Ocala Gazette | February 12 - 18, 2021 by Magnolia Media Company

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 33

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021

UK variants of COVID-19 found in Marion County By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

situation. “It will be something that we will continue to watch due to the UK variant being more contagious than other strains that have been more common up until now in Marion County. The state regularly monitors for these new strains by random testing of COVID-19 test swabs,” Lander wrote. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 932 cases of the UK variant, also known as B.1.1.7, are present in the United States as of Wednesday afternoon. Florida has the most cases of the variant with 343.

ases of the more contagious UK variant of COVID-19 showed up recently in Marion County, according to local Florida Department of Health officials. “We have seen several UK variant cases of COVID-19 in Marion County,” Mark Lander, administrator of the local DOH, wrote in an email. With cases of the variant found in the county, it adds a new wrinkle to the local

The next closest is California with 156. The CDC hasn’t reported any cases of the variants from Brazil or South Africa in Florida yet. The B.1.1.7 variant was first reported in the UK in December and then became the dominant variant of COVID-19 in England. This variant is more contagious, as seen in the UK where areas with more cases of the B.1.1.7 variant had faster epidemic growth. In January, the CDC projected the B.1.1.7 variant to become See Variant, page 11

Race and COVID

Up in arms over fire assessment By Carlos Medina Ocala Gazette

Marion County works to reach the Black community By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

s Marion County continues to ramp up its vaccination efforts, there are still obstacles to overcome. For one, there’s just not enough doses to go around. But there’s another, much more complicated problem: How do you reach out to a community that has historically felt burned by the

healthcare system that is supposed to help them? In Marion County, 12.9% of the population is Black or AfricanAmerican, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 five-year American Community Survey estimates. However, Black residents make up just 3.8% of all vaccinations in the county. Of the 25,716 reported local cases through Wednesday, 3,608 were Black. That more than 14% of cases.

“In addition to the opportunity to register for vaccines, Marion County’s plan includes reaching out to specific minority populations to identify areas where vaccinations can occur once they become available,” Florida Department of Health in Marion County administrator Mark Lander said in an email. “Consideration is given for populations where access may be limited due to technology or

he city of Ocala faces another lawsuit over how it wants to pay for fire services. On the heels of the city passing a special assessment to help fund Ocala Fire Rescue services, a local apartment complex this week filed a lawsuit in Marion County Circuit Court claiming the assessment was unlawful. It is the second time the city’s method of collecting funds for fire services has come under challenge. In 2014, a lawsuit challenged a fire fee the city bundled into the monthly utility bills of all city customers. In 2020, an appeals court deemed that fee an illegal tax. Now, the city is faced with the prospect of having to pay back upwards of $80 million in refunds. The new fire assessment was meant to replace the now defunct fire fee. In the latest action, Carlton Arms of Ocala is asking for a permanent injunction against the new plan calling it an unreasonable action that unfairly charges multifamily properties like Carlton Arms. The suit was filed by Tampabased attorney Robert Kelley on behalf of the 860-unit apartment complex at 5001 SW 20th St. On Jan. 19, the city council approved a plan for collecting funds for fire service. The non-ad valorem tax is levied on residential and nonresidential properties. Residential

See COVID Race, page 10

See Fire Fee, page 3

Pandemic swells affordable housing wait list By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

he waiting list at the Ocala Housing Authority is longer than ever. So much so, that the organization stopped taking new applications. “It’s pretty bleak right now,” Gwendolyn B. Dawson, the group’s CEO said.

The effects of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic increased the group’s waiting list to more than 3,750 people. That’s almost 60% higher than 2019, when less than 2,400 people were on the waiting list. According to Dawson, a lot of families are facing foreclosure or eviction after losing their job or having their hours cut due to

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COVID-19. “Families are suffering,” Dawson said. “We get calls daily asking for more funding.” The OHA has two options for those who seek affordable housing: Public housing and subsidized housing. There are only 186 public housing units in Ocala. And while the OHA has 1,428 vouchers to help people cover a portion of the

rent, it’s not enough. Those who get the vouchers can then rent an apartment in a complex that participates in the program. But there is also a lack of available affordable housing units in Ocala. Despite the challenges, there are a few bright spots. In an attempt to keep up with rising rental rates, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

(HUD) recently increased the funding for voucher, commonly known as Section 8 housing. According to Dawson, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the per-unit cost averaged $430 a month in Ocala. That number has since increased to $555. “That’s a pretty significant increase that See Housing, page 2

Inside: Arrests....................................... 2 State News................................ 6 Vaccine Update........................ 10 Sports........................................ 12 Creative’s Corner.................... 14 Calendar................................... 15

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Ocala to increase water and sewer impact fees 25% By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

fter more than a decade without a ripple, Ocala’s water and sewer impact fees will see a 25% surge in May after the Ocala City Council unanimously voted for the increase recently. The city was calculating an even steeper increase but adjusted the final amount after a report from Raftelis Financial Consultants, a utility and public sector consulting firm, recommended an increase of no more than 25%. The current impact fees, which are charged for new development projects, have been in place since February 2010. For a new single-family home between 2,500-3,499 square feet, water impact fees will rise from $658 to $823, while the sewage fees will increase from $2,518 to $3,148. The square footage used in the calculation is considered the standard, or equivalent single-family residential unit (ERU). Fees are adjusted based on the actual square footage for homes larger or small than the standard. The city’s new impact fee schedule – combining both water and sewer impact fees – for single-family homes can range from $2,383 to $4,964, based on size. The same ERU base standard is used when calculating other types of uses

including multi-family, apartments and commercial development. Multi-family residences such as duplexes, triplexes and quadraplexes, would face new combined water and server impact fees from $4,766 to $9,530. Fees for apartments, townhomes and condominiums are calculated based on the number of bedrooms. New combined water and sewage fees for those types of uses will run from $1,986 to $3,376. Commercial development is charged based on use. Each new motel or hotel room, for example, is charged half the standard ERU fees, according to the city’s schedule. There are a few situations where owners of existing structures will have to pay the impact fee, according to Sean Lanier, Ocala’s city engineer. “If your well or septic goes dry, you’ll have to connect (to city utilities) at that time,” Lanier said. That new connection would trigger impact fees. Fees for existing structures inside the city limits are due when plumbing permits are issued. New structures within the city limits will pay the impact fee when the building receives its certificate of occupancy. For new and existing structures outside of the city limits connecting to city water and sewer service, payment is due with the application for connection. All changes will go into effect on May 1.

Jason Norwood of Last Time Tile in Ocala, lays tile inside a new Triple Crown Homes home under construction off north Pine Avenue in Ocala on Feb. 1. The city recently approved a 25% increase to the impact fees it charges for new development. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

From Housing page 1 we’ve seen in our area,” Dawson said. With HUD’s increase to the allowance, the OHA has increased its maximum threshold from 100% of fair market rent to 110%, allowing more units to qualify. Fair market rent in Ocala for 2021 is $692 a month for an efficiency, $757 for a one bedroom, $939 for two, $1,226 for three and $1,356 for four bedrooms, according to HUD. And more units are also on the way, through new housing developments. The largest project is the redevelopment of more than 200 acres located at 2201 NW 21st Street. The property was part of the Pine Oaks of Ocala golf course. Now referred to as the West Oaks Planned Development, the hefty project, which is being spearheaded by West Oaks Developers, LLC, is slated to eventually bring 386 single-family homes, 832 multifamily residential units and 150 townhomes to Ocala.

The plan requires 20% of the constructed units to be affordable housing units. To qualify for the voucher program, participants must earn less than 50% of the area’s median income, but most of the vouchers go to those making less than 30% of the median income. In Ocala, the median income is just under $50,000, according to the 2019 one-year American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau. Participants also must pay more than 30% of their income in rent. The voucher typically covers the amount of rent above the 30% mark. At 50% of the median income, or just less than $25,000, affordable rent would be less than $625 per month. Sometimes, even affordable housing isn’t affordable, the OHA’s Dawson said. “We have to make sure those units are affordable,” she said. “On paper, the definition of affordability is different than the reality... More reality affordable housing needs to be available.”

Proposed school curriculum and materials available for review Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) is adopting new English Language Arts (ELA) textbooks for the next school year. All grade levels will get new books and the public is invited to review the books the school board will consider adopting. Anyone interested in reviewing the textbooks and related materials may do so by visiting https://bit.ly/2Mttc4W. The board will hear public comment of the new textbooks at their March 9 meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. School Board members will vote on the recommended materials at their March 23 meeting. Following that, a 30day objection window opens to the public. MCPS is also seeking

public input on a new social emotional learning curriculum for elementary students. An information session is scheduled for Feb. 16, from 4-7 p.m. in Building 2 on the Marion Technical Institute campus, 1614 SE Fort King Street. Anyone wanting to review the curriculum may attend the session. Social emotional learning curriculum provides younger students with the knowledge and skills to better understand each other and communicate with others. New curriculum is being considered after the school board eliminated the previous curriculum. For information, contact the Mental Health Services Department of MCPS at 352671-7184.

Arrest in Trinity football players’ shooting By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette Staff

fter pleading Marion County residents for their help locating 20-year-old Nathaniel James Woodruff, the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office announced on Friday afternoon that Woodruff, who was accused of shooting at a deputy on Tuesday, had turned himself in. In a video posted to the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office Facebook page, Sgt. Paul Bloom thanked the community for its efforts in applying the “heat”.

“He knew everyone was looking for him,” Bloom said in the video. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, Woodruff is also accused of being involved in a prior shooting that occurred on Jan. 31. “He was involved last week in a shooting where unfortunately, a young, teenage man was shot and injured and is still trying to recover from his injuries,” Bloom said. While the Sheriff ’s Office could not confirm Woodruff ’s involvement in the shooting of 18-year-old Trinity Catholic football player Omarea James, the described injuries to the

victim align with what has been revealed by James’ family and friends. According to a GoFundMe page organized by James’ sister, Oteaja Burton, James was shot at three times, with two bullets missing and a third “piercing his side and becoming lodged in his spine.” According to the Sheriff ’s Office, Sunday’s shooting occurred near the BP gas station near Northwest 110th Avenue and West Highway 40. The call was received just before 7 p.m. On Tuesday, a Marion County detective attempted

to stop the silver BMW due to its involvement in Sunday night’s shooting. However, according to the Sheriff ’s Office, the driver fled the scene and Woodruff, who was in the passenger seat, began firing shots at the detective. Woodruff arrived at the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office Central Operations Friday morning, where he turned himself in for aggravated assault on an officer. Woodruff later admitted to being in the vehicle during Sunday’s incident. Woodruff was charged with aggravated assault with intent to commit a

felony, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and on a warrant for aggravated assault on an officer and was transported to the Marion County Jail.

First arrests made for internet cafe ordinance violations Ocala Gazette Staff

he Marion County Sheriff ’s Office made the first two arrests for alleged violations of the recently passed ordinance prohibiting simulated gambling devices, according to a sheriff ’s press release. Jessica Bermudez, 38, and Rimon Joudi, 45, were charged with 86 counts of violating the ordinance on

Feb. 8, according to reports. The Marion County Commission unanimously approved the ordinance on Feb. 2 and it went into effect the next day. The ordinance made it “unlawful for any person to manage, supervise, maintain, provide, produce, possess, or use a simulated gambling device for commercial, promotional, or pecuniary gain or purpose.” Bermudez and Joudi were arrested at the

Blackjack Arcade, 12496 S U.S. Highway 301. While the arcade has a Belleview address, it lies within the county. The ordinance only applies to game rooms, sometimes called internet cafes, in the county. Sheriff ’s official state a copy of the ordinance was hand-delivered to Joudi at the arcade on Feb. 4. But when two deputies in plainclothes returned on Feb. 8, Bermudez reportedly approached

them and pointed them to the games, including slot machine-style machines, according to reports. After the deputies used the machines, two other officers entered and arrested Bermudez and Joudi. Both were booked into the Marion County Jail, where they are each being held on $43,000.00 bonds. The Marion County Sheriff ’s Office asked for the prohibition based on public

safety concerns. Tim McCourt, the sheriff ’s office’s attorney, said internet cafes deal in large sums of cash, and security is often lax or non-existent, making them targets for armed robberies. McCourt said a recent armed robbery at one location included the gunman pointing a weapon at a pregnant woman and a 9-year-old girl. It was the fourth internet cafe robbery since December.

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

From Fire Fee, page 1

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” - Thomas Jefferson

Publisher Jennifer Hunt Murty jennifer@magnoliamediaco.com

Carlos Medina, Managing Editor carlos@ocalagazette.com Bruce Ackerman, Photography Editor bruce@ocalagazette.com Ainslie Lee, Associate Editor ainslie@ocalagazette.com Brendan Farrell, Reporter brendan@ocalagazette.com Lisa McGinnes, Editor lisa@magnoliamediaco.com Susan Smiley-Height, Editor susan@magnoliamediaco.com Derek Martin, a firefighter/EMT with Ocala Fire Rescue Station 1, opens a hydrant during a training drill on Feb. 2. The city was sued this week over the method it recently adopted to pay for fire services. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Graphic Designer Brooke Pace brooke@magnoliamediaco.com Marketing Manager Kylie Swope kylie@magnoliamediaco.com Marketing Coordinator Sabrina Fissell sabrina@magnoliamediaco.com Account Executives Sarah Belyeu sarah@magnoliamediaco.com Evelyn Anderson evelyn@magnoliamediaco.com Lee Kerr lee@magnoliamediaco.com Distribution Inquiries info@ocalagazette.com

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.

properties would pay flat rates, while non-residential property owners would pay based on square footage. The plan, however, treats every apartment unit as a separate residential property. Under the plan, Carlton Arms would have to pay more than $164,000 in assessments this year: $190.77 for the period covering February through September multiplied by 860 units. That could swell to more than $246,000 for a full year’s assessment. By comparison, the assessment cap for non-residential properties is $47,000. “The cost of service in not comparable with the type of use,” said Fred Roberts, an attorney representing Carlton Arms during the Jan. 19 city council meeting.

He said the assessment would increase the apartment complex’s raw tax burden by 28%. “That’s a big number,” he said. Robert also noted that other similar properties including some hotels and motels are not charged residential rates even though they technically fit the definition of residential properties in the assessment’s underlying ordinance. “It’s a disproportionate apportionment,” he said. The suit also points out that the ordinance uses the Florida Department of Revenue’s protocol for ad valorem tax roll preparation, despite the assessment being a nonad valorem assessment. Ad valorem taxes are paid based on property value. At the Feb. 2 City Council

meeting, Rob Batsel, the city’s attorney, warned the council that the suit could be coming telling them he was confident the ordinance would pass legal muster and not to worry. This week, he reiterated that belief. “Our fire assessment was passed appropriately. It meets the legal test,” he said, adding that the city is looking at ways to make the assessment even fairer. At the Feb. 2 meeting, Batsel also asked the council members to immediately start a review of the assessment and way that it could be refined, including assessing vacant land or creating subcategories under the two main categories. The council agreed to move forward with the review.

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Local author chronicles life of John B. Gorrie

By Marian Rizzo Correspondent

inda Hansen Caldwell claims she isn’t a writer. Nevertheless, at 66, Caldwell recently released a 154-page biography titled “He Made Ice and Changed the World: The Story of John Gorrie.” Caldwell’s book chronicles the life of Dr. John B. Gorrie, the developer of a mechanical

refrigeration machine that led to the nation’s first air conditioning system. Thought to be born in 1803, Gorrie worked as a physician all his life and was determined to find a way to make ice so he could treat his patients during the summer. Gorrie faced huge obstacles and was ridiculed for his ideas, and though credit was later given to Willis Carrier for developing a modern system of air conditioning, few people

know that Gorrie was the one who first made it happen, said Caldwell. Not only did Gorrie miss out on the recognition, but he also died penniless in 1855 in Apalachicola, she added. For Caldwell, writing a book posed a whole new challenge. A teacher in Florida schools for many years, she had authored curriculum guides and had edited textbooks for area schools. It was during the years she taught at John Gorrie Junior High School in Jacksonville that she developed a keen interest in the school’s namesake. Then, during a visit to the John Gorrie State Park, the museum staff told Caldwell they’d been looking for someone to write Gorrie’s biography, but nobody wanted to do it. They encouraged her to take on the project. “This was one of the greatest challenges I ever had,” said Caldwell. “I

didn’t know any publishers or agents. All I had was a lot of support from a lot of influential people who remembered his legacy and wanted to preserve it. They said, ‘Linda, if you don’t write it, who will?’” The entire project, including research and writing, took about 18 months. Also offering support, Joshua Hodson, manager of the John Gorrie State Park, connected Caldwell with officials at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine, which gives an annual award to medical students in Gorrie’s name. The foreword of Caldwell’s book was written by Dr. Robert Watson, professor emeritus, and the back cover statement was written by Dr. Patrick Duff, associate dean of student affairs. Hodson composed the afterword. After a long, hard search for a publisher, Caldwell went with a hybrid company, Atlantic Publishing Group in Ocala. She invested

$4,000 and also shot about a dozen photos for inside the book. Tennessee artist Karen Atkins did the cover design. “I had almost given up when I heard from Atlantic,” Caldwell recalls. “Dr. Gorrie had a huge impact on my life. He never gave up, despite the fact he had huge obstacles. Had it not been for his accomplishments and selfless service to his fellow man, I would have no story to tell. He was a humble person, a deep thinker, and always put others before himself.” Caldwell’s latest project is an elementary school version of Gorrie’s biography titled “Florida’s Coolest Doctor: John Gorrie.” “Dr. Gorrie’s story could be in every school and every library in Florida,” Caldwell said. “I would like to see Dr. Gorrie’s legacy remembered and respected. When you really want to do something and help others, you can always find a way. It was my honor to write his story.”

ARC in the Arts ARC in the Arts is currently holding an exhibit in the Ocala city hall lobby, 110 SE Watula Ave. ARC Marion works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The exhibit is available for viewing until March 22. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Left: Tranquility, an acrylic on canvas by Roberto Vanegas Right: Beautiful Butterflies, an acrylic on canvas by Sharon Cusick

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Marion County Commission flips fire station rebuilds By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

he Marion County Commission recently agreed to swap the years of funding for rebuilds of the county’s fire rescue stations No. 11 and No. 2. Originally, the funding for the rebuild of station No. 2 was set for fiscal year 2021, while the rebuild of station No. 11 was set for fiscal year 2022. However, the site for station No. 2, located at 2189 NE 180th Lane in Citra, is not ready for construction quite yet. James Lucas, Marion County Fire Rescue’s public information officer, said the land for the station hasn’t been voted on by the Citra Improvement Society. “We were involved with the state to get the property next to the (Florida State) Fire College for Station 11, and we were working

with the Citra Improvement Society because they have the land for Station 2,” Lucas said. “In this case, the state moved faster than the Citra Improvement Society, so that’s why they’re switching it.” Fire Station 11, situated at 12250 NW Gainesville Rd. near Reddick, is just down the road from the Florida State Fire College. Lucas says new amenities will include cancerprevention initiatives (such as a direct-exhaust capture system) and increased shower capacity to aid with decontamination, like coming back to the station after responding to a COVID-19related call. “It will provide for, you know, a faster response, a lot of what Station 11 does is on the interstate because (of ) their close proximity to 75,” Lucas said. “It will give our firefighters a better place to live.”

[Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Marion County Hospital District moves into new home By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

he Marion County Hospital District (MCHD) needed a bigger space to match its plans. After making do with its 3,000-square-foot building at 1121 SW First Ave. for years, the hospital district was ready to move. Located next door to the Heart of Florida Health Care facility in the former Albertson’s supermarket at 2547 E. Silver Springs Blvd., the district recently moved into an 8,100-square-foot space that fits the bill for its growing undertakings. One of the biggest upgrades in the new space is an executive boardroom that can accommodate up to 62 people. “It’s a lot happier,” the MCHD’s chief operating officer Debra Velez said. “Especially with social

distancing... The other office, it made it impossible to do any kind of social distancing, so this room is perfect for that.” Another valuable addition to the new facility is its technological capabilities. In the age of COVID-19 and the surge of conference calling, the executive boardroom, in addition to other conference rooms, are complete with video cameras and multiple screens throughout the facility – something that the former facility, which was built in 1966, didn’t provide. “It’s very techy,” Velez said. “We didn’t have those opportunities available in our other space.” A catering kitchen was another vital piece of the buildout, which cost the district a total of just more than a million dollars. Complete with ample counter space, a full-size

A Workplace Wellness Aromatherapy room is shown at the Marion County Hospital District’s new facility. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

refrigerator and range, Velez envisions a space that will soon facilitate cooking demonstrations to encourage Marion County residents to adopt healthier eating habits through the work of the Active Marion Project (AMP), an initiative launched by the district to motivate the community to get healthier together. Another pillar of AMP is the workplace wellbeing initiative, which focuses on improving the organizational health of employees and employers. And the district recognized the importance of practicing what they preach. “We talk to our workplace sites all the time about needing to have, kinda, a timeout room,” Velez said. “So, without us having that ourselves, we can’t really preach to other people about having it.” Just down the hall from the kitchen is a quaint workplace retreat featuring

two recliners and ambient lighting, providing a space for MCHD’s staff to unwind. And with a long list of upcoming initiatives and projects, MCHD’s staff will likely get a lot of use out of its “timeout room,” as well as the rest of its new home. In addition to its AMP and Fitness and Nutrition in Schools (FANS) initiatives, the MCHD also continues to build upon its Beacon Point project, located at 717 SW Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The drug treatment and counseling campus offers free medically-supervised addiction treatment and mental health services, but also will offer access to other services that help stabilize client’s lives. The hospital district owns the facility, but other organizations, including LifeStream Behavioral Center and The Centers, provide the services. The goal is to offer a one-stop campus for those struggling

with addiction. The MCHD helps fund some of the services as well. The projects are paid for with the proceeds of nearly $213 million the Hospital District received after leasing the former Munroe Regional Medical Center in 2014. In 2018, AdventHealth bought the lease and eventually changed the hospital’s name to AdventHealth Ocala. The district still owns the hospital and enforces the lease conditions. Since 2016, MCHD has made more than $9 million in grants to local agencies for programs targeting mental health/opioids, oral health, diabetes, obesity and tobacco cessation. And according to Velez, there’s plenty left on the horizon. “We have some other things coming up,” Velez said. “We’ll just have to reveal them at that time that it’s appropriate to.”

Dolly Dockham, Marion County Hospital District’s executive assistant, describes some of the upgrades in the executive boardroom at the district’s new location adjacent to the Heart of Florida Health Center on East Silver Springs Boulevard in Ocala on Monday. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

State News Senator wants end to Confederate Memorial Day in Florida News Service of Florida

proposal is back in the Florida Senate that would end legal holidays marking the birthdays of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, along with Confederate Memorial Day. In 2019, Marion County became the focus of the issue after both the Marion County Commission and Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn approved proclamations recognizing Confederate Memorial Day. The move was condemned locally and made headlines across the country. Some even held a protest that year on April 26, the generally observed date of Confederate Memorial Day. Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, on Monday, filed a bill (SB 1116) to remove the Lee, Davis and Confederate Memorial days from a list of legal holidays on the books in Florida. The bill is filed for consideration during the

2021 legislative session, which will begin March 2. Lee’s birthday, Jan. 19, and Confederate Memorial Day, April 26, have been legal holidays in Florida since 1895. Davis’ birthday, June 3, was added in 1905. Florida is one of five states that have kept Confederate Memorial Day a legal holiday. Confederate Memorial Day and the Lee and Davis days are not paid holidays for public employees in Florida. A similar proposal Book sponsored in 2018 was approved by one Senate committee but did not pass the Legislature. It drew objections from people who argued the proposal would erase Southern history. Rep. Mike Grieco, D-Miami Beach, filed a similar bill last month (HB 6007). Other legal holidays that are not paid holidays include Susan B. Anthony’s birthday, Good Friday, Flag Day and Pascua Florida Day, which marks the 1513 arrival in Florida of Juan Ponce de Leon. The first reported observance of Confederate Memorial Day was

on April 26, 1866, a year after the surrender of Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston to Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman at Bennett Place in Durham, North Carolina. That was the last major surrender of the war. In Florida, Confederate Memorial Day was an official holiday well into the 1930s, with state and local government, banks and schools closing in observance. It slowly began to fade after most Confederate veterans passed away and after congress officially declared Confederate soldiers as U.S. veterans in 1958, including them on Memorial Day. The rise of civil rights issues also dampened the holiday. Still, vestiges remain including its legal holiday status in Florida. At Arlington National Cemetery near Washington D.C. where the bodies of both Union and Confederate soldiers lay, Confederate Memorial Day also is an annual observance. Ocala Gazette Staff contributed to this report.

Baxley backed baby box bill sparks debate

Todd Offenbecker of All Phaze Home Services works on caulking around the Safe Haven Baby Box installed at the Ocala Fire Rescue Headquarters at the MLK First Responder campus on Northwest Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Ocala in this December file photo. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

By Christine Sexton News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – A proposal backed by an Ocala legislator allowing parents to place babies up to a month old into “baby boxes” instead of handing them over to firefighters, paramedics and emergency personnel cleared a Senate health-care panel this week. Despite support for the measure (SB 122), Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairman Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, said the nearly hour-long discussion on the bill showed there’s still room for improvement. “I know there’s still disagreement. I think it’s very clear, it’s very clear to Senator Baxley, that there’s work to be done on this bill to get it in a better position,” said Bean, referring to bill sponsor Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala. The bill would change state law on surrendering infants and would allow babies up to 30 days old to be placed in a “newborn infant safety device” located on exterior walls of fire stations, emergency medicalservices stations or hospitals. The bill requires that the devices have design features included in those made by Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Baxley denied that the bill would only benefit the Indiana-based nonprofit. Ocala dedicated the first Safe Haven Baby Box in the state in December at the new MLK First Responder Campus. Equipped with heating and cooling systems, the box locks once a baby is left inside. A silent alarm goes off, alerting firefighters. Ocala paid $11,300 for the box and will pay a $200 yearly lease, according to the contract. Opposing the bill is A Safe Haven for Newborns, a nonprofit group that has worked with 5,000 Florida

women in the past 20 years. According to a legislative staff analysis, 386 newborns have been abandoned in Florida since 2000, when a state law allowing parents to leave babies at fire stations or hospitals first passed. Of those, 62 infants were not physically handed off. Thirty-two of those babies died. Baxley said his bill would increase choices for women by allowing them to use the boxes, adding that nine other states have passed similar legislation. “This is about the rescue,” Baxley said. Opponents, though, worry that baby boxes will keep women who surrender newborn infants from getting follow-up counseling. It also would preclude getting the infants’ medical backgrounds. Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, worried that Baxley’s bill doesn’t spell out what would happen with infants after they are placed in the boxes. “There are custody issues,” Book said. A surveillance system required by the bill has led some lawmakers to believe that Baxley’s bill would benefit only Safe Haven Baby Boxes. “The specifications in the bill would point to Safe Haven Baby Boxes. Can you explain why that’s the case in the bill,” Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, asked Baxley. Baxley said the details included in the bill are guidelines. “You can design this and put this together yourself by the specifications. There’s nothing tied to selling baby boxes about this,” Baxley said. “To advocate that this is about them making money, they are not making money. Not that kind of money. They are not making near what some of the other organizational leaders are making on children’s issues. Believe me. They are interested in sparing kids and giving them a chance to have a life.” Ocala Gazette staff contributed to this report

Lowell sexual abuse report conclusions disputed by state By Daram Kam News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE – Florida prison officials recently pushed back against a U.S. Department of Justice report that found reasonable cause to believe “varied and disturbing reports” of sexual abuse – including rape – of female inmates by staff members at the state’s largest women’s correctional facility near Ocala. The investigation by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and federal prosecutors in Florida also said state officials had documented and been aware of sexual abuse by sergeants, correctional officers and other staff at Lowell Correctional Institution since at least 2006. The report about alleged misconduct at the women’s prison was released in December. But, in a Jan. 29 letter to the Justice Department, a lawyer for the Florida Department of Corrections said state officials “disagree with the report’s conclusions,” but “welcome all opportunities – and this one in particular – to continue to make our policies and practices stronger and our prisons safer.” Andy Bardos, an attorney with the GrayRobinson law firm, questioned some of the findings in the report and asked the Civil Rights Division to reveal confidential sources to help the state agency investigate the allegations. For example, the federal investigation found that it was “common” for female prisoners to be groped and bribed with contraband in exchange for sex. The investigation also found, among other things, that prisoners were threatened with solitary confinement if they reported sexual abuse. “FDC (the Department of Corrections) disputes these broad conclusions, as it has not seen facts sufficient to support them,” wrote Bardos. “If the information came to you from sources other than FDC, then its confidential disclosure will enable FDC to investigate the allegations expeditiously and, if substantiated, to take corrective action to prevent future harm to any inmate, which is always a paramount goal.” The 34-page federal investigation report noted that Lowell “has a long history of tolerance for sexual abuse and harassment, which continues to the present.” “In interviews with the department, prisoners spoke of sex between staff and prisoners as a regular event, suggesting a normalization of sexual abuse by staff. Some current and former staff made similar representations,” the report said. The report included graphic details of sexual abuse by staff members at the prison. The report also noted that several Lowell officers and other staff members have faced criminal charges based on allegations of sexual abuse of prisoners, while “many more” have been investigated for credible accusations of sexual abuse, including rape, sexual acts in exchange for contraband and other forms of coerced sexual activity. In the letter to the Justice Department, Bardos wrote that the state “has consistently taken action to protect inmates and to remove and discipline wrongdoers.” “We are pleased to report that not one of the 12 FDC employees whom you have identified as perpetrators or suspected perpetrators of sexual misconduct at Lowell works with female inmates at any Florida prison today, while five of the 12 have been arrested and criminally charged,” he wrote. Prison officials have taken “continued, constructive steps” to deter staff misconduct, Bardos added. For example, officials expanded camera coverage at Lowell in 2019 and anticipate a further camera expansion at the facility. The corrections agency also has implemented a statewide “staff-at-aglance” app that provides prison leaders at Lowell “immediate access to each officer’s employment history, including all allegations of misconduct,” Bardos wrote. “We note that almost all of the alleged incidents described in the report occurred between two and five years ago, well before FDC’s most recent measures were taken,” he added.

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Thundering hooves on parade

Tim Sparrow drives the Young Living Percheron six-horse hitch with his wife, Brittany, during the Grandview Invitational Draft Horse Show at the Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park in Ocala on Feb. 6. The hitch won the division’s championship. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Garrett Bovard works on the tack of Ice, left, and Eddie, both Percherons, in the Express Ranches (Yukon, OK) barn area. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Andy Freitag braids the mane of Earth, a Clydesdale, during the Grandview Invitational. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Shannon Cobbs drives the Grandview Clydesdales six-horse hitch with his wife, Karen during the Grandview Invitational Draft Horse Show on Feb. 6. [Bruce Ackerman/ Ocala Gazette]

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Fresh wheels

Obituary

A wrapped Toyota Tundra was donated to the Humane Society of Marion County during an event at DeLuca Toyota on Wednesday, Feb. 10. The pickup truck replaces one that was being used by the no-kill shelter and was totaled recently. DeLuca discounted the price of the Tundra for the Humane Society, then, Bill and Debbie Browder donated the remaining amount so that the Tundra could be fully donated. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Carolyn Clearwater, of Belleview, FL, was called home to heaven on January 9, 2021. Born to Eugene and Madonna McGuire in Muncie, IN, she is survived by her husband of 45 years, Steve Clearwater, her oldest son Brad Clearwater and his wife, her youngest son Scott Clearwater, her grandson Trevor Blake, her mother and her siblings. Carolyn was a special soul, always smiling, laughing and giving hugs. Carolyn was truly an angel on earth and will continue to be in heaven. The family is planning a Celebration of Life ceremony at a future date.

From left: Frank DeLuca the owner of DeLuca Toyota, Debbie Browder, Bill Steward of the Humane Society, Mary Wrye-Rutt of the Humane Society, Eddie Leedy, the executive director of the Humane Society and Bill Browder, with the donated truck.

Obituaries may be submitted at ocalagazette.com 3.5” x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt Frank DeLuca, left, and Debbie Browder, right

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Walmart, Sam’s Club and Winn-Dixie start offering vaccines Ocala Gazette Staff

ov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday afternoon that certain Walmart, Sam’s Club and WinnDixie stores, including some in Marion County, would start vaccinating residents on Friday as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. In Marion County, the following locations will offer vaccinations: • Walmart - 2600 SW 19TH Ave. Rd • Sam’s Club - 3921 SW State Road 200 • Walmart - 9570 SW State Road 200 • Winn-Dixie - 15912 E. State Road 40 Appointments can be made by visiting Walmart’s website at walmart.com/ covidvaccine, Sam’s Club at samsclub.com/ pharmacy, or Winn-

Dixie at winndixie.com/ pharmacy/covid-vaccine. Those locations join the 12 Marion County Publix locations already offering vaccinations: • 10135 SE U.S. Highway 441, Belleview • 11352 N. Williams St., Suite 400, Dunnellon • 3450 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala • 404 Pearl Britain Plaza 2647 NE 35th St., Ocala • 419 Churchill Square 303 SE 17th St., Ocala • 7578 SE Maricamp Road, Suite 100, Ocala • 5400 SW College Road, Suite 200, Ocala • 8075 SW Highway 200, Unit 111, Ocala • 3035 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala • 2765 NW 49th Ave., Suite 301, Ocala • 2575 SW 42nd St., Suite 100, Ocala • 8780 SE 165th

Mulberry Lane, The Villages To register with Publix, visit www.publix. com/covid-vaccine/ florida DeSantis said statewide, 119 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in 34 counties will begin giving the vaccine on Friday. He said that covers 30% of the superstore’s footprint in the state including both Walmart and Sam’s Club locations. The chain will get 25,000 vaccine doses to start. A total of 43 WinnDixie locations across the state will also offer the vaccines. With the new additions, a total of 490 pharmacies in 52 counties across the state will start to offer vaccines. Right now, the state is focused on offering vaccines to those 65 and older.

School board makes vaccine plea to governor By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

he Marion County School Board recently sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking him to consider all district employees as essential workers for COVID-19 vaccination distribution. The letter was part of a spate of COVID-19 related business taken up by the board. “We understand the need to vaccinate Florida’s most vulnerable health care workers and the elderly,” the letter reads. “However, we would appreciate your consideration for future distribution plans, and ask that you continue your support and prioritization for the Marion County School District to serve its students and families.” The letter, dated Feb. 2, notes that 87% of the district’s students are back on campus, compared to 66% at the start of the school year. The increase in oncampus attendance has

made social distancing more difficult. Vaccinating school workers would help ensure schools stay open, according to the letter. The board also approved a 79.3% increase in pay for bus drivers, among other raises. This comes after a bus driver shortage across the county due to school COVID-19 quarantine guidelines. Students and school workers who have close contact with anyone testing positive for the virus cannot return to school facilities for 14-days. During Thursday’s administrative briefing and work session, area director Ann Hembrook updated the board on recommendations from the health and safety committee regarding volunteers, playground equipment and field trips. The recommendation for volunteers on campus is split between secondary and elementary schools. For secondary schools, the only volunteers allowed are those who are involved in educational activities or those who can help

students in making choices involving career and postsecondary school decisions, such as military recruiters and career-and-technical education (CTE) personnel. All volunteers would have to follow existing visitor policies, such as having a scheduled appointment and temperature checks. Parent permission would also be required for a student to interact with a volunteer. As for playgrounds, structures like jungle gyms and monkey bars will remain closed. Children are allowed to play outdoors. While the committee decided to keep the same recommendation, they will create a sub-committee of principals on the issue. It also recommended to keep the ban on field trips and create a sub-committee to discuss the possibility of having field trips in the future. “Let’s not let ourselves get too down over this,” School Board Chairwoman Nancy Thrower said. “We’re going to get some sub-committees going quickly, we’re going to look at what truly makes

sense as necessary.” Area director Ben Whitehouse also gave an update on prom, saying the school system is working on plans for the event. Whitehouse said they are considering various venues, but the event is contingent on how widespread the virus is closer to prom. He said all sites under consideration are local, including the Hilton and the World Equestrian Center. “Part of that process has been working with attorney Powers to make sure that

our agreements with these facilities have an out clause for us in case of COVID that we can get a full refund for all these facilities leading right up to the event,” he said. “So, if we feel at that point, as a team, that this is not going to be an event that we can pull off safely for our students, then we certainly have that option to back out.” Graduation dates are still tentatively scheduled, but the board decided that it was too early to make decisions regarding attendance capacity.

Kristen Givens, a teacher, works with students in her classroom as Andrew Massengill, 7, tries to adjust his face shield at South Ocala Elementary School in Ocala in this file photo. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

From COVID Race, page 1 transportation and other socioeconomic factors. This has already begun as the Health Department partnered with Heart of Florida to provide vaccinations in one of our minority populations.” The county opting for a registration-based system for the vaccine has succeeded in preventing images of throngs of senior citizens camping outside in the cold for a chance at securing a vaccine as seen in other areas of the state. However, for a community that historically hasn’t trusted the healthcare system, it’s not easy to jump at the opportunity, especially as slots fill up almost instantly. Distrust in the medical field from the Black community has a lengthy history rife with bias and racism. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was an experiment on studying the effect of untreated syphilis on 600 African-American men conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and the US Public Health Service. Of the 600 men, 399 had

syphilis, were never treated for it and never knew about their diagnosis, all while being promised free health care. The experiment ran from 1932 to 1972, and the wounds are still fresh today. And that’s just one of many examples of how AfricanAmericans have been burned by the healthcare system. “That distrust still runs deep,” Jamie Ulmer, CEO of Heart of Florida, said. “Because of what happened with the Tuskegee experiments and other instances you have that constant struggle to overcome a mistrust of the government. You have to have people from that community also spearhead the effort.” Still, there are plenty of Black residents in Ocala that are willing to receive the vaccine. Imogene James, 67, said that she didn’t hesitate when it came to getting a needle in her arm. “I think it’s the best thing for everybody to go ahead and be vaccinated if you can,” James said. “I think once they see that the majority of people

are on board with it, they would get on board.” One of the ways that Florida’s Division of Emergency Management has reached out to the AfricanAmerican community is through pastors. New St. John Baptist Church was used as a site for second doses on Wednesday and was previously utilized as a vaccination site in January. Eric Cummings, a pastor at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church who was helping at New St. John Baptist Church on Wednesday, also said that he would receive the vaccine as soon as it was available to him. “We’re in the midst of the pandemic, and I don’t want to

get sick – again,” he said. “So, we know that the only way we’re going to get through this and get to a better time and get some type of community immunity is to get the vaccination.” However, Cummings said that there is still distrust among the African-American community, and even those who want the vaccine are having a hard time getting on a list. “It’s been up and down,” Cummings said. “There’s some that has a lot of distrust about past practices, but then, as you can see, you got a lot of people that are wanting it, and there’s a lot of people who want to get it, but they can’t get on a list. So, as availability comes with the vaccine, we hope that they’ll be able to get on these lists and get vaccinated quickly, especially the elderly population.” The underlying hesitance, however, is something healthcare providers continue to work through. “We recognize there is hesitancy and challenges related to access to the

COVID-19 vaccine in the African American community,” AdventHealth said in a statement via email. “AdventHealth has created a vaccine hesitancy task force which focuses on closing the gap on access to care and ensuring the community has the scientific information to empower their decision process. “We are currently developing community strategies, and we’re keeping African American and Hispanic communities top of mind as they may be hesitant due to the seeds of mistrust from historical offenses against both communities - roots that manifest in how COVID-19 disproportionately affects these communities today. AdventHealth is committed to educating the community and finding solutions to make it easy for communities to get the trusted care they need. We continue to encourage everyone to get the vaccine when they are eligible to help limit the spread and lower the severity of the virus.”

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Locally available COVID-19 treatment can reduce symptoms By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

n their 52 years of marriage, there isn’t much that Douglas and Janet Bauer haven’t done together. And receiving the monoclonal antibody infusion after the couple contracted COVID-19 was no different. The infusion can help lessen the severity of the virus. Janet Bauer, 75, said she and her husband have no idea how they caught COVID-19, but they both got sick at the same time. “Getting any symptoms out of him was like extracting a molar,” Janet Bauer said. “It was very difficult, but I could tell (he was sick) by the type of cough he had. It was so deep.” Douglas Bauer, 78, has COPD, tracheomalacia and a compromised immune system, so the infection was even more dangerous for him. “It scared me. It scared me beyond belief,” she said. Janet Bauer had a dry cough, sore throat, aches and pains and a sinus headache. They both tested positive on Jan. 20. Two days later, they received an infusion of Bamlanivimab, otherwise known as Bamlan.

According to Sarah Rounding, director of infusions with AdventHealth Ocala, the Bamlan infusion contains man-made antibodies and is not a blood product. “The whole idea behind the man-made antibodies is that your body is able to produce its own antibodies sooner and more of them so that you don’t have the continued symptoms like the fatigue and the cough and the shortness of breath that you were experiencing prior,” Rounding offered. “I’ve had patients tell me that within 24 to 48 hours, they feel much better.” AdventHealth Ocala is the only facility in Marion County offering the treatment. “When I was told we had to go to the emergency room, I had nightmares,” Janet Bauer said. “I was just terrified of this.” According to Rounding, the infusion process takes about three hours, including an hour-long observation period in case of adverse reactions. The Bauers didn’t experience any side effects from the procedure. “I would go back there in a heartbeat,” Janet Bauer said. “They didn’t separate us. They kept us together, and I sat where I could hold his hand if I needed to or wanted to because he was

sick. I knew he was really sick.” According to Janet Bauer, three days later, she was feeling better. Douglas Bauer is still slowly rebounding from his bout with the virus. More than 100 people have received the infusions, but Rounding said they have the capacity for more. The team can handle up to eight infusions a day. Right now, they average five to six. The infusions are not for everyone. The treatment is reserved for those who have a high risk of getting very sick or dying of the virus. The infusion is not available to those hospitalized with the virus. With the area’s higher percentage of residents 65 and older, the treatment can fill a void if people get sick while waiting for vaccinations. “I think that’s probably the reason that we’ve had the success that we’ve had with it because we have a lot of patients that do qualify,” Rounding said. Bamlanivimab has not been approved by the FDA. However, on Nov. 9, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the drug, making it available free of charge. “As you’re aware, our COVID numbers have

Douglas Bauer receives his monoclonal antibody infusion recently at AdventHealth Ocala [Submitted]

really surged, so it’s been amazing to be able to offer them something other than supportive care,” Rounding added. Meanwhile, Janet Bauer couldn’t be more grateful. “I’m lucky. We’re good,”

she said. “We’re lucky to have each other. And I plan on keeping it that way.” For information about the treatment, contact your primary care physician. The treatment is only available with a physician’s referral.

From Variant, page 1 dominant in the United States by March. “The increased transmissibility of this variant requires an even more rigorous combined implementation of vaccination and mitigation measures (e.g., distancing, masking, and hand hygiene) to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2,” the CDC wrote. “These measures will be more effective if they are instituted sooner rather than later to slow the initial spread of the B.1.1.7 variant.” The CDC also warned that the UK variant would place even more burden on the already strained healthcare system. According to Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, just 8.17% of hospital beds are available in Marion County. The available capacity for adult ICU beds in the county is 11.65%. Deaths are also on the rise in Marion County. According to Lander, some of the increase is due to older deaths from late December and January just being reported. According to the New York Times, Marion County has had 3.33 deaths per 100,000 people in the last seven days, the most in the state. Through Wednesday, the county currently sits at 671 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the DOH. On the vaccine front, the county has continued to surpass the 1,000 vaccines per day mark. Marion County averaged 1,643.5 vaccines per day between Feb. 1 and Feb. 8, with two days of more than 2,400 vaccines. After the county focused more on second doses last week, 12,786 people in Marion County have received their second shot, while another 24,212 have received their first shot for a total of 36,998 people who have been vaccinated. “We’re increasing the total number of people vaccinated through the Paddock Mall site; people who are due for their second shot are also now coming through the site,” Lander wrote. “First-round and second-round shots are allocated differently, so the numbers of first versus second shots can vary by week.”

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Sports Vanguard stuns Forest in rivalry sequel

Vanguard’s Josiah Kiner (2) is smothered by Forest’s Aaron Steloganis (2) as he looks to get the ball in someone else’s hands during the second half of action. [Howie McCormick/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

Vanguard’s Aaron James (3) goes to the basket as he is contested by Forest big man Brenen Lorient (5) during the first half of Friday’s matchup. [Howie McCormick/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

echnically the game never ended. On Feb. 5, officials ended the rivalry showdown between Forest and Vanguard’s boys’ basketball teams with 7.4 seconds to play in the fourth quarter after Vanguard fans rushed the court in Forest’s gym. The Knights had just stunned the Wildcats 61-42. Minutes earlier, the northeast corner of the stands, draped in navy and red, chanted the words “overrated” at the Wildcats, who came into the night

with more than double the number of wins than the Knights, including a win over Vanguard in their first meeting earlier this season. When the two crosstown rivals first met back on Jan. 8, Forest got the better of Vanguard with a 60-46 win. When it came time for the Knights to visit the Wildcats, vengeance was all they sought. And they made that crystal clear early in the first quarter. Entering the Feb. 5 game, the hero of Vanguard’s team had been senior Aaron James Jr., who was averaging 20.9 points per game. James contributed 13 points in

the first meeting with the Wildcats. But it was time for someone else to shine. Vanguard junior Demetrius Watts scored the opening six points of the game en route to a 14-point night, good for his secondhighest scoring game of the season. More importantly, Watts’ early scoring spree set the tone of the game: The Knights never played from behind. On the other end of the floor, the undersized Vanguard roster stood tall at the challenge of defending the Wildcats, whose roster features seven players that eclipse 6-foot-3. “We had the size advantage,” Forest head coach Spencer Ashley said. “It felt like Vanguard did a really good job of just doing their best to take that away from us. And again, credit to Todd Davis… He coached a hell of a game tonight.” For much of the game, Forest’s shooting efforts were on ice. Even the

easiest of shots couldn’t find their way through the rim. Brenen Lorient, a 6-foot8 junior for the Wildcats finally found rhythm in the fourth quarter, posting 16 of his 22 points. But by then, it was too little, too late. When asked what he fed his team before the contest,

Vanguard head coach Todd Davis was quick to laugh it off. “I didn’t feed them anything,” Davis joked. “I just told them that it was time to play basketball. We worked hard for this right here. We came out and we earned a victory.”

Vanguard’s Cameron Powell (35) gets position on Forest’s Jeremiah Russell (1) between free throw attempts. [Howie McCormick/Special to the Ocala Gazette]

Central Florida Patriots score 26 runs in rout By Brendan Farrell Ocala Gazette

ot even the scoreboard at Goodlett Field could keep up with the College of Central Florida’s offense on Feb. 8. There’s only one digit for each slot on the scoreboard, so when the Patriots scored their 10th run of the seventh inning against TNXL Academy Tampa, the scoreboard operator could only put a “0” on the board. “I can’t remember when that’s happened,” Central Florida coach Marty Smith said. “Although, it would have if we’d have been playing at home our Opening Day win against PascoHernando, we only won 23-1.” Central Florida’s offense ran wild against the Trojans with a 26-1 blowout win that was over almost immediately after it started. The Patriots compiled 18 hits and 12 walks in addition to five errors committed by the Trojans. Leadoff hitter Nick Calero led the team

with four hits, three RBIs and two walks. Six Central Florida pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts and only one earned run. “It was good to see (Calero) get on track and get a few hits and hit one off the wall there in the (eighth) inning,” Smith said. “It was good to see Nick sting some balls and get some balls on the barrel.” After Patriots starter Nick Love shut out the Trojans in the top of the first The College of Central Florida’s Kyler Hultgren (28) celebrates with the dugout after scoring on TNXL Academy Tampa Feb. 8. inning, Matthew [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] Cedarburg hustled for an infield single with one out. The addition to the three batters themselves on the board in more runs by the end of the next three batters were who were plunked earlier the top of the seventh inning, inning for a total of 10. all hit by a pitch, allowing in the inning. Every Central but then the Patriots offense Central Florida tacked Cedarburg to score the Florida hitter either reached came back to life. on another five runs in the game’s first run. Catcher base or batted in a run in the The Trojans didn’t record bottom of the eighth to make Kyler Hultgren drew a basesfirst inning. an out in the bottom of the it 26-1. loaded walk to score another Central Florida’s offense seventh inning until the The Patriots go on run. cooled down after that, only tenth Central Florida batter the road with matchups That was the beginning of adding a run in the second of the inning. In that span, against South Florida State a nine-run first inning for the inning and the fifth inning the Patriots drew three walks College on Feb. 12 and a Patriots (10-1) that featured to extend the lead to 11. and smacked five hits for doubleheader against Indian five hits and three walks in The Trojans managed to get eight runs. They scored two River on Feb. 13.

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Belleview dominates county wrestling championships By Ainslie Lee Ocala Gazette

fter being an eyelash away from winning last year’s Marion County Interscholastic Athletic Championship, the Belleview Rattlers’ wrestling team ran the table on Wednesday night, capturing the county title for the first time in head coach Bryan Irwin’s threeyear tenure. “It’s been an Achilles heel to me,” Irwin said. “We lost last year by three and then we avenged the loss about two weeks later at our tournament, the Diamondback Duels. And then the year before that, we were banged up with injuries.” But during Wednesday’s championships at Forest High School, the Rattlers left little room for questioning their squad’s talent. Of the 14 weight classes, the individual class champion hailed from Belleview in eight of them. And of those eight champions from the Rattlers, six finished their title run undefeated. And spelling trouble for the rest of the county next season, five of the Rattlers’ eight champs are underclassmen.” And after that many on Irwin’s young roster finished their night flawless, it was hard for the Belleview coach to isolate anyone as a standout. “I just like the team effort,” Irwin said. “We came out today, we’ve been

working real hard in the room and everything just kinda clicked in for us… We came in and put our heads down. “Man, I really can’t pick out just one. I really can’t.” Following behind the Rattlers in the team championship were the Forest Wildcats, followed by the West Port Wolfpack and Lake Weir Hurricanes. The complete list of individual champions is as follows: • 106-pounds: Aydan Ruano, Forest, freshman • 113-pounds: Zach Young, Belleview, sophomore • 120-pounds: Jakob Zawosky, Forest, junior • 126-pounds: Gage Alberty, Belleview, senior • 132-pounds: Morgan Cole, Belleview, senior • 138-pounds: Andrew Davis, Belleview, sophomore • 145-pounds: Tyler Pinkowski, West Port, junior • 152-pounds: Dean Marquis, Lake Weir, junior • 160-pounds: Cornelius Bentley Green, Belleview, sophomore • 170-pounds: Eric McLaughlin, Belleview, sophomore • 182-pounds: Alexy Acevedo, Lake Weir, junior • 195-pounds: Nathan Halstead, Belleview, senior • 220-pounds: Andrew Dunn, Belleview, sophomore • 285-pounds: Cane Fernandez, Forest, sophomore

Andrew Davis, a sophomore at Belleview High School, pins Kieran Ball, a junior at West Port High School, in the 138-pound weight class during the MCIAC Wrestling Championships at Forest High School in Ocala on Feb. 10. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

Mark Willis, a junior at Belleview High School, wrestles with Frangello Baltodano, a senior at West Port High School, in the 120-pound weight class at Forest High School on Feb. 10. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Creative’s Corner Wrapped up in baskets Artist finds joy making functional pieces By Lisa McGinnes Ocala Gazette

ary Blanchette has always been artistic. Before becoming a teacher 20 years ago, she enjoyed attending art shows and selling hand-painted rocks featuring animal designs. Growing up in Panama, she learned to sew and even had her own t-shirt business. Last fall, when she retired as a second-grade

teacher from Dunnellon Elementary, she again found herself with time for artistic pursuits. That’s when she discovered joy in making fabric-wrapped rope baskets. “I love baskets,” she said. “I had no clue how the first one was going to come out, and I loved it.” The idea came from watching YouTube videos. She bought a length of rope, gathered some fabric scraps and started wrapping, coiling and sewing. She was hooked.

A selection of fabric-wrapped rope baskets made by Mary Blanchette are shown. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]

“I was amazed,” she recalled. “I just love starting Mary Blanchette of Dunnellon poses with a selection of the baskets she makes. Blanchette is a it because I retired elementary school teacher who has been making the baskets since December. They are never really offered for sale at the Grumbles House in Dunnellon. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] know what I’m making. I just have an three or four the first time Many of her works now idea of which colors I want and thought, ‘We’re in incorporate beads and to go together, but I never the middle of COVID. If embroidery with turtle, frog really have any idea what anybody’s buying a basket, and leaf embellishments. shape it’s going to come out it’s pretty amazing!’” Making baskets is a to be. I just keep wrapping So, she set up an Etsy great way to upcycle shirts, and think, ‘I’ll just see what shop, Bee Kind Kraft pillowcases, and fabric happens.’ That’s kind of the Company. The name scraps, Blanchette noted. fun of it. You can take some hearkens to her teaching Her unique creations strange, patterned piece days. begin with simple cotton of material that you had “That was always my No. clothesline. She makes the forever, and as soon as you 1 rule in my classroom: Be process sound easy: cut start wrapping it around, it kind, always,” she said. strips of fabric, wrap the turns into something totally Blanchette is currently fabric around the rope, different. So, it’s kind of cool experimenting with Easter coil the rope into a basket to see that happen.” baskets and custom baskets shape, then sew the coils Blanchette made a few in certain colors, shapes and together with a zigzag baskets for her home, where sizes. But her inspiration has stitch. she uses them as decorative always come from nature. She hopes her functional containers for potted plants. “I grew up in Panama, artworks bring others as Soon, she had enough to in the canal zone, and lived much joy as she finds in sell and attended the First at the ocean all my life,” she creating them. Saturday Village Market in said. “All those greens and “It just makes me happy Dunnellon. blues are from that — from I can create that, and I hope “I went there and sold the jungle and the ocean.” they feel the same way.”

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FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Community

Now -4/3

Chain Reaction Charlie

2/12 -14

WEC Winter Spectacular

2/12 -14

Ocala Winter I Horse Trials

2/12 -14

PacWest Barrel Race

2/12

Marion Oaks Farmers Market

Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave. Saturday 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday 10am-12:30 and 2:304:30pm This new exhibit allows kids of all ages to get hands-on in Charlie’s garden, tree house and workshop to make incredible new inventions. Visit mydiscoverycenter.org for more information.

2/17

Wednesday Midday Market

Ocala Downtown Market, 310 SE Third St. 1-6pm Shop a selection of produce, meat, natural and handmade products and food trucks. ocaladowntownmarket.com

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 8am Spectators are welcome at hunter/jumper and dressage equine events. Parking is free, restaurants are open and leashed dogs are permitted. Visit wec.net for more information.

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S County Road 475 8am Friday-Saturday, 9am Sunday The 2021 Ocala Evening Series includes dressage, show jumping and cross country. Visit flhorsepark.com for more information.

Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd. 5pm Friday, Noon Saturday, 10am Sunday Visit pacwestbarrelracing.com for more information.

Marion Oaks Community Center, 294 Marion Oaks Lane 9am-noon Fresh vegetables, artisan food products and handmade crafts. Wednesday Midday Market. Photo by Dawn Bowman.

2/12 2/12 2/12 2/13

Marion County Friday Market

McPherson Government Complex, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am-2pm Shop locally fresh fruits and veggies, cinnamon buns, jerky, freeze dried treats, olive oils and seafood.

Scott Springs Park, 2825 SW 24th Ave. 10-11am Learn about recycling with games for all ages. Visit ocala.fl/ recpark for more information.

Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 6455 SW State Road 200 4-7pm Support the Marion County Sheriff ’s Office Foundation while enjoying spaghetti, breadsticks, salad, tea and dessert. Call (352) 368-3582 for more information.

Medicare & COVID-19

2/18

Mi Amore at the Park

Ocala Downtown Market

310 SE Third St. 9am-2pm A variety of vendors offer local fruits and vegetables, meats and seafood, fresh pasta, honey, arts and crafts, rain or shine. Visit ocaladowntownmarket.com for more information.

2/13

Valentine’s Sip ‘N’ Shop & Bestie Bash

2/14

Polo Match: Women’s League Final

2/15

2/18

MCSO Foundation Spaghetti Dinner

2/13

2/15

Farmers Market

Programs in the Parks: Recycling Relay

Brownwood Farmers Market

2/14

2/18

2726 Brownwood Blvd., Wildwood 9am-1pm More than 70 vendors offer fresh produce and crafts. Visit thevillagesentertainment.com for more information.

Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road 11am-2pm While adults enjoy specialty vendors, drinks and live entertainment, kids can play games and make crafts. Visit paddockmall.com for more information.

Florida Horse Park, 11008 S Highway 475 1-3pm Bring chairs, a picnic and the family and enjoy a live polo match. Visit ocalapolo.com for more information.

Hiring Event

World Equestrian Center, 1390 NW 80th Ave. 10am-3pm The new complex is recruiting employees to fill dozens of positions. Call (800) 434-5627, ext. 3206 for more information.

African American Read-In

Virtual 2pm Ocala Public Library invites readers, performers and listeners of all ages to participate in the 31st National African American Read-In. Visit fb.com/mcplibrary for more information.

2/17

1 Million Cups Ocala

2/17

Career Chat: Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Power Plant Business Incubator, 405 SE Osceola Ave. 9:30-10:30am Two local startups present their business idea to an audience of community entrepreneurs. Email ryan@ocalacep.com for more information.

Virtual 12:15-1:30pm The College of Central Florida hosts a free event to learn about career training and employment in logistics and supply chain management. Register at cf.edu/bustechevents.

Virtual 10-11am Learn more about Medicare in this free Zoom workshop offered by SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders). Call (352) 692-5209 or email shine@agingresources.org for more information. floridashine.org

Sholom Park 6pm Bring a picnic and enjoy the romantic music of the Heart Strings duo under the stars. Registration required at sholomparkorg.

Arts

Now Michael Brennan Equine Exhibit -2/27

Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St. Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 11am-4pm An exhibit featuring colorful canvas, wood panel and largescale works by Michael Brennan. Visit mcaocala.org for more information.

Now -3/6

9 to 5: The Musical

Now -3/15

My Favorite Things

Now -3/18

Works

Gala of the Royal Horses

Peninsula Farm, 12020 N U.S. 441 3pm The graceful royal horses of Europe, including Lipizzaner stallions, Spanish Andalusians, Fresians and Arabians, perform intricate maneuvers. Visit galaoftheroyalhorses.com for more information.

Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. 9am-1pm Locally grown seasonal produce, baked goods, plants and more. Visit circlesquarecommons.com/farmersmarket for more information.

The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main St., The Villages Tuesday-Saturday 7pm, Saturday 2pm The riotous musical comedy based on the 1980 movie features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. Visit thesharon.com for tickets.

Barbara G. Washington Adult Activity Center, 210 NW 12th Ave. 9am-4pm This City of Ocala Art in City Spaces exhibit showcases works created by families and relatives of city employees which illustrate their favorite things. Open Monday through Friday. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

Ocala Recreation and Parks, 828 NE Eighth Ave. 9am-5pm An exhibit featuring the hand-embellished fabric designs of quilter and textile artist Ginny Avnaim. Open Monday through Friday. Visit ocalafl.org/culturalarts for more information.

Now ARC in the Arts -3/22

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. Monday-Friday 9am-5pm An exhibit of art created by participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the adult day training program at ARC Marion Inc. Each piece of a unique reflection of the individual and is for sale to benefit the organization. Visit mcarc.com for more information.

Now Memories & Inspiration -3/28

Appleton Museum of Art 10am-5pm Thursday-Saturday, 12-5pm Sunday The Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American art exhibition celebrates the passion of a couple who amassed a collection of more than 300 works over 35 years. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Now The Art of Adventure -4/25

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm An exhibition of 1970s serigraphs by Clayton Pond highlighting artworks from Pond’s “Leisure-time Obsessions Series.” Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Now Luminous Worlds -6/27

Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm An exhibition featuring the large abstract canvases of Kristin Herzog, a Naples, Florida-based artist and former civil engineering draftsman. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

2/12

2/13

2/14

2/16

2/18

2/18 2/18

2/15

Ocala Board of Adjustment

2/16

Marion County Board of Commissioners

2/16

Marion County Hospital District Committees

2/16

Marion County Commission Planning & Zoning Final Hearing

2/16

Marion County Community Redevelopment Agency Board

2/16

Ocala Community Redevelopment Area Agency Board

2/16

Ocala City Council

2/16

City of Dunnellon Planning Commission

2/16

Belleview City Commission

2/18

Marion County Development Review Committee Staff Meeting

2/18

Pine Run Estates Advisory Council

2/18

Rainbow Lakes Estates Public Advisory Board

Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition

CF Webber Gallery, 3001 SW College Road 10am-4pm The talent of the College of Central Florida Visual Arts faculty is displayed in an exhibition of ceramics, prints, fiber, photography and mixed media pieces. Visit cf.edu for more information.

Horse Fever 20/20 Family Day

Transformco, 655 SW 52nd Ave. 10am-4pm A free, public unveiling of the new herd of statues. Enjoy music, children’s activities and food trucks. Visit fb.com/ horsefever2020 for more information.

Couples Painting Class

NOMA Ocala, 939 N. Magnolia Ave. 2-5pm Paint your version of the famous “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt with your Valentine on a shared canvas while enjoying beverages and chocolate. Visit fb.com/nomagalleryocala for more information.

Appleton Book Club

Virtual 7pm A free online discussion of “The Brilliant History of Color in Art” by Victoria Finlay. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Artist Talk: David D’Alessandris

NOMA Ocala, 939 N. Magnolia Ave. 12-1:30pm Bring your lunch and enjoy a free talk with the artist featured in the “Oneliner” series. Visit fb.com/nomagalleryocala for more information.

The Color Purple

Marion Theatre, 50 S. Magnolia Ave. 5:30pm A literary film event to support Friends of the Ocala Public Library. Visit mariontheatre.org for more information.

Artist’s Outlook: Anthony Ackrill

Virtual 7pm The Appleton Museum of Art presents a free Zoom talk with Florida-based painter Anthony Ackrill, whose painting “The Reaper” is part of the museum’s permanent collection. Visit appletonmuseum.org for more information.

Government Marion County Development Review Committee

Office of the County Engineer, 412 SE 25th Ave. 9am The DRC votes on waiver requests, drainage/site plans, subdivision master plans, preliminary plats, improvement plans and final plats. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 5:30pm Visit ocalafl.org for more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/94696168190 to participate online.

McPherson Government Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 9am Call (352) 438-2323 for more information.

Hospital District Office, 2547 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Noon Call (352) 622-3662 for more information about the audit, finance, investment, operations and strategic initiatives committee meetings.

McPherson Government Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 2pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

McPherson Government Complex Auditorium, 601 SE 25th Ave. 3pm Call (352) 438-2600 for more information.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 4:45pm Call (352) 629-8401 for more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/446885807 to participate online.

Ocala City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave. and virtual 5pm Call (352) 629-8401 for more information. Visit https://zoom. us/j/446885807 to participate online.

Dunnellon City Hall, 20750 River Drive 5:30pm Call (352) 465-8500 for more information.

City Hall Commission Room, 5343 SE Abshier Blvd., Belleview 6pm Call (352) 245-7021 for more information.

Office of the County Engineer Building 1 Conference Room, 412 SE 25th Ave. 8:30 a.m. Applicants may discuss proposed or current projects with county review staff prior to meeting formally with the Development Review Committee. Call (352) 671-8686 for more information.

Pine Run Clubhouse, 10379 SW 88th Terrace 10am Call (352) 438-2650 for more information.

Rainbow Lakes Estates Clubhouse, 4020 SW Deepwater Court, Dunnellon 6:30pm Call (352) 489-4280 for more information.

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR 12

4pm John Johnson

Gator Joe’s

5pm Jason Brown

5pm Paradigm

6pm Stephen Lopez

6pm Chris McNeil

6:30pm Gilly & the Girl

7pm Becky Sinn Infinite Ale Works

8pm Warren McCullough

8pm Dueling Pianos The Lodge

La Cuisine French Restaurant

7pm Variety Night

10:30am Donna J

11am Becky Sinn The Keep Downtown

12pm Charity Cox

2:30 & 7pm River City Boys

3 & 7pm Three Tenors Plus One

8pm Music From the Heart The Corkscrew

1pm Chadwick Pierce Crazy Cucumber

3 & 7pm Alex Santoriello: Simply Sinatra Savannah Center

6pm Conrad Marcum

2:30 & 7pm Let’s Hang On Frankie Vallie Tribute Orange Blossom Opry

5:30pm Miranda Madison

6pm John Copeland Shuckin’ Shack

2pm John Johnson Eaton’s Beach

Locos Grill & Pub

8pm Ecliff The Keep Downtown

The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center

13 -14

7pm John Johnson Horse & Hounds

Orange Blossom Opry

Ocala Downtown Market

Swampy’s

The Corkscrew

Locos Grill & Pub

Orange Blossom Opry

Shuckin’ Shack

7pm Charity Cox

11am Jeff Jarrett Paddock Mall

Horse and Hounds

Brownwood Paddock Square

The Crazy Cucumber

World Equestrian Center

7pm The Big Bad

Lorito’s Italian Kitchen

FEBRUARY 12 - FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | OCALA GAZETTE

Planned student lab at Silver River Museum gets big boost a big boost from the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) after they donated a trove of surplus lab equipment to the effort. While obsolete to the district, the equipment still has lots of life left and A student calibrates a pH probe before using it to measure the pH level of the Silver River at a samis perfect for pling location. [Euan Hunter/Submitted] student use. Once the lab is up and By Brendan Farrell running at the museum, Ocala Gazette middle and high school students will use the anguard High School facility. Hunter says the chemistry teacher new equipment will allow Euan Hunter sees students to analyze samples the Silver River as a gift, quicker and more accurately something that shouldn’t be than they could before. They taken for granted. would be able to collect It’s why he’s worked samples, test them and to transform a portable obtain results all while still building at the Silver River on-site, instead of having to Museum into a lab for take samples back to school. students to learn more about “With this equipment, the river and its health. Marion County students The project recently got can learn how to operate

high-quality instruments, generate data to discover more about the Silver River and grow into citizens committed to water protection and conservation,” said Ann Shortelle, SJRWMD executive director, in a prepared statement. Hunter, who frequently takes students to the Silver River on field trips to collect samples, said he was thrilled when he found out that the district was sending the surplus equipment. “I was absolutely gobsmacked. It was an amazing thing,” Hunter said. “It was like, ‘Geez, that’s incredible,’ especially when you consider, you know, what a typical high school science teacher’s budget is.” The surplus equipment includes tools like a block digester, vacuum pump, automated samplers and more. He hopes to have the lab up and running by August, but in the meantime, the number of classes doing sampling at the river is growing. The project is still raising

money to pay for upgrades to the idea of being able to the building and to purchase take students out to Silver chemicals for analysis. Springs, which is on our With help from doorstep, it’s a beautiful the Public Education place, you know, I don’t Foundation of Marion think we should ever County, more than $35,000 underappreciate, you know, in other equipment has been how lucky we are to have purchased for the project. that on our doorstep,” The Silver River is 5.5 Hunter said. “And when miles long. It starts at the students are doing the headwaters of Silver real-world science without Springs and flows into them knowing the answer, the Ocklawaha River. it really pushed their Concerns about the state’s creativity and the thinking springs, including Silver skills of students. And I Springs, have prompted felt that it shouldn’t really state regulations to try just be my class. All classes and reduce the amount should be able to do it.” of nitrogen compounds that enter springs. Increased pollutants promote algae growth, which in turn can affect water quality. The compounds can come from wastewater, water from septic tanks, stormwater Students collect water samples for further analysis runoff and back at Vanguard High School. Once the lab is up fertilizer runoff. and running, students will be able to test their water “I felt that samples on site. [Euan Hunter/Submitted]

News in Brief Supervisor of Elections scholarship opportunity

Ocala named a Tree City USA

Annual tax collector’s car show canceled

The Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) will award three $1,200 scholarships in 2021 to students across the state. Marion County Supervisor of Elections Wesley Wilcox urges local qualified students to apply for the scholarship. To be eligible for the FSE Scholarship the applicant shall: Be a registered voter and a Florida resident for the preceding two years; Be enrolled or accepted as a full-time student in a senior college or university in Florida; Have finished two years of junior college or undergraduate work and have maintained a “C” average or above for the previous year; Be either a Political Science, Public/ Business Administration, or Journalism/Mass Communication major. The FSE Scholarship is available at www. VoteMarion.Gov/Scholarship or at the Marion County Election Center, 981 NE 16th St. Applications are due by March 26, 2021.

The Arbor Day Foundation named Ocala a 2020 Tree City USA recently in honor of the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management. The Tree City USA program has four requirements, including having a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. “The trees being planted and cared for by Ocala are ensuring that generations to come will enjoy a better quality of life,” said Dan Lambe, President, Arbor Day Foundation in a release. For information about the program, visit www.arborday. org/TreeCityUSA

The 11th Annual Tax Collector’s Charity Car Show set for Feb. 20 was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. Organized by George Albright, the Marion County Tax Collector, the show has become a favorite for auto enthusiasts locally and across the state. “With the spike in cases and everything going on with COVID-19 we felt it was the best thing to do to protect everyone,” Albright said. He said he hopes the event returns next year. The event was to benefit Interfaith Emergency Services along with other local charities.

Corrections & Clarifications Gabe Bullaro was previously the COO of Ocala Health, an item in the Feb. 11 edition stated otherwise.

Current adoption special: All pet adoptions in February are only $14 View more adoptable pets at www.marioncountyﬂ.org/animal Adoption price includes up-to-date vaccinations, county license, microchip and spay/neuter surgery.

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.CCC MORE FOR YOUR TRADE TRADE VALUE IS BASED ON EXCESSIVE WEAR, TEAR & MILEAGE OFFERS CANNOT BE COMBINED. DISCOUNT PROVIDED BY DEALER OFF MSRP. EXAMPLE: CCCCC LANDCRUISER ,,,, SALE PRICE ,,,,. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE AND ... DEALER FEE. OFFER EXPIRES ///////. **** DOWN + % FINANCING ON NEW TOYOTAS ..% FINANCING ON NEW CAMRY NONNHYBRIDD FOR MONTHS. WITH APPROVED CREDIT MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY ,,,, FINANCED IS ..% MONTHS = .... NO DOWN PAYMENT. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE AND ... DEALER FEE. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. OFFER EXPIRES ///////. COROLLA LE PER MONTH #CCCCC COROLLA LE MODEL ##### VIN# JTDEPMAEEMJJJJJJJ MONTH LEASE WITH APPROVED CREDIT. ... DUE AT LEASE SIGNING PLUS TAX, TAG, TITLE, REGISTRATION, AND DEALER FEE OF .... SECURITY DEPOSIT. PLUS DEALER INSTALLED OPTIONS. K MILES PER YEAR... A MILE FOR OVERAGE. NET CAP COST .... OFFER EXPIRES ///////. % FINANCING FOR MONTHS % FINANCING ON NEW COROLLA FOR MONTHS. WITH APPROVED CREDIT MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY ,,,, FINANCED IS % MONTHS = .... NO DOWN PAYMENT. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES ///////. RAVV LE PER MO CCCCC RAVV LE MODEL ##### VIN# TTHHRFVVMWWWWWWW MONTH LEASE WITH APPROVED CREDIT. ... DUE AT LEASE SIGNING PLUS TAX, TAG, TITLE, REGISTRATION, AND DEALER FEE OF .... SECURITY DEPOSIT. PLUS DEALER INSTALLED OPTIONS. K MILES PER YEAR... A MILE FOR OVERAGE. NET CAP COST ... OFFER EXPIRES ///////. % FINANCING FOR MONTHS % FINANCING ON NEW RAVV FOR MONTHS. WITH APPROVED CREDIT MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY ,,,, FINANCED IS % MONTHS = .... NO DOWN PAYMENT. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES ///////. CAMRY LE PER MONTH CCCCC CAMRY LE MODEL ##### VIN# TTCCCAKKMUUUUUUU. MONTH LEASE WITH APPROVED CREDIT. ... DUE AT LEASE SIGNING PLUS TAX, TAG, TITLE, REGISTRATION, AND DEALER FEE OF .... SECURITY DEPOSIT. PLUS DEALER INSTALLED OPTIONS. K MILES PER YEAR.... A MILE FOR OVERAGE. NET CAP COST .... OFFER EXPIRES ///////... % FINANCING FOR MONTHS % FINANCING ON NEW CAMRY FOR MONTHS. WITH APPROVED CREDIT MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY ,,,, FINANCED IS % MONTHS = .... NO DOWN PAYMENT. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES ///////. HIGHLANDER XLE PER MO CCCCC HIGHLANDER XLE MODEL ##### VIN# TDGZRAHHMSSSSSSS MONTH LEASE WITH APPROVED CREDIT ... DUE AT LEASE SIGNING PLUS TAX, TAG, TITLE, REGISTRATION, AND DEALER FEE OF ... SECURITY DEPOSIT. PLUS DEALER INSTALLED OPTIONS. K MILES PER YEAR... A MILE FOR OVERAGE. NET CAP COST .... EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. OFFERS EXPIRE ///////. % FINANCING FOR MONTHS % FINANCING ON NEW HIGHLANDER FOR MONTHS. WITH APPROVED CREDIT MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY ,,,, FINANCED IS % MONTHS = .... NO DOWN PAYMENT. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES ///////. TACOMA SRR PER MONTH COOOO TACOMA SRR MODEL ##### VIN# TFAZZCNNMXXXXXXX PER MONTH, MONTH LEASE WITH APPROVED CREDIT .... DUE AT LEASE SIGNING PLUS TAX, TAG, TITLE, REGISTRATION, AND DEALER FEE OF ... SECURITY DEPOSIT. PLUS DEALER INSTALLED OPTIONS. K MILES PER YEAR... A MILE FOR OVERAGE. NET CAP COST .... EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. EXPIRES ///////. ..% FINANCING FOR MONTHS ..% FINANCING ON NEW TACOMA FOR MONTHS. WITH APPROVED CREDIT MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY ,,,, FINANCED IS % MONTHS = .... NO DOWN PAYMENT. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES ///////. TUNDRA SRR PER MO CCCCC TUNDRA SRR VIN# TFDYYFFFMXXXXXXX MODEL##### MONTH LEASE WITH APPROVED CREDIT . DUE AT LEASE SIGNING PLUS TAX, TAG, TITLE, REGISTRATION, AND DEALER FEE OF .... SECURITY DEPOSIT. PLUS DEALER INSTALLED OPTIONS. K MILES PER YEAR... A MILE FOR OVERAGE. NET CAP COST .... EXPIRES ///////. ..% FINANCING FOR MONTHS % FINANCING ON NEW TUNDRA FOR MONTHS. WITH APPROVED CREDIT MONTHLY PAYMENT FOR EVERY ,,,, FINANCED IS % MONTHS = .... NO DOWN PAYMENT. EXCLUDES TAX, TAG, REGISTRATION, TITLE, AND ... DEALER FEE. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. EXPIRES ///////.