Ocala Gazette | January 19 - January 25, 2024 by Magnolia Media Company

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January 23, 2024 | 6 PM | Marion Theatre See preview of the Feb. 8-25 OCT performance JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024

Family of Marion jail inmate who died in custody files wrongful death suit against sheriff

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Local, state and national statistics don’t paint a clear picture on crime rates

Family claims altercation with multiple deputies led to death of man diagnosed with mental illness.

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken speaks about the arrest of Albert Shell Jr. during a press conference at the Ocala Police Department in Ocala on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2024.

By Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@ocalagazette.com

Scott Whitley [Supplied]

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

he family of an inmate who died in custody at the Marion County Jail has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sheriff Billy Woods and several corrections deputies involved in the man’s death. The lawsuit claims that while Scott Whitley, 47, was in custody at the jail in November 2022, “He was killed by deputies despite complying with their commands and remaining seated in his cell.” The plaintiff, sister Pam Whitley on behalf of the decedent’s estate, requests that the court reward damages on all counts against the defendants, in addition to attorney’s fees and any other compensatory, exemplary and punitive damages that the court decides as just. Whitley had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which his sister said the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office was aware of yet didn’t take into consideration when interacting with Whitley in the jail. “Scotty he was a very kind and caring person,” Pam Whitley said. “He had a zest for life. No matter what was going on. He always would wake up and be excited for the day. I always admired that about Scotty.” Whitley was labeled as a suicide precaution inmate after being taken into custody on Nov. 16, which required him to be held in surveilled solitary confinement and for jail personnel to conduct strip searches and cell inspections every 15 minutes, according to MCSO policy 6541.00. On the day Whitley died, jail staff See Family, page A8

s the rate of violent crime down in Marion County and across Florida and the nation? Gov. Ron DeSantis has

asserted many times during his presidential campaign and to his supporters over the years that crime rates are down across Florida. These comments raise questions about where the governor is getting the numbers to

support his claim because the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the agency charged with gathering that information, admits it does not have accurate statistics. Last year, the “Gazette” reported on the nationwide glitch in crime reporting statistics. The newspaper revisited the issue after Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken asserted during a press conference announcing the apprehension of Paddock Mall shooter Albert Shell that “violent crime is down locally, across the state and nation.” Balken recently met with the “Gazette” to elaborate on his agency’s data. The newspaper has also reached out to the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office to discuss the issue, but the agency has either ignored or provided excuses for its failure to provide crime data while also admitting that the statistics on file with FDLE and the FBI are not accurate. The “feeling” among citizens that crime is increasing is prevalent across the country according to a recent Gallup poll. Balken said during the press conference if it “felt” like crime rates had increased locally it was because his agency was informing the public more of what has happening in Ocala through its social media channels. Balken said his agency is reviewing thousands of files to recategorize crimes under

the new reporting system and the department was hesitant to submit reports that hadn’t been verified. Balken says it’s a lot of work to backtrack through files, and practically speaking he’d like to “stop doing it and move forward.” As the “Gazette” previously reported, in 2021 there was a change in how law enforcement agencies across the country report crimes to the FBI. It has been an awkward transition and possibly led to a false narrative that crime rates across the country are decreasing. Since 1930, the FBI has relied on its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program to generate reliable statistics for use in law enforcement. According to the agency’s website, the FBI has historically collected data from “more than 18,000 city, university and college, county, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies” that “participate voluntarily and submit their crime data either through a state UCR program or directly to the FBI’s UCR Program.” But law enforcement agencies were notified a few years ago that starting in 2021, reporting requirements would be expanded to allow law enforcement agencies to provide more detailed information. The transition has caused a delay in many See Crime, page A2

McClain files candidacy for county commission seat By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

arion County Commissioner Matthew McClain has entered the race to retain the District 3 seat he was appointed to by Gov. Ron DeSantis last September. McClain, 34, a third-generation Marion County resident, formerly worked in the state Legislature as the chief aide under Florida Sen. Dennis Baxley since 2016 and worked under former Rep. Charlie Stone since 2011. He earned his associate degree and bachelor’s degree in business from the College of Central Florida. McClain, a Republican, and his family bought a home in his district in Marion County after being appointed to the commission to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former Commissioner Jeff Gold. “I believe my unique experience is what makes me the best candidate for this position, having spent over a decade working in state government,” he said. “Part of my job in the Florida Legislature was helping keep democracy in state government. I’d like to do the same thing on the county commission, which is making sure that people are able to effectively navigate bureaucracy in their

local government.” county’s penny sales tax as some of the McClain will run against David other commissioners. Blackwell, also a Republican, for the “I like the sales tax. I think it’s the District 3 seat. County commissioners fairest form of taxation that government received an annual salary of $103,500 in currently has in place because everyone Fiscal Year 2023-2024. pays it,” McClain said. If no candidates from another party He voted yes to putting the 20-year enter the race, Republicans McClain and renewal for the tax on the ballot in the Blackwell will face off during the primary See McClain, page A2 election on Aug. 20. If elected, McClain said his top priority would be to stay on top of the county’s infrastructure and needs given the large amount of people moving to Florida and, specifically, to Marion County. “My biggest priority is just making sure that we’re managing this growth, effectively making sure we have the infrastructure and services as the growth increases because you can’t stop growth,” he said. When it comes to methods of easing the strain of growth and funding infrastructure such as roads File photo: Matt McClain of the Marion County Commission listens during and safety, McClain had a the Historic Marion County Commission meeting held at the Fort King slightly different take on National Historic Landmark in Ocala on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. [Bruce the potential renewal of the Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

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JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

Crime stats Continued from page A1 law enforcement agencies across the country reporting their details and raised questions about the methodology used in the UCR. “The New York Times” reported at the close of 2022 that while crime in Florida fell to a 50-year low in 2021, according to statements by officials, “experts say the report comes with big caveats amid a muddled, incomplete picture as law enforcement agencies in Florida and across the United States shift to a new system to tally crime.” This is the case locally. In May of 2023, the last time the “Gazette” reported on this subject, the crime index for the Marion County area posted by the FDLE for 2021 only included information from the Dunnellon and Belleview police departments. Dana Kelly, communications coordinator for the FDLE, explained in an email to the “Gazette’’ last year that agencies were in varying stages of transitioning based on many “factors (IT support, software product, vendor support, software age capability, etc.)” and that “transition time will vary, and there may be time periods when data is not available for some agencies. This may result in incomplete or partial reporting for certain publication periods. Complete UCR reporting will resume once all participating agencies have successfully transitioned to incident-based reporting.” As of Jan. 9, here is what we know about crime statistics from MCSO and OPD: Marion County Sheriff ’s Office FBI crime databases reflect at least a one-third reduction in crime reported by the MCSO since 2020 when the reporting model changed. Recent headlines alone call into question the accuracy of this report. For example, the stats from FDLE as of Jan. 9 showed only one murder reported for the MCSO in both 2021 and 2022. Information on file with FDLE from MCSO reflects no murders for the first two quarters in 2023. In an email dated Jan. 17, MCSO spokesperson Paul Bloom provided the following murder statistics: 2014- 17 2015- 6 2016- 16 2017- 17 2018- 27 2019- 33 2020- 17 2021- 23 (Last year MCSO told us there were 24) 2022- 15 (Last year MCSO told us there were 14) 2023- 22 2024- 2 homicides ytd Last year, MCSO Public Information Officer Zachary Moore confirmed that the data FDLE provided to the “Gazette’’ from its website were inaccurate. “MCSO has a number of crime reports that are unable to be submitted through FDLE’s online reporting software for a variety of reasons,’’ he wrote in an email, “but principally there is a dysfunction with FDLE software where it will not allow MCSO’s reports to be accepted due to a coding issue. (When trying to submit these reports, an error message is returned.) In order to be able to submit these reports, the FBI must first resolve an issue with crime data reporting codes, then FDLE must update their reporting software to accept the codes, and, finally, SMARTCOP (our records management system) must update the codes in MCSO’s reporting software. Only after those steps are complete, MCSO can then submit the remaining unaccepted reports for them to reflect on FDLE’s spreadsheet. Presently, there is nothing we can do to submit the unaccepted reports, although we periodically attempt to submit them in hopes that the coding issues have been resolved.” Moore added, “In a perfect world, FDLE will have accurate FIBRS (Florida Incident-Based Reporting System) data, and we expect that to occur in the near future. However, the data in the spreadsheets should not be relied upon until the issues are remedied. Until then, we will be happy to confirm whether FDLE’s FIBRS data is accurate and will let you know when that occurs.” This week, MCSO spokesperson Paul Bloom said nothing has changed in recent months as to why the FDLE and the FBI don’t have accurate crime stats for the MCSO. Repeated requests for the data MCSO previously sent to the FDLE have not been fulfilled. Repeated requests for crime statistics also have not been

answered other than providing the number of murders over the past 10 years. In the absence of this crucial data, the “Gazette” requested the MCSO’s daily two-page end-of-watch reports drafted during 2023 to create an accurate picture of crime in Marion County. This MCSO document provides a quick synopsis to law enforcement officers coming on duty each day of what happened during the prior shift. It is sent to hundreds of law enforcement officers every day. The MCSO, however, told the “Gazette” it would charge the newspaper more than $7,000 for 356 of these 2023 daily reports, an onerous charge for information that is public record. The MCSO to date has not accepted the “Gazette’s” request for a meeting to discuss the transparency of crime statistics, fulfillment of records requests, and other reporting issues. Ocala Police Department As of Jan. 9, a check of the FBI crime databases shows Ocala has reported only 221 crimes for 2022, half of what the amount has been for 10 years. There is no data from the FDLE for OPD for the year 2021, but in 2022 the numbers show six murders. There are no records available for the first two quarters of 2023 from OPD. Balken confirmed OPD has yet to report 2023 statistics and that previous years’ numbers were not correct. “I can certainly tell you that the FDLE numbers are not accurate and will likely not be fully corrected for several months,’’ he said. “That’s mostly because of coding issues related to the new Florida Incident Based Reporting System methods, which differs greatly from the older Uniform Crime Report which the state and FBI utilized for decades.” Balken said the new categorization of crimes was making record-keeping difficult. He said coding was comingling certain crimes. For example, someone may be murdered, but that may be also coded as an aggravated assault or rape depending on what happened to the person before they were killed. “I can assure you that homicide vs aggravated assault numbers are comingled, and we are working with FDLE to correct that. This is something that I believe many agencies are having issues with. Luckily, homicides account for a very small number of incidents so I can provide you with those numbers for the last 10 years now,” said Balken. Those are as follows: 2013- 6 2014- 7 2015- 6 2016- 10 2017- 5 2018- 9 2019- 6 2020- 7 2021- 4 2022- 9 2023- 10 The statistics provided by OPD to the “Gazette” this month fall into three categories: Crime against Persons, which includes assaults, homicides, trafficking, kidnapping and sex offenses; Crimes against Property, which includes arson, bribery, fraud, theft; and Crimes against Society, which includes animal cruelty, drugs, gambling prostitution, weapon law violations. According to the report, Crimes against Persons, total offenses in 2023 were 1,648, down from 1,679 in 2022 and 2,049 in 2021. In the category of Crimes against Property, total offenses in 2023 were 2,586, down from 3,076 in 2022 and 3,140 in 2021. Under Crimes against Society, the reported incidents varied from 1,395 in 2021 to 1,521 in 2022 and 1,781 in 2023. Balken provided the “Gazette” context for the increase by email. “Please understand that “Crimes Against Society” incidents are largely driven by proactive police work as it relates to our focus on the opioid epidemic. So, although it’s the one category that is in fact up, I’m happy to see the increase and I intend to see that number go much higher in coming years. And that number obviously does/will impact the crime rate.” OPD also reported an increase in arrests over the past three years. In 2021, there were 3,327 arrests, 2022, 3,709, and 3919 arrests in 2023, as of Dec. 5 reporting.

2024 general election, as did the rest of the commissioners, but he had concerns over the length of the term, citing potential economic changes and advocating for taxpayers to have more input. “The one concern, the major thing, was that when you have something for 20 years, a lot can happen in 20 years. You don’t know when you’ll need to adjust; God forbid we had some kind of recession like 2007, 2008. I wanted voters to

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McClain Continued from page A1

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

have more input on taxation in their county.” With being appointed in the middle of a term, McClain said the adjustment wasn’t easy but he was glad to join in on several ongoing projects of the commission, including the animal shelter that will potentially be funded with $17 million from the 20-year penny sales tax. “Getting the animal shelter done as quickly as possible is the goal. It’s not going to completely solve all of our problems, but it’s the first step

that we need to take to make sure that we have an up-to-date adoption center,” he said. “We’re trying to build a place for animals to stay a few days, and then we can get them out to a loving family.” McClain said he hopes to continue his work as a commissioner by being elected to the seat so he can fulfill his obligation to both the board and to the people of Marion County. “My main motivation is to protect the principal ideas of faith and liberty,” he said.

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JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

Man arrested following a violent Sunday altercation with MCSO deputy

Around 6:14 p.m., a witness reported there was a loud explosion at a residential address on SE 52nd Court in the Huntington neighborhood. [Ocala Gazette staff]

Staff report

round 6:14 p.m. on Jan. 14, a witness reported there was a loud explosion at a residential address on SE 52nd Court in the Huntington neighborhood. SWAT was seen arriving on the scene at 6:25 p.m. Medics were already stagged at the site. MCSO spokesperson, Paul Bloom, said of the explosion that he “was not sure what the explosion noise was. It was not us but, Summers at one point, did begin to burn something inside the residence during negotiations.”

MCSO announced at 7:12 via Facebook that they successfully apprehended Michael Summers for battery on a law enforcement officer, depriving an officer of means of protection, resisting arrest with violence, driving with a suspended license as a habitual traffic offender, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Facebook post also relayed that on Sunday, Jan 14, 2024, at around 11:55 p.m., MCSO Deputy Jesse Brown was in an altercation with Summers following a routine traffic stop for having only one working headlight. According to MCSO, Summers stated he did not have a valid driver’s license with him, and when Deputy Brown returned to his patrol vehicle to attempt to confirm the driver’s identity, Summers exited his vehicle and fled on foot. Deputy Brown pursued Summers by foot, utilizing his electronic disabling device to apprehend Summers, who resisted, struck Brown in the face multiple times and tried to remove Brown’s duty weapon from the holster without success according to MCSO. Although Summers did get away following the altercation, deputies located “a black sunglasses case that contained methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia” in the vicinity from where Summers fled. According to MCSO, Summers was released from state prison in August of 2023 and has been convicted of 17 felony offenses in Marion County.

SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS TO HOLD WORKSHOP FOR 2024 CANDIDATES

File photo: Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox on election night at the Marion County Election Center in Ocala on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

he Marion County Supervisor of Elections is set to offer a candidate workshop for anyone seeking to run for local office for the 2024 election or interested in learning about the candidate process. The workshop will take place at 6 p.m. on Jan. 25 and be held at the Marion County Election Center at 981 NE 16th St., Ocala.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO HOST “WORLD’S GREATEST BABY SHOWER” FOR EXPECTING AND NEW PARENTS By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

T SWAT was seen arriving on the scene at 6:25 p.m. [Ocala Gazette staff]

MCSO SWAT equipment showing up to the scene at 6:27 p.m. [Ocala Gazette staff]

SCHOOL DISTRICT ASKS FAMILIES TO GIVE INPUT FOR ANNUAL SURVEY

he Florida Department of Health in Marion County is hosting their annual “World’s Greatest Baby Shower” event for soon-to-be and new parents. Parents who are expecting a baby or who have a child under 12 months can attend one of the two sessions of the event from 2 to 4 p.m. or from 5 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st St., Ocala. The event will feature giveaways

Authorities have a warrant for the arrest of Melvin Arias in the death of a 47-year-old female.

Staff report

English and Spanish, by logging into Skyward Family Access or visiting surveymonkey.com/r/2324AnnualFamilySurvey “Survey results normally provide input that is both qualitative and quantitative. This information helps MCPS and its schools increase parent and family engagement to better serve students, parents, families and the community overall,” according to MCPS.

for families to win prizes such as cribs, strollers, toys, clothing and more. Each family will receive a goodie bag with educational materials and information about community resources. The event is brought to you by the health department, in partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Marion County, Heart of Florida Health Center, Loving Arms Birth & Wellness Center, Healthy Families of Lake, Sumter, and Marion, and Humana Health Horizons. The event is free for all and no preregistration is necessary.

Suspect sought in shooting death in Marion Oaks

Melvin Arias

arents now have the opportunity to give feedback and input to Marion County Public Schools through the district’s annual Title One survey. Any parent or family member who wishes to offer input on school communications, academics, effectiveness and more can do so until Feb. 9. Participants can fill out a five-minute survey, available in

Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox will deliver a presentation on the fundamentals of the candidate process and how to navigate a campaign, including but not limited to details on the qualifying process, petition requirements, campaign finance, reporting requirements and political advertising. The event is free to attend. Participants must RSVP by Jan 23 at candidateschool@votemarion.gov or at (352)620-3290.

murder suspect has been identified after a shooting in Marion Oaks left one person dead on Jan. 12. Authorities say Melvin Arias, 33, went to the scene at 168 Marion Oaks Blvd. and got into an argument with Milagros Guzman Lopez, 47, and shot and killed her outside of a business in the shopping plaza just before 2

p.m. that day. The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office responded to the scene after receiving a call at 1:57 p.m. and found the victim dead and said that Arias fled the scene. There is a warrant out for Arias’ arrest in connection to the murder. Someone near the scene, Anna Fabela, said she was pumping gas at the nearby BP gas station with her two sons when the shooting occurred. “I always felt safe here, but it seems like it’s getting worse with so many people moving here. It’s never been like this. Lately it’s been wild,” Fabela said. Fabela said she moved to Marion County last August and frequents the gas station at Marion Oaks Boulevard and Marion Oaks Drive nearly every afternoon. Another person near the scene, who asked to remain anonymous, said he has lived in Marion Oaks for 13 years.

“I’ve always felt safe in Marion Oaks. It’s a good neighborhood. This my home,” he said. Deputies and detectives consider Arias armed and dangerous. Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is encouraged to call 911.

Milagros Guzman Lopez, deceased

JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

Right horse, right time

Dunnellon-based horsewoman Haley Castleberry can boast a pair of Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover titles on her equestrian resume.

Haley Castleberry with Adios Dee Dee. The duo recently competed in the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover. [Photos by Sarah Schaff Photography/Special to the Gazette]

By JoAnn Guidry Correspondent

orseback riding enthusiasts are always looking for the right horse. For Haley Castleberry, a retired racehorse named Adios Dee Dee was not a horse she was looking for but found anyhow. The partnership yielded special results for the pair. “I got my first horse when I was 10 and competed as a junior hunter,” said Castleberry, who with husband Christopher owns a 10-acre farm in Dunnellon near the Goethe State Forest. “I still have that quarter horse gelding, who’s 31 now. His name is Hanky, and he was still jumping at 27, but he’s retired now.” Castleberry’s competitive days dwindled when she became a mother to Claire, 12, and Caleb, 8. But she still trained and sold horses on a small scale while working full time as a physical therapist assistant at AdventHealth Ocala. “I like having horses around and Claire is as horse crazy as I was as a kid. She

has a Welsh pony named Penelope,” said Castleberry. “Caleb will get in the saddle with me, but he’s not as interested in horses as Claire.” It was the unfortunate situation of the COVID pandemic that presented Castleberry with a unique horse opportunity. “I met thoroughbred racehorse trainer Dennis Manning while he was recovering from COVID,” explained Castleberry. “I was his physical therapy assistant and, of course, we bonded over horses. I told him that I had thoroughbreds when I was show jumping. He asked me if I would ever be interested in one of his horses off the racetrack. Told him sure, but really didn’t think I’d get a call.” In late May 2022, Castleberry did indeed get a call from Manning. “He told me that he had a filly he owned that just wasn’t cut out for racing. She was at his Ocala farm, so I went to check her out,” said Castleberry. “She was on the small side, but sweet and physically sound. So, I bought her for $1 and took her home.” The horse was named Adios Dee Dee,

IHMC Lecture Series Hosted by:

Dr. Michael S. Okun THE TALK: Ending Parkinson’s Disease: A Prescription for Action Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. Over the past twenty-five years, the number of people with this condition has jumped from 3 million to over 6 million. By 2040, it will likely double again. We are failing to stop this onslaught. Harmful pesticides and other toxic chemicals that contribute to Parkinson’s surround us. At the same time, our investment in new therapies have lagged behind the disease, and many people remain undiagnosed and untreated. We will discuss the book Ending Parkinson’s Disease: A Prescription for Action, the Parkinson’s PACT (Prevent, Advocate, Care, Develop Treatments) and increasing our investment in the next generation.

Monday January 22, 2024 Reception: Begins at 5:30 p.m. Talk:

Begins at 6:00 p.m. Seating is limited RSVP to ihmc-20240122.eventbrite.com or call 352-387-3050

www.ihmc.com 15 S.E. Osceola Avenue Downtown Ocala

Michael S. Okun is an American neurologist, neuroscientist and author. He is the co-founder and director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida (2019-current) and is also the former chair of the Department of Neurology at the University of Florida (2015-2023) as well as the Medical Director/Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation (2006-current). He is best known for his work in translating physiological principles underpinning human neurological diseases (such as Parkinson’s, Tourette, dystonia and tremor) into real-world therapies. His research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and many disease foundations. He has published over 600 papers in medical journals such as JAMA, Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine. He and his group have contributed data to support the FDA approval of several device related approaches now used to treat human disease. He has published 14 books. He is a poet (Lessons From the Bedside, 1995) and his book, Parkinson’s Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life was translated into over 20 languages. His most recent co-authored books include Ending Parkinson’s Disease and Living with Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Okun was recognized in a 2015 White House ceremony by the Obama administration as a Champion of Change for Parkinson’s Disease and he recently (2023) became only the 5th professor in the history of the University of Florida College of Medicine to be promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor.

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a 2018 bay filly by Adios Charlie out of Queen of Style, by Suave. Adios Charlie is a leading Florida sire who stands at Ocala Stud. Adios Dee Dee had won one race and was second once in eight starts to earn a mere $17,782. “I was aware of the Thoroughbred Makeover event, and I had thought of maybe doing that one day,” said Castleberry. “So now I had a thoroughbred that I had to do something with and thought it might as well be the Thoroughbred Makeover. I entered us in June 2022 for the October 2023 event and started our journey.” The Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover is the largest thoroughbred retraining competition in the world for recently retired racehorses. Hundreds of ex-racehorses compete annually in divisions of barrel racing, ranch work, freestyle, eventing, dressage, show jumping, polo, field hunter, competitive trail and show hunter. Each contestant competes in two divisions. The 2023 Thoroughbred Makeover was held Oct. 11-14 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Castleberry had to start from the basics with the horse she now called Delta to get her ready to compete in show jumping and competitive trail. When Delta proved to be fussy with whatever bit Castleberry tried, she decided to ride her bitless. She enlisted the help of trainer Meredith Martin, who operates Williston-based All’s Well Farm. “I wanted to expose Delta to as many different scenarios as possible to get her ready for the hectic environment of the Thoroughbred Makeover,” said

Castleberry. “I would take her to Meredith’s farm a couple times a month. My wonderful husband Christopher built me obstacles for the competitive trail class.” All of the hard work paid off for Castleberry and Delta, who won the competitive trail division. Castleberry was also named the top amateur rider in the competitive trail division. In competitive trail, horse and rider navigate a course of various obstacles such as crossing bridges and water. It is a timed event, and the horse and rider are also judged on how well they function as a team. The duo finished seventh out of 10 in show jumping; Castleberry was named the runner-up amateur rider in that division as well. “I expected us to do better in show jumping than in competitive trail,” admitted Castleberry. “We did the show jumping first and Delta was a bit nervous. But then she was all relaxed for the competitive trail class and that made all the difference. She came a long way from the first day we started and I’m so proud of her. It was a great experience all the way around and I would do it again.” As for Delta, aka Adios Dee Dee, the horse Castleberry wasn’t looking for has a home. “I’m going to hold on to Delta for a while,” she said. “I think we have more competitions in our future. We make a good team.”

To learn more, go to therrp.org/about-the-makeover

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to applicable Florida Statutes including Chapters 194, 196 and 286, that the 2023 Value Adjustment Board in and for Marion County, Florida, or its designated Special Magistrate(s), will meet and conduct business and hold hearings as necessary on the following dates: Thursday, February 29, 2024; Friday, March 1, 2024; Thursday, March 7, 2024; and Friday, March 8, 2024 in addition to its previously published meeting and hearing dates until such time as all matters and petitions properly before the Value Adjustment Board have been given an opportunity to be heard. The Value Adjustment Board, or its designated Special Magistrate(s), will meet in the Board of County Commissioners Auditorium at 601 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, Florida, Marion County Governmental Complex, to conduct business and hear petitions regarding valuation and exemptions from taxation. For the scheduling of individual cases, one may contact the Marion County Clerk’s Office, Commission Records Division, at (352) 671-5622. Notice is hereby given that a list of all petitions for portability of homestead exemption, exemptions for homestead, widows, widowers, disability, blind, government organizations, religious, literary, educational literary, educational, scientific and charitable organizations who have had their application for exemption wholly or partially approved or denied is maintained by the Property Appraiser in and for Marion County, Florida, and available to the public for inspection at 501 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, Florida, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please note that if a petitioner decides to appeal a decision made with respect to any matter considered at the above advertised hearing(s), the petitioner will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, the petitioner may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings was made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal was to be based. The exemption procedures of the Value Adjustment Board is provided in Chapter 194, Florida Statutes, and records of the Value Adjustment Board and its hearing(s) showing the names of persons and organizations granted exemptions, the street address or other designation of location of the exempted property, and the extent of the exemptions granted are public record. The County Commission Auditorium is a handicapped accessible facility. If any accommodations are needed for persons with disabilities, please contact the Marion County Public Affairs Office at (352) 438-2300 I 438-2304 (fax), a minimum of 24 hours prior to the hearing. Please be governed accordingly.

JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR In response to last week’s story, Why wasn’t Albert Shell in jail instead of at the Paddock Mall on Dec. 23? By L. Fred Conley

he article in today’s Gazette on the mall shooting should give any folks on the fence about supporting the paper an excellent reason to donate above their subscription. While I am glad to see the backlog of outstanding arrest warrants is well below the 10,000 of 2004, the idea of the Sheriff ’s department not following up due to ‘lack of manpower’ sounds more like a budgeting ploy than a reason. Why would a list of the names

of the warranted not be available? In fairness, however, the complete article does point out that the outstanding warrant subject is a lot more complex than it looks at first glance, but it was difficult to see where the delineation was separating ‘high profile’ warrants. Regardless it also appears obvious that the suspect should not have been on the street and some changes should be sought to ensure Marion/Ocala does not have a repeat occurrence. Keep up the good work.

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Steve Rogers, who served as a councilman for the Town of Reddick for 37 years before resigning speaks during a town meeting about his concerns associated with increased financial disclosures required under Form 6. “Legislatures didn’t think this through,” Rogers told the “Gazette.” Seated next to Rogers is Marshall Roddy, mayor for McIntosh.

By Diana Williams, Chair Marion County Democratic Party

am writing concerning Form 6, which has sent shock waves through municipal institutions and has resulted in numerous resignations. In Marion County, the Reddick mayor and all the town council members have resigned. There have also been multiple resignations from McIntosh and Dunnellon

municipal offices. Established by bill SB774 in the Republican controlled Florida Legislature, Form 6 requires burdensome financial disclosures from elected municipal officials. These officials make little or no money from these positions and are largely volunteering their time to provide a service to their communities. The information required on Form 6 is incredibly intrusive

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One person was injured Jan. 12 in a shooting incident on Northwest 110th Avenue. [Jennifer Hunt Murty/Ocala Gazette] 2024.

Staff report

ne person was shot and injured in rural Marion County the night of Jan. 12. The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office responded to the scene, at the 11,000 block of Northwest 110th Avenue, around 11 p.m. The person who had been shot

sustained non-life-threatening injuries. As of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, the scene had been cleared. On Jan. 17, an MCSO spokesperson said the agency has a suspect in the incident but is still investigating and that no arrests have been made.

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JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

Leadership change for Reilly Arts Center Executive Director Pamela Calero Wardell has accepted a position with the Jacksonville Symphony; Maestro Matthew Wardell will continue as music director and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. role but will step down as CEO. The couple will be moving to Jacksonville with their equally wellknown canine rock star, Buckley, a fixture around downtown Ocala. Calero Wardell recently was accepted as one of six participants in the inaugural Anne Parsons Leadership Program, a mentor program designed to grow orchestra executives, and also graduated from the Essentials of Orchestra Management program through the Juilliard School. “Pam’s impressive professional rise is, first and foremost, a testament to her excellence,” said File photo: Pamela Calero Wardell and Matt Wardell pose together during opening R.J. Jenkins, president of night at the Reilly Arts Center in 2021. [MAVEN Photo + Film] the board of directors of the Reilly Arts Center, in the news release. “But it is also a testament By Susan Smiley-Height to the Reilly Arts Center’s commitment to susan@magnoliamediaco.com making sure that our talented team has the room, the resources and our blessing cala has a long history of not only to grow, but to aspire. Pam’s power couples and two of the aspirational journey is a jewel in the crown modern set are making some of our organization.” moves. Pamela Calero Wardell, “Words can’t describe the immense love executive director of the Ocala Symphony and gratitude I have for the experience Orchestra and the Reilly Arts Center, will become the senior director of development of serving as executive director of the Reilly Arts Center. When I started with with The Jacksonville Symphony in the Ocala Symphony in 2014, I knew February. Matthew Wardell, the longtime we were positioned for big things, but music director and conductor of the Ocala this organization has exceeded my Symphony Orchestra will continue in that

expectations. I am so grateful to have had this unique opportunity to contribute to my hometown and a community of people that I love so dearly. I’m excited for this professional and personal change as I move to join the team at the Jacksonville Symphony. I carry with me invaluable lessons and memories from home. Undoubtedly, my dedication to supporting the Reilly and this incredible team, remains unwavering,” Calero Wardell said in a text message. “While Matt will be stepping down as CEO as part of this transition and the Wardells’ move to Jacksonville, I am absolutely delighted to announce that he has enthusiastically agreed to stay on in his roles as music director and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2009,” Jenkins noted in the release. “It is hard for me to put into words how profound a calming effect this has had on me as I consider this transition, and I am grateful, both to Matt and to Pamela, for conceiving of an arrangement that affords Pamela the freedom to pursue this opportunity while also ensuring key institutional memory and consistency for our organization, our donors and our patrons.” “Pamela and I hold a profound love for this extraordinary organization, its incredible supporters, and the vibrant community that surrounds it. Witnessing firsthand the dedication, time and energy Pamela has given to us all, it is not surprising to me that she is taking this next step in her career. I am incredibly proud of her,” Wardell added in a text. “Ocala will always be home to us and I am deeply grateful to continue my work here. Making music with the musicians

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of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra for an audience we absolutely adore is one of the greatest gifts I have known.” According to the prepared statement, “The story of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, and subsequently, of the Reilly Arts Center, is a story of growth, perseverance, transformation, and success. Pamela and Matt Wardell are the beating heart of that story. In 2015, a visionary renovation of the City Auditorium into the Reilly Arts Center created a new home for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra and a world-class arts venue for Ocala and Marion County that now hosts more than 180 events per year. In 2020, the Reilly Arts Center took over management of the historic Marion Theatre, which now has more than 700 film showings a year, monthly music and comedy shows, is used by the community for events, and is once again a strong and iconic contributor to the vibrancy of our downtown. In that same year, Pamela and Matt displayed uncommon leadership as they stewarded the Reilly Arts Center—a venue that depends upon live, in-person performances to thrive—through the worst pandemic in our lifetime. In 2021, as part of a major expansion of the Reilly’s facility, the Reilly opened the Community Music Conservatory, a long-time vision of the board of directors that offers instruction to students of all ages and skill levels, and the NOMA Black Box, which expanded the Reilly’s programming and community offerings to include charity events, jazz nights, dance parties, pop-up art exhibits and more.” The Reilly Arts Center is currently in the late stages of a national search for an executive director, the release noted.

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JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE 2024 HEART OF HR CONFERENCE

arly bird tickets are available through Feb. 14 for the Heart of HR: Meeting the Challenge conference on April 19, which is presented by CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion and the Ocala Human Resources Management Association. The conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19 at the World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala. It will feature experts on topics that matter to businesses of every size and industry sector, with acclaimed workplace motivational humorist, best-selling author and world-class magician Jon Petz, the news release noted. Sessions include employee engagement, artificial intelligence in the workplace,

leadership best practices, recruiting tools and incentives, and employee mental health and wellness. The event is eligible for credits from the Society of Human Resource Management and Human Resources Certification Institute. Early bird rates are $175 for all-day access to the conference on April 19 or $200 to attend the conference plus a reception with Petz the evening of April 18. Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are available. For tickets and more information visit bit.ly/ HEARTOFHR24. For group discounts and/or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Tisha Webber at twebber@nashpm.com.

OBITUARY

Sandra Spencer

January 9, 1945 - January 12, 2023 Sandra Spencer, cherished wife, mother, aunt, sister, and grandmother passed away January 12, 2024. She is preceded in death by her parents, Loretta and Ralph Biscorner, brothers Ronnie Biscorner and Larry Biscorner and her sisters Ruth Ann May (Biscorner), and Ann Bliss (Biscorner). She is survived by her husband Leslie, “Chick” Spencer, sister Kathy Keighley (Biscorner), children Cheryl Tomlinson (Spencer), Scott Spencer, son-in-law James Tomlinson, her grandchildren Spencer Tomlinson and Sarah Tomlinson, and several nieces/nephews. Sandy was happiest providing for others, whether that meant making food for an ill friend, providing snacks for the mailman/garbage men, popsicles for neighborhood children, working a day care at her local bowling alley enabling other mothers to socialize, caring for sick children whose parents had to work, and cooking for gatherings at their community clubhouse. Sandy was a devoted wife, married to Chick who was the love of her life, for 57 years. They shared much laughter and had many adventures together. Sandy was the center of her family’s lives; she was always there when we needed her. Her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1:00pm at Roberts Chapel West Funeral Home in Ocala. Please donate to a Hospice in Sandy’s name in lieu of flowers.

McCall files to run against Campbell for school board

Beth McCall [Supplied]

By Caroline Brauchler caroline@ocalagazette.com

eth McCall is no stranger to the Marion County School Board, but now after taking a few years away she has entered the race to run against incumbent Chair Allison Campbell for the District 1 seat in 2024. Since resigning from the school board in June 2021, McCall has worked as the director of talent development at the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership and served on the board of a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Marion County Children’s Alliance.

“My strategic skills are needed on the board. That is a forte of mine, as well as being able to bring people together to solve problems,” McCall said. McCall earned a master’s degree in management and leadership from Webster University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and music from Eastern New Mexico University. The school board election is a non-partisan race. School board members earn a salary of $48,774 in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. McCall opposes Campbell, the current chair of the school board who was first elected in 2020. Campbell earned a doctorate in strategic communication from Regent University. McCall was first elected to the District 2 seat of the school board in 2016 and was reelected in 2020, but resigned after concerns about her eligibility for office arose after moving out of her district, citing family health concerns as her reason for moving. “The statute is clear; I must reside in the district I serve. I will not compromise my values or integrity to find a loophole such as placing a camper in a campground in District 2 or finding other avenues to claim my residency. That is not the example I want to set for my grandchildren or the students I serve,” McCall wrote in her 2021 resignation letter. McCall said that if elected, she would prioritize giving students more

opportunities to find work when they leave the public school system. While McCall is longer working for the CEP, she said she has every intention of continuing her advocacy for the community and for public education through her other commitments, even if elected. “I was with the CEP as their talent development director, and what that entailed was working with the business community and our career technical education program at the school district to give students opportunities to interact with the business community,” McCall said. “I really want to continue that (career and technical education) lane because not all of our students are going to go to college, and we want to be sure that they’re prepared to go into the workforce.” McCall said that she was working with the CEP in partnership with the Marion County Building Industry Association to apply to bring the Academy of Construction Technology to Lake Weir High School. The academy trains high school students in their chosen trade, with options of building construction technology; carpentry; electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning; masonry; plumbing and pipe fitting. McCall mentioned that people had asked her to run to rejoin the school board, but when asked which members of the community encouraged her, declined to answer. “In April when you have the opportunity to look at my first financial report, you’ll know who some of these people are, but I’m not going to name them out today,” McCall said. McCall said that she believes that mental health is going to continue to be a prevalent

issue in schools, and said she hopes to encourage mentorship as a solution. “I think the isolation from COVID is still lingering on some of our children,” she said. “I really want to focus on making sure that we have the resources and the staff and available to help these children because if we can help them and their parents or their guardians make school a priority and get them through some of their mental health challenges, then we’ll all be better off for that.” One of the school board’s most pressing concerns has been managing the high amounts of growth in Marion County and the overcrowding it causes in schools. The board has been working with the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and the Ocala City Council to reinstate impact fees—one-time fees for home builders that generate the revenue to build new schools. “I truly believe that impact fees are a part of what we need to do for the infrastructure to help build new schools,” she said. “I don’t think that there was anybody who really feels that instituting impact fees again is a bad thing—I think they understand that with growth, the school district is part of the infrastructure.” McCall said that as for other opportunities to generate revenue for the district to build new schools, she’d be attending the next school board workshop to hear what other options the board is considering. “With the Children’s Alliance and Hospice of Marion County, which is another organization that’s very dear to my heart, I plan on continuing my work with both of those, which I did the first time I was on the school board,” McCall said.

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JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

Family files suit for inmate death Continued from page A1 said he was uncooperative during a routine cell inspection, to the point where detention deputies repeatedly deployed pepper foam and used Tasers to attempt to gain his compliance but were unsuccessful. Ultimately, six detention deputies were needed to forcefully subdue Whitley. When he was brought out of his cell, deputies found that he was not breathing. Jail medics attempted lifesaving care, but he was pronounced dead shortly after at AdventHealth Ocala hospital. “Scotty suffered from multiple blunt force traumas to the head, neck, torso and extremities, and deep tissue hemorrhaging. His death was ruled a homicide,” according to the lawsuit. Whitley was awaiting trial after being arrested on charges of violating an injunction for the protection of a vulnerable adult and resisting an officer with violence. Whitley’s parents, Scott Whitley Jr., 81, and Margaret Whitley, 77, filed the injunction in 2022 to have him removed from their home because he was unmedicated for his mental health conditions. The family said they feared for their safety at times due to their son’s symptoms of schizophrenia and his strength, which they wanted to prevent from escalating into violence. “Stopping and starting the meds just seemed to make his illness much worse,” Pam Whitley said. “His belief was that people were out to kill him. And he thought at times, we were out to kill him, that my parents were out to kill him, which obviously was not true. But he always had that fear.” To protect the parents and to try to get Whitley help, the family made the difficult decision to hire an attorney and file an injunction to remove him from their Ocala home, a decision that Pam Whitley called “a last resort.” “I couldn’t predict what was going on in his head, but he had gotten to the point where my father was fearful for his life and for my mother’s life,” she said. “So that was the last resort, and taking that last resort was at a cost, which was (the officers) killing him.” After the incident in the jail that resulted in Whitley’s death, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted an investigation. The findings were forwarded to State Attorney Bill Gladson, whose office stated that none of the corrections officers involved were at fault for any criminal wrongdoing, and no charges were filed. The family’s attorney, James Slater, and the MCSO entered into an agreed order in the probate case that allowed Whitley’s family to have video footage of the incident that would usually be exempt from public record with one caveat—they not share the video with anyone else. After seeing the footage, the family’s descriptions of the officers’ actions that caused Whitley’s death were much different than how MCSO and FDLE described them. “They rushed his cell, taking Scotty to the ground, hitting his upper extremities against the concrete. Despite his compliance, deputies deployed multiple Taser strikes against Scotty while he laid on the ground screaming and pleading for help,” Slater wrote. “Other deputies administered more pepper spray and Scotty remained motionless on the ground before being dragged out of the cell on his stomach. By then, his chest was not rising and his face was blue. Scotty was dead.” The “Gazette” has repeatedly requested to obtain the footage and has expressed an intent on filing suit to obtain it, but the MCSO has refused to release it, claiming it is confidential under Florida Statute 281.301. That statute is meant to exempt information from the public that could impact the security of a facility. In an effort to cooperate with MCSO and to avoid litigation, the “Gazette” has offered to only view the footage without releasing it to the public to compare both accounts, in addition to offering to only obtain the audio from the footage. Both requests have been denied. “In that video, there lies the truth, and it can’t be denied what they did. The public needs to see that video so my brother will not have died in vain,” Pam Whitley said. In addition to Woods, the family’s

“They rushed his cell, taking Scotty to the ground, hitting his upper extremities against the concrete. Despite his compliance, deputies deployed multiple Taser strikes against Scotty while he laid on the ground screaming and pleading for help.” James Slater

The family’s attorney

Crime scene photo of the cell at Marion County Jail where Scott Whitley was killed. He was held in the cell without clothing, bedding, or medication for days.

lawsuit was filed against Capt. Robert Andrew Walters, Sgt. Ashleigh Snodgrass, Corporal Arnault Canelle, Corporal Jordon Ortega, Deputy Carl Holmer, Deputy Christopher Kristensen, Deputy Xavier McMiller, Deputy Demontra Smith and Deputy Sa’Quan Wyman. The “Gazette” obtained the personnel files and disciplinary history of each of the officers involved in Whitley’s death. Each officer’s involvement in the incident that resulted in Whitley’s death, in addition to any relevant disciplinary history, appears below. Whitley had been scheduled to appear in court in December. Public Defender Sean Kevin Gravel entered a plea of not guilty on Whitley’s behalf after his client’s death, as the Fifth Judicial Circuit had not been notified of his death. A judge found no probable cause in the first charge of violating an injunction, which could have meant Whitley would have been released from jail if not for the second charge of resisting an officer with violence, which is a felony. If the judge found no probable cause on both of the charges, Whitley could have been released from jail, said Public Defender Mike Graves. “With everything I saw, he was in custody legally on one of those charges,” Graves said. Graves was not involved in Whitley’s case, but he discussed the procedures for a client who is suspected of being mentally ill. “When there’s a mental illness that we think can affect their competency to be able to proceed, we have a doctor appointed by the court, or more often in a felony case, will hire the doctor,” he said. “That’s a two- to three-week process in and of itself; so suffice to say, we didn’t get that far before this tragedy, this sad thing happened.” Whitley’s mental health history was well documented to MCSO, as he was involuntarily placed under the Baker Act nine times since March 2021. One of those incidents happened outside of Marion County, according to Pam Whitley. She said the family’s intention was to have Whitley institutionalized after the injunction was served to protect the safety of everyone involved. “Our goal was to plead to the court, plead to the judge to have him institutionalized for at least three months in the mental hospital, and we were robbed of that opportunity,” she said. “Because they sadistically and maliciously killed my brother, and that should never happened. What they did to him, he didn’t deserve. No

one deserves that.” With the family’s disappointment after none of the involved officers received criminal charges, Pam Whitley filed the lawsuit on behalf of Whitley’s estate in an effort to bring “justice” and closure. “Justice would be that those involved

were held accountable for their actions. They all took a sworn oath when they joined the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office and they violated that oath,” she said.

Canelle

Canelle was one of the deputies who entered

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Whitley’s cell to gain his compliance. According to the FDLE investigation, Canelle discharged his Taser five times. Canelle described two times his Tasers made contact with Whitley, one on his lower back and the other in his abdomen, in his interview with FDLE investigators. In Canelle’s disciplinary history, he had previously been placed on a 24-hour paid suspension in January 2019 after violating the use of force, use of chemical agents and dereliction of duty policies during an incident with two inmates in the medical pod. An internal investigation into the incident found Canelle had administered excessive amounts of pepper foam to the faces of both inmates despite their compliance, and that he did not document the incident properly. The MCSO administrative review report on Whitley’s death lists Canelle as an involved officer, but this was not included in his file.

Snodgrass

Snodgrass was the supervisor on duty while the deputies were conducting searches on the day of the incident that caused Whitley’s death. Snodgrass stood outside Whitley’s cell during the altercation, and called for the intervention of Walters, the captain. Walters advised Snodgrass to call 911 when he noticed that Whitley was unresponsive. Snodgrass handled the evidence once deputies bagged it up after Whitley was transported from the scene, according to the FDLE report. Dating back to 2006, Snodgrass has indirectly or directly been involved with or supervised 44 instances of use of force. There is no record of an investigation into any of these instances and no disciplinary action is included in her file.

Holmer

In the incident that resulted in Whitley’s death, Holmer attempted to gain Whitley’s compliance both from outside and inside the cell. Holmer’s Taser was discharged five times throughout the duration of the incident, and he recalled discharging it at least two times when being interviewed by the FDLE. In May 2016, Holmer received a letter of reprimand after an incident of

inappropriate use of force, by using his Taser on an inmate who was cooperating while on his knees with his hands above his head. The MCSO administrative review report on Whitley’s death lists Holmer as an involved officer, but this was not included in his file.

Kristensen

Kristensen was in the Alpha pod to conduct a routine cell inspection and said he tried to get Whitley to comply both from outside and inside the cell. Kristensen told FDLE investigators that he sprayed chemical agents from outside the cell, then was grabbing Whitley’s right arm inside the cell while his left arm was pinned beneath him. Kristensen placed arm and leg restraints on Whitley to gain his compliance before the inmate was brought out of the cell and found to be unresponsive, according to the FDLE report. Since 2022, Kristensen has directly or indirectly been involved in 24 instances of use of force. There is no record of an investigation into any of these instances and no disciplinary action is included in his file. Only Kristensen’s involvement in Whitley’s death was further investigated with an internal administrative review and external FDLE investigation, to which the state attorney’s office filed no criminal charges.

Smith

Smith said he was one of the last people to enter Whitley’s cell. Smith told FDLE investigators he was holding Whitley’s left arm and used his Taser, adding he later threw the Taser outside the cell so that he could use both hands. Smith’s Taser was deployed six times, according to the FDLE report. Since 2022, Smith has directly or indirectly been involved in five appropriate instances of use of force. There is no record of investigation into any of these instances and no disciplinary action is included in his file. Only Smith’s involvement in Whitley’s death was further investigated with an internal administrative review and

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external FDLE investigation, to which the state attorney’s office filed no criminal charges.

Ortega

Ortega responded to the area in reference to a noncompliant inmate. He told FDLE investigators that he sprayed Whitley with pepper foam from outside the cell and was then the first officer to enter the cell when instructed to do so. He said he attempted to pin Whitley to the cot, deployed his Taser more than once, and was at Whitley’s lower back while other officers were putting him in arm and leg restraints but could feel him breathing, according to the FDLE report. Since 2019, Ortega has directly or indirectly been involved in 35 instances of use of force. There is no record of investigation into any of these instances and no disciplinary action is included in his file. The MCSO administrative review report on Whitley’s death lists Ortega as an involved officer, but this was not included in his file.

Walters

Walters responded to the scene and supervised the altercation from outside the cell. Once Whitley was brought out of the cell, Walters noticed he was unresponsive and told the deputies to roll him over so they could check for his breathing. Walters told Snodgrass to call 911 after requesting jail medical staff and CPR. Walters, a captain, has use of force incidents dating back to 2006. There are 94 reports of use of force in his file, with no record of investigations or disciplinary action.

McMiller was involved in an incident with Whitley prior to this one, when Whitley attempted to make his way out of the infirmary. Dating back to 2019, McMiller has been directly or indirectly involved in 59 instances of use of force. There is no record of investigation into any of these instances and no disciplinary action is included in his file. The MCSO administrative review report on Whitley’s death lists McMiller as an involved officer, but this was not included in his file.

Wyman

Wyman never entered Whitley’s cell but was instead instructed to spray him with pepper spray from outside while the other deputies subdued Whitley from inside the cell. Wyman inadvertently sprayed himself with pepper spray and left to be treated for the exposure. In March 2023, an investigation was opened after a claim that Wyman used inappropriate force on a special needs inmate. Wyman was found to have shoved the inmate with both hands, while the inmate was handcuffed, causing him to fall to the floor and strike his head on the wall, according to the administrative review. Wyman was found in violation of the code of conduct for insubordination and committing a crime and resigned shortly after in June of 2023. The MCSO administrative review report on Whitley’s death lists Wyman as an involved officer, but this was not included in his file.

McMiller

McMiller arrived on the scene once the cell doors were open and the officers were inside attempting to gain Whitley’s compliance. McMiller told FDLE investigators that he deployed his Taser twice, tried to get Whitley’s hands behind his back, sprayed pepper foam and handed restraints to the other officers.

Crime scene photo from inside the Marion County jail of just outside the cell where Scott Whitley was killed.

From Screen to Stage!

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JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

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JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

People, Places & Things

Staging the silver screen

Ocala Civic Theatre film screening celebrates an upcoming musical. Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

A set rendering for “The Spitfire Grill” is shown at the Ocala Civic Theatre in Ocala on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.

By Lisa McGinnes lisa@magnoliamediaco.com

et a taste of what’s cooking at Ocala Civic Theatre (OCT) at a downtown special event celebrating its next production—a folk-flavored musical. At “The Spitfire Grill: From Screen to Stage” on Tuesday, Jan. 23, OCT will offer a screening of the 1996 film, starring Allison Elliott, Ellen Burstyn and Marcia Gay Harden, that won the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award and inspired the 2001 off-Broadway musical. The movie will be shown at the Marion Theatre, and cast members from OCT’s production will present a musical preview of the play, accompanied by music director Jason Bartosic. Like the film, the musical floats on the hope of determined young parolee Percy Talbott, who hops a bus to the small town of Gilead, searching for a fresh start in a place she’s only seen in pretty pictures on the pages of a travel book. She lands a job working at the village’s only diner, the Spitfire Grill, presumably named for the airplane the owner’s late husband flew in World War II. There she soon finds out being the new girl with a dubious past in a town where everyone knows each other feels like jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. The newcomer has her secrets, but the townsfolk do, too, and as she generates gossip and forges alliances, she discovers a mysterious visitor hiding in the woods behind the diner. “‘Spitfire’ is not your typical musical,” explained Greg Thompson, OCT executive and artistic director and the play’s director. “Some people hear that and shy away, but there are so many of these story-driven, character-driven musicals that are so beautiful. ‘Spitfire’ is a beautiful fable set to a bluegrass/ Americana-influenced score that is all about telling a really good story about some really interesting characters. This also allows us to cast a variety of people within our community and showcase their abilities.” The musical preview before the film will feature lead actors Martie

McLean, who plays Hannah, singing “Forgotten Lullaby,” as well as Adrienne Hebert, who plays Percy, and Kelsey Plante, who plays Shelby, singing “Colors of Paradise.” The three leads will be joined by cast members Janik Buranosky, Amanda Harding and Daniel Roscoe for the ensemble number, “Shoot the Moon.” General admission tickets include the 7:15 p.m. pre-movie musical preview, open seating for the film, which begins at 7:45 p.m., and complimentary popcorn and soft drink. VIP tickets include priority seating for the film, complimentary popcorn and soft drink, plus the VIP reception beginning at 6 p.m. at The Thirsty Cobbler, where guests can sip a special signature huckleberry cocktail created especially for the event, followed by a buffet of hors d’oeuvres in a private room at Ivy on the Square. Musical entertainment at the VIP reception will feature a program of ’60s and ’70s folk music, with some bluegrass standards and old-time fiddle music, in the style and spirit of “The Spitfire Grill” score played by a trio of local musicians: Diego Fuentes on banjo, Adam Pryor on guitar and Chris Pryor on mandolin. “From Screen to Stage” is the first of two special events leading up to “The Spitfire Grill,” which will be performed live at OCT Feb. 8-25. The free “Behind the Curtain” talkback event will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7, at noon at the Brick City Center for the Arts. “We have added more [events] and we are getting such great feedback from the community,” Thompson said. “These events, along with our Behind the Curtain talkbacks, have given our audiences a stronger sense of being a part of what they are seeing on our stage. These events and discussions help our audiences get an even bigger picture as they gain ideas about how we create the stories on our stage and why we bring those stories to life.” For tickets to the Jan. 23 event “The Spitfire Grill: From Stage to Screen” at the Marion Theatre, visit reillyartscenter.com or call the Marion Theatre box office at (352) 351-1606.

Cast members for “The Spitfire Grill” meet in a dressing room

Martie McLean, left, and Daniel Roscoe, right, rehearse a scene.

Greg Thompson works with cast members.

JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

CF’S APPLETON MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS TWO NEW EXHIBITIONS BY FLORIDA ARTISTS

he Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, presents new exhibitions that showcase the diverse talents of two acclaimed Florida photographers. On view Feb. 10-July 7, “Karen Glaser: Swamps and Springs” and “Across the Threshold of India: Photographs by Martha Strawn.” Part of the Appleton’s season-long celebration of Florida’s beautiful natural springs, “Karen Glaser: Swamps and Springs” highlights the wonders discovered through the artist’s lens. From the magnificent Everglades to the pristine rivers and springs of north central Florida, Glaser’s series focuses on what lies above and below the glassy surfaces. Like a street photographer observing and documenting a city’s everyday occurrences with a serene and sometimes surrealistic eye, she captures garlands of Spanish moss spiraling from grandaddy oaks while the gar sprint together among the reeds. On view in the Balcony Gallery for Florida Artists, this exhibition features over 30 large-scale photographs.

“The photographed landscape melds into the fluidity of water,” said Glaser, who resides in Florida’s Suwannee River Basin. Other programming inspired by Florida’s springs includes a special exhibition, “Water’s Margins: Paintings of Florida’s Springs by Margaret Ross Tolbert,” on view through June 2, as well as a SpringsFest Photography Contest in collaboration with Silver Springs State Park. Visit AppletonMuseum.org for more information. In the second-floor contemporary galleries, “Across the Threshold of India: Photographs by Martha Strawn” takes us on a visual journey farther from home. The High Springs-based artist shares her travels throughout India to document one of the world’s longest and least-known religious practices—the art of sanctifying space through the creation of threshold diagrams. The threshold is a profoundly important concept that represents a passage between one place and another, creating a visual bridge between the secular and the sacred.

Public Notice IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA IN RE: ESTATE OF File No. 2023-CP-2756

GEORGE ROBERT ABRAHAM SR.

Division PROBATE

Deceased. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of GEORGE ROBERT ABRAHAM SR., deceased, whose date of death was August 10, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for MARION County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 110 NW 1st Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34475. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME 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 January 12, 2024. Attorney for Personal Representative:

SAMANTHA SHEALY RAUBA, ESQ. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 59503 McGraw Rauba & Mutarelli, PA P.O. Box 4440 Ocala, FL 34478 Telephone: (352) 789-6520 Fax: (352) 789-6570 E-Mail: Samantha@LawMRM.com Secondary E-Mail: Cheryl@LawMRM.com

Strawn further explored the topic in an important and striking book, “Across the Threshold of India: Art, Women, and Culture.” The book will be available for purchase in the Appleton Store during the exhibition. Join Strawn at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, for a tour of this exhibition with the artist, and have an opportunity to Karen Glaser, “Bream in the Highlights,” 2006, Pigment Print on Hahnemühle ask questions. The tour Photo Rag, 37 × 25 in. will meet in the secondfloor exhibition space and is free as part of the Free First Saturday program, sponsored in part by Marion Cultural Alliance, National Endowment for the Arts and CAMPUS USA Credit Union. Otherwise, regular admission fees apply. The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at Martha Strawn, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., “Mickey Mouse,” a Ocala, east of downtown on representational diagram made SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or for the Pongal exit 268 west off I-95). Parking festival in a village is free. For more information, near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 1998, call 352-291-4455 or visit 38 × 28 in. AppletonMuseum.org.

Personal Representative: GEORGE ROBERT ABRAHAM, JR. 7898 Boston State Road, Trailer 9 Hamburg, New York 14075

Animal Crackers

Broom Hilda

Middletons

OPEN REHEARSALS AN EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES

Open Rehearsals provide the unique opportunity for students to experience a professional Orchestra during one of the most crucial parts of any performance - the final rehearsal! Guests will have a frontrow seat as the conductor and orchestra bring a piece to life. Open rehearsals are free and include pizza!

2024 OPEN REHEARSALS FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024: HUNGARIAN PICTURES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2024: RHYTHMIC TIDES FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024: BOLD BRAHMS FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024: TO THE END OF THE EARTH Visit ocala symphony.com to learn more about the concert programs and the OSO!

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REILLY ARTS CENTER 6:30 PM: DOORS OPEN AND PIZZA 7:00 PM: OPEN REHEARSAL BEGINS 8:30 PM: OPEN REHEARSAL ENDS

All rehearsals take place at the Reilly Arts Center located at 500 NE 9th St. Ocala, FL 34470. Let us know you're coming! RSVP to info@reillyartscenter.com.

JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

Annual MLK march draws large crowd in Ocala

The event on Monday saw numerous groups and individuals marching from downtown to the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Complex for the Day in the Park activities. Photos By Bruce Ackerman Ocala Gazette

Members of the NAACP Marion County Youth Council. Latrice Sweet, who was dressed as Martin Luther King Jr., carries a sign and a radio playing his famous “I have a dream” speech as she marches with hundreds of other people during the Martin Luther King Jr. March on Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024.

By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com

atrice Sweet paid a personal tribute to the slain civil rights leader during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative march on Jan. 15 in Ocala. Sweet, 56, an Ocala native, wore a mask with King’s facial image covering her own face and was dressed in a white long-sleeve shirt and necktie. “I want to be him today,” Sweet said. Sweet carried a sign that had written on it a line from King’s famous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The sign also gave King’s birthdate, Jan. 15, 1929, and the date of his assassination, April 4, 1968. Sweet feels that King’s message is more relevant today with the current “division” between people. The annual Martin Luther King Day March saw upwards of 70 groups from area churches and organizations, which joined elected officials and private individuals to support the civil rights leader’s nonviolent call for equality and justice for all. Kelvin Richardson, a member of Marion County’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission, helped stage marchers at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex on west Silver Springs Boulevard prior to the march. “(This march is) about a better community,” he said. At a staging area on Broadway Street adjacent to the downtown square, groups prepared for the march. The Rev. Luther Miller of Ocala’s 158-yearold Mount Zion AME Church remembered civil rights activists holding marches in Ocala in the 1960s when he was a youngster. Miller was accompanied by Mary Miller, Rose Ann Kerr and Homer Gary from the church. Homer Gary’s children, Eleena Gary, 11, and Jay R. Gary, 15, both remarked on the importance of King’s contributions. Kimberly NcNeil and

Michael Moten coached the Dynamic Dazzlin’ Dolls dance group to find “power in dance.” Dance group captain Jordyna Wilson, 13, said it “feels good” to honor the legacy of King. Ocala City Councilman Ire Bethea kept busy lining groups up to join the march. “It’s important to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King,” he said. Denise Mack and her grandson, Iza’yah Johnson, 16, joined Wayne Little and his son Malcolm Little, 9, as part of the Little Chapel Community Church delegation. Iza’yah said the march is an opportunity for all to “come together.” Ocala Tree of Life Sanctuary, a combined group of Temple Beth Shalom and First Congregational United Church of Christ members, was represented by Rabbi Erin Boxt, Kathy Davis, Ted Williams, Dana Knapp and Jenny Ortega. Marchers from Welcome Stranger Missionary Baptist Church included three generations of one family: Laura Hunt, 71; her daughter, Shawna Pinellas, 55; and her daughter, Lauryann Pinellas, 16, who commented on equality in King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Eleven members of the Vanguard High School Elite Knights dance group were headed up by leader and school paraprofessional Chrimson Boothe. Dance group captain Zaria Coleman, 18, expressed that part of King’s legacy is that a celebration like Monday’s can now be held as opposed to during King’s earlier days. Kut Different, a nonprofit dedicated to youth and using male-based mentorship entered a group of marchers carrying a banner that read “One Heart; One Mind; One Community.” Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano greeted many of the marchers prior to the start of the event. He said he wants people to come together and stop being separated in Ocala. Also joining the march were former mayor Kent Guinn, Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken and City Councilman Jim Hilty. OPD officers provided traffic control and security for the event. “I love our community,” Marciano said. Daniel Banks helped with a banner from Fort King

Presbyterian Church. Banks, an elder at the church, said an additional event honoring King was held at the church. The commemorative commission held several events honoring King, including a prayer breakfast, food drive, youth event and wreath laying on Jan. 13 and the ecumenical service on Jan. 14 at the church. The march began around 9 a.m. with an Ocala Police Department Honor Guard followed by the superintendent for Marion County Public Schools, and the entire school district board, Nancy Thrower, Rev. Eric Cummings, Lori Conrad, Dr. Sarah James and Dr. Allison Campbell. The numerous groups included representatives of Mount Zion United Methodist Church of Reddick and the Shiloh Eagles Drum Corp with Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church of Ocala, which provided lively marching music. A large College of Central Florida group included students, faculty and staff members. Jim Henningsen, president of CF and a member of the marching group, called the commemoration a “special day.” Katherine Smith, 82, was assisted by her grandson, Alex Jordan. Smith said following the march that youth are how things will “get better.” “(The march) is very important to me,” Smith said. Day in the Park festivities at the complex at the culmination of the march included remarks by County Court Judge Lori Cotton, Marciano and City Manager Peter Lee. Booths at the park represented the Democratic Women’s Club of Marion County, Ocala Chapter of Black Nurses Rock, Shiloh Pathfinders and Ocala Cultural Arts. A group representing the NAACP Youth Council, including President Richshard-Prince Brown, 18, and led by Colin Mitchell, marched and attended the park activities. Brown was clearly moved by King’s struggle toward equality. Rev. Reginald Willis of Saint Paul’s AME was encouraged by the day’s events. “(I’m) inspired by the youth,” he said.

Members of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Anthony carry a banner with a picture of Martin Luther King Jr.

Members of the Marion Education Association and the Marion County NAACP Youth Council.

The Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist Drum Corps.

Right: Major Sims, 18 months, peeks out of his strolller as he rides with Quintony Brooks Jr., 2, back.

JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

Bird of the week

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.

Red-headed woodpecker

Red-headed woodpecker [MichaelWarren.com]

By Michael Warren

ost of our local woodpeckers are red-headed, at least the adult males, but the red-headed woodpecker is the reddest of the reds. They’re often found perched high in dead tree snag where they hide food in nooks and crannies to eat later. This one was photographed at the Ocala Wetland Recharge Park.

Matthew Wardell, Music Director

Across

Grant Support by:

352.351.1606 | REILLYARTSCENTER.COM | 500 NE 9TH STREET OCALA, FL 34470

1 Fountain output 6 Basics 10 Cause a scene 15 Join forces 16 Bring (out) 17 Old Scottish landholder 18 *Supply on a gift wrap station 20 Cancels 21 As suggested by 22 Cratchit boy 24 Drink that may cause brain freeze 25 Go by 27 *Messaging app 29 Verne captain 30 “Lion” Oscar nominee Patel 33 Zesty Twirls maker 34 Constellation near Ursa Minor 36 Chicago suburb 39 *”Some Enchanted Evening” musical 43 Mato __: third-largest state of Brazil 44 Flower holders 47 First name in mysteries 51 GPS heading 53 Congeal 54 *Second game of a doubleheader 57 Stick (to) 59 “Thanks for explaining” 60 Barbecue spot 63 The way things are usually done, for short 64 Learned league? 66 Difficult time, or what is hidden in each of the answers to the starred clues? 68 Wood used in guitar-making 69 Beachy vacation spot 70 Minimal amount 71 Paper for a pad 72 Examined 73 Sports

Down

1 Hang 2 “The Lorax” voice role for Ed Helms 3 Grade school exhibits 4 NFL passing stat 5 Splinter groups 6 Env. directive 7 Sound like an ass 8 Egyptian Christians 9 Biergarten vessel 10 Off-rd. rig 11 First-class 12 “Meditation in motion” discipline 13 Like zombies 14 Coin replaced by the euro 19 Made haste 23 Haka dancers of New Zealand 26 A bit, in music 28 Faculty figs. 31 Amazon gadget 32 Celebs given the red-carpet treatment 35 Should, with “to” 37 Word in many Encyclopedia Brown titles 38 MBA course 40 Piece of land 41 Hankering 42 Keyboard instruments that sound like glockenspiels 45 “Casablanca” setting 46 Composer Sondheim 47 Twisted balloon shape, often 48 Supermodel Bündchen 49 Board meeting outline 50 Dissertations 52 Per item 55 American Eagle Outfitters loungewear brand 56 Unlike poetry 58 Pool statistic 61 Wear the crown 62 Like some dried meats 65 “__ you decent?” 67 Coach Parseghian

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE B7

JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2024 | OCALA GAZETTE

LOCAL CALENDAR LISTINGS

community JANUARY 19

Arbor Day Celebration

Tuscawilla Art Park, 829 NE Sanchez Ave., Ocala 11am The Pioneer Garden Club will celebrate Arbor Day with a ceremony and the planting of a red maple tree in the park. The ceremony is funded by a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation and takes place along with 150 other Florida garden clubs. The event is free to attend.

JANUARY 19

Friday Foodie Fest

Lake Lillian Park, Belleview 5pm-9pm Food trucks, live music, crafts and activities for kids, face painting and local vendors are on tap. Held the third Friday of each month January through September. For more information, visit bit.ly/3Sg1iby

JANUARY 19 & 26

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Governmental Campus Field, 601 SE 25th Ave., Ocala 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, jerky, freeze-dried treats, olive oils, seafood and more. The market recurs every Friday.

JANUARY 19-21 & 26-28

Market of Marion

Market of Marion, 12888 SE US Highway 441, Belleview 8am-4pm This is a classic farmers market with lots of vendors. The market is open every weekend, with monthly special events like car shows on the fourth Saturday. See themarketofmarion.com for more information.

JANUARY 20

Friends of Freedom Public Library Annual Meeting

Freedom Public Library, 5870 SW 95th St., Ocala 1pm This group supports various library programs and offers book sales. The meeting is open to the public and features writer Dave Schlenker talking about his book “Little Man Big Mouth.”

JANUARY 20 & 27

Ocala Downtown Farmers Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St., Ocala 9am-2pm Vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, jewelry, baked goodies, clothes, and arts and crafts. Check out local food trucks and the occasional guest entertainer. Rain or shine, the market recurs every Saturday. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

JANUARY 20 & 27

Farmers Swap Meet

Rural King, 2999 NW 10th St., Ocala 9am-2pm A true farmers market where chickens, ducks, quail, geese, goats, turkeys, rabbits and sometimes even ponies are available, along with horse tack, homegrown plants, produce and hand-crafted items. This event recurs on Saturdays, weather permitting.

Browse local farmers’ goods with fresh seasonal produce as well as baked goods, plants, handmade soaps and more. The market recurs every Thursday. Visit circlesquarecommons.com for more information.

JANUARY 26

World’s Greatest Baby Shower

Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place, 1821 NW 21st St., Ocala 2pm-4pm; 5pm-7pm Two sessions of the baby shower will offer gifts, attention and education with experts covering everything from pregnancy to how to care for an infant. With games, a scavenger hunt, prizes and more, the event is free to attend and open to expecting parents or those with a child under 12 months. For more information, visit bit.ly/WGBS24.Marion

JANUARY 26-27

Mid-Florida Tractor Pull

JANUARY 23

Garden Groupies: Camellias

Grumbles House Antiques & Garden Shop, 20799 Walnut St., Dunnellon 10:30am-12pm Master gardener and camellia grower Sally Layendecker gives growing tips and advice about these hardy plants. The event is free to attend and the garden shop will have camellias for sale. For more information, visit grumbleshouseantiques.com/events

JANUARY 24

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Road, Ocala 6pm start both days See the big engines hauling big stuff at this tractor pull. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 7-14; kids under 6 are free. Tickets are sold in person only and are available at K&K Truck and Trailer Parts, 2031 NW 4th Ave.

décor, clothes, candles, soaps and more at this semi-annual market. Live music comes from Michael Giordano and Barry Denham. The shop has a café onsite and the store and garden shop will be open. For more information, visit grumbleshouseantiques.com/events

JANUARY 27-28

Ocala Home Show

World Equestrian Center, Expo 2, 1390 NW 80th Ave., Ocala Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5pm Free admission and parking with lots of home improvements options for kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor spaces, interior design, landscaping and more. Talk to experts and get advice for your projects. Check out cooking seminars with Chef Warren Caterson and local home contractors will offer presentations. For more info, ocalahomeshow.com

JANUARY 27-28

Ocala Camellia Show

Ocala Golf Club, 3130 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala Saturday 1pm-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm Club members will show their flowers, provide educational information and offer camellia plants for sale from a regional grower especially suited to this area. Anyone can enter flowers, and the show is free to attend. For more information, visit bit.ly/3TSPzAY

JANUARY 27

Family Focus: Together Toward Tomorrow

Tyke Hikes in the Parks

Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St., Ocala 9am-10am The topics and locations vary for these educational and fun series; this week is all about amphibians. Designed for kids ages 4 and younger, these hikes enrich and educate children about the environments in our city parks. Visit ocalafl.gov/ recpark for details, dates and locations.

JANUARY 25

Forest High School, 5000 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala 9am-12pm Family Focus sessions offer ideas and tips on how to support students and learning at home. The sessions offer free childcare, an exhibit hall with community and district resources, entertainment and freebies. For more information, call (352) 236-0577 or email EngageMCPS@marion.k12.fl.us

JANUARY 27

Winter Makers Market

OTOW Farmers Market

The Ranch Fitness Center northeast parking lot, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala 9am-1pm Note the new temporary location for this month.

Grumbles House Antiques & Garden Shop, 20799 Walnut St., Dunnellon 9am-3pm Local artists and creators will offer artwork, jewelry, handcrafted items, home and garden

File photo: A Miss Bessie Beville Camellia flower is shown on the property owned by Patrick Andrews, the president of the American Camellia Society and Bob Weidman in Citra on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.