, Myers lectured the defendants on Southern social norms. Sentencing Smith to a jail term and fine, Myers quoted Matthew 7:15, telling the minister: “I was reminded of the passage... ‘beware of false prophets.’” Myers added that he had spoken with a local Black acquaintance who “didn’t believe Smith was a pastor,” adding, “We are courteous people here... And it is unthinkable you would step on a person’s foot without apologizing.” Turning to O’Connor, Myers accused the college professor of coming to Florida and “abusing our hospitality by not observing the customs.” Smith was sentenced to a 30-day jail term and fine. O’Connor received 90 days or a $250 fine and Callender was sentenced to six months in jail and a $300 fine. Myers later issued an injunction against picketing downtown businesses and drew state attention when he tagged civil rights leader Patricia Stephens Due a “jailbird.”

The appellate labyrinth and high court standoff Jackson immediately launched appeals, but Judge Smith dismissed them on a procedural technicality, noting papers were served to prosecuting attorney Musleh rather than State Attorney Gordon G. Oldham Jr., while gratuitously declaring the appeals “without merit.” The First District Court of Appeal issued a silent, two-word denial: “Certiorari denied.” Apparently, locals knew that the federal government was monitoring the cases, because around this time, FBI records reflect an FBI Special Agent meeting with Assistant State Attorney Owen McGovern in Ocala on Aug. 2 to discuss the legal status of the cases. According to Aug. 25, 1961, FBI records, immediately following Callender’s sentencing, the defense attorney filed a motion for a new trial, which was denied. A year later, another FBI report, dated Aug. 24, 1962, says that on Aug. 22, 1962, Circuit Court Judge Smith officially dismissed the appeals of the three Ocala riders after their attorney

failed to present new arguments and the very next day the Marion County Prosecutor announced plans to try the three men on Sept. 25, 1962, on the secondary charges of failure to obey an officer. When Jackson appealed to the Florida Supreme Court, the state justices dismissed the case ex mero motu for lack of jurisdiction. Jackson appealed to the highest court in the land. On April 26, 1965, nearly four years after the arrests, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a per curiam ruling in Callender v. Florida (380 U.S. 519), reversing the convictions outright under federal interstate commerce precedents set in Boynton v. Virginia and Abernathy v. Alabama. When the U.S. Supreme Court issued its mandate directing Florida to vacate the convictions, the Florida Supreme Court initially complied, but then granted a rehearing requested by Florida Attorney General Earl Faircloth. On Jan. 5, 1966, in consolidated Case Nos. 32,648– 32,650, the Florida Supreme Court took the unprecedented step of withdrawing its compliance order and returning the mandates to Washington. Writing for the majority, the Florida justices argued they were “powerless to act” because the lower district court had issued a silent per curiam denial without an opinion. “We are constrained by our oaths of office to obey the Florida Constitution,” the court wrote, concluding it could not obey the U.S. Supreme Court mandate while observing limits imposed by the state constitution. “This poses a dilemma which we are unable to solve.” Respectfully returning the mandates, Florida asked Washington to “clarify... the action, if any, which it is required that we take.” Only Justice Ervin dissented. Despite the state supreme court’s jurisdictional stand, the federal mandate ultimately prevailed. Myers complied with the federal mandate and vacated all convictions and dismissals. Jackson returned to Ocala to reclaim $9,000 in cash bonds that had been held by Marion County for nearly five years, bringing a formal end to the legal battle over the Ocala Freedom Riders.

DECADES-LONG STRUGGLE

The June 1961 arrests of the three Freedom Riders opened a decade-long battle over civil rights in Marion County. Over the next decade came mass arrests, jailhouse violence, federal court intervention, voter registration drives and resistance to school desegregation. Local efforts to preserve Jim Crow repeatedly collided with federal courts and agencies as federal civil rights laws reshaped the South.

Escalation and jailhouse violence (1961–1963) Following the initial bus terminal arrests, local civil rights demonstrations expanded into a broader campaign against segregated lunch counters, downtown businesses and public facilities. In July 1963, violence erupted inside the Marion County Jail. Zev Aelony, a 25-year-old white field worker for the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) from Minneapolis, was arrested in nearby Dunnellon while observing a protest outside a white cafe. Upon his transfer to the Marion County Jail, Aelony was placed in a cellblock with white inmates, who set upon him, beating him severely around the head and eyes. Rather than prosecuting Aelony’s attackers, County Judge Lewis O. Myers Jr. ordered a physical and mental “competency

The Obama Presidential Center [Photo by Angie McMonigal/courtesy of The Obama Foundation]

examination” for Aelony. Sheriff Doug Willis remarked to the press that a man working for CORE for $25 a week “must be mentally disturbed... He can’t be normal anyway.” A three-member panel later pronounced Aelony fully sane and he was released on bond. Aelony’s arrest and beating sparked immediate mass protests. Led by Tallahassee CORE leader Patricia Stephens Due and local NAACP Youth Council leaders, dozens of demonstrators, made up of primarily Black teenagers and high school students, marched on the Marion County Jail and picketed downtown Ocala restaurants. Law enforcement moved swiftly. Over a single weekend, deputies and Ocala police arrested more than 40 demonstrators, including nearly 30 juveniles under the age of 17.

Federal intervention: “This court is color blind” As youth picketing intensified during the 1963 Christmas shopping season, local officials moved to clear the streets. On Dec. 20, 1963, at the request of Gus Musleh and City Prosecutor Fred Krim, Myers barred anyone under 17 from picketing or demonstrating anywhere in Marion County without prior written permission from the court, citing child safety and crowded shopping conditions. Civil rights attorneys Francisco A. Rodriguez of Tampa, Horace E. Hill and Joseph W. Hatchett of Daytona Beach immediately sued in federal court to strike down the ban. Local law enforcement arrested Hill for appearing in the local court without a county business license, an act that local FBI monitors reported up the chain. On Jan. 22, 1964, U.S. District Judge Bryan Simpson declared Myers’s injunction null, void and unconstitutional. Simpson ruled that Myers had overstepped his judicial authority, using state power “to enforce the private segregation practices of Marion County businessmen.” In an opinion that resonated statewide, Simpson issued a landmark declaration on equal protection: “This court is color blind, just like the Constitution of the United States is color blind,” Simpson stated from the bench. “I don’t see people according to their color. Citizens do not lose their constitutional rights when they walk down the street.” Simpson permanently barred city and county officials from enforcing the picketing ban.

Political mobilization and the ballots of 1963 Marion County’s Black community also turned toward political mobilization. A turning point came during a November 1963 special mayoral election between Citizens Council candidate Willard Ayres and attorney John Marshall Green. Local Black leaders responded with a voter registration drive that registered more than 1,000

Black Ocala residents in five days. Ayres won by 181 votes, but by early 1964 Marion County had more than 6,000 registered Black voters, ahead of passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Breaking the newsroom color line The struggle also extended to who had the power to record and report the news. In 1961, local mainstream newsrooms were entirely white. Black community news was confined to separate Monday “green sheets” published by white-owned papers which, Ferguson said, was made up primarily of sports. There were independent Black weeklies, but that local content was not preserved according to local historian Cynthia Wilson Graham. When asked about seeking out the Black perspective as a young reporter, Ferguson candidly admitted: “We didn’t try. You just did not try... They were all white. You just [did your job].” State archival records reveal that during this era, local Ku Klux Klan klaverns held secret meetings specifically monitoring Black citizens who attempted to step into professional roles, including efforts to enter mainstream journalism. The “Ocala Star-Banner” broke that barrier in 1964 by hiring Roosevelt Wilson as a sportswriter under sports editor Buddy Martin. Wilson became the first Black reporter at the “Ocala Star-Banner” and the first Black sports reporter in Florida. He later joined Florida A&M University, serving as sports information director and eventually athletic director.

School desegregation and the legacy of Title VI Public transportation and lunch counters began desegregating in the mid-1960s, but Marion County schools remained segregated. The School Board adopted a “Freedom of Choice” plan that required Black students to request transfers to historically white schools. In September 1965, 34 Black students transferred from Howard High School to Ocala High School, forming the first integrated graduating class in 1968. Broader integration came after the federal government threatened funding. On Feb. 1, 1968, the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare notified Marion County of probable noncompliance with Title VI and threatened to cut federal education funds unless it dismantled its dual school system. The School Board abandoned “Freedom of Choice” and adopted a unitary desegregation plan. In 1969, Howard High School closed as a high school and students were redistributed among integrated campuses. Marion County Public Schools remained under federal court oversight until earning full “unitary status” in 2007.

The expanding horizon of civic power The momentum of the late 1960s carried into the 1970s and beyond, as Black leaders tore

down long-standing professional and political barriers across Marion County. In a striking twist of legal history, the Law Offices of Victor J. Musleh, the law firm of former prosecutor Gus Musleh’s brother (10 years his junior), represented a Black lawyer, Virgil Darnell Hawkins in 1976, successfully petitioning the Florida Supreme Court to waive bar rules and admit Hawkins to the Florida Bar after he had been denied admission to the University of Florida Law School in 1949 solely because of his race. Local governments started hiring Black residents for more prominent employment positions. Ocala hired its first Black firefighter, Robert Butler, in 1980. Sandra Edwards-Stephens was elected as Marion County’s first female judge and first Black judge in 1990. She won 14,258 votes against David Eddy’s 13,583 votes for the Fifth Judicial Circuit seat. She advanced to the circuit court bench in 2000. Mary Sue Rich, who began her career in the 70’s as a state youth detention worker, embarked on a path of public service that eventually led to her election as Ocala’s first Black female city council member in 1995. She retired from the council in 2019. By 2020, the city reached another administrative milestone by appointing its first Black city manager, Sandra Wilson, which coincidently was championed by Gus Musleh’s nephew, Ocala City councilman Jay Musleh, who assumed office in May 2012 to fill an unexpired term and represents District 3. This multi-generational expansion of civic participation culminated in historic voter turnout for the nation’s first African American president: in the 2008 general election, 70,815 Marion County residents voted for Barack Obama followed by 66,831 local votes for Obama in 2012, a stark civic evolution from the days when Black citizens were systematically erased from county voting rolls. Ferguson, who covered the protests, recalled how deeply entrenched segregation was among local white residents and how some key figures later transformed their thinking. He remembered an incident during a downtown demonstration when a local white practicing attorney dropped his briefcase on the sidewalk to chase and tackle a young Black protester running down First Avenue. That attorney was E.R. “Dick” Mills Jr., who later served as a circuit judge and a district court of appeal judge. Years later, Ferguson sat down for coffee with Mills, who reflected on his own transformation: “You know, Paul. Now that I’m a judge, I have changed the way I think. I have to give everybody benefit of the law,” Mills told Ferguson. Reflecting on the era, Ferguson observed that white residents rarely questioned the racial divide in 1961 because “that’s just the way it was.” But as the legal landscape shifted, figures like Mills demonstrated that local views were evolving with the law.

Seeking clarity Continued from page A1

• We asked what money was allocated to Marion County, by program and whether any went unspent. To get the answers to the other seven questions would have cost this small weekly newspaper $1,365.88. That was the invoice. Twenty-one hours of staff time and 11 1/2 hours of legal review, to tell us what the state already knows about its own seniors. We were going to pay it, because these are the numbers this community deserves to see. Thankfully, Dan Andrews, CPA, paid the bill in full within a couple of hours of our posting the article online. The Grand Jury report does not reflect that they requested any records from Department of Children and Family Services or Department of Elder Affairs. In addition to reporting what these records show us, we plan to share these records with the agencies the Grand Jury credited with filing the gap so they also have a fuller picture. Here’s our commitment. We will publish what we receive — all of it, including anything that shows the system is working better than the grand jury described. We will publish exactly what was raised and what it was spent on. We don’t know what these records will show — and that’s the point of asking. And thank you Dan Andrews!

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Lake Weir blanks Lecanto

Hurricanes stay unbeaten with win over Panthers.

THANK YOU! To Our Sports Boosters

Lake Weir’s Jazari Willis (3) pulls in a pass ahead of Lecanto’s George Ricker (18) during a football game at Lake Weir High School in Candler, Fla. on Sept. 25, 2026.

By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette By Mark Pinson Special to the Ocala Gazette

or the first time in recent memory, the Lake Weir football team is undefeated halfway through the regular season. The Hurricanes, led by junior quarterback Armani McFarland’s three touchdown passes and a defense that forced four turnovers, rolled past Lecanto by a score of 35-0 on Sept. 25. The dominant victory improved Lake Weir to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Class 4A-District 5. “This win is big for our program and I’m happy and excited for our players,” said first-year Hurricanes coach Glen Stanley Jr. “Our offense started a little slow, but we picked it up in the second

half and our defense came up huge with four interceptions. Any time you can get a district win is good.” Late in the first quarter, Lake Weir sophomore linebacker John Ivery picked off a tipped pass at the Hurricanes’ 45-yard line. McFarland hit wide receiver Brandon Smith for a 43-yard completion and senior running back Jeremiah Jaques bulled his way into the end zone from four yards out. The extra point by junior Andreas Assmann gave Lake Weir a 7-0 lead with 9:53 left in the second period. Lecanto, which had trouble moving the ball with any consistency against a swarming Hurricanes defense, tried to pass, but the ball was tipped and sophomore defensive back Emery Wilson caught it and raced 32 yards for a touchdown. A 2-point run by McFarland made it 15-0.

Lecanto put together a solid drive with senior quarterback Kayden Koehl completing a pair of passes to move the Panthers inside the Lake Weir 15-yard line. But the Hurricanes defense stiffened and forced a 28-yard field goal attempt that sailed wide right. Koehl completed 4 of 11 passes for 51 yards with two interceptions. Lake Weir took the second-half kick and marched 76 yards in 10 plays with McFarland finding a number of receivers open in the Panthers secondary. The talented signal caller hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Dallas Johnson for a 20-yard scoring pass. McFarland completed 19 of 28 passes for 346 yards with one interception. Jacques ran in the 2-point conversion to give Lake Weir a commanding 23-0 lead. See Sports, page A11

VETERANS HELPING VETERANS USA

Lake Weir’s Caymen Clay (7) tries to stop Lecanto’s Terrance Hollis (22).

Lake Weir quarterback Armani McFarland (4) eludes Lecanto’s Andre Hicks (1) as he runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown.

Supporting Marion County Veterans and their families as they navigate life beyond military service by providing direct assistance, personalized guidance, and community-based support that restores stability, dignity and purpose, so they are not left to face life’s challenges alone.

www.mission1776.org Todd Belknap • Executive Director 2730 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL. 34470

Lake Weir defenders stop Lecanto’s Terrance Hollis (22).

Lake Weir quarterback Armani McFarland (4) runs away from Lecanto’s Jack Grannon (6) and others.

352-433-2320 x120

Lake Weir quarterback Armani McFarland (4) recovers his own fumble ahead of Lecanto’s Andre Hicks (1).

A11

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Continued from page A10 Lecanto, in desperation mode, went for it on fourth down and four from midfield, but the Hurricanes sacked Koehl to end the threat. Lake Weir scored in two plays with the very accurate McFarland hitting Wilson for a 28-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point run failed to leave Lake Weir leading 29-0 midway through the third quarter. “Armani is the truth,” coach Stanley said. “Lake Weir athletes get overlooked all the time, but he’s a great quarterback and leader.” Lecanto, which dropped to 1-5, continued to struggle and had two more passes intercepted by the ball-hawking Hurricanes

secondary. Lake Weir capped the scoring with McFarland passing to Smith for a 5-yard touchdown to make it 35-0 with 10:20 remaining in the game. With the large lead, a running clock was utilized for the remainder of the contest. This win gives the Hurricanes a lot of confidence heading into their next game at Interlachen on Oct. 3. “We’re grateful for this win and we’re going to enjoy it for a short while and then it’s time to get ready for our next game,” coach Stanley. said. “Interlachen is a pretty good team, but we have a chance to go 6-0 and that’s what we’re focused on.” Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Lake Weir’s Jeremiah Jacquez (10) runs away from Lecanto defenders to score a touchdown.

Lake Weir quarterback Armani McFarland (4) pushes past Lecanto defenders.

North Marion rallies past South Marion Colts beat Bears for third time this season. By Mark Pinson Special to the ‘Ocala Gazette’

fter beating South Marion twice this season, North Marion figured the third time would be just as easy, but it proved to be anything but. The Bears stunned the Colts by winning the first two sets before momentum finally turned North Marion’s way and the Colts prevailed in five sets by scores of 20-25, 21-25, 25-12, 25-11 and 15-8 on Sept. 29. The hard-earned win improved Class 4A North Marion to 11-7 on the season. “We were thinking we beat South Marion twice before so this should be an easy match,” said Colts coach Richard Guerrero. “Give credit to South Marion because they battled for every point and have grown and gotten better. We had some problems with our serve-receive the first two sets, but I made a little change in the rotation in the third and fourth sets and that brought us back.” The tough loss dropped Class 5A South Marion, which is a firstyear high school, to 6-14 overall. “I’m proud of the effort the girls gave and the way we were able to make adjustments,” said Bears coach Kayla Brannon. “We’re a very young team and battling the emotions of how to come back and how to get out of a hole. It’s going to take a little time for us to gain experience and mature.” South Marion came out with plenty of energy to start the match and raced out to a 20-12 lead in the first game as sophomore outside hitter Jasleen Lopez had several kills and an ace serve, while freshman Alondra Gonzalez had a pair of blocks. Senior Makayla Adams had a cross-court kill to seal the win. The second set was much closer. With the score tied at 21, freshman Gabriella Rivera had a kill, Adams found the range with a powerful spike and junior Kanita Lemoine drilled a kill shot to give the Bears a commanding 2-0 lead. North Marion settled down and began to take advantage of its height advantage over the smaller but scrappy South Marion squad. The Colts opened up a 21-10 lead and coasted to the third set victory behind stellar play from Remington Perry, Jaden Burkey and middle hitter Kanara Gordon. The Colts, now fully engaged, rolled to an 18-9 advantage in the fourth set as Danielle Switzer, Kylee Cauthen and Avery Futch led the way. An ace serve sealed the win and evened the match at two sets apiece. The final set was played to 15 points with North Marion taking a slim 7-6 lead. The Colts kept the pressure on as Gordon had a spike and a pair of key blocks, Allison Riddle served up an ace and

Cauthen had a huge block. South Marion had a couple of service errors and two spikes sailed long. One final perfect bump and spike sealed the set and the match for North Marion. Both teams are preparing for their respective district tournaments in two weeks. “We need to be more consistent on our serve-receive,” coach Guerrero said. “Our setting and hitting are good, we just need to tweak a few things and we’ll be fine.” South Marion continues to show improvement with each match. “The more we play the quicker we improve,” coach Brannon said. “We’re doing the right things and it’s just a matter of gaining the experience and dealing with the emotions.” The Bears are back in action with a road match at South Sumter on Oct. 1. North Marion is at Lake Weir on Oct. 1.

North Marion’s Kanara Gordon (5) spikes the ball past a South Marion player during a volleyball match at South Marion High School in Marion Oaks on Sept. 29, 2026.

North Marion’s Addie Mims (9) jumps to block a spike from a South Marion.

North Marion’s Jaden Burkey (18) watches as her spike drops in past South Marion’s Makayla Adams (3).

North Marion’s Kanara Gordon (5) spikes the ball past South Marion’s Kanita Lemoine (2).

Photos by Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

North Marion’s Avery Futch (2) digs the ball against South Marion.

North Marion head coach Richard Guerrero works with his players.

North Marion players celebrate a winning point. South Marion’s Coroline Videla (1) digs the ball.

North Marion’s Kanara Gordon (5) spikes the ball.

South Marion’s Mikaela Dos Santos (12) sets the ball.

South Marion’s Gabriella Rivera (6) makes a dig.

South Marion’s Jasleen Lopez (9) spikes the ball as North Marion’s Remington Perry (17 jumps for the block.

South Marion head coach Kayla Brannon celebrates with her players.

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Home & Garden Fall in Central Florida

With cooler temps comes a chance to enjoy autumn flowers, winter squash and pumpkins. By Susan Hudrick, Camellia Circle Pioneer Garden Club of Ocala

All photos courtesy ifas.ufl.edu

Seminole pumpkin

hen Fall starts in Central Florida, things don’t really change with vibrant leaves like up North, but you can totally feel it in the air. The super sticky summer humidity finally goes away, afternoon rain showers chill temps and cool breezes make it so nice to go outside. Temperatures drop from the 80s in late September down to the 70s by November. Whether you live here or are just visiting, it’s an awesome time to trade heavy coats for light jackets and enjoy being outdoors. Moving here from northern states during autumn can definitely be a big change. Moving lets newcomers skip all those gloomy gray days, freezing rain and high heating bills, swapping winter coats for patio weather instead. Instead of having to rake leaves or shovel driveways, everyone gets to enjoy clear skies, cool springs and awesome sunshine without the crazy summer heat. If you ever miss seeing the leaves change color, taking a road trip north is a super popular tradition. Driving through North Florida, Georgia or the Carolinas lets you check out the colorful trees and mountain air before heading back home. Bringing flowers into your yard and home is another fun way to celebrate the season. Planting autumn flowers adds a ton of bright color to garden beds, entryways and living spaces. Great plant choices include sunflowers, goldenrod, marigolds, salvia, chrysanthemums (mums) and coneflowers, which all grow really well in cooler temperatures and lower humidity. To help your flowers grow best, giving them good dirt is key. Florida’s sandy soil drains super-fast so mixing in potting soil or compost makes a huge difference by holding in moisture and giving your plants the nourishment they need. Visiting local farmers’ markets is another fun thing to do for autumn baking. Grabbing fresh ingredients makes it super easy to bake your favorite recipes, whether you’re making apple pies and crisps or

Assorted squash

Goldenrod

Chrysanthemums.

Mixed sunflowers

Coneflowers

Marigolds

Salvia

baking pumpkin bread and tasty treats. When it starts getting cool in the evenings, it’s time to bring out the slow cookers. Making cozy meals like beef

stews, squash soups, chili and vegetable chowders fills the whole kitchen with amazing smells and gives you awesome food to eat after hanging out outside.

To learn more, go to pioneergardenclub. org and find the group on Facebook.

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Layered in luxury

SPONSORED CONTENT

The art of creating a bedroom that feels as beautiful as it looks. By Kay Rains Head of Design Studio Koontz Furniture and Design

ou made it. The hustle and bustle of the outside world is winding down and home is calling. Perhaps it was a day filled with meetings, deadlines and obligations. Perhaps it was spent tending to family, friends or the everyday rhythms of life. Either way, crossing the threshold into your home feels like a small reward. Of course, home isn’t always the finish line. Dinner may still need to be prepared, lunches packed, pets fed, homework reviewed and one more workout squeezed in. Yet even amid the evening’s final tasks, there is comfort in knowing that a place of rest awaits. And nowhere is that feeling more tangible than in the bedroom. A beautifully dressed bed does more than complete a room. It creates comfort. It evokes emotions that signal the brain to shed the first layer of what will soon be yesterday. Restoration is about to begin. Few elements contribute more to that experience than the layers that surround us while we sleep. The foundation, of course, begins with the sheets. For those who appreciate a silky hand and cooling comfort, bamboo continues to be a favorite. Sateen offers a subtle luminosity and an indulgent softness that only improves over time. Percale, beloved for its crisp hotel-quality feel, delivers

a tailored elegance that remains timeless. Linen, meanwhile, has become synonymous with effortless luxury. Its relaxed texture and understated beauty only grow more appealing with every wash. There is no universally perfect choice, only the one that speaks to your personal idea of relaxation. Once the foundation is in place, the real fun begins. Think of styling a bed the way you might style an outfit or design a room. It is all about layering, balance and personality. Some are drawn to the simplicity of only a beautifully tailored coverlet and a pair of perfectly fluffed pillows. Others prefer a more dramatic arrangement of oversized European shams, down-filled inserts, sumptuous duvets and decorative pillows that create depth and visual interest. Neither approach is right nor wrong. The most luxurious bedrooms are not created by following rules. They are created by curating pieces that feel uniquely yours. Start with a color, fabric or pattern you love and allow it to guide the rest of the story. Perhaps it is a richly woven coverlet, a subtle stripe, a romantic floral or simply a palette of warm neutrals. Build thoughtfully. Layer complementary textures. Pair crisp cottons with soft velvets. Introduce tactile elements that invite touch as much as admiration. Most importantly, choose what brings you joy. A color may be trending, but if it doesn’t make you feel at ease, it

Image courtesy Koontz Furniture and Design

doesn’t belong in a room designed for restoration. The bedroom should be one of the most personal spaces in your home, a reflection of what comforts, calms and inspires you. If your style leans more classic, consider details such as a tailored f lange edges or a subtle contrast trim. If you crave a more layered look, begin with generous European pillows against the headboard, followed by a second row of smaller pillows and a single statement accent pillow as illustrated by the curly faux fur in the image. A folded duvet or luxurious throw draped across the foot of

the bed adds both dimension and an inviting finishing touch. The beauty is that there are endless possibilities. What matters is creating a bed that feels as wonderful as it looks. In a world that constantly demands our attention, the bedroom should give something back. It should offer tranquility. It should encourage stillness. It should remind us to slow down, even if only for a few precious hours. True luxury is not about excess. It is about creating moments that feel intentional and restorative. So, layer the linens, add the pillows, indulge in the textures

that make you want to linger just a little longer. At the end of the day, few luxuries compare to melting into your own personal place of solitude thoughtfully designed, beautifully appointed and entirely your own. Ocala native Kay Rains is a skilled designer with degrees in architecture and interior design.

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

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

State real estate report

‘Sales remain relatively stable, inventory continues to tighten and home prices are holding up.’ Staff Report

“Months’ supply inventory is a useful indicator of market conditions,” the report stated. “The benchmark for a balanced market (favoring neither buyer nor seller) is 5.5 months of inventory. Anything higher is traditionally a buyers’ market, and anything lower is a sellers’ market.” Statewide, the number of cash sales for single-family homes decreased by 2.1%, with a total of 5,782, which was just over 26.8% of all sales. “Cash sales can be a useful indicator,” the report stated, “of the extent to which investors are participating in the market. Investors are far more likely to have the funds to purchase a home available up front, whereas the typical homebuyer requires a mortgage or some other form of financing.” Ocala/Marion County reported 799 single-family home closings, a 6.3% increase from last August.

he Florida Realtors Association’s August 2026 market report showed that statewide the median singlefamily home sale price was $415,000, a 1.2% increase from August 2025. The townhouse and condo median sales price was reported at $298,000, which is a 2.8% increase from last August. Brad O’Connor, senior economist for the Florida Realtors, a statewide agents’ reporting and professional trade association, said about home sales in general, “After nearly a full year of steadily improving home sales, Florida’s housing market finally hit a bit of a speed bump in August. Several of the year-over-year growth streaks we’ve been following for the past year came to an end, but as we’ll see, the latest numbers look a lot more like a market leveling off than one taking a significant turn for the worse.” O’Connor reported that, as always, mortgage rates are affecting the market. “If we look at rates over the long run, the movement of the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate in 2025 and 2026 between 6% and 7% has been rather small in the grand scheme of things. We aren’t talking about a seismic shift in affordability one way or the other. But on the margin, the recent rise in rates has been enough to slow home sales growth. And as a result, as you can see here for closed single-family home sales, the 11-month streak came to an end in August, with closed sales falling by about 1% compared to one year ago,” O’Connor said. “The 12-month streak of positive year-over-year growth in new pending sales of single-family homes came to

TOWNHOUSES AND CONDOS

Townhouse for sale in Ocala/Marion County. [Photo courtesy realtor.com]

an end in August as well. While August brought an end to some of the sales growth streaks we’ve been talking about for quite a while, there’s not much here that suggests Florida’s housing market is suddenly headed in a dramatically different direction. Sales remain relatively stable, inventory continues to tighten and home prices are holding up well despite mortgage rates that remain challenging for many buyers,” he added.

SINGLE-FAMILY MARKET

Ocala/Marion County’s August median sale price reported for singlefamily homes was $289,000, a 1.1%

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increase from 2025. “The end-of-month inventory for single-family homes continued to fall in August, declining by 13% compared to a year ago. This decline was large enough that inventory levels are also below where they were at this time two years ago when they were still on the way up,” O’Connor said. The association reported the supply of single-family existing homes statewide stood at 4.3-months’ supply, an 18.9% decrease from last August. The statewide active listing inventory for single-family homes was 94,610, a 13% decrease from last year.

The Ocala/Marion County townhouse and condo median sales price came in at $171,888, a 17.6% decrease from last August. A total of 53 closed sales were reported. “The good news is that the new pending sales growth streak remained intact, extending now to 13 straight months, but only by the narrowest of margins. However, the same cannot be said for closed sales in this property type category. They were down by just under 2% in August,” O’Connor said. Statewide, existing condo-townhouse properties were at a 7.7-months’ supply in August, a decrease of 11.5% from August 2025, with reported total active listings of 59,967. For the sector, the number of cash sales increased by 0.6% to 3,722 and represented just over 51% of the market.

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Local real estate report

The Ocala/Marion County housing market remains resilient as inventory tightens, OMCAR reports. Staff report

he Ocala/Marion County residential real estate market remained resilient in August, with home prices holding relatively steady and homes reaching contract faster than a year ago, even as closed sales and new listings declined, according to the latest housing data from Florida Realtors. Single-family home closed sales totaled 683 in August 2026, down 2.3% from 699 in August 2025. The median sale price was $290,000, a 1.7% year-over-year decrease, while the average sale price increased 2.5% to $345,807. Total dollar volume reached $236.2 million, up 0.2% from a year earlier, according to the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors. “August’s numbers show a market that continues to adjust while remaining resilient,” said OMCAR President Jeanne Ritt, in the news release. “Home prices have remained relatively stable and homes that sold reached contract more quickly than they did a year ago. Buyers and sellers are continuing to make moves, but success in this market requires a clear understanding of current local conditions.” Homes that closed in August reached contract in a median of 61 days, down 14.1% from 71 days in August 2025. The median time to sale was 108 days, unchanged from a year ago. Inventory also tightened. At the

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

end of August, there were 3,244 active single-family listings, down 14.8% from 3,806 a year earlier. Months’ supply of inventory declined 18.6% to 4.8 months, compared with 5.9 months in August 2025. Florida Realtors identifies 5.5 months of inventory as the traditional benchmark for a balanced market. “The decline in inventory is an important part of the August story,” Ritt said in the release. “With fewer homes available than a year ago, buyers should be prepared when the right property comes to market. For sellers, proper pricing,

presentation and strategy remain essential. A Realtor who understands the local market can help consumers evaluate the data and make informed decisions.” New listings totaled 815 in August, down 20.3% from 1,022 in August 2025, while new pending sales declined 7.7% to 682. Despite the monthly decline, year-to-date new pending sales remained 4.0% ahead of the same period last year. Sellers received a median 95.9% of their original list price in August, compared with 94.8% one year earlier, a 1.2% yearover-year improvement.

Year to date, 5,570 singlefamily homes have closed, a 3.2% increase over the comparable period last year. “Real estate remains highly local and these numbers reinforce why buyers and sellers should look at the full picture rather than any single statistic,” Ritt added. “We are seeing tighter inventory, faster time to contract and relatively stable pricing alongside fewer new listings and pending sales. OMCAR Realtors bring the local knowledge and professional guidance consumers need to navigate these changing conditions.” To learn more, go to omcar.com

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF ROBERT O. BRIDGELAND, Deceased. FILE NO.: 2026-CP-2132 NOTICE TO CREDITORS (Summary Administration) The administration of the estate of ROBERT O. BRIDGELAND, deceased, whose date of death was February 22, 2026; is pending in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, Probate Division; File Number 2026-CP-2132; the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. An Order of Summary Administration was entered on September 16, 2026, and the names and addresses of the persons assigned control of the assets are TAMMY L. PREECE, 15510 S.E. 36th Avenue, Summerfield, Florida 34491, and JULIE BRIDGELAND, 2761 S.E. 14th Street, Ocala, Florida 34471, the daughters of the decedent, and their attorney is Davis R. Watson III, Davis R. Watson III, P.A., 2201 S.E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202, Ocala, Florida 34471. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court, WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS SEPTEMBER 25, 2026. Attorney for Petitioner: DAVIS R. WATSON III Florida Bar No.: 117996 DAVIS R. WATSON III, P.A. 2201 S. E. 30th Avenue, Suite 202 Ocala, Florida 34471 (352) 732-8080 Email: davis@daviswatsonlaw.com

CONSUMER GUIDE: FRAUD RED FLAGS Ocala, FL — Most real estate transactions occur safely, but there’s a growing need to keep an eye out for fraud. Increasingly sophisticated scams, including use of AI to impersonate people, can occur at any stage of a transaction and often aren’t immediately obvious. If something occurs that doesn’t seem quite right, this resource will help you understand the potential risks and take appropriate action. Red flag: Someone offers to sell or lease you a property outside of regular channels, such as the multiple listing service, and wants to complete the transaction online rather than in person. What it could mean: Fraudsters sometimes pose as property owners to steal proceeds from “selling” or “leasing” a property they don’t own. What to do: An agent who is a REALTOR® can help you determine whether the person’s property ownership information matches public records. Red flag: You receive suspicious emails requesting passwords, account information, wire details, Social Security numbers or other sensitive information. What it could mean: A criminal may be trying to steal personal information to facilitate future fraud. What to do: Don’t respond. Report the suspected phishing attempt to your email provider, and change passwords if accounts are compromised. You can also report suspected phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Red flag: During a transaction, you receive an email with instructions for transferring funds. What it could mean: Criminals engaged in wire fraud could have compromised communications to redirect escrow money, down payment funds or sales proceeds to their own accounts. What to do: Any instructions for wiring funds should be verified with a trusted advisor, such as your real estate agent. Especially when you receive last-minute changes, be skeptical. Red flag: A communication seems unusual or out of character. What it could mean: An individual may be impersonating a legitimate transaction participant. What to do: Verify the communication using a known email or phone number—or in person. Red flag: You discover unauthorized title activity on a property you own. What it could mean: A fraudster may have transferred ownership, or attempted to do so, through forged documents. What to do: Consult legal counsel and report the issue to law enforcement. It’s a good idea to check county records periodically—and investigate whether your county offers a recording notification service that will alert you to new (possibly fraudulent) deed filings. Red flag: You’re approached with an opportunity to invest in a real estate venture or other “exclusive” investment program—if you act fast. What it could mean: When you’re being pressured to get in on an investment before it’s too late, the deal may be too good to be true. What to do: Don’t send money. Talk with trusted advisors and do your due diligence to ensure the investment is legitimate. Bottom line: A simple three-step plan—stop, verify and then act—will help you avoid trouble. When something appears suspicious, do not act on the questionable request, send funds, provide sensitive information or use the contact information contained in the suspicious communication. Instead, independently contact your real estate professional, lender or settlement/title provider using previously verified contact information. Those professionals can help you determine what additional verification, reporting, legal, law-enforcement or transaction steps are appropriate. IMPORTANT: If you’ve transferred funds to someone who you suspect has committed fraud, treat the situation as urgent. Time can be critical in recovering funds and limiting losses. Generally, the first 24–48 hours are the most critical. Contact your financial institution and law enforcement as quickly as possible—and report the incident to the FBI’s IC3.

Your real estate agent will help you navigate the purchase or sale of a home. An attorney can provide guidance on the laws in the state where you’re purchasing. Only real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® may use the term REALTOR®. Under the NAR’s Code of Ethics, REALTORS® must work in their client’s best interest and treat all parties fairly. Please visit facts.realtor for more information and resources.

REALTORS® are members of the National Association of REALTORS®

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

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

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Specially created artworks on exhibit through mid-November Paintings by artist Heather Dawn Batchelor are on display at the Friends of the Silver Springs State Park Welcome Center and Gallery. By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

aintings by Heather Dawn Batchelor are the newest exhibit at the Friends of the Silver Springs State Park Welcome Center and Gallery. According to Marianne Marcoux a volunteer with the FSSSP and the group’s gallerist, “Heather Dawn Batchelor is an abstract expressionist painter who has created four beautiful paintings based on her exploration and experience in the Silver Springs area. The exhibit went up Sept. 15 and will remain until mid-November. She calls this exhibit ‘A Walk With You Through Silver Springs.’” “Heather begins with time spent in a place, observing and experiencing it, before translating those impressions through color, movement and abstraction. She is a resident artist at the Magnolia Art Exchange and serves on the board of the Marion Cultural Alliance. She will also exhibit two pieces of artwork this fall at the Appleton Museum of Art,” Marcoux noted in the news release. Batchelor said via email that she lives in Ocala now, but lived in Silver Springs for four years, “which is where much of the inspiration from this exhibit came from. There are four paintings in the exhibition. All are new paintings that were created especially for this exhibit.”

“Through the Surface,” by Heather Dawn Batchelor. [Photo courtesy of the artist]

“Beyond the Trees,” by Heather Dawn Batchelor. [Photo courtesy of the artist]

“I moved to the Ocala area from Indiana. One of the things that really drew me to this area was the natural beauty, but Silver Springs became particularly important to me. While I was living there, I spent a lot of time walking, exploring and observing the landscape. Over time, those experiences began finding their way into my paintings,” Batchelor shared. “Marianne reached out to me about an art exhibit. As for the Silver Springs Park itself,

of the landscape, but through the emotion and memory of being in that place.” “My work is abstract and I’m interested in what happens after we experience a place: what stays with us, what we remember and how light, water, movement, color and emotion become intertwined. These paintings grew out of years of walking and exploring Silver Springs, walking through the trees, watching the light shift and change, catching glimpses of the wildlife and living in the midst of

we bring all of our guests to the glass-bottom boat tour. It is still one of my favorite things to do in Marion County. I still get inspired by the beauty and the history of the springs,” Batchelor added. When asked what she hopes people will come away with when viewing her artworks, Batchelor said, “I hope people come away with a sense of having experienced Silver Springs through my eyes, not necessarily as a literal depiction

a lot of wildlife,” she explained. For me, place is really about encounter. I hope someone who knows Silver Springs recognizes something they have felt there, while someone who has never been there can still capture a sense of the beauty, movement, mystery and experience of the place,” she offered. To learn more about the artist, go to hdbfineart.com Find the friends group at thefriendsofsilversprings.org

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Medina Model - 8322 SW 46th Ave, Ocala, FL 34476 • 352-677-2262 2,230 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $356,990 featuring 3-4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2-car garage, quartz countertops, versatile flex room, and covered lanai.

Prestige Model - 9294 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 2,080 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $374,990 featuring 2-3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2-car garage, Owner’s walk-in closet, quartz countertops, and covered lanai.

Pioneer Ranch

Stellar Model - 9312 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 2,483+ a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $439,990 featuring 3 bedrooms, 3-4 bathrooms, 2-3-car garage, versatile flex room, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanai.

Bloomfield Model - 8316 SW 46th Ave, Ocala, FL 34476 • 352-677-2262 2,503 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $398,990 featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3-car garage, quartz countertops, versatile flex room, and covered lanai.

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

Mainstay Model - 9290 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 1,948+ a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $368,990 featuring 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, luxury vinyl plank flooring, stainless steel appliances, and extended covered lanai.

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

Compass Model - 9291 SW 60th Lane Road, Ocala, FL 34481 1,471 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $300,990 featuring 2-3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanai.

Daylen Model - 6858 SW 90th Loop, Ocala, FL 34476 • 813-547-5335 1,580 a/c Sq. Ft. Single-family home starting at $284,990 featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2-car garage, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and covered lanai.

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

2026 Emerging Farmers Symposium: Land, Livelihood & Legacy FAMU Cooperative Extension and UF/IFAS Marion County Extension partner for special events in Ocala on Oct. 9. Staff report

lorida A&M University Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Marion County Extension, will present the 2026 Emerging Farmers Symposium: Land, Livelihood & Legacy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Marion County Extension Office, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala. Designed for small, beginning and emerging farmers, ranchers and landowners, the one-day symposium brings Extension professionals, agricultural agencies, attorneys, experienced producers and other agricultural experts together in one location to provide practical information for starting, strengthening and sustaining farms — and protecting family land for future generations, the news release noted. Morning sessions include farm start-up, USDA Farm Service Agency beginningfarmer resources, NRCS cost-share

Karen Skyers, Esq. [Photo courtesy heiresslaw.com]

programs, Best Management Practices, water programs, agricultural classification, heirs’ property and a beginning-farmer panel. Afternoon educational tracks focus on Markets & Agritourism and Ranching Foundations. A special focus of this year’s symposium is land ownership, estate planning and preserving family agricultural land for future generations. The luncheon keynote speaker is Karen Skyers, Esq., partner at Heiress Law, presenting “Inherited Land, Now What? Protecting Your Property and Your Family’s Legacy.” Skyers has more than 13 years of legal and policy experience and is an adjunct professor at the Florida A&M University College of Law, where she teaches Florida Wills, Trusts and Estates. Skyers is bilingual and will offer a limited number of one-on-one miniconsultations, including consultations for Spanish-speaking participants. A Spanishlanguage symposium flyer and registration information are available for those wishing to participate.

Early symposium registration is encouraged. The first registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the Florida Direct Marketing Handbook, while supplies last. Symposium registration includes lunch and materials. To register, go to emergingfarmers. eventbrite.com The symposium is co-located in partnership with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund, which will offer a free Wills & Estate Planning Clinic from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Marion County Extension Office immediately following Skyers’ keynote. The clinic is designed for Florida farmers and landowners and will provide education, materials and information about resources available to help protect family, property and legacy. Separate registration is required for the Federation’s free clinic and may be made by going to eventbrite.com/e/ wills-estate-planning-workshop-tickets2001617968225?aff=oddtdtcreator

‘Inspired by nature’

SouthState Bank offers new exhibit by artist Lucy Pinkstaff, with opening reception set for Oct. 8.

“The storm is coming”

“Orange solstice and the blue veil”

By Susan Smiley-Height susan@magnoliamediaco.com

aintings by Lucy Pinkstaff, many showing the vibrant colors of nature, will be on display from Oct. 5 through Dec. 28 at SouthState Bank in Ocala. An opening reception with light refreshments will begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 8 in the bank’s Ocala Boulevard Art Gallery, located at 1632 E. Silver Springs Blvd. “I was born and raised in the capital city of Colombia, Santa Fe de Bogota. In 1995, I decided to move to the United States to start a new chapter in my life and pursue my dream of validating my dental license and becoming a dentist here. However, adverse circumstances changed my original plans, and I instead became a dental hygienist,” Pinkstaff shared via email. “I always liked to do small drawings using pastels, charcoal or color pencils, but just for hobby. A few years after I moved here, I was introduced to a group that enjoyed painting and I was inspired by one of the artists to experiment with oils. I started taking lessons, going to workshops, perusing videos and books, and that is how my journey began,” she explained. Pinkstaff said she does not have a particular work style, but “I paint with some details but not realism. I try different approaches to create interesting paintings.” “I just paint what I feel and

Photos by Lucy Pinkstaff

“Reflections along Lake Lillian”

how I feel instead of trying to force a particular style,” she shared. “I hope the people who come to my show enjoy my work’s unique perspective and the vibrant colors inspired by nature that I incorporate into each creation.” “Through years of study, practice and experimentation, Lucy developed a distinctive artistic style that reflects her creativity, curiosity and love of learning. Drawing inspiration from the colors, textures and beauty found in nature, she uses her artwork to express her unique perspective and celebrate the world around her. Her remarkable collection showcases both technical skill and artistic freedom, inviting viewers to experience the joy and wonder that inspire her work,” the SouthState Bank news release offered. “I believe art is a lifelong learning process, and I remain committed to exploring new techniques, developing my creative voice and sharing my unique perspective through every piece I create. Still learning. Still creating,” Pinkstaff said in the release. To learn more about the gallery, call SouthState Bank at 352-236-6456 or go to southstatebank.com For information about the artist, go to fb.com/profile. php?id=100064100589208

“Purple ballerinas”

“Sip time”

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

Government OCT. 5, 12, 19, 26

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. 6, 20

Marion County Board of County Commissioners

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

Ocala City Council

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

Arts

OCT. 3

Free First Saturday

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala 10am–5pm At 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the auditorium, enjoy a screening of “The Yearling.” Based on Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this Best Picture nominee follows a young boy growing up in rural 1870s Florida who forms a deep bond with an orphaned fawn and must ultimately face a difficult lesson about love, responsibility and letting go. Free as part of Free First Saturday; no reservations needed to attend. The Donut Express and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck will be on-site throughout the day, along with CAMPUS USA Credit Union and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. Learn more at appletonmuseum.org

OCT. 4

Late Nite Catechism: ‘Til Death Do Us Part

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St., Ocala 3pm The latest class to be unveiled in this sinfully funny series. After teaching countless students about the saints, venial sins, limbo and more, Sister is now offering up hilarious lessons on the Sacraments of Marriage and the Last Rites, including her own wacky version of the Newlywed Game. Classroom participation is a must, so bring along your sweetie and your sense of humor for a session with the country’s feistiest couples counselor. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com

OCT. 7

Toast – The Best of Bread

Community

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

OCT. 7

Belleview City Commission

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

OCT. 13, 27

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

2026 Emerging Farmers Symposium: Land, Livelihood & Legacy

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

French bistro for dinner, drinks, and entertainment. Catered by The Fiery Chef, with a wine selection by Stella’s Modern Pantry. Seating is extremely limited. Purchase tickets through the box office in person or over the phone at 352-236-2274, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or at thecivic.org

OCT. 9

Sunset Songs Series kickoff

Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala 7-9pm The city of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department announces the return of the series for its third season. This monthly outdoor concert series takes place on the second Friday of each month, October through March, and features local and regional artists performing original music ranging from reggae and blues to rock and electronic. All concerts are free to attend. Performing on Oct. 9 will be the reggae band SensaMotion. Food trucks and alcoholic beverages available for purchase through the Ocala Outreach Program.Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/sunsetsongsseries

OCT. 10

Queen- A Royal Tribute

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala 7:30 pm Gentle Carousel Miniature TOAST will take you on a journey back in time, engaging a spectrum of emotions; from the tender Therapy Horses Black & White moments that tug on the heartstrings to the Gala. upbeat classics that compel you to jump out of your Circle Square Convention Center, 8395 SW 80th St., seat and dance. Learn more at reillyartscenter.com Ocala 6pm Grammy award winning performers will arrive from Nashville to help celebrate Magic’s birthday with Set the Stage Gala a special concert and party. Magic will attend the Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., event in her tuxedo. They know Magic from her Ocala work in veterans and children’s hospitals in Nashville 6pm and her help after the fires in Gatlinburg. Performers Celebrate 76 years of live theatre in Ocala with include Brent Maher, Billy Montana and Leslie this special benefit. Step into a magical French world as you enjoy the event’s signature cocktail, a Satcher. Entertainer Garth Brooks, the biggest selling artist in U.S. history and the only seven-time bubbly French 75, while browsing a curated silent auction in Studio B. Then the Civic stage becomes a recipient of the CMA has donated a Takamine Model

OCT. 8

Marion County Public Library Headquarters, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 5pm Braver Angels is a national organization with a mission to strengthen democracy through civil discourse. As part of the national Building Together Tour, Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles is coming to Marion County to share what’s next for the movement, including a new five-year plan. To learn more, go to braverangels.org or email dhoswald@gmail.com

OCT. 9

OCT. 14

Reilly Arts Center, 500 NE Ninth St. Ocala 7:30 pm Discovered on Canada’s “The Voice” in 2016, Yvan Pedneault was handpicked by Queen legends Brian May and Roger Taylor to star as Galileo in the Canadian production of We Will Rock You. Now, Yvan brings his powerhouse vocals to America with Queen – A Royal Tribute, performing Queen’s biggest hits with top musicians and no gimmicks. Hear favorites including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” “We Will Rock You,” “We Are the Champions” and more. Get tickets at reillyartscenter.com

Braver Angels special event

Marion County Extension Office, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 9am-4pm Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Marion County Extension, present the sessions include farm start-up, USDA Farm Service Agency beginningfarmer resources, NRCS cost-share programs, Best Management Practices, water programs, agricultural classification, heirs’ property, a beginning-farmer panel, Markets & Agritourism and Ranching Foundations. The luncheon keynote speaker is Karen Skyers, Esq., partner at Heiress Law, presenting “Inherited Land, Now What? Protecting Your Property and Your Family’s Legacy.” Skyers is bilingual and will offer a limited number of one-on-one mini-consultations. To register, go to emergingfarmers.eventbrite.com

Wills & Estate Planning Clinic

Marion County Extension Office, 2232 Jacksonville Road, Ocala 1-4pm Hosted by The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund. Free to attend. Learn about wills, estate planning, heirs property and resources to help protect your family, land and legacy. Register at eventbrite. com/e/wills-estate-planning-workshop-tickets2001617968225?aff=oddtdtcreator

OCT. 10

All-Breed Horse Parade

Downtown Ocala 9am Hosted by the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) and presented by Pat Myers Electric. Showcases the diversity of Ocala/Marion County’s equine community, bringing horses, riders and a variety of breeds and disciplines. Learn more at ocalacep.com

10th Annual Charity Golf Outing

Del Webb Spruce Creek Golf & Country Club, 14000 Del Webb Blvd., Summerfield Call for start time The Knights of Columbus Council 8012 in Belleview will host the tournament to raise funds to support Champions 4 Champions, helping veterans and others through equine-assisted therapy and PTSD programs, while also supporting the charitable work of

the Knights of Columbus. To learn more, contact Ron Woods at (352) 205-1317 or ronniewood101@gmail.com

OCT. 11

2nd Sunday Makers Market

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

OCT. 15

Braver Angels monthly meeting

Marion County Public Library Headquarters, 2720 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 5:15pm Braver Angels is a national organization with a mission to strengthen democracy through civil discourse. The guest speaker will be Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox. To learn more, go to braverangels.org or email dhoswald@ gmail.com

OCT. 17-18

Ocala Pet Palooza

World Equestrian Center, 1598 NW 87th Court Road, Expo 2, Ocala 10am-4pm Headlining will be Amazing Veranica & Her Talented Dogs, the popular canine performance act featured on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” On Oct. 17, the SPCA of Ocala will offer free rabies vaccinations and microchipping from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free pet nail trims will be available during the weekend, compliments of Golden Paws Grooming. Guests can meet Honey’s Mini Therapy Horses, visit a petting zoo, experience reptile encounters and watch live animal demonstrations. Pet blessings by Ascension Lutheran Church. Pet costume contest and best trick contest. Adoption agencies and more. For tickets, go to bmgevents.com/ocalapet.html

OCT. 24

Springs Friendly Yard Workshop

Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, 4990 NE 180th Ave., Williston 10-11am Presented by the Howard T. Odom Florida Springs Institute. Director Haley Moody will walk attendees through the steps to achieving a Florida Springs Friendly Yard. Class is free with price of admission. Learn more at info@floridaspringsinstitute.org

Halloween Skelebration and Family Fall Festival Lecanto Community Park – Education Park, 3798 W Sovereign Path, Lecanto Noon-9pm Friends and Families Reaching for Abilities event. Costume contests with prizes, live music and entertainment, food and craft vendors, photos, pumpkin and face painting, hayrides, games, inflatables, drawings and more. Get details at ffrastars.org/skelebration

GD20 NS guitar for the charity auction. When the auction is over, he will autograph and personalize the guitar for the winning bidder and it will be sent directly to them. For tickets, go to gentle-carousel.givecloud.co/gala2026

Elvis, Neil Diamond, Elton John, the Beatles, plus Broadway marches and more. Admission is free and open to the public. A voluntary love offering will be taken. Call 352-237-4633 for further information.

OCT. 11

THROUGH DEC. 3 AND BEYOND

Phantasmagoria XVII, “Frankenstein”

Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala 2 and 6:30pm Journey with the critically acclaimed Victorian horror troupe as they light the candles at the Villa Diodati, to celebrate Mary Shelley’s legendary and iconic tale as well as “The Vampyre” by John Polidori, along with other stories. With original music by Phantasmagoria composer Josh Solomon, choreography by Mila Makarova, stage combat by Bill Warriner, puppets by Nic Parks Puppetry and all new adaptations and direction. To learn more, go to phantasmagoriaorlando.com

Kingdom of the Sun Concert Band

Countryside Presbyterian Church, 7768 SW State Road 200, Ocala 3pm Enjoy an afternoon of tunes from pop and rock legends

Art in City Spaces

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

Appleton Museum of Art

INTRO TO COLLAGE Workshop for Adults

Saturday, October 17, 1-4:30 p.m. Scan the QR code to learn more, or contact AppletonEducation @cf.edu.

This beginner-friendly workshop, taught by Deborah Horvath, welcomes anyone curious about the popular art form of collage. All materials are provided. $65 for Appleton members | $80 for nonmembers

Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store

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

-an equal opportunity college-

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

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

Across 1 Light melody 5 Singer Del Rey 9 Photographer Adams 14 Nice companion 15 Sister of Castor and Pollux 16 Raises or rises 17 Orientation for new senators? 19 Possessed 20 "Way cool!" 21 "Wabbit" hunter 22 AQI monitor 25 "Margaret won't be in the comedy showcase!"? 29 New England state 31 Conclude 32 __ Lingus 33 Theme park serviced by the Disney World monorail 34 Took to court 36 IRS IDs 37 Exclamation when a product lives up to the hype? 41 Pupil's place 43 Wee bit 44 Needed a sick day 47 Boxing Day mo. 48 Part of a pod cast? 49 Q-Tip and Ice-T 51 Tables and chairs that wobble?

55 Circular __ 56 Scull pair 57 Reptiles in the logos of some dojos 59 Muddle 61 "Straight up, please," to match 17-, 25-, 37-, and 51-Across? 65 Shampoo brand since 1947 66 Correct spelling, say 67 Beltmaking tools 68 Source of waste 69 Movie night rooms 70 Nerd (out) Down 1 Cozy cat seat 2 "Sez me" 3 Smaller than sm. 4 Bitter brews 5 Showed the door 6 First Hebrew letter 7 Mythical lion's home 8 "__ minute now ... " 9 Word with poke or push 10 Fresh cut 11 Beach homes? 12 Afore 13 Acid initials 15 Wore 18 University of South Dakota athlete 21 Italian luxury brand 22 Morn's opposite

23 24 26 27 28 30 34 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 45 46 48 49 50 52 53 54 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

Pizzazz Permafrost predators Turn sharply __ of the woods mushroom Alternatives Hardness scale name Prepare for takeoff, maybe Katie Ledecky's team: Abbr. Pickup alternative Docking stations? Reddish horse Watch in wonder "Who wants cake?" response Slo-mo reviewer Time worth studying Bargain footwear chain Red and blue Flemish painter Peter Paul __ Extra Extra Dry brand Server error? Beginning of a famous boast Part of NFT Unexpected hitch Speed letters Rollover subj. Larger than sm. Fleece source Bitter brew Judgy sound

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B11

B10

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE Public Notice

Public Notice

Filing # 257568889 E-Filed 09/22/2026 11:42:39 AM IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION UCN: CASE NO.: 25-CA-002180 SHORECREST INVESTMENT FUND, LLC., a Nevada limited liability company, VS. Plaintiff, SCIONTI CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC. ANN MARIE FERRAO AND ANY KNOWN AND/OR UNKNOWN TENANTS. Defendants. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS GIVEN that, pursuant to a Uniform Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated the 15th day of September, 2026 in CASE NO.: 25-CA-002180 of the Circuit Court of Marion County, Florida, in which SHORECREST INVESTMENT FUND, LLC. is the Plaintiff and SCIONTI CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC., ANN MARIE FERRAO AND ANY KNOWN AND/OR UNKNOWN TENANTS, are the Defendants. TRACI PERRY, Marion County Clerk of Court, will sell to the highest and best bidder for cash online at at www.marion. realforeclose.com on October 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. or as soon possible thereafter, the following described property set forth in the Order of Final Judgment: PARCEL "I": Lot 1, Block 1587, of Silver Springs Shores Unit No. 50, a Subdivision according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book J, Page 354 through 359, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Commonly known as: 201 Emerald Loop Way, Ocala, Florida Page 1 PARCEL "J": Lot 3, Block 865, of Silver Springs Shores Unit No. 32, a Subdivision according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book J, Page 276 through 285, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Commonly known as: 11 Hickory Track Dr, Ocala, Florida PARCEL "K": Lot 9, Block 147, of Silver Springs Shores Unit No. 13, a Subdivision according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book J, Page 74 through 82, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Commonly known as: Oak Circle Lot#9, Ocala, Florida PARCEL "L": Lot 9, Block 1607, of Silver Springs Shores Unit No. 51, a Subdivision according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book J, Page 360 through 367, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Commonly known as: Lot 9, Locust Loop Radial, Ocala, Florida PARCEL "M": Lot 10, Block 1607, of Silver Springs Shores Unit No. 51, a Subdivision according to the Plat thereof, recorded in Plat Book J, Page 360 through 367, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida. Commonly known as: Lot 10, Locust Loop Radial, Ocala, Florida PARCEL "N": Lot 17, Block 1047, Silver Springs Shores Unit No. 34, according to the map or plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book J, Page(s) 286 through 292, inclusive, of the Public Records of Marion County, Florida Commonly known as: Lot 17, Locust Place, Ocala, Florida Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the lis pendens must file a claim within 60 days after the sale. AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACCOMMODATION NOTICE If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in a proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, the provision of certain assistance. Please Page 2 contact the ADA Coordinator for the Courts within 2 working days of your receipt of your notice to appear in Court at: Marion County (352) 401-6701 Dated this the 22 day of September, 2026 TRACI PERRY Clerk of the Circuit Court Post Office Box 1030 Ocala, Florida 34478 Publish in: Ocala Gazette (Marion County) Billing Information: Steven W. Moore, PLLC 8240 118th Avenue North, Suite 300 Largo, Florida 33773-5014 Page 3 Steven W. Moore, Esquire, For the Court 8240 118th Avenue North, Suite 300 Largo, Florida 33773 (727) 395-9300 FBN:0982660 steven@stevenmoorepa.com kathy@stevenmoorepa.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF GEOFFREY LUDO GERT HAARSELHORST Deceased. File No.: 2026-CP-1768 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Geoffrey Ludo Gert Haarselhorst, deceased, whose date of death was July 20, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. The personal representatives have no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is September 25, 2026. Attorney for Personal Representative: LAW OFFICE OF KNELLINGER & ASSOCIATES Scott D. Bird, for the Firm Florida Bar Number: 1021389 2815 NW 13th Street, Suite 305 Gainesville, FL 32609-2865 Telephone: (352) 373-3334 Fax: (352) 376-1214 E-Mail: scott@knellingerlaw.com rick@knellingerlaw.com phoenix@knellingerlaw.com Attorney for Personal Representatives Personal Representatives: Nicolas Haarselhorst Gerard de Cremerstraat, 27 2650 Edegem, Belgium Rita Bijnens Gerard de Cremerstraat, 27 2650 Edegem, Belgium

NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF MARION COUNTY MARION COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD LEASING CORPORATION Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Marion County School Board Leasing Corporation will meet on October 13, 2026, @ 5:01. The meeting will be held at the Browne Greaton Cole Auditorium, 1614 E. Ft. King Street, Ocala, FL 34471. An agenda will be published seven days prior to the meeting and may be obtained at Bridgeway Academy, 1614 E. Ft. King Street, Ocala, FL 34471, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The agenda is also available from a link at District's website www.marionschools.net.

NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW, PURSUANT TO SECTION 865.09, FLORIDA STATUTES NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of Blumics, located at PO Box 246, Dunnellon, FL 34432, in the County of Marion, intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations of the Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Owner: Diana Brown

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026-CP-2200 IN RE: ESTATE OF SAMANTHA E. OAKES, Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2026-CP-2139 IN RE: ESTATE OF JOHN ALBERT BEEMAN Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of JOHN ALBERT BEEMAN, deceased, whose date of death was July 6, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, #1, Ocala, Florida 34471. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is October 2, 2026. Personal Representative: JOHN WILLIAM BEEMAN Attorney for Personal Representative: SHANTA MATTHEWS, Attorney Florida Bar Number: 69935 814 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite D OCALA, FL 34470 Telephone: (352) 421-8722 Fax: (352) 306-3759 E-Mail: shanta@smatthewslaw.com Secondary: lori@smatthewslaw.com

The administration of the Estate of SAMANTHA E. OAKES, deceased, whose date of death was March 14, 2026, is pending in the Circuit Court for Marion County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Ave. Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent's death by the decedent or the decedent's surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MARIMORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE ON COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is File No. 2026-CP-1960 IN RE: ESTATE OF DAVID FAISON, SR. October 2, 2026.

Deceased. AMENDED NOTICE TO CREDITORS Attorney for Personal Representative: The administration of the estate of DAVID FAISON, SR., deceased, whose date of death was July 29, 2026, is pending in the SAMANTHA SHEALY RAUBA, ESQ. Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Attorney Probate Division, the address of which is Florida Bar Number: 59503 110 N.W. 1st Avenue, #1, Ocala, Florida McGraw, Rauba & Mutarelli 34471. The names and addresses of the P.O. Box 4440 personal representative and the personOcala, FL 34478 al representative's attorney are set forth Telephone: (352) 789-6520 below. Fax: (352) 789-6570 All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands E-Mail: Samantha@LawMRM.com against decedent's estate on whom a Secondary E-Mail: Gina@LawMRM. copy of this notice is required to be served com must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS Personal Representative: AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS LESLIE SZALONTAI AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A Personal Representative COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. 5001 SW 20th Street, Apt. 7910 All other creditors of the decedent and Ocala, Florida 34474 other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS According to Florida Statute Number AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUB865.09 LICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIundersigned, desiring to engage in DA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL business under the fictitious name of BE FOREVER BARRED. Onyx Archway Therapy located at 3035 NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERISE Maricamp Rd, Ste 104, #293, in the ODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM city of Ocala, Florida 34471 intends to FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE register said name in Marion County with AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF the Division of Corporations of the Florida DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first pubDepartment of State. lication of this notice is October 2, 2026. Dated at Ocala, Florida, this 25th day of Personal Representative: AUDREY D. SIMPSON September, 2026. Attorney for Personal Representative: SHANTA MATTHEWS, Attorney Onyx Archway Therapy P.A. Florida Bar Number: 69935 By: Marla Shaul 814 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Suite D OCALA, FL 34470 Telephone: (352) 421-8722 Looking for products Made in the U.S.A? Fax: (352) 306-3759 Check out www.AmericanPremiumSup- E-Mail: shanta@smatthewslaw.com ply.com Secondary: lori@smatthewslaw.com

Public Notice

FLORIDA Newspaper Advertisement: Extra space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 16679 US. 301 Summerfield, Fl 34491 on October 20 th , 2026 @ 12:00 pm crystal hunt – household items Jennifer Riggan – household items karyn osman – household items Camila Dosantos De Miranda – Household Items Ashling Cajuste – Household Items The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com . Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Ad Run 10/2/26 & 10/9/26 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 2426 SW 19th Ave Rd Ocala, FL 34471 on October 20, 2026, at 12:00PM. Promise Isaac- couch, bed, dresser. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 15855 S.US Highway 441 Summerfield Fl, 34491 on October 20th, 2026 @ 12pm. Kenneth H. Whiting engine with hoist, kids playhouse, vacuum William David Grant mirror, tool chests, cabinets, washing machine, chairs, fishing poles, table saw, husky welder, dolly, glass table top The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT ON 10/26/2026 AT 08:00 AM THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES(S) MAY BE SOLD AT PUBLIC SALE PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 713. 585. NAME: STREET DREAMS COLLISION & CUSTOM LLC 2W87WAL126812 1980 PONT 8080.74 TEL: 813-697-1791 MV: MV91543LOCATION: 2595 SOUTHEAST 58TH AVENUE, OCALA, FL 34480 / TERMS OF THIS SALE ARE CASH AND NO CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. SELLER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO FINAL BID. ALL SALES ARE FINAL; NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE. SAID VEHICLES WILL BE SOLD IN “AS IS” CONDITION WITH NO GUARANTEES. SOME OF THE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY AUCTION TIME/

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October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE

Bird of the week Greater yellowlegs Week of October 2nd thru October 8th 2026 ARIES

March 21-April 20

LIBRA

September 23October 23

Aries, you will soon learn that any obstacle can be overcome if you set your mind to it. While a certain task may seem daunting right now, don’t allow it to intimidate you.

It’s time to get the creative juices flowing, Libra. Tackle a project around the house, like painting or rearranging a room. Look for a new creative hobby as well.

TAURUS

SCORPIO

Others are paying attention to you even if they seem distracted, Taurus. Embrace the scrutiny and do your best to reciprocate any special attention coming your way.

Scorpio, you have a lot of energy and a need to strive toward perfection in all that you do. Those traits will prove valuable around the office this week.

April 21-May 21

GEMINI

May 22-June 21

Gemini, make an effort to be there for a loved one this week. You have a unique ability to listen and support others, and your loved one will not take your efforts for granted.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

Cancer, if your energy and attention span is a bit scattered this week, take steps to ensure all of your responsibilities are taken care of. A respite is on the horizon.

LEO

July 23-August 23

Leo, by observing others you can learn how they operate and make the most of your chances to work with them. Apply a similar approach to your personal relationships.

VIRGO

August 24- September 22 Try to tackle a financial project this week, Virgo. Select something relatively easy to begin with, and then go from there if you find yourself in a financial groove.

October 24November 22

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 -December 21

Keep trying to convince someone that your ideas are credible, Sagittarius. With a little more persuasion, you may win this person over and he or she will become a big supporter.

CAPRICORN

December 22January 20

Capricorn, even if you don’t want to go along with what the group is doing this week, you may have to concede that what is best for the group trumps your personal preference.

AQUARIUS

January 21-February 18

Aquarius, financial issues may be keeping you on your toes, but it’s nothing you can’t handle if you stick to your plan. You may want to do some tinkering, however.

PISCES

February 19-March 20

Pisces, continue to bring the right people into your inner circle. One person in particular has your eye and might be just what you need.

This large sandpiper breeds in Canada during the warmer months and spends its winters in Florida and throughout South America. Watch for them in ponds and mudflats all around town. At a glance, they’re nearly identical in appearance to the lesser yellowlegs, but they stand a couple of inches taller, have a longer and slightly upturned bill, and can be most easily identified by their sharp alarm call that sounds like “Tew! Tew! Tew!” Photo by Michael Warren. See more at https://michaelwarren.com/birds

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Animal Crackers

Broom Hilda

ANSWERS FOR PAGE B9 Sudoku

Middletons

Jumble

Crossword

ICING Gasoline Alley

FOGGY PERMIT THIRTY Answers: If they were going to repair the roof before the next storm, they'd need to — GET RIGHT ON IT

B12

October 2 - 8 2026 | OCALA GAZETTE